"You..." Ice Empress's chest heaved with anger, and she was about to say something when Snow Empress raised her hand to stop her.
The Snow Empress stared coldly at Xuan Ming, her ethereal voice carrying a chilling edge. " Xuan Ming, we demand an explanation. If you are truly such an unscrupulous person, then the Far North will not comply. Even if Heavenly Tribulation were to strike, we would not side with you."
Their pride made it impossible for them to accept this style of behavior.
The atmosphere at the scene suddenly became extremely stiff and cold.
The Snow Empress and the Ice Empress exuded an aura of coldness that kept strangers at bay, their faces icy, clearly regarding Xuan Ming as a despicable scoundrel.
A barely perceptible ripple flashed in Gu Yuena's silver-purple eyes, but she said nothing, simply watching the earth-shattering battle between Di Tian and the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King below, as if she had tacitly approved of Xuan Ming's decision.
Xuan Ming remained silent, the Blood Spear in his hand radiating a chilling aura. He gazed at the battlefield, seemingly assessing the situation, or perhaps awaiting news from Zi JI.
His profile was cold and hard, revealing no emotion.
Time slipped away slowly in a suffocating silence.
The battle below intensified, with Di Tian and the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King fighting with all their might. Every collision seemed to tear the sky apart and dry up the ocean!
The hearts of the Snow Empress and the Ice Empress sank. They both hoped that Zi JI wouldn't be found, lest her despicable plan succeed, and they also secretly worried that if she wasn't found, Xuan Ming would really dive into the deep sea himself...
Given the terrifying control he just demonstrated over ice, he might actually succeed in this deep ocean...
In this complex and oppressive wait--
Sudden!
The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King's ferocious attack suddenly halted! Its enormous single eye abruptly contracted, and it abruptly turned its head to look towards the depths of its lair, letting out a roar mixed with shock, anger, panic, and disbelief!
"No--!!! Di Tian! You dare--!!!"
It went completely mad, no longer caring about fighting with Di Tian. Its massive body desperately tried to break free and rushed into the deep sea!
Just as the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King was shaken by the disturbance in its nest and its attack suddenly slowed down, Xuan Ming made his move!
The Ice and Fire Divine Crown on his forehead shone brightly, and an invisible yet vast and powerful Divine Power, mixed with a strange spatial confinement force, instantly enveloped the massive body of the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King like an invisible shackle!
The Cosmic Mind-Fixing Shroud!
Under the full force of Xuan Ming's Half-Step Divine Consciousness level Divine Power, this powerful control skill originating from the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud displayed terrifying power!
Even the mighty Deep Sea Demonic Whale King felt as if the space around him had turned into solidified amber, making his movements incredibly sluggish and greatly suppressing the circulation of his immense Soul Power!
"Roar--!!!" The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King roared in shock and anger, struggling desperately, but the invisible restraints were incredibly strong, and it was difficult to break free in a short time!
At that very moment, whoosh!
The sea not far away split open, Zi JI's figure soared into the sky!
In her hands, she carefully restrained a small whale, about seven or eight meters long, with a crystal-clear pale blue body. It looked very young and weak, and was constantly whimpering in fear! The little whale's aura was weak, and its cultivation level was obviously less than ten thousand years.
This is the cub of the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King! It was hidden in the deepest part of its nest. If it weren't for Zi JI being the Hell Demon Dragon King, with an extremely keen sense of energy and a talent for stealth, it would have been very difficult to find it!
"My child! My child!" When the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King saw its cub captured, its single eye instantly filled with bloodshot veins, and it let out a heart-wrenching roar, struggling even more frantically, causing the surrounding sea to boil with its power!
When the Snow Empress and Ice Empress saw the young demonic whale, a hint of pity flashed in their eyes, but they still looked coldly at Xuan Ming, wanting to see what he would do next.
Xuan Ming slowly stepped forward, hovering in front of the imprisoned Deep Sea Demonic Whale King, his gaze calmly fixed on its single eye filled with rage and despair.
" Deep Sea Demonic Whale King," Xuan Ming's voice clearly reached the other party's ears, devoid of any emotion, "There's no need to be so agitated. Capturing your offspring is not for the purpose of torture or coercion."
The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King stared intently at him, roaring, "Human! Release my child! Or I will fight you to the death!"
Ignoring its threat, Xuan Ming continued, "I simply want to create an opportunity for us to talk calmly. If you are willing to Sacrifice yourself to help me increase my strength, I can guarantee that I will take good care of your cubs after your Sacrifice and promise to do my best to resurrect you when I become a god. As for your wife, I can spare her as long as she does not actively oppose me. This matter can then be resolved amicably."
" Sacrifice? Dream on!" roared the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King.
"If you are unwilling," Xuan Ming's tone remained calm, yet carried a chilling undertone, "I will not use your child to threaten you. That method is far too crude."
Upon hearing this, not only was the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King taken aback, but even the Snow Empress and Ice Empress, whose faces were icy cold in the distance, frowned slightly and looked at Xuan Ming with some surprise.
He wouldn't use the cubs as a threat? Then what's the point of capturing them?
Xuan Ming's gaze swept over the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King, and he continued, "I will release you and fight you fairly. Although with my current strength, I may not be your match in a head-on confrontation... I am absolutely confident that I can kill you."
He raised his hand, and a wisp of blue lightning flashed from his fingertip—a lightning bolt that sent chills down the spines of all the powerful figures present! Within that lightning lay a terrifying aura of divine judgment and the Destruction of all things!
The power of Heavenly Tribulation!
"Your cultivation is just a hair's breadth away from a million-year tribulation." Xuan Ming said slowly, looking at the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King's suddenly contracting pupils. "If I were here, and forcibly triggered your Million-Year Heavenly Tribulation... do you think you could withstand it?"
For the first time, an undisguised fear appeared in the single eye of the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King! It knew better than anyone the terror of the Heavenly Tribulation!
Given its growth through devouring and its less-than-stable foundation, it would almost certainly perish in the Million-Year Heavenly Tribulation!
"And I," Xuan Ming's voice was like a devil's whisper, "Can intervene and save you when the Heavenly Tribulation has reduced you to your last breath. At that time, you will still be unable to escape the fate of becoming my Soul Ring Soul Bone."
"However, once that point is reached, the blood feud will be completely sealed. I don't like to leave any future troubles." Xuan Ming's gaze swept over the trembling baby whale and the deep seabed.
"To prevent your future wife from seeking revenge, and to prevent your child from growing up and becoming my enemy... I will find your wife, kill her as well, and seize her Soul Ring and Soul Bone. As for your only child..."
Xuan Ming didn't say anything more, but the chilling killing intent he exuded said it all.
"Now, the choice is yours," Xuan Ming said finally. "Will you voluntarily Sacrifice, preserving a sliver of life and your family's bloodline, gambling on a future hope? Or will you force me to trigger Heavenly Tribulation, sending your entire family to the Yellow Springs together?"
After saying that, Xuan Ming fell silent, simply gazing at it calmly.
The power of the Cosmic Mind-Fixing Shroud still enveloped it, but the deadly oppressive feeling seemed to have lessened somewhat, as if giving it space to think.
The scene was deathly silent.
The Snow Empress and the Ice Empress were completely stunned. They looked at Xuan Ming, and the disdain and anger in their eyes were gradually replaced by an indescribable shock.
They finally understood Xuan Ming's intentions!
He captured the cub not to use it to threaten the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King into submission! That was merely a means, not an end!
His real goal was to force the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King to reveal itself, briefly control it, and then... give it a choice!
A choice that seems like a option, but in reality, there's no way out!
Voluntary Sacrifice offers a glimmer of hope and a future.
Refusal? That would mean utter Destruction! And the most brutal Destruction, brought about by the Heavenly Tribulation he himself had triggered! There wouldn't even be a sliver of hope left!
This is more domineering, more unquestionable, and more... chilling than directly threatening someone with cubs!
He wasn't negotiating; he was delivering a verdict! He was just giving the other party a "dignified" way to accept the verdict!
The massive body of the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King trembled slightly, its single eye filled with endless struggle, rage, resentment, fear... and a deep sense of despair.
It had no doubt that Xuan Ming was capable of triggering Heavenly Tribulation! The mysterious power that had just imprisoned it, and the unfathomable aura emanating from this human, both proved this point!
Sacrifice? To hand over hundreds of thousands of years of arduous cultivation and freedom to others? How could it be willing to do that!
Refuse? Under the Heavenly Tribulation, there is no chance of survival! Moreover, it will lead to the annihilation of your wife, children, and entire clan!
This is a desperate choice.
Time seemed to stand still.
Finally, after endless struggle and pain, the enormous head of the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King, as if having exhausted all its strength, slowly and laboriously lowered...
A mournful wail, filled with endless sorrow, humiliation, and despair, echoed across the entire sea;
"Human... you have won... I... Sacrifice!"
Chapter 330 Let's fight first
As soon as the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King finished uttering the words " Sacrifice," filled with humiliation and despair, Xuan Ming didn't hesitate at all and nodded slightly to Zi JI.
Zi JI understood. Although she was still intimidated by Xuan Ming's methods, she immediately released the restraints on the pale blue little demonic whale.
The little whale, now free, let out a terrified whimper and instinctively fled behind the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King to hide.
"Child!" The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King's single eye flashed with disbelief upon seeing its cub released. It glared at Xuan Ming, its voice hoarse and low, "You... you just let it go like that? Aren't you afraid I'll change my mind?!"
It originally thought that the other party would keep a tight grip on its child until it completed the Sacrifice, and might not even let go!
Xuan Ming hovered in place, his icy blue eyes calm and undisturbed.
"Change your mind? You can try."
Even if you change your mind now and fight me to the death, or even by chance defeat me or escape, do you think you, a minor, can survive in this cruel ocean after you die?
Xuan Ming's gaze swept over the terrified little demon whale:
"You have dominated the seas for hundreds of thousands of years, growing stronger by devouring others. How many enemies have you made? In the past, they feared your power and dared not speak out against you. Once the news of your death spreads, how will those sea Soul Beast, who were oppressed and devoured by you and your clan, treat you, their only offspring?"
The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King's single eye contracted violently, and its massive body trembled slightly.
It knew better than anyone that every word Xuan Ming said was true!
Its existence is a deterrent.
If it dies, its people and its descendants will surely face annihilation!
Those enemies lurking in the deep sea will swarm in like sharks smelling blood!
Xuan Ming continued, his tone still calm. "As for your wife... if she senses your death, she will surely rush back from her hiding place at all costs to save your child. At that time, I won't even need to go to the trouble of searching for her."
He paused, looking at the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King's single eye, which had completely lost its luster.
"So, whether I let you go or not makes no difference to me. Going back on my word will only make your whole family die faster and more tragically."
"Now," Xuan Ming's voice carried the weight of an ultimatum, "Make the choice you truly won't regret. Will you fulfill your promise, Sacrifice to me, and gamble your family's future? Or will you choose... to let hatred and Destruction descend upon us immediately?"
The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King was completely paralyzed, its last thought of resistance utterly crushed by the cruel reality.
Its massive head hung limply on the sea, letting out a long and mournful sigh, a sigh filled with endless weariness and resignation.
"Humans... you... are ruthless..."
It no longer had the strength to be angry.
This human... is terrifying. He not only possesses terrifying power and bizarre methods, but also a cold-blooded mind that can see into people's hearts and control the whole situation!
He wasn't afraid of going back on his word, because he had already calculated all the consequences! He... had no choice at all.
Snow Empress and Ice Empress hovered behind Gu Yuena, taking in everything that had just happened.
They watched Xuan Ming's profile, so calm it was almost indifferent, watched him release the baby whale so casually, watched him utter the most cruel words in the most nonchalant tone, completely shattering the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King's last psychological defenses...
The shock and complexity in the two women's eyes intensified.
They suddenly realized that their previous judgment of Xuan Ming as "despicable" seemed to be somewhat one-sided.
He is not simply despicable or unscrupulous.
He is... absolutely rational and ruthless!
All his actions are based on the logic of achieving his goals in the most efficient way.
Capturing the cubs is to create an opportunity for negotiation; releasing the cubs is to reduce unnecessary trouble and potential backlash; and stating the consequences is to completely eliminate the possibility of the other party reneging.
He had no superfluous emotions, no cruel penchant for torture, and no hypocritical kindness.
Only precise calculations and ruthless execution are required.
This near-absolute control and precise strikes at people's hearts, more than mere brute force, sent a chill down the spines of the Snow Empress and Ice Empress, who were accustomed to straightforwardness and the supremacy of strength.
However, they also had to admit that this method was... frighteningly efficient.
The giant, one-eyed Deep Sea Demonic Whale King took one last, deep look at the trembling cub hiding behind it, its eyes filled with reluctance and sorrow.
It knew this was the final farewell.
The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King raised his head, his gaze passing over Xuan Ming and landing on Di Tian. His voice was hoarse and heavy. " Di Tian... I can Sacrifice... but I do not trust this human! I demand that you swear in the name of your Beast God! To the best of your ability, ensure my child grows up safely! Otherwise... I would rather die a thousand deaths than let him succeed!"
It didn't believe Xuan Ming's promise, but it knew that Di Tian, as Beast God, valued promises and dignity extremely.
This is the last, and perhaps only, insurance it can secure for the child.
Di Tian's golden dragon eyes stared at the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King, then glanced at the expressionless Xuan Ming, and remained silent for a moment.
He understood the despair and resentment of the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King.
Finally, he nodded slowly, his voice low and solemn. "Very well. I, Di Tian, swear in the name of the Beast God that after your Sacrifice, as long as I remain in this world, I will do my utmost to protect your offspring, ensuring they are not bullied or slaughtered, until they possess the power to defend themselves."
Having received Di Tian's promise, the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King seemed to have finally unloaded its last burden. Its massive body relaxed, and a hint of relief flashed in its single eye.
It gently touched the cub with its nose one last time, letting out a low, soothing whimper, before resolutely turning to Xuan Ming, the deep purple Sacrifice flames beginning to rise once more.
However, just as the Sacrifice was about to officially begin, Xuan Ming suddenly spoke: