Alliance

The two left the space, and outside, the Dragon Clan had already gathered in full force.

Seeing Candle Dragon supported by Donghua, the Dragon Clan members rushed forward.

"Ancestor, how are you?"

"Ancestor, are you alright?"

"Ancestor..."

Candle Dragon pushed Donghua away and said impatiently, "What's all this? What's all this? I'm not dead yet, so stop your wailing!"

"Though the Taotie calamity has been resolved, that thing is immortal and undying. It will return sooner or later, so the seal here needs to be reset."

Donghua nodded at this.

These Four Fierce Beasts and Four Divine Beasts were born with the Primordial World's fortune, their cultivation at the Quasi-Saint realm, truly immortal and undying.

In truth, all Innate Deities were born with inherent fortune and possessed the attribute of immortality and indestructibility.

Just like East King Gong, who was later destroyed but reincarnated as the Heavenly Court's Eastern Emperor Donghua, and then reincarnated again as Lü Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals.

Though his achievements grew worse and worse, and he was no longer the original East King Gong, that trace of innate true spirit was still his.

That is to say, your imprint in the Primordial World will never vanish, but what returns is ultimately no longer you—unless your cultivation reaches Grand Unity, allowing you to retain all memories, Dao principles, and cultivation from your Previous Life.

Even then, it still isn't you.

This is Donghua's current situation, except he has accepted the full cultivation of his original body, making him somewhat special.

It's like back in the Primordial World, when Fuxi passed away and reincarnated into the human race, becoming Heavenly Sovereign Fuxi—but he was no longer the previous Fuxi, merely possessing the memories.

Donghua: "The sealing formation here is profoundly intricate; it only needs to be reset."

"Enough, there's no rush on this matter. Though Taotie is immortal and undying, the Primordial World is no longer the era of its first opening. Even if Taotie is reborn and returns, its cultivation will surely decline."

"Don't force yourself to stay here. Go back and heal. Once you've recovered, you can slowly set things up."

Having said this, Donghua prepared to leave.

"Please wait, Your Excellency. This time, Your Excellency has shown great kindness to my Dragon Clan and to me, Candle Dragon. I humbly invite Your Excellency to be our guest in the Dragon Clan for a few days. Let me fulfill the duties of a host once my injuries have healed."

Candle Dragon, forcing his body upright, bowed. Donghua thought for a moment and did not refuse. This time, he had indeed done the Dragon Clan a great favor. Though he had initially sought no reward—merely wanting to test his own abilities, since he had never truly fought since gaining this power—

"Very well. I would also like to witness the splendor of the Dragon Clan."

The group left the space and returned to the Dragon Clan's Crystal Palace.

Candle Dragon went into seclusion to heal. Donghua also closed up for a few days to recover. He had sustained no real injuries, merely summarizing the experience and shortcomings from the battle—a habit he had developed as a civil servant in his Previous Life.

After emerging from seclusion, Donghua began to travel through the Dragon Clan's sea territory, witnessing the wonders of the Primordial World's great oceans.

He visited the East Sea Dragon Clan's training grounds, where Ancestor Dragon once drilled his soldiers—a separate space.

In those days, True Immortals were soldiers, Golden Immortals and Grand Unity cultivators were generals, Great Luo were commanders, and Quasi-Saints were marshals. The aura of war filled the East Sea, swallowing ten thousand miles like a tiger. Now, that glory was no more.

These days of touring the East Sea Dragon Clan only strengthened Donghua's resolve not to seek hegemony. In the Primordial World, seeking dominance was a path to death.

Before, there were the Three Clans who wanted to unify the Primordial World; later, Luohu sought to sweep through it and establish the demonic path; now, the Demon Race Heavenly Court and the Witch Clan aimed to rule heaven and earth; and later, Haotian, unwilling to be a puppet of the Six Saints, would rise.

"Look at any of them—did any end well? The Three Clans exist in name only, Luohu dissolved into the Dao, the Witch Clan withdrew entirely from the Primordial World, and the Demon Race, though still active due to their vast numbers, no longer enjoy their former glory."

"Even Haotian, with such a powerful background, was tricked into reincarnation. When he returned, he was no longer the Heavenly Emperor Haotian, but only the Jade Emperor."

"So in the Primordial World, vying for supremacy leads only to death. Isn't quietly pursuing the Dao more fragrant?"

One day, while Donghua was cultivating, the East Sea Dragon King Ao Ming entered.

"May I ask why the Dragon King has come to see me?"

Ao Ming: "Reporting to Your Excellency, Ancestor Candle Dragon has emerged from seclusion. Today, he is hosting a banquet at the Dragon Palace and has specially sent me to invite Your Excellency."

Ao Ming's attitude over these past few days had been very respectful, and he kept his posture low.

The two arrived at the Dragon Palace's banquet hall, where Candle Dragon led the rest of the Dragon Clan in welcoming them outside.

Donghua: "Daoist, you look radiant today. It seems your injuries have healed."

Candle Dragon: "I trouble you with your concern. A minor wound, hardly worth mentioning."

"We pay our respects to the East King." The Dragon Clan members all bowed.

Entering the Great Hall, there were two seats at the head, equal in status. Candle Dragon led Donghua to sit.

Below were four seats, belonging to the Four Seas Dragon Kings.

As everyone took their seats, the banquet officially began.

For a time, cups clinked, music played, and dragon maidens danced.

When the feast ended, only a dozen or so remained in the hall.

Candle Dragon: "Daoist East King, you have shown great kindness to my Dragon Clan and saved my life. We have no way to repay you."

As Candle Dragon spoke, the Four Seas Dragon Kings each produced a spiritual treasure.

"Daoist East King, this is a top-grade Houtian Spiritual Treasure battle armor, named the Profound Heaven Battle Armor. It was forged by Ancestor Dragon himself. Unfortunately, after it was completed, Ancestor Dragon had already transformed into the Dao to suppress the Four Seas."

Candle Dragon stroked his armor. "As they say, a fine sword befits a hero. Our Dragon Clan wishes to gift this battle suit to you, Fellow Daoist, as a small return for the kindness you've shown us."

Candle Dragon's words were clear enough—a single suit of armor could not repay all the karmic debts Donghua had incurred by lending his aid.

Donghua thought for a moment. "Since Fellow Daoist Candle Dragon is so generous, I shall accept it."

With a wave of his hand, Donghua collected the armor.

Candle Dragon exchanged glances with the others of the Dragon Clan before speaking. "Fellow Daoist East King, today I have an impertinent request."

Candle Dragon began, then continued, "Now that the Demon Race Heavenly Court has grown strong, Di Jun's ambitions are boundless. It's only a matter of time before he sends troops against the East Sea."

"Our Dragon Clan wishes to form an alliance with your Purple Mansion—to advance and retreat together. What does the East King think?"

Donghua considered Candle Dragon's proposal, then shook his head. "Fellow Daoist Candle Dragon, my heart is set solely on the Dao. I have no interest in conquest. As for your request, let us drop the matter."

The Demon Race's attack on the Dragon Clan was a foregone conclusion. Without any benefit to himself, why would Donghua rush to get involved?

Candle Dragon shook his head. "I understand the East King's meaning. Our Dragon Clan no longer wishes to vie for supremacy either—we only seek to cultivate in peace, to dwell within the Four Seas."

"But the Heavenly Court refuses to let us be. If they breach the Four Seas, how could your Purple Mansion remain untouched? If we form an alliance now, even the Heavenly Court will have to think twice."

What Candle Dragon said stirred Donghua's heart. Though he had no ambition for conquest, the Heavenly Court's predatory gaze made him uncertain. He couldn't be one hundred percent sure they wouldn't attack the Purple Mansion, wouldn't repeat the same mistakes.

After his last meeting with the Dao Ancestor, Donghua knew that Hongjun's time to merge with the Dao was near.

Once Hongjun merged with the Dao, his status as Head of Male Immortals would lose its current glory, and the Heavenly Court's wariness would surely diminish.

But allying with the Dragon Clan had both pros and cons.

The benefit was clear: a pact between two major powers would make the Heavenly Court think twice, and he himself would be far safer.

The drawback was that once the alliance was formed, what would the Heavenly Court think? Would they see Donghua as harboring ambitions of conquest, making him their next target after the Demon God Race?

Moreover, though the Dragon Clan would survive into later ages, they were nothing but troublemakers—a magnet for disaster.

Trapped at the Quasi-Saint realm, struggling to Slay the Corpse, he couldn't raise his strength anytime soon.

Thinking about it gave him a headache. He was never one for deep thought, and this situation was truly complicated.

He just wanted to lie down and do nothing.

Seeing Donghua lost in thought, Candle Dragon gave Ao Ming a meaningful look.

"Fellow Daoist East King, I hope you will give the matter of the alliance further consideration."

Donghua nodded.