A colossal dragon covered in deep-blue scales swam in from afar, its head held high and its eyes blazing like torches. Its whiskers drifted in the currents, and a mighty, imperious pressure radiated from its body.
It was none other than the lord of the South Sea... Ao Yu.
He stopped at the palace entrance. His enormous draconic body swayed slightly in the water, then transformed into a tall figure amid a shimmer of deep-blue light. Ao Yu wore a deep-blue robe, his square face and brows bearing the imposing dignity of someone long accustomed to command. The instant he stepped into the palace, his keen gaze caught the unusual atmosphere within.
His steps paused briefly. His gaze swept slowly over the assembled leaders before finally settling on Sea Swallow in the seat of honor. A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Sea Swallow Sacred Pillar, what matter warranted summoning me with such fanfare?"
Sea Swallow sat upright in the seat of honor, his expression calm but his tone tinged with gravity. "Ao Yu, I invited you here today for two matters."
Ao Yu took the foremost seat below the seat of honor, his manner unruffled. "Please speak, Sacred Pillar."
Sea Swallow raised the jade slip in his hand and looked Ao Yu directly in the eyes. "The first concerns the two Sacred Pillars, Sea Star and Sea Spear, betraying Sea God Island and being thrown into Sea God Prison. The second..."
He slowly lowered the jade slip, his voice abruptly turning cold. "Concerns your defection to the Deep Sea Army."
The composure on Ao Yu's face froze instantly, replaced by shock and disbelief. "Me? Defect to the Deep Sea Army? Sea Swallow Sacred Pillar, that joke isn't funny in the slightest."
Sea Spider sprang to its feet, aiming its