Chapter 377: Going to Sea? Heading to Sea God Island?
Spirit City, Priest Hall.
Unlike the grand majesty of the Pope's Palace, the Priest Hall was more ancient and solemn. Ancient angel totems were carved onto the tall pillars, and soft golden light fell from the dome, illuminating the grave and worried faces of every worshiper within the hall.
The sudden fall of Pope Bibi Dong had brought a catastrophic shock to the Spirit Empire.
It was not just the absence of the highest authority, but the collapse of their spiritual pillar and strategic deterrence.
Had it not been for the timely intervention of Qian Daoliu, the High Priest who acted as a stabilizing anchor, using his absolute prestige and strength to forcibly suppress various restless internal forces and quickly supporting the legitimate Qian Renxue—who held the Angel God Trial—to ascend to the position of Pope, the Spirit Empire might have already disintegrated rather than just losing large swaths of territory.
Even so, the authority of the new Pope, Qian Renxue, was still in its Early Stage of establishment. The Empire's borders were shrinking, people's hearts were wavering, and powerful external enemies were watching like tigers. The situation remained precarious.
At this moment, within the Pope's Palace, the atmosphere still appeared very oppressive.
Qian Renxue sat upright upon the throne that originally belonged to Bibi Dong.
She had changed into slightly oversized Pope robes and wore a crown. Her exquisite face had shed some of its former youthfulness, gaining a touch of calm and majesty. However, deep in her eyes, a trace of complex emotion that had not yet dissipated remained; Bibi Dong's death had left her heart feeling somewhat empty.
Below her stood several worshipers led by Golden Crocodile Douluo, as well as several Elders, who were standing solemnly and reporting something.
"Your Majesty, the latest urgent report from the front! It is not from the Heaven Dou or Star Luo borders, but from the Empire's northwestern hinterland, toward the direction of the Gray Ridge Mountains..." An Elder took a deep breath, appearing somewhat hesitant to speak, but he eventually said it.
"Three towns, including Graystone City and Black Iron Fort, as well as all the villages and outposts along the way... in just two days, were all... all slaughtered to the last person! According to the descriptions of lucky witnesses from afar and the residual aura at the scene... the perpetrator is very likely the one who appeared at the Iron Wall Pass battlefield and fought the former Empress... the Slaughter King!"
"A massacre? The Slaughter King?!" As soon as these words were spoken, the hall instantly erupted in an uproar!
Even the worshipers, who were accustomed to great storms, could not help but change their expressions drastically.
"Slaughtering innocent civilians?! Such actions are simply intolerable by heaven!" Hearing this, Lion Douluo's hair and beard bristled with uncontrollable rage.
"The Slaughter King... why would he strike at the towns of our Spirit Empire? Is it because of the former Empress?" Azure Luan Douluo frowned as he analyzed.
Hearing this, Qian Renxue's jade-like hands tightened slightly on the armrests of the throne, her knuckles turning white. Although she detested many of Bibi Dong's actions, hearing about her death still caused a slight pang in her heart. Now that her former enemy was taking such cruel revenge on the Empire's subjects, a cold fury and a sense of responsibility as the Empress surged within her.
"Enough!" Golden Crocodile Douluo spoke in a deep, booming voice that suppressed the discussion. Then, he turned to Qian Renxue, cupped his hands in a salute, and said decisively:
"Your Majesty! Since its inception, our Spirit Hall has taken maintaining the order of the continent and exterminating evil as its duty! This Slaughter King, who slaughters the innocent and acts like an ancient demon, must be eliminated by our Spirit Hall regardless of his reasons!"
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"He is currently rampaging within our Empire's borders, and every moment more subjects die tragically. This is the most blatant provocation and desecration of our Spirit Hall and the faith of the Angel God!"
"This old servant requests permission! I am willing to personally lead a team of elites to the affected area immediately to slay this beast, set the record straight, and comfort the souls of the deceased!"
Golden Crocodile Douluo's voice was powerful and resonant, filled with confidence and determination.
In his view, although Bibi Dong was strong, she had not yet fully fused with the Rakshasa Divine Power. While the Slaughter King was rumored to be fierce, as a Level 98 Peak Douluo with many powerful Spirit Abilities and combat experience, he believed he could at least fight him, if not drive him away or severely wound him.
Hearing this, everyone in the hall turned their gaze toward Qian Renxue on the throne.
Golden Crocodile Douluo's proposal was reasonable and the most direct response available.
Qian Renxue pondered for a moment, golden light swirling in her eyes. She knew Golden Crocodile Douluo's strength and understood that this matter had to be handled quickly, otherwise the Empire's already fragile public morale would completely collapse.
"Worshiper Gold Crocodile is correct. When demons rampage and slaughter our subjects, Spirit Hall cannot shirk its duty. I shall grant the worshiper's request, and you will—" Qian Renxue said calmly.
"Regarding this matter, I should be the one to go personally."
Just then, a calm, aged, yet supremely majestic voice suddenly came from the depths of the Priest Hall, interrupting Qian Renxue.
A flash of golden light appeared.
A figure had silently appeared in the center of the hall.
It was indeed the High Priest, Qian Daoliu.
He was still dressed in a simple golden robe with an ancient face, but his calm eyes now held a depth that saw through everything, along with a trace of undeniable gravity.
"Grandfather?" Seeing the newcomer, Qian Renxue was slightly stunned.
Golden Crocodile Douluo and the other worshipers also hurriedly bowed and said, "High Priest!"
Qian Daoliu nodded slightly to everyone, his gaze falling on Golden Crocodile Douluo as he spoke slowly, "Gold Crocodile, I know of your loyalty and courage. But this matter is likely not something you can easily resolve."
"Although the news from the battle at Iron Wall Pass was chaotic, I have roughly reconstructed the situation through special channels. That Slaughter King holds a weapon suspected to be a Divine Artifact, and his Slaughter Domain is so strong that it can forcibly suppress the Spirit Abilities of everyone who does not possess the Slaughter God Domain, including Bibi Dong."
"Even when Bibi Dong fully exerted her Rakshasa Divine Power and used her hundred thousand year spirit ring and Soul Bone skills, she failed to gain the upper hand and could only escape using her spatial abilities in the end."
At this point, Qian Daoliu's gaze swept across the shocked faces in the hall as he continued.
"You all should be clear about Bibi Dong's strength. Although she has not fully inherited the God Position, with the support of the Rakshasa Divine Power, her combat power is definitely not weaker than a Level 98 Peak, and even touches the threshold of Level 99. To be able to fight her to such an extent, that Slaughter King is by no means simple..."
"Gold Crocodile, you are indeed powerful, but facing an existence who might hold a Divine Artifact and whose combat power is comparable to or even exceeds a common super Douluo, what are your chances of victory? If something goes wrong, not only will you be in danger, but Spirit Hall will lose another pillar, and the Empire's situation may completely collapse."
Hearing this, Golden Crocodile Douluo opened his mouth to argue, but thinking of Bibi Dong's strength and Qian Daoliu's description of the Slaughter King, a chill could not help but rise from his heart.
He was confident, but not blind. If it was truly as the High Priest said... "Grandfather, you are going personally?" Qian Renxue asked worriedly.
Qian Daoliu was the Spirit Hall's final stabilizing anchor and her greatest support.
"Yes." Qian Daoliu nodded, his gaze looking out of the hall as if he could already see the Empire's territory being shrouded in blood. He said solemnly, "This matter involves a lot. The appearance of the Slaughter King is suspicious, and his purpose may not be simple. More importantly, that Divine Artifact in his hand is of great importance. I must go personally to confirm and resolve it as much as possible."
Finally, he withdrew his gaze and looked at Qian Renxue with an air of entrustment.
"Little Xue, you have just ascended to the throne and your Foundation is not yet stable. Gold Crocodile and the others need to stay to assist you, stabilize the interior, and deal with the pressure from Heaven Dou and Star Luo. Leave this Slaughter King to me."
Qian Daoliu's tone was flat, yet it contained absolute confidence and responsibility.
A Level 99 super Douluo, Invincible in the Sky, was personally taking action!
Qian Renxue knew this was the safest and most deterrent arrangement. After a moment of silence, she slowly stood up and gave a solemn salute to Qian Daoliu.
"Then... I will trouble Grandfather. Please be absolutely careful."
Qian Daoliu nodded slightly and said no more. In the next second, his golden figure slowly became illusory under the golden light, eventually merging into the light and disappearing... Meanwhile, in Heaven Dou City, Tianxing Academy, Council Hall.
The atmosphere here was completely different from the solemn and murderous air of the Spirit Hall, possessing more of the sharp edge of discussion and decision-making; the furnishings in the hall were simple, and the core members of the Spirit Hall sat around a long table.
Tang Chuan sat in the main seat, with the Jade Phosphor Douluo Dugu Bo on his left, the Breaking Clan Clan Chief Yang Wudi on his right, and behind him was the Defense Clan Clan Chief Niu Gao.
Along with several other newly joined and capable backbone members of the Spirit Hall.
Everyone had just finished listening to a briefing on the latest situation on the continent.
Such as the results of the Heaven Dou and Star Luo counterattacks, the temporary stability of the Spirit Empire after Qian Renxue took over, and... some vague but disturbing scattered news coming from the coast.
"According to reports from our hidden posts in coastal towns and news bought at high prices from pirates who were lucky enough to escape, about half a month ago, three young Soul Masters did indeed appear on Purple Pearl Island and the nearby waters. They were mysterious in their movements and their methods... were extremely cruel, matching the characteristics of Tang San and the others we have been following. The last direction they were seen in was heading towards the deep sea by boat; it seems... they have already gone out to sea," a Spirit Hall member responsible for intelligence reported respectfully.
"Out to sea?"
Tang Chuan, who had been sitting quietly and listening, finally raised his head slightly upon hearing this. His jawline seemed to tighten for a moment. Although his expression did not fluctuate much, those familiar with him could feel that his aura underwent an extremely subtle change at that moment.
Then, under the slightly surprised gazes of everyone, Tang Chuan slowly stood up.
"Since Tang San has already gone to sea... then I also need to make a trip out to sea."
"Out to sea?" Dugu Bo was stunned for a moment, his emerald pupils filled with confusion as he said:
"Kid, where are you going? The deep sea is vast; tracking a few people who are deliberately hiding their tracks is no different from looking for a needle in a haystack. Besides, the continental situation has just stabilized. Although the Spirit Empire has been heavily damaged, a hundred-legged insect dies but never falls down. With Qian Daoliu presiding over it, the Spirit Hall needs you right now..."
Yang Wudi, Niu Gao, and the others also looked at Tang Chuan. Although they didn't speak, their eyes expressed similar doubts. The latter always acted only after planning; why did he suddenly decide to go far overseas now?
In their view, it seemed a bit abrupt.
Tang Chuan did not directly answer Dugu Bo's words. Instead, he shifted his gaze slightly, as if piercing through the walls of the council chamber to look at the distant western horizon.
"I'm going to Sea God Island."
"Sea God Island?" Hearing this, Dugu Bo's eyebrows shot up. He seemed to have vaguely seen this name in some extremely ancient texts or rumors. His impression was that it was a mysterious and powerful overseas force, isolated from the world, but he didn't know the specifics.
Yang Wudi and Niu Gao were even more bewildered; they knew even less about overseas matters.
Tang Chuan turned to Yang Wudi and Niu Gao and explained simply:
"Sea God Island is a massive island overseas, inhabited by Soul Masters who believe in the Sea God. They are powerful, especially skilled in naval battles, and possess a unique Sea Soul Master Legacy. Its High Priest, High Priestess, is a rank ninety-nine super Douluo with unfathomable strength. This island sits isolated far out at sea, rarely interacting with the continent, but its influence cannot be underestimated."
"A rank ninety-nine super Douluo?!" Yang Wudi and Niu Gao gasped.
Another existence comparable to Qian Daoliu, and perhaps even more troublesome due to the environmental advantage?
"Kid, you suddenly want to go there, is it because..."
Dugu Bo seemed to have thought of something, and his gaze fell upon Tang Chuan.
Tang Chuan did not directly answer Dugu Bo's words, but a pure and deep blue light suddenly lit up in his eyes. At the same time, an exquisite, faintly glowing blue triangular pattern quietly emerged at the center of his forehead, like a third eye slowly opening.
"Buzz—"
In the next second, a strange buzzing sound rang out, and a beam of azure light projected from Tang Chuan's forehead, quickly taking shape in the air in front of him.
It was precisely the national treasure gifted by the Tiandou Royal Family, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud!
Tang Chuan's gaze first swept across everyone's surprised faces and finally landed on this azure and magnificent triangular object. As a transmigrator, he naturally knew the relationship between the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud and the Sea God. He said:
"This item has a deep connection with Sea God Island and is even one of the keys to obtaining the recognition of the Sea God Legacy. Tang San and the others chose to go to sea, and their target is very likely Sea God Island as well. To confirm the movements of Tang San's group and the attitude of Sea God Island, it is necessary for me to personally make a trip."
As he spoke, his mind moved slightly.
The blue light in Tang Chuan's eyes suddenly intensified, and the triangular pattern on his forehead shone brightly. The floating Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud seemed to receive a summons and soared into the air. In the blink of an eye, it rose to a height of about five meters above the ground, and its originally foot-square volume began to expand rapidly!
Amidst the flowing blue light, its volume expanded by more than a hundred times! In an instant, it transformed into a massive blue triangular object, crystal clear, with the phantom of vast ocean waves flowing inside.
Immediately after, this enlarged Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud flashed with blue light and descended from above, actually enveloping all the core members around the long table, including Tang Chuan himself!
Instantly, all the surrounding scenery was covered in a soft blue halo, but they could still clearly see the parts of the hall not covered and hear the sounds outside.
Everyone felt as if they were inside a transparent room made of blue crystal.
"This is its first function, and also its greatest. Once this shroud is formed, it acts like an absolutely safe room that can protect us inside. At the same time, after it envelops us, it is in an invisible state and doesn't even have a physical form. Not only can it hide our figures, but it can also completely conceal our presence and Soul Power fluctuations."
At this point, Tang Chuan paused to let everyone experience this wonderful sensation.
"With it, in any dangerous place, as long as it is released, it can provide us with an excellent shelter or hiding spot."
After speaking, Tang Chuan gave a gentle beckon with his left hand.
The blue light suddenly retracted, and the massive triangular shroud instantly shrank, returning to its original size. It whirled back and merged into the triangular pattern on Tang Chuan's forehead, disappearing from sight.
The surroundings returned to their original state, as if everything just now had been an illusion.
But the shock on everyone's faces had not faded.
In the next second, Tang Chuan's left hand swung out again, and the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud flew out as a beam of blue light once more. This time, the target was none other than Dugu Bo, who was sitting on his left!
As a Titled Douluo, Dugu Bo was extremely sensitive to danger. The moment the blue light appeared, he felt an inexplicable binding force lock onto him. Subconsciously, his Soul Power erupted, and he was about to retreat violently, but that blue light was too fast!
He only felt a flash of blue light before his eyes, and the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud was already upon him. It suddenly expanded, but this time the expansion was small, just enough to form a blue triangular light shroud that closely fit the contours of his body, enveloping him completely and seamlessly!
What horrified Dugu Bo even more was that the moment he was enveloped by this light shroud,
The surging Soul Power throughout his body instantly solidified. His body was like it was bound by countless invisible, tough silk threads, unable to move at all—he couldn't even blink his eyelids! Only his thoughts were still functioning, allowing him to clearly see the shocked expressions of everyone outside.
"This is its other function, the Cosmic Spirit-Fixing Shroud, which can immobilize anyone with lower Spiritual Power than mine. However, it cannot harm the opponent. We can take the opportunity to leave; even from thousands of miles away, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud can return to me."
As Tang Chuan spoke, his mind moved again. With a flicker of blue light, the small Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud enveloping Dugu Bo was instantly retracted, transforming back into a streamer of light that merged into Tang Chuan's forehead.
Dugu Bo's body relaxed as he regained his freedom, his face still carrying the lingering shock of the experience. He moved his somewhat stiff wrists and said with a bitter smile, "Good heavens, this thing... it's truly impossible to guard against. Even I didn't react in time before being restrained for a moment."
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