Under Zhu Ziyang's astonished gaze, heaven and earth suddenly lost their color. It was as if time itself had been frozen, the entire world pausing in an eerie stillness. The Demon Empress, Snow Empress, Ice Empress, Second Frost, the Demon Emperor, the Whale Girl, even Zhang Lexuan behind Zhu Ziyang, and further away Jiang Nannan and Qian Lingyi—all of them became like lifeless statues.
In the entire world, it seemed that only Zhu Ziyang retained awareness of the flow of time and space.
A humanoid figure slowly appeared before him. It had no discernible face, gender, or race. To Zhu Ziyang's senses, it was nothing but a ripple of liquid light—strange and unfathomable.
That indescribable voice from earlier came from this humanoid shadow.
Zhu Ziyang looked at it warily. From the power it had just displayed—freezing time itself—this being was undoubtedly far beyond god-level. Yet, it bore him no hostility. Otherwise, with such an ability, it had no need to reveal itself before him at all.
Thus, he asked cautiously, "Who are you? What is your relationship with this Demon Emperor?"
"I am both related and unrelated to this beast," the humanoid replied, its voice devoid of any emotion. "And in the same way, I am both related and unrelated to you."
"Uh…" Zhu Ziyang was at a loss for words, frowning slightly. "So, what exactly are you?"
"I am the spirit of this planet. You may call me the Will of the Douluo World." The figure shimmered with multicolored light as its words echoed in his ears.
"The spirit of the planet? The will of the world?" Zhu Ziyang was stunned, staring blankly at the figure.
"As the inheritor of the God of Death, you should know what the will of the world signifies," the being continued.
Zhu Ziyang nodded silently. He recalled the information he had about such entities: the will of the world was the overseer of a realm, the embodiment of the heavens above all living beings within it, the eternal presence under which all life existed.
A chill struck his heart. He couldn't fathom why the world's will would appear before him. Normally, it should never manifest so directly.
"So… why have you sought me out?" Zhu Ziyang unconsciously shifted into respectful tone. After all, the Will of the World could be considered the guardian of all living things in Douluo. Until he ascended to godhood, this bond could not be severed.
"There is no great matter. I only wish to ask that you spare these two demon whales," the Will said.
"Why?" Zhu Ziyang narrowed his eyes, displeasure rising in his heart. Even the Will of the World could not order him so unreasonably.
"These two whales still serve a purpose in the Douluo World," it replied calmly. "Do not worry, I will not let you make such a concession without compensation."
"What will you offer in exchange?" At those words, Zhu Ziyang's eyes lit up.
"The Library has aided you greatly, has it not?" The Will spoke again, and whether it was his imagination or not, Zhu Ziyang thought he heard a trace of amusement in its voice.
"You… know about that?" His heart trembled. Then, realization dawned on him. "So that's why the Library could contain so many books! Of course—no one but the Will of the World could have created it.
As helpful as the Library is, though, surely you know it's not enough to make me yield."
"Of course," the Will said evenly. "To be honest, your growth has far exceeded my original expectations. Even your inheritance of the God of Death was unforeseen. But fate is fate—even I cannot alter destiny. And the one I had chosen… forget it, that need not be spoken. Let us speak instead of your compensation."
Zhu Ziyang's curiosity was piqued, but his attention was soon wholly captured by what the Will revealed.
In its hand appeared two objects, gleaming like gems.
One was a pure white diamond-shaped crystal, radiating a holy aura of light. Cracks spread from its corners toward the center, but the heart of the crystal still shone brilliantly.
The other was a round gray orb, wreathed in drifting gray currents. Yet within those currents faintly shimmered seven-colored light. Its surface was flawless and smooth, but inside it was filled with countless fine cracks—mysterious and unsettling.
"This is…" Zhu Ziyang's eyes narrowed sharply, his gaze fixed unblinking on the two items. His face betrayed utter disbelief.
"As you have guessed, these are the godhoods of the Rakshasa God King and the Angel God," the Will said, its voice as calm as still water, as if what it held were mere pebbles. "After the Divine War, both godhoods were damaged and could not return to the God Realm. I preserved them within the world's origin, repairing them over the ages. Though they no longer retain their original rank, they are still enough to ascend as second-class gods.
I believe this trade is sufficient for you to relent."
Zhu Ziyang let out a low chuckle. "Two godhoods in exchange for the Demon Emperor's life… She must be truly vital to your plans."
"I do not deny it," the Will replied. "But that is of no concern to you. As one soon to ascend, do you intend to follow in your predecessor's footsteps and meddle in the affairs of Douluo?"
"Oh, I understand now." Zhu Ziyang smiled faintly. He had realized the Will's intention. As the embodiment of this world, how could it not know of Mu En's final words? It might even know the true cause of his death.
"Very well. I accept."
"Thank you." The Will's voice echoed. "The Sea God has always considered Douluo his personal domain. You, as a human inheriting the God of Death's mantle, have never been recognized by him. When you ascend, he will surely oppose you, perhaps even obstruct you outright. I hope you can win."
"You sound as though you want me to win," Zhu Ziyang remarked, frowning slightly.
The Will gave a cold, mirthless laugh. "That one's ambition is far too great."
"Is that so?" Zhu Ziyang murmured, thoughtful.
"Enough. I will take my leave. May you ascend soon."
Its body grew translucent, fading like mist, until it dispersed into the air as the flow of time resumed.
For a moment, Zhu Ziyang wondered if it had all been a dream. If not for the two warm godhoods resting in his palm, he might have believed it so.
"Please, spare my mother!" The Whale Girl's desperate plea brought him back to reality.
Instinctively, Zhu Ziyang pressed the two godhoods to the Other Shore Blossom mark on his brow. To his astonishment, they sank into the inheritance space within him. Curiosity surged in his heart, and with it, his interest in the two whales faded entirely. Without even glancing at the Whale Girl, he turned away, saying coldly:
"Leave. Never show yourselves in this sea again."
As Zhu Ziyang departed, his spirit souls followed. Though puzzled as to why he had suddenly abandoned his intent to kill the whales, they did not question him. His command was absolute.
The Whale Girl stared in stunned disbelief, her delicate face frozen in shock. "He… really let us go?" she whispered.
"Go, quickly!"
Her mother's weak voice echoed in her mind.
Tears welled in the Whale Girl's eyes. "Mother, are you alright?"
"Child, leave this place!" The Demon Emperor's voice trembled with exhaustion, tinged with fear and unwillingness. "That boy… is a god."
"A god?" The Whale Girl froze. The word was painfully familiar. Her father had perished because of it. And now they had met another god—yet this time, they lived.
Why hadn't her father met such a merciful god?
Guiding her weakened mother, the Whale Girl swam into the depths of the ocean. For the next several millennia, the pair would never again be seen near the Douluo Continent.
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