Chapter 1270: 18.108 First Grey Star - One of the Ocean God's Apostles
The immaturity in Lu Ming's eyes and his impression of inexperience vanished when the former Lu Ming and the present Lu Ming united. This was also noted by Mo Xuejing, who grinned as though he had discovered something intriguing. He motioned for Lu Ming to sit down.
Lu Ming sat back on the stone chair and said, "Thank you, Lord Mo."
In thanks, he even lowered his head. This is for Mo Xuejing, to aid him in retrieving the memories of his past life, as well as the portion when he aids his beloved, Su Jin, in discovering the truth. Furthermore, he was aware that the man in front of him was not the Mo Xuejing he was familiar with.
Mo Xuejing is, after all, an inherently cold-hearted man. The man was not born without feelings, thus he is not the type to smile lightly. His face remained expressionless even at that period, and he was unable to even cry when he discovered Ye Jieye's true identity, the presence of his children, and the news of their passing.
Mo Xuejing said, "It's nothing much. Just consider it a payment for teasing that brat too much. He is too pure and so silly. You should protect him well, or he will even sell himself if he is careful enough."
Su Jin's existence has alarmed the world's Heavenly Laws. No matter how many times he reincarnates in this world, he is someone who is predestined to become a villain. However, Lu Ming disobeyed the divine laws in the last world when it was reset, much like Ji Yoonjun did. In fact, Su Jin took Ji Yoonjun's place as the world's protagonist.
Like Lu Ming, he therefore becomes the adored son of heaven, and while the heavens still can not help but love him, they also do not like him now that his name is in the world's database. Su Jin seemed a little strange standing there because of this love and hate from the heavens above.
This is also the reason Su Jin, as the main character, didn't awaken any power suitable as the cherished son of heaven. The heavens also control the Moray Eel God's unexpected appearance. It appears that Su Jin is to be given the power of water by the heavens, as evidenced by the fact that Su Jin and Lu Ming split up as soon as they set foot on the ocean floor.
Another idea is to let the God of Void tidy up his mess. Because it can devour indefinitely beneath the water, the world-eating piece continues to grow. The skies, however, are terrified that it might even devour its saint and allow Ye Jieye to tidy it up.
It hardly calmed the sky to let one sovereign run wild, so it could only discourage Mo Xuejing and keep him from assisting his husband in that battle.
However, as a result of this imprisonment, Mo Xuejing was able to disclose the reality of both the heavens and this world. If it were someone else, the sky could chastise and punish them all they pleased, but not this life. It was aware that he was powerless to stop Mo Xuejing's soul. Thus, whatever was occurring in the seas was ignored by the skies.
To be pleased that Mo Xuejing is assisting Su Jim in becoming stronger was merely a hit. Naturally, what he lent Su Jin is far more potent than his means—as long as the youngster learns how to wield it, that is.
---
Somewhere on the ocean floor...
Leica and Lu Shang had hunted the angler fish successfully, along with the hunters and physicians who accompanied them. It was fierce, so it took some time. Doctors Guang and Hei treated many of the hunters' wounds, preventing the situation from getting worse while they were submerged.
But after searching for three substantial elements, they are quite exhausted. For now, they decide to take a short break. The fisherman's guard lends them a device that makes bubbles. Thus, even underwater, they can continue to cook and eat. Su Jin is not with Leica and Ji Yoonjun at the moment, so they are cooking. The others are resting, leaving just the two of them capable of cooking for the group.
Since coming to this area, they had been too tired and stressed. Lu Shang watched everything closely, always ready to strike, in case something approached to assault them.
Leica saw that his lover was busy guarding and called for him, "A'Shang, eat first. The barrier should be able to keep us safe for a while."
"Hm. You guys eat and rest. After two hours we will move again. This place isn't safe. I feel a large number of demigod-grade ingredients. There are also a few God-grade ones," Lu Shang said as he sat beside his lover.
His remarks startled everyone in the assembly. Even though they were aware of the dangers in this area, they were surprised by the abundance of god- and demigod-level creatures they encountered. If they were encircled, it would be difficult for them to stay unhurt even with Leica and Lu Shang's protection.
Doctor Guang exclaimed, "God-grade!" The patient for whom he is currently bandaging the neck was strangled by him.
Cough. cough.
"D-Doctor!!!"
For an instant, the patient's face became purple. Thank goodness, Doctor Guang saw it and released it right away. He was a little ashamed and apologized. He looked away as though this was not his fault right now.
"Oh! Sorry."
Seeing the fear in their eyes, Leica comforted them. "Don't worry. The ingredients are not a problem, even if they come as a group. As long as it is the same as the Beast Riot, we can definitely solve it. Moreover, since we don't know where to go yet, don't split up."
Lu Shang suddenly got to his feet, dropping his bowl of soup in the process. Without any delay, he vanished from sight and materialized in front of the barrier brandishing his native weapon, the Chuankong (spear). Leica senses that his lover is acting seriously.
"What's wrong?" Leica asked.
Lu Shang frowned. "Something big is coming. It possessed divinity. It must be a lesser god or his apostle."
"Is it the god of this ocean or something from outside of this world?" Leica asked as he also brought out his artifact, Yizhi.
There was tension among those behind the couple. Lu Shang rarely brandished his weapon in their eyes. When hunting, they might come upon an incident where their target tried to flee and started to move in Lu Shang's direction. However, who is Lu Shang? His body is more powerful than theirs combined, even without a weapon. They witnessed him slapping a large fish.
It was quick and instantly gone.
Now that he has drawn his weapon, it is clear that there is more at stake than just king-sized ingredients—rather, there is something far more dangerous than what they are hunting. They were surrounded by night pearls, which provided light to the region, so even in this pitch-black space, they could make out some shadows in the nearby seas. Overhead is a massive shadow of a seahorse.
At least five times larger than the Anglerfish King they had just slain, this sea horse was enormous. It resembles watching a moving skyscraper approach them.
This seahorse was an aboriginal of this world, as shown by Lu Shang and Leica's lack of qi sense. At least one of God's apostles saw that it contained a sliver of divinity. It is a marine creature fit for a deity. Or perhaps the ocean's defender. However, there is a great deal of pressure on the regular people who are hiding behind Lu Shang and Leica.
{Humans, don't be afraid. I am here under the orders of the Moray Eel God and the Venerable Lord with silver eyes. I came to pass a message. Are the two of you, Lu Shang and Leica,? }
Lu Shang and Leica immediately understood who sent this thing here when it mentioned the Venerable Lord with Silver Eyes. It can only be Mo Xuejing, the soul fragment of Lord Hei. They looked at each other and kneeled on one knee. Find your favorite tales at m v l e mp yr
{The Venerable Lord's message: 'Come to the heart of the ocean. The one in front of you will give you the map. You can train the ones with you until then. You have a week at most. If you find my cubs, bring them over; if not, it's okay. I've sent people to look for them.
I will wait for you here.}
"Yes, Lord Mo!" Leica and Lu Shang responded. Only after they accepted the message did they stand up and receive a map from the huge seahorse. It was drawn on a large seaweed. The details were quite amazing.
{You are free to roam the ocean. But let me give you a warning: there's an evil Octopus God in the far west. Don't go there. My duties are done. Please excuse me.}
When the seahorse had accomplished its goal, it departed. He leaves almost as quickly as he arrives. Large creatures like him should not be able to move at such a speed, however, it appears he does not fit into that category. The pressure on those behind Lu Shang and Leica slowly subsided once the enormous beast left.
Phew~
Doctor Hei, who was covered in sweat, said, "That's a god. Is that a god of the ocean!?"
"Something similar, but a bit entirely at most, can be called a demigod or something like the apostle of God. It's the weakest among those with divinity," Ji Yoonjun said.
When Ji Yoonjun spoke, Lu Shang and Leica saw that he was the only one in their group who was still upright and unfazed. Although Doctor Hei was aware of the man's differences from them, she did not think he was now stronger than the seahorse.
Doctor Guang asked, "Wait! Xiao Ji, you're standing! Did you not feel the pressure just now? How come...? Ah, right! You are..."
His mouth was covered by his twin brother's hand, who said, "Shut up," Doctor Hei said.
It was at that point that Doctor Guang realized he had nearly revealed Ji Yoonjun's true identity. Not to this degree, even though everyone in their group was aware of Ji Yoonjun's superior strength. This meant only one thing, even though the horse's aura that causes people to kneel does not work on him. For the most part, Ji Yoonjun is not an average person like Lu Shang and Leica.
Silence~
Lu Shang and Leica were occupied looking at the map, not paying attention to what was going on behind them. They only realize that Ji Yoonjun might have unintentionally exposed himself just now when they see other people glancing at him. A god, after all, would never humble himself before another god.
Neither Lu Shang nor Leica would have knelt unless they were the two lords hearing a message from a higher power.
Lu Shang clapped his hand to take everyone's attention to himself. As expected, it was useful, and everyone looked at the couple.
"Eat quickly and rest for an hour. Since we have the map, the route has been finalized. We will continue hunting on the way. Rest while you still can," Lu Shang said.
Leica said with a friendly smile, "Okay, let's go back to eating."
"Yes, Instructors!"
---
Meanwhile, in the capital, in the Tower of God...
When Tun Shizhe woke up from his throne nap, he turned to face the Anairam Trench. He had sensed a portion of their awakening, both the primary soul and a corrupted soul.
"Another corrupted piece. But unlike the one that gains sentience, this piece doesn't have a mind of its own. It's moving just with its instinct. The main soul should be able to tame it without problems."
Tun Shizhe mumbled these words and closed its eyes once again. As though what he would witnessed concerned more than just him. Nearby, the young man named Second Prince Xingju had been developing the elements of darkness for personal use. When he had arrived at this tower the first time, his strength had grown significantly. He is starting to resemble this place's heir, it appears.