Steam filled the air, as Qian Renxue watched closely.
'Divine energy truly makes a difference', she noted calmly.
Even restrained and out of oceanic environment Poseidon could still wield strong power.
"Little girl, is that all you can do?"
Poseidon sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. The rolling waves of his Vast Ocean Domain surged higher, as though responding to his disdain.
Qian Renxue did not answer immediately. Instead, she smiled.
Light rippled beside her, and a second sword was pulled from the void by her left hand.
Its blade was straight and was also emitting light. While not at the level of divine artifact Angel Sword ,it was very strong.
This sword was Caliburn, left behind carrying the essence of Ren Xuan a Level 100 being.
Poseidon's pupils shrank.
'A weaopon just below divine-grade?'
Qian Renxue raised both blades.
"Nine Sun Style…" she murmured.
"Second Form: The Morning Butterfly."
She moved and in that instant, her figure blurred into dozens of afterimages, golden wings folding and unfolding like petals in the morning light. Twin swords traced countless arcs, each slash light yet lethal, delicate yet precise—like a butterfly dancing through dawn.
Poseidon's halberd flashed repeatedly, divine energy surging to form layers of protection. He blocked, parried, and dispersed each strike with overwhelming power.
Yet—
His brows furrowed.
Thin golden lines began appearing across his divine projection, as if something intangible had been sliced apart.
Her sword intent—pure, unwavering, and incandescent—was gnawing at him, bit by bit.
Qian Renxue's eyes sharpened.
"Nine Sun Style…"
"Fourth Form: The Burning Sun."
The air ignited. It was as if a miniature sun had descended into the mortal world, blazing with unstoppable radiance. Heat distorted reality itself, and the oceanic aura around Poseidon evaporated violently, turning into blinding steam..
"Damn brat!" Poseidon cursed.
Divine energy surged violently as he gathered power to collide head-on with the attack. His halberd glowed with water and oceanic law, crashing forward like a divine tide meant to drown the sun itself.
BOOM—
It was as if the collision ripped the world apart.
Space cracked.
Jagged fractures spiderwebbed through the air, revealing chaotic voids beneath reality. The ground trembled violently, splitting open as shockwaves radiated outward in concentric rings.
This was no longer a battle of techniques.
It was authority against authority.
Poseidon's divine energy, superior in purity and origin, pressed down like an overwhelming weight. Any ordinary Wild God would have been crushed—subdued—reduced to nothing under such an assault.
But the one standing before him was Qian Renxue, who didn't back down and was able to contend against his power easily.
Poseidon smiled slyly even as he exerted himself. His gaze flickered with calculation.
'Still—this is enough.'
The earth continued to shake violently, as if an earthquake had struck the heart of Sunset Forest. Ancient trees collapsed, mountains groaned, and countless soul beasts fled in panic, abandoning their territories without hesitation.
This was not a place mortals should witness.
This was a battlefield—
Between beings who should not exist in the mortal realm.
-----
The ripples of the earthquake spread outward, reaching even Heaven Dou City, despite its considerable distance from the Sunset Forest.
Sturdy stone streets trembled. Roof tiles rattled. Hanging lanterns swayed violently, crashing against pillars and walls. Cries of alarm echoed as civilians poured into the streets, fear written plainly across their faces.
Inside the grand imperial hall, even the massive golden pillars supporting the palace let out faint groans.
Emperor Xue Ye, seated upon the dragon throne, gripped the armrest tightly. Sweat trickled down his temples as his aged heart pounded.
"This…" he muttered hoarsely, forcing himself to remain upright.
"I don't know how much loss our empire will suffer because of this disaster.".
At that moment, Xue Qinghe stepped forward.
Though the ground still trembled faintly, his steps were steady, his posture composed. He clasped his hands respectfully and said in a calm, resonant voice:
"Father, allow me to take charge of the relief efforts in your name."
He raised his head slightly, his expression sincere and resolute.
"The light of the Emperor should shine across every corner of the empire—especially in times of crisis."
Emperor Xue Ye's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied the young man before him.
'I know you are my son', he thought.
'And I know you are already scheming for my throne.'
Yet, even as suspicion flickered in his heart, reason prevailed.
'But such ambition… such composure… such timing. This is precisely what a crown prince should possess.'
His thoughts involuntarily drifted to another figure.
'At least he is far better than Xue Beng', Xue Ye scoffed inwardly.
'That wastrel act… and Xue Xing backing him—do they truly believe I cannot see through such clumsy performances?'
The emperor exhaled slowly.
Before the eyes of the court, he nodded.
"Very well," Xue Ye declared.
"You may proceed."
Xue Qinghe immediately bowed deeply, the picture of filial devotion.
"Thank you, Father. I will not disappoint you."
As he straightened and turned away, a faint smile curled at the corner of his lips—carefully concealed from all eyes.
Xue Qinghe believed that he can use this to leverage some of his plan, not knowing that it will come to naught in the future.
Yet none present—could truly comprehend a simple truth, that there was no natural disaster.
What shook the land was merely the aftermath of a clash—
Between two terrifying existences also known as Gods.