64: Chapter 64 The Dragon King Palace Surrenders to the United States, and the Dragon King Palace is Destroyed.

The Old Dragon King looked at Dragon King Xiao Zhan's moved expression and said with a loving smile, "You are still injured, so let your master help you convey your orders."

Upon hearing this, Dragon King Xiao Zhan said to the Old Dragon King with gratitude, "Thank you, Master."

Afterward, the Old Dragon King did not linger. He turned and walked out of the treatment room to gather all the core members of Dragon King Hall and convey the order that Dragon King Hall was to defect to the US.

In the quiet treatment room, only Dragon King Xiao Zhan remained.

He leaned against the headboard, the sorrow and vulnerability around him completely vanishing, leaving only bone-chilling coldness and suppressed malice.

His wounds were still throbbing with pain, and there was still a sense of stagnation in his meridians, but he ignored it completely. He raised his hand, felt for an all-black encrypted satellite phone at the head of the bed, and familiarly dialed a number for the US CIA.

After only a moment, the call was answered. A mocking and sarcastic male voice burst from the receiver, "Yo, I wondered who it was. It turns out to be Dragon King Xiao. What's wrong? After being beaten and forced to flee in disgrace in China, you've finally remembered us in the US?"

The person answering the phone was none other than Mike Razer, the CIA Deputy Director who had previously extended an olive branch to Dragon King Hall on behalf of the US.

Before, Dragon King Xiao Zhan had been high-spirited and dismissive of his invitation, which had greatly displeased Mike Razer. Now that Dragon King Xiao Zhan was in trouble, Mike Razer's tone was filled with mockery and ridicule.

Dragon King Xiao Zhan's brows knitted tightly, and his Adam's apple bobbed as he forcefully suppressed the surging anger in his heart. Pretending not to hear the deliberate trouble the other party was causing, he replied in a hoarse but clear voice, "Mr. Mike, I won't waste words. I have made up my mind. All members of Dragon King Hall will officially join the US and serve the US."

Upon hearing this, Mike on the other end of the line first let out a feigned exclamation of surprise. Then, his tone suddenly shifted, and he put on a troubled expression, speaking slowly, "Mr. Xiao, you joining the US now puts me in a difficult position. Dragon King Hall is currently wanted by all of China, and everyone internationally is avoiding you like the plague. If our US openly accepts you, it would be equivalent to slapping China in the face and becoming an enemy of China. The cost of that is not small."

Listening to his tone, Dragon King Xiao Zhan sneered continuously. This Mike Razer wasn't troubled at all; he clearly saw that he was at a dead end and wanted to take the opportunity to demand an exorbitant price and loot a burning house!

Dragon King Xiao Zhan couldn't be bothered to continue playing games with him and said in an icy tone, "No need to beat around the bush. Tell me straight, what do you want?"

Seeing Dragon King Xiao Zhan was so straightforward, Mike Razer stopped with the hypocritical pleasantries. His tone became overbearing and tyrannical, carrying an unquestionable pressure as he directly threw out his condition, "Straightforward! I want your Dragon King Hall's secret technique for controlling the life and death of your disciples."

"In your dreams!"

Dragon King Xiao Zhan didn't even think about it and refused sternly on the spot, his eyes filled with shock and rage.

The Mind Control Secret Technique was the foundation of Dragon King Hall's existence! It was the core method used by generations of Dragon Kings to control all disciples. Dragon King Hall disciples were instilled with the secret technique from the moment they entered the Hall. From that point on, the life and death of the disciples were controlled solely by the Dragon King. Once he handed over the secret technique, it would be equivalent to handing over the control of the disciples in the Hall. As the Dragon King, he would have his authority directly stripped away and would never be able to make the disciples 100% loyal and obedient again. Dragon King Hall would also completely become a puppet of the US!

Not giving Dragon King Xiao Zhan a chance to bargain, Mike's cold and ruthless voice came again, "Mr. Xiao, please recognize reality! The current Dragon King Hall has no qualifications to bargain! If you don't hand over the secret technique, the US will absolutely not accept you. You can just wait to be surrounded and suppressed by China from all sides, and have your entire organization completely destroyed!"

Mike Razer's words were heart-piercing, ruthlessly striking Dragon King Xiao Zhan's fatal weakness.

He clenched his fists, his fingernails digging deep bloody marks into his palms. His wounds split open from his rage, and heart-wrenching pain spread throughout his body, but this pain was far less than the humiliation and struggle in his heart.

On one side was the century-old foundation of Dragon King Hall and the absolute authority in his own hands; on the other was the survival of his entire organization. He had no room to choose at all!

Endless humiliation and anger churned in his chest. Dragon King Xiao Zhan closed his eyes, his chest heaving violently. The struggle of just a few seconds felt as long as a century.

In the end, he gritted his teeth and squeezed out words filled with endless unwillingness from his throat, "...Fine, I agree."

"A wise decision!" Hearing Dragon King Xiao Zhan's agreement, Mike let out a wild, triumphant laugh, his tone full of smugness and pride, "I will personally lead people to the Dragon King Hall headquarters this afternoon to finalize everything. Dragon King Xiao, you must welcome me well; don't neglect your distinguished guest, hahahaha!"

The wild laughter ceased, and the call was hung up directly, leaving only a cold, harsh echo in the receiver.

"Mike! The US! A bunch of bastards looting a burning house!"

Dragon King Xiao Zhan's eyes were bloodshot. The monstrous humiliation and rage completely erupted. He slammed his hand shut, fiercely gripping the satellite phone in his hand, and internal energy suddenly burst from his palm.

With a "click," the sturdy satellite phone was crushed directly into a pile of scrap metal, and metal shavings fell rustling from between his fingers.

He looked up and let out a low, unwilling roar. Ignoring his injuries, his internal energy surged, causing the surrounding tables and chairs to tremble slightly, "Damn it! Sooner or later, I will make you pay a hundredfold, a thousandfold price!"

But after venting, he ultimately had to face the cruel reality. Others were the knife and chopping board, and he was the fish and meat; other than enduring, he had no choice.

He forced his body, still suffering from severe injuries, to stand, summoned disciples to tidy his attire, and ordered the Three Great Elders and Three Great Dragon Guards to assemble immediately, preparing with all their might to welcome Mike. Even if filled with humiliation, he had to go through the motions of this defection.

That afternoon, at the private airport of the Dragon King Hall headquarters.

On both sides of the road outside the airport, hundreds of Dragon King Hall disciples stood in neat rows. All of them were dressed in black martial attire, standing as straight as pines, their auras grim and cold.

These were all the disciples of Dragon King Hall. After the stronghold in China was destroyed, all disciples abroad had been urgently recalled.

On the airport tarmac, seven figures stood quietly, their aura awe-inspiring.

The three people on the left were the Three Great Elders of Dragon King Hall, all of them experts in the Grandmaster Realm over sixty years old. With gray hair and beards, their entire beings exuded the majesty of Grandmaster experts, but at this moment, their faces were filled with sorrow, all reflecting worry for the future of Dragon King Hall.

The three people on the right were the remaining Three Great Dragon Guards of Dragon King Hall. They wore black battle armor, their auras cold, their postures like spears. They were the most outstanding disciples of the younger generation of Dragon King Hall, having reached the peak of the Xiantian Realm before the age of 40. And in the very center, surrounded by everyone, was Dragon King Xiao Zhan.

At this moment, still suffering from severe injuries, his face was still as pale as paper, his lips bloodless, and his figure appeared slightly thin. He was forcing himself to maintain a sense of majesty, but hidden in the depths of his eyes was humiliation and endurance that could not be melted away. The seven of them stood there motionless, quietly waiting for Mike Razer's arrival.

Not long after, the roar of engines came from the sky. A Boeing business jet emblazoned with the US national emblem slowly taxied onto the airport runway, glided, and came to a steady stop.

The fuselage came to a stop, the cabin door slowly opened, and the automatic boarding stairs lowered.

Two middle-aged men in dark custom-made suits walked slowly off the plane.

Walking in front was Mike Razer, in his forties, tall and straight, with blonde hair and blue eyes. A hypocritical and arrogant smile hung at the corners of his mouth, and his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's. His whole body exuded the strength and arrogance of a CIA Deputy Director. His gait was calm, and when his eyes swept over the people of Dragon King Hall, it was full of condescending scrutiny, as if he were not here to discuss cooperation, but to inspect his subordinates.

Following at his side was his assistant, Hans Kane, who was thin and had a cold face. He kept his face tight the whole time, his eyes vigilantly scanning the surroundings, his hands behind his back, on guard at all times.

The two walked quickly to Dragon King Xiao Zhan and the others. Mike took the initiative to extend his right hand, a professional fake smile on his face, his tone carrying a condescending pleasantry, "Mr. Xiao, sorry for the wait. On behalf of the US, I welcome Dragon King Hall to officially join the US camp. From now on, we are on the same team."

Looking at Mike's condescending eyes that held not a shred of respect, and feeling the arrogance and contempt in his bones, the humiliation and hatred in Dragon King Xiao Zhan's heart surged again. His fingertips clenched tightly, his knuckles turning white.

He forced down the anger in his heart, his face cold as ice. He stepped forward slowly, extended his right hand, shook Mike's hand perfunctorily, and quickly withdrew it.

Mike was not annoyed by Dragon King Xiao Zhan's cold attitude. He just smiled, turned his head, and gave a look to his assistant, Hans, at his side.

Hans understood, immediately and neatly opened the black briefcase in his hand, his fingertips precisely pulling out a neatly bound agreement document with the US national emblem printed on the cover page. He stepped forward quickly and handed the agreement to Dragon King Xiao Zhan.

Dragon King Xiao Zhan raised his hand to take the agreement. A line of Chinese and English text on the cover was striking—《Strategic Security Cooperation Framework Agreement》.

He lowered his eyes, scanning the document word by word. His expression was calm at first, but as his gaze swept over each clause, his face darkened visibly. The air pressure around him plummeted, and a frigid aura slowly spread from his body. His fingers gripped the agreement, nearly tearing the paper, but he restrained himself.

This was no equal cooperation agreement; it was a total slave contract! It was meant to flay and drain Dragon King Hall dry, turning it into nothing more than a puppet pawn for the United States to manipulate at will!

Standing to the side, Hans observed every shift in Dragon King Xiao Zhan's expression before speaking in a slow, measured tone, explaining the core of the agreement:

"Everyone, listen closely. Once this agreement is signed, Dragon King Hall will officially be incorporated into the United States, becoming a foreign military unit under the direct command of the U.S. Department of Defense. Every member will be granted a U.S. Green Card and enjoy exclusive U.S. diplomatic immunity.

From now on, as long as you are not captured within China, our side will immediately intervene through diplomatic channels, ensuring you will never be extradited to China for trial."

"Furthermore, the United States will provide Dragon King Hall with a continuous supply of military equipment and weaponry. Your cultivation funds and resources will also be covered by the U.S., and the U.S. will provide comprehensive support to help you resist China's encirclement and suppression."

While these words sounded tempting, they knew that Dragon King Hall would certainly have to pay a price.

Sure enough, after a brief pause, Hans's tone shifted abruptly, becoming cold and severe: "However, in return, once the agreement is signed, Dragon King Hall must unconditionally accept the command and deployment of the U.S. Department of Defense, and all internal data must be submitted to the U.S. for official records.

At the same time, the U.S. will spearhead the establishment of an exclusive control committee. From now on, Dragon King Hall will no longer be under the sole dictatorship of Dragon King Xiao Zhan. Any major operations, personnel appointments, or deployment of forces must be approved by the committee before they can be executed."

As his voice faded, a deathly silence fell over everyone in Dragon King Hall. The expressions of the three Great Elders and the three Great Dragon Guards shifted drastically, their eyes brimming with resentment, anger, and helplessness. They all turned their gazes toward Dragon King Xiao Zhan, their hearts filled with a complex mix of emotions.

They knew better than anyone that once this agreement was signed, the century-old foundation of Dragon King Hall would vanish into thin air. Nominally joining the United States, they would in reality become nothing more than a vassal and a running dog for the U.S.

By demanding their core data, the surrender of Dragon King Xiao Zhan's dictatorial authority, and the previously promised Heart-Control Secret Technique, the U.S. intended to seize complete control of Dragon King Hall. They would be left with no room for resistance, reduced to nothing more than a bayonet for the U.S. to use against China!

Yet, if they did not sign, Dragon King Hall would never survive its current predicament. With a global warrant issued by China, and without U.S. protection, it would not be long before Chinese officials located their headquarters. All that awaited them then would be certain death!

To move forward meant becoming a puppet manipulated by others; to retreat meant facing a desperate situation of total annihilation. Faced with such a life-or-death choice, no one dared to make the decision, leaving them with no choice but to place all their hopes in their Dragon King.

Mike stood there with his arms crossed, looking relaxed, his gaze fixed on Dragon King Xiao Zhan with a playful, triumphant glint in his eyes. He was certain that Dragon King Xiao Zhan had no other choice; he would definitely sign this predatory agreement!

Dragon King Xiao Zhan stood motionless, feeling the heavy gazes of his subordinates behind him. His fingertips gripped the cold document so tightly that the paper crumpled, while his heart sank into a brief, heavy silence.

Endless humiliation, resentment, and rage surged wildly within his chest. Every fiber of his being screamed in refusal, yet his reason forcibly reined in his impulses.

He looked at the Elders and Dragon Guards who had followed him for years, and at the hundreds of loyal disciples gathered on the perimeter. He had to preserve the foundation of Dragon King Hall.

The few short seconds felt as long as an entire century.

He had decided. Sign!

Dragon King Xiao Zhan raised his eyes, all the surging emotions within them vanishing. He gritted his teeth, and with a voice filled with utter humiliation, he forced out a single word: "Sign!"

The word "Sign" drifted lightly through the air, yet it struck the hearts of everyone in Dragon King Hall like a heavy hammer.

Their faces were filled with shock as they stared blankly at their Dragon King. They had assumed that even if he were to sign, he would argue and negotiate to secure some leverage. They never expected him to be so decisive, agreeing to every condition without a shred of protest!

Conversely, Mike and Hans showed no surprise at all. Instead, they wore expressions of knowing, having long been certain that Dragon King Xiao Zhan would obediently submit.

Mike stepped forward with a smile, pulled an exquisite gold fountain pen from his pocket, and held it out directly to Dragon King Xiao Zhan, his tone filled with triumph and mockery: "Mr. Xiao, you are indeed a straightforward man. A wise man knows when to submit to circumstances. Since you have decided, then sign!"

Dragon King Xiao Zhan took the pen from Mike. Just as the nib was about to touch the paper, in the split second before he could sign, a surge of scorching heat suddenly erupted from his lower abdomen.

This heat caused Dragon King Xiao Zhan to feel a burning, agonizing pain throughout his flesh, bones, and internal organs.

The intense, searing heat instantly swept through his entire body. His meridians fractured inch by inch, his internal organs burned, and it felt as if his very soul had been cast into a furnace. The agony caused him to tremble violently, with veins bulging across his skin.

"Argh—!"

The extreme agony made it impossible for him to hold the pen. With a clatter, the metal pen hit the cold concrete floor. He staggered backward, broken groans of pain escaping his throat, his body trembling uncontrollably.

"Mr. Xiao! What is going on?!" Mike shouted sharply. The playful smile on his face vanished, his expression darkened, and his eyes turned sharp and alert. He subconsciously tensed his body, bracing himself against this sudden turn of events.

"Dragon King! Are you alright?!" The Great Elder's expression shifted drastically upon seeing Dragon King Xiao Zhan's agony, and he immediately rushed forward to support him. The other two Elders and the three Great Dragon Guards also reacted with alarm, their internal energy surging wildly as they panicked and crowded around to check on Dragon King Xiao Zhan's condition.

But before anyone could get close, Dragon King Xiao Zhan's trembling body suddenly stiffened, and a blinding, pure white light erupted from his form!

The light did not originate from outside his body, but gushed forth from every inch of his skin. It was blindingly bright, outshining even the afternoon sun and illuminating the entire airport. The surrounding temperature rose rapidly at that very moment.

Everyone present was unable to open their eyes due to the intense glare. As the temperature soared, their skin broke out in a profuse sweat. The scene before them filled everyone with an instinctive, overwhelming fear of death.

"What... is happening?!"

Mike shouted in alarm, attempting to turn and flee.

But the next second, the white light flared to its zenith!

Under the impact of this extreme heat and destructive energy, Dragon King Xiao Zhan's body was instantly vaporized!

Immediately following that, a white-hot fireball, several meters in diameter, erupted from the spot where Dragon King Xiao Zhan had been standing!

Within the fireball, flames and violent energy capable of destroying everything churned. The temperature was high enough to melt gold and iron, and it expanded wildly at a speed that surpassed the limits of human reaction.

In a mere instant, it completely engulfed the entire airport!

The three Great Elders, the three Great Dragon Guards, along with Mike and Hans, who were standing nearby, didn't even have time to scream. They were completely consumed by the expanding fireball, their bodies instantly vaporized by the tens of millions of degrees of heat, leaving not a single trace behind.

The destructive force of the nuclear explosion did not cease for a moment. The terrifying shockwave swept outward in all directions with unstoppable force, wreaking havoc!

The hundreds of Dragon King Hall disciples lined up on the perimeter of the airport were like ants caught in a hurricane; they were instantly blown away by the shockwave and incinerated by the intense heat of the flames.

The shockwave continued to spread, and all the buildings of Dragon King Hall, like paper structures under the force of the nuclear blast, collapsed in an instant.

The Old Dragon King, who was still inside the headquarters building, was severely injured by the sudden shockwave before being reduced to charcoal by the terrifying heat that followed.

In just over a dozen seconds, the once-famed Dragon King Hall was razed to the ground, reduced to a scorched and desolate ruin!

Looking toward the sky, a massive mushroom cloud, several kilometers high, towered above the ruins of Dragon King Hall.

The base of the mushroom cloud churned with fierce, crimson flames, its center enveloped in rolling waves of orange-yellow heat, and its summit shrouded in ink-black smoke. The massive cloud blotted out the sun, completely obscuring the sky for several kilometers around.

The terrifying shockwave continued to spread into the distance. The earth trembled violently, the tremors felt dozens of miles away, while dust and ash filled the sky, drifting on the wind. The air was thick with an endless aura of destruction.