Chapter Forty-Three: The Council of Powers (Part Two)

"If we do not fight, how can we display our divine might? If we do not fight, how can we strike terror into the wicked? If we do not fight, how can we subdue the Southfall?"

A majestic dragon's roar reverberated throughout the virtual divine hall, shaking all who heard it to their core.

The Candle Dragon sat upright upon a golden throne, his dazzling golden dragon eyes blazing as he fixed his gaze upon the assembled powers.

As they beheld the Candle Dragon, bathed in endless golden light, and listened to his commanding, impassioned words, the great powers were struck by a vision: a ruler clad in imperial dragon robes with nine golden claws, and they could not help but think—the Candle Dragon truly possesses the bearing of the Ancestral Dragon!

The Dragon Clan, as the overlords of the East Sea, the kings of the Eastern Wasteland, and a mighty force of the primordial world, were renowned far and wide.

Yet, in the eyes of the powers, only two dragons were truly worth their attention.

One was, of course, the clan chief—the Ancestral Dragon, progenitor of all dragons, a nine-clawed golden dragon of boundless might.

The other was the Star God Demon, who, after joining the Dragon Clan, had become their esteemed supreme guest.

Now, however, a third name must be added: the Candle Dragon!

Seated within their individual palaces, the mighty figures quickly issued orders to their subordinates to gather every piece of information about the Candle Dragon.

Before long, all intelligence that could be collected on the Candle Dragon was placed before them.

The Candle Dragon's true form was that of an eight-clawed golden dragon, his cultivation at the level of Grand Dragon King, the third brother of the Ancestral Dragon, and the only surviving sibling of the Ancestral Dragon.

At the dawn of the primordial era, four Ancestral Dragons were born from heaven and earth: Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, and Yellow.

Save for the Heaven Dragon, a nine-clawed golden dragon and progenitor of all dragons, the other three—Earth, Mysterious, and Yellow—were each eight-clawed golden dragons and lords among dragons.

Tragically, as the Dragon Clan rose and waged its wars, both the Earth Dragon and Yellow Dragon perished in battle, leaving only the Heaven Dragon and the Mysterious Dragon.

The Ancestral Dragon was precisely Ao Tian, the Heaven Dragon, while the Candle Dragon was Ao Xuan, the Mysterious Dragon.

With the deaths of the Earth and Yellow Dragons as precedent, the Ancestral Dragon dared not send the Mysterious Dragon into battle lightly, fearing the loss of his only brother.

Thus, the Candle Dragon remained largely unknown within the clan, his existence known only to the highest echelons of dragonkind.

Naturally, the great powers of the primordial world paid little heed to the low-profile Candle Dragon, focusing instead on the Ancestral Dragon and the Star God Demon.

"So that's how it is!" Having read the Candle Dragon's dossier, the mighty figures began to speculate about the Ancestral Dragon's intentions.

Why would the Ancestral Dragon, so uncharacteristically, have his reclusive brother personally lead this campaign and make a name for himself in the primordial world?

The Lion Clan, mortal enemies of the dragons, believed themselves well acquainted with the Ancestral Dragon's thinking. Lion King Xiong wore a sly smile and spoke calmly, "It seems the Candle Dragon is to become the third in command among the dragons!"

The other powers could likewise guess at the Ancestral Dragon's intentions.

But was it worth it?

Would the Ancestral Dragon truly risk his brother's life merely for fame and fortune?

Although the Candle Dragon was now a Grand Dragon King at the peak of the God King realm, if any faction truly wished to kill him, it would not be difficult.

The Lion Clan, the dragon's sworn foes, were already exhibiting signs of restlessness.

If they could capture or slay the Candle Dragon, it would be a heavy blow to the Ancestral Dragon—so why wouldn't the Lion Clan try?

Setting aside the tangled thoughts of the mighty, they nonetheless all voiced their support for the Candle Dragon's proposal.

"Indeed! I concur," Lion King Xiong was the first to speak, a smile on his face.

The Candle Dragon regarded the smiling Lion King with calm eyes, betraying no emotion.

Since even the dragons' mortal enemies agreed, the other factions naturally voiced their approval as well.

"Since we are all in agreement, let us now discuss the matter of dispatching our forces," the Candle Dragon seized the initiative, speaking with unquestionable authority.

The mighty powers exchanged glances but said nothing, tacitly consenting.

"I propose," the Candle Dragon declared, his golden eyes sweeping over the assembly, "that we first send a God King at the peak of perfection, leading one hundred God Kings, to assault the Southfall together."

The powers considered for a moment and agreed, "An excellent plan."

"Wait!"

A stern voice interrupted their chorus of agreement.

The Candle Dragon turned to Lion King Xiong, whose golden lion eyes shone with even greater brilliance and authority as he asked coldly, "What brilliant insight does His Highness Lion King Xiong wish to offer?"

Lion King Xiong smiled and replied, "I wouldn’t dare call it insight, only that I have one question I hope the Candle Dragon might clarify for me."

"Ask without hesitation," the Candle Dragon replied, his golden eyes utterly devoid of emotion, his tone calm and unruffled.

"If, in this assault, we fail to take the Southfall, what then?" Lion King Xiong’s golden eyes met the Candle Dragon’s, his expression unchanging as he smiled.

The Candle Dragon, seated on his throne, looked at the Lion King calmly and asked, "What would you suggest?"

"We should then lead our armies together and assault the Southfall as one," Lion King Xiong responded, his smile unchanged.

At this, a chill ran through the great powers, who immediately grasped his intent.

They exchanged silent, knowing smiles, their eyes fixed on the duel between Candle Dragon and Lion King Xiong.

"This Lion King clearly intends to use this opportunity to kill me, enrage my brother, and spark war between the Lion and Dragon Clans—a truly venomous scheme," the Candle Dragon instantly perceived the Lion King's plan.

He glanced at the assembled powers, who watched with cold detachment, unmoved and impassive, and suddenly laughed aloud. "Very well! Let it be as His Highness Lion King Xiong proposes!"

Lion King Xiong looked at him with slight surprise, thinking, "So, the Candle Dragon is no simple opponent. Still, if you seek death, I shall oblige you."

"Excellent!" Lion King Xiong exclaimed heartily, turning to the other powers. "And what say you, sirs?"

Watching the mutual enmity and hidden murderous intent between Lion King Xiong and the Candle Dragon, the other powers could barely contain their anticipation for the coming clash between the two clans.

They exchanged glances and nodded in unison, saying, "Let it be as His Highness Lion King Xiong suggests."

After further discussion, the great powers withdrew their intent and returned to their respective palaces.

The vast, ethereal virtual divine hall vanished in an instant, leaving no trace.

The Candle Dragon and the other powers had debated there for three full days.

Yet in the outside world, only the time it takes to drink a cup of tea had passed.

A flash of golden light signaled the return of the Candle Dragon’s spirit to the Dragon Palace.

Seated upon his golden throne, the Candle Dragon opened his golden eyes, now filled with murderous intent, his expression as cold as still water.

"Your Highness!"

Seeing his return, the Water Dragon King Ao Run and the Fire Dragon King Ao Yan stepped forward and bowed.

To ensure the safety of his only brother, the Ancestral Dragon had specially assigned the Water and Fire Dragon Kings to lead their respective armies in support of the Candle Dragon.

After a moment, the Candle Dragon composed himself and recounted the deliberations of the virtual divine hall to the two dragon kings.

"Lion King Xiong is truly venomous!" the hot-tempered Fire Dragon King Ao Yan cursed aloud upon hearing the account.

The Water Dragon King Ao Run, ever calm and composed, pondered the matter.

Hearing Ao Yan's outburst, Ao Run shot him a disapproving look and scolded, "Since His Highness dared to agree, he must be confident and have a plan. Do not make a fuss!"

"Who's making a fuss?!" Ao Yan retorted, his face flushing red—though, with a complexion already scarlet, it went unnoticed.

He glared at Ao Run, bristling with anger. "I’m only concerned for His Highness!"

"Very well, your concern is noted," Ao Run soothed him, then turned respectfully to the Candle Dragon. "Please instruct us, Your Highness."

Startled to his senses, Ao Yan immediately joined in, bowing respectfully. "Please instruct us, Your Highness."