Wang Hui, who had descended into the underwater cavern, was not adorned in the conspicuous attire of "Masked Teard" but wore his usual casual home clothes. He sat on a ledge on the cave wall, reading a book with an air of leisure. Strangely, the surrounding water did not affect his actions; not even the pages of the book were dampened!
This was due to the combination of the spells [Walking on Water], [Water Membrane Barrier], and [Sound Bubble]. Thanks to the peculiar nature of his projected form, he didn't require [Underwater Breathing]. While not exceedingly difficult, maintaining these three spells under the immense pressure of a deep-sea cave was likely beyond even the water-savvy Witch Meg!
"You... are not human..."
The deep-sea dragon, its vertical pupils filled with caution and confusion, spoke haltingly in human tongue, "What... do you want from me..."
This entity exuded no trace of life, yet it felt oddly familiar, as if it had encountered it not long ago.
Wang Hui paid no heed to the dragon, his focus largely on the book in his hands. It was an unfinished work by Chief Wizard Bellmoru titled "Dragon Taming Journal." How could a legendary wizard, passionate about the limits of magic and blessed with longevity, not be intrigued by researching such top-tier creatures as dragons?
The journal detailed Bellmoru's insights from years of study, including spells like [Dragon's Breath] and [Frostflame Arrow] inspired by dragons, and his numerous encounters with this deep-sea dragon...
"This old man had already conceived a plan to tame dragons, but lacked the power. Even with the combined efforts of many of his wizards, he could only provoke and manipulate the dragon's emotions..."
Wang Hui's gaze fell on an item called the "Dragon Control Ring" in the book. Bellmoru believed that by first imprinting a profound mark in the dragon's mind and then encircling its neck with a magical collar made from powerful arcane forces, continuously bombarding its brain, there was a chance to gradually tame it. He had experimented with this deep-sea dragon, initially with success, but three days later, the ring shattered, leading to a furious chase by the dragon, which rampaged through the capital of the Kingdom of Storms before ceasing.
"The method has potential; it depends on how deep an impression I left on this dragon earlier."
Closing the book, Wang Hui looked at the increasingly impatient deep-sea dragon.
"Come, stretch your head over here; I'll give you a BUFF!"
To the dragon, such foreign and arcane gaming terminology was incomprehensible. It responded by swinging a claw at Wang Hui's head!
Was the majesty of a dragon something a mere human could trifle with?
Boom!
Sand and silt erupted at the cavern's floor, currents surged, but the dragon sensed something was off. It tried to lift its claw, only to find Wang Hui still standing there, unscathed, with only a depression under his feet.
"Roar!"
The dragon opened its maw, releasing its breath, freezing everything around with extreme cold, then swiftly turned to escape upwards.
It remembered where it had felt this presence before - the same oppressive force from the giant hand that had reached down from the sky!
"The humans on the island call Him a Celestial God, surely a formidable being dwelling above the clouds...
But this is the sea! If I can swim fast enough, even a Celestial God..."
The dragon rushed towards the cave's exit, only to halt abruptly. The figure was already there, blocking its way like a specter!
"Huff..."
Wang Hui exhaled a cold bubble, shattering the ice shell that had formed around him. He thought to himself that this dragon truly lived up to being one of the bay world's apex predators; its [Frost Breath] was quite uncomfortable, almost giving his projected form frostbite...
"What do you want?"
The dragon's body was stuck at the entrance, neither able to advance nor retreat, its voice wary and deep:
"I never flew up to the clouds, nor have I provoked you. Why come to my lair?"
"Haven't provoked me?"
Wang Hui chuckled, pointing towards the direction of Peace Island above.
"Just this morning, you invaded my territory, harmed many of my people, and then you claim not to have provoked me? Do sea dragons have memories as short as fish?"
"...I didn't mean to attack there!"
The deep-sea dragon hurried to explain, "I was asleep in my nest, then inexplicably awakened, and dazed, I attacked that island...
Yes, it was the wizard! That old wizard from the Kingdom of Storms named Bellmoru, he controlled me! All the blame falls on him, not me!"
Facing Wang Hui, whose strength was unfathomable, the dragon's words became increasingly fluent, eager to disassociate itself, inwardly cursing Bellmoru with gritted teeth.
That old scoundrel never changed his ways!
If it were just about attacking a few towns or killing some insignificant beastmen, that would be one thing, but to provoke someone so formidable, wasn't that just setting it up for ruin?
"Bellmoru... indeed, he was the mastermind, and I've dealt with him."
Wang Hui shifted his tone suddenly, "However, you were the one who actually carried out the attack. Aside from the facts, aren't you at all to blame?"
"I..."
The dragon was momentarily stunned, unable to follow the logic.
Isn't the fact the most important thing? Why set it aside?
"I suppose... I suppose I am at fault? What compensation do you need from me?"
As it spoke, it saw Wang Hui extend his hand.
"It's simple, just stretch your head over, and I'll give you that BUFF."
With a benevolent smile on his face, Wang Hui watched as the dragon, after some hesitation, slowly brought its head forward.
Buzz!!
Suddenly, it felt a heaviness around its neck, its eyes spun with dizziness as countless whispers flooded its mind!
Moments later, as the dragon regained its senses, it saw a colorful, glowing collar around its neck.
The Dragon Control Ring! Bellmoru had used this trick on it before!
"I don't want... ugh..."
The moment it resisted, the collar constricted, choking it while authoritative voices echoed in its head, causing excruciating pain.
"Cough... cough... cough..."
The dragon flailed in agony for a while until the ring gradually settled.
Wang Hui leaned in, asking, "What did you say you didn't want? I didn't catch that."
"...No, you misheard, ugh..."
Feeling the ring tighten again, the dragon quickly corrected itself, "...I misspoke! How could you have misheard? It's all my fault!"
"Good."
Wang Hui nodded in satisfaction, proposing, "Since you're at fault, it's only right you do some work for me. From today, you'll guard the sea around Peace Island above.
Any need of my people on the island, you must fulfill! Your guard duty is set for a thousand years, how does that sound?"
The dragon bowed its body, its face bitter, "I will follow all your commands..."