Chapter 134: Situation Escalates, the Dragon Clan's Fate

The war intensified, and under Qi's deliberate guidance and interference, it had evolved from the initial wolf-crocodile conflict into a full-scale battle between the scaled beasts and the walking beasts.

Both sides, locked in mutual slaughter, had gone bloodshot, and the whole situation showed a tendency to spread outward and escalate.

The scaled beasts living on land began to be besieged; aside from a few that escaped, the rest were exterminated, including major clans such as snakes and armadillos.

In just a hundred years, the chaos at Flying Cloud Ford surpassed everyone's imagination, and the scaled beasts and walking beasts became clearly separated.

Walking beasts die upon entering water, and scaled beasts perish when they go ashore.

The shallows are where their fighting is fiercest, and the war continues there unabated.

The Winding River Dragon King now had a terrible headache; the war had spread from Flying Cloud Ford to engulf the entire Winding River basin, and the turmoil left all beings restless and uneasy.

Although the chaotic situation had strengthened each tribe's sense of belonging and condensed their fortune, the rapidly dwindling number of living beings warned him of a grim future.

Most importantly, the scaled beast clans within Winding River were waiting for him to declare his stance—a hardline stance.

This troubled him greatly: if he fought, he would be blamed by his clan; if he did not fight, his tenure as Winding River Dragon King would be over.

As he paced back and forth, his expression shifted from panic to ferocity, and he angrily said:

"Fine, if you won't let me have peace, then let's all die together!"

"Issue my orders: summon the chiefs of all the scaled beast tribes within Winding River to discuss a grand plan."

The Turtle Chancellor, upon hearing the news, turned pale, hesitated a little, but seeing the Winding River Dragon King like this, he dared not say more and simply withdrew obediently.

Flying Cloud Ford.

Qi sensed the shift in fortune; his tightly closed eyes twitched open slightly, then slowly closed again.

He thought:

"Soon enough, a single Great Luo Golden Immortal will be enough to sway their gaze."

"With the Dragon Clan undergoing such changes, we'll see how the Qilin Clan responds."

As the chiefs of the major scaled beast clans of Winding River entered, the atmosphere in the Water Manor grew ever more solemn; they knew that whether it would be war or peace would be decided today.

Amidst the chorus of shouts, the Winding River Dragon King appeared, strode straight to the main seat in the hall, and upon taking his seat, the hall's aura of lethal intent reached its peak.

"We pay our respects, Dragon Lord!"

Everyone rose in unison and shouted loudly.

The Winding River Dragon King didn't care for their performance; a mere ceremonial song was nothing he couldn't endure.

He then said:

"Please be seated, no need for such formalities; I have summoned you today to decide just one matter—war or peace—as you see fit."

"From now on, war or peace will be decided by your vote; the minority must follow the majority—this one time only. Anyone who raises objections afterward will be executed."

"I hope you will not be ambivalent; whatever you think and do, you must take it seriously and bear responsibility."

"Each of you, fall silent and contemplate; after a moment, you will then declare your position."

The Winding River Dragon King's words were blunt and left no room for maneuver; being so direct, they made everyone somewhat uncomfortable.

But they had little time to ponder the Dragon King's attitude; in just a brief moment, they were deciding the fate of their tribes, weighing gains and losses—this was too rushed.

The Winding River Dragon King closed his eyes on the hall's dais, lost in thought, ignoring the murmurs of the crowd below.

A moment flashed by; before they had finished their discussion, the Winding River Dragon King opened his eyes, and the solemnity in his gaze made them shudder.

After scanning the crowd and seeing each person's reaction, the Winding River Dragon King finally spoke:

"The moment has come; those who wish to fight, step forward."

The crowd hesitated slightly; the Winding River Dragon King's eyes flashed with satisfaction, but it vanished instantly as several tribes stepped forward.

Following their lead, most tribal representatives also rose one after another.

The Winding River Dragon King silently observed the scene; once the number exceeded half, he interrupted the declaration, saying:

"More than half have spoken; further discussion is pointless. Return to your troops and prepare. Within Winding River, any who cross the river to drink—every walking beast tribe—shall be slaughtered!"

"Anyone who disobeys this order or rashly stirs the army's morale shall be killed!"

"I am weary; you may all disperse."

Having issued the two decrees, the Winding River Dragon King paid no heed to what anyone thought, left the hall first, and returned alone to his sleeping quarters.

Leaning back with a slight headache on the recliner, the Winding River Dragon King finally noticed the trouble with the fortune, and sighed a little:

"I never imagined that, as a Great Luo Golden Immortal, I would be dragged by this lot who aren't even Taiyi, rushing headlong toward a dead end."

"What cultivation is this? I thought I had outstanding talent, surpassing the common herd, but alas, I am still just an ordinary mortal."

"Dragon Lord…"

Beside him, the Turtle Chancellor wanted to speak but held back, worry showing on his face.

The Winding River Dragon King waved a hand slightly, cutting off the Turtle Chancellor's further words, and said:

"It's fine; I was just letting out a sigh. Tomorrow you will return to the East Sea, find the Elder Chancellor, and report my deeds, so you won't be implicated later."

Hearing this, the Turtle Chancellor at once dropped to his knees, weeping bitterly, and said:

"Dragon Lord, how has it come to this! You and I could simply refuse them!"

The Winding River Dragon King merely smiled and said:

"Having received the fortune of all beings and the offerings of Winding River, it's not so easy to just walk away; go on back—this isn't a parting of life and death."

"At most I'll receive some internal clan punishment, not fatal; I have enjoyed Winding River's fortune for many years, and there's no escaping it."

"As for the Qilin Clan, they can't take my life!"

Saying this, the Winding River Dragon King snorted contemptuously, showed his disdain, and began to usher them out, saying:

"You may go; pack your things and let me have a moment of quiet."

"Dragon Lord!"

The Turtle Chancellor wept bitterly.

"Go."

Only then did the Turtle Chancellor turn and leave, his figure disappearing within the Great Hall.

At that time, the Qujiang Dragon King gave them only fifteen minutes to consider, and first asked which side intended to go to all-out war, all in order to make them hesitate, not wanting war to break out.

Unfortunately, he still underestimated it in the end; the current conflict between the two sides, whether due to hatred or interest, this dispute is ultimately unavoidable.

In the Sleeping Palace, the Qujiang Dragon King lay alone on a recliner, closing his eyes to nurture his spirit, until the outside sunlight once again illuminated the earth, and the Turtle Chancellor departed with his pack.

He slowly opened his eyes, and then the Qujiang Dragon King said:

"What cannot be escaped will ultimately not be escaped, but I may not lack a chance to win!"

At this moment, the Qujiang Dragon King had no more of his previous hesitation and anger, only a pure heart seeking victory.

He knew that only by winning himself could he have a sliver of hope, not lose his power and status, and still be able to become an exalted Dragon Lord in the Primordial Wilderness.

He not only had to win, but win splendidly; otherwise, what awaited him would likely be not only the Dragon Clan's punishment, but also a backlash of fortune.

(End of chapter)