At this moment, the ranking updated once more, revealing the fourteenth place.
[Soul Beast Ranking Fourteenth: Demon Empress]
[Cultivation Years: 390,000 years]
[Affiliated Force: Deep Sea]
[True form is a Deep Sea Demon Whale, the wife of the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, possessing devouring abilities.]
[Reward: Increase of eighty thousand years of cultivation. Devouring talent enhanced. When devouring soul beasts or soul masters, there is a small chance of obtaining the opponent's soul skills.]
The announcement of the Soul Beast Ranking's fourteenth place struck like a thunderbolt, shattering the calm of the Douluo Continent. The title "Demon Empress," combined with the oppressive might of three hundred ninety thousand years and her eerie devouring talent, plunged all factions into unprecedented shock.
...
Star Dou Great Forest, beside the Lake of Life.
Gu Yuena gazed at the information on the light screen. For the first time, heavy ripples surged within her usually cold eyes. Her fingertips hovered above the lake's surface, unmoving for a long while.
"A Deep Sea Demon Whale… three hundred ninety thousand years, and it controls a devouring talent."
Her voice was soft, yet carried a faint, barely perceptible tremor. "The Far North has only just revealed a two-hundred-eighty-thousand-year Ice Bear King, and now the deep sea produces such a ferocious beast. What this Soul Beast Ranking is unveiling is a terrifying foundation of the continent that was never known before."
"And that Deep Sea Demon Whale King is probably no weakling either. If he could be used by me, he would be a rather good asset."
Di Tian's dragon might rapidly retracted as his massive body tensed slightly. His brows knit tightly together.
"My liege, the deep sea has always been a forbidden zone for land soul beasts. We know very little about it."
"For this Demon Empress to grow to three hundred ninety thousand years and possess devouring abilities, her combat strength is likely no weaker than the Ten Thousand Beast King, perhaps even… stronger."
He paused, his tone growing even heavier. "What is even more frightening is that she ranks only fourteenth. Beneath the deep sea, just how many unknown horrors are still hidden?"
Titan, Bi Ji, and the other ferocious beasts gathered around, their eyes filled with shock and apprehension.
...
Within the Papal Palace, Bibi Dong suddenly rose from the Papal Throne. Her hands clenched tightly, fingernails digging deep into her palms, disbelief and alarm flooding her eyes.
"Three hundred ninety thousand years! Another ferocious beast approaching four hundred thousand years!" Her voice trembled, yet beneath it lay fury born of shattered understanding.
"The Far North, the deep sea… just how many monsters does this continent still hide that I do not know of?"
The assembled elders all bowed deeply, scarcely daring to breathe.
Spirit Kite Douluo spoke cautiously, "Your Holiness, deep sea soul beasts rarely venture onto land, but this Demon Empress's strength is far too terrifying. If she were to lead deep sea soul beasts in movement, our plan to annex the two great empires…"
"Plans?" Bibi Dong let out a cold laugh. A vicious glint flashed in her eyes, yet the deep-seated wariness could not be concealed.
"When we cannot even grasp the true depth of the soul beasts, what plans are there to speak of? Issue the order immediately. Activate all coastal intelligence networks. No matter the cost, determine the Demon Empress's habits, weaknesses, and sphere of influence!"
…
Within the Hall of Offerings, the atmosphere around the circular table where seven Title Douluo sat was so heavy it seemed frozen solid.
When the Demon Empress's information appeared, Golden Crocodile Douluo abruptly opened his eyes. Shock flared within his golden pupils, and his soul power nearly spiraled out of control.
"A three-hundred-ninety-thousand-year Deep Sea Demon Whale! And it can even devour soul skills? Such an ability is simply defying the heavens!"
Azure Kite Douluo stiffened, his expression changing sharply. "The deep sea environment is special. Soul beasts of the same cultivation are inherently stronger than those on land."
"For this Demon Empress to survive in the deep sea for three hundred ninety thousand years, her combat power likely far exceeds that of ordinary Title Douluo. Even if I were to act, victory would not be guaranteed."
Lion Douluo's eyes flashed with arrogance, yet it was suppressed by the terror of reality, his tone carrying unwillingness.
"Hmph, it is nothing more than a deep sea abomination. If it dares come ashore, I will tear it apart!"
"That is enough. Do not speak recklessly."
Qian Daoliu spoke slowly, his voice low and commanding, instantly suppressing all discussion.
His eyes were filled with gravity. "The deep sea is its home ground. Our soul power would be greatly suppressed in water, not to mention that its devouring talent can restrain most soul skills. Acting rashly would only bring losses."
"However, none of this concerns us. Assisting Xue'er in becoming a god is our top priority."
"Yes, Great Worship!" The six Title Douluo responded in unison.
...
Within the imperial palace of the Heaven Dou Empire, Emperor Xue Ye stared at the information on the light screen. His face turned deathly pale as the wine cup in his hand fell to the ground with a clang, wine splashing everywhere.
"Three hundred ninety thousand years… the deep sea actually harbors such a terrifying soul beast! If it were to lead an army onto land, how could my Heaven Dou Empire possibly resist?"
At this moment, deep within the ocean, in a pitch-black sea region, a massive palace slowly emerged.
The palace was constructed of black coral and pearls, exuding a cold and powerful aura. It was the Demon Empress's residence, the Demon Whale Palace.
For certain reasons, she and her husband, the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, did not reside within the same sea region.
The Demon Empress sat upon her throne, purple-black energy coiling around her.
Her true form was an enormous Deep Sea Demon Whale, over a hundred meters long. Her skin was purple-black, covered in ferocious patterns, and a pair of massive eyes gleamed with icy light.
When the Soul Beast Ranking's information reached the deep sea, the Demon Empress abruptly opened her eyes, a surge of wild joy flashing through them.
"Three hundred ninety thousand years… enhanced devouring talent, and even a chance to obtain the opponent's soul skills…"
She let out an excited roar. Purple-black energy churned violently within the hall, causing the entire Demon Whale Palace to tremble fiercely.
"The heavens have not failed me!"
Her voice carried a tremor. "Back then, my husband was severely wounded by the Sea God and was forced to separate from me, leaving me to lie low for many years."
"Now that I have obtained the Heavenly Ranking reward, I will surely help my husband break through to one million years as soon as possible, survive the tribulation, and become a god, making the entire continent prostrate beneath our feet!"
She felt the surging power within her body. Her three hundred ninety thousand years of cultivation was like a breached flood, roaring endlessly within her, surging straight to four hundred seventy thousand years.
The enhancement of her devouring talent allowed her to more easily consume the energy of surrounding soul beasts. She could even vaguely sense that her soul power itself had been greatly strengthened.
"Roar—"
The Demon Empress let out a long howl, its sound spreading throughout the entire deep sea.
Countless deep sea soul beasts trembled upon hearing her roar, lowering their heads in fear, daring not make the slightest movement.
She slowly rose to her feet. Her massive body transformed into a streak of purple-black light, bursting out of the Demon Whale Palace and swimming toward the deeper reaches of the ocean.
There, countless powerful deep sea soul beasts awaited, the perfect grounds for her to increase her strength.
As she slaughtered without restraint, the ranking updated once again.
[Soul Beast Ranking Thirteenth: Ice Empress]
[Cultivation Years: 390,000 years]
[Affiliated Force: Far North]
[Evaluation: True form is the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion. It controls Ultimate Ice while also possessing formidable physical strength. This type of soul beast is famed for the "Ice Explosion Technique." Once unleashed, its power is unmatched, yet it has never been mastered.]
[Reward: Increase of eighty thousand years of cultivation. Talent "Ice Explosion Technique."]
The information for the Soul Beast Ranking's thirteenth place tore across the skies. The name "Ice Empress," carrying the oppressive might of four hundred seventy thousand years and the terrifying talent of the "Ice Explosion Technique," instantly ignited the Far North into frenzy.
Far North.
On the icy plains outside the Ice Empress's palace, countless ice and snow soul beasts raised their heads and howled toward the sky. Snow-white frost mist surged upward as cheers intertwined with the thunderous rumbling of trembling ice layers, resounding across the entire Far North wilderness.
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