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"…You are the demigod I can most easily meet. I need time to recover my previous life's strength. In exchange for this information, I'll borrow the Tang Sect's channels to maximize the influence of the Body-Forging Bone-Fortifying Ointment."
"This will benefit you as well, increasing your strength to better handle the Abyss."
Gu La's mind worked quickly, and he smoothly provided a plausible reason.
Faith.
Zang Xin naturally thought of this possibility. demigods could sense faith energy, but no one on the Doulu Continent could utilize it, nor could it be sustained for long periods.
Though he wanted to learn how to use faith energy, Zang Xin knew that even if he mastered it, he couldn't openly gather faith without making the Tang Sect a target for everyone. He would have to rely on other methods to break through, such as the plane's ascension Gu La had mentioned.
"I can represent the Tang Sect in agreeing, but I want to know—how much time is left until the Sea God returns?"
Zang Xin felt that Gu La knew far too much. Even a deity—could they truly grasp the hidden plans of the Sea God?
"It's possible. At least sixteen years."
Tang Wulin passed the Ninth Trial of the Sea God at the age of twenty-five. When Tang San returned and bestowed the God of Destruction position upon him, sixteen years was indeed the correct timeframe.
Yet Zang Xin couldn't feel joy. Sixteen years wasn't long enough for him to make significant preparations or dramatically increase his strength—it would be difficult to break through.
Not everyone possessed the innate talent of Yun Ming or the Underworld Douluo.
And this breakthrough relied heavily on insight—a quality others could hardly assist with.
Zang Xin took a deep breath, realizing he had been too hasty. Cultivation couldn't be rushed.
Gu La gently touched his left eye—the prolonged conversation was pushing his eyes to their limit, so he sped up.
"Deputy Hall Master Zang should understand that when the Abyss Plane shatters the spatial barriers, the first to be annihilated will be the Blood God Legion on the front lines. Also… did I forget to mention? Tang San will only resurrect those who died directly resisting the Abyss. Those who die indirectly won't be included in his resurrection list."
Zang Xin gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his thoughts unsettled. Resisting the Abyss—how could deaths be limited to just the battlefield?
"Rather than being abandoned by the Sea God as a pawn, cooperating with me at least gives you a chance to see the dawn of a new sun."
The purple-robed youth transformed from the Qi Luo Beautiful Silk Tulip suddenly knelt on the ground. "Master, please grant us clarity! We are willing to sacrifice our essence to help you rebuild your divine body and ascend back to godhood!"
Behind him, Infernal Delicate Apricot, Earth Dragon Gourd, and the other five ferocious beasts simultaneously revealed their true forms, their unique ten-thousand-year soul beast pressure displaying their resolve.
"Master, take us with you. We can protect your path, or simply offer ourselves as sacrifices to you. We only ask that once you regain your divine power, you revive us."
In their pursuit of eternal life, they completely abandoned their pride as ferocious beasts. If not for fear of angering Gu La, they might have immediately sacrificed themselves to him.
Gu La glanced at the plant-type ferocious beasts and casually said, "Fine, follow me."
"This…"
Zang Xin's expression twisted in hesitation. To be honest, after learning about the crisis that would unfold in sixteen years—whether it was the full-scale invasion of the Abyss or the return of the Sea God—the importance of the immortal herbs in his mind had diminished. But letting Gu La take all of them still felt like a waste.
Yet bargaining with a future deity capable of borrowing divine power left him without confidence.
"Thank you, Master!"
"Thank you, Master!"
The delicate vines of the Qi Luo Beautiful Silk Tulip rippled with golden-red waves in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. As its roots were pulled out, the intersection of the Extreme Cold Ice Spring and the Scorching Yang Spring erupted with a seven-colored radiance.
The Infernal Delicate Apricot unfurled its fire crystal leaves, while the Earth Dragon Gourd's roots lifted the immobile Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass. The six ferocious beasts transformed into streaks of light, circling around Gu La.
Having resided in the secret realm for so long, the essence of plants and herbs they released instantly filled the surrounding ten-zhang area with boundless spiritual energy, increasing the spirit energy within the secret realm by more than half.
The divine mark on Gu La's forehead flickered, and behind him, the shadow of Celebi spread its emerald wings.
As the authority of the Forest Domain flowed, a verdant glow enveloped the restless immortal herbs like spring water. He lightly tapped his third soul ring, and the ink-black ring abruptly expanded into a vortex, with green leaves faintly visible swirling within.
The Fragrant Qi Luo Beautiful Silk Tulip was the first to vanish into the void, followed closely by the other immortal herbs. In an instant, that small world was filled with rare flowers and exotic plants.
Gu La didn't yet have the Seed of Life to accommodate them, but the authority of Celebi's Forest God domain made maintaining the vitality of a few herbs easy. If necessary, he still had the system's storage space.
"For now, stay inside and help me decorate the space."
Gu La not only took the six ferocious beasts but also many other immortal herbs. Compared to the immortal herbs from twenty thousand years ago, the herbs of the Dragon King Legend era, nurtured by a group of ferocious beasts, had impressive cultivation levels and could be regarded as soul beasts.
With his dual god-level martial souls and a body transformed by primordial divine beast essences, Gu La's capacity to host immortal herbs was far higher—he could settle everything in one go.
After finishing, Gu La dispelled the borrowed power of his avatar. His golden pupils dimmed, turning into obsidian-like blackness, his dark eyes resembling an abyss that devoured starlight.
"Senior doesn't look well. What happened?"
He asked.
Zang Xin staggered slightly. He didn't know whether Gu La truly didn't know or was pretending to be ignorant.
Were gods really so shameless? With this example before him, Zang Xin felt the likelihood of the Sea God being the mastermind was higher.
His face darkened as he escorted Gu La out of the secret realm. He still had to explain to the rest of the Tang Sect why most of the immortal herbs in the secret realm had disappeared.
But Tang Hao's threat prevented him from telling the truth.
Zang Xin felt overwhelmed. He was just a deputy hall master—perhaps he should have let Cao Dezhi handle this.
Gu La allowed Zang Xin to carry him, having gained a huge advantage. For now, he remained extremely low-key, speeding all the way to the Tang Sect headquarters.
Above the Tang Sect's training grounds, thunderclouds gathered abruptly. When the two emerged from the spatial channel, Leng Yaozhu, who had been waiting nearby, suddenly looked up, her crimson hair fluttering without wind.
Zang Xin dropped Gu La and curtly addressed Leng Yaozhu, "Here, your good disciple."
Leng Yaozhu didn't care about Zang Xin's tone—it indicated that Gu La had indeed achieved something. She carefully examined Gu La, noticing his pitch-black eyes.
Leng Yaozhu swiftly approached, her delicate hand resting on the youth's eyelids. Phoenix fire shimmered beneath his skin with a golden glow.
"No damage to the pupils, meridians unobstructed… what kind of injury is this?"
Her voice trembled, worried that Gu La had suffered irreversible damage. She even considered seeking treatment from someone she didn't want to see.
"Tell me, teacher, what happened?"
"Teacher, don't worry. I'll regain my sight in three months." Since he hadn't fought, his recovery would be much faster.
Gu La held the trembling woman's hand, the warmth soothing Leng Yaozhu's anxiety. The youth smiled brightly, "This is just a side effect of passing the trial. I didn't disappoint you, did I?"
Leng Yaozhu's eyes softened, touched by his words. She scolded gently, "There was no need to push yourself so hard. Without the immortal herbs, there are still other opportunities." Her genuine emotions revealed a hint of captivating charm.
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