The Demon Empress's cultivation was already infinitely close to godhood. The only thing she lacked was an opportunity to ascend.
With her immense strength and her identity as a soul beast, she could sense the extraordinary nature of the Land Cauldron even more acutely than Divine Domain Douluo, Ghost Emperor, and other Limit Douluo.
Of course, the Land Cauldron was extraordinary. But what the Demon Empress perceived was only a mere fraction of its true power.
The Land Cauldron was not only forged from god-level metals such as spirit alloys with 100% fusion, but it also contained Xia Yi, Gu Yue, and even Di Tian's profound insights into the Hetu Luoshu (River Map & Luo Book).
The patterns engraved on its surface were derived from the Hetu Luoshu.
Beyond that, it also incorporated Gu Yue's understanding of "The Art of Creation and Manipulation."
"This is a treasure," the Demon Empress murmured, her deep blue eyes blazing with intensity. "I can feel that its aura of fortune is even richer than the Emperor Auspicious Beast's. If this were used as the foundation for godhood, the resulting god position would be beyond ordinary."
But soon, a deep regret settled in her heart—she could tell that this cauldron was not suitable for her.
Her delicate brows furrowed slightly as she gazed at the engravings on the cauldron, and a realization dawned on her.
"This cauldron… it's part of a set, isn't it? There are others."
Her breathing became rapid, and her eyes burned with desire.
If she could attain the position of a First-Level God, then one day, perhaps she would have the power to stand face-to-face against Sea God Tang San.
"Yes," Xia Yi replied with a smile. "This is the Land Cauldron. Apart from it, there are also the Sky Cauldron and the Ocean Cauldron. Once the necessary materials are gathered, they will be forged."
"The Sky Cauldron… the Ocean Cauldron…"
A complex mix of emotions flashed across the Demon Empress's mesmerizing eyes—nostalgia, hesitation, pride, and unwillingness.
She knew very well that there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
She desired the Ocean Cauldron, but she was also certain that Xia Yi would not simply hand it over to her without a price.
Taking a deep breath, the Demon Empress suddenly lifted her head to meet Xia Yi's gaze. A resolute light shone in her beautiful eyes.
"I will suppress my soul power to match your level. If you can defeat me in battle at sea, I will acknowledge you as my lord and pledge my loyalty to you. I will assist you in controlling the Ocean Cauldron. What do you say?"
No matter what, she had to obtain the Ocean Cauldron.
Only the Ocean Cauldron could give her the power to truly take revenge.
Even if she could not defeat Tang San, she would at least be strong enough to kill Tang San's parents, who remained in the Douluo Continent.
If she only became a Third-Level God, then even if she attacked while Tang Hao was in slumber and destroyed some of Tang San's lingering influence in the Douluo Continent, it would not be true revenge.
For the sake of vengeance, she was willing to pay any price.
What did it matter if she had to acknowledge Xia Yi as her lord?
There was nothing unacceptable about that.
Wasn't Star Dou Forest the rightful ruler of all soul beasts?
Then naturally, the Master of Star Dou Forest should be the Master of all Soul Beasts.
Even the Beast God Di Tian had acknowledged Xia Yi and Gu Yue as his lords.
If that was the case, then even if a divine beast were to reawaken, it would only be right to call Xia Yi "lord" as well.
Of course, this was all under one condition—Xia Yi had to defeat her.
Might makes right—the eternal truth of the soul beast world.
However, given Xia Yi's current strength, truly defeating her was unrealistic.
By suppressing their soul power to the same level, they would compete solely based on skill and combat ability.
This was the Demon Empress's final pride.
Since their soul power would be equal, she wouldn't hold back—the battle had to be fought in the ocean, where she could unleash her full power.
If Xia Yi couldn't defeat her at her strongest, then what right did he have to make her submit?
"Since you seek to control the Ocean Cauldron, do you even understand the meaning behind the Sky Cauldron, the Land Cauldron, and the Ocean Cauldron?" Xia Yi asked in a deep voice.
"Meaning? What meaning?" The Demon Empress raised an eyebrow.
"You don't know, do you?" Xia Yi nodded slightly. "Let me put it another way—have you heard of the Three-Eyed Golden Ni, the Emperor Auspicious Beast, and how she sacrificed herself to the God of Emotions ten thousand years ago?"
"I have." The Demon Empress nodded.
"The Three-Eyed Golden Ni was the Emperor Auspicious Beast—the embodiment of the soul beasts' fortune. She was born in Star Dou Forest and represented its very destiny. Her sacrifice was equivalent to offering the destiny of Star Dou Forest to the God of Emotions. Even though he left the Douluo Continent, he continued to absorb Star Dou Forest's fortune through her Fate Skull Bone and Fate's Eye.
The same goes for the Sea God—his god core was formed by the faith of sea soul beasts, allowing him to continually drain their destiny."
Xia Yi's expression grew serious.
"The purpose of the Sky, Land, and Ocean Cauldrons is to suppress the soul beasts' fortune and prevent such deities from stealing it ever again."
"Suppressing fortune? Is that even possible?" The Demon Empress was utterly shocked—this completely overturned her understanding.
The power of fortune was even harder to comprehend than time and space.
Yet Xia Yi claimed that he intended to suppress it?
Her gaze fell back onto the Land Cauldron before her.
If it was truly capable of suppressing soul beast fortune, then its value was immeasurable.
"That's right." Xia Yi extended his hand, and the Land Cauldron returned to him. "As you already know, Star Dou Forest is preparing to establish its own Soul Beast God Realm. When that time comes, the three cauldrons will evolve into the core of our new god realm."
Xia Yi then turned to the Demon Empress and asked, "Although our plan includes three god realm cores, losing even one would be devastating. Not only do the three cauldrons serve as the foundation of the god realm, but they also protect its core. Given your personality, do you truly believe you are suited to wield the Ocean Cauldron? If you were me, would you entrust it to yourself?"
"I…" The Demon Empress hesitated. She knew her own personality better than anyone.
If these cauldrons were as vital as Xia Yi claimed, then he absolutely couldn't give one to her.
"For now, we will forge the Sky Cauldron first. As for the Ocean Cauldron, take your time to think it over. When you truly believe you are worthy, come find me." Xia Yi looked at her and added, "But understand this—if you do take charge of the Ocean Cauldron, I will have authority over you, regardless of whether or not I can defeat you in battle."
Hearing that Xia Yi hadn't outright rejected her, the Demon Empress sighed in relief.
There was still a chance.
"When will you be able to forge the Ocean Cauldron?"
Since Xia Yi had not directly rejected the idea, did that mean he considered her a potential candidate to control the Ocean Cauldron?
If that was the case, then she still had a chance.
"I can't say for sure." Xia Yi shook his head. Forging a Fortune Cauldron was an extremely complex process. His Earth Cauldron had already consumed a vast amount of materials prepared by the Great Star Dou Forest, and even the materials for the Sky Cauldron were far from being gathered.
Let alone the Ocean Cauldron.
"I will become the most perfect Ocean Cauldron wielder in your eyes." The Demon Empress' deep blue, beautiful eyes grew determined.
She understood what Xia Yi was concerned about, but as long as she could prove to him that she was responsible enough, she believed he would allow her to take control of the Ocean Cauldron.
Fixing her gaze on Xia Yi, she clenched her teeth and added, "I know that what you're doing benefits all soul beasts, while I only act for myself. I respect you for that. However, as long as there are enough benefits, I can join you—just like with the Ocean Cauldron. But if you want me to be completely loyal and follow your every command, you must first defeat me in my strongest state when we fight with the same soul power level. Otherwise, what right do you have to make me submit? If you can't do it, then even if you control the Ocean Cauldron, even if it evolves into a Divine Realm Core, I will still fight you for the position of the Primary Divine Realm Core."
Xia Yi's mouth twitched slightly. "You're really straightforward, huh?"
"When dealing with humans, I will use every trick I can think of. But as I said, I respect you. So with you, I will be open and honest. If you accept my challenge, we continue forward. If you don't, we go our separate ways. In that case, I won't join you, but I won't cause trouble for you either. After that, we each go our own way." The Demon Empress spoke with complete sincerity, without a trace of deception.
There was one thing she didn't say out loud—she felt she was no match for Xia Yi when it came to schemes. If she tried to play tricks on him, she had a strong feeling that she would suffer a huge loss.
Since that was the case, it was better to lay everything out in the open.
No one would try to outmaneuver the other.
"Alright! As you said, I accept your challenge." Since the Demon Empress had been so direct, Xia Yi did not hesitate any further. He then asked, "What level is your secondary profession?"
"Level six. Why?" the Demon Empress replied.
"I'll forge battle armor for you, so you can bring out your full strength." Xia Yi said.
"Refreshing! When do we begin?" The Demon Empress gave Xia Yi a surprised look, her beautiful eyes flashing with intrigue.
She hadn't expected Xia Yi to not only accept her challenge in the ocean but also be willing to forge battle armor for her.
She had to remind herself—Xia Yi might be suppressing his soul power and spiritual power, but his combat experience was still that of a peak Pseudo-God.
Yet, even when facing her, Xia Yi showed not the slightest bit of fear.
From beginning to end, his face held nothing but a smile.
At that moment, even the Demon Empress felt as though Xia Yi's victory was inevitable.
"Submitting to someone like this… doesn't seem like it would be too humiliating." The Demon Empress thought to herself.
Her goal was to take revenge on Tang San.
Submitting to Xia Yi did not contradict that goal.
In fact, it would actually help her achieve it.
(End of Chapter)