"Demon Empress... you?"
He left the words unfinished, but the meaning was clear.
Was it time to take the first step in that desperate gamble?
All eyes converged on the Demon Empress.
Her decision would unveil the beginning of this Path to Godhood that transcended races and wagered everything.
A trace of an almost imperceptible struggle flashed across her face before ultimately settling into calm resolve.
She raised her head and looked at her husband beside her, whose body was tense, giving him a reassuring glance. Then, her deep purple eyes met Jiang Zhen's as her red lips parted.
"Jiang Zhen,"
Her voice had regained its calm, yet it carried an unquestionable authority.
"Go make some preparations at the foot of the mountain over there. I... have some things to say to them alone."
Jiang Zhen looked deeply at her and solemnly nodded.
He understood that this final farewell needed space.
Silently, he turned and walked to a secluded mountain foot at the edge of the Ice Fire Yin Yang Eye. He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and focused, beginning to adjust his condition and bring himself to his peak.
It was to receive the immense power of a six-hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast—and, more importantly, for the most crucial next step: receiving a soul!
From the other side came the faint sounds of a low male voice suppressing endless emotions, a girl's tearful voice, and a woman's gentle murmurs of comfort.
The sounds continued for a while before finally falling silent.
After some time, light yet resolute footsteps sounded behind him.
Jiang Zhen opened his eyes and rose to his feet.
Only the Demon Empress had come.
The Demon Whale King and Lan Fozi remained where they were, watching from afar.
The Demon Whale King stood like a black mountain of