Several Women Chat, the Demon Whale Sea Domain
The Explorer cut through the waves, heading towards the Western Demon Whale Sea Domain as indicated by Bo Saixi. On the deck, the sea breeze howled, but it could not dispel the invisible aura brought about by the gathering of several of the world's top experts.
After listening to Bo Saixi's account of the old grudge between the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King and the Sea God Poseidon, as well as her request to join forces to eliminate this great threat to the ocean, Yu Yuanchen and the others exchanged smiles and agreed without much hesitation.
In Yu Yuanchen's view, the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King had once hindered the Sea God from attaining enlightenment. Although he had failed, how could the Sea God Poseidon have truly forgotten this grudge? He couldn't deal with that guy before becoming a god, but he couldn't deal with him after becoming a god? That old guy was very shrewd. He had kept the Demon Whale King alive until now, probably to prepare a "super experience pack" for his successor, and also to humiliate this old rival.
Even if the successor is temporarily outmatched, surely the Sea God himself can find an opportunity to "secretly assist" him? The rules of the Divine Realm? Heh, that's just empty talk to fool honest believers. Judging from Poseidon's biased actions towards Tang San in the original work, this deity doesn't seem like someone who follows the rules.
Even in the original novel, during the battle between Buddha Tang and the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King, Yu Yuanchen suspected that the Sea God might have secretly restricted the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King's strength. Otherwise, given the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King's strength, which was not necessarily weaker than that of the Beast God Di Tian, how could Little Scumbag with only the strength of a level 96 Super Douluo possibly be his opponent?
Bo Saixi, being a simple-minded girl, actually believed her god's explanation and, feeling inadequate in her own strength, never dared to easily provoke the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King.
However, Yu Yuanchen had no intention of pointing it out or refusing.
Firstly, Bo Saixi was a comrade-in-arms with whom he had fought side by side, and they had a good relationship. He had also received a favor from her regarding the nautical chart matter.
Secondly, the Demon Whale Sea Domain is an essential route for westward travel, and the obstacle of the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King must be removed sooner or later.
Thirdly, and most importantly, the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King, with its nearly million years of Cultivation Level, was a treasure trove. Its Soul Ring, Spirit Bone, and the massive body materials that were close to God Level all tempted Yu Yuanchen.
From both a public and private perspective, this trip is worthwhile.
Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen naturally had no objections. Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi shared a history of fighting together in Demon Quelling City, and had a bond of friendship.
Tang Chen, on the other hand, simply felt that there was a fight to be had, and he could also meet this legendary ocean overlord, which was exactly what he wanted.
So, the group quickly reached an agreement and decided to join forces.
The Explorer adjusted its course, heading straight for the Demon Whale Sea Domain, known as Navigator's Forbidden Zone. The voyage would still take several days, and time at sea became leisurely.
On this fine, sunny day, three men gathered at the front of the deck to discuss the tactical details of dealing with the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King, while four women gathered in the lounge area at the stern, enjoying tea and snacks and chatting. The conversation gradually shifted from serious business to more relaxed family matters, and finally focused on their respective marriage prospects.
As the hostess and still single, Bo Saixi naturally became the object of "concern," but she simply smiled and skillfully deflected the question, steer the conversation toward the three married ladies.
Ye Zhilan and Yang Xueqi's experiences are relatively "conventional." Ye Zhilan's marriage was a combination of family alliance and mutual affection, making her relationship with Yu Yuanchen a natural progression. Yang Xueqi, on the other hand, is a genius from the Breaking Clan, and while her marriage to Tang Chen was also arranged, it was more about mutual attraction based on personality, leading them to eventually be together. Both cases represent a natural development of "falling in love."
But when the topic turned to Avril and Qian Daoliu, the atmosphere suddenly became subtle and interesting. Under the good-natured teasing gazes of Ye Zhilan and Bo Saixi, Avril's fair cheeks flushed, and she glanced somewhat shyly at Qian Daoliu figure on the distant deck before softly recounting this rather "legendary" marriage.
"Speaking of which, we have to thank you Sister Zhilan, for this marriage." Avril smiled as she looked at Ye Zhilan.
"Me?" Ye Zhilan asked in surprise.
"If it weren't for the Beast Taming Contract Method you and Miss Gu Yue jointly created caused a stir in the Spirit Hall, prompting a disciple with an ordinary Angel Martial Soul to have a flash of inspiration and successfully form a contract with an Purified Angels by Daoliu, and eventually get married, I'm afraid... that thin veil between Daoliu and me would have remained unbroken for who knows how long." Avril explained softly.
She slowly revealed the reason. Back then, Qian Daoliu Purification the Fallen Angel. Although these special angels returned to the light, their forms were closer to humanoid Soul Beast with high intelligence.
In the Spirit Hall, a member of the Qian Clan family from another clan, whose Martial Soul was merely an ordinary angel, befriended a female angel who had been Purification. Inspired by the Beast Taming Method, the two boldly attempted a contract and succeeded on their first try. The contract had an excellent effect, with a high degree of compatibility between them, and their cultivation speed increased significantly. As a result, their relationship grew closer and they eventually entered into marriage.
This event caused quite a stir within the Spirit Hall. Qian Daoliu was pleased with it, feeling gratified that these angels, who had endured so much suffering, could begin New Life. But it also touched one person— Avril herself.
Unlike the other Purification Fallen Angel, Avril actively sought out Qian Daoliu and requested Purification. She was incredibly powerful, comparable to Level 98 Super Douluo before Purification. She was always unwilling to be enslaved by the Demon King, but was powerless to resist due to the shackles in her bloodline.
Even after the Demon King fell one after another, these shackles remained. She witnessed Qian Daoliu's act of Purification and saw it as a hope for escaping her suffering, so she took the initiative to appear.
Qian Daoliu was amazed by this Fallen Angel who was "in darkness but yearned for light," and it took him a great deal of effort to help her complete her Purification.
Moreover, even though her strength dropped to the level of an ordinary Titled Douluo after Purification, she did not degenerate into a four-winged angel like a normal six-winged Purification angel. Instead, she maintained the form of Six-winged Angel, which shows how deep her foundation was. Qian Daoliu valued her highly and appointed her as the leader of all the Purification angels.
Over time, Avril developed a deep admiration for Qian Daoliu, Goodness, strong, and gave her New Life. However, due to her inferiority complex stemming from her past experiences, she kept these feelings buried deep in her heart and dared not express them.
It wasn't until she witnessed the union of the Qian Clan scion and the contracted angel, and heard Qian Daoliu express his satisfaction and support, that she finally mustered the courage to confess her feelings to Qian Daoliu, with the secret encouragement of Qian Daoliu's father, Qian Chongxiao (who loved to watch the drama unfold and offered plenty of encouragement).
"You didn't see how he looked," Avril chuckled, a hint of sweet teasing in her voice. "He was completely frozen, his ears were bright red, and he was even stuttering. He's such a stubborn and old-fashioned person; at first, he tried to reason with me..."
Ye Zhilan and Yang Xueqi listened with great interest, and even Bo Saixi showed a smile of interest. They could both imagine Qian Daoliu's usual dignified and composed demeanor when suddenly confronted with a direct confession.
"And then what?" Yang Xueqi asked impatiently.
"And then," Avril's eyes sparkled, "It was a case of sincerity moving mountains. I told him that everything in the past shaped who I am today, but it couldn't define my future. What I valued was him as a person, not his future status as Angel God. Being able to love and hate fiercely is a good quality, and there are plenty of women like that in the world. Am I, as an angel, less courageous than a human woman?"
Avril's honesty and passion finally melted the ice in Qian Daoliu's heart. He had always had feelings for Avril, but due to his personality and his focus on the Divine Examination, he had never thought about it in that way. After this "surprise attack," and with Qian Chongxiao's encouragement, who wanted a grandson, he reluctantly accepted her feelings.
"So," Avril concluded, smiling at Ye Zhilan, "If it weren't for the precedent set by the Contract Method you promoted, Sister Zhilan, which showed me the possibility, I might not have had the courage. Calling you our matchmaker is not an exaggeration at all."
Ye Zhilan hadn't expected such a twist in the story, and quickly waved her hand, laughing, "Sister Avril, you're too kind. This is your and Brother Qian's own destiny; I wouldn't dare take credit. However, it's truly a wonderful story, worthy of celebration!"
The women all laughed upon hearing this and began to tease each other. A relaxed and cheerful atmosphere filled the stern of the boat.
The laughter also attracted the attention of the men on deck. Qian Daoliu seemed to sense something and turned around, just in time to meet Avril's affectionate yet somewhat shy gaze. He coughed lightly, feeling a little awkward, and quickly turned back, his ears turning slightly red.
This subtle interaction did not escape everyone's eyes, and even drew a burst of good-natured chuckles. Tang Chen patted Qian Daoliu's shoulder forcefully, winking and making Qian Daoliu even more embarrassed. Yu Yuanchen also shook his head and laughed, never expecting that the usually calm and composed Qian Daoliu would be so "pure" when it came to matters of the heart.
Time flew by amidst the laughter and chatter. The sky outside the ship gradually darkened, and the once azure sea turned a deep Mo Lan. The Water Element in the air became unusually active and turbulent, carrying a faint, unsettling pressure. The wind and waves also gradually increased, causing the "Explorer" to rock slightly.
"We're almost there." Bo Saixi stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the dark sea in the distance, a sea that seemed to swallow even light. His expression returned to solemnity. "The Demon Whale Sea Domain is just ahead. The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King has extremely strong senses. We've blatantly intruded into its territory; it must have already noticed."
Yu Yuanchen and the others also came to the deck. He looked into the distance and felt the vast, abyss-like aura emanating from the center of that sea, yet it also carried a hint of madness. That aura was full of greed, violence, and a kind of resentment that had been suppressed for tens of thousands of years, completely out of place with the Life Force ocean around them.
"It's better that you've detected it." Yu Yuanchen's tone was calm, but his eyes were sharp as knives. "It saves us the trouble of searching for it. Everyone, prepare yourselves, a tough battle is coming."
Tang Chen clenched his fist excitedly, and the phantom of the Clear Sky Hammer flashed behind him. Qian Daoliu's face was calm, and the aura of the Angel Sacred Sword was restrained, yet it appeared even more sacred and majestic. Ye Zhilan, Avril, and Yang Xueqi also focused their attention, ready to provide support.
Like a fearless warrior, the Explorer sailed headlong into the Demon Whale Sea Domain, shrouded in death and terror. Beneath the surface, a massive shadow seemed to lurk, its cold gaze fixed on the ship that had trespassed into forbidden territory.
The atmosphere of a decisive battle is palpable.