Chapter 540: The Mermaid Tribe's Benefactor

Creak!

From cracking to crumbling, the demonic domain ultimately failed to help the Sea Demon Lord escape his defeat.

Though it was ruthless, he had to admit that his first battle after tens of thousands of years of slumber had resulted in defeat at the hands of a human, a race he had once utterly disdained.

Thud!

The Sea Demon Lord's soul body lay motionless on the ground after a heavy fall. With a vacant, resigned stare, he gazed up at the sky of the soul world, panting heavily, sprawled on his back in a spread-eagle posture.

“Damn it, I can't take it anymore! I'm not fighting. Do whatever you want!”

Just as before, Xu Yang calmly approached the Sea Demon Lord's soul.

“Since you've given up resistance, choose your own fate. You have two options. Either take your own life here, or… become my sacrificial beast and conquer the world with me. Give me a serious answer.”

“What? You want me, a mighty demon, to be a mere human's sacrificial beast? You might as well kill me!”

Xu Yang chuckled, “Since you don't value your life so much, I'll grant your wish. Then I'll use your head to exchange for the Merman tribe's Supreme Sea Pearl. It would be quite a bargain.”

As Xu Yang prepared to act, the Sea Demon Lord quickly sprang up. Its humanoid soul outline reverted to its half-grown piranha form, circling Xu Yang's soul body. However, its aura had weakened significantly, and severely wounded, it could no longer pose any threat to Xu Yang.

“Hehe, I was just kidding. But becoming a sacrificial beast... isn't that too humiliating? If others knew a demon like me became a human's sacrifice, I'd lose all face!”

Xu Yang sneered, “The person you would sacrifice to is destined to transcend the gods. Do you still feel wronged now? Moreover, only through sacrifice can you gain access to my shared abilities. Otherwise, how will you improve your strength in the future? Don't think I haven't noticed that the chronic illness you've carried for tens of thousands of years has already affected your future evolution. If you were at your peak, I truly wouldn't be 100% confident in conquering you.

In short, these are your only choices. Give me an answer quickly. You have no room to negotiate with me now.”

Xu Yang suddenly dropped his amiable facade. The Asura Sword hovered above his head, its faintly emanating grayish-white power truly putting immense pressure on the Sea Demon Lord.

“Alright… seeing as you once helped me get revenge, I'll agree. But remember this: though I'll become your sacrificial beast, I am by no means an obedient servant. I intend to be your equal in every way, so be clear on that!”

Xu Yang scoffed, feigning agreement with his thoughts. Under the watchful eyes of the Nine-Colored Qiankun Bell, the full soul sacrifice process began.

It's important to note that if this sacrificial process had taken place in the outside world, rather than within Xu Yang's soul battlefield, the commotion it would have caused would likely have shaken the entire extreme northern ocean region!

The bloodline of a demonic beast race possessing divine-level power, offering its boundless bloodline essence to Xu Yang through sacrifice—such an event was absolutely unprecedented!

Why is that? Because throughout the continent's history, it's highly probable that no human has ever received the sacrifice of a true divine outer-realm bloodline. Master Xu Yang has indeed set an unparalleled precedent, marking a glorious chapter in his own legendary epic.

The instant the Sea Demon Lord's sacrifice merged, brilliant soul light enveloped the entire Merman territory. Even outside the Abyss of Reincarnation, every corner of the Merman tribe felt the intense burning of this sacred light, which then assimilated into Xu Yang's soul origin, giving rise to an even more potent soul form!

“Kid, from today forward, you and I are brothers in misfortune, sharing the same plight. You can call me Big Brother.”

“Little brother…”

“Big Brother!”

“Little brother!!”

The Sea Demon Lord's face twisted in bitterness, “Alright, you win… Goddamn sacrifice, I'm regretting it already!”

Xu Yang finally revealed a sly smile. “Unfortunately, it's too late. But you don't have to be so pessimistic. If I, Xu Yang, have meat to eat, you'll have soup to drink.”

The Sea Demon Lord rolled its eyes in disgust. At the same moment, the crescent-shaped soul world condensed above Xu Yang's head slowly dissipated. The piranha-shaped Sea Demon Lord's true form rapidly restored itself, transforming into a streak of light that shot into Xu Yang's soul space, occupying the spot once reserved for Taotie.

“Oh? You've had a sacrificial beast before, kid? What's going on with this soul space? I thought I'd have to open it myself, but it turns out there's already one available!”

Xu Yang transferred his memories from the fantasy world into the Sea Demon Lord's mind in the form of soul thoughts. Moments later, the creature finally understood.

“Your experiences truly are extensive, kid. But getting back to it, that Supreme Sea Pearl—whether for me, for yourself, or especially for finding the Glacier Ruins—you absolutely must acquire it. That's a genuine divine artifact, and it will be of some help in your future cultivation of a godhead.”

The moment Xu Yang heard the name Supreme Sea Pearl, his expression immediately grew colder. “I told you, that item isn't something we can plan to take. It's the Merman tribe's most treasured possession; we have no right to steal it. This matter needs no further discussion.”

The Sea Demon Lord shrugged dismissively and soon fell into a deep sleep within Xu Yang's soul world. Its injuries were rapidly recovering under the powerful mending of Xu Yang's abundant origin power, requiring a profound slumber for complete restoration.

However, having just arrived, the creature would still need some time to adapt.

Upon returning to the Merman tribe's hall, Xu Yang saw the Merman Queen, accompanied by Shi Lingyun and Ling Yao, presiding over the judgment of several bound and interrogated traitors.

“Boss!”

Ling Yao and the other girl seemed particularly excited, rushing forward to greet him. The Merman Queen was equally astonished. She truly hadn't expected Xu Yang not only to return safely and help the Merman tribe resolve this catastrophe but also to come back completely unharmed and in peak condition. More importantly, his aura seemed even stronger than before.

“How is this possible? He isn't injured! Could he have truly sealed the Sea Demon Lord again?”

The elders exchanged glances, staring at Xu Yang with expressions of utter shock.

“The danger has passed without incident. The threat of the Sea Demon Lord has been resolved. Everyone can rest easy now.”

The Merman Queen suddenly closed her eyes and touched her brow. A pure stream of soul light flowed forth, and the Supreme Sea Pearl, which had remained in the Abyss of Reincarnation, radiated with dazzling brilliance as it returned to the Queen's palm.

After feeling the incredibly gentle aura emanating from the divine artifact, the Merman Queen finally let out a long sigh of relief.

“Indeed, the Sea Demon Lord's aura has vanished. Your Excellency, you truly succeeded. You are the benefactor of my Merman tribe!”