Demonic Whale Sea Territory
Deep Sea
A faint smell of blood spread through the seawater.
Yet, despite this, none of the countless sea soul beasts in the vast ocean dared to cross the line.
In the nearly pitch-black depths of the sea, a soul beast over two hundred meters long rested.
A still-unhealed wound scarred its massive back, the blood seeping out from this gruesome injury.
"You're back," a deep, resonant voice echoed through the sea.
A figure appeared near the giant creature's eyes.
"I ran into some trouble," the Demon Empress sighed, looking at the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King. "Sea God Island's goal likely isn't us, but we can't let our guard down."
"Your aura is a bit unstable. Was it Bo Saixi?" The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King's enormous eyes studied the Demon Empress for a moment, his voice tinged with growing anger.
"My lord, please don't get angry," the Demon Empress urged. "Anger won't help your injuries."
"But Sea God Island has gone too far."
Recalling the time when the Sea God blinded one of his eyes and the recent events, the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King fumed. Was he, the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King, someone any random creature could attack and leave?
"I just fought a human. It was a draw, I suppose," the Demon Empress sighed.
"Not Bo Saixi? Since when did the human world produce so many experts?" The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King's anger flared as he recalled Di Tian's news.
Soul beasts couldn't become gods? Wasn't that just setting them up to become soul rings for humans?
If soul beasts couldn't ascend to godhood while humans could, what was the difference between handing over soul rings and soul bones?
If he weren't stuck at the final step, he wouldn't have believed Di Tian, but now he had no choice.
Humans were truly evil by nature!
"My lord, I plan to visit the human world."
"What for?" the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King's resentful voice rang out.
"The wounds from the Asura God Sword won't heal easily," the Demon Empress sighed. "I intend to seek out Her Excellency the Silver Dragon King to see if she has any solutions."
"I forbid you to go," the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King declared domineeringly. "The human world is full of dangers. What if something happens to you? What about our daughter?"
"She just survived her first heavenly tribulation and is still a naive child."
"Besides, I don't trust the Star Dou Great Forest," he said firmly. "The enemy of an enemy isn't necessarily a friend."
"So, we just wait to die and have our family of three perish together?" the Demon Empress said coldly. "Sea God Island has been making big moves these past few years. They've likely found a new inheritor for the Sea God's divine trials."
"If we don't find a way to fully recover now, you, me, and even our daughter could become the next Sea God's soul rings."
"But…"
"No buts," the Demon Empress said indifferently. "Since becoming a god is impossible, why not try trusting the Star Dou Great Forest?"
"If they want to create a god, we'll help them. Humans aren't a monolith. To seize a chance at survival, we can't keep doing things by the book."
"I've been gone for so many years—how much has your cultivation grown?"
"There's no time left."
Hearing the Demon Empress's rebuke, the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King fell silent for a long time before sighing.
"Let me think about it…"
With those words, the entire sea sank into a prolonged silence.
…
Heaven Dou Empire
Imperial Palace
A blonde girl sat within the palace.
Her slender fingers gently pressed a letter onto the table, and she let out a soft sigh. "Senior She Long, Senior Ci Xue."
"What do you think of the letter from the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"
Sitting in what was once Xue Qinghe's place was Princess Xue Ke. After Xue Qinghe's "fall," Xue Ke had taken over the throne.
Though currently acting as regent, she could decide all matters as long as they didn't contradict Spirit Hall's will.
"Young Miss and the Pope are in the Star Dou Great Forest. Everything here is for Your Highness to handle. We're only here to protect you," She Long replied.
"Heh, Qian Renxue sure is trusting," Xue Ke said calmly, resting her chin in her hand. "She went to such lengths to seize the throne, only to toss it out like this."
"Come on, tell me. A sea soul beast attack on the city—we can't just do nothing."
Xue Ke sighed helplessly.
Honestly, she didn't want to manage the Heaven Dou Empire. She'd been forced into the role.
Qian Renxue had promised her that if she became a god, she'd help resurrect her father.
That was enough for Xue Ke. She didn't ask for more—people should be content.
Though Qian Renxue had taken the Heaven Dou Empire, she hadn't wronged Xue Ke much.
As a royal daughter, without Qian Renxue, Xue Ke would likely have been engaged to some noble by her teens.
Nor would she have reached Soul King at such a young age.
Qian Renxue, I hope your dream comes true!
Godhood—what a distant realm.
Xue Ke shook her head. "Don't worry, I have no conflict with Qian Renxue. Besides, you're not just protecting me—you're also watching me, right?"
"Letting Xue Beng go last time, and then your Young Miss nearly getting into danger, was the last time."
"Even if you kill Xue Beng next time, I won't care."
When they destroyed the Balak Kingdom, Xue Ke had led the troops.
Though Prince Xue Xing died, she let Xue Beng escape.
Honestly, if Spirit Hall hadn't turned a blind eye, Xue Ke wouldn't believe Xue Beng could've fled to the Star Luo Empire.
Later, under Xue Beng's influence, the Star Luo Empire started a war, nearly killing Xue Qinghe, who was leading the campaign. It might've been Qian Renxue's plan to escape, but it was likely an accident.
No one expected Tang Chen to intervene directly.
The Holy Dragon Sect's leader and the empire's grand marshal were forcibly killed by him.
Afterward, Qian Renxue didn't blame Xue Ke.
She only said she and the Pope would head to the Star Dou Great Forest, leaving the Heaven Dou Empire to her.
"Princess Xue Ke, what's your opinion?" She Long asked. "Regarding the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, honestly… Spirit Hall doesn't want to clash with them."
"But Vast Sea City must be saved."
"Since I've joined Spirit Hall, I'm one of Qian Renxue's people, right?"
"Can we contact the Second Elder? If it's just you two, I'm not entirely confident."
She Long and Ci Xue were Qian Renxue's trusted aides. Though only level 92, they were the culprits behind her father's assassination years ago.
Thinking about it, Xue Ke felt increasingly unfilial. Not only did she sell the Heaven Dou Empire, but she sold herself to Spirit Hall.
"Very well. As the Young Miss's person, you're one of our Elder Hall's own."
"Do it quickly. I hope not too many people die," Xue Ke said. Though only in her teens, she'd been through much. Since she'd chosen to stand with Spirit Hall, she had to stay loyal and not waver.
"Father, your unfilial daughter can only try to bring you back."
"As for the Heaven Dou Empire, I don't have such grand ambitions."
"I just want to see the world from a different perspective, like Teacher Bi Ji."