Huanglong introduced him.
"He is my eldest uncle's newly accepted disciple. His Daoist title is Xuandan."
The Dragon King looked surprised and praised him repeatedly.
"As expected of the Grand Pure Sage's personal disciple—truly a fine and distinguished young man."
"I said it ten thousand years ago: I felt that an honored guest would come to the Dragon Clan, and I've been uneasy ever since. Now that I've met you, Nephew, I understand why. I feel much more at ease."
"Please, come in! With an honored guest's arrival, the Dragon Palace is truly graced with splendor."
Xuandan smiled, thinking that this Dragon King really was a master of worldly wisdom.
Ten thousand years ago...
He hadn't even taken human form ten thousand years ago.
Huanglong asked with concern,
"Uncle, when I came here, I sensed demonic aura everywhere, but didn't see any Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals on patrol."
"Has something gone wrong with the Dragon Clan?"
At that, the Dragon King's worried expression returned. With sighs, he told them everything that had happened.
Xuandan listened attentively from the side and soon understood the situation.
Ever since the Demon Race had been established, the forces that had once served the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin Clans had all switched sides and pledged themselves to the Demon Court.
The Demon Court had then entered a period of rapid growth.
The Demon Court's appetite could no longer be satisfied by a few small forces.
Having set their sights on the wealthy Dragon Clan, they sent Demon Sage Ji Meng to recruit them.
They called it recruitment, but it was really coercion and inducement.
Ji Meng had a special history. He had once been a general who followed the Ancestral Dragon in campaigns across the land.
Before the decisive battle between the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin Clans in years past, he had defected from the Dragon Clan. After the Demon Court was established, he had turned around and joined it, becoming one of the Ten Great Demon Sages. Along with Kunpeng, he was responsible for suppressing the Sea Race's creatures.
When the East Sea Dragon King reached this point, he let out a helpless sigh.
"Think of how prosperous the Dragon Clan once was. Now we don't even have a single Quasi-Saint."
"That traitor Ji Meng is relying on his Quasi-Saint cultivation to bully our Dragon Clan like this!"
The Four Dragon Kings had gathered together, but they could only manage a stalemate.
If the battle remained deadlocked, it would certainly spell disaster for the Dragon Clan.
Ji Meng only had to lead the Demon Court's army to surround the Dragon Palace.
Then Kunpeng could gather the Sea Race without restraint.
By then, the Dragon Palace would be left with no followers, and its strength would plummet.
Ji Meng would be able to toy with them as he pleased.
"How have you four Dragon Kings considered this Demon Sage's proposal?"
Just as the atmosphere inside the Dragon Palace had grown tense,
Ji Meng's booming voice, tinged with mockery, rolled through the air.
The Four Dragon Kings' expressions turned ugly at once.
Huanglong was even more furious. He snorted and said,
"A deserter back then, throwing your weight around by hiding behind others now. You really don't know what's good for you!"
He looked at Xuandan apologetically.
"Junior Brother, I'm truly sorry. I'd meant to show you the sights of the Dragon Palace."
"Instead, you've ended up watching us make fools of ourselves."
Xuandan waved a hand, unconcerned.
"No matter. Would he dare lay a hand on me? Senior Brother, you should focus on your clansmen first."
The Four Dragon Kings exchanged glances with Huanglong, their expressions turning serious.
Xuandan was right. He was a disciple of the Grand Pure Sage. Who would dare disrespect him?
Not to mention Ji Meng—even if Di Jun came, he would have to show some courtesy.
Xuandan watched as the Four Dragon Kings and Huanglong went out together to face Ji Meng. Curious to see what would happen, he followed them.
Soon, he spotted a burly Demon Sage with a dragon's head and a human body standing some distance away.
The pressure radiating from him made it hard to breathe.
His face was marked by an utterly arrogant grin.
But when he saw Huanglong, the grin vanished and his brow furrowed.
Before moving against the Dragon Clan, he had naturally looked into their background.
Huanglong was a personal disciple of Primordial Lord of Heaven, the Yuqing Sage.
Ji Meng had certainly kept that in mind, given how special Huanglong's status was.
Even the two Demon Emperors were unwilling to offend a Sage's disciple.
His gloomy gaze swept over the Four Dragon Kings.
He spoke in an arrogant tone.
"This Demon Sage has given you plenty of time to consider. Don't make things unpleasant for everyone."
"If you join the Demon Court, you can share in the Demon Race Fortune. Perhaps that will help the Dragon Clan rise again. What is there to hesitate about?"
Before the Four Dragon Kings could respond, Huanglong stepped forward and answered,
"The Dragon Clan will never join the Demon Court. Please leave, Demon Sage Ji Meng."
"I am a disciple of the Yuqing Sage. I hope Demon Sage Ji Meng will show me some consideration."
"Still, the Dragon Clan can offer you some support, for old times' sake."
Hearing that, Xuandan couldn't help but sigh.
The once-dominant rulers of Heaven and Earth had now fallen so low that they had to pay protection money.
Ji Meng's expression darkened, and he remained silent for a long while.
He knew he wouldn't dare lay a hand on a Sage's disciple.
After all, they were of the same generation as far as seniority went.
First, bullying a junior would damage his reputation if word got out.
Second, he would face retaliation from the Three Pure Ones.
By then, even if Demon Emperor Jun and Eastern Emperor Taiyi joined forces, they wouldn't be able to protect him.
But the idea that a few treasures could buy their way out of trouble was pure delusion.
Ji Meng's mind raced. There was no way he would give up on the Dragon Clan.
His past defection was an indelible stain.
But he saw a chance to set the record straight.
If he seized the opportunity to bring the Dragon Clan into the fold, wouldn't that prove that his decision back then had been wise and correct?
He could also draw on the Dragon Clan's resources and strength.
His standing and influence in the Demon Court would rise considerably as well.
No matter what, Ji Meng would never give up on bringing the Dragon Clan under his command.
Meanwhile, Xuandan watched the conflict between the two sides as an outsider.
He said nothing and made no move, simply watching in silence.
After thinking it over for a long time, Ji Meng finally spoke.
"For the sake of Nephew Huanglong and the Yuqing Sage, this Demon Sage can refrain from taking action."
As soon as he finished, the Four Dragon Kings showed a trace of delight.
But Ji Meng abruptly changed tack.
"Have the Dragon Clan send a junior to duel this Demon Sage's offspring."
"If your side wins, I'll lead my troops away. If you lose, the Dragon Clan will come under my command."
"What do you four Dragon Kings think?"
The Four Dragon Kings looked conflicted, while Huanglong's eyes gleamed.
He had broken through to Golden Immortal and mastered divine abilities. Naturally, he was confident and wanted to speak up.
But Ji Meng spoke again.
"However, Nephew Huanglong cannot take part. Since you are a disciple of the Yuqing Sage, it wouldn't be appropriate, whether by reason or sentiment."
Huanglong was about to argue, but the East Sea Dragon King behind him pulled him back.
"We accept this duel on behalf of the Dragon Clan."
Ji Meng immediately broke into a pleased grin.
"Good. I hope the Dragon Clan doesn't go back on its word."
With that, he quickly left the Dragon Palace, his figure disappearing from sight.
Ji Meng had been remarkably confident.
After all, this was his own offspring, with a powerful bloodline.
Since joining the Demon Race, he had poured countless resources into his child.
He had even personally lectured and tutored him, helping him break through to Golden Immortal.
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