March on Sea God Island

He can't go on like this.

Looking out the window at the bustling yet unfamiliar scene of Spirit City, Oscar made up his mind. He decided to leave Spirit City.

First, try to join another advanced Soul Master Academy to continue systematic training. If that doesn't work, join a mercenary group to hone your skills in combat and adventure, acquire Soul Ring, and improve yourself. In short, you absolutely cannot waste any more time like this.

He planned to wait for Ma Hongjun to return, then have a thorough talk with him, and then... leave.

··································

As night deepened, the moonlight outside the window was cold and clear, and the bed next door remained empty.

Oscar sighed. Ma Hongjun, as expected, had been out all night again. With a hint of helplessness and a vague worry, he blew out the light and went to sleep alone.

The next morning, sunlight streamed in through the window, and the first thing Oscar did upon opening his eyes was to look to the side—the bed was still clean and tidy, without a trace of anyone having slept on it.

"This guy..." Oscar muttered, his worry turning into a bit of anger. He got up to wash up, then sat cross-legged on the bed to begin his routine Soul Power cultivation, waiting for Ma Hongjun to return while he cultivated. His Soul Power circulated through his body for several cycles until the sun was high in the sky, when finally there was movement at the door.

"Clang!"

With a loud crash, the door was pushed open and slammed against the wall with a groan of despair.

Oscar looked up and saw a figure staggering in.

The newcomer was Ma Hongjun. He was still as chubby as ever, but his face was an unhealthy pale white, with dark circles under his eyes. He walked unsteadily, as if a gust of wind could blow him over, and he reeked of lingering alcohol and perfume.

"Fatty, you..." Oscar was about to ask where he had gone.

Ma Hongjun let out a huge yawn, waved his hand, and said in a hoarse, impatient voice, "I'm so sleepy, don't bother me, I'm going to take a nap..."

He then started to lie down on the bed.

Looking at his hopeless state, Oscar could no longer contain his pent-up disappointment and anger. He abruptly stood up, his voice turning cold. "Sleeping? You still know how to sleep? I've been waiting for you all morning! Fatty, we need to talk!"

He revealed his decision, which he had been pondering all night: to leave Spirit City and find a new academy or join a mercenary group for training.

As expected, Ma Hongjun immediately flew into a rage upon hearing this.

"What? Leave? Oscar, are you crazy?!" Ma Hongjun was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on; he was instantly wide awake, waving his arms excitedly. "Isn't it good the way we are now? We're free! We can go wherever we want, do whatever we want! Join a mercenary group? That's risking your life! I'm not going!"

"Freedom? You call this freedom?" Oscar pointed at Ma Hongjun's excessively indulgent appearance, his tone sharp. "This is called depravity! What would Dean Flender and Teacher Zhao think if they saw you like this?!"

"Don't mention them!" Ma Hongjun's face darkened further, as if a sore spot had been touched. He growled, "The academy is gone! The teachers are gone! We're just wandering ghosts now! What's wrong with living for the moment?!"

"Enjoy life while you can? Look at your cultivation level! Since you came out, have you cultivated seriously for even a single day? Do you think you can quell your Evil Fire this way? That will only make you die faster!" Oscar retorted sharply.

The two started arguing fiercely, their voices almost lifting the roof off.

The argument ended with Ma Hongjun slamming the door and leaving.

Oscar stared at the door that had been slammed shut again, his chest heaving. He stood silently for a long time, and finally began to quietly pack his few belongings.

He took half of the money he had saved from selling sausages over the past few days and carefully placed it under Ma Hongjun's pillow.

After doing all this, he shouldered his bag and took one last, complex look at the small house where he had briefly taken refuge, a place filled with conflict and decay.

He opened the door; the afternoon sun was a bit too bright.

He didn't turn around, but instead, facing the empty space behind him, he left his brother, who was hiding in the shadows, unwilling to face reality, with a final word of advice, his voice calm yet tinged with heavy disappointment:

"Fatty, look at yourself now."

"You'd better watch yourself."

After saying that, he took a step and resolutely walked into the bright but unknown sunlight.

After he left, a long time passed before his chubby figure finally staggered out of the alleyway. Sensing the rampant Evil Fire within him, he downed a glass of strong liquor. "Me? What future do I have left?"

Chapter 264 Marching towards Sea God Island

Time flies, and three years have passed in the blink of an eye.

The atmosphere on the continent is vastly different from the war-torn, perpetually fearful state of three years ago. Under the efficient governance and iron-fisted order of the Spirit Hall Empire, the war has subsided, people's livelihoods are gradually recovering, and Soul Master and commoners are living in peace and contentment, presenting an unprecedented scene of harmony and vigorous development.

Everyone seems to be striving forward in the torrent of the times.

The Spirit Hall Empire has achieved a milestone breakthrough in the research and development of Soul Tool. Soul-guided behemoths capable of withstanding the winds and waves of the open sea and undertaking long-term voyages have been launched for trial voyages; Soul Tool Armor and equipment designed specifically for ice field warfare, capable of withstanding extreme cold and maintaining combat power, have also been deployed to elite troops.

Qian Xunji's "Going to Sea Plan" and "Icefield Plan" already have the hardware foundation for implementation.

In terms of personal strength, Qian Renxue has successfully broken through and become a Titled Douluo.

The rewards of the Divine Trial enabled these successors to cultivate at a speed far exceeding that of ordinary people in the later stages, making rapid progress. The strength of Xiang Yu, Arthur, and others also increased rapidly with their battles and cultivation, making the high-end combat power of the Spirit Hall Empire increasingly formidable.

However, amidst this flourishing scene, there are also those who stagnate.

Gu Yuena remained stranded on Sea God Island, her initial patience gradually eroding after three years of waiting. Tang San remained nowhere to be found, while the mermaid girl Doria Dorria had successfully triggered the Sea God's Nine Trials! This completely disrupted her initial plans.

Meanwhile, Tang San had been living like a rat in a gutter for the past three years, struggling to survive in the wilderness and on the fringes of society.

The Spirit Hall Empire implemented a strict population census and identity management system, making it impossible for him, as the most wanted criminal, to enter any city for supplies or information.

He had tried to find the places where other gods he knew from his previous life had passed down their lineages, hoping to get rid of the twisted and God of Evil position of the Rakshasa God, but all of them failed without exception.

There are too many variables in this life, and he cannot be sure whether he can still gain the favor of the Sea God as he did in his previous life.

What alarmed him even more was that, as time went on, he could clearly feel the Rakshasa Divine Power eroding and distorting his mind.

That divine power, filled with resentment, slaughter, and betrayal, is subtly changing his character.

Unfortunately, despite his discovery, he was powerless to escape the oppression from the gods.

On Sea God Island, besides waiting for Doria to complete her divine test, they weren't entirely inactive.

They had been secretly searching for the Heaven Dou Empire's lost treasure— the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud —a relic rumored to be closely related to the Sea God Inheritance. However, their investigation revealed that this once-national treasure had been taken from the royal treasury by the fleeing Second Heaven Dou Empire during that turmoil, and had since changed hands several times, enduring a tumultuous journey...

Ultimately, it fell into the hands of the Spirit Hall Empire.

This result silenced the Sea God Island leadership, who had previously harbored secret ambitions to seize the territory. Through years of observation and indirect confrontation, they knew all too well how formidable Qian Xunji and his Spirit Hall Empire were, and that he himself was likely a Divine Trialist. Forceful seizure was no longer feasible; to reclaim the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, they needed a long-term plan and careful strategy.

··································

Pope Palace, light streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting dappled and solemn shadows.

For the first time in three years, Qian Daoliu voluntarily stepped into this place. He devoted all his energy to his granddaughter Qian Renxue's Angel God Trial and almost no longer inquired about any of Qian Xunji's affairs.

However, when news came that the colossal soul-guided ship, symbolizing voyages and conquest, had been officially launched, the old man sat alone in the Worship Hall all night. At dawn, he still came to his son.

He knew Qian Xunji too well, or rather, he saw the storm brewing beneath Qian Xunji's calm surface. His son had probably wanted to make his move long ago, and the reason he had held back until now was simply to achieve his goal with the least cost and the highest efficiency. Now that the mainland was initially settled and the giant ship was completed, the last obstacle seemed to be that isolated island overseas— Sea God Island.

Qian Daoliu's deep gaze fell on Qian Xunji, carrying a complex scrutiny. He could clearly sense how dense the divine power surrounding his son had become—a power that was almost perfect, as if he was just one step away from transcending the mortal realm and ascending to godhood.

But... he couldn't understand it!

For the past three years, Qian Xunji has spent most of his time stationed in Spirit City, and has not experienced life-or-death adventures or accomplished any earth-shattering feats like ordinary divine examinees.

Where does his near-godlike power come from? Could unifying the continent itself be the subject of his mysterious divine test?

Qian Daoliu suppressed the many doubts in his heart. He knew that some questions were destined to remain unanswered.

This rebellious son won't tell him.

He came here today only to fulfill his duty as Angel God Great Enshrined, and perhaps also as a father in his final moments.

"Over at Sea God Island," Qian Daoliu's voice, hoarse with the marks of time yet still authoritative, said, "The successor to the Sea God has appeared."

He didn't say much, but simply reiterated the fact. He knew Qian Xunji must already know, but he still had to say it again himself. It was a reminder, and also... a helpless admonition. The significance of a living inheritor of a deity was extraordinary.

After saying this, Qian Daoliu gave Qian Xunji a deep look, his eyes containing too many indescribable emotions—worry, scrutiny, and a barely perceptible sense of desolation at being left behind by the tides of time.

He said no more, resolutely turned around, and walked steadily out of the hall. His era had come to an end, and he had done all he could.

His time was indeed running out; he had to dedicate it all to Qian Renxue to ensure the smooth transmission of the glory of the Angel God.

Just at the palace gate, he encountered two young men who were about to enter. They were dressed in the crisp uniforms of the Spirit Hall Empire, with upright postures and features that exuded the ruggedness and heroism of soldiers. They were the grandsons of Falling Devil Douluo and Qianjun Douluo.

"Great Enshrined!"

Upon seeing Qian Daoliu, the two immediately stopped and bowed slightly in respect. Their movements were precise and respectful. They then tacitly stepped back to the side, making way for him, and watched him leave with reverence.

Qian Daoliu's gaze lingered briefly on them. These two young men, since graduating from the Spirit Hall Academy, had been like the sharpest blades, always charging at the forefront of the empire's expansion.

They treated Qian Xunji's orders with such fanaticism that they almost regarded them as gospel.

Qian Daoliu couldn't understand what kind of spell Qian Xunji had cast on them to make them so devoted.

He simply shook his head slightly, said nothing more, and strode away from the Pope Palace. The sunlight cast a long shadow of him, carrying a sense of lonely heroism in his twilight years, as he slowly blended into the bright light outside the palace.

Inside the palace, Qian Xunji remained seated on the Pope throne, his face showing no emotion at his father's arrival or departure. His golden eyes gazed towards the palace entrance, yet seemed to pierce through time and space, landing on the boundless blue sea.

The final preparations are complete.

········································

After several rigorous sea trials, the giant ship, which embodied the highest level of Soul Tool Technology in the Spirit Hall Empire, finally managed to meet Qian Xunji's almost demanding requirements and acquire the ability to conduct long-range operations.

The form of this colossal ship is truly terrifying. Its main body is not made of traditional wood or steel, but is constructed from the skeleton of an enormous Sea Soul Beast, with the stark white bones creating an eerie contrast with the dark metal covering them.

On the metal warship's hull, countless complex and precise soul-guiding patterns meander like blood vessels, constantly drawing upon the vital energy of heaven and earth and core energy to provide power and protection for the entire warship.

The ship's sides and deck are covered with countless hidden, openable cannons that can be transformed into a floating steel fortress when needed, unleashing devastating soul-guided beams.

At the highest point, the golden emblem of the Spirit Hall Empire gleamed in the sunlight, proclaiming the ownership of this terrifying war machine.

A large expeditionary fleet has been assembled, consisting of not only the flagship soul-guided behemoth but also numerous auxiliary ships of varying sizes.

Zhu Zhuqing's name also appeared on the list of this expeditionary force.

With her outstanding talent and unremitting efforts, she has successfully advanced to the Soul Emperor at a young age, and can be regarded as a high-quality talent to be cultivated in the Martial Spirit Hall Empire, which is full of talents.

However, in this team that brings together the empire's elite, her strength and qualifications are far from sufficient to assume a core position.

The main command of this cross-sea operation fell into the hands of the original members of the Spirit Hall Academy's third team, led by Tian Yue.

The young Soul Master who first showed their talent in the Advanced Soul Master Tournament back then have now grown into the backbone of the empire. After years of battles and training, they have basically all reached the Soul Douluo level, and Tian Yue, as the core, has taken the lead in breaking through to the Titled Douluo realm with the strength of her Golden Crocodile King Martial Soul and her own efforts!

Over the years, Tian Yue has participated in many important pacification and expansion missions of the empire, achieving remarkable military exploits. Coupled with the support of her powerful family, no one can question her appointment as the commander of this significant cross-sea operation.

Zhu Zhuqing was appointed as one of Tian Yue's adjutants.

This position seems good, a stepping stone to the core of power, but for Zhu Zhuqing, who is proud and ambitious and eager to become stronger and take control of her own destiny, the feeling is somewhat complicated.

She was no longer the helpless girl who needed to rely on Dai Mubai, but in this vast imperial machine, she still had to start as an "adjutant" and obey the orders of others.

Zhu Zhuqing stood on the deck, the sea breeze blowing through her long hair, her gaze fixed firmly on the distant horizon. She knew that this expedition was not only the clarion call for the empire's expansion, but also a battlefield for her to prove her strength and strive for a higher status.

She must seize this opportunity and demonstrate value commensurate with or even exceeding her position in the battles to come.