East Sea.
South Separation Island
This is an island that does not exist on any satellite or map; it is an exclusive island belonging to the East Sea Dragon Palace.
The island is not large, but it boasts an incredibly majestic and continuous architectural complex.
The surroundings of the island are filled with treacherous currents and reefs, making it impossible for any ship to approach. It is also perpetually shrouded in mist.
At this moment, on the highest peak on the northern coast of the island, there is a colossal altar. The altar is surrounded by people, all of whom possess peculiar and diverse appearances.
The Old Dragon King's family is also present, standing at the forefront of the crowd, facing the sea with expressions of deep emotion.
The weather today is exceptionally fine, with not a cloud in the sky and the sea as calm as a mirror. The Old Dragon King gazes at the sea surface, silent.
Naturally, no one dares to speak. Some even hold their breath, fearing that their inhalation might be too loud.
Just then, a gentle breeze sweeps across the sea surface, stirring ripples. The sound of rushing water reaches everyone's ears, awakening the Old Dragon King.
"Xiao Yue..."
"Here..."
"The Dragon Gate was lost while in your care; it is your duty to return it to its rightful place."
"Yes." Ao Jiangyue replied, turning to look at Ao Haiping beside her, who held the three fragments of the Dragon Gate.
Ao Haiping said nothing more. With a wave of his hand, three massive inscribed steles landed on the ground with a resounding thud, drawing everyone's attention.
Of the three stone steles, only the base piece exuded an extraordinary aura. The other two appeared dull and ordinary.
This caused some who had never seen the Dragon Gate before to display a hint of confusion.
Of course, they did not doubt it, for the Dragon King himself had confirmed it. How could the Dragon King be wrong?
Meanwhile, Ao Jiangyue first picked up the Dragon Gate's base and walked onto the altar.
At the center of the altar, there was a rectangular pit perfectly sized for the Dragon Gate's base.
Under everyone's gaze, Ao Jiangyue first placed the base correctly. She then joined the second piece. Still, no unusual phenomena occurred, causing even the Old Dragon King, who knew it could be restored, to feel a pang of anxiety.
If he felt this way, it was even more so for Ao Jiangyue. Usually composed and unaffected by worldly matters, Ao Jiangyue's lips were tightly pressed, and her body trembled slightly, unable to suppress her nervousness.
If the Dragon Gate could not be restored, her guilt would be immense.
"Xiao Yue..." At this moment, her elder sister-in-law, Lu Caiwei, softly called out, giving her an encouraging look.
"Xiao Yue, don't worry. Place the last piece." The Old Dragon King offered a seemingly relaxed word of comfort.
However, his clenched fist betrayed his true state of unease.
The Dragon Gate was more crucial to the dragon race than the Heavenly Palace, as it was directly linked to the prosperity and continuation of their lineage, allowing for no mistakes.
Her father's and elder sister-in-law's words seemed to grant Ao Jiangyue immense courage. She picked up the final stone stele and walked onto the altar.
However, it was evident that her steps were much quicker than before. Clearly, she did not wish to delay, lest her thoughts overwhelm her.
In the expectant gazes of the crowd, Ao Jiangyue placed the last stone stele onto the others, finally assembling the complete steles.
But—
Silence descended. Nothing happened. A heavy disappointment filled everyone's hearts. The Old Dragon King's body swayed, nearly causing him to fall.
Ao Jiangyue's lips were tightly pressed, her face ashen.
"Feng Zhirun."
Ao Haiping's voice boomed with a low, furious roar, like a cornered beast, filled with anger and ferocity.
Just then, a wind suddenly blew across the sea, rustling everyone's robes and causing the Dragon Gate to radiate golden light...
Amidst the astonished eyes of the crowd, a beam of light shot into the sky. Countless golden dragons coiled around the light, spiraling upwards and emitting roars.
A colossal gate materialized within the void's clouds.
"Open the Dragon Gate!"
Someone inexplicably led the chant, and countless others joined in, their voices echoing across the sea and through the clouds.
Numerous marine creatures in the ocean seemed to be summoned, all heading towards South Separation Island.
Dolphins, whales, sharks, giant squids, and colossal sea turtles all surfaced.
The Dragon Gate in the clouds slowly opened with the sound of dragon roars.
Visible spiritual energy surged down from the gate, forming a vast, ethereal river that snaked its way to the sea surface.
It connected the ocean below with the Dragon Gate in the sky.
"Leap the Dragon Gate."
Ao Jiangyue's body hovered in the air, clad in armor with her cape fluttering. Her long sword transformed into a whip, which she cracked in the air, producing a sharp sound that seemed to tear through the void, followed by a thunderous "crack."
This feeling returned. The usually serene Ao Jiangyue couldn't help but curve her lips into a smile.
With that sound, countless marine creatures instantly fainted and sank to the seabed. This marked the first selection, and these creatures had completely lost their chance to leap the Dragon Gate.
At this moment, the great marine demons transformed into their original forms and surged upwards along the ethereal river.
The further up the ethereal river one went, the greater the strength required. Moreover, within the ethereal river, all magical spells were rendered ineffective; only perseverance and self-cultivated strength mattered.
Attempts to fly, teleport, or find shortcuts were futile. In millions of years, no one had ever passed the Dragon Gate through such means.
Everyone knew this, so they all mustered their strength and swam upwards. The ethereal river, though seemingly illusory, was in reality more arduous than swimming against a real current.
Not only did it constantly deplete strength and spiritual energy, but the "water" of the ethereal river seemed to possess a strong corrosive property, constantly eroding the physical body like being cut by knives. The higher they climbed, the more painful and difficult it became.
Yet, no one was willing to give up. They knew that to ascend to heaven in a single step, to leap the Dragon Gate, could never be simple. Furthermore, even if they did not succeed, being cleansed by the "river water" would make them stronger than before.
This was one of the reasons why everyone dared to leap the Dragon Gate.
Watching them rush forward and swim against the current, the Old Dragon King couldn't help but laugh heartily.
He seemed to glimpse the resurgence of the dragon race.
"Caiwei, you too must strive diligently and help our East Sea Ao family prosper and multiply."
Lu Caiwei, who had been watching the sky, withdrew her gaze. She didn't speak, merely smiled shyly, and then lowered her head.
At this very moment, the first to leap into the Dragon Gate was about to be born.
It was a colossal turtle, its body the size of an island. Its dark shell was dappled, resembling stars. It moved its limbs slowly, yet its speed was like an arrow's flight. The "river water" in the ethereal river seemed to have no effect on it.
"That old turtle is truly formidable," Ao Haiping exclaimed.
It turned out that this old turtle was Uncle De, whom Ao Haiping had promised earlier. For the past hundred years, he had served the Ao family, acting as their steward.
As he was about to enter the Dragon Gate, the old turtle couldn't help but become excited. He let out a turtle's cry towards the sky and was about to enter the gate.
But just then, a giant claw, shaped like a scythe, suddenly emerged from the Dragon Gate and split the old turtle in two. Flesh and blood scattered across the sky, raining down.