Chapter 487: Chapter 406: Beating the Drum

The monsters cast one last look back at their homeland, and with heavy hearts, they had no choice but to leave the land that gave them life. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

The great battle came to an end, and both sides began to lick their wounds, conserving strength for the next fight.

The prolonged war tested the endurance of both parties, neither the Heavenly Court nor the Demon Clan wanted to give in an inch at this point.

The ever-changing situation in the Three Realms left many at a loss, marking an era of transformation as well as cruelty.

With the gradual decline of the Heavenly Court, flames of war were kindled across the realms, some belonging to Cultivators who refused to be ruled, others to malign beings who thrived in chaos.

Re-establishing order would come at a bloody price.

Ao Xing gazed at the majestic ocean, silently repeating this to himself.

The Dragon Clan now stood at a crossroads of the era, where each decision could potentially impact their fate.

"Master, the Heavenly Court Envoy has come to urge us again!" Ao Yan approached and whispered.

This was not the first time the Heavenly Court Envoy had visited, his visits becoming more urgent, pressuring the Dragon Clan to attack the Demon Clan, yet each time they were refused on the grounds of not being ready.

"How many times has he urged us to march now?" Ao Xing asked with a solemn voice.

"The fourth time!"

"The fourth time, huh? It seems the Heavenly Court can’t wait any longer. Have they delivered the equipment they promised us?"

"It arrived today!"

"Very well, tell the envoy we shall march today," Ao Xing said with a solemn voice, his mind made up.

"Master, there is something I don’t understand!" Ao Yan hesitated but eventually spoke up.

"Are you wondering why I blackmailed the Heavenly Court for equipment?" Ao Xing chuckled and asked.

Ao Yan had stopped himself from questioning this before, so Ao Xing had guessed the doubt in his mind.

"Yes, with the Heavenly Court in dire straits, our actions are like adding frost to snow. Given the Heavenly Court’s temperament, it’s inevitable they will settle scores with us later. It seems somewhat counterproductive just for some equipment," Ao Yan cautiously expressed his concerns.

"Ao Yan, what do you think of the future situation in the Three Realms?" Ao Xing suddenly asked.

"Ah, Master, I haven’t thought about that," Ao Yan replied honestly.

"I ask you, how many years has the Heavenly Court ruled over the Three Realms?"

Ao Yan shook his head, "I’ve never counted, but ever since I was born, the Heavenly Court has been the Master of the Three Realms."

"Yes, the Heavenly Court has oppressed the Three Realms for so long, so much so that people like you have grown used to it. However, there’s a saying in the Mortal World, ’When a cup fills, it overflows; when the moon is full, it wanes.’ This is the natural law of Heaven and Earth, and nothing can escape the cycle of rise and decline, not even the Heavenly Court."

"So, what the Heavenly Court faces now is the gravest crisis, a misstep could lead to its utter destruction." Ao Xing’s eyes shone with clarity as he spoke.

"If the Heavenly Court manages to survive this calamity, then considering that Supreme’s tyrannical nature, my Dragon Clan will never see the light of day. Therefore, the Heavenly Court must not win."

This was Ao Xing’s true intention. He had never planned to help the Heavenly Court secure victory in this war. He was merely using this as a means to exhaust the Heavenly Court’s potential and to bolster the foundation of the Dragon Clan.

"This..." Ao Yan’s face showed a look of shock upon hearing this.

Ao Xing’s words were too audacious; after all, the Dragon Clan was still counted as among the Heavenly Court’s forces, and Ao Xing was clearly intending to rebel.

"What, are you afraid?" A smile flickered across Ao Xing’s face as he spoke.

"I find it very difficult to imagine the Heavenly Court losing this war," Ao Yan said with a wry smile. Deep down, he still believed that the Heavenly Court’s power was invincible.

"The Heavenly Court of the past was invincible because it had the Venerated Way of the Three Pure Ones presiding over it. Their absolute power suppressed anyone in the Three Realms who dared to make a move. But now that they have left, the Heavenly Court is no longer the invincible force it once was."

"And our Dragon Clan must seize this opportunity to rise again in the Three Realms. Otherwise, we will be reduced to mere fish meat, to be carved up at others’ whim," Ao Xing said with a sigh.

The situation had reached this point, but there were few in the Dragon Clan who could see this.

Ao Yan was silent, never having thought that the plight of the Dragon Clan could be so cruel.

"What if, I mean, what if the Heavenly Court wins?" Ao Yan asked with some concern.

"Then I would be the chief culprit, and the Dragon Clan would have to push me out to appease the Heavenly Court’s anger," Ao Xing said indifferently.

After speaking, he turned his head to Ao Yan with a smile, "As for you, you might be imprisoned and lose your freedom, but as long as the Dragon Clan is willing to submit, that Supreme would probably still spare your lives."

A solemn expression took over Ao Yan’s face as he murmured to himself, "Is this the price Master spoke of?"

"Yes, this is the price. Why else would the Dragon Kings choose to delegate their powers to us? It’s because this is staking my life on a wager. If we win, our Dragon Clan will rise again. If we lose, it’s only my life that will be lost," Ao Xing said.

Seeing the sorrowful look on Ao Yan’s face, Ao Xing laughed with abandon, "You needn’t feel sad for me. From the moment I resolved to have our Dragon Clan rise again, I have long since put life and death aside."

Ao Xing spoke lightly, but his words weighed heavily on Ao Yan’s heart. As their life mentor and beacon of guidance, as well as their leader, Ao Xing meant a great deal to them.

Yet, no one truly knew his heart, a heart that burned hot with nothing but the Dragon Clan.

After a moment, Ao Yan’s expression became resolute, and he nodded solemnly, "Master, I understand. If that day does come, please take me with you!"

"Haha, good!" Ao Xing laughed heartily. Looking into Ao Yan’s determined eyes, Ao Xing knew he had found a kindred spirit.

The drums sounded, and all the Aquatic Races quickly assembled upon hearing the drumbeat. They saw Ao Xing and the others, who had been waiting for some time, with grim expressions like still water—a seriousness that made the gathered Aquatic Races barely dare to breathe.

"I’ve called you here today to tell you that the good days are over. The Heavenly Court’s equipment has arrived, and we must fight to the death with the Demon Clan of Luzhou in the North!" Ao Yan’s words clearly reached the ears of every member of the Aquatic Races, causing their faces to tense with anxiety.

Through the period of mutual probing, they were also aware of the Demon Clan’s combat strength, which was certainly not weak, even significantly stronger than themselves.

Against such a fierce opponent, they were, in fact, reluctant to become enemies, which is why they had been so happy about the ceasefire. But now, as the war approached as scheduled, it was a reality they found difficult to accept.

Thankfully, the current Aquatic Army, painstakingly reformed by Ao Xing and others, was worlds apart from its former self.