“All right, then let’s go see the sea!
Vast Sea City, the largest seaport in the Heaven Dou Empire, is quite far from here, so let’s set off today!”
Tang Xiao clapped his hands in agreement before giving Tang Hao a meaningful wink.
Tang Hao immediately understood what his elder brother meant and nodded enthusiastically.
“Big Brother is right.
Let’s go see the sea.”
The three finished their meal soon afterward and left the hotel together.
However, they were not the only people heading toward Vast Sea City.
The Tenth Elder, who had been ordered by the Supreme Pontiff to search for a 100,000-year Spirit Beast that had transformed into human form, had followed the available clues all the way to the coastal city.
Yet the moment he entered Vast Sea City, he encountered three people who surprised him greatly.
“Holy Maiden?
Elder Yue Guan?
Elder Gui Mei?”
The Tenth Elder stared at the three figures standing before him.
Then he looked at them again, as though he needed to make absolutely certain that his eyes had not deceived him.
“You were actually released?”
Yue Guan sighed.
“Yes, otherwise, did you expect us to stay there for another few years?”
His words immediately caused Bibi Dong and Gui Mei to nod in agreement.
After the three of them had finally left Sea God Island, something strange had happened.
The sensation of their Spirit Power rapidly increasing had disappeared almost instantly.
The feeling was so obvious that all three of them noticed it.
And with that disappearance came an inexplicable emptiness.
For three entire years, their cultivation had advanced at an astonishing rate while they remained near Godzilla.
Every day had been accompanied by visible progress.
Every breakthrough had arrived more easily than it should have.
Even Yue Guan and Gui Mei, two Titled Douluo whose advancement should have been painfully slow, had experienced several levels of improvement.
Now that they had left, everything had returned to normal.
The sudden contrast made the three of them feel as though something precious had been taken away.
Yue Guan was especially unwilling to accept it.
Gui Mei was equally reluctant.
Bibi Dong, although she did not complain openly, also understood exactly what they had lost.
The Tenth Elder looked at the three of them with increasing confusion.
Have these three gone crazy?
What exactly is there to miss about that godforsaken place?
As far as he knew, Sea God Island was an extremely dangerous place where Spirit Hall had suffered enormous losses.
Why were these three acting as though they had just been dragged away from paradise?
Before the Tenth Elder could figure it out, Yue Guan interrupted his thoughts.
“Tenth Elder, why are you here?”
The Tenth Elder’s gaze swept across the three people.
He hesitated.
Yue Guan and Gui Mei were the Supreme Pontiff’s trusted Elders.
Bibi Dong was the Supreme Pontiff’s direct disciple.
Although the mission he had received was supposed to remain hidden from the High Priest, surely he could tell these three.
After all, if Yue Guan and Gui Mei had not been summoned away by the High Priest in the first place, the mission would probably have fallen to them anyway.
After considering the matter, the Tenth Elder lowered his voice.
“I am here under the Supreme Pontiff’s orders to track down a 100,000-year Spirit Beast that has transformed into human form.”
He glanced around cautiously.
“But you must not tell the High Priest.
The Supreme Pontiff specifically ordered me to keep this matter hidden from him.”
The Tenth Elder had no idea that his decision to reveal this information would soon cause the situation to spiral completely out of his control.
After all, Bibi Dong had already returned from Sea God Island.
Perhaps the High Priest would no longer need to continue searching for Spirit Bones.
At least, that was what he assumed.
“A 100,000-year Spirit Beast?”
Yue Guan, Gui Mei, and Bibi Dong all reacted immediately.
The three exchanged glances.
Their expressions were filled with surprise.
The Tenth Elder continued explaining.
“This Spirit Beast is being reserved for the Supreme Pontiff himself.
His cultivation is already approaching Level 90, so obtaining a suitable 100,000-year Spirit Ring would allow him to break through into the Titled Douluo realm.”
He did not notice the subtle change in the expressions of the three people before him.
“The Supreme Pontiff intends to personally capture this Spirit Beast, so there is a good chance that he will come to Vast Sea City himself.”
The Tenth Elder looked at them seriously.
“When you meet the High Priest, remember to help cover for me.
Just tell him that the Supreme Pontiff came here personally to bring the Holy Maiden back.”
Yue Guan immediately placed a hand on the Tenth Elder’s shoulder.
“Easy, easy.
Tenth Elder, go handle your mission first.
Don’t waste any more time standing here and risk losing the trail.”
The Tenth Elder nodded.
“Then I’ll leave this matter to you.”
He hurried away.
The moment his figure disappeared into the distance, Yue Guan’s expression changed.
His eyes flickered with temptation.
“A 100,000-year Spirit Beast…”
He stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“If I remember correctly, a 100,000-year Spirit Beast that transforms into human form can leave behind a Spirit Bone after being killed.”
Bibi Dong frowned slightly.
She had already guessed what Yue Guan was thinking.
However, as Qian Xunji’s disciple, there were certain things she could not say openly.
Yue Guan continued speaking to himself.
“The High Priest spent two entire years searching for that final Spirit Bone.”
He narrowed his eyes.
“Spirit Hall exhausted almost every available resource and connection before finally finding it.
If we could use this Spirit Bone to build a better relationship with the Sea God, wouldn’t we be able to stay on Sea God Island for a little longer?”
His voice became increasingly excited.
“Then we could continue cultivating in that place where Spirit Power rises so rapidly.”
Bibi Dong’s heart wavered.
She remained silent.
Her lips pressed together as she struggled with the thought.
Gui Mei, however, spoke thoughtfully.
“If we have to search for another Spirit Bone ourselves, it could take two or three years.”
He glanced toward Yue Guan.
“At our current rate of cultivation, losing another two or three years would mean missing several levels of advancement.”
Bibi Dong could not help swallowing.
Her heartbeat accelerated slightly.
“But what about Teacher?”
She hesitated.
“Wouldn’t this be difficult to explain?
Once Teacher kills the Spirit Beast and obtains the Spirit Bone, perhaps we could reason with him and appeal to his emotions.
Teacher should not be so unwilling to share one Spirit Bone if we explain the importance of maintaining a relationship with Sea God Island.”
Yue Guan’s expression showed a trace of hesitation.
He understood the danger.
But then several images appeared in his mind.
Godzilla casually devouring living Spirit Beasts.
Godzilla directly absorbing their Spirit Rings through consumption.
The efficiency of that process had been so astonishing that it had completely overturned Yue Guan’s understanding of cultivation.
And then there were the several beautiful women surrounding Godzilla.
Some of them were 100,000-year Spirit Beasts who had transformed into human form.
They were alive.
They were powerful.
And Godzilla clearly preferred keeping them alive.
Whether they served as companions or remained as living sources of energy, Godzilla’s preference was obvious.
Yue Guan’s eyes gradually became determined.
“Don’t forget that the Sea God likes living Spirit Beasts.”
His voice lowered.
“The High Priest himself said that our most important priority right now is to establish a good relationship with Sea God Island.”
Yue Guan’s expression became increasingly confident.
“I believe the Supreme Pontiff will understand once he learns that this is for Spirit Hall’s future.”
Gui Mei remained silent for several seconds.
Then he nodded.
Bibi Dong also lowered her eyes.
The decision was already becoming obvious.
Yue Guan was not someone whose loyalty to Spirit Hall was absolute.
He had joined Spirit Hall because the organization offered him greater power, wealth, status, and opportunities for advancement.
If those things could be obtained elsewhere, his loyalty naturally had limits.
Even in the original course of events, when faced with an overwhelming threat from Tang San, Yue Guan had been willing to consider abandoning Spirit Hall and joining the Heaven Dou Empire in order to survive.
Now the situation was even simpler.
The Supreme Pontiff had something.
The Sea God wanted something.
And Yue Guan wanted the Sea God’s favor.
If taking something already destined to become Qian Xunji’s property allowed him to establish a better relationship with Godzilla, then Yue Guan saw no reason to feel guilty.
His expression hardened.
“I will immediately return to Sea God Island and inform the Sea God.”
He looked toward Gui Mei.
“Old Ghost, you go inform the High Priest.
And remember what the Tenth Elder said, do not reveal the truth about the Supreme Pontiff’s mission.”
Gui Mei nodded.
Yue Guan then turned toward Bibi Dong.
“Holy Maiden, when the Supreme Pontiff asks about this matter, simply say that you never told the High Priest.”
He paused.
“Old Ghost and I will testify for you.”
“I have no objections.”
Gui Mei nodded before looking toward Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong pursed her lips.
She lowered her head and stared at her toes for several seconds.
Then she finally sighed.
“Then…
all right.
I will keep the secret.”
The three divided into two groups.
Gui Mei remained in Vast Sea City with Bibi Dong while Yue Guan immediately prepared to return to Sea God Island.
The Tenth Elder had not clearly stated when the Supreme Pontiff would arrive.
Therefore, Yue Guan could not afford to waste time.
He flew toward Sea God Island without stopping.
He was especially cautious when approaching the waters surrounding the island.
He was afraid that someone might misunderstand his sudden return.
Therefore, the moment he entered the waters of Sea God Island, his voice immediately rang across the sea.
“I am Yue Guan, the one who plants flowers for the Sea God!
I have an urgent matter and need to see Lord Sea God!”
Far away, Godzilla slowly raised his head.
He looked toward the approaching figure.
A trace of confusion appeared in his eyes.
“Yue Guan?”
He had clearly remembered sending that guy away.
Why had he returned so quickly?
Godzilla released a soft huff.
The Sea Princess immediately translated his question.
“Didn’t he already leave?
Why has he come back again?”
Yue Guan quickly arrived before Godzilla.
He bowed deeply.
“Sea God, I have discovered a 100,000-year Spirit Beast that has transformed into human form in Vast Sea City!”
His voice was filled with excitement.
“The Supreme Pontiff wants to claim that Spirit Beast for himself, but of course I completely disagree!”
Godzilla tilted his head.
He looked at Yue Guan with curiosity.
“Why are you telling me this?”
Yue Guan immediately put on an expression of absolute sincerity.
“I deeply admire the Sea God and am willing to serve by your side.”
Godzilla stared at him.
Then his mouth slowly curved into a smug smile.
He turned his head toward Bo Saixi.
The meaning was obvious.
Look.
I told you they would become useful eventually.
Bo Saixi smiled.
She had never doubted Godzilla’s judgment.
Godzilla naturally understood Yue Guan’s little scheme.
The man was not suddenly overflowing with loyalty.
He simply wanted to return to Sea God Island and continue absorbing the faint traces of Red Dust energy radiating from the crystal clusters on Godzilla’s back.
By remaining close to Godzilla, Yue Guan could continue improving his Spirit Power.
It was a mutually beneficial arrangement.
And such double-dealing tactics might be intolerable to an ordinary person.
But Godzilla was different.
He was the strongest being in the ocean.
If Yue Guan wanted to act like a servant with three different masters, what could he possibly do?
As long as Yue Guan remained useful, there was no reason to chase him away.
Godzilla released a low roar.
“Break off a piece and give it to him.”
Lan Fozi immediately understood.
She examined the enormous red crystal clusters covering Godzilla’s back.
After carefully choosing the smallest one, she used her innate ability to sever it from the larger cluster.
The palm-sized red crystal fell into her hand.
She walked over and handed it to Yue Guan.
Godzilla’s voice echoed through the Sea Princess’s translation.
“This is your reward.
If you use it properly, it should improve the quality of your Spirit.”
Yue Guan’s eyes widened.
His breathing almost stopped.
He immediately knelt.
“Thank you for the Sea God’s grace!”
He carefully accepted the red crystal with both hands.
“Those involved in this matter also include Gui Mei and Bibi Dong…”
His eyes practically glowed as he looked at the crystal.
He quickly placed it inside his chest pocket.
He did not even bother using a storage-type Spirit Tool.
Instead, he kept the crystal close to his body, as though he would only feel reassured if he could touch it whenever he wanted.
Godzilla watched him silently.
This guy really likes benefits.
Yue Guan was practically radiating happiness.
Godzilla then spoke again.
“I will reward those two myself.”
He slowly rose to his feet.
“Lead the way.”
The moment Godzilla stood, the surrounding ground trembled.
Xiao Bai and Bo Saixi climbed down from his back one after another.
Lan Fozi and the Sea Princess, however, remained atop the enormous beast.
The mother and daughter settled themselves comfortably against his back.
Yue Guan looked at the gigantic figure before him.
For a moment, he felt his previous decision had been completely justified.
The group soon departed from Sea God Island.
Their destination was Vast Sea City.
And this time, Godzilla himself was heading there.
As the king standing at the apex of the ecosystem, an existence that had already ascended to the throne of the King of Monsters, Godzilla naturally understood one simple principle.
A king needed powerful subordinates.
A king also needed beautiful companions.
Otherwise, after becoming the strongest existence in the world, what exactly would have been the point?
Godzilla quietly raised his head.
The corners of his mouth seemed to curve upward.
He had already conquered the ocean.
Now, perhaps it was time to collect a few useful lackeys and enjoy a few beautiful consorts.
After all, he was King Godzilla.
It would be a terrible waste if he did not enjoy the privileges that came with the position.