"Where… is this?"
The boy opened his eyes again.
He found himself standing upon an endless ocean.
Looking around, he saw—high above—a massive vortex slowly turning, the sky growing ever darker.
And just beyond that deep whirlpool, a tall figure stood with his back to him, clad in an elegant dark blue formal suit, exuding poise.
"They say that justice is like water. Water is the beginning of all things… and the final curtain at their end."
A gentle, refined voice rang out.
The figure leaning on a cane slowly turned.
"Holy crap… the real Neuvillette!"
The boy stared in shock at the figure in the sky.
He was powerful and dignified, like a majestic Damocles' sword suspended above the world.
"I'm glad to meet you, traveler,"
the imposing figure said calmly.
"You're… Neuvillette?"
The boy's lips twitched. Traveler? Wasn't that a term from Genshin Impact?
Wasn't this supposed to be Douluo Continent?
"Yes. After pardoning Fontaine's sins, for some unknown reason, I was drawn here by a nameless, terrifying power…"
Neuvillette shook his head.
"I can feel my strength fading. Even with the ancient dragon authority, I can't resist it."
"Ah…"
The boy felt a pang of disappointment.
He'd thought this was going to be his cheat ability for traversing Douluo Continent — but it seemed it was ending before it even began.
"Do not be disheartened, young one. Though I cannot remain here, the five hundred years I spent in Fontaine have left me deeply curious about humanity."
Neuvillette turned away, resting both hands on his cane as he gazed into the deep whirlpool.
"So, traveler, I want you to take my place. In this world, continue to explore what it means to be just…"
"As an outsider, my chances to truly converse with others were few. Different identities, divergent ways of thinking — each creates a vast gulf. Erasing such obstacles is never easy."
"When it comes to justice, I have little experience to pass on… for I, too, never fully integrated."
Neuvillette shook his head regretfully.
"What I can give you is only a meager weapon — The Codex of Eternal Tides… and a portion of the ancient dragon authority."
The boy: "…"
Meager, huh? That's being very modest.
This was an honest-to-goodness cheat.
"Now, carry this destiny… and go in search of the truth."
The massive whirlpool began to spin faster.
Like the chimes of fate, a low, resonant tone rang in the air.
"Elder Mu, is this kid in trouble? Who takes half a day just to awaken a martial spirit?"
Xuan Zi paced impatiently.
"Calm yourself. With me here, little Neuvillette will be fine."
Mu En sat with eyes closed, his voice tranquil.
While they spoke, a faint light began to glow within Neuvillette's body.
And then it grew brighter — and brighter.
BOOM!
The waters around Sea God Island surged upward, forming towering walls of water that encircled the entire island.
"Is this… a water-attribute martial spirit?"
Xuan Zi's eyes widened in shock.
This kind of spectacle, even for him — a Rank 98 Super Douluo — would take some effort.
And yet Neuvillette was only a child awakening his spirit for the first time. Who would believe this?
"No."
Mu En slowly lifted his gaze to the boy suspended in midair, still surrounded by countless water rings and with eyes closed. A spark of joy flickered in his deep eyes.
"This is Ultimate Water… no, even purer than Ultimate Water itself!"
Whoosh—
The waters churned like a congregation bowing before a god.
At the very center, Neuvillette slowly opened his eyes, light flickering within them.
ROAR!
A dragon's cry echoed from the clouds above.
It resounded through the entirety of Shrek Academy.
"That… that's a dragon?!"
Xuan Zi was stupefied.
"A Hydro Dragon…"
Mu En let out a long breath, unable to hide the joy on his face.
"This child has given us old fellows a very big surprise."
Several figures landed on Sea God Island soon after.
"Mu En, Xuan Zi — what happened here?"
A Sea God Pavilion elder couldn't contain himself the moment he arrived.
"Our next heir to the Pavilion… has just been decided," Xuan Zi grinned, biting into his chicken leg.
"Neuvillette has awakened the Hydro Dragon martial spirit," Mu En said calmly, then added, "—and it's Ultimate Water."
"So it's that child?" Yan Shaozhe's eyes lit with surprise.
Six years ago, Elder Mu had returned from the Star Dou Forest carrying a baby. He had cared for and spoiled the child more than even his own great-grandson.
Everyone had been puzzled, but no matter how they questioned him, they only got vague answers.
Over time, they'd stopped asking.
But none of them expected this.
"The position of Holy Son of the Sea God Pavilion has been vacant for too long," Qian Duoduo said with a grin.
"That position has always been his," Mu En replied lightly, reclining back in his chair, finally relieved.
"Hah… with the teacher this biased, even I, the senior disciple, feel a bit jealous," Yan Shaozhe said with a wry smile.
"Ultimate Water can perfectly counter Little Tao's evil fire. That girl's luck is good," Qian Duoduo chuckled, patting Yan Shaozhe's shoulder.
"Don't think I don't know you, brat. Don't take advantage and then play innocent!"
BOOM!
The long, ancient dragon's chant reverberated like it came from the edge of the sky, as if a true dragon was about to break free from the abyss.
"Still not done?"
Xuan Zi's lips twitched.
The Pavilion elders all looked on in awe.
"Shaozhe, notify all Shrek students to return to their dorms immediately, and prohibit anyone from going outside. All faculty and students must remain silent," Mu En ordered.
"Yes, Elder Mu!" Yan Shaozhe's pupils shrank as he vanished in an instant.
"Elder Mu…"
One Pavilion elder glanced at Neuvillette, who had yet to finish his awakening.
"With me here, nothing will get out of hand," Mu En replied calmly, eyes still closed.
"Holy crap… my martial spirit is… a Hydro Dragon?!"
Suspended in the air, Neuvillette looked around in astonishment.
A massive, pale-blue dragon coiled around him, letting out resounding roars.
"So this is another form of the Hydro Dragon?
In human form, there's only one ancient dragon — Neuvillette. But it seems as a dragon, he also has this draconic form."
"Not that it matters…"
Neuvillette opened his pale hand, a light-blue glow shining from his palm.
A sacred tome-like object appeared, floating quietly above it.
"Twin martial spirits — the Hydro Dragon, and the Codex of Eternal Tides."
"And although my current portion of the ancient dragon authority is pitifully small, my memories say… as long as I preside over a Judgment, I can accumulate more authority…"
His lips curled into a faint smile as he lifted his gaze toward the sky.
There, it seemed a colossal blue silhouette stood, holding a trident, watching him in silence.
"Judgment, huh… I'm looking forward to it."