Chapter 142: Unconventional Move
"What in the world?" That was Ye Wen's immediate thought. He had merely invited Snow Empress to join him as an ally, maybe as an instructor or a loyal subordinate within his academy not expecting anything so formal.
Was this some sort of overly dramatic gesture from her? But once a spirit sacrifice was initiated, it couldn't be reversed. As he watched the fifth spirit ring on the Time Jewel glow with six golden markings, he scratched his head, bemused.
Inside him, Snow Empress's spirit lay dormant within his right arm bone, just as the Deep Sea Demon Whale King's did. However, due to her unique nature as an Ice Snow Maiden, Snow Empress had not left a child like version of herself.
Ye Wen sighed, mildly disappointed; after all, he had always enjoyed the idea of raising a spirited little apprentice. Still, it was time to finally undergo the Sea God inheritance.
"When I refine my godly armor, I'll have to remind Poseidon to leave these spirits untouched," he murmured to himself as he turned into a streak of light and sped back to Sea God Island. "Wouldn't want them erased like in the original story."
The Sea God's trials had indeed been challenging, but Ye Wen's chosen companions were all outstanding elites. Their progress was commendable; most had already reached the third or fourth trials by the time he returned to the Sea God Hall.
Upon entering the hall, Ye Wen was greeted by Bo Saixi, elegantly dressed in her High Priestess robes, her blue ceremonial attire making her appear regal and alluring. For a moment, her refined beauty left him speechless. Anyone who didn't know her real age might easily mistake her for a queen.
Bo Saixi's gaze carried an unreadable complexity as she looked at him. "So, you've returned. Ready to begin the inheritance?"
"Yes. Let me take note of your current state first. When you make the sacrifice to open the inheritance realm, I'll bring you back afterward," he said gently.
No intelligent creature, no matter how wise or emotionally steadfast, was immune to the fear of death. He could see that her acceptance of her role in his trials had not removed her apprehension.
"If it's not too much trouble," Bo Saixi's voice was soft as she spoke up unexpectedly, "could you grant me one last wish before we begin?"
Though curious, Ye Wen shrugged it off. After all, he had undergone nine years of moral education, where respect for elders was a key lesson. Smiling warmly, he replied, "Of course, High Priestess. I was already feeling a bit guilty about having you selflessly sacrifice yourself for me. It's the least I can do. Just tell me what you'd like."
What a decent young man, she thought, noble and open hearted. No wonder Sea God had chosen him. Her voice was gentle. "Then, please… have dinner with me. I have dined alone for as long as I've held this position. I would like to share a meal with someone before my time ends."
To Ye Wen, the request was unusual, but understandable. He nodded, recalling her hundred years spent alone on this island, tending her duties with no one at her side. This would be a small act of respect.
Due to Sea God Island's isolation in the deep sea, trade with Douluo was sparse. While vegetables were self sustained, meat was mostly sourced from the ocean. The meal was surprisingly Western style, consisting of fish sausages, fried fish, and roasted vegetables. Upon biting into a sausage, he was intrigued by its fishy taste.
The two of them sat on the Sea God Hall's terrace, where a gentle evening breeze drifted by, carrying the tranquil beauty of the setting sun over the ocean. The scene was strangely peaceful.
"Future Sea God," Bo Saixi said, raising a glass of wine, "will you drink with me?"
Ye Wen had no real taste for alcohol; the bitterness of it wasn't to his liking, and he could never understand why some spent money on it when juice or tea was far better. Still, given that Bo Saixi was his elder, he obliged her with a small sip, forcing down the bitter taste.
With wine in hand, they talked a little about life on Sea God Island. Gradually, he noticed a tender warmth in her gaze, different from before. Her expression grew softer as they spoke, her admiration for him evident. To her, he seemed powerful yet humble, charismatic yet self contained, patient, and compassionate. Bit by bit, Ye Wen's image began to replace the memories she held of someone from her past.
Yet as they chatted, he began to feel something was off. His tongue grew sluggish, and his limbs felt unusually heavy.
"What… from just a single glass?" he thought, baffled. "There's no way this little bit should be enough to affect me I'm practically a god now."
His vision blurred, and his body grew limp in his seat. Just before he succumbed to the drowsiness, he caught a glimpse of Bo Saixi hurrying over, pressing him close against her.
So soft… Wait, what is going on? Why am I so dazed…?
"Please forgive me, Ye Wen," she murmured, her voice trembling. "Even if you don't revive me afterward, I just wanted, for once in my life, to act for myself."
She carried him to her chambers, where the air was filled with her scent. At last, Ye Wen understood what was happening.
No way. You drugged me?! Bo Saixi, you're supposed to be my elder! And what kind of drug is this? How did I not notice it? I, of all people, got caught off guard by this?
He struggled to maintain his thoughts, but even his mind felt hazy and uncontrolled.
Despite her inexperience, Bo Saixi's actions were unexpectedly fierce. She wasted no time pressing him down, the culmination of decades of loneliness now guiding her boldness.
Ten minutes later, Ye Wen finally regained control over his body, his face darkening as he turned his gaze upon the graceful yet devious High Priestess.
With a smirk, he launched his counterattack, bringing Bo Saixi to her knees, figuratively speaking. After years of being bested by Ah Yin, Ye Wen's endurance and skills were top notch.
What followed was an intense encounter between two entities nearly at god level. Both possessed bodies of immense resilience and strength, rendering the initial pain trivial. This clash of souls continued well into the night.
Cradling her afterward, he noted how gracefully Bo Saixi's beauty had resisted the erosion of time.
"Sorry, Tang Chen, Tang Hao, Tang San," he thought smugly. "Your future wife, grandmother, and great grandmother is now mine."
Just then, a timid voice whispered from his embrace.
"…I'm sorry."
He looked down at her apologetically. "Don't worry," he replied softly. "Even if I wasn't the one to initiate things, I've come to like you, too. I just didn't expect it to come to this. But you've torn down the last walls between us, so from now on, you're my family, my wife. I'll introduce you to everyone tomorrow.
"Ah Yin is quite understanding. She won't reject you trust me."
Ye Wen's voice was filled with sincerity as he gazed into Bo Saixi's eyes.
(End of Chapter)
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