Primordial Era: The Great Serpent of Yunmeng

After receiving the advice, Jieyin and Zhunti gladly returned to the West. They were too closely bound to the Celestial Court and needed to rely on their strength to fight against the Witch Clan, so they naturally attached great importance to the convening of the Celestial Court Assembly.

Given the current unclear situation, they offered their advice, since the primordial world is still dominated by the innate deities.

The Celestial Court, by its very nature, rejected these dominant gods. Coupled with the Heavenly Court's ambiguous attitude, the situation at the Celestial Court Assembly was dire.

Hongyun was the one they chose to break the deadlock, and that's where their scheme began.

Back then, they traveled together across the Western Continent, repairing the broken ley lines. At that time, Yuanzi of Hongyun Town had a close relationship with the Western duo.

But now, they have long since become estranged, each pursuing their own ambitions and constantly striving for their own goals.

When people share the same path, they are naturally very close; but after they go their separate ways, they can only rely on their own methods.

Although the primordial world is vast, there are only a few people capable of breaking the deadlock, and scheming against Hongyun is undoubtedly the lowest-cost and most likely to succeed option.

Rahu's words proved prophetic because he saw through the situation: "A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime."

Hongyun's good reputation, which he had accumulated in the past, has now become the main reason why everyone plots against him. After all, bullying good people is always easier than fighting against bad people.

Meanwhile, the Eastern King Duke had already begun inquiring within the Celestial Court whether anyone was acquainted with Hongyun.

To everyone's surprise, most of the innate saints who had turned to immortality in the entire Celestial Court had actually crossed paths with Hongyun.

Of these, one or two out of ten could be called friends, and two or three of them are still in contact with each other to this day.

This discovery undoubtedly made Dongwanggong overjoyed, but also made him more wary of Hongyun. However, he was soon relieved.

In Dongwanggong's view, if Hongyun had ambitions, then he would indeed be an enemy he could not underestimate.

At that time, let alone scheming, even when holding a grand meeting, the Eastern King would not invite Hongyun, for fear that Hongyun might have ill intentions and take away the people he had finally recruited.

"Gentlemen, the grand assembly is about to begin. This is the moment when the Celestial Court will officially show its strength in the primordial world, and it is of utmost importance."

"The Heavenly Court's attitude is unclear right now, but if you and I fight against them, we will definitely be a thorn in their side, and they will wish to remove us completely."

"Therefore, since the Heavenly Court has not yet expressed its stance, there is not much hope left. We must not expose our recklessness."

"Do not harbor any friendly intentions towards the Heavenly Court. When traveling, everyone should remain vigilant and lest they fall into the Heavenly Court's trap."

"I also hope that everyone can clearly recognize that there is no turning back for us all, as we are now aligned with the Heavenly Court."

"In the future, we will all reside high in the heavens, overlooking all living beings in the primordial world, and enjoying the blessings of heaven and earth."

"Whether it leads to their demise or to their annihilation, it all depends on this grand assembly."

"This grand gathering may not determine the future of the Celestial Court in a single sentence, but it is of great importance to the future development of the Celestial Court. I hope that you will all join me in ascending the throne hall one day."

The Eastern King Duke clasped his hands in a gesture of respect to signify the importance of this assembly, and the crowd was filled with fervor upon hearing his oath.

But as the atmosphere grew more exciting, everyone knew that the Eastern King must have something to ask for, so they waited patiently for what would follow.

One of the opportunists, naturally sensing the meaning behind the Eastern King's words, was the first to step forward and echo:

"What you say is certainly very insightful. I believe there are no disloyal people in the Celestial Court today. If there is anything important, please speak freely, Your Excellency."

People in the room also participated, reporting on the difficulties they encountered when the conference started and how they solved them.

The Eastern King Duke, perched high above, silently observed the scene, offering no intervention. He seemed quite pleased with everyone's suggestions, and only after they had all quieted down did the Eastern King Duke continue speaking:

"Please listen to me, everyone. I have found a way to break this deadlock, but I am still lacking a little bit of strength, and I need your help."

Everyone volunteered, which made the Eastern King Duke very happy. However, when the Eastern King Duke spoke frankly, everyone realized that Hongyun was involved, and the atmosphere in the room suddenly became somewhat silent.

Although they have become somewhat estranged from Hongyun, they haven't had any major conflicts, and they still showed some consideration for each other.

They knew the Celestial Court was a fiery pit, and they joined it only to try and profit from the fire.

To achieve high returns amidst high risks and accomplish the feat of supporting a powerful ruler, if successful, one will lack nothing in terms of power, fortune, and cultivation resources.

As for failure, they had never considered it; it was just death. But now their friends were being implicated, which undoubtedly made the people present hesitate.

However, hesitation signifies wavering, and Dongwanggong, naturally aware of this, pressed his advantage, advising:

"Now is the great era of the Xuanmen, and the prosperity of the immortal path is a foregone conclusion. The Immortal Court was personally appointed by the Dao Ancestor Hongjun, and it will surely be the future of the prehistoric world."

"It is based on this that you have foreseen the future prosperity of the Immortal Path. If you do not believe in me, do you not believe in yourselves, or in the Dao Ancestor?"

"Everyone's life hangs in the balance, and we have long since disregarded life and death. Now is the time to make a choice, so how can we hesitate?"

"Moreover, when the Celestial Court succeeds in its mission and replaces the Heavenly Court, how can you all be accused of wrongdoing by inviting us now?"

"Perhaps one day, Fellow Daoist Hongyun will also be granted titles and honors based on today's events. It would be quite common for him to be appointed as a king or general. The Heavenly Court has five emperors, so why can't the Immortal Court as well?"

"If Fellow Daoist Hongyun assists me this time and I ascend to the throne one day, I will have to thank you all."

Upon hearing Dong Wanggong's words, everyone's expression changed, and they began to try to convince themselves.

Yes, we joined the Celestial Court precisely because we are optimistic about its future.

We were all originally divine beings, and now that we have found the Great Dao and the clear path, how can we forget our friends from back then?

Moreover, what Dongwanggong said makes some sense. The Celestial Court is currently in dire straits, and if Hongyun provides timely assistance, everyone will naturally remember his kindness.

When the Celestial Court replaces the Heavenly Court in the future, Hongyun will also receive a lot of merit and fortune. If we don't invite him now, he might even complain about us.

Looking at the changing expressions of the crowd, Dongwanggong knew in his heart that the matter was accomplished and the predicament of the Celestial Court Assembly was resolved.

Sure enough, after a short while, someone stood up and said:

"What Your Excellency says makes sense. We invited you for the sake of Fellow Daoist Hongyun, and also so that he may one day share in some of the merit and fortune."

Upon hearing this, the others' expressions changed slightly, but they remained silent, as if they had tacitly agreed to the matter, just as they had done back in Zixiao Palace.

Upon seeing this, the Eastern King smiled, though his eyes seemed to hold a hint of mockery. However, to outsiders, this was not apparent; instead, it gave him a sense of warmth and comfort.

"That is indeed the case. You and I have long since embarked on the path of enlightenment. Now that we have the opportunity, we must not forget our friends from the past."

"I think Fellow Daoist Hongyun should be able to understand everyone's good intentions and will forgive you."

Everyone said in unison:

"good."

Then, the people in the main hall gradually dispersed. Some went directly to Wuzhuang Temple, intending to tell Hongyun about the benefits, while others called their friends and planned to go together to persuade him.

But their ultimate goal is the same: to drag Hongyun into the biggest fire pit in the primordial world right now.

A mind full of cunning and scheming, yet able to find a pretext for what is good for oneself, can easily convince oneself; this is the predicament of the Red Cloud.

On the shores of the East Sea, many dragon clan members also went to Penglai Immortal Island to listen to the teachings. After all, although they did not participate in the conference, the sermons had not stopped before.

Although the Dragon Clan possesses numerous precious scriptures and has lecturers to impart their knowledge of the mysteries of immortality, one can still gain considerable insights from time to time on Penglai Immortal Island.

Especially the rogue cultivators who came from all over the country, their skills were extremely diverse, but they often had some rare techniques, which undoubtedly gave the dragon clan members trapped in the East Sea a pleasant surprise.

As a result, the situation on Penglai Immortal Island came into the sight of the Dragon Clan. With the ancestral dragon Yinglong not appearing, some of the former elders of the Dragon Clan began to have their minds stirred.

"Elder Ao Shi, Lord Yinglong is currently in seclusion, residing in the Sea Eye. The affairs of the Dragon Clan are now in our hands, so it would be best not to disturb Lord Yinglong."

"Establishing diplomatic relations with Penglai Immortal Island is a trivial matter, which you and I can decide on our own. If we were to disturb Lord Yinglong so casually, wouldn't it make us appear incompetent?"

The speaker was named Ao Yi, one of the Dragon Clan's Great Luo Immortals who survived the great calamity. He had experienced the glory of the Dragon Clan and was naturally unwilling to let the Dragon Clan fall into obscurity.

The Ao Shi he mentioned was also someone who had experienced the glory of the Dragon Clan. However, the current Ao Shi had long since resigned himself to his fate, only hoping that the Dragon Clan would experience fewer upheavals and could pass on its legacy peacefully.

Both are now elders of the Dragon Clan. They have different political views, but they can still get along peacefully now, mainly because of the friendship they built up in the war and their own self-cultivation.

Faced with Ao Yi's idea, Ao Shi directly rebuked him angrily:

"Ao Yi, don't think I don't know what you're thinking! Let me tell you, your actions are pushing the dragon race into an abyss!"

"Your actions will not restore the dragon race to its former glory, nor will they allow it to return to the primordial stage; they will only plunge it into utter ruin!"

"Furthermore, what's wrong with me seeking out Lord Yinglong and entrusting this matter to his judgment?"

"Incompetent? Of course we are incompetent, do we need to judge each other over this? If we were capable, how could the Dragon Clan have fallen to this state!"

Ao Yi's face darkened, but Ao Shi ignored him, as if he hadn't seen anything, and continued speaking:

"Establish diplomatic relations with Penglai Immortal Island? Has your brain been damaged by the calamity? Where have you been cultivating all these years?"

"Arrogant, disobedient, and utterly disregarding Lord Yinglong's orders! Is this what you learned in the dragon race?"

"Today, the Heavenly Court is strong and well-equipped. Not to mention the five emperors, just consider the eight supreme gods and ten divine generals. How many in the Celestial Court can compare to them?"

"The Xuanmen (mystical sects) are powerful, and the immortal path is flourishing—it sounds impressive, but isn't the primordial world still ruled by the innate deities?"

"No matter how strong the Celestial Court may become in the future, it is still just a seedling at this moment. If the Celestial Court so desires, it can be crushed at any time!"

"No matter what kind of towering tree his future may become, whether or not it can solve the current predicament of the Dragon Clan, it is not the right choice for the Dragon Clan at this moment!"

"Do you know that the dragon race has no choice these days? Besides, Lord Yinglong is currently serving in the Heavenly Court. Where does your action place Lord Yinglong?"

Seeing Ao Yi trembling, Ao Shi realized that his previous words had been too harsh, so he softened his tone and said:

"Yi, I know you are also wholeheartedly for the Dragon Clan and want to solve the current predicament of the Dragon Clan. It's not just you, I want to too, everyone wants to."

"Lord Yinglong, how could you not wish for that? But my dragon race is no different from others; we are fundamentally different from them. We were one of the masterminds of the last great calamity!"

"You also experienced the golden age of the dragon race. You know what the dragon race was like back then. If you were in power, how would you treat the dragon race?"

Ao Yi remained silent for a long while before speaking, his voice low and filled with helplessness:

"Three days ago, another dragon baby died. In this one-cycle period, the entire dragon race, including the four seas, has fewer than eight hundred surviving dragon babies."

"Even if one lives to be a hundred years old, one will still be physically weak, suffer many hardships and calamities, and have a slow pace of spiritual cultivation."

"Since the Great Calamity, only three new Taiyi Golden Immortals have been born in the Dragon Clan, and there are no Daluo Golden Immortals at all. The number of Golden Immortals is less than one hundred."

After Ao Yi finished speaking, he fell silent, and Ao Shi also fell silent. The surrounding environment was deathly quiet, and the atmosphere became increasingly oppressive.

Entangled by karmic consequences, their bodies cannot stretch, and their dragon sons are few in number but many are of strange shapes, with ferocious bones and claws, and vicious natures, making them impossible to teach and tame.

This is the predicament that the dragon race is currently facing: the new generation cannot be replenished, while most of the older generation of dragons are silent every day, with no will to survive.

Otherwise, they might become like Ao Yi, going to extremes and attempting to venture out of the four seas again to compete for the position of the protagonist of heaven and earth, hoping to gather fortune and eliminate the sins of the dragon race.

Or perhaps they are like Ao Shi, devoid of ambition, only wanting to prolong their lives, wanting to revive the dragon race but lacking the means to do so.

To outsiders, the dragon race is like a centipede that, though dead, does not die easily. It still possesses a profound foundation and is one of the few top-tier races in the prehistoric world.

Unfortunately, only the dragon race itself knows that their foundation is indeed still profound, but sadly, all that's left is their foundation.

Compared to the almost completely wiped-out Qilin clan and the Phoenix clan, who were reduced to tools for suppressing volcanoes, the Dragon clan's fate was relatively good.

Unfortunately, the gap between them, the spiritual platform defiled by the calamity and karma, has no hope of reaching the Great Dao.

All of these factors had long since driven the dragon race to madness and idiocy, leaving them either in a state of confusion or driven to extremes and a desire for death.

Even people like Ao Shi and Ao Yi are considered rare and relatively clear-headed among the dragon race today.

But these seemingly clear-headed people are not necessarily truly clear-headed; they are all immersed in the past and cannot find liberation.

The sins committed in the primordial world have yielded no merit; how can they be easily repented for? (End of Chapter)