Northern Darkness Sea Domain

A massive black dragon silhouette, with sinister fangs and blood-red eyes, thrashed its enormous body, sweeping towards the Tathagata!

"Death Underworld Dragon, you foolish dragon, why aren't you escaping? Hurry and run," Chen Tong yelled at the Death Underworld Dragon with all his might.

"Hahaha, young friend, since it doesn't want to escape, I'll give it a hand."

The Tathagata stood with a faint smile, completely ignoring the sweeping Death Underworld Dragon. He slowly extended a golden palm, but in the next second, his smiling expression suddenly sank. It was too late to retract his hand, and it collided directly with the charging dragon's massive head.

"Peng!!"

A huge sound and shockwave spread underwater. The commotion was so great that even on the sea surface miles above, a massive whirlpool formed. Fortunately, this was the Sea of Death, devoid of life; otherwise, countless innocent creatures would have perished.

"Foolish dragon, you could have escaped on your own, why did you have to save me?"

Chen Tong, perched on the Death Underworld Dragon's head, sped away at an incredible speed. Just as the shockwave spread, the Death Underworld Dragon's body appeared in front of him. He thought it had been blown away, but before he could ponder, he was directly carried away by it.

"Hmph, saving you is saving myself," the Death Underworld Dragon replied. "Don't worry, that guy was hit by my Soul Strike. Even a Saint wouldn't be able to break free in less than half an hour."

"Oh...!" Hearing this, Chen Tong finally looked at the foolish dragon with a sliver of admiration.

"With half an hour, we have a fifty percent chance of escaping. I hope your Soul Strike is as reliable as you say."

"Hmph, that was a Forbidden Strike launched at the cost of my soul. If he weren't a Saint, he would have already turned to ash and wouldn't be alive now."

The Death Underworld Dragon was very confident in its Soul Strike, but it didn't know that the person it struck was the Tathagata.

Gurgle gurgle!!

Deep in the dark abyss, the shockwave had long since subsided, leaving only ripples spreading through the water. Within these ripples, strands of golden light permeated.

"Alas, I truly underestimated this little dragon," the Tathagata muttered, looking at his own dimming golden light. "However... the remaining strength is enough for me to capture you both."

His golden eyes gazed into the distance, in the direction the Death Underworld Dragon had taken Chen Tong. Then, his brow furrowed. "Could they be going to that place?"

The Tathagata thought of something and instantly transformed into a golden light, chasing after them. Although everything appeared calm, a flicker of anxiety on his face fully reflected his inner panic.

Deep within the Northern Darkness Sea Domain, the Death Underworld Dragon rapidly carried Chen Tong, galloping north. Wherever it passed, it stirred up ripples.

"Stupid dragon, where are we going?" Chen Tong asked, feeling increasingly uneasy as he looked at the boundless surroundings.

"Death Forbidden Zone," came the simple four words from the Death Underworld Dragon's mouth, causing Chen Tong's heart to tremble.

"Death Forbidden Zone?" Chen Tong was confused. In his opinion, wasn't the entire Sea of Death a forbidden zone? How could there be another one?

"Hmph, what do you outsiders know! The real Sea of Death is within the Death Forbidden Zone. Even the death energy of the entire sea domain emanates from there; that is the true core area."

"Only by reaching there can we escape that guy who's chasing you. However, it is also a place of true danger. Whether you can survive is still unknown."

Chen Tong: "..."

"What's the difference between this and finding a new way to die!"

Before Chen Tong could think further, a familiar sense of oppression appeared in his soul, startling him. "Not good, that old thief Tathagata is catching up! Run!"

Chen Tong didn't need to remind it; the Death Underworld Dragon had already accelerated!

"The guy you provoked is truly a freak."

"I told you, that's the Tathagata, an abnormal existence from the start."

Feeling the Tathagata's aura drawing closer, the Death Underworld Dragon gritted its teeth. "In that case, it seems I can only send you into the North Sea. Whether you can escape will depend on your own abilities."

"What did you say? North Sea?" Hearing the Death Underworld Dragon mention the North Sea, a faint tremor of excitement entered Chen Tong's voice.

"Yes, the entrance to the North Sea isn't far from us now." The Death Underworld Dragon glanced back at the Tathagata. "That guy's speed is too fast, and his strength is too high. We can't reach the Death Forbidden Zone now. Only the North Sea might be your only chance of survival."

"No! It's not just a chance, it's a 100% chance of survival, you foolish dragon. You've finally become smart for once." Chen Tong's voice trembled slightly as he spoke. "Where is the North Sea? Quick! Send me in."

Death Underworld Dragon: "..."

Although puzzled by Chen Tong's words, the Death Underworld Dragon didn't overthink it and quickly flew towards the depths of the sea domain.

Chen Tong was deeply surprised that the Sea of Death had an entrance to the North Sea, but more so, he was overjoyed. Once he entered the North Sea, with his unparalleled underwater strength, he would quickly recover his divine power and escape the danger.

"Tathagata, wait for my wrath!" Chen Tong exclaimed excitedly, secretly glancing back at the faint golden light flickering behind them.

Seeing the Death Underworld Dragon change direction, the Tathagata, though suspicious, didn't dwell on it and chased after them with all his might.

One sea apart, the left is the Northern Darkness, and the right is the North Sea, separated by a murky barrier. Though ordinary, it stood firm.

"Kid, I can only send you this far. Your fate depends on your own fortune. If you survive, remember to come back and save me."

"What?" Chen Tong was shocked. "You're not coming with me?"

"Hmph, if I could have escaped the Sea of Death, I would have done so eight hundred years ago! Why wait until now! I just hope that if you survive, you'll have some conscience and come back to save me."

As soon as the Death Underworld Dragon finished speaking, it violently shook its head. Chen Tong, like a wild horse let loose, shot towards the entrance of the North Sea with a look of astonishment.

"This stupid dragon... whatever...!" Chen Tong's inner mockery was cut short as he plunged into the North Sea. Instantly, he felt the oppressive absence of deathly energy, a sense of indescribable comfort seeping into his very being.

The Tathagata also arrived at the barrier's edge instantly. He didn't immediately enter the North Sea but stared into it with a somber expression.

Beside him, the Death Underworld Dragon sneered, "Heh heh, I've already sent that kid inside. If you want to go in, you'll have to get past me first."

The Tathagata glanced at it silently, showing no inclination to enter.

He knew very well how terrifyingly strong Chen Tong was in the water. Letting him escape into the North Sea was like a dragon entering the ocean; he feared he was no longer a match for him.

"Heh..." The Tathagata smiled gently. "Since I can't capture him, I'll capture you first. The Spiritual Pond happens to be in need of a guardian dragon."