Just as the Turtle Prime Minister evolved into a Lesser Xuanwu, on the northern coast of the Four Seas—
In the grand and majestic palace of the North Sea Dragon Clan.
"West Sea Dragon King, are we really doing this? Won't this provoke the wrath of the East Sea Dragon King? I heard the newly appointed East Sea Dragon King, Ao Qing, has already evolved into a six-clawed golden dragon—what's more, the strongest kind! Even the South Sea Dragon King was no match for him…"
"Are we really going to oppose the East Sea Dragon King?"
Inside the Dragon Palace, the West Sea Dragon King spoke with a face full of worry.
Before him, seated high on the dragon throne, the North Sea Dragon King sat calmly, a pair of dragon eyes gleaming with disdain.
"West Sea Dragon King, I didn't think you'd be such a coward. So what if that upstart Ao Qing has evolved into the legendary six-clawed golden dragon? As long as our two dragon clans join forces, defeating a fledgling East Sea Dragon King won't be an issue."
The North Sea Dragon King spoke dismissively. "Don't forget, the divine-level cultivation art 'Dragon God Art', left behind by the Ancestral Dragon, has long been lost. Even we Four Sea Dragon Kings don't know where it is. Ao Qing might have six claws, but without the Dragon God Art, he can't unleash its true power! That kind of six-clawed dragon is nothing to fear."
Hearing this, the West Sea Dragon King's anxious heart finally settled—somewhat. Still, he hesitated and tested the waters with another question:
"But I heard all three of the five-clawed golden dragons under the South Sea Dragon King were slain by Ao Qing—killed in a single strike…"
"Together, the West and North Sea only have four five-clawed golden dragons. If Ao Qing comes in person…"
BANG!
Before he could finish, a loud crack resounded through the hall as the North Sea Dragon King shot to his feet in fury.
"West Sea Dragon King, must you always bolster others and weaken yourself!? Even if that six-clawed dragon is powerful, he's still no match for the combined strength of our two clans—four five-clawed golden dragons! Why are you so worried!?"
"In fact, I say we strike now—join forces while the East and South Seas are still reeling from their war. We can take both territories! Then you and I each rule over two seas. Isn't that the perfect outcome?"
The North Sea Dragon King's voice grew more tempting.
The West Sea Dragon King's eyes lit up at the idea.
As Dragon Kings, who didn't dream of unifying the Four Seas? To be the undisputed ruler of the oceans?
And now, such an opportunity lay right before them!
Just as the West Sea Dragon King was about to speak, a cold voice rang out without warning—
"Just the two of you? And you dare dream of unifying the Four Seas? Laughable—utterly laughable…"
"Dragon Kings of the North and West, receive your decree!"
As the voice fell, both Dragon Kings' faces shifted from shock to alarm. They looked up—only to see a massive and imposing green figure descending slowly from the skies, holding something in his hand that resembled an imperial edict.
It was none other than the Turtle Prime Minister of the East Sea!
As he appeared, the shrimp and crab soldiers around the palace immediately leapt into action, swarming toward the Turtle Prime Minister, attempting to restrain and bind him.
Off to the side, the two Dragon Kings furrowed their brows.
Had the East Sea Dragon King gone mad?
Sending a mere Turtle Prime Minister to issue commands like he was the Celestial Court!?
In their indignation, neither of them noticed that the Turtle Prime Minister had grown noticeably larger than before!
"This holy decree comes from the Dragon Emperor Ao Qing himself. You dare resist? Treason means death!"
The Turtle Prime Minister spoke coldly, then casually waved his sleeve.
Though the motion appeared simple, a violent tempest burst forth at once, blasting the charging shrimp and crab soldiers backward with a thunderous boom, sending them hurtling across the hall!
"…Hmm? Such power?"
"Wait—this aura feels… different…"
The North Sea and West Sea Dragon Kings, who had dismissed the Turtle Prime Minister out of hand, suddenly sensed something was off. They sprang up from their thrones, both reaching out to catch their retreating soldiers.
BOOM!
But even with their intervention, they only managed to slightly slow the airborne soldiers before they were thrown away again.
The clash began and ended in a flash.
In the blink of an eye, the once well-guarded North Sea Dragon Palace was completely empty—its guards gone as if they had never existed, swept away by a single gesture from the Turtle Prime Minister!
Only now did the Dragon Kings finally realize what they were facing. This was no ordinary official—this was an enemy on par with their own power!
In that brief exchange, they had already fallen behind.
"H-How is this possible!?" the West Sea Dragon King exclaimed, his face pale and full of disbelief.
"When did the Turtle Prime Minister become so powerful!?" the North Sea Dragon King was equally stunned.
"Dragon Kings," the Turtle Prime Minister said, forcing a smile that didn't reach his eyes, "the Dragon Emperor's decree is here. You'd best accept it."
Inside, however, his heart surged with elation.
Back then, shrimp and crab soldiers like him had to bow and scrape before the Dragon Kings of the other seas. At the slightest displeasure, they would be crushed on a whim!
Especially the Three Sea Dragon Kings—they constantly found reasons to suppress the East Sea!
Now, seeing these same Dragon Kings so flustered, the Turtle Prime Minister couldn't help but feel he'd finally been vindicated.
Of course, he knew well—without the Dragon Emperor Ao Qing, he'd still be nothing!
"Dragon Emperor? Decree?" the West Sea Dragon King's tone turned cold. "He's not qualified to—"
He didn't get to finish.
Before the word "command" even left his mouth, a terrifying sacred beast aura erupted from the Turtle Prime Minister's body, slamming toward them like a violent tide!
"To insult the Dragon Emperor… is to die!"