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

Deep in the East China Sea, beneath a mysterious portal of light.

The "all-crab feast" that left all parties speechless was finally coming to an end.

The once massive Abyssal Giant Claw Crab, which resembled a small mountain, was now reduced to an empty carapace, floating forlornly on the sea like the wreckage of an abandoned warship.

"belch--"

Jiang Li let out a burp without any regard for his image, and casually tossed a crab claw thicker than his thigh into the sea (actually, he threw it to a shark underwater).

"So satisfying! Wild meat is definitely more fragrant than farmed meat, and the meat is so firm and chewy!"

He took the hot towel from Wang Ergou, wiped his mouth and hands, and waved somewhat embarrassedly at the surrounding boats that had not yet dispersed.

"Everyone, I'm so sorry, I was just too hungry and couldn't resist picking at my chopsticks first. The crabs were big, but there are so many of us, it was barely enough to fill our teeth. I didn't leave any for everyone, please forgive me!"

The surrounding factions: "..."

Food getting stuck between teeth?

You devoured that entire A-grade evil beast, leaving not even a trace, and you call that just filling a tooth gap? Are your stomachs made of black holes?

Captain Jack of the White Eagle Federation, in particular, trembled with heartache as he looked at the crab shell that the employees of Deep Blue Sea Fisheries had thrown into the sea as trash (that was a top-grade material for making A-grade armor!).

"What a waste...it's an absolute waste!"

But he dared not speak, and even had to force a fawning smile, for fear of angering this ruthless man who had just swallowed an A-level monster whole.

"Alright, we've finished eating. Time to get down to business."

Jiang Li stood up and turned his gaze to the huge gate of light.

"Ergou, line up! Lao Liu, check the equipment! Dahuang, lead the way!"

"Yes, Captain!"

The Black Pearl let out another deep roar and, under the watchful eyes of everyone, swaggered into the portal like a beast that had eaten and drunk its fill and was about to take a stroll.

Only when the black ship's taillights disappeared into the light curtain did the surrounding ships dare to start their engines.

"Quick! Keep up! If we follow that man, even just getting a taste of the soup will be good!"

"Be careful, don't get too close, or you'll be mistaken for 'extra food'!"

In an instant, the previously stalemated sea surface boiled over, with countless ships rushing toward the portal.

……

The moment I passed through the light gate, there was no violent jolt as I had imagined; instead, it felt like passing through a viscous film of water.

The view before me suddenly opened up.

This is not the seabed, but a strange subspace.

There was no sky overhead, but rather a rocky dome emitting a soft, eerie glow, as if the entire underwater world had been turned upside down. A faint mist and… an ancient, musty smell filled the air.

At the edge of the horizon stands a magnificent yet somewhat eerie and dilapidated crystal palace complex.

Enormous coral pillars supported the dome, and the ground was covered with luminous pearls and shells. But upon closer inspection, the corals had a sickly grayish-white color, like dead bones; and the pearls were shrouded in black mist, like the eyeballs of some kind of creature.

【Dragon Palace Ruins - Outer Area】

This place was once the palace of the ancient dragon race, but now it has become a paradise for abyssal creatures.

"Wow! This decor is quite impressive!"

Jiang Li stood at the bow of the ship, looking at the enormous palace, and let out a heartfelt exclamation.

"It's just a bit old, and they don't clean it. Look at those pillars, they're covered in dust (abyssal dust), and the floor tiles are all moldy."

He shook his head, looking like a picky buyer looking at a property.

"Boss, something's not right here."

Liu Wei (Thousand-Faced Ghost) gripped the wrench tightly, looking tense.

As an A-level expert, he could clearly sense that countless greedy and malicious gazes were hidden within this seemingly lifeless palace.

"Those statues... seem to be alive."

He pointed to the two neat rows of "shrimp soldiers and crab generals" statues in the palace square.

The statues were three meters tall, holding halberds and wearing heavy armor. Although they were covered in moss, their stone-carved eyes seemed to be flashing red.

"Alive?"

Jiang Li glanced at them. "Don't talk nonsense. They're just handicrafts, probably the so-called Terracotta Army? Underwater version?"

Just then.

"Snap! Snap!"

A sickening sound of stone shattering rang out.

The stone skin on the surface of those "crafts" began to peel off, revealing the dark blue-black carapace and hideous muscles underneath.

"roar--!!!"

Dozens of [Abyssal Lobster Guardians] (Rank B Elite Monsters) and [Giant Claw Crab Generals] (Rank B+ Elite Monsters) have awakened!

Wielding their rusty yet still sharp halberds and giant hammers, they roared and charged toward the intruders.

"Anyone who trespasses into the Dragon Palace... shall die!!!"

A terrifying killing intent coalesced into a storm, causing the flags aboard the Black Pearl to flutter wildly.

The Awakened ships that followed were stunned by the sight as soon as they entered.

"Holy crap! They're all B-rank or higher monsters?! This is hell difficulty!"

"How can we fight this? This is an army!"

however.

Jiang Li, who was at the center of the storm, suddenly brightened up and even swallowed.

"Wow! I knew this statue was incredibly realistic! Turns out it's filled with the real thing!"

He looked at the lobsters and crabs rushing towards him as if they were a bunch of food that were running away.

"This lobster is huge! It looks even bigger than that flying shrimp we just saw!"

"And those crabs, although they're a bit smaller than the ones by the entrance, there are so many of them! There must be twenty or thirty of them, enough for our shop to sell for a week!"

Jiang Li rubbed his hands together excitedly.

"Brothers! We've got a job! Get your spirits up! This is top-quality, fresh seafood! Don't kill it! Catch it alive! Live seafood is worth more!"

"Ergou! Take the Deep Diver team and go! Get the nets!"

"Lei Meng! You're in charge of stunning the ones with shells! Don't break the shells, or their appearance will suffer!"

"Big Yellow! Go bite the leader! He looks the fattest!"

At Jiang Li's command, the "employees" of Deep Blue Aquatic Products unleashed a fighting power (appetite) even more terrifying than that of monsters.

"For the bonus! For the dragon meat! Charge!"

Led by Wang Ergou, dozens of Deepsea sailors charged forward like hungry wolves pouncing on their prey.

Although they are not as strong individually as these guards, they are equipped!

Jiang Li equipped each of them with a high-frequency vibration cutting knife (originally used for cutting ores) that he had taken from the Mi-Go base, as well as a spirit-binding net woven from abyssal seaweed.

"Sizzle sizzle—"

As the cutting blade sliced ​​through, those seemingly indestructible carapaces were cut open as if they were made of paper.

"Quack quack!" (Catch it! Don't let it escape!)

Several deep-sea creatures worked in perfect coordination, casting a large net that instantly bound a crab general wielding a giant hammer into a dumpling.

On the other side, Lei Meng was like a tiger among sheep.

He carried a large black pot on his back and two cleavers in his hands. He activated his "Gluttony" mode, his muscles glowing with golden light. He withstood the monsters' attacks, carrying one monster on his back with each cleaver, knocking the lobster-men dizzy and disoriented.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

"These legs are so long! The boss will definitely love them!"

"These forceps are huge! Keep them to make a specimen!"

Rhubarb is the most vigorous.

It transformed into a yellow lightning bolt and darted directly onto the back of the leading [Lobster Commander] (A- rank).

Just as the commander was about to retaliate, Big Yellow bit his neck, grabbing the nerve center at the back of his neck.

"Snap!"

The commander froze, collapsing to the ground.

"Woof!" (Got it, boss! This one's the fattest!)

Less than ten minutes.

The dozens of guards who had originally looked menacing were all brought down to the ground and tied up tightly, like rows of goods for sale.

The various forces that followed were dumbfounded.

"This...that's it?"

"Those were dozens of B-rank elite monsters! Even a regular army would have to fight them for ages, right? And they were... captured already?"

"What kind of nets are they carrying? They can even trap A-level monsters?"

"Deep Blue Seafood...it's terrifying!"

Jiang Li walked past the rows of prisoners with his hands behind his back, like a wealthy landowner inspecting his territory.

"Hmm, not bad. Although it has a few broken legs, it's still relatively intact overall."

He nodded in satisfaction. "Ergou, quickly get the people behind to bring the truck... oh no, the boat over to load the cargo! This is all money!"

"Yes, Captain!"

……

After clearing out the surrounding "small fry," Jiang Li led his core team (Wang Ergou, Lei Meng, Liu Wei, Da Huang, and Wang Defa) and strode towards the most magnificent crystal palace.

The palace gates were carved from two huge pieces of white jade, covered with intricate cloud patterns and dragon reliefs.

"This door looks quite valuable, could we take it down?"

Jiang Li touched the door frame, somewhat tempted.

"Boss, there's a restriction on this door..." Wang Defa was about to remind him.

"boom!!!"

Jiang Li had already kicked him.

The so-called ancient restriction didn't even flash before it was shattered by Jiang Li's flip-flops (which were actually Jiang Li's own power of rules).

The heavy white jade gate collapsed with a crash, kicking up a cloud of dust.

"What a shoddy construction project, it collapsed with just one step."

Jiang Li patted the dust off his trousers. "Let's go in and see if the owner is home."

The crowd filed in.

The interior of the main hall was extremely spacious, with a huge luminous pearl embedded in the dome, illuminating the entire space as if it were daytime.

At the far end of the main hall, there is a high throne.

The throne was made of some kind of unknown black crystal, emanating a chilling aura.

And on the throne sat a person.

Or rather, it is a "humanoid" creature.

He wore magnificent golden armor, had two horns on his head, and a handsome face with an eerie pallor. His eyes were vertical pupils, burning with purple flames. Behind him, a long, scaly tail swayed slowly.

【Fallen Dragonman Ao Bing (Fake)】(S-rank Abyss Lord).

He is the guardian of this ruin, and a descendant of the dragon race, but he has long been corrupted by the power of the abyss and fallen into the clutches of the evil god.

Seeing someone intrude, Ao Bing slowly raised his head, a cruel and arrogant sneer curling at the corner of his mouth.

"You lowly insect... how dare you disturb this prince's peaceful cultivation?"

His voice echoed throughout the hall, carrying a sense of superior authority.

"You've managed to get past the outer guards, so you seem to have some skill. But that's where it ends."

"Kneel down! Offer up your souls! Perhaps this prince will consider taking you as slaves!"

A terrifying dragon's might (albeit a corrupted version) erupted instantly, and a pressure as tangible as a physical force pressed down on everyone.

Wang Ergou and Liu Wei were immediately forced to kneel on one knee, sweating profusely.

Lei Meng gritted his teeth and barely managed to hold on, but his legs were trembling.

This is the aura of an S-class powerhouse!

however.

Jiang Li acted as if nothing had happened, and even took two steps forward, looking at the "dragon man" with curiosity.

"Oh? There's someone sitting here?"

Jiang Li looked at Ao Bing's gleaming golden armor and the horns on his head.

"This look...cosplay? Are you...the Third Prince of the East Sea Dragon Palace?"

He chuckled. "Young people these days really know how to have fun, hiding in this dilapidated temple playing role-playing games? Do your parents know?"

Ao Bing: "..."

His smile froze on his face.

Cosplay?

This is god-tier gear! It's the Abyss Armor!

"How dare you be so disrespectful to me, the Crown Prince!"

Ao Bing was furious. He stood up abruptly, pointing his spear (Abyss Demon Soldier) directly at Jiang Li.

"You're tired of living! Today I'm going to skin you alive and use your skin to make carpets!"

"Oh, you've got quite a temper, haven't you?"

Jiang Li frowned. "These kids nowadays really need discipline. Just because they're wearing a theatrical costume doesn't mean they're some kind of prince? They want to skin me alive?"

He shook his head and pulled a...

Seven Wolves leather belt.

That's right, it's a belt.

He had just taken his pants off because he felt they were a little loose.

"It seems your parents haven't taught you how to be a decent person. Today, I'll teach you a lesson on their behalf!"

"court death!"

Ao Bing was completely enraged.

He flashed, transforming into a purple afterimage, and instantly appeared in front of Jiang Li. The spear in his hand carried a terrifying power that could tear through space, and he fiercely stabbed towards Jiang Li's heart.

This single shot was enough to pierce through a mountain peak!

"Watch out! Boss!" Liu Wei exclaimed.

However, Jiang Li didn't even blink.

He simply raised his hand casually, and the belt in his hand seemed to come alive, whipping out like a lash.

"Snapped!"

A crisp sound.

The belt struck the indestructible spear with pinpoint accuracy.

Clang!

The S-rank magical weapon was actually whipped away by the belt, spinning several times in the air before embedding itself in the wall in the distance.

"What?!"

Ao Bing was greatly alarmed.

Before he could react, Jiang Li's second lash had already arrived.

"Snapped!"

The whip struck Ao Bing's handsome face squarely.

"what!"

Ao Bing screamed as he was sent flying through the air, spinning three and a half times before crashing heavily to the ground.

A red, swollen mark appeared on his face, and his teeth were loose.

"You...you dare slap me in the face?!"

Ao Bing covered his face, his eyes filled with disbelief and shame.

He is a noble descendant of dragons! A darling of the abyss! Yet he was actually slapped across the face by a human with a belt?!

"So what if I hit you? Do I need to pick a day?"

Jiang Li, carrying his belt, walked over step by step, his expression more terrifying than that of a demon.

"At such a young age, instead of learning good things, you're hanging out with gangsters? And you even pulled a gun on someone? If I don't beat your ass to a pulp today, I'm not a Jiang!"

"You...you stay away!"

Ao Bing was scared.

He felt a terrifying sense of oppression emanating from this man, a feeling described as "fatherly love as solid as a mountain (physical)".

He attempted to resist, mobilizing the power of the abyss within him, wanting to transform into a true dragon.

"roar--"

His body began to swell, and his scales stood up.

"Still dare to transform? Hold it back!"

Jiang Li lashed his newly grown dragon claw with a leather belt.

"Snapped!"

The intense pain instantly interrupted Ao Bing's transformation, and all the energy he had just gathered dissipated.

"Get down on your knees!"

Jiang Li stepped on Ao Bing's back, pressed him to the ground, then raised his belt and unleashed a barrage of blows on Ao Bing's buttocks.

"Slap! Slap! Slap!"

"Serves you right for being a show-off! Serves you right for being a road bully! Serves you right for not studying hard!"

"Ouch! Ouch! Stop hitting me! Uncle, I was wrong!"

Ao Bing initially tried to be defiant, but the belt seemed to have some kind of "doubled pain" rule specifically targeting the soul, whipping him until he was crying for his parents and had no dignity left.

"Wrong? What's wrong?"

Jiang Li stopped and took a breath.

"I...I shouldn't have pointed a gun at you..." Ao Bing said, crying.

"Anything else?"

"I shouldn't... I shouldn't have occupied this house and not paid the property management fees..."

Although Ao Bing didn't know what property management fees were, he knew that going along with what this man said would be the right thing to do.

"Hmph, you're smart to know what's good for you."

Jiang Li put away the belt and fastened it back around his waist.

"Since you've shown a good attitude in admitting your mistake, I'll spare your life today."

He looked at the "brat" who had been beaten black and blue, and then at the empty palace.

"However, while the death penalty may be spared, punishment is inevitable."

"Since you live here, you should know everything about this place, right?"

Jiang Li revealed a meaningful smile.

"I've heard there are many treasures in the Dragon Palace. Where are they hidden? Lead the way, little dragon."

Ao Bing: "..."

He looked at the man who resembled a bandit leader and shed tears of regret.

We've let a wolf into the house!

If he had known this would happen, he should have just knelt down and begged for mercy!

"There's...there's a treasure trove behind..."

Ao Bing obediently pointed to a hidden door behind the throne.

"Alright! Big Yellow! Er Gou! Follow me! We're going to raid... no, I mean, go for a visit!"

Jiang Li waved his hand, leading a large group of people to rush towards the treasure vault.

……

The moment the doors to the treasure vault opened.

Everyone was stunned by what they saw.

Gold mountains and silver seas!

A veritable gold mine and a sea of ​​silver!

Countless pearls, agates, corals, and jades were piled up like mountains, radiating a dazzling light. Various ancient weapons, armor, and magical artifacts were casually scattered on the ground; each piece was priceless.

"I'm rich..."

Wang Ergou drooled all over the ground.

"This...this is even richer than that gold ship from last time!"

Jiang Li was also stunned.

"This Dragon Palace... truly lives up to its reputation! It's all made with the hard-earned money of the people!"

He said with great distress, "That brat! He actually hid so many good things! That's the hard-earned money of so many families!"

"For the sake of justice, for the sake of fairness, I have decided..."

Jiang Li waved his hand.

"Confiscate everything! Take it all away! Don't leave him a single penny!"

"Yes, Captain!"

The believers cheered and rushed into the treasure vault.

Ao Bing stood at the door, watching his savings of thousands of years being robbed of everything by this group of bandits. His heart was breaking, but he dared not speak out in anger.

He even had to put on a smiling face: "Boss... look at that coral tree... could you please move it gently? It was left to me by my grandfather..."

"Your grandfather? Your grandfather's things are my things! Move out!"

Jiang Li showed no politeness whatsoever.

Just then.

Jiang Li's gaze was suddenly drawn to a display stand at the deepest part of the treasure vault.

On that display stand, there was an antique wooden box.

There was no gold or silver treasure inside the box.

Instead, there was a... tattered map?

Jiang Li walked over, picked up the map, and looked at it.

The map's material is unusual, resembling some kind of human skin, with strange lines and symbols drawn on it in blood.

In the center of the map is a magnificent city located deep beneath the sea, and a... gigantic, sleeping octopus-headed monster.

"What's this? A treasure map?"

Jiang Li asked Ao Bing, who was standing next to him.

When Ao Bing saw the picture, his face turned deathly pale.

"This...this is the true entrance map to R'lyeh!"

"R'lyeh?"

Jiang Li frowned. "What kind of place is that? Is it also a dragon palace?"

"No...that is...the slumbering place of the Great Old One, Cthulhu..."

Ao Bing said, trembling, "That is... the end of the world..."

"Oh, that sounds impressive."

Jiang Li put the map into his pocket.

"So, there are good things there too?"

"Okay, then let's go check this out next!"

Ao Bing: "..."

madman.

That's absolutely insane.

He actually wants to awaken Cthulhu?!

……

The Black Pearl, laden with treasure, towed several ghost ships (sponsored by Ao Bing) and sailed away from the Dragon Palace ruins amidst countless envious and jealous gazes.

Meanwhile, Ao Bing, the "Third Prince," was also "enthusiastically invited" (kidnapped) by Jiang Li and taken aboard the ship.

The reason given was: "I'm worried about you living alone, you brat. Come back with me and work to pay off your debts! I happen to need a security captain (the former No. 007 got promoted)."

then.

Deep Blue Seafood Restaurant has gained another S-class doorman, dressed in a security guard uniform, with dragon horns and a lifeless expression.

The legend of Jianghai City continues.