I was just fishing, how did I become a Great Old One?

Passing through that huge "Eastern Sea Paradise" archway is like passing through a filter of reality.

The once deep and silent seabed was instantly filled with deafening bass.

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"

This rhythm is not your average drumbeat.

Instead, it is formed by the vibration frequency of the seabed crust, which is amplified by a huge [sound wave amplifier].

With each tremor, even the seawater boils, forming visible white bubble rings.

"It's so noisy."

Jiang Li frowned.

The Abyss Overlord's Coat (black dark matter) on his body automatically created a silencing force field, isolating him from the noise that was enough to shatter his internal organs.

He looked up at the legendary Crystal Palace.

This is not a palace.

This is clearly a... [Cyber ​​Night City - Underwater Limited Edition].

Beneath the enormous transparent dome, countless glowing data pillars pierce the dome.

Colorful coolant flows through these pillars; it is the core data stream of the Heavenly Dao Network.

Between these pillars float thousands of semi-transparent holographic dance floors.

Countless "shrimp soldiers and crab generals" with deep cybernetic modifications, as well as "cyber cultivators" from all over the world (most of whom are rich second-generation), are dancing wildly on the dance floor.

They inhaled the hallucinogenic gas emitted by the [Electronic Jellyfish], their eyes glazed over, their limbs twitching mechanically.

This is not just a celebration.

This is a feast of... collective data overload.

……

"Welcome to... the Dragon Palace of the East Sea!"

A tuned, extremely flamboyant electronic sound system filled the entire venue.

In the very center of the square, there is a huge, suspended DJ booth.

On the platform stood an old man carrying a huge, green-glowing alloy tortoise shell.

He was wearing sunglasses and frantically spinning records on a complex control panel.

[Target: Prime Minister Turtle (DJ Gui)]

[Position: Chief Operating Officer of the East Sea Dragon Palace / Rhythm Master]

[Abilities: Sound wave control, absolute defensive shield.]

"tonight!"

"It's our Third Prince's... [Deep Sea Electronic Music Festival]!"

Let's get this party started!

The Turtle Prime Minister suddenly pushed down a red lever.

boom!

The lights in the entire venue instantly turned blood red.

Countless red laser beams shot down from the dome and converged on a giant seashell throne in the center of the stage.

The seashell slowly opened.

The main character inside was revealed.

……

That was a... [a half-human, half-dragon mecha monster].

He retained his human form, but was three meters tall.

Its entire body is covered in silver-white [nano dragon scale armor].

On his head grew a pair of backward-curving, electrically charged crystal dragon horns.

His spine was an exposed nuclear fusion reactor that emitted a blinding blue light (this seemed to be standard equipment for dragons).

[Target: Ao Bing (Dragon Prince)]

[Identity: Third Prince of the East Sea Dragon King / Cyber ​​Prodigy / Cyber-Body Maniac.]

[Realm Level: Peak Nascent Soul Stage (achieved through massive spending).]

[Equipment: Full set of Dragon Clan Divine Armor, Deep Sea Fang.]

Ao Bing sat on the throne, holding a cup of still-bubbling [liquid krypton wine].

Around his neck hung a long, red ribbon that flowed like water...

The ribbon is not affected by gravity.

It meandered and circled in the air, as if it had its own life.

Every time it sweeps through the air, it leaves behind a red data trail.

【The Heavenly Silk】

Nezha's magical weapon.

At this moment, however, this Third Prince... used it as a glow stick for dancing.

As he drank, he waved his magic ribbon, drawing red circles in the air in rhythm with the music.

"Cool!"

Ao Bing laughed loudly.

"Is this the feel of an ancient artifact?"

"That's way more exciting than those holographic projections!"

……

"That spendthrift son..."

Xun Leizi, standing below, felt his heart bleed at the sight.

"That's the Chaos Ribbon, capable of shaking the heavens and earth and binding gods and demons!"

"He actually used it for ribbon dancing?"

Jiang Li remained silent.

He simply watched the mecha dragon man writhing on the stage.

His eyes were as calm as a stagnant pool.

"Er Gou" (Second Dog).

"Go, smash that DJ booth for me."

"This music is awful."

"It affects my mood while I'm chopping vegetables."

"Woof!"

Er Gou had long since reached his limit with the noise.

It instantly switched to "mad dog mode".

His body transformed into a blur, instantly teleporting to the floating DJ booth.

"Stop hitting me, you damn turtle!"

Er Gou slapped the control panel with one paw.

Shila-

Sparks flew everywhere.

The Turtle Prime Minister, who was DJing, was startled.

"Where did this stray dog ​​come from?"

"Shield!"

hum-

The turtle shell on the back of the Prime Minister of the Turtle lit up, forming a green energy shield.

"Bite it down!"

Er Gou opened his blood-red maw (a digitized maw) and shoved it at the shield.

"Snap!"

Absolute defense?

In the face of a gluttonous family member, it's just an eggshell.

The shield shattered.

The console exploded.

The deafening bass line suddenly... [came to an abrupt end].

……

The entire room fell silent.

The tens of thousands of guests who were celebrating suddenly froze.

It's like the pause button has been pressed.

All eyes were on the DJ booth.

And... that man in the black trench coat who suddenly appeared in the center of the square.

"What happened?"

"Where's the music?"

"Who dares to disrupt the Third Prince's territory?"

Ao Bing on the stage also stopped moving.

The magic ribbon in his hand fell to the ground.

Those vertical pupil-shaped electronic eyes were fixed on Jiang Li.

"you……"

"What is it?"

Ao Bing's voice was cold, with a metallic quality.

He slowly stood up.

The dragon scale armor on its body stood up one by one, making a "click-clack" mechanical meshing sound.

"Dare to run wild in the Dragon Palace of the East Sea?"

"Do you want to... be turned into fish food?"

……

Jiang Li did not answer.

He walked up the steps at a leisurely pace.

Every step taken.

The aura of the abyss emanating from him intensified.

The surrounding seawater (although protected by a shield, it still contained moisture) began to freeze.

Those shrimp soldiers and crab generals who tried to stop him were pressed to the ground by an invisible force as soon as they got close, unable to move.

"Fish feed?"

Jiang Li walked up to Ao Bing.

The two are one meter apart in height (Ao Bing has a mecha body).

However, in terms of momentum, Jiang Li completely overwhelmed his opponent.

"I'm not here to argue."

Jiang Li extended one hand (wearing a black leather glove).

"I'm here to... collect junk."

"Take that red cloth off your neck..."

"Give me."

"That's my... [apron]."

(Hun Tian Ling: ???)

……

"apron?!"

Ao Bing was so angry that he laughed instead.

He felt like he'd heard the biggest joke in the world.

"Do you know what this is?"

"This is an ancient artifact that I, the Crown Prince, acquired by exchanging an entire crystal mine!"

"You actually want to use it as an apron?"

"court death!"

boom!

Ao Bing didn't waste any words.

He took action immediately.

He did not use a weapon.

Instead, he directly swung the [Hun Tian Ling] in his hand.

"Since you want it, then it's yours!"

"Die! [Red Silk - Strangulation]!"

brush--

The red ribbon came to life instantly.

It stretched out infinitely, transforming into a giant red python that coiled around Jiang Li.

The characteristic of the Hun Tian Ling is: [Absolute Binding].

Once entangled, even a god cannot break free, and the entanglement will only tighten until the target is crushed to pieces.

……

Faced with this overwhelming expanse of red silk and satin.

Jiang Li did not dodge.

He didn't even raise his hand.

"Odin."

"Block it."

"Okay!"

A flash of golden light.

Odin stood in front of Jiang Li.

"Let me test how hard this thing is!"

Odin stretched out his hands and grabbed the Hun Tian Ling that was wrapping around him.

"Open it for me!"

Odin's arm muscles bulged, his divine power erupted, and he tried to tear the Hun Tian Ling apart.

but.

This time, he was outmaneuvered.

The Hun Tian Ling is not a rigid body; it is soft.

It is the ultimate expression of "overcoming strength with softness".

No matter how hard Odin exerted himself, the ribbons seemed to dissipate his strength like water, instead wrapping around his arms.

"Holy crap? This thing's weird!"

Odin was instantly bound up like a dumpling.

"The more you struggle, the tighter it gets!"

……

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Ao Bing laughed wildly.

"You big oaf!"

"This is a concept weapon!"

"Nothing with a physical form can escape its constraints!"

"the same as you!"

Ao Bing manipulated the Hun Tian Ling (a magical ribbon), intending to bind Jiang Li behind him as well.

"Conceptual level?"

Jiang Li looked at Odin, who was bound up like a red silkworm cocoon.

shook his head.

"There is no knot in this world that cannot be untied."

"If so."

"Then... [cut it open]."

Jiang Li's hand gripped the metal handle at his waist.

【Cheng Ying Plasma Lightsaber】.

"Buzz—"

A pure white beam of light illuminated.

The temperature of 20,000 degrees Celsius instantly distorted the air.

"A lightsaber?"

Ao Bing dismissed it with disdain.

"it's useless!"

"The Universe-Shaped Silk is impervious to water and fire, and invulnerable to swords and spears!"

"Even plasma can't burn it!"

"Yeah?"

Jiang Li's lips curled up slightly.

"Who said I was going to burn it off?"

"I want it cut..."

It's you.

……

brush!

Jiang Li's figure disappeared.

[Teleportation].

next second.

He appeared behind Ao Bing.

That is... the place where the [Heavenly Silk] connects to Ao Bing's neck.

"The reason you are able to control it."

"Is it because your... [central nervous system] is connected to it?"

Jiang Li's lightsaber did not strike the Hun Tian Ling.

Instead, it precisely stabbed at Ao Bing's... [back of the neck].

There.

There was a slightly raised armor plate that shimmered with blue light.

That's the Dragon Clan's "Reverse Scale".

It is also the core interface connecting the brain and spine.

"You dare!"

Ao Bing was greatly alarmed.

He hadn't expected that this human would see through his weakness at a glance.

"Dragon's Tail Swing!"

The massive alloy dragon tail behind Ao Bing suddenly swept across, attempting to force Jiang Li back.

But Jiang Li was too fast.

Or rather, his knife was too fast.

"Culinary Techniques - Deboning"

swish swish swish swish —

A dazzling flash of blades.

Jiang Li's wrist was like a phantom.

He swung forty-nine knives in one second.

Every cut.

They all precisely cut into the gaps in Ao Bing's nape armor...

He didn't cut through the armor.

Instead, it severed the... [connecting rivets] and [drive shaft] between the armor plates.

"Snap!"

A crisp sound.

Ao Bing's indestructible "Reverse Scale" armor... [fell].

The one inside was exposed...

Thick, radiating a blinding blue light, pulsating...

【Completely Transparent Crystal Spine】.

That is, the legendary... [Dragon Tendon].

……

"ah!!!!"

Ao Bing let out a piercing scream.

It's not because of pain (pain receptors are blocked).

Rather, it's because of... [fear].

His core has been exposed!

"What...what do you want to do?!"

Ao Bing turned around in alarm.

What I saw was a pair of emotionless eyes, as if they were examining ingredients.

"I heard..."

"This thing called dragon tendon."

"Very elastic."

Jiang Li deactivated the lightsaber.

A hand (wearing a leather glove) was extended.

They caught the slippery [Crystal Dragon Tendon] that was transmitting high-energy particles.

"In ancient times, when Nezha wreaked havoc in the sea, he pulled out your dragon tendons once."

"today."

"In this cyber age."

"It seems like I'm going to repeat history again."

"but."

Jiang Li tightened his fingers slightly.

"I didn't come here to kill you."

"I just feel..."

"Your mecha suit is so ugly."

"and……"

"This connection is to the Hun Tian Ling (a magical ribbon).

"Don't pull it out..."

How do I get my apron back?

……

"No! Don't!"

"I'll give you the Universe Ring! Here you go!"

"Don't touch my dragon tendon! That's my reactor cooling pipe!"

"If you pull it out, it'll explode!"

Ao Bing was completely scared.

He doesn't want to die.

He hasn't had enough of this wonderful world yet.

But Jiang Li clearly didn't want to listen to nonsense.

"It's too late."

"Ingredients... one must have the awareness of being an ingredient."

"Get out here!"

Jiang Li roared.

The gluttonous godhood erupted.

A tremendous force traveled up his arm.

"collapse!!!"

A loud bang, like a bowstring snapping.

That two-meter-long, crystal-clear "dragon tendon" that was still flowing with blue coolant.

Jiang Li...

It was forcibly… [pulled out].

"Sizzle sizzle—"

The connection of the dragon tendons has been lost.

Ao Bing's massive mecha body instantly lost power.

It's like a puppet with its strings cut.

With a crash, he collapsed to the ground.

He's not dead yet (because there's a backup power source).

But he's already ruined.

He could only stare in terror at the man who was using his spine as a whip.

……

As the dragon tendon was pulled out.

The [Heavenly Silk] that was originally tightly wrapped around Odin.

It also got out of control.

It released Odin.

It transformed back into a red ribbon, floating in the air.

"Phew... I almost suffocated."

Odin got up from the ground and stretched his limbs.

"Boss, you've got it all done?"

"Um."

Jiang Li rolled up the still glowing dragon tendon and stuffed it into his backpack (good stuff, can be used as a superconducting material, and can also be used to make soup).

then.

He reached out and beckoned.

The red Hun Tian Ling seemed to sense its master's call (or perhaps it sensed the aura of the Wind and Fire Wheels in the backpack).

It obediently flew over.

It wrapped around Jiang Li's arm.

[System notification: The divine artifact "Hun Tian Ling (component)" has been captured.]

[Current Status: Calm/Formatted.]

[Features unlocked: Absolute Defense, Overwhelming Power, Automatic Binding (Tortoise Shell Binding?)]

……

Jiang Li touched the silky smooth texture of the Hun Tian Ling.

"good."

"The quality is very good."

"Since the fire wheel is a stove."

"and you……"

Jiang Li thought for a moment.

He tied the Hun Tian Ling around his waist.

A long red ribbon fluttered behind him, encircling him in front.

"Just think of it as... a fireproof apron."

"Perfect, now I don't have to worry about oil splattering when I cook."

(Hun Tian Ling: ...)

……

at this time.

The entire East Sea Dragon Palace is in complete chaos.

The Third Prince had his dragon tendons pulled out.

This is a huge deal!

"Alarm! Alarm!"

"Activate... [Apocalyptic Defense System]!"

"Awaken... [East Sea Dragon King - Complete Form]!"

A deafening alarm blared across the seabed.

The Turtle Prime Minister, who had been DJing, finally realized what was happening.

He was so frightened that his face turned green (it was already green).

"Quickly! Go and invite the Dragon King!"

"Someone's...making a ruckus in the sea!"

Rumbling--

Deep within the Dragon Palace.

A pressure akin to that of a true Nascent Soul cultivator, a hundred times stronger than Ao Bing's.

Awakening.

……

Jiang Li felt that terrifying aura.

But he showed no sign of panic.

He tied on his apron.

Take out the "lightsaber (kitchen knife)".

Step onto the "fire wheel (stove)".

"So they've already called the parents?"

Jiang Li smiled.

"Alright."

One small dragon isn't enough to eat.

"Give me an older one..."

"Perfect for making a... [family bucket]."