I have added this story to my Patreon. You can support me and read the 50 latest and advanced chapters there. It also fed and motivate me to write more chapters!
Free Members will get 10 Chapters Ahead of the schedule on Patreon!!!
Link: Patreon.com/AVRKingsTL
—------------------—
...Sea God Island, Sea God Mountain.
Xuan Ming's figure quietly appeared at the foot of the mountain. Just as he was preparing to ascend, a vast and boundless fluctuation of Divine Thought, like a tide, spread out from the Sea God Temple at the summit, instantly enveloping the entire Sea God Island!
This Divine Thought was pure, deep, and filled with the breath of Life and tolerance. It was far more stable and condensed than Qian Renxue's slightly restless and sharp Divine Thought from when she had first become a god.
Bo Saixi had also succeeded.
Xuan Ming took a step forward, the space slightly distorting, and in the next moment, he appeared inside the Sea God Temple.
In the center of the temple, Bo Saixi stood quietly. Her originally mature face had now become as young and delicate as a girl in her early twenties, with skin so tender it seemed it could be broken by a mere breath. However, in those deep eyes, there lay a wisdom and sense of time's passage that far exceeded her age. Her temperament was ethereal and sacred, as if she had merged with the entire ocean, and her body radiated a soft yet vast blue divine light.
As the High Priestess who had wielded the Sea God Power for decades and had long since completed the Eight Trials of the Sea God, Bo Saixi's understanding and control of the Sea God Power had reached a state of perfection.
Inheriting the Sea God Position was, for her, merely a natural progression, without any obstacles.
At this moment, her Godhead was stable and her divine force was harmonious. Her strength was definitely above that of Qian Renxue, who had just become a god and whose Realm was not yet stable.
"Congratulations," Xuan Ming walked up to her and offered his congratulations in a flat tone.
Bo Saixi turned around and looked at Xuan Ming, a gentle smile appearing in her ethereal eyes. "You've come."
She keenly sensed that Xuan Ming's aura was somewhat weak and his mental force was heavily depleted, but she didn't ask much, simply waiting for his purpose.
Xuan Ming didn't engage in much small talk and cut straight to the point. "I've come this time to discuss the storage of spirit rings with you."
He looked at the huge stone pillars radiating a faint blue light around Sea God Island—the Seven Sacred Pillars of the Sea God.
"The Seven Sacred Pillars of Sea God Island are Divine Artifacts left behind by Poseidon before his Ascension. They contain his divine force, serving both to protect Sea Spirit Masters and as a medium for the Sacred Pillar Trials."
"I want to ask you to try and create a container that can store spirit rings stably and long-term, based on the principles of the Sacred Pillars."
Xuan Ming explained his concept. "Moreover, it would be best if this container could possess certain functions like the Seven Sacred Pillars, such as... conducting some form of trial and bestowing corresponding spirit rings to those who pass by consuming the stored spirit rings."
He further explained, "Forcibly changing the method of obtaining spirit rings will inevitably face massive resistance in the Early Stage. Therefore, we need to provide sufficient rewards and convenience. We must let people see that obtaining spirit rings through new methods is not only just as effective for becoming stronger but perhaps even more efficient and safer. Only when driven by interest will the majority accept change."
A glimmer of contemplation flashed in Bo Saixi's eyes; she understood Xuan Ming's meaning.
This was to transform the acquisition of spirit rings from the barbaric plundering of hunting Spirit Beasts into an ordered model similar to 'mission rewards' or 'trial bestowals.'
This was indeed a way of thinking that addressed the conflict at its root.
"The form of the trials certainly cannot be as complex and rigorous as those on Sea God Island," Xuan Ming added. "They need to be simplified, ideally integrated into the new regulatory system being promoted by the Spirit Empire to facilitate large-scale promotion."
After a brief exchange, Xuan Ming made his request: "This matter is of great importance. I would like to ask you to come with me to the Spirit Empire to discuss the specific implementation plan with Bibi Dong and Gu Yuena."
Bo Saixi agreed with almost no hesitation, nodding, "Alright."
Her powerful Divine Thought had already sensed that distant fluctuation of divine force belonging to the God of Angels, which carried a hint of restlessness and instability.
Qian Renxue had become a god.
If that complex-minded young girl might pose a threat to Xuan Ming in the future, then her presence as a Sea God with deeper foundations would undoubtedly form an effective check... Spirit City, Supreme Pontiff Palace.
Xuan Ming brought Bo Saixi and stepped into the hall. Before the spatial fluctuations had even settled, the sound of a heated argument reached their ears.
"Bibi Dong! What right do you have to stop me! I want to see Xuan Ming!"
"Hmph! This is the Supreme Pontiff Palace! Not your Angel Secret Realm! He needs rest now; it's not your turn to disturb him!"
"He is mine! What right do you have to monopolize him!"
"Yours? What a joke! Since when did he become yours? Don't forget who it was that pushed him to the opposing side in the first place! Now that you see he's weak, you want to use force? Qian Renxue, you are still so childish and ridiculous!"
"..."
Clearly, Qian Renxue had come down from the Angel Secret Realm looking for Xuan Ming, only to be stopped outside the Supreme Pontiff Palace by Bibi Dong. The two had started arguing directly, with the content revolving around the 'ownership' of Xuan Ming.
Xuan Ming's brow furrowed slightly as he listened to this pointless bickering. Bo Saixi stood beside him, her ethereal eyes sweeping over the two confronting each other, her expression calm and unruffled.
Their appearance immediately drew everyone's attention.
When Qian Renxue saw Xuan Ming, her eyes first filled with joy, but when she saw Bo Saixi beside him—with her ethereal and sacred temperament and a vast divine force no less than her own—that joy was instantly replaced by even greater anger and grievance!
The Sea God? And her Godhead looks so stable!
How did another woman like this end up by Xuan Ming's side?!
Bibi Dong, seeing Bo Saixi, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Although her strength had skyrocketed, she had not yet fully become a god. If they really came to blows, she would inevitably be at a disadvantage against the already-divine and emotionally unstable Qian Renxue.
With Bo Saixi, a Sea God with deep foundations, present, Xuan Ming's safety was undoubtedly more guaranteed, and she could also serve as an effective deterrent to Qian Renxue.
Xuan Ming ignored Qian Renxue's nearly fire-spitting gaze and walked directly to the center of the hall, interrupting the meaningless argument.
"All of you, shut up."
His gaze swept over the three of them as he cut straight to the point, clearly and concisely explaining the series of concepts regarding spirit ring storage, cyclic usage, stripping, and bestowing, as well as the current Bottlenecks encountered.
He emphasized the core problem: spirit tools could only store them briefly; long-term stable storage must rely on divine force or the Power Of Faith.
He didn't look at Qian Renxue, nor did he show any intention of 'asking for help.' Instead, in a business-like tone, he calmly asked, "Creating a Divine Artifact capable of long-term storage and bestowing of spirit rings requires stable divine force and exquisite control over rules. Who is interested in taking over this task?"
He knew Qian Renxue too well. If he appeared to be asking her for a favor, this girl would definitely push her luck and make all sorts of excessive demands.
But if it were framed as a 'competition' or an 'opportunity' to stimulate her competitiveness, she would instead go all out to prove herself.
Sure enough!
As soon as Xuan Ming finished speaking, Qian Renxue immediately stepped forward, tightly grabbing Xuan Ming's arm, her tone carrying an unquestionable dominance: "This matter must be given to me! Besides me, who else is qualified to use the Angel divine force for such a thing? Bibi Dong's Asura God Power is full of slaughter, and the Sea God has nothing to do with the continent—neither is suitable! Only my Sacred Power is the most suitable for stabilizing and bestowing spirit rings!"
She stared into Xuan Ming's eyes with a hint of a threat: "If you don't give it to me, I will definitely make sure you have no peace! I will also definitely seize ownership of the Spirit Empire!"
Xuan Ming felt speechless at her 'if you don't give it to me, I'll cause trouble' stance, but he remained calm on the surface.
He didn't agree immediately but instead asked flatly, "Give it to you? On what grounds? In today's Spirit Empire, the spirit tool technology was brought by me, and the implementation of the new policies and daily management are handled by Bibi Dong. What about you? Qian Renxue, what have you done these past years? Besides going into seclusion to accept your Legacy, what contribution have you made to this Empire? What is there that makes the people of the Empire support you?"
"Just based on your strength as the God of Angels? Do you intend to use force to snatch the fruits of everyone's hard work? That would be... impressive indeed."
Qian Renxue was left speechless by the questions, her face turning various shades of blue and white.
She had indeed been almost isolated from the world these years, knowing nothing of the Spirit Empire's current state, let alone making any contributions.
Bibi Dong also spoke up coldly at the right moment: "Exactly. Most of the Power Of Faith today is concentrated on me, who promotes the reforms, and on Xuan Ming, who provides the military security. What about you? Qian Renxue, who still remembers you, an obsolete God of Angels? The Angel God was long ago bound to the old era's tyrannical Spirit Hall, while the new image of the Spirit Empire was built by us! You want to reap where you haven't sown? Dream on!"
Although Bo Saixi didn't speak, her calm and deep gaze also wordlessly placed immense pressure on Qian Renxue.
Qian Renxue was both angry and anxious, yet she could not refute. She discovered that in the face of this brand-new Empire, she was actually like an outsider.