Quest Maker: 385 (Patreon)

Title: The Toxic Sea

Law of Slaughter and Order.

Those are the two laws that Asura studied for years. He risked his lifespan by entering a timeless space to get ahead of his peers and enemies, including another God of Massacre—Rakshasa. His bets eventually paid off, and he became the judge and the executioner in the unsaid war. Asura severed the very timeline itself in his wake to bury the knowledge of the war. His divine intent still persists in the few remaining beasts who survived the war under their Divine Realm, not the Douluo Planet alone.

“Our favor ends here, dear apprentice.” A monotone whisper is for him to hear alone despite many gods attending in this transitional realm between the mortal and the Divine.

This voice is the same as the one issued through Poseidon’s avatar during the short but eventful Avatar Tribulation.

‘I wouldn’t call it a favor,’ Asura muses and sighs. Another presence enters his dimension with a boisterous laugh following his wake.

“You really attacked despite the rules! Even if weak, both the bastards are put in their places. After all, your attack was weakened severely!”

Asura looks back at Poseidon and responds calmly.

“Your standing amongst the other first-class gods will be affected now that you severed your connection with your divine weapon. I suggest forming another one through one of the realms that defer to you.”

Poseidon clicks his tongue.

“I’ll think of it.” His gaze falls on Asura’s current divine weapon that God has nurtured for years—the fishing pole.

“And as you noticed. My attack was weakened. I suggest you don’t celebrate just yet.”

“What?” Poseidon frowns.

The God of Sea and Enslavement did not doubt Qian Xunji’s survival, but Ja Sun had all three of his cores severed. Asura’s attack is like Xie Xan’s yin-based attack keeping injuries from closing for some time but exponentially more potent despite being weakened.

Ja Sun’s cores were ruined under the gazes of the various Gods witnessing the long-drawn tribulation.

“Angel and you are relatively young,” Asura exhales and focuses on fishing absolutely nothing. “Though you two became relatively strong even by the standards of First-Class Gods, you aren’t aware of the many things that even make Hui Mie cautious of Ja Sun.”

“Like?” Poseidon snaps his fingers as a coral chair materializes next to Asura for him to sit in.

“You know who is hated by every Law in existence?”

Poseidon recalls his previous conversation with the God of Slaughter and Order before nodding. “The Dragon Prince.”

“Do you know why?”

“Because of Evil Sage’s essence present in him.”

“Her essence?” Asura slightly curls his lips and shakes his head. His gaze peers beyond the unending ‘lake’ in his dimension and falls upon a pitch-black figure seated on a deserted island on the Douluo Planet. For a moment, the dark and furry creature remarkably similar to a behemoth looks up straight to match Asura’s blood-red pupils. Both the figures break into incredibly carefree smiles.

Even the likes of Poseidon could not notice such discreet interaction as he queries, “What about Evil Sage’s essence?”

“Dragon Prince was far too talented. The only reason he did not exhibit the same talents as his siblings or parents was his ability to devour anything and everything to convert it into… anything. The exact moment his life came into existence, he devoured what little he got from Evil Sage and the Supreme Dragon King. The reason why he isn’t loved by the laws was the concepts of various Laws held a conscious distaste for that Prince. It is also the reason how he managed to reach the realm of Great-Grandmaster in various laws.”

Poseidon ponders calmly. All of this sounds outlandish and Dragon Prince should have become a towering figure.

But he didn’t.

There must be a reason.

Asura informs those reasons shortly.

“Dragon Prince had the weakest possible innate comprehension of the Laws—weaker than the lowest of beasts. But he became strong despite his talents played down by Heaven. His abilities were so envious that his mother—Evil Sage—eventually made a move on her son to snatch his abilities and deal a crippling blow to the Supreme Dragon King which would lead the war to play out in the manner you already are aware of.”

Poseidon works his jaws and waits for Asura to finish.

“While Dragon Prince’s innate comprehension was negligible, the same couldn’t be said for Evile Sage. Her innate comprehension was off the divine charts, and now she had her son’s ability.”

Asura shakes his head.

“You still forced her out,” Poseidon finally speaks. “Cheer up a little.”

“I wish I could say the same to you.”

Poseidon grows silent. Finally realizing something, he turns his attention to the mortal plane as his eyes widen.

“What… is that?”

Asura replies, unperturbed.

“A fraction of Dragon Prince’s Essence survived the tribulation of time. At that time, this essence was too weak and hidden to be noticed, but it weathered in the mortal realm—devouring through its hosts. It did not have a mind of its own. Pure power rarely has any consciousness. The reason the God Kings were present during his tribulation was this phenomenon you’re witnessing.”

Asura calmly shakes his fishing pole for a second. His pure white hair sways in the gentle breeze.

“Heightened comprehension and Dragon Prince’s essence not using him as a host but becoming a true part of him.”

The recollection of Ja Sun becoming a Spatial Grandmaster and taking control of the tribulation resurfaces in Poseidon’s mind to support this statement.

“If possible, make peace with Ja Sun. A few first-class gods may have trouble with him, but the God Kings won’t make a single move after this tribulation. Our strength isn’t meant for petty feuds. And the truth is that we are no different than our mortal counterparts. God Kings strive to surpass their current strength just as the First Class Gods try to become God Kings.”

Poseidon thins his lips before disappearing. His expression made it clear that he wouldn’t be willing to settle.

Not that it would matter to Asura.

‘As long as the conflict remains personal.’

---

{A/N: I accidentally wrote God of Destruction’s name as Gui Mei when it is really Hui Mie. This is rectified in the subsequent pdf/public updates.}

“Oh, dear! I still feel faint!” A rather ‘prominent’ looking… man sets the back of his palm against his forehead and haws with tears building in the corner of his phoenix eyes. He stares at the pale youth sitting cross-legged on a simple blood-red mat.

Not many can access Qian Xunji’s personal quarters, but Yue Guan and Gui Mei have been Blood God’s most devout followers since the beginning. Qian Xunji took matters into his hands before the Ghost Douluo—Gui Mei—could stop the overly seductive man from making matters worse.

“Enough.” Qian Xunji opens his eyes and stares down at the duo. His body trembles before he reprimands them any further as he clenches his jaw and swallows another spray of blood almost coughed out!

He hadn’t suffered this much even when chopped into pieces by Ja Sun. No. As long his divine soul is intact, he can regenerate from any degree of injury. Not to mention, his Law of Blood gives him peak regenerative boosts amongst his Divine Peers.

But what Asura inflicted was an attack that aspired to slaughter their very existence, including their soul origins—divine or not.

But being a God, Xunji fared better.

While the more serious injuries to his soul would take a long time to heal, Xunji is otherwise better.

‘If I had my Divine Weapon and God Tablet… things would have been even simpler.’

He couldn’t help but feel stifled again.

While nobody is suppressing him directly, and he is set on conquering all the mortal land of the planet, Xunji is aware of how suppressed he is from the moment he ascended to godhood.

He closes his eyes and sets his intent far away from the continent. The situation around the Sea God Island makes his scowl more intense.

He could try and attack the location as things are now but…

Ja Sun is more dangerous than ever, and Xunji himself is weaker than ever.

‘And for a man who has always been precise and controlled even in his most outraged state is most dangerous when losing all his inhibitions.’

---

“What are the consequences, you say?” Ja Yin looks at Violet and back at the group who called them.

Even with Ja Sun present, Bibi Dong is the one who calls the shots for the group, so she kept her responsibilities now, too. Ah Yin, Bi Ji, Snow, and their latest ‘addition’ Lan Ruo are present in the room. In the end, Bibi Dong didn’t care about Lan Ruo’s earlier loyalties. While the Demonic Whale has to earn their group’s trust, Bibi Dong thinks in a different manner. Lan Ruo must be given some opening—a breather—to allow Lan Ruo to show her skills.

Snow is the same.

Despite the duo’s personal skills in dancing and arrays, they have managed their tribes carefully, and Bibi Dong is open-minded enough to hear their thoughts on her issue.

In Ah Yin’s arms is a fully wrapped infant. The infant’s wrinkled skin has long smoothened. His skin is as fair as his mother's. And the boy is one of the heaviest sleepers, something Ah Yin lords over Hu Lana’s recent daughter and Jun’er’s son.

Ja Yin stares at the unnamed boy for a moment before shooting a glare in Ah Yin’s direction.

“Got something to say?” Ah Yin raises an eyebrow.

“Tch, nothing,” she looks away and crosses her arms as she reverts her attention to Bibi Dong.

“You’re asking me if it’s a good idea for us to try and pry away Sun’s arrays AND flesh in the state he is to let you out of this artifact?”

“I have discussed it with Bi Ji, Yin, Lan Ruo, and Snow. But yes, I would like Violet’s and your professional opinion if it’s possible.”

“Why? You’re the one who keeps things in order here. It’ll only take one day for a fight to break between Erlong and Zi Ji. Or Bing going mad at having no special popsicle to lick after denying it for who knows how long?”

“Yin and Bi Ji will take care of things in my absence if it is possible for me to leave. Why do I wish to leave? It’s not that hard to understand. I have completed my set of Spirit Bones from the storages I liberated before dismissing Spirit Hall from my life. Two more trials remain for me to attain my godhood. The quicker I achieve them, the quicker I can deal with my master while he is weakened.”

Ja Yin considers this carefully while Violet utters their real concern.

Before things devolved into this mess, Ja Sun had left the sky of the artifact as a screen of sorts to view the might of tribulation. But what they are seeing now is… blood-curdling. The children, especially Xie Yue aren’t allowed to leave Lana’s and Xan’s house.

Even Xiao Wu is slightly disturbed by the sights unfolding in the sky of the artifact.

“It is possible,” Violet admits. She and Ja Yin may not know how to make such artifacts yet, but they got plenty of experience with these items during their skirmish against the Spirit Hall while out in the ocean. “But can you… survive master?”

Her words cause others to go silent.

Ja Sun has always been a stickler for control. Everyone is aware of it. Even recent members like Lan Ruo and Feng Liu are more than informed about this.

Not control over enemies or friends but oneself.

And most of the members are finally aware of why.

And to be exact, they weren’t fearful of a Ja Sun at his peak but an injured… mindless Ja Sun who has no control over his faculties. His persona is dormant, releasing a monster cultivated by another monster in his own right.

Before Bibi could assure the well-natured mutated Lamia, a tinge of spirit energy surprises Ah Yin and Bibi Dong.

The two disappear simultaneously and reappear in a courtyard where a silver-haired man walked out with a wide smile.

“Ah? A baby? Look at his face! Your boy has your face and his uncaring attitude, I see. Hmm, he will love my mix of centipedes. Oh, and a sky showing live entertainment? It seems I missed a lot… and sigh, I’ll have to wear my old bones in the grind of cultivation again. Back to being a Rank 10 Spirit Master…”

Ah Yin merely smirks happily.

From her husband being away during her pregnancy to his subsequent injuries… Ah Yin stressed over the situation quite a bit. But the appearance of the rather young-looking man with sleek grey hair made her feel relaxed and calm in his mere presence.

“So? What’s his name? And where’s your kid, Dong’er?”

“I’ve decided to have a child after I snuff the life out of yours,” Bibi Dong replies calmly as the man flinches before shrugging.

“And… I haven’t named him. I wanted to name our son when Ja Sun is around, Master.”

Daoliu stretches his arm as numerous popping sounds echo.

“Smart. Ja Sun has complained over you naming sense more than I care to recall.”

Bibi Dong purses her lips and shakes her head while Ah Yin deadpans and replies calmly.

“Liang. Our son’s name is Ja Liang.”

Daoliu shrugs again, “Very good?”

He then looks up and chuckles.

“Whoa! That’s a large catch right there. So Ja Sun is particularly hungry, or has he really lost control?”

Bibi Dong sighs softly and smiles, “Just relax, Grandmaster. I’ll explain everything.”

Daoliu’s pale red pupils glimmer in calm amusement as he nods.

---

Maybe the world adores her more, or maybe because of Ja Sun’s comprehension as a Master of the Law of Time—Bo Saixi woke earlier than the time frame others predicted. She even woke earlier than Daoliu’s period of unconsciousness.

“Hngh…” A soft groggy grunt slips her lips. When was the last time she rested this well to the point of yawning? When was the last time she heard the refreshing pops of her joints as she sat up? Better yet, when was the last time her fingers entangled with her obnoxiously ridiculous bed hair?

Bo Saixi wipes the sleep out of her eyes as her consciousness returns to its previous cognitive processes. Finding herself in her spartan bedroom scarcely equipped with the necessities of life, she exhales sharply again.

‘I can’t feel… him.’ Panic sets in her heart as she disappears from her room under the mere cover of her bedsheet. Her eyes widen as the path to the sky is barred by an icy dome that is as dangerous as ultimate ice, and beyond the barrier is—

“Priestess!” A chorus of voices snaps Bo Saixi out of her thoughts as she looks down at the seven guardians of the island. Looking down on her condition again, Bo Saixi vanishes from their sights and returns to her chamber, where a grey-skinned woman already awaits her presence.

“What are you doing here?” Bo Saixi demands in a sharp tone while clutching the bedsheet on her body tighter.

Garbed in a relatively simple white dress hanging loosely from her body, the grey-haired woman smirks toothily, showcasing her jagged fangs.

“I see that you still sleep as messy as before. I’m here to brush your hair… or would you like to face that battle alone in front of your mirror?”

Saixi hesitates a little and clenches her jaws.

“You cannot be in the Central Plaza, Bai.”

“Who’s going to smite me? I cannot feel Poseidon’s presence and the new ‘Lord’... well, you saw what’s going out, right? What’s the harm in being a little pampered? You’re going to cry over spilled milk later anyway, so you might as well start your day more comfortably.”

Saixi rolls her eyes.

As the Priestess of the Island, she wouldn’t let anyone talk to her like this but…

*Swoosh*

A formless pressure exudes from Bo Saixi’s body, but instead of pressuring the grey-skinned and similarly-haired woman, it disperses in the natural environment.

“W-what’s going on?” Bai exclaims in shock as a deep sense of powerlessness instills in Bo Saixi.

Almost keeling over as her vision swims, Bo Saixi shakes her head in a futile effort to assure Bai and whispers, “It’s alright… just the last bit of my powers have left me. Why else do you think I wanted to check the situation as fast as possible and return?”

Bai thins her lips and helps Bo Saixi sit on her mat.

“If you’d like… I’d be grateful for your assistance—”

“No, no,” Bai grins a little to alleviate the tension in the room. “I want you to request the same way you did before decorating yourself as the big miss. Priestess of the Island. What was the other title? Hmm? Poseidon’s Consort?”

Bo Saixi weakly musters while coldly staring at Bai.

“Xiao Bai, don’t go overboard.”

“Hmm? I’m still not hearing the magic words. I suppose a boot on the butt is appropriate after caring for you these past few months.”

“Months?” Saixi exclaims.

“Sigh, we could have chatted like usual as I brushed your hair. I could have even told you the things YOUR new lord put this Island through and ironically used it to conquer the hearts of the civilians.”

Bo Saixi works her jaws. She wouldn’t be subjected to this sickly sweet torment if she had her powers.

“So?” Xiao Bai crosses her arms under her breasts as her grey-blue eyes match Bo Saixi’s ‘refurbished’ green irides.

“Fine.”

“Fine, what?”

“Fine, Elder Sister Bai’er. Would you brush my hair and kindly inform me about the events that occurred after my encounter with the one called Beast God Douluo?”

“I remember is being Beast Sage Douluo now, but of course, I will.”

Xiao Bai snickers impishly and pulls out an old brush from the drawer of the only desk in this room before getting behind Bo Saixi.

“Do you also want me to tie the bedsheet behind? It’ll free your hands.”

“Doesn’t really matter for now. I’ve spent months naked gazing at two other naked avatars of mine controlled by two… well, I wouldn’t bore you with the details of their arguments.”

Xiao Bai raises her eyebrows in surprise and sighs sharply.

“Hmm, well, I have a lot to explain. So let me just start with the first half of the tribulation.”

---

*Glub*

*Glub*

*Glub*

*Glub*

For all his willing changes, Ja Sun only opened a bit of his heart for his family, and by that, it means his treasures. Deep down, however, he has always been greedy. A greedy son of a bitch who did not want the fools to live beyond him when they chose to walk the same path as the federation in his previous life.

He went ahead and made enemies with one of the two Empires of the continent for spirit bones!

He used his enemies and at times his friends to achieve his missions and earn a butt load from his trait.

Granted, he kept control of himself, but what if he didn’t?

Where does his obsession end?

If he wasn’t obsessed with the Sea God Island, would it have even survived the current calamity he has formed into?

*Glub*

*Glub*

It expands without end around the Sea God Island.

Be it the sea water or the sea bed—IT consumes every mineral and life in its path. A deep trench around the Sea God Island is covered by ITS body.

With all his cores—the storage of his strength injured, Ja Sun no longer has a mind of its own.

One of his most disastrous spirit bones—the exo-skin from the million-year-old Death Emperor Spider is no longer in any control and is driven by one sole instinct present in every living being.

The instinct of Survival.

*Glub*

*Glub*

*Glub*

But Ja Sun is far too greedy for his own good.

Survival alone never drove him, greed does, too.

He wasn’t infected by the Beyond Evil core’s instincts since Ja Sun made it his own, so his body continues to expand to recover all it lost and recover from his injuries.

*Glub*

*Glub*

*Glub*

*Glub*

Seawater alone isn’t enough. His existence seeks every single living creature in his ever-expanding vicinity to devour them and make their energy his own. The only functioning core—Beyond Evil, did not convert the energy into corresponding law but used it to repair Ja Sun’s cores.

The fact that so much mass isn’t enough to heal his injuries speaks quite a lot about the frightening strength he has reached.

*Glub*

He can feel the island is filled with energy that may quicken this process, but the deep obsession within him overrode such instincts.

Sea God Island is his.

Even if he is mindless—what is his must remain in existence.

The teachings of both his masters do not affect his current existence.

*Glub*

*Glub*

He must eat. He must survive his injuries.

Within him is another obsession beyond the safe-keeping of the Sea God Island.

He must return.

He doesn’t know where, and he doesn’t know why.

But he must return somewhere important as quickly as possible.

*Glub*

*Glub*

And it grows. The civilians of the Sea God Island would have been losing their shit like the seven guardians if not for already praying to the deity keeping them safe unconsciously.

Their blue sea is no longer visible.

What lies beyond the coast of Sea God Island is a mass of toxic purple goo with no end in sight!

It bubbles erratically. It consumes without end.

*Glub*

Ja Sun’s very broken mass held by his exo-skin expands without end in hopes of healing.

No matter how bleak that hope is.

***

Alternative Title: Glub-Glub; Awakening; The Prince’s Power; Another Evil Sage with Prince’s Power; Conclusion of one Conflict; Ja Liang; Life Goes On; Spirit Scholars Again; Red eyes-Green Eyes; Poseidon’s Consort?; Asura’s Divine POLE!; Obsession and Greed; The Guardian Devil Beyond the Icy Dome