Chapter 172: Everyone, Shut Up

"Mhm, that's good. That's good." Bo Saixi let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Fortunately, during her absence, nothing had happened on Sea God Island, and the Sea God himself had not descended.

If the Sea God found out she had left Sea God Island without permission to go to the Douluo Continent, she might not be able to bear his wrath.

After all, the Sea God might not even know about the existence of the "Zhao Ling Diary Replica," let alone that she had mistaken it for a divine revelation from him.

Even if she wanted to explain, it would be difficult. That mysterious entity called "the system" would surely prevent her from revealing the existence and content of the "Zhao Ling Diary Replica."

Luckily, she had returned to Sea God Island before the Sea God descended. She wouldn't need to be in constant fear anymore… right?

Though she comforted herself with this thought, uneasiness still lingered in her heart.

After all, in her mind, the Sea God had always been an omniscient and omnipotent existence. Perhaps he had already known about her departure from Sea God Island.

What confused her was why the Sea God hadn't appeared to punish her. She couldn't guess what was on his mind.

Meanwhile, Zhao Ling had leapt down from the boat and stowed the Cloud Piercer Shuttle into his storage space.

He glanced curiously at the seven individuals before him and noticed their appearance was distinctly different from people on the mainland.

Even the only woman among them, though extremely beautiful, looked at him in a way that felt… strange.

He surmised that these seven must be the Seven Sacred Pillars from the original story. And surprisingly, they were already all Titled Douluo now. A strange expression flickered across his face.

These Seven Sacred Pillars were honestly pretty weak. Even now, as Titled Douluo, decades later the strongest among them would only be at Rank 95, while the weakest, Sea Maiden Douluo, would be just Rank 91 or 92. That was pathetic.

Sure, in the original work, Sea Lance Douluo did mention that after Spirit Hall's 2000-strong invasion force was repelled, the seven of them grew complacent and lost their drive to improve—but still, wasn't this a bit too much?

Not leveling up even once over several decades—did they not feel any shame?

Zhao Ling felt he ought to speak to Bo Saixi and give these people some motivation. Otherwise, their performance would be utterly disappointing.

And if one day someone from the Clear Sky Clan or the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan came here, they'd be in for a rude awakening. According to the original plot, Tang Xiao and Tang Hao were supposed to come to Sea God Island in the future. When that time came…

Zhao Ling narrowed his eyes slightly, a lopsided Dragon King-like smile curling at his lips.

Bo Saixi, lost in her thoughts, sighed heavily. Whatever. If it's fate, it will come; if it's misfortune, she couldn't avoid it anyway. Better to stop worrying and not let her husband fret either.

Turning to Zhao Ling, who was smiling crookedly, her face immediately softened into a gentle and lovely smile.

"Husband, since you're here on Sea God Island, why don't you come take a stroll with me?"

Zhao Ling naturally didn't refuse Bo Saixi's invitation and quickly went to her side.

Bo Saixi then took his hand and leapt into the air, flying straight toward the center of Sea God Island.

The Seven Sacred Pillars couldn't help but whisper among themselves at the sight.

Sea Lance Douluo furrowed his brow deeply. "What the heck is going on? Why would the High Priestess take the initiative to hold that man's hand… and even call him her husband? Did I mishear?"

Sea Star Douluo looked at him, equally disbelieving. "You heard it too? I thought I was imagining things. That term is for married couples, right? Don't tell me the High Priestess and that man are already married?"

"Probably," Sea Ghost Douluo guessed, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Even if they're not married, they must've already… well, acted like a married couple."

Sea Horse Douluo remained silent for a moment, doubt written all over his face.

"I clearly remember the High Priestess once had a thing for that man named Tang Chen. How did she go to the mainland and come back already smitten with someone else? That's… absurd."

Sea Delusion Douluo focused his gaze on the rapidly shrinking silhouettes of Bo Saixi and Zhao Ling, and said cautiously:

"Do you think there's a chance that the Sea God's divine decree sending the High Priestess to the mainland… was all for that man?"

"No way, right? That guy doesn't seem all that special. Sure, he's good-looking and has charm, but that's it," Sea Lance Douluo shook his head like a rattle drum, clearly rejecting the idea.

Sea Maiden Douluo's eyes sparkled as she stared at Zhao Ling disappearing with Bo Saixi. Only when they were gone did she reluctantly turn away.

"Nonsense. The High Priestess's husband is super handsome and ridiculously charming. I couldn't even tear my eyes away from him. He's a total feast for the eyes.

What's so good about that Tang Chen anyway? Not nearly as handsome, and he looks like a blacksmith swinging his hammer all day. What makes him worthy of the High Priestess's affection? He doesn't deserve her!"

When she saw Zhao Ling's face earlier, she couldn't help but feel a natural attraction to him, as if her eyes were glued to him.

As someone who valued looks above all, the idea that the High Priestess would choose Tang Chen over someone as handsome and charismatic as Zhao Ling felt totally irrational to her.

"Looks and charm don't feed you," Sea Lance Douluo retorted. "Tang Chen was a legit Rank 99 Peak Douluo, nearly equal in strength to the High Priestess. Isn't that enough to be worthy of her?!"

Not pleased, he began arguing fiercely with Sea Maiden Douluo, who was just as passionate in her rebuttals.

Sea Dragon Douluo rolled his eyes and snapped, "Have you two had enough? Is the High Priestess's business something we're qualified to gossip about? Shut up, both of you."

His light reprimand was enough to silence the bickering Sea Lance and Sea Maiden Douluo. They huffed quietly and ignored each other.

Still, Sea Dragon Douluo was extremely curious. What had gotten into the High Priestess? Why had she suddenly changed her affections? She was never that kind of person before.

But curiosity was one thing—he wasn't stupid enough to go ask. The High Priestess had never owed them an explanation for her actions, nor did they have the right to demand one.

As the Seven Sacred Pillars of Sea God Island, their job was simply to assist the High Priestess in protecting the island. Everything else was none of their concern.