Bo Saixi leaned against Xuan Ming's chest, feeling the steady heartbeat and cool body temperature from his chest. Her sea-blue eyes gazed at the magnificent sunrise, and a serene smile, unlike anything she had ever seen before, played on her lips.
Having lived for over a hundred years, she had never felt so light and so... fulfilled in body and mind as she did at this moment.
All the shackles, obsessions, and inhibitions vanished in last night's all-or-nothing candor.
Xuan Ming looked down at the profile of the person in his arms, which appeared exceptionally soft in the morning light, and his icy blue eyes had lost some of their usual sharpness.
He stopped worrying about morality and saving face. As he had told Bi Ji and the others before, he was a "selfish" person by nature. Now that he had made his choice, he accepted it with equanimity.
This rare peace may be one of the few remaining moments he can squander at will.
There are less than six months left until the end of the Fourth Trial.
For the next six months, he planned to completely relax and stop thinking about those heavy promises, the unpredictable future, and the irritating scrutiny of the Divine Realm.
Consider it... the last breath before the storm.
No one disturbed them. Gu Yuena, Snow Empress, and the others had already seen through everything and tacitly chose to remain silent, even deliberately avoiding this sea cliff.
They all knew what Xuan Ming was carrying, and they understood how important this moment of tranquility was to him and to Bo Saixi.
At this point, it's pointless to argue about who came first.
By choosing to stay by Xuan Ming's side, they had already accepted this complicated relationship.
Rather than disrupting this rare tranquility, it's better to protect the peace he needs at this moment.
Even if they have to fight over a man, that's a matter for the future.
For the next month, Sea God Island seemed to enter a strange period of tranquility.
Xuan Ming spent most of his time with Bo Saixi. Their figures were often seen on the edge of sea cliffs, in the Ring Sea, and even in the deep sea.
Xuan Ming devoted all his efforts to helping Bo Saixi become familiar with and master the complete Sea God Trident.
Sea God Poseidon, who should have been "just and impartial," appeared unusually "unconventional" and biased at this moment.
He directly imparted his insights into the use of the Sea God Trident and the powerful divine skills he had created to Xuan Ming without reservation, all through his divine sense.
When Xuan Ming inquired via divine thought why he didn't directly impart the knowledge to Bo Saixi, Poseidon's reason was so confident that it left everyone speechless:
"You're quick-witted and a fast learner! You learn it first, then slowly teach Saixi. It'll definitely be more detailed and effective than me guiding you from across dimensions! That's called... teaching according to aptitude! Yes, teaching according to aptitude!"
Xuan Ming was speechless at this shameless old man and didn't bother to expose his true intentions.
Bo Saixi possessed exceptional talent and, having completed the Sea God's Eight Trials, was Demigod with an incredibly solid foundation.
Now that she has gained the approval of the Sea God's Heart and the complete artifact, and with the Sea God herself secretly giving her the green light, her path to inheriting the Sea God Godhood is theoretically a smooth one.
However, both Poseidon and Xuan Ming understood one thing: true Godhood Inheritance is not simply the transfer of power and the replication of skills.
Bo Saixi needs to do is not to become a second Sea God Poseidon, but to forge his own path and condense his own Sea God authority based on understanding and mastering the essence of the power of the sea.
Only in this way can she truly assume the Godhood and even surpass her predecessors in the future.
This process takes time, requires reflection, and, most importantly, a catalyst.
With Xuan Ming by his side, Poseidon felt completely at ease. He believed that with Xuan Ming's extraordinary comprehension and insight into the nature of power, he would be able to better guide Bo Saixi.
He could almost see a new Sea God, surpassing even his predecessor, being born under his "wise" guidance in the future Sea God Temple in the Divine Realm.
The tranquil teaching time by the sea cliffs was eventually broken.
One evening a month later, Gu Yuena appeared silently on the cliff top. Her silver-purple eyes swept over Xuan Ming, who was guiding Bo Saixi to comprehend the rhythm of the Xuan Ming. Without any further pleasantries, she spoke directly:
"It's time to get going."
Xuan Ming paused, naturally understanding what she meant. His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, his tone carrying a hint of resistance. "There's no need to go to Qian Renxue's side... You and I both know her temper; this matter is fundamentally unsolvable. Meeting her will only lead to arguments and awkwardness, nothing will come of it."
Gu Yuena looked at him, her eyes calm but unwavering. "I'm not discussing this with you, Xuan Ming. Either you go over there yourself and make things clear, or,"
She paused for a moment, then said, "I'll go and 'invite' her over. As for whether anything unpleasant will happen during this process, I can't guarantee."
Xuan Ming looked at Gu Yuena's "I mean what I say" expression and felt a wave of exhaustion. He knew that Gu Yuena was truly capable of doing it.
"I understand." Xuan Ming sighed, his tone tinged with helplessness. "I'll go with you."
He held no expectations. Because of Bibi Dong's existence, an insurmountable chasm existed between him and Qian Renxue from the very beginning.
His relationship with Hu Liena was already an incredibly complicated situation Bibi Dong's. If he were to become entangled with Qian Renxue as well, the damage to Bibi Dong would be immeasurable.
He was fully aware of this and would never cross the line.
Gu Yuena glanced at him, seemingly seeing through his thoughts, and added, "I don't expect anything from you and her. I just want a clear and complete break between you two. Whether it's severing all ties completely and never seeing each other again, or finding another way of getting along that you can both accept and that won't lead to future conflict, that's something you two need to discuss yourselves."
Xuan Ming nodded silently. This was perhaps the only feasible way at the moment.
He turned to look at Bo Saixi, a hint of apology in his eyes.
Bo Saixi smiled gently at him and said softly, "Go ahead, it's better to resolve this sooner. I'll wait for you here."
She understood Xuan Ming's difficulties and knew that Qian Renxue's situation was unavoidable. She wouldn't make a fuss; she would only choose to support him.
Xuan Ming nodded silently.
He turned to look at Bo Saixi beside him. Bo Saixi -blue eyes held understanding mixed with a hint of barely perceptible worry. She gently squeezed his hand. "Go, and come back soon."
Xuan Ming hummed in agreement, said nothing more, and together with Gu Yuena, they transformed into streams of light and left Sea God Island.
Instead of directly traversing space, they chose to fly, at a moderate speed, as if giving Xuan Ming time to think, or perhaps observing the world below.
As their figures swept across the coastline and officially entered the skies above Douluo Continent, Xuan Ming keenly sensed an atmosphere different from before.
The atmosphere in the Spirit Hall Empire has changed significantly since he left. The clamor of its previous frenzied expansion and conquests seems to have subsided, replaced by a... highly tense and oppressive atmosphere.
The patrolling Soul Master on the streets were strictly disciplined, their eyes sharp. Most passersby hurried along, their faces less numb or fanatical than before, and more cautious and... fearful?
Clearly, Bibi Dong's iron-fisted methods and the absolute violence she had previously displayed had a powerful deterrent effect.
Those Soul Master who profited from war and plunder had their restless claws forcibly suppressed.
However, this calm maintained by top-tier military force is like an ice sheet built on a volcano.
Xuan Ming was well aware that this stability, which relied heavily on top-level military deterrence, was extremely fragile.
The foundation of the Spirit Hall Empire was not solid; in fact, it could be described as a disorganized mess.
Why do those Soul Master who are affiliated with the Spirit Hall support the Empire? No matter how loudly they shout their slogans, they cannot conceal their desire for power, resources, and plunder.
Today, Bibi Dong's iron-fisted rule, while ensuring the basic survival of the lower classes, has severely damaged the vested interests of these Soul Master.
In the past, they could lord it over others by virtue of the power of the Spirit Hall, but now they are easily offended and may even lose their heads.
Fear may suppress greed for a time, but it cannot eliminate it.
If the top-level deterrence weakens in the slightest, or if external pressure increases, this suppressed rebound will erupt even more violently, tearing this seemingly powerful empire to shreds in an instant.
The current Spirit Hall Empire is like a straw pile that has been forcibly tied up; it looks neat on the outside, but inside it is full of dry tinder. Just a spark could ignite a raging fire.
Chapter 405 Giving Up in the End
After entering Spirit City, Xuan Ming did not immediately go to find Qian Renxue, but went to the Pope's Palace first.
Bibi Dong seemed to have sensed his return long ago. When he entered the main hall, she was standing by the window, looking down at the city. Her beautiful profile showed a hint of weariness that was hard to hide, but her eyes were still sharp and firm.
"You're back?" Bibi Dong turned around, her purple-gold eyes looking at Xuan Ming, her tone calm.
"Hmm." Xuan Ming nodded, stepped forward, and without any pleasantries, raised his hand, revealing an exquisitely designed and complexly structured Soul Tool storage ring in his palm.
"This is something I brought back from the Sun Moon Continent." He handed the ring to Bibi Dong. "Inside is the Sun Moon Empire's most core and comprehensive information on Soul Tool technology, including basic principles, development history, and design blueprints for various common Soul Tool, from military weapons to civilian facilities—it has everything."
Bibi Dong accepted the ring, and after a brief scan with her Divine Consciousness, her eyes instantly flashed with astonishing brilliance! With her knowledge, she immediately realized just how immense the value of this information was!
For the past six months, she has been working to reorganize the internal affairs of the Spirit Hall Empire. Although she has forcibly suppressed the chaos, order alone lacks the fundamental means to maintain it, making this stability false.
The productivity of the Douluo Continent was extremely backward, and the social structure was rigid. The root cause was that the concept of " Soul Master supremacy" imprisoned everyone's minds.
Ordinary people place their hopes for changing their fate entirely on the elusive Martial Soul Awakening, never considering improving themselves through knowledge and tools.
Meanwhile, the Soul Master class became obsessed with improving their personal combat power, neglecting to promote the overall productivity of society.
These Soul Tool technologies can break this deadlock! They allow ordinary people to gain power through tools, greatly improve production efficiency, improve people's livelihoods, and fundamentally change the way society operates!
With these technologies, she was confident that she could gradually dismantle the old interest groups and build a truly powerful and well-established empire! This was far more reliable than simply relying on military intimidation!
Although promoting these technologies will inevitably affect the interests of the existing Soul Master class, the resistance will be enormous.
But now, the thing she cares about least is resistance!
Any obstacle that dares to stand in her way, no matter what it is or who it is, will be crushed by her!
After handing the ring containing the Soul Tool technology to Bibi Dong, Xuan Ming did not leave the Pope's Palace immediately. Instead, as if he had found some excuse, he lingered there.
He first inquired about Bibi Dong's progress in mastering the Asura Demon Sword, listened to her recount her insights and difficulties in cultivation, and occasionally offered his own opinions.
The conversation then turned to the current state of the Spirit Hall Empire.
"Are the two great empires behaving themselves lately? Should I pay them another visit to make a stronger impression?" Xuan Ming's tone was calm, but his words carried an undeniable ruthlessness.
Bibi Dong glanced at him and shook her head. "Not for now. Star Luo Empire and Heaven Dou are both very quiet right now, especially Heaven Dou. Xue Ye is seriously ill, and there are undercurrents surging within them, so they have no time to attend to other matters. Your deterrent power is still there."
"That's good." Xuan Ming nodded, seemingly regretful that he hadn't found a reason to take action.
In the days that followed, Xuan Ming became even more ruthless.
He repeatedly activated spatial teleportation, traversing the vast ocean and appearing directly in the imperial palace of the Sun Moon Empire.
Faced with this fiend who could even subdue their "guardian deity," the Evil Emperor, how could the Sun Moon Imperial Family dare to show the slightest negligence?
Xuan Ming directly demanded top-notch Soul Tool design Grandmaster, theoretical experts, and even skilled craftsmen.
Then, he took these bewildered elites of the Sun Moon Empire back to Spirit City like chickens and dumped them in front of Bibi Dong.
"You can use these people for now. If you don't understand anything, or if they're uncooperative, just tell me," Xuan Ming said to Bibi Dong, his tone matter-of-fact.
In just over half a month, the Soul Tool Research Institute of Spirit City took shape at an astonishing speed, and the technology from the Sun Moon Continent began to collide and merge with the Soul Master system of the Douluo Continent.
Xuan Ming, using this as an excuse, spent almost every day in the Pope's Palace discussing "important matters of the empire" with Bibi Dong, ostensibly to ensure the smooth introduction of technology, but in reality, he was enjoying this rare, undisturbed time together.
Although Bibi Dong saw through his little scheme, she didn't expose him. After all, she quite enjoyed the peace and quiet, so she let him be.
He was busy with various tasks, seemingly putting all his energy into helping Bibi Dong consolidate her empire and develop technology, never mentioning Qian Renxue, and seemingly having completely forgotten about the unfinished Fourth Trial on Sea God Island.
Pope's Palace, he and Bibi Dong could often be seen standing side by side, discussing matters. Although there were no particularly intimate gestures between them, the unspoken understanding and the lingering atmosphere made Gu Yuena's expression grow colder day by day.
Finally, just as Xuan Ming was returning from the Sun Moon Continent with a "full load" and was about to show Bibi Dong a new batch of sophisticated Soul Tool blueprints, Gu Yuena could no longer bear it and stormed into the Pope's Palace like a silver lightning bolt.
" Xuan Ming, how long are you going to drag this out?"
Xuan Ming paused in his movements, slowly turned around, his face expressionless.
Bibi Dong also raised her head, her purple-gold eyes calmly looking at Gu Yuena. She didn't speak, but an invisible aura of majesty already emanated from her.
Gu Yuena completely ignored Bibi Dong, her gaze fixed solely on Xuan Ming: "It's been over half a month, what are you doing back here? Are you trying to escape this way, or... have you already made up your mind to just give up and do whatever you want?"
Xuan Ming remained silent, neither admitting nor denying. He simply stood there, his eyes lowered, staring at the ground, as if Gu Yuena's questioning had nothing to do with him.
But this silence itself is an answer.
Gu Yuena's heart sank. She had guessed correctly. Xuan Ming's current state was like a string being stretched to its limit. This " Severing Romantic Ties " test from the Divine Realm had completely touched his sore spot, making him feel fooled and coerced.
He really couldn't hold back any longer.
He can accept the trials and tribulations set by the Divine Realm, even if it means facing certain death. It is the path he chose, and he accepts it.
But testing him in a way that involves the emotions of those around him and is almost manipulative has crossed the line he can accept.
More importantly, he sensed an extremely dangerous signal—was the Divine Realm trying to control him through this method? Was it using people he cared about to threaten him and force him into submission?
If not, why stage such an absurd " Severing Romantic Ties "? Was Bo Saixi's appearance and the hidden God's Trial a signal of "recruitment" from the Sea God, an attempt to bind him with a gentle embrace?
He wasn't sure, but the feeling of being manipulated by an invisible hand, of having his weaknesses exploited, made him extremely uncomfortable, and he even felt intense anger and... a chilling sense of betrayal.
He felt that his attitude was clear enough and that he had shown enough "sincerity"—he did not choose to run away with Gu Yuena and plan to start a war with the Divine Realm in the future, but was willing to accept the test, hoping to solve the problem in a relatively peaceful way, and was willing to bear the corresponding costs and constraints for it.
But the response from the Divine Realm seemed to be telling him: your sincerity is worthless, we have plenty of ways to manipulate you.
This feeling of being mocked and coerced stirred up the Destruction desire within him once more.
This silence, this almost passive resistance, was a harbinger of his pent-up discontent and its impending explosion.
"..."