68: Chapter 68: The Heart of the Sea God

Facing Wang Donger's teasing, Lu Jing was not embarrassed; instead, he smiled calmly.

He leaned over slightly, drawing closer as well, his warm breath mingling with the moisture in her hair, his tone carrying a touch of seriousness while hiding a hint of playfulness: "That is only natural."

"Our Donger is a fairy descending to the mortal world; in terms of looks and talent, which isn't top-tier? Can ordinary women even compare?"

He watched her slightly blushing cheeks, the smile in his eyes deepening as he said: "Facing someone like you, isn't it normal not to be confident?"

These words felt like a warm electric current that instantly shot through Wang Donger's entire body.

Her pretty face flushed slightly, and she quickly turned her head away to avoid his burning gaze, her voice as soft as a mosquito's hum, carrying an imperceptible shyness: "You have a glib tongue, always knowing just how to tease me."

Although she chided him, the slightly upturned corners of her mouth betrayed her true feelings at that moment.

The glow of the candle fell upon her flushed earlobes, as if plating them with a soft, golden rim, adding a touch of charm.

Lu Jing knew when to stop, withdrawing his joking expression, his tone becoming serious: "I won't tease you anymore; let's talk business."

He picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip of the clear tea, and said slowly: "As far as I know, to obtain the Sea God's God Position, one must pass the Seagod Nine Trials. These nine trials are progressive and extremely difficult, and the most crucial part is whether one can obtain the Sea God's approval."

Wang Donger immediately pricked up her ears, her eyes focused: "Doesn't that mean we have to go to Sea God Island first?"

She had once seen records of Sea God Island from ten thousand years ago in the ancient books of the Clear Sky Sect; it was a mysterious island floating in the endless sea and the core site of the Sea God's inheritance.

Lu Jing shook his head: "Going to Sea God Island is inevitable, but before that, there is a more important step—we must first obtain the inheritance token left by the Sea God in the mortal world, the Sea God's Heart."

"Sea God's Heart?"

Wang Donger frowned; although she hadn't heard this name before, she knew just from the name that it must be related to the Sea God, so she asked: "Where is that thing?"

Lu Jing did not answer directly but turned to look out the window.

The night was deep, and the outline of Heaven Dou City was faintly visible under the moonlight; where his gaze landed was the magnificent, brightly lit complex of buildings in the distance—the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

Wang Donger followed his gaze, stunned for a moment, then seemingly realizing something, she exclaimed: "You mean... that thing is in Heaven Dou City?"

Lu Jing nodded, his tone firm: "Not only is it in Heaven Dou City, it is right inside the Imperial Palace."

He paused and added: "The Sea God's Heart has another name, called the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, and it is the Heaven Dou Empire's national treasure."

"A national treasure?"

Wang Donger's face showed surprise, and she asked in confusion: "Since it is a national treasure, it must be heavily guarded. How could we possibly get our hands on it?"

The Heaven Dou Empire had been passed down for thousands of years; the defense of the Imperial Palace was unimaginable. Trying to steal a national treasure from there was simply as difficult as ascending to the heavens.

Lu Jing chuckled, a flash of slyness in his eyes: "Have you forgotten who Qian Renxue is?"

Wang Donger suddenly realized: "The Crown Prince!"

Qian Renxue was currently lurking in the Heaven Dou Empire under the identity of Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, holding great power and knowing the layout and defenses of the Imperial Palace like the back of her hand.

With her help, things would indeed be much easier.

"And!"

Lu Jing continued: "The Heaven Dou Empire's royal family has no idea about the true origin and function of the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud. In their eyes, it is perhaps just an ancient treasure containing powerful energy, used to showcase the royal family's heritage and treated merely as a spirit tool."

He tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, analyzing: "And since it is a national treasure, it must be properly stored, most likely in the palace treasury or some hidden secret chamber. As long as Qian Renxue can find the specific location, with our abilities, finding a way to retrieve it won't be difficult."

Wang Donger's eyes instantly lit up; her previous worries were swept away, replaced by uncontrollable excitement.

She clenched her fists tightly, her tone filled with a trace of urgency: "Does this mean we really have a chance?"

As long as they could obtain the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, qualify for the Seagod Nine Trials, and become the new Sea God, then returning to their home ten thousand years later would no longer be an unreachable dream.

Thinking of this, her heart couldn't help but race.

"Of course."

Lu Jing watched her excitement, the corners of his mouth lifting into a smile as he reminded her: "And don't forget, we are people from the future."

"Everything that happens in this era, no matter what we do, will not affect our original future."

His tone was calm, carrying a kind of desperate detachment, and he suggested: "Since that's the case, what is there to worry about? Just go for it."

Wang Donger took a deep breath and nodded.

Lu Jing was right; they were merely travelers who had accidentally stumbled into this era. Instead of being timid, it was better to seize the opportunity before them.

Whether it was becoming a god or returning home, both required active pursuit.

"Then shall we go find Qian Renxue tomorrow?" Wang Donger asked, her eyes full of anticipation.

"No rush."

Lu Jing waved his hand and said: "Qian Renxue has just finished absorbing her spirit ring and needs time to stabilize her cultivation. Furthermore, stealing a national treasure is something that requires a meticulous plan; we cannot alert the enemy, and we certainly cannot ruin Qian Renxue's plans because of it."

He pondered for a moment and said: "Let her investigate the specific location and security situation of the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud in secret first. Once we know the details, it won't be too late to act."

Wang Donger nodded, suppressing the urgency in her heart and trying hard to calm herself down: "You are right; I was too impatient."

The room fell silent again, with only the occasional crackle of the candle flame.

Wang Donger picked up the clear tea on the table and took a sip; the warm tea slid down her throat, helping her chaotic thoughts gradually settle.

She looked at Lu Jing; the moonlight filtered through the window lattice and fell on his face, outlining his clear features, his eyes calm and determined.

With him by her side, it seemed that even the most difficult things became manageable.

"Lu Jing!"

Wang Donger suddenly spoke, her voice soft: "Thank you."

If not for him, she was afraid she would never have known that she still had a chance to touch the God Position, and still had a chance to return to the era that belonged to her.

Lu Jing turned to look at her, his eyes filled with a gentle smile: "Why thank me? Aren't we in this together?"

Working hard together, becoming stronger together.

This sentence was like a pebble thrown into the lake of her heart, instantly rippling with layers of warmth.

Wang Donger looked at her reflection in his eyes, her cheeks flushing slightly, and she hurriedly lowered her head, taking another sip of tea as if to cover it up.

The night deepened, and the lights of Heaven Dou City gradually became sparse.

The candle in the room continued to flicker, illuminating the two young figures, as well as the shared hope and goal in their hearts.