Chapter 187: Searching the ten million years soul beast
The young man felt an indescribable sensation the moment he looked into Alex’s eyes. Hidden beneath that calm and ordinary gaze was something that made his heart tremble. It felt as though those eyes could see through every layer of his existence, exposing every secret he had buried deep within himself.
Arthur had experienced many extraordinary things during his life. He had encountered powerful soul masters, ancient soul beasts, and even beings connected to the God Realm. Yet the feeling Alex gave him was entirely different.
It was not pressure.
It was not hostility.
It was simply an inexplicable sense that this man standing before him was an anomaly beyond reason.
"Who is this man?" Arthur wondered inwardly. "An anomaly?"
His expression remained calm as he stared directly at Alex.
"Who are you?" Arthur asked.
Alex blinked once before smiling faintly.
"Ah, I forgot my manners," he said. "My name is Alex Moriarty. I am a teacher from Heavenly Origin Academy. I am here on some personal business."
Arthur studied him for several seconds.
Although the explanation sounded simple, he could instinctively tell that there was much more hidden beneath those words. Nevertheless, he did not sense any hostility from Alex.
"Please come with me," Arthur said.
The three Title Douluo standing nearby immediately became alarmed.
"But, Your Highness..." one of them began.
Allowing a complete stranger to approach the future ruler of the empire was obviously dangerous. None of them could determine Alex’s strength, and that uncertainty only increased their concern.
Arthur calmly looked toward them.
The simple glance was enough.
The three powerful experts immediately fell silent.
They understood Arthur’s personality well. Once he had made a decision, further persuasion would accomplish nothing.
Without another word, Arthur turned and walked through the gate.
Alex followed behind him.
As they entered the royal grounds, numerous guards could be seen stationed throughout the area. Every one of them immediately straightened their posture when they saw Arthur approaching.
Their eyes were filled with respect and admiration.
Arthur greeted each of them with a gentle smile and occasional nod.
Despite his status, he had always treated ordinary people kindly. That was one of the reasons he was loved throughout the empire.
Alex quietly observed everything.
Soon, the two arrived at a beautiful garden located deep within the palace grounds.
The garden was filled with rare flowers, ancient trees, and carefully maintained pathways. A gentle breeze drifted through the air, carrying a pleasant fragrance from the surrounding vegetation.
At the center of the garden stood an elegant meeting pavilion.
Arthur and Alex sat opposite one another.
Several maids quickly arrived and served tea before retreating respectfully.
For a few moments, neither man spoke.
Both calmly lifted their cups and took a sip.
Only after setting down his cup did Arthur wave his hand.
"Leave us."
The maids immediately bowed before departing.
The surrounding guards also withdrew until only Arthur, Alex, and the fox resting upon Arthur’s shoulder remained.
Silence filled the pavilion.
Finally, Arthur looked at Alex.
"Now tell me," he said. "What do you want to discuss?"
Alex remained silent for several seconds.
He considered whether revealing more information would be beneficial. Ultimately, he decided against it.
"The four million year old soul beast on your shoulder," Alex said calmly. "I would like to ask whether it knows of any ten million year old soul beasts."
He deliberately avoided mentioning reincarnation, the God Realm, or any other sensitive subjects.
Arthur unconsciously released a breath of relief.
For a moment, he had feared that Alex had somehow discovered his greatest secrets.
However, another thought quickly surfaced.
Alex had instantly identified Suna’s cultivation age.
That alone was astonishing.
Even most Limit Douluo would not be capable of such a feat.
The realization caused Arthur’s vigilance to rise once more.
This man was undoubtedly far more powerful than he initially appeared.
Arthur turned toward the fox resting comfortably on his shoulder.
"Do you know anything, Suna?" he asked.
The fox slowly opened her eyes.
After thinking briefly, she shook her head.
"I do not know any ten million year old soul beasts personally," she replied. "However, I know of one creature that is rumored to exist within the ocean."
Alex’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"Oh?"
Suna continued.
"It is said to be the sole ruler of the oceans in this region. I have never met it, nor have I seen it with my own eyes. Everything I know comes from ancient rumors and stories."
Alex leaned forward slightly.
"Do you know what kind of soul beast it is?"
Suna nodded.
"According to the legends, it is a dragon type soul beast that possesses an extremely powerful water attribute."
Alex immediately thought of a certain story.
"The legend of the fisherman?" he asked.
Suna’s ears twitched.
"Probably. The descriptions seem very similar. If that legend is based on truth, then they are likely referring to the same creature."
Alex became thoughtful.
A dragon type soul beast with overwhelming water elemental affinity.
Such a being certainly sounded worthy of investigation.
"Can you tell me where I might find it?" he asked.
Suna shook her head once again.
"I cannot. No one truly knows its location. However, a creature of that level would naturally inhabit a region saturated with extremely dense water elemental soul energy."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"If you begin your search from such locations, your chances should improve considerably."
Alex nodded.
"Very well."
He stood up from his seat.
"Thank you for your assistance."
Arthur rose as well.
"It was not a difficult matter."
Alex smiled faintly.
"Goodbye, Your Highness. If fate permits, perhaps we shall meet again."
The next moment, space distorted slightly.
Alex vanished.
After several moments of silence, Arthur turned toward Suna.
"What do you think of him?" Arthur asked. "Do you think he might be from the God Realm as well?"
Suna stared at the empty space where Alex had disappeared.
For once, even she appeared uncertain.
"I do not know," she admitted. "What I do know is that his power within this realm is unfathomable."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"He does not feel like a normal reincarnated expert."
Arthur waited.
Suna continued.
"He feels more like an anomaly that should not exist."
After saying those words, she yawned lazily before curling up once more on Arthur’s shoulder.
"Who knows?"
Within seconds, she was asleep again.
Arthur could only shake his head helplessly.
"Come on," he muttered. "It is time for cultivation."
The two soon departed.
Meanwhile, Alex had already returned to the imperial capital.
After arriving, he casually entered a large restaurant near the city’s central district.
He selected a seat beside a window and ordered tea.
Then he quietly waited.
He was waiting for Kremlin.
At the same time, Kremlin had appeared at the Soul Master Guild headquarters.
The guild was one of the most influential organizations within the empire.
It served as a gathering place for countless soul masters and possessed enormous political and military influence.
The moment Kremlin stepped inside, a terrifying divine aura erupted from his body.
Brilliant light spread throughout the entire building.
He had no intention of wasting time.
As a god, he preferred direct solutions.
The overwhelming pressure instantly forced everyone present onto their knees.
Panic filled the hall.
No one could even gather the courage to look directly at him.
Kremlin’s voice echoed throughout the guild.
"I am the Light God of the Light God Temple."
His divine authority surged outward.
"I wish to speak with the Guild Master."
Far away within the royal palace, Arthur and Suna simultaneously looked toward the direction of the guild.
Their expressions became serious.
"A God Realm expert?" Arthur asked.
Suna frowned.
"It is probably related to that man."
Arthur nodded.
"Most likely."
However, he quickly lost interest.
"Let us continue. Cultivation is more important."
Back at the guild, a powerful old man hurried from the upper floors.
He was the Guild Master.
A Rank 98 Titled Douluo.
Ordinarily, he stood near the peak of mortal cultivation.
Today, however, he felt no different from an ant.
Sweat covered his forehead as he respectfully bowed.
"My Lord," he said in a trembling voice. "May I ask what you require of me?"
Kremlin looked at him calmly.
"Gather several experts and follow me."
The Guild Master immediately lowered his head further.
"As you command, my Lord."
Without hesitation, he summoned the five strongest Titled Douluo available within the guild.
None of them dared question the order.
Three hours later, Alex, Kremlin, the Guild Master, and five Titled Douluo stood above a remote region of the ocean.
Massive waves stretched endlessly in every direction.
The atmosphere felt strangely oppressive.
The Guild Master pointed toward the water below.
"My Lord, this is the rumored location."
Alex remained silent.
His gaze focused upon the seemingly endless ocean beneath him.
Then he activated his Mental Domain.
An invisible wave of spiritual power expanded outward.
Thousands upon thousands of kilometers of ocean instantly entered his perception.
Countless sea creatures appeared within his awareness.
Underground trenches, underwater mountains, and hidden currents all became visible.
Alex carefully searched every corner.
His attention focused specifically on areas containing abnormally dense water elemental energy.
Several minutes passed.
Then suddenly, his eyes brightened.
Within his vast perception range, he had discovered an enormous concentration of water elemental soul energy hidden deep beneath the ocean floor.
A smile slowly appeared on his face.
"Got it."
