The Demon Empress crossed the spatial passage with a clear objective.
Relying on the subtle spiritual connection deep within her bloodline and soul, she easily located the "self" of this parallel world—the "homologue" who was also the Demon Empress, yet still carefully protected by her husband, the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, and immersed in a false sense of peace.
There were no words, no catching up, and not even the slightest hesitation.
Under the other Demon Empress's astonished, fearful, and incredulous gaze, the mad Empress struck.
The authority to manipulate electromagnetism instantly erupted. An invisible force field sealed the sea, locking the naive Empress and her horrified, enraged husband—the Deep Sea Demon Whale King of this world—firmly within its grasp.
"No, who are you?! Why…"
The Deep Sea Demon Whale King of this world let out an earth-shaking roar, attempting to struggle, but the electromagnetic bondage, originating from the level of fundamental laws, was far beyond what brute force could contend with.
The Demon Empress's blazing white eyes stared coldly at the colossal beast, which shared the same appearance and aura as her husband. There was no love in her gaze, only a near-boned degree of obsession and madness.
"You are not him…"
Her hoarse voice pierced the seawater, carrying a heart-chilling coldness.
"I have only one husband. To resurrect him, all of you… will become my sustenance."
The next moment, an even more terrifying act of engulfment began.
The massive body of the Deep Sea Demon Whale manifested. Lightning and darkness intertwined, forming an all-consuming black hole.
Amidst desperate wails and struggles, the Demon Empress and the Deep Sea Demon Whale King of this world were mercilessly torn apart, decomposed into the purest life essence and energy, which she frantically absorbed and devoured.
She did not pause after completing this act.
She could feel the Core of the Herrscher of Thunder within her body vibrating intensely due to the immense energy. It was only one final step away from being completely activated and achieving its perfect, complete form.
The opportunity soon arrived.
Not long before, Osial, the Overlord of the Vortex, having fought and retreated from Sea God Island, was dragging his broken body, carrying the vast negative energy gathered from the sea, as he frantically fled back to his deep-sea lair to heal.
The Demon Empress lurked in the darkness like the most patient hunter.
At the moment Osial was weakest and his vigilance was lowest, she launched a fatal sneak attack.
A silent plasma whalesong swept out, carrying hallucinatory infrasound waves and energy-igniting electromagnetic force, instantly disrupting Osial's perception.
Immediately following this, Geomagnetic Manipulation triggered the eruption of an underwater volcano. Chaotic undercurrents and corrosive, acidic lightning obscured everything.
Osial didn't even have time to see the enemy's face before his negative energy core, which had accumulated over years, was savagely pierced by the Demon Empress's claws, which were wreathed in quicksilver and lightning.
"ROAR—!!!"
Osial let out a final, unwilling roar. The massive negative energy, like a breached flood, was madly devoured by the Demon Empress.
This origin energy from a Demon God was the final straw.
"Boom—!!!!"
An indescribably brilliant bolt of lightning erupted from the Demon Empress's body, instantly illuminating the eternal darkness of the deep-sea abyss.
The spiral narwhal horn on her forehead emitted a dimension-piercing light, and the plasma beams surrounding her body cheered as if they had come to life.
The Complete Herrscher of Thunder had descended.
She felt it—the malicious curse originating from the Dragon God, which had plagued the Spirit Beast race for a million years, shattered like fragile glass before the complete authority of this Herrscher from another world.
Her life form had completely surpassed the restrictions of the plane, becoming a true, terrifying existence, quasi-divine, wielding the ultimate authority over electromagnetism.
However, at this peak of power, what followed immediately was the infinite despair of her daughter, Lan Fozi.
Lan Fozi was forced to absorb the soul and memories of the "self" of this world. At this moment, her consciousness was chaotic, and her heart was in agony.
She had witnessed her mother devour her "father," and watched her mother become stronger, yet more unfamiliar and increasingly insane.
"Mother… stop… we can't keep…"
Lan Fozi pleaded weakly, her tears merging with the seawater.
The Demon Empress merely glanced at her coldly. Her blazing white eyes held no warmth, only an unquestionable command:
"It's not enough. To seek revenge, to resurrect your father, you need more power and must become stronger. Otherwise, you don't even have the right to stand by my side."
Just then, the Demon Empress abruptly looked up. Her blazing white eyes seemed to penetrate the endless seawater and space, locking onto the direction of the mainland.
There, the auras of the Rakshasa God, the Angel God, a mysterious expert, and the newly appointed Sea God were as conspicuous as lighthouses in the night.
A look of undisguised greed surfaced beneath her shattered whalebone mask.
"Deities… what a wonderful scent…"
She stuck out her tongue, licking a non-existent streak of blood from the corner of her mouth.
"After devouring them… my power will be unstoppable. Sea God Tang San… Poseidon… wait for me. I will come for you soon to settle all the blood debts."
The obsession of her dead husband, the Deep Sea Demon Whale King—to take revenge on the Sea God—had already completely merged with her soul, becoming her sole reason for existence.
Now, she needed one last accumulation of power.
And the chaotic divine battle in the distance, in her eyes, had become a bloody feast meticulously prepared for her.
The darkness of the deep sea could not conceal the madness forged from hatred and lightning that was about to pounce on the world.
Above the military camp of the Spirit Empire, a dazzling blue divine light, like a falling star, suddenly retracted all its momentum upon landing, transforming into two graceful figures: Helektra, clad in the Sea God's divine armor, and Cerydra, accompanying her.
Helektra did not deliberately flaunt her divine power, but the natural sense of oppression belonging to a deity instantly alarmed everyone inside the tent.
A flash of golden light, and Qian Renxue had already appeared in front of Lu Jingming. Though the Angelic Holy Sword was not drawn, her sharp divine consciousness was firmly locked onto Helektra. Her golden eyes were filled with vigilance and scrutiny.
The sudden arrival of an unfamiliar deity radiating vast divine power made it impossible for her not to be wary.
"Who is it that comes here?"
Qian Renxue's voice was clear and commanding, carrying the dignity of the Angel God.
However, before Helektra could reply, Lu Jingming chuckled and reached out to gently press on Qian Renxue's tense shoulder.
"Sister Xue, relax. They are allies."
Qian Renxue was slightly taken aback. She turned to look at Lu Jingming, and seeing the familiar calm smile on his face, she relaxed a little, though the astonishment in her eyes remained undiminished.
Allies? An unfamiliar deity?
Lu Jingming stepped around Qian Renxue and walked toward Helektra, his gaze filled with undisguised appreciation. He smiled:
"Congratulations on finally shedding that negative energy shell and regaining true new life. Helektra, this Sea God divine armor suits you well."
A faint, almost imperceptible smile surfaced in Helektra's eyes, which were as deep as the ocean. She nodded slightly:
"I also didn't expect there would be a divine position suitable for me in this world."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the still-vigilant Qian Renxue and the various expressions of the people in the tent, before cutting straight to the point:
"I sensed intense divine battle fluctuations and came to investigate. What is your plan next?"
Only now did Qian Renxue and Elder Golden Crocodile truly understand that this newly appointed Sea God was also on Lu Jingming's side.
Their gaze toward Lu Jingming grew deeper and more respectful.
Just how many unknown trump cards does this man still hide?
At this moment, Cerydra, standing beside Helektra, stepped forward. Her deep eyes looked directly at Lu Jingming.
"Lu Jingming, Helektra is free. Tell me, how can I break free from the system's restraints?"
Her question was direct and sharp, carrying the assertiveness of an empress.
If anyone else had questioned him like this, Lu Jingming would have told them why flowers are red, but since it was Cerydra, there was no problem.
He looked at Cerydra, the "paper wife" who had once ruled a kingdom with an iron fist in his memory, a smile in his eyes.
He didn't care at all about them breaking free from the Holy Grail's restraints, even though the Holy Grail system was created by him and the Herta.
This transcendent tolerance stemmed both from an indulgence of past "sentiment" and from absolute confidence in his own strength.
He believed that both Helektra and the ambitious Cerydra would eventually find their own place on his path, rather than becoming his enemies.
"It's simple."
Lu Jingming wasted no time, pointing directly towards the City of Slaughter.
"There is a divine position belonging to you—the God of Asura."
He explained in detail.
"Defeat the negative energy entity holding the Asura Demonic Sword, gain the Demonic Sword's approval, and with the authority of law you possess, inheriting the Asura God position, which oversees slaughter, judgment, and law, is most fitting."
Lu Jingming's words made Cerydra's eyes light up.
She was inherently a decisive, cold-blooded, and ruthless Iron-Blooded Empress, willing to even sacrifice herself for the sake of law and order.
The Asura God's portfolio, symbolizing absolute judgment and law, was a perfect match for her own nature.
In Lu Jingming's future imperial blueprint, he precisely needed an impartial deity to preside over law, and Cerydra was the perfect candidate.
A sharp light instantly burst forth in Cerydra's eyes. It was a desire for power and a determination to claim the Asura God position.
But Lu Jingming also warned seriously:
"However, don't take it lightly. That negative energy entity is named Kevin. Even as a mere copy, his strength far surpasses Osial, the Overlord of the Vortex, whom you encountered earlier. Coupled with the Asura Demonic Sword in his hand, even if you, Helektra, have achieved godhood, you might not easily win."
However, in response to Lu Jingming's warning, Cerydra showed a confident smile.
This smile did not stem from blind faith in her own strength, but from absolute trust in Helektra beside her.
She looked at the black-haired goddess standing with the trident, her tone firm:
"No matter. Helektra is a war god, my ever-victorious Knight Commander. When it comes to combat power, even a demigod who governs strife might not dare claim victory over her. I trust her sword to cut open all obstacles in my path."
Helektra did not speak, merely tightening her grip on the Sea God Trident. The faint blue divine power around her gently rippled, expressing her support through action.
As the publicly acknowledged combat expert among the Golden Descendants, she had the confidence.
Lu Jingming looked at the perfectly coordinated duo and smiled, not denying Helektra's power.
But he knew Kevin's background—he was a "savior" who once bore the fate of an entire era, and his combat power was far beyond ordinary opponents.
"If that is the case, then go and try."
Lu Jingming stopped persuading, accurately pinpointing the mountain coordinates where the corrupted Kevin was entrenched in the City of Slaughter.
"Defeating him will not only win you a divine position but the resulting feedback will also be enough to push this planet to complete its final evolution, which will also benefit my subsequent plans."
He watched as Helektra and Cerydra transformed into streaks of divine light, speeding toward the mountain range permeated with the aura of slaughter and death, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
After Helektra and Cerydra departed, the large tent temporarily returned to quiet, but the lingering worry on Qian Renxue's brow became more pronounced.
She waved her hand, dismissing the attendants, leaving only Lu Jingming and herself.
"Brother Ming."
She spoke softly, her voice carrying a rare hint of confusion and exhaustion.
"Although the Spirit Empire's army is now under my control, and Grandpa Golden Crocodile fully supports me, you know that those people in the Elder Hall, and Hu Liena, are only bowing their heads temporarily due to circumstances. Once… once she returns, with her personality and strength, the Empire will instantly fracture."
She raised her pair of brilliant golden eyes to look at Lu Jingming, filled with complex emotions:
"I don't want her to die. No matter how much resentment, coldness, and hurt there is between us, she is, in the end… my mother. This is a bottom line I cannot cross."
This was Qian Renxue's internal struggle.
She yearned for power, aspired to realize her ambitions, and desired to keep up with Lu Jingming to see a wider world. However, the ties of blood and the sliver of maternal affection deep within her heart, which had never been fully extinguished, prevented her from harboring murderous intent towards her birth mother.
Lu Jingming looked at the rare vulnerability in her eyes and smiled slightly, his smile radiating a comforting strength.
He walked over to Qian Renxue, his voice calm and clear:
"I understand. Therefore, I have never thought of taking her life."
He paused, then continued his analysis:
"Bibi Dong is indeed crazy, her mind twisted by hatred and the power of the Rakshasa God, but she is not completely lost."
His gaze seemed to penetrate the human heart.
"There are not entirely no ties left in her heart. Towards you, although she appears incredibly cold and even hateful, that stems from the humiliation and pain she cannot face herself, not a complete lack of feeling for you. Otherwise, she wouldn't have given birth to you back then. And towards Hu Liena, that mentorship is one of the few lights in her dark inner world."
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