The Dragon Clan's Might Shakes the Primordial World; Ao Chen Goes into Seclusion to Comprehend the True Immortal Realm; Dongwang Gong Bides His Time

Before anyone could react, Ao Chen's voice rang out again, carrying an unquestionable authority:

"Your death sentence is commuted, but you won't escape punishment!"

"Within three hundred years, you must personally go to the East Sea Dragon Palace and apologize to My Dragon Clan! You must also offer sufficient compensation to make up for the losses you caused My Dragon Clan!"

"Remember, the compensation must be sufficient! If I'm not satisfied..."

A cold glint flashed in Ao Chen's eyes, and his voice was like the Netherworld Wind:

"Then an apology and compensation won't be enough. Do you understand?"

Boom!

His words sent another uproar through the entire scene!

The lord of the Immortal Court, the Head of Male Immortals personally appointed by Dao Ancestor, had to go to the East Sea Dragon Palace and apologize? And offer sufficient compensation?

This... this was more painful than killing him! It was a blatant humiliation, grinding East King Duke's face—and the dignity of the entire Immortal Court—into the dirt!

"You... you've gone too far!"

East King Duke trembled with rage. His face turned liver-red, and he nearly spat up another mouthful of blood! He would rather die in battle than suffer such disgrace!

"Wretch! I'll fight you to the death!" A crazed look flashed in East King Duke's eyes as he tried to forcibly burn his essence and perish together with Ao Chen!

But just then!

"Fellow Daoist East King Duke, calm yourself!"

Supreme Clarity Laozi's voice rang out in his soul, carrying a hint of unquestionable authority.

"As long as the green hills remain, there'll be no shortage of firewood. Let today's matter go for now."

"Indeed! Fellow Daoist East King Duke, a gentleman can wait ten years to take his revenge. Why vent your anger in the heat of the moment?"

Primordial Lord of Heaven's voice followed. Though it still carried his usual arrogance, his meaning was clear.

"East King Duke, a great man knows when to yield and when to stand firm! Be patient for now!" Sect Master Tongtian was the most direct.

One after another, the voices of Jieyin, Zhunti, and even Nuwa echoed in his soul, some more openly than others. Without exception, they were all urging him to accept Ao Chen's terms!

East King Duke's heart sank to the very bottom!

He understood now. Not one of them truly wanted to help him! They had acted for their own reasons—whether out of consideration for Dao Ancestor's reputation or to preserve the Primordial Wilderness's superficial "order"!

Now that Ao Chen was willing to back down, they were naturally pleased. None of them wanted to fight to the death over East King Duke against Ao Chen, a monster of unfathomable strength who acted without restraint!

An indescribable sense of humiliation and fury, along with the desolation of being abandoned, surged through East King Duke!

He hated them!

He hated Ao Chen's arrogance! He hated Eastern Emperor Taiyi for taking advantage of his misfortune! He hated the Three Pure Ones for their hypocrisy! He hated the greed of the Two Sages of the West! He even hated Dao Ancestor Hongjun for his unfairness!

Why? Why should he, the dignified Head of Male Immortals, have to suffer such humiliation?

But in the end, he held back!

He looked at Ao Chen's cold, indifferent gaze, devoid of all emotion. He felt that faint but terrifying Killing Intent, powerful enough to annihilate his soul, then glanced at the surrounding great powers, all of them so virtuous in appearance...

He knew that if he refused today, he would likely die here! And he would die in vain, with no one truly coming to his aid!

"Fine... Fine! I... I accept!"

East King Duke practically ground the words out through clenched teeth, each one filled with boundless resentment and humiliation!

He lowered his once-proud head and chose to bide his time.

"Within three hundred years, I'll go to the East Sea in person!"

But inside, he roared furiously: Just you wait! All of you, just you wait! I'll remember this humiliation for the rest of my life!

Once I've attained great power and unified the Primordial Wilderness, I'll tear every one of you here to pieces! Especially you, Ao Chen! And your Dragon Clan! I'll grind your bones to dust and make sure you never reincarnate!

Ao Chen showed no expression at East King Duke's humiliating reply. He only gave a slight nod, as if this were only to be expected.

He withdrew his gaze and paid no further attention to East King Duke and West Queen Mother, who looked like defeated roosters.

Then he turned and glanced, almost imperceptibly, toward the Demon Clan's ranks, where Eastern Emperor Taiyi stood. A thoughtful look appeared in his eyes.

The meaningful glance made Eastern Emperor Taiyi's heart skip a beat. He tensed instinctively, and the Chaos Bell rang out again. He thought Ao Chen was about to attack him!

But before he could react, Ao Chen's figure vanished without a sound, like a dream or a bubble, as if he had never been there.

Phew—!

Only after Ao Chen's aura had completely disappeared did every immortal and deity present—including the Three Pure Ones, Eastern Emperor Taiyi, Jieyin, Zhunti, and Nuwa—finally let out a long, simultaneous breath!

There was no helping it. The pressure Ao Chen had placed on them was simply too great!

His terrifying power—treating Quasi-Sages as nothing, erasing Great Luo with a casual gesture, and holding his own against the Three Pure Ones—along with his disregard for every rule and his lawless behavior, filled them with dread and unease from the depths of their souls!

After a brief silence, an unprecedented uproar of discussion erupted across the ruins of Yingzhou Immortal Island!

"Who exactly is that Dragon Clan member? Why have I never heard of him?"

"That was terrifying! How could someone in the Heavenly Immortal realm possess such strength? It's simply unbelievable!"

"Are you crazy? You still think he's a Heavenly Immortal?"

"That senior is truly interesting. He actually disguised himself as a Heavenly Immortal."

"Who can say? Perhaps it's a hobby of ancient powers. After all, it's normal for great powers to have their quirks."

"It looks like the Primordial Wilderness is about to change! The Dragon Clan has such a terrifying figure hidden among them!"

"The Immortal Court has taken a terrible fall this time! East King Duke has lost all face. How can he command the myriad immortals from now on?"

"Ao Chen... That name is destined to spread throughout the entire Primordial Wilderness!"

Countless great powers in seclusion were roused, countless hidden old monsters took notice, and countless factions began reassessing the Dragon Clan's strength...

Because of Ao Chen's astonishing feat at the Immortal Court Grand Ceremony, the entire Primordial Wilderness was swept up in a tremendous upheaval!

Yet the instigator of it all, Ao Chen, had already crossed through endless reaches of space and silently returned to the depths of the East Sea Dragon Palace.

Inside the Crystal Palace.

Ao Guang was pacing restlessly. He had already watched Ao Chen's display of might through the Water Mirror Art. That figure, as majestic as a god or demon, was impossible to reconcile with his brother Ao Chen.

The unreal feeling left him extremely unsettled.

And just as his restlessness grew unbearable, a familiar figure silently appeared before him.

It was Ao Chen Yi.

Chapter Fifty-Five: The Dragon Clan's Might Shakes the Primordial Wilderness, Ao Chen Enters Seclusion to Comprehend the True Immortal Realm, and East King Duke Bides His Time

Inside the Crystal Palace.

Ao Guang stared at his "brother," who had suddenly appeared before him, completely stunned. He was practically in a daze.

Though he had not gone to the Immortal Court in person, Yingzhou Immortal Island was not very far from the East Sea Dragon Palace. With his cultivation at the peak of the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm and the Dragon Clan's secret Water Mirror Technique, he had watched the earth-shattering battle from beginning to end.

That supreme figure, like an ancient god or demon descending into the world; that terrifying power, treating Quasi-Sages as nothing and erasing Great Luo Golden Immortals with a casual gesture; that domineering might, standing firm against the combined Three Pure Ones without falling behind...

All of it filled Ao Guang with awe and trepidation from the depths of his soul!

He had thought his brother Ao Chen, though powerful, would go to the Immortal Court and rely on some trump card or his eloquence to negotiate with East King Duke. He might secure some benefits for the Dragon Clan, or at least get them justice.

He had never imagined Ao Chen could be so terrifying!

Ao Chen had completely overpowered the entire Immortal Court, grinding its dignity into the dirt and forcing East King Duke, the Head of Male Immortals personally appointed by Dao Ancestor, to bow his head and apologize!

Even when the Three Pure Ones, the Two Sages of the West, and Nuwa—the greatest powers in the Primordial Wilderness—had stepped in, they had been unable to do anything to him!

Such terrifying power seemed unreal to Ao Guang. He even began to wonder whether his past experience of calling Ao Chen his sworn brother had been nothing but a dream.

So now, as he faced Ao Chen again, Ao Guang felt not only excitement and gratitude, but also an indescribable sense of distance and fear.

His voice was hesitant and respectful. "Ao... Brother Ao Chen... You... you're back?"

After all, when the gap in strength between two people became as vast as a heavenly chasm, their friendship and brotherly affection could often become fragile.

Even though Ao Chen's attitude had never changed, Ao Guang could no longer face him as naturally as before. He was afraid that a careless word or gesture might offend this unfathomable "brother."

Seeing Ao Guang's timid and reserved manner, Ao Chen sighed inwardly, but said nothing.

Some things were an inevitable result of the difference in their strength; a few words could not dispel them. Besides, he had neither the time nor the energy to soothe Ao Guang's feelings right now.

The matter of the Immortal Court had come to an end, but for him, true cultivation had only just begun. The Dragon Pearl containing the Ancestral Dragon's life's work and the secrets of immortality was what he needed to focus on most at the moment.

"Fellow Daoist, there's no need for formalities," Ao Chen said with a slight nod, his tone still calm.

"The matter with the Immortal Court is settled. Within three hundred years, East King Duke will come in person to apologize and offer compensation. When he does, Fellow Daoist only needs to accept it according to the rules."

"Yes... Yes! Rest assured, Daoist Ao Chen! I'll take care of it!" Ao Guang hurriedly replied, his heart still pounding like a drum.

"Mm." Ao Chen acknowledged him and said no more.

"I'll be entering seclusion for a while to comprehend the Great Dao. I'll have to trouble Fellow Daoist to continue attending to the affairs inside and outside the Dragon Palace."