Chapter 2433: Gift of Treasure

"Are they... fleeing?" Princess Peacock asked, looking at the Mermaid Queen with a bewildered and somewhat disbelieving tone.

The Mermaid Queen also had a strange expression. "It seems so."

Just thinking of how those creatures had appeared earlier, like kings returning to wreak havoc, she couldn't help but want to laugh. She gazed at the figure in the sky, a faint blush appearing on her beautiful face. All of this was thanks to that man. He was truly amazing and incredibly handsome.

As the four great monsters fled, the normal-sized Ox-Heads, Horse-Faces, Gold-Shackles, and Silver-Locks, who had been fiercely battling below, were instantly dumbfounded. "We were about to fight to the death, and you, our leaders, ran first?" However, everyone reacted quickly. Though no one knew who led the charge, they all turned and fled back. The Sea Race powerhouses would not miss such an excellent opportunity. They seized the chance, led their armies in pursuit, and quickly drove all the monsters emerging from the sea-eyes back into the grand formation.

Only a few localized battles remained on the field. The remaining monsters had recently been their friends and relatives, transformed into these forms by the encroaching death energy. Therefore, everyone was somewhat hesitant in dealing with them. Seeing this, the Four Dragon Kings gravely said, "To prevent more people from being infected, we can only kill them on the spot and thoroughly burn their bodies." Everyone looked reluctant but understood that this was the most appropriate method. Just then, Zuan's voice came: "Let me try."

"Be careful, Benefactor!" Many of the Sea Race quickly warned him as they watched him walk toward the monster horde. Hearing their respectful address, Zuan couldn't help but smile. "It's fine." He then walked directly into the center of the monsters. Sensing a living being approaching, the monsters bared their fangs and claws, pouncing to tear at his flesh. Zuan calmly spread his hands, as if holding an invisible book. "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. What should not remain, shall not remain..." As soon as he finished speaking, a burst of white light radiated from his body. Unlike the grayish-white color of the death energy, the white light emanating from him was soft and warm, like the morning sun in spring.

Wherever the white light shone, a gentle breeze seemed to sweep through the area. As the breeze passed, all the death energy on the monsters was carried away by an unknown force, and they reverted to their previous forms. Many of the Sea Race collapsed to the ground. Some, whose injuries were minor and not heavily affected by the death energy, awoke immediately, looking utterly bewildered. "What happened to me?" Their surrounding friends and family, seeing this, burst into tears, rushing forward to embrace them, weeping with emotion. The Mermaid Queen led the Sea Race healers in casting healing spells on the soldiers, and soon, those who had fallen also began to regain consciousness. Ultimately, apart from a very small number who were too severely injured to be saved, most people were rescued. The entire Sea Race erupted in thunderous cheers, and every single person genuinely thanked Zuan. Everyone knew that without him, these people could not have been saved, let alone considering the terrifying giant monsters and their armies from earlier. After such a battle, it was debatable whether the entire Sea Race would even survive.

The Four Dragon Kings bowed to Zuan. "Your Excellency has earned the most precious friendship of our Sea Race. From now on, should you ever need us, through a mountain of swords or a sea of flames, our Sea Race will not hesitate!" The benefactor had effectively given the Sea Race a second chance at life today, and no amount of gratitude would be excessive. Zuan smiled faintly. "A mountain of swords and a sea of flames won't be necessary. How have you considered my previous proposal?"

The expressions of the Four Dragon Kings subtly changed, but they still replied, "As Your Excellency commands, we will unite with the Demon Race to fight against those extraterrestrial demons!" "I will also help you. Trust me, we will achieve ultimate victory." Zuan had thought things through these past few days. The current situation would likely require his involvement to set history back on its original course. Hearing him say this, the Four Dragon Kings were immediately overjoyed. "With Your Excellency's help, we have nothing more to fear!" Their previous hesitation stemmed from believing that even with the Demon Race's alliance, they would likely be no match for the extraterrestrial demons. Now, with the assistance of this powerful being, they at least had a fighting chance. They had initially thought they might have to gamble the entire future of the Sea Race to repay his kindness, but now it seemed not as pessimistic as imagined. He truly stepped up when it mattered! He was indeed a man of noble character, giving without seeking reward.

Zuan pointed to Princess Peacock beside him. "You can discuss the specifics of cooperating with the Demon Race with the Princess. I still need to go down to the depths next." Seeing him entrust such an important task of alliance to her, Princess Peacock was deeply moved. So, he had done all of this for her! She recalled that she had been in the Sea Race for quite some time, trying every method, but clearly felt the Sea Race was unwilling to unite with the Demon Race and was more inclined to side with the demons. Yet, this "Brother Peng" had been meticulously working to foster an alliance between the Sea Race and the Demon Race these past few days, and then, after all was done, turned and attributed all the credit to her. Why was he so good to her? Could it truly be because of that Peacock woman in the distant future? "Oh, my descendant, who knows how many generations removed... Grandmother me seems to have fallen in love with this man too, what should I do?" As this thought arose, her face instantly grew exceptionally warm. It was then that she finally remembered his latter statement and asked, somewhat startled, "You're going down to the sea-eye?"

Zuan nodded, looking at the bottomless trench beside them, which resembled a massive scar on the seabed. White death energy was still continuously leaking from it. "Those creatures only retreated temporarily. Once they find an opportunity, they will return. I must resolve the sealing problem." If this issue wasn't addressed, the Sea Race's strength would always be tied down by the monsters in the sea-eye. What remaining power would they have to fight the demons alongside the Demon Race? Furthermore, he also wanted to take this opportunity to investigate the sea-eye, to understand why his connection with the Underworld had been severed. And what was the deal with these Ox-Heads and Horse-Faces who claimed to be from the Wu Clan? He had too many urgent questions that needed answers.

At this point, the Four Dragon Kings suggested, "We should bring some formation masters to go down with Your Excellency. After all, this is a matter for our Sea Race, how can we let you face the danger alone?" Zuan smiled. "Let me go down first to assess the situation. Afterwards, the Sea Race can send people to help. Currently, the death energy is pervasive down there, and I alone wouldn't be able to protect everyone." While the Four Dragon Kings were hesitating, the Mermaid Queen spoke. "The Dragon Kings are right; the Sea Race cannot remain uninvolved. I will accompany you. If those Ox-Heads and Horse-Faces are still ambushing down there, I can lend you a hand." Zuan's heart stirred slightly. Her blessing skills were indeed powerful; with her, his combat strength would increase by at least 30%. As the Mermaid Queen was a part of the Sea Race, her assistance would also prevent the Four Dragon Kings from losing face. Hearing her, they all agreed. "Very well, let's go down together then," Zuan mused, thinking that protecting one person within the death energy shouldn't be too difficult for him.

Just then, Princess Peacock approached him and placed a five-colored fan into his arms. "Big Brother, the situation below is unclear. Please take this Peacock Feather with you." The young woman's face was flushed. The Peacock Feather was a supreme treasure of her clan, never before given to outsiders, but at this moment, she cared little for such rules.