The Dao Sovereign of Shennong

"Yin Xiu? Wasn't he still in slumber? How could he be here?" Ye Yukong exclaimed, visibly shocked.

Ye Yukong had experienced Yin Xiu's strength firsthand. Even while dormant, the mere presence of Yin Xiu's dragon spirit had been enough to leave this unrivaled second-rank cultivator breathless.

And it wasn't just him. Ji Mengjun and Tong Jin, both first-rank Destiny Palace cultivators, had felt the same oppressive force when they attempted exchanges with him.

Unstoppable.

Otherwise, the Great Zhou would have long considered seizing Yin Xiu's treasures by force rather than through trade.

"Don't worry. He's here to pledge allegiance," Zhao Xing said with a calm smile.

"Rebellious dragons and traitorous dragons aren't permitted to enter the Central Dragon Court. Any dragon who arrives must adhere to the rules of heaven and earth established by the Dragon Court."

Having unlocked the Dragon Emperor Codex, Zhao Xing could now openly reveal information he knew from his past life.

"Pledge allegiance?" King Shenluo caught onto the term, his pupils contracting with surprise.

"Wasn't it said that when a Dragon King awakens, they experience a period of weakness while their power is restored? During this time, they remain confined to their royal city," Jiang Chuan said, equally astonished.

"Why would Yin Xiu risk his safety to pledge allegiance?"

For the dragon race, this period of weakness was no brief interval.

Yet Yin Xiu had awakened and immediately left his undersea palace in the North Sea. To Jiang Chuan and others, this moment represented Yin Xiu at his weakest!

"He's different," Zhao Xing explained. "Yin Xiu was already nearing the end of his slumber. Moreover, his dragon spirit was capable of continuing cultivation and study even during his dormant state."

"This allowed him to awaken without any drawbacks, regaining his peak strength immediately."

"Of course, even if there had been a cost, he would still have come. His loyalty to the Dragon Court is absolute."

"What a remarkable dragon," Ye Yukong remarked.

"A true loyalist to his race," Tong Jin added in admiration.

"Does he have any other unique qualities?" Ji Mengjun asked.

"Yin Xiu is the inheritor of the Eastern Emperor's Codex," Zhao Xing revealed. "The Dragon Emperor Xie was also known as the Eastern Emperor."

"He is a devoted follower of the Dragon Emperor Xie, with the ambition to fulfill the Dragon Emperor's will and rebuild the Dragon Court."

"Now that I have inherited the Dragon Emperor Codex, I am effectively the Dragon Emperor's successor."

"That's why he came without hesitation."

"In fact, I didn't actively summon him. The Dragon Kings across various regions merely sensed the change. But because of his nature, Yin Xiu acted on it."

Ji Mengjun nodded slightly but kept her hand hidden within her sleeve, ready to act at any moment.

In the ancient city of Gu Ting, near the North Sea, at the Marching Hall.

The moment the Dragon King Yin Xiu awakened and departed his undersea palace, the experts of the Great Zhou hurried to the Marching Hall to find Ji Si.

"Lord Ji, what's going on? The Dragon King Yin Xiu has awakened!"

"Where has he gone?"

"Can we still proceed with our exchanges?"

"What exactly is happening—?"

Ji Si opened his eyes and looked at the agitated experts gathered before him.

"Everyone, calm yourselves. Let me divine the situation."

With that, Ji Si composed himself and entered a secret chamber.

Once inside, he couldn't contain his excitement any longer.

"Hahahahaha!"

"Hahaha!"

He laughed for a long time before finally stopping.

Ji Si then approached a desk piled with bamboo slips.

The bamboo slips were pure white, emitting a warm glow.

Clouded Jade Talisman.

This was an exclusive communication tool for first-rank Destiny Palace officials.

"Swish swish—"

Ji Si began carving words onto the bamboo slip.

"Year 20 of the Great Governance Era, June 25th. To my brother Tianyan, this talisman will reach your eyes without fail."

At present, it was clearly the twelfth month of the third year of the Great Governance Era, yet Ji Si wrote the date as June 25th of Year 20.

Why? Because this was a document intended for the future!

This was a unique technique available to high-ranking officials of the Destiny Palace.

The recipient, "Brother Tianyan," was specifically designated.

The phrase "will reach your eyes without fail" reinforced the spell's targeting and functioned as a safeguard.

The ancient Dragon Court was scheduled to close in the twentieth year of the Great Governance Era, and Ji Si was expected to leave by then.

Meanwhile, outside.

In the Matrix Hall, within the Hall of Heavenly Secrets.

King Tianyan, bathed in a pillar of light, suddenly opened his eyes.

With a flurry of hand movements, he directed his energy to the southeast at a fifty-degree angle.

There, an image appeared—showing a Clouded Jade Talisman.

"—Since Zhao Xing obtained the Dragon Emperor Codex, he has studied it for over half a year. Yesterday, he entered the Central Dragon Court. Today, Yin Xiu awakened and proceeded to the Dragon Court, confirming that Zhao Xing has successfully unlocked and mastered the artifact."

"The emergency decree remains unused—"

King Tianyan read the message, his face filled with astonishment.

"Summoning Dragon King Yin Xiu? A true divine artifact indeed!"

Although human first-rank cultivators were said to rival Dragon Kings in strength, the reality was that they were no match for Dragon Kings due to differences in rank and authority.

The Great Zhou only had four individuals granted the title of Royal Dragon Lord, and all others, no matter how ornate their titles, ranked below the Dragon King.

To challenge the Dragon King within the same kingdom would result in being branded a "traitorous dragon" or a "rebellious dragon" by the laws of the Dragon Court.

Without the status of a dragon, one's power would be severely diminished within the Dragon Court, leaving them vulnerable to attack from all sides.

Even in different kingdoms, challenging a Dragon King required strict conditions, such as acting under another Dragon King's command or within the Great Arena. Outside such scenarios, any lower rank challenging a Dragon King was seen as gross disrespect, leading to a drastic loss of power.

Thus, the Royal Dragon Lords like Bai Yunwu and the other three were incredibly valuable.

As long as one accompanied these four individuals, most activities within the ancient Dragon Court would proceed without hindrance.

Yet now Zhao Xing held the Dragon Emperor Codex and could command Dragon Kings?

It was simply unbelievable!

King Tianyan trembled with excitement.

This was no different from carrying an imperial decree within the Great Zhou, capable of stripping officials of rank and power with a single command!

Except, in the Dragon Court, the hierarchy was even more rigid, and the Dragon Emperor Codex wasn't just a decree—it was a device capable of issuing countless decrees.

"Good lad, good lad!" King Tianyan exclaimed, his hands trembling as he gripped the message.

Elsewhere, Ji Si, who had just finished writing, paused and let out a faint sigh of resignation.

Because Ji Si sensed King Tianyan's excitement, his engraving process became increasingly difficult. He was forced to pause, letting King Tianyan calm down gradually.

However, even after a considerable time had passed, there was no indication of King Tianyan regaining composure. Helpless, Ji Si decided to offer a gentle reminder by carving a message onto the clouded jade talisman:

"Brother, calm yourself. I am still performing the spell."

Swish, swish—

The sound of the engraving knife echoed in King Tianyan's mind.

Almost immediately, he noticed the line of text and coughed awkwardly.

"Ahem... My apologies." King Tianyan finally came to his senses.

Swish, swish—

Ji Si erased the line and continued his engraving.

"...In this younger brother's humble opinion, it would be prudent to advise Duke Yang to dedicate all remaining forces to this endeavor. We must seize this opportunity to thwart the enemy's scheme once and for all—"

After finishing the message, Ji Si set aside the engraving knife and carefully stored the bamboo slips. If the slips were lost or if King Tianyan perished before delivering the message in the 20th year of the Great Governance Era, Ji Si would face severe backlash from the rules governing time-bound communication.

Various unforeseen circumstances could arise during this period, leading to mishaps or even Ji Si forgetting to complete the task. Thus, from this moment on, Ji Si needed to carry the slips with him at all times.

This also meant he could not partake in combat. If he were killed, the confidential information etched onto the slips would undoubtedly fall into the wrong hands.

"After engraving so many over six months, I think I've shortened my lifespan," Ji Si muttered to himself.

"Why didn't the sages of old develop a 'payment-on-delivery' option? That way, the cost would fall on my elder brother instead."

Since his life expectancy was already limited, wouldn't it be more convenient to transfer the burden to his brother before his death?

"I should research this possibility in the future," Ji Si mused. Setting the thought aside for now, he began preparing a second message.

"20th year of the Great Governance Era, June 25th. This humble servant submits this to His Majesty. May this reach your eyes without fail."

"As Your Majesty foresaw, the ancient grounds indeed witnessed the rebellion of the Western Sea clan, led by Boyi. He invited Bai, Tang, and Ao to explore the Nine-Star Inferno. The White Dragon King, acting on Your Majesty's plan, has hidden within the Inferno. With the treasure bestowed by Your Majesty, he can endure for ten years without harm."

"From the day of his entrapment, orders for rescue operations have been issued. However, fifteen individuals, including Luo Guanxiu, Mou Dingbang, and Lan Zhongji, have shown dubious loyalty. Despite enjoying the court's blessings, they are selfish and evasive—"

"Marquis Shenwei, Zhao Xing, has already acquired the dragon artifact known as the Dragon Emperor Codex and the earthly treasure, the Kun Yuan Divine Hoe—"

"The timing deviates slightly from projections, advancing by nearly five years."

"Marquis Shenwei is heading toward the Inferno Plains."

Toward the end of the message, Ji Si digressed into a personal thought.

"Inspired by this task, I considered an innovation for Fate Officers. If we could merge the clouded jade talisman with the methods of court historians, perhaps it could create a groundbreaking new approach..."

In the Matrix Palace, King Tianyan remained oblivious to his younger brother's grand ambitions. Ji Si planned to modify the cost mechanism of time-bound talisman magic into a "payment-on-delivery" system.

Meanwhile, King Tianyan swiftly exited his chambers and sent a message to King Luo.

"Luo, the situation within the ancient grounds of the Dragon Court has undergone significant changes. It is time to prepare for a counterattack."

King Tianyan relayed Ji Si's observations to King Luo.

King Luo frowned deeply. "Isn't this all a bit too—"

"Stop. Don't think about what you shouldn't. If you suspect, don't voice it," King Tianyan said sharply.

After a moment's silence, King Luo nodded. "I will inform Yang Xiongying."

King Tianyan closed the Earth Mirror.

Shortly after, King Luo used the Earth Mirror to contact the commander of the Golden Crow Corps, Duke Yang, and Deputy Grand Engineer Lu Ying.

"Duke Yang, there has been a significant shift within the Dragon Court. You must enter immediately—"

As King Luo spoke, Duke Yang Xiongying's expression grew increasingly grave.

True Dragon King City, teleportation array.

With a flash of radiant, multicolored light, a formation of dragons emerged in the plaza.

Buzz—

Golden light rippled for a hundred miles as Dragon King Yin Xiu expanded his domain.

Behind him stood five hundred dragon guards, all Ji Meng lords—dragons with humanoid forms. Each wielded ninth-tier divine weapons.

As Yin Xiu's arrival was complete, Zhao Xing ceased flying and landed on the desolate plains, awaiting his arrival.

After all, flying into the King City to meet Yin Xiu would diminish his prestige. It was more appropriate for Yin Xiu to come to him.

He wasn't far from the True Dragon King City, so the wait wasn't long.

Soon, Yin Xiu and his dragon guards flew above the wilderness.

"Roar!"

The forty-eight dragon lords accompanying Zhao Xing grew restless.

The overwhelming pressure from Yin Xiu, who wasn't subordinate to the Gu Ting Kingdom, unsettled them deeply.

"Silence!" Zhao Xing commanded sharply as he stepped out of the dragon ship. His rebuke instantly calmed the dragon lords.

Moments later, Yin Xiu and his guards halted three kilometers away.

Golden mist rippled like clouds, obscuring Yin Xiu's figure. Beneath the mist, his five hundred Ji Meng lords stood in perfect formation.

From the golden mist emerged a massive dragon head of dark gold. On its brow were two purple scales—one rectangular, resembling a book, and the other shaped like a hiltless blade.

Ji Mengjun pressed her lips together, ready to throw the Imperial Edict hidden in her sleeve at a moment's notice.

Tong Jin stood tense, his heart pounding uncontrollably.

As for Jiang Chuan, Ye Yukong, and King Shenluo, they were overwhelmed by Yin Xiu's sheer magnitude. His strength was so far beyond theirs that they couldn't fathom its limits.

Zhao Xing, maintaining his human form, stood still, holding the Dragon Emperor Codex in one hand.

Yin Xiu observed Zhao Xing, a sense of familiarity surfacing.

In his vast dragon eyes, confusion flickered briefly.

Wasn't this the same "fire" he'd exchanged with six months ago? What was his dragon name again?

It seemed to be... Zhao?

Yet, Zhao Xing's aura had undergone a transformation so profound that even Dragon King Yin Xiu hesitated to confirm it.

Within a second, however, Yin Xiu dismissed the thought. The golden mist descended as his dragon head bowed low at Zhao Xing's feet.

"Yin Xiu of Gu Ting pays respect to the esteemed successor of the Dragon Emperor."

Yin Xiu's words were in Dragon Emperor Golden Script, a shared language used in all decrees issued by the Dragon Emperor Yan.

"Yin Xiu, why have you come?" Zhao Xing asked indifferently.

"I have come to follow in your footsteps," Yin Xiu replied reverently. "My subordinate lords and I pledge ourselves to your service."

Zhao Xing stepped forward to the head of the bowing dragon. "Yin Xiu of Gu Ting, I accept your allegiance."

"Your true name will be inscribed in the Codex as the First Dragon King under my banner."

With those words, Zhao Xing placed one hand upon the sword-shaped scale of Yin Xiu's brow.

The Dragon Emperor Codex in his other hand emitted a radiant golden light, the shadows of countless dragons swirling within. A name formed within the Codex—Yin Xiu—and the pact was complete.

The translation will proceed in the next segment. Let me know if you'd like any specific adjustments.

This was the decree-sealing incantation performed through the Dragon Emperor Codex. Zhao Xing, under the augmentation of the Dragon Emperor Codex, was merely at the level of a Great Dragon King in title but not in actual strength. To genuinely possess equivalent power, mastering the nine great incantations was a prerequisite.

The sealing incantation he cast on Yin Xiu now carried minimal efficacy, serving more as a symbolic gesture.

This was because the remaining power within the Dragon Emperor Codex was insufficient to seal Yin Xiu as a "Great Dragon King."

Even though a portion of power had been recovered earlier, it was far from enough to elevate a Dragon King to the rank of a Great Dragon King.

However, to confer the title of Dragon King to a dragon clan leader was within its scope.

To achieve this, Zhao Xing needed to first grasp the third page of the Dragon Emperor Codex and then invoke the "Dragon King Sealing Incantation," one of the nine great incantations.

A Great Dragon King? That was even more out of reach.

Even if Zhao Xing could perform the incantation, he wouldn't do it.

The Great Dragon King level required the consumption of massive amounts of spiritual energy to complete, and maintaining this state later demanded a continuous influx of spiritual energy.

This was precisely why Great Dragon Kings from various nations tended to remain in slumber—

It was entirely passive!

The lack of sufficient spiritual energy to sustain their normal state left them with no option but to sleep.

Zhao Xing himself was already short on spiritual energy, so how could he possibly create a Great Dragon King?

"Hnghh~"

A low dragon chant resonated as Zhao Xing imprinted his voice upon Yin Xiu's reverse scale.

From this point onward, unless Yin Xiu willingly abandoned his identity as a dragon and became a Reverse Dragon, he would be unable to defy Zhao Xing's commands.

"Thank you, my king, for this bestowment." Yin Xiu's emotions surged. Though this power was faint and offered little immediate benefit,

It was the majestic force of the Dragon Emperor he had once sensed!

Once the procedure was complete, Zhao Xing immediately said,

"Yin Xiu, the Inferno Plains are currently embroiled in a grand battle."

"This king suspects the instigators are from Tianyuan and Niehai, attempting to defile the sacred ground of the dragon clan."

"You shall accompany me in quelling the rebellion!"

"The Great Zhou has four humans who hold Dragon Duke titles of the royal rank."

"Other factions have three in total."

"These are the Southern Barbarian Purple Dragon Court's Pompeii, who spent 356 years enduring the many trials of the Dragon Court's ancestral grounds, obtaining the ancient Heavenly Dragon's essence blood to claim the Dragon King's title, and earning the moniker 'Heavenly Dragon King.'"

"Next is the Golden Feather Court's first-ranked Heavenly Sorcerer, Tuo Yan, who took 508 years to slay 30,700 Reverse Dragons in Niehai, enduring the trial of blood and fire to acquire the ancient Fire Dragon's bloodline, ascending as the 'Fire Dragon King.'"

"The last comes from an ancient tribe of Dongying, named Yichuan, who spent 534 years obtaining the Chaofeng bloodline from Tianyuan and is now known as the 'Wind Dragon King.'"

Aboard the dragon ship, Ji Mengjun elaborated further.

"The encirclement on the Inferno Plains is primarily led by these three individuals, who launched a surprise attack on the White Dragon King's forces."

"Besides the White Dragon King, which other three Dragon Kings belong to our dynasty?" Zhao Xing inquired.

"The Golden Dragon King Yang Xiongying, the Ritual Dragon King Gao Feng, and the Ice Dragon King Ji Ji," Ji Mengjun responded.

Zhao Xing nodded slightly.

For humans to earn the Dragon King title after entering the Dragon Court was no easy feat. The chain missions alone were incredibly demanding.

Of course, the actual time wasn't as exaggerated as Ji Mengjun claimed.

The opening of the Dragon Court typically spanned around 15 to 20 years. Her calculation included the preparation time outside.

Sects had no eligibility for such opportunities. The Dragon King title was a nationwide endeavor, requiring vast resources and manpower, leaving no room for sects.

"Ten thousand high-level beings in chaotic combat sounds grand, but in reality, it's primarily these three Dragon Kings leveraging their authority to mobilize regional dragon clan leaders. The actual 'participants' are fewer in number."

Zhao Xing himself had Yin Xiu and 548 dragon clan leaders already!

Aside from the human Dragon Kings, there were no pureblood Dragon Kings involved in the Inferno Plains.

However, reviewing the latest intelligence, Zhao Xing had several doubts arise.

Why had the Golden Dragon King Yang Xiongying not entered in half a year?

Why, when Bai Yunwu was besieged, were only two human Dragon Kings—Gao Feng and Ji Ji—sent for rescue?

"They had the initiative; why does the intel portray an evenly matched confrontation?"

The transmission of information within the Dragon Court was slower and less comprehensive than the Great Zhou military's wartime reports. This was the Dragon Court, a domain of dual systems.

"I recall from the records in my past life that the casualty ratio of Great Zhou's top-tier forces was six to four."

"Yet now, as I am amidst the events, something feels off." Zhao Xing closed his eyes, sinking into contemplation.

"Even without me, could the situation develop to a point where so many first-ranked warriors of the Great Zhou perish?"

"Could this, too, be part of the Jiazi Purge?"

At this thought, Zhao Xing's expression became intricate.

"You've got to be kidding me. Would you not sire children unless you wiped them all out?"

Zhao Xing's neck retracted as he suddenly felt that Emperor Jing might be orchestrating the Dragon Court scenario from behind the scenes.

What governance, what peace—it was all nonsense. He had been killing all along, never ceasing.

"If that's the case, Bai Yunwu must have walked into this trap willingly, without any actual danger involved."

"On the surface, the Dragon King cannot escape the Nine-Star Inferno. Once in, there's no way out—it does seem perilous. But if the court holds the Nine-Star Fire Dragon Token, then Old Bai only appears to be trapped."

Zhao Xing couldn't determine the exact situation. If Emperor Jing had indeed set up a scheme, the details would undoubtedly appear authentic.

The only person capable of overseeing the entire situation was Emperor Jing. If Zhao Xing hadn't read the records, he wouldn't have developed any suspicion.

Yet once suspicion arose, it couldn't be quelled.

"Wait a minute! Damn it, damn it!"

"In my previous life, it was Tang Yinglong who was trapped, but now it's Bai Yunwu!"

"My connection to Bai Yunwu is through Long Xiao—could the intel have been deliberately shown to me?"

"Damn it! Could it be that I've fallen into Emperor Jing's elaborate trap as well? Has he calculated me into his plans?!"

Beneath the clear sky, Zhao Xing sat atop a Dragon King, unable to stop sweating.

The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed!

"Amazing, Emperor Jing!" Zhao Xing couldn't help but express admiration. Despite his cautious progress so far,

He had ultimately fallen into Emperor Jing's scope of calculation.

"If this plan includes ensnaring me as well, then it's likely a test."

"A test of what?"

"Loyalty! Whether I harbor divided intentions!"

"This is probably the real reason behind the deaths of so many first-ranked warriors as recorded." Zhao Xing tried to think from Emperor Jing's perspective.

The reason he concluded it was a "test" rather than anything else was straightforward.

Emperor Jing couldn't be doing this because he knew Zhao Xing's secret.

Otherwise, he'd simply capture him for interrogation—what couldn't Emperor Jing achieve?

"It's not due to my memories, so it must be my talents."

"My displayed talents are even more terrifying than Liu Tianning's, yet I lack familial backing, unlike Liu Tianning, who has a whole clan."

"If he wants to use me, or rather preserve me for the next emperor, loyalty must be ensured. Otherwise, it would only increase the burden."

"Bai Yunwu being trapped, with Long Xiao on the list—this is to test my reaction?"

"Rescuing Bai Yunwu aligns with the court's interests. Long Xiao and I, having emerged from the same military, share a life-and-death bond, which aligns with my personal emotions."

"If I showed indifference to that piece of intelligence, then my future would be sealed." From the perspective of Emperor Jing, Zhao Xing could now clearly see the bigger picture.

Here lay a dangerous predicament. Solving it served both the interests of the Great Zhou and his own. If he hesitated, if he dared not act—what use was someone so selfish, no matter how talented or extraordinary, to the Great Zhou?

"Whether I succeed or not is one matter; the attitude I display is another. What's more, that intelligence arrived six months after I had acquired the two artifacts."

"I also possess the Myriad Law Manifestation Technique and even the Shang Tang Token. Emperor Jing must have factored these in."

"By this logic, Ji Mengjun and Tong Jin must be carrying a decree of imperial bestowment."

"If I truly go, and if he doesn't intend for me to die, then there must be a decree granting me temporary peak First-Rank combat power, held by one of them."

A decree granting temporary peak First-Rank power—Zhao Xing was naturally aware of such an item. It had appeared several times in the explorations of the Dragon Court throughout history.

"If anyone's holding it, it's Ji Mengjun. Tong Jin's skills are too poor for such responsibility. Let me guess the conditions for its use—nearly all my escorts dead? Then, at the final moment, this decree saves me?"

"To protect me, even a First-Rank could die, and in the end, I'm rescued. Wouldn't I be moved to tears?"

"Clap, clap, clap!" Zhao Xing applauded within the Memory Palace. "Marvelous, Emperor Jing! Your efforts to prepare an heir are truly extraordinary."

"But now it seems that Emperor Jing and the Fate Officer Ji Si didn't anticipate how powerful the artifacts I acquired would turn out to be."

"Even the Dragon King Yin Xiu has arrived. The current test is no longer difficult for me—unless there are more arrangements."

"What other arrangements could there be?" Zhao Xing shook his head. "I must stop overthinking. Even if I guess correctly, I will act as though I don't know. And if I know, I will still act as though I don't."

"With or without these speculations, my interests align with those of the Great Zhou. I have nothing to fear."

"Even without these factors, I would still rescue Long Xiao. For his protection during my weaker days, for standing by me in battle at Fire Dragon Pass, for sharing life and death in rebellion against King Liang—how could I not save him in his time of need? Such cold-blooded immortality would be meaningless!"

"From the beginning, I've never pursued heartless longevity. What I seek is longevity with emotion and righteousness."

"If I were a cold, detached opportunist, how could I ever align with the Emperor Wu in the future? The years spent waiting on the Eastern Sea for his emergence would be meaningless."

As he reflected, a sudden sense of clarity washed over Zhao Xing, and he awoke from his contemplations.

He no longer dwelled on those speculations and resolved to act in accordance with his original intent.

"Roar!"

At that moment, a series of dragon roars echoed from the front.

A dragon clan leader signaled: "The Inferno Plains are here."

The sky was dark, yet the earth glowed crimson.

The dragon clan leader Qi could no longer distinguish whether the ground below was erupting with subterranean flames or drenched in fresh blood.

"Hiss~"

Dragon leader Qi tilted his head back, letting out a hoarse roar as he attempted to summon his surrounding dragon generals. But his voice, once powerful, was now raspy.

He weakly exhaled a stream of dragon flames, only to find that it had diminished to a mere plume of black smoke.

Looking back, Qi saw that the dragon generals around him had been entirely engulfed by a swirling blue tide.

Half of his scales had already fallen off, his once-mighty body torn and bloodied, with several dragon tendons snapped.

Surrounded and attacked by rival dragon clan leaders, Qi no longer had the strength to break through the encirclement.

"Roar!"

Qi let out one final angry roar, spewing out a burst of fire toward a dragon ship a thousand meters below.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"

Ten dragon lances shot out from the dragon ship, piercing through Qi's flames and hurtling upward against the flow.

"Puff—"

Dragon leader Qi's head was pierced through, his massive form tumbling downward like a kite with its string cut.

"Roar!"

Qi's death was insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Here, thousands of dragon clan leaders like him were locked in brutal combat.

Lightning flashed, thunder roared, and the Inferno Plains seemed like the prelude to the apocalypse.

The plains were divided into five formations, each led by a Dragon King:

Heavenly Dragon King Pompeii.

Fire Dragon King Tuo Yan.

Wind Dragon King Yichuan.

Ritual Dragon King Gao Feng.

Ice Dragon King Ji Ji.

The five Dragon Kings, commanding their respective dragon clan leaders, were locked in an intense battle!

No dragon knew that their Dragon Kings were actually humans in disguise. They only knew to follow orders and slay any dragons marked by the spells as enemies.

"By the blood of the Dragon King, boundless divine might!" Gao Feng stood atop a dragon ship, invoking a spell while spitting out a globule of golden blood.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!" The blood fell into a formation of Keimon dragons below the dragon ship.

"Roar!"

All the Keimon leaders immediately grew larger, their heights surging from fifty meters to eighty meters!

"Kill them!" Gao Feng roared toward the 300-strong Keimon unit, ordering them to charge the Heavenly Dragon King Pompeii's elite guard.

The Keimon dragons were smaller in stature compared to the Heavenly Dragons, but they excelled in wielding weapons.

Each Keimon held a trident, their scale armor shimmering with a cold, blue light.

The Keimon clan specialized in controlling water and were equally formidable in close combat.

As the 300-strong Keimon unit advanced, torrential rain suddenly poured from the sky, each raindrop piercing like a sharp arrow.

Upon reaching the enemy's formation, each droplet transformed into a raging torrent, forming rivers of Weak Water that surged toward the opposition.

Weak Water carried immense corrosive power, said to form the outer seas of Niehai.

"Roar!" The Flying Dragon formation roared in defiance, conjuring whirlpools beneath their claws to pull mountains from the ground and block the rushing Weak Water rivers.

The natural laws of this battlefield had descended into chaos, with mountains and rivers appearing out of nowhere.

The Ice Dragons' breath carried terrifying hints of true fire essence.

Ice Dragon King Ji Ji and Ritual Dragon King Gao Feng glared coldly at the front lines.

They had attacked for a long time, yet they still couldn't breach the defensive perimeter formed by Pompeii, Yichuan, and Tuo Yan.

Gao Feng and Ji Ji had no idea they were walking into a trap. The situation now seemed dire.

The fate of Bai Yunwu remained unknown, and they were no closer to breaking through.

Both sides received continuous reinforcements, and the number of dragon clan leaders who had perished in this conflict had reached a staggering figure over these days.

If this batch of dragon clan leaders fell, not only would this operation fail, but the Great Zhou would find itself at a disadvantage in future Dragon Court expeditions.

"Ji Ji, is Duke Yang not here yet?!" Gao Feng transmitted his voice anxiously.

Over these days, they had attempted several breakthroughs, only to confirm how difficult it was to breach the defenses of the three Dragon Kings and rescue Bai Yunwu.

"Duke Yang will definitely arrive!" Ji Ji replied solemnly. "Reinforcements are also on their way!"

"When will it arrive?!"

Ji Ji remained silent.

When will it arrive? That wasn't something he knew. Orders were orders—they were merely instructed to arrive first and attempt a rescue.

"Retreat, Ji Ji. We can't break through this time," Gao Feng said as he gazed ahead. "Even my Ji Meng Guard cannot penetrate through."

Ji Ji also felt the urge to retreat and was about to issue the command when he noticed that the southern faction of the Wind Dragon Clan was frantically attacking a distorted section of space.

A large number of dragons had been redirected toward the south.

Gao Feng also noticed this change and immediately questioned Ji Ji, "Ji Ji, what are they attacking?"

"What? The Dragon King Yin Xiu of the Gu Ting Kingdom!" Yi Chuan's expression changed drastically, his voice filled with shock. "Why is he participating in this battle? Wasn't he supposed to be in slumber?!"

At that moment, Yi Chuan stood atop the Dragon King's war order, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Just moments ago, another Dragon King had suddenly appeared on the battlefield. With his overwhelming domain, he swept away the outer resistance on the Inferno Plain and charged straight into the central combat zone!

"Buzz~"

Golden light rippled, and countless golden scales, like a torrent, pierced through the obstructing dragon lords, forming a brilliant golden sky in the southeast.

"A Ninth-Rank Rule Dao Field!"

"Pompei Lai, Tuoyan, the situation has changed!"

"What? Dragon King Yin Xiu has joined the battle?" Pompei Lai, who had transformed into his Heavenly Dragon form on the other side, was equally shocked. "How is this possible?!"

"A Ninth-Rank Rule Dao Field? Pompei Lai and I, as well as Yi Chuan, only have Sixth-Rank!" Tuoyan was equally shaken.

Although Dragon King Yin Xiu had brought only five hundred dragon lords, the collision of Dao Fields instantly revealed the disparity in power.

They couldn't hold him off at all, and this led to their subordinate dragon lords suffering severe suppression.

With the weakening of their side, Dragon King Yin Xiu was like a sharp blade, directly piercing through the defensive lines organized by the three of them.

"Dragon King's Reverse Scale Sword? A divine weapon?!" Yi Chuan was so terrified that his soul nearly fled his body. He was merely at the Sixth-Rank Rule Dao Field; there was no way he could clash with Yin Xiu, especially when Yin Xiu wielded the Gu Ting Kingdom's divine artifact, which exerted overwhelming pressure.

But when he thought of escaping, it was already too late.

Dragon King Yin Xiu was extremely cunning. He didn't reveal his aura until he was very close and unleashed his killing move only at the last moment.

When he unsheathed the Dragon King Sword, forged from tens of thousands of reverse scales, it completely locked onto Yi Chuan.

"Swish~"

The dragon scales expanded, and the sword, initially only a few dozen meters, swiftly grew to over a thousand meters.

Yi Chuan's body was merely ten thousand meters in size. As he attempted to escape using the Wind Dao Field, the Dragon King Sword pierced through his field's defenses.

A streak of golden light tore through the azure domain, creating an unmistakable mark.

"No, no!"

Yi Chuan roared in despair, frantically manipulating his Rule Dao Field to resist.

He used every skill he had, including transforming into his human form and throwing treasures to divert attention.

All his efforts were futile!

"The Dragon King's Reverse Scale Sword is said to be an unrivaled weapon," Zhao Xing observed quietly from afar. "Each kill enlarges the sword; it's been passed down for countless generations and ranks first among the Dragon Clan's treasure-grade divine artifacts."

"In his past life, Dragon King Yin Xiu had the power to conquer nine kingdoms. His treasures were numerous, and every one of them was a mighty artifact."

"If not for his impatience and premature attempt to retrieve the Codex from the Nether Sea and Abyss before advancing to the Great Dragon King stage, he might have truly succeeded."

"Pfft!"

The Dragon King's Reverse Scale Sword split Yi Chuan into two.

Golden light flashed, and the azure world instantly crumbled.

"What?!"

Pompei Lai and Tuoyan fled in panic.

As for the other humans, they ignored their orders and retreated alongside them.

"!"

However, just as they were about to escape, a voice, as if from the ancient primordial wilderness, resonated.

Immediately, a golden tablet descended above them.

[Divine Court Decree, True Words as Command!]

[In the name of the Dragon Emperor's successor, I hereby strip 'Pompei Lai' and 'Tuoyan' of their Dragon King titles! Proceed immediately to the Dragon Prison for a thousand years of punishment!]

"Buzz~"

The golden tablet emitted a powerful suction force.

Dragon Emperor's golden script, shining like radiant light, penetrated through Pompei Lai's Heavenly Dragon form and Tuoyan's Fire Dragon King body.

The golden light then fused into the Dragon Emperor's Codex.

"Boom~"

Both of them could no longer maintain their dragon forms, transforming directly into their human shapes.

"This, this is impossible!" Pompei Lai's eyes widened in disbelief as he gazed toward the source of the voice.

There stood a Five-Clawed Golden Dragon, coldly staring at them.

"No!" Tuoyan let out an anguished roar as he realized his sharp senses were rapidly diminishing.

Previously, as a Dragon King, his Rule Dao Field and spells were enhanced within the Dragon Court.

But now, it felt as if a gray mist had enveloped him, making his perception incredibly dull. Once capable of looking down upon other First-Rank beings, he was now reduced to the level of an ordinary human First-Rank.

Unlike their enemies from the White Bone Sect, Pompei Lai and Tuoyan had undergone rigorous trials within the Dragon Court to attain the Dragon King title, their bodies already partially draconic.

Thus, Zhao Xing's True Words decree first imprisoned them.

If they resisted the command, they would become rogue dragons, justifying an execution order.

Pompei Lai and Tuoyan, utterly clueless about what had transpired, instinctively fled, refusing to comply with the decree.

A thousand years of imprisonment was no different from death.

Their escape became the basis for Zhao Xing's second decree.

"In the name of the Dragon Emperor's successor, I command the dragons to execute the rogue dragons!"

Consequently, the two met the same fate as Bone Two.

The dragon lords who once served them turned on them entirely.

Pompei Lai and Tuoyan, possessing some hidden strength, immediately threw out two sets of Ninth-Rank artifacts to obstruct their pursuers and fled swiftly.

Zhao Xing didn't chase after them. Without mastering the Nine Great Curses, he lacked the ability to pursue and kill these First-Rank beings.

He could have ordered Yin Xiu to chase them down, but the situation remained unclear, and keeping Yin Xiu close seemed prudent.

In any case, those two would never reappear in the Dragon Court's domain.

The only places left for them to go were the Nether Sea and the Abyss.

If they truly ventured there, all the better.

Considering the current dangers in those places, going there would be tantamount to courting death.

"This…"

Watching from afar, Gao Feng and Ji Ji were utterly stunned.

"What kind of being is this? To wield such power!"

"Dragon Emperor's successor? Should I—should I kneel?"

"How would I know?"

Ji Ji and Gao Feng watched the groups of dragon lords collapsing to the ground.

"Maybe we should just kneel too. Clearly, his rank is far beyond ours."

"Good point."

Without hesitation, Ji Ji and Gao Feng dropped to their knees.

"There's no need for that. You are both on our side," Zhao Xing's voice resonated. This time, he used the Great Zhou dialect. "Hurry and chase down the remnants of the Southern Barbarians!"

Our side?

Ji Ji and Gao Feng exchanged puzzled glances, their curiosity growing.

However, now wasn't the time for discussion. The focus was on expanding their victory.

"Yes!"

Ji Ji and Gao Feng immediately sprang into action, chasing after the remnants.

Of the three dragon kings, Yin Xiu had slain one, while the other two managed to escape.

Though they fled, their survival seemed bleak.

Zhao Xing wasn't sure if this interfered with Emperor Jing's plans, but he couldn't concern himself with that now. After storing the Dragon Court Codex back into his body, he flew straight toward the entrance of the Nine-Star Inferno.

"Yin Xiu, stand guard here. No one is allowed to enter or exit."

"As you command."

Yin Xiu obediently settled on the plain, maintaining vigilance.

The entrance to the Nine-Star Inferno stood at the far eastern edge of the Inferno Plains.

It resembled a door formed by four massive rifts cutting through the sky, creating a realm within a realm.

"The Nine-Star Inferno has spiritual energy within it."

"I need to hurry and grab some benefits."

Zhao Xing mused to himself.

For now, he intended to seize whatever opportunities he could. Who knew what tasks or trials Emperor Jing might assign him next?

Working under Emperor Jing was no easy feat, and gaining his favor was even harder.

Now that Zhao Xing wielded the Dragon Court Codex, a weapon of immense power, he anticipated being burdened with many responsibilities in the future.

"I can't afford to provoke him, but I can surely avoid him."

"I'll enter the Nine-Star Inferno, then sneak out through another exit and grab the benefits first. When I reappear, it'll be when the entrance is about to close."

The Dragon Court Codex was soul-bound. Unless Zhao Xing died, it couldn't be taken or handed over to anyone else.

He wasn't worried about Emperor Jing forcibly seizing it, but he did dread the possibility of an imperial edict commanding him to "unify the Dragon Court."

That would spell disaster. Who dared attempt unification at this time?

"Yin Xiu, remember: under no circumstances are you to come looking for me. Stay here and guard this spot. In two years, return to the Gu Ting Kingdom. Unless I summon you, you must not seek an audience with me."

"I will heed your command," Yin Xiu replied. Although puzzled, two years was a brief span in his eyes, so he didn't dwell on it.

The Nine-Star Inferno was shrouded in darkness.

Here, the heavens and earth seemed devoid of light, filled only with dim, oppressive flames.

As soon as Zhao Xing entered, he saw a floating landmass suspended in the darkness, chained by massive fiery links that restrained a dragon skeleton stretching thirty thousand meters long.

"Even though the dragon is long dead, the seals remain intact. Who knows how many years have passed?" Zhao Xing muttered to himself.

The Nine-Star Inferno served as a prison for dragon criminals.

Unlike the Abyss of Sin, which was reserved for death row inmates, the Inferno offered the possibility of eventual release and reintegration into the Dragon Court.

The prison's ninth-star tier could even confine dragon kings.

Just as Zhao Xing entered, fiery chains began forming to bind him.

However, when Zhao Xing unleashed the Dragon Court Codex, the chains dissipated instantly.

"White Dragon King! Where is the White Dragon King?"

Zhao Xing called out loudly as he ventured deeper into the prison.

Far away, on a landmass ten thousand miles away:

"Hm?"

A white dragon abruptly opened his blue eyes.

Beside him, Long Xiao and Bai Yang awoke in alarm.

"Grandfather, what's wrong?" Bai Yang asked.

"I heard a voice calling. It sounded like Zhao Xing."

"That's impossible," Bai Yang dismissed the idea. "How could Zhao Xing be in the Nine-Star Inferno, let alone calling for you?"

"Even if he did enter, he would've been restrained immediately."

"Maybe for others, but not Zhao Xing," Long Xiao interjected. "Anything is possible with him."

"Grandfather, should you go take a look?" Bai Yang suggested.

Bai Yunwu shook his head. "No, we need to stick to the plan. I was seen being locked here by Pompeii and the others. How could I suddenly leave?"

If he really wanted to, he would've left long ago.

Staying here was part of a strategy—to align forces inside and out and launch a surprise attack at the agreed time.

This place wasn't empty. Tang Yinglong, Ao Guang, and nearly a hundred high-ranking individuals were present. Among them, ten were first or second-tier in rank.

He chose not to search for the source of the voice, but the sound grew clearer.

Zhao Xing, following the traces, finally found his way.

"Whoosh~"

A five-clawed golden dragon appeared above Bai Yunwu's prison landmass.

"What?" Bai Yunwu, Tang Yinglong, and Ao Guang were shocked, immediately prostrating themselves.

The aura emanating from Zhao Xing was too overwhelming.

To traverse the Nine-Star Inferno, Zhao Xing had activated the full power of the Codex.

The nearby dragons collapsed like limp worms under the immense pressure.

Only Long Xiao was unaffected—he wasn't a dragon, after all.

"What's going on with you all?" Long Xiao asked, bewildered.

"Long Xiao."

Zhao Xing's voice rang out as he transformed into human form.

"Wow, it really is you!" Long Xiao exclaimed joyfully. "Grandfather, it's Zhao Xing! But… why are you all bowing?"

"A good question," Bai Yunwu replied, struggling to rise. "I just feel like kneeling."

Long Xiao: "???"

Tang Yinglong: "..."

Ao Guang: "..."

Bai Yang: "..."

"Cough, cough, my apologies." Zhao Xing immediately restrained the power of the Dragon Emperor Codex.

Only then did Bai Yunwu and the others finally stand up, their legs no longer trembling.

Seeing this, Zhao Xing directly activated the codex again, effortlessly removing the fiery red chains binding them.

He was determined to maintain his act, pretending he wasn't aware that Bai Yunwu had the Nine-Star Inferno Order.

"Zhao Xing, why are you here?" Long Xiao asked, his tone a mixture of curiosity and confusion.

"I acquired a Dragon Clan artifact—the Dragon Emperor Codex," Zhao Xing replied with a calm smile. "When I heard that the White Dragon King was trapped, I came to assist."

Zhao Xing briefly explained how he obtained the artifact and the process of unlocking its power.

Bai Yunwu looked astonished. "There's really such a thing as the Dragon Emperor Codex? And it was hidden in Yin Xiu's treasury?"

"That's incredible," Tang Yinglong exclaimed, his eyes wide. "You used the treasure Yin Xiu gave you to summon him?"

"It sounds like a tale from a dream!" Ao Guang added, his tone incredulous.

"Yin Xiu even helped you cut down Yi Chuan?"

"What? The Reverse Scale Sword? That's... unbelievable!" Tang Yinglong inhaled sharply, his astonishment mirrored by the others.

Amid their collective shock, Bai Yunwu's expression grew serious as he considered a pressing matter. "We need to get out quickly and hunt down the remnants!"

"This battle must thoroughly crush the enemy from outside the territory, restoring the honor we lost before!"

"I'll escort the old master out," Zhao Xing offered.

"You're not coming with us?" Long Xiao asked, puzzled.

"I sensed the fluctuations of an artifact here in the Nine-Star Inferno. With my current authority, I'd like to explore further," Zhao Xing explained.

"Will you be alright? I can go with you!" Long Xiao offered earnestly.

"And be a burden?" Bai Yunwu's tone was sharp. "You don't have the authority here. Staying will only hold him back."

Long Xiao reluctantly patted the hilt of his treasured sword, clearly unhappy but unwilling to argue further.

Seeing this, Zhao Xing discreetly sent a sound transmission to Long Xiao. "When you and the White Dragon King leave, take command of the dragon ship I've left outside."

"I've left a letter on board. Take it to Ji Si in Guting Royal City—he'll know what to do."

Since Emperor Jing intended to test his loyalty, Zhao Xing had already decided to give up both the Wujian Sword Embryo and the Giant God Weapon.

However, he also left a suggestion for Ji Si, recommending that Long Xiao inherit the Wujian Sword Embryo, as it was best suited for him.

As for Xia Jing, being from the Qi School, his techniques leaned heavily toward hand-to-hand and physical combat. The Giant God Weapon, Zhao Xing suggested, might be better utilized by King Shenluo.

Whether Ji Si accepted his suggestions or not, whoever received the artifacts would owe Zhao Xing a favor.

As for the Kunyuan Divine Hoe, he had no intention of handing it over—it was crucial for his own breakthrough to the second rank here in the Dragon Court.

"Understood," Long Xiao nodded firmly. "Take care of yourself."

"Don't worry, I have it under control." Zhao Xing smiled faintly before separating from the group to begin his exploration of the Dragon Prison.

"The Nine-Star Inferno is just one part of the Dragon Prison. The place is vast, and its operation relies on spiritual energy."

"The most critical are the numerous Spirit Springs scattered throughout the prison."

"The Spirit Springs are located in three places—the Dragon Prison itself, the Young Dragon Ace Royal City, and the Palace of Misa."

The Spirit Springs within the Dragon Prison primarily sustained the lives of imprisoned Dragon Kings. In ancient times, spiritual energy was abundant, and these springs were forged to preserve the lives of the detained dragons.

"Hm?" After flying for a while, Zhao Xing suddenly felt a strong premonition.

Soon, he spotted a small floating landmass. Unlike the desolation of Bai Yunwu's location, this land had a touch of greenery.

At its center, intricate chains of secret patterns bound a Dragon Well.

"Luck is on my side!" Zhao Xing was overjoyed and quickly flew toward it.

As he approached, Zhao Xing noticed the island was roughly fifty kilometers wide, with the Dragon Well at its center. The well's mouth alone had a radius exceeding a hundred meters.

"This is the place." Zhao Xing rushed forward eagerly.

"These chains are more for show than security."

"After all, in ancient times, when spiritual energy was abundant, who would seal a Dragon Well so thoroughly just to draw water?"

Zhao Xing effortlessly pulled apart the chains, as if removing a simple lid.

"Boom—"

A surge of spiritual energy erupted like a geyser.

Due to its nature, part of the spiritual energy rapidly condensed into rich essence the moment it emerged.

"Pure Essence Projection!"

Caught off guard by the sheer force, Zhao Xing immediately used his abilities to envelop the escaping spiritual energy, effectively resealing it.

"Hah—" Zhao Xing greedily absorbed the spiritual energy, his eyes glowing with excitement.

"This is incredible! The richness of the spiritual energy here is almost liquefied! It's leagues beyond the trickles I've encountered before!"

"Ha! It's all mine now!" Zhao Xing shouted with glee, leaping directly into the Dragon Well to devour the spiritual energy.

"Boom—"

The Pure Essence Soil expanded wildly!

At its core, the Floating Vine instantly broke through the peak of the seventh tier, surging into the eighth tier—and rapidly approaching the ninth, undergoing a profound transformation!

"Hm?" Zhao Xing's gaze lingered on the Floating Vine before shifting to the mysterious Void Seed nearby.

The Void Seed's surface now shimmered with a faint green hue.

"The Void Seed has finally sprouted!"