The game starts with escaping from the famine and flipping the table

The sea fog over the unnamed island in the East China Sea seems to have been smoothed out by an invisible force, shedding its previous bleakness and leaving only warm, moist air lingering among the rocks and vegetation.

Above the open space in the center of the island, a bright white light, like moonlight, poured down, enveloping Su Xiaoya's slender figure. She sat cross-legged, her hands forming intricate wood-based hand seals. The spiritual energy flowing from her fingertips seemed to come alive, slowly moving along the dragon patterns on the surface of the Yinglong egg. With each turn, the golden light on the eggshell intensified.

Yu Shuheng stood beside her, his dark robes fluttering in the sea breeze, surrounded by the aura of the deep blue World Tree, connected to the power of the rules of Qingyuan Star faintly visible in the sky.

He looked up and saw countless transparent threads intertwined in the void. These were the powers he had gained after merging with the rules of Qingyuan Star, now weaving an impenetrable barrier that firmly locked away the wisps of dragon might emanating from the Yinglong egg.

The World Tree's core leaf, held in the palm of the hand, shimmered with light, further enhancing the barrier's stability.

“It can last for another half an hour.” Yu Shuheng looked down at Su Xiaoya with concern in his eyes. “The aura of this Yinglong egg is too special. It contains the original power of the ancient Yinglong. Even with the support of the Qingyuan Star rules, it can only be temporarily shielded and cannot be concealed for a long time.”

Su Xiaoya didn't look up, her voice firm: "That's enough. The golden dragon's soul is almost solidified, and the Yinglong egg's embryo is also stabilizing."

The spiritual energy at her fingertips suddenly surged, flowing like a stream into a river, and all of it poured into the Yinglong egg.

The eggshell trembled violently, then emitted a deep hum. The previously restless dragon energy gradually calmed down, replaced by a steady and vibrant pulse, like the heartbeat of an infant.

The golden dragon's soul guarded the Yinglong egg, its golden soul light several times more intense than before. The previously somewhat illusory dragon scale patterns were now so clear that the curvature of the scale edges could be seen.

Previously, it had continuously injected its own soul power into the embryo, feeling the increasingly strong life pulse. Even though it had consumed a lot of its soul power, it was still gratified.

With the help of Su Xiaoya's "Soul Condensing Dew", he was able to regain his "dragon life". After absorbing the last bit of "Soul Condensing Dew", a light golden film quietly formed on the surface of the golden dragon's soul body. It was crystal clear like glass, which was a sign that the soul protection membrane was perfected. This membrane could isolate all external erosion and lay the most solid foundation for its future reshaping of its physical body.

After the embryo of the Yinglong egg was fully activated by the 'Soul Awakening Talisman', as if in response, its pulsation rhythm became steady and powerful, and the dragon pattern on the eggshell lit up completely. The golden light intertwined with Su Xiaoya's wood-type spiritual energy and Yu Shuheng's World Tree aura to form a closed loop, creating a self-sufficient energy cycle that no longer needed to rely on external nourishment.

Su Xiaoya let out a long sigh of relief, slowly closed the seal, and smiled, finally letting the Yinglong Egg become familiar with her aura.

With a thought, the entrance to her personal space slowly opened beside her. It was a small world comparable to Qingyuan Star, with spiritual energy so dense it was almost liquefied. In the eastern sea, an island where spiritual energy gathered stood quietly, which was the habitat she had specially prepared for the golden dragon and the Yinglong egg.

"Go ahead," Su Xiaoya said softly.

The golden dragon's soul, carrying the Yinglong egg, slowly flew into its personal space and landed in the center of the island.

As soon as the Yinglong egg landed, it showed no resistance whatsoever and began to spontaneously absorb the surrounding spiritual energy. The golden light on the eggshell resonated with the spiritual energy of the plants and trees on the island, and it entered a stable gestation period.

The golden dragon coiled up beside him, closed its eyes, and began to nurture its soul, accumulating power for the future reshaping of its physical body.

Yu Shuheng raised his hand and waved it. The leaves of the World Tree in his palm shone brightly, and the power of the rules of Qingyuan Star surged again, completely erasing the remaining Yinglong aura and Golden Dragon soul energy in the center of the island, leaving not even a trace.

After doing all this, he took out two jade chairs and a jade table from his storage ring.

Su Xiaoya also took out a basket of bright red, plump peaches and several jugs of crystal-clear spiritual juice, and placed them in front of the two of them: "Take a rest first and replenish your spiritual energy."

Yu Shuheng took the spiritual juice. The sweet juice went down his throat and instantly transformed into pure spiritual energy that circulated throughout his body, dispelling most of his fatigue.

I must say, the spiritual fruit that Su Xiaoya brought out was the most fragrant.

Of course, it is also one of the few spiritual items that can enhance the spiritual power of cultivators in the Mahayana stage.

The two leaned back on the jade chairs in almost identical poses, gazing at the boundless East China Sea before them.

The sea breeze, carrying a faint salty smell, brings a sense of peace.

"These peaceful days are probably numbered," Su Xiaoya couldn't help but sigh softly.

Yu Shuheng nodded in agreement, his gaze fixed on the rolling waves in the distance: "The East Sea may seem calm, but there are undercurrents. The Mermaid Clan and the Crimson Scale Clan disobeyed the orders of the Sea God Palace, and they will certainly not let this go easily after suffering a loss. Not to mention the hidden dangers beneath the Ruins of Return, that is the most troublesome."

After a moment of silence, both of them clearly felt the heavy burden on their shoulders.

While Su Xiaoya and Yu Shuheng were helping Jinlong activate Yinglong's egg, Long Yunmang was working hard to communicate with Cangyuan and Xuanyuan, deliberately delaying the time.

In truth, he had already sensed the birth of the Yinglong egg, and he didn't know what kind of storm it would unleash, so he dared not gamble!

Its massive body looked equally majestic on the sea, but a hint of anxiety flashed in its snake eyes, which quickly disappeared as it tried to appear calm—an awkward conversation ensued.

Fortunately, Cang Yuan and Xuan Yuan were both concerned about the current situation of the Dragon Clan, which allowed Long Yunmang to stabilize the situation and successfully cover for Su Xiaoya and the others.

"Back in the day, when our dragon race was at its peak, our might was so great that no one dared to disobey!" Long Yunmang's voice boomed, carrying a hint of reminiscence and pride. "It's just a pity that we later suffered a great calamity, and the dragon race suffered heavy casualties, which is why we have fallen to our current state. Even demons and monsters like the Blackwater Shark Clan and the Crimson Scale Clan dare to jump out!"

Xuan Yuan, the patriarch of the Deep Sea Dragon Turtle Clan, was as massive as a mountain, his carapace covered with patterns etched by time. His calm, deep eyes looked at Long Yunmang: "Brother Long Yunmang, now that we three have formed an alliance, we are brothers who will live and die together. We naturally trust the Dragon Clan's strength. But I wonder, in the face of the strange movements of Guixu, does the Dragon Clan have any methods to deal with it?"

Cang Yuan, the patriarch of the Xuan'ao clan, was equally worried: "Yes, the spatial rifts at the edge of the Ruins are getting bigger and bigger, and strange energy is overflowing. Many sea beasts have already mutated. If this continues, the East Sea will be completely polluted sooner or later, and we sea creatures will probably all suffer."

Long Yunmang was secretly pleased, knowing that the two had been drawn into the topic, and quickly continued, "The matter of Guixu is indeed thorny. But rest assured, our Dragon Clan and the Spirit Clan have a long history. Back then, when the Spirit Clan suppressed the Demon Lord of Guixu, our clan also contributed. However, I don't know much about the specific details, and we will need to discuss it further in the future."

As it spoke, it secretly released its spiritual power to sense the movement at the heart of the island. When it realized that the aura of the Yinglong egg had completely disappeared, the weight that had been hanging in its heart finally lifted.

Just then, Long Shi and Long Qingyao, along with the young dragon Long Yunran, arrived together with cultivators from the Xuan'ao Clan and the Deep Sea Dragon Turtle Clan.

In the previous battle, the dragon race, including the Dragon Cloud Python, consisted of only thirty dragons, several of which were young.

However, none of the dragons retreated; they fought bravely and fearlessly alongside their allies from the two races, routing the Blackwater Mermaids.

At this moment, the awkwardness of their first meeting had long since disappeared, and their friendship deepened as they chatted and laughed.

Long Yunran, though the youngest, was exceptionally lively and was currently pestering an elder of the Deep Sea Dragon Turtle Clan, curiously inquiring about the story of Guixu.

Seeing that the time was ripe, Long Yunmang laughed and said to Cang Yuan and Xuan Yuan, "Two clan leaders, there are two more distinguished guests on the island. Let me introduce them to you." After saying that, he led the two towards the center of the island.

Su Xiaoya and Yu Shuheng had already noticed the commotion and got up to greet them. Long Yunmang quickly stepped forward and introduced Su Xiaoya and Yu Shuheng, saying, "These are my dragon clan allies—the Grand Preceptors of the Inland National Preceptor Hall, Su Xiaoya and Yu Shuheng."

Then he turned to the two of them, "Xiao Ya! Shu Heng! This is Xuan Yuan, the patriarch of the Deep Sea Dragon Turtle Clan, and Cang Yuan, the patriarch of the Xuan Ao Clan. They are both pillars of our East Sea Clan."

Cang Yuan and Xuan Yuan were startled and quickly bowed in greeting. They had witnessed the battle firsthand, and the fact that the inland humans and tree demons could live and die alongside the dragons still deeply impressed them.

Su Xiaoya smiled and nodded in return, saying, "There's no need for such formalities, clan leaders. We are allies now and will need to support each other in the future."

Yu Shuheng also spoke calmly: "Protecting the East China Sea and stabilizing Qingyuan Star is our shared responsibility."

Just as the group was exchanging pleasantries, boundless clouds suddenly surged in the sky, and golden rays pierced through the clouds. Accompanied by a majestic and sacred aura, three figures slowly descended.

The leader, dressed in a silver-white robe with blue patterns, had a majestic face and exuded an aura of dominance over the four seas; he was the Sea God. To his left was the Whale King, a robust man with deep sea blue skin and a heavy aura like the deep sea. To his right was the Mermaid King, a handsome man with fishtail legs that shimmered with a faint watery light and surrounded by melodious spiritual sounds.

"Lord Sea God!" Cang Yuan and Xuan Yuan quickly bowed and paid their respects, and the dragon clan members also greeted them.

The Sea God waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Su Xiaoya and Yu Shuheng, his eyes filled with approval: "You two have aided my sea race more than once, truly a blessing for the East Sea and Qingyuan Star."

She paused, her expression turning serious. "We've all come together by chance today, which is a good opportunity to discuss the matter of the Return to the Void. This matter can no longer be delayed or avoided."

The Whale King stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "The spatial rift at the edge of the Ruins of Return has now expanded to a thousand miles wide. The demonic energy overflowing from the rift not only pollutes the seawater but is also constantly eroding the seal of the Spirit Clan. The Spirit Clan has guarded the Ruins of Return for 100,000 years and is already exhausted. If they do not lend a hand, the seal will be broken sooner or later."

The Mermaid King added, "Although the demon god in the bronze coffin was temporarily sealed by Goddess Su and her group last time, the source of pollution has not been eliminated, and the demon god's power will continue to grow. Once the demon god breaks free, given its ferocity in slaughtering all directions back then, the various races of the East Sea will be the first to suffer, and Qingyuan Star will also be unable to escape the calamity of slaughter."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions turned solemn.

Long Yunmang frowned and asked, "Lord Sea God, what is the origin of the Demon Lord beneath the Ruins? And how has the Spirit Race guarded it for ten thousand years?"

The sea god's gaze was distant, as if piercing through time and space, as he slowly recounted: "Ten thousand years ago, Qingyuan Star suffered a catastrophe. The Bronze Demon Lord from beyond the realm broke through the extraterritorial battlefield and descended upon the East Sea. Wherever he went, life was ravaged and the world lost its color."

"As the oldest race on Qingyuan Star at that time, the Spirit Clan possessed the supreme power to control the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. In order to protect their homeland, the Spirit Clan Chief led the entire clan and used his own bloodline as a guide to refine the 'Spirit Source Seal', which sealed the Bronze Demon Lord deep within the Ruins of Return."

“Spirit Source Seal?” Su Xiaoya’s heart stirred. She seemed to have seen a related record in some ancient book.

“Exactly.” The Sea God nodded. “The Spirit Source Seal is based on the origin of the Spirit Clan and draws on the spiritual energy of the Guixu Earth Vein as its power source, forming an indestructible seal.”

"For 100,000 years, the Spirit Clan has guarded the Ruins of Return, nourishing the Spirit Source Seal with their own spiritual power, barely managing to suppress the Demon Lord. However, as time has passed, the Spirit Clan's bloodline has become increasingly thin, and their spiritual power has declined. In addition, the Ruins of Return have experienced geological disturbances in recent years, causing the power of the Spirit Source Seal to weaken. The Demon Lord's demonic aura has also taken the opportunity to leak out, leading to today's crisis."

Yu Shuheng interjected, "The bronze coffin we saw in Guixu last time was the Demon Lord's dwelling place. Although the seal has been temporarily reinforced, it is only a temporary solution. As long as the Demon Lord's essence remains, the demonic energy will continue to grow and will eventually break through the seal."

Su Xiaoya still felt lingering fear when she recalled the terrifying demonic power emanating from the bronze coffin that day: "What is the current situation of the Spirit Clan? If we are to take action, where should we begin?"