"Go to Heaven Dou City and retrieve the Heart of the Sea God."
Bo Saixi made no secret of it and got straight to the point. "It's the core component of the Sea God Trident, and vital to the inheritance. With it, your cultivation will be twice as effective with half the effort."
Ye Qing's heart stirred.
Heaven Dou City?
Wasn't that one of Tang San's main stomping grounds early on?
That suited his plans perfectly.
After all, Sunset Forest, where the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was located, wasn't far from Heaven Dou City.
"I understand."
With that thought, he didn't refuse. He nodded and agreed. "I'll bring back the Heart of the Sea God."
Seeing how readily he agreed, Bo Saixi felt slightly relieved. Then she said gently, "The mainland is nothing like Sea God Island. People's hearts are complicated, and you're still young, so be careful in everything you do. Also, for your safety, I've decided that Sea Dragon will go with you."
Ye Qing looked up sharply, his eyes full of surprise. "Uncle Sea Dragon? Wouldn't that be... a bit much?"
Sea Dragon Douluo was the foremost of the Seven Sacred Pillar Douluos of Sea God Island, a top powerhouse second only to Bo Saixi and one of the island's mainstays.
Having a Titled Douluo escort him was surely making too much of a fuss.
Anyone with eyes could see that he didn't want this so-called Sea God Inheritance. Otherwise, he wouldn't be thinking of leaving Sea God Island.
So logically, shouldn't they let him leave alone and find another successor instead?
Hearing this, Bo Saixi laughed softly and waved it off. "There's nothing wrong with it. He has nothing to do all day on Sea God Island, and with me here, nothing will go amiss."
Seeing that Ye Qing still seemed hesitant, she added, "Don't worry. You don't need to feel burdened. If I weren't required to guard Sea God Island and keep the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King from causing trouble, I'd want to go explore the mainland with you myself."
At the mention of the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King, a hint of helplessness entered Bo Saixi's voice, and she sighed softly.
Ye Qing understood.
The feud between Sea God Island and the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King had long been carved into the islanders' bones.
It was a grudge spanning tens of thousands of years, one that had begun before the Sea God had even ascended to godhood.
After ascending, the Sea God had blinded one of the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King's eyes, but had also left behind an edict.
The Grand Pontiff of each generation was forbidden from leaving Sea God Island. They had to use their own might to deter that Ferocious Beast, which was close to a million years old, and prevent it from seizing the opportunity to destroy the island.
The gods couldn't interfere in mortal affairs, so this heavy burden could only be placed on the shoulders of the strongest among mortals.
"Since Sister Bo Saixi put it that way, I won't stand on ceremony." Ye Qing stopped declining.
Having a Titled Douluo protect him was an enormous advantage at this point.
After all, his cultivation was still shallow, and the mainland was treacherous. An extra layer of protection meant extra peace of mind.
Bo Saixi saw that he'd agreed and nodded in satisfaction, then rose to leave.
Just then, her gaze happened to sweep across the table and land on an exquisite wooden box. She asked curiously, "What's in this box?"
Ye Qing's cheeks warmed. He coughed twice and said awkwardly, "It's... some Whale Rubber I got this afternoon."
"Whale Rubber?"
Bo Saixi looked even more puzzled, surprise in her eyes. "What do you need Whale Rubber for?"
She knew what Whale Rubber was used for: it was used during sex.
But Ye Qing was still very young, and might not even know anything about that, so she didn't think of it in that way.
"I want to use it for a little experiment," Ye Qing explained. "I was going to ask you to refine it for me tomorrow, but I didn't expect you to come tonight."
Bo Saixi understood and smiled.
Children were curious by nature. It was hardly strange for one to experiment with a rare material.
She didn't give it another thought, assuming it was just a child's playful curiosity.
"That's easy." A soft blue light shimmered at her fingertips. She gently tapped the wooden box.
The lid sprang open, and the nearly ten-thousand-year-old Whale Rubber floated out. Wrapped in blue light, it quickly melted into a pool of yellow liquid, which she poured into a jade bottle.
"There, all done!"
Bo Saixi handed Ye Qing the bottle and said gently, "Get some rest. Don't stay up late."
"Thank you, Sister Bo Saixi."
As Bo Saixi walked away and the door closed softly behind her, the bashfulness vanished from Ye Qing's face. A glint flashed in his eyes.
He picked up the jade bottle, pulled out the stopper, and drank it down without hesitation.
The warm liquid slid down his throat, instantly transforming into a vast surge of energy that flowed throughout his body and resonated in a wondrous way with the Angel Soul Power inside him.
Though the water-element Soul Power in the Whale Rubber differed from the Seraphim's blazing light and fire, it could nourish his meridians and strengthen his foundation, enabling him to absorb even more powerful Soul Rings.
That was his real goal.
Meanwhile, Bo Saixi didn't return to her own chambers. Instead, she headed straight for Sea Dragon Holy City.
The sea wind howled outside Sea Dragon Douluo's residence.
Standing before the door, Bo Saixi shed all the gentleness she'd shown Ye Qing. Her voice returned to the authority and composure befitting the Grand Pontiff, utterly devoid of emotion.
"Sea Dragon, come out."
A response came from inside. Heavy footsteps followed, and the door swung open.
Sea Dragon Douluo was a broad-shouldered man with a resolute face. Seeing Bo Saixi, he couldn't help but wonder what was going on and asked, "Grand Pontiff, it's so late. Is there something you need from me?"
Bo Saixi looked especially beautiful tonight.
And he'd always been secretly in love with her.
It was only because of the differences in their status and strength that he didn't dare to confess, keeping his feelings hidden in his heart.
Yet now, she'd come to see him in person.
And she'd even changed into a long dress. Clearly, this was a private matter.
Could she have found out how he felt?
At the thought, excitement surged through him.
If only he could marry Bo Saixi, he wouldn't even mind becoming the Grand Pontiff of Sea God Island!
"Starting tomorrow, you'll accompany Ye Qing to the mainland."
As Sea Dragon Douluo indulged in his fantasies, Bo Saixi got straight to the point, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Make sure he stays safe and help him retrieve the Heart of the Sea God. Also..."
She paused, a meaningful glint in her eyes. "Keep a close watch. Don't let the Angel God's people—that is, Spirit Hall—get ahead of us. You know his Martial Soul is the Angel."
Sea Dragon Douluo froze. When he realized it wasn't what he'd imagined, disappointment crept in.
He'd known it. The goddess he loved would never do something so beneath her dignity.
"Yes, I understand."
After a moment of stunned disappointment, he accepted the task.
Bo Saixi nodded, then turned and left under Sea Dragon Douluo's gaze.
Moonlight fell across her blue dress, seeming to frost the Grand Pontiff who had guarded Sea God Island for a century with a layer of cold, silvery chill.
The journey to the mainland was not only an opportunity for Ye Qing, but also the opening move in the contest between the Sea God and the Angel God.
It remained to be seen who would come out on top!