The remnant soul of the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King continued, "My time is running out; my remnant soul needs further nurturing. Demon Empress, put aside your hatred, and for my sake and for our children, see the path ahead clearly. Follow our lord; perhaps... this will be the only chance for our Deep Sea Demon Whale Clan to break free from the shackles of fate."
After saying this, the wisp of blue-purple light seemed to have been overexerted, slowly receding and disappearing back into the depths of Xuan Ming's Sea of Consciousness, continuing its silence.
A brief silence fell over the deep sea, with only the slow, undulating currents.
After a long while, the Demon Empress's enormous body began to emit a dark light, rapidly shrinking within the light until it transformed into a beautiful woman dressed in a deep purple dress, with a cold and noble demeanor, yet with traces of undried tears at the corners of her eyes. She hovered before Xuan Ming, gazing intently at him, and finally, slightly lowered her proud head.
" Xuan Ming... My Lord." Her voice was hoarse and strained, yet crystal clear, "Please forgive my previous offense. I... I am willing to follow my late husband's last wishes."
Just as the Demon Empress bowed his head in submission and the atmosphere had just eased, an untimely mental fluctuation, tinged with both drowsiness and excitement, suddenly resounded from another corner of the Xuan Ming Sea of Consciousness —it was the long-dormant Sky Dream Ice Silkworm.
"Boss, boss! This is an opportunity!" Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's voice was filled with the excitement of discovering a treasure. "The aura of this Demon Empress, wow, it's definitely over 800,000 years old! It feels almost as strong as her dead husband at his peak! In terms of strength, apart from that old dragon Di Tian, I'm afraid no one in this ocean can reliably defeat her!"
It chuckled, its mental fluctuations carrying an encouraging tone. "Perfect! Her husband's Soul Ring and Soul Bone are all with you, and now his wife has delivered herself to your doorstep! A perfect match! A family, all together, how wonderful! Take her Soul Ring and Soul Bone too, and your Black Dragon Martial Soul will have another super powerful Soul Ring! It's practically a godsend!"
"You bug! You're asking for it!!!"
Before Sky Dream Ice Silkworm could finish speaking, a furious roar, like Startling Thunder, resounded in Xuan Ming's Sea of Consciousness! It was the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King, who had just fallen silent!
Clearly, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's words about "reunion" completely ignited the soul of the deceased husband who had just comforted his wife!
A powerful Divine Power transformed into an invisible tentacle, precisely seizing the plump soul phantom of the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, and dragging it without explanation into a specially isolated dark corner deep within the Sea of Consciousness!
Immediately afterwards, from that dark corner came the pig-like screams and pleas for mercy from Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, along with the angry roar of the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King and some kind of muffled, seemingly flesh-and-blood "friendly exchange".
"Ah! Don't hit me! I was wrong, Whale Bro! I was just joking! Ouch! My precious silkworm silk! It's going to break!"
"..."
Xuan Ming sensed the chaos within his Sea of Consciousness and was speechless.
After the Ice Dragon King and Fire Dragon King Sacrifice, the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm was freed from the cage's restraints. However, since the Ice Dragon King had just passed away, the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm dared not speak to him, for fear of angering him.
It's only because the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King spoke first that this guy could have kept hiding.
He glanced at the Demon Empress before him, whose expression had subtly changed due to Tian Meng's undisguised spiritual fluctuations, his eyes instantly filled with wariness and coldness. He calmly said, "Ignore that stupid silkworm's nonsense. I wouldn't stoop so low as to bully orphans and widows. As long as you don't actively oppose me, I will not lay a finger on you."
Upon hearing this, the Demon Empress's tense body relaxed slightly, and the wariness in her eyes lessened. She bowed slightly and said, "Thank you, my lord."
Just then, the overwhelming Heaven-Sweeping Demonic Surge force that blocked perception above was forcibly torn apart by a domineering power. Di Tian, surrounded by black dragon flames, descended like a meteor and landed beside Xuan Ming.
He first glanced warily at the Demon Empress, and only breathed a slight sigh of relief after confirming that Xuan Ming was unharmed and that the atmosphere was not tense. He hadn't forced a breakthrough earlier precisely because he was worried that his intervention would further agitate the Demon Empress, who had just lost his husband and was extremely emotionally unstable, causing the situation to spiral out of control.
Chapter 385 The Exam Question Went Astray
"It seems... the problem is solved?" Di Tian asked.
Xuan Ming nodded. "The misunderstanding has been cleared up."
Di Tian looked at the Demon Empress, a complex emotion flashing in his dragon eyes. He could naturally sense the Demon Empress's unfathomable strength; he was definitely an extremely powerful opponent.
However, given Xuan Ming's current unparalleled strength below the God Level, she would surely die if he made a move. After all, she had promised the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King to protect his wife and children.
The Demon Empress also looked at Di Tian and nodded slightly, as if to greet him.
Although she was proud, she knew Di Tian's identity and strength. Now that she had decided to follow Xuan Ming, she naturally would no longer adopt a hostile stance.
"Now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, that's good," Di Tian said, then looked at Xuan Ming, "Shall we... continue on our way?"
Xuan Ming glanced at the Demon Empress, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "How much do you know about the Sun Moon Continent?"
Di Tian hadn't been to the Sun Moon Continent for nearly ten thousand years, and his knowledge of the place was still stuck ten thousand years ago.
The Demon Empress thought for a moment, "I know a little about what happens at sea, but I'm not so clear about what happens on land."
The couple each occupied a sea area: the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King occupied the Demon Whale Sea Area near the Douluo Continent, while she occupied the Demon Empress Sea Area near the Sun Moon Continent.
They rarely see each other, usually only once every thousand years or so. They also raise their children separately for a thousand years each. Originally, she was supposed to come and take the child over in two years, but unexpectedly, this happened.
"You... are you going to find that old monster in the Evil Demon Forest?" the Demon Empress asked.
Although her cultivation level had reached over 800,000 years through devouring, she had only actually cultivated for over 200,000 years. The Evil Eye Tyrant Ruler in the Evil Demon Forest, who had lived for at least 500,000 years, was considered a very old thing to her.
"Hmm." Xuan Ming nodded. "I need a suitable Soul Ring."
The Demon Empress remained silent for a moment, seemingly recalling and weighing his options, before speaking, "That old monster is extremely cunning and cautious. It almost never leaves the core area of Evil Demon Forest, which is its absolute home ground, filled with mental traps and Soul Power it has laid out."
"Furthermore, that old monster seems to have a deep connection with the royal family of the Sun Moon Empire."
"How much do you know about the royal family of the Sun Moon Empire?" Xuan Ming asked.
The Demon Empress shook his head. "I don't know much. I only know that they call themselves Sun Moon, worship the sun and the moon, and have developed many unique Soul Tool technologies, which are very different from the Soul Master system of the Douluo Continent. Their royal family's inheritance also seems to be very special, but I don't care about the specifics. I've always kept to myself and them."
"However, the Evil Eye Tyrant Ruler can command human Titled Douluo to do things for it. If you want to mess with it, it will be very troublesome, and may even attract the intervention of human Soul Master from the Sun Moon Empire."
"Quantity is meaningless to me," Xuan Ming said calmly.
Even Peerless Douluo would be worn down by a sheer number of people, but he is different. The absolute suppression of the Colorless Domain and the domineering recovery of the Abyssal Dragon Emperor Body mean that unless someone can crush him head-on, no one can pose a threat to him.
The Demon Empress looked into Xuan Ming's calm eyes and felt a chill run down her spine. She said nothing more. She realized that the new ruler's strength was probably even more terrifying than she had imagined.
"In that case, let's set off," Di Tian said, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. " The Sun Moon Continent is not far away."
"And you?" Xuan Ming asked the Demon Empress.
"Are you planning to return to the Demon Whale Sea Area, or go to the Lake of Life to see the children?"
"I..." The Demon Empress hesitated for a moment.
"Let me help you deal with that old bastard first."
She wanted to see just how capable this human really was.
Sea God Island.
Hu Liena, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, and the others finished their short rest and were preparing to begin the Fourth Trial of the Sea God Trial— [ Clarify the Mind and See One's Nature ]. They needed to clarify their emotional ties with Xuan Ming and define their relationship.
However, when they habitually tried to find Xuan Ming, or hoped that he would appear at the edge of the training ground as usual, they found that he could not be found anywhere.
"Sister Gu Yuena!" Ning Rongrong couldn't contain herself any longer and ran to Gu Yuena, who was standing quietly by the water, her voice filled with urgency, "Where's Brother Xuan Ming? Where has he gone?"
Looking at the group of girls with their own thoughts, Gu Yuena said calmly, "He left Sea God Island yesterday to find a suitable Soul Ring for his Black Dragon Martial Soul."
"What?!"
Upon hearing this, not only Ning Rongrong was stunned, but Hu Liena, Zhu Zhuqing, and the others who were walking over also stopped in their tracks, their faces filled with astonishment.
The assessment began, but... the person actually giving the "exam questions" has run away? What's going on? Are they supposed to " Clarify the Mind and See One's Nature " in the air?
Seeing their blank expressions, Gu Yuena added, "He won't be back for at least several months. You should focus on your cultivation and not spend all your time waiting for him to return."
"But..." Ning Rongrong hesitated, unable to finish her sentence.
Their assessment consisted of Xuan Ming.
"Take this time to think things through carefully. Don't wait until he comes back and then hesitate and be unsure of what to do," Gu Yuena said.
Upon hearing this, the women all reacted with varying expressions and fell silent.
Gu Yuena took in everyone's reactions and sighed inwardly. She said nothing more and turned to continue her "ideological work" on Snow Empress, Ice Empress, Bi Ji, and Zi JI. At the same time, she also began to intentionally or unintentionally insert some guidance on emotions, responsibilities, and choices into Hu Liena and the others' intense training.
Although she didn't fully understand why the Sea God would send down such a test, in terms of difficulty, it wasn't actually that high. The key was the change in mindset and facing things honestly. Moreover, even without this test, the complex emotional entanglements around Xuan Ming would have needed to be resolved sooner or later. Now, the God's Trial was simply used to bring this issue to the forefront, forcing everyone to confront it earlier.
Meanwhile, deep within the Sea God Hall.
Bo Saixi stood before the enormous statue of the Sea God, the water mirror before him reflecting the scene of the Ring Sea, and naturally heard Gu Yuena's words.
A complex emotion flickered across her stunningly beautiful face. Upon learning that Xuan Ming had temporarily left, she involuntarily breathed a sigh of relief, as if she had gained a brief respite from the agonizing "explanation" she was about to face.
However, this relief was quickly followed by an indescribable emptiness and a deeper sense of unease.
He went to a dangerous place, his return date unknown. And when he returns, how will I face myself? How will I sever that lingering feeling and the obsession I've held onto for decades?
How will the hidden test bestowed by the Lord Sea God, concerning "seizing the Heart of Xuan Ming and the Sea God's Heart," proceed?
On the edge of the Evil Demon Forest, on the Sun Moon Continent.
The dense miasma and distorted Divine Power formed a natural barrier, making this vast forest appear exceptionally eerie and sinister.
The branches and leaves of the towering ancient trees blocked most of the sunlight, leaving only scattered patches of light on the land covered with moss and strange fungi.
Xuan Ming, Di Tian, and the Demon Empress appeared silently on the outskirts of the forest.
"This forest is shrouded in the Evil Emperor's Divine Power. It covers a vast area and has complex terrain, filled with illusions and mental traps," Di Tian said in a deep voice.
"If we barge in directly, it will immediately detect the slightest hint of our presence. Given its cunning, it will either use its home-field advantage to set up ambushes and wear us down, or... it will simply flee thousands of miles away, making it as difficult to find again as looking for a needle in a haystack."
Sensing the eerie spiritual fluctuations in the air that made her somewhat uncomfortable, the Demon Empress's cold and beautiful face revealed a hint of disgust. "This old thing certainly knows how to manage its lair."
Xuan Ming's gaze swept over the forest before him, which seemed to writhe like living creatures. Forcibly searching the mountain was indeed the most foolish method. It was simply unrealistic to try to search this entire Evil Demon Forest to find the Evil Emperor, and he didn't have that much time either.
"Let's do it the old way then."
Chapter 386 Arrival at the Sun Moon Imperial City
The Demon Empress frowned slightly. "What old method?"
"Isn't it connected to the royal family of the Sun Moon Empire?" Xuan Ming said.
"If the royal family were to face annihilation, could it stand idly by?"
Upon hearing this, Di Tian and the Demon Empress instantly understood Xuan Ming's plan.
This is indeed the most effective method at present. The Evil Emperor needs the Sun Moon Empire to provide him with resources and soul nourishment, and he will never stand idly by and watch his "puppet" and "granary" be destroyed.
"You mean the old way? Do you do this kind of thing often?" The Demon Empress raised an eyebrow slightly.
"No, strictly speaking, I've only used it once," Xuan Ming said.
The Demon Empress had a bad feeling. "When?"
"Ahem!" Di Tian coughed heavily twice, interrupting Xuan Ming.
Some things are better left unsaid.
"Why are you interrupting me? It's not like it's anything shameful," Xuan Ming said.
The Demon Empress frowned deeply. "What exactly is going on?"
Xuan Ming thought for a moment, "We've come to the Evil Demon Forest to find the Evil Emperor, and we dare not venture too deep for fear it will escape. Similarly, do you think I have any way to deal with the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King if it wants to escape?"
The Demon Empress's face darkened. "You wouldn't be using my child to threaten me..., would you?"
"It's just as you think," Xuan Ming said.
Trying to catch the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King in the ocean is as unrealistic as trying to catch the Blue Silver Emperor in the Blue Silver Forest.
If the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King were to run away right away, no one could stop him except for the Sea God himself!
The Demon Empress's face instantly darkened to the point of being dripping with water. The deep purple Destruction energy around him, which had finally calmed down, surged uncontrollably once again, and the surrounding air seemed to become viscous and icy.
"You... you actually dared to use my child..." The Demon Empress's voice seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, filled with barely suppressed killing intent.
She finally understood why her husband had "voluntarily" Sacrifice! It was blatant coercion!
"Don't misunderstand, I kidnapped your child just to prevent it from running away, not for this matter..." Xuan Ming paused.
"No, strictly speaking, I threatened him with the safety of you and your daughter."
"..." Di Tian.
Can you please stop explaining?!
If I explain any further, a fight might really break out!
The deep purple energy surging around the Demon Empress was almost solidifying into flames. She stared intently at Xuan Ming and asked, word by word, "Say it again?"
Di Tian felt a chill run down his spine and quickly stepped forward to stand between the two, saying in a deep voice, " Demon Empress! Calm down! The situation was special at the time, and Xuan Ming was only trying to ensure that the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King could be kept alive to fulfill the subsequent agreement! Besides, the child is safe in the Lake of Life now, isn't that the most important thing?"
As he spoke, Di Tian transmitted his Divine Power to the Demon Empress, "Don't act rashly. Even a true God Level might not be able to defeat him now. If you make a rash move, he can then rightfully hang you on his back. Even if you don't want to live anymore, think about your child. Do you want your child to become an orphan?"
The Demon Empress fell silent, and the rage around him slowly subsided.
"You could have just said it directly, there was no need to be sneaky," Xuan Ming said.
Di Tian looked completely bewildered. "You heard that?"