The First Qilin held high the Innate Qilin Seal, infusing his origin into it. The light on the seal blazed brighter than ever before, and a suppressing power far surpassing its previous strength spread out—actually forcing the Ancestral Dragon's dragon power back slightly.
"Qilin clan, hear my command! Activate the Ancestral Vein Spiritual Formation and fight the dragon clan to the death!"
At the First Qilin's order, the Ancestral Vein Mountain began to tremble. Countless streams of earth-element spiritual energy surged up from underground, converging into the qilin clan soldiers. Their auras exploded instantly, their scales becoming more durable, and their attacks growing more powerful.
Fire Qilin spat out roaring flames, burning the black ice armor of the North China Sea Dragon Clan. Many Black Ice Soldiers were reduced to charred corpses in an instant. Thunder Qilin channeled celestial lightning, striking the White Whale Clan—several white whales were torn apart by the lightning on the spot. Earth Qilin transformed into mobile fortresses, charging into the dragon clan's formation and scattering the Black Ice Soldiers into disarray.
Ao Bing's expression changed. He had never expected the qilin clan to possess such courage and strength. He roared angrily. "You reckless ants! Black Ice Soldiers, form the Black Water Freezing Formation and freeze these beasts! White Whale Clan, smash their formation!"
The North China Sea Dragon Clan's army sprang into action immediately. The Black Ice Soldiers formed the Freezing Formation, filling the air with countless cold air, attempting to freeze the qilin clan's spiritual formation. The White Whale Clan transformed into giant battering rams, charging toward the earth-element spiritual formation.
However, with the boost from the Ancestral Vein Spiritual Formation, the qilin clan's resistance far exceeded expectations. As soon as the Freezing Formation took shape, it was melted by the Fire Qilin's flames. The White Whale Clan was also badly battered by the Earth Qilin's thick armor, and cries of pain echoed endlessly.
Seeing this, the Ancestral Dragon's anger flared even hotter, but he grew more astonished. The qilin clan could actually channel the power of their ancestral vein, and their soldiers' combat effectiveness was far beyond that of ordinary clans—no wonder they could occupy a place in the Primordial World.
But the dragon clan's majesty would never be challenged!
His ten-thousand-zhang golden dragon body coiled in the air. He opened his dragon mouth, spitting out endless golden dragon energy that rained down on the qilin clan's army like a meteor shower. "Reckless fools—I will annihilate your entire clan!"
Wherever the golden-crimson dragon energy passed, qilin clan soldiers fell one after another, their screams echoing. Yet even so, the qilin clan soldiers continued to charge forward relentlessly, using their flesh and blood to block the Ancestral Dragon's attacks, buying time for the First Qilin.
On the dragon clan's side, they also paid a heavy price. Many Black Ice Soldiers had their bodies pierced by earth-element spiritual energy, the White Whale Clan's casualties continued to mount, and the West China Sea Dragon Clan also suffered significant losses.
Seizing the opportunity, the First Qilin activated the Innate Qilin Seal, firing an earth-yellow beam of light infused with ancestral vein power toward the Ancestral Dragon. "Ancestral Dragon! You slaughtered my people—this enmity is irreconcilable!"
The beam of light carried the power to destroy heaven and earth, stabbing straight at the Ancestral Dragon's heart.
The Ancestral Dragon's expression changed slightly. He had not expected the First Qilin to be so difficult to deal with. He immediately retracted his dragon energy, gathered all his strength in his dragon claw, and grabbed toward the beam of light.
"Bang ——"
The beam of light collided with the dragon claw. The entire North China Sea trembled violently. The Ancestral Dragon was sent flying several li back, the scales on his dragon claw shattered, and golden dragon blood oozed out. The First Qilin spat out a mouthful of blood, his figure swaying unsteadily, and the light of the Innate Qilin Seal dimmed significantly.
The Ancestral Dragon shook his dragon claw, his killing intent intensifying. The golden-crimson dragon energy in his body surged wildly, and his injuries quickly healed by more than half.
He could sense that the First Qilin's origin had been damaged, and the power of the Ancestral Vein Spiritual Formation was gradually fading. Although his side had suffered casualties, their overall combat effectiveness remained at its peak. The advantage was slowly tilting toward the dragon clan.
"First Qilin, you are at the end of your rope. If we continue fighting, the qilin clan will be completely annihilated!" The Ancestral Dragon's voice carried a cold pressure. "I'll give you one last chance—submit or perish. Choose for yourself!"
The First Qilin looked down at his falling clansmen, his heart felt as if it were being torn by a knife.
He could clearly sense that his clansmen's auras were growing weaker and weaker, and the light of the Ancestral Vein Spiritual Formation was on the verge of collapsing.
If they continued to fight recklessly, the qilin clan would likely be erased from the Primordial World. He suddenly raised his head, the determination in his eyes gradually replaced by forbearance. He gritted his teeth tightly, speaking word by word. "I... the qilin clan, are willing to honor the dragon clan as the Supreme Scaled Ones, pay tribute, and submit to the Dragon King of the North China Sea."
These words struck the heart of every qilin clan soldier like a heavy hammer. They looked at the First Qilin in disbelief, their eyes filled with unwillingness and grief, yet no one dared to refute—their clan leader was trying to preserve the clan's foundation. They could not let the qilin clan be completely destroyed.
Upon hearing this, a hint of triumph flashed in the Ancestral Dragon's eyes. His golden-crimson pupils were filled with the dominance of someone who controlled everything. "Hahahaha! Excellent! Excellent! It should have been this way! A wise man knows when to yield. If you had insisted on resisting, today would have been the qilin clan's death anniversary!"
He turned to Ao Bing, his tone authoritative. "Ao Bing, recall the troops! Leave a detachment of Black Ice Soldiers to garrison here. Order the qilin clan to offer the first batch of tribute within three days, and pay tribute on time every year without fail!"
"We obey the Ancestral Dragon's order!"
Ao Bing bowed to receive the order, a hint of triumph in his eyes. Although the dragon clan had suffered casualties, they had ultimately subdued the qilin clan—this was enough to demonstrate the dragon clan's majesty.
He waved his hand behind him. The remaining Black Ice Soldiers and White Whale Clan slowly retracted their formation, leaving a thousand Black Ice Soldiers to garrison the outskirts of the Cold Water Spiritual Mine. They stared coldly at the qilin clan members.
The Ancestral Dragon looked at the First Qilin again, his golden-crimson pupils carrying a warning. "First Qilin, remember your promise today. If you dare to play tricks, when I come again next time, it will be more than just paying tribute!"
The First Qilin clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms. Blood dripped from his fingers, and the anger in his eyes almost burst into flames—but it was suppressed by deep forbearance. He slowly lowered his head, saying nothing, to hide the hatred in his heart.
The surrounding qilin clan soldiers also lowered their heads, the veins in their hands bulging as they gripped their weapons tightly, their shoulders trembling slightly. The entire Ancestral Vein Mountain fell into deathly silence, broken only by the whimper of the wind blowing through the mountains—like their suppressed grief and anger.
"Hahaha!" The Ancestral Dragon laughed loudly, his voice filled with dominance and triumph. "Retreat!"
With that, the Ancestral Dragon transformed into a golden-crimson stream of light, flying toward the North China Sea. Ao Bing led the remaining White Whale Clan and Black Ice Soldiers, following closely behind. The mighty dragon clan army gradually departed, and the triumphant cheers of the dragon clan soldiers could still be heard along the way. Although they had suffered casualties, they were ultimately the victors.
The scene in the water mirror gradually faded, and the East China Sea Dragon Palace's main hall fell into silence.
Qinghe looked at Ao Xuan's solemn expression, speaking softly. "Your Majesty, Lord Ancestral Dragon has ultimately subdued the qilin clan. But... the resentment in the qilin clan's hearts will be difficult to resolve."
"More than difficult." Ao Xuan took over, his tone heavy. "The First Qilin only submitted verbally to preserve the clan's strength. Beneath this forbearance lies overwhelming hatred. Although the Ancestral Dragon gained the upper hand, he also exposed the qilin clan's strength and sowed deeper hidden dangers. Moreover, the dragon clan suffered many casualties in this battle. Such a costly victory will only make the dragon clan more arrogant."
Jiao Xuan sighed. "Lord Ancestral Dragon's dominance is ultimately too radical. The qilin clan, alongside the dragon and phoenix clans, are known as the three great clans of the Primordial World, with no weak strength. This time, the Ancestral Dragon forcibly subdued the qilin clan. Furthermore, Luo Hu is still watching in the shadows—he will surely exploit this conflict to stir up trouble."
Ao Xuan looked toward the northern sky, his dragon pupils filled with worry. "There's no use talking about it now. Issue an order: continue reinforcing the Azure Dragon Sea-Suppressing Formation, closely monitor the movements in the North China Sea and the Qilin Ancestral Vein Mountain, and strictly investigate any unusual demonic energy activity. This storm is far from over."
"We obey your Majesty's order!" Mo Yuan and Qinghe replied in unison, turning to leave to fulfill their respective duties.
Ao Xuan stood alone in the hall, letting out a silent sigh.
The Ancestral Dragon's path to becoming the "Supreme Scaled Ones" was paved with blood and coercion. Although he had temporarily subdued the qilin clan, he had made the situation in the Primordial World even more delicate. He could foresee that beneath this superficial peace, a larger storm was brewing—and the dragon clan had already stood at the center of the storm.
By the shores of the North China Sea, Qilin Ancestral Vein Mountain.
The First Qilin slowly raised his head, looking in the direction the Ancestral Dragon had departed. The forbearance in his eyes instantly turned into deep-seated hatred. He suddenly punched a boulder beside him, shattering it into powder.
"Dragon clan... Ancestral Dragon..."
He gritted his teeth, his voice hoarse. "The humiliation of today—I will repay it a hundredfold in the future!"
The surrounding qilin clan soldiers also raised their heads, their eyes filled with grief, anger, and determination, yet no one dared to speak further—the Black Ice Soldiers' gazes were like sharp blades, staring at them intently. The slightest movement would bring death.
The First Qilin took a deep breath, suppressing the hatred in his heart, and said solemnly. "Treat the wounded, gather the spiritual veins. We will remember today's enmity. When our strength is sufficient in the future, we will seek justice!"
"We obey the clan leader's order!" The qilin clan soldiers replied in unison, their voices filled with suppressed grief and anger. They began to treat the wounded and clean up the battlefield in an orderly manner.
In the depths of the Western Wasteland, in the darkness, Demon Emperor Luo Hu watched the qilin clan's forbearance in the demon mirror, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "Excellent, excellent! Excellent! It seems the day my demon clan emerges is not far away..."