178: Chapter 178 Brainwashing

That eye stared coldly at Ye Fei, filled with mockery and greed.

"That's... a Parasitic Demonic Eye?!"

Through Card Affinity Reflection, Chen Xi instantly recognized the object.

[Mutation Source: Abyss Demonic Eye (Parasite)]

[Status: Forcibly controlling host consciousness, resisting the creator's pressure]

"So that's how it is!"

Chen Xi came to a sudden realization:

"No wonder this Sea Demon Emperor became so bloodthirsty and violent; it's been parasitized by an abyssal creature!"

"That demonic eye is controlling it, neutralizing Ye Fei's influence!"

"Since we've found the root of the problem, this will be easy."

A cold glint flashed in Chen Xi's eyes as he turned to look at Li Murou beside him:

"Mu Rou, it's your turn now."

"That demonic eye is a manifestation of a spiritual entity; physical attacks won't be very effective against it."

"But rhythm... is a weapon that strikes directly at the soul!"

"Use your music to help this big octopus... wash its brain!"

Hearing this, Li Murou took a deep breath, her gaze becoming incredibly determined.

She sat cross-legged on the deck, placing the electronic keyboard that had accompanied her through every battle across her knees.

"Brainwashing, huh? I'm good at that!"

"Just watch me shatter that disgusting eye!"

As Li Murou's hands touched the keys, her temperament shifted abruptly.

It was no longer the previous Sorrowful Elegy; this time, what flowed from her fingertips was a stirring, pure movement filled with the power of purification!

It was a new melody she had comprehended through countless battles—

[Soul · Requiem]!

*Dang—*

The first note rang out, as crisp as a bubbling spring, instantly piercing through the clamor of the battlefield.

Following that, countless golden notes flew from the strings, transforming into a golden river that surged toward the demonic eye on the Sea Demon Emperor's forehead.

*Zizizi!*

The moment the golden notes touched the demonic eye, the evil eye immediately began to emit black smoke and let out a shrill scream.

It was as if it had met its natural enemy, desperately trying to shrink back into the Sea Demon Emperor's body.

"Trying to run? No way!"

Li Murou's fingers flew across the keys; the music became increasingly rapid and high-pitched.

Golden sound waves crashed one after another like ocean waves against the demonic eye, pinning it firmly to the surface of the body.

"Roar—!"

The Sea Demon Emperor felt its pain lessen, and clarity gradually began to reclaim its eyes.

It began to cooperate with Li Murou's music, actively using its spiritual power to expel the parasite.

"Xiao Xiao! The final blow!"

Chen Xi saw the opportunity and shouted:

"Aim for that eye! Give it a physical transcendence!"

"Leave it to me!"

Su Xiaoxiao took to the air once again.

This time, she didn't use a large-scale Thunder Hell. Instead, she condensed all her lightning power at the tip of her magic staff, compressing it into a single point no larger than a needle tip.

[Void · Thunder Cut]!

"Die!!"

Su Xiaoxiao transformed into a purple meteor, instantly streaking across the sky.

That point of ultimate lightning light pierced precisely and unerringly into the screaming demonic eye!

*Puchi!*

A soft sound followed.

That incredibly hard demonic eye, which even ordinary magic could hardly shake, was as fragile as tofu before the penetrating power of the void lightning.

It exploded instantly!

Black fluid splattered everywhere, and the demonic eye dissipated into a wisp of black smoke.

"Awoo..."

With the death of the demonic eye, the Sea Demon Emperor's massive body shuddered violently before slumping limply onto the sea surface as if drained of all strength.

The red light in its eyes vanished completely, returning to their original clear, deep blue.

It looked at Su Xiaoxiao hovering in the air, then at Ye Fei at the bow of the ship, its eyes showing a hint of gratitude and... relief.

[Ding! Defeated Tier 4 Lord · Abyss Sea Demon Emperor!]

[Experience Gained: 120,000 points!]

[Levels of all members have increased significantly!]

The battle ended.

The sea surface became calm and tranquil.

The Sea Demon Emperor wasn't dead; it just floated there weakly.

It slowly opened its mouth, and a crystal-clear blue teardrop emitting a dreamlike luster drifted out, flying toward the spirit sealing bottle in Chen Xi's hand.

That was the legendary—

[ss-rank material · Sighing Tear of the Siren]!

The sea breeze blew gently, carrying away the smell of smoke and blood.

Chen Xi carefully capped the spirit sealing bottle. Looking at the blue teardrop inside, which shone like a brilliant star, the heavy stone in his heart finally dropped.

"Finally got it."

This wasn't just the 'primer' needed by Black-Robed Shen Ye; it was also the key material for Li Murou to advance to an SS-rank class!

On the sea surface, the Sea Demon Emperor, having regained its senses, slowly straightened its body.

It took a long look at Ye Fei, its massive head lowering slightly in a gesture of submission.

Then, it let out a long chant, its voice filled with attachment and reverence for its 'mother.'

Following that, it waved its tentacles, churning the seawater as it slowly sank into the deep sea and disappeared from sight.

"Was it... thanking me?"

Ye Fei stared at the sea surface in a daze, her heart filled with a mix of emotions.

Being revered by a creature she had created felt both wondrous and heavy.

"Probably."

Chen Xi patted her shoulder:

"Let's go, it's time for us to head back too."

"This is the depths of the Dead Sea, after all; we shouldn't stay long. Besides..."

He glanced at Li Murou, whose face was full of anticipation, and smiled:

"Someone is already impatient to become stronger."

...

It was already late at night when they returned to the Adventurer Camp.

Chen Xi didn't rest. He immediately led everyone into the corrugated iron house and called for Shen Ye and Xia Qing, who had been waiting for a long time.

"This is the tear of the siren?"

Shen Ye looked at the item in the bottle, a complex light flashing in his single eye.

He reached out, wanting to take the bottle, but stopped halfway.

"What's wrong?"

Chen Xi asked.

Shen Ye took a deep breath and withdrew his hand:

"No, let Li Murou use it first."

"The Black-Robed Man wants this to resurrect Ye Fei, but that's a matter for the future, and the risk is enormous."

"But right now, we need immediate combat power. Only if we are strong enough will we have the right to negotiate terms with that madman and the ability to stop that so-called 'resurrection plan'."

"Using materials where they are most needed—this is the captain's judgment, and it's my judgment too."

Chen Xi gave Shen Ye an appreciative look.

As expected of the former first captain, this sense of the bigger picture was indeed admirable.

"Alright! Since Captain Shen says so, then I won't be modest."

Chen Xi turned and placed the spirit sealing bottle in the center of the table.

In addition to this teardrop, he pulled out two other items from his backpack.

One was the [Illusion Butterfly Phosphorus] collected when killing the Thunder Wing Illusion Butterfly in Thunder Roar Valley; this item had extremely strong hallucinogenic and spiritual amplification effects.

The other was a [Time Hourglass Fragment] he had exchanged for with his remaining military merit points at the Military Department Mall. Although it was just a fragment, it contained a faint Law of Time.

"tear of the siren (Main), Illusion Butterfly Phosphorus (Auxiliary), Time Fragment (Auxiliary)."