Chapter 123: The Xiating Retreats, the Demon Clan Schemes!

No need to say more.

At this moment, the ones rushing over in haste are none other than Aoguang and the other four great true dragons.

Chen Ku felt a surge of joy in his heart.

He had originally formed a good karmic bond with these four dragons precisely to create a connection with the Candle Dragon.

Now, it finally proves useful.

As for the Candle Dragon here,

Upon seeing Aoguang and the four dragons rushing over, he also furrowed his brows slightly.

However, compared to facing the Black Dragon and others, the Candle Dragon's attitude has eased considerably.

What is it!!

The Candle Dragon glanced at Aoguang and the four dragons, then asked in a calm tone.

Upon hearing that, the leading Aoguang glanced at Chen Ku and then spoke urgently again:

"Ancestor, please see clearly—this Senior Chen Ku is our benefactor."

"Back when we were pursued and slain by the Red Dragon, it was Senior Chen Ku who intervened and saved our lives."

As Aoguang's words left his mouth, the Black Dragon beside him suddenly looked somewhat strange, his eyes darting, unwilling to meet the gaze of Aoguang and the four dragons.

After all, that Red Dragon had been sent out by him earlier.

The order to suppress and slay the true dragons also came from his mouth.

Now, facing the 'accusation' from Aoguang and the four dragons, the Black Dragon also couldn't help feeling a bit guilty.

Fortunately, before he could say anything,

As soon as Aoguang's words fell, Ao Shun, Ao Qin, and the others also spoke up in turn.

"Exactly, exactly—Senior Chen Ku acted upon seeing injustice, wielding his sword righteously."

"Ancestor, as the saying goes, all dharmas are empty, but karma is not."

"Senior Chen Ku's such good deeds—may the ancestor never act to his detriment."

Hearing the words of Aoguang and the others, the Candle Dragon eyed Chen Ku with doubtful uncertainty.

Earlier, the matter of Aoguang and the four dragons being pursued and receiving aid from a mysterious expert had already reached the Candle Dragon's ears.

However, he had previously been distracted by the Eastern King Duke and the Primordial Measuring Heaven Ruler supreme treasure, etc., causing him to forget this matter.

He never expected that the benefactor spoken of by Aoguang and the four dragons would be this very Chen Ku before him.

After a moment's contemplation, the Candle Dragon's overwhelming aura gradually retracted inward.

The fierce, soul‑catching light in his eyes also faded away.

"If that's the case, then for now, let it be!"

The Candle Dragon's words did not mean he had abandoned his designs on the Hongmeng Measuring Heaven Ruler; he merely temporarily set aside the idea of acting against Chen Ku and company.

After all, if he were to provoke Chen Ku, he would inevitably earn the infamous reputation of repaying kindness with enmity, despised by all beings.

The dragon clan inherently bears great pride, and the Candle Dragon is no exception.

Therefore, he naturally would not undertake such an unwise move.

And sensing the Candle Dragon's aura withdrawing, the latent tension of swords drawn and bows bent dissipated.

Chen Ku also secretly let out a long sigh of relief.

"Hehe, Senior Candle Dragon, you're magnanimous!"

"Such is the way—kindness must be repaid, karma settled; the dragon clan truly deserves its title as hegemon of heaven and earth."

"I, the junior, am deeply impressed!"

Chen Ku slightly clasped his hands and spoke earnestly.

By going with the flow and piling on pleasant words, he also aimed to give the Candle Dragon even less reason to find fault.

After all, flattery never hurts; saying a few nice words costs him nothing.

Indeed!

Hearing Chen Ku's words, the Candle Dragon couldn't help but reveal a hint of proud smile.

Especially upon hearing the four words 'hegemon of heaven and earth,' the Candle Dragon felt immensely gratified, as if he had returned to the era when the dragon clan shook the universe and all beings revered them.

He nodded, then turned his attention away from Chen Ku and looked toward the Eastern King Duke on the other side.

At this moment, the Eastern King Duke was already stunned speechless.

This actually works?!

Chen Ku not only tamed a strange dragon like the Black Dragon as his mount, but also shares such deep ties with the pure‑blood true dragon lineage?

This is something the Eastern King Duke and company never anticipated.

It seems my scheme of diverting disaster eastward has also failed.

Wanting to see the Candle Dragon launch a strong assault on the three westerners is nearly impossible.

Just as his thoughts were turning,

Above the high heavens, the Candle Dragon spoke again.

"People of the Xiating, get out of the Wuliang Sihai!"

"Otherwise... kill!"

As the words left his mouth, a terrifying, unparalleled aura surged, shaking the nine heavens and ten earths, startling all beings in the universe.

The chilling killing intent swept over, causing the Xiating folks to all change color.

Previously, those seemingly plain and unadorned karmic fire black spots had already burned countless beings of the Xiating to ashes.

Regarding the Candle Dragon's strength, everyone naturally dared not doubt it any further.

The Eastern King Duke frowned tightly, his thoughts racing.

Damn it, this battle has already caused heavy losses to our Xiating.

Is there no choice but to retreat in defeat?

He weighed the pros and cons in his mind.

If the war continues, the astonishing losses Xiating would suffer are not to be discussed for now.

However, even if Xiating expended everything to wipe out the Dragon Race.

By then, the Dragon Race's immense karmic retribution would also be shifted onto Xiating.

More importantly, by then Xiating's vitality would be severely damaged, and the Witch and Demon Two Races would certainly not remain passive; they would surely take advantage to invade and exterminate Xiating.

It can be said that, if we retreat now, although we would lose all face and suffer heavy losses, Xiating might still have a glimmer of hope.

But if we continue to drag it out, the outcome will inevitably be eternal damnation.

His expression shifting for a long while, the East King Duke could only grit his teeth and say:

"Hmph, Candle Dragon, you are an ancient primordial being; today I will grant you this face."

"All members of Xiating, retreat!"

The East King Duke said thus.

Despite having made the decision, he still wanted to forcibly regain some face.

Upon hearing this, Cloud Lord and the other mighty ones of Xiating wore faces of unwillingness.

But the East King Duke had already issued the order, and the people could do nothing about it.

Moreover, letting them deal with the Candle Dragon would be akin to a mantis trying to stop a chariot—nothing but self‑destruction.

The crowd fell silent for a moment, then, with grim expressions, turned back and returned to Penglai Xiandao.

Watching this scene, even beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens there was a slight commotion.

"Mm... are we really just retreating like this?"

"Those East King Duke and his ilk are truly useless."

Di Jun overlooked the scenery of Wuliang Sihai, muttering to himself with a hint of unwillingness.

For him, it was naturally hoped that the war would reignite, and the fiercer the battle between the Dragon Race and Xiating, the better for the Demon Court.

But who would have thought it would end in such a half‑hearted manner?

Xiating's foundation has not been weakened too much either.

Beside him, Taiyi instead fell into contemplation and said:

"The Dragon Race suppresses the sea eye; it must not be exterminated."

"No one wishes to bear the boundless karmic retribution for the Dragon Race."

"The East King Duke's move is also understandable."

Taiyi also perceived the East King Duke's considerations, and instead showed a rather understanding demeanor.

It can be said that, from the moment the East King Duke confronted the Dragon Race, it was fated that Xiating could only swallow this bitter loss, with no other recourse.

Even if it were the Demon Race instead, they could only do the same.

Hearing their mutterings, below, White Marsh, one of the Ten Great Demon Saints, spoke up:

"Your Majesties, does that mean we can only give up this opportunity and let Xiating rest and recuperate?"

You should know, the Demon Race has already been clenching its fists, eager to try, waiting for the moment to overthrow Xiating.

Upon hearing this, Di Jun remained silent.

After a moment of contemplation, Taiyi's eyes flashed, and he said in a low voice:

"No, we absolutely cannot just give up!"

"After this battle, the East King Duke is wounded, Xiating has lost many quasi‑sage powerhouses, and its strength is nowhere near what it once was."

"Opportunity must not be missed; this time we must surely overthrow Xiating in one fell swoop."

Upon these words, the faces of the Ten Great Demon Saints and others brightened greatly.

After all, we still have our own "War God"—decisive in killing, speaking straight to everyone's hearts.

However, Taiyi immediately continued:

"However, we cannot act immediately."

"At present, the East King Duke and his cohorts have just suffered a crushing defeat, and their vigilance is unprecedented."

"If we act rashly, we will surely face a desperate counterattack from Xiating's forces and incur unnecessary losses."

"Then wait until Wuliang Sihai calms down and Xiating lets its guard down—then we can strike the East King Duke and his cohorts by surprise......"

Regarding this, the Ten Great Demon Saints and others merely blinked in surprise, then silently nodded in agreement.

After all, if we can overthrow Xiating at the smallest cost, there is absolutely no need to sacrifice more Demon Race beings.