His Failure

There were no words that could describe the absolute fury Zulong felt. No words nor action left the ruler of the four seas, not even as he watched Bi An's prone form. Nothing beyond a cold dead gaze, one which promised nothing but pain towards the perpetrator.

The deal was fake.

He had been lied to.

And he had fallen for it.

How could this happen under his watch?

He was too complacent.

He should have destroyed them sooner.

These were among the many thousands of thoughts running full speed in Zulong's mind. This was the first time ever where he felt his failure full force.

What Dragon Sovereign? What overlord of the primitive world? What Primal Zenith Chaos Immortal? He still failed to protect his son.

Bi An was in a state of agony. Though his peaceful state may not look it, it was only the result of tranquillizing formations and the work of dozens of dragons and turtles helping him recover.

This current wing of the place they were all in was placed deep within the complex. Protected from all sides by armies of guards. Very few were even allowed near Bi An.

Here, Bi An lay floating inside a bubble of contaminated water. There were tubes operated by top immortals filtering out whatever filth is infesting the water and others trying to stabilise the situation. But dark flame like substances were seen sealed within containers for study.

Separating the operating room and Zulong was a wide plane of glass. Ordinary sea water was not permitted into the room. Zulong could only watch from the other side trusting others to do their work. At times like these he was frustrated with his inability to understand what had infected his son.

Denglong had wondered off somewhere. After delivering Bi An to the South Sea Dragon Palace, Yinglong had to restrain him from dong anything rash. The two had then made a quick journey back to the east.

Once there, Denglong remained seated not far from Zulong. The strongest son of the dragon appeared dead to the world with his face placed squarely in his palm.

"Zufeng, oh Zufeng," Zulong chuckled as his hair shadowed his eyes. "Son, can you forgive your useless father?"

Who was it that sent his son out for that meet up? Who was it that placed trust in Zufeng's words? Zulong felt like he could blame none but himself.

Tap! Tap! Tap!

Zulong heard soft footsteps behind him. He slightly turned his head and acknowledged his eldest Qiu Niu's approach.

"Mother is stable now, Chao Feng and Chi Wen are accompanying her," he began saying. Zulong nodded, still staring at Bi An.

"Gui Daiyu is a strong woman," Zulong replied. His wife had collapsed like a mortal when she'd seen Bi An's form a scant few hours ago. Zulong mentally made a note to see how she was holding up after all this.

At the time, he himself could barely stand as well. But as sovereign, he could not afford himself the luxury to.

Qiu Niu took a quick gaze at his younger brother's body then closed his eyes with a look of frustration. "Damned birds," he spat. His fists gripped so tightly that blood was flowing out of fingernail wounds.

Zulong waved his hand and Qiu Niu's palms slackened against his will. His wounds closed up and blood flowed back in. The eldest prince eyed his father and muttered an apology.

Zulong shook his head and said, "There's no need". He placed his palms against the glass panels.

"Bi An is strong father, he will make it through," Qiu Niu tried to reassure the dragon. "Nothing in this world can challenge the blood of the dragon. He will pull through, he will pull through…" he trailed off.

Zulong understood his eldest's fear. His children had not been hurt like this in a long time. Not since they had all ascended to the Primal Origin Chaos Immortal had so much damage been inflicted.

Sure, Yazi, Denglong, and Suanni etc had been hurt in battles before. But they were flesh wounds that were easy to heal. Bi An on the other hand was still being attacked by a malevolent force. Something the dragons still do not understand.

Everything from his flesh, to his Dao, to his soul was being attacked. It was a sinister blow unlike anything anyone had ever witnessed.

"What do we do now?" Qiu Niu asked. Across from them, Denglong perked up in interest as well. He did not dare meet Zulong's nor Qiu Niu's eyes fearing what he may find. But the staunch protector was itching for an answer.

"This act cannot be forgiven," Zulong simply stated. "If Zufeng thinks its so easy kill my own kin then she can think again. Denglong, Qiu Niu, gather your siblings and marshal my forces."

"We'll raze the south continent to the last atom."

…

"Have you heard?"

Zhunti perked up from the bread he was eating. Jieyin sat down across him and slipped a local edition of the newspaper across the table of the restaurant both were eating in.

"Massive explosion at south continent shore a day ago?" Zhunti mumbled holding the paper up. "How did west continent get news from the south so quickly?"

"Devils aren't simply junior brother," Jieyin reminded. "I'd wager they have some means to detect things from far away."

"There's not much detail here," Zhunti grunted. "What do you think happened?"

"Who knows, nothing to do with us at least. But from the writing, it seems the south sea and the south continent will be in open conflict soon," he took a bread off the plate and ate.

Conspiracy theories and gossip were rife within devil newspaper. Tales about the barbarous outside world and the unenlightened freaks who were non devils were dime a dozen. For cultivators who could not classify themselves as devils, they were a source for contempt and mockery.

Jieyin and Zhunti were among these bunch. Even now, there were stories about two golden criminals murdering and pillaging their way across the west. Sensational news that shat all over their actual deeds.

But for the two, the West Continent was their home. They were hesitant to truly leave their place of origin. As innate gods, they were spawned by the land and air of this place. It wasn't the same feeling as a postnatal life form would their own homeland. As such, they remained within the west for now.

"Things are quite chaotic outside the west, not to mention things are hard inside the west," Zhunti murmured. "Hey senior brother, when we perfect our Dao and reach the Primal Zenith Chaos Immortal realm, what say we liberate the west from the control of these devilish villains? We could start our own sect and save all living beings from their misery."

"One step at a time brother less you get too ambitious for your own good," Jieyin scoffed. "You haven't even found your own Dao yet and only just formed your primal unity, don't think about such complex things."

"Ah sorry sorry."

However, the two froze when they noticed others looking at them.

"Liberate from devils?" "Could they be spies from outside?" "Now that I look at them they don't have the same Qi as devils do."

With an 'Oh Shit' expression, both brothers immediately bolted out of the small town they were staying in.

…

Elsewhere, in a secluded dining room in a yum cha restaurant, two Primal Zenith Chaos Immortal devils sat in meeting. One was an old man with disheveled hair while the other as a beautiful young woman.

"You seem concerned, I thought things were going well for you Daoist Rippling Reflection?" The young woman asked.

"Thank you senior for your concern senior," the old man said. "But it is natural for me to be concerned. The world is on a thin tightrope right now."

The young woman nodded taking a sip of her tea. Reports from devil spies in the South Continent had already sent back news. Reports from agents that had for sure reached all the devil emperors by now.

"I must thank you senior for your gift. Without your expertise I would've never been able to succeed," he said. "I've promised you payment and here it is."

He handed over a jewel which the woman accepted without hesitation. "Marvellous work as always," she said admiring her reflection within the jewel.

"What are allies for? I always aim for flawlessness," Devil Emperor Rippling Reflection chuckled. "Though you can submerge yourself in it later. Our esteemed ancestor wants us to prepare a quota by the end of the decade and you're still far behind."

"Yes, yes I know," the woman groaned and stored the jewel away in her sleeve. The was very much annoyed by Louhu's awakening. But their shared ancestor had his demands and as his servants they must oblige.

"So much work for one old coot," she grumbled.

"Hey now, that old coot is someone who's reached Wuji. Senior Intoxicated Dream, he's quite out of our league. From ancient accounts, it is right for our ancestor to fear him. You know how important it is to guarantee a victory," the old man said.

"You know," Rippling Reflection added. "Master Hundun told me this once. After the primitive world becomes ancestor's new body, we shall roam the chaos sea with him and ascend to endless heights."

He mused whimsically before he shifted into a frown. "Ah what fun times those days were." The woman across him sighed as well. They truly were naive then.

"You know," Empress Intoxicated Dream said. "After all this is said and done. We'd become enemies, you and I and everyone else."

"Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way."

The intense struggle to the top was intrinsic in every devil's bones. Even if they were cooperating or even fond acquaintances. They would not hesitate to backstab each other.

All's fare in cultivation or so they say. Luohu was first and foremost a chaos godfiend. He too adhered to the god and fiend mentality that Hongjun was on. But compared to Hongjun, he strays too much into fiend in his rival's opinion.

Younger devils like Rippling Reflection and Intoxicated Dream were not privy to the two's past. But they knew enough to know their purpose was to combat Hongjun. Louhu's own canon fodders against Hongjun's own.

Suddenly, both devil emperors perked up. They both felt tugs in their hearts and understood the reason. They were being summoned again.

"So close to last time," they grumbled before getting out of their seats and exiting the restaurant.

…

Gazing at distant storm clouds, Haotian frowned. It didn't take a genius to figure what had happened in the past few days. Rays of tribulation lightning were emanating everywhere in the far east. The rage of the dragon was evident even if he was not physically present.

"Big brother, I'm scared," Yaochi murmured beside Haotian.

"So am I," Haotian mumbled with a nod. Why couldn't things go right when they needed to.

Deeper in the Zixiao palace, beyond Haotian and Yacht's notice, Hongjun scrutinised his eyebrows. His confusion was palpable and he did not like the feeling of not knowing anything.

"What on earth happened?" He seethed. His remaining corpse in Phoenix roost was only giving back confusion at the situation.

It was a predicament he didn't want anyone else to know. Hence he isolated himself and blocked out the Heavenly Dao's gaze.

"Who triggered the war?"

While Hongjun was not pleased with the decision of Zufeng to reach out to Zulong, he had not stopped her due to the abruptness of the command. He was expecting to have to assist in an 'accident' later down the road.

Trigger the tribulation that was way past its due date and hurry the world along in development. Dispose of the two eyesores and eliminate all previous godfiends that had outlived their worth. Get rid of the annoyance named Luohu then claim his prize when no one is left to stop him.

But his job was done for him. It was done completely out of his calculations. Out of the Heavenly Dao's calculations.

And he didn't like it.