Heaven's Retribution

Everyone was stunned...

Tens of thousands of Black Island cultivators were utterly dumbfounded!

The mighty Dragon Emperor of the Heavenly Dragon Merfolk Clan, arriving with an awe-inspiring military formation, had actually come to... apologize?!

Watching the Dragon Emperor kneel and clasp his fists in reverence, everyone wore expressions of sheer disbelief, unable to trust their own eyes!

The Dragon Emperor...

That was the sovereign of the entire Heavenly Dragon Merfolk Clan!

For countless years, the seventy-two islands of the Eastern Sea had been ruled under the oppressive dominion of the Heavenly Dragon Merfolk, enduring humiliation just to survive. Even the Third Prince was an untouchable, terrifying figure whose reputation alone struck fear into hearts to this day!

And now...

The illustrious Dragon Emperor, the father of that very Third Prince, had personally come to offer an apology?!

How was this possible?!

Even with the truth right before their eyes, none of the tens of thousands of cultivators dared believe it. As they watched the Dragon Emperor kneel and bow, they felt nothing but absurdity, their hearts nearly leaping out of their chests from sheer shock!

For a long while, everyone stood frozen, not daring to move an inch.

Not even in their wildest dreams had they imagined that a legendary existence like this would kneel before them.

They were utterly terrified!

The scene was eerily silent—so quiet that even the sound of breathing seemed to vanish.

Yi Feng was even more baffled.

He had just drawn his Primordial Greatsword, hadn’t even delivered his opening lines yet...

And yet, the other party was here to apologize?!

What the hell?!

Where was the promised brutal battle?!

Where was the Dragon Emperor’s grand, domineering entrance from earlier?!

He’d practically rolled up his sleeves, only to be met with... a Teletubby?!

His fist was clenched, ready to strike, but all he faced was a soft, unresisting cotton ball. Yi Feng was left with all his pent-up aggression and nowhere to direct it, his carefully prepared taunts stuck in his throat!

"Tsk..."

Taking a deep breath, he frowned and spoke with a dark expression.

"You’re really the Dragon Emperor? You’re not here for revenge... but to apologize?"

No matter how he thought about it...

The Dragon Emperor immediately offering an apology completely defied both his character and the expected plot progression!

Logically speaking...

As the conflict escalated, the Dragon Emperor, being the ultimate boss, should have stepped in to reclaim his honor—otherwise, how could he maintain his authority?

What kind of nonsense was this "apologizing right away" business?!

Having orchestrated this grand showdown himself, Yi Feng, the director, suddenly found the plot veering off-script. He was completely thrown off!

After a long silence...

Ao Budong remained prostrated on the ground, his tail nearly numb from anxiety.

Finally hearing Yi Feng’s question, he hurriedly nodded, his voice trembling with caution.

"Replying to you, sir..."

"I... I am indeed Dragon Emperor Ao Budong. What happened earlier was all a misunderstanding. I deeply regret my actions and have brought my clansmen here to seek forgiveness. There is absolutely no intention of revenge!"

As he spoke, Ao Budong hastily waved his arm toward the rear.

The sound of rolling wheels echoed as over a dozen massive carts, laden with treasures, slowly approached. Weapons, rare materials, and countless other valuables glimmered under the light, their radiant aura so dense it almost stung the eyes!

The sheer weight of the haul left deep ruts in the ground—its value was beyond estimation!

The leaders of Black Island suddenly felt like country bumpkins witnessing true opulence for the first time. Their wealth paled in comparison—it was like comparing a village landlord to a king!

"This... is but a humble token of my sincerity, a small compensation for the humans of these islands."

The sheer absurdity of such extravagant treasures being described as a "small gesture" only made the scene even more surreal.

Coupled with the Dragon Emperor’s submissive, apologetic demeanor...

Shi Tianchuan and the other Black Island cultivators wore expressions as if they’d seen a ghost!

(ΩДΩ)

What the hell kind of "humble token" was this?!

Even for the affluent Heavenly Dragon Merfolk Clan, parting with such treasures must have been a devastating blow!

And yet... the Dragon Emperor was acting this meek?!

"Did they take the wrong medicine or something?!"

"What the hell is going on?!"

The shock spread once more, leaving tens of thousands of cultivators frozen in place, their eyes bulging in disbelief.

Yi Feng was also growing increasingly puzzled.

They really seem sincere—could they actually be here to apologize?

But that doesn’t make any sense!

Before he could even furrow his brow to probe further,

the obedient Dragon Emperor had already waved his hand again, summoning several more ornate carriages!

This time, it wasn’t treasures they carried.

Instead, they held several bound members of the Heavenly Dragon-Merfolk Clan!

The figures tied up in the earlier carriages were unmistakably Dragon Generals, their golden jade armor glaringly conspicuous, instantly seizing the attention of the entire crowd.

Yi Feng was even more baffled now!

Coming to apologize and offering compensation was one thing, but bringing people as gifts too?

Before he could speak,

Ao Budong clenched his teeth, cupped his fists, and declared with unshakable resolve:

"Esteemed Sir!"

"We are deeply aware of our grievous sins. Mere material treasures are but worldly possessions—they can only barely express our remorse. We truly do not know how to atone for the suffering inflicted upon the human islands…"

"Thus… thus we can only follow your previous words and offer five of our clansmen as tribute each year, to be used and consumed by the islands as they see fit, in hopes of redeeming our sins!"

"We shall begin this very year! Including myself, three Dragon Generals, and Ao Chang—five in total—we submit ourselves to your judgment! Whether boiled or fried, we shall not utter a single word of protest!"

Whoosh—

As his trembling voice faded, tens of thousands of cultivators erupted in uproar!

"Holy shit…"

"They’re actually willing to offer themselves as atonement—they really are here to apologize!"

"Someone slap me—am I dreaming?!"

"Damn!"

Gasps of shock echoed all around, and even Shi Tianchuan and the others were wide-eyed with astonishment.

Yi Feng was utterly dumbfounded, gripping his greatsword in a daze.

His remark about "eating fish-people" had just been an offhand comment to provoke hatred—yet they took it seriously! Now, they’d actually bound four merfolk and even brought their own Dragon Emperor as the first offering!

How the hell did this happen?!

The situation had escalated to such an absurd degree—it was beyond imagination!

The more Yi Feng thought about it, the weirder it seemed.

The legendary Dragon Emperor was a ruthless figure—how could he suddenly have an epiphany and come to apologize with such sincerity, even sacrificing himself?

No matter how genuine it looked, this just didn’t add up!

With the script veering wildly off course and the impending battle about to be called off,

Yi Feng was filled with bitter frustration!

He wasn’t a fool—no way he’d be fooled by sweet talk!

Squinting suspiciously, he fixed a sharp gaze on Ao Budong.

"Out with it—why the hell are you really here to apologize?"

"If you can’t give me a good reason, I don’t care how ‘repentant’ you claim to be. This fight—you’re taking it whether you like it or not!"

Ao Budong’s heart quivered in terror!

Having heard whispers of this man’s terrifying power, the last thing he wanted was to face him in battle!

Trembling, he kowtowed and recited his prepared lines:

"Sir, please hear me!"

"Our clan has indeed committed great evils, and I failed in my duties, allowing the seventy-two islands to suffer immense humiliation!"

"Originally, I was unaware of these atrocities… until a few days ago, when my rebellious son was struck by divine retribution and transformed into a hideous salted fish. Only then, after my subordinates reported their defeat, did I learn the full truth—and I was overcome with guilt!"

"Today, I dare not beg for forgiveness from the island’s cultivators. I seek only to atone! If you doubt my sincerity, I am willing to end my own life as proof!"

With that, Ao Budong pulled out a Water Spirit Pearl from his sleeve.

Inside floated a grotesque, catfish-like figure, its vacant stare sending murmurs of shock through the crowd.

Staring at that pitiful sight,

Yi Feng finally began to waver between belief and doubt.

"So that's how it is..."

No wonder the Dragon Emperor suddenly came to apologize—turns out he was suffering retribution. Indeed, heaven has eyes! Those who commit evil shall not meet a good end!

It was satisfying, no doubt.

But Yi Feng felt an overwhelming sense of emptiness, even a tinge of resentment toward this ill-timed retribution.

Honestly, it was infuriating.

Why now, of all times? Couldn't it have waited? Damn the heavens for their terrible timing!

If heaven were a man, he’d wish him eternal bachelorhood!

Griping aside, there was nothing Yi Feng could do.

All his meticulous planning had gone to waste. Killing the Dragon Emperor would have been too merciful—better to leave his fate to Island Master Shi. At least the suffering of the islands had finally ended, and that was something to celebrate.

Yi Feng took a deep breath and nodded solemnly.

"Very well. Since you’ve shown remorse, your future will be decided by Island Master Shi and the people."

As his words faded, Ao Budong kowtowed repeatedly, as if granted a pardon.

"Thank you, Master Yi! Thank you, Island Master, and all of you! Whatever punishment you decree, I will accept without complaint!"

His voice was heavy with regret.

The once-proud Celestial Dragon-Jiao Clan knelt in unison, their postures steeped in penitence.

Finally,

the tens of thousands of cultivators outside erupted into cheers, their voices shaking the land for miles. Freed from millennia of humiliation, their faces shone with joy.

Amid the crowd,

the North Sea Emperor and the Sturgeon Dragon Celestial Emperor exchanged a knowing glance with the Crab Emperor. These old foxes had already pieced things together but remained silent. This outcome was, after all, the best for everyone.

As the celebrations grew louder, the two elders quietly exhaled in relief.

"Phew..."

The calamity that had plagued the sea clans was finally over.

Before noon,

the triumphant news spread across every island. Tales of the chasm and the terror it inspired were met with awe, while Yi Feng’s divine might earned the reverence of millions of cultivators.

In the grand hall of Black Island,

amid laughter and sighs,

many female cultivators wept with emotion, already regarding Yi Feng as a legend.

Once everything was settled, the feast began.

But the hero who had saved the Seventy-Two Islands was nowhere to be found.

After searching in vain, the crowd turned to Lu Xinlan and the others in confusion.

"Lady Xinlan, you’re closest to Master Yi. Do you know where he is? We’re all waiting for him to preside over the victory banquet!"