"Vast Sea Universe Crystal?" Xia Yi raised an eyebrow. He had heard of this thing before—the treasured artifact of Shrek Academy.
It was said to have been left behind by Tang San twenty thousand years ago. Only those who had reached the rank of Limit Douluo and passed rigorous trials were qualified to experience the mysteries of the Vast Sea Universe Crystal, potentially finding a sliver of a path to the Divine Realm.
"The Crystal has two other names: the Heart of the Sea God and Vast Sea Universe Barrier. It is the core component of the Sea God's Trident and inherently possesses the ability to communicate with the ocean. It is the most suitable core material for forging the Oceanic Cauldron," the Demon Empress' beautiful eyes flashed with intense excitement as she continued, "As long as we can obtain the Crystal, the other auxiliary materials will be easy to acquire."
"Something this important must be in Yun Ming's possession. Taking it from him is easier said than done." Xia Yi sighed softly.
"I've noticed that your relationship with Yun Ming's wife isn't ordinary. This might be an opportunity." The Demon Empress looked at Xia Yi with a mischievous smile.
"So this is what you were waiting for?" Xia Yi rolled his eyes. He finally understood why the Demon Empress had come to see him immediately after Yali left.
"Master, I'm serious. I went to see Master Gu Yue. She told me that once the three cauldrons are forged and the Divine Realm's core is restored, soul beasts can begin creating their own Soul Beast Divine Realm. For the grand plan of the soul beasts, we must be willing to use any means necessary," the Demon Empress said, her eyes shimmering. She took a deep breath and added, "Besides, the Crystal rightfully belongs to me, to you, to the soul beasts. No matter what method we use, we're only reclaiming what is ours."
"What do you mean by that?" Xia Yi asked curiously.
The Demon Empress sighed and explained, "This matter dates back twenty thousand years. Back then, the original Heart of the Sea God embedded in the Sea God's Trident was shattered by the Angel God. Later, the Sea God used the whale pearl of the Lan Fozi's father as a replacement to restore the trident. The Crystal currently in Shrek Academy is actually the Heart of the Sea God that was shattered by the Angel God—it was simply repaired. Since the Sea God replaced the Heart of the Sea God with the Lan Fozi's father's whale pearl, shouldn't the replaced heart rightfully belong to me?"
"So that's how it is." Xia Yi nodded thoughtfully and said firmly, "Rest assured, I will help you retrieve the Crystal so you can forge the Oceanic Cauldron. In the future, taking back the Heart of the Sea God from the Sea God's Trident won't be impossible either."
"Thank you, Master!" The Demon Empress smiled and asked, "Then how does Master plan to obtain it?"
"Don't try to set me up." Xia Yi shot her a glare and said, "Instead of trying to manipulate me, why don't you just use the evidence you have on Lan Muzi leaking the power system of the Far Ocean ship to blackmail Shrek Academy?"
"But Master Gu Yue told me to have you handle this," the Demon Empress replied.
"Didn't I just give you a solution?" Xia Yi said helplessly.
"But what if Shrek Academy refuses? The Crystal is practically a divine artifact," the Demon Empress asked seriously.
"Use multiple approaches. Aren't the students on the Far Ocean your bargaining chips? Don't tell me the Holy Spirit Cult doesn't even know how to take hostages and demand ransom?" Xia Yi replied.
"You're right! If I capture these students, I refuse to believe that Shrek Academy won't care. If worst comes to worst, I can wait for Yun Ming to leave and then go to Shrek Academy to capture more," the Demon Empress' eyes lit up as she spoke.
"Don't even think about it!" Xia Yi quickly shook his head and warned, "Yun Ming wouldn't disappear without reason. He might be deliberately setting a trap. It's better to be cautious."
"I understand. I won't be reckless," the Demon Empress nodded. She then looked at Xia Yi, bit her lip, and said, "There's something else I want to ask. Can I give the Oceanic Cauldron to the Lan Fozi?"
"No!" Xia Yi refused without hesitation. "You must have asked Gu Yue first, and when she said no, you came to ask me."
"Yes." The Demon Empress lowered her head and admitted, "I've thought it through carefully. It's true that the Oceanic Cauldron can enhance my strength, but compared to that, I care more about the Lan Fozi. She is my only concern. She is too naive. Only if she controls the Oceanic Cauldron can I feel at ease."
"I won't repeat the reasons. I'm sure Gu Yue has already told you. She really isn't suitable," Xia Yi insisted.
"I understand!" The Demon Empress nodded. She had already guessed that Xia Yi and Gu Yue would never agree to let Lan Fozi control the Oceanic Cauldron.
Not just because of Lan Fozi's strength and influence.
But because, just a few days ago, when Xia Yi and the Demon Empress were sparring, Lan Fozi had immediately "betrayed" the Demon Empress. That alone made it impossible for Xia Yi and Gu Yue to entrust her with the Oceanic Cauldron.
The Oceanic Cauldron was far too important.
Neither Xia Yi nor Gu Yue could afford to gamble with it.
The Demon Empress slowly stood up. Just as Xia Yi thought she was about to leave, she suddenly reached for his collar.
"What are you doing?!" Xia Yi jumped in surprise, clutching his chest and stepping back.
"I like you," the Demon Empress gazed at Xia Yi with deep affection and said.
"Speak normally," Xia Yi said with a dark expression.
"I'm not human," the Demon Empress said flatly.
"What do you actually want?" Xia Yi asked helplessly.
"This is Master Gu Yue's request. She has seen too many female soul beasts fall for humans and betray their race. If I am to control the Oceanic Cauldron, I must first prove that I won't make the same mistake. Otherwise, even if we obtain the Crystal, Master Gu Yue won't help me forge the Oceanic Cauldron," the Demon Empress said calmly. "At first, I disagreed with her reasoning, but upon further thought, I realized she made perfect sense."
"Damn that Gu Yue, always stirring up trouble!" Xia Yi's eyelids twitched wildly. He couldn't believe Gu Yue had told the Demon Empress so directly.
Xia Yi looked at the Demon Empress helplessly. "Aren't you angry that she's forcing you like this?"
"No!" The Demon Empress shook her head. "I once said that if you could defeat me in the ocean, I would serve you. And Gu Yue is right. Even though I don't believe I will ever fall for a human, how many soul beasts thought the same before it happened? It's better to eliminate the possibility from the start."
The Demon Empress looked at Xia Yi and continued, "You once said that if I am to wield the Oceanic Cauldron, I must at least believe that I am worthy of it. For the sake of our future Divine Realm's unity, I think Master Gu Yue's suggestion is excellent."
Xia Yi rolled his eyes. "Are you the type of woman who will be devoted after giving herself away?"
"No, but Master Gu Yue said you will conquer me," the Demon Empress smiled. "Besides, I am willing. Master Gu Yue told me about Leng Yulai. Her sisters have already proven that this approach works. I won't stoop as low as Leng Yulai and use drugs to force you—I have the soul beast way of handling things."
"You don't plan to force yourself on me, do you?" Xia Yi's eyes widened.
"In the soul beast world, strength rules. Let's see if you can defeat me." The Demon Empress raised her hand, instantly binding Xia Yi with terrifying soul power.
"You again… What's the point?" Xia Yi sighed.
"But I absolutely do not regret it. Lord Gu Yue said that she is merely temporarily assuming the position of the soul beast ruler. Sooner or later, you will be the sole ruler of all soul beasts. Even Dai Tianling of the Star Luo Empire has dozens of concubines, let alone you, the sovereign of all soul beasts. Moreover, your cultivation method requires women, so stop pretending to be pure in front of me." The Demon Empress stepped in front of Xia Yi, her jade-like hand once again reaching for his collar, gently helping him remove his outer garment.
Although her movements were somewhat clumsy, her delicate hands were remarkably steady, showing no signs of nervousness at all.
However, when she saw Xia Yi's well-defined, muscular body, a faint blush appeared on her noble and elegant face.
"Damn Gu Yue, what exactly did she say to the Demon Empress to make her so willing?" Xia Yi took a deep breath, raised his head to look at the Demon Empress, and said in a deep voice, "Stop for a moment."
"What's wrong?" The Demon Empress looked up at Xia Yi.
"I'm asking you one last time—have you thought this through? No regrets?" Xia Yi stared into the Demon Empress' deep blue eyes with utmost seriousness. "Think about Lan Fozi. Make sure you are certain before you answer."
The Demon Empress trembled slightly, but in the next second, she directly extended her arms and hugged Xia Yi tightly. "I have no regrets! You are the only one among the people I know whom I am willing to submit to willingly. Please conquer me and make me utterly devoted to you."
"In that case—" Xia Yi gritted his teeth and said, "Then remove my restraints."
"O-Okay!" Hearing Xia Yi's gritted response, the Demon Empress inexplicably felt a little flustered.
But she still lightly waved her hand, and the restraints on Xia Yi instantly vanished!
Without hesitation, Xia Yi scooped her up by the waist and strode into the bedroom.
"Y-You... be gentle." She had tried to remain calm, but now that the critical moment had arrived, the Demon Empress could no longer maintain her composure.
She had heard from Lan Fozi that sometimes, Xia Yi and Gu Yue could stay in a room together for an entire day and night.
Even as the leader of the Holy Spirit Cult, she couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
"Now you're scared? Too late! After I deal with you, I'll go deal with Gu Yue next." Xia Yi said.
Xia Yi understood very well why Gu Yue insisted on this. After all, even she had almost strayed down the wrong path.
There was Sea God's wife, Soft Bone Rabbit Xiao Wu; the Plane's ruler, Tang Hao's wife, the Blue Silver Emperor; and even the Emperor Auspice Beast of ten thousand years ago, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion—her own split soul, Na'er.
With so many living examples in front of her, Gu Yue's concerns were not unfounded.
She had almost "gone astray" herself.
The Oceanic Cauldron would one day become one of the three central hubs of the soul beast god realm.
How could Gu Yue not be cautious?
But regardless of the reason, if she dared to send another woman to force herself upon her husband, she deserved a severe lesson.
...
Boom! Lan Fozi punched the wall, her beautiful eyes turning red.
"Why? I finally made up my mind, so why did it turn out like this? Why did my mother choose that shameless bastard Xia Yi?" Lan Fozi's eyes filled with tears of grievance, as if something dear to her had been snatched away.
"No! If I miss this chance, there will never be another! I can't overthink this—if I do, I'll lose my courage. If Gu Yue can be with Heavenly Phoenix Douluo, then so can I!" Lan Fozi looked in the direction of Xia Yi's room and bit her red lips.
"For Gu Yue, I must not be afraid. Besides, my mother supported this before." After giving herself a few excuses, Lan Fozi gritted her teeth, trembling as she pushed open the door to Xia Yi's room.
(End of chapter)