"Cang Lie, Yuan Hao, I'll need your help staying in the East China Sea this time."
Yuan Hao agreed with a grin, and Cang Lie nodded in assent.
Ao Xuan's voice carried resolve. "Qinghe, assist Xie Ao in reinforcing the Azure Dragon Sea-Suppressing Formation. If there's any unusual movement from the Three Seas, go on alert immediately. Yuan Hao, accompany Mo Yuan to investigate the true strength of the Three Seas Dragon Palaces—focus on the formations the Ancestral Dragon laid there, and check if there are any traces of him controlling the Three Seas."
"Jiao Xuan, Qinghe, you'll come with me to prepare for the trip to Dragon Gate Reef in three days."
He turned to Jiao Xuan. "You're well-versed in the Primordial World. Help me compile records of the Ancestral Dragon, and see if we can find out what happened to him all these years—how he suddenly reappeared. Cang Lie, if something happens in the East China Sea, please contact the fire crow flock in the Southern Region. If there's a change at Dragon Gate Reef, we'll need their assistance."
"It's no trouble. Besides, my White Tiger clan is no pushover." Cang Lie waved his hand and agreed.
"We obey your orders!" Everyone replied in unison.
Ao Xuan said no more, his gaze fixed on the direction of Dragon Gate Reef. He knew that the meeting in three days would not only determine the safety of the East China Sea but also the future of the entire dragon clan.
According to the original history, the Ancestral Dragon unified the Four Seas Dragon Clans. The dragon clan seemed to be at the height of their power, but in reality, the Ancestral Dragon had dug a huge pit for them. First, the dragon clan slaughtered the qilin clan, then destroyed the phoenix clan, and finally was ambushed by Demon Emperor Luo Hu. After several great battles, less than one in a hundred dragons survived. Some of the remaining dragons were lured to the West to become Dharma protectors of Buddhism. In short, for a moment of glory, the entire dragon clan was devastated.
The entire Dragon-Han Catastrophe was the annihilation history of the dragon, phoenix, and qilin clans!
This time, he was determined to reverse the dragon clan's fate!
As the cyan escape light tore through the East China Sea's sky, the chaotic qi at Dragon Gate Reef was being purified layer by layer by the intertwined golden and crimson dragon energy.
This dangerous place where the Four Seas converged had now become a showcase of innate dragon power: the tides were condensed into water rings surrounding the reefs, and the dragon scale ceremonial weapons embedded in the hidden reefs exuded the Dao rhythm of the dawn of chaos. Clearly, this was a display the Ancestral Dragon had set up with his own origin—but it did not feel oppressive at all. Instead, dragons who came here would feel extremely comfortable.
"This dragon energy... it's definitely innate origin."
Ao Xuan stood atop the escape light, the water patterns on his cyan-gold Taoist robe flowing gently—no longer as tense as when he faced the Three Seas envoys. His dragon pupils swept over the golden-crimson dragon energy, and the water fortune spiritual light lingering at his fingertips trembled slightly. This was the origin resonance between innate divine dragons, not hierarchical suppression. "Though the Ancestral Dragon is the first divine dragon of the Four Seas, he does not bully others with his bloodline. He truly has the bearing of a progenitor."
Jiao Xuan leaned on his dragon staff, his elderly eyes filled with emotion. "As an acquired creature, this old jiao never thought he would have the chance to meet the innate Ancestral Dragon. The Ancestral Dragon, formed from the first wisp of dragon energy after Pangu opened the sky, rules over all scaled creatures in the world. I just didn't expect that after awakening, he would meet you in such a manner... Your Majesty is also an innate Azure Dragon. In terms of origin, you are his peer."
Qinghe followed closely behind, her emerald skirt fluttering in the dragon energy, and the wood-element spiritual light at her fingertips flowing gently. "The spiritual vein fluctuations from the Three Seas are extremely obedient. Presumably, the three Dragon Kings have already arrived, but..."
Before she could finish, a golden-crimson beam of light shot up from the center of Dragon Gate Reef.
In the beam, a ten-thousand-zhang divine dragon afterimage hovered. Its scales were like golden-crimson glazed jade, reflecting the scene of the dawn of chaos. When its dragon pupils opened, its gaze first fell on Ao Xuan—filled with a hint of scrutiny, yet no hostility. "Now that Ao Xuan has arrived, enter the formation to speak."
The cyan-gold spiritual light around Ao Xuan surged as he landed on the reef.
As soon as he stepped onto the reef surface, a surge of vast dragon energy rushed toward him. The Azure Dragon origin in his body became extremely active, intertwining with the golden dragon energy to form a pale golden light band.
On the white jade platform in the center of the reef, the Ancestral Dragon sat on a dragon throne, wearing a golden-patterned dragon robe. Four dragon seals were placed on the table in front of him, and the maps of the Four Seas territories on the seals were clearly divided into four colors: cyan, crimson, white, and blue.
On either side of the platform, the Three Seas Dragon Kings stood according to their directions.
Dragon King Ao Lie of the South China Sea wore crimson scale armor, and the fire spirit pearls on his armor glowed with scorching spiritual light. When he saw Ao Xuan approaching, he nodded slightly, his tone carrying a deliberate respect. "Elder Ao Xuan of the East China Sea? You've finally arrived. Lord Ancestral Dragon has been waiting for you for half an hour. After all, as an innate Azure Dragon, you certainly have more prestige than us acquired dragon clans."
Dragon King Ao Ze of the West China Sea wore a silver-white black ice robe, and the ice prisms at the hem glowed with cold light. He shook his folding fan gently, his words carrying an underlying meaning. "Brother Ao Lie, that's not the right way to put it. Elder Ao Xuan is an innate divine dragon, peer to Lord Ancestral Dragon—naturally, he is entitled to such prestige. But today is a dragon clan council presided over by Lord Ancestral Dragon. As juniors, we should all abide by the rules."
Dragon King Ao Bing of the North China Sea was the most restrained. His pale blue ice armor merged with the surrounding air, but he also added. "Lord Ancestral Dragon has worked tirelessly for the dragon clan's revival. As juniors, we should assist him with all our strength. Though Elder Ao Xuan is also innate, if there's anything he hasn't considered thoroughly, he should listen to Lord Ancestral Dragon's guidance."
His words were polite, but they clearly classified Ao Xuan as someone "in need of the Ancestral Dragon's guidance." Obviously, with the Ancestral Dragon backing them, these acquired dragon clans already regarded him as their supreme ancestor—and naturally could not tolerate anyone questioning their "ancestor's" decisions.
Ao Xuan's expression remained unchanged as he walked to stand on the left side of the platform.
He neither stood with the Three Seas Dragon Kings nor approached the Ancestral Dragon, maintaining an appropriate distance.
He bowed to the Ancestral Dragon, his tone calm yet unyielding. "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Ancestral Dragon. I admire your dedication to planning for the dragon clan as soon as you awakened."
"The term 'Fellow Daoist' is indeed appropriate." The Ancestral Dragon nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashing in his golden-crimson pupils.
"Ao Xuan, you are transformed from innate dragon energy—my peer. You have also established a Dragon Palace in the East China Sea, protecting aquatic creatures. In terms of merit, you deserve to be the first among the Four Seas Dragon Kings. Today, I've summoned you to unify the dragon clan and discuss the great prosperity of our race."
With that, he raised the Four Seas Dragon Seals. The maps of the Four Seas territories on the seals suddenly lit up, and the four-colored spiritual light intertwined in the air to form a huge light net. "I have made a great vow to the Heavenly Dao, establishing the positions of the Four Seas Dragon Kings, and have been bestowed with the Four Seas Dragon Seals. Azure Dragon Ao Xuan, innate dragon clan, shall govern the East China Sea and control the central hub of world water fortune. Crimson Dragon Ao Lie, acquired dragon clan, shall govern the South China Sea and oversee the southern fire-element spiritual veins. Yellow Dragon Ao Ze, acquired dragon clan, shall govern the West China Sea and guard the Heavenly River tributaries. White Dragon Ao Bing, acquired dragon clan, shall govern the North China Sea and suppress the extreme cold Ice Spiritual Eye. Once the Four Seas are unified, we shall proclaim to the Primordial World that all creatures shall honor our dragon clan as the 'Supreme Scaled Ones,' and all scaled creatures under heaven shall be ruled by us!"
Spiritual light overflowed from the seals, flying toward the four of them respectively. Ao Lie, Ao Ze, and Ao Bing quickly reached out to take the seals, bowing deeply in gratitude—their actions as respectful as ministers paying homage to a monarch. "Thank you for the grace of Lord Ancestral Dragon! We shall not fail your trust, and will help the dragon clan become the 'Supreme Scaled Ones'!"
Only Ao Xuan did not take the seal. Cyan-gold spiritual light lingered in his palm as his gaze fixed on the crimson spiritual light representing the South China Sea territory in the light net.
He looked up at the Ancestral Dragon, his tone still calm but carrying undeniable firmness. "Fellow Daoist Ancestral Dragon, I believe the proposal of the 'Supreme Scaled Ones' is inappropriate."
As soon as he spoke, the Three Seas Dragon Kings' expressions changed instantly.
The Ancestral Dragon raised an eyebrow, his golden dragon robe fluttering without wind. But he did not reprimand Ao Xuan, only asking. "What do you find inappropriate? Speak your mind."
"Are you aware of the current situation in the Primordial World?"
Ao Xuan pointed his fingertip at the Western Region in the light net. "Jieyin and Zhunti of Western Buddhism have already obtained Hongmeng Purple Qi, and the spiritual veins of Lingshan Mountain are flourishing. The phoenix clan in the Southern Region has inhabited the parasol forest in the South China Sea for generations. Yuanfeng controls the innate Nanming Li Fire, with countless fire spirits under his command. The Qilin Ancestral Vein Mountain in the North is said to be formed from Pangu's remains, boasting ten thousand spiritual treasures. The Twelve Ancestral Witches of the witch clan are formed from Pangu's blood and essence, with immortal physical bodies. Di Jun and Tai Yi of the demon clan have obtained the River Diagram and Luo Shu and the Chaos Bell, and are currently unifying the countless demons of the East China Sea..."
Before Ao Xuan could finish, Ao Lie stepped forward, the fire spirit pearls on his crimson scale armor surging with light. "Dragon King of the East China Sea, you're mistaken! Lord Ancestral Dragon is the progenitor of the dragon clan—his decisions are not to be questioned! My South China Sea Dragon Clan has obtained secret techniques from Lord Ancestral Dragon, enabling us to channel the power of the fire-element spiritual veins. Why should we fear Yuanfeng of the phoenix clan?"
"That's right!" Ao Ze closed his folding fan, spinning the Black Water Seal in his palm. "The Black Water Locking Formation has been laid along the Heavenly River tributaries in the West China Sea. Even Gonggong of the witch clan won't be able to gain any advantage here. Could it be that Elder Ao Xuan is afraid of the witch and demon clans? Or do you think your status as an innate Azure Dragon gives you the right to override Lord Ancestral Dragon's decisions?"
Ao Bing also spoke, his voice as cold as cracking ice. "I have already taken control of the North China Sea's Ice Spiritual Eye. If the qilin clan dares to refuse submission, I can freeze their Ancestral Vein Mountain within three months. The 'Supreme Scaled Ones' is the honor the dragon clan deserves. As an innate Azure Dragon, Elder Ao Xuan, do you look down on us acquired dragon clans and disdain to associate with us because you think you're superior?"
The three of them took turns speaking. Clearly, with the Ancestral Dragon backing them, these acquired dragon clans had long regarded him as their supreme ancestor—and naturally could not tolerate anyone saying a single word against their "ancestor's" decisions.
Ao Xuan paused, his gaze sweeping over the Three Seas Dragon Kings. At this moment, he couldn't help but think they were all fools. There were countless powerful beings in the Primordial World. Not to mention the Three Pure Ones and the Two Western Sages, even Yuanfeng, the First Qilin, and the Ancestral Dragon were roughly evenly matched in strength—even if there were differences, they were not significant. Did the dragon clan really think they could dominate the Primordial World with just the Ancestral Dragon alone?
Given the current state of the Primordial Heavenly Dao, the only way to survive was to keep a low profile. Wasn't Luo Hu powerful? Even Hongjun couldn't defeat him without the Heavenly Dao's blessing, and in the end, Luo Hu still perished. Each of the five Primordial kalpas was more brutal than the last. Simply put, the Heavenly Dao was not yet complete, and the Primordial World was like a giant millstone—stirred by the Heavenly Dao to absorb energy and perfect itself.
When one's strength was insufficient to resist the Heavenly Dao, keeping a low profile and developing steadily was the only way to survive.
But none of these things had happened yet. Even if he told them, they wouldn't believe him—and he couldn't explain how he knew all this.
Ao Xuan continued, his tone carrying a hint of impatience. "If we raise the banner of the 'Supreme Scaled Ones' now and force other clans to submit, we will push the dragon clan into opposition with all other forces. Luo Hu's demonic flames are still spreading. If the dragon clan engages in internal strife with other Primordial creatures at this time, aren't we giving the demon clan an opportunity to take advantage?"
"Fear-mongering!" Ao Lie retorted. "The secret techniques passed down by Lord Ancestral Dragon have greatly enhanced our strength. The phoenix and qilin clans are nothing but chickens and dogs—why should we fear them?"
Ao Ze echoed. "Elder Ao Xuan is being too cautious, which will only cause us to miss the opportunity for the dragon clan's great prosperity! With Lord Ancestral Dragon here, even Taoist Hongjun will have to give our dragon clan three points of respect!"
Ao Xuan no longer argued with the Three Seas Dragon Kings. He raised his hand, condensing a wisp of Pangu's merit golden light, and gently tapped it on the area of demonic energy in the South China Sea's spiritual light within the light net. The black mist instantly hissed and emitted white smoke. Even the Ancestral Dragon's pupils contracted sharply—he had been careless and failed to detect that demonic energy had already infiltrated the Three Seas' spiritual veins.