The Blackwater Dragon King slowly opened his eyes.
The atmosphere in the hall instantly grew heavy.
Ao Zheng stood to one side, his expression changing slightly.
"Father King, that's impossible!"
"I saw that being with my own eyes."
"With a single thought, he sealed all my magic power and even broke my dragon claw."
"If he were truly badly wounded and slumbering, how could he possess such might?"
The Blackwater Dragon King did not answer immediately.
His long fingers lightly tapped against the armrest of the dragon throne.
After a moment, he let out a cold laugh.
"That is precisely why he is even more suspicious."
Ao Zheng froze.
The Blackwater Dragon King said indifferently, "If that Black Tortoise truly possesses the power to suppress the Northern Sea, why has he never revealed his true form?"
"If he truly does not fear the Dragon Clan, why did he not kill you?"
"If Abyss truly intends to contend for supremacy, why does it only shelter a group of weak clans?"
"Perhaps that day, he merely borrowed the power of the Abyss Sea Eye to forcibly intimidate you."
"And his true body was already injured."
Ao Zheng opened his mouth.
He wanted to refute him.
Yet for a moment, he could not find any reason to do so.
Because Lu Chen had indeed never truly appeared.
The one who had suppressed him that day had only been Abyss's chains and an invisible divine thought.
The Blackwater Dragon King's gaze was deep.
"An Elder Black Tortoise's shell can be refined into a supreme treasure, its four limbs into Heavenly Pillars, and even its flesh and blood can extend one's lifespan."
"If that beast is truly badly wounded and slumbering, then this is an opportunity for the Blackwater Dragon Palace."
Ao Zheng's heart trembled.
He always felt that something was wrong.
But the Blackwater Dragon King had already made his decision.
"Ao Zheng, you are injured. It is not suitable for you to go again."
"Send Ao Lie."
At the mention of that name, Ao Zheng's expression changed slightly.
Ao Lie.
The Third Prince of the Blackwater Dragon Palace.
His talent was even greater than Ao Zheng's.
At such a young age, he had already entered the Taiyi True Immortal realm, only one step away from becoming a Supreme Unity Golden Immortal.
More importantly, Ao Lie was arrogant by nature and deeply favored by the Blackwater Dragon King.
"Father King, wouldn't it be too risky to send Third Brother?"
The Blackwater Dragon King said coldly, "I will bestow the Blackwater Dragon Talisman upon him."
"If Abyss is merely putting on a front, he will bring back information about that Black Tortoise."
"If Abyss truly holds danger, he will still be able to retreat unscathed."
Ao Zheng fell silent.
The Blackwater Dragon King continued, "In addition, give him three hundred elite Dragon Clan warriors."
"I want to know exactly what Abyss is hiding."
Several days later.
Outside the Blackwater Dragon Palace.
A young man clad in black-and-gold dragon-patterned armor slowly stepped out of the water palace.
His features were cold and stern, a pair of pitch-black dragon horns rising from his head, while his eyes carried an inborn arrogance.
Behind him, three hundred elite Dragon Clan warriors stood in neat formation.
Every one of them possessed at least Celestial Immortal cultivation.
There were also several Golden Immortal experts among them.
Ao Lie raised his head toward the Northern Sea, a faint sneer appearing at the corner of his lips.
"Abyss."
"Black Tortoise."
"Let me see whether you truly have ability, or whether you only know how to play tricks."
Meanwhile.
Within the Inner Realm of the Abyss.
Lu Chen sensed the false information sent out by Han Qi and was in a good mood.
Good.
This round was secure.
After seeing how barren Abyss was, the Blackwater Dragon Palace probably would not come again, right?
A group of weak clans.
One badly wounded Black Tortoise.
No resources, no threat.
Anyone normal would think it was not worth wasting time on.
Lu Chen contentedly prepared to continue his secluded cultivation.
However, the system's voice suddenly rang out.
"Detected: Third Prince Ao Lie of the Blackwater Dragon Palace is leading three hundred elite Dragon Clan warriors toward Abyss."
Lu Chen: "..."
He remained silent for a long time.
"No."
"Is something wrong with the Dragon Clan?"
"I already said Abyss has nothing."
"Why are they still coming?"
Above the Northern Sea.
Blackwater churned.
Three hundred elite Dragon Clan warriors broke through the waves, and wherever they passed, the Water Clan scattered in retreat.
In this era, the Dragon Clan's prestige was practically carved into the bones of all races across the Four Seas.
Especially the Northern Sea Aquatic Clan.
Whenever they saw dragon-patterned armor, their first instinct was to lower their heads and make way.
Ao Lie stood at the very front.
He wore black-and-gold dragon armor, with a Blackwater Dragon Talisman hanging at his waist. The arrogance in his brows could not be concealed.
As the Third Prince of the Blackwater Dragon Palace, he had been raised on Dragon Clan resources since childhood, and his cultivation speed far surpassed that of his peers.
Even within the Blackwater Dragon Palace, he was one of the rare prodigies.
He looked down on Ao Zheng.
Ao Zheng was older than him, yet he had been frightened badly enough by a Black Tortoise hiding in Abyss that his dragon claw had been broken.
After this matter returned to the dragon palace, no one mocked him to his face, but in private, it had already become a joke among many Dragon Clan members.
Ao Lie held him in even greater contempt.
Just a Black Tortoise hiding its head and showing its tail.
If it truly possessed the strength to suppress the Northern Sea, why would it hide in Abyss and refuse to show itself?
If it truly did not fear the Dragon Clan, why would it let Ao Zheng return?
In his view, that Black Tortoise had most likely relied on the special terrain of the Abyss Sea Eye to barely intimidate Ao Zheng.
Now, he had come with the Blackwater Dragon Talisman and three hundred elites.
Naturally, he would thoroughly investigate whatever Abyss was hiding.
"Third Prince, the Abyss Sea Eye is ahead."
A Dragon Clan Golden Immortal behind him spoke in a low voice.
Ao Lie lifted his eyes and looked ahead.
The sea ahead gradually turned black.
The seawater was as heavy as ink, and spiritual energy had become extremely chaotic here.
If ordinary Water Clan approached, their Primordial Spirits would be shaken at best, while their bodies would rupture at worst.
This was the forbidden zone of the Northern Sea.
The Abyss Sea Eye.
Ao Lie's gaze shifted slightly, but he showed no intention of retreating.
He took out a pitch-black disc.
Nine tiny black dragons were carved upon it, their heads all facing into the depths of Abyss.
This was the Dragon-Seeking Disc bestowed by the Blackwater Dragon King.
Though this treasure could not be considered a top-tier spiritual treasure, it could investigate water veins, formations, and Grotto-Heaven entrances. It was especially suitable for use in deep-sea regions like the Northern Sea.
Ao Lie poured his magic power into it.
Buzz!
The Dragon-Seeking Disc trembled lightly.
The phantom forms of nine black dragons burrowed into the Abyss Sea Eye.
A moment later, a blurry image appeared before Ao Lie.
Within the image was a barren space.
Several crude stone houses.
Some weak Water Clan members.
Several water veins with thin spiritual energy.
And a stone hall with a dim aura.
Deep within the stone hall, there seemed to be a slumbering presence.
That presence was ancient and heavy, yet it carried an unmistakable sense of weakness.
The corners of Ao Lie's mouth rose slightly.
"It seems the information Han Qi sent back was accurate."
The Golden Immortal beside him hesitated. "Third Prince, His Highness Ao Zheng was severely injured that day."
Ao Lie gave him an indifferent glance.
"Ao Zheng's temperament is too weak. It would not be strange if the Abyss Sea Eye frightened him out of his wits."
"If that Black Tortoise truly possessed the might of the Great Luo, how could the Dragon-Seeking Disc reveal nothing but a barren little realm?"
"Besides, he still does not dare to show himself."
At this point, Ao Lie sneered.
"He is merely playing tricks."
After hearing this, the three hundred elite Dragon Clan warriors also felt much more at ease.
What they feared most was that Abyss truly hid an untouchable great power.
Yet what the Dragon-Seeking Disc showed looked more like a group of displaced weak clans barely surviving on Abyss's outskirts.
That so-called Mysterious Abyss Emperor was most likely just an exaggerated title spread through rumor.
Ao Lie raised his hand.
"Enter Abyss."
"If there is any resistance, suppress it directly."
The three hundred elite Dragon Clan warriors answered in unison.
"By your command!"
The next moment.
The Dragon Clan force broke through the Blackwater and forcibly charged into the Abyss Sea Eye.
Within the Inner Realm of the Abyss.
Lu Chen was cultivating the Chaos Shell-Shedding Method.
Ever since the system had warned him that Ao Lie was leading three hundred elite Dragon Clan warriors here, he had been somewhat uneasy.
He had thought the Heaven-Deceiving Water Mist would make the Blackwater Dragon Palace abandon its investigation.
Instead, they had directly sent people over.
Lu Chen found it difficult to understand.
He had already disguised Abyss as a shabby refuge.
Why was the Blackwater Dragon Palace still coming?
Had the Dragon Clan become so idle that they had to search even poor places?
Just as he was thinking this, the system's voice suddenly rang out.
"Detected: Third Prince Ao Lie of the Blackwater Dragon Palace has forcibly entered Abyss's outer region."
"The Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Formation has automatically activated."
Lu Chen's eyelid twitched.
"They're here?"
His consciousness instantly swept toward Abyss's outskirts.
Outside the Abyssal Womb Membrane.
Three hundred Dragon Clan elites had just charged into the Blackwater region.
At first, everything around them was calm.
Ao Lie had even spotted the barren outer city ahead, disguised by Heaven-Deceiving Water Mist.
Its spiritual light was dim, and its aura was weak.
Quite a few members of the Water Clan seemed to be fleeing in panic.
Ao Lie became even more convinced.
"Just as I thought."
"This so-called Abyss is nothing but..."
Before he could finish.
Boom!
The entire sea suddenly sank.
Countless currents of black water pressed in from every direction.
The Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Formation activated.
An enormous, indescribable phantom of the Black Tortoise slowly emerged beyond Abyss's perimeter.
The Black Tortoise bore the black sea upon its back, its four feet suppressing all directions.
An irresistible pressure instantly descended upon the three hundred Dragon Clan elites.
Bang!
Several dozen Celestial Immortal Dragon Clan members at the front were immediately forced to their knees.
Then, even more Dragon Clan elites found their magic power frozen as their bodies plummeted.
In the span of only a few breaths, the three hundred Dragon Clan elites had been crushed into complete disarray.
Ao Lie's expression changed drastically.
"A formation?"
He raised a hand and activated the Blackwater Dragon Talisman.
A Great Luo-level aura surged from the talisman, barely protecting his body.
Ao Lie roared.
"A mere formation thinks it can suppress me?"
A dragon's roar resounded through Abyss's outskirts.
Ao Lie directly assumed his True Dragon form.
A black dragon ten thousand zhang long soared into the sky, blackwater lightning coiling around its body. Its claws tore through the heavy water as it charged toward the Black Tortoise phantom.
It had to be said that Ao Lie truly was stronger than Ao Zheng.
Though both possessed the Blackwater Dragon Clan bloodline, Ao Lie's magic power was purer, and his True Dragon body more refined.
Outside, cultivation like his would have been enough to sweep aside many minor clans.
Unfortunately.
This was Abyss.
And the edge of Lu Chen's shell.
The Black Tortoise phantom slowly lowered its head.
The eyes condensed from the formation gazed indifferently at Ao Lie.
The next moment.
The Black Tortoise raised one foot.
It came down.
Boom!
Ao Lie's ten-thousand-zhang dragon body instantly fell from the air and smashed viciously into Abyss's black waters.
His dragon scales shattered.
His dragon horns trembled.
The Blackwater Dragon Talisman gave a mournful cry, its radiance rapidly dimming.
Ao Lie's mind went blank.
How was this possible?
Hadn't the Dragon-Seeking Disc said Abyss was strong only on the outside and weak within?
This was supposed to be strong on the outside and weak within?
He had not even seen the master of this place. A single formation had nearly scattered his True Dragon body.
The three hundred Dragon Clan elites were utterly terrified at the sight.
They had previously believed Abyss to be nothing more than a gathering place for weak clans.
Only now did they understand.
The place they had entered was a gigantic maw that had long since opened.
Lu Chen's voice rang out across Abyss's outskirts.
"More Dragon Clan members?"
His voice was not loud.
Yet it made Ao Lie's entire body stiffen.
The voice was deep and weighty, as though it came from the end of Abyss itself.
Ao Lie struggled to raise his head.
"Senior... this junior is Third Prince Ao Lie of the Blackwater Dragon Palace."
"Today, under my father king's orders, I came to investigate Abyss's sheltering of fleeing clans."
Lu Chen found it irritating to hear.
The Blackwater Dragon Palace again.
More Dragon Clan orders again.
He had clearly stated that Abyss would not involve itself in the conflict of the three clans, yet the Dragon Clan kept coming wave after wave.
Weren't they just like flies?
Kill one, and a swarm came.
Lu Chen was just about to throw all of them out when the system's voice sounded.
"Detected that Ao Lie has led three hundred Dragon Clan elites in a forcible intrusion into Abyss. Host, please choose." "Option one: Kill Ao Lie and intimidate the Blackwater Dragon Palace. Reward: Dragon Clan bloodline divine ability, Blackwater Dragon Transformation Art." "Option two: Detain Ao Lie and demand ransom from the Blackwater Dragon Palace. Reward: Innate Spiritual Treasure, Dragon-Binding Rope." "Option three: Punish Ao Lie by having him guard Abyss's outskirts for a thousand years, wearing away the Dragon Clan's arrogance. Reward: Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Formation upgrade."
After reading it, Lu Chen's gaze settled directly on the third option.
Kill Ao Lie?
The Blackwater Dragon Palace would definitely go mad.
Demand a ransom?
It sounded tempting, but that would mean actively negotiating with the Dragon Clan.
Negotiations would lead to dealings.
Dealings would create karma.
That path could not be taken.
The third option was best.
Make him guard the gate.
Neither kill him nor release him.
He could also serve as a living signboard to deter the Dragon Clan.
More importantly, the reward was an upgrade to the Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Formation.
Lu Chen made his decision at once.
"Option three."
"Congratulations, Host. The Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Formation is beginning its upgrade."
Outside Abyss, black water churned.
Formation patterns rose from the seabed one after another, wrapping around Ao Lie's dragon body.
Ao Lie's expression changed drastically.
"Senior, what do you mean by this?"
Lu Chen's voice was calm.
"You trespassed into Abyss. Your punishment is to guard its outskirts for a thousand years."
"You may not leave during those thousand years."
"If you dare bring Dragon Clan members into Abyss again, I'll stew you."
Ao Lie's mind shook violently.
Guard the outskirts for a thousand years?
As the dignified Third Prince of the Blackwater Dragon Palace, he was going to guard Abyss's gate?
That felt worse than death.
"Senior, I bear the Dragon Clan bloodline!"
"My father king is the Blackwater Dragon King!"
"You humiliate the Dragon Clan like this. Aren't you afraid of provoking its wrath?"
Lu Chen fell silent for a moment.
Then the Black Tortoise phantom raised its other foot.
Boom!
Ao Lie was stomped into the seabed once more.
This time, he could not even speak.
Lu Chen said blandly, "You talk too much."
Ao Lie finally behaved himself.
The three hundred Dragon Clan elites trembled in fear.
They finally understood that the Master of Abyss did not care about the Dragon Clan's status at all.
The name of the Blackwater Dragon King could not even make him hesitate.
Lu Chen did not kill these Dragon Clan elites either.
He had the Black Tortoise Sea-Calming Formation erase their perception of the Inner Realm of the Abyss, leaving only the memory of Ao Lie being punished to guard the outskirts.
Then he threw them out of the Northern Sea.
The news quickly returned to the Blackwater Dragon Palace.
But within the Inner Realm of the Abyss, the thirty-six clans had already erupted.
"Ao Lie has been suppressed!"
"The Third Prince of the Blackwater Dragon Palace is guarding Abyss's outskirts now!"
"The Emperor even dares punish a Dragon Clan prince!"
"Abyss finally has someone powerful enough to stand against the Dragon Clan!"
Before the Northern Darkness Dao Palace.
Lan Shuang, Lady Mingzhu, Han Jue, and the others gazed toward Abyss's outskirts, their shock difficult to quell.
Han Jue in particular.
The fervor in his eyes was nearly blazing.
"Is this the Emperor's might?"
"The Dragon Clan's third prince forcibly entered Abyss, yet the Emperor never even revealed his true body. He suppressed him with nothing but a formation."
"If I, Han Jue, can obtain even one ten-thousandth of the Emperor's divine abilities in this life, my journey through the Primordial World will not have been in vain!"
Lan Shuang took a deep breath.
She was equally shaken.
But she considered more than that.
Ao Lie's punishment of guarding the outskirts was definitely not a casual decision.
The Emperor had not killed him, thus avoiding a complete break with the Dragon Clan.
Nor had the Emperor released him, lest the Dragon Clan think Abyss weak enough to bully.
Making a Dragon Clan prince guard the gate was both punishment and warning.
It was also a declaration to the countless clans of the Northern Sea.
Abyss could withstand the Dragon Clan.
A thought suddenly arose in Lan Shuang's heart.
Perhaps a pass should be built outside Abyss.
A true pass capable of suppressing the Dragon Clan.
She looked toward Abyss's depths and slowly spoke.
"Pass down the order."
"Gather the heads of every division for deliberation."
"A pass must be established outside Abyss."
"This pass shall be called Dragon-Suppressing Pass."