Chapter 235: A God in All but Name, the Million-Year Soul Beast

Seven days later, a group of shark fins cut swiftly through the ocean waves. Leading the pack was the largest of them all—the Devil Spirit Great White Shark. On its back sat four individuals.

"Xiao Bai, can you tell us more about the Deep Sea Demon Whale King?" Xiao Wu asked curiously.

"Sister Xiao Wu, you don't have to be so formal with me. We're all soul beasts here," Xiao Bai replied with a respectful tone. "The Deep Sea Demon Whale King is the undisputed overlord of the ocean. Its exact age is unknown. Our elders always warned us to avoid provoking that creature. Legend has it that it once offended the Seagod and was blinded in one eye as punishment.

"Mu Sect Master, we've now reached the outermost edge of its territory. For safety, I must escort you alone into the deeper waters," Xiao Bai continued.

"Thank you," Mu Chen said.

"Mu Sect Master, with Seagod Island now under your rule, there's no need to be so polite," Xiao Bai said with a laugh. Then, she let out a cry, and the swarm of Devil Spirit Great White Sharks came to a halt.

The reason for bringing this massive group of sharks along was strategic.

The ocean's soul beasts were vastly different from their land-based counterparts—they were fiercely united, especially in the deep-sea regions. The open ocean was a forbidden zone for humans. If a spirit master were to attack a sea soul beast, it would provoke retaliation from countless species, regardless of whether they were directly involved.

Mu Chen's target this time was the Deep Sea Demon Whale King. Without the Devil Spirit Great White Sharks' presence, he would undoubtedly face a united assault from all nearby sea soul beasts. Xiao Bai's pack would ensure that the other creatures stayed out of the fight, allowing Mu Chen to face the Demon Whale King one-on-one.

Mu Chen left Zi Zhenzhu, Xiao Wu, and Hu Liena behind with the shark swarm and continued forward on Xiao Bai's back.

"Mu Sect Master, I have a request. I hope you'll stay on my back while you absorb the Deep Sea Demon Whale King's soul power," Xiao Bai said suddenly.

"Of course. I'll grant your wish," Mu Chen replied with a smile. Then, he asked, "Xiao Bai, has there ever been a case of one of your ancestors forming a union with a human?"

Xiao Bai, still in her shark form, paused at the unexpected question. Mu Chen's curiosity seemed to carry a mischievous undertone, sparking thoughts she hadn't anticipated.

"There have been cases," Xiao Bai admitted. "Some of our ancestors who were forced to take human form for survival or other needs have become spouses to humans."

"Oh," Mu Chen replied nonchalantly.

Xiao Bai was taken aback by his casual reaction.

One second…

Three seconds…

Ten seconds passed…

Half a minute went by, and Mu Chen offered no follow-up, as if his question had been of little importance.

Xiao Bai felt a strange pang of disappointment.

As the ruler of the Devil Spirit Great White Sharks, Xiao Bai had always been admired and pursued by her kind. Confident in her appearance—even in human form—she had assumed Mu Chen's curiosity hinted at admiration. Yet his disinterest left her questioning her allure.

Am I… not attractive enough? Xiao Bai thought, her heart sinking slightly.

"Master, we've arrived," came the voice of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon King, Yu Si Nuo, as she flew to Mu Chen's side. "I can sense its presence."

"Understood," Mu Chen nodded.

The ocean around them changed dramatically. The water deepened into a dark blue hue, shimmering with an otherworldly light. The sea's surface seemed distorted, as if the very space around them was shifting.

"It's here," Yu Si Nuo and Xiao Bai said simultaneously, their voices heavy with tension.

Boom!

A massive figure broke the surface, its crystalline blue body radiating a chilling presence. Despite the lack of sunlight, the creature's sheer size and brilliance were overwhelming.

A single, cold eye locked onto Mu Chen, who now stood on Xiao Bai's back.

"Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, you dare to return? Have you forgotten the wounds I inflicted upon you last time?" A voice resonated, deep and menacing, carrying an odd vibrational frequency that made Mu Chen's blood stir uncomfortably.

"Deep Sea Demon Whale King, it's been a while," Yu Si Nuo replied.

The last time the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragons had sought to settle in the deep sea, Yu Si Nuo had fought the Demon Whale King and suffered a crushing defeat. Since then, her kind had withdrawn to the northern tundra's oasis, avoiding the ocean entirely.

"Oh? You've brought the Devil Spirit Great White Shark? What foolishness. Even with its help, you stand no chance against me. And this time, you've added a human to the mix? Laughable!" the Demon Whale King sneered.

"You're wrong. It's not me who's challenging you—it's my master," Yu Si Nuo corrected.

"Your master? This human?" the Demon Whale King asked disdainfully.

"Deep Sea Demon Whale King, fight me. You'll die an honorable death," Mu Chen said with a smile.

"What arrogance! Yu Si Nuo, it seems I must have damaged your brain last time. You've pledged loyalty to a childish fool. There is no Seagod anymore—I am the true ruler of the seas. Kid, your soul power is merely at Rank 98. Even if you were at Rank 99 like that old hag, I'd still crush you. My body is nearly divine, with 99% of its transformation complete. You, on the other hand, are nothing but a stepping stone for me to reach true godhood!"

The Demon Whale King's voice grew increasingly agitated as its colossal body churned the ocean.

"Wait!" Mu Chen called out suddenly.

"Any last words?" the Demon Whale King mocked, showing no intention of letting him escape.

"You made a mistake earlier," Mu Chen said.

"Oh? And what might that be?" the Demon Whale King asked, its tone dripping with disdain.

"Two mistakes, actually. First, even if you achieve godhood, you wouldn't be the first beast to ascend. Many before you have already reached that height," Mu Chen said.

"Is that so?" the Demon Whale King responded, unconvinced.

"Second, even if you devour me, Yu Si Nuo, and Xiao Bai, you'll still never reach godhood. Your efforts are destined to fail," Mu Chen declared.

"And why is that?" the Demon Whale King asked, its cold eye narrowing slightly.

"Because the path for soul beasts to ascend to the Divine Realm has been completely sealed by the human gods," Mu Chen revealed, his tone steady.

"What?!"

For the first time, the Demon Whale King's voice wavered, tinged with shock.

Mu Chen smiled inwardly. As the saying goes, strike the heart first to defeat

the foe. To slay the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, Mu Chen first needed to shatter its will to live.

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