Chapter 575: The Calamity Arises Again

Chapter 575: The Calamity Arises Again

In the Southern Flood Dragon Palace, a figure returned to the Jade Stone Hall, now dressed in heavy armor, having shed his elegant robes.

Standing below the Jade Stone Staircase, his face was shrouded in darkness.

Qi Zhaoyi masked his inner glee and patted the Kelu Family Prince's shoulder, "My brother, mourn and accept the changes. Your younger brother's death was unjust, but it has revealed the true nature of the Southern Flood Seven Sons. As for the Golden Light matter, don't be overly anxious. This exalted Virtuous Immortal has endured for so many years, achieving immortality through virtuous deeds. He wouldn't care about the troubles of Hongze."

"..."

The Kelu Family Prince's smile was forced as he glanced sideways.

Qi Zhaoyi, speaking without considering the consequences, was relieved that this Virtuous Immortal hadn't appeared in the Western Flood. Such a prominent figure's arrival would naturally cause worry.

Whose side was this Immortal on?

If he had ties with the Southern Flood Seven Sons, and if they were to ascend to the Immortal Court and receive immortal rank, a single word from them could spell trouble for the Southern Dragon Palace.

Setting this matter aside, let's talk about the banquet.

He had finally gained a brother who reached the Heaven Realm, and his own prince's position was secure. Unlike the Western Flood, this brother could be considered his right-hand man.

Now, with his sudden demise, how could he not feel heartbroken?

"It's not your brother who died," the Kelu Family Prince said, withdrawing his gaze and smiling coldly.

"Look at what you're saying..." Qi Zhaoyi was not angry at all. The control the Western Dragon Palace had over its territory was something these Venom Dragons wouldn't dare dream of.

"That's good, then."

In an instant, a deep and resonant voice echoed through the hall.

The next moment, accompanied by heavy footsteps, a towering figure slowly entered the Jade Stone Hall.

He wore a thin ceremonial robe, exquisite in quality but extremely old, as if it had been sealed away for many years, losing its original luster. Just like the dragon demon itself, it exuded a faint aura of decay.

However, as he walked through the crowd and approached the wide throne, he sat down.

The entire throne seemed tailor-made for him, with the perfect height and width, even the armrests fitting his palms perfectly.

Without the need for a crown, the massive dragon horns on his head were a natural crown.

"Your son pays respects to Father King!"

After a brief moment of shock, all the figures in the hall, except for Qi Zhaoyi, quickly knelt before the main seat, including the Kelu Family Prince in his heavy armor.

The Southern Dragon King did not ask his sons to rise but merely raised his finger slightly, interrupting Qi Zhaoyi's bow.

A letter, already opened, fell into Qi Zhaoyi's hands.

"..."

Qi Zhaoyi's eyes darted to the seal of the Western Dragon Palace, forcibly broken, and his eyelids twitched. He felt indignant but dared not speak.

He silently took out the letter, assuming it was from his seventh brother. But upon seeing the handwriting, his breath caught, and his palms trembled violently, causing the letter to drift to the ground.

Angrily, he raised his head, but his low growl stuck in his throat. However, upon seeing the Southern Dragon King, he forced it back down, "How... How could this be?"

Had his seventh and fourth brothers disappeared just because he had come to the Southern Flood?

Among Qi Zhaoyi's brothers, the seventh was the only one who sided with him, and the fourth was the only neutral one, one of the few Qi Zhaoyi could sway.

If not for the presence of outsiders, he would have suspected this was a plot by his second brother or that woman.

This was more than losing his right-hand man; it was like losing half his life.

"Mourn and accept the changes," the Kelu Family Prince said, glancing at the letter on the ground and offering a soft word of comfort.

However, Qi Zhaoyi was in no mood for banter. Remembering his loyal greater demons had lost contact, he shivered, realizing he had been ambushed. If he didn't return soon, he might face suppression upon reaching the Western Dragon Palace.

"Forgive me, Southern Dragon King. Zhaoyi... Zhaoyi bids farewell."

Qi Zhaoyi trembled as he cupped his fists, never expecting his brother or that woman to be so ruthless, not even sparing their own brothers.

Forget the prince's throne; only his father could protect him now.

"Wait."

The Southern Dragon King lifted his head briefly and took out several more letters, placing them gently on the bloodstained collapsed table.

Seeing this, the Kelu Family Prince clenched his fists. He knew his father had awakened recently for some reason, but he hadn't expected his father to contact the Western Dragon Palace after agreeing to grant him authority.

And he was completely unaware of these developments.

"You misunderstand. The Western Flood faces external threats, not internal strife," the Southern Dragon King said, stopping Qi Zhaoyi in his tracks. "Of course, your father does want you back, but I've negotiated an opportunity for you."

"..."

Qi Zhaoyi turned, bewildered. "What opportunity?"

The Southern Dragon King calmly explained, "This external threat is the Ten Thousand Demon Hall, which seeks to gather ten thousand demons under its banner. Your two brothers died in a conflict over the allegiance of a greater demon, leading your father to intervene and search the Western Flood thoroughly, yet without success.

"This!"

Qi Zhaoyi suddenly turned to look at the Ke Family Prince beside him. This familiar name had been discussed between them more than once, but in the other's mouth, the Ten Thousand Demon Hall was merely a facade.

The Ke Family Prince also looked up in surprise.

The two arrogant and bizarre Greater Demons he had seen before actually had the ability to involve the Western Dragon King?

"May I ask, South Dragon King, what can Zhaoyi do?" After a brief moment of stupor, Qi Zhaoyi lowered his posture even further.

"Stay in my Southern Dragon Palace, and lead the Greater Demons your father sent you, the Seven Sons of Battle. After the matter is settled, the Southern Dragon Palace will be your strongest backing to secure the Prince's throne." The South Dragon King spoke calmly without haste.

"Which Greater Demons are they?" Qi Zhaoyi furrowed his brows.

"All the named Greater Demons in your Western Flood, including that Cold Mountain Ancestor."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Qi Zhaoyi not only showed no joy but his expression gradually turned grave. "These Greater Demons don't seem to have any affiliation with my Western Dragon Palace."

The South Dragon King nodded. "Indeed, so they were driven to the Southern Flood by your father."

Instead of keeping these Greater Demons in the Western Flood and having them subdued one by one, it's better to gather these Demon Vortals together and let people watch. Even if they are truly subdued by someone, at least the commotion they create will be greater.

"Father King!"

The Ke Family Prince suddenly raised his head, his keen senses detecting something amiss.

The Ten Thousand Demon Hall had the habit of subduing Greater Demons, yet the Western Dragon Palace couldn't find any traces of them. Now that all these Greater Demons had come to the Southern Flood... wouldn't the Ten Thousand Demon Hall also come?

Clearly, the Western Dragon Palace and the Ten Thousand Demon Hall had a grudge, but they chose to confront each other in the Southern Flood!

This was not about sending help; it was clearly a plan to use the Southern Flood as bait, lure out the Ten Thousand Demon Hall, and minimize the losses of the Western Flood.

When the time came, even if a conflict arose, it would give the Western Dragon Palace more room to maneuver.

The South Dragon King ignored this eldest son and continued to stare at Qi Zhaoyi. "I agree, and not only that, I can also grant you authority. Let these Greater Demons eat and drink freely in the Southern Flood. As for you subduing some of them, it depends on your own abilities."

Qi Zhaoyi's breath suddenly grew heavy.

Putting aside other matters, that Cold Mountain Ancestor was the most powerful land-based Greater Demon in the Western Flood, and his cultivation was not inferior to Qi Zhaoyi's.

If he could gain the Ancestor's assistance, along with the full support of the Southern Dragon Palace, then even if the two brothers died, it seemed like it wouldn't matter.

"Zhaoyi will follow Uncle Ke's arrangements and do his best!"

Qi Zhaoyi knelt down without hesitation and bowed several times towards the figure above the stone steps.

He naturally couldn't fully trust the South Dragon King's words, but in the current situation, it was clear that he hadn't offended anyone. Yet, for some reason, he had inexplicably become a lone and helpless person. Unless he gave up the competition for the Prince's throne, it seemed like there was no other path to take.

Now, with a lifesaving straw placed before him, no matter how humiliating, he had to grasp it tightly!

"Go."

The South Dragon King waved his hand, and his face showed a hint of gentleness.

After Qi Zhaoyi left the hall with understanding, the South Dragon King turned to his own son, and the gentleness in his eyes instantly turned cold. "What do you want to say?"

The Ke Family Prince quickly stood up and clenched his fists tightly. "Father King, it's easy to invite the Divine, but hard to send them away. You drove these Greater Demons to my Southern Flood, and now they can eat and drink freely? Do you mean we should fight to the death for them, and all the benefits go to these evil creatures?"

"Also, what does the Western Dragon Palace take us for? Are we disposable ghosts or watchdogs?"

"If that's the case, it's better to coexist peacefully with the Southern Seven Sons..."

As the Ke Family Prince spoke, he noticed the deepening disappointment in his father's eyes and fell silent.

"While you're still dreaming of ruling as a king..."

The South Dragon King withdrew his gaze and spoke indifferently. "I'm considering how to preserve our lives and your worthless lives."

The Ten Thousand Demon Hall, the Virtuous Immortal, the strange movement of the Southern Flood's aura, and the sudden rise of the Southern Seven Sons—each of these was a life-threatening matter.

He only felt that they had been too comfortable for too long. In the eyes of this chosen Prince, the Southern Dragon Palace actually had a choice, and it seemed to have the upper hand.

Indeed, they had been too relaxed for too long.

"If we fight, we must fight to the death."

"Being a watchdog for others is better than dying."

The South Dragon King slowly stood up. "Those are not just food but the spies and informants of the Southern Seven Sons."

For example, why did the news reach the Southern Seven Sons as soon as the eldest son of the Qi Family arrived? It was because there was a Treasure Flower Sect near the border. Why couldn't the Dragon Palace get close to the Seven Sects? It was because there were vassal forces helping to keep an eye on them.

"Letting in a pack of hungry wolves, removing the spies and informants of the Seven Sons, making it so they can't see and can't spread the news. Only then can we invite true experts from the Western Dragon Palace and have a glimmer of hope." The South Dragon King's eyes narrowed slightly.

The Western Dragon Palace and the Southern Dragon Palace were indeed on friendly terms, but they were not only guarding against the Ten Thousand Demon Hall but also wary of the group of purple-bearded white dragons in the east.

Only by having their people handle the matter cleanly, ensuring no mistakes, acting swiftly and decisively, and taking on most of the risks for the Western Dragon Palace, could they gain assistance that would truly eliminate future troubles.

"Can't we do it ourselves?" Ke Family Prince still felt a tinge of reluctance. If he truly didn't mind triggering another massacre, these human treasures and elixirs might even push him to the late-stage Heaven Realm, a realm he had only dreamed of.

"We need to keep an eye on those few people. Remember to put away that useless pride of yours. When they come out, we'll retreat to the Dragon Palace, and when they return, we'll continue our taunts. Even if we have to be dogs, we'll be cunning ones."

"Even if they beat us to the Dragon Cave's entrance, we still have to hide honestly. Only after winning will the face you care about stop being so laughable and ridiculous."

"..."

The Ke Family Prince stood there as if struck by lightning, unable to imagine that such humiliating words could come from the dignified and majestic King, his father.

No wonder he was the old man who could remain calm during the previous massacre.

He truly couldn't imagine what it would take to lure him out of the Dragon Cave and engage in a life-and-death battle with humans.

Unless he waited for this old man to die of old age, it seemed like there was no other chance for him to inherit the Dragon Cave.

...

Nanyang Holy Land.

Even as the seven sects indulged in the atmosphere of excitement, Shen Yi quietly returned to the peaceful grand hall alone.

In the eyes of other cultivators, this was the Southern Seven Sons reclaiming their former authority, but to Shen Yi, it was merely the slaying of a Heaven Realm dragon demon. With the Dragon Prince still alive, there wasn't much difference from before.

These flashy things couldn't kill people.

Shen Yi sat cross-legged, calming the tumultuous emotions from earlier.

As for Qinghua Lady's matter, there was still no breakthrough for now, but on the bright side, it at least attracted most of the Immortal's attention. Moreover, although the Immortal position wasn't his, the demon soul that had taken over the Yin Spirit was Qinghua's.

But he could take over that Golden Body at any time; thinking about it carefully, it didn't seem to make much difference.

There was also a chance to get a glimpse of the true appearance of the Immortal Court in advance, and perhaps he could even use this to aid his cultivation when the time came.

"Moreover, an Immortal position that can be granted casually can also be taken back at any time. It's meaningless; it's more reassuring to rely on my own cultivation."

Shen Yi raised his eyebrows and, as usual, took out the dragon corpse.

After this banquet, he gained a deeper understanding of Heaven Realm cultivators. For example, Ke Shisan, the strongest among the Palace Lords, was still much weaker than the Ke Family Prince, clearly remaining at the early stage of the Heaven Realm.

This was also why Shen Yi was so determined to slay this demon.

As long as Ke Shisan broke through to the mid-stage Heaven Realm, within the Southern Flood's reach, besides the Southern Dragon King or the combined might of the Ke and Qi families' eldest sons, no one would be able to threaten his life.

"But relying on Spirit Rock isn't a long-term solution."

Shen Yi sighed lightly and summoned Ke Shisan, infusing him with the Blood River while deep in thought.

With his current strength, aided by the two Immortal Techniques and the five Tao Armaments, he could rival a cultivator at the early stage of the Heaven Realm, and his foundation was relatively stable, unlike the newly advanced Second Prince.

If he could further cultivate the two Immortal Techniques, he might even reach the mid-stage Heaven Realm.

But the most headache-inducing part was still his own cultivation realm.

Shen Yi had some ideas, probably still related to the Ten Thousand Demon Hall, but when it came to Divine Abilities, only by sending in mid-stage Heaven Realm demons for Spirit Rock stabilization would there be noticeable changes.

Where could he find so many mid-stage Heaven Realm demons?

From the rapid rise of the Ten Thousand Demon Hall's reputation, it was clear they weren't fools. After losing a few demons, they would surely realize something was amiss. Instead of running for their lives, would they willingly deliver themselves to their enemies?

"..."

Shen Yi shook his head and turned his gaze to Ke Shisan before him.

This Eastern Palace Lord had absorbed the entire Blood River and consumed seven Demon Origins, yet he kept his eyes tightly shut.

"If you like to pretend to be dead, you can go to the Dao Palace and keep pretending. I'll find another Palace Lord." Shen Yi said indifferently.

"Hehe... Xuan Jian is grateful to the Master." Ke Shisan opened his eyes, and in that instant, a brand new, thick aura spread from his body. With the help of the Second Prince, a Heaven Realm dragon demon, he effortlessly crossed the threshold he had been just one step away from.

In just a short time, this once-ordinary grandson had become a terrifying existence on par with the two dragon heirs in terms of strength.

But there was no joy on this Eastern Palace Lord's face; instead, his eyes were filled with fear.

With the Southern Dragon Palace's troubles temporarily resolved and so many powerful demons slain, he knew not how rich he had become.

With wealth and leisure, and with Ke Shisan's understanding of the Master, the latter was unlikely to choose to wander around...

The next moment, Yue Tianji and Ke Shisan were forcefully pulled into the face plate! Shen Yi closed his eyes, and the vast and boundless demon vortal flooded into the Sacred Mountain Tranquil Sky Technique.

【Year One: Together with the two Palace Lords, you carefully sense the treasure mountain within your body. You increasingly resemble a true Sacred Mountain, and this Blue Sky has completely accepted your existence. And now, you can no longer suppress the malicious intentions towards it.】

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end