We're here seriously, even with a touch of shyness and resolve, discussing matters of lifelong happiness and the future of our community... and all you're thinking about is... Sacrifice your Soul Ring?!
Xuan Ming was even more bewildered by the anger of the Snow Empress and the Ice Empress. He subconsciously took a half step back, trying to explain, "That's not what I meant... I meant, this is the most efficient solution at the moment, and I can guarantee it..."
"Guarantee what? Guarantee that our deaths will be worthwhile?!" Ice Empress shrieked, interrupting him. " Xuan Ming! Open your eyes and look! The four of us— Snow Empress, myself, Bi Ji, and Zi JI —are standing before you! All you can think of Soul Ring?! Don't you have any other thoughts?!"
Other ideas?
Xuan Ming was even more confused.
Besides Soul Ring, what other ideas could he have?
They are all powerful Soul Beast, allies, and friends. Sacrifice their Soul Ring is a huge sacrifice, but for a common goal and a safer future, isn't this the optimal solution?
Could it be that they couldn't bear to give up their cultivation? But he had already promised to do his best to revive them!
In any case, given their current situation, it's impossible for them to achieve greater breakthroughs or accomplishments under the current rules of heaven and earth. Wouldn't it be more worthwhile to try again after he changes the status quo?
Seeing Xuan Ming's still clear eyes, which were filled with "Isn't this right?", the four Ferocious Beast finally understood completely.
Trying to talk about romance with this blockhead is even more hopeless than casting pearls before swine!
Zi JI was the first to give up. She glared at Xuan Ming and said, "When you finally figure it out, come talk to me about who went first! But by then, it won't be the same way!"
After saying that, she angrily transformed into a streak of purplish-black light, smashed through the castle wall, and left.
She was afraid that if she stayed any longer, she wouldn't be able to resist taking action.
Even though she can't beat that bastard anymore!
Ice Empress stomped her foot in anger and pointed at Xuan Ming's nose. "You! You idiot!" With that, she turned into a streak of green light and disappeared from the spot.
Bi Ji looked at Xuan Ming with a complicated expression. In the end, she just sighed Youyou and said nothing. A soft green halo emanated from her body, and her figure slowly faded away.
Finally, only the Snow Empress remained. She looked at Xuan Ming, the coldness in her icy blue eyes slightly diminishing, replaced by an indescribable scrutiny. She spoke coldly, her voice like icy beads falling onto a jade plate. " Xuan Ming, sometimes, power isn't the only way to solve everything. Some things are far more important than Soul Ring..."
Leaving behind these profound words, the Snow Empress's figure transformed into countless ice crystals and vanished into the air.
In the blink of an eye, only Xuan Ming and Gu Yuena, who had finally turned around, remained in the hall.
Xuan Ming stared blankly and innocently at the empty hall and the large hole in the wall that Zi JI had smashed into. "What happened?"
Looking at him like this, Gu Yuena finally let all her emotions turn into a long, helpless sigh.
"It's alright, it's my fault."
Since the God's Trial began, Xuan Ming has been preoccupied with how to deal with the Divine Realm, even preparing for a potential confrontation so they could simply flee. His mindset has completely entered a "wartime state," with improving his strength and responding to crises as his highest priority.
Now, she suddenly shifted the topic from "life and death" to "love and affection," Xuan Ming, who was already on edge, couldn't quite process it... which seemed like a normal stress response.
"What exactly happened?" Xuan Ming frowned, he really didn't understand. "You guys were just... talking about the Sacrifice?"
He carefully recalled the atmosphere and everyone's reactions, trying to find the basis for his mistaken judgment. The Snow Empress's coldness, the Ice Empress's anger, Bi Ji's helplessness, Zi JI's... that phrase, "That's not how it's done..." Could it be...?
Impossible. Absolutely impossible.
Putting aside the fact that Gu Yuena is right here, all four of them are Ferocious Beast have lived for hundreds of thousands of years, proud and arrogant. How could they possibly collectively be towards him... especially in a setting where they are discussing such a serious topic as "the future of Soul Beast "? This is too outrageous.
He must be overthinking it. Most likely, they have reservations about the Sacrifice or think his plan is too risky.
Chapter 378 Bo Saixi's Confession
Gu Yuena could tell from the ever-changing expression on his face, which ultimately settled on "I must have misunderstood," that he hadn't quite grasped the concept yet.
She shook her head, offering no further explanation, but simply patted his shoulder, her tone tinged with a resigned pity. "Forget it, let nature take its course. Perhaps... when Bo Saixi comes to you, you'll have a little bit of an epiphany?"
Bo Saixi? What does this have to do with Bo Saixi?
Xuan Ming was increasingly puzzled.
He gazed out the window, beginning to seriously consider whether his cultivation had progressed too quickly, causing a cognitive disconnect from the outside world.
But given this clearly deliberately difficult Fourth Trial, and the ever-present danger of a complete breakdown in relations with the Divine Realm, isn't his thinking the most reasonable one?
Meanwhile, Sea God Hall.
Having made up her mind to "take the initiative," Bo Saixi was facing a water mirror, repeatedly practicing her words and expressions.
Her stunningly beautiful face was tinged with a girlish nervousness and blush, and her sea-blue eyes sparkled with a determined yet shy light.
She gently stroked the necklace on her chest, which emanated a faint Sea God's Power, recalling Xuan Ming's repeated challenges to his limits on Sea God Island, remembering the composure he occasionally displayed that seemed beyond his years, and the fleeting moment when he stiffened slightly as she approached. She had previously thought it was respect, but now she wondered if it wasn't entirely true?
"For the sake of the Sea God Inheritance, and for my own sake..." Bo Saixi murmured to herself, trying to bolster her courage, "I can't wait any longer."
She took a deep breath, imagining tomorrow, when she would set aside nearly a century of reserve and the dignity of being a high priest, and take the initiative to approach the young man who stirred her heart...
She could never have imagined that her carefully prepared and courageous "proactive" action would soon confront an unbreakable "rock" reinforced by a "sense of crisis" and a "cultivational mindset."
The next day, as dawn broke, the sea rippled with golden light.
Xuan Ming sat alone on a black rock by the shore, his aura heavy and focused. Since he couldn't sort out the complicated interpersonal relationships for the time being, he chose to focus his energy on the most fundamental aspect: the control of power.
The Ring of Slaughter, the Ring of Evil, and the Ring of Destruction —these three special Soul Ring, originating from God King level being, brought him a revolutionary boost. They were not merely Soul Ring; they also contained a fragment of the laws corresponding to Godhood's position. Though faint, they pointed him in the right direction.
However, apart from the Ring of Slaughter, which he acquired earliest and deeply fused with the Blood Spear, he primarily relied on his powerful Soul Power and will to forcibly control the Ring of Evil and the Ring of Destruction, far from achieving a level of effortless mastery. It was like a child wielding a heavy hammer—powerful, but lacking in finesse.
"Inherit the Godhood..." Xuan Ming murmured to himself, then shook his head. He had basically Negation this path. The Divine Realm's attitude was ambiguous, and the assessment was rigorous and full of "difficulties." Placing his hopes on someone else's bestowal was not in line with his character.
Therefore, the only remaining path is to forcibly break through level 100 and Self-Created Godhood!
But this is by no means an easy task. Gu Yuena had solemnly warned him that because of the ancient Dragon God Rebellion, their Divine Realm star field had suffered severe damage, with many subordinate planes Destruction and the Divine Realm itself also suffering considerable losses. This meant that the " Deity Energy " that this star field could produce now was limited.
Deity Energy is the fundamental raw material for constructing Godhood. It is generated by the laws of the universe, and its quantity is closely related to the territory covered by the Divine Realm and the prosperity of Life.
In the present Divine Realm, after a long period of time, the power of the Five Great God Kings may be more profound than in the era of the Dragon God, but the Deity Energy may not have been fully recovered, and may even be more scarce, or even completely exhausted.
However, leaving this relatively familiar star system and venturing into the unknown depths of space to search for sufficient Deity Energy... the risks are immeasurable.
Gu Yuena explicitly stated that even during the Dragon Clan's heyday, few chose this path. The vast starry sea beyond the Divine Realm harbors too many unpredictable dangers: spacetime turbulence, ancient ruins, and even other unknown powerful beings...
The road ahead is long and fraught with difficulties. Xuan Ming was lost in thought about the future, his brow furrowed.
Just then, a light, familiar footstep interrupted his thoughts.
Xuan Ming looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
The visitor was Bo Saixi. But she was completely different from usual today.
Instead of wearing the magnificent red priest's robe that symbolized her status and majesty, she changed into a flowing blue and gold gown. The skirt flowed as gently as ocean waves, outlining her mature and graceful figure.
She possessed less of the solemnity and dignity of a high priest, and more of a woman's gentleness and grace. Sunlight bathed her, making her long, sea-blue hair seem to flow with radiance, softening her overall appearance and even giving her a hint of... barely perceptible tension?
"High Priestess?" Xuan Ming stood up, looking at her unusual attire with some suspicion. "Is something the matter?"
Bo Saixi stopped a short distance in front of him, the sea breeze ruffling her skirt and hair. She looked into Xuan Ming's still clear, yet thoughtful, icy blue eyes, and her heart pounded uncontrollably. She took a deep breath, trying to make her voice sound calm and natural:
"Nothing urgent, I just saw you cultivating here and came to check on you." She turned slightly, gazing at the vast, boundless sea, her tone carrying a hint of melancholy. "Having guarded this ocean and Sea God Island for nearly a hundred years, many times I've felt like a rock on this shore, seemingly solid, yet forever stuck in the same place, watching the tides rise and fall, the sun rise and the moon set."
Her gaze returned to Xuan Ming, a complex light flickering in her sea-blue eyes. Her voice softened slightly. "Until you appeared... Xuan Ming, you were like an unpredictable storm, a monstrous wave sweeping everything away, crashing into this seemingly eternal sea."
She paused, her cheeks flushing slightly, but she still mustered her courage and continued in a subtle yet suggestive tone, "You showed me a different possibility, and made me feel... a long-lost thrill. Perhaps... this ocean also needs a master who can stand shoulder to shoulder with it, rather than forever remaining confined to a corner?"
After Bo Saixi finished speaking, she felt her cheeks burning hot.
She lowered her eyes, not daring to look at Xuan Ming again, her heart pounding, waiting for his response.
She's made it clear enough, hasn't she? Will he... understand?
Listening to Bo Saixi's words, looking at her unusual attire and flushed cheeks, and combined with her "artistic" and suggestive words, Xuan Ming indeed felt that Bo Saixi was very different today.
He thought about it carefully, considering the meaning behind her words—"an unpredictable storm," "a monstrous wave that sweeps everything away," "standing shoulder to shoulder rather than holding on"...
A moment later, Xuan Ming suddenly understood, and looked at Bo Saixi with a serious expression, his tone filled with understanding and a hint of relief at finding a "like-minded person":
"I understand, High Priest. You also feel that being confined to Sea God Island is limiting your development and future, don't you?"
"?" Bo Saixi paused slightly, then looked up at him.
Xuan Ming continued to interpret things according to his own line of thought, "You want to break the status quo, seek a breakthrough, and even... be willing to leave this star field with me to explore a wider world, to find stronger power and more possibilities? Just like you said, to walk side by side?"
The more he explained, the more reasonable it seemed. It appeared that Bo Saixi had also realized the limitations of this world and wanted to break free from its constraints! This coincided with his own plan!
"If that's the case," Xuan Ming looked intently at Bo Saixi, extending what he considered the most sincere invitation, "When I'm ready to forcefully break through to the God Realm and leave this star field, if you're willing, I can take you with me. The outside world is dangerous, but the opportunities are equally immense. With your aptitude and strength, you might very well be able to forge your own Sea God Godhood in the outside world, or find a more suitable path!"
Bo Saixi: "..."
She froze, looking at Xuan Ming's earnest expression that said, "I understand you, let's do something big together," and listening to his invitation that had completely veered off-topic into interstellar exploration.
The blush on her face quickly faded, replaced by a deep sense of powerlessness and... an urge to smash the scepter in her hand.
She opened her mouth, but found that all her shyness, all her expectations, and all her carefully prepared hints turned into a suffocating sigh stuck in her throat when she met Xuan Ming's clear, unadulterated, battle-obsessed gaze.
Gu Yuena... you're right...
This rock... it's more than just a rock... it's practically... an extraterrestrial meteorite!
Chapter 379 Amazing Brain Circuits
In the Divine Realm, within a magnificent temple.
The mirror clearly reflected the absurd scene unfolding on the lower shore— Bo Saixi's carefully prepared hint was perfectly interpreted by Xuan Ming as an "invitation to interstellar exploration."
The God King looked at Xuan Ming's earnest discussion of "the stars and the sea," and at Bo Saixi's instantly frozen, almost cracking expression, and their expressions varied.
The God of Evil stroked his chin, his eyes full of amusement. "Tsk tsk, this kid... all he thinks about is getting stronger and running away, he really doesn't have a shred of romance. Poseidon, your high priest's flirtatious glances are just wasted on a blind man."
Poseidon's face darkened as he looked at his high priest's devastated reflection in the mirror. He felt a pang of heartache and helplessness. "Whose fault is this? It's all because you pushed him too hard in the previous trials! Now he sees everything as Divine Realm conspiracy, and he thinks we're about to break off relations and attack at any moment!"
The God of Destruction's body crackled with purple lightning, and his deep voice rang out, tinged with solemnity. "He not only thinks this way, but he's already making preparations. Forcibly breaking through to level 100, leaving this star field, and searching for Deity Energy in unknown lands... This idea is very dangerous."
A " True God " who has just broken through level 100 and has not yet condensed Godhood is like an infant walking among wolves in the vast and unknown universe. The process of condensing Godhood is extremely dangerous, requiring an absolutely safe environment and massive energy support. It is carried out in an unfamiliar star field, with a very low success rate, almost equivalent to gambling with one's life.
The Godess of Kindness frowned slightly, a hint of worry in his voice. "He's prepared for the worst. It seems our previous tests truly put him under immense pressure and uncertainty, to the point that he'd rather gamble on that slim chance of survival than completely entrust his fate to the God's Trial."
"Hmph, that does show some decisiveness," the Asura God coldly commented, but deep in his eyes there was little admiration, but rather a hint of doubt.
Xuan Ming's "better to be a broken jade than a whole tile" nature means that if pushed too far, he might really do anything.
The God of Evil turned his gaze to Poseidon, his tone clearly skeptical. " Poseidon, do you see? Your Fourth Trial seems easy, but it might be more grueling than all our previous tests combined! We at most tempered his will and tested his abilities. You, on the other hand, directly challenged his human weaknesses and messed with his mentality!"
He pointed at Xuan Ming's earnest face in the mirror, a face that seemed to belong to an "interstellar comrade," and then at Bo Saixi, who looked utterly hopeless. "Look at this! Does this look like he's about to Severing Romantic Ties? He's clearly trying to trick the High Priest into joining him on a treacherous journey through the universe! At this rate, forget about getting him to clarify his feelings; he'll probably turn everyone who's even slightly interested in him into a comrade-in-arms exploring unknown galaxies!"
The God of Destruction echoed in a deep voice, his body crackling with purple lightning. " Evil is right. This test is far too difficult for him. If he still can't understand it, or if he gives up completely out of boredom and chooses the most extreme path... wouldn't all our previous efforts and observations be wasted? We might even have personally driven him into a potential formidable enemy filled with resentment towards the Divine Realm, exiled throughout the universe."
Poseidon was rendered speechless and somewhat embarrassed.
He originally just wanted to take the opportunity to matchmake his own high priest and see Xuan Ming's emotional reaction, but who would have thought that this guy would not play by the rules at all!
You could solve so many difficult problems before, but now you can't even answer this easy question?
"Then... what do we do now?" Poseidon asked somewhat hesitantly, "Should we cancel the Fourth Trial?"
The Asura God remained silent for a moment, his blood-red eyes flashing, before finally speaking coldly, "No need to cancel."
He looked at Xuan Ming in the mirror. "The pressure has been enough. It's time to let him see some hope and room for maneuver. Let him understand that the Divine Realm doesn't necessarily have to be his enemy; coexistence and cooperation are possible."
"As for this Fourth Trial..." The Asura God paused, "Give him more time and observe his progress. If he truly cannot comprehend it, there's no need to force him. After all, our primary objective is to resolve the hidden dangers left by the Dragon God and observe whether he has the ability and temperament to handle them, rather than truly forcing him to deal with these matters of personal feelings."
The God of Destruction and the Godess of Kindness nodded slightly in agreement. Continuing to dwell on this matter might indeed backfire.
"But why wasn't he like this with Bibi Dong?" Poseidon asked, puzzled. "Didn't Xuan Ming handle Bibi Dong's matter quite well before? How come he's suddenly acting like a different person now? Has he suddenly lost his mind?"
Upon hearing this, the God of Evil let out a sneer, his eyes full of mockery. " Poseidon, use your brain. What was Bibi Dong's situation? It was a life-or-death crisis where the Rakshasa God Trial had stalled, Divine Power was in conflict, and she could lose control or even perish at any moment! In Xuan Ming's eyes, that was a legitimate trouble and threat that required both strength and wisdom to resolve!"
He pointed at Xuan Ming in the light mirror, who was still trying to analyze the "advantages and disadvantages of interstellar travel" with Bo Saixi, "Look at yourself now! Your High Priest is dressed to the nines, talking to him about romance, about excitement, about watching the sea together... In Xuan Ming's mind, which is filled with a sense of crisis, what kind of serious business is this? Can this be compared to life and death?"
The God of Destruction's deep voice resounded, "His mindset has become rigid due to excessive pressure. In his understanding, only cultivation, combat, crisis management, and future planning are clear and definite tasks. Emotional entanglements, especially ambiguous expressions that do not contain direct threats, are completely outside his comprehension and may even be subconsciously categorized as distractions or invalid information."
The Godess of Kindness nodded slightly, adding, "Moreover, when dealing with Bibi Dong's problem, he had a clear goal, but this Fourth Trial requires him to sort out his emotions and clarify relationships... This is inherently a vague, subjective problem without a fixed solution, which happens to hit his weakest area."
The Asura God's icy gaze swept across the mirror, finally settling on Xuan Ming's earnest yet completely off-target face, and he concluded. "Simply put, he can handle how to save a Demigod on the verge of collapse, but he can't understand how to respond to a lady's subtle sentiments."
Poseidon opened his mouth, looking at Xuan Ming, who was still talking eloquently about the "dangers of another world" in the mirror, and Bo Saixi, who was staring blankly and beginning to doubt his life, and finally all his words turned into a long, frustrated sigh.
He finally understood.
It wasn't that Xuan Ming suddenly lost his mind; rather, he simply hadn't even considered that possibility!
That kid's got the wrong idea!
The God of Evil, watching Poseidon's discomfiture, laughed gleefully, "So, Poseidon, your Fourth Trial... unless you can find a way to disguise your romance as a life-or-death crisis that requires his full attention, otherwise..."