“Immortal Master! We’re here to help!”0 “If you’ve got any guts, flood dragon, don’t run!”0 From the distance came two thunderous voices, loud enough to shake the sea and sky.0 Looking far ahead, one could see two furious gales approaching from the horizon.0 The gales were not just winds; they had substance to them, appearing as two murky columns of air visible to the naked eye, racing low across the ocean surface. The winds churned up the sea, plowing two long furrows through the water behind them.0 At first, the two winds traveled side by side. Then they split off, one veering left and the other right, closing in on the shadow moving beneath the sea.0 The shadow suddenly accelerated, and the gales surged forward to match it. In just a few heartbeats, they had covered dozens, no, over a hundred li.0 The twin gales were about to box in the dark figure beneath the water. One even dove straight down, crashing into the ocean with a thunderous roar. But the black shadow abruptly twisted and darted away, its serpentine body shockingly agile. In the deep blue sea, it vanished in an instant, and even its spiritual resonance and demonic energy blurred, becoming hard to sense.0 “Damn! We’ve hit deep sea territory. There’s a trench ahead, he’s slipped into the abyss!” a deep, heavy voice echoed again from afar.0 These two white rhinoceros had been in these seas for nearly a decade, so they were already familiar with the terrain beneath the waves.0 From the distance, the celestial crane glided slowly forward. The Daoist’s eyes shimmered with divine light as he looked down. The sea was indeed incredibly deep, dark and vast.0 But faintly, he could still detect a spiritual glow, which was not stretched out in the form of a long body, but condensed into a single point. It was now about the size of a human.0 The Daoist reached into his pouch and retrieved the Water-Splitting Blade, the divine ritual blade of the great River God. So long as there was no local water deity of equal standing, it could command the waters of the world. As for how much it could control, that depended on the wielder’s skill.0 The Daoist simply raised it and swung it toward the sea.0 A towering column of seawater suddenly erupted into the air, as mighty as a waterspout, surging straight toward the clouds.0 Within the column, a faint figure took shape, slowly transforming into human form. As the water column dispersed, the figure hovered in mid-air.0 Before him floated the great white crane, wings spread and motionless. To the left and right, the two storm winds had arrived, transforming into humanoid forms of mighty demons, eyes fixed upon him.0 The Daoist gazed at the figure ahead and asked calmly, “Back then, we made an agreement: that you would no longer stir wind and waves at will, no longer bring harm to seafarers. Why, then, have you not only broken your word, but begun to endanger even the people on shore?”0 “You damned Daoist! Your bullying knows no bounds!” the figure roared. “These southeastern seas are this king’s domain. Whatever I wish to do, I shall do, why should I be bound by your terms?”0 “All beings must abide by law and restraint.”0 “I am a true dragon of the sea! Why should I follow the rules of you humans? Why should I submit to the restraints of a mere Daoist?”0 “You make a fair point,” Song You replied evenly. “But in refusing the ways of humankind, you’ve brought death to many. And in ignoring my restraint, you’ve stirred waves that have harmed even my kind. Naturally, I’ve come to deal with you. Would you say that’s in line with the logic you’ve just offered?”0 ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net “Hah! The mortal realm is in chaos! Why don’t you concern yourself with the affairs of Great Yan? What are you doing meddling in the sea?”0 The Heavenly Palace was still the Heavenly Palace. Gods were still gods. And in the heavens, those of virtuous character still made up the majority. If they were truly to join forces with this reckless fiend far outside their sphere of rule just to oppose a single Daoist, then most of them likely wouldn’t go along with it.0 “So that’s your thought: that since the world is in turmoil, I must be too busy to bother with you.”0 As he spoke, Song You raised the ritual blade again. “Boom...”0 From four directions, slim water columns shot up into the sky. They surged in fast, like chains, aiming to bind the Sea Dragon King where he hovered.0 “Insolence!” the Sea Dragon King erupted in fury.0 With a thunderous blast that shook the sky, the Sea Dragon King revealed his true form. He was a mighty flood dragon hundreds of zhang long. His head nearly touched the clouds, while his tail still dragged in the sea below. His entire body was covered in scales black as ink, gleaming with heavenly light. In an instant, he shattered the four water chains, dispersing them into nothing but mist around his body.0 “Roooar!” a long, piercing dragon’s roar echoed across the heavens.0 But if one listened closely, it was not quite the same as the roar of the true dragon in Yunzhou’s cloud pool.0 Four colossal pillars of water erupted from the sea, rising like dragons into the sky. Two shot toward the two white rhinoceros great demons, while the other two surged in from either side, aiming to strike the celestial crane that the Daoist was riding.0 And that wasn’t all. The thunderous roar didn’t stop.0 One after another, more water columns sprang up across the sea. Some surged forward like dragons, hurtling toward the Daoist; each one capable of shattering mountains and severing rivers with ease. Others resembled water dragons siphoning from the sea to the sky, forming great waterspouts between heaven and ocean. Though they appeared slow, they moved with terrifying speed, weaving together into a prison meant to trap the Daoist and his mount.0 “Rumble rumble rumble...”0 No one knew exactly when, but the flood dragon had already soared into the clouds. The once-white sky grew heavy and dark, transforming into ominous storm clouds. The flood dragon twisted and turned within them, bathing in lightning. Thunderbolts as thick as tree trunks danced around its body like tangled brambles.0 The celestial crane no longer carried its usual calm grace.0 Even the simple act of flapping its wings now felt heavy and forced.0 In its eyes reflected the massive silhouette of the flood dragon writhing through the thunderclouds, flashing with lightning. Also reflected were the colossal water pillars hurtling through the air, and the spiraling dragon-twisters that bridged sea and sky, circling in to enclose it. It was a fury of ocean and heavens intertwined.0 The crane could only flap its wings desperately, hauling its enormous frame through the mist-laden air, veering and dodging again and again, barely slipping past each incoming water dragon, striving toward the edge of the watery prison.0 Its back became rough and jarring.0 The crane let out a long, piercing call, which was clearer than thunder itself.0 Even amid the deafening crashes of one water pillar after another slamming into sea and sky, its cry rang out sharp and unmistakable.0 The swirling dragon-twisters closed in, narrowing their gaps, tightening their cage. The crane could already feel the gusting winds and ocean spray flung from the spinning walls. With gritted resolve, it beat its wings once more.0 The crane tilted its massive body and just barely squeezed through a gap between two of the water spouts.0 Though large, it was still dwarfed by the scale of the tornadoes; it seemed as small as a common bird by comparison, let alone the man riding on its back.0 The Daoist, however, sat perfectly still, composed and serene. He simply observed the chaos the flood dragon had unleashed. That roar of his was full of killing intent; every flick of his tail, every twist of his head stirred tsunamis, summoned thunder, or raised hurricanes. Forces of catastrophic destruction were stirred up.0 And yet the Daoist only shook his head and said, “You are no true dragon.”0 Then he once again raised the Water-Splitting Blade.0 This time, the spiritual energy he channeled held not only the essence of water from the Five Directions and Five Elements, but also insights drawn from the wood element, which was refined through years of cultivation. Especially the wood element—long ago absorbed by a true dragon—had already become part of the true dragon’s dragon heart. Subtle and profound, it now resonated with the aura of the true dragon itself. The Daoist had gained much from that experience.0 He swept the dagger.0 A blinding arc of light, ten thousand zhang long, slashed downward. But it didn’t split the sea, instead it struck with a thunderous crash.0 The seawater below suddenly began to boil and surge upward.0 But if one looked closely especially from a distance, they would faintly see the rising surface take on the shape of an enormous dragon.0 “Boom!” Then, came a long, echoing dragon's roar.0 The flood dragon, coiled in the storm clouds above, had just gathered countless bolts of entangled lightning to strike at the Daoist atop the celestial crane when it heard that dragon’s roar, and in an instant, it froze in place.0 The Daoist merely waved a hand, and the thunder and lightning vanished without a trace.0 But the flood dragon had no time to dwell on that, nor on its shock. It quickly lowered its head. Rising from the sea was a true dragon made of seawater.0 No longer just water pillars shaped vaguely like dragons, nor rough dragon outlines. This was a dragon in full detail: deer antlers, a camel’s head, rabbit eyes, a snake’s neck, a clam’s belly, fish scales, eagle claws, tiger’s palms, ox ears, and a human beard. Every detail, every scale, every strand of hair on its body was sculpted entirely from seawater. It was exactly replicated, without the slightest alteration. Its expression was spirited, and its presence was majestic; it was a perfect embodiment of a true dragon’s grandeur.0 The flood dragon, stunned at first, suddenly showed panic on its face.0 But the true dragon was already in front of it.0 The seawater dragon didn’t even reveal its full form; just the upper half of its body rose from the sea and slipped into the low-hanging rain clouds. It reached out a dragon’s claw, and with a simple grasp, it plucked the flood dragon from the storm like a snake from a branch.0 The true dragon dove into the sea. The flood dragon was dragged down with it, raising waves that surged to the heavens.0 In the distance, the two white rhinoceros demons were left dumbfounded. The sea roiled and churned, but gradually settled.0 A massive flood dragon corpse floated to the surface. It was dead, and its organs were shattered.0 The celestial crane flew in, hovering just above the waves.0 The Daoist looked down and merely shook his head.0 The world had changed.0 These days, whether demons or human cultivators, it was harder than ever to cultivate to the heights of the ancient sages. Even with a thousand years of cultivation, this flood dragon was no weaker than Immortal Yan of Anqing—and in terms of raw battle power, it might even have surpassed her several times over.0 But it still hadn’t reached the Ancient Great Realm.0 And besides, was there any flood dragon in the world that could rival a true dragon? This was the might of a being in the Ancient Great Realm, and this was the might of a true dragon.0 “Come,” Song You beckoned with a hand.0 A swirl of spiritual resonance rose from the flood dragon’s pitch-black body. It was a deep bluish hue, threaded with a murderous blood aura.0 The Daoist gently blew on it. The blood aura dissipated completely, leaving behind only pure spiritual resonance.0 The spiritual resonance flew closer and closer to the Daoist. The nearer it came, the smaller and brighter it became. By the time it reached him, it had transformed into a dazzling ball of light. It was so brilliant that one could hardly keep their eyes open, unable to distinguish any color, only a pure, blinding white.0 “Let this serve as the spiritual energy source for restoring Mount Zunzhe and paving the path to the heavens. Consider it a worthy deed done.”0 The Daoist opened his pouch, and the spiritual resonance naturally flew in. As it entered, the glow dimmed.0 Only then did the two white rhinoceros great demons fly over.0 “Greetings, Immortal Master! Over the past two years, this flood dragon sensed the shifting of the Heavenly Dao and believed chaos would soon descend upon the world. He could no longer suppress himself and began stirring storms and havoc. Following your instructions, we engaged him in battle.”0 “But we, after all, are land-dwelling demons. Though that dragon knows little advanced magic, he moved freely in the sea. Even when we joined forces and repeatedly drove him back, we were unable to slay him for good. When his rampages grew more and more unrestrained, we had no choice but to resort to talismans and summon you, Immortal Master.”0 “This matter arrived at just the right time,” said Song You, sitting cross-legged atop the celestial crane. He looked at them and said, “I’ve heard you’ve done much good upon the sea, gaining many devoted followers...”0 “All thanks to the blessings and fortune you granted us, Immortal Master!”0 “Our deepest thanks, Immortal Master!”0 “Then, tell me, do you still wish to return to Great Yan?”0 “Of course we do,” said one of the great demons.0 “If we could return to Great Yan, we wouldn’t go back to Yuezhou,” added the other. “We’d stay along the coast. But now that we’ve gained incense and faith from believers, I fear we can no longer return.”0 “If my endeavor succeeds… you may be able to try.”0 The two white rhinoceros demons exchanged glances. They had not forgotten what Song You had told them long ago:0 “If the day ever comes when you sense a sudden change in the land of Shenzhou, then come back and aid me. If you’re unwilling, then wait in peace. When the time is right, quietly return to Great Yan to observe. If the Heavenly Palace has changed, that is your cue to return.”0 But when would that moment come?0 “Now that the flood dragon is gone, the seas should quiet down for a while. If you wish to maintain and expand your faith, you’ll have to work even harder. But never stray down the wrong path, you must do so openly and righteously.”0 As Song You spoke, he patted the neck of the celestial crane.0 “I have matters yet to attend to, so I won’t linger here. I take my leave now, and I hope we’ll meet again in the days to come. As for the flood dragon’s body, leave it be. Whether it floats on the sea or sinks beneath it, perhaps it may still bring benefit to many living beings.”0 “We will remember your words!”0 “Safe journey, Immortal Master!”0 “We respectfully bid you farewell!”0 The two great demons spoke in deep, heavy tones, yet their voices brimmed with sincere reverence.0 By now, the sea surface was utterly calm. Gentle ripples rolled across the water, but no fish or whales dared breach the surface. Even the seabirds had been frightened away—only a single celestial crane still flew across the vast sea and clouds.0 Along the coast of Lan'an County…0 A little girl in a three-colored outfit with her hair tied up in a bun was walking along the beach. Her bare feet were clean and dainty, leaving behind a trail of footprints in the sand. Though her feet were dusted with sand, a closer look revealed that even the sand was colorful, with uniquely shaped grains. It didn’t make her feet look dirty; if anything, the damp sea breeze made them appear even cleaner.0 In her left hand, the girl clutched a fish, eyes darting around in search. Up ahead was a shallow tide pool, and there was movement inside. A large crab was hiding between the rocks.0 “You’re hiding worse than a rat. Think you can escape my eyes?”0 The little girl walked over expressionlessly, like an emotionless, methodical creature of the tidal flats.0 But just as she reached the tide pool, she suddenly halted and turned her gaze to the distant sky. She raised her right hand to shield her eyes from the sun so she could see farther.0 A celestial crane was flying out from the depths of the sea mist.0 The Daoist was on his way back, but she hadn’t gathered many fish, especially the ones the Daoist liked to eat. She’d barely found any of those.0 Lady Calico lowered her gaze. Her face still betrayed no expression, but the deep breath she drew gave away the anxiety surging in her heart.1 She was preparing. Once she was ready, she quickly dashed forward a few steps and rushed to the edge of the tide pool.0 She caught the crab with ease. She caught one crab—no, several crabs, and a big fish too. But only a single, tiny shrimp.0 As for the clams and abalone that the Daoist liked best, there were barely any.0 Not that Lady Calico was to blame. Foraging from the sea was always a matter of luck. If anyone was at fault, it was probably that she came too late today; the good stuff must’ve been picked clean by others. Or maybe it was the sea’s fault, for not sending anything good her way today.0 These thoughts flitted through her mind, nearly slipping out in a mutter. But instead, she simply picked up her pace, walking faster along the beach and searching for little holes in the sand.0 “Come out...” And whenever she found one, she’d murmur this gentle command.0 The earth-element spell and the Art of Telekinesis were cast together. The sand parted on its own, and the razor clams beneath it emerged automatically, flying straight into her hand.0 Now that was the proper way to use spells.0 A celestial crane flew in, its wings stirring up a violent gust of wind as it landed on the empty beach.0