noffsinger Chapter 99 Candle Dragon
Chapter 99 Candle Dragon
Chapter 99 Candle Dragon
Following the Turtle Prime Minister down the path of light formed by magical power, the surrounding seawater was pushed aside by an invisible force, forming a wide, tranquil passage adorned with countless luminous pearls and exotic corals.
The deeper one goes, the more magnificent and dreamlike the light becomes, thanks to the enormous luminous jellyfish, the luminous pearls, and the precious glow emanating from the palace itself.
Before long, a magnificent and indescribable complex of buildings came into view. It was the core of the Dragon Clan—the East Sea Dragon Palace.
The palaces are constructed from huge transparent crystals, colorful corals, and ancient clams, with carved beams and painted rafters, exuding extreme luxury and majesty.
Countless shrimp soldiers and crab generals, and sea patrol yakshas of varying strengths, patrolled the area, including some with pure bloodlines...
The dragon sons and grandsons, who had already transformed into half-dragons, moved among them. When they saw the Turtle Prime Minister leading two unfamiliar and unfathomable powerful beings, they all cast curious and awe-inspiring glances at him.
The Turtle Prime Minister led the two directly to the main hall at the heart of the Dragon Palace.
This hall is even more magnificent, its dome so high it seems to form its own sky, with luminous pearls simulating the movement of the sun, moon, and stars.
Nine golden pillars with coiled dragons stand inside the hall, exuding a powerful dragon's might and imperial aura.
At the head of the hall, on a large dragon throne carved from a single piece of "chaotic lapis lazuli," sat the Ancestral Dragon, adorned in a nine-patterned dragon robe, his crown adorned with tassels, yet unable to conceal his eyes that gazed upon the four seas with boundless majesty.
"Dragon Emperor, fellow Daoists Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun have arrived." Prime Minister Turtle stepped forward and respectfully reported.
Zhen Yuanzi and Hongyun entered the hall and, according to etiquette, bowed slightly. Zhen Yuanzi's voice was calm and steady, like the earth: "This humble Daoist Zhen Yuanzi (Hongyun) greets Fellow Daoist Zulong."
The Ancestral Dragon nodded slightly from his dragon throne in return, his voice booming with the vastness of water and the majesty of an emperor: "You two fellow Daoists are guests from afar, no need for such formalities." Unlike Yuan Feng, he didn't engage in pleasantries, but went straight to the point. His dragon eyes swept over the two, and he asked bluntly, "May I ask what brings you two fellow Daoists to my East Sea Dragon Palace?"
His directness, just like Yuan Feng's, reflects the confidence and efficiency of a top-tier emperor.
Zhen Yuanzi remained calm and said frankly, "I dare not hide anything from you, fellow Daoist. There are two main reasons why we are traveling through the prehistoric world and passing through the four seas."
He first gestured to Hongyun: "Firstly, I came for my dear friend Hongyun. The Great Dao cultivated by Fellow Daoist Hongyun is closely related to the origins of the four elements: earth, water, wind, and fire."
Now that he has made a breakthrough in the Way of Fire, he needs to find a place where the source of Water is abundant, to comprehend the true meaning of Water's ultimate softness and strength, its vastness and boundlessness, so as to balance the four elements and achieve greater perfection, in order to break through the current constraints.
"The vast and boundless seas are the source of all water, and thus I have come to earnestly request permission to borrow a corner of your esteemed land, where he may quietly contemplate and meditate for some time."
Hongyun nodded in agreement, her face showing sincerity and a yearning for the Great Dao.
Zu Long's gaze lingered on Hong Yun for a moment, clearly sensing the Four Symbols Origin within him, which was nearing balance and just one step away from breakthrough, as well as the breakthrough opportunity that truly required a top-tier water-spirited land to trigger. He nodded slightly in his heart; this reason was reasonable.
Zhen Yuanzi continued, "Secondly, it is for my own sake, and also for the sake of fellow Daoists."
He met the scrutinizing gaze of the Ancestral Dragon, his tone carrying the calmness and certainty of a fellow practitioner: "When one's cultivation reaches the level of a Primordial Golden Immortal like you and me, the road ahead is uncertain. Every step forward requires endless effort, and we often fall into the trap of limited knowledge without realizing it. Working in isolation will ultimately make it difficult to grasp the full picture of the Great Dao."
"I have some understanding of the Way of the Earth and the evolution of chaos. You, my friend, govern the four seas and command all waters. You must have unique insights into the vastness of water and the way of ruling the destiny of an emperor."
Zhen Yuanzi's eyes were clear and bright. "If you and I could sit down and discuss the Dao, verify each other's learning, and use our respective Dao realms to spark inspiration and enlighten our wisdom."
Perhaps, in this maze of delusion, I can light a lamp for them, helping them to see through some previously unnoticed obstacles. The value of such an opportunity to us is surely beyond my comprehension.
After hearing this, the First Emperor paused slightly as he tapped the armrest of his dragon throne.
Zhen Yuanzi's words truly resonated with him.
He had been stuck at the early stage of the Primordial Golden Immortal realm for a long time. Although his cultivation had steadily improved thanks to the Dragon Clan's fortune and the resources of the four seas, it was extremely difficult for him to take that crucial step and enter the middle stage or even higher.
The allure of a conversational partner who shares a vastly different path but a similar level of understanding is indeed immense.
He carefully weighed the options: allowing Hongyun to comprehend the Great Dao of Water in a secret realm in the East Sea would not be a loss for the Dragon Clan; on the contrary, it would allow them to forge a good relationship with the two top experts.
A debate between equals could offer a breakthrough opportunity that he could hardly refuse. His opponent's aura was unfathomable; to antagonize him would be unwise.
"What you say makes sense, fellow Daoist." Zu Long spoke slowly, a hint of interest appearing on his majestic face. "At our level, it is indeed a rare opportunity to find a suitable fellow Daoist to discuss and verify the Dao. Fellow Daoist Hongyun, if you wish to borrow this place to cultivate, that is not impossible."
However, he changed the subject and did not immediately agree. Instead, he said to Zhen Yuanzi, "However, matters concerning the Dao are related to the Great Dao and must be treated with utmost seriousness. Fellow Daoist, please wait a moment."
After saying that, he used his mind to summon the Turtle Prime Minister who had just stepped down.
"Prime Minister Turtle, go and invite Zhulong here," Zulong ordered, his tone calm yet unquestionable.
"This old minister obeys the decree." A knowing glint flashed in the eyes of the Turtle Prime Minister as he respectfully withdrew.
"Zhulong?" Zhen Yuanzi's heart stirred slightly.
He recognized the name; he was the younger brother of the Ancestral Dragon, a top expert of the Dragon Clan, rumored to wield the Great Dao of Time, and shrouded in mystery. He never imagined that the man was already a Primordial Golden Immortal!
The First Emperor's move was quite deliberate.
First, it demonstrates the strength of the Dragon Clan, showing that he is not the only Primordial Golden Immortal in the Dragon Clan, and that the Dragon Clan possesses sufficient foundation and confidence.
Secondly, the Great Dao of Time, which Zhulong wields, is incredibly profound. Participating in the discussion might bring unexpected gains and allow for a better assessment of Zhen Yuanzi's depth. Thirdly, it also serves as an invisible deterrent and balance.
Zhen Yuanzi instantly understood the key point and gained a clearer understanding of the current situation in the prehistoric world.
The Dragon Clan is indeed powerful! Not only do they completely control the vast four seas, but they also have two Primordial Golden Immortals (Zu Long and Zhu Long) in charge.
In contrast, the Phoenix Clan currently only has one known member, the Primordial Phoenix. The Qilin Clan, the king of beasts, is likely in a similar situation.
"It seems that the initial calamity of the Dragon-Han era has not yet fully erupted, but the difference in strength and foundation among the three races has already become apparent. The Dragon race is implicitly the leader of the three races—"
Zhen Yuanzi pondered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm, simply nodding peacefully: "It's alright, I'll wait here for a moment."
He didn't say much, simply standing quietly in the hall, his aura as steady as a mountain, as if the presence of two Primordial Golden Immortals of the Dragon Clan hadn't brought him the slightest pressure. This composure caused a strange glint to flash in the eyes of the Ancestral Dragon once again.
The hall fell silent for a moment, with only the light of the precious artifact simulating the sun, moon and stars slowly flowing and illuminating the figures of several top beings from the primordial world, awaiting the arrival of another dragon supreme being who wielded the power of time.
The upcoming three-way dialogue is clearly of a higher level and more unpredictable than the trip to the Immortal Volcano.