The Divine Realm, the Divine Temple.
The Five Great God Kings, along with the Sea God, stared at the Jingming breaking through the waves in the Water Mirror, each of them somewhat dumbstruck.
They recalled everything the Heavenly Screen had just revealed.
A thousand-meter warship, countless gun ports, transforming steel fighter planes, and that heavenly eye suspended above the sea of stars...
Only after a long while did the God of Destruction speak in a grave voice.
"Asura, you told me before that all their Soul Tools were Godslayer-Class?"
The Asura God nodded, his expression grim.
"The words 'Godslaying' are engraved on the cannons. Their intentions are plain for all to see, and the Heavenly Screen said so too!"
The God of Destruction sucked in a breath of cold air.
"Terrifying..."
"Even if they pose no threat to God Kings like us, the mere fact that they can kill Third-Class Deities is already terrifying."
"They... have already mastered the power for mortals to shake the gods!"
The God of Life's voice was soft, yet chilling.
"And they can mass-produce it on a vast scale."
The God of Evil chimed in ominously, tapping his knuckles against the edge of the Water Mirror.
"The most frightening thing is that object shaped like an eye."
"In mere seconds, it can turn Douluo Star's terrain into a detailed map!"
"Not even divine sense can do it so quickly, accurately, and conveniently!"
The Asura God spoke slowly, his voice laced with both killing intent and wariness.
"Once we conquer the Holy Spirit Continent, we must destroy these Soul Tools and cut off their soul guidance technology!"
"Letting them continue developing like this will do our rule no favors."
"But the first step!"
"Still depends on you, Sea God."
Five gazes fell on the Sea God at once.
That was right.
The next step would depend on the Sea God.
The God of Destruction folded his arms.
"Sea God, are you planning to force your way down to the lower realm next, or...?"
The Sea God shook his head, looking composed.
"Descend? There's no hurry."
"From what I've observed, the army they've dispatched consists of nothing more than those Soul Tools, a two-million-year Soul Beast, two First-Level Gods, and a Divine Soul Engineer on par with a First-Level God."
"Besides those, there are just two Soul Masters who look like minor figures."
"My plan is to use the remnants of my own divine power on Sea God Island, together with my present consciousness, and channel the ocean's power through the Sea God Trident!"
"That will be enough to manifest power on par with a Second-Level God."
"There's absolutely no need to worry."
The Asura God frowned.
"Don't get careless."
"Those minor figures you mentioned should also possess strength above the level of a Second-Level God. They might even be First-Level Gods."
"By that reckoning, they have at least six fighters at the First-Level God tier. Can you handle them?"
Rather than panic at those words, the Sea God smiled.
"I remain doubtful that they truly possess the strength of First-Level Gods."
"Don't forget, everyone,"
"They have no divine seats!"
"Without divine seats, they cannot command the laws. Without the blessing of divine seats, their combat strength cannot possibly reach what we understand as the First-Level God tier!"
"They're merely a pack of mortals draped in the titles of gods."
He paused, the arrogance of a god seeping into his tone.
"If that power proves insufficient, I can simply descend in my true body."
"But going down there directly would cheapen my standing far too much."
"Who do they think they are?"
The Asura God fell silent for a moment before finally nodding.
"Fine."
"Remember, don't disgrace our Divine Realm."
"This time, it isn't merely a battle between the Douluo Continent and the Holy Spirit Continent!"
"It is also the first battle between our Divine Realm and the Holy Spirit Continent."
"Victory is the only option."
"Defeat is forbidden!"
Meanwhile.
Aboard the Jingming.
The fleet had entered cruising mode, and countless female Soul Engineers gathered together, chattering away.
Their work?
It wasn't affected in the slightest.
The course had long since been set, and automatic cruising was engaged. If any threatening life-form approached, the alarm would sound immediately.
So they could chat freely, without a care!
"Hey, this is my first time seeing the legendary Lord Rey and Lord Soronson. They're both so handsome!"
"Lord Rey certainly is handsome. He's powerful and rich, too. Tsk, tsk... but I wouldn't dare fall for Lord Soronson. I feel like being around him would be far too stressful!"
"Exactly, exactly! I think Lord Rey is better. He's so sunny, so warm... just like, just like a first love..."
The more they chatted, the more animated they became, their laughter never stopping.
Suddenly, an icy voice sounded behind them.
"What are you talking about?"
The women turned to see Lingxiao approaching.
Her expression was cold. Clearly, she had heard something.
"Lady Lingxiao..."
They exchanged glances, but instead of showing any fear, they crowded around her and pulled her straight into their circle.
Clearly, they knew her quite well.
After all, Lingxiao was the strongest Soul Engineer on the Holy Spirit Continent.
And those selected to board the ship were themselves elite Soul Engineers chosen from the various research institutes.
They saw one another constantly and had long since become thoroughly acquainted.
Once they pulled her into the circle, they immediately lowered their voices, their eyes shining as they asked the question foremost in their minds.
"Oh, Sister Lingxiao, did you meet the legendary Holy Spirit God King?!"
"Is he an old man? They say His Venerable Majesty has lived for a hundred thousand years!"
Everyone was curious.
Lingxiao's slender brows shot up.
"Hold your tongues! Is the Holy Spirit God King someone you can gossip about?"
That was what she said.
But as she recalled the figure seated upon the Throne in the hall, a faint blush betrayed her.
Her voice also dropped, becoming almost a murmur.
"But... he really is quite handsome."
"He has a sort of youthful air..."
The women instantly erupted!
"I knew it!!"
"Sister Lingxiao, you're blushing as you say that! Aaaah!"
"Tell us, tell us! Just how handsome is he?"
Just then, a voice rang out abruptly.
"What are you talking about?"
The women all froze. Turning around, they saw Rey standing a short distance away, smiling. Who knew how long he had been listening?
"H-hello, Lord Rey!"
Without a second thought, the women darted behind Lingxiao one after another.
After all, who knew whether Lord Rey would get angry upon hearing something like this?
If he did, they would be done for...
Lingxiao: ...
You're scared, but you think I'm not?!
Still, Lingxiao stepped forward, forcing herself to remain calm.
"Lord Rey, it's nothing."
Rey waved a hand, his smile bright and easy.
"There's no need to call me lord. Just call me Rey. It feels awkward."
"By the way, how long until we reach our destination?"
Lingxiao paused.
"The Jingming we developed is very fast. We can reach the Douluo Continent in half a day."
"However, we'll pass Sea God Island along the way. We should reach its waters in about an hour."
Beside them, the Chaos Demon Lord, Soronson, walked over slowly, his eyes wreathed in black energy narrowing slightly.
"If I remember correctly,"
"Someone on Sea God Island mocked us and ran her mouth, didn't she?"
"What was her name... Bo Saixi?"
"And those small fry on the Douluo Continent used the fact that Sea God Island has a god as a shield to mock us, too?"
Rey nodded.
"Yes."
Soronson slowly curled his lips, a sinister smile spreading through the black mist.
"Very good."
"Fifty thousand years!"
"At last, I can stretch my limbs."
"I can hardly wait!"
Before you continue