"We worshipped the Sea God for so many years, but he never did a thing for us. Now all we're asking for is the Sea God's Abhorrence as repayment for the power of faith we gave him. That's not too much to ask, is it?"
Ran Laowu had not assumed human form, remaining a Giant Python some twenty-odd meters tall. His pitch-black body resembled a massive trunk of ebony, and his emotionless eyes looked down on the Sacred Pillar Guardian Douluos as though challenging them.
Shui Ling'er was comparatively composed. She had transformed into a slender young woman, a white kerchief wrapped around her head and a moon-white silk blouse fluttering in the wind, giving her a rather dashing, unrestrained air.
Her voice was simply too unusual, however, so she rarely spoke, lest things become awkward.
Jin Hai and Yin Zhang had both assumed human form, which gave them a somewhat more dignified appearance. To follow Ren Tao's example, E Laosi had also turned into a burly man. He trailed meekly behind Ren Tao, looking utterly deferential, as though whatever his big brother said was law.
The five soul beasts stood facing the five Sacred Pillar Douluos. As for Sea Witch, she had not come out, and no one knew what she was doing.
"Don't push your luck! Sea God Island is showing you courtesy, not fear!"
As the strongest of the Seven Sacred Pillars' Guardian Douluos, Sea Dragon Douluo naturally stood at the forefront. But he had never heard of hundred-thousand-year soul beasts coming to the island as a group. With no experience to draw on, he dared not speak too harshly, lest he bring about some irreversible consequence.
Above all, there was the unfathomable Evil Orca King among them. In all honesty, Sea Dragon Douluo did not believe he could defeat Ren Tao.
"Ah! I've never been to Sea God Island before. The scenery really is lovely!"
Jin Hai's thoughts tended to jump around. Gazing at Sea God Island's scenery, he suddenly felt refreshed and filled with the lofty conviction that the whole earth lay beneath his feet. "Big Sister, Big Brother, why don't we build a Sea Soul Island too? We could be neighbors with Sea God Island and share this boundless scenery. What do you think?"
Ren Tao chuckled without answering.
Shui Ling'er immediately nodded, however, giving Jin Hai an approving look. Clearly, she thought it was a good idea too.
"You... are you determined to make trouble for Sea God Island?"
Sea Illusion Douluo's gaze shifted eerily as he stared at Jin Hai, looking ready to strike at any moment.
"Who decided these waters belonged to you? They're the shared home of all sea soul beasts. If we want to claim a patch of land somewhere, do we need your Sea God's approval?"
Yin Zhang snorted. From the moment he arrived, he had disliked Sea Illusion Douluo's snide manner. Now the man even dared to snap at his longtime brother, instantly kindling his anger. "Come over here. Let's see what you've got!"
"Hey!"
Ren Tao moved, slipping soundlessly between Sea Illusion Douluo and Yin Zhang. "We didn't come here to fight. Everyone, cool down. What matters is getting the Sea God's Abhorrence. Once we have that, everything else can be laid to rest!"
"Hmph! I'm curious. When did you become the big brother of the Sea Soul Beast Alliance? Where are your little orca followers?"
An elegant voice rang out. The soul beasts saw a blur, and a red dot suddenly appeared, swelling several times over in the blink of an eye. It became Bo Saixi's figure, standing above the Sacred Pillar Guardian Douluos, poised gracefully in midair upon the wind.
"High Priest!"
Shui Ling'er's pupils contracted. Knowing this woman would be difficult to handle, she spoke for the first time and met Bo Saixi's gaze.
"Hmph!"
Bo Saixi gave a soft snort, but did not even look at Shui Ling'er, directing her gaze straight at Ren Tao instead.
"Come here. I have something to say to you!"
Ren Tao did not go over. Trying to sow discord between us? I'm not falling for that.
"What do you want with him? I'm the big sister here!"
Shui Ling'er refused to yield, displaying the commanding presence she had cultivated over years as their big sister. "Just tell us straight. What exactly do we have to do to obtain the 'Sea God's Abhorrence'?"
Her words carried a buzzing resonance, making the entire stretch of sea and the buildings on the mountain vibrate along with them. Surging echoes rang out, radiating an astonishing force.
Shui Ling'er had certainly not become the big sister of this group of hundred-thousand-year soul beasts for nothing.
"That isn't for me to decide. If the Sea God agrees, your wish will naturally be granted!"
Bo Saixi answered coldly, her face expressionless. At the same time, her hands clenched lightly within her sleeves. An invisible ripple spread like a gentle breeze across several hundred meters, instantly stilling the vibrations in the buildings and seawater.
So powerful!
Jin Hai and Yin Zhang exchanged a glance, both secretly marveling.
This woman's combat strength was so great that none of the soul beasts present could withstand her.
"In that case, I'll speak to you right here!"
Seeing that Ren Tao would not move, Bo Saixi showed no irritation whatsoever. She spoke leisurely, then suddenly, no one around her could hear her voice anymore!
She communicated with Ren Tao right in front of the Guardian Douluos and sea soul beasts. Unfortunately, none of the others could hear a word.
She looked utterly cold and aloof, but what she said to Ren Tao was entirely different.
"What do you gain by embarrassing me like this?"
"And Sea Witch-what did you do to her? Why has she been so distraught and silent since she came back? If anything happens to Sea Witch, I will never spare you!"
Ren Tao was baffled too. Why had Bo Saixi suddenly become so agreeable toward him? What was she up to?
"I really didn't do anything to Sea Witch, and I wasn't trying to embarrass you either. Just plant some abhorrence in us to prove we've broken away from the Sea God's faith, and that'll settle it. Is that so difficult?"
"Ah!"
Bo Saixi's eyes rippled with emotion. She exhaled softly, then suddenly changed her tone. "Here's some news for you. Sea God's Fourth Trial has been postponed for five years, and Tang San will only challenge you after becoming a Titled Douluo. He won't be troubling you anytime soon!"
What?
Ren Tao wondered whether he had misheard. It was not the content or truth of the news he doubted. Rather, why was Bo Saixi suddenly telling him something so important? What did she want?
"I'm telling you this because I hope you won't harass Tang San for the time being. He no longer poses a threat to you."
Bo Saixi made no attempt to conceal her intentions. She was telling Ren Tao this openly and aboveboard, so even the Sea God could find no fault with it. "Go to the Douluo Continent. The inheritances of the Angel God and Rakshasa God are there. Go and take a look. Perhaps you'll find an even greater opportunity!"
Is she trying to divert the flood of trouble elsewhere? Still, I was going there anyway, so it makes no difference. But Bo Saixi's next words left Ren Tao dumbfounded once again.
"Find Tang Chen for me while you're there. As long as you bring him to me alive, I will offer terms that satisfy you!"
She placed heavy emphasis on those last words, "terms that satisfy you," sounding utterly serious.
Ren Tao immediately met her eyes. "Terms... that satisfy me?"
"Yes. As long as you can do it, I will never go back on my word!" Bo Saixi nodded slowly and said gravely, "But if you dare deceive me, or kill Tang Chen, I will wipe out the Evil Spirit Orca Group!"
"Don't threaten me with the Evil Spirit Orca Group! If you do that, I'll tear down the Sea God Hall, crush Sea God Island underfoot, and make every Guardian Douluo join them in the grave!"
Ren Tao glared at her, then steadied his emotions and said slowly, "I accept your terms. Wait to welcome your lover home. He'll return safe and sound!"
"Good!"
A faint smile appeared on Bo Saixi's face.
For so many days, she had been torn by indecision, hesitation, guilt, and self-pity. Only today, after speaking these words aloud, did she finally feel a peace she had not known in a long time.
She also trusted Ren Tao. This Evil Orca King... no, this man possessed wisdom, resourcefulness, and a sense of responsibility that inspired heartfelt admiration. From his protection of the Evil Spirit Orca Group and his decision to spare Xiao Wu alone, Bo Saixi had concluded that he was not someone who would betray his word.
Ren Tao was actually rather pleased too. He had placed this piece on the board during his first visit to Sea God Island, and now it was yielding a return. He also believed Bo Saixi would keep her word.
Of course, he had ways to ensure she would not dare break it.
"But the Sea Soul Beast Alliance won't just leave at a word. They won't be satisfied until they get the Sea God's Abhorrence!"
Ren Tao hastened to make his stance clear. Don't think I'll speak on your behalf just because we've struck a deal.
"Do as you please!"
Bo Saixi cared even less. The greatest stone weighing on her heart had finally fallen away. As long as the Sea Soul Beast Alliance doesn't break into the Sea God Hall or tear down Sea God Island, I'll pretend I haven't seen a thing.
She lingered no longer. Her figure shot away like a projectile, vanishing in an instant. "Do not clash with the Sea Soul Beast Alliance!"
Those were her final instructions to the Sacred Pillar Guardian Douluos.
Sea Dragon Douluo, Sea Horse Douluo... the men exchanged bewildered looks, utterly unaware of what had happened.
Half a day later, torrential rain suddenly poured down over Sea God Island.
Peals of muffled thunder sounded like furious roars. Winds raced and clouds scattered in alarm, lightning flashing as though a deity had unleashed his thunderous wrath.
For at that moment, the members of the Sea Soul Beast Alliance were gathered along the outskirts of Sea God Island, collectively denouncing the Sea God.
"Liar!"
"Blowhard!"
"Where's the reward you promised us? What have you done with all the power of faith you plundered from us? Why did you watch your soul beasts suffer extermination and endless abuse at human hands... Where were you when disaster struck? Is this how you protect the ocean?"
"I'd rather worship a Sea Rat than believe in you, you old bas-old bachelor!"
The hundred-thousand-year sea soul beasts were fired up and filled with righteous indignation, their booming voices carrying across more than half of Sea God Island.
At last, golden light erupted above the Sea God Hall, splitting into five streams that descended onto the heads of Shui Ling'er and the others.
As for Ren Tao, until the Sea God could kill him in a single blow, he could no longer be bothered to deal with him.
The Sea God Island storyline has reached a temporary stopping point. Because of Douluo's "tight timeline," some matters on the continent have to be addressed now. But we'll be back soon. After all, the matter of the "Sea God Inheritance" isn't over yet.
Besides, the continent's storyline has even more to offer, with familiar characters making their appearances one after another.
Then Bibi Dong, Sword Douluo, and even Qian Daoliu will have their parts to play, bringing excitement different from the original!
Before you continue