Qian Renxue began undergoing the final trial of the Angel God's position.
Qian Daoliu hosted a banquet together with the six Elders to entertain Li Zhexian.
After several rounds of wine, everyone at the table had grown somewhat tipsy.
Suppressing the surge of alcohol in his throat, Qian Daoliu smiled and asked:
"Zhexian, what are your plans next?"
Li Zhexian drained the wine in his cup in one gulp, then refilled the cup beside him for Glowing Feather before replying:
"I'm going to the sea."
The word sea instantly sobered Qian Daoliu by several degrees, his heart jolting.
Even after decades of arduous cultivation,
even after accompanying the Angel God statue for countless years,
whenever he heard the word sea, he could not help but think of that blue-haired woman who had dazzled his entire life.
"What business do you have in the sea?" he asked.
"There's a torso Spirit Bone of mine in the sea."
The ocean was far vaster than the land.
Because sea Spirit Beasts could not step onto land, they were not included among the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts.
Yet the truly powerful beings within the ocean far surpassed those on land.
The overlord of the seas was a Deep Sea Demon Whale King, whose cultivation was approaching a million years.
Its physical body was as powerful as a true dragon's, and its torso bone could be called peerless.
"The sea is the territory of that 'Invincible of the Ocean,' Bo Saixi," Qian Daoliu said softly after a moment of silence.
"You killed Tang Chen. She will not let this go."
Li Zhexian looked at Qian Daoliu, whose expression was calm and unreadable, and suddenly said:
"Xue'er is about to become the Angel God. Senior, your mission has already been fulfilled."
"Why not accompany this junior to the sea?"
"Very well!!" Qian Daoliu replied without hesitation.
After staying in Spirit City for another half day,
Li Zhexian set off, with Qian Daoliu traveling alongside him.
...
Upon returning to the Heaven Dou Empire,
Li Zhexian first went to the Dugu residence to report his safety.
As expected,
Chen Xin, Feng Bailong, and Yu Yuanzhen were all there, still discussing preparations for the upcoming Heaven's Ridge Martial Tournament.
"Zhexian is back."
Seeing him, smiles appeared on everyone's faces.
They knew Li Zhexian had gone to the Star Dou Forest, but they were not particularly worried.
After all, the young man's strength was no longer what it once had been.
However, when the golden-haired man in a gray robe entered the residence alongside Li Zhexian, Chen Xin, Dugu Bo, Feng Bailong, and the others all grew solemn.
This man seemed to gather the world's light around him.
Wherever he passed,
even sunlight appeared especially fond of him.
And for light to favor someone so completely,
there was only one person in the entire world—
the Grand Worship of Spirit Hall.
Both sides exchanged respectful greetings.
Qian Daoliu swept his gaze across the group and said with a trace of emotion:
"The last time the Heaven's Ridge Martial Tournament was held…"
"…must have been several decades ago."
Chen Xin and the others nodded.
Qian Daoliu belonged to the previous generation.
During that iteration of the Heaven's Ridge Martial Tournament,
they had merely been spectators at the sidelines.
"If you do not mind," Qian Daoliu said with a smile,
"I am willing to serve as the host for this year's Heaven's Ridge Martial Tournament."
"Additionally, several of the Spirit Empire's Elders would likely be quite interested in such a grand event."
As the elders enthusiastically discussed the details of the tournament, Li Zhexian saw that there was nothing for him to do and quietly took his leave.
Returning to his own courtyard, he found Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Xiao Wu there.
When they saw Li Zhexian return,
the three girls happily rushed forward.
"Zhexian, you're finally back!"
Li Zhexian smiled and nodded.
He naturally reached out and took Zhu Zhuqing's hand.
Her pretty face flushed slightly as she asked softly:
"Zhexian, did you go to the Spirit Empire? Is Xue'er doing well now?"
"She has already begun the Ninth Angel Trial," he replied.
"Her ascension to godhood is close at hand."
Watching Li Zhexian and Zhu Zhuqing leaning against each other as if no one else were around,
Ning Rongrong's beautiful eyes dimmed slightly.
She had seen scenes like this many times before.
Yet every single time,
a fine, lingering ache still welled up in her chest.
Beside them, Xiao Wu wore a faint smile. Light rippled through her pink eyes, but no one knew what she was thinking at that moment.
"Xue'er is about to become a god?!"
Zhu Zhuqing's lips first curved upward, then she lowered her voice with a hint of loss:
"The divine path is long, and the lifespan of gods is nearly endless. If she becomes a god, she'll be able to stay by your side forever."
Li Zhexian paused briefly, then said seriously:
"Zhuqing, you consumed immortal herbs and later obtained divine blood. You also have a chance to become a god."
"Really? I can too?!"
After saying this, he looked toward Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong.
"Where are Lingling, Sister Dugu, and Tianheng?"
Xiao Wu replied,
"They're at the Emperial Battle Academy. Huo Wu, Bing'er, Feng Buyu, and the others are all there too."
"Perfect."
Li Zhexian smiled and said,
"I'm planning a trip to the sea. I'll ask them then if they're willing to come along."
"To the sea?"
"Let's all go! It'll be a great chance to see something new!"
"Heaven Dou is nice, but staying here too long gets boring. When do we leave?"
A burst of noise suddenly came from outside the courtyard.
Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Yu Tianheng, Huo Wu, and the others filed in one after another, all of them brimming with excitement.
"Brother Zhexian, it's about time! Just the other day we were talking about traveling the continent together—this sea journey of yours came at the perfect moment!"
"Brother Zhexian's back! Let's head to Fragrant Pavilion and talk over food!"
Looking at his friends enthusiastically discussing plans, Li Zhexian smiled and nodded.
He had been planning this journey to the sea for a long time.
Not only did he need to obtain the torso bone of the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, he also had to settle his grudges with Tang San.
And Sea God Island was a destination he had to visit.
Not for himself.
The Sea God's position did not align with his sword heart.
He wanted to secure a future for these friends of his.
Among all divine inheritances on the continent,
Sea God Island was different from the Slaughter City and the Angel Temple.
Its inheritance did not depend on bloodline or birth, but followed an open selection system.
Even if one did not become the Sea God,
one could still display their talent
and attract the attention of the gods.
Li Zhexian did not wish, a hundred years from now, to sit alone above the clouds and watch old friends turn to dust.
He hoped that this group of companions could walk the path of longevity alongside him.
Thinking this,
Li Zhexian suddenly raised his head and gazed at the sky.
"It's just that…"
"I wonder whether the Sea God would refuse my friends entry to the island because of me."
"And with the karmic ties I bear to Spirit Beasts… would the gods of the Divine Realm truly tolerate them?"
...
At the Divine Realm Plaza.
Li Zhexian could not peer into it,
but the gods could hear the conversation among his friends.
Ji Dong looked at the Sea God and asked,
"Will the Sea God allow Li Zhexian's friends to land on the island?"
The Sea God stood with his hands behind his back.
His long azure hair drifted gently, even without wind.
"As the Sea God, I naturally possess the breadth of the vast ocean."
"Sea God Island's gates stand open. Anyone who carries a heart of the sea and possesses outstanding talent may come and try."
"I have chosen a successor. Li Zhexian is indeed powerful, but in combat upon the sea, Tang San is no weaker."
"However, no matter what, Sea God Island is home to my believers. I only hope Li Zhexian does not act rashly and bring conflict."
Ji Dong nodded in satisfaction.
Then he turned to the cold-faced God of Destruction.
The God of Destruction said indifferently,
"The Divine Realm has been quiet for too long. All the gods are eager to find successors; adding some fresh blood is not a bad thing."
"However, the matter of Spirit Beasts is not only opposed by the gods—it is a law of heaven and earth established at the moment of the Dragon God's fall."
"If Li Zhexian believes that gaining the power of a few more gods would allow him to overturn the rules of the Divine Realm, then he is truly indulging in wishful thinking."
...
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