At the Sea God Mountain.
Bibi Dong had just fully absorbed the energy of the Deep Sea Crystal and was feeling a qualitative leap in her body's resilience. She was preparing to absorb the second God-Given Soul Ring.
Suddenly, she sensed something and looked up, only to see Xuan Ming return, carrying in his hands... a gigantic, Ice Seal Evil Orca King?!
Bibi Dong's purple eyes widened instantly.
How long has it been? And they've already captured a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast alive?! And in such a way that it offered absolutely no resistance?!
Xuan Ming gently placed the ice sculpture of the Evil Orca King on the ground Bibi Dong, "Its Soul Ring and Soul Bone are yours. Once you've absorbed the God-Given Soul Ring and are in peak condition, then you can deal with it."
Looking at the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast ice sculpture Bibi Dong her, which exuded a fierce aura but was completely Ice Seal, and feeling the increased resilience within her body due to the Deep Sea Crystal, as well as the two powerful God-Given Soul Ring before her, Bibi Dong felt extremely complicated.
"Does this count as me living off your money?" Bibi Dong asked strangely.
Xuan Ming was slightly taken aback. "We don't need to say things like that, do we?"
"We..." Bibi Dong's eyes held a complex expression.
She really didn't know how to describe their relationship; she couldn't bear to let go, but she also couldn't cross that line.
Xuan Ming looked at the complex and unfathomable struggle in Bibi Dong's eyes, and at her hesitant expression. The dam of "reason" and "escape" that he had built in his heart for so long collapsed at this moment.
He understands everything.
I understand Bibi Dong's resentment and reluctance, yet she is unable to approach him openly due to past events.
I also realize that all along, I have been using "giving choices" and "not wanting to be bound" as excuses to avoid facing this heavy and complicated emotion and to avoid bearing the possible consequences and responsibilities.
He always felt he wasn't strong enough to offer a definite future or handle this complicated and messy relationship.
But now, he doesn't want to run away anymore.
Call him a scoundrel or a shameless scoundrel, he accepts it!
Under Bibi Dong's astonished gaze, Xuan Ming stepped forward without hesitation, cupped her cheeks in his hands, lowered his head, and kissed her deeply.
Xuan Ming's kiss came suddenly, yet it carried an undeniable firmness.
Bibi Dong was completely stunned, her mind blank. She could clearly feel the warm touch on her lips, and the familiar yet reassuring aura emanating from Xuan Ming.
This is unlike any other time.
The first time in the secret chamber, Xuan Ming's consciousness was clouded; in the subsequent times, it was more of a stubborn insistence on her own way. But at this moment, Xuan Ming's eyes were clear, her actions were proactive, and there was no hesitation whatsoever.
He no longer responded to her approach with silence and forbearance as he had in the past, and his actions, which seemed to offer a choice but actually pushed away the power of decision-making.
It was no longer escapism, no longer ambiguity, but a clear declaration of his choice, his... greed.
A surge of indescribable bittersweet emotion welled up inside Bibi Dong her body to tremble slightly and her eyes to involuntarily well up with tears. She instinctively tried to push him away, but her arms were weak and powerless. In the end, her raised hand slowly fell, turning into a gentle grip on his collar.
The kiss lasted a long time, until both of them were a little out of breath. Xuan Ming slowly pulled away a little, his forehead pressed against hers, his icy blue eyes as deep as the sea, clearly reflecting Bibi Dong's somewhat hazy purple eyes.
"I was wrong before," his voice was low and steady. "I thought that not responding, not making promises, meant giving you the freedom to choose. But now I understand, that was just me running away."
He raised his hand and gently stroked Bibi Dong's cheek, his gesture filled with unprecedented tenderness and certainty.
"I'm greedy. I can't bear to let go, whether it's you, Nana, or anyone else I care about." His words were blunt to the point of shamelessness, yet his eyes were open and earnest. "I don't want to pretend to be magnanimous anymore, and I don't want you to suffer because of my avoidance."
"If you feel disgusted, if you can't accept it, you can push me away now. But if you... still have even a little bit of reluctance..."
He didn't say anything more, but just looked at her intently, waiting for her response.
Bibi Dong's heart pounded violently, as if it would burst out of her chest. She looked at the face so close to hers, at those eyes that no longer avoided her gaze and clearly reflected her image. Past grudges, schemes, resentment, struggles... surged into her heart like a tide, but strangely, they began to subside when she touched his undisguised honesty.
She suddenly realized that what she had been waiting for all along was this unreasonable and domineering "I just want it," rather than the "reason" and "choice" that seemed to be for her benefit but actually pushed her away.
She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she opened them again, her purple eyes held a complex yet clear sense of relief.
" Xuan Ming..." she whispered, her voice trembling slightly, "You're such a... bastard."
After saying that, instead of pushing him away, she tilted her head back and kissed him again with a force that was both vengeful and cathartic.
This time, it was no longer a one-sided demand or coercion, but a responsive, lingering kiss that seemed to melt away all the repression and struggle of the past.
The barrier between Xuan Ming and Bibi Dong seemed to completely melt away with that kiss.
Bibi Dong said no more, closed her eyes again, but her state of mind was completely different from before, clear and calm. She began to guide the power of the Sea God God-Given Soul Ring, and the golden halo enveloped her, the absorption process was exceptionally smooth.
Not far away, Gu Yuena's figure quietly disappeared behind a tree, her silver-purple eyes calmly watching everything that had just happened.
She saw that kiss, and she saw Xuan Ming's unwavering resolve to finally stop running away.
For her, Xuan Ming making a clear choice was far more important than getting bogged down in formalities. The ambiguous, elusive relationship was what hurt everyone the most.
Since you can't let go, then hold on tight and share the consequences.
This is a matter of mutual consent; no one needs to bear full responsibility, nor should anyone feel indebted.
She didn't show herself to disturb them; she simply watched quietly for a while before leaving.
She understood his choice and accepted the outcome. The rest, she left to time.
Time flies by, and a month has passed in the blink of an eye.
Over the past month, energy fluctuations have been constant Sea God Mountain.
Bibi Dong spent seven whole days trying to break through the Seventh Soul Ring of the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor. With the increased resilience brought by the Deep Sea Crystal and the support of the God-Given Soul Ring borrowed from Xuan Ming, she finally fixed the Seventh Soul Ring of the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor at a terrifying age of 400,000 years, and her Martial Soul Avatar received an extreme boost.
Subsequently, she absorbed the Evil Orca King's Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring and Soul Bone in just a few days, and her strength soared once again.
Finally, she spent nearly half a month focusing all her efforts on breaking through to the Ninth Soul Ring of the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor. With her extremely solid foundation and powerful Divine Power, she managed to push the age of this second God-Given Soul Ring to an astonishing 700,000 years!
At this point, Bibi Dong had collected all the Soul Ring of her Twin Martial Souls, completed her Soul Bone set, and her mutated Divine Slaughter's Domain had gained even greater power. Her condition had been adjusted to an unprecedented peak.
The time has come to set off for the Slaughter City.
Before setting off, Xuan Ming thought of something.
Tang Chen.
That once invincible land-based Clear Sky Douluo, now fallen into the King of Slaughter. They've gone to seize the Asura Divine Power within him, and as a result, Tang Chen will undoubtedly die.
And Bo Saixi... the high priestess of Sea God Island Sea God Island who waited for Tang Chen for decades.
Since he arrived at Sea God Island, Bo Saixi had taken care of him in every way, even going beyond her duties as high priestess in many ways. Although he didn't quite understand why Bo Saixi did this, he remembered her kindness.
Now, he's going to kill the man she's waited for half her life... Logically and emotionally, it seems he should tell her the truth.
Even if she hates him because of this and seeks revenge, that is her right.
With this in mind, Xuan Ming climbed Sea God Mountain alone once more, heading towards the magnificent Sea God Hall.
Chapter 356 Only Whether You Can or Can't
Bo Saixi seemed to sense his arrival, and stood quietly in front of the palace, her sea-blue eyes calmly looking at him with a hint of inquiry.
Just as Xuan Ming was about to speak, a gentle yet undeniable golden divine thought suddenly descended, directly interrupting his thoughts.
It is Sea God Poseidon.
"Speak not now," Poseidon's divine will conveyed a clear message. "Even if you must speak, wait until everything has settled."
Xuan Ming was taken aback and looked at the statue.
Poseidon's divine sense continued, his tone complex. "The matter of Tang Chen is already settled. If you tell her the truth now, revealing your intention to kill him, how will Bo Saixi, with her personality, cope? She is the High Priestess of Sea God Island and cannot leave without permission. Telling her now would be tantamount to placing her in the agony of knowing her dearest friend is about to die but being powerless to do anything about it—what torture that would be!"
"Once things are settled and the die is cast, then you can tell her the outcome. At that time, although there will be grief, at least you'll be spared this long wait and the torment of helplessness. The impact may be great, but it's better than this excruciating torture."
Xuan Ming remained silent for a moment.
He understood Sea God's meaning. Telling Bo Saixi now would be cruel, forcing her to endure the pain prematurely without being able to change anything. Telling her later, while having the same consequences, would at least make the process less agonizing.
He glanced at Bo Saixi, who stood calmly before him, seemingly unaware of the divine thought's arrival, and a complex emotion flashed through his mind.
Finally, he nodded and transmitted his thoughts to the Sea God god, saying, "I understand."
Since he's decided to be the "bad guy," and since he's greedily trying to grab everything, then he should bear the corresponding responsibilities and consequences. His indecisiveness and hesitation are enough.
He nodded slightly to Bo Saixi, without mentioning Tang Chen, and after exchanging a few words as usual, he turned and left the Sea God Hall.
Bo Saixi watched his departing figure, a hint of barely perceptible doubt flashing in her sea-blue eyes, but she didn't ask any further questions.
Xuan Ming returned to the Sea God Mountain and joined Bibi Dong, who was in peak condition, and Gu Yuena, who was waiting nearby. Hu Liena and the others were still undergoing their Second Trial, while Snow Empress and the other Ferocious Beast were left behind on Sea God Island by Gu Yuena.
Without a word, Xuan Ming's body surged with dark red light, and he activated the Evil God's Leap, his precise spatial fluctuations enveloping the three of them.
The next moment, the surrounding scenery distorted and changed, taking them directly from the sea-breezy island back to the solemn and majestic Spirit City.
Departing from Spirit City is far faster than flying from the distant Sea God Island. Moreover, having been away for so long, Bibi Dong needs to reappear to stabilize the situation and understand the current state of affairs on the continent.
After a brief exchange, Bibi Dong went straight to the Elder Hall to convene a meeting.
Xuan Ming then flashed again, ascended the Pope's Mountain, and arrived at the Angel Temple.
The golden Sea God Trident of Poseidon remained firmly planted in the center of the plaza in front of the palace, unmoved. However, the ground around it was covered with spiderweb-like cracks, indicating that many people had tried to shake it, all of whom had failed.
Just as Xuan Ming approached the area of the Worship Hall, several powerful auras suddenly locked onto him.
Led by the Third Offering, Azure Luan Douluo, the figures of the other four Elders —Guang Ling, Lion, Qian Jun, and Demon Jiang Mo— appeared almost simultaneously, forming a fan shape around Xuan Ming in the center. Their eyes were solemn, filled with vigilance and hostility.
They could sense the unfathomable aura emanating from Xuan Ming, which was far more terrifying than when he left months ago!
Xuan Ming seemed not to notice and walked straight toward the Sea God Trident.
Under the tense gaze of several worshippers, he gripped the halberd shaft with one hand, lifting the divine weapon, which weighed 108,000 jin, with ease, as if it were just an ordinary weapon.
Just as he picked up his trident and prepared to turn and leave, the heavy doors of the Worship Hall slowly opened.
It was not the Great Enshrined Qian Daoliu who emerged, but Qian Renxue, dressed in palace attire, whose demeanor was becoming increasingly noble and sacred.
Her aura was much deeper than before. Although the fluctuations of her Soul Power were still somewhat unstable, she had already broken through the bottleneck of Level 90 and officially entered the realm of Titled Douluo.
Clearly, she had only recently achieved a breakthrough.
Qian Renxue's gaze fell on Xuan Ming, especially on the Golden Trident in his hand that exuded a vast aura, and her feelings were complicated and indescribable.
She discovered that she was completely unable to sense Xuan Ming's current level of Soul Power, which meant that his strength far surpassed hers!
Just how strong has he become?
"How did the God's Trial go?" Xuan Ming asked, looking at Qian Renxue.
Qian Renxue paused slightly, then nodded. "I just finished the Sixth Trial. What about you?"
This Golden Trident has been here for more than half a year. Her grandfather has also confirmed that it is a divine artifact of Sea God Island. In addition, considering the golden trident mark on Xuan Ming's forehead, he has most likely obtained the inheritance of the Sea God.
However, when Xuanming left Spirit City for Sea God Island, Xuan Ming was only a level 70, six-ring Soul Saint. Now, just over a year later, he is stronger than her!
"I'm only on my Third Trial," Xuan Ming said.
Qian Renxue was silent for a moment, then asked, "Was your assessment difficult?"
Xuan Ming thought for a moment, "I don't know. You know I have no concept of difficulty. It's not about whether it's difficult or not, it's about whether I can do it or not."
Xuan Ming's calm reply plunged Qian Renxue into a brief silence.
"There's no such thing as difficult or not difficult, only whether you can or can't."
These words sounded calm, even arrogant, but Qian Renxue detected in them an almost absolute confidence and a way of thinking that was completely different from hers, or rather, from the vast majority of Soul Master.
Simple and pure.
Xuan Ming has always been like this.
After a brief silence, Xuan Ming turned around, his back to Qian Renxue, and said, "I have other things to do. Goodbye."
"Wait." Qian Renxue suddenly called out to him again.
Xuan Ming stopped and turned to look at her. "Is there something you need?"
Qian Renxue clenched her fists, looking into his eyes, "You can... never mind, it's nothing."
Qian Renxue took a deep breath, turned around, and entered the Worship Hall.
Xuan Ming stared at the tightly closed palace doors, said nothing more, and turned to disappear.
The Pope's Palace.