Chapter 846: The Human-Faced Xiao Is My Lifelong Enemy

One thing that most people found hard to imagine was that the Azure Dragon and Baize actually had a good relationship.

The Azure Dragon had lived for countless years and was nearly a contemporary of beings like Grand Ancestor Wuchao and Grand Ancestor Fuyou—some of the longest-living greater demons of the current era. There was a slight difference in seniority between them, perhaps by hundreds or even thousands of years.

When the Azure Dragon became the guardian of the Penglai Supreme Sect, the sect had not yet officially formed. During Baize’s growth, the Azure Dragon had offered her guidance and support.

However, Baize eventually surpassed him. After reaching the eighth realm, her cultivation advanced beyond the Azure Dragon’s, placing her on the brink of ascension. As celestial beasts naturally comprehended the Great Dao at a slow pace, a single session of closed-door cultivation often lasted at least a hundred years. Because of that, they had not kept in touch in recent times.

The deterioration of relations between the Mount Shu Sect and the Penglai Supreme Sect had only occurred within the past few centuries, which was not considered long from the perspective of celestial beasts. As for the internal conflicts among the humans, the two guardian beasts had no interest in getting involved.

For that reason, the Azure Dragon remained behind to guard the Penglai Supreme Sect but never went to Mount Shu to fight Baize. While he was willing to protect Penglai, he had no desire to attack Mount Shu.

After the Penglai Supreme Sect fell, the Azure Dragon fled far away. Before the remaining members of the Penglai Supreme Sect could locate him, Baize had already approached him.

𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"The Penglai Supreme Sect has lost its Dao and is on the verge of collapse. Why not come to Mount Shu and make it your home?" Baize advised.

Although the Azure Dragon was older than Baize, his natural talent and the Great Dao he had mastered meant he still had many years ahead of him. Baize, on the other hand, would only have to worry about her lifespan if she failed to reach the Profound Realm. If that happened, she would need to start preparing for the future.

Recruiting the Azure Dragon wouldn’t just weaken the Penglai Supreme Sect. It would also strengthen the Mount Shu Sect. This would guarantee that a celestial beast would still remain to guard the mountain after she left. So why wouldn’t she do it?

"The Penglai Supreme Sect is not dead," the Azure Dragon replied.

"But what does the Penglai Supreme Sect still have?" Baize asked.

Even if they rebuilt the peaks and islands, the spiritual veins that once formed the foundation of the three islands were gone for good. The natural treasures once found there had vanished as well.

What remained of the Three Islands of Penglai without those spirit plants?

Could it still be called Penglai?

The Penglai Supreme Sect could no longer support Azure Dragon like they used to without hesitation.

"For the years of support they’ve given me, I cannot bear to betray that bond," the Azure Dragon said.

While guardian beasts were often like mercenaries, they still shared a deep emotional bond with those they protected. After receiving the sect’s support and care for so many years, they wouldn't abandon the sect easily.

Baize nodded, understanding his thought process. She then continued, "Chu Liang carries the Dragon God’s legacy and various dragon breaths. Did you know that?"

The golden flames in the Azure Dragon’s eyes flickered, but he gave no reply.

"I know you dragons have a prophecy about a world-ending calamity and that you need someone with great destiny to help avert it. Back then, you might have chosen Qi Lin’er or Yang Shenlong. But do you still believe that person is part of the Penglai Supreme Sect now?" Baize asked.

That was what led to the scene of Chu Liang seeing Baize and the Azure Dragon walking toward him.

Chu Liang blinked and asked, "Esteemed Senior Azure Dragon, is this... a change of allegiance?"

"I only came to meet you," the Azure Dragon said, gazing at him. "I’ve heard that you exude the breaths of various dragons and the aura of the Dragon God’s throne. Now that I’ve seen you in person, you truly are extraordinary. There’s a reason so many dragons have chosen you."

"You flatter me, Esteemed Senior," Chu Liang replied with a modest smile.

The Azure Dragon added, "But it won't be easy to get me to join the Mount Shu Sect. After all, I once served the Penglai Supreme Sect. Even though we’re beasts, we still understand the meaning of pride and integrity. We won’t just switch sides to the enemy so casually."

"Eh?" Du Wuhen, who had come to watch the commotion, raised an eyebrow and thought,

Why’s the old guy throwing shade while having a conversation?

...

"Esteemed Senior, do you have any conditions?" Chu Liang asked with a smile. "If there’s anything you need, feel free to ask. The Mount Shu Sect may not have blessed lands like Penglai’s three islands, but we’re well-connected throughout the cultivation world. Whatever you want, we can likely get it for you."

The Azure Dragon replied without hesitation, "I won’t join the Mount Shu Sect for now, but I can follow you personally. As long as you can prove that you’re the true inheritor of the Dragon God’s legacy, I will acknowledge you."

Chu Liang revealed the glimmering Dragon God’s mark on his forehead, and in that instant, a supreme pressure of the Dragon God descended. He frowned and asked, "Is this still not enough?"

The Azure Dragon shook his head. "Not enough. What you possess is only the Dragon God’s throne. Unless you obtain the Dragon God's Orb, you won’t earn my acknowledgement."

As perhaps the oldest and most powerful pure-blooded True Dragon alive, the Azure Dragon’s pride naturally far exceeded that of ordinary dragons. Even during the era when the Dragon God walked the earth, he had been one of the foremost kings beneath the divine throne.

The pressure of the Dragon God brought by the mark alone was still not enough to make him lower his head and yield to Chu Liang.

"The Dragon God's Orb?" Chu Liang uttered, looking puzzled. He had never heard of it.

"This is a story that talks about the humiliation of dragons," Azure Dragon said, beginning his explanation.

Back when the Dragon God lost the war against the heavens, he didn’t vanish without a trace. He left behind two legacies: his fractured Dragon Orb and the divine throne. That orb contained the power of the Dragon God’s Great Dao and was on par with the spiritual essence sealed within the Blue Dragon’s Orb. Chu Liang's mark was incomparable with the power contained within the Dragon God's Orb.

Later, powerful dragons gathered at the Ancient Dragon Lair, hoping to use the Dragon God's Orb to bring him back to life. However, word of this reached the Divine Ruins Monastery, and they intervened to stop it. The dragons clashed with the Divine Ruins Monastery and what happened after that was known to all.

The Ancient Dragon Lair was shattered, and the powerful dragons who had once ruled the mortal world at their peak were torn apart. They became celestial beasts that were scattered throughout the nine provinces and four seas. Though still the most numerous among celestial beasts, they could no longer reclaim their former glory.

The fractured Dragon God's Orb had once been fiercely guarded by a pure-blooded True Dragon. But several thousand years ago, when that dragon grew old and frail, the orb was stolen by a pair of despicable thieves.

"Those thieves were called the Twin Ghost Xiaos," Azure Dragon said. As he uttered the name, his usually calm voice trembled slightly, filled with bitter hatred.

For the proud dragons, the fact that the sacred relic left behind by the Dragon God was stolen was an absolutely unforgivable humiliation. What made it worse was that they had failed to recover the Dragon God's Orb for thousands of years.

"The Twin Ghost Xiaos were a pair of Human-Faced Xiaos who cultivated into demon kings, each with over 3,800 years of cultivation. Possessing the powerful spiritual energy of seventh-realm demons, they could disguise themselves in countless forms with ease. Cunning, cruel, and ruthless, they have remained hidden all this time.

"Though our kind is scattered across the nine provinces and four seas, we have never been able to track them down. For thousands of years, we have tried to capture those two thieves, but every attempt has ended in failure."

Because of their pride, the dragons had never shared this humiliating story with outsiders. This was the first time they had sought help from outside their kind.

The Azure Dragon looked at Chu Liang and said solemnly, "If you can retrieve the Dragon God's Orb without relying on the power of your sect elders, then I will acknowledge you as the true successor of the Dragon God."

"Human-Faced Xiaos who cultivated into greater demons..." Chu Liang muttered with a complicated expression. "Esteemed Senior Azure Dragon, to think your dragon race has suffered such humiliation."

"I hereby declare," Chu Liang said indignantly, "from this day forward, the Human-Faced Xiao is my lifelong enemy!"