Chapter 734 - 729: Old Dragon Monarch
Overseas, at the Four Seas Sect.
The raging waves one would expect to see everywhere were absent here, leaving the sea as still as a mirrored lake. Beneath the surface lay a deep, profound darkness.
The tranquility was broken only when a gleam of light descended.
The light rippled through the darkness, stirring the water as a burly, imposing man emerged. The loose robes he wore seemed stretched tight across his frame.
The imposing man stood upon the water, one eyebrow slightly raised.
’The Fruit of Vast-Sea Water... has it really recovered some of its divine properties?’
He recalled a time when the Fruit of Vast-Sea Water was still held by a Supreme Venerable. Back then, the sea was divided into clear and turbid waters. The turbid water was so dense that it was said "not even a goose feather could float, and a reed blossom would sink straight to the bottom."
But ever since its holder had lost their Position, this wondrous quality had vanished.
Yet now, upon returning to the Dragon Palace, he was seeing this wondrous quality of old once again. A suspicion immediately formed in his mind: ’Could it be...? Did that old dragon really pull it off?’
Just then, the water’s surface began to churn upward.
Immediately after, several Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals emerged from the water. Upon seeing the imposing man, they fell into a deep, prostrating bow without a word of hesitation, crying out:
"We greet the Profound Turtle Great Saint!"
"Rise," the imposing man said with a wave of his hand. "I was invited to a banquet. Where is the Old Dragon Monarch? For what purpose did he summon me from so far away?"
"Great Saint, the Dragon Monarch is hosting the banquet right now."
"...What?"
Upon hearing this, the Profound Turtle Great Saint’s brow furrowed. In the past, such words would have been enough to make him turn and leave in a huff.
But now...
"Take me inside."
After a moment’s thought, the Profound Turtle Great Saint decided to play it safe. After all, if the Fruit of Vast-Sea Water had truly returned to a Supreme Venerable’s Position, the situation would be entirely different.
Soon, he followed the Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals into the depths, passing through the profound, boundless darkness. Then, a dazzling sight of resplendent gold and jade met his eyes. It was the Dragon Palace. In stark contrast to the dim seabed outside, it was currently radiant, bustling with a clamor of light and sound.
The next moment, a hearty laugh rumbled out.
"Hahaha!"
The Profound Turtle Great Saint recognized it clearly as the Old Dragon Monarch’s voice. He didn’t even need to see the man; the sound alone was enough to know he was bursting with smug satisfaction.
’So, it’s true.’
’Otherwise, with that Old Loach’s personality, would he ever be this arrogant?’
The Profound Turtle Great Saint now had his answer. He rode his Flying Light into the Dragon Palace and immediately saw the draconic figure coiled upon the throne, as majestic as a mountain.
It was the Old Dragon Monarch!
However, unlike in the past, while the Old Dragon Monarch’s Cultivation was still at the Middle Stage of Golden Core, his Position was now a clear cut above that of an ordinary Perfected Lord.
Beside the Old Dragon Monarch was the Celestial Python, who had recently attained the Fruit of Sky-River Water.
The Profound Turtle Great Saint could see clearly, however, that the Celestial Python’s Qi trace was completely linked to the Old Dragon Monarch’s. Even the Fruit of Sky-River Water showed faint signs of submission.
He then saw the other two Great Saints in attendance and cupped his hands in greeting.
"Bright Pearl Great Saint. Primordial Origin Great Saint."
One was from the Clam Race, the other from the Turtle Race. Bright Pearl Great Saint cultivated the Fruit of Sea-Deep Metal, while Primordial Origin Great Saint was an Outer Dao True Monarch.
Adding himself, a cultivator of the Fruit of Thunderbolt Fire, into the mix, the entire Four Seas Sect was propped up by the three of them and the Old Dragon Monarch. Previously, the four powers had been equals, but after today, the Old Dragon Monarch would likely reign supreme.
’This is no friendly gathering... ’
The Profound Turtle Great Saint, despite his thoughts, put on a friendly smile and asked, feigning ignorance, "Old Dragon Monarch, what’s the happy occasion?"
"Hahaha!"
The Old Dragon Monarch roared with laughter. "It is, of course, the matter of me retaking my place as the Water Element Supreme Venerable! I’ve invited you all here today to ask for your help in my breakthrough."
’That Old Loach... daring to refer to himself as a monarch. He’s really gotten full of himself!’
The Profound Turtle Great Saint cursed inwardly, feeling not the least bit willing. The reason was simple: just like the Old Dragon Monarch, he had long been at the Middle Stage of Golden Core!
And it wasn’t just him. Bright Pearl Great Saint was also at the Middle Stage of Golden Core, her Pocket World not Falling... ’In such a situation, who would be willing to cripple their own path of cultivation and subordinate themselves to another’s Grotto Heaven?’
’Primordial Origin Great Saint might be the only one with such a need, being an Outer Dao practitioner... but his race is turtle. He’s still in his prime, a long way from the end of his lifespan. Besides, even if he were willing to subordinate himself, what good would an Outer Dao be? At the end of the day, this Old Loach is targeting us!’
The Profound Turtle Great Saint’s mood grew heavier.
Just then, Bright Pearl Great Saint spoke up. "Old Dragon Monarch, with the Fruit of Vast-Sea Water returning to a Supreme Venerable’s Position, have you consulted the Stain Sect?"
’...That’s right!’
Everything instantly became clear to the Profound Turtle Great Saint. Everyone knew that World Purger Fei Xue was scheming to become the Water Element Supreme Venerable, but now the Old Dragon Monarch had snatched it from under her nose.
Would she simply let the matter rest?
The demons present were all wary of this famous Mad Woman from the Immortal Pivot. To say nothing of the fact that she was a formidable fighter; not a single demon here was her match.
Even the Old Dragon Monarch shuddered.
But he recovered quickly, holding his head high. "Are you joking? I am the great Dragon Monarch, the Water Element Supreme Venerable. You think I’m afraid of some Mad Woman?"
It was one thing to be wary of her before I achieved the Emperor Fruit.
But now that I’ve finally succeeded, I’m still supposed to be wary of her? Then what was the point of it all! You think my Supreme Venerable Fruit of Vast-Sea Water is just for show?
"Let her come! I won’t even bat an eye!"
The Old Dragon Monarch’s voice thundered through the Dragon Palace. Ripples spread out from him, drawing the eyes of the other demons, who then froze in stunned unison.
Within the magnificent Dragon Palace, amidst the endless ripples spreading through the water, a single point of flickering bright light had suddenly appeared.
It was a person.
He was dressed in a Profound Robe, a curious look in his eyes, standing silently beside the Old Dragon Monarch. The flickering light came from a dim flame cupped in his palm.
He stood impossibly close, meeting the Old Dragon Monarch’s gaze. The monarch, in his true form, had eyes as large as copper bells, and the man’s figure was clearly reflected within them.
In an instant, the boisterous atmosphere plunged to a freezing point.
Profound Turtle Great Saint, Bright Pearl Great Saint, Primordial Origin Great Saint... all three Perfected Lords felt a chill surge from the depths of their hearts at the exact same moment, spreading through their entire bodies.
’Who is that!?’
If the Old Dragon Monarch hadn’t just activated the Divine Effect of the Fruit of Vast-Sea Water to show off, the three of them wouldn’t have even noticed the man’s arrival!
And what about the Old Dragon Monarch?
Had he noticed?
With this thought, the three Great Saints immediately looked toward the Old Dragon Monarch, only to find an empty throne and a bewildered-looking Celestial Python.
Holy shit! He ran!
The Profound Turtle Great Saint found the situation utterly absurd, yet perfectly logical. ’That’s right,’ he thought. ’This is the Old Dragon Monarch I know. The familiar Old Loach is back!’
Meanwhile, Lü Yang was also a bit surprised.
’He’s fast...’
He had only just arrived, relying on the concealing power of Night Exorcism to sneak all the way into the Dragon Palace. He hadn’t expected the Old Dragon Monarch to sense his presence.
’This old dragon really is different now!’
With that thought, Lü Yang didn’t hesitate. His figure vanished as Night Exorcism reversed, becoming Holding Candle, illuminating the trail the Old Dragon Monarch had left behind.
"Hmph... Trying to escape?"
He gave chase.