Tho Dai Nuong decided to temporarily set aside the matter of the Dragon King’s presence; within her own domain, her word was law. Long Tu Nuong had flagrantly violated the ancient pact between the Immortal and Dragon races by using Ancient Dragon Blood Arts to manipulate mortals. Furthermore, the captive remained defiant, showing not a shred of remorse. Consequently, Tho Dai Nuong ordered that Long Tu Nuong remain imprisoned within the White Jade Pagoda to reflect upon her transgressions.

  To ensure absolute security, Tho Dai Nuong deployed ten elite squads from the Hou Tu Immortal Sect to guard the tower. Accompanying the commander Melodia were four other Earth-element Core Formation cultivators, tasked with maintaining the "Mountain Seat, Water View" formation. Harnessing her power as a Great Earth Cultivator, Tho Dai Nuong personally reshaped the landscape to fortify the prison:

  To the North, she raised a mountain so high it pierced the clouds like an impenetrable wall. To the East and West, two smaller peaks rose like giant pincers to protect the flanks. Finally, she split the earth to divert a massive river around the Southern side—the pagoda’s main entrance. This was more than a physical barrier; it was a profound geographical array, turning the White Jade Pagoda into a fortress where "not a soul could enter, and none could leave."

  Stationed at the Southern post was Kim Trung Thuy, a Core Formation master of Metal Arts. Known for his refined, fluid, and far-sighted nature, he was appointed as the sect’s official representative to handle any negotiations.

  Phuong Giang’s River God, Long Nhat, was consumed by fury upon hearing of his sister’s imprisonment. He summoned his brothers and led a massive host to the pagoda, demanding her immediate release.

  The force was staggering: five Water-Gold Dragons at the Core Formation stage, over twenty Water Dragons at the Peak Foundation Establishment stage, and hundreds of dragon-kin generals. Among them were the Long Quy (Dragon-headed turtles), Long Ngu (Dragon-headed fish), Long Ho (Dragon-headed tigers), and Long Lang (Dragon-headed wolves). The sheer scale of the gathering led many low-level cultivators to whisper that the Third Great Immortal-Dragon War was at hand.

  Kim Trung Thuy stepped forward to meet the enraged River God. "Greetings, River God. I am Kim Trung Thuy. I wish to speak with you."

  "There is nothing to talk about!" Long Nhat roared, his voice shaking the heavens. "Release my sister at once!"

  Kim Trung Thuy remained calm. "Long Tu Nuong has violated the Immortal-Dragon Pact. She utilized Ancient Dragon Blood Arts for her own gain."

  Long Nhat’s face contorted. "Impossible! How could my sister know such a technique? Even I have only heard rumors of it. How could she have mastered it?"

  Kim Trung Thuy offered a crystal recording sphere as proof, but Long Nhat refused to even look. "Fabrications! You are merely framing us to suppress the Dragon Race. Your 'rules' and 'regulations' mean nothing to me. Release her first, then we talk!"

  "If you remain this impulsive, negotiation is impossible," Kim Trung Thuy said mildly. "Perhaps we should meet another time."

  "No need," Long Nhat spat. "Next time, we meet on the battlefield. Might makes right."

  "Is that truly necessary?" Kim Trung Thuy asked. "Magic is heartless. What if someone is maimed or killed?"

  "You underestimate us!" Long Nhat snarled. "Do you think we are mere worms to be crushed at your whim?"

  "This is a small matter," Kim Trung Thuy insisted. "There is no need to escalate."

  "I will escalate it as I please!" Long Nhat shouted. "Only my father obsesses over that unjust pact. To me, the strongest rules. We fight, and then we talk."

  Kim Trung Thuy sighed. "Very well. If it must be a contest of strength, we shall participate. However, we will control our power to ensure victory without unnecessary slaughter."

  Long Nhat withdrew. His anger had been festering since his father’s death. Despite being appointed a River God by the Heavenly Dao, the benefits were meager compared to the heavy punishments for the slightest error. He intended to resign his post and move his palace to the wilderness—but first, he would raise some hell.

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  The Siege Begins

  The Dragon Race mobilized its naval legions. Shrimp soldiers and fish generals—creatures living near the river—evolved rapidly under the Dragon Race's influence, becoming semi-aquatic. They developed limbs to wield weapons and some even gained the ability to use magic. This Aquatic Tribe grew to an army of over a hundred thousand, though they remained tethered to the water.

  A week later, the river surged, flooding the first floor of the White Jade Pagoda. Thirty thousand Aquatic soldiers marched into the tower. Curiously, though the tower was vast, it could not possibly hold thirty thousand men—yet none returned. Two great generals, the Long Quy and Long Ho, entered as well and vanished into the silence.

  Suddenly, the earth groaned. The ground rose a hundred meters into the air, pushing the river back. In their wake, Stone Golems—earth constructs in the shape of men—marched out in perfect formation to block the entrance.

  For a month, the Aquatic Tribe and the Stone Golems clashed. The powerhouses of both sides watched from a distance, occasionally launching long-range spells or diving briefly into the fray before retreating. The battle remained a stalemate.

  Luc Ung Long, watching from the shadows, was unsatisfied. He wanted this conflict to explode to draw out the true masters of the Immortal Sects. He began secretly aiding the Aquatic Tribe by teaching them Ancient Dragon Chants. These songs allowed those at their limits to break through, provided healing, and granted massive experience gains during sleep.

  The war turned into a high-speed training camp. Aquatic creatures broke through to the Qi Condensation stage in droves. The half-dragon generals evolved further: the Long Ngu transformed from a dragon-headed carp into a true dragon, while the Long Lang (Dragon-Wolf) grew dragon scales and gained the ability to fly without wings.

  The Stone Golems, being soulless constructs controlled by Earth cultivators, could not evolve. The tide turned. The Long Lang, with terrifying speed and strength, tore through the Earth squads like a flood. Wherever it went, the waters followed. The Long Ngu summoned storms and lightning, forcing the Stone Golems back.

  Impresssed by the Long Lang’s valor, several Immortals attempted to recruit it into their sects. It refused with a thunderous roar: "Kindness must be repaid; grudges must be settled! I owe the My King my life—I will not retreat!"

  It charged the pagoda's entrance, but as soon as it entered, the doors slammed shut and the earth rose again, isolating the tower. Seeing his comrade swallowed by the pagoda, the Long Ngu lost his nerve. He surrendered to an Immortal and was taken back to a mountain to serve as a Sect Guardian Beast.

  The Dragon King’s Counter-Move

  The world watched the clash between the Hou Tu Sect and the River God. To outsiders, it looked like the Hou Tu Sect held the advantage, meeting every flood with a new mountain. Other Immortals flocked to the area, treating the conflict as a "grinding spot" to harvest experience.

  But this was exactly what the Dragon King wanted. He secretly mobilized the Dragon Kings and the Ung Longs, preparing for a total strike. The vassal races—Lizards, Dwarves, and Under-dwellers—dug secret tunnels leading directly beneath the major Immortal Sects. While the Immortal elites were distracted by the floating islands, the Dragon King prepared a strike against their foundations.

  The Dragon King knew he couldn't "win" a total war; it would only end in mutual destruction. His goal was to force the Immortal Race back to the negotiating table to rewrite the pact.

  While the Immortals were distracted by Luc Ung Long’s "show," their terrestrial headquarters were suddenly rocked by massive earthquakes. Giant Earth Dragons erupted from the ground, carrying thousands of heavily armored Lizard and Dwarf soldiers. Above, Celestial Dragons flickered through the clouds, striking sect barriers with lightning before vanishing.

  The Earth Dragons focused on destruction, specifically targeting the towers that powered the energy shields. The Dragon warriors moved through the sects like they owned the land. When the Immortals retaliated, they found the attackers equipped with Anti-Magic and Reflective Armor. Spells bounced back at the casters, forcing them to hesitate.

  Curiously, the Dragon army didn't stay to fight. They destroyed as much as possible and then vanished back into the earth. When confronted, the Dragon Race used a legal loophole: the Pact forbade combat, but said nothing about property damage. They claimed the earthquakes were simply the Earth Dragons "tossing in their sleep."

  The Summit

  The Council of Immortal Sects convened in a panic. Five Great Immortals were dispatched to meet the Dragon King. However, fearing an ambush, they refused to enter the Dragon King’s cavern. They stayed aboard five flying ships, maintaining a Five-Element Array for protection.

  Nine Star, leader of the Mystic Ice Sect and head of the ten great sects, projected his voice: "Dragon Emperor! I am Nine Star. I come as a representative of the Immortal Race to meet you."

  The Dragon King heard him but continued to sleep. Nine Star called out again, pouring more spiritual power into his voice. The younger dragons inside the mountain trembled at the sheer pressure.

  By the third call, Nine Star lost his patience. He channeled his inner strength into a roar that shook the entire mountain range. Avalanches tumbled from every peak, creating a blizzard not seen in a century.

  Finally, the Dragon King’s eyes snapped open. His voice boomed with irritation, "Insolent brat! To stand at my door and scream... do you seek death?"