Chapter 520

When the starry sea appeared, even the leader‑level ancient god Phoenix Ancestor felt it was a bit tricky.

Those surging waves rolled the vast sea of primordial qi in the void, taking in the Suiyue Changhe, and brought the Water Dao to the pinnacle of perfection.

Within the sea there is also starlight, spanning eternity, illuminating the Myriad Heavens, infinitely deep and vast…… A surging wave is the endless illusion of the stars, beneath the most magnificent scenery lies the most intense killing intent.

The water's changes, the stars' gleam—within change lies the unchanging, within the unchanging a new definition of life and death; between tide's rise and fall, it seems as if the spacetime of the Myriad Heavens is shifting, as if the ancient star‑heavens are reincarnating.

And Phoenix Ancestor, trapped within this, is like a lone boat sailing on a vast sea, looking around in all directions with nothing to rely on…… If it were an ordinary person, they would surely have spawned all sorts of despair, drowning in the overwhelming, sweeping waves.

But Phoenix Ancestor is no ordinary person; her power determines that she has never been a lone boat.

But an island, a continent!

A spark of fire ignites at the fingertip, releasing the splendid brilliance of humanity…… The spark of humanity's stars, the immortal radiance of civilization—this is the most penetrative!

Its unparalleled penetrative power is enough to establish oneself in an invincible position, forever guarding hope.

Amid the sweeping illusion of the starry sea, Phoenix Ancestor remains composed, remains calm…… because it cannot harm her.

Yet she cannot help but admit, the Dragon Clan came prepared this time—she can defend herself safely and even continue to probe for a breakthrough, but she needs time.

She is restrained!

Even if only for a moment.

In this brief moment, she cannot rush over to aid Donghua…… she needs this emperor to continue standing firm, alone facing the siege of five Taiyi Golden Immortals plus the Zhou Tian Star Dou Grand Formation.

"You Dragon Clan, your cooperation with the Heavenly Court is truly deep."

Phoenix Ancestor gazed at the present situation, let out a faint sigh, "We've come to this point—even the clan's foundation can be merged?"

"Hah!"

Having said that, Phoenix Ancestor snorted, "Cang, you're bold enough."

"Is the Heavenly Court a good sort?"

"In my view, all past Heavenly Courts have never been anything good."

"It was so in the past, and it remains so now."

"Because the heart is too soft, one cannot control the situation."

"Emperor Di Jun, is no mere pushover. Dragon Ancestor has been close with him—truly not afraid of being abandoned after crossing the river, or having the millstone kill the donkey?"

Phoenix Ancestor's smile grew more teasing, "After all, with the Dragon Clan's such bloodline expansion and assimilation…… as long as the Heavenly Court's Two Eastern Emperors aren't stupid, and the Dao Ancestor Hongjun isn't foolish, not wanting to do others' work and handing over the fruits of victory, they will never give him a chance to rise—sooner or later they'll strike secretly and kill him."

The leader of the Phoenix Clan declared.

What she said is not without reason.

This Dragon Clan thing…… who would dare let them grow big?

With that kind of spreading ability, the existence of the dragon‑transformation mechanism—truly, all seas are brothers!

Any water‑attribute living being, as long as they harbor a dream, can set foot on the path of dragon‑transformation and join the Dragon Clan family.

If coupled with suitable promotional means, those with intent operating in the shadows could expand and strengthen this dragon‑transformation business, actively delving into the lower strata……

Speaking reasonably, brainwashing, consuming—giving the Dragon Clan a shoe‑shine isn't even worthy!

The Buddhist sect is already formidable, right?

"Great vows lending, future‑life blessings…" such doctrines hammered down, confusing countless mortal beings, dazed and befuddled, they stumble into the fold.

But facing the Dragon Clan?

That's just a little brother!

If we regard the diversification of the human populace as a complete body, the role the Dragon Clan plays here is indispensable—cancer cells!

Right?

Unlimited proliferation.

Convertible.

Easy to transfer.

All three traits are present!

If control slips even slightly, they will destroy the originally normal "cellular tissue" clan of a region, unsettle the stable equilibrium, seize resources—without resources, can they even sustain the continual evolution of jiao‑longs and the like?

Were it not for the Dragon Clan's genuine unique strengths—being able to command wind and rain, to promote the operation of the Heaven‑Earth‑Water Triune Dao, bringing ample positive benefit to the Honghuang cosmos, the advantages would outweigh the disadvantages.

The innate divinities of heaven and earth have long joined forces, seeking to exterminate such a clan completely!

Of course, this might also be in the Dragon Ancestor's calculations; when he introduced the dragon‑transformation method, he roughly plotted it, probing left and right along the gods' warning line, wavering back and forth, skirting the edge, to reap the maximum benefit within the bounds of tolerance.

However, the world's benefits won't be hogged by a single person—unless he is called Pangu.

How handsome the Dragon Ancestor looks when he skirts the edge; how embarrassed he becomes when thus targeted.

Phoenix Ancestor says she has already seen the outcome of such dragons—namely, no outcome.

They won't survive to the end of the great calamity!

Even if they endure, they will still be sent on their way.

Those ruthless, ambitious male gods—such as Emperor Di Jun, such as the Dao Ancestor—will surely strike a killing blow!

A figure capable of representing, even monopolizing, the voices of the lower and middle strata will not be tolerated by any sufficiently capable warlord who would let him grow great.

"Cang, you're clueless!"

Phoenix Ancestor sighed.

The Four Kings and Nine Sons fell silent for a moment.

They, too, see this clearly.

Not only them… even the Dragon Ancestor, deep down, has a clear mind.

But what can be done?

Even if they knew, they would still resolutely tread the same path.

After all, the benefits are too great.

The Dragon Clan has grown strong to this day—not only does it have the top hegemon Dragon Ancestor, but also more than ten capable figures able to step up a level, a group of true Dragon Clan–origin Great Net cultivators, all thanks to the Dragon Ancestor's dragon‑transformation decision.

Otherwise, take a look at the old rival—the Phoenix Clan; only a few big and small phoenixes, the notable figures are scarce and rare; calling them a strong clan is okay, but they're hardly hegemon material.

As for the Dragon Clan, having enjoyed the benefits, bearing the risk is inevitable.

How does the saying go?

The greater the risk, the greater the reward!

Thus, the Dragon Ancestor has gone through life and death.

—This is actually the Dragon Ancestor concentrating the greatest risk upon himself.

Sometimes, the solution to a problem is very simple.

If the Dragon Clan is to be weakened, either strike at its core—beat the Dragon Ancestor—or trim its wings, slaughtering the Four Seas Dragon Clan until it withers.

Nowadays, the Dragon Ancestor shines and blazes, simply gathering the focus of the problem onto himself.

—All rush at him!

—Open fire on him!

Anyway, he won't truly die… the Great Net is immortal, so he can always return.

Taking life after life to blaze Pangu's path is like playing a game, reloading saves back and forth, hoping to clear it.

You can take my life; I can accept losing once.

But to melt down all the inscription‑family holdings I painstakingly accumulated for the game?

Absolutely not!

Then how am I supposed to play the next round?

Furthermore,

What's there to fear about great risk?

No risk, no opportunity, right?

Only when the risk is great enough is the reward great!

Even if the whole world is our enemy, so what?

Clear the whole field, and I am Pangu!

The Dragon Ancestor harbors boundless ambition, wishing to ask the world with his sword!

And the leaders have already decided thus; how could the Great Net cultivators of the Dragon Clan who have deeply received his favor, risen to prominence because of the Dragon Ancestor, and surpassed all beings, fail to support it?

Battle!

Even if we stand against the whole world, even if we now face the sharp edge of a Grand Simplicity Supreme Emperor, we must fight to the death, never retreat, slay East Hua Emperor for the Dragon Ancestor, and strive for enough time.

"Your Highness Yuan Huang, saying more is useless."

The Pixiu Great Saint swallows clouds and exhales mist, an old smoke spear, his form vague and hazy, saying, "My Dragon Clan, other matters can be negotiated."

"But… the matter that our lord father has thoroughly decided, we will surely follow unto death!"

"Furthermore…"

"The Yazi Dragon Son says, 'East Hua Emperor, his karmic ties with my Dragon Clan are too deep, too deep...'"

"We also understand the situation; we know that cooperating with the Heavenly Court is very risky… but aside from that, is there a better way to settle our grudges?"

As he said this, the sound of clashing metal and iron horses hummed… this Yazi is indeed the most bloodthirsty and warlike of the Dragon's Nine Sons!

"Afterwards, the Dragon Clan will still continue to cooperate with the Wu Clan and humanity." The Overlord's voice was low and resonant, as if a thousand mountains and valleys echoed together, "Just an exception this once."

"As for the Heavenly Court, we'll use it and then discard it."

The Overlord is very frank and sincere; he can speak such ruthless words so bluntly and directly.

This left even the Phoenix Ancestor somewhat speechless.

"With such a huge contradiction, do you still expect to return to the past era of cooperation?"

"Nothing is impossible." the Prison Ox Dragon Son sighed lightly, "As long as there is profit, there will be friends."

"Especially since both sides' high‑level figures are still rational, and they know that they have reached the point where they must cooperate to continue surviving."

"At that time, many past grievances and old grudges will be temporarily overlooked."

The Prison Ox Great Saint seems to have seen through the ages; his eyes forever hold a kind of melancholy and sorrow.

It seems he sighs for outstanding individuals and for the annals of history.

"Even if, in the cooperating pair, one side once openly harmed and slaughtered the other for personal gain."

"But when the critical moment truly arrives, whether from survival considerations or for the sake of righteousness through forbearance… someone will always make a concession."

"Humans and Dragon Clan joining forces again to resist the Demon Race… I think that's quite normal."

The Prison Ox Great Saint shook his head.

"But the hidden danger will always be there." the Phoenix Ancestor said, "One day, there will be a final great reckoning."

"Nüwa isn't someone you can bully."

"That's just a matter for the future." the Prison Ox smiled, "It has nothing to do with now."

"Your Highness Yuan Huang, you need not try to open a way with words… for this matter, my Dragon Clan is prepared to bear all consequences."

"Sigh…" the Phoenix Ancestor sighed, "Enough! Enough! Enough!"

"Good advice can't persuade a damned ghost."

"Since you're not afraid of death, I won't hold back either."

A flash of fire in her hand suddenly swept out and spread, bearing the aspect of burning up the Myriad Heavens.

People often say, water overcomes fire.

Yet at this moment, this conventional wisdom is gradually being broken!

The Phoenix Ancestor manifested his true form, and a phoenix as if boundless appeared.

She waved her double wings, fanning the wind—that was the breeze of civilization, the splendor of the cosmos, the purity and beauty of yearning for exchange and common progress.

Her body glowed, igniting a fire—that was the fire of humanity, perhaps starting as just a speck of starlight, but eventually it would strongly spread, until it set the prairies ablaze, letting a people, a civilization, stride toward brilliance and glory!

Wind will aid the fire's momentum.

Kindly exchange and communication, civilizations' borrowing and reference, seeking common ground while preserving differences… the ultimate harvest will be the sweetest fruit of humanity, the shared prosperity of countless peoples, the advancement and sublimation of boundless beings.

When such a mighty trend sweeps forth, it is truly a heaven‑earth overturning… letting the vast Honghuang accumulate the resources of nirvana in the old age, then make a final leap to usher in a brand‑new epoch!

Nirvana of life, nirvana of civilization, nirvana of the age!

This is the path of Pangu walked by the phoenix!

She usually keeps a low profile, not showing off, not contending, but when her cultivation is truly measured, she ranks among the foremost in the Taiyi stage!

As long as the age keeps progressing, she will always have a share of cultivation resources, enabling the steadiest advancement, endless.

"Let it be destroyed……"

A faint, lingering sigh—the entire starry sea ignited!

The radiance of humanity reshapes heaven and earth, reverses fate… what is the starry sea? Sooner or later it will be trampled underfoot!

This is the phoenix's Dao.

Moreover, at this moment, her Dao is not walked by her alone—

She brings her little brothers along!

The myriad great witches, hundreds strong, also joined in, contributing their strength to push this road forward, to open an eternal passage!

"Boom!"

Countless rays of light burst forth, waves surged, the starry sea faded, attempting to extinguish the firelight and cut off the road.

But……useless!

The firelight burned ever more fiercely, the road gradually expanded forward, irresistibly spreading toward the frontier, determined to break through!

"Pfft!"

The Four Sea Dragon Kings, the Dragon Ancestor's Nine Sons, and the myriad Daluo of the dragon clan… they all coughed blood, merely from bearing an immense, immeasurable pressure; their oppressed bodies trembled, flesh and bone wailed, at any moment they could be crushed to pieces.

"Oh dear……" the Suanni Great Sage weakly blew a smoke ring, "How long can we hold out?"

"At most half an hour, then we'll be scrambling…… otherwise we won't even need to leave—we'll all die clean."

Pulao muttered glumly.

"Then let's hold on…… hoping the sovereign father can hurry……"

"Otherwise, we'll truly have to come collect our corpses……"

"Oh no……"

"Who knows, we might not even get intact corpses…… Your Majesty Nüwa, you're just a glutton."

"Who knows whether she's ever taken note of our few catties and taels……"

"The Qiankun Cauldron…… that's definitely not a nice place to go!"

"If she gives us a one‑pot stew, we could all be together nicely."

Chīwěn's divine abilities are marvelous, best at extinguishing fire and dispelling calamity, yet they cannot withstand the phoenix's true flame; his whole body gave off a faint fragrance, he himself twitched his nose, feeling somewhat moved.

"I think Nüwa must be skilled, not the type to throw everything into one pot." Qíuniú wiped the blood from his mouth corner, "We nine brothers, with such rare ingredients, she'd surely handle each separately, not let us reunite in death."

"One pot turns into nine, divided and cooked…… that's still about the same."

"Hey…… nine cauldrons!"

The Dragon Ancestor's Nine Sons found joy in hardship; the Four Sea Dragon Kings were speechless.

Finally, they were of one mind, gazing into the distance.

——Dragon Ancestor, keep it up, hurry and kill Donghua!

However……

The next moment!

"Crack!"

If the primordial god‑thunder of the opening heaven flashed, it would illuminate the whole world.

Accompanying this thunderbolt, the vast ancient formation—the Zhou Tian Star Dipper Great Array—was struck with countless great rifts.

A figure shrouded in a drifting veil of misty Dao aura stood proudly in the array, bearing extraordinary grace.

In that towering figure's hand was a half‑section of a long, twitching body, clearly torn brutally from some existence!

"Rattle‑clatter!"

Fragrant blood rain poured upon the world, filled with endless sacred Dao resonance.

This is all divine blood!

"Impossible!"

Amidst this blood rain, the Dragon Ancestor let out a lament, his voice brimming with utter disbelief.

"You…… how could you be this strong?!"

(End of chapter)