The Great Spiritual Power Confrontation (Part Two)

With each man lost in his own thoughts, the banquet concluded amidst a lively and cheerful atmosphere. The Sea King then took Du Chen on another tour of the Goddess's Palace. This time, Seins naturally wouldn't reveal too many Confidential Locations to Du Chen. Nevertheless, Du Chen gained valuable insights; at the very least, he meticulously mapped out the surface architectural layout and gauged the dense deployment of Sea Clan troops before his intended infiltration of the Goddess's Palace!

Following the tour, the Sea King and Du Chen engaged in another spar. The power of the Sands of the Hourglass remained boundless, and the Sea King was defeated once more. Du Chen, however, sensed the Sea King's palpable progress. His claim of being on the cusp of breaking through to the Eleventh-Tier was clearly no idle boast!

But such concerns were fleeting. Once Du Chen accomplished his Great Benevolence of restoring his nation and liberating three million slaves, the Sea King... well, he'd be an afterthought. Heh.

No sooner had he returned to his temporary pavilion than Gode, beaming, arranged a chair for Du Chen and respectfully offered him the Sea Clan’s unique Seahorse Milk Wine. “Master, please!”

Du Chen raised the wine cup, casting a sidelong glance. “Since when did you become so attentive, you rascal?”

“Master, I’ve always been attentive! That… what was that move called, the one you used to defeat the Sea King just now? So many mountains descended from the sky, they practically buried that scoundrel Seins alive! Hehe, could you…” Gode rubbed his hands together, chuckling awkwardly.

Du Chen’s prolonged observation of Gode had left him quite satisfied with this disciple. He smiled faintly, casually sweeping a hand before Gode. Suddenly, a Tusked Heavy Shield materialized before the Little Prince, and Gode’s eyes immediately fixed upon it, unwilling to look away.

“My technique is Earth-elemental; you cannot learn it. However, carry this shield with you at all times. It specifically counters the Sea Clan’s water-elemental attacks. With this, you can at least withstand Seins’s fatal blow!”

Gode was overjoyed, immediately prostrating himself and fondling the shield, his eyes sparkling. “Thank you, thank you so much…”

“Don’t rush your thanks, Gode, I have something to ask you!” Du Chen moved to the window, his arms crossed over his chest, his gaze fixed on the densely packed Sea Clan garrison in the basin. “Today I met many generals under the Sea King, but I also noticed something peculiar—the Sea Clan never experienced the War of Fallen Gods, and they rarely suffer from natural disasters or calamities. So… why are there so few Ninth-rank or higher experts among the Sea Clan?”

“Yes, yes! Beibei thinks it’s strange too!” Beibei nodded.

Gode quickly moved behind his master, chuckling. “Master, you might not know, but this is related to the Sea Clan’s history and races!”

“Oh?”

“Our Sea Clan comprises numerous species, and our lifespans vary greatly. Take the Sea King’s Forbidden Sea Heavy Armored Warriors, for example; they are the Aorace King Clan, possessing the strongest innate talents and power, yet their normal lifespan is only ten years. Even if they cultivate to High-level Battle Gods, extending their lifespan tenfold, that’s still only a hundred years! Conversely, look at Darick, that old turtle; he can live for over a thousand years, but his talent is abysmal, forcing him to cultivate Spiritual Power through unconventional means!” As he spoke, he curled his lips in disdain, seemingly mocking Darick.

Beibei, however, interjected, “Darick is amazing! Spiritual Power isn’t like battle qi, which can absorb external elements for cultivation. It relies on innate talent. If one lacks talent, they can only slowly accumulate it through meditation. For him to cultivate for over a thousand years, day in and day out, is truly remarkable!”

Over a thousand years, day in and day out… it seemed Darick was indeed an old turtle with exceptionally firm willpower. Du Chen asked, “According to your explanation, those with talent lack longevity, and those with longevity lack talent, which leads to the scarcity of experts breaking through to the Divine Realm in the Sea Clan?” Du Chen rubbed his nose. “Is that right? With so many Sea Clan races, is there truly none with both talent and longevity?”

Gode nodded. “There are, for instance, the Sea King and I are both of the Tiger King Shark Clan, possessing both talent and longevity. But Master, didn’t I just say, besides race, there are also historical reasons…”

“What history?”

“This goes back to the later stages of the Godslayer Era. According to human chronology, it was around Heroic Era 812 when that generation’s Sea King, Seins’s great-grandfather Yoda, suddenly died. Simultaneously, many Sea Clan experts mysteriously disappeared! But Yoda’s death was too abrupt, his remains vanished, and he left no decree designating an heir. As a result, our Sea Clan plunged into a prolonged period of great turmoil over the succession to the Sea King’s throne, until four hundred years ago, Seins’s father emerged and re-established order among the Sea Clan. Master, why are you staring at me like that?”

Du Chen’s eyes sharpened. “You said Heroic Era 812? Which month?!”

That year was precisely when Wolf made his prophecy and then traveled to the Azure Heaven Continent to offer a deathbed apology to Margaret!

Gode scratched his head sheepishly. “My history isn’t very good… Master, during those centuries of great upheaval in the Sea Clan, not only were we slaughtering each other, but the seawater was also changing! My father told me that during that period, the Earth-element in the seawater was unusually high. You know, most of our Sea Clan rely on water-elemental Secret Techniques. Such high Earth-element naturally suppressed those of us who thrive on water, and in such an environment, it was very difficult for our Sea Clan to produce high-level experts…”

As the Little Prince continued his detailed explanation, Du Chen’s thoughts had already drifted from him.

Heroic Era 812: Wolf’s journey south to Azure Heaven Continent, the Sea Clan’s mutation, the massive Detonation on Bog Island caused by the Essence of Earth, the rising Earth-element content in the seawater suppressing the growth of Sea Clan experts…

So many significant events occurring in the same year plunged Du Chen into deep contemplation!

***

In the ruined square before the Goddess’s Palace gates, human slaves were cleaning up the aftermath of the banquet. Most Sea Clan generals had returned to the saltwater lake to rest or execute their daily Military Edicts. Only the Sea King remained, leaning on his knees at the head of the banquet table, eyes closed in thought. No one dared disturb him; even the slaves clearing tables kept a wide berth.

“Excellent!” they inwardly exclaimed. “Damn it, the Sea King was just defeated by a human; that’s utterly delightful! Haha, he must be vexed, right? Best not to provoke him now!” The slaves, thrilled, thought this to themselves.

Many generals among the Sea Clan shared this sentiment, but Darick disagreed. He slowly approached Seins from behind and whispered, “Your Majesty, are you still suspicious of Francis’s true purpose for coming to Bog Island?”

The Sea King slowly opened his eyes. “Indeed. Francis’s reasons are plausible, but… I’ve been searching for that thing for five years! Now is a critical juncture; there’s no room for the slightest flaw!” He abruptly rose, staring at the faint outline of the Guest Reception Pavilion in the distance. “Darick, dispatch the Forbidden Sea Heavy Armored Warriors to monitor them closely!”

Darick bowed slightly. “As you command… Your Majesty, should this old servant attempt to test them?”

Seins eyed Darick coldly. “Are you suggesting you bewilder them with Spiritual Power to extract their secrets? Hmph!” With a cold snort, he clearly didn’t believe the old turtle could achieve such a feat.

Darick chuckled. “Certainly, even if a High-level Battle God doesn’t specialize in Spiritual Power, his soul strengthens with the elevation of his battle qi. Francis is a Titled Battle God; even if I could bewilder him and extract all his secrets, he would undoubtedly become aware afterwards!”

“It’s good that you possess such self-awareness!” the Sea King said coldly.

The old turtle responded, “Your Majesty, if this old servant isn’t mistaken, you’re not concerned with whether I *can* bewilder Francis, but rather how I can do so without leaving a trace, am I right? After all, you do not wish to fall out with the Holy Alliance just yet!”

“Hmph! You guessed correctly! Francis and I are both Titled Battle Gods; I naturally understand his strength. With your Ninth-rank Spiritual Power, it would be utterly impossible to bewilder the soul of a Titled Battle God without leaving the slightest trace!”

Darick smiled. “Your Majesty, everything you say is correct, but… I don’t necessarily have to bewilder Francis, do I?”

The Sea King’s expression shifted. “Who is your target?”

“Francis and Brook are both Titled Battle Gods, so they are excluded. Gode could be a target, but his relationship with Francis is purely one of mutual benefit, and he might not know many secrets. So that leaves… Francis’s two children!”

The Sea King mused for a moment. “No, Darick. Those two children have already attracted the attention of discerning individuals. Francis adopted them three years ago, and back then, they appeared to be two or three years old. But look at them now; Belmonde and Alex don’t seem to have aged much at all. This indicates that many secrets are hidden within those two children; we cannot risk them!”

Darick leaned in. “Then that leaves only that lazy, gluttonous Snow Wolf…”

Seins pondered for a long while. “Of Du Chen’s Divine Cult’s Divine Pets, I’ve only ever heard of Pamir, a true Peerless Fiend! This Snow Wolf, however, I’ve paid little attention to. Darick, are you confident in dealing with this Snow Wolf, Andy?”

The old turtle smiled. “This old servant has thoroughly investigated Andy. This Snow Wolf’s origin stems from Francis’s sentimental nature; he once had a Snow Wolf Divine Pet, but it was ambushed by the Fiendkind! So Francis sought out another Snow Wolf with a similar appearance and named it Andy! While this Andy is lazy and gluttonous, his sense of smell and perception are remarkably acute, and moreover, he is fiercely loyal. That is why he has gained Francis’s trust and is always kept by his side!”

Seeing the Sea King remain noncommittal, the old turtle added, “Your Majesty, I have also investigated Andy’s Spiritual Power; he is truly just an ordinary Snow Wolf. Heh, did you see how he behaved at the banquet earlier? He practically shamed Francis’s aristocratic demeanor!”

Recalling Andy’s antics, Seins also laughed. “Indeed, that fellow is too lazy to even grow fleas; it’s truly… haha! Darick, proceed at your discretion when the opportunity arises, but ensure there are no future repercussions!” His expression abruptly sharpened.

The old turtle bowed respectfully and slowly withdrew.

***

Night fell, and Du Chen and the others had settled down to sleep. Suddenly, *knock, knock, knock*, a series of knocks at the door startled Andy awake.

“I, Chris Andy, am a noble Snow Wolf with dreams and an appetite! My dream is to… obliterate any scoundrel who dares disturb my sleep! Oh, heavens, I was just dreaming of a Shark Fin Banquet!” The Snow Wolf grumpily leaped from the bed, his tail swishing to open the door. Standing before him was an honest-looking human slave. Still reeling from his interrupted sleep, Andy bellowed, “What do you want?!”

The slave jumped in fright, trembling as he spoke. “Honored, honored guest, Steward Darick… instructed that he noticed your considerable appetite today and feared you might wish for food tonight, so he sent me to inquire if you require anything. He has already ordered a Shark Fin Banquet to be prepared!”

Andy’s eyes lit up, his morning grumpiness instantly vanishing. “Tsk, tsk, my good sir, you are truly handsome… Where is this banquet?”

The servant quickly provided the location. Andy wagged his tail, drooling. “Oh, heavens, I just knew my dreams would always come true…” He darted out of the pavilion in a few bounds, sprinting towards the banquet’s location. But the Snow Wolf didn’t forget to lift his head, grinning foolishly, and let out a wolf howl, “Praise the moon!”

At the same moment, a certain flea on his body complained, “The moon’s huge tonight, isn’t it? Come on, give your lord a smile…”