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Early the next morning, atop the highest sea cliff on the eastern side of Sea God Island.
The morning sun was slowly rising from beneath the sea level, dyeing the sky and the ocean a magnificent orange-red and golden hue.
The sea breeze carried a fresh, salty scent, sweeping past the two people sitting embraced atop the cliff.
Bo Saixi leaned against Xuan Ming's chest, feeling the steady heartbeat and slightly cool body temperature emanating from him.
Her sea-blue eyes gazed at the magnificent sunrise, a peaceful, heartfelt smile—one she had never worn before—playing on her lips.
Having lived for over a hundred years, never before had she felt her body and mind so light, so... complete.
All shackles, obsessions, and reserve vanished in the all-or-nothing honesty of the previous night.
Xuan Ming lowered his head to look at the side profile of the person in his arms, which seemed exceptionally gentle in the morning light.
The sharpness of previous days was somewhat absent from his ice-blue eyes.
He no longer tangled himself in concerns of morality or reputation.
Just as he had told Bi Ji and the others before, he was inherently a "selfish" person.
Since he had made his choice, he would accept it frankly.
This rare tranquility might be the last of the time he had left to spend freely.
There was less than half a year remaining until the end of the Fourth Trial.
During these six months, he planned to completely relax, no longer thinking about heavy promises, uncertain futures, or the irritating scrutiny from the God Realm.
Consider it... the final breather before the storm arrives.
No one came to disturb them.
Gu Yuena, Snow Empress, and the others had long understood everything, choosing silence out of mutual understanding, even deliberately avoiding this section of the sea cliff.
They all knew what Xuan Ming was carrying, and they understood how important this moment of peace was to him and to Bo Saixi.
Now that things had reached this point, worrying about who came first was meaningless.
By choosing to remain by Xuan Ming's side, they had long accepted this complex relationship.
Rather than destroying this hard-won peace, it was better to choose to protect the tranquility he needed right now.
Even if they had to compete for affection, that would be a matter for the future.
Over the next month, Sea God Island seemed to enter a strange period of stillness.
Xuan Ming spent most of his time with Bo Saixi.
Their figures often appeared by the sea cliff, on the circular sea, and even in the deep seabed.
Xuan Ming dedicated all his effort to helping Bo Saixi familiarize herself with and control the complete Sea God Trident.
As for the Sea God Poseidon, this God who should originally have been "just and strict," now appeared unusually "improper" and biased.
He directly used Divine Thought to unreservedly teach Xuan Ming his insights on using the Sea God Trident, as well as the powerful Divine Skills he had created.
When Xuan Ming asked via Divine Thought why he didn't teach Bo Saixi directly, Poseidon's justification was so self-righteous it left one speechless:
"Your brain works fast, kid, and you learn quickly! If you learn it first, and then slowly teach Xixi, it will definitely be more detailed and effective than me guiding her across planes! This is called... Teaching according to aptitude! Yes, teaching according to aptitude!"
Xuan Ming was speechless regarding this old fellow who could now be described as completely shameless, and he couldn't be bothered to expose his intentions.
Bo Saixi herself possessed extremely high talent, and having completed the Sea God Eight Trials, she had a tremendously solid Foundation as a demi-god.
Now that she had gained the recognition of the Sea God's Heart and the complete Divine Artifact, and with the Sea God himself secretly giving the green light, the path of her Legacy to the Sea God Position was theoretically smooth sailing.
However, both Poseidon and Xuan Ming understood one thing: true God Position Legacy was absolutely not a simple infusion of power or replication of skills.
What Bo Saixi needed to do was not become a second Sea God Poseidon, but to walk her own path based on understanding and mastering the essence of the ocean's power, and to condense her own Sea God Authority.
Only in this way could she truly bear the God Position, and perhaps even surpass her predecessors in the future.
This process required time, insight, and even more, opportunity.
But with Xuan Ming by her side, Poseidon was completely at ease.
He believed that with Xuan Ming's abnormal Comprehension Ability and insight into the essence of power, he would surely be able to guide Bo Saixi better.
He felt as if he could already see a new Sea God, surpassing the previous one, being born in the Sea God Temple in the future God Realm under his "wise" guidance...
The peaceful teaching time by the sea cliff was, eventually, broken.
One month later, on a certain evening, Gu Yuena's figure silently appeared atop the cliff.
Her silver-purple eyes swept over Xuan Ming, who was guiding Bo Saixi to perceive the rhythm of the tides, and without extra pleasantries, she spoke directly:
"It's time to move."
Xuan Ming paused, naturally understanding what she meant.
His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, and his tone carried a hint of resistance: "There's no need to go to Qian Renxue's side.
You and I both know her temper; this matter simply can't be resolved.
Meeting her will only lead to arguments and embarrassment, and no result."
Gu Yuena looked at him, her gaze calm but brooking no argument: "I am not negotiating with you, Xuan Ming.
Either you go yourself and make things clear.
Or,"
She paused, "I will go 'invite' her over. As for whether anything unpleasant happens during that process, I won't guarantee it."
Xuan Ming looked at Gu Yuena's "I mean what I say" expression and felt mentally exhausted.
He knew Gu Yuena was fully capable of doing it.
"I understand."
Xuan Ming sighed, his voice filled with helplessness, "I'll go with you."
He held no expectations.
Because of Bibi Dong's existence, an insurmountable gulf had separated him and Qian Renxue from the very beginning.
His involvement with Hu Liena was already an unspeakably complicated situation for Bibi Dong.
If he were to become entangled with Qian Renxue as well, the damage to Bibi Dong would be incalculable.
He knew this clearly and would absolutely not cross the line.
Gu Yuena glanced at him, seemingly seeing through his thoughts, and added: "I don't expect you and her to have any outcome.
All I want is a clear, complete break between the two of you.
Whether that means drawing a clear line and never seeing each other again, or finding another mutually acceptable way of interacting that won't lead to conflict in the future.
That needs to be discussed between you two."
Xuan Ming nodded silently.
This was perhaps the only viable method currently available.
He turned to look at Bo Saixi, his eyes carrying a hint of apology.
Bo Saixi smiled gently at him and said softly, "Go, it's better to resolve it quickly. I'll wait for you here."
She understood Xuan Ming's difficulties and knew that the Qian Renxue issue was unavoidable.
She would not make trouble; she would only choose to support him.
Xuan Ming nodded silently.
He turned and looked at Bo Saixi beside him.
Understanding and a hint of imperceptible worry filled Bo Saixi's sea-blue eyes as she gently squeezed his hand: "Go, and come back soon."
Xuan Ming gave a soft "Mm," said nothing more, and together with Gu Yuena, transformed into streaks of light and left Sea God Island.
They did not use spatial teleportation directly but chose to fly.
Their speed was not fast, as if giving Xuan Ming time to think, and also as if they were observing the World below.
When their figures swept past the coastline and officially entered the airspace above the Douluo Continent, Xuan Ming keenly sensed an atmosphere different from before.
The atmosphere in the current Spirit Empire had undergone a significant change compared to when he left.
The clamor of fervent expansion and conquest seemed to have subsided, replaced by a kind of... highly taut suppression.
The Spirit Master patrols on the streets were strictly disciplined, their eyes sharp.
Most pedestrians hurried along, their faces showing less of the previous numbness or fanaticism, and more caution and... fear?
Clearly, Bibi Dong's iron-fisted methods and the absolute violence he had previously displayed had achieved a powerful deterrent effect.
The Spirit Master class, which profited from war and plunder, had their restless claws forcibly restrained.
However, this peace, maintained by relying on the violence of top-tier combat power, was like a layer of ice built atop a volcano.
The Foundation of the Spirit Empire was not stable; it could even be described as a pile of loose sand.
Why did the Spirit Masters attached to Spirit Hall support the Empire?
No matter how loudly the slogans were shouted, they couldn't conceal their yearning for power, resources, and plunder.
Currently, although Bibi Dong's iron-fisted rule guaranteed the basic survival of the lower class, it severely harmed the vested interests of the Spirit Master class.
In the past, they could rely on Spirit Hall's power to throw their weight around, but now they were easily punished and might even lose their heads.
Fear could suppress them temporarily, but it could not eliminate greed.
Once the top-level deterrence loosened even slightly, or external pressure increased, this suppressed rebound force would erupt in a more violent manner, instantly tearing apart this seemingly powerful Empire.
The current Spirit Empire was like a haystack forcibly bundled together—neat on the outside, but internally full of dry kindling, capable of igniting a raging fire with just a spark.