I was just fishing, how did I become a Great Old One?

The night in Jianghai City may seem calm, but undercurrents are surging beneath the surface.

The booming business at [Shenlan Seafood Restaurant] continued until 2 a.m. After seeing off the last group of diners who were ravenous and looked like they could punch a cow at any moment, the staff could finally take a breather.

In the kitchen, Lei Meng was shirtless, his muscles bulging, scrubbing a huge iron pot with a steel wool pad.

"Whew...that feels great!"

He wiped the sweat from his brow, looking at his skin that shimmered with a golden glow, his eyes filled with excitement.

After just one night as a food taster (which basically meant eating leftover scraps), he felt his strength had increased significantly. The A-level bottleneck that had held him back for three years was now like a thin sheet of paper, ready to be broken through at any moment.

"This isn't just working, it's practically cultivating immortality!"

Lei Meng glanced at Da Qiang (who was now called Jiang Li) sitting by the stove like a demon god, and felt even more awe.

Jiang Li was counting money.

Today's sales hit a new record. We sold over fifty servings of the "Teppanyaki King Squid" dish alone, bringing in several million.

"Not bad, not bad. At this rate, if I go to that Guixu place to get some more goods, I can buy up all the surrounding streets."

Jiang Li happily transferred the money into the card, then looked at Big Yellow, who was gnawing on a bone in the corner.

"Big Yellow, stop eating. Pack up and go home. We need to pick up Little Fish from school tomorrow."

Big Yellow reluctantly spat out the half of the Deep Diver's Spine from its mouth and wagged its tail.

……

Meanwhile, at Jianghai University's girls' dormitory.

It was late at night, and Jiang Xiaoyu was fast asleep.

But outside her dormitory window, a jet-black crow (not the unlucky one from before, but a real demonic crow formed from a curse) was quietly perched on a treetop, its blood-red eyes fixed on Jiang Xiaoyu's bed.

On its claws, it gripped a palm-sized, pitch-black stone statue, carved in an extremely ferocious manner.

[Abyss Evil God Statue - Curse Carrier] (S-level Forbidden Item).

This is the mastermind hidden in the sewers—[Eye of the Abyss], a cursed medium condensed from the evil energy accumulated over half a lifetime.

If this stone statue is placed next to the target, the curse contained within it will erupt at midnight, forcibly dragging the target's soul into the abyss, subjecting them to eternal torment, and ultimately turning them into a walking corpse that only obeys the abyss.

"Go...bring fear to her..."

From the distant sewers, the Eye of the Abyss issued a sinister command.

The demonic crow silently took flight, slipped through the crack in the window (it could become invisible), and flew into the dormitory.

It carefully landed on Jiang Xiaoyu's bedside table and put the black stone statue down.

As soon as the stone statue touched the tabletop, the eerie patterns on it immediately lit up with a faint red light, and a chilling aura began to spread throughout the room.

Jiang Xiaoyu, who was fast asleep, seemed to sense something. She frowned slightly and curled up.

"Hehehe... It's starting..."

A cruel pleasure flashed in the raven's eyes as it prepared to enjoy this wonderful process of depravity.

however.

Just as the red light from the stone statue was about to touch Jiang Xiaoyu's body...

"Buzz—"

A soft yet extremely domineering golden light suddenly shone on Jiang Xiaoyu's shoulder, the spot where Jiang Li had patted him twice before.

The light was not dazzling; in fact, it gave people a warm feeling.

But to the demon crow and the evil god statue, this golden light was like a blazing sun suddenly rising in the darkness!

That's the protection of the rules of the [Abyss Fisherman]!

That is the supreme will that transcends all the laws of the abyss!

"Sizzle—!!!"

It's like a drop of water falling into a pot of boiling oil.

The once invincible statue of the Abyss God, illuminated by the golden light, actually emitted a shrill scream (though only those with high spiritual vision could hear it).

The red light that represented curse and corruption on its body was instantly washed away by the golden light. Cracks began to appear on the surface of the stone statue, and wisps of black smoke rose from it, a sign that the evil god's will had been purified.

"Gah—?!"

The demon crow was terrified.

It tried to escape, but the golden light seemed to have a mind of its own, and a wisp of it gently swept across its body.

There was no sound.

The demonic raven, composed entirely of curses, evaporated instantly into the air, leaving not a trace.

After being "baptized" by the golden light, the stone statue did not shatter, but the evil aura on it was completely gone. Its originally ferocious face became... somewhat comical, like a poorly made street vendor item.

Everything returned to calm.

Jiang Xiaoyu rolled over, smacked her lips, and continued to sleep, completely unaware of the thrilling scene that had just unfolded.

……

"puff--!!!"

Deep inside the sewers of Jianghai City.

The Eye of the Abyss, which had been lying like a lump of mud in the sewage, suddenly began to tremble violently.

Its enormous single eye suddenly swelled with blood, then burst open in a cloud of black blood mist.

"Aaaaaah—!!!"

The agonizing roar echoed underground, causing the surrounding rats to die instantly.

"How is this possible?! How is this possible?!"

The Eye of the Abyss roared in disbelief.

The wisp of its original consciousness attached to the stone statue was instantly erased!

The feeling was like an ant trying to bite the sun, only to break its teeth and have its soul burned to ashes!

"What...is there on that girl?!"

"Could it be... a direct blood relative of a god? Or the reincarnation of some ancient god?"

The Eye of the Abyss was terrified.

It originally thought that the man named Jiang Li was scary enough, but it didn't expect his sister to be even more unfathomable!

The power of rules contained within that golden light was even more noble than the abyss lord it served!

"We can't afford to mess with them... we really can't afford to mess with them..."

The Eye of the Abyss trembled, its originally enormous body rapidly shrinking until it became the size of an ordinary toad, before crawling into an abandoned soda can.

"I need to hibernate! I need to seal myself away! Jianghai City is too dangerous! I'm done!"

……

Noon the next day.

Jiang Li's Land Rover stopped right on time at the entrance of Jianghai University.

"Little fish! Over here!"

Jiang Li, wearing sunglasses, leaned against the car door, attracting a few sidelong glances from those around him.

Jiang Xiaoyu ran out with her schoolbag on her back and the black stone statue in her hand.

"Brother! You're here!"

Jiang Xiaoyu got into the car and handed the stone statue to Jiang Li.

"Brother, look at this. I found this thing on my bedside table as soon as I woke up this morning. It's dark and kind of scary. Is it some kind of prank?"

Jiang Li took the stone statue and glanced at it.

The statue was about the size of a palm, made of some kind of black stone. It was carved into a monster with an octopus head and bat wings, looking a bit like Cthulhu, but the workmanship was extremely rough, the lines were stiff, and the expression... was even a bit silly.

"This is……"

Jiang Li frowned. "The workmanship is terrible. This isn't a figurine; it's clearly a defective product made by some elementary school student in a pottery class."

He weighed it in his hand.

"It's quite heavy, solid."

"Brother, is this some kind of cursed doll?" Jiang Xiaoyu asked worriedly.

"What cursed doll? This is just a slightly ugly ornament."

Jiang Li looked disdainful. "Look at this material. It's just ordinary obsidian... no, it seems to be some kind of synthetic resin? Anyway, it's worthless."

He casually tossed the stone statue, which had once been an S-class forbidden object, into the back seat.

"I bet it was a gift from one of your suitors. His taste is terrible. Oh well, take it home. We just happen to need a weight for our pickled vegetable jar, and this flat base will be perfect for it."

Jiang Xiaoyu: "..."

A jar for pressing pickled vegetables?

Big Yellow in the back seat glanced at the stone statue, a hint of sympathy flashing in its dog eyes.

It could smell the faint aura of the abyss remaining on the stone statue. Although it had been almost completely purified, that aura was still there.

A dignified statue of an evil god has been reduced to pressing salted vegetables... This ending is even worse than being eaten.

……

Back at the villa.

Jiang Li washed the stone statue (with dish soap) and then threw it directly into the [Screaming Magic Pot] in the kitchen, which was filled with pickled cowpeas.

"Bang!"

The stone statue fell into the acidic water and landed on the flat stone.

Magic Pot: "..."

It sensed it.

A new cellmate has arrived.

Although this guy has been exonerated, the arrogance he once had as a "god" still remains.

"Alas, we are both in the same boat."

The vengeful spirits inside the magic pot let out a helpless sigh and silently made room for the newcomer.

"Done!"

Jiang Li clapped his hands. "Now the green beans can be pressed down more firmly, and they'll definitely be crisper after pickling."

"By the way, where's Er Gou? Tell him to get ready; we're going out to sea tomorrow."

Jiang Li said to Da Huang, who was mopping the floor.

Big Yellow barked once to indicate that it understood.

Jiang Li's goal this time is very clear—[Return to the Void].

He had thoroughly studied the sheepskin scroll map that Wang De had given him over the past few days.

Guixu is located at the deepest part of the Misty Sea, a forbidden sea area forever shrouded in storms and thunder.

It is said that it is the entrance to another world, where true ancient dragons live.

"Dragon meat... a billion dollars..."

Jiang Li felt an itch to get his hands on that astronomical order.

Although business is already doing well, it's only making small money; opportunities to make a fortune like this are rare.

Moreover, he always felt that something in that sea was calling to him.

It was like a huge fishpond, waiting for him to fish.

……

The next morning.

Old Wharf.

The Black Pearl is ready to depart.

This time, the ship's equipment was even more luxurious.

Besides the "Pillar of Stars" flagpole, two rows of plasma cannons salvaged from the Mi-Go base were added to both sides of the ship (although Jiang Li saw them as powerful harpoons), and an oversized trawl net woven from the sinews of a deep-sea behemoth was hanging at the stern.

Wang Ergou, Liu Wei, and dozens of carefully selected "sailors" (believers) were all present, each one full of energy.

"Captain! Everything is ready! We can depart at any time!"

Wang Ergou gave a non-standard salute.

Jiang Li nodded and looked at Wang Defa behind him.

Today, this "immortal captain" was dressed in a retro-looking captain's uniform (actually, it was an old, cleaned-up garment), holding a compass in his hand, with a deep gaze.

"Old Wang, you know this road well, so you'll be in charge this time."

"Don't worry, boss." Wang Defa grinned. "Although I haven't been there for thirty years, I'll never forget that road, even if I die."

"Where's Lei Meng?" Jiang Li looked around.

"Here it comes!"

Lei Meng came running over, panting, carrying his signature big black pot on his back and two huge cleavers in his hands.

"Boss! I've brought all the gear! This time, I absolutely have to kill that dragon myself!"

For a gourmet hunter, being able to personally handle S-rank ingredients is an unparalleled honor.

"Okay, I'll give you the dragon head then."

Jiang Li waved his hand, "Everyone board the ship! Destination—Guixu!"

"Ugh—!!!"

The Black Pearl let out a roar full of fighting spirit, its massive hull cutting through the waves like a black arrow shooting into the depths of the vast ocean.

……

As the Black Pearl ventured deeper into the sea, the surrounding waters grew increasingly dark, eventually turning into a chilling inky black.

The sky had completely darkened, not in the darkness of night, but in a deathly stillness as if covered by a huge black cloth.

There is no wind, no waves, and even the air is still.

Only the sound of the Black Pearl's engines echoed in solitude.

"Boss, the 'Sea of ​​Silence' is just ahead."

Wang Defa's voice was a little tense, "This is the outer barrier of Guixu. It is said that a kind of monster called the Silent Guardian lives here. They have extremely sensitive hearing, and any sound will attract their attack."

"Silent Guardian?"

Jiang Li was eating sunflower seeds when he heard this and paused for a moment.

"What's that? A voice-activated bomb?"

"No...that's some kind of deep-sea giant," Wang Defa explained. "They don't have eyes, only ears. As soon as they hear a sound, they throw out huge stone anchors and smash the ship to pieces."

"Throw stones?"

Jiang Li laughed, "Isn't this just kids fighting? It's no big deal."

He pulled a large megaphone out of his pocket (a loudspeaker he had bought on the black market).

"Since they have such sensitive hearing, let's give them something really exciting!"

Jiang Li turned on the speaker, turned the volume up to the maximum, and then connected to his phone via Bluetooth.

"Boom boom boom! Boom boom boom!"

A DJ version of the cheesy and catchy song "The Most Dazzling Ethnic Trend" instantly exploded on the silent sea.

"The vast horizon is my love~~~ Flowers are blooming at the foot of the rolling green hills~~~"

The enormous sound waves spread outwards like a tsunami.

Everyone on the ship covered their ears.

"Boss! What are you doing?!" Liu Wei's face turned green with fright. "Isn't this attracting monsters?"

"Luring monsters? This is called knocking on the door!"

Jiang Li swayed to the rhythm, "When you visit someone's house, you should at least say hello, right? That shows politeness!"

"roar--!!!"

Sure enough, as the music started, huge heads suddenly emerged from the dark sea in the distance.

Those were giants, tens of meters tall! They were covered in moss, holding rusty giant anchors, and roaring angrily in this direction.

They were woken up! And by this addictive music!

Morning grumpiness combined with noise pollution drove these "Silent Guardians" completely berserk.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

A dozen or so huge anchors came hurtling down like missiles, accompanied by a whooshing sound.

"I knew it! People were actually throwing stones!"

Jiang Li was not surprised but delighted. "This anchor looks heavy, it's all iron! Big Yellow! Lei Meng! Catch!"

"Woof!"

"Okay!"

Da Huang and Lei Meng rushed out.

Big Yellow bit a flying anchor, snapped the chain in half with a snap, and then threw the anchor onto the deck.

Lei Meng, on the other hand, swung the big black pot around like he was playing tennis, swatting away the anchors that were being thrown at him one by one.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

Sparks flew everywhere.

Those anchors that could sink warships looked like toys to this man and his dog.

"It is impolite not to reciprocate!"

Jiang Li wasn't idle either.

He ran to the plasma cannon at the bow of the ship and took charge of it himself.

"Let me show you something even louder!"

"boom--!!!"

A thick beam of blue light shot out, tracing a dazzling trajectory across the night sky, and struck a giant precisely on the head.

"Bang!"

The giant's head exploded like fireworks.

"This is too fragile! It's not even as sturdy as this anchor!"

Jiang Li complained, "Alright, stop arguing with these security guards, full speed ahead! Charge in!"

With Phoenix Legend's background music playing, the Black Pearl is like a battle chariot that has entered a state of annihilation, smashing countless anchors and crushing giants in its path, forcefully cutting through this silent sea.

Finally, a huge vortex appeared ahead.

The whirlpool was several kilometers in diameter, with seawater swirling wildly inside, and at its center was a bottomless black hole.

[Entrance to the Ruins]!

"This is it!"

Wang Defa pointed at the whirlpool, his voice trembling, "Jump in! As long as you pass through this whirlpool, you can reach the true Void!"

"Alright! Hold on tight!"

Jiang Li jerked the steering wheel.

Without slowing down at all, the Black Pearl plunged directly into that terrifying vortex.

The world spun around.

The world seemed to have turned upside down.

In a sudden, intense feeling of weightlessness, Jiang Li felt a darkness before his eyes, followed by a sudden brightness.

When vision becomes clear again.

The sight before him stunned him.

This is no longer the sea.

There was no sky overhead, but rather an inverted rock dome inlaid with countless luminous gems, like a starry sky.

Beneath my feet lies a vast, boundless underground sea, its waters displaying an eerie silver hue.

In the middle of the sea, there is a huge island.

On the island, there is a...

Jiang Li rubbed his eyes.

"Holy crap! What's that?"

On that island, coiled up a creature entirely silver-white, with antlers and shimmering scales...

"This is... a white dragon horse?!"

Jiang Li exclaimed in surprise.

That was a real dragon! It was at least a thousand meters long and exuded a breathtaking divine power!

[A clone of the Abyss Dragon Nidhogg] (S+ Rank Ancient God)!

It was asleep, and the white breath it exhaled turned into clouds in the sky.

"This...this meat must be delicious!"

Jiang Li's mouth watered instantly.

"Big Yellow! Get ready to work! This time we're having a full dragon feast!"