Chapter 163

Chapter 163: The Emerald Water Dragon.

The sun was shining brightly, oh so brightly.

The sound of sharpening a blade echoed loudly, oh so loudly.

As the legendary tool-wielding Master Swordsman meticulously honed his katana with a whetstone, inch by inch, the bond between him and his weapon grew ever closer in maintenance.

Weapons crafted from dragon materials are often rumored to possess the soul of a dragon.

Hunters must personally hunt them down to wield weapons made from their bones, and the Guild has always encouraged hunters to gather materials through hunting for upgrading their armaments.

“Is it the Spiny Dragon again? Just before we spotted the Smoky Snow Weasel? What a coincidence.”

“Could the Smoky Snow Weasel have lured it away and then back again?”

“We can’t rule out that possibility. There’s also the chance of the Flying Dragon’s breeding season. Recently, it’s the Fire Dragon’s breeding season, and it could also be the Spiny Dragon’s breeding season.”

“The patterns described by the Team Leader might just be changes during the breeding season, possibly for attracting mates. I’d really love to see it.”

The Scholar stroked his chin, proposing numerous hypotheses while casting a glance at the Master Swordsman:

“I hope to draft a commission. Please, Master Swordsman, escort me on an exploration mission to investigate the Spiny Dragon and also look into the Fire Dragon’s breeding season on the New Continent.”

“Eh? No problem, I’m just sitting around anyway.”

Sensing the arrival of a task, the Master Swordsman straightened his back, stood up, and looked towards the group discussing, stretching his limbs.

“Hmm, I understand.”

The Commander looked at the Team Leader but saw him leisurely gazing at the distant blue sea and sky, admiring the beauty of the scenery.

His eyebrows slightly raised, his gaze shifted back to the two who had no objections, hesitating for a moment before nodding:

“Please prioritize safety above all else.”

“Relax, I’ll make sure to collect some supplies along the way.”

The Master Swordsman folded his hands and rotated his upper body, nodding casually.

The Commander somewhat doubted this nod was just part of his exercise routine but didn’t offer more instructions.

He wasn’t the type to mother hen.

Alas, the “Spiny Dragon” was basking in the sun nearby, completely oblivious to their words, with no intention of cooperating with their mission.

This primary objective of the mission was destined to end in failure.

Jié Jié twisted his body and got up, dashing down the mountain and diving headfirst into the sea.

The Sea Dragon’s body swayed as he cruised past where the Steel Dragon once fell.

The meaty flesh of the Steel Dragon’s remains had been decomposed by marine organisms, its already rust-covered steel skin now devoid of all metallic luster, almost entirely covered by coral reefs and lush seaweed.

The concept of one whale’s fall bringing life applies equally to ancient dragons; this seabed thrived with vitality unlike other areas, with various marine creatures not only well-fed but also exhibiting increased ferocity.

He swam along the coast towards the east, the massive water currents forcing him to raise his head, catching sight of the spot where the Abyssal Wave Dragon once entered the sea.

Lakes had connected into rivers, forming waterfalls at the edge of cliffs.

A current of water was swept along by the impact of a colossal creature, causing Jié Jié to arch his body and twist his head around.

The Water Dragon’s impact merely pushed him slightly aside. He skillfully maneuvered his body and chased after the Water Dragon, biting it hard as it turned to strike again.

The Water Dragon writhed, but the Sea Dragon’s massive jaws sank deep into its flesh. The azure lightning flashing in the ocean rendered its struggles powerless.

Jié Jié released his bite, watching the Water Dragon’s corpse sink and float in the ocean before starting to gnaw on it.

Could this Water Dragon have been washed down by the waterfall and unable to return?

While he was feeding, several Water Dragons approached quietly, drawn by the scent of blood from their fallen kin, and launched an attack on Jié Jié.

That’s the downside of being in the sea—fish have poor eyesight, and even a small amount of concentrated blood can attract a horde of ghostly snakes and demons.

But he was no longer the same as before. The Water Dragons’ impacts only caused him the faintest dull pain, and only bites brought any slight stinging sensation.

He lowered his head, and with a snap of his massive jaws, chunks of flesh were torn off, revealing bone.

He could be bitten countless times, but the Water Dragons biting him would lose the strength to resist amidst the intense pain, groaning as they rolled helplessly in the sea.

The Water Dragons pouncing on him were like an all-you-can-eat buffet until a massive disturbance in the water appeared. A thirty-meter-long Emerald Water Dragon roared, the force of its movement creating such turbulence that it broke through the surface, raising waves.

Pure size, pure mass, the ability to channel power into its muscles when tensed, causing its scales to subtly rise.

This individual Water Dragon, having aged into a vibrant green, possessed strength, speed, and agility far surpassing ordinary Water Dragons.

Its mighty force scattered the surrounding Water Dragons, and it itself stirred the water currents, drawing Jié Jié towards a collision.

The electric current still flowing in the Sea Dragon’s back shell finally erupted fully, sending electrical serpents wriggling everywhere, as if attempting to devour everything around it.

The Water Dragons trembled and began to flee. The Emerald Water Dragon that collided directly with Jie Jié lost balance, rolling chaotically in the water, pushing away nearby creatures with the violent water currents.

Jié Jié, pushed back but unharmed, shook his body, dispersing flashes of lightning in all directions, exposing the smaller fish attracted by the blood in the bright light.

Sand and mud churned on the seabed, covering the blinding flashes. At some point, the Lamp Fish Dragon, which had been lurking there, chose to flee.

A water column filled with bubbles pierced through the seawater, entangling with electricity and striking the electrified Sea Dragon, sweeping across Jie Jié’s abdomen, leaving a trail of wounds.

Jié Jié arched his body with the impact, appearing to endure unbearable agony.

But when his body snapped back, the previously visible abdominal wounds had already healed and scabbed over. The force of the rebound sent him speeding toward the Emerald Water Dragon.

The discharge cells, contracting and expanding, emitted brilliant arcs of electricity, piercing through the vast body of the Emerald Water Dragon, depleting its stamina, leaving only trembling, slackened muscles behind.

A wisp of black smoke escaped from the Emerald Water Dragon’s mouth, staining the seawater.

Jié Jié embraced the Emerald Water Dragon’s body tightly, twisting his fearsome jaws to pierce through its neck.

The Sea Dragon’s elongated body relaxed, swaying left and right as it decided to push the Emerald Water Dragon onto the shore to consume it. He also needed to recover the oxygen consumed during the fight.

Approaching the shore, the Sea Dragon found moving difficult. Lying on the shallow beach, it arched its degenerated hind legs to support its contracting torso.

The Thunder Jaw Dragon stepped ashore step by step, panting and flapping its dorsal membrane, shaking its body. Water droplets were shaken off and evaporated due to its higher body temperature.

Jié Jié turned around, his interlocking teeth gently locking onto the corpse of the Emerald Water Dragon, dragging it onto the shore.

—

Chapter 164