Chapter 730: Fault

The phenomena between heaven and earth, as well as the sound of the Jade Emperor reciting the Self-reproach Edict, caused the countless beings of the Journey to the West world to feel utterly shocked.

The Jade Emperor, however, holds authority over the Heavenly Court and is the supreme ruler of the Three Realms!

On the surface, everything in the world falls under the Jade Emperor's jurisdiction.

Such a supreme being actually caused countless dragons to die unjustly, committing such a mistake?

In Chang'an of the Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin, upon hearing the Jade Emperor's recitation of the Self-reproach Edict, shuddered all over and muttered to himself:

"I never expected that this exalted Jade Emperor would also commit such a mistake……"

"In that case, have I unknowingly committed numerous faults of which I am myself unaware?"

In the monster court of Northern Kuru Continent, Dijun burst into loud laughter:

"Haha, Haotian was actually forced by the Ancestral Dragon to write the Self-reproach Edict?"

"The Ancestral Dragon's idea is truly ingenious; how could I not have thought of this move back then?"

"……"

"Hmph, if I get the chance, I will certainly make Haotian write a Self-reproach Edict for the monster clan as well!"

Within the Chaos Biyou Palace, the Sect Master of Penetrating Heaven felt utterly delighted:

"Self-reproach Edict? Haha, this is really interesting, so interesting!"

"Hmph, Haotian has caused my Sect of Cutting to end up in this state; he ought to write a Self-reproach Edict!"

Other mighty beings and countless creatures all felt greatly shocked by the Jade Emperor's recitation of the Self-reproach Edict.

As for the countless dragons of the Journey to the West world, they were moved to tears:

"Great! Even the Jade Emperor, when facing the Dragon Ancestor, had no choice but to write the Self-reproach Edict to apologize to our dragon clan!"

"Our dragon clan will finally rise again!"

Ye Qin witnessed the entire process of the Ancestral Dragon coercing the Jade Emperor.

Upon seeing the Jade Emperor helplessly write the Self-reproach Edict and announce it to the Three Realms, Ye Qin couldn't help but praise:

"I never expected the Ancestral Dragon could come up with such a method as the Self-reproach Edict!"

"However, the grudges on the Heavenly Court's side are settled; how should the Buddhist Sect respond, then?"

"After all, the Buddhist Sect seized the dragon clan's Dragon Transformation Pool and forcibly converted many dragons to become Buddhist dragon followers!"

"In terms of enmity with the dragon clan, the Buddhist Sect is second only to the Heavenly Court!"

Just as Ye Qin was thinking about the Buddhist Sect.

Within the Great Thunder Sound Temple on Spirit Mountain, the Tathagata Buddha's expression sank slightly:

"What an Ancestral Dragon!"

"Haotian set up the Dragon-Slaying Platform, and he directly stormed the Heavenly Court, forcing Haotian to write the Self-reproach Edict!"

"Since our Buddhist Sect took the dragon clan's Dragon Transformation Pool, he will surely come knocking!"

"Looks like we need to prepare thoroughly!"

The Tathagata Buddha immediately summoned the assembly of Buddhas.

Soon, in the Great Thunder Sound Temple, Burning Lamp Buddha, Maitreya Buddha, Guanyin Bodhisattva, Wenshu Bodhisattva and other Buddhist Sect worthies took their seats.

The Tathagata Buddha sat in the highest position, his gaze first sweeping over the faces of the assembled Buddhas, then he asked them:

"The Ancestral Dragon must repay grudges and is extremely vengeful!"

"Now he is causing trouble for the Jade Emperor in the Heavenly Court, and sooner or later he will come to Spirit Mountain to cause trouble for us!"

"Regarding the Ancestral Dragon's impending attack on Spirit Mountain, what are your plans?"

Among the assembled Buddhas, the one most resentful of the Ancestral Dragon is Maitreya Buddha.

As soon as the Tathagata Buddha finished speaking, Maitreya Buddha spoke up indignantly:

"That Ancestral Dragon is truly hateful! I merely went to the Western Sea to help Guanyin, and he destroyed my golden necklace and seized my human-species bag!"

"If he dares to come to Spirit Mountain this time, I will surely make him pay a heavy price!"

However, after saying just two sentences, Maitreya Buddha thought of the Ancestral Dragon's formidable strength, and his tone immediately weakened a bit:

"However, the Ancestral Dragon's strength is too terrifying; wanting to defeat him is easier said than done……"

After Maitreya Buddha finished speaking, Burning Lamp Buddha said:

"What Maitreya said is absolutely correct! If the Ancestral Dragon truly dares to come to Spirit Mountain, we will surely make him pay a price!"

"Of course, he is a top-tier Quasi-Sage; even if we join forces, we might still find it hard to suppress him!"

"Therefore, I suggest we activate the Five Direction Bright Kings Formation!"

Upon hearing Burning Lamp Buddha mention the Five Direction Bright Kings Formation, Guanyin Bodhisattva immediately echoed:

"I agree with the elder's suggestion!"

Afterward, Wenshu Bodhisattva, Puxian Bodhisattva and others also voiced their agreement. The Tathagata Buddha heard their words, but slightly furrowed his brows and fell into contemplation.

The Five Direction Bright Kings Formation mentioned by Burning Lamp Buddha is a trump card of the Buddhist Sect.

It was originally the Slaughter Immortal Formation Diagram of the Sect Master of Penetrating Heaven.

During the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation of old, the Sect of Cutting suffered a great defeat, and Many Treasures Daoist brought the Slaughter Immortal Formation Diagram into the Western Sect.

Later, with the aid of Receiving Guide and Leading Devotee, Many Treasures Daoist, who had incarnated as the Tathagata Buddha, refined the Slaughter Immortal Formation Diagram into the Five Direction Bright Kings Formation.

You should know, the Slaughter Immortal Sword Formation was one of the supreme formations of the ancient Honghuang; it cannot be broken unless the four sages join forces.

Although the Five Direction Bright Kings Formation, refined from the Slaughter Immortal Formation Diagram, lacks the Four Slaughter Immortal Swords and thus its power is not as great as before,

but when the Tathagata Buddha activates the Five Direction Bright Kings Formation, manifesting five Buddhist Sect Bright Kings, its power can rival five top-tier Quasi-Sages.

At that point, using it to suppress the Ancestral Dragon should pose no problem.

However, although the Five Direction Bright Kings Formation is powerful, it cannot be lightly employed.

After all, its original form is the Slaughter Immortal Formation Diagram; each use not only incurs enormous consumption, but also creates deeper karmic ties with the Sect Master of Penetrating Heaven.

Unless absolutely necessary, the Tathagata Buddha naturally would not want to use the Five Direction Bright Kings Formation Diagram.

But now, the Ancestral Dragon is about to attack Spirit Mountain, and with their strength they still find it hard to suppress the Ancestral Dragon.

So they only have two choices.

First, like the Jade Emperor, they could yield to the Ancestral Dragon, hand over the Dragon Transformation Pool, and even do something similar to writing a self‑blaming edict.

Second, use the Five Direction Bright Kings Formation Diagram to suppress the Ancestral Dragon!

After some thought, the Tathagata Buddha made a decision.

He nodded and said to the many Buddhas in the Great Thunder Sound Temple:

"Since you all propose using the Five Direction Bright Kings Formation Diagram, then let's activate it and make the Ancestral Dragon pay the price for provoking the Buddhist sect!"

Elsewhere.

After the Jade Emperor finished reading the self‑blaming edict, the Ancestral Dragon nodded in satisfaction and said:

"Next, take me to the Dragon Slaying Platform!"

Seeing the Ancestral Dragon's tone sounded like ordering subordinates, the Jade Emperor felt quite displeased.

However, the self‑blaming edict had already been written; to turn face now would be too uneconomical.

So he could only put on a grim face, bringing the Ancestral Dragon and Xiao Bailong to the Dragon Slaying Platform.

Upon arriving at the Dragon Slaying Platform, the Ancestral Dragon's eyes seemed able to see through time and space, witnessing the various injustices the Dragon Clan had suffered here.

"My Dragon Clan, from now on, no one dare bully us again!"

The Ancestral Dragon manifested his ancestral dragon body, swinging that mountain‑sized dragon claw and striking down hard.

"Boom—"

In an instant, including the Dragon Slaying Platform, the area within a hundred‑li radius all turned to dust!

Seeing the Ancestral Dragon not only destroy the Dragon Slaying Platform but also wreck so many Heavenly Court buildings, the Jade Emperor's face turned livid and he shouted angrily:

"Ancestral Dragon, you're going too far!" The Ancestral Dragon looked down from above upon the Jade Emperor, his icy voice seeming able to freeze heaven and earth:

"You think I'm going too far? Then do you want me to do something even more excessive?"

The Jade Emperor was simply fuming with rage from the Ancestral Dragon.

He kept admonishing himself in his heart:

"Haotian, for now I'll endure this humiliation; someday I will repay the Ancestral Dragon a hundredfold!"

"Endure! I must endure!"

After some self‑consolation, the Jade Emperor temporarily suppressed the volcanic anger about to erupt in his heart.

He said in a deep voice to the Ancestral Dragon:

"Ancestral Dragon, I have fulfilled all your conditions; you too must keep the agreement and not make things difficult for the Heavenly Court!"

"Otherwise, I don't mind perishing together with you!"

Seeing the Jade Emperor's state, the Ancestral Dragon knew he was nearing the limit of his patience.

Although his own strength surpassed the Jade Emperor's, if he truly fought the Jade Emperor to the bitter end, the Dragon Clan would inevitably be affected.

For now, it's best to call it a day.

Thinking this, the Ancestral Dragon resumed human form, his gaze sweeping over Qingdi and Wu Tian, and he said in a deep voice:

"I always keep my word. Wu Tian, your attitude of admitting fault is fairly sincere; I am quite satisfied."

"As for compensating the Dragon Clan, Ao Lie will discuss the details with you later; we'll meet again another day."

Having said that, the Ancestral Dragon took Xiao Bailong and left the Heavenly Court, flying straight to the West Sea Dragon Palace.

Seeing this, Xiao Bailong, full of doubt, asked the Ancestral Dragon:

"Ancestor, aren't we going to Spirit Mountain to retrieve the Dragon Transformation Pool?"

The Ancestral Dragon slightly shook his head and replied:

"Of course we need to go to Spirit Mountain to get the Dragon Transformation Pool, but now is not the time!"

"Do you know that the Tathagata holds a magic treasure forged from the Slay Immortal Formation Diagram, called the Five Direction Bright Kings Formation Diagram?"

"This diagram is the Buddhist sect's killer weapon; its power is astonishing, rivaling five top‑level half‑saints!"

"If the Tathagata uses the Five Direction Bright Kings Formation Diagram, adding Buddhas like Ran Deng, even I would find it hard to cope!"

"Back then, I once suffered a loss on the Slay Immortal Sword Formation; this time I must prepare thoroughly and go to Spirit Mountain to seek justice!"

As for the Five Direction Bright Kings Formation Diagram, the Ancestral Dragon learned of it from Lu Ya.

Given the great power of the Five Direction Bright Kings Formation Diagram, the Ancestral Dragon did not rashly go to Spirit Mountain but planned to make thorough preparations first.

Hearing the Ancestral Dragon's words, Xiao Bailong couldn't help but be startled, and asked doubtfully:

"Ancestor, the Five Direction Bright Kings Formation Diagram is so formidable; I don't know what countermeasures we have."

Seeing Xiao Bailong's worried look, the Ancestral Dragon smiled and comforted him:

"Ao Lie, didn't I tell you to summon the Dragon Clan's descendants?"

"I have a formation that, by gathering the strength of all Dragon Clan, will surely break the Tathagata's Five Direction Bright Kings Formation Diagram!"

After the Ancestral Dragon and Xiao Bailong returned to the West Sea, the Ancestral Dragon unleashed his Great Divine Ability, sending a mental transmission to the Dragon Clan of the Three Realms:

"I, the Ancestral Dragon, have returned; all Dragon Clan, hurry to gather at the West Sea Dragon Palace!"

Dragon Ancestor's summons?

The Dragon Clan already revered the Ancestral Dragon greatly; moreover, since he had forced the Jade Emperor to write the self‑blaming edict, their worship of him grew even stronger.

Upon hearing the Ancestral Dragon's summons, the Dragon Clan dropped what they were doing and rushed to the West Sea Dragon Palace at top speed.

At that moment, throughout the Earth Immortal Realm, flying giant dragons could be seen everywhere.

Ye Qin, living in seclusion behind the scenes, was very pleased with the Ancestral Dragon's performance.

He nodded in approval.

After the Ancestral Dragon revived, it's truly made great progress!

Now he has become so cunning; for the Buddhist sect, it's surely a major trouble!

Tsk tsk, myriad dragons gathering at Spirit Mountain—just thinking about this spectacle is shocking!

After sighing a couple of times, Ye Qin opened the system panel to check his Shock Points earnings.

When he saw the figure as high as 45 billion on the system panel, a brilliant smile appeared on his face:

The 15 billion Shock Points spent to revive the Ancestral Dragon were actually earned back in one go!

Tsk tsk, earning 22 billion Shock Points in one go—at this rate, wealth accumulation is practically imminent!

Three days later, tens of thousands of dragons from the Journey to the West world gathered at the West Sea.

Tens of thousands of dragons gathered together, the scene was magnificently grand.

However, high above, the Ancestral Dragon overlooking the dragons below slightly furrowed his brow:

The dragon clan nowadays has really declined too much!

In the past, my dragon clan's descendants numbered at least hundreds of millions!

Now, not only are the dragon clan's descendants feeble, but their numbers have also drastically shrunk!

After retrieving the Dragon Transformation Pool from Spirit Mountain, I will surely develop the dragon clan vigorously and let it rise again!

After a moment's thought, the Ancestral Dragon composed himself and solemnly announced to the dragon descendants eagerly looking up below:

Today, I hereby announce the formal establishment of the Dragon Court!

From now on, all dragons shall fall under the Dragon Court's jurisdiction; anyone daring to harm the dragon clan will surely be made to pay a heavy price by the Dragon Court!

As the Ancestral Dragon spoke, his words turned into radiant golden characters that flowed and vanished into the void.

This means the Ancestral Dragon has sworn a heavenly oath.

If anyone in the future dares to harm the dragon clan, they will surely face retribution from the entire dragon clan!

The major powers of the Journey to the West world, seeing the Ancestral Dragon's decisiveness, all had their expressions turn grim.

This Ancestral Dragon is overly protective and vengeful—truly not to be provoked!

Other forces were intimidated by the Ancestral Dragon's words, while the myriad dragons of the West Sea were each exhilarated.

The establishment of the Dragon Court means they now have a unified organization; it means they now have protection and will no longer be bullied as before!

Each dragon knelt from the heart before the Ancestral Dragon and shouted:

May the Ancestral Dragon be immortal! May the Dragon Court be immortal!

The Ancestral Dragon stood in the high sky, looking at the excited dragon descendants below, pondered a moment, then forced out a drop of golden dragon blood from his body.

The moment the golden dragon blood appeared, the entire sky above the West Sea was shrouded in astonishing phenomena.

Heavenly thunder danced wildly, as if shaken by this drop of golden dragon blood.

The Ancestral Dragon said to the myriad dragons:

Your bloodlines are too feeble; today, taking advantage of this opportunity, I will bestow upon you a fortuitous boon!

Having said that, he flung the Ancestral Dragon's essence blood in his hand toward the myriad dragons below.

Whoosh—

After the golden Ancestral Dragon's essence blood flew out, it turned into a dazzling shower of light that fell upon each dragon.

Roar—

With the aid of the golden light rain, each dragon's bloodline became purer and their strength noticeably increased.

They one by one revealed their true dragon forms and let out long howls to the heavens.

Shortly after, each dragon excitedly bowed their heads to the Ancestral Dragon in thanks:

Thank you, Ancestor Dragon, for the gift!

The Ancestral Dragon gave a slight nod to the myriad dragons below and said:

You must strive to increase your strength; don't lose face for this old ancestor—this is the best thanks you can give me!

The myriad dragons, upon hearing this, earnestly promised:

Rest assured, Ancestor Dragon; we juniors will diligently cultivate and surely not disappoint your expectations!

After the Dragon Court affair concluded, the Ancestral Dragon transmitted the Ancestral Dragon Grand Formation to the Little White Dragon, letting him lead the Dragon Court's myriad dragons in drills.

The so-called Ancestral Dragon Grand Formation is a formation specially created for the Ancestral Dragon's descendants. (End of chapter)