7 Chapter 5: Wrath of the Palace

Somewhere deep within the inner region of the Scarlet Mountain Range, where fire-profound beasts and plants reigned supreme, a towering crimson rock mountain stood at its very center. Countless large cave entrances dotted the mountain, their number diminishing as one's gaze ascended. The peak of the mountain pierced the veil of white clouds, revealing a solitary, imposing cave entrance—the lair of the Fire Dragon Patriarch, a formidable and unrivaled profound beast, second only to the residual spirits of the Golden Crow and Divine Phoenix.

"Trash!" bellowed a gigantic red dragon, its rage palpable as it forcefully slammed a small, tattered dragon into the wall with a single swipe of its right claw. The smaller dragon, though battered, rose from the onslaught and assumed a submissive posture before the massive red dragon. "Do you comprehend the magnitude of trouble you have caused this time?"

"Royal father, I—" the smaller dragon began.

"You unfilial bastard!!" roared the patriarch, delivering another merciless swipe of his claw that sent the smaller dragon crashing to the rocky floor, its dull red scales shattered and scattered. Turning his head, the patriarch locked eyes with five other colossal crimson dragons, slightly smaller in size, lying nearby. They regarded him and his son with concern, the largest of the five dragons rising and slowly crawling toward Long Tian.

"It appears that war with the Ice Ladies is inevitable now. That foolish bastard shattered the centuries-old Winter-Dragon Treaty between our clan and the Ice Ladies. Meddling in their affairs, lusting after their disciples, and even attempting to mate with one right under my very nose. If he were not of my noble lineage, killing him ten times over would still be insufficient to cleanse the blasphemy of his actions, tarnishing the prestige of our Lord Dragon God."

"Patriarch, must we once again clash with the Ice Women?" one of the dragons asked, his face etched with horror. "You know as well as I do that those women are a band of deranged Ice fanatics." As he spoke, his body shivered, memories of their last war nearly two hundred years ago resurfacing.

That war had begun due to the dragon clan's misguided belief that they could defeat the Ice Ladies by merely adding another Peak Monarch to their ranks. At that time, Long Tian had just reached the tenth level of the sovereign profound realm, standing alongside the reigning patriarch as the only two Peak Monarchs in their clan. With their increased strength, the dragon clan boasted a total of two Peak Monarchs, along with nine other mid and low Monarchs. They launched an assault on the Ice Ladies, foolishly assuming that these women were the weakest among the five great Sacred Grounds of the human race. They believed that collapsing the Palace of the Ladies would be an effortless feat, bolstered by their mighty dragon prowess.

However, just as they were poised to gain the upper hand against the numerous Monarchs of the Ice Ladies, the temperature in the region plummeted to absolute zero, freezing both space and time. It should be noted that dragon Monarchs possessed formidable defenses against physical impacts, thanks to their scales and dragon constitution. They also exhibited great resistance to elemental attacks, their agility ranking among the highest. Their Crimson flame, though inferior to the golden flame of the crow and the scarlet flame of the Phoenix, was still a force to be reckoned with.

Yet, even as one of the mightiest profound beast races, the lower-ranking dragon Monarchs began turning into ice sculptures, while crystalline formations appeared on the mid-ranking dragon Monarchs. The extreme cold surpassed their resistance, and sensing the imminent danger, the patriarch and Long Tian ordered a retreat. However, three illusory figures materialized in the air, launching devastating attacks upon the dragon duo, leaving no room for escape. Unable to devise any effective countermeasures against these women, the patriarch chose to engage them alone while Long Tian led their surviving brethren in a desperate retreat. Though the patriarch fought valiantly, he inflicted severe and permanent damage on one of the illusory figures, causing her profound strength to become chaotic and unstable.

The war finally came to a halt with the Winter-Dragon Treaty, negotiated and overseen by the Absolute Monarch Sanctuary, with the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region, Sun Moon Divine Hall, Supreme Ocean Palace, and Divine Phoenix Sect serving as witnesses.

Reflecting on the war now with rational thought, the dragon clan realized the folly of their ways and the danger of their insatiable lust for power. The conflict had only weakened both the Ice Ladies and their own clan, while the other four Sacred Grounds and the Divine Phoenix Sect had mocked and ridiculed their stupidity. Realization washed over the massive dragon before them.

"What if we were to offer the Ladies profound treasures and secrets to quell their wrath, Patriarch?" one of the dragons suggested, a hint of desperation in his colossal visage.

"Your advice might help to secure the treaty and prevent a gruesome confrontation if it were just an ordinary Ice lady," the patriarch replied, turning to face the cave entrance. "However, this time, Yan'er has stirred the hornets' nest. Even if we were to surrender him, deadly conflicts would still be unavoidable. It seems he has crossed paths with someone important from the Ice Ladies' Palace."

"Long Tian!" With the conclusion of the patriarch's words, a chilling and commanding voice sliced through the dense, fiery profound energy enveloping the mountaintop. "Hand over that disgusting bastard son of yours this instant!" Accompanying the voice, fifteen more presences materialized, encircling the crimson rock mountain with the might of Monarchs.

Long Tian and the five giant dragons emerged from the cave, ready to greet these expectedly hostile visitors. Forming a tight circle, Long Tian addressed the Ice Lady with the densest and highest profound strength. "Fairies, hear me out before rushing into action," he pleaded, pausing as the lady seemed to consider his words. "I acknowledge that my son has committed grave wrongs, his actions shameful and dishonorable. I am prepared to offer an apology to the Palace, hoping that we might resolve this issue peacefully."

"Peacefully? Are you still deluded, Long Tian!" the lady's voice rose, brimming with anger. "Your bastard son dared to lust after and covet my precious junior sister. Surrender him now, or we shall raze this insignificant mountain—left unpunished for nearly two centuries—to the ground." The lady's thoughts echoed with vehement determination, "How dare you and your dragon race lay eyes upon my darling Xu! I have nurtured her and have yet to find anyone worthy of her besides myself. If you dare to covet her, eradicating your existence will not be sufficient to quell my rage."

"Calm down, junior sister Xi. Let us hear what he has to say before acting rashly," another voice interjected, a note of reason amidst the storm of fury.

"Thank you, lady," Long Tian turned to the hidden, blurred figure standing behind Xi. "I am genuinely sorry for the sins my bastard son has committed against your sacred ground. In recompense, I am willing to relinquish our dragon clan's Nine Sun Jade, Fire Spiritual Root, and Flame Divine Crystal. May these heavenly profound treasures appease your grievances and spare my son's life."

Silence hung in the air as the ladies offered no immediate response. Long Tian and the five dragons felt their hearts grow heavy, fearing that their offerings were insufficient to quell the impending storm. Suddenly, the Ice Lady named Xi spoke again, her tone calmer, yet tinged with sadness. "Long Tian, do you truly understand the implications of your son's actions? He has violated the trust and boundaries established by the Winter-Dragon Treaty, risking another war between our clans. The consequences of such a conflict would be catastrophic for both our races. Is your apology and token compensation truly enough to rectify this situation?"

Long Tian's voice trembled as he replied, "I understand the gravity of the situation, and I am willing to accept any punishment deemed appropriate. If there is any other way to prevent war and find a resolution, I implore you to enlighten me."

The tension in the air remained palpable as the Ice Lady Xi and her companions deliberated. Moments passed like eternities, until finally, Xi spoke once more, her voice softer, laced with a touch of sympathy. "Very well, Long Tian. Your willingness to take responsibility for your son's actions and your sincere desire for peace have swayed my decision. We will accept your offerings and apology, but be aware that the consequences of your clan's actions are not yet absolved. We will convene with the Absolute Monarch Sanctuary and the other Sacred Grounds to determine appropriate reparations and preventive measures. Until then, the Winter-Dragon Treaty shall remain intact, and both parties must respect its terms."

Long Tian heaved a sigh of relief, gratitude filling his eyes. "Thank you, Lady Xi. I am eternally grateful for your mercy and understanding. I vow that our clan will cooperate fully in any measures deemed necessary to ensure lasting peace between our races."

With a slight nod, the Ice Lady Xi turned to leave, her companions following suit. As they vanished into the distance, Long Tian's gaze lingered on their retreating figures, contemplating the uncertain future that awaited both their races.

In the aftermath of this near-catastrophic encounter, Long Tian and the elders returned to their cave, their hearts burdened with a newfound realization. The dragon clan could no longer afford to be reckless in their pursuit of power and dominance. They needed to redefine their purpose and establish a harmonious coexistence with the other Sacred Grounds and profound beast races.

Thus, Long Tian made a solemn oath to himself and his brethren—to dedicate their efforts not only to strengthen their own clan but also to cultivate alliances, nurture mutual understanding, and actively contribute to the overall harmony and prosperity of the realm. Their journey toward redemption and enlightenment had just begun, and it would require the combined efforts of every member of the dragon clan to rewrite their destiny and mend the wounds inflicted upon their race.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows upon the scarlet mountain range, Long Tian and the elders immersed themselves in profound meditation, contemplating the arduous path that lay ahead. With renewed determination and unity, they would strive to forge a brighter future—one where the dragon clan would be renowned not only for their might but also for their wisdom, compassion, and unwavering commitment to peace.