Zheng Dong used spatial teleportation to arrive above the Burdened Xuan Turtle.
This fellow seemed even stronger than he had imagined, having taken down a Monarch-tier pet beast in a single bite, leaving the opponent with no chance to retaliate.
"Don't get any ideas, kid. I can't maintain this state for long. It's just for scaring people!" the Burdened Xuan Turtle said.
Zheng Dong frowned, unsure if the Burdened Xuan Turtle was telling the truth.
"Senior, you're not lying to me, are you? Given the current situation, we'll have to wait quite a while for rescue?"
"Do you think I'm joking with you? I sustained severe injuries before and won't live for many more days. If Emperor Qin had been slower, I might have been able to keep pace with him!"
Zheng Dong examined it closely but couldn't see any injuries on the Burdened Xuan Turtle.
However, judging by the Burdened Xuan Turtle's tone, it sounded genuine.
But this fellow had also claimed it wouldn't live much longer last time, yet it was still alive and well.
Just then, the waves churned violently, suddenly throwing up a colossal wave. A massive Kun Shark appeared, emitting an aura so vast it was suffocating.
It wasn't Emperor-tier, nor Overlord-tier, but Totem-tier!
This was the top-tier Totem Kun Shark Emperor of the Kun Shark Totem Kingdom!
From a distance, the Kun Shark Emperor resembled a giant Great White Shark, but its mouth was larger, as if it could easily swallow a whale.
It swam over, intending to attack Zheng Dong and the Burdened Xuan Turtle.
However, it suddenly froze in place, staring intently at the Burdened Xuan Turtle.
It could sense an aura emanating from the Burdened Xuan Turtle that bore a resemblance to the Deep Sea Dragon Whale Emperor, and was even more terrifying.
Instantly, it was dumbfounded.
It had never expected such a ferocious guardian to be on a mere small, broken island.
Without hesitation, it turned and fled the next second.
The Burdened Xuan Turtle did not pursue. Instead, it shrank in size and landed back on Zheng Dong's shoulder.
"We should be safe for now!"
Afterward, the Burdened Xuan Turtle seemed exhausted and fell into a deep sleep.
Zheng Dong then stored it in the relic space within the relic bead and returned to the breeding base using spatial teleportation.
Not long after Zheng Dong returned to the breeding base.
A green fish, aided by the waves, swam into the breeding base's cultivation pool.
It was injured, and blood continuously flowed out, dyeing the water in the cultivation pool red.
This scared many of the young turtle pet beasts, causing them to crawl out of this cultivation pool and hide in others.
Soon, the breeding base staff discovered the situation and informed Zheng Dong and Du Chuan.
Zheng Dong was initially uninterested.
However, upon hearing that the blood flowing from the green fish exuded a faint dragon's might, indicating it was likely dragon blood, he became interested.
By the time Zheng Dong arrived, a considerable number of breeding base staff had already gathered.
Seeing Zheng Dong, they all expressed their gratitude.
After all, without the Burdened Xuan Turtle brought by Zheng Dong, they likely wouldn't have survived.
Zheng Dong looked at the green fish in the pool.
It was only an arm's length long, not very large, appearing to be an awakened-tier extraordinary creature.
"Zheng Dong, based on my years of experience, this should be a green fish with dragon blood, perhaps capable of evolving into a flood dragon in the future!" Du Chuan said.
Zheng Dong nodded and used his Evolution Eye to examine it, wanting to know the green fish's racial rank, evolutionary potential, and any hidden evolutionary paths.
Soon, he was astonished.
The green fish's racial rank was High Totem-tier, meaning it could grow into a top-tier Totem.
This was almost unbelievable.
Could fish not be judged by their appearance?
Zheng Dong scooped up the green fish, as it seemed to be on the verge of death if not treated promptly.
Subsequently, Zheng Dong used his Nutrient Fruit and Healing Fruit skills, condensing them into rice-sized nutrient and healing fruits to treat the green fish.
After swallowing a nutrient fruit, the green fish began to devour them voraciously.
Zheng Dong had to continue condensing more nutrient and healing fruits.
But the green fish seemed like a bottomless pit, never having enough, and its wounds showed no signs of healing.
Zheng Dong had no choice but to call Ling'er out to help.
After consuming tens of thousands of nutrient and healing fruits, the green fish suddenly seemed to come alive, opening its eyes and looking at Zheng Dong.
The next second, the green fish in Zheng Dong's hand suddenly changed its form, transforming into a beast-eared girl with dragon horns.
Zheng Dong was so startled that he almost dropped it.
Du Chuan and the others around were also wide-eyed, frozen in place.
Because the faint aura emanating from the beast-eared girl brought them a powerful sense of oppression, a feeling more terrifying than that of Emperor-tier or Overlord-tier extraordinary creatures.
This meant that the beast-eared girl before them was likely Totem-tier.
As everyone stood there bewildered, the dragon-horned beast-eared girl reached out a hand as white as jade and touched Zheng Dong's cheek.
"Is this what it feels like to be held?"
This was the Azure Dragon Empress of the Azure Dragon Totem Kingdom.
She was originally a green fish with dragon blood that, through a fortunate encounter, evolved step by step into an Azure Dragon.
However, her greatest dream now was to become human.
Because the Azure Dragon Kingdom was the closest to Yanhuang, she obtained a large number of books to understand the Yanhuang Kingdom.
She couldn't comprehend normal books at all, but she was particularly fond of reading all sorts of bizarre novels and gradually became addicted to them, to the point of obsession.
No one would believe her if she said this.
But as an Azure Dragon Empress with a dream, she wanted to become the protagonist in the stories.
Zheng Dong was a bit stunned by the Azure Dragon Empress's sudden remark.
He looked at the Azure Dragon Empress.
The Azure Dragon Empress was the most beautiful beast-eared girl he had ever seen, like a work of art from a painting, with skin like jade, bright eyes, and delicate eyebrows, captivatingly beautiful.
Zheng Dong was almost lulled into a false sense of security because of this.
But fortunately, the powerful aura emanating from the Azure Dragon Empress constantly reminded him that the beast-eared girl before him was not to be trifled with.
He suddenly felt as if the Azure Dragon Empress he was holding was a ticking time bomb, neither able to put her down nor keep her.
Coupled with the sudden attack by a large number of deep-sea extraordinary creatures on this sea area, he felt even more that the Azure Dragon Empress was suspicious.
Quickly calming down, Zheng Dong tentatively asked:
"Your identity must be quite extraordinary, right?"
To his surprise, the Azure Dragon Empress did not conceal it and readily admitted, "I am actually the Azure Dragon Empress of the Azure Dragon Totem Kingdom. You saved me, didn't you!"
Instantly, the surrounding breeding base staff showed expressions of disbelief.
Although Zheng Dong was unfamiliar with the Totem Kingdoms of the East Sea and didn't know who the Azure Dragon Empress was, they did.
They just never dreamed they would encounter the Azure Dragon Empress one day; it was truly terrible luck.
Moreover, the Azure Dragon Empress was injured and appeared to be fleeing from pursuit, which would undoubtedly attract greater trouble, something they could not afford.
Zheng Dong also frowned.
He felt he had encountered a major problem.
"Don't be afraid, I won't eat you. Since you saved me, see it through and help me evade the pursuit of the Deep Sea Dragon Whale Emperor!" the Azure Dragon Empress said.
Zheng Dong didn't know the strength of the Deep Sea Dragon Whale Emperor, but if it could pursue the Azure Dragon Empress, it was at least a top-tier Totem.
He couldn't afford to provoke such an existence.
However, just as he was about to refuse, the Azure Dragon Empress continued:
"As long as my aura is present, it can track me, and it will likely implicate you. The only way now is for you to contract me and take me into your beast-taming space."
Zheng Dong was dumbfounded.
You think too highly of me! You are a top-tier Totem. Even if I wanted to contract you, I can't contract you across such a large level gap!
The Azure Dragon Empress was also forced into a corner, which is why she asked Zheng Dong to contract her.
After all, she didn't want to die.
She was severely injured and had barely escaped the Azure Dragon Totem Kingdom, wanting to flee to the mainland, but the passages into the mainland were all blocked.
Near Modu, there were two top-tier Totems, the Barbarian Fish Emperor and the Crocodile Turtle Emperor, guarding it.
The surrounding sea area also had the Kun Shark Emperor searching for her everywhere.
If the Burdened Xuan Turtle hadn't driven away the Kun Shark Emperor, she wouldn't have dared to come to this island.
Most importantly, her injuries were more severe than she had anticipated, to the point where she had to drop her growth tier to sustain her life.
Furthermore, even if she dropped her growth tier, she would find it difficult to survive without timely treatment.
This was also why she had turned into a green fish and fallen unconscious.
Seeing Zheng Dong's hesitation, the Azure Dragon Empress quickly asked:
"You're unwilling to save me? Is it because you're afraid you can't contract me?"
"I'm just an intermediate beast tamer, I can't contract you across such a large level gap. If I force the contract, my beast-taming space will collapse, and I will die!" Zheng Dong explained.
"I am aware of this situation, but I have a way for you to contract me, but it requires the help of the senior beside you!" the Azure Dragon Empress said.
The Azure Dragon Empress mastered the super-tier skill, "Return to Origin."
"Return to Origin" is a skill of Water, Time, and Spirit elements, which can allow the Azure Dragon Empress to return to her initial awakened state and convert her growth accumulation over the years into the origin for her next evolution, increasing her evolutionary potential.
She had used this skill multiple times before, gradually growing to become a top-tier Totem.
However, after reaching the top-tier Totem, she could not bear to give up everything she possessed and start over using "Return to Origin."
But now, she had no choice but to do so.
This was not only for survival but also for future revenge.
This was another reason she wanted to contract with Zheng Dong.
After contracting, her growth speed would be faster than before, her evolution process would be relatively easier, and her hope of revenge would be greater.
Zheng Dong was surprised. If it were truly possible to contract, he would be willing.
After all, the Azure Dragon Empress was a top-tier Totem, so he wouldn't be at a disadvantage.
Subsequently, Zheng Dong released the Burdened Xuan Turtle from the relic space.
The Burdened Xuan Turtle groggily opened its eyes.
"Brat, don't disturb my sleep unless it's important!"
Before the Burdened Xuan Turtle could finish speaking, it noticed the Azure Dragon Empress and was startled.
It hadn't expected that after just a short nap, Zheng Dong would have a Totem-tier Azure Dragon by his side.
The Azure Dragon Empress also looked at the Burdened Xuan Turtle and said respectfully:
"Please, senior, help me!"
Zheng Dong had to step forward and explain the situation to the Burdened Xuan Turtle.
After understanding the situation, the Burdened Xuan Turtle showed no intention of helping.
"No, I absolutely cannot help you. If I help you, I might live a few days less, and I might even become heirless!"
This left the Azure Dragon Empress dumbfounded.
If the Burdened Xuan Turtle didn't help, she would truly have no other option. She looked at Zheng Dong pleadingly.
Zheng Dong had also guessed that the Burdened Xuan Turtle wouldn't help.
This fellow only cared about whether its bloodline could be preserved and would avoid helping if possible. If the previous Monarch-tier Dragon Whale hadn't threatened the turtle pet beasts in the breeding base, thus affecting Du Chuan's plan to leave heirs for it, it wouldn't have acted.
However, if they didn't help the Azure Dragon Empress, and the Deep Sea Dragon Whale Emperor pursued them later, wouldn't they all be finished?
"Senior, please help us try! If the Deep Sea Dragon Whale Emperor pursues us, the breeding base might not be protected! This would also greatly affect Du Chuan's plan to leave heirs for you," Zheng Dong said.
"At worst, we can find another place. Yanhuang should have more than just this one breeding base, right?" the Burdened Xuan Turtle said dismissively.
It had already decided to put all the turtle pet beasts it fancied into the relic space within Zheng Dong's relic bead and take them away.
Although the relic space wasn't very large, it should be able to fit them if squeezed.
As for the other turtle pet beasts and the staff in the base, they were not within its consideration.
At this moment, the Azure Dragon Empress also saw the crucial point and quickly said, "Senior, in your current state, it's unlikely you can leave behind your bloodline!"
The Burdened Xuan Turtle not only had a high growth tier but was also too old. If it could leave behind its bloodline, it would be creating a miracle.
The Burdened Xuan Turtle knew this as well, but it would not allow others to say it.
Therefore, before the Azure Dragon Empress could finish speaking, the Burdened Xuan Turtle was about to attack her.
Fortunately, the Azure Dragon Empress continued:
"But I can help you, with a hundred percent success rate!"
The Burdened Xuan Turtle didn't believe her and stared intently at the Azure Dragon Empress. If the Azure Dragon Empress couldn't provide a convincing method, it wouldn't mind swallowing her whole.
"I wonder if Senior has heard of the Youth Fruit produced by the Time Divine Tree. The Youth Fruit can temporarily return Senior to a youthful state, making it easy to leave behind your bloodline!" the Azure Dragon Empress said.
The Burdened Xuan Turtle paused, asking with some suspicion:
"You're not lying to me, are you!"
"Senior, how dare I lie to you? If 'Return to Origin' is successful, I will only be at the Awakened tier, and my life and death will be in your hands," the Azure Dragon Empress said.
The Burdened Xuan Turtle then nodded, agreeing to help.
To use the super-tier skill "Return to Origin," one needed to be in peak condition and mobilize a large amount of elemental energy.
However, the Azure Dragon Empress was severely injured and clearly unable to mobilize elemental energy to cast "Return to Origin."
Thus, the Burdened Xuan Turtle needed to help gather various elemental energies from the surroundings to assist the Azure Dragon Empress in using "Return to Origin."
In the beginning, everything went relatively smoothly.
As the Azure Dragon Empress's growth tier continuously regressed, from Totem-tier to Overlord-tier, and then to Emperor-tier, the required elemental energy increased exponentially, growing at a geometric rate.
Although "Return to Origin" was a super-tier skill, its consumption was immense. Moreover, for someone of the Azure Dragon Empress's level, performing "Return to Origin" was already very difficult, and the elemental energy consumed was even greater.
The Burdened Xuan Turtle was exerting all its strength, mobilizing the surrounding elemental energy, but it was still not enough.
The Azure Dragon Empress couldn't help but exclaim:
"No, the elemental energy is still not enough, we need more!"
The Burdened Xuan Turtle's eyes widened. It had already done its best and could not mobilize any more elemental energy to assist the Azure Dragon Empress.
It couldn't be helped; due to its injuries, it was now just a shell of its former self.
The Azure Dragon Empress sensed that "Return to Origin" was about to fail and showed a look of despair.
If it failed, her injuries would worsen, possibly leading to a coma or even death.
Zheng Dong suddenly remembered the beast-taming talent "Sea Contract" in his hand.
The talent bead for "Sea Contract" was obtained from Xin Yu'er. It was a special enhancement-type beast-taming talent that could double all attributes and abilities of water-element pet beasts, and it could also draw power from the sea to continuously replenish its own consumption, unleashing a sustained tenfold combat power.