"..."
The Water Dragon King fell silent for a moment, as if stunned by Jiang Jue's sudden question.
"You really do keep thinking about this old pile of bones of mine, don't you."
The Water Dragon King shook his head and let out a helpless laugh.
"Come back when you have reached the rank of Quasi–Titled Douluo. At that time, you will have everything."
"You are far too weak right now. With your current cultivation, you cannot possibly withstand that fortune."
The Water Dragon King looked at Jiang Jue and said solemnly.
"And you, human god—why are you constantly staring at my remains? It is precisely my remains that formed this place. So they are impossible to give to you."
Electrolux withdrew his gaze, but a trace of longing still flickered in his eyes.
Hearing the Water Dragon King's words, Jiang Jue thought for a brief moment before nodding slightly.
His main goal for this trip had already been accomplished—the reverse scale of the Water Dragon King was effectively his token. It would be quite useful when he next went to the Star Dou Great Forest.
If handled properly, he might be able to eat from both sides.
And from what the Water Dragon King said, that fortune seemed related to the soul bone he had left behind.
"Since that's the case, thank you, senior Water Dragon King."
Jiang Jue bowed with the礼of a junior and respectfully expressed his thanks.
"I hope you will not disappoint me."
The Water Dragon King stared deeply at Jiang Jue, his voice heavy. If what he said was true, then the soul beast faction was indeed declining and desperately needed a powerful leader.
Suddenly, the Water Dragon King seemed to remember something and asked,
"Human, do you know what happened to my royal father after that great war? He… he…"
The Water Dragon King, once a god, revealed rare nervousness, his entire dragon soul tensing.
"Mm…"
For a moment, Jiang Jue frowned, unsure how to respond.
"You don't know? I suppose that makes sense. So many tens of thousands of years have passed—how many beings would still remember? For a human like you not to know is normal."
The Water Dragon King let out a sarcastic laugh, his expression dark, unclear whether he was speaking to Jiang Jue or to himself.
"Your royal father should have become two fathers."
After deliberating for a moment, Jiang Jue spoke slowly.
"Mm?"
"Human, what nonsense are you spouting? My royal father must not be blasphemed!"
The surrounding waters suddenly surged violently.
During that great battle, he and the Fire Dragon King had fallen fairly early, so he knew nothing of what happened afterward. That was why he asked Jiang Jue—yet this was the answer he received.
Even if Jiang Jue was the one chosen by the soul beasts, he could not blaspheme his father.
"I am not speaking nonsense. Your father, the Dragon God—during the divine war, he was split into two parts by the God of Shura with a single sword strike. Does that not count as becoming two?"
Jiang Jue said calmly.
"Are they still alive?"
Upon hearing this, the Water Dragon King's rage was instantly extinguished, replaced by anxious urgency.
"That, I do not know. As you said, so much time has passed—how would a human like me know?"
"But most likely…"
Jiang Jue did not continue in the end.
"A glorious victory where the winner takes all and the loser eats dust. The God Realm clearly never intended to leave us any path to survival!"
The Water Dragon King roared furiously, the surrounding waters quaking violently.
"Enough. What use is anger? Prepare that fortune. Jiang kid will avenge you in the future."
Electrolux spoke calmly.
"Very well. I hope that one day, when you ascend to godhood, you can kill the God of Shura and avenge my royal father. Then I will die without regret."
The Water Dragon King said solemnly to Jiang Jue.
Hearing this, Jiang Jue's eyes brightened. Kill the God of Shura—he did not specify which one.
Since Tang San inherited the position of the God of Shura, the karma left behind by the former Shura God should naturally be borne by him.
Then Jiang Jue spoke in a deep voice:
"Nothing else, but this—I will do my utmost to accomplish."
He wanted to become a god, and he could not avoid crossing Tang San's obstacle. Tang San had already noticed and begun plotting against him—so there was no reason for him to hold back.
Seeing Jiang Jue even more determined and enthusiastic than himself, the Water Dragon King felt puzzled, but regardless, since this human had agreed, a long-standing regret could finally rest.
"Very well. If you have nothing else, then leave for now—I must begin my preparations."
"In that case, when I reach the rank of Titled Douluo, I will return."
Jiang Jue nodded lightly. Without lingering, he turned and swam upward.
"Wait. The ruler of your Extreme North is far too weak. Consider this a small gift to you, a junior."
Snow Emperor had not yet turned when a blue bead emitting a faint glow drifted toward her and landed softly in her hand.
When she saw what it was, shock flashed in her beautiful eyes. But the Water Dragon King's dragon soul had already returned to the dragon head, his eyes closing shut.
"Let's go, Snow Emperor."
Jiang Jue glanced at the bead in her hand and said gently, then swam upward.
Snow Emperor hesitated briefly, then followed.
Electrolux transformed into a stream of light, returning to the spiritual sea.
Halfway up, Snow Emperor moved beside Jiang Jue, ascending side by side.
"Jiang Jue… what you said below—was it true? Will you really help the soul beasts?"
Snow Emperor bit her lip, a complicated expression crossing her normally icy face.
"Snow Emperor, the God Realm is too far away, and I am too small right now. When I have the power, none of this will be a problem."
"And to become a god, one must obtain a divine position. But the divine positions in the God Realm are limited. If you want the soul beasts to truly revive, the pie must be made larger."
Jiang Jue said quietly.
"But one thing I did not lie about—the God of Shura must die."
"But didn't you tell Ice Emperor that you believed in the God of Shura and Sea God?"
Snow Emperor asked.
Jiang Jue's ascent paused for a second.
"Rather than belief, I refuse to become a puppet without a soul."
"Perhaps… I can surpass the God of Shura."
Jiang Jue smiled faintly.
"But still, thank you, Snow Emperor, for proving my words."
Snow Emperor shook her head gently.
"Even without me, the Water Dragon King would have believed you. You carry the fate of the soul beasts."
"Here—this is for you."
Snow Emperor extended her snow–white hand. The glowing bead lay quietly within.
"If I'm not mistaken, this contains the Water Dragon King's comprehension of the ice element. Since it's for you, you should keep it."
Jiang Jue asked softly.
"In the future I will become your soul spirit. This is of little use to me. Better that you use it."
She pressed the bead into his palm and continued upward without waiting for his reply.
"Jiang Jue is clearly human… so why does he know so much about the God Realm?"
"And… has the Dragon God really died?"
A troubled look flickered in Snow Emperor's eyes. She realized she knew very little about Jiang Jue. It was like a thick fog surrounded him, blocking any attempt to peer deeper.
"No matter. I will learn eventually."
She thought as her speed slowed unconsciously, waiting for Jiang Jue to catch up.
Jiang Jue looked at the bead in his hand and smiled, then swam upward as well.
"You have come out. Are you unharmed?"
At the edge of the Ice–Fire Yin Yang Springs, the waiting Ice Emperor quickly asked when she saw them emerge.
"I'm fine, Bing'er."
Snow Emperor shook her head slightly, adjusting her emotions as the protective barrier around her faded.
"Hmm?"
Ice Emperor let out a soft sound. For some reason, she felt that something about Snow Emperor had changed—but she couldn't tell what.
It was strange.
"What happened between you and Jiang Jue down there?"
Ice Emperor asked gently.
"Really nothing. Bing'er, hurry and absorb the ice energy."
Snow Emperor smiled lightly.
"Fine then."
Ice Emperor's eyes moved between Snow Emperor and Jiang Jue a few times before she finally floated upward to absorb the ice spring's power.
"Young master, the two members of the Clear Sky Sect inside the Soul Refining Banner have woken up—do you wish to see them?"
At that moment, Nangong Wan silently walked up and asked.
"Oh? Awake? Then let's take a look."
Jiang Jue's eyes flashed slightly as his spiritual power entered the Soul Refining Banner.
"Oww… where have we ended up?"
"Is this still the Douluo Continent?"
"Can we even go back?"
Inside the grey mist of the banner's space, Yu Tao rubbed his sore neck, his expression bitter.
"What are you wailing for? Be quiet."
Lang Ya, standing beside him, lifted a hand and slapped Yu Tao lightly on the shoulder.
"Good thing Second Brother is here. Otherwise I'd really be panicking."
Yu Tao scratched his head with relief.
"Idiot. If I hadn't come with you, I might have gone to find help. Now both of us are trapped here—this is what truly means we're screwed."
Lang Ya sighed, frustration written all over his face.
"Ah…"
Yu Tao opened his mouth wide and exhaled helplessly.
"Who knows what's going to happen to us. We won't be stuck in this cursed place forever, right?"
"Of course not. You two are my dear friends, sworn brothers."
A voice echoed through the banner space.
End of Chapter