The Sea God Trident Appears, Revealing Identity and Unyielding Stance

Ye Qing met Qian Daoliu's gaze calmly: "I wonder what thoughts the Grand Pontiff might have?"

Qian Daoliu smiled, speaking with an overbearing air: "It is quite simple. Our Martial Soul Hall will provide the manpower and effort to help you seek justice, but if that shapeshifted Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast is recovered, it must belong to our Martial Soul Hall."

Indeed, he was fond of Bo Saixi, but that did not mean he would yield a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast to Sea God Island.

Especially not a shapeshifted one.

One must know that whenever they desired, they could obtain the other party's Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring and Soul Bone at any time.

Unless Bo Saixi were willing to marry him, thereby uniting Sea God Island and Martial Soul Hall, he—as the supreme leader of Martial Soul Hall—could not possibly allow such a thing to happen.

Especially since Qian Renxue had perfectly inherited the talents of both Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong.

"Dream on!"

Upon hearing this demand, Sea Dragon Douluo bristled almost instantly.

He slammed his hand against the table and stood up, his face flushed red as he retorted angrily: "That was something our Sea God Island set its sights on first! By what right should we give it to you?"

Ye Qing gently tugged at Sea Dragon Douluo's sleeve, signaling him to calm down.

He knew clearly that Sea Dragon Douluo's reaction was perfectly normal.

Because the core purpose of their trip was to retrieve Ah Yin; if the soul beast were to go to Martial Soul Hall, what would be the point of seeking their cooperation?

Never mind Sea Dragon Douluo; if it were him, he would never agree to it either.

Qian Daoliu, Qian Xunji, and the others watched Sea Dragon Douluo's agitated state, yet their expressions remained unruffled.

They had long since realized that this child was the one truly calling the shots, and that Sea Dragon Douluo was merely a foil.

If not for this, given the grudge Sea God Island held against Martial Soul Hall, Sea Dragon Douluo would never have been able to step foot into Martial Soul City.

"Senior, that is impossible."

Ye Qing's voice remained calm, yet carried a firmness that could not be underestimated as he replied: "You should be aware that the core reason we were willing to set aside our grievances to seek cooperation with Martial Soul Hall is for that soul beast. If even this cannot be achieved, we might as well return to Sea God Island and invite Sister Xixi over."

Hearing this, Qian Daoliu couldn't help but laugh, reminding him: "Child, I fear you do not yet know. That Sister Xixi of yours is not as free as this old man. As the Grand Pontiff of Sea God Island, she is bound by the Sea God Prohibition; unless she receives the Sea God's personal permission, she cannot leave Sea God Island by even half a step. Do you truly believe the Sea God would make an exception just for a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast?"

A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast was indeed important and rare, but that was only for human soul masters.

As for the gods, it was of no consequence whatsoever.

Ye Qing shook his head, saying with a serious expression: "No, she will come."

Qian Daoliu sighed helplessly: "This old man has no need to lie to you. If you do not believe me, you may ask Sea Dragon. As the Second Worship of Sea God Island, he should certainly be aware of this rule, right?"

Sea Dragon Douluo's lips moved, and though reluctant, he still bit the bullet and nodded: "What Qian Daoliu says... is the truth. The Grand Pontiff is forbidden from leaving the island; this is an ironclad law set by Lord Sea God."

Ye Qing, however, acted as if he hadn't heard, emphasizing once more: "I said, she will come."

"You child..." Qian Daoliu was just about to say something more when he suddenly sensed a vast, sacred aura erupting from within Ye Qing's body.

Ye Qing's eyes narrowed, his internal soul power surged, and golden light gathered like a tide toward his right hand.

With a light flick of his wrist, a divine artifact—glowing with a deep blue radiance and featuring three sharp, pronged blades at its tip—suddenly appeared in mid-air.

It was the very weapon that symbolized the authority of the Sea God, the Sea God Trident!

The moment the divine artifact appeared, the entire reception hall seemed to be submerged by the ocean.

A vast, majestic aura, like the raging waves of the deep sea, swept outward, suppressing even the Angel God power on Qian Daoliu's body.

"This is... the Sea God Trident?!"

Seeing this, Qian Daoliu stood up abruptly, his face showing shock for the first time, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Qian Xunji and the other worships had their expressions change drastically, subconsciously releasing their soul power in defense.

This was the Sea God's divine artifact!

How could it appear in the hands of a child?

Sea Dragon Douluo was also stunned.

He did know that the Sea God had given the Trident to Ye Qing for self-defense, but he never expected this child to dare reveal the divine artifact here in Martial Soul Hall, right in front of Qian Daoliu!

This was a naked declaration of his identity!

Ye Qing held the hovering Sea God Trident, his gaze sweeping over the variously stunned people as he spoke slowly: "Now, does the Grand Pontiff believe that Sister Xixi will come?"

Qian Daoliu stared fixedly at the Trident.

After a long while, he slowly sat back down, the shock on his face gradually fading, replaced by deep gravity.

He finally understood that this child was by no means an ordinary disciple of Sea God Island.

To be bestowed the Trident by the Sea God, his identity must be that of the Sea God's direct successor!

And not just any ordinary successor.

As the spokesperson for the Angel God, he knew very well what price a successor had to pay to master a divine artifact.

It required passing trials, specifically the Seventh Trial.

For the sake of the Sea God's successor, let alone a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, even for greater matters, Bo Saixi would certainly find a way to seek the Sea God's permission and descend upon the continent in person!

In fact, there would be no need for Bo Saixi to even ask; the Sea God himself would command Bo Saixi to come.

After all, what was the difference between hitting Ye Qing and slapping the faces of Sea God Island and the Sea God himself?

He certainly did not believe that a deity would not care about their own face being struck.

"A fine Sea God Island... a fine Bo Saixi..." Qian Daoliu muttered, his gaze toward Ye Qing changing completely.

This was no request for help.

This was clearly someone acting with the confidence of having a powerful backer!

Ye Qing waved his hand gently, and the Sea God Trident transformed into a streak of golden light, sinking back into his body as that vast aura dissipated along with it.

Ye Qing's tone returned to calm, yet it carried a bit more confidence as he said, "Senior, we can each take a step back. If Martial Soul Hall helps us reclaim the Soul Beast, we will want nothing of what belongs to the Clear Sky Sect afterward. As for the Soul Beast itself, it must belong to us."

Qian Daoliu fell silent.

He knew this was the greatest concession the other party could offer.

With the Sea God Trident in hand, this child had the entire Sea God Island, and perhaps even that high and mighty Sea God, standing behind him.

To make an enemy of the Sea God was by no means a wise move.

"Do you think that, aside from that Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, there is anything in the Clear Sky Sect that Martial Soul Hall would even look twice at?" Qian Daoliu countered.

The implication was clear: they only had eyes for that transformed Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast; as for the rest, it was all useless.

"Correct. If you wish to take your revenge, you can only do so by trading for that Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast," Qian Xunji nodded, stating the condition for Martial Soul Hall to take action.

"Senior is quite right; the Clear Sky Sect truly possesses nothing of value, but that does not mean you would be happy to see the Clear Sky Sect grow stronger."

Ye Qing smiled and said very directly, "Do not forget, the Clear Sky Sect also has a level ninety-nine Peerless Douluo. Without us, I fear it would not be easy for you to make a move against the Clear Sky Sect, would it? Unless, of course, you believe that transformed Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast is worth a total falling out with a Peerless Douluo."