Only the truly powerful and high-ranking upper-level sea creatures understood the gravity of the situation.
The divine artifact, which had lain dormant for a very long time and represented the imperial authority of the sea race, had appeared.
This was a significant omen.
It might indicate that a creature had successfully attracted the divine artifact's attention, and by gaining its recognition, could become the overlord of the sea race, the Emperor of the Arctic Ocean.
It had been nearly thirty thousand years since anyone had received the divine artifact's approval, and the position of Sea Emperor had remained vacant for almost the same duration.
Now, with the divine artifact showing signs of its presence, who wouldn't be moved, who wouldn't harbor ambitions to obtain it?
All beings who sensed its presence began to employ all their means to pinpoint the artifact's exact location.
However, the divine artifact concealed itself, its aura a mere fleeting glimpse before vanishing completely.
With their abilities, unless the divine artifact chose to reveal itself, it would be impossible to find.
"I'm truly curious, who will possess the aura of a Sea Emperor and stir the divine artifact? The Merman King? Some incredibly talented rising star? Or perhaps me?"
Their minds were filled with countless thoughts and speculations, each harboring the hope of being the fortunate one.
Yet, simultaneously, they were filled with vigilance and anxiety, a profound sense of crisis.
From this day forward, the Arctic Ocean would inevitably descend into a bloodbath, no longer peaceful.
To become the Sea Emperor, one would have to tread upon countless corpses and tears, flatten all obstacles and rivals, and forge an supreme imperial throne from the bones of their enemies.
If they chose the wrong side, the consequences would be unimaginable, leading to utter annihilation.
On Desolate Ancient Evil Dragon Island.
Ji Mo and Boniu were feasting, their mouths slick with oil.
Unlike Boniu, Ji Mo's body showed no adverse effects. His body was too weak, and the immense energy contained within the shark fin soup was negligible to him.
"Are you two vegetarians? If you don't drink, there won't be any left."
Ji Mo looked at the Nangong siblings beside him, puzzled as to why they were still standing there foolishly, so utterly dull.
If they weren't enthusiastic about eating, what could they possibly achieve?
Look at little Boniu, born to achieve great things, her cheeks bulging, still slurping away with gusto. How adorable.
"Ah, Brother Mo, can we really eat and drink like this for free?"
Nangong Chou, snapping out of his shock, understood Ji Mo's meaning and, overjoyed, immediately grabbed a bowl and spoon and rushed over to eat.
Nangong Manyin couldn't help but marvel at Ji Mo's generosity and extravagance. The value of this shark fin soup was unimaginable. If it were her, she probably wouldn't be willing to give even a drop to outsiders.
She was very polite, thanking Ji Mo repeatedly, then domineeringly snatched the shark fin soup that Nangong Chou had just served, and drank it down with loud gulps.
The next second, her pupils widened in shock. She experienced an unprecedented gustatory impact, so excited that she spun around in place.
Simultaneously, countless rays of light erupted from her pores. The benefits she received made her stomp her feet uncontrollably.
"Sister, isn't your reaction a bit over the top?"
Nangong Chou, taking another bowl, took a sip of the shark fin soup and couldn't help but clasp his hands to his chest and exclaim loudly, "Wow, oishii..."
...
In the western seas.
The battle between the Flood Dragon tribe and the deep-sea behemoths had been ongoing for several days.
As Silver Flood Dragon King had envisioned, they should have routed these deep-sea behemoths with a significant advantage, then rushed to Ji Mo's aid and jointly defeated the Blood Shark tribe to achieve ultimate victory.
However, he had overestimated himself and underestimated his opponents.
For some unknown reason, many of the deep-sea behemoths seemed to have mutated, their strength greatly increasing. They had become incredibly ferocious and powerful, as if in heat.
Especially the leader of the deep-sea behemoths, the Three-Headed Ghost Face Squid, which used to bow and scrape before him, had mutated. Not only had its size doubled, but it had also grown thousands of thick tentacles, making it incredibly strong.
Consequently, the Flood Dragon tribe led by Silver Flood Dragon King not only failed to gain the upper hand but was forced to retreat steadily, subsequently being surrounded by countless deep-sea behemoths, their situation precarious.
The situation was truly grim. If Ji Mo couldn't hold off the Blood Shark tribe, and if Sha Diao arrived, Silver Flood Dragon King would face only death.
"Silver Flood Dragon King, a wise man knows when to yield. Resistance is futile. Why cling to stubbornness and only increase casualties? Surrender to me obediently. Considering our past acquaintance, I am willing to spare your life."
The Three-Headed Ghost Face Squid's numerous tentacles stirred the waves, and all three heads displayed smug expressions, full of the arrogance of a minor villain who had achieved success.
Previously, it was merely Silver Flood Dragon King's subordinate, relying on his protection and support to establish a foothold in the Arctic Ocean.
But after secretly colluding with the Merman tribe and receiving immense benefits from the Merman King, it had become arrogant, betrayed its trust, willingly becoming a lackey, and backstabbed the Flood Dragon tribe.
"You ungrateful wretch, I treated you well, and you repay kindness with enmity. If I had known, I would have twisted off your three heads and used them as balls to kick back then."
Silver Flood Dragon King was furious.
He never imagined he had raised a white-eyed wolf and regretted it deeply.
"Hmph, everyone in the world seeks profit. It's because the Merman King is generous and gives more. As you can see, how much have we deep-sea behemoths improved? Our strength has surged. Can you offer this?"
The Three-Headed Ghost Face Squid was thick-skinned and knew no shame, not believing it had done anything wrong.
Instead, it considered its choice incredibly wise and became even more smug.
Ao Cheng roared, "Three-Headed Ghost Face Squid, you have three heads but no brain? There's no such thing as a free lunch. Do you think the Merman tribe would be so generous? You are merely tools for them to create undead creatures."
Ao Cheng had some knowledge of undead creatures. The current mutations of the deep-sea behemoths were undoubtedly the Merman King's doing.
Perhaps the Merman King, that sly old fox, harbored malicious intentions and had a grand scheme to transform all these deep-sea behemoths into undead creatures.
If that were the case, the consequences were truly unimaginable.
A single undead creature was already difficult to deal with. If an army of undead creatures appeared, not only the Arctic Ocean but the entire Purple Thistle Province could be easily conquered.
"Don't try to sow discord! The Merman King has already promised me that he will grant us power but will not control our souls. We are in an equal partnership."
The Three-Headed Ghost Face Squid clearly did not believe Ao Cheng's words.
Furthermore, blinded by greed, even if it found Ao Cheng's words plausible, it chose not to listen, intending to see things through to the end.
"It seems you truly won't shed tears until you see the coffin. You will inevitably regret this and become a puppet in the Merman King's hands, a soulless killing machine."
Silver Flood Dragon King roared, "Don't think I can't defeat you. If it comes to a life-or-death struggle, we might not be the ones to lose."
The Three-Headed Ghost Face Squid suddenly smiled, incredibly sinisterly, "Perhaps before, the outcome was uncertain, but now it's too late. You've fallen into my trap and are destined to die."