Chapter 170: Terrifying Truths
After effortlessly nullifying the Deep Sea Demon Whale King's attack, Neptune decided to return the favor. With a swing of his left hand, the Sea God's Trident unleashed a brilliant golden light from its central blade. The radiant beam, like a divine sword descending from the heavens, slashed straight toward the colossal beast below.
Boom!!!
Yet, despite the overwhelming might of the attack, when it struck the Deep Sea Demon Whale King's massive, sapphire like body, it merely scattered into countless golden sparks. The attack barely left a scratch.
Seeing this, Neptune glanced down at the Sea God's Trident in his hand and couldn't help but think: Is this so called divine weapon really that impressive? Was the Deep Sea Demon Whale King simply too durable, or was this weapon just a letdown?
In reality, the reason for this wasn't the Trident's fault it was because of the Deep Sea Demon Whale King itself.
Due to the rules of this world, soul beasts could never truly become gods. Knowing this, the Deep Sea Demon Whale King had spent countless millennia focusing solely on reinforcing its physical body to withstand Heavenly Tribulations.
And it had worked.
After enduring thousands of years of lightning strikes, it had ultimately reached the million year level. By now, its physical body had reached god tier resilience, even by divine standards.
Moreover, being deeply connected to the ocean, it could use the sea itself to disperse incoming attacks. With all these factors combined, its defense was nearly unbreakable.
Meanwhile, Neptune, though an Ultimate Douluo wielding a divine weapon, had yet to truly become a god. This meant he couldn't fully unleash the Sea God's Trident's true power.
So, in a way, it made sense that his attack couldn't deal significant damage.
"So you're not as strong as I thought."
A deep, eerie voice echoed through the ocean, vibrating like an ancient abyssal growl. The Deep Sea Demon Whale King had finally spoken.
"You're basing my strength on just one strike?"
Neptune arched a brow, amused.
Did this ancient whale really believe that just because the Sea God's Trident failed to injure it, he had no way to defeat it?
"If you could unleash the full power of that divine weapon, you might be able to threaten my life. But unfortunately, you're too weak to do so."
The Deep Sea Demon Whale King's tone grew cold.
"And yet, you still dared to invade my domain and attack me."
The more it spoke, the angrier it became.
In hindsight, it felt ashamed it had actually considered surrendering earlier!
It was supposed to be the ruler of the ocean yet it had been intimidated by a mere human?!
Of course, this fear wasn't entirely irrational.
After all, the Q&A System's prophecy had revealed Neptune's future as the new Sea God a being capable of freezing entire oceans. That vision alone had shaken the Deep Sea Demon Whale King to its core.
But now, having reevaluated the situation, the whale realized:
"I let myself be fooled!"
"Very well," it growled.
"You're not leaving this place alive!"
"I wonder... if devouring the Sea God's successor will finally allow me to surpass my final limit!"
Hearing this, Neptune chuckled mockingly.
"You've really been alive for too long, haven't you?"
His tone dripped with disdain.
"You honestly think I don't have a way to deal with you?"
The Deep Sea Demon Whale King laughed harshly, its voice grating and jagged, like boulders grinding against each other.
"Foolish human. Do you even understand how insignificant you are?"
"There is no more Sea God. I am the true ruler of the ocean now."
"From what I can see, you're only around Level 99 granted, your body is quite impressive, reaching the half god tier."
"But unfortunately for you... only 20% of your body has been converted into divine material."
"Meanwhile, my body has already reached 99% divinity!"
The Deep Sea Demon Whale King laughed madly.
"Now do you understand our difference?!"
"Sure, divine weapons are powerful... but without sufficient strength, you'll never unlock their full potential!"
"If even half your body had reached divinity, I might have feared you..."
"But only 20%?"
"Hah! Fate has handed me an opportunity!"
"Today, I will devour you, complete the final 1%, and become the first ever Beast God!"
"You really have... completely underestimated me, huh?"
Neptune shook his head.
This old fool actually thought that the Trident was his strongest weapon?
"And what was that?"
Neptune suddenly smirked, looking at the whale as if it were a complete idiot.
"You think... eating me will turn you into a Beast God?"
"You really are delusional."
"Hmph. And why wouldn't I become a god?"
"Are you saying soul beasts can't become gods?"
The Deep Sea Demon Whale King's voice was filled with skepticism.
But deep down
It felt uneasy.
Because for years, it had sensed a strange foreboding feeling.
"Tell me, human... why would I die faster if I became a god?"
"So you really don't know, huh?"
Neptune studied the massive creature with an odd expression.
"I thought someone as old as you would have figured it out by now."
"But I guess not."
"What do you mean?!"
For the first time, the Deep Sea Demon Whale King felt genuine fear.
It had always had an instinctive premonition
That even if it succeeded in reaching godhood, something terrible would happen.
All soul beasts possessed a sixth sense for danger.
The stronger the beast, the sharper the instinct.
And as a million year soul beast, the Deep Sea Demon Whale King's sense of impending doom was overwhelmingly strong.
It had always ignored that gut feeling.
But now
Neptune's words ignited its worst fears.
"Alright then, let me tell you the truth."
Neptune's voice turned cold.
"In this world, soul beasts... can never become gods."
"What?!"
The Deep Sea Demon Whale King's roar shook the ocean.
Its mind spiraled into chaos.
But deep down
It knew Neptune wasn't lying.
"Haven't you ever found it strange?"
Neptune's voice echoed across the ocean.
"Why do soul beasts leave behind spirit rings when they die?"
"Why can only humans absorb spirit rings?"
"Does that seem natural to you?"
"And what about spirit bones?"
"Why do soul beasts produce human shaped bones?"
"Why can only humans absorb them?"
"Does that sound normal?"
"Why must soul beasts endure Heavenly Tribulations?"
"And why do humans never suffer them?"
"Have you ever thought about it?"
The Deep Sea Demon Whale King fell silent.
The more it thought about it, the more terrifying the implications became.
"Can't figure it out?"
Neptune's tone sharpened.
"Then let me spell it out for you."
"Soul beasts were never meant to become gods."
"You were always meant to be prey."
"The entire idea of a 'million year godhood' is a lie."
"A false hope so you would obediently train yourselves... only to become stronger offerings for humanity!"
And with that, he revealed the cruelest truth of all.
(End of Chapter)
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