Harboring Ulterior Motives

Harboring Ulterior Motives

"In your current weakened state, what use are you to soul beasts, their sovereign?"

"Why not let me absorb you? Perhaps it might even allow me to break through this world's limits."

As that malicious voice spoke, Demon Empress's aura surged. The pressure of a Demigod instantly descended upon Gu Yue.

But who was Gu Yue?

The Silver Dragon King!

She had even fought True Gods. Would she fear a Demigod? Even though Gu Yue was incomplete and injured, she was not someone a Demigod could challenge.

A violet-gold flash streaked out as Demon Empress attacked without hesitation. Silver scales emerged along Gu Yue's arm as she raised it before herself.

The instant the violet-gold and silver lights collided, a powerful current of air spread outward from the two of them, shattering countless rocks within the cave. Before those fragments could fall, another burst of shockwaves reduced them directly to dust.

"What was that?"

Both Gu Yue and Demon Empress's expressions changed. They swiftly pulled apart and watched each other warily. Yet at that moment, another pitch-black figure had already made a move.

"My Lord!"

Seeing Demon Empress attack Gu Yue, Di Tian immediately panicked. Though Gu Yue's strength did not require his concern, the Silver Dragon King, as half of the Dragon God, held immense symbolic significance—especially for a dragon like Di Tian.

How could he allow her to be threatened by a fish hiding in the deep sea?

Di Tian immediately revealed his Black Dragon Claw, intending to teach that fish a lesson. However...

"Wait, Di Tian! Don't attack yet!" Even though Gu Yue's voice came from behind him, it was already too late. Demon Empress had assumed the same stance as Di Tian.

Boom!

In her previous clash with Gu Yue, Gu Yue had merely defended without attacking. But Di Tian was different. He had fully unleashed the power of a Demigod, intending to test Demon Empress head-on.

Yet just like Gu Yue, Di Tian understood the reason for her retreat the instant they exchanged blows. He could actually feel a faint suppressive force emanating from Demon Empress!

"Have you already touched that realm?"

"Of course!"

Darkness was gradually suppressed by violet-gold light. Before Di Tian could react, Demon Empress changed her fist into a palm and struck his shoulder, forcing him back to Gu Yue's side.

"I never expected a soul beast in the deep sea to reach such a realm. It seems I truly underestimated you!"

Gu Yue's tone carried a trace of gravity. Although Demon Empress was weaker than her, no other soul beasts besides Gu Yue could withstand her.

For in that instant of combat, Gu Yue had sensed that Demon Empress and Di Tian stood at the same level. Both were Demigods.

The reason Demon Empress could suppress Di Tian was that, within the realm of Demigods, she had traveled farther than he had!

Di Tian's strength was already at the pinnacle among Demigods. But Demon Empress? She was a Demigod who had touched the realm of a True God! Just as she had said, she was only one step away!

Perhaps all she needed was an opportunity to advance directly from a Demigod to a True God!

Of course, she would be a True God without a divine position, since the Divine Realm no longer existed.

"Not at all. I never expected the sovereign of soul beasts to possess power not inferior to that of a True God. It was I who failed to see clearly." Demon Empress waved her hand helplessly. Though their exchange had been brief, both had gauged the other's strength and chosen to stop.

"Let us dispense with further probing. We are both soul beasts. We should not continue fighting among ourselves and allow humanity's advantage to grow ever greater." Gu Yue extended her hand again. "Let us cooperate!"

"I will arrange all the remaining soul beasts within the Holy Spirit Cult and have them act alongside you. We must exterminate every last human!"

"Of course. How could I spare the humans who slaughtered our kin?" Demon Empress smiled. "Even the humans within the Holy Spirit Cult are no exception. Once the humans outside are eliminated, they will be next!"

"Aren't you afraid that once they learn of this, they'll spread news of you in advance?"

"Why would I be? If you say nothing and I say nothing, who will know?" Facing Gu Yue's question, Demon Empress merely smiled disdainfully. "Besides, those people are Evil Soul Masters whom everyone in the outside world wants dead. Even if they told others, would anyone believe them? And how could they even find me?"

"This is the deep sea, cut off from the outside world. Our powers collided here just now, yet there was not the slightest reaction on land!"

"No one will know that we have already formed an alliance. When humanity reveals an opening, it will be time for us soul beasts to launch our great counterattack!"

Although there had been a few minor setbacks, Gu Yue ultimately succeeded in reaching a partnership with Demon Empress and began formulating a plan for a massive counterattack against humanity.

However, after Gu Yue left with Di Tian, he immediately spoke up. Though he had remained silent after Demon Empress drove him back, that did not mean he had no objections.

"My Lord, that woman truly still harbors ill intentions!"

During their discussion of the plan, Demon Empress's gaze had repeatedly fallen upon Gu Yue's heart. Clearly, she still had other ideas.

"I know. What she said earlier was likely not a bluff. She truly intends to devour me and advance to Godhood... She simply did not dare act after confirming your strength and mine."

Although Gu Yue's strength was incomplete, she could absolutely suppress Demon Empress. At least until Demon Empress became a god, there was no need to worry. As for Di Tian... although Demon Empress had gained the upper hand over him, that was without him using soul skills. In a real fight, Di Tian still had the Dragon God Claw!

"That is why I gave her a way out. After all, humanity is currently our primary target. If humanity profits from our conflict, it would be a loss far outweighing any gain. Thus, we must unite against humanity. At least before humanity shows signs of decline, we need not fear that she will strike at us directly..."

After Gu Yue departed, Demon Empress's expression turned fierce once more.

"I never expected there to be another Silver Dragon King..."

"Damn it. There really is nothing I can do alone."

Demon Empress being unable to defeat Gu Yue was something that had already been confirmed. Even Demon Empress herself believed so.

But...

Could Demon Empress truly not defeat Gu Yue?

The answer was not necessarily!

The image of a certain man gradually surfaced in her mind. Even Demon Empress's expression became grave at that moment, and she was even more cautious than when she had confronted the Silver Dragon King.

"If I borrow his power, I can definitely devour the Silver Dragon King. But afterward, I will have to let him control me..."

"The power of the 'Abyss' is indeed dangerous!"

"Unless it is absolutely necessary, I should not use it lightly."

Sorry, something came up at home, so I went back to my hometown.

I'll start writing right away.