To Yang Teng, this was a victory over Ao Xuanwei.


    He couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride; winning against Ao Xuanwei once was no small feat. It was cause for celebration, even.


    Born in the Spirit Yang Lake, Yang Teng had always looked at Yunjiang with disdain. As the youngest offspring of the Dragon Queen, Ao Xuanwei was naturally seen as his rival.


    But the reality was, despite his pride, he could never compare to the Dragon Queen in terms of strength—he was far inferior in many aspects.


    Oh, wait… he was better at enjoying life, indulging in food and fun, and acting like a cocky prince. In that department, he could at least claim superiority.


    But this time—he had won!


    Though he had given up a precious vial of dragon marrow, in return, he had secured the allegiance of a powerful dragon into the Spirit Yang Lake. That was more than worth it.


    Ao Xuanwei had offered a dragon bone, but that was wasted. His dragon marrow, however, had attracted a bloodline-rich dragon to their side. It was a good deal, a real win.


    Yang Teng felt like he had won big this time.


    Seeing the situation, Guifu and the Princess of Tianhai also decided to withdraw from competing for Han''s allegiance.


    They had treasures equally as valuable as the dragon marrow, even more so in some cases. But the issue was that no matter how many treasures they offered, it wouldn’t guarantee Han’s loyalty. It would only drive up the price and waste their resources.


    With Ao Xuanwei leaving, continuing to compete would only anger the Spirit Yang Lake—something neither of them wanted. The other water domains didn''t have the same bitter rivalry as Yunjiang and Spirit Yang Lake, and there was no need to escalate things further.


    Guifu and Tianhai’s princess, though, weren’t completely empty-handed. They each gave Han a small gift—a spirit plant, useful but not overly precious—as a gesture of goodwill. They were being polite and calculated.


    Afterward, they left. The Princess of Tianhai glanced back at Han as she walked away.


    This dragon’s bloodline was indeed remarkable. She’d have to report this to her father.


    Perhaps Nine Hole Lake had given up, but here, in Tianhai, things were different.


    If her father personally intervened to recruit Han, who could refuse the Dragon Lord of Tianhai?


    She was confident it wouldn’t come to that, but it was a possibility.


    "This bloodline is beyond mine. Once the ritual starts, we won''t need to test him further," Tianhai’s eldest daughter thought to herself, making up her mind.


    With those two gone, Yang Teng grew even more smug. He approached Han with a friendly attitude.


    "Brother Xu, don’t be deceived by the vastness of Yunjiang. Just because the Yunjiang Dragon Palace is large and powerful doesn’t mean it’s as strong as it seems. It’s a paper tiger, really—soon it will collapse."


    Han, who had been humble and restrained compared to their earlier encounter, responded with curiosity.


    "Oh? What do you mean by that?"


    Yang Teng smirked and continued, "The Mountain God of Black Mountain is dying, and the Yunjiang Dragon Lord is barely holding on. His days are numbered. Those who want his life are incredibly powerful."


    He sneered, "The Nine Hole Lake Dragon Lord holds only a small piece of land and has no ambitions. He’s not a wise ruler."


    "Tianhai has been peaceful for so long, and its Dragon Lord is a kind and respected leader. But peace does not nurture growth."


    "But Spirit Yang Lake, we are advancing aggressively. With a powerful backer behind us, we’re on the rise. Yunjiang will be ours soon enough."


    "Brother Xu, you’ll see in time that joining Spirit Yang Lake is the best choice."


    Yang Teng had no reservations about revealing the ambitions of Spirit Yang Lake to Han. After all, everyone in the four great water domains knew of it.


    Han understood the underlying message—Spirit Yang Lake was the true power in the region.


    He couldn’t help but think that if this wasn’t Tianhai, Yang Teng’s tone would likely be very different.


    Han nodded slightly, playing along with Yang Teng’s chatter.


    For the rest of the conversation, Yang Teng continued to make extravagant promises while subtly probing Han about his origins and the source of his bloodline.


    Yang Teng was envious. If a wild dragon could have such a powerful bloodline, imagine what he could achieve with such a chance!


    But Han skillfully deflected all questions, making up some vague background to avoid raising suspicion.


    Yang Teng, oblivious, continued to boast about Spirit Yang Lake’s strength, turning Yunjiang into the subject of mockery.


    In Yang Teng’s words, the Yunjiang Dragon Palace was on the verge of collapse, as if it were about to fall apart tomorrow...


    Whoosh!


    Suddenly, the entire Shell Square and the surrounding waters grew heavy.


    All the water creatures felt an inexplicable pressure, as if the waters had become thicker and heavier.


    The sky turned dark, and the lights of the lantern fish vanished, replaced by a long shadow that obscured everything.


    As the shadow moved, the sea surface of Tianhai surged with monstrous waves.


    "The Dragon Ascension Ritual of Tianhai has officially begun," came a deep voice.


    The shadow that had covered everything now dissipated, revealing an elderly man standing atop the largest platform by the Shell Square. His simple robes exuded no overwhelming presence, yet his eyes were filled with a profound ancientness, as if he had witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations.


    When his gaze swept across the crowd of water creatures, there was no emotion, his expression as still as the depths of the sea.


    But when his gaze landed on Han, it paused for a brief moment.


    This…


    "Those participating in the ritual, prepare yourselves."


    With those words, Yang Teng and the others quickly withdrew, unwilling to stay longer. They did not want to provoke the elderly man.


    This figure who had just appeared—was none other than the Dragon Lord of Tianhai!


    Among the four great Dragon Lords, he was the oldest, having lived through countless years.


    Compared to him, the other three Dragon Lords were but youths.


    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    Dragons and Phoenixes were blessed by the heavens with long lifespans, far surpassing those of most other races. A high-ranking dragon could live longer than two generations of equally strong human warriors. It was a remarkable advantage granted by their bloodlines.


    The Emperor of Ages, for instance, had lived for at least five hundred years, yet he was still in the prime of his life.


    In some ways, Phoenixes had even longer lifespans than Dragons.


    But the time it took for dragons and phoenixes to grow also far exceeded that of other races.


    With the exception of rare cases.


    Moments later, only those participating in the ritual remained in Shell Square.


    The Dragon Lord of Tianhai gave a slight nod. Without any further actions, countless bubbles began to rise, each water creature enveloped by one.


    "Where do you come from?"


    Han heard the Dragon Lord''s voice in his ear, and without thinking, he replied,


    "Black Cloud Town."


    At this, the Dragon Lord’s voice paused for a moment.


    "Have you already joined Yunjiang Dragon Palace or another large water domain?"


    "No."


    "Do you have any ulterior motives?"


    "No."


    "Why have you come to the Dragon Ascension Ritual?"


    "I came for the Ice Spirit Cold Soul Flame."


    Each of the Dragon Lord’s questions was met with truthful answers.


    It wasn’t just Han who was questioned—the Dragon Lord had asked every water creature.


    A being of such strength could accomplish much with a mere thought.


    As Ao Xuanwei had told Han, this was a necessary procedure. The Dragon Lord of Tianhai possessed a unique Dao technique that allowed him to discern truth from lies.


    During each ritual, he used this to ensure the water creatures were trustworthy.


    The technique wasn’t foolproof, but it was reliable enough to filter out most issues.


    As long as the participant wasn’t from one of the four great domains or had ill intentions, the Dragon Lord wouldn’t bother.


    The questioning was done in secrecy—only the Dragon Lord and the participant could hear it.


    Sure enough, the Dragon Lord didn’t uncover Han’s true identity.


    If it weren’t for the fact that he could see it with his own eyes, no one would guess that this dragon was, in fact, a transformed human.


    After the questioning, Han’s bubble was surrounded by a black stone column, carved with a true dragon spiraling up.


    "Touch this column to test your bloodline."


    This was the second trial of the ritual—the Bloodline Trial.


    The Dragon Lord of Tianhai would use his powers to test the bloodline’s rank.


    Some water creatures might have low bloodlines, but hidden potential could be uncovered. The Dragon Lord’s methods were sharp enough to detect this.


    After placing his claw on the stone pillar, the dragon carvings suddenly glowed with white light.


    The light raced up the pillar, enveloping Han in a glowing aura. A faint dragon’s roar echoed, shaking both mind and spirit.


    The voice of the Sea Dragon King resonated, no longer indifferent but tinged with a slight fluctuation.


    To have a mere flood dragon’s body possess the bloodline strength of a true dragon was nothing short of astonishing. If it were to transform into a true dragon in the future, what kind of unimaginable power would it possess?


    "Indeed, it is a true dragon-level bloodline!"


    The stands outside the Shell Plaza erupted in shock, with many of the sea creatures staring in awe at the bubble surrounding Han.


    Although the conversation with the Dragon King had been inaudible, the bloodline test was public. The purpose was to let the vast ocean’s inhabitants see the prowess of these creatures and attract them to join, bringing in fresh blood.


    Once the bloodline test results were revealed, the atmosphere shifted drastically. Despite the vague suspicions beforehand, seeing the concrete evidence completely changed everyone’s perspective.


    This black flood dragon, although still in a flood dragon form, could easily be considered a true dragon disguised in flood dragon skin!


    Not all dragons possessed true dragon-level bloodlines. Dragons like Yang Teng or Kui Gu, though part of the dragon lineage and descendants of Dragon Kings, did not possess true dragon blood. While their bloodlines were superior to typical flood dragons, they were still far from true dragons.


    For them to truly evolve into a true dragon, they would need to either reach a certain level of cultivation or obtain some rare treasure to trigger a bloodline transformation.


    Becoming a dragon was the goal for most aquatic creatures, but very few ever reached the stage of a true dragon. To transform into a flood dragon was already considered an immense stroke of luck.


    Even among the four great water domains, true dragons were few and far between, including the four Dragon Kings. But now, a wild-born true dragon-level bloodline had appeared, shocking everyone.


    If they could recruit this flood dragon, the four great water domains would gain a powerful new pillar, and smaller domains would potentially see the rise of a new Dragon King!


    Any true dragon, provided they had no innate flaws and didn’t encounter major mishaps later in life, would inevitably become a powerful force—reaching a limit many beings would never even touch.


    The might of the dragon tribe allowed them to dominate the seas. Their clan’s strength was a key factor in their control over the vast oceans.


    The eldest daughter of the Sea Dragon King was especially astonished. With such a bloodline, this individual would undoubtedly be immensely powerful. They didn''t even need to test their strength further.


    In terms of bloodline, no one could surpass them.


    "You already possess a true dragon-level bloodline," said the Sea Dragon King. "There''s no need for my guidance. Just focus on improving your cultivation step by step."


    Han wasn’t surprised.


    "With your bloodline, you will be welcomed by any of the great water domains," the Sea Dragon King continued. "You may join one now, or you can proceed to the Sea Dragon Ascension Ceremony."


    Han responded without hesitation, "I choose to continue."


    The first option was for those with special bloodlines but lacking strength, prepared to join the great water domains for support. However, possessing a unique bloodline didn’t guarantee strength, as some bloodlines showed their worth outside combat.


    Those who chose to join other water domains after completing the bloodline test would forfeit the opportunity to compete for the rewards of the Sea Dragon King.


    Han, however, was determined to win the Ice Spirit Flame, or else, why would he even come here?


    "Do you possess any special cultivation skills?" asked the Sea Dragon King.


    "I choose combat," Han replied simply, though it seemed like he didn’t directly answer the question.


    After the Q&A and bloodline test, the third stage of the Sea Dragon Ascension Ceremony began—the competition.


    As the Sea Dragon King had explained, if a participant had a specific skill, like alchemy but was not skilled in combat, they would be given a chance to demonstrate that skill. For those with no particular skills, they would have to compete in battle.


    The Sea Dragon King wanted to provide opportunities for everyone. Even if a participant had a strong bloodline, their final rewards depended on this last stage.


    After all, this ceremony was a chance for those at the bottom to rise up, not just for the talented to stand out.


    "Prepare for the battle to begin," the Sea Dragon King announced.


    At that moment, Han’s bubble began to rise, surpassing others and reaching the highest point. Other bubbles began to stir as well.


    Some flew out of Shell Plaza, having chosen to join another great water domain after the bloodline test.


    Not all creatures with special bloodlines were sought after by the four great domains, but that wasn’t a problem. Regions with strong guardians, like those with enlightened or marrow-washing experts, had come to observe as well, ready to recruit any promising creatures.


    For those from smaller creeks and streams, even joining a secondary domain was an excellent choice.


    Some bubbles floated to the bottom of Shell Plaza, where their occupants took out papers and pens or set up stoves, focused on showcasing their skills.


    These were the creatures who chose to demonstrate their talents.


    In the center of Shell Plaza, other bubbles hovered. These creatures had no skills but believed they had some innate gift they hoped to showcase to impress the great water domains.


    Certain species did indeed have natural talents, making them highly valuable.


    For example, a fish called the Celestial Medicine Fish produced a drop of medicinal fluid every month, which could improve the quality of pills when added during the alchemy process. The higher the cultivation of the fish, the better the medicine it produced.


    Such creatures were highly sought after.


    At the very top, however, were those like Han, who had chosen to showcase their strength through combat to earn rewards.


    The battlefield was at the highest point, a clear indication of their elevated status.


    Ultimately, in this world, strength was paramount.


    You might not have a special talent, be versed in cultivation skills, or possess a powerful bloodline, but as long as you had formidable strength, that was enough.


    Han watched as another bubble floated toward him and merged with his own. A massive, true-to-life, day-tour crocodile appeared before him.


    The crocodile’s eyes changed as it saw Han.


    "Damn, I’m so unlucky. My first battle, and I have to face this one," it muttered.


    "Please, teach me," it said, opening its mouth wide. A black vortex began to form within, and then a black waterball was expelled toward Han.


    Han waved his tail, and golden light shimmered across his scales. An energy barrier enveloped him, defending against the attack.


    Without hesitation, Han charged forward, slamming into the black waterball.


    The crocodile paused for a moment, surprised. “This flood dragon is this tough?”


    It wasn’t that Han was unusually powerful, but rather, he was facing a significant problem.


    Now that he had transformed into the Sea Flood Dragon, he lacked many of the techniques he used before.


    Skills like the Earth Fire Seal or the Vast Handprint would be ridiculous in this setting.


    Against a common opponent like this crocodile, he had no choice but to rely on his energy shield and physical strength, techniques he wouldn’t need again once he was back on his usual path.


    Of course, he still had magical tools.


    Han endured the crocodile’s technique, using his claws and tail to strike, each blow filled with immense force.


    Against Han’s relentless attacks and dragon breath, the ordinary day-tour crocodile stood no chance and was quickly defeated.


    Afterward, Han felt a strange sense of unease.


    He had expected to struggle without his usual techniques, thinking the fight would last longer before a victor was decided.


    But now, he couldn’t help but feel his opponent was… somewhat weak?


    “I didn’t even use any offensive techniques. Why are you so easy to beat?”


    "True to form, you’re a flood dragon. You’re the strongest sea creature I’ve ever seen," the crocodile said sincerely.


    "..."


    Han was left confused, unsure if the crocodile was being sincere or just mocking him.