Fang Yang sat cross-legged in the depths of the ten-thousand-foot ocean, brilliant light flowing around him.
Eight different colored Heavenly Flames swirled around his body, each emitting heart-palpitating fluctuations.
The Mysterious Yellow Flame was as heavy as the earth, emanating a warm yellow halo. The Myriad Beast Spirit Flame was crimson as blood, faintly carrying the roars of hundreds of beasts.
The Yin-Yang Twin Flames intertwined in black and white, performing the cycle of life and death. The Netherworld Poisonous Fire glowed with an eerie green light, dyeing the surrounding seawater a jade hue.
The Green Lotus Core Flame swayed gracefully, each petal of flame carved like jade. The Fallen Heart Flame was formless and intangible, yet sent ripples spreading through the seawater.
The Sea Heart Flame was azure as the deepest ocean, resonating and trembling with the surrounding water. The Fire Cloud Water Flame transformed into sky-blue mist, stretching and changing in the currents, dreamlike and ethereal.
The eight Heavenly Flames rotated around him like stars surrounding the moon, emitting terrifying energy fluctuations that illuminated the ten-thousand-foot deep sea as bright as day.
Fang Yang slowly opened his eyes, flames flowing within his pupils before finally settling into tranquility.
"Meow~"
Little Black curiously approached, its small cat paws gently touching the various colored flames surrounding its master.
Those terrifying Heavenly Flames capable of burning mountains and boiling seas now showed gentleness toward this small black cat.
Like tamed pets, they restrained their violent natures, allowing it to paw at the dancing flames.
"Withdraw."
With a light shout, the eight Heavenly Flames submerged into his body like rivers returning to the sea.
The bottom of the deep sea was once again shrouded in eternal darkness.
Fang Yang felt the surging power of the Heavenly Flames within him, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips.
He gently raised his hand, and the Water Cloud Fire Flame and Sea Heart Flame appeared out of thin air.
"Devour!"
The Fire Cloud Water Flame transformed into mist filling the sky, while the Sea Heart Flame surged like angry waves.
The two Heavenly Flames madly devoured energy in the deep sea, forming a massive energy vortex.
The seawater for several miles around began to tremble violently.
Pure water-attribute energy surged like tidal waves, refined by the Heavenly Flames into the purest energy that continuously poured into Fang Yang's body.
Meanwhile, the entire sea region began to tremble.
On the two massive ships, the Star Luo and the Dou Luo, numerous powerful experts simultaneously sensed something in their hearts.
The Scarlet Dragon Douluo, Zhuo Shi, suddenly opened his eyes, his white robes moving without wind: "How can there be such terrifying energy fluctuations in the deep sea?"
Sima Lanxiao, along with the accompanying Star Luo experts, also came to the deck one after another, staring in shock and uncertainty at the turbulent dark waters below.
"This aura... is coming from the deep sea?"
A Titled Douluo from the Star Luo Empire muttered to himself, his face filled with disbelief.
At the bottom of the deep sea, Fang Yang was completely unaware of the commotion on the surface.
He felt that after devouring the sea's energy, the energy within him grew increasingly abundant.
The Fire Cloud Water Flame and Sea Heart Flame were like fish in water in this domain that belonged to them, greedily absorbing the ocean's energy.
Little Black stood guard vigilantly nearby, flames dancing in its dark pupils.
It would look toward the center of the energy vortex, then scan the surrounding darkness, protecting its master while also enjoying the pure energy permeating this sea region.
After a moment, Fang Yang slowly spoke: "That's about enough. If it's insufficient, I can come back to absorb more another day."
The Sea: "Are you even human?"
He could feel that his body was not only filled with Heavenly Flame energy but also the vast power of the sea.
This energy was sufficient to break through to Titled Douluo.
As Fang Yang's thoughts turned, the Fire Cloud Water Flame and Sea Heart Flame slowly converged, and the energy vortex in the deep sea gradually subsided.
The originally violently trembling seawater also returned to its usual calm, leaving only silent currents surging.
"It's time to go back."
Fang Yang said softly, reaching out to gather Little Black into his arms.
Dark currents surged in the deep sea as a figure broke through the water barrier, racing toward the surface.
In the darkness, a massive figure slowly appeared.
It was a Deep-Sea Dragon over ten thousand meters long, its scarlet eyes filled with unwillingness and rage.
"Damn it, that human absorbed all the deep-sea energy from my territory."
The Dragon roared in a low voice, sound waves vibrating through the deep sea.
It had originally planned to attack this intruder, but chose to retreat after sensing the terrifying aura emanating from him.
During this time, it hadn't considered ambushing him, but even that seemingly petite black cat emitted a heart-palpitating pressure.
"What are you looking at?"
The Dragon roared at a sea soul beast peeking from not far away, venting its full fury upon the other party.
"I can't keep this territory anymore, so I'll take yours!"
With that, its massive body suddenly charged toward that unfortunate sea soul beast's territory, stirring up waves of dark currents.
...
When Fang Yang silently returned to his cabin on the Star Luo, a familiar voice came from the bed.
"Fang Yang, that commotion just now was caused by you, right?"
Gu Yue was wearing white pajamas, lying on her side on Fang Yang's bed.
Her waterfall-like black hair scattered across the pillow, making her skin appear even fairer than snow.
Moonlight streamed through the porthole, casting a faint halo across her exquisite face, her eyes gleaming with insight in the darkness.
Fang Yang smiled slightly, walked to the bedside and sat down: "My Yue'er is so clever, nothing can be hidden from you."
"Hmph."
Gu Yue let out a light snort, making as if to get up and leave, but he reached out and pulled her back.
Before Gu Yue could finish speaking, she was gently pulled back onto the bed by Fang Yang.
"Since you're already here, don't leave."
Fang Yang said softly, pulling Gu Yue back onto the bed, "Tonight, let's sleep together."
Gu Yue didn't resist, only a flush of crimson appearing on her cheeks, appearing especially captivating in the dim moonlight.
She turned her face away slightly, speaking in a low voice: "Idiot, who wants to sleep with you..."
Seeing her like this, Fang Yang's heart warmed. He gently gathered her into his arms and pulled the blanket over both of them.
Little Black obediently jumped off the bed, found a comfortable spot in the corner to curl up, closed its eyes to feign sleep, though its tail still swayed gently from time to time.
The cabin was momentarily silent, leaving only the steady breathing of the two and the faint sound of waves outside the window.
Gu Yue's body was initially somewhat stiff, but in Fang Yang's warm embrace, she gradually relaxed.
She gently leaned against Fang Yang's chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, feeling the reassuring aura emanating from him, an unprecedented sense of security welled up in her heart.
"Were you preparing to break through at the bottom of the sea just now?" Gu Yue asked softly, her voice carrying a hint of concern.
Fang Yang stroked her black hair, speaking in a low voice: "Mm, accumulating some energy. When the time is right, I can break through to Titled Douluo."
Gu Yue looked up at him, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes: "Your cultivation speed is even faster than I imagined."
"Because I have you by my side." Fang Yang smiled slightly, his fingers gently brushing across her cheek.
Gu Yue's face reddened again, turning her head away once more, but she didn't refute him.
The two embraced and slept, on the vast and boundless ocean, in this small cabin, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.
Feeling the person in his arms gradually steady her breathing, Fang Yang looked down to find that Gu Yue had somehow fallen asleep.
In the moonlight, her peaceful sleeping face was breathtakingly beautiful.
Fang Yang gently tightened his arms, placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Good night, Yue'er."
Outside the window, moonlight spilled across the sea surface, creating sparkling ripples.
------------------------------------------------------
Join my Patreon to read a completed exclusive novel (Over 250 Chapters) + get up to 40 Chapters ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)