88: Chapter 88: Am I really that kind of person in your heart?

The Snow Empress's gaze fell upon Wang Donger, her ice-blue eyes narrowing slightly. An invisible Mental Energy quietly spread out like a fine net, enveloping Wang Donger's aura.

A moment later, she withdrew her Mental Energy, the corners of her lips curling into an almost imperceptible arc: "You are the one who obtained the Sea God's inheritance?"

Wang Donger's heart tightened, and she nodded in response: "It is me."

She could guess that Lu Jing had likely informed the Snow Empress in advance; otherwise, given the status of this master of the Far North, it would have been impossible for her to easily know about the Sea God's inheritance.

The Snow Empress gave an "Mm" and asked no further questions, turning instead to look at Lu Jing: "When do we set off for Sea God Island?"

For her, irrelevant people and matters required no extra attention; the goal of this trip was what mattered.

Lu Jing stretched and exaggeratedly rubbed his waist: "No rush, let's rest for two days first. I'm not as tough as you; after sitting in the carriage for the whole journey, my waist is about to break."

He really couldn't get used to the carriages in the Douluo Continent.

Upon hearing this, the Snow Empress did not insist further. She scanned the courtyard and asked indifferently: "Where will I stay?"

"Sister Xue'er, please make the arrangements." Lu Jing turned his head to look at Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue nodded immediately: "Follow me."

Although she was full of doubts, she knew this was not the time to ask questions, so she led the Snow Empress toward the west wing.

The two stunning beauties walked side by side, one in white and one in plain clothes, one cold as ice and the other noble and holy, forming a unique scene in the courtyard.

Once the two had walked away, Wang Donger immediately rushed in front of Lu Jing like a gust of wind, lowering her voice to ask: "What exactly is going on? How did the Snow Empress come with you? What did you... invite her here for?"

She had almost said the word "kidnap," but swallowed it back down.

Lu Jing grinned and patted his chest: "The trip to Sea God Island is dangerous, and the trials of the Sea God's inheritance are even more life-threatening. Don't I need to find us a reliable fighter?"

He changed the subject, a hint of cunning flashing in his eyes as he explained: "Think about it, Sea God Island is in the middle of the ocean. When it comes to controlling water-attributed power, who can compare to the master of the Far North? The Snow Empress's ice-attribute origin is the same source as water. If we really encounter any Sea Spirit Beasts causing trouble, her intervention will be much more effective than ours."

Wang Donger raised an eyebrow and reached out to poke his arm: "That may be true, but what I asked was, how exactly did you trick her into coming? Don't think I don't know; this Snow Empress clearly has a very high pride. To get her to lower herself to travel with us, you must have used some tricks."

"What do you mean by trick?"

Lu Jing's face darkened, and he feigned dissatisfaction as he shouted: "Is that the image I have in your heart? This is called a strong alliance; it's a partnership!"

Wang Donger curled her lip, her disdain undisguised—who would believe that?

Lu Jing was helpless under her gaze and spread his hands: "It's really nothing complicated, just each getting what they need. I'll tell you the details later; let me catch my breath for now."

As he was speaking, Qian Renxue returned.

As soon as she approached, she asked impatiently: "Lu Jing, what is going on here? Also, what are the Ten Great Beast Kings that Donger mentioned earlier?"

She was bewildered by these successive changes, especially the Snow Empress's unfathomable aura, which still left her with lingering fears.

Lu Jing moved a chair to sit down, took a sip of herbal tea, and then slowly explained: "The Ten Great Beast Kings are a ranking of the top Spirit Beasts in the Douluo Continent, created by the Spirit Master's world ten thousand years later, based on cultivation and strength. The Snow Empress you just saw is ranked third; she is the master of the Far North, with a cultivation approaching seven hundred thousand years."

"S-seven hundred thousand years?!" Qian Renxue was so shocked she took a step back, and the book in her hand almost fell to the ground.

She had grown up in Spirit Hall, and the strongest Spirit Beasts she had ever seen were merely a few one-hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest. The number seven hundred thousand years was simply a fantasy to her.

Porcupinefish Douluo gasped, his aged face full of disbelief.

He had lived for decades and had never heard of a Spirit Beast living to seven hundred thousand years.

Because Spirit Beasts have to undergo a heavenly tribulation every one hundred thousand years, each more terrifying than the last, very few can survive two hundred thousand years. Seven hundred thousand years? How is that possible?

Even Xiao Wu, who was standing to the side, opened her eyes wide, her rabbit-like red eyes full of shock.

Although she was a one-hundred-thousand-year Soft Bones Rabbit transformed into human form, in the Spirit Beast World, one hundred thousand years was already a height that the vast majority of Spirit Beasts could hardly reach.

Seven hundred thousand years... what kind of concept was that? She was afraid that a single finger could crush her current self, right?

"You aren't joking, are you?"

Qian Renxue asked with a trembling voice: "Does the Douluo Continent really have such strong Spirit Beasts?"

Lu Jing gave a bitter smile and waved his hand: "What is approaching seven hundred thousand years? Among the Ten Great Beast Kings, the one ranked first has a cultivation of over eight hundred thousand years. There are even Sea Spirit Beasts that have lived for over nine hundred thousand years, and even million-year ones."

"M-million years?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the courtyard fell completely silent.

Qian Renxue and Porcupinefish Douluo were dumbfounded, and Xiao Wu even covered her mouth, fearing she would scream out loud.

Wang Donger was also stunned.

She came from ten thousand years later and, although she had heard of the Ten Great Beast Kings, she had not expected that the cultivation of these beings would be terrifying to this extent.

A million-year Spirit Beast... wouldn't that be even more powerful than a Divinity?

Lu Jing looked at everyone's shocked expressions and shrugged helplessly: "Don't be too surprised. The Spirit Beast World is far more ancient than humans imagine; it's just that most of them live in seclusion in deep mountains, the polar regions, or the depths of great forests, and do not interact with humans. In places like the Far North and the Star Dou Great Forest, there are plenty of hidden Old freaks."

He paused, his tone becoming serious: "Bringing the Snow Empress here this time is also to have her help us deal with the crisis on Sea God Island. The Sea God's inheritance seems like an opportunity, but in reality, it involves many forces behind the scenes, and may even attract the attention of the Divine Realm. Having more power means having a better chance of winning."

Qian Renxue and Porcupinefish Douluo finally came back to their senses, looking toward the direction of the west wing with complicated expressions.

So that cold and stunningly beautiful woman was actually a terrifying existence that had lived for nearly seven hundred thousand years... no wonder her aura was so frightening.

Xiao Wu walked to Lu Jing's side and asked in a low voice: "Lu Jing, then... will these Beast Kings harm humans?"

Lu Jing shook his head and said softly: "Most top-tier Beast Kings don't bother with humans. As long as you don't provoke them, there is generally no danger. Although the Snow Empress looks cold, she is here to cooperate this time and won't hurt people indiscriminately."

The atmosphere in the courtyard gradually eased, but the shock in everyone's hearts did not dissipate for a long time.

Seven hundred thousand years, eight hundred thousand years, a million years... these numbers were like pebbles, stirring up ripples in their hearts, causing them to reorganize their understanding of this World once again.

Inside the west wing, the Snow Empress stood by the window, watching the figures of everyone in the courtyard, a hint of contemplation flashing in her ice-blue eyes.

Humans... are indeed an interesting species.

It's just that I don't know what variables this journey to Sea God Island will bring.

The sunlight outside the window was just right, filtering through the leaves to cast mottled spots of light that fell on her plain white skirt, as if plating this ancient Spirit Beast with a layer of mortal warmth.