Several months later, in the Outer Sea, east of Azure Depths.
Murky waves churned where sea and sky met. Several Enforcement Hall disciples gathered near the boundary between the coastal waters and the distant sea, gazing toward Dragonkind's private domain.
"Senior Brother Li, what do you think we're even doing here?"
A cultivator in blue robes hunched his shoulders, watching the black waves surging in the distance, and lowered his voice. "Watching the Outer Sea? If we actually alarm the dragons inside, we might never make it back."
The man addressed as Senior Brother Li was none other than Li Yuangong. Several months earlier, he had bowed and scraped before Chu Mo, but now he showed this disciple no kindness.
He snorted coldly and said without turning his head, "Shut up, fool. Who are you to question the Sect Master? We only need to keep watch on the outskirts. If Dragonkind really makes any major moves, the Azure Depths School will bear the brunt."
"Exactly." Another disciple beside him chimed in fawningly:
"The Azure Depths School has a Dao Venerable presiding over it. If Dragonkind shows any signs of unusual activity, how could they not react immediately? We're only going through the motions. Once the Sect Master's anger subsides, he'll naturally summon us back."
The others found this reasonable and breathed sighs of relief.
Li Yuangong, however, did not join in. Instead, his brows drew together slightly. He kept feeling that the sea was too calm today, almost unnaturally so.
The Outer Sea was not merely Dragonkind's private domain; it was also a paradise for Sea Folk and demon beasts, with no shortage of vicious great demons roaming it. Yet today, only a few scattered waves rolled across the water, without a single sea beast in sight.
"Something's wrong," he