Blackened Mera's speed was incredibly fast, and the extending Shadow Talon was even swifter and impossible to guard against. Even Karasen, the guardian sea beast, didn't react in time before her outstretched Talon grabbed the golden, shimmering shaft of the trident.
Buzz!!!
The Trident Artifact, standing upright, seemed to awaken at this moment, its metal trident body letting out a spiritual chime. Rings of golden ripples, imbued with divine power, swept outwards, transmitting hundreds of meters through the dark, silent Water, causing the nearby deep-sea area and underwater ruins to tremble!
Blackened Mera's actions completely enraged Karasen. Its hoarse voice became sharp and furious, like an ancient god roaring from beneath the Water, with actual sound waves shaking the surrounding Water: "Those who defile the Artifact shall be slain without mercy!"
Blackened Mera frowned, but her Shadow Talon couldn't remove the trident from the Old Emperor's skeleton at the moment!
"Is it the lingering power of the Atlantis Old Emperor at work?" Mera wondered, startled.
"No."
Vincent, who had used his aunt's Artifact many times, responded with a judgment.
Let alone an Old Emperor who was dead and only a skeleton, even a living Old Emperor would be no match for him now. This was the Trident Artifact itself—resisting!
"Could it be that one truly needs to possess the so-called 'Monarch's Potential' to gain its recognition?"
Blackened Mera frowned slightly. The golden power emanating from the Trident Artifact's self-awakening made it seem like it had transformed into a Sun in the Water, slowly prying open the Shadow Talon gripping its hilt!
The Trident Artifact did not recognize Mera.
Or perhaps, it did not recognize Mera, who was symbiotically controlled by Vincent!
Regardless, this was not good news for either Vincent or Mera.
Blackened Mera's Shadow Talon expanded another half-circle, resembling a monstrous cat's paw the size of half a person, tearing through the golden power emanating from the Artifact!
Vincent wanted to try exerting more force, but then a giant shadow attacked from his side!
Bang!!!
The Water surged, and the Water pressure became chaotic!
The serpentine tentacle had the visual impact of a Boeing plane diving down, or like a long whip magnified countless times, violently smacking Blackened Mera, who was in front of the throne and the Artifact, flying away!
This strike, truly containing immense power, could not be withstood head-on by any Atlantean.
Blackened Mera immediately flew backward through the Water, crashing into a half-ruined relic dozens of meters away. The ancient relic instantly shattered into pieces, and the Water in the area immediately became murky.
"You stubborn thief, you deserve to die!"
Karasen roared, growing even more enraged.
Although Blackened Mera's body was sent flying, her Shadow Talon remained gripping the trident, holding on tightly and unwilling to let go. The Shadow arm extended for dozens of meters like a tentacle, disappearing into the murky Water where Blackened Mera had crashed!
"They won't even let me try. That's too much."
As the silt and rubble in the Water slowly settled, Blackened Mera, whose figure emerged, muttered.
"Haven't you tried already? I told you, you don't have the Monarch's Potential; you can't take the trident!"
As Karasen shrieked, another serpentine tentacle swiftly struck down towards her, like swatting a mosquito!
Rumble!!
The deep-sea area where Blackened Mera was located was enveloped by the tentacle. The serpentine tentacle, like a small mountain, slammed down, causing the entire deep-sea area to vibrate violently, and countless underwater ruins, rubble, and silt were thrown upwards!!
"Hmm?!"
Karasen quickly let out a surprised cry. Its tail didn't feel the sensation of crushing a living body. Instead, an undeniable force came from the very center!
Gurgle!!
The surrounding Water and silt continuously surged outwards, and the giant serpentine tentacle slowly lifted. Blackened Mera, with one hand still extended and gripping the trident, used her free left hand and shoulder to support the bottom of the serpentine tentacle. Her not-so-large body erupted with astonishing strength, lifting the serpentine tentacle!
The Symbiote, Flerken, and Mera's physique abilities, under the Spider Physique ability, achieved a perfect fusion in a three-way balance.
This brought Blackened Mera's physique and strength to an astonishing level. In Water, even if she couldn't compare to the BUG-like Kryptonian, she had already far surpassed the level of Hulk!
Watching this scene in the shadows, Karasen inexplicably murmured, as if in remembrance and recollection: "I have seen beings with such powerful physiques as yours, but unfortunately, he is no longer in this world..."
"Who?" Blackened Mera asked curiously.
Vincent could confirm.
The powerful being Karasen spoke of was not the Old Emperor. Perhaps it was the one who created the Trident Artifact, or even an even more ancient being!
Karasen was about to say something, then suddenly sneered: "Two more have entered. Two mixed-blood bastards. In a thousand years, this is the first time it's been so lively here!"
Accompanying its words.
Two tall men separately dove down from the waterfall cave, appearing in the deep-sea area of the Old Emperor's ancient ruins!
And they were none other than the twin sons of the former Queen of Atlantis—Arthur and Namo.
Arthur and Namo had not yet clearly seen their surroundings when they were greeted by one of Karasen's serpentine tentacles. They, who had once called themselves Aquaman or Aquaman, still couldn't avoid this powerful and swift attack, being swatted away like two weak and powerless deep-sea flies!
Their bodies crashed violently into the ruins in the deep-sea area. Even with their Atlantean royal blood, taking such a heavy blow unexpectedly caused them intense pain and discomfort, almost making them unable to breathe!
"What are these things?" Arthur rubbed his somewhat dizzy head, looking in horror at the four or five giant floating serpentine tentacles in the deep-sea area.
"That is..."
In contrast, Namo next to him slightly narrowed his eyes, immediately seeing the Trident Artifact standing before the skeleton and throne not far ahead.
Namo immediately moved, like a black phantom, bursting forward in a sprint!
"Careful!"
Arthur suddenly lunged forward, crashing directly into the second serpentine tentacle that was striking towards Namo!
His tall, strong body appeared incredibly small in front of the serpentine tentacle. He could only barely slow down the tentacle's striking attack, and then he was suppressed by the serpentine tentacle, continuing to flip backward and fly away!
Namo took the opportunity to dodge the serpentine tentacle's attack, approaching the trident at undiminished speed!
He reached the distance where the Artifact was within reach!
"I am—the King of the Sea!"
Namo's eyes reflected the Artifact's shimmering golden light. His right palm opened, reaching out to grab the Trident Artifact standing before him!
However, just an instant before his hand was about to land on the trident.
The Shadow Talon, which had been gripping the Trident Artifact, suddenly oozed a black, glue-like liquid from its palm. The dark liquid quickly spread along the trident's shaft, covering the entire Trident Artifact as if to infect it!
Thus.
Namo's hand ultimately only landed on the dark protective layer that enveloped the outer surface of the Trident Artifact!
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