Having never been to the Eastern Sea, one cannot imagine its vastness. Endless waters stretch as far as the eye can see, with towering waves crashing against the shore. The sea's expanse could rival the entire landmass of the Great Wilderness. Adding the Southern, Western, and Northern Seas together would make the area immeasurable—no one could fathom how many light-years it spans.
The Eastern Sea is currently ruled by the Dragon Clan of the Great Wilderness, but they only occupy the coastal regions. The depths of the ocean, however, are inhabited by countless ferocious sea beasts.
Despite this, the Dragon Clan's dominance in the Eastern Sea remains unchallenged. Within this region, their word is law. Even those born of the Chaos Gods, with noble bloodlines, must submit to the overwhelming authority of the Dragon Clan. The sea beasts, known only for their bloodlust and lack of unity, stand no chance against the Dragons. Therefore, the Dragon Clan's foundation in the Eastern Sea is unshakeable.
This is the reality of the Great Wilderness: power dictates authority, the weak are oppressed, and strength reigns supreme.
Sighing, Wang Dong muttered, "The Eastern Sea is so vast, and I have no idea where to go. Looks like I've got my work cut out for me."
He pondered for a moment. "I wonder if this method will work. I can only try." He formed a series of hand seals and cast several runes. Slowly, the runes began to form a hazy map, but before it could solidify, it collapsed with a loud bang.
Wang Dong tried a few more times, but each time the image shattered before it could take shape.
"It seems that something is hiding the Heavenly secrets of the Three Immortal Islands. Or perhaps the secrets are simply not revealing themselves," he murmured, his brows furrowing in thought. "Looks like I'll have to stay in the Eastern Sea for a while longer."
These divination methods were something Wang Dong had learned when he reached the Great Luo Golden Immortal level. However, he wasn't particularly skilled in them, and this was his first time using them. He hadn't expected failure, but failure it was.
Although the divination didn't reveal the Three Immortal Islands, it did provide a vague sense of direction. Wang Dong set off, determined to continue searching for them.
Five hundred years passed in the blink of an eye, and still, Wang Dong had no luck finding the Three Immortal Islands. No wonder it wasn't until after the Conferred God List that the islands were discovered, as the gathering place of rogue immortals. Even with Wang Dong's abilities, he had failed to find it after five centuries, which only emphasized how hidden these islands truly were.
One day, while resting on a cloud of five colors, Wang Dong noticed something strange. Suddenly, from the sea, a green flood dragon emerged with a few carp spirits in tow.
The green flood dragon, with a single horn atop its head and its scales covered in wounds, caused the surrounding waters to turn blood red. Its violet eyes glared angrily at the carp spirits chasing after it.
The carp spirits, on the other hand, taunted the green flood dragon. The leader of the carp spirits, in particular, leered at it mockingly, his lips curled into a smirk. Their enmity was clearly deep.
Wang Dong found the situation amusing and decided to watch the scene unfold, hoping to ease his boredom. If these creatures were to fight to the death and end up performing for him, it would make for an interesting spectacle.
"Heh, Qing Jiao, why aren't you running now? Can't escape anymore?" the leader of the golden carp mocked.
"Yeah, yeah. Are you finally cowed by our Lord, Golden Scales?" another carp chimed in with a feigned sigh. "Ah, if only you hadn't been so foolish, we wouldn't have to be in this position."
"That's right! Hand over your spirit treasure and offer it to Lord Golden Scales. Maybe, if he's in a good mood, he might spare your life," a third carp added, eager to please.
Golden Scales, the leader, grinned, savoring the flattery. Though he knew they were sucking up to him, it still felt good.
"What do you want, Golden Scales? Don't push your luck," the green flood dragon snarled in fury.
"Heh, what do I want? Hand over your spirit treasure, and kneel to me. How's that? Am I being generous enough?" Golden Scales sneered.
"No way! I risked my life, battling beasts and nearly dying to obtain this treasure!" the green flood dragon's eyes turned red with rage, refusing to yield.
Golden Scales' eyes narrowed, and a cold glint flickered within them. "Then don't blame me for being ruthless. If you won't cooperate, I'll send you to your grave," he threatened.
"You dare? I am of the Dragon Clan! Don't you fear the Dragon Clan's retribution?" the green flood dragon spat.
"The Dragon Clan? I'm terrified of them, of course. But you? You're nothing but a mongrel. What are they going to do for a lowly creature like you? Besides, with so many dragons out there, no one will care about a mere green flood dragon like you," Golden Scales jeered.
Golden Scales had a point. The Dragon Clan, for all their might, were not likely to intervene over a single green flood dragon. Moreover, with their immense numbers and countless descendants scattered across the realms, the Dragon Clan had little time or inclination to track down every stray offspring.
The green flood dragon, though once part of the Dragon Clan, was of low status and had no proper cultivation techniques. After over seven thousand years, it had barely reached the Heavenly Immortal level. Meanwhile, Golden Scales had reached the peak of the Heavenly Immortal level within just three thousand years, with a much firmer foundation. The disparity between their power was clear.
In order to prove itself, the green flood dragon had risked everything to steal a rare spirit treasure from a ferocious beast's lair, surviving a near-death experience. It had hoped to refine the treasure and gain insight into a new technique, but now, Golden Scales wanted to take it from him and force him into servitude. How could the green flood dragon accept that?
"I'll fight you to the death, Golden Scales! Even if it costs me my life, I won't hand over the treasure!" The green flood dragon roared, summoning two giant water dragons to attack.
"Hmph, you little wild cultivator with no techniques, you dare to challenge me?" Golden Scales sneered, conjuring a giant block of ice that crushed the water dragons with a single gesture.
The green flood dragon, seeing his attacks thwarted, could only watch as the massive block of ice bore down on him. "Ah!" It cried out in pain, its body lacerated by the cold as it struggled to free itself.
Bleeding heavily and writhing in agony, the green flood dragon felt despair settle in. The gap between their abilities was too vast. Whether in terms of techniques or energy, it was hopeless. The battle was already lost.
Golden Scales didn't hesitate to press his advantage, launching attack after attack. He intended to finish the fight quickly, knowing that the longer it dragged on, the greater the chance that an unknown power might interfere.
However, what Golden Scales didn't know was that Wang Dong had been watching the entire confrontation from a distance, his power far beyond Golden Scales' comprehension.
As the attacks continued, the green flood dragon cried out in pain, yet still refused to surrender the treasure.
At that moment, Wang Dong's voice rang out, stern and commanding: "Green Flood Dragon, will you accept me as your master?"
Startled, the green flood dragon's eyes widened in disbelief. Without thinking, it knelt before Wang Dong, its head bowed in submission. "I accept! I'll serve you! I'll follow you, master!"
Golden Scales was taken aback, realizing too late that his opponent had been under the watch of a far more powerful being. He stared in shock as Wang Dong waved his hand, effortlessly turning him and his followers to ash with a single motion.
The green flood dragon stood frozen, awestruck. The overwhelming power on display was beyond anything it had ever witnessed. Yet, at the same time, it felt a surge of joy. Serving such a mighty master was an opportunity few could ever dream of.
"Come, let's go," Wang Dong said, his voice carrying a weight of authority.
The green flood dragon, now thoroughly loyal, wasted no time. With a powerful flick of its tail, it soared toward Wang Dong, ready to follow its new master without hesitation.