Chapter 126: Lord of the Arctic Ocean, Part 1
Transforming someone's appearance is, in reality, quite simple.
Ye Wen dyed Bibi Dong's gleaming golden hair a vibrant red. To hide her hair roots, he added a stylish woman's cap, ensuring her disguise was seamless. A touch of light makeup completed the look. Thus, "Ye Dong'er" was born Ye Wen's distant cousin, who had come to seek him out and now secluded herself in the Blue Silver Forest to train.
For a while, peace returned to the Douluo Continent. News reached them that Tang Hao was under heavy pursuit by Wuhun Hall, though details remained murky. Strangely, the typically proud and outspoken HaoTian Sect (Clear Sky Sect) stayed silent, offering no public support for Tang Hao. Others were left guessing, but Ye Wen knew the truth: it seemed the woman by Tang Hao's side was indeed a 100,000 year spirit beast in human form.
Ye Wen's gaze turned contemplative as he looked to the heavens. "The God of Shura, the God of Judgment... intriguing."
Thankfully, Douluo's gods weren't bound by a rule of name invocation that would reveal one's location, or Ye Wen would have been doomed long ago. But as far as Tang Hao's situation was concerned, Ye Wen had no intention of interfering. A mere 100,000 year spirit beast didn't matter to him. If he seriously wanted to hunt such beasts, he would only need to turn his focus to the sea. It was simply that, in this era, the people of Douluo Continent were both ignorant of and fearful toward the ocean, refusing to venture out.
Ye Wen, on the other hand, already had the mode of transportation Tang San would later use in the original story to reach Sea God Island the Longyuan Boat. A marvel of the previous era, it exemplified the lost technological brilliance of the time, hinting that the now forgotten art of soul tools was once advanced enough to explore the oceans. The complex soul tool inscriptions on it had inspired Ye Wen's own research and contributed significant advancements in his studies.
Just as Ye Wen was absorbed in his research, Bihai Douluo returned from the Mermaid Tribe, bringing news about the search for a 500,000 year old soul beast. With her was the tribe's leader, Hait, both of them looking grave.
Ye Wen was somewhat perplexed. Even if they hadn't found a suitable beast, did they really need to look so serious?
"Master Ye Wen, I hear you're looking to absorb a 500,000 year old spirit beast for your eighth ring?" the chief inquired.
"Yes, I had that idea in mind," Ye Wen replied amiably, "though I won't push for it if your tribe is unable to locate such a creature."
Confirming this information made Hait's expression even more severe. A 500,000 year old spirit beast would vastly exceed the power of most Rank 98 Titled Douluos.
After contemplating in silence, Chief Hait finally said, "Our Mermaid Tribe does know of such a beast, and it will soon face its 600,000 year heavenly tribulation."
Ye Wen's eyes brightened; however, sensing there was more to the story, he asked cautiously, "Then, Chief Hait, what are you suggesting?"
"I need your assurance, Master Ye Wen: if you absorb this creature's spirit ring, you must agree to protect both the Mermaid Tribe and this beast's kind," Chief Hait replied solemnly.
The chief's request gave Ye Wen pause. Protecting two species was no trivial task it wasn't like taking in a couple of stray cats and dogs.
"Chief Hait, I'm not unwilling," Ye Wen answered carefully, "but protecting two entire species would require resources and strength I currently don't have. You know I'm just a Soul Douluo."
"No, you can! But only if you become a god!" Chief Hait's eyes burned with fervor, a devotion stemming from her people's historical reverence for the Sea God, Poseidon.
In her eyes, Ye Wen's exceptional achievements at the age of twenty three meant that he had a real shot at godhood. The Mermaid Tribe's records indicated a time when gods walked among them. But Ye Wen himself was bewildered. Wasn't godhood supposed to be coveted, even hoarded? Why would the sea folk be so eager to see a human ascend and even inherit the Sea God's divine seat?
"Godhood, huh?" Ye Wen replied, keeping his voice steady. "I've heard legends, and I've considered it myself. But I'm surprised you're willing to speak so openly about it, Chief Hait."
Chief Hait nodded, a bit taken aback by Ye Wen's knowledge of the gods, which was something of a closely guarded secret in the current era. "Indeed, it's true that one among our tribe has reached 600,000 years of age a protector of our tribe who fears they may not survive the upcoming heavenly tribulation. They wish to leave their spirit ring to a worthy successor, and I thought of you. With your potential, you could one day resurrect this protector and then shelter both our kinds."
Hearing this, Ye Wen agreed, sensing the importance of the request. Together, they began the journey to the Arctic Ice Plains, where this ancient spirit beast dwelled.
Unbeknownst to them, a white haired, striking figure followed from several dozen kilometers away. Snow Empress kept her distance, observing the group with a faint smile.
"They're headed to the Arctic Ice Plains. Those two appear to be from the Mermaid Tribe." Snow Empress mused to herself. "It's astounding that this 'Son of the World' has grown so quickly that he can match Little Bing. Humanity's potential is truly terrifying."
Snow Empress chose not to interfere, trusting in the mysterious forces that watched over him. This Douluo Star had its oddities; the sea's immense expanse dominated so much of its surface that it severely hindered communication between continents. It was absurd for a world so rich in supernatural powers to be constrained by the lack of a global surveillance network.
Most baffling of all was the collision between the Sun Moon Continent and Douluo Continent in Douluo Dalu II. How could two landmasses separated by tens of thousands of kilometers crash together within a mere ten thousand years? The timeline made no sense. Continental drift generally occurs over tens of millions of years.
Ye Wen's party advanced without incident, thanks to their formidable levels of cultivation. The Arctic Ice Plains were as desolate and bone chilling as ever. Eventually, they arrived at the Mermaid Tribe's territory, located on the frozen shores of the Arctic Ocean.
Though the Mermaid Tribe could move freely in the water, Ye Wen could not. He had to wait on the shore for any further information.
End of Chapter
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