Just a Useful Pawn in the Stain Sect

Chapter 515: What Do You Mean the Dao Court Belongs to Our Dragon Race?

Lately, life hasn’t been easy for the True Dragon Race.

To be precise, it was Celestial Python whose life had been difficult. The other True Dragons, however, were ecstatic, convinced the age of their race was dawning.

After all, the four Masters of Dao had withdrawn from worldly affairs, and All True Monarchs were in seclusion. The True Dragon Race, having unified the Overseas, was no weaker than the four great powers of the mainland at the Foundation Establishment level. Some radicals had even begun to chant slogans, urging to seize this opportunity, to fight their way back to the mainland and wash away the shame of their long exile.

Celestial Python, however, remained calm. He decisively suppressed all radical rhetoric, even going so far as to execute the most obstinate among them. It took him a year or two, but he finally stabilized the situation.

But that was merely an external issue.

The true, internal problem was Celestial Python’s own sensitivity to karmic links. Lately, strange thoughts had been spontaneously arising during his cultivation:

’Hm... Perhaps I should... take a trip to the West?’

The first time this thought occurred, Celestial Python nearly acted on it. Fortunately, he was in secluded cultivation within the secret chamber the Old Dragon Monarch had left for him.

At the last possible moment, the Mighty Power left behind by the Old Dragon Monarch snapped him out of it.

After that incident, Celestial Python scoured the clan’s Daoist Canon and finally understood what was happening. ’This is Buddhist Destiny! That damn Bhagavat is scheming against me!’

’Sigh...’

Inside the secret chamber, Celestial Python sighed and looked at an intelligence report from the West. It confirmed that the Bhagavat had sent a Dharma Appearance down to the mortal realm, and that the Buddha’s Son he had granted Enlightenment was named Guang Ming.

What could he do?

Celestial Python wracked his brain. The only solution seemed to be accelerating the True Dragon Race’s conquest of the Overseas. He needed to seize enough resources to attempt Seeking Gold.

’If only I can be the first to attain the [Fruit of Sky-River Water], I might have a chance to escape this accursed Buddhist Destiny.’

Or perhaps—

’...the Dao Court.’

Celestial Python raised his head, his gaze turning toward the East. ’Before he went into seclusion, Father once said that if things truly became untenable, I could perhaps seek refuge in the East.’

He had thought it absurd at the time and paid it no mind. After all, he knew about his clan’s deal with the Dao Court. ’Aren’t all the ones we send to the Dao Court just cannon fodder? What’s the point of seeking refuge with them?’ Yet now that he was truly trapped, Celestial Python recalled the Old Dragon Monarch’s advice once more.

’Perhaps it’s worth a try?’

’I remember that batch of True Dragons that went to the East... wasn’t the leader that young one, Du Huan? Perhaps he’s managed to gain some status in the Dao Court by now.’

’The question is whether his status is high enough to protect me.’

At this, Celestial Python shook his head with a wry smile. ’What am I thinking... Even if Du Huan’s status is incredibly high, the Dao Court would never risk a conflict with the Bhagavat for my sake.’

Unless it were the Daoist Court Emperor himself.

’Fine. If I die at the hands of those Monks, the rest of the True Dragon Race will likely share my fate. I might as well send some of our kin to the East in secret. At least that will preserve our bloodline.’

Just as Celestial Python was lost in thought, a voice suddenly called from outside the secret chamber. Stepping out, he saw his beloved younger sister, Evil Spirit. With a strange expression, she said, "Brother, some dragons have come from the East. There are a lot of them... but I think they’ve all gone mad."

"...What?"

Celestial Python tilted his head, not quite understanding what Evil Spirit meant. ’Mad? What kind of joke is that? A member of the True Dragon Race reaches Foundation Establishment upon adulthood. How could one possibly go mad?’

"Let’s go have a look."

Assuming his human form, Celestial Python strolled out. Soon, an exasperated voice drifted from the distance. "Uncles, cousins, everyone... We’re not lying! The Dao Court belongs to our Dragon Race now! We’ve come to take you all back to live in luxury!"

Celestial Python: ???

’So they really are mad?’

Celestial Python’s expression turned grim. He strode forward and looked at the man surrounded by the other True Dragons, recognizing him instantly.

"Du’an? What is going on? Do you still recognize me?"

The man, Du’an, beamed with delight. "Your Highness! You’re finally here! Lord Du Huan instructed me to deliver this to you personally."

With that, he took out a fragment.

Celestial Python’s pupils contracted at the sight. He was all too familiar with that fragment—it was a piece of the True Treasure Sea Commanding Conch, an Artifact the Old Dragon Monarch had spent years refining!

’So he really was sent by young Du Huan?’

’He doesn’t seem to have suffered any damage to his Divine Sense, yet he was spouting such utter nonsense. What was this about the Dao Court belonging to the Dragon Race?’

"...Very well."

Celestial Python wasn’t panicking. ’I’m at Foundation Establishment Perfection! The [Fruit of Sky-River Water] I cultivate is an Emperor Fruit, no less. Even though my combat power is limited because my Intentional Appearance is damaged, I still have some Divine Effect when it comes to divining karmic links. Figuring out the cause and effect of this should be simple.’

With that thought, Celestial Python immediately performed a divination calculation. The result: [Nothing Abnormal].

’What the hell? He’s claiming the Dao Court belongs to our Dragon Race, and the result is ’Nothing Abnormal’? This must be shielded by some karmic technique! There’s definitely a grand conspiracy at play!’

Feeling a growing unease, Celestial Python calculated again:

[Seriously, Nothing Abnormal.]

’Hah! This is absurd! I’m a cultivator at Foundation Establishment Perfection, the strongest there is beneath the Perfected Lords! And I can’t figure out the truth behind your words? I refuse to believe it!’

’I’ll try again!’

At this thought, Celestial Python immediately circulated his Mana. His Abilities manifested as he tried to trace the karmic links back to their source, but he quickly realized the trace wasn’t going where he expected—

’Why is it going upward?’

Celestial Python looked up. In the sky, where the stars should have been hidden, a single point of light now blazed like a candle flame. It felt like an eye, and it was looking right at him.

’[Celestial Fire]?’

’This is bad!’

Celestial Python’s face fell. But no matter how fast he reacted, he wasn’t faster than a Fruit Position’s power. A jet of Celestial Fire instantly ignited on his body, engulfing him in a flash.

A long while later, Celestial Python finally managed to extinguish the Celestial Fire. It hadn’t been enough to kill him, but it had left him covered in soot and ash. His Enchanted Robe was burned to tatters, and his face was charred black. Yet, despite his appearance, his eyes were filled with elation.

’A sign of favor from a Fruit Position! This is a sign of favor!’

As the Crown Prince of the True Dragon Race, Celestial Python was far from ignorant. He immediately understood what had just happened: he had touched upon a taboo.

’To have triggered a counterattack from the [Fruit of Celestial Fire]... it must mean my divination touched upon the one it favors.’

’And in the entire world, only Du Huan cultivates the [Fruit of Celestial Fire].’

’But to receive such a high degree of favor from the [Fruit of Celestial Fire], one must perfectly embody its conceptual image... Does this mean... the Dao Court really belongs to the Dragon Race now?’

At this realization, Celestial Python’s eyes widened. He was speechless.

Even though logic had led him to an undeniable conclusion, he still found it difficult to accept.

’How did he manage it?’

A moment later, Celestial Python snapped back to reality. ’To hell with how he did it! The important thing is that Du Huan actually did it! I’m saved! The entire Dragon Race is saved!’

"What are you all standing around for?"

With that, Celestial Python whirled around to face the other True Dragons and barked, "Pack your things! Now! Immediately! The entire clan is moving to the East with me!"

"To the East?"

Evil Spirit asked curiously, "Are we going to see Du Huan?"

"Watch your tongue!"

Celestial Python’s voice rose sharply as he looked at Evil Spirit with utmost gravity. "All of you, correct your attitudes... The one we are going to see is... His Majesty!"