Stands of inky black banners billowed beneath the ocean surface, underneath which stood the clansmen of the Soul Race. The majority among them were masters of profound realms, almost all at the Primordial God level, with a substantial number of Immortal realm experts naturally present as well.

At the forefront stood a man, a commander equal in fame to Napton among the Soul Race: Worsi, also at the peak of the Immortal realm, having grasped the profound mysteries of Dark Energy, standing just a single step away from the Domain Ancestor realm.

Worsi had always maintained a close relationship with Napton, and their interactions were frequent. This time, his proactive move against the Sea Clan was specifically intended to force the Sea Shark Emperor out into the open.

Deep beneath the Sea of Ruin, Worsi had attacked Datu and Hu Jiao several times. Hu Jiao was utterly no match for him, being repeatedly suppressed, allowing Worsi to seize the opportunity and slaughter many Sea Clan members.

Above his head, a massive, ominous banner bearing the image of a malevolent spirit swayed, resembling a demon’s face—and his face!

Worsi was gaunt, his skin like aged bark, covered in tattoos depicting fierce specters, making him appear utterly sinister and vile. Within the Soul Race itself, Worsi was already infamous for his wickedness.

“Brother Kanbei, congratulations on being assigned under the command of Senior Feier. You also happen to cultivate the Mystery of Thunder and Lightning; following Senior Feier, your progress in realm attainment will surely advance by leaps and bounds.” Worsi grinned hideously, looking toward Kanbei beside him.

Kanbei was a member of the Ancient Demon Race, holding the third heaven of the Immortal realm, yet he had not comprehended the mysteries of Dark Energy. After Feier submitted to the Ancient Demon Race, Kanbei eagerly volunteered to become one of Feier’s warriors because he too cultivated the Mystery of Thunder and Lightning, hoping to glimpse higher levels of profound mystery through Feier.

He had come to the Sea of Ruin under Feier’s instruction to slaughter the subordinates of the Sea Shark Emperor beneath the waves, and his heart was willing. He sought to prove his capabilities through this slaughter, demonstrating his genuine commitment to Feier’s cause, hoping Feier would grant him guidance on profound mysteries.

Since both Kanbei and Worsi were there to eliminate the Sea Shark Emperor’s followers, and having known each other for years with a shared objective, they immediately hit it off and stood together.

During the time when Napton, Feier, and the others were preoccupied with the dimensional gate, the two of them, each leading their subordinates, had already annihilated more than half of the Sea Clan members surrounding Hu Jiao and Datu. They calculated that once the matter of the dimensional gate was settled, their task here would also be nearly complete.

However, in the final moments, they encountered a snag: they discovered that Hu Jiao and Datu had vanished without a trace.

They knew this stretch of sea had always been under the jurisdiction of the Sea Shark Emperor. They were also aware of the profound secrets nearby, so they were certain that Hu Jiao and Datu, leading the remnants of the Sea Clan, were somewhere close. Yet, after searching extensively recently, they found nothing, which bred suspicion.

“We must resolve this matter sooner rather than later,” Kanbei chuckled softly. “I heard Senior Eija of the Devourer Race has confirmed the direction of the dimensional gate and sent us an invitation, asking everyone to intercept at the gate entrance. That is the Desolate Domain. Rumor has it there are countless miraculous mysteries there. If we settle these messy affairs here quickly, perhaps we can still make it to the dimensional gate to witness them.”

“That’s exactly what I intend,” Worsi cackled. “Hu Jiao is hiding, thinking we can’t find him. But that’s fine; once we find them, we can wipe them out in one fell swoop. It will save us a lot of trouble.”

As they conversed, their eyes suddenly lit up. They spotted a vast expanse of seaweed that was moving rapidly.

They exchanged a glance, simultaneously gasping, instantly realizing that Hu Jiao, Datu, and the remaining Sea Clan members must be at the center of that seaweed patch.

They became instantly excited and immediately issued commands, ordering their subordinates to form ranks and swiftly encircle the area of seaweed.

Soul Race and Ancient Demon Race clansmen, their expressions cold and savage, their auras fierce, moved around the perimeter of the seaweed, forming various battle formations.

“Hu Jiao! I know you’re in there. Our demand is simple: either tell us the hiding place of the Sea Shark Emperor, or die!” Worsi’s face was sinister, his grin malicious. “But even in death, I won’t let you die comfortably. Heh heh, I imagine you’ve noticed—none of your slain kin are intact, are they?”

Within the space inside the seaweed, every Sea Clan member’s eyes were scarlet, like bloodthirsty beasts.

Images of dismembered corpses flashed through their minds, causing their hatred to accumulate ceaselessly, making them gradually more volatile.

“We shouldn’t show ourselves yet, lest they flee upon hearing the news. If we kill, we kill them all,” Shi Yan murmured softly.

Meiji nodded silently.

The Sea Shark Emperor and Shen Ren’s faces were grim, then the Sea Shark Emperor spoke, “Hu Jiao, lure them in! Once they’re inside, we can slaughter them all at once!”

Hu Jiao’s expression roused, as if every cell in his body was energized, like a surge of current sweeping through him. Within the space inside the seaweed, he roared suddenly, “Worsi! Kanbei! Even if we become vengeful spirits, we will not let you go! Our Clan Elder will surely avenge us!”

“Hahahaha!” Worsi let out a wild, sinister laugh outside. “Become vengeful spirits? Under my methods, Worsi, I shall make every single one of you become my own unique vengeful spirits!”

As he spoke, the dark banner above the heads of the Soul Race members gradually revealed the appearance of ghosts on its fabric—many of those faces were those of Sea Clan members! They were the ones Worsi had recently slain, their souls ripped out and refined into fierce, malevolent specters, becoming the pure Yin and dark energy for his magical artifact.

“It’s… it’s the ghosts of the children.” This patch of seaweed was highly peculiar. Through the perception refinement conducted by Shen Ren’s power, it had become transparent from the inside. Many powerful Sea Clan members within could see the movements outside, spotting the familiar souls of their kin fluttering on those banners.

Those souls had been stripped of their intellect, turning violent and bloodthirsty, vicious and insane, losing every trace of humanity.

The Sea Clan members inside the seaweed watched their once familiar relatives and friends transformed like this, feeling their hearts bleed. The Sea Shark Emperor felt it most acutely; clutching his chest, his divine body trembled as if violently struck by lightning, his face etched with the deepest sorrow imaginable.

“We will not come out. We will hold firm until the day our Clan Elder returns. When that day comes, you will all die!” Hu Jiao glanced at the Sea Shark Emperor, then roared outward again.

“If you won’t come out, we’ll go in. Heh heh, at this stage, you’re still putting up a front. What use is that?” Kanbei shook his head, then waved his hand. He instructed his subordinates, “We are pressed for time; let’s not waste any more time here. Let’s go, follow me inside.”

“Enter!” Worsi also commanded, subtly signaling with his eyes for his subordinates to be cautious.

Worsi and Kanbei led their respective warriors to charge into the seaweed, channeling their divine power, their bodies shimmering with colorful light waves, to guard against surprise attacks mid-transit.

Surprisingly, as they moved deeper into the seaweed, they encountered no resistance whatsoever.

Worsi and Kanbei felt puzzled, thinking Hu Jiao and Datu had lost the ability to construct outer defenses. They grew increasingly relaxed, even summoning a portion of the warriors they had left on the perimeter to charge into the depths of the seaweed with them.

This area of seaweed was immensely vast and broad—perhaps larger than several Undying Islands combined. The thick canopy of kelp shrouded all directions like dark clouds, affecting line of sight and soul perception while moving inside, making it difficult to accurately perceive any life fluctuations within.

Naturally, given the realm and strength of Worsi and Kanbei, they could not sense the life presence of Shi Yan or the Sea Shark Emperor.

So, those men charged in, entering that peculiar world within the seaweed, where they saw massive mushrooms resembling lanterns, crimson coral stones, and scattered crystals.

And naturally, they saw the pitifully afflicted Sea Clan members—they saw Hu Jiao and Datu, and they saw the sharp glint in the eyes of the Sea Clan warriors.

Worsi and Kanbei paid it no mind, merely treating Hu Jiao and Datu as being at the end of their tether, concluding they were putting up a brave front while exhausted. They laughed dismissively, “This is the last of your strength. It’s perfect; we’ll wipe you all out so we can hurry to the dimensional gate.”

Among the crowd, Shi Yan heard the mention of the dimensional gate, and a coldness swept through his heart, knowing his guess was likely correct: Eija of the Devourer Race must have revealed the gate’s location!

Hu Jiao and Datu maintained cold expressions, watching Worsi and Kanbei’s men enter one by one without immediately attacking. The Sea Shark Emperor and Shen Ren, lurking deep behind the crowd, also did not reveal themselves immediately.

Gradually, most of Worsi and Kanbei’s subordinates had penetrated deep inside. At a signal from their leaders, those warriors bared their fangs, coldly preparing to execute the slaughter command.

At that very moment, the Sea Shark Emperor and Shen Ren finally emerged from the dense crowd. “I hear you’ve been looking for me?” The Sea Shark Emperor suppressed his fury, his tone relatively calm.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Sharp arrows of water shot out from behind the Sea Shark Emperor like barracudas. In an instant, dozens of Soul Race and Ancient Demon Race clansmen had their divine bodies pierced. These water arrows, as if possessing sentience, shredded the divine bodies like cutting blades after penetrating the targets!

A pungent, fishy odor suddenly permeated the central area of the seaweed. Blood dyed the seawater in clusters of crimson, like vibrant, blossoming flowers.

“Sea Shark Emperor!”

Worsi and Kanbei screamed simultaneously, looking as if they had seen a ghost, becoming extremely terrified and uneasy.

“You—you weren't supposed to be in the Desolate Domain? Lord Eija said—he said he saw you in the Desolate Domain! How is this possible? You are here!” Kanbei shrieked bizarrely.

“So, you knew my location from the very beginning! Forcing me to reveal my whereabouts was merely an excuse to savagely slaughter my people! No wonder only you two came, and not those bastards Napton and Feier! They never expected me to appear here!” The Sea Shark Emperor’s suppressed rage finally erupted like a volcano, howling hysterically.

The Sea Shark Emperor began his massacre!

Simultaneously, Shi Yan and Meiji exchanged a glance and attacked as well.

Beams of icy cold spikes, like the fatal scythes of the God of Death, shot out from Meiji’s eyes. None of the Soul Race and Ancient Demon Race clansmen could withstand them; they were instantly frozen into ice blocks, then shattered explosively.

Spatial lines snaked and coiled within Shi Yan’s pupils. No spatial blades were visible, only that Worsi and Kanbei’s subordinates’ divine bodies were sliced into uniform, flat blocks, like perfectly cut tofu squares.

All the Sea Clan members watched the violent deaths of Worsi and Kanbei’s subordinates, witnessing their despair and misery, and felt an exhilarating catharsis, cheering loudly as they released the stifled resentment and venom in their hearts.

...RQ