"Alright, I have transferred $700k over. Please check your online banking account,” a middle-aged man stated to Serpens at the goldfish fair, having just completed the fund transfer.
“Alright, I have received it,” Serpens replied, smiling. Spotting the crowd in front of him, he raised his voice, “There are three more top-grade Redcap Brown Oranda selling for $350k each. No restock after these are sold. In addition, there’s a top-grade Chilli Red Arowana selling for three million dollars. Feel free to come and take a look.”
“Give me one,” a member of the crowd said, tempted after seeing someone else purchase one, considering the price was $80k cheaper than those in the goldfish fair.
“Alright,” Serpens nodded, placing the Redcap Brown Oranda into a fishbowl and handing it to the old man. With another $350k transferred into his account, Serpens felt a surge of excitement. He now had $1.05 million in his account!
“There are two more Redcap Brown Oranda and a Chilli Red Arowana,” Serpens announced to the growing crowd, now nearing a hundred people.
At that moment, Director Ezekiel, stationed at the service counter for the organizing party, looked around the exhibition hall in confusion.
“Why are there so few people?” several middle-aged and old men nearby muttered, echoing his sentiments.
“Director Ezekiel, Director Lian,” an employee called out as he rushed towards them.
“What’s the matter? Why are you so flustered?” Director Ezekiel asked, frowning.
“Director Ezekiel, something bad has happened. There’s a guy who set up a stall at the entrance selling Redcap Brown Oranda at the price of $350k each. He has already sold a total of three fish,” the young man explained anxiously.
“What? There’s someone selling Redcap Brown Oranda? At $350k each?” Director Ezekiel exclaimed in disbelief.
“Yes, Director Ezekiel. $350k each. There are over a hundred people who have gathered at that place currently,” the young man confirmed.
“$350k each and he has already sold three,” Director Ezekiel muttered, displeased. He immediately stood up and headed out.
Upon reaching the entrance, Director Ezekiel witnessed a crowd of people gathering.
“I’ll take the last two Redcap Brown Oranda,” a voice rang out from the crowd.
“Excuse me,” the middle-aged man said, attempting to navigate through the crowd.
Director Ezekiel followed behind, feeling irritated as he squeezed his way forward.
“Alright, these are the last two Redcap Brown Oranda,” Serpens confirmed with a slight smile after hearing the man’s request.
“Bank transfer,” the middle-aged man requested, inspecting the two Redcap Brown Oranda with satisfaction.
“Alright,” Serpens agreed.
Director Ezekiel, standing nearby, felt a surge of frustration as he observed the scene. He glanced at the two Redcap Brown Oranda and the styrofoam box beside them, his mouth twitching uncontrollably.
“Damn it. Did he keep the goldfish that are worth several million in a styrofoam box? Playing dumb to take advantage of others!” Director Ezekiel muttered, clearly displeased. After this brat sold Redcap Brown Oranda at $350k each, it would be impossible for him to sell his Redcap Brown Oranda in the goldfish fair at $430k. In fact, he might not be able to sell them even if he reduced the price to $350k.
Serpens, noticing Director Ezekiel but not paying him much attention, continued, “There’s one last top-grade Chilli Red Arowana left. You can take it for just three million.”
“This Arowana is really beautiful but the price is too high.”
“This top-grade chili red Arowana is definitely worth three million dollars. However, that’s three million! Who could afford it?”
“Yeah, yeah. It’s too expensive. However, if I had the money, I would definitely buy it. This chili red Arowana is simply too beautiful.”
The surrounding crowd engaged in discussions and comments. An Arowana that cost three million dollars was indeed not easy to sell.
Serpens heard the conversation of the people in the crowd and frowned slightly. Arowana that cost several million was indeed not so easy to sell. There weren’t many people who could afford it.
However, what made him the most disappointed was that there was no one who bought the chili red Arowana.
The crowd of customers simply left after admiring it for some time.
“Damn it. If I had known about it, I wouldn’t have upgraded such an expensive Arowana,” Serpens thought to himself, checking the time. It was already three o’clock in the afternoon, yet the Arowana was still unsold.
Although there was always a huge crowd looking at it, there weren’t many who could have afforded it.
Just like what they had commented, it was too expensive.
“Phew!”
Serpens waited all the way until five o’clock and hadn’t even had his lunch.
“Forget it, I’m not selling it anymore. I have $1.75 million in my hands now and it should be sufficient,” Serpens concluded, content. Although he couldn’t sell this Arowana, it didn’t really affect his mood. After all, he had still been working hard for several hundreds of dollars a few days ago.
After placing the Arowana into the styrofoam box, Serpens rode his Harley towards the school. He put the Arowana in his dormitory room and headed directly for the First-grade Seafood Restaurant. With more than $1.7 million in his account, he wouldn’t be lacking money in the short term.
“Let’s head to the ocean tomorrow and see if I can raise my own level,” Serpens resolved.
Draketown was a town beside the sea and in the vicinity of Bohai Sea. Bohai Sea was one of the four main seas in the country and the only inland sea. Its size was the smallest among the four seas, with the shallowest seabed.
“Just perfect for myself,” Serpens thought.
The next morning, Serpens rode his heavy-duty motorcycle and headed towards the sea. He checked his attributes:
Name: Serpens
Race: Human (Ability to transform into a Dragon)
Level: 1
Dragonic Force: 25/1,000
Superpower: Dominate the marine animals (Ability to rule any marine animals that are lower than your own level)
Devour any form of marine animals (For extraction of Dragonic Force)
Art of Cultivation: Great Dragonic Morph
“I’m still not powerful enough at the moment and can only move around in the shallows region of Bohai Sea. If I encounter marine animals like sharks, I’ll probably be devoured by them. Luckily, sharks are few in the vicinity of the Bohai Sea,” Serpens mused.
He soon arrived at the seaside. The areas of Draketown along the sea had become tourist and vacation hotspots after the last few years of development. In this vicinity, the environment was great and it was a rather famous tourist beach.
Serpens parked his heavy-duty motorcycle in a parking slot before heading to a rather deserted positThe golden body of the Great Dragon exuded an imposing and majestic aura, despite its size being no larger than a palm.
As Serpens delved into the ocean, his keen eyes spotted a tiny Yellow Croaker. With excitement evident on his face, he swiftly swam towards it and opened his mouth to swallow the fish.
"The fish are too small here. With my strength, I can swallow fish weighing several kilograms at once," Serpens remarked dissatisfiedly, observing the mere 0.08 increase in his Dragonic Force. Presently, he could effortlessly consume fish weighing dozens of kilograms.
As a Level One Great Dragon, his strength was on par with his human form, Serpens, despite his miniature size. Even when faced with fish weighing dozens of kilograms, he remained fearless.
With a swift motion, Serpens swam towards the ocean floor. The Bohai Sea, not particularly deep, allowed the sunlight to penetrate directly onto the seabed.
Serpens observed small fish and prawns swimming freely, accompanied by rocks adorned with aquatic plants and various peculiar marine life.
"The school's lake pales in comparison to the marine life here," Serpens mused excitedly as he swam towards a massive mackerel.
The mackerel, weighing approximately four kilograms and measuring half a meter, caught Serpens's attention.
"Mackerel: Level 0. Extractable Dragonic Force: 0.8," Serpens noted, his eyes flashing with determination as he dashed towards it.
As he approached within five meters, the mackerel sensed Serpens's presence and attempted to flee. However, upon feeling the slightest exertion of Serpens's Dragon Power, it halted in its tracks, unable to escape.
"Can you escape?" Serpens taunted, swiftly devouring the mackerel.
"Too cool. With my current Dragon Power, I can dominate marine animals within a five-meter radius, exerting considerable pressure on those beyond," Serpens remarked, exhilarated, as he continued his journey.
"Dominant!"
"Dominant!"
Serpens exercised his dominance over various marine animals he encountered along the way, including Pacific mackerel, Spanish mackerel, yellow drum fish, slender shad fish, herring, pomfret, and pairs of prawns.
After swimming for a thousand meters, Serpens found thousands of fish types congregating within a five-meter radius around him.
"If I could sell these as seafood, I'm sure they could fetch a few hundred thousand dollars," Serpens observed, contemplating the value of the marine animals surrounding him.
He laughed at the thought of selling them, knowing he could only consume them to enhance his strength.
Gulp!
The golden Great Dragon voraciously devoured every marine animal in its path, regardless of size.
"Haha, I've added over 80 points of Dragonic Force. Gobbling up marine animals is indeed the fastest way to increase energy!" Serpens exclaimed joyfully, noting his body growing approximately twenty centimeters longer.
With his dragon scales becoming more exquisite and his dragon claws exuding greater power, Serpens was satisfied with his heightened abilities.
He continued swimming farther out, now four to five kilometers from the shore, in search of larger prey.
"The nearby marine animals are still too small. I must venture farther out," Serpens resolved, swimming onwards.
On his journey, he dominated various marine animals and devoured them at a rapid pace, causing his Dragonic Force to soar.
"The water gets deeper ahead," Serpens observed after approximately eight kilometers of swimming. The ocean floor ahead was around thirteen to fourteen meters deep, significantly deeper than before.
Ahead, he spotted an expanse of greenish seaweed and multi-colored reefs.
"Eh, a school of ribbonfish ahead?" Serpens exclaimed as he spotted thousands of ribbonfish swimming together, some reaching lengths of over a meter.
"Ribbonfish: Level 0. I have nothing to fear," Serpens reassured himself. Despite being ferocious, the ribbonfish posed no threat to the Great Dragon.
With lightning speed, Serpens charged towards the school of ribbonfish, causing them to tremble in fear.
"Dominant!"
As he exerted his Dragon Power, the ribbonfish within five meters bowed before him, immobilized by his presence.
Serpens smiled as he approached one of the ribbonfish.
Swoosh!
Suddenly, a commotion among the ribbonfish caught Serpens's attention as they parted to make way for a massive specimen.
"Eh? What's this?" Serpens's expression turned serious as he spotted a colossal ribbonfish swimming towards him.
"The Yellow Catfish: Level 1. Extractable Dragonic Force: 88," Serpens read, his gaze fixed on the imposing creature.
Despite its size, the Yellow Catfish was a powerful monster Serpens prepared himself for the impending battle, knowing that underestimating it would be a grave mistake.
Serpens' focus was entirely on the imposing Yellow Catfish before him.The Yellow Catfish has a head comparable in size to Serpens's own, advanced menacingly, a small octopus lingering on its teeth as it fixed its gaze on Serpens."Pre-emptive strike," Serpens muttered, eyeing the Yellow Catfish intently. With a swift wriggle, he propelled himself like a golden arrow toward his adversary.The Yellow Catfish's reaction surpassed Serpens's expectations, its combat prowess in the water rivaling that of a human. Its sharp teeth aimed directly for Serpens."I can't face it head-on," Serpens realized, observing the Yellow Catfish's formidable teeth. He extended his dragon claws, bracing himself for a direct confrontation.Tssss.As Serpens heard the Yellow Catfish's roar, it widened its mouth, revealing rows of sharp teeth.A glimmer of cunning flashed in Serpens's eyes. Just before collision, he maneuvered his body upward, slashing his dragon claws toward the Yellow Catfish's eyes.Belongi
In the vast expanse of the Bohai Sea, most have tasted clams before. Typically, they're the size of a thumb, while larger ones can be as big as a palm. Yet, in this realm, there existed a breed known as the Giant Clam, also dubbed the Man-eating Clam, reaching a staggering 1.8 meters. However, the specimen before Serpens surpassed even these records.Stupefied, Serpens beheld the colossal sea clam. "Luckily, it moves slowly, so I needn't fear it. If I stay behind, it can't threaten me," he reasoned, eyeing the creature determinedly. He calculated that devouring it could propel him to Level Three with the extracted Dragonic Force.After some hesitation, Serpens stealthily approached the clam. Unmoving, it offered no resistance as he neared. Tentatively, he grasped its shell with his claw, but to no avail."Too solid, impenetrable," Serpens muttered, vexed by his failed attempts. Despite repeated strikes, the clam remained unaffected."The shell's too hard. I can't break it," Serpens la
The young girl expertly maneuvered her sports car, executing a skillful drift that brought her to a halt beside Serpens's heavy-duty motorcycle. With a taunting glance, she raised her head to address him."Don't they call heavy-duty motorcycle riders 'knights'? Come on, Uncle Knight!"In response to the young girl's challenge, Serpens revved his engine, meeting her gaze with determination."Let's race! If you lose, you'll have to call me mom," she exclaimed, her laughter echoing loudly as she positioned her car alongside the others.A slight smile played on Serpens's lips as he aligned his motorcycle with the sports cars, ready to accept the challenge.Vroom vroom vroom!Engines roared to life as the sports cars and Serpens's motorcycle prepared to launch."Three, two, one. Go!"With a thunderous roar, the vehicles surged forward, each striving for victory. Despite the formidable performance of the sports cars, Serpens's heavy-duty motorcycle quickly gained the lead, reaching speeds o
Rose, who comes from a privileged background, emanates an aura of affluence without the typical haughtiness that is often associated with her social class. Even after her family's financial collapse, she remains resolute and dedicated to working part-time during her summer break.Serpens was impressed by Rose's perseverance and found it admirable that she could endure hardship with such grace. "Your dinner was truly delightful. I haven't had a meal this enjoyable in quite some time,"she expressed gratefully, appreciating his kind gesture.Impressed by her resilience, Serpens found n Shuqing's ability to endure hardship admirable. "Thank you for your dinner. This is the most delightful meal I’ve had recently," she expressed, appreciating his gesture.Grinning, Serpens replied, "I guess I will be having seafood for all my meals for a while. If I do, I’ll tell you in advance.""Right, it’s a deal," Rose agreed sweetly.As they parted ways, Rose watched Serpens depart with a warm smile, r
When the hammer struck the glass, the security alarm blared throughout the jewelry shop."Hurry, hurry! Blast it, the alarm's on! Security's comin'!" one of the robbers bellowed."Boss, this glass's too thick," muttered the hammer-wielding robber, frustration etched on his face as he saw only a few cracks appear."Leave it to me," snarled another young man, his veins bulging as he seized the hammer. He smashed a hole through the glass and continued breaking it."This ain't good. The bulletproof glass is busted," Lan Qingyue, squatting nearby, gasped in shock."Shut it!" snapped the robber next to her, eyeing her necklace greedily. He reached for it. "Give me that.""No!" Lan Qingyue recoiled, falling back."Huh? You're pretty," the robber remarked, his expression lecherous."Don't move or I'll shoot," he threatened, aiming his gun at her."We ain't got time for this! Keep watch!" shouted the young man at the glass counter, seizing jewelry.Meanwhile, the other robber aimed his gun at
Rose stepped out of the school gate dressed in a crisp white blouse and tailored jeans carrying a leather bag that slung over her shoulder having just completed her translation job.Her confident stride and the slight smile on her lips and refiected a job well done. One of the most difficult tasks a student could face in Draketown university was to face professor Layton Utah when it has to do with translation jobs but she was able to do it very well, so good that professor Layton nodded his head satisfactorily.Her eyes immediately locked unto Serpens who was sitting on his sleek Harley motorcycle. A smile escaped her lips as she crossed the road separating the school from where Serpens was seated with the other guys.As she reached Serpens, she placed a hand on his shoulders, her eyes locking through every other person's eyes. Her gaze shifted to Tiara's boyfriend Yul Brynner who was standing in front of Serpens, the other guys watching to see what was about to unfold.“Who the hell
Yul couldn't let go of the humiliation he had suffered from Serpens. He had always been the one whom everyone feared and respected. As the heir to the Brynner's holdings, one of the most renowned fish dealers in the region, he felt really insulted.So, in the dimly lit room of his upscale apartment, Yul and a couple of his friends gathered around a sleek glass table. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation and simmering anger.Everything that had transpired between him and Serpens was still playing very fresh in his head and he was not going to go down without a fight.Sitting at the head of the table, Yul was seething with anger, nursing a bruised ego and a slight swelling on his face. Tiara sat beside him, looking worried but silent. The room was filled with a low hum of expansive electronics and the faint scene of cologne."That guy humiliated me," Yul began, his voice seething with bitterness. "We can't let him get away with this."Across from him, one of his closest friends, W
Serpens and Rose arrived at his apartment, parking the Harley bike in front of the house. Rose was still reeling from the events that had happened earlier with Serpens and Tiara' boyfriend. She hadn't expected to see Serpens react that way The way he knocked down Yul effortlessly was still making her wonder where he learnt martial arts from.“Have you had martial arts lessons before?” She inquired, her curiosity piqued.Serpens's brow furrowed, “No.. not at all.” He replied. “Why'd you ask?” He pressed further.Rose shrugged, “Nothing..” she replied. “It’s just that, the way you knocked that guy out, only a true master in martial arts could do that.”“Really?” “Yes. My uncle is a martial artist. I learnt Judo and Taekwondo from him so I know a little about martial arts too.” Serpens remembered someone telling him that before. He could begin to see for himself that the dragonic power also enabled him with the skills of martial arts.“Who knows.., maybe I'm just naturally gifted in t
The priest stood solemnly at the edge of the grave, his weathered hands clasped around a simple wooden cross. His voice, steady and calm, reverberated through the air as he spoke the final prayers, his eyes reflecting the sorrow of the moment. The soft rustle of leaves was the only sound as Rose was laid to rest, the earth slowly covering her.Serpens stood nearby, tears silently welling up in his eyes, his heart heavy with grief. As the ceremony ended, people began to approach him one by one. Xin placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, his face solemn. Lan, always reserved, offered a quiet nod of respect. Serena’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she whispered her condolences. Dr. Sun, with a grave expression, grasped Serpens' hand in solidarity, while Inspector Lui, ever the stoic, simply said, "I'm sorry." Finally, Tiara approached, her eyes filled with understanding and empathy, and she gave him a brief, supportive hug.After everything was said and done, as the crowd disper
In an instant, Rose disappeared into the portal, her figure merging with the energy of the Dragon Stone. There was a flash of blinding light, and the portal sealed shut, its power absorbed into Rose’s being. The energy of the Dragon Stone flowed through her, and the stone itself crumbled to dust, its dark power dissipating into the air.Serpens and Xin watched in awe, their hearts heavy with the sacrifice that had just been made. Rose had given herself to save the world, her courage and selflessness breaking the cycle of darkness that had threatened to engulf them all.For a moment, all was quiet, and then, from the stillness, a gentle breeze began to blow, carrying with it the promise of a new dawn."No!" Serpens cried as he rushed towards her. Rose fell on his arms, her form as cold as ice. "Don't leave me, Rose," Serpens cried. "Please come back," The strange lady spoke, "This was bound to happen, greet dragon. She's your fourth sage, the one who would help you win the war agains
Serpens struggled to his feet, his heart pounding with fear and frustration. Winter was too strong, even with the combined might of the dragon lords. They couldn’t overpower him—not like this. But what frightened him more was the sight of Xin, now standing on the rock, her hand trembling as she raised the dragon stone toward the point where the sunlight met the sea."No!" Serpens cried out, his voice breaking with the weight of his despair. But his words fell on deaf ears. Xin, lost in Winter’s spell, placed the stone on the rock. The moment the stone touched the surface, the sunlight intensified, its beams converging on the stone and then spreading outwards, enveloping Bahamut in a blinding light.The light was quickly swallowed by a sudden darkness, a pitch-black void that seemed to emanate from Bahamut himself. The last chain around the dragon’s neck glowed fiercely for a brief moment before shattering into a thousand pieces. The sound of the chain breaking echoed like thunder acro
The Third World Sea stretched endlessly before Serpens, a vast expanse of shimmering waters that reflected the dark, starless sky above. The air was thick with a mystical energy, a sensation both familiar and foreign, tugging at the edges of his consciousness. As he stood on the shore, the quiet lapping of waves against the rocks was the only sound, but Serpens could feel the presence of something ancient and powerful nearby.From the depths of the sea, a massive form began to rise, the water cascading off its scales like liquid silver. Doromu emerged with a grace that belied his immense size. His golden eyes, warm and wise, fixed upon Serpens with a gaze that seemed to peer into the very depths of his soul. The dragon’s scales shimmered with a soft, radiant light, contrasting the dark waters around him."Welcome, Serpens," Doromu said, his voice deep and resonant, echoing across the stillness of the sea. He lowered his head in a deep, respectful bow. "Great Dragon, it is an honour to
The uproar in Draketwon that night increased people ran to find safety from the threats of the dragons which descended upon the city like a flock of birds.It wasn't long after that the armed forces of Draketwon set into action. Helicopters, their blades slicing through the night air, emerged from the darkness. It was a show down of the humans versus the dragons, as fire bathed the entire city like a flood.The roar of the engines filled the cockpit as Captain Marcus Rourke, the seasoned leader of the air force squadron, adjusted his headset. His eyes were steely, focused on the horizon where plumes of smoke rose from the city below. The once-vibrant metropolis was now a war zone, engulfed in chaos as dragons soared through the sky, their fiery breath raining destruction upon the streets.“Echo Squadron, this is Captain Rourke,” he spoke into the radio, his voice calm but laced with urgency. “We’ve got eyes on the target. Multiple dragons are engaged, laying waste to the city. They’re
Tiara sat at her usual spot in the school courtyard, the sun dipping lower in the sky as the hours ticked by. The news of the Zorvath's going through Serpens' locker in school, had become the news of the day, but that wasn't her problem.Her concern was in the fact that Serpens whom he had called to tell what had happened didn't show up in school. She couldn't help but wonder why he didn't show up after he told her he was already on his way when she called him earlier that day.After the first set of classes of the day, she decided to go to the courtyard and hoped that before the afternoon classes would commence, Serpens would show up.Her gaze flicked anxiously toward the school gates every few minutes, hoping to see Serpens' familiar figure stride through. But as the shadows lengthened and the students trickled out in groups, laughing and chatting, there was no sign of him.By now, the courtyard was almost empty, save for a few stragglers. Tiara’s worry had shifted to a gnawing unea
As Serpens pondered Zorvath's enigmatic riddle, a figure emerged from the trees surrounding the lake. It was a young woman with piercing green eyes and long, curly brown hair. She approached Serpens with a confident stride, her gaze fixed on him."Ah, Serpens," she said, her voice husky and mysterious. "I've been searching for you. My name is Lyra, and I possess knowledge about your past and your connection to Xin."Serpens's eyes narrowed, unsure if he should trust this stranger. But something about Lyra's words resonated deep within him."What do you know?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.Lyra smiled, her eyes glinting with secrets. "Let's just say that I can help you unlock the truth about your draconic powers and the reason behind Winter's pursuit."Zorvath, who had been watching the exchange, suddenly spoke up. "Lyra, you shouldn't be here. This is a matter between Serpens and me."Lyra turned to Zorvath, her expression unfazed. "I'm afraid I have a stake in this too, Zorvath. Se
The morning routine was almost automatic. Serpens crossed the room to his wardrobe, where his clothes hung neatly on the door. As he buttoned his shirt, his mind kept drifting back to the urgency of his quest, the need to find Xin and the draconic gem.After pulling on his trousers and fastening his belt, Serpens moved to the bathroom. He splashed cold water on his face, the chill waking him up fully. He stared at his reflection in the mirror—his dark hair tousled from sleep, his eyes sharp and alert despite the fatigue that lingered at their edges. With deliberate care, he combed his hair, making sure every strand was in place, trying to impose order on at least this small part of his life.He grabbed his school bag, checking to make sure he had everything he needed: books, notebooks, the pendant that Professor Layton had given him back then, was still there—a small token that served as a reminder of his mission.Before leaving his room, Serpens took a moment to gaze out of the wind
The night was a gentle embrace, soft and inviting, perfect for slipping into the realm of dreams. The sky was clear, a deep velvet canvas dotted with a thousand twinkling stars that seemed to pulse with a quiet, rhythmic light. The moon, full and luminous, bathed the world in a silvery glow, casting long, soft shadows that danced lightly across the ground. A cool breeze whispered through the trees, rustling the leaves in a soothing lullaby that filled the air with a sense of calm and serenity.The world seemed to have slowed its pace, the hustle of the day giving way to a peaceful stillness. The sounds of the night were gentle and comforting—the distant chirp of crickets, the occasional hoot of an owl, and the soft rustle of nocturnal creatures moving about their nightly routines. Even the air itself felt different, cooler and lighter, as if it carried the essence of dreams within it, urging all who breathed it in to close their eyes and drift away.The scent of blooming jasmine and n