After a long while, the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm finally spoke in a murmur, its tone carrying a hint of disbelief and a lingering fear:
"So you're saying... the Sea God Tang San is actually not the upright gentleman the World sees him as, but a complete hypocrite?"
Xu Tianhao remained expressionless, his gaze indifferent. He didn't give a definitive answer, only saying calmly:
"Whether he is a hypocrite or a true gentleman, what is right and what is wrong—we will naturally witness it all for ourselves once we embark on the Path to Godhood in the future. There's no need to jump to conclusions now."
Then, he changed the subject, his sharp gaze fixing on the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm as he asked in a low voice:
"Tianmeng, let me ask you again. If one day in the future, the Sea God Tang San becomes a stumbling block on our Path to Godhood and is determined to eliminate us, would you still hold him in such high esteem and be so intent on seeking refuge with him as you are now?"
The Tianmeng Ice Silkworm didn't hesitate for a second. Its head shook like a rattle, its eyes instantly becoming firm, and it spoke loudly with a tone full of hostility:
"If that's the case, then he's our enemy! Elder Yi should just step in and kill him!"
Just as it finished speaking, it seemed to suddenly realize something. Its eyes brightened, and it patted its round belly, saying in a moment of epiphany:
"I see! I understand now, Tianhao. You're truly too brilliant!"
"We don't have to seek refuge with the Sea God. Since the Rakshasa God and the Sea God are mortal enemies anyway, we can just unite with the Rakshasa God's remnant soul inside Qiu Hetian to deal with the Sea God Tang San together!"
"That way, we'll have another powerful helper!"
Seeing that the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm had finally grasped the key point and was no longer clinging to its naive notions.
Electrolux spoke with a smile, slowly revealing the full extent of Xu Tianhao's plan: "Tianhao's idea is actually quite simple: leave a way out for everything."
"If the Sea God Tang San bears us no ill will in the future and doesn't obstruct our path, then we'll find an Opportunity to hand over the Rakshasa God's remnant soul and go with the flow."
"But if the Sea God Tang San harbors malicious intent and insists on being an obstacle, then we'll join forces with the Rakshasa God's remnant soul to fight the powerful enemy together."
Xu Tianhao nodded slowly, his eyes becoming incredibly firm, as an unquestionable and powerful aura radiated from his entire body.
He spoke each word with resounding clarity: "Elder Yi is right."
"Whether it's the high-and-mighty Sea God, other Divinities, or any other power on the continent."
"As long as they dare to stand in the way of my Path to Godhood or hinder the future of my Sun Moon Empire, I will regard them as mortal enemies to the death."
"If a god blocks me, I'll kill the god; if a Buddha blocks me, I'll kill the Buddha. No mercy!"
As his voice fell, the vast Sea of Consciousness seemed to freeze.
The determination and ambition in Xu Tianhao's eyes were fully revealed.
Listening to their conversation, a hint of irrepressible unease and cowardice flashed through the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's originally bright eyes.
Its round body curled up slightly, and its usually boisterous tone became weak and limp.
It chose its words carefully and spoke weakly, "But there's still one problem. Isn't it a bit overconfident of us to go against a Divinity?"
The moment it said this, the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm couldn't help but lower its head.
A Divinity is a supreme existence standing at the Peak of the Douluo Continent, looking down upon all living beings.
They are powerhouses that the continent's inhabitants have only been able to look up to for billions of years, never daring to disobey.
Even if it is a rare million-year Spirit Beast, the King of Kings among Spirit Beasts.
It is still as insignificant as dust before a high-and-mighty Divinity.
At the thought of becoming an enemy to such an existence, the fear in its heart surged uncontrollably.
Hearing this, Xu Tianhao's mental force didn't fluctuate in the slightest. There wasn't a hint of discouragement or retreat on his handsome face; instead, his gaze became even clearer and firmer.
He looked up at the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm: "Even a Divinity cannot interfere with the Lower Realm at will."
This is an eternal rule of the continent. The Divinities of the God Realm are bound by the Laws of heaven and earth and cannot easily descend to the Lower Realm.
Furthermore, they cannot meddle in the conflicts of the continent's inhabitants at will; this was his greatest source of confidence.
Then, the corners of Xu Tianhao's lips curled up slightly, and a sharp light flashed in his eyes: "As for the future in the God Realm, once we're all Divinities ourselves, will we still need to be afraid?"
Two simple sentences, yet they were like two claps of thunder, instantly shattering the cowardice and confusion in the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's heart.
It jerked its head up, light shining once more in its round eyes.
Thinking carefully about Xu Tianhao's words, it felt that every word was a gem and every sentence made perfect sense.
The heavy fear in the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's heart vanished instantly.
That's right!
It was the first Spirit Beast on the continent to achieve a Breakthrough of the million-year limit, the undisputed King of Kings among Spirit Beasts!
Now, its Host, Xu Tianhao, possessed top-tier talent that surpassed everyone on the continent.
He had a resolute Heart-Nature and extraordinary wisdom; he was destined to stand at the Peak of the continent in the future.
Behind Xu Tianhao was the power of the entire Sun Moon Empire as his backing, with resources and influence all readily available.
Furthermore, there was the support of the Holy Necromancer Electrolux. This peerless powerhouse who once dominated a region, even if only a remnant soul remained, possessed a foundation and insight that ordinary people could never hope to match.
In addition, they could secretly ally with the Rakshasa God, gaining another powerful source of assistance.
With such a profound foundation and such a once-in-a-lifetime Opportunity.
If it didn't even have the courage to fight for its path or test its strength against a Divinity.
Then what was the point of it living for a million years?
How would it be any different from those mediocre, struggling ordinary Spirit Beasts?
At this thought, the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm felt a surge of hot blood rush from its heart to its head.
Its previously cowardly appearance vanished completely, and a surging Battle Intent radiated from its body.
The Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's tone also became incredibly impassioned: "Meow, let's do it! If I die, I die; if I don't, I'll live for eternity!"
"I am the first million-year Spirit Beast on the continent. I don't believe that with you here, Tianhao, and with Elder Yi's help, we can't reach that step if we work together!"
To the side, Electrolux looked at the high-spirited human and Spirit Beast, a faint smile appearing in his eyes.
In his life, he had experienced glory and fall, witnessed the warmth and coldness of the World, and even been an enemy of heaven and earth; he had long since become indifferent to life, death, honor, and disgrace.
Now that his remnant soul resided in Xu Tianhao's Sea of Consciousness, he had originally intended to just go with the flow.
But Xu Tianhao's ambition and vision, along with the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's sincerity and passion, caused ripples in his heart that had been silent for many years.
He slowly raised his hand, his aged voice carrying the calmness and determination of someone who had lived through many vicissitudes:
"In this life, I have long since looked past life and death. In the past, I dared to confront the entire World on my own; today, I am willing to take a gamble with you."
With these words from Electrolux, the last trace of concern in Xu Tianhao's heart completely dissipated.
Looking at the passionate and spirited Tianmeng Ice Silkworm before him, the smile on his face grew even broader.
Xu Tianhao's voice was powerful and resonant: "Work together with one heart to forge our path ahead!"
These eight short words condensed the determination of the three and set the tone for their future Heaven-Defying struggle for the path.
As his voice fell, Xu Tianhao said no more. With a thought, his consciousness slowly withdrew from the Sea of Consciousness.
Afterwards, Xu Tianhao returned to his room.
The room was silent. He sat cross-legged on the bed, eyes slightly closed, fully immersing himself in the recovery of his spirit power.