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However, this method of rapidly increasing one's strength by devouring other spirit beasts was quite similar to the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger in the Star Dou Great Forest.
The difference lay in the fact that one side possessed overwhelming power, while the other could only be chased out of the core area by 100,000-year spirit beasts.
In essence, it all boiled down to the question of strength. If one was strong enough, even a god could be toppled.
"We're here, Lord Tian Xing. Your combined strength is far too overwhelming. I can only guide you this far and will return now."
Without waiting for Ye Wen to respond, Xiao Bai transformed into a streak of light and returned to Sea God Island.
Seeing this, Ye Wen felt somewhat helpless. Was he really that intimidating? He had only scolded her a little last time.
Oh well, the task at hand was more important. Ye Wen narrowed his eyes.
A surge of soul power mixed with spiritual pressure swept across the ocean, penetrating deep into the abyss.
In the pitch-black depths of the sea, a massive shadow was suddenly startled. A three-meter-wide eye abruptly opened.
"This aura? It's the Sea God!"
Just awakened from its slumber and still somewhat dazed, the Deep Sea Demon Whale King was assaulted by distant memories, fueling its rage. It charged recklessly toward the surface, completely forgetting that the opponent represented divine power and still harboring thoughts of revenge.
Sensing the rapidly approaching powerful presence, Ye Wen also narrowed his eyes. To be safe, he donned his Battle Armor, boosting his strength by several levels.
"Sea God!!!"
Enraged, the Deep Sea Demon Whale King leaped out of the water, opening its massive jaws. A thick wave of soul power surged toward Ye Wen.
Though Ye Wen wasn't worried about losing, he disliked unnecessary fighting. With a thought, he activated Inner Space to dodge the attack effortlessly.
Seeing that his attack had no effect on Ye Wen, the Deep Sea Demon Whale King refused to give up. It manipulated the seawater, forming towering water pillars that surged toward Ye Wen.
Even Ye Wen, who was usually easygoing, felt irritated by the Deep Sea Demon Whale King's unprovoked assault. He summoned the Sea God Trident.
"Enough! Thirteen Techniques of the Sea God, First Form: Unsettled Storm Waves!"
A powerful vortex of soul power locked the Deep Sea Demon Whale King in place, rendering it immobile on the surface. Even though it was already 99% divine in nature, it was forcibly pinned down for eight seconds—this was the terrifying power of the Thirteen Techniques of the Sea God.
But feeling this familiar technique only fueled the Deep Sea Demon Whale King's anger further. Like a mad beast, it continued to lash out at Ye Wen, revealing just how much it resented the ancient Sea God Poseidon.
"Deep Sea Demon Whale King! Do you really want to die?!" Ye Wen shouted angrily.
The killing intent in his voice seemed to bring the Deep Sea Demon Whale King back to its senses slightly. It looked at the tiny figure before it.
"Not the Sea God?" the Deep Sea Demon Whale King muttered in confusion.
At this moment, the effects of Unsettled Storm Waves dissipated, allowing it to retreat back into the water.
From high above in the air, Ye Wen looked down and said, "I am not yet the Sea God, but I will soon be the next one."
"The legendary divine inheritance? I didn't expect Poseidon to pass on the divine position so quickly. Then again, it's no surprise from the one who defeated me. If I were to become a god, I would have already passed on my divine position by now."
Living long did indeed grant wisdom.
The Deep Sea Demon Whale King rambled on aimlessly, leaving Ye Wen speechless. Had living nearly 300,000 years driven it mad?
Too lazy to waste any more time, Ye Wen interrupted bluntly.
"Don't get your hopes up. Spirit beasts cannot ascend to godhood, even if your cultivation reaches a million years."
This statement struck a nerve in the Deep Sea Demon Whale King. Its remaining eye turned bloodshot as it glared at Ye Wen and roared, "Why can't spirit beasts become gods?!"
Ah…
I'm here to kill you, big guy, why are you asking me questions?
But for the sake of his ultimate goal, Ye Wen chose to answer.
"That's something you'll have to ask your spirit beast ancestors. According to ancient legends, when your Dragon God fell, it decreed that no spirit beast could ascend to godhood until the new Dragon God returned.
How's that? Does this answer make you feel like chatting with me?"
"Spirit beasts can't become gods? Spirit beasts can't become gods! That damned Dragon God, how dare he impose such a rule on all spirit beasts! We're not just limited to the dragon lineage! Argh, I'm so furious!"
Watching the Deep Sea Demon Whale King spiral into another fit of rage, Ye Wen felt a vein throb in irritation. He hastily shouted to stop its tantrum.
Perhaps sensing that Ye Wen bore no ill intent, the Deep Sea Demon Whale King calmed down somewhat and grumbled sullenly, "What do you want then, heir of the Sea God? Though we bear no grudge, your Sea God aura makes me extremely uncomfortable. Spit it out already."
As expected of the strongest surviving spirit beast, its tone was arrogant.
"Let me be honest with you. I've reached the final trial of the Sea God's nine trials, and its content is to hunt you down, obtaining your soul ring and soul bone."
"Hunt me down?"
The Deep Sea Demon Whale King began to question itself. Then, an overwhelming killing intent spread outward, as if Ye Wen's words had reignited its hatred for the Sea God.
"Calm down. While hunting you is indeed the task, do you really think you stand a chance against me? I've already reached level 100, unlike your half-baked state. You'd better talk to me nicely, or I might lose control and kill you in the next second."
This statement successfully intimidated the once frenzied and violent Deep Sea Demon Whale King, causing it to calm down significantly.
In truth, there was some exaggeration in Ye Wen's words. Although he had reached level 100, his body had yet to fully transform into a divine god-body. This transformation would only complete during the divine inheritance ritual.
Compared to the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, whose body was already 99% divine, there was still a gap.
But this was all about exploiting the information gap. As long as the Deep Sea Demon Whale King cooperated willingly, that was all that mattered.
"Listen carefully, Deep Sea Demon Whale King. Though the Sea God's ninth trial requires me to kill you and harvest your soul ring, there's no specific method prescribed.
I'll give you a choice. Offer yourself to me, and I'll grant you a position as a divine official in the divine realm, making you my subordinate. After ten thousand years, I'll set you free.
If you're unwilling, I can revive you after the offering and leave you here."
The Deep Sea Demon Whale King's eyes flickered with contemplation.
It knew its own limitations well. Ever since its battle with the Sea God, its growth in strength had been minimal.
Especially since the opponent had mastered the Thirteen Techniques of the Sea God, which completely countered it. There was no reason for him to deceive it.
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