Chapter 1928: Suppression

Many from the various clans secretly observing the battle were inwardly alarmed. Although it was no secret that Zu An was the Regent King of the Demon Race, his position seemed too distant from the human race for them to take it seriously.

After all, no matter how high his status was among the demons, he couldn't exert control over the human side.

However, upon hearing the woman's description, they suddenly began to comprehend the true extent of his influence within the Demon Race.

Previously, due to the animosity and poor information exchange between the Demon and Human Races, their intelligence networks had only been able to report that Zu An had become the Demon Regent King. The specifics of how he attained this position or what transpired in the Demon Race remained largely unclear to them.

Many clan members now began to suspect that they had missed crucial intelligence.

Meng Chan also seemed lost in thought, gazing at the man in the arena and muttering to herself, "The King of Kings of the Demon Race..."

At this moment, she was filled with regret. Had she known he possessed such formidable power, she would never have agreed to her father's and husband's plans against him, let alone helped devise strategies.

While he had indeed been provoked and lost his composure as expected, the Meng clan lacked the power to eliminate him according to their original plan.

Now, the very survival of the Meng clan was in question.

"Regent King? Is there even such a person in the Demon Race? You dare try to deceive this sovereign?" The golden dragon snorted, letting out a cold laugh, clearly dismissing the claim. "A mere minion, audacious enough to put on airs here."

The moment he finished speaking, he directly exhaled a stream of dragon breath, sending it roaring towards a building in the distance.

"Is that Hongxiu Manor's territory?" Many recognized the location and expressed their sorrow, fearing that Hongxiu Manor would become a thing of the past from then on.

Numerous cultivators from Hongxiu Manor emerged, but they faced the terrifying dragon breath with despair.

This was no ordinary wild dragon; it was a Golden Dragon, the strongest among the Dragon Race. Its mere presence exerted a pressure more terrifying than that of a Grandmaster.

It was well known that beasts of the same rank possessed superior combat prowess compared to humans.

Just then, a brilliant sword gleam, moving even faster, struck the dragon breath, dispersing it into a spectacular burst of fireworks.

At that moment, a graceful figure from Hongxiu Manor continuously patted her trembling chest. "Oh dear, I was so scared, so scared! Thankfully, young master intervened; otherwise, my soul would have been scattered."

She was Miss Nan Xun, the top courtesan of Hongxiu Manor, and also a concubine of King Qi. The dragon's words had been like thunder, and as a member of the Demon Race, she couldn't help but retort on behalf of the young master, unaware that she had nearly invited disaster upon herself.

"Oh?" Dragon Monarch Honghua turned his head to look at Zu An. Though the dragon breath had been a casual expulsion, it wasn't something easily dispelled by just anyone. "Are you truly the Regent King of the Demon Race?"

Zu An replied calmly, "That's right."

Dragon Monarch Honghua suddenly sneered. "Bah, still trying to deceive this sovereign! Firstly, when I awoke a few years ago, I inquired about the Demon Race and never heard of any Regent King. Secondly, even if such a position were established in the past two years, how could the Demon Race possibly allow a human like you to hold it? Thirdly, not even the Demon Emperor himself is qualified to command a Dragon King's bow; what then is a mere Regent King? You failed to understand this fundamental point, thus exposing your lie."

"You conspired with that minion to concoct such an outrageous lie, for what purpose?"

This lowly worm dares to attempt to deceive this sovereign. Fortunately, I am not as foolish as those simpletons among my kin; my superior intellect allowed me to see through his scheme.

Enrage Points from Dragon Monarch Honghua +444,444,444...

Zu An frowned, offering no explanation. Instead, he paid attention to the information revealed in the dragon's words.

Not even the Demon Emperor was qualified to command a Dragon King's bow, indicating that the Dragon King's power was indeed mysterious.

Among the Demon Race, people were generally secretive about the Sea Race. He roughly knew that the Sea Race merely acknowledged the Demon Emperor as their nominal co-ruler, but the power of the Demon King's court could not intervene in Sea Race affairs at all.

In other words, the Sea Race followed orders only when it suited them.

The only fortunate thing was that the Sea Race usually observed proper etiquette, and the Demon Emperor treated them with exceptional courtesy, maintaining an unspoken cooperative relationship between the two parties.

At this moment, a loud cry suddenly echoed in the arena. Meng Jing, enduring a severe headache, shouted, "Dragon Monarch, please slay this fiend for our Meng clan. You once promised to save us three times when our Meng clan faced a life-or-death crisis. This is the second time. If you can help us kill him, our Meng clan will consider your contract fulfilled."

"Is that true?" Dragon Monarch Honghua's eyes widened, clearly excited.

Years ago, when he was still weak, he had been saved by the Meng clan's ancestor. In a moment of impulse, he signed a contract with the Meng clan, promising to protect them three times in the future.

After all, the lifespan of dragons far exceeded that of humans.

Many years had passed, and his power had grown steadily. While he enjoyed the offerings from the Meng clan, he always felt a distinct lack of freedom, which bothered him greatly.

For a powerful clan like the Mengs, who usually bullied others, the probability of facing such a life-or-death crisis was extremely low.

In all these years, it had only happened twice, and the third time was nowhere in sight.

If this intervention could cancel out the remaining two obligations, then he would finally be free.

Meng Jing gritted his teeth. "I am the spokesperson for the Meng clan, fully capable of representing them. If Dragon Monarch doesn't believe me, you can ask for the opinion of all Meng clan disciples."

Seeing the dragon's head turn towards them, countless Meng clan disciples hiding in the distance shouted:

"I agree!"

"Please intervene, Dragon Monarch!"

"Please intervene, Dragon Monarch!"

When had the Meng clan ever suffered such a devastating blow?

Many didn't even know the full story or what had happened; they simply found themselves in the midst of a battle outside.

They watched helplessly as the Meng clan's guards were routed like a crumbling mountain, and their usually powerful elders fell one by one.

They were both horrified and desperate. Now that there was a chance to turn the tide, they would naturally stake everything on it.

Dragon Monarch Honghua nodded with satisfaction, then stared at Zu An with a sinister smile. "Young man, I originally had no intention of bullying the weak, but the Meng clan's offer is simply too generous. It's merely your misfortune to have encountered this sovereign today."

He had sensed the previous battle, but it was nothing more than a minor scuffle between weak humans.

Compared to the noble Dragon Race, it was far too insignificant.

Dragons not only possessed immense physical strength but also extremely high elemental resistance.

Even if they stood still and allowed human cultivators of the same level to attack them, it would merely feel like a tickle.

Moreover, he possessed the most noble and powerful bloodline among dragons. His father was the previous Dragon King—though he himself was an unacknowledged illegitimate son.

That old man simply loved to sow his seeds, and he would dote upon any species as long as they were beautiful.

He was one such offspring, but when he eagerly returned to the Dragon Race, he was met not with cheers and laughter, but with scorn and disdain.

During that period, he was constantly bullied by his own kin, eventually unable to remain in the Dragon Race, and was expelled.

He wandered the world as a rogue cultivator, and his power naturally grew very slowly.

Later, during a crisis, he was severely wounded and almost died on the spot.

Fortunately, the Meng clan's patriarch happened to pass by and saved his life.

Out of gratitude, he signed a contract with the patriarch, promising to protect his descendants three times.

Time flew by, the Meng clan patriarch passed away, and countless successive patriarchs came and went, none of whom he could recall.

However, the Meng clan also grew increasingly powerful, providing him with more and more tribute and resources.

Perhaps stimulated by an abundance of natural treasures, one day he awakened the purest bloodline of the Golden Dragon.

His strength advanced by leaps and bounds, and in recent years, his heart had grown restless.

Finally, he could fulfill his contract and return to the Dragon Race, to settle the score with those who had bullied him years ago.

Then, he would beat and kick, suppress the entire clan, with everyone kneeling to welcome him, shouting:

"The three-thousand-year term is complete! We welcome the return of the Dragon King!"

The most beautiful dragon maidens, and the mermaid princesses... they would all be his.

Imagining that scene, his wide mouth couldn't help but stretch into a grin, reaching his ears.

Zu An looked at the dragon with a puzzled expression. Was this guy alright? Why had he suddenly started cackling foolishly?

Remembering his friendship with Shang Liuyu, Zu An didn't want to be too ruthless. So, he suggested, "How about this: I kill them twice in a row, and you save them twice. That would also count as fulfilling the contract, wouldn't it?"

Meng Jing's eyes widened instantly. Could it really be done that way?

However, a new worry arose in his heart: it truly was a plausible method. What if the Dragon Monarch actually listened?

"Dragon Monarch, do not listen to this boy's sweet talk. He only says this because he is afraid..."

Dragon Monarch Honghua snorted coldly. "Do you think I don't know that?"

He then stared at Zu An. "Who do you take this sovereign for? I received great kindness from the Meng clan's ancestor back then, and I have enjoyed offerings from the Meng clan for over a thousand years. If I were to trick them like this, wouldn't it shatter my Dao heart?"

Meng Jing was nearly moved to tears. He had always scoffed at notions of repaying kindness, never imagining that today he would be saved by such a principle.

At this point, Dragon Monarch Honghua stared at Zu An with a malevolent grin. "You, young man, have killed so many from the Meng clan and impersonated the Demon Regent King to fool me. Not even gods can save you today, I declare!"

"Who do you think you are?" Zu An looked at him, confused.

Had this guy's brain been kicked by a donkey? Although he was powerful now, he was only slightly stronger than a Grandmaster. He might be able to fight some newly ascended Earth Immortals but would most likely lose. He certainly couldn't defeat beings like Zhao Hao, the Demon Emperor, or the Libationer. Yet he claimed not even gods could save him...

Dragon Monarch Honghua had merely intended to show off, but he hadn't expected Zu An to take him seriously. Losing face, he immediately flew into a rage.

"You insolent brat, you're looking for death!"

Enrage Points from Dragon Monarch Honghua +999,999,999...

As he spoke, a terrifying dragon's might spread outwards.

Everyone in the entire Meng clan prostrated themselves on the ground, trembling uncontrollably. Their spiritual beasts, too, cowered, soiling themselves.

He had awakened the purest royal bloodline of the Dragon Race, possessing a natural suppressive power over most living beings.

Many experts from various clans who were on their way stopped abruptly. Even from a distance, they were affected by this oppressive aura. Facing it directly, Zu An would likely find it difficult to even stand.

At this moment, a furious roar from the giant dragon echoed through the Meng clan's grounds: "How could you... This is impossible!"

Zu An stood calmly in the arena, as if nothing was amiss.

Neither the Phoenix will from his Phoenix Nirvana Sutra nor the grade of his other divine techniques were inferior to that of the Golden Dragon Race.

Moreover, with his current cultivation, unless Zhao Hao the Demon Emperor resurrected, or those beings in the grand tomb suddenly emerged, there was truly no one he needed to fear. The dragon's might naturally couldn't affect him.

"Is that all? Then it's my turn." After Zu An finished speaking, an even more terrifying aura radiated from his body.

The hundred-zhang giant dragon suddenly trembled all over, no longer able to perch atop the high tower. With a deafening crash, it slammed directly onto the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.