God of the Sea Mark

"Have we arrived?"

Long Xiaoyao slowly opened his eyes and gazed into the distance at the prosperous city. That was Shrek City, home to the number one academy in the world.

"That's right, Grand Elder. According to the scouts' reports, they all arrived yesterday. They've probably already begun making plans to investigate the Star Dou Great Forest today."

Zhang Peng's expression was grim, and a bloody aura spread from his body.

"Just inform me when they begin their operation."

Long Xiaoyao frowned but said nothing more, waving a hand to dismiss Zhang Peng.

"I shall obey the Grand Elder's command."

Zhang Peng slowly withdrew, his face covered in fine cold sweat. It was common knowledge that this Grand Elder disliked the methods of Evil Soul Masters. Although Zhang Peng knew he would be fine as long as he did not use people for cultivation in front of him, the pressure Long Xiaoyao exerted was still immense.

Zhang Peng also looked toward Shrek City, his gaze extremely complicated.

Because of his martial soul's unusual abilities, he had once begun refining Soul Beasts' souls and blood for cultivation. He had been cultivating peacefully in a small Soul Beast forest when a man named Mu En came to his home, called him an Evil Soul Master, and beat him half to death. Only after learning that he used Soul Beasts alone for cultivation did Mu En spare him, forcing him to live in seclusion in the mountains.

Me? An Evil Soul Master???

After that, Zhang Peng had initially managed to continue cultivating, but the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. In the end, he found the Evil Soul Masters' gathering place, the Holy Spirit Cult, and joined them, becoming a true Evil Soul Master.

Yet the humiliation of that day remained carved into Zhang Peng's bones, unforgettable for the rest of his life.

"This time, you can take the lead while we reap the benefits."

A strange smile appeared on Zhang Peng's face. The Grand Elder, a Limit Douluo, was leading this operation, and he himself had six Titled Douluo with him as well. They would have those soul masters clear away the dangers first. Then, like the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind it, they would emerge as the final victors.

Long Xiaoyao's heart was not calm either. No one knew whether the abnormal changes in the Star Dou Great Forest truly had anything to do with gods. After all, a silver dragon had appeared amid those strange phenomena.

But he wanted to try. Out of guilt and love, he had no choice but to aid evil, protecting Ye Xishui's Holy Spirit Cult as it developed and committing countless sins.

He wanted to try. If there truly were clues to becoming a god, he was confident he could obtain them. Then, he could take Ye Xishui to the God Realm, never again needing to keep company with evil. Everything in the mortal world would have nothing to do with them anymore.

Long Xiaoyao looked toward the pillar of light, his aura surging around him.

"Second Father, aren't you going? I heard there are clues to becoming a god in there."

Wang Dong eagerly shared the news she had heard from her classmates with her Second Father. She knew that her Second Father was only one step away from becoming a god. What if he found the clues and succeeded?

"How could becoming a god be more important than our Dong'er? Let them go look for it. All I want is to protect your safety, Dong'er."

Er Ming shook his head in refusal. If they truly angered that Lord, one slap from her would be enough; even unsealing his power would be useless.

"Alright."

Though Wang Dong was somewhat disappointed, she did not pursue the subject.

"But I really didn't expect Shrek Academy to be like this. I wonder what my father, whom I've never met, was thinking?"

Wang Dong twirled a lock of her pink-blue hair around her finger. Although she had grown somewhat accustomed to dressing as a boy, she still could not understand what her biological father had been thinking.

"Maybe it's because Shrek Academy and the Clear Sky Sect have always maintained diplomatic ties, so he wanted to send you here to maintain the relationship."

Er Ming racked his brains and came up with a fairly suitable explanation.

Huo Yuhao listened from the side in a daze. Neither Wang Dong nor her Second Father had avoided speaking in front of him.

Since Wang Dong did not want to lose Huo Yuhao as a friend, she had not moved out of the dormitory as Er Ming had wanted. Helpless, Er Ming could only do his best to provide Wang Dong with a better living environment. He had just been replacing her bedding.

"It still feels familiar."

Wang Dong lay on the Ten Thousand Year Silkworm Silk Quilt and rolled around on it, then buried her face in it and took a deep breath.

When she raised her head and saw the teasing look in Huo Yuhao's eyes, her entire face turned red. She immediately began playfully roughhousing with him.

Er Ming stood to the side, not knowing what to do and feeling even more upset. He was still right here—did Dong'er remember that she was a girl?

Damn Tang San!

Amid their playful scuffle, Huo Yuhao suddenly noticed a faint golden glow emanating from Wang Dong's forehead. A Trident-shaped mark appeared there.

"Wang Dong, your forehead?"

Huo Yuhao stared at the mark on her forehead in surprise.

"What's wrong with my forehead?"

Wang Dong subconsciously reached up to touch it, but felt nothing.

"Dong'er, let me see what's going on."

Er Ming looked gravely at the Trident mark on Wang Dong's forehead. Could Tang San have returned again? Wang Dong obediently sat on her bed and let her Second Father examine her body, curious about what had happened to her. "Yuhao, is there something on my forehead?"

"A glowing Trident mark."

Despite Er Ming's furious glare, Huo Yuhao still described what he saw.

"I couldn't find anything. How about we return to the Clear Sky Sect and let Big Brother take a look, Dong'er?"

Er Ming said with a troubled expression. He had just scanned her with Soul Power and found no spiritual imprint left behind by Tang San. That power seemed to have swiftly spread throughout her body before vanishing without a trace.

"But school just started..."

Wang Dong fell silent. She felt bad about leaving Huo Yuhao behind right after school had begun, but there seemed to be something wrong with her body, so she had no choice but to go.

"It's alright, Wang Dong. Your health comes first."

Huo Yuhao noticed the change in Wang Dong's mood and took the initiative to persuade her, earning an approving look from Er Ming.

He had originally wanted to take Dong'er back to the Clear Sky Sect and let these humans court death on their own. Now, a perfectly valid reason had fallen into his lap. As for whether there might be some hidden danger in Wang Dong's body, she was that man's biological daughter. He did not believe Tang San would even harm his own daughter.

"Alright."

Wang Dong stopped agonizing over it. If there was nothing wrong with her body, she could always come back. Life outside was far more interesting than the Clear Sky Sect, and she had made quite a few new friends.

"Before I leave, give me a hug. Don't miss me too much."

Wang Dong was reluctant to part with him. Meeting a friend like Huo Yuhao, someone different from ordinary people, had made her quite happy.

Thus, under Er Ming's gaze that seemed ready to kill, Huo Yuhao stiffly gave Wang Dong an awkward, unpracticed hug.

"Wait?"

Wang Dong abruptly stood up and placed both hands on Huo Yuhao's shoulders, her eyes holding a trace of excitement.

Huo Yuhao's expression also turned strange, as if he wanted to speak but hesitated.

"I suddenly feel like my Soul Power is circulating on its own. When I get close to you, our auras can merge and cultivate automatically!"

Wang Dong could not understand what was happening and instinctively thought of the mark that had appeared on her forehead earlier.

"It really does seem that way."

Huo Yuhao was excited at first, then immediately felt somewhat regretful. If Wang Dong stayed, she could definitely help him gain strength more quickly. Unfortunately, she was going home.

Er Ming's face darkened. A bad thought rose in his heart, and he instantly appeared before the two of them, grabbed their hands, and placed them together.

When he sensed that the completely different auras within their bodies could strangely fuse together, his previous worry transformed in an instant into flames of fury roaring through his heart.

"You bastard, you deserve to die!"

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