The tremor came suddenly, catching everyone off guard. Xu Fang, with his high cultivation, was unaffected and quickly stabilized himself.
The Golden-Winged Great Peng and its two companions, however, were less fortunate. Under the impact of the tremor, they were thrown onto their backs.
In contrast, the Four Dragon Kings seemed accustomed to such occurrences. They stood as steady as mountains, entirely unperturbed.
The tremor was as swift in its departure as it was in its arrival, disappearing as quickly as it had come.
Xu Fang surveyed the disheveled state of the Crystal Palace. If not for the scene before him, one would hardly believe that the tremor had even happened.
Listening to the grumbling complaints of the Golden-Winged Great Peng and its companions, Xu Fang looked at the Four Dragon Kings, who remained unruffled, and inquired.
"This tremor just now, I presume it's related to the anomaly you mentioned?"
The Four Dragon Kings did not conceal anything and nodded in unison. Ao Guang spoke.
"Indeed, this tremor is connected to the anomaly we spoke of."
Following this, Ao Guang began to recount the origin and history of this anomaly to Xu Fang.
When Ao Xue's distress signal was received, Ao Guang immediately notified the Dragon clans of the other three seas, mustering an army to aid their benefactor, Xu Fang.
However, before they could set off, the anomaly occurred. A tremor, without any warning, arose within the Crystal Palace, spreading outwards into the East Sea, with the palace as its epicenter.
The waves were tumultuous and the momentum fierce, shocking the Four Dragon Kings. They were forced to halt their expedition and address this matter first.
After considerable effort, they quickly located the source of the tremor. Beneath the Crystal Palace, a vast, dark tunnel had appeared at some point.
The tremors continued relentlessly, leaving the Four Dragon Kings in great apprehension, unaware of what had transpired.
They immediately sealed off the area and collectively sealed the tunnel, which then caused the tremors to gradually subside.
"We thought that would be the end of it. Who knew that after returning from Penglai Immortal Island, we would discover our efforts were futile. The seal had been broken, and the tunnel was growing larger."
As Ao Guang spoke of this, recalling the mysterious and unfathomable tunnel, his voice trembled.
"Dark energy continuously pours out of that tunnel. It feels as if, sooner or later, it will surge forth and engulf the entire Crystal Palace, and even the East Sea!"
Ao Guang's face was filled with worry, and the other three Dragon Kings shared his anxious expression.
Ao Guang was not exaggerating. If this trend continued, it was indeed a possibility.
"So, the reason the three of you haven't returned is to resolve this matter?"
Xu Fang looked at the three Dragon Kings and then shook his head.
"It seems you haven't been of much use, have you?"
The Four Dragon Kings drooped their heads again, saying nothing more.
It was as Xu Fang had said; despite their prolonged efforts and research, they were still unable to halt the expansion of the tunnel and the pervasive dark energy.
"Tremors at the bottom of the sea, a strange tunnel, terrifying dark energy. All of this sounds extraordinary!"
Xu Fang murmured to himself. It sounded as if the Dragon clan was afflicted by some curse, plagued by misfortune.
"Enough, enough. Since I am already here, will you not invite me to see this legendary tunnel?"
Xu Fang looked at the Four Dragon Kings and spoke.
The Four Dragon Kings exchanged glances and nodded.
Perhaps fellow Daoist Xu Fang possessed great fortune and might be able to resolve this issue.
"Very well. Since fellow Daoist Xu Fang has the inclination, we shall guide you to witness it."
Ao Guang spoke, immediately taking the lead and guiding Xu Fang.
As Xu Fang followed the Four Dragon Kings, he noticed the shining lights on the treasure map beside him. After discerning the direction, he couldn't help but ask.
"By the way, isn't this the direction of your Dragon clan's treasury?"
Xu Fang remembered that it was within the Dragon clan's treasury that he had stumbled upon the Sea-Calming Divine Pearls.
"Correct. This tunnel has appeared within the Dragon clan's treasury."
Ao Guang did not conceal anything and confirmed Xu Fang's words.
Xu Fang became even more curious. This anomaly occurring within the Dragon clan's treasury, could it be that some extraordinary treasure was about to appear?
However, as they approached the treasury, the treasure map was filled with dazzling, overwhelming light, making it impossible for Xu Fang to see clearly. He could only suppress the thought.
Soon, the group arrived at the location of the Dragon clan's treasury. The Four Dragon Kings halted their advance.
"The place where this anomaly occurred is ahead. We have already sealed off the area, including the Dragon clan's treasury."
Ao Guang pointed to the array barriers surrounding them and said.
Xu Fang looked up. Within the array, dark energy swirled, making it impossible to discern the scene inside. The rampant dark energy seemed poised to erupt at any moment.
No wonder the Four Dragon Kings were so anxious. Judging by the looks of it, this array wouldn't hold for much longer.
Through the thick mist, Xu Fang could vaguely see a tunnel, appearing increasingly strange and unfathomable amidst the dark energy.
"This is that tunnel. After the incident, we also sent many Dragon clan experts to enter the tunnel to investigate."
As he spoke, Ao Guang's gaze dimmed.
"However, after they entered, they were never seen again."
Ao Guang sighed and continued.
"We know this great array will not last much longer. We were preparing for one of our brothers to enter and thoroughly investigate, but we haven't reached a decision yet."
Hearing Ao Guang's words, the other three Dragon Kings nodded silently.
Seeing this, Xu Fang understood their predicament.
This anomaly concerned the safety of the Dragon clan, and those experts had gone in and never returned. Even if the four of them were more powerful than those experts, they could not guarantee their own safety.
Therefore, the indecision likely stemmed from their struggle to decide which brother to sacrifice to preserve the Dragon clan.
After all, they were all Dragon Kings of the Dragon clan, and they certainly couldn't put all their eggs in one basket by venturing in together.
Xu Fang understood their dilemma and immediately spoke.
"There's no need for you to be troubled. Each of you is indispensable to the Dragon clan."
Xu Fang looked at the Four Dragon Kings and patted Ao Guang's shoulder.
"Since I am here, and given my relationship with the Dragon clan, I cannot stand by and do nothing. How about this, I will undertake this journey for you and properly investigate the situation within!"
Xu Fang was also curious. What lay at the other end of this tunnel that emitted such dark energy, causing a great clan like the Dragon clan to endure this slow, agonizing sense of impending doom?