Chapter 768

The Dragon Master was destroyed, but not completely destroyed.

Today it shall reappear; I will lead, and together with Majesty Wenming we will sound the horn of counterattack!

The Responding Dragon Divine General had, from some unknown time, already been active in the mountains and rivers once ruled by the Dragon Masters at their height.

She activated the bloodline within her that originates from the source of the true dragon clan—a treasure that was once half of the Dragon Ancestor, cut off by Emperor Donghua and dropped; over the years it became the foundation for the Responding Dragon's nirvana and elevation, and granted her the authority to command all dragons under heaven.

Especially after the Dragon Ancestor Great Sage fell, she became, in name, the elder of all true dragons.

When this bloodline power was aroused, the remnants of the Dragon Masters who had been persecuted by Chonghua and fled east and west all felt it, receiving a summons to gather.

——Someone is summoning them, to rebuild the Dragon Masters and fight again under heaven!

Go?

Or not go?

Day after day, they hunted down the surviving Dragon Master officials and generals, who repeatedly faced the test of this dilemma.

But in the end, they made up their minds.

Go!

"We've fled enough...... after constant maneuvering, we've barely survived to today."

The Chiwen Divine General wore tattered armor, his eyes filled only with exhaustion and sorrow.

"But we can't keep going like this——after all, someday there will be nowhere left to run."

"Furthermore, if we continue like this, the clansmen's morale will sink; how can they ever stand tall again?"

"Now someone has sounded the horn of counterattack, wanting to unite and go to war...... naturally we must go!"

Chiwen advocates battle.

"But the road ahead is destined to be difficult," sighed the Suanni Divine General.

"I would rather die on the battlefield than suffer a depressed collapse in exile and an ignominious burial."

"We will carve out a sky for our future clansmen!"

Chiwen's smile was radiant.

Afterward, he led the remnant troops onto the road to the gathering point.

Remnants like his were not the only ones.

Even a starved camel is still bigger than a horse.

Even if the Dragon Masters suffered an unprecedented destruction and collapse!

However, thanks to Dan Zhu's advance preparations and asset transfers, they barely preserved some vitality for a resurgence.

Although Chonghua thoroughly understood the principle of extermination, continually sending pursuers, they still could not completely cut off the Dragon Masters' lineage.

When such power regrouped again, it was still considerable.

But they hadn't done so before because the enemy's forces were too strong; gathering together would only trap them in one place to be utterly wiped out.

On the contrary, scattered activities still offered a slim chance, as some clans that called themselves friendly to the Cloud Masters' underground work organization carefully covered and provided intelligence.

When the enemy advances, we retreat.

When the enemy comes, we go.

Playing hide-and-seek, constantly being hunted yet able to keep moving on to the next location.

Unfortunately, this method cannot last long.

First, the Bird Masters are not stupid; one slip can be understood, but repeated slips reveal that someone is sabotaging and leaking information, and they have begun a planned, organized purge, sending suspect clans to the battlefield to undermine the underground organization's foundation.

Second…… it's time to wrap up!

The Bird Masters stabbed a deadly blade toward the Fire Masters and Cloud Masters—this is the rhythm of vying for supremacy over all under heaven!

When the Heavenly Court made Honghuang tremble, the whole world belonged to them—where could the Dragon Masters possibly flee then?

In the end, a battle is inevitable!

A battle to the death!

Even if no one summons them, the nine sons of the Dragon Ancestor will still try to link up and harass the Bird Masters' rear.

Now there is such a noble-blooded one who has sounded the horn to muster the troops...... let us follow her will!

Crossing thousands of mountains and rivers, breaking through layer after layer of blockade, the many remnants of the Dragon Masters gathered without hesitation.

However, some aspects of this process exceeded their expectations……

Not too perilous; on the contrary, it was somewhat easy.

The forces pursuing and intercepting them were not strong, and their fighting spirit was far from resolute.

"What major event has happened?"

The Dragon Masters' divine generals and senior officials were bewildered.

Only when such news arrived did they finally feel relieved——

The Xiahou lineage has risen in revolt!

Moreover, on the most critical front, an organized, premeditated armed uprising was launched, shaking the Bird Masters' royal court.

Furthermore, a piece entitled 'Letter to the Fellow Human Clansmen' sparked a frenzy, spreading among many Eastern Barbarian clans and setting the rhythm.

People are reflecting.

Perhaps…… the path of the divine clan is also not so viable?

With all these factors combined, the remnants of the Dragon Masters gained a breathing space, and seizing this opportunity, they welcomed a great convergence.

They gathered together at the Dragon Masters' ancestral land and saw their new king.

"Responding Dragon! It really is you!"

Qiu Niu sighed softly, "Indeed…… besides the Father Emperor, who could have blood older and closer to the source than yours?"

"I still had a sliver of hope that the Father Emperor would return…… but now I see, that hope is very distant."

"After all, you have won..."

Qiniu, representing the Nine Sons, sighed deeply, "They have always tried to seize the final interpretive authority over the Dragon Totem, to bring it back under central control."

"Back then, we drove you away, never expecting that one day we would still have to meet again."

"Then how about this time, what do you say?" Yinglong gazed down at the Nine Sons, asking with deep significance.

"We are willing to correct our mistakes and accept the leadership of the Human Central Royal Court." Qiniu said softly, "After all... all the Central wants is the allegiance of the Dragon Masters, to control the righteousness."

"Bird Master Chonghua... wants the lives of everyone in the Dragon Masters!"

Not afraid of not recognizing quality.

Afraid of comparing quality.

The Human Central Orthodoxy, although it has a bit of centralization, has always pursued a single voice and will for the entire human race.

But compared to the Bird Masters, at least they don't demand your life!

"Back then, you made a mistake... inviting the wolf in, which led to today's trouble." Yinglong also felt a bit emotional.

In the past, she indeed suffered a major loss.

Coming in mighty and high-spirited, preparing to oversee the Dragon Masters.

What was the result?

They were played by the Dragon Masters and Bird Masters working together.

The Bird Masters pressed aggressively.

The Dragon Masters outwardly complied but inwardly defied.

Poor her, a fledgling Dragon Ancestor—how could her two fists stand against four hands?

She was driven away in dejection, her dispirited appearance lacking even the confidence to shout, "I will definitely come back!"

However, times change.

Fortunes shift; those who harmed her back then obviously didn't end well.

The Dragon Masters invited the wolf in and ended up playing themselves to death!

Originally, authority was lent to the Bird Masters to kick out Yinglong... but the Bird Masters borrowed it and never returned it!

In the process, they even killed their old superior!

Lifting a stone only to drop it on their own feet.

And what about the Bird Masters?

They haven't collapsed yet.

But Yinglong felt... this is also just a matter of time!

"I have come to correct the mistakes of the past." Yinglong's face grew solemn, "I wish to reorganize the Dragon Masters, sincerely inviting heroes of the world to fight again for all under heaven... Ladies and gentlemen, are you willing to follow me?!"

"That is exactly what we wish, we dare not ask for more!" The Nine Sons shouted in unison, establishing the rules.

Afterward, positions were clearly distinguished.

Even if the former Yinglong, even with a forged certificate from the Human Dao, could at most be a temporary regent leader.

But now, she has raised her own banner, rebuilt the Dragon Masters, and it is a completely new orthodoxy!

The Dragon Ancestor's Dragon Masters?

That was the previous dynasty!

I, Yinglong, am the current dynasty!

I, Yinglong, appear in times of peril; I am the dragon of the moment, the dragon of virtue, the lord of restoration!

Lord of restoration!

This is a title no less esteemed than that of the founding lord!

From establishing a lineage of orthodoxy, inheriting the predecessors' great endeavors...

The position of Dragon Ancestor—I, Yinglong, sit firmly upon it!

General Yinglong ascended here, gained unanimous recognition, and took the throne of the Dragon Ancestor.

Of course, the former Dragon Ancestor was a very exalted position.

Nowadays...

but it's a mess.

The Dragon Masters are already bankrupt, owing astronomical debts, and are still on the path of being exterminated by the Bird Masters... What should be done?

"The urgent task is to connect with the Xiahou lineage, achieve the Grand Convocation, and militarily overthrow the Bird Masters' hegemony!"

"Yinglong's goals are clear," "while also striving to bring in reinforcements from the East Sea via Jieyin during this process, to supplement our strength!"

"This is very difficult..." Chichiwen frowned, "The Xiahou lineage is too far from us!"

"To get there, one must break through countless checkpoints..."

"Let's not even discuss whether we can do it... even if we can, the enemy won't just watch our convocation."

"It will inevitably be an all-out effort to exterminate!"

General Chichiwen is not optimistic.

He, starting from the most severe perspective, goes to consider the problem.

Bird Masters, their power is too vast!

When they overthrew the Dragon Masters, they swallowed countless lands and territories, governed countless human subjects, and even drew in the Heavenly Court's forces as shareholders, long since becoming a colossal existence.

Even if the Xiahou lineage rises in revolt, raising troops...

Even if the remnants of the Dragon Masters gather and rebuild a regime...

But what of it?

Even combined, they may not be able to match the data on paper.

Moreover, the enemy won't give them this opportunity!

"If one were to say, there still exists a glimmer of hope for the Xiahou Clan... after all, the Jiuli lineage has just achieved stunning victory, holding the territory with a single force, not retreating an inch, and shattered the myth of the Bird Sect."

"With such a variable present, it's still premature to conclude how the battle situation will change."

"As for the Eastern Sea... alas!"

Chiwen let out a long sigh, worry in his eyes, "The Kui Niu Yao Marshal is blocking the way; there's really no good solution."

"Even though the Great God Xuansu has gone to restrain him... but as long as we cannot kill him, the Heavenly Court's established Ripple Defense Line won't collapse, and no reinforcements will get through."

Chiwen's expression was helpless.

If it weren't for the various intelligence and data on paper, no one would see a glimmer of hope; who wouldn't then despair of reality?

Who doesn't want to strive?

Who doesn't want to struggle?

But at least we ought to have some hope, right?

Just looking at the surface, the Heavenly Court's side has its measures locked down tight on all fronts; where is there any room to break the stalemate?

If one keeps doing futile work, everyone will become disheartened.

"What you say is not wrong, the situation is very dire." Yinglong smiled, "But... only in such circumstances do heroes and champions show their mettle, capable of turning the tide!"

"I already have a plan in mind; you just need to obey orders!"

"I shall personally lead the Dragon Sect and carve out a patch of clear sky!"

"Fall in! Prepare for battle! Destroy the enemy!"

A series of orders were issued.

After the Xiahou Clan fired the first shot of their armed uprising, resisting the Bird Sect, came the resurgence and uprising of the Dragon Sect.

They acted decisively, with clear objectives, heading straight for where the Xiahou Clan lineage resides, to join forces with them.

And along this journey, they were not merely rushing; they were also undertaking major operations.

——Destroy the Bird Sect's logistical system, sabotage its production system!

To create opportunities for the Xiahou Clan, relieve pressure, and incidentally shake the Bird Sect's hegemony.

"Jiuli."

"Xiahou."

"Yinglong."

"Interesting... truly interesting..."

Chonghua received the battle report from the front; the reversal of the situation was somewhat beyond his expectation.

"But... it ought to be so."

After a brief thought, he could also accept this situation.

Although unexpected, it is still within reason.

"The Jiuli lineage can be considered half of the Fire Sect."

"As for Yinglong, it is even more the companion divine beast that once followed Yandi..."

"To regard this force as a final flicker of the Fire Sect is not unreasonable... after all, it is a longstanding powerhouse that has held central authority over humanity for many years; producing this situation now is hardly surprising."

Among the handful of strategists in the world, which newcomer doesn't have a few shadowy figures lurking behind them?

Chonghua simply sorted things out, and roughly understood what was going on.

When these few elite troops emerge and we look at their patron, everything becomes clear.

The Jiuli lineage originates from the Fire Sect.

Yinglong's relationship with the Fire Sect is also ambiguous.

As opponents of the Bird Sect, they naturally qualify.

"Yandi is both patient enough and decisive enough."

Chonghua is not lacking in praise: "Even holding such great pressure on the Mount Buzhou battlefield, with casualties so heavy, preserving this extraneous force and never fully committing to battle... is this to guard against me? Or against the Cloud Sect?"

"Pass it down."

He suddenly ordered his attendants, "Carry out some propaganda in public opinion—the Fire Sect intends to scheme against the Cloud Sect, preferring to watch allied troops die rather than relinquish its own lineage's strength."

"Yes! Majesty!"

Immediately, a minister received the order and took charge of this.

Seizing the high ground of public opinion, they let no opportunity to divide the enemy slip by.

"The Fire Sect is no pushover... able to endure for so many years."

Chonghua murmured, "And there's the Cloud Sect."

"The forces behind Wenming... these years have been the protectors aiding the remnants of the Dragon Sect in their escape."

"Hah!"

"That's also quite an idea."

He has overseen the Bird Sect for years, continually gathering and compiling information, vaguely able to grasp some traces.

The Cloud Sect has ties with the Xiahou Clan lineage!

The exchange of intelligence, the complementarity of resources... perhaps long ago they had already mixed together, harboring ulterior motives, intending mischief.

"No wonder they dare to stir this muddy water."

"But..."

"The times have changed!"

Chonghua's eyebrows suddenly lifted, he smiled and spoke softly, as if communicating with his opponent from afar: "I have entered the fray!"

"Who can stop me?"

"Slaughter Witch Sword, it's time to see blood."

"You people, it'd be fine if you came out… If you keep hiding, I can't just attack recklessly, worried that without my presence holding things down, internal turmoil and chaos will arise in the Bird Sect."

"But if you raise your flag openly?"

"I will surely exert all my strength and utterly destroy you!"

Chong Hua gradually rose to his feet.

With his movement, the entire Bird Sect suddenly fell into dark silence.

Then, a great sun rose up, gradually ascending, illuminating all directions!

He decided to make a move!

At this moment when the mighty either withdraw or become entangled in battle, who could still block his sharpness?

(End of chapter)