Chapter 1957 — 1957: Investigation

"Where would you like to visit first, envoy of Dragon Goddess Yeyou?" Xuanbing asked.

"That's too long. Just call me Yuan."

"Then, Senior Yuan, where would you like to go?"

Yuan pondered for a moment before speaking, "Let's take a look around this place first since we're already here."

"Very well."

Rather than searching within the Azure Dragon Clan's residence, Yuan chose to explore the area surrounding their living quarters.

Xuanbing and Binglan followed quietly a short distance behind Yuan. While their presence served as a protective escort, it was clear they were also there to keep a close eye on him, ensuring he didn't do anything deemed suspicious.

The area surrounding the Azure Dragon Clan's residence was vast and open, teeming with vibrant marine life. Colorful corals sprawled across the seafloor alongside smooth stones and swaying seaweeds, creating a natural tapestry rich with motion and life.

'Does the Azure Dragon Clan use this space for anything?" Yuan asked.

"Not that I am aware of. However, they do keep this place organized, treating it like an outdoor garden," said Binglan.

"No wonder it looks so beautiful," Yuan said as he swept the entire area with his divine sense.

However, he was unable to find anything out of the ordinary.

"I don't see anything here. Let's check out the city."

Some time later, Yuan made his way back to the city they had passed through not long ago.

"This place is even more magnificent from up close."

The underwater city bore a striking resemblance to those on land, complete with bustling businesses, residential buildings, and streets paved with smooth seastone. Even food stalls lined the pathways, their colorful banners swaying gently in the currents, offering all manner of underwater delicacies to passersby.

Yuan approached one of the nearby stalls with quiet intrigue. On land, such stalls typically sold skewers, steamed buns, or sizzling grilled dishes. But here, beneath the sea, every vendor offered only raw seafood and vegetables. It wasn't surprising, of course. In a place where fire was useless, raw delicacies were the norm.

"How much for that one?" Yuan asked, pointing to a piece of seafood neatly wrapped in what looked like blue seaweed.

"Two ordinary shells," said the vendor.

Yuan raised his eyebrows at this unfamiliar currency.

"We have our own currencies down here," said Xuanbing. "Allow me to pay for you."

Xuanbing produced two beautiful and identical shell-like objects and handed them to the vendor, who immediately accepted them before handing Yuan his food.

As soon as it was in his hand, Yuan took a bite. The texture was smooth and delicately soft, almost melting on his tongue. A strong, briny flavor filled his mouth—a rich, oceanic taste that was clean and refreshing, the kind only found in the freshest, highest-quality fish. The blue seaweed used to wrap the seafood offered a pleasant contrast, slightly tougher in texture, but with a satisfying crunch that complemented the softness of the filling.

"What kind of food is this?" Yuan asked the vendor.

"That is Flying Leviathan meat wrapped with Spiritual Seaweed."

"What?"

Surprise and bewilderment flashed across Yuan's face the moment he learned the identity of what he'd just eaten.

Flying Leviathans were known as the king of the seas by mortals, especially back in the Primordial Era. And yet, here they were… reduced to affordable stall food, casually served and consumed as though they were no more special than common fish.

"Is there something wrong with the food?" the vendor asked with a worried look on his face, clearly afraid to offend someone being escorted by two soldiers from the Azure Dragon Clan.

"Oh, there's nothing wrong. The food was delicious. Thank you."

Yuan continued to wander through the city, his expression calm and almost leisurely, like that of a curious traveler taking in the sights.

But beneath that relaxed exterior, he remained vigilant. His divine sense was constantly at work, quietly sweeping through the surroundings as he diligently inspected every corner for anything unusual.

Due to the city's immense scale, it took Yuan nearly two full weeks to explore it in its entirety. He left no alley, district, or passage unchecked—his divine sense meticulously combing through every layer of coral, stone, and structure.

Yet, despite his thorough search, he found nothing out of the ordinary.

"Anything?" Binglan asked him.

Yuan shook his head.

"Not surprising. The Azure Dragon Clan has already searched through the city… several times, at that."

Yuan then said, "You said the Azure Dragon Clan fought with the individual who cursed your clan, right?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Where did the fight take place? Can you take me there?"

"What's the point? The fight occurred many thousands of years ago. I doubt there are anything left from that event."

"We won't know until we see it for ourselves."

"..."

Xuanbing and Binglan exchanged glances with each other. Eventually, Xuanbing said, "Alright, we'll take you there."

The group made their way back toward the Azure Dragon Clan's residence, but instead of stopping, they continued past it.

After traveling several hundred miles through the serene, light-dappled waters, Xuanbing and Binglan came to a halt before a strange and desolate field.

The area stretched wide and eerie, marked by hundreds of deep, irregular craters etched into the seabed—each one like a scar carved into the ocean floor.

"The battle took place here," Xuanbing said solemnly. "Though the Azure Dragon Clan fought against a single individual, that person held their ground for an entire month against all of us. And in the end... they still managed to escape with their life."

"..."

Yuan didn't respond. He simply stood there, eyes fixed on the cratered landscape, a faint frown settling on his face.

"Do you see something?" the Dragon Emperor asked, noticing Yuan's expression. His voice was calm but curious—he himself couldn't sense anything unusual.

"Yes…" he nodded.

"What is it? What do you see?!" Binglan asked, her voice filled with urgency and excitement.

"It's poison. This place is filled with poison," he revealed.