The Candle Dragon pondered for a long time, and the atmosphere in the hall was solemn.
After much thought, the Candle Dragon said, "Fellow Daoist Eastern King Duke, what you have said concerns the future of my Dragon Clan, and it is no small matter."
"It is not impossible for the elites of my Dragon Clan to join the Immortal Court."
The Eastern King Duke rejoiced in his heart; there was an opening. As long as they were willing to talk, everything could be discussed.
The Candle Dragon continued, "But there are a few conditions that Fellow Daoist must agree to."
"Please speak, Fellow Daoist," the Eastern King Duke said.
The Candle Dragon raised a finger: "Firstly, although the Dragon Clan elites who join the Immortal Court are nominally Protector Divine Beasts."
"Their status is equivalent to that of Guest Elders of the Immortal Court, not servants or lackeys that your Immortal Court can arbitrarily command."
"The Immortal Court must grant them appropriate status and respect, and must not arbitrarily order them to do things that exceed their duties as Protectors or demean the dignity of my Dragon Clan."
"If such things occur, the elites of my Dragon Clan may return to the East Sea on their own."
The Eastern King Duke listened, finding these conditions quite reasonable.
The Dragon Clan was, after all, a former overlord, and this much Face had to be given.
He also did not expect these Dragon Clan elites to work like oxen and horses without complaint.
"That is natural," the Eastern King Duke nodded. "Dragon Clan elites joining the Immortal Court will naturally be treated with the courtesy due to Guest Elders."
"This poor Daoist guarantees, in the name of the Immortal Court's master, that the concerns of Fellow Daoist will absolutely not come to pass."
The Candle Dragon nodded, then raised a second finger: "Secondly, the Immortal Court must ensure that the Immortal Court's Luck can truly benefit my clan's elites, helping them cultivate and break through the shackles of Karma."
"My Dragon Clan disciples cannot work for your Immortal Court in vain without receiving the benefits they deserve."
"If it is just empty talk, and my Dragon Clan elites expend time and energy but gain no substantial benefits, then this Alliance is better off not made."
The Candle Dragon's eyes were fixed on the Eastern King Duke, as if trying to see through his heart.
The Eastern King Duke pondered in his heart. Although the Immortal Court's Luck was not top-tier at present, it should be no problem to protect a portion of the Dragon Clan elites and assist their cultivation.
"Understood," the Eastern King Duke agreed readily. "If the Immortal Court's Luck cannot assist the Dragon Clan elites in their cultivation, then this Alliance holds no meaning for this poor Daoist either."
"Thirdly," the Candle Dragon's tone grew even more solemn, "if the Immortal Court, one day, unfortunately Faces the danger of collapse, my Dragon Clan elites have the right to leave on their own."
"No one in the Immortal Court, from top to bottom, shall obstruct them for any reason, nor shall they use this as an excuse to vent their anger on the entire Dragon Clan."
"My Dragon Clan must not be dragged into an abyss of eternal damnation again because of the rise or fall of any power."
This Old Ancestor was leaving ample room for the Dragon Clan's retreat.
The Eastern King Duke was silent for a moment.
These conditions were indeed harsh.
But he then thought, if the Immortal Court truly reached that point, with its edifice crumbling, the Dragon Clan elites remaining would only be a few more withered bones, doing nothing to help.
Forcibly keeping them would not only be meaningless but would also completely alienate the Dragon Clan.
"Good, this poor Daoist agrees," the Eastern King Duke said. "If that day truly comes, and the Immortal Court is on the verge of collapse, Fellow Daoists of the Dragon Clan may leave freely. This poor Daoist will never obstruct you, and the Immortal Court will not pursue the matter."
However, he thought to himself, if the Immortal Court were truly to be annihilated, these Dragon Clan elites who wished to leave would probably have to see if the Yao Race would agree.
But for now, stabilizing the Dragon Clan was the priority.
The Candle Dragon looked deeply at the Eastern King Duke, seemingly judging the sincerity in his words.
After a moment, he slowly said, "The last condition, and also the most important one."
"The primary purpose of my Dragon Clan elites joining the Immortal Court is for self-preservation, to seek a glimmer of hope for the clan, and to seek Breakthrough Opportunities for our descendants."
"Therefore, they will only offer assistance and fulfill their duties as Protectors when the Immortal Court Faces invasion by external enemies."
"If the Immortal Court actively instigates conflicts with other Great Clans of the Great Desolation or innocent factions, intending to expand its influence, my Dragon Clan elites will not participate."
"The Dragon Clan no longer wishes to needlessly accumulate new Karma. The waters of the Great Desolation are too deep, and this dilapidated boat of my Dragon Clan cannot withstand greater storms."
The Eastern King Duke understood.
The Dragon Clan had been terrified by the monstrous Karma of the Dragon Han Calamity, fearing that they would again be used as pawns by the Immortal Court, making enemies everywhere, and repeating past mistakes.
They only wanted to live in peace, relying on the Immortal Court's Luck to survive, and incidentally see if they could cultivate a few pillars of strength.
He thought for a moment. Wu Ming had said that the Wu Clan would not dominate the Great Desolation after their victory.
Therefore, the Immortal Court's main enemy, both currently and for a long time in the future, would be the Yao Race.
Joining forces with the Dragon Clan to resist the Yao Race was in the Immortal Court's interest.
As for later... matters for later would be discussed later.
"Understood," the Eastern King Duke agreed readily. "My Immortal Court's primary goal now is to deal with the threat of the Yao Race and to protect ourselves and grow stronger within the cracks between the Wu and Yao."
"We have no intention of actively instigating large-scale conquests or expanding everywhere."
Upon hearing this, the Candle Dragon's tense Face finally relaxed a bit, and he nodded: "Since Fellow Daoist Eastern King Duke is so straightforward, then this matter, I, Old Dragon, agree to it."
"However, the specific clan members to be dispatched, and their number, still require me to discuss with the Elders of the clan before giving Fellow Daoist a reply."
The Eastern King Duke said, "Good, that is as it should be. This poor Daoist will await Fellow Daoist's good news on Penglai Immortal Island."
With the matter settled, both sides were greatly pleased.
The Eastern King Duke also did not linger, rising to say, "Since that is the case, this poor Daoist will not disturb you further. I shall take my leave now."
The Candle Dragon also stood up: "Ao Hai, see Fellow Daoist Eastern King Duke out for me."
"Yes, Old Ancestor," Ao Hai bowed in response, leading the Eastern King Duke out of the hall with a complex expression.
...
After the Eastern King Duke's figure disappeared outside the Crystal Palace, Ao Hai quickly returned to the main hall.
He looked at the Candle Dragon and couldn't help but ask, "Old Ancestor, do we... do we really have to let the elites of our clan join that Immortal Court and become some kind of Protector Divine Beasts?"
"That Eastern King Duke, he doesn't seem like a good person at all, and the Immortal Court's future is uncertain. What if..."
The Candle Dragon waved his hand, interrupting Ao Hai's words, his voice tinged with weariness: "Ao Hai, do you think my Dragon Clan has a better choice now?"
Ao Hai was speechless. Indeed, what choice did the Dragon Clan have?
"Moreover," the Candle Dragon sighed, "we old folks won't last much longer."
Ao Hai was greatly alarmed, exclaiming, "Old Ancestor! You... you..."
The Candle Dragon looked at his anxious expression and said calmly, "Don't panic, I won't die yet. I can still hold on for a while longer, protecting the Dragon Clan for its final journey."
"It's just that time is running out. The hidden injuries left by the Dragon Han Calamity, coupled with the backlash from suppressing the Dragon Clan's Luck over the years, my Origin is almost exhausted."
"The situation of the other old Dragons is also similar to mine."
Ao Hai felt as if struck by lightning, standing motionless, his eyes filled with disbelief and sorrow.
He had never imagined that these Old Ancestors, who were like pillars supporting the heavens in his heart, had actually reached such a state.
"Old Ancestor..." Ao Hai's voice choked.
"There's no need for such childish behavior," the Candle Dragon said calmly. "Injury and death are common occurrences, let alone for us sin Dragons entangled in Karma."
"I only hope that before we completely perish, I can see you, our descendants, truly grow up and take on the burden of the Dragon Clan."
"This time, sending you and other Dragon Clan elites to the Immortal Court is an Opportunity."
The Candle Dragon looked at Ao Hai, his eyes complex.
"Ao Hai, this time you will go to the Immortal Court with the other selected elite clan members. It is time for you to relinquish the position of East Sea Dragon King."
Ao Hai was stunned: "Old Ancestor?"
"Don't be this damned Dragon King anymore," the Candle Dragon said with a hint of disdain in his voice. "What good is this Dragon King position besides adding countless trivial matters, dulling your sharpness, and wasting your Genius?"
"You are a Genius of my Dragon Clan, unseen in ten thousand years. If not for the drag of the Dragon Clan's Karma, if not for the bondage of this Dragon King position, your achievements today would be far more than just the Peak of Taiyi Golden Immortal?"
"Even the realm of Hunyuan Golden Immortal might not be without a place for you!"
Ao Hai listened to the Candle Dragon's words, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
How could he not know that this Dragon King position had long become his shackles?
Dealing with trivial clan matters daily and mediating conflicts among various aquatic tribes had long exhausted him, and his cultivation had been neglected considerably.
"This time, upon going to the Immortal Court, you must single-mindedly focus on cultivation, and with the help of the Immortal Court's Luck, strive to Breakthrough as soon as possible," the Candle Dragon's voice carried earnest expectation.
"Only when you truly become strong can you better protect the Dragon Clan in the future, leading them to secure a place in this cruel Great Desolation."
"If we old folks all perish, and you, our younger elites, remain stagnant in cultivation."
"At that time, my vast Dragon Clan will have no self-preservation ability whatsoever in this perilous Great Desolation!"
"At that time, the Dragon Clan will become fish to be slaughtered at will, without even the qualification to be gatekeepers!"
Ao Hai stared blankly at the Candle Dragon, his eyes gradually reddening.
He understood. The Old Ancestor was using the last glimmer of their old generation to fight for a slim hope for the future of the Dragon Clan.
After a long while, Ao Hai took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Old Ancestor... Ao Hai understands."
"Ao Hai will not fail the Old Ancestor's trust."
The Candle Dragon looked at him, a flicker of relief in his eyes, which was then replaced by deeper worry.
He waved his hand: "Go now, prepare. This matter, the sooner the better."
"Yes, Old Ancestor." Ao Hai rose, bowed respectfully, and turned to leave the main hall.