Sea God Island, Submit!

BOOM!

Violent ripples of energy erupted instantly within the narrow mountain cave, causing countless massive boulders to plummet and crash against the ground with dull, thunderous thuds.

Yet, that awe-inspiring Clear Sky Hammer ground to a dead halt a mere half-inch from Gu Sheng's palm.

No matter how Tang Hao channeled the life force within his body, the hammer could not advance even a fraction of an inch.

A faint golden halo radiated from Gu Sheng's left hand; though the glow appeared thin, it acted like an insurmountable chasm, blocking all force from encroaching.

"The gap between a level ninety-nine Limit Douluo cannot be bridged by desperation alone."

Gu Sheng watched the despairing Tang Hao and gave his left hand a slight jolt.

A mountain-toppling wave of golden divine power surged back along the body of the Clear Sky Hammer, rebounding instantly.

Crack!

A crisp shattering sound rang out, and in that instant, the crack-riddled Clear Sky Hammer disintegrated into countless black shards, dissipating into mid-air.

"Puh-ah!"

Tang Hao vomited a mouthful of blood, his body flying like a kite with a broken string before slamming hard into the stone wall behind him and sliding limply to the ground.

The bones within his body had been shattered by the force of the rebound, and he lacked the strength to even twitch a finger.

"Cough... cough, cough..."

Tang Hao lay in a pool of blood, his clouded eyes fixed on Gu Sheng as he walked over step by step.

"I... I will wait for you in hell... The gods of the God Realm... they will not let you go..."

Gu Sheng stopped before Tang Hao, the Sword of Holy Spirit in his hand flickering with golden sword light.

"The God Realm?"

Gu Sheng sneered with disdain.

"If they dare to come, I shall kill the gods as well."

As the words fell, the Sword of Holy Spirit in Gu Sheng's hand transformed into a bolt of golden lightning, instantly piercing Tang Hao's heart.

Golden Holy Fire erupted from the blade, instantly engulfing Tang Hao's entire body.

There were no shrill screams, nor any superfluous struggle.

Under the absolute purification of the Holy Fire, Tang Hao's body, along with his soul, was reduced to nothingness within a few short breaths.

A generation of Clear Sky Douluo had fallen, leaving not even a trace behind.

Gu Sheng retracted the Sword of Holy Spirit and looked at the pile of black ash left on the ground with a cold expression.

Heaven Dou City, Imperial Palace.

When Gu Sheng returned to the bedchamber, the morning court session had already concluded.

Qian Renxue was sitting on a soft couch, wearily rubbing her temples, a thick stack of memorials resting on the table beside her.

Hearing the sound of the palace doors being pushed open, she hurriedly looked up.

The moment she saw Gu Sheng, the exhaustion in her eyes vanished instantly; she stood up from the couch and flew into his arms.

"Husband, where did you go? When I opened my eyes and didn't see you, I thought you had left again."

Qian Renxue's voice carried a spoiled, aggrieved tone as her arms wrapped tightly around Gu Sheng's waist.

Gu Sheng dotingly smoothed her long golden hair and carried her back to the couch to sit down.

"I went to deal with a small tail."

Gu Sheng said it lightly.

Qian Renxue was slightly stunned, looking at him with curiosity.

"A small tail? What kind of tail requires you to take action yourself?"

"Tang Hao."

Gu Sheng looked at her and smiled slightly.

"From this day forward, there is no longer a Clear Sky Douluo in this world."

Upon hearing this news, Qian Renxue was completely stunned.

Tang Hao—that powerful existence who had once brought endless trouble to Martial Soul Hall and even severely wounded the previous Pope—had just died like that?

"You... you killed him?"

Qian Renxue asked, dazed.

"Mm, I took care of it while I was at it; it can be considered settling a matter in your heart."

Gu Sheng pulled her closer, his warm breath brushing against her ear.

Feeling the warmth of her husband, Qian Renxue's eyes turned slightly red.

She knew that Gu Sheng had done all of this for her, and for their future.

"Husband, thank you."

Qian Renxue leaned in of her own accord and pressed a light kiss to Gu Sheng's lips.

Gu Sheng's eyes darkened slightly. Watching the shy, captivating beauty in his arms, his throat bobbed.

"A simple thank you isn't enough."

He looked at Qian Renxue with a wicked grin, one hand already sliding beneath her bright yellow dragon robe.

Qian Renxue let out a startled cry, her pretty face flushing crimson instantly. She tried to dodge, but she was no match for Gu Sheng and was soon pinned beneath him.

"This... it's still daytime. What if someone comes in..."

"Who would dare?"

Gu Sheng domineeringly sealed her red lips, swallowing the rest of her words whole.

The curtains of the bedchamber slowly descended, shielding the two figures from view.

Inside the bedchamber, warm fragrance drifted.

The bright yellow curtains hung low, blocking out all light from the outside world.

Gu Sheng leaned against the headboard, his warm palm idly stroking Qian Renxue's soft, golden hair.

Qian Renxue's exquisite face rested against his chest, listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat, a lingering flush still gracing her fair skin.

"Husband, now that you're back, can you stay with me for a few more days?"

Qian Renxue asked softly, her voice laced with an undisguisable sense of reliance.

Ever since she ascended the throne as Empress, she had to face the heavy burden of state affairs every day. Only by Gu Sheng's side could she shed all her defenses and exhaustion.

Gu Sheng's lips curled slightly as he pulled her closer.

"Of course, though I must make a trip overseas in a few days."

Hearing this, Qian Renxue looked up in surprise, her sapphire-like eyes filled with confusion.

"Overseas? Where are you going, Husband?"

"Sea God Island."

Gu Sheng uttered the three words calmly.

Qian Renxue felt a slight jolt in her heart.

She had heard her grandfather, Qian Daoliu, mention Sea God Island before.

It was a mysterious and powerful force; the island worshipped the Sea God, and its High Priestess, Bo Saixi, was a rank 99 Limit Douluo of the same standing as her grandfather.

"Why would you suddenly want to go to Sea God Island?"

Qian Renxue looked at him with concern.

"Grandfather once said that Bo Saixi is nearly invincible on the ocean, and Sea God Island is extremely xenophobic."

Gu Sheng reached out to pinch her soft cheek, smiling reassuringly.

"It is no matter. The continent is now entirely under our control, but the overseas territories remain a potential threat."

"I have already slain the projection of the Asura God; the God Realm will notice the anomaly sooner or later."

"The Sea God and the Asura God are both deities of the God Realm. If I do not strike hard now, once the Sea God descends an oracle, Sea God Island will become a bridgehead against us."

"Rather than sitting and waiting for death, I would prefer to take the initiative and bring those waters under my command."

Though Gu Sheng's tone was flat, it carried an unshakable, overbearing authority.

Watching her husband's confident expression, the worry in Qian Renxue's heart gradually dissipated, replaced by a deep sense of pride.

This was her man, a peerless powerhouse who did not even hold the gods in his eyes.

"Then... be careful in all things, Husband. I will guard our home well in Heaven Dou City."

Qian Renxue obediently pressed back against his chest, whispering softly.

"Rest assured, there is no one left in this world who can harm me."

Gu Sheng stroked her long hair, a profound light flashing in his eyes.

Three days later.

On the boundless, azure ocean, the waves surged violently.

A golden streak of light tore across the horizon at an incredible speed, carving a massive white wake into the sea below.

Gu Sheng, clad in a simple white robe with his hands behind his back, traveled through the air.

With his current cultivation as a rank 99 Limit Douluo, combined with the divine power unleashed after breaking the third seal, crossing this turbulent ocean was nothing more than a leisurely stroll.

Passing through layers of mist, a massive island gradually emerged in the center of the sea ahead.

That was Sea God Island.

A faint blue halo enveloped the island, radiating a soft yet resilient, sacred aura.

Gu Sheng halted his figure in the air, several miles away from Sea God Island.

He gazed at the barrier left behind by the Sea God ahead, his expression calm as he slowly raised his right hand.

A wisp of golden divine power condensed at his fingertip, transforming into a brilliant point of light.

"Go."

Gu Sheng flicked his sleeve, and that golden light shot out instantly, slamming violently into the blue barrier.

Boom!

Accompanied by a dull, thunderous roar, the entire Sea God Island trembled violently.

The Sea God barrier, touted as capable of withstanding any attack beneath the level of a god, cracked like a spiderweb the moment it touched the golden divine power, finally shattering into a sky full of blue light particles.

"Who dares to trespass on Sea God Island!"

The moment the barrier shattered, several powerful auras surged into the sky from the island.

Immediately following, seven figures clad in various styles of armor arrived at high speed, stepping across the waves and landing steadily on the shore.

These seven were the Seven Sacred Pillar Guardian Douluo of Sea God Island.

Sea Horse Douluo, who led them, looked at the white-clad figure in the sky, his expression grave to the extreme.

That strike just now had instantly shattered the Sea God barrier; such strength was simply unheard of.

"Who exactly are you, Your Excellency? Why destroy our island's protective barrier for no reason?"

Sea Horse Douluo demanded in a deep voice, his Soul Power already circulating frantically within him.

Gu Sheng looked down at the seven people below from his vantage point, his expression devoid of any fluctuation.

"Tell Bo Saixi to come out and see me."

His voice was not loud, but wrapped in Soul Power, it rolled like thunder, instantly spreading across the entire Sea God Island.

"Insolent! How dare you address the High Priestess by her name!"

Sea Dragon Douluo, possessing the most explosive temper, roared immediately.

He took a step forward, and a fierce blue light erupted from beneath his feet as the phantom of a massive sea dragon condensed behind him.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, red—nine soul rings rose instantly.

"Overestimating yourself."

Gu Sheng shook his head slightly.

He did not even release his Martial Soul, merely vibrating his right foot gently in the void.

A violent, peerless golden pressure, like the sky collapsing and the earth rending, swept toward the seven people below.

Boom!

The seawater along the shore was forcibly pushed down by several meters in that instant.

The sea dragon phantom that Sea Dragon Douluo had just condensed could not even hold on for a second before shattering under the golden pressure.

Pfft!

The Seven Sacred Pillar Douluo spat out blood in unison, their bodies struck as if by a heavy blow, their legs buckling until they uncontrollably knelt on the beach.

The sand crumbled beneath their knees, sinking into deep craters.

"This... how is this possible?"

Sea Horse Douluo braced himself against the ground, veins bulging on his forehead.

To suppress seven Title Douluo with nothing but pressure, leaving them without the strength to fight back.

Could this level of strength belong to a god descended to the mortal realm?

"Your Excellency's strength is heaven-defying; why bother making things difficult for them?"

Just then, a sigh sounded quietly between heaven and earth.

The voice was ethereal and gentle, as if carrying the rhythm of the ocean, instantly dispersing more than half of the terrifying pressure Gu Sheng had emitted.

From the depths of Sea God Island, a red figure drifted slowly toward them.

She wore a bright red robe, her sea-blue hair flying in the wind, and she held a three-meter-long Golden Scepter in her hand.

Her face was extremely beautiful, appearing to be only about thirty years old, yet her eyes held an accumulation of endless vicissitudes and nobility.

The High Priestess of Sea God Island, Bo Saixi.

Seeing Bo Saixi appear, the seven Sacred Pillar Douluo kneeling on the ground immediately showed joy.

"High Priestess!"

Bo Saixi raised her hand slightly, signaling them to withdraw.

Her gaze fell upon Gu Sheng in the air, her willow brows knitting slightly.

In her perception, the young man before her was like a scorching sun fallen into the mortal world, radiating a terrifying aura that made even her tremble.

"Limit Douluo... no, the power within you has already surpassed the limit."

Bo Saixi's voice carried a hint of gravity.

"Who exactly are you? Since when has the continent produced an expert such as yourself?"

Gu Sheng stood with his hands behind his back, his white robes snapping in the sea breeze.

"Heaven Dou Empire, Saint Spirit King, Gu Sheng."

Bo Saixi's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Saint Spirit King? Since when has the Heaven Dou Empire possessed such a title?"

"None of that matters."

Gu Sheng looked at her indifferently.

"Bo Saixi, I have come today for only one thing."

"What thing?"

"For Sea God Island to submit to my Heaven Dou Empire."

As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding air suddenly froze.

The Seven Sacred Pillar Douluo kneeling behind were all filled with rage.

"Arrogant brat! Sea God Island is the land of the gods; how could we allow a mortal empire to lay a finger on it!"

Sea Dragon Douluo could not help but curse out loud.

Bo Saixi's expression also darkened, the gentleness in her eyes gradually vanishing, replaced by the majesty belonging to a powerhouse.

"Saint Spirit King, your strength is indeed formidable, perhaps even surpassing that of Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen back in the day."

Bo Saixi gripped the Golden Scepter in her hand.

"But this is Sea God Island, this is the ocean! Here, I am the spokesperson for the Sea God."

"If you want Sea God Island to submit, you must first ask the scepter in my hand!"

As her voice fell, a massive golden phantom slowly emerged in the void behind Bo Saixi.

The phantom held a trident, radiating an endless azure divine light.

Sea God Martial Soul.

Eight black and one red, nine terrifying soul rings rose slowly from beneath Bo Saixi's feet, emitting a suffocating sense of oppression.

The entire ocean boiled at this moment, and countless azure seawater transformed into massive pillars of water, surging into the sky to surround Bo Saixi.

In this moment, she was the master of this boundless ocean.

Watching this scene, Gu Sheng showed not a trace of fear on his face; instead, he shook his head with amusement.

"The spokesperson for the Sea God?"

"Bo Saixi, are you aware of how the projection of the Asura God perished in Slaughter City not long ago?"