Above the sea, eight figures flew at extreme speed. Every one of them released a terrifying aura. The woman in the lead was especially powerful. Her pressure was not inferior to Lucius Cross, the level ninety nine Ruler.
She was about one point eight meters tall. A bright red robe covered her body. Sea blue hair spilled behind her, almost touching the ground when spread loose. Her soft face looked no older than thirty. Her beauty came more from temperament than appearance: noble, graceful, and warm. In her right hand, she held a golden staff three meters long. It shone like the gold that had appeared at the edge of the sky earlier. Patterns covered the entire staff, and its head rose into a spear like diamond point. Five inches below the tip sat a diamond shaped golden gemstone.
Only one person on this sea could possess both that beauty and that strength: Bo Saixi, the current High Priestess of Sea God Island.
Once the leader was known, the identities of the people behind her became clear as well. They were the Seven Sacred Pillar Guardians who had left Sea God Island and followed Bo Saixi toward Soul Land.
The Soul Beasts beneath the sea sensed their aura from far away. Some detoured. Others hid. None dared show themselves before this group.
Only one reason could make all of them move together: an oracle from Sea God.
Sea Dragon Sage gradually approached Bo Saixi from behind, keeping to her right rear before asking, "High Priestess, this direction does not seem to lead to the continent."
Bo Saixi did not turn back. Her cool voice came from ahead.
"Lord Sea God said the Deep Sea Demon Whale King's death has been confirmed. The one who acted was the current Spirit Hall Saint. He is also the person Lord Sea God told me to watch closely. Pay special attention to this: the woman from a few days ago is said to be that Saint's subordinate.
"Because of that, we do not hold the advantage in top level combat power. This war will be long and comprehensive. Every Spirit Master on Sea God Island must take the field. However, our ships are still insufficient, so we need Xiao Bai and her clan to help transport our people.
"Right now, because of the Deep Sea Demon Whale King's death, Xiao Bai's entire clan is locked in a war against the Evil Orca King and his clan. Our first task is to help Xiao Bai's clan win, then have them transport Spirit Masters from Sea God Island without interruption."
After hearing Bo Saixi's words and feeling the overflowing power in his body, Sea Dragon Sage's eyes shifted.
Lord Sea God granted us new power. The High Priestess now vaguely possesses strength beyond a Ruler, and each of us Titled Sages has risen by two levels. Yet even with this combat force, he still wants all of Sea God Island mobilized. Spirit Hall, or rather the Saint who drew Lord Sea God's attention, is truly not simple.
No, that makes sense. If the woman who fought the High Priestess to a draw is truly only one subordinate of that Saint, then the Saint's strength is terrifying.
While Sea Dragon Sage considered their chances, the other six Sacred Pillar Guardians remained silent. Even Sea Maiden Sage, usually the most lively among them, had no extra mood for chatter.
Receiving an oracle should have been joyful. Gaining strength should also have been joyful. But when the two were combined, only deep worry remained.
They worried for themselves, for the people of Sea God Island, and for all of Sea God Island.
They were not fools. From Lord Sea God's actions, they could feel his emphasis on Wu Ling. It was the attitude used toward an equal. That meant the enemy they were about to face was someone even Sea God had to treat as an equal. They had long prepared themselves for death.
Suddenly, Bo Saixi frowned. She stopped at once. The Seven Sacred Pillar Guardians behind her stopped as well and entered battle stances.
Sea Dragon Sage's nose twitched. He swept a vigilant gaze across the surroundings and said with alarm and doubt, "There is a smell of blood."
At once, all eight, Bo Saixi included, possessed their Martial Souls and looked around with guarded expressions.
A simple blood smell would not make them so alert. But where were they right now? They were above the endless sea. The air was full of damp vapor and salt. A blood smell strong enough to cover that damp sea air could not come from killing only one or two creatures.
While they stayed on guard, a cheerful voice suddenly sounded.
"Oh. Not bad vigilance. Though I was not bothering to hide anyway."
Under everyone's gaze, a humanoid existence that was absolutely not human slowly rose from the sea. She was nearly three meters tall, dressed in strange clothing, and most importantly, she held a shark's head in her hand.
Everyone looked closely. Was that not Xiao Bai, the Devil Spirit Great White Shark they had come to find?
Sea Dragon Sage stepped forward and questioned Ibuki Douji. "Who are you?"
"Me? I do want to answer you, but your attitude and tone make me rather unhappy."
When Ibuki Douji said that, her expression and voice changed.
Bo Saixi and Sea Dragon Sage were flying, while Ibuki Douji had risen from the sea. Even though Ibuki Douji was already three meters tall, she still had to look up at them. To an existence with such dense divine nature, looking up to someone was absolutely unacceptable.
"Kneel."
The calm word left Ibuki Douji's mouth. At once, Bo Saixi and the others felt as if several mountains had pressed down on them. All seven Sacred Pillar Guardians were crushed into the sea. Only Bo Saixi barely managed to remain standing on the surface.
At that moment, Bo Saixi would have been lying if she said she was not shaken. She had already walked to the end of the Spirit Master path. Only one kind of existence could make her unable to resist with a single sentence: a god.
"Mm. Now that is the proper attitude for asking questions."
Ibuki Douji's expression changed back into that of the warm woman next door. Even so, the pressure on Bo Saixi and the others did not lessen at all.
"So, you lot are the people from that so-called Sea God Island. Good, good. I found you without effort. The sooner I kill you, the sooner I can go back and keep drinking."
As soon as she finished speaking, a sword more than two meters long appeared in Ibuki Douji's hand: Ame no Murakumo.
Under Bo Saixi's solemn gaze, Ibuki Douji swung her sword.