[DD]: 276

"Your laughter is truly unpleasant—do you not have any self-awareness?"

Just as Han Li was about to take action, the grating laughter abruptly ceased. At the same time, a massive soul power barrier rose, separating Han Li and Ye Lingling.

"Human, to have withstood that strike earlier, your strength is impressive. Are you interested in cooperation?"

Amid Han Li's puzzled expression, a voice—still unbearably unpleasant but strangely alluring—echoed from the depths of the sea, causing him to hesitate in attacking. He was curious about what this Deep Sea Demon Whale King was plotting.

"Cooperation? And how exactly do you plan to cooperate?"

Han Li glanced at the ocean surface with interest and then added, "If you want to talk about cooperation, hiding yourself now doesn't seem very sincere, does it?"

"Good, human. I admire you. Though ignorant in some ways, you are not foolish."

As the voice faded, the pitch-black sea surface erupted with a few golden sparkles, and an enormous figure emerged. Judging by its appearance, Han Li estimated that the Deep Sea Demon Whale King was about 200 meters long. Its massive body shone like a sapphire, yet its beauty was marred by a single remaining eye and the chilling aura it radiated. There was an unsettling, icy presence about it.

Han Li calmly locked eyes with the creature, even taking a moment to turn and wave at Ye Lingling, signaling not to worry. When he turned back, he noticed a hint of amusement in the Demon Whale King's eye—a look that seemed to say, Ah, this one has potential.

"Huh?"

Han Li grew even more confused. What on earth was this whale planning?

"You've made the right choice."

As it surfaced, the Demon Whale King's voice became more tolerable, no longer grating on the ears.

"Are you attempting to follow the Sea God's path to create your divine position?" it asked abruptly. Though Han Li had concealed his aura well, when he used divine power to block the lightning strike earlier, the Demon Whale King lurking below had naturally noticed.

"Yes."

Han Li decided to play along, curious about what this whale was scheming.

"I can help you," the Demon Whale King said, its voice low and resonant, making Han Li raise an eyebrow. Before he could ask further, the whale continued, "I am not like them."

It cast its massive single eye toward Qian Daoliu and Ye Lingling, who were isolated outside the barrier. Greed and murderous intent flashed undisguised in its gaze. It knew well that the Spirit Hall had once attacked Sea God Island, and Qian Daoliu's identity was no secret to it.

"I do not require faith. I can help you gather the faith of all sea soul beasts, accelerating your path to divinity. This is what you desire, is it not?"

"Believe me, the Sea God could never achieve such a thing."

Its tone brimmed with confidence and a hint of disdain. Han Li blinked, starting to piece together the whale's intentions. However, he simply frowned and remained silent. The Demon Whale King eyed him but wasn't surprised by his lack of response. It continued, "Of course, you may not trust me yet, but I have other means."

"What means?"

Han Li decided to keep playing along.

"Since you came here with the Sea God's heir, you must understand my strength. I once rivaled the Sea God, standing just one step away from divinity. I want you to know that I've already surpassed the million-year mark and found another path to godhood."

It deliberately paused, watching Han Li's brightening eyes, before continuing, "As one approaches godhood, by devouring a divine heir, one can replace them and ascend. Compared to following the Sea God's path, this is undoubtedly faster and more secure."

It spoke slowly, almost deliberately enunciating each word. At the same time, it carefully observed Han Li's every move.

"Really?"

Han Li abruptly looked up, his face flushed, and his eyes burned red with excitement—a reaction that seemed to confirm his interest to the Demon Whale King.

"Of course. I'm certain."

The Demon Whale King's lone eye gleamed with a strange light, its voice brimming with conviction. This human had been tempted, but it was lying. It wasn't confident at all; its instincts simply told it that devouring the Sea God's heir would be immensely beneficial.

"You get to devour. What about me?"

Han Li seemed to regain his composure, staring directly at the whale.

The laughter of the Deep Sea Demon Whale King echoed once more, a hoarse chuckle that seemed indifferent to Han Li's doubts about it. "All we need is the power within their bodies," it said, its tone sly and dismissive.

"Not for you to learn my ways of consumption."

Given that Han Li was also human, the Deep Sea Demon Whale King adjusted its phrasing slightly, though inwardly it mocked him.

"Truly ignorant," it thought.

"He's tempted, isn't he?"

The Demon Whale King didn't fear Qian Daoliu, but it understood it couldn't keep him here either. After sensing a fleeting divine aura from Han Li—one neither of Angel God nor Sea God—it began devising a plan. Having lived for countless years and tangled with the Sea God numerous times, the whale was far from stupid. Its survival and immense power were proof of that. It wasn't certain if its scheme would succeed, but doing nothing wasn't an option. It was unwilling to remain stagnant any longer; it craved to ascend to godhood. Why not? It was no less worthy than the Sea God. Han Li's arrival presented an opportunity. As long as Han Li agreed to cooperate, distracting Qian Daoliu to create an opening, it could devour the Sea God's successor in one swift move, proving its theory correct.

As for Han Li? What did it matter? Sure, devouring Ye Lingling was more enticing, but if Han Li made a move, it wouldn't mind swallowing him as a snack. After all, he too had the potential to become a god—a prize worth consuming.

Han Li's face showed signs of hesitation, but internally, he was unimpressed.

"So that's what this guy wants. It thinks I'm a fool, trying to con me." But he had to admit, the plan sounded tempting. If it were someone else, someone slowly ascending through faith and divine power, they might have fallen for it.

Noticing his expression, the Deep Sea Demon Whale King's single eye lit up with a glint of joy.

"Humans," it thought, "truly fit the stereotype—cunning and despicable, not worth trusting."

Its past battles with the Sea God had taught it some tricks. This was its moment to shine.

"You don't need to kill them both," it coaxed.

"Just knock them down. Catch them off guard, and it won't be difficult. Centuries of effort and success aren't guaranteed. Do you think you'll become the next Sea God? Why should that human woman ascend to godhood just by passing trials, while you must toil for ages with no guarantee of success? Don't you resent that?"

"This is your chance to ascend in one step, isn't it?"

The Demon Whale King's words grew increasingly persuasive, its tone passionate and earnest, as if fully immersed in its role.

Han Li's expression began to shift, his aura unsteady, his anger seemingly stoked. He appeared influenced by the Demon Whale King's words.

"It seems you agree," it laughed, its voice sharp yet brimming with excitement.

"Come on, reveal your martial soul. I'll control my strength to send you flying toward them. You know what to do from there. I'm giving you this chance."

Fearing hesitation might allow Han Li to come to his senses, the Demon Whale King eagerly urged him on. It even planned out how the charade would unfold.

Han Li's hand glowed faintly as he revealed his Icef-ire Dragon God Bow. The Demon Whale King felt a slight discomfort, a prickling sensation on its skin, but this only reassured it further. Without such talent, this human wouldn't have come this far. However, Han Li's expression remained uncertain, as though he hadn't fully made up his mind.

"Attack me," the Demon Whale King said again.

"If I'm injured, they won't suspect a thing."

It spoke with the wisdom of a creature that had lived for eons. It knew that in moments of indecision, the best tactic was to eliminate choice and present a single path. Most would follow it instinctively.

Sure enough, the moment it lowered its soul power barrier and unleashed a stream of water toward Han Li, the latter's eyes cleared, and killing intent surged forth. With a graceful step backward, Han Li raised his bowstring.

"Yes, just like that," thought the Demon Whale King, its single eye brimming with satisfaction. Then it saw a faintly red arrow floating toward it, seemingly light and harmless.

"This human's acting skills are mediocre—nothing like the Sea God," it mused, comparing Han Li to its old nemesis. But it didn't matter; as long as the plan worked, the details were irrelevant.

However, as the water pillar it summoned struck Han Li, he didn't budge.

"Hmm?"

The Demon Whale King's lone eye widened slightly. A sense of foreboding crept into its mind. Then it saw that faint red arrow abruptly accelerate and pierce into its back. Han Li had deliberately avoided its most sensitive area—the head—to avoid suspicion.

At the same time, the Demon Whale King heard his calm voice. "Forgot to mention—Sea God's successor is my girlfriend. And your old acquaintance, Poseidon? He's already transferred the Sea Soul Beast's faith to me. It was announced across the entire realm."

"So, guess which clown, with no followers left, didn't get the memo?"