Facing Sea Dragon Douluo's almost taunting question and the overwhelming pressure bearing down on him, Qian Daoliu didn't even twitch an eyebrow.
He still stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm and unruffled, as if the pressure that would have made an ordinary Titled Douluo tremble was no more than a gentle breeze against his face.
His golden eyes swept casually over Sea Dragon Douluo before settling on his face. His tone was mild, yet carried an unquestionable authority:
"Sea Dragon, it's been many years, but you're still as hot-tempered as ever. I haven't come here today to cause trouble. I merely have a matter to attend to and need to see Bo Saixi."
Hearing Qian Daoliu say plainly that he wanted to see Bo Saixi, Sea Dragon Douluo felt as if something had viciously squeezed his heart. His expression darkened further, and the words practically burst from his mouth. "The High Priestess isn't here! Go back the way you came!"
"She isn't here?"
Qian Daoliu's handsome brows arched slightly. For the first time, a hint of interest appeared on his face as he asked, "Where did she go?"
Sea Dragon Douluo gave a cold snort, his voice stiff. "The High Priestess's whereabouts aren't something the likes of us can ask about. Even if I knew, why would I tell an outsider like you?"
"An outsider?" Qian Daoliu murmured, lightly rolling the word around in his mouth. The corner of his lips suddenly curled into a faint, inscrutable smile, its meaning impossible to pin down. It stirred an inexplicable irritation in Sea Dragon Douluo.
Qian Daoliu didn't get angry. Instead, he spoke with even greater ease. "In that case, I'll wait here until she returns. Surely Sea God Island isn't so stingy that it can't offer a guest somewhere to rest?"
"You—!" Sea Dragon Douluo's expression changed dramatically. Soul Power surged violently around him, and the blue phantom of a dragon nearly burst out of his body.
He would never allow a "dangerous person" like Qian Daoliu to linger on Sea God Island, much less give him any chance to get close to Bo Saixi!
Just as the atmosphere grew tense and a clash seemed imminent, a gentle voice tinged with urgency rang out. "Sea Dragon, wait!"
Seahorse Douluo hurried forward and gently tugged at Sea Dragon Douluo's arm, shooting him a meaningful look as he secretly transmitted, "Sea Dragon, calm down! Don't act rashly! He is Qian Daoliu, after all—the High Priest of Spirit Hall, a level ninety-nine Peerless Douluo on par with our High Priestess! The High Priestess isn't on the island right now. If you provoke him and a fight breaks out, the consequences will be unimaginable! Even if the seven of us join forces and draw on the power of the Sacred Pillars, we might not get the better of him. We could even bring disaster upon Sea God Island!"
Seahorse Douluo's words were like a bucket of cold water, bringing Sea Dragon Douluo to his senses after jealousy and fury had clouded his mind.
He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails nearly dug into his palms, glaring fiercely at Qian Daoliu, who remained utterly composed. His heart was full of resentment and humiliation.
But he had to admit that Seahorse Douluo was right.
The gap between level ninety-nine and level ninety-five might look like only four levels, but in truth, it was a gulf as vast as heaven and earth!
Even with the advantage of home ground, the seven of them had no chance of defeating Qian Daoliu.
If they fought, Sea God Island would be the only one to suffer.
At last, Sea Dragon Douluo drew a deep breath and forcibly suppressed his roiling anger and jealousy. He ground out through clenched teeth, "...Fine! Since the High Priestess isn't here, we won't drive away a guest. But please follow the rules, sir. Stay within the guest area, and don't trespass into the island's restricted grounds! Let's go!"
He shot Qian Daoliu a furious glare, then, with his heart still full of grievance, turned into streaks of light alongside the other Sacred Pillar Douluos and vanished into the depths of Sea God Island. Only several strands of divine sense remained, locked firmly onto the area as they monitored Qian Daoliu's every move.
Qian Daoliu watched them leave and shook his head slightly, paying no mind to Sea Dragon Douluo's hostility.
He casually found a clean reef on the beach and sat down, gazing out at the boundless blue sea. His golden eyes drifted into the distance, his thoughts wandering somewhere unknown as he murmured inwardly, "Bo Saixi... where exactly have you gone? And what connection does that child who stirred the aura of the Sea God Inheritance have to you?"
Meanwhile, far away beneath the sea.
After yet another arduous struggle of give and take, the violent Soul Power surging around Li Qing finally began to settle.
He abruptly opened his eyes, and purple light blazed within them. An aura far stronger and more solid than before burst from his body!
He had successfully absorbed his second Thousand-Year Soul Ring!
He rose from Xiao Bai's broad back and stretched his limbs. The brimming strength within him filled him with delight.
The Mysterious Origin Water-Controlling Flag floated beside him of its own accord, its pennant stirring without a breeze as it radiated an arcane waterlike aura. Beneath its shaft, two deep-purple Soul Rings pulsed slowly, releasing the powerful fluctuations unique to Thousand-Year Soul Rings.
Bo Saixi had been keeping a close eye on Li Qing. Seeing that he was unharmed, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
She studied him carefully, her voice carrying a hint of concern that was difficult to detect. "How do you feel? You absorbed two Thousand-Year Soul Rings in a row. Is anything wrong?"
This had never been done before, so caution was only natural.
After all, Li Qing was now the successor chosen by the Sea God. His safety concerned the future of Sea God Island.
With a thought, Li Qing drew the Mysterious Origin Water-Controlling Flag and Soul Rings back into his body. Feeling his surging Soul Power and noticeably stronger physique, he broke into a radiant, sincere smile. "Thank you for your concern, Sister. I'm fine—I feel better than ever! I couldn't have done it without you and Senior Xiao Bai."
[Oh, goodness!]
As he thanked her, he couldn't help thinking, [This woman really does look prettier the closer I get. How is her skin so fair? How are her eyes so blue? How is her presence so captivating... If I could marry her and bring her home as my wife, my life would be complete!]
Bo Saixi: "..."
Hearing Li Qing's astonishingly bold inner monologue once again, clear as day, Bo Saixi's breath caught slightly, and two faint blushes rose uncontrollably on her stunning cheeks.
She shot Li Qing an embarrassed, exasperated look. What kind of nonsense was this little rascal thinking about all day long?
Compared with Tang Chen's silent devotion and Qian Daoliu's restrained admiration decades ago, Li Qing's completely undisguised and almost childishly frank "delusions" left her feeling more at a loss than ever before.
But strangely, after all this happening again and again, she seemed... to have gotten somewhat used to it?
At the very least, she no longer lost her composure in shock like she had at first.
She quickly composed herself and suppressed that strange feeling, striving to keep her voice calm and authoritative. "As long as you're well. As the High Priestess of Sea God Island, it's my duty to look after the successor to the Godhood Inheritance."
She didn't give Li Qing another chance to "let his imagination run wild." Turning to Xiao Bai, she said, "Xiao Bai, we're done here. Let's go back."
Xiao Bai let out a joyful cry, swung her enormous tail fin, and turned around. Carrying Bo Saixi and Li Qing, she cut through the waves toward Sea God Island like an arrow loosed from a bow.
Before you continue