Just as Xia Yi and Xin Yuehu were having a lively discussion, a woman suddenly walked in.
"Chief, Lord Angel, a pair of people have arrived from the Western Sea. The leader claims to be a diplomat from the Sun-Moon Federation and wishes to see the Chief."
The Tianhu Domain was bordered by the Tianmu Mountain to the east, separating it from the Xingluo Empire.
It was clear that the Sun-Moon Federation could not have entered the Tianhu Domain from the Xingluo Empire.
They must have sailed a long way around the Xingluo Continent via the ocean and landed on the coastline of the Tianhu Domain.
"Lord Angel, you were right. The Sun-Moon Federation has indeed come to negotiate." Xin Yuehu's lips curled into a smile. At this moment, Xin Yuekui was negotiating with the Xingluo Empire—making it the perfect opportunity for her to bargain with the Sun-Moon Federation.
It was Xia Yi's suggestion to invite the Sun-Moon Federation's high-ranking officials to Jiejing Mountain for negotiations. If necessary, they could even use the power of the heavens to intimidate the Federation's leaders.
This would make the Sun-Moon Federation understand the consequences of the Tianhu Domain cooperating with the Xingluo Empire.
"I'm leaving now! One last reminder—while the Sun-Moon Federation is negotiating with you, they are undoubtedly negotiating with the Xingluo Empire as well. You must strike the right balance and, under no circumstances, let the Xingluo Empire surrender to the Sun-Moon Federation first." Xia Yi looked at Xin Yuehu and continued, "One more thing—our relationship must never be known to the Xingluo Empire or the Sun-Moon Federation. The Federation government fears not only Tang Sect and Shrek Academy but also the Spirit Pagoda. If they find out about your connection with me, they will inevitably suppress you in the future."
"I understand," Xin Yuehu nodded.
After Gu Yue communicated with the Dark Dragon King, a black portal once again appeared on the altar. Xia Yi took Gu Yue and strode through it.
"Xingluo Empire, Xingluo Continent, hmph!" Xin Yuehu coldly snorted. Although surrendering to the Sun-Moon Federation was difficult for her to accept…
As long as she could drive the Xingluo Empire out of the Xingluo Continent and restore its original name—the Eight Kings' Domain—it would all be worth it.
Moreover, if things were as Xia Yi had said, then even after surrendering, the Eight Kings' Domain would only be under the Sun-Moon Federation in name.
Internally, they would retain complete autonomy.
And they could use the Federation's power to strengthen themselves.
Why not go through with it?
Xingluo City
After returning to the Spirit Pagoda's training chamber, Xia Yi and Gu Yue immediately took Lan Fozi and left.
A day later, they boarded the Far Ocean in Haibin City.
The Far Ocean had only single-person cabins. Xia Yi and Gu Yue stayed in their original room, while Lan Fozu was assigned a cabin next to theirs.
Although she was not officially part of the Sun-Moon Federation's diplomatic delegation, the Federation was currently conducting a mass civilian evacuation.
All Sun-Moon Federation citizens in the Xingluo Empire were allowed to take their families and friends aboard the Far Ocean and Heavenly Sea to leave.
Naturally, Lan Fozi joined them.
On the deck of the Far Ocean, the Demon Emperor leaned against the railing, gazing at the endless ocean. Her deep blue hair was styled in an elegant high bun, and though she wore only a simple black dress, she still exuded an air of nobility and grace.
People bustled about on the deck, yet strangely, not a single person seemed surprised by her presence—even though she was supposed to have "committed suicide out of guilt" as Lan Haijun.
Not even a single curious glance was cast in her direction.
She stood there naturally, yet it was as if she did not exist at all—or rather, she had completely merged with her surroundings.
"Harmonizing with light, blending with dust."
This phrase suddenly surfaced in Xia Yi's mind.
He understood that the Demon Emperor's level of mastery had reached a terrifying realm.
"Mother, do you really have to fight?" Lan Fozi pouted, holding onto the Demon Emperor's arm. "In the ocean, with your current strength, there's no way Xia Yi can be your match. That's not fair."
"You ungrateful girl, it's only been a few days, and you're already taking his side?" The Demon Emperor shot Lan Fozi a glare. "It's just a spar."
Lan Fozi shrank back slightly and muttered in a small voice, "I just think it's unnecessary… Xia Yi and Gu Yue helped you forge the Ocean Cauldron, entrusting you with the responsibility of ruling the seas. The sky, the land, the ocean—three forces standing in balance. Xia Yi and Gu Yue have already sacrificed more than us. It's only natural that they should lead. Besides, Gu Yue is already the ruler of the soul beasts. We should be following their command. Why bother fighting over this?"
"You really are siding with him!" The Demon Emperor flicked Lan Fozi's smooth forehead before turning to Xia Yi. "I won't use my soul power, spiritual power, or physical strength against you. If you can defeat me under equal conditions, then from now on, I will recognize you as my master."
"Alright!" Xia Yi nodded confidently. Under equal cultivation, he had never feared anyone.
"Then let's begin." The Demon Emperor leapt off the deck and plunged into the ocean.
Xia Yi, Gu Yue, and Lan Fozi immediately followed.
Even though the deck was bustling with people, their movements did not attract any attention.
No one noticed them at all.
Even the radars of the Far Ocean and Heavenly Sea failed to detect them.
As soon as Xia Yi entered the water, he saw the Demon Emperor vanish into the deep blue sea like a fish.
Well, she was a fish, after all.
"Be careful," Lan Fozi whispered to Xia Yi. "In the ocean, my mother is terrifying. Even though she's suppressing her soul power and spiritual power, her understanding of the ocean's energy remains intact. Plus, when you forged her battle armor, she specifically designed it to harness the power of the sea. So even with her level suppressed, the ocean's power she can wield is still immense."
"You're selling out your own mother—does she know about this?" Xia Yi chuckled.
"You—! You're so ungrateful!" Lan Fozi's eyes welled up with tears, feeling wronged.
She was genuinely looking out for Xia Yi, yet he spoke to her like this.
For a moment, she felt deeply hurt.
"Fozi meant well. Stop bullying her," Gu Yue rolled her eyes at Xia Yi before taking Lan Fozi's hand to comfort her. "Don't be upset. He just can't control his mouth—don't stoop to his level."
"I'm not upset with him!" Lan Fozi turned her head away, wiping her tears as she huffed internally.
"Damn you, Xia Yi. If I weren't worried about Gu Yue, I wouldn't have warned you!"
Xia Yi chuckled, unfazed, and darted off in pursuit of the Demon Emperor.
"I want to see what makes you think you can challenge my mother in the ocean." Lan Fozi gritted her teeth and swiftly followed.
"Damn fox!" Gu Yue also ground her teeth and muttered to herself before speeding after them.
Not once had she worried about Xia Yi.
At equal cultivation levels, even she wasn't his match—what could the Demon Emperor do?
She was irritated with Xia Yi because of how upset he had made Lan Fozi. It reminded her of what happened in Donghai City.
Compared to how Xia Yi had treated her back then, he was being much softer with Lan Fozi now.
When he first met the soul beasts of Star Dou Forest, he immediately tricked them into helping him set a trap against her.
Even though she was grateful to Xia Yi for waking her up back then… whenever she recalled those incidents, she still wanted to sink her teeth into him.
No—just one bite wouldn't be enough.
She needed to bite him multiple times.
Even in the ocean, Gu Yue's speed was incredible, and she quickly caught up with Lan Fozi.
"Why hasn't my mother stopped yet? Is she trying to exhaust Xia Yi's soul power first?" Lan Fozi wondered aloud before turning to Gu Yue. "Should we warn him? This might be a trap."
"After the way he spoke to you just now, you still care?" Gu Yue smirked.
Lan Fozi's cheeks flushed. "I was just worried you'd be concerned."
"I've already said it—I will never leave Xia Yi." Gu Yue shook her head and let out a soft sigh. "But as for you, no matter who you fall in love with or whom you end up with—whether human or soul beast—I must remind you, don't follow Na'er's path."
"If you fall in love with a human, as long as you don't help them fight against soul beasts or reveal confidential information about soul beasts to them, we can treat you as a 'human' and won't make things difficult for you. However, you will have to give up any benefits you gain from being among soul beasts. But if you act like Na'er—unwilling to relinquish the position of Soul Beast King while still trying to fight against soul beasts—then we can only be enemies."
"I won't! I only like you. Even if you don't like me, I will still stay by your side!" Lan Fozi declared firmly, her eyes filled with determination.
"I've said all I needed to say." Gu Yue lifted her gaze toward Xia Yi and continued, "This is just a sparring match. Even if Xia Yi falls into your mother's trap, it will be his own fault! You don't need to warn him. Though his words earlier were harsh, they were the truth. You shouldn't have revealed your mother's tactics to him. In the future, not every opponent he faces will have someone telling him what to expect."
(End of Chapter)