Wu Shuai had accumulated power for over a hundred years, constructing the extraordinary Seventh Transformation Immortal Gu House — the Dragon Court.
Then, he publicly battled the Wind and Cloud Prefecture, and using the Dragon Court, he beheaded Song Tao Zi before everyone's eyes, making his name in a single battle.
At the victory banquet, the attendance of Green Ant Hermit and the Scripture Pavilion Lord confirmed the impact of Wu Shuai's battle — he now possessed some qualification to speak as an equal with Eighth Transformation existences!
That very night of the victory banquet, Wu Shuai had a beautiful dream.
In this dream, he realized all his ideals, every goal he had been willing to fight for.
He became the supreme ruler of the Dragonmen, possessing Peak Stage Eighth Transformation strength, and Dragon Lord voluntarily abdicated in his favor.
He commanded the Dragon Court, led the Dragonmen to live freely, standing as equals against the human race.
He imprisoned Fan Ji, and before Shu Jiuling, had him executed by slow slicing, then turned on Shu Jiuling himself. The Scripture Pavilion Lord rushed to the scene, and after a great battle, was defeated — she begged desperately, offering herself as the price. Wu Shuai agreed, merely degrading Shu Jiuling to slavery, while the Scripture Pavilion Lord became his enforcer from that day forward.
He appointed Green Ant Hermit and Fairy Yi Jiu as Supreme Guest Elders of the Dragonmen — though they were unwilling, the Dragonmen's power and Wu Shuai's strength left them no choice but to comply.
What pleased Wu Shuai most was that he finally made Tai Qin his sole Dragon Queen, and the two had many children together. Each child was blessed with talent and brilliance, shining like a constellation of stars. Though still young, they would one day achieve greatness rivaling the sun and moon.
The next day, Wu Shuai woke with a smile.
He gazed lovingly at Tai Qin sleeping beside him and gently tucked in her blanket.
Then he rose quietly and began his work.
His battle with Song Tao Zi was not just his own rise — it also gave tremendous inspiration and momentum to the entire Dragonmen race.
Under this influence, the Dragonmen grew more proactive and assertive.
Over the following decades, conflicts between the Dragonmen and humans emerged endlessly, gradually escalating.
Dragon Lord learned of the situation and summoned Wu Shuai.
Wu Shuai flew a great distance to meet him, only to be harshly rebuked by Dragon Lord.
Over these years, he had been the main instigator of the conflicts between the Dragonmen and humans.
Furthermore, Dragon Lord ordered him to issue a self-condemnation decree, abdicate in favor of another, relinquish his position as Island Lord of Nanhua Island, and rename the Dragon Court to the Dragon Palace.
Of course Wu Shuai was unwilling, but against Dragon Lord, against the Heavenly Court, his strength was still far too meager.
His face was ashen, seething with suppressed rage, yet he returned to Nanhua Island and had no choice but to do as Dragon Lord commanded.
Gu Liang came to visit.
The first time Wu Shuai had met him was at the victory banquet after his triumph over Song Tao Zi.
For decades, Gu Liang had been close to the Dragonmen of Nanhua Island — the two sides had traded many times, and their cooperation was always pleasant.
"Immortal Friend Wu Shuai, this humble Gu has heard of the upheaval at Nanhua Island, and that you are to issue a self-condemnation decree — what is the reason for this? Is there any way this humble one can help you?"
Wu Shuai sighed deeply: "Immortal Friend Gu Liang, this time it is Dragon Lord Ancestor's direct order. I have no choice but to obey — utterly helpless, with no other way."
Wu Shuai's tone was desolate: "I won't fear your laughter, friend. Back then, when I slew Song Tao Zi, I thought it would be a turning point — that I could lead the Dragonmen to rise. But these past decades, I've been like a man sinking in a bog — no matter what I do, the effect is negligible, and pressure closes in from all sides."
Gu Liang smiled and consoled: "Why must you belittle yourself, friend? I have seen your efforts all these years. If not for your stewardship of Nanhua Island, this banner-like force of the Dragonmen would have been devoured by the great powers long ago. After all, those working against you are the Ten Great Ancient Sects — and even the Heavenly Court."
Wu Shuai was silent for a moment. In his chest, flames of resentment surged, filled with helpless grief and rage. At last, he could only sigh toward the heavens: "The rise of the Dragonmen — how could it be easy? It is simply harder than reaching the sky."
Gu Liang still wore a smile: "One step at a time. Wasn't the rise of the Heavenly Court just like this once?"
Wu Shuai said miserably: "Now, by doing as the Ancestor commands, it is as if I destroy decades — even a century — of painstaking effort in one stroke. The humans hold the great momentum. The great momentum..."
Gu Liang said: "I have a plan that can ease your troubles."
"Oh? What brilliant plan? Speak quickly, friend — with our relationship, why would you hold back?" Wu Shuai asked immediately.
"The plan is quite simple, actually. What worries you, friend, is nothing more than this move crushing the Dragonmen's morale. You and Nanhua Island are both battle standards of the Dragonmen's fighting spirit, and Dragon Lord has pulled them out by the roots. But what if you were to advance to the Eighth Transformation right now?"
"Advance to the Eighth Transformation? How could I not want to! But the final tribulation — even with the Dragon Court, I fear..." Wu Shuai hesitated.