A subtle silence fell over the temple. The several God King looked down at the stubborn "rock" in the mortal realm, and for the first time, they felt a sense of powerlessness when facing a mortal.
This guy can pass the most rigorous tests in the craziest way, but he can also interpret the gentlest hints as the most outrageous adventure plans with the most serious attitude.
His thought process is truly amazing!
Chapter 380 Bypassing Romance
Hearing the mocking remarks of the God of Evil, Poseidon's previously gloomy eyes suddenly lit up!
To package romance as a life-or-death crisis?
He has a plan!
A brilliant idea instantly formed in his mind, making him almost want to applaud his own ingenuity.
He suddenly looked up, his face regaining its radiance, his tone filled with excitement and eagerness. "That's it! How come I didn't think of that! Package it as a life-or-death crisis! I'm an expert at that!"
The gazes of the other God King instantly focused on him, filled with doubt and a hint of foreboding.
The God of Evil raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What terrible idea do you have?"
Ignoring the "bad idea" label, Poseidon excitedly explained his plan, "It's simple! Just accidentally reveal to Xuan Ming that Bo Saixi has accepted the hidden trial, and slightly modify the consequences of failing the trial—tell her that if she can't obtain the Heart of Xuan Ming within the specified time, she will suffer a backlash from the Sea God's Power due to her failure in the trial, resulting in the destruction of her soul and body, and she will undoubtedly die!"
The more he spoke, the more ingenious the plan seemed. He gestured with his hands, saying, "Given Xuan Ming's loyal and righteous nature, especially his extreme responsibility towards those he trusts, once he learns that Bo Saixi is facing a life-or-death crisis because of him, how could he possibly stand idly by? He would definitely do everything in his power to help Bo Saixi complete the test!"
Poseidon seemed to already see a bright future, his tone filled with anticipation. "At that time, in order to save Bo Saixi's life, Xuan Ming will have to find a way to make himself fall in love with her, or at least win her heart? In the process, the two of them will spend every day together, facing difficulties together, and their true feelings will be revealed in times of hardship... Won't their relationship naturally blossom? It will solve the test and also bring about a happy marriage, killing two birds with one stone!"
He felt he was a genius; this plan perfectly exploited Xuan Ming's personality weaknesses and blind spots in thinking, guiding him in the right direction!
However, as soon as he finished speaking, an eerie silence fell over the temple.
The mocking expression on the God of Evil's face froze, replaced by a look of utter disbelief.
The purple lightning crackled around the God of Destruction, seemingly expressing his speechless dismay.
The Goddess of Life gently touched her forehead, her emerald eyes filled with helplessness.
Even the usually cold-blooded Asura God's lips twitched almost imperceptibly.
" Poseidon..." the Godess of Kindness couldn't help but speak, his voice tinged with weakness, "Are you... sure this is a good idea?"
The God of Evil finally couldn't hold back and sneered, " Poseidon, have you been driven mad by your high priest? You call this packaging a life-or-death crisis? You're creating a false crisis and engaging in emotional blackmail!"
He pointed at Xuan Ming, who was still earnestly analyzing the problem in the mirror. "Believe it or not, if you really did that, with that kid's brain, the first thing he'd think of wouldn't be how to fall in love with her, but how to forcibly break through this test, how to find the source of the backlash and destroy it, and how to save Bo Saixi's life in other ways! He might even think that the Divine Realm is playing with him, and then he'd just throw a tantrum and run away!"
"Uh..." Poseidon's expression froze.
That makes sense.
Xuan Ming's crazy behavior in the First Trial shows that this kid's thinking can become extremely extreme when under great pressure!
Given Xuan Ming's straightforward thinking and strong drive, upon learning of a "crisis," his first reaction would definitely be to resolve the "crisis" itself, rather than to develop the relationship as he had hoped.
"However, if we set aside emotional issues and simply say that Bo Saixi wants to obtain the Sea God's Heart from him in order to gain the qualification to inherit the position of the Sea God, then... this should be feasible." The cold voice of the Asura God broke the silence.
The gazes of the several God King once again focused on him.
The Asura God continued his analysis, " The Godhood Inheritance is inherently extremely demanding, and the God's Trial is a mix of danger and opportunity. Bo Saixi coveted the position of Sea God and thus voluntarily accepted this test. Within Xuan Ming's absolutely rational framework, this is a reasonable and understandable motivation. After all, who would willingly give up a clear opportunity to become a god?"
He looked at Xuan Ming in the mirror of light. "For him, helping his ally obtain the qualifications to become a god is far clearer and more definite than responding to ambiguous feelings. This is a deal or challenge that he can understand and might be willing to participate in."
The God of Evil stroked his chin, his eyes regaining interest. "Interesting. Strip away the convoluted emotional hints and directly state the core demand: the need for the Sea God's Heart to become a god. This might actually strike a chord with Xuan Ming's simple-minded thinking."
The Goddess of Life nodded slightly. "In this way, Xuan Ming won't need to understand those emotional signals he can't comprehend; he can simply treat them as a practical issue concerning power and inheritance that needs to be resolved. This might allow them to build a more effective bridge of communication."
The gentle voice of the Godess of Kindness rang out. "In fact, if we look back at the development of the relationship between Xuan Ming and Bibi Dong, and even with Gu Yuena, it seems that it was all based on solid real-world problems."
Her words attracted the attention of the other God King.
The Godess of Kindness continued to explain, "Based on the information we have obtained from Xuan Ming and the girls around him, the root cause of Xuan Ming's initial close connection with Bibi Dong lies in the defect of his own Martial Soul."
It was Bibi Dong who came to his rescue in his time of crisis, resolving this fatal problem. It was precisely based on this life-saving grace and the shared practical problems they faced that a more complex and profound emotional entanglement gradually developed between them.
Her gaze shifted to Xuan Ming's figure in the mirror, her tone carrying a hint of understanding. "And the same goes for his relationship with Gu Yuena. The Silver Dragon King and the future of the Dragon Clan —this is a heavy reality concerning the survival and destiny of the race. Gu Yuena has poured everything into Xuan Ming, betting the last hope of the Dragon Clan. The foundation of this bond is a shared goal, the real predicament, and mutual need, not lighthearted romance."
The Godess of Kindness summarized, his voice clear and certain. "In other words, Xuan Ming's feelings need to be built on a solid foundation of shared experiences, mutual support, and solving practical problems. What he cannot understand, or rather, finds difficult to resonate with, are those feelings that lack a realistic basis and are simply based on physical attraction or empty romantic expressions. His emotional pattern is closer to a trust and bond that naturally settles after sharing life and death and having a common goal."
The God of Destruction echoed in a low voice, "Indeed. His emotional logic is pragmatic and profound."
A hint of agreement flashed in the Asura God's icy gaze. "In that case, using Bo Saixi's path to godhood as a link to get them to interact and cooperate around the clear and significant practical goal of the Sea God's Heart and the Godhood Inheritance perfectly aligns with Xuan Ming's emotional development model. This is far more effective than any subtle hints or romantic pursuits."
Poseidon was overjoyed and nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes, yes! That's exactly it!"
Although this was far from his initial romantic vision, what did it matter if the process was pragmatic, as long as it effectively promoted the development of the relationship?
Perhaps this kind of "comrade-in-arms" bond is even stronger than ordinary romantic love!
The atmosphere inside the temple completely changed.
The God King finally found the key to effectively "communicating" with Xuan Ming, this "celestial meteorite," on an emotional level—bypassing romance and directly addressing the core of reality.
Chapter 381 The Deal
Nighttime at Sea God Island.
Bo Saixi sat alone in the Sea God Hall, recalling her misunderstanding "heart-to-heart talk" with Xuan Ming during the day, feeling frustrated and a little aggrieved.
She finally mustered the courage to put on a long dress that she would never normally wear, a dress that better accentuated her feminine grace, attempting to express her feelings in a subtle way, but the result was...
"Sigh..." She sighed Youyou and rubbed her temples. The initiative that Gu Yuena mentioned seemed to be more difficult than she had imagined.
Just then, a familiar presence rapidly approached.
Bo Saixi's heart tightened, and she subconsciously straightened her appearance.
The next moment, Xuan Ming appeared at the palace entrance. He had a bright and enlightened expression on his face, as if he had figured out some difficult problem.
Bo Saixi's heart skipped a beat. Could it be... that he'd finally seen the light?
Xuan Ming entered the hall, but unlike during the day, he didn't directly discuss "Battle Royale in Another World." Instead, he looked intently at Bo Saixi and asked, "High Priest, have you ever considered... becoming a god?"
Bo Saixi paused slightly, the glimmer of hope that had just risen in her heart instantly replaced by doubt.
Why did he suddenly ask this? Has the Lord Sea God already told him about the hidden God's Trial?
She cautiously refrained from answering directly, instead asking, "Why are you suddenly asking this?"
Seeing that she didn't deny it, Xuan Ming became even more certain of his guess. It seemed that Poseidon's information was true; Bo Saixi was indeed facing both an opportunity to become a god and... a crisis.
He organized his thoughts, trying to make his suggestion sound natural and not expose Bo Saixi's secret, "I just feel that with your strength and talent, it's a bit of a waste to be confined to this Sea God Island as a high priest. If you intend to challenge for the Sea God Godhood..."
He paused, then said sincerely, "I can give you the Sea God's Heart."
Bo Saixi was completely stunned, her sea-blue eyes filled with disbelief. He... he was going to give her the Sea God's Heart? Why?
But immediately afterward, as a warm feeling welled up in her heart, an even stronger sense of worry and a hint of inexplicable anger also rose up.
She immediately shook her head, her tone urgent and reproachful. "What nonsense are you talking about! The Sea God's Heart has already merged with you. Forcibly separating it would cause irreparable damage to your foundation! It could even endanger your life! How could I possibly want it!"
She gazed at Xuan Ming, her eyes filled with complex emotions. "I never intended to take your Sea God's Heart."
This was the truth. The so-called hidden God's Trial and obtaining the Sea God's Heart were, from the very beginning, just an excuse and reason for her to force herself to face her inner self and take a step forward.
She had witnessed the hardships this young man had endured, and knew all the burdens he carried. How could she possibly hurt him for her own selfish reasons?
Xuan Ming was somewhat puzzled by Bo Saixi's intense reaction. In his view, since Bo Saixi needed the Sea God's Heart to become a god, and he was willing to give it to her, wasn't that a win-win situation? As for the damage... he had his own way to minimize the risk.
He thought for a moment and changed his approach, trying to define the matter as a "transaction," which might be more acceptable to Bo Saixi and would not seem so abrupt.
Xuan Ming continued calmly, "High Priest, please don't be in such a hurry. I actually have my own reasons for bringing this up."
He looked at Bo Saixi with a candid gaze. "What I'm about to do is extremely risky, and the success or failure is uncertain. If something unexpected happens to me in the future... I can't even completely trust Bibi Dong, let alone the ever-watchful Qian Renxue on the mainland. Hu Liena, Ning Rongrong, and those other young girls, although talented, are still young after all..."
His voice lowered slightly. "So, I want to make a deal with you. If I give you the Sea God's Heart to help you become a god, then if something happens to me in the future, I hope you will, for the sake of this friendship, help me... take good care of them."
Xuan Ming felt his suggestion was reasonable. Bo Saixi obtained the key item for becoming a god, and he found a powerful guardian for someone he cared about; it was a fair trade where each got what they needed.
However, he had barely finished speaking—
"Trade?!"
Bo Saixi abruptly stood up, her once gentle sea-blue eyes instantly blazing with fury! An indescribable heartache and immense disappointment overwhelmed her like a tidal wave!
She worried about him, thought about him, and even tossed and turned at night because of the feelings that were quietly growing between them! But in his eyes, everything between them could ultimately be reduced to a Bingbing "transaction"?!
Using the Sea God's Heart in exchange for protection of other women?!
This act of objectifying and quantifying emotions and concerns is like a cold needle, piercing the softest part of her heart!
" Xuan Ming!" Bo Saixi's voice trembled slightly with anger. She pointed at the palace gate, and a boundless Sea God's Light erupted uncontrollably from her body, illuminating the entire hall in a deep blue. "I have no responsibility to take care of those girls for you! Your life or death is none of my concern! Now, get out of here immediately!"
Before she could finish speaking, a powerful repulsive force suddenly erupted from Bo Saixi's body, like a surging wave, and slammed into Xuan Ming!
Xuan Ming never expected Bo Saixi to make a sudden move, and her reaction was so intense. Caught off guard, he was blasted away by the force, streaking across the night sky and crashing heavily onto the beach Sea God Mountain.
Xuan Ming lay on the beach, gazing at the night sky, his eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment.
The deal he proposed was clearly a win-win situation for Bo Saixi. She gained the opportunity to become a god, all she had to give was a promise of the future. And this promise was contingent on something "accidentally" happening to him.
Why was she so angry? Why did she even resort to violence?
Sea God Hall, Bo Saixi leaned against the tightly closed doors and slowly slid down to the ground. Tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks, her heart filled with resentment, heartache, and an indescribable sense of powerlessness.
She was angry at Xuan Ming's slowness, and even more angry at his word "deal," which made everything so cold and... chilling.
Ice Crystal Castle, rooftop terrace.
Gu Yuena stood there quietly, her silver-purple eyes like the purest amethyst, reflecting everything that was happening on Sea God Mountain in the distance.
She watched Xuan Ming was blasted out of the Sea God Hall by Bo Saixi's merciless attack, falling like a meteor onto the beach below. She watched him lie on the beach, gazing at the night sky, his face filled with pure, undisguised confusion and bewilderment.
Gu Yuena fell silent.
She sighed softly, her silver hair fluttering slightly in the night breeze. She realized that she seemed to have made a mistake.
She reminded Bo Saixi to take the initiative, but forgot a crucial premise: Xuan Ming's almost obsessive, habitual way of thinking.
Unless the other party provides an answer that is as clear as it gets, his mind, honed by countless crises, will always prioritize the worst-case scenario and solve the problem in the most "pragmatic" and "transactional" way.
Expecting him to understand those subtle emotional hints on his own is like trying to catch fish by climbing a tree.
She had assumed that Bo Saixi, as the high priestess, with her extensive experience, would be able to understand and deal with Xuan Ming's trait. However, it now seemed that Bo Saixi was also bewildered by Xuan Ming's bizarre and outrageous thought process, and even felt offended and hurt.
Thinking of this, Gu Yuena's figure once again transformed into a streak of silver light, silently traversing the night sky and arriving Sea God Hall, which was still shrouded in a faint golden light and low pressure.
Bo Saixi remained leaning against the door, her long, sea-blue hair slightly disheveled, and tear tracks still lingering at the corners of her eyes. Sensing Gu Yuena's presence, she merely raised her eyelids, her voice hoarse and tinged with a hint of defiance. "If you're here to speak for him, then there's no need."
Looking at her like this, Gu Yuena calmly said, "I'm not here to speak for him, I'm just here to tell you a fact."
" Xuan Ming's way of thinking is different from ordinary people. He has experienced too many conspiracies, schemes, and life-or-death crises, which has made his thinking extremely pragmatic, even somewhat... dulled. In his mind, any unclear intention may hide risks. He is used to defining relationships in clear ways such as transactions and cooperation, because for him, this means safety and control."
She looked at Bo Saixi's slightly trembling eyelashes and continued, "He doesn't understand your subtle hints. You interpret his entrustment, made out of responsibility and trust, as a cold transaction, which confuses him. Unless you tell him directly—that my concern for you goes beyond ordinary affection, that I am fond of you—he will always deal with things using his own problem-solving logic."
Bo Saixi remained silent, offering no response. She was still consumed by the hurt and anger stemming from the word "transaction."
Chapter 382 Sun Moon Continent and the Evil Eye Tyrant Ruler
Gu Yuena looked at her and stopped trying to persuade her. She changed the subject, her tone becoming indifferent. "However, in the end, your feelings for Xuan Ming were established somewhat hastily. What you see may only be his strength, resilience, and willingness to challenge divine power. What you like may only be that dazzling light."
"But you don't know all of him—you don't know his almost obsessive sense of responsibility, you don't know how much he'll sacrifice to protect those he cares about, and you don't know his frustrating emotional insensitivity and almost clumsy honesty."
Gu Yuena's voice was calm and even. "If you can't accept him like this, can't tolerate his unique, even somewhat hurtful, way of thinking, then perhaps it means there are irreconcilable differences between you. In that case, cutting your losses is better for both of you, and there's no need to waste any more time."
Having said that, Gu Yuena didn't linger any longer, her figure slowly disappearing from the hall, leaving Bo Saixi alone, pondering her words.
Bo Saixi hugged her knees, burying her face in her arms. Gu Yuena's words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing her anger and forcing her to start thinking calmly.
Does she prefer an imagined, perfect, and powerful figure, or the real Xuan Ming —someone who is confused, clumsy, and takes responsibility in his own way, yet also infuriates her?
Inside the Ice Crystal Castle, Xuan Ming entered the hall, carrying the scent of the sea breeze. The Snow Empress and the Ice Empress were sitting at the table, clumsily fiddling with the exquisite tea set, clearly unfamiliar with these human objects.
Xuan Ming silently stepped forward, took the tea set, and skillfully began brewing. Warm steam rose slowly, and the aroma of tea filled the air.