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In the darkness of the cave, two cloaked figures slowly walked forward. However, the cavern was so vast that it was impossible to distinguish between the sound of dripping water and the echoes of their footsteps.
"As expected, there really is such a place deep beneath the ocean that humans can't reach…" A girl's voice came from beneath the hood of the cloak, seemingly unsurprised by the current situation.
This person was none other than Gu Yue, who had led all the soul beasts away from the Star Dou Forest. The figure beside her was none other than Di Tian.
Compared to the situation of land soul beasts, who were on the brink of extinction, sea soul beasts were doing significantly better. After all, it was still difficult for humans to truly set foot in the deep sea.
And this cave in front of them was clearly that fish's dwelling!
Gu Yue had originally thought that the other party wouldn't agree to her request so easily. After all, with land soul beasts nearly extinct, as a sea soul beast, she completely had the upper hand and could have exploited the situation.
Yet surprisingly, the other party agreed — and very readily at that!
"Di Tian, what do you think?" Gu Yue asked.
"My Lord, for them to agree so easily… there's definitely something suspicious going on!" Di Tian responded.
Not only Gu Yue, but Di Tian also had the same feeling. Anyone with half a brain could sense something was off — and Di Tian wasn't just any soul beast. He had been the public leader of the Star Dou Forest for countless years.
"Yes… It's only natural that they'd want to make a move against us," Gu Yue murmured.
"Then why are you…?"
"But do you think I came unprepared?" she said calmly.
Di Tian fell silent.
Indeed, although Gu Yue wasn't complete, she still possessed most of the Silver Dragon King's power. Even if she had transformed into a human and cultivated anew, her original power hadn't vanished.
How could she possibly not have a trump card?
Even if that opponent was strong — could they possibly go toe-to-toe with the Silver Dragon King?
The answer… was no way!
So, when the small and large pair of figures entered the deepest part of the cave, the figure seated on the purple-gold throne finally opened her eyes.
"Hm?"
But upon sensing the newcomers, this woman's brows furrowed. The sight before her was completely unexpected.
She was very familiar with the master of the Star Dou Forest — the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King, Di Tian. He was legendary, and his name had long spread across the land.
Yet right now, Di Tian, supposedly the ruler of the Star Dou Forest, was standing behind a figure even smaller than himself — like a subordinate.
This wasn't right at all!
Not that powerful, yet why does she feel so dangerous to me?
"Who are you?" The atmosphere was already tense, and her words made the surrounding temperature drop even further.
"It's our first time meeting… Deep Sea Demon Whale King. But perhaps another title is more fitting. Don't you agree?" Gu Yue lifted her head, revealing her true face.
"Demon Empress of the Holy Spirit Cult!"
The woman — or rather, Demon Empress — slammed her hand hard onto the throne's armrest and suddenly stood up, glaring at Gu Yue with deadly focus.
"Who exactly are you!?"
"Half-body of the Dragon God. Supreme leader of all soul beasts. Silver Dragon King!"
Gu Yue raised her chin, pride clear on her face. The dragon race had always been among the highest species in this world. Anything with dragon blood was naturally powerful — and the Dragon God stood at the top of them all.
Gu Yuena, being the half-body of the Dragon God, naturally had divine-level strength. And Gu Yue, being part of Gu Yuena, could hardly be weak either.
Leader of all soul beasts?
"Soul Beast Leader?!"
As soon as Gu Yue declared her identity, the Demon Empress's expression froze for a moment, then quickly turned vicious.
"If you're the leader of all soul beasts… then where were you when soul beasts were being slaughtered by humans!?" Her voice trembled with fury, and even the surrounding soul power became unstable.
To be honest, the Demon Empress had never even considered that such a being as the Silver Dragon King truly existed.
After the Dragon God ascended to the Divine Realm, he was soon killed, which led to the Golden Dragon King being sealed, and only the Silver Dragon King escaping. But don't forget — the Divine Realm was still watching. Even if she escaped, would the Silver Dragon King dare show herself?
The Dragon God himself had been beaten to death. Why would a mere half-body throw herself into the fire? Especially when she was heavily injured and needed to recover.
And that recovery… lasted countless years.
Other than the core figures of the Star Dou Forest, almost no one on the Douluo Continent knew of the Silver Dragon King's identity. As for the Demon Empress — she was a sea soul beast, drifting through the oceans. She had no time for land affairs.
But the moment she learned who the Silver Dragon King was, the hatred of her husband's death came flooding back. The original Deep Sea Demon Whale King had been killed by Sea God Tang San, but as the Soul Beast Leader, didn't Gu Yue bear any responsibility?
Even if you didn't avenge my husband — look at the state of land soul beasts now. They're almost extinct. And you — Silver Dragon King — did nothing!
What right do you have to be proud?
What right do you have to call yourself our leader?
"Yes… soul beasts were slaughtered by humans, and I bear some responsibility. But the main culprits are the humans — and the gods in the Divine Realm!" Gu Yue's voice was calm, but the hatred in her eyes was just as intense as the Demon Empress's.
"After the Dragon God was killed, he split into the Golden Dragon King and Silver Dragon King. And now… the Golden Dragon King has also been slain…" Gu Yue's fists clenched, and her voice trembled with fury, "I'm the only one left… Only me!"
"Though I escaped, those gods have been watching my every move! If I make even the slightest wrong step, they'll strike immediately…"
"I can sense your strength — you're a demigod, aren't you?" Gu Yue turned her gaze to the Demon Empress, her eyes gleaming. "Then you must have noticed too, haven't you? Whatever the reason may be… the Divine Realm is gone!"
"You're right… the Divine Realm really is gone," the Demon Empress fell silent. For a moment, she seemed to see a reflection of her former self — the one who had lost her husband — in Gu Yue.
"In that case, isn't this our best chance for revenge?" Gu Yue walked toward her step by step. At last, she stood before the Demon Empress and held out her hand.
"You hate humans. I hate humans too."
"If we join forces, we can wipe them all out! Drive them from this world — and destroy the world they live in!"
Looking at the Silver Dragon King before her, the Demon Empress's expression kept shifting, as if she were hesitating.
But soon, a smile crept onto her face — one that, in Gu Yue's eyes, was clearly less than friendly.
"I do want revenge on the humans… but why should I work with you? If I'm not mistaken… you're in a weakened state, aren't you?"
"If you're the half-body of the Dragon God, then if I devour you, I might just break through that barrier… don't you think?"