Chapter 39: Lan Fozi

Unfortunately, Di Tian still did not provide a clear answer.

"Aren't you going to invite me in for a seat?"

"After our battle tens of thousands of years ago, I remember the feast your mermaid clan held. It was quite extravagant."

"To be honest, I kind of miss it."

"Now that we've fought again, nearly all the sea soul beasts in the ocean have gathered to watch."

"We can't just let them come for nothing. Invite the sea soul beast kings with cultivation of over a hundred thousand years and the leaders of all sea soul beast species to a banquet."

"As for my purpose in coming to the ocean in person? You'll find out soon enough."

Hearing these words, Sea Princess's heart skipped a beat, and an ominous feeling arose.

She had initially thought that Di Tian had come merely to test his strength after surpassing the million-year tribulation by challenging her, the number one spiritual power wielder in the sea. But it seemed the situation was far more complex than she had assumed.

"Hmm… alright." The Sea Princess did not refuse Di Tian's request—or rather, she didn't have the right to refuse.

Because she had lost the battle, her autonomy was weak.

Unless it was a matter concerning the survival of her race, no one would challenge this rule. Even if Di Tian had demanded that she personally serve him in bed, it would be the same.

"It's just that our fight was quite short, and now we have to host all the sea soul beast kings and various clan leaders. The clan will need some time to prepare."

At this moment, Di Tian turned to look at her, his golden eyes faintly emitting a chilling glow.

"I have plenty of time, but do it quickly."

Meeting his eerie gaze, the Sea Princess shuddered, as if needles had pricked her soul.

She could tell clearly—this was a warning from Di Tian.

Their journey into the mermaid clan's territory proceeded in silence.

Unlike the Sea Princess, whose mind was weighed down, Di Tian was in a relaxed mood, even taking time to admire the beautiful scenery of the mermaid clan's domain.

As they approached the luminous depths of the ocean, a palace-like structure came into view, built entirely of coral and precious seabed minerals.

These buildings shimmered with a blue radiance, illuminating the surrounding area for dozens of miles and reflecting the figures of many mermaids.

In mermaid society, females were dominant, so the majority of the population was female. However, whether male or female, all were exceptionally beautiful.

As Di Tian walked through the heart of the mermaid settlement, the mermaids bowed to him, performing their clan's oldest and most revered salutation.

The Sea Princess exchanged a glance with her eldest daughter and used spiritual transmission to explain the situation. The latter quickly flicked her golden fishtail and began preparing to summon the ten-thousand-year sea soul beast kings and clan leaders, as per Di Tian's command.

Meanwhile, the Sea Princess personally led Di Tian into the most magnificent palace in the underwater domain.

This grand coral palace was lavish and vast, standing nearly a hundred meters tall and spanning thousands of meters in width.

Inside, powerful soul energy rippled in waves, hinting at its defensive capabilities. Located deep within the ocean, it was an extremely secure stronghold.

As the enormous coral doors swung open, the interior gleamed with resplendent treasure. Fist-sized pearls, crystal-clear shells, and vibrant multicolored corals adorned the halls—rare treasures even on land, worth fortunes in the human world.

"Beast God, please wait a moment."

But the wait was not long.

The mermaid clan's efficiency was extraordinarily high—or perhaps it was the combined authority of Di Tian and the Sea Princess that ensured swift compliance.

Because there was no sea soul beast powerful or daring enough to defy a summons from both the Beast God and the Sea Princess.

Soon, sea soul beasts filed into the hall, the weakest of them having at least fifty thousand years of cultivation.

Of course, most soul beasts were massive in size, and those without the ability to take human form had to shrink their bodies before entering the palace.

Their positions inside the hall perfectly illustrated the divisions of the three major factions within the sea soul beasts.

The largest and strongest faction was the neutral camp, loosely aligned with the mermaid clan and led by the Sea Princess.

The smallest and weakest faction was the Sea God camp, represented only by the Demon Spirit Great White Shark, Xiao Bai, and her daughter, Bai Xiuxiu.

As for the Anti-Sea God camp, it was just as the Demon Queen had described—nearly extinct. Aside from her, only a few scattered remnants remained, including a single surviving beast king, a massive octopus-like soul beast with twelve tentacles but a humanoid upper body.

However, this beast king stood slightly behind a young woman—a striking beauty with long, flowing hair, captivating eyes, and an athletic yet graceful figure in fitted clothing that highlighted her lively energy.

This was Lan Fozi, daughter of the Demon Queen and the Deep Sea Demon Whale King.

Leading the last remnants of the Anti-Sea God camp, Lan Fozi stood closer to Di Tian than to the Sea Princess.

And why was that?

Lan Fozi's delicate nose twitched as she sniffed at the air, detecting a familiar scent on Di Tian.

"Beast God, have you met my mother?"

Di Tian did not answer immediately. Instead, he recalled what the Demon Queen had told him before his departure:

"Ever since I joined the Holy Spirit Cult, my daughter, Lan Fozi, has rarely contacted me. She even actively avoids me."

"Sigh… a daughter always slips out of her mother's control."

"She probably no longer believes anything I say, but as the renowned Beast God, your words might still carry weight with her."

"If you happen to meet Fozi during your time in the ocean, please help me bring her back. Also, explain to her that I am merely cooperating with the Holy Spirit Cult for strategic reasons. In a few more years, I will completely sever ties with them."

After sorting through his memories, Di Tian responded:

"I am friends with your mother and an old acquaintance of your father."

He neither outright defended the Demon Queen nor forcibly took Lan Fozi back. Instead, he asked about her current situation.

"When I first entered the deep sea, I did not sense your presence. After leaving your mother, did you not return to the ocean immediately?"

"Did my mother send you to find me?" Lan Fozi's voice was low and cautious.

Di Tian shook his head. "No."

"But she misses you dearly."

Hearing this, Lan Fozi's bright eyes dimmed slightly, her gaze lowering as if trying to hide her emotions.

"I didn't do much after parting ways with my mother. I just wandered aimlessly through the ocean."

"Then, one day, I came across a group of humans hunting sea soul beasts, so I saved them."

"From then on, I found a purpose—roaming the near seas to rescue sea soul beasts in distress."

"When there was nothing else to do, I took on human form, disguised myself as a man, and traveled through the human world, gathering information on the Holy Spirit Cult and my mother's situation."