112: Chapter 112: Leaving Poseidon Island

The morning breeze, carrying the faint saltiness of the sea and the crispness of dawn, blew across Sea God Mountain.

Lu Jing walked slowly up the winding stone steps, arriving once again before the magnificent and solemn Sea God Hall.

He did not enter the hall directly. Instead, facing the tightly closed doors, he spoke in a clear, steady voice that passed through the doors and echoed distinctly inside:

"Junior Lu Jing requests an audience with the High Priest Poseidon to discuss a matter."

After a moment of silence, the heavy doors opened silently, leaving a gap as if pushed by invisible hands.

Poseidon's ethereal and elegant voice came from within, still calm, revealing neither joy nor anger: "Come in."

Lu Jing stepped inside.

The light in the grand hall was deep and dim, with only the pearls on the dome emitting a soft halo, illuminating the peerlessly beautiful figure in red sitting high on the main seat.

Poseidon was still dressed in a red gown, holding her scepter, sitting there with an elegant posture as if she were one with the Sea God Hall, unchanging for eternity.

She was gazing in a certain direction within the hall, seemingly lost in thought, or perhaps listening to the breathing of the sea.

Hearing Lu Jing's footsteps, she slowly turned her head, her gaze falling gently upon him, and she nodded slightly.

"Greetings, High Priest." Lu Jing walked to the center of the hall and bowed slightly to show respect.

"No need for such formalities."

Poseidon raised her hand slightly, gesturing for him to rise, and asked in a calm tone: "Has Donger recovered from her exhaustion? You came early this morning, is there something important?"

Lu Jing straightened his posture, meeting Poseidon's gaze that seemed to see through everything, and said frankly: "Thanks to your care, Senior, Donger is no longer in serious condition and is currently resting. My purpose in coming today is mainly to bid you farewell."

"Farewell?"

There was not much surprise on Poseidon's beautiful face; she seemed to have anticipated it, but she still asked: "You are leaving Sea God Island?"

"Yes."

Lu Jing nodded, answering with a serious expression: "Donger has already passed the seventh trial, and the eighth trial has a ten-year limit. We have already imposed upon you for over four years, and it is now time to return to the mainland. After all, there are many matters there that require our attention, and we also need to prepare for the final trial in ten years."

Poseidon listened quietly without answering immediately.

Her deep eyes looked at Lu Jing, as if examining him, or perhaps contemplating.

After a long while, she spoke slowly, her tone carrying a hint of understanding: "Is it for that Deep Sea Demon Whale King?"

Lu Jing did not hide it and admitted frankly: "Exactly. The Deep Sea Demon Whale King's cultivation is nearing a million years, and his strength is overwhelming. In the deep sea, even if she joins forces with Snow Empress, victory is not guaranteed. In these ten years, we need to seek more opportunities on the mainland to improve our strength, hoping to have a better chance in the final battle." He did not mention the Snow Empress's potential tribulation; that was, after all, the Snow Empress's private affair.

Poseidon nodded lightly, not surprised by this answer.

She was silent for a moment, her gaze seemingly piercing through the barriers of the hall toward the distant mainland, or perhaps she was just pondering something.

Finally, she withdrew her gaze and looked at Lu Jing again. Her voice was still calm but carried a hint of solemn warning:

"Returning to the mainland is your own choice, and I will not stop you. However, there is one thing I must remind you of."

"Please speak, Senior." Lu Jing's expression turned serious.

Poseidon stood up, holding the Sea God Scepter, and walked slowly down the steps from the main seat, coming to a spot not far from Lu Jing.

Her gaze seemed to fall on Lu Jing, yet it also seemed to pass over him, looking toward a more distant place: "Since Donger has already been recognized by the Sea God's Heart and has begun the Seagod Nine Trials, this final inheritance ceremony must ultimately be completed at the root of the Divinity, which is here on Sea God Island. This is a rule, and it is also a divine oracle, which cannot be changed. You must keep the ten-year deadline firmly in mind and not delay it for any reason. If you miss the time for the final inheritance, all previous efforts will be wasted, and the Sea God's favor will not be given a second time easily."

Her tone was very flat, but the weight of her words was as heavy as a thousand jun.

This was a warning to Lu Jing that everything on the mainland must be based on returning to Sea God Island to complete the final trial in ten years; one must never put the cart before the horse.

Lu Jing's expression was solemn as he nodded heavily: "This junior understands. Thank you for the reminder, Senior. In ten years, no matter what happens, we will definitely return to Sea God Island on time to complete the final inheritance."

"Hmm."

Seeing that he was serious and not just being perfunctory, Poseidon said no more. She just waved her hand lightly and said softly: "Go. Give my farewells to Donger. May you have a smooth journey, and may you achieve much in the next ten years, living up to the divine grace."

"Thank you, Senior. Take care, Senior, this junior bids you farewell." Lu Jing bowed again, then turned and strode out of the Sea God Hall.

The hall doors closed silently behind him, isolating the inside from the outside.

Poseidon stood quietly in place, her gaze seemingly piercing through the heavy doors, looking in the direction where the three had left.

After a long while, she let out a barely audible sigh, and her figure merged back into the dim light deep within the hall.

---

At noon, the sun was bright, and the sky was cloudless.

The blue sea sparkled in the sunlight, like a huge, flowing gemstone.

The pier of Sea God Island looked exceptionally solemn today.

A sleek, ironwood-built ship with sails, the "hanhai ship," was quietly docked at the pier.

On the pier, led by Poseidon, the Seven Sacred Pillar Douluo of Sea God Island were all gathered.

They stood in two rows, like the most loyal guards, watching the three who were about to board the ship.

Such a send-off ceremony was unprecedented in the history of Sea God Island.

You must know, since the existence of Sea God Island in ancient times, over countless years, only true inheritors of the Divinity were qualified to be sent off collectively by the High Priest and the Seven Sacred Pillar Douluo.

And Wang Donger was the only "Goddess" in these ten thousand years, the successor chosen by the Sea God.

Wang Donger stood at the bow of the ship, a light blue long dress fluttering gently in the sea breeze, outlining her increasingly graceful figure.

Her incredibly beautiful face shone in the sunlight, her azure eyes bright and firm, and a sacred and majestic aura faintly radiated from her—a natural manifestation brought about by the increasing power of the Sea God.

The Snow Empress was still in that spotless white dress, her silver hair like snow, standing quietly beside Wang Donger. Her temperament was as cold as ice, and there was no expression on her beautiful face, as if everything around her had nothing to do with her.

Only her ice-blue eyes would occasionally flash with a sharp glint that was difficult to detect when sweeping across the calm sea.

"Donger, Lu Jing, Snow Empress, have a smooth journey." Poseidon held her scepter, a gentle and solemn smile on her beautiful face, as she nodded slightly toward the three.

"Thank you, High Priest, and all the seniors for your care over the past four years." Wang Donger bowed, and Lu Jing also bowed slightly.

"I look forward to your return as kings in ten years to complete the final mission." Poseidon said finally, her gaze lingering for a moment on Wang Donger and the Sea God Trident on her forehead.

"We will certainly live up to your expectations." Wang Donger took a deep breath and promised solemnly.

Without further words, the three turned and stepped onto the deck of the "hanhai ship."

The sailors were already prepared. With a command, the heavy anchor was lifted, the sails filled with the sea breeze, and the ship slowly and steadily sailed away from the pier, breaking through the waves toward the blue distance where water met the sky.