Chapter 91: No Room for Error

"Mother Goddess, since you no longer protect us, we will find our own way to survive."

The man turned to glance at those clan members whose clothes were equally tattered and whose faces bore confusion; a flash of resolve passed through his eyes, and he resolutely set out on a solitary path of exploration. He became the first in the tribe to overcome his inner fear.

In the deepest part of the Boundless Seas, it seemed as if eternal darkness devoured everything, a dead silence.

Suddenly, a pair of massive eyes snapped open like two bright suns, instantly illuminating the entire sea. The once pitch‑black waters became clear, revealing a colossal Candle Shadow that towered over the heavens.

Its emanating aura was terrifyingly extreme, spreading outward, leaving no survivor wherever it reached.

As Candle Shadow awakened, several figures shot out from the Dragon Palace in the Boundless Seas, swiftly arriving before Candle Shadow.

"Candle Shadow Ancestor, you have finally awakened!"

"Candle Shadow Ancestor, we all thought this day would never come!"

The surprise and excitement in everyone's voices were evident as they gazed at Candle Shadow's massive form, their eyes full of awe.

Hearing the summons, Candle Shadow slightly shifted its expression, attempting to move its body.

However, at that moment, the iron chains coiled around it forcibly pulled it back. Looking down, it saw iron ropes as thick as mountains tightly binding its draconic body, anchoring it here.

Thick black mist seeped from the iron ropes, continuously drifting outward, imprisoning Candle Shadow firmly within this endless darkness.

"Ancestor, even though you have shouldered most of the tribe's karmic burden alone, the situation still has not improved."

A Dragon Race elder said sadly, "Many disciples within the tribe not only have their cultivation stalled, but have even regressed, and it has been a long time since any newborn has been born."

Candle Shadow heard the words and let out a deep sigh; that sigh instantly triggered an undersea quake, the surrounding currents roiled and surged, dark eddies churned, as if echoing Candle Shadow's inner turmoil.

Since the Dragon Race's great war, the strongest among the three races suffered heavy casualties and retreated to their own territories to recuperate.

Under Candle Shadow's guidance, the Dragon Race returned to the Boundless Seas.

Day by day, Candle Shadow became aware of the severity of the situation.

Heavy karmic retribution hung like dense black clouds over each tribe member's head, hindering their cultivation progress and even causing regression.

Seeing the tribe's predicament, Candle Shadow's heart ached immensely; ultimately it made a difficult choice, taking on part of the tribe's karmic burden, and thus became bound by the iron chains.

"In theory, my slumber this time should have spanned countless years," Candle Shadow said slowly:

"However, two great events in Honghuang awakened me from my long sleep. After prolonged effort, I gradually revived. Quickly tell me, what has happened in Honghuang during this period?"

Upon hearing this, the people nearby were momentarily stunned, a hint of hesitation flashing across their faces, but they quickly recovered, daring not to hide anything, and swiftly recounted the events of Honghuang.

They especially detailed the development of the Human Race, including Zhou Yi attaining the title of Literary Sage and the conflicts and grudges between the Human Race and the Wu and Demon races.

Candle Shadow listened quietly, falling into deep thought.

After they finished, it remained silent for a moment, then asked, "So, have the newly emerged Human Race now gained sufficient strength to contend with the Wu Clan and the Demon Race?"

The others all nodded in agreement.

In fact, under Zhou Yi's leadership, the Human Race can not only contend but also suppress the Wu and Demon races in advanced combat power.

If it were not for the Human Race's relatively weak foundational strength, Honghuang might already have lacked a foothold for the Wu and Demon races.

Candle Shadow slightly nodded, hope flashing in its eyes, as if seeing a chance for the Dragon Race to escape its current plight.

"This is a rare good opportunity," it said, "I want you to send a representative to make contact with the Human Race."

At these words, everyone's expression immediately grew serious, their eyes filled with surprise and reluctance.

"Ancestor, is this really necessary?"

A Dragon Race strongman could not help but say, "It's just an emerging Human Race group; they were previously hunted by the Demon Race, and even with their current development, how can they be compared to our great Dragon Race?"

Such arrogant attitude shows that many Dragon Race members remain immersed in past glory, believing they need not forge ties with other races, even looking down on the Wu Clan and the Demon Race.

To this, Candle Shadow could only sigh inwardly, knowing the tribe had yet to emerge from the shadow of former glory.

Today's Dragon Race has undergone earth‑shaking changes compared to the past.

Had he not shouldered most of the responsibility and pressure, they might not even be able to maintain their current Great Luo realm, let alone revive the Dragon Race's former splendor.

"This is a part of my divine consciousness, entrusted to you for safekeeping."

"A representative must be chosen to contact the Human Race, and inform them that our Dragon Race is willing to fully support their participation in the upcoming Wu-Demon War.

If cooperation succeeds, we will help them become the Lord of Honghuang. In return, we hope to secure a foothold for the Dragon Race on the lands they occupy."

Candle Shadow announced all of this in a deep voice.

Upon hearing these words, the others' faces showed shocked expressions.

Is this still the Dragon Race they once knew? In the past, the Dragon Race always demanded submission from other forces, resorting to force if refused.

Now, however, they seek cooperation with such humility, a shift they find hard to accept.

"Follow my instructions without fail."

Although their hearts were full of resistance, faced with Candle Shadow's command, they could only agree.

"Alright, you may go now," it said. Feeling a wave of fatigue, Candle Shadow just wanted to rest, so it let the others depart.

Several dragons nodded and turned away. On the way back, three of them whispered about who was most suitable for the task.

After deliberation, they finally decided to assign the mission to the weakest, Ao Yin, who currently possesses only mid‑stage Great Luo cultivation.

Ao Yin felt full of helplessness, but could only sigh and set off toward the Huang Guo of the Human Race.

"How has our Dragon Race fallen to this state, having to sign an alliance with those Humans," Ao Yin muttered while flying, his face full of unwillingness, recalling Candle Shadow's instructions.

In his mind, the Dragon Race was once a glorious dominion, the undisputed ruler of Honghuang. Even now in difficulty, they should not forge extensive ties with the emerging Human Race.

He believes that after Candle Shadow's awakening, the Dragon Race's greatest power has returned, and he does not regard the so‑called Literary Sage Zhou Yi.

In his view, the position of Honghuang's overlord should belong to the Dragon Race; the previous decline was merely a brief respite, and now is the time for the Dragon Race to rise again and reclaim the summit.