However, it hadn't finished speaking—
"So noisy!"
A cold, majestic female voice, carrying an unquestionable dragon's might, suddenly resounded in Xuan Ming's Sea of Consciousness like Far North wind!
The next moment, the enormous spiritual body of the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm seemed to be grabbed by an invisible giant hand and forcibly stuffed into a "small room" constructed of extreme ice laws deep within the Sea of Consciousness, its sound instantly cut off.
"Big Sister Ice Dragon King! I was wrong! Let me out!" Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's cries were completely blocked.
Xuan Ming felt somewhat helpless.
The Ice Dragon King may sometimes appear playful or even willful in front of him, but when facing outsiders, her majesty and domineering nature as the first Dragon King never diminishes in the slightest.
Clearly, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's "enthusiasm" annoyed her.
Xuan Ming stood up, stretched his body, and felt the vast and stable Divine Power within him, as well as the new power brought by the platinum Million-Year Soul Ring.
"Awake?" Gu Yuena's voice came; she had been keeping watch by her side.
"Hmm." Xuan Ming nodded. "We've been delayed for three days; it's time to move on to the next step."
Just then, the Snow Empress and the Ice Empress walked over slowly.
The Snow Empress still maintained her noble and aloof demeanor, but a complex scrutiny appeared in her eyes.
Ice Empress followed behind her, their emerald green eyes filled with wariness and a hint of barely perceptible curiosity.
"My lord," the Snow Empress nodded slightly, her ethereal voice ringing out, "Regarding your previous suggestion... we have discussed it."
Gu Yuena and Xuan Ming both looked at her.
The Snow Empress paused, then continued, "Please forgive us for not being able to make a decision immediately. The matter of the Sacrifice concerns everything for us, even the future of the Far North. We need... to see it with our own eyes."
Her gaze fell upon Xuan Ming, carrying the pride and scrutiny of a queen of the Far North: "We need to confirm whether he is truly worthy of our entrustment, worthy of the Far North's following. If he is not a worthy master, even if we perish under the Heavenly Tribulation, we will not choose to linger on in vain."
Ice Empress nodded vigorously, indicating that this was a joint decision.
Their understanding of humanity is indeed very poor. Although Di Tian has told them some things about Xuan Ming during this time, hearing it is not enough.
They cannot easily make a decision to stake their lives on a human they have only recently met.
Gu Yuena wasn't surprised by this; she simply nodded calmly, "Alright. Then come with us. Let's witness his path firsthand."
As Ferocious Beast overlord who has lived for hundreds of thousands of years, she possesses her own pride and judgment, and it is impossible for her to easily hand over everything based solely on her words and the partial potential shown by Xuan Ming.
Xuan Ming had no objection to this. He hadn't insisted on it in the first place.
Seeing this, the Snow Empress no longer hesitated and turned to the Titan Snow Demon King, who resembled a small snow mountain not far away, and instructed him, " A-Tai, the Ice Empress and I will be leaving with the Lord and the others for a while. The Far North be under your temporary control."
The Titan Snow Demon King let out a low growl, indicating his obedience.
After the arrangements were made, Snow Empress and Ice Empress stood behind Gu Yuena, indicating their attitude of temporarily accompanying her and observing from the sidelines.
Gu Yuena looked at Xuan Ming, Xuan Ming nodded slightly.
The next moment, the group transformed into several streaks of light, leaving this Ice Seal world and speeding towards the vast ocean.
Chapter 328 Reunion with the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King
The next morning, above the vast and boundless ocean.
Xuan Ming, Gu Yuena, Di Tian, Snow Empress, Ice Empress, and several Ferocious Beast were temporarily traveling with them floated in the sky.
Below lay the deep blue sea, but the waters ahead exuded a chilling sense of oppression; the sea itself was a deeper color, as if concealing immense danger.
" The Demon Whale Sea Area is just ahead." Di Tian's deep voice rang out, his golden dragon eyes gazing at the deep sea with a hint of emotion. "Thirty thousand years ago, I traveled here. At that time, this Demon Whale was only five hundred thousand years old. Although it was already ferocious, it was far from being a threat. I never imagined that by devouring its own kind and other Sea Soul Beast, its cultivation had advanced to such a level. In terms of age alone, it is probably even above mine."
His tone carried a hint of complexity.
The existence of the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King is to marine Life what the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger on land is—a calamity that disrupts the balance.
In the past, Di Tian fought against it, intending to warn it to restrain itself, but the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King was extremely cunning. Once it was defeated, it would escape into the deep sea, leaving even Di Tian helpless.
Later, due to the need to Star Dou Great Forest, and the rise of the Sea God Poseidon who ruled the ocean and established order, Di Tian never set foot in this place again.
"The ocean has indeed become much calmer since the appearance of the Sea God," Di Tian added. "But this old demonic whale, relying on its profound cultivation and extremely well-hidden nature, is probably one that even Poseidon couldn't completely eliminate."
He turned to Xuan Ming and Gu Yuena and offered his advice. "My lord, Xuan Ming, although this demonic whale is ferocious and grows by devouring, it has cultivated for hundreds of thousands of years and has already developed intelligence."
Is it possible to try communicating first?
If it could willingly Sacrifice like Tian Meng, perhaps some effort could be saved, and most of its intelligence could be preserved, making future resurrection not impossible.
Gu Yuena looked at Xuan Ming, Xuan Ming for a moment and then nodded.
Ideally, the victory should be achieved without bloodshed.
What he needs are Soul Ring and Soul Bone, not necessarily killing.
"Go," Gu Yuena replied coolly.
Seeing this, Di Tian said no more.
Dark Soul Power surged around him, transforming into a streak of black light that shot straight into the unfathomable depths of the sea like a sharp sword. His powerful dragon might spread out without any concealment, pointing directly at the hiding place of the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King.
" The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King... will he agree?" Zi JI was very doubtful.
Her clan, the Abyssal Demon Dragon Clan, had also dealt with the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King in the past.
That old whale had a terrible temper.
The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King did not attack the Abyssal Demon Dragon Clan simply because he feared the existence of Di Tian.
"Definitely not," Xuan Ming said.
"If it were someone else, there might be a sliver of a chance, but for me... it's absolutely impossible."
Zi JI was taken aback. "Why? Do you have a grudge against him?"
"I wouldn't call it a feud. I was attacked by him when I went to Sea God Island before," Xuan Ming said.
"I fought him head-on, but I lost. Then the Sea God's Divine Sense manifested, scaring away the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King."
" The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King has a grudge against the Sea God, and now I'm connected to the Sea God... This guy..."
Rumble--!!!
A colossal wave suddenly surged up without warning, as if a giant creature had overturned on the seabed! A terrifying pressure, violent, ferocious, and filled with Destruction energy, rose from the depths of the sea, instantly engulfing the entire area!
" Di Tian! You so-called Beast God, why aren't you hiding in your Star Dou Great Forest? What are you doing here on my territory?!" A deep, thunderous roar, filled with earth-shattering rage, came from the seabed like a tsunami, shaking the surface of the ocean.
Immediately afterwards, two enormous figures burst out of the deep sea, sending up Skywater!
It was Di Tian and the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King!
Di Tian hovered in mid-air, his face grim. Opposite him stood the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King, a massive creature as large as a mountain, its deep purple skin covered with ancient scars. Its enormous single eye was now filled with rage and mockery as it stared intently at Di Tian.
"Demon Whale, cease your arrogance!" Di Tian, "I've come to show you a clear path. Your growth through devouring makes the Heavenly Tribulation extremely difficult; perhaps..."
"Bullshit!" The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King rudely interrupted him, his single eye sweeping over Xuan Ming and the others in the sky. Especially after sensing Gu Yuena's aura that made his heart tremble and the strange feeling on Xuan Ming's body that was a mixture of dragon might and killing intent, he let out a disdainful sneer, " Di Tian! I thought you were something special! So you've just brought your master here to beg for money? What, you're not satisfied with being someone's dog yourself, you want to drag me down with you?!"
Its enormous single eye stared intently at Di Tian, its mockery intensifying. "You call yourself the God of Beasts, and what have you done? You grovel before a mere human brat, even trying to persuade me to Sacrifice? What a ridiculous farce! You might as well give me your title of Beast God!"
"You're courting death!" Di Tian was utterly enraged! As the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King and the ruler of the Star Dou Great Forest, when had he ever suffered such humiliation? Especially in front of his lord and so many Ferocious Beast!
boom--!
A terrifying surge of dark Soul Power erupted from Di Tian's body like a volcano, instantly darkening the sky!
Without further ado, he revealed part of the Black Dragon's true form. A giant claw covered in Black Dragon tore through space, carrying a Destruction wave, and slammed down fiercely towards the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King!
"Afraid of you?!" The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King roared, its massive body stirring up the vast ocean. The endless seawater was stirred up by it, turning into huge water tornadoes. At the same time, its whale tail, containing terrifying energy, swept out like a mountain, meeting Di Tian's dragon claws!
In an instant, the two top-tier Soul Beast overlords of the era clashed fiercely in the sky above the Demon Whale Sea Area!
boom--!!!
A deafening roar, as if the heavens and earth were collapsing, resounded! An energy storm instantly swept outwards, blasting a huge crater into the sea below, and evaporating and annihilating countless seawater droplets!
Di Tian unleashed a furious attack, its power unparalleled. However, the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King, with its profound cultivation and advantageous terrain, managed to withstand the attack through the power of the boundless ocean!
The two clashed fiercely, their roars and howls shaking the heavens and the earth. The terrifying energy fluctuations caused the Snow Empress and Ice Empress in the distance to look solemn.
Xuan Ming watched the earth-shattering battle quietly, his eyes calm.
The communication failure was within his expectations.
Would a ferocious and domineering being like the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King willingly offer itself Sacrifice?
"It seems the negotiations have broken down." A cold glint flashed in Xuan Ming's icy blue eyes, and the Blood Spear silently appeared in his hand.
If communication fails, then the only option left is... military conquest!
"Given your current state, forcibly absorbing the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King's Soul Ring would likely take more than a year," Gu Yuena, pulling Xuan Ming.
Xuan Ming was silent for a moment, then asked, " Zi JI, does the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King have a family?"
Taken aback by the sudden question, Zi JI instinctively shook her head. "I don't know... The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King is elusive and extremely well-hidden; there's very little accurate information about its kind. However..."
She paused, as if recalling something. "According to the ancient records of our Abyssal Demon Dragon Clan, the Deep Sea Demon Whale, a top-tier Soul Beast, doesn't seem to live alone. Although they are extremely rare, they seem... to exist in groups. The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King, as the king of the group, likely has a mate and even offspring."
"Go down and take a look," Xuan Ming said. "While Di Tian is engaged with it, sneak into the depths of its lair and investigate. If there's an opportunity... capture its family, especially the baby whales, and bring them up."
As soon as Xuan Ming finished speaking, the air seemed to freeze instantly.
Controlling family members, especially calves?
This... this is simply...
Zi JI was startled, her purple eyes filled with disbelief and astonishment. She almost thought she had misheard.
The Xuan Ming she knew, though cold and ruthless, always acted directly, even with an almost obsessive pride, and never bothered to use such... insidious methods.
The reactions of the Snow Empress and the Ice Empress were even more intense.
The Snow Empress's usually noble and indifferent face was instantly covered with a layer of frost, and for the first time, her ethereal eyes revealed undisguised disgust and contempt for Xuan Ming!
Her aura suddenly turned icy cold, as if even the air itself was about to freeze!
"You—!" Ice Empress gasped, her emerald eyes filled with shock, rage, and contempt. She stared intently at Xuan Ming, as if seeing him for the first time. "You actually dared to use such despicable means?! Kidnapping a child and forcing him?! You... you are simply..."
She was so angry that she trembled all over, and could barely speak the rest of her words, only feeling a chill rise from the bottom of her heart.
Previously, Xuan Ming's initiation of the Heavenly Tribulation to force Sky Dream Ice Silkworm could be seen as an attempt to help it break through. Although risky, it ultimately gave the opponent a glimmer of hope.
Although they were shocked by his madness, they could still understand it.
But now, he actually wants to harm the cub of the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King?!
This has completely crossed their line! It's an utterly despicable and contemptible act!
As expected! Humans are indeed a race that will stop at nothing!
In an instant, the slight shock and apprehension that Xuan Ming had just felt from his control of the Far North was instantly overwhelmed by this intense disgust and contempt!
This even made them feel that Gu Yuena's previous proposal of " Sacrifice " was now utterly absurd and repulsive!
Entrusting the future of the Far North to someone capable of such methods? Absolutely not!
Bi Ji frowned slightly, clearly surprised and uneasy about Xuan Ming's suggestion, but she did not immediately object. Instead, she looked at Xuan Ming and Gu Yuena with a complicated expression.
Despite the piercingly cold and disdainful gazes of the Snow Empress and the Ice Empress, and the astonished look in Zi JI's eyes, Xuan Ming's expression remained unchanged.
He didn't look at the Snow Empress and the Ice Empress, but calmly fixed his gaze on Zi JI again, his tone leaving no room for argument:
"Let's go down and take a look."
His voice was soft, yet carried a chilling indifference.
"If I can't find it, I'll go down myself."
These words caused the Snow Empress and Ice Empress's expressions to change drastically.
He not only came up with this idea, but he even plans to do it himself?!
Chapter 329 The Choice of the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King
Zi JI looked into Xuan Ming's unfathomable, emotionless eyes, then glanced at the pale-faced Snow Empress and Ice Empress, before finally turning her gaze to Gu Yuena. Seeing Gu Yuena nod slightly, she gritted her teeth and said, "... Yes!"
With that, she blurred into a dark purple shadow, silently disappearing into the surging seawater below. Avoiding the center of the battle between Di Tian and the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King, she swam towards the possible location of the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King's lair.