Quest Maker: 376

Title: Sea God Island

No amount of grace in her dreams, no whispers of assurances from the man above the sky, no amount of her revering worship would return things to the way they were before.

Her routine consists of worship. Her actions are devoted to making her God's stay better which is another form of worship. She is tasked with keeping the faith of the masses and in turn, worshiping HIM more.

But... no worship would restore things the way they used to be.

Her faith has cracked a tiny bit. The indomitable mountain her faith was... seemed oddly fickle. She used to get divine visions, but now she has to settle for visions in dreams, forcing her to sleep— an act she felt she had discarded ages ago.

Kowtowing in a massive, pristine hall decorated by reflective blue-gold floor with countless silver engravings, she prays quietly.

The back of her body is entirely carpeted by her platinum-bluish hair. The length of her hair is easily 1.5 times her height. A staff with a disconnected floating ball continues to hover beside her.

After what feels like hours, she looks up and observes the massive golden trident set erect in the central plaza of the building.

The trident's once-reflective surface is now dull. The blue veins running up the shaft and edging the sharp blades have long lost their glimmer. From being one of the most divine sights on the island blessed only for her eyes... it now is a curse for her.

Poseidon's Divine Trident.

Her responsibility.

The bridge for her faith in her lord.

The subject of her adoration.

The object of her reverence.

It's cracked. Like her faith. No, she still reveres Poseidon. If she did not, her cultivation would have lost all its meaning. She would have long discarded her spirit rings. She would have attempted death... no, she would prefer death over disappointing HIM.

Her faith is cracked FOR herself. She no longer believes that she is suited to be a priestess. She no longer believes that she is a capable servant for Poseidon's wishes.

It's only... his divine sights in her dreams and graceful omens that would whisper themselves to her that she exists.

Her once depthless ocean-blue eyes blankly trace the trident. The usual flicker of gold in her irides is no longer found. Her expression, despite a mask of calm... feels listless. Touching the platinum crown over her head which seems more like a halo blessed upon her, she chews her lips in frustration.

The greatest calamity of this island will arrive soon.

Poseidon has made it clear that CALAMITY is the reason why the Divine Trident is fragmented. That this calamity seeks to strip the island of all its glory and love. A threat that this world has never seen before!

Beast God... Ja Sun.

Her blank gaze grows ruthless for a moment but she falters once more.

That man is called a Calamity by her God. How can she face him? What right does she have to face a God?

If anything... she can only hope that the other... Calamity who has patrolled the island with his divine intent would make a move instead. After all, even distant civilizations like the Sea God Island has the means to know the beef between Blood and Beast God.

'What can I do? Oh, Daoliu... why did you have to seek this monster and raise him as your own?' She clenches her fist. Memories of the past resurface in her mind.

Qian Daoliu and... Tang Chen.

The former was the Overlord of the Sky. The latter was the Overlord of the Land. And she...

She was the Overlord of the Sea.

Overlord... what a ridiculous title.

She bites her bottom lip with a bitter expression.

"Had Qian Daoliu been conscious, I could have sought diplomacy with him. According to the Lord, Beast God is... loyal to his master, for some reason. A loyal calamity, how ridiculous!" Her whispers echo in the spacious and empty plaza.

"Had Tang Chen been alive..." Her gaze grows remorseful for a moment, "Maybe he would have become a God, too. He had the best shot out of us three... no, he was the only one who had such a chance. But now, Qian Daoliu's son has made a move on Daoliu. If only he was conscious..."

Sure, it felt wrong to try and manipulate Daoliu based on his oast affection for her. She felt this was wrong not because of some issues of morality. No. It's because... she knows Daoliu. His affection for her was just that— Fascination. If he truly adored her... he would not have given up so easily.

No, Qian Daoliu loved his late wife. He loves his son. He loves his disciples. He loves cultivation.

But her... it's unlikely. And that is why hoping on such an uncertain method is a 'wrong' choice.

Strong ones usually did not bother with Morality.

And yes, for some time, the 'Overlords' of Sky, Sea, and the Land felt the same but they are no longer the strongest.

Not even the previous Beast God can claim he is the strongest monster.

The strongest man on the planet is the Blood God.

The strongest monster on the planet is the Beast God.

Former is the expression of Godly Cultivation.

The latter is the representative of Godly Might.

How can she hope to face either of them?

How can her Lord open up a path for them?

The moment that last thought flickers in her mind, she hurriedly buries it away once again.

She must not doubt Poseidon.

She can never doubt him and his means...

So, she sits on her knees. Her legs are neatly folded behind her for her to rest her body on her calves and watch the trident calmly. Blankly, even.

Hours go by.

Dusk darkens to midnight. Midnight blooms to a depressing dawn...

And...

'He's here.'

Not only her but the rest of Titled Douluos Guardians of the Island and the 100000-year-old beast protector of the island also notice his arrival.

He has not chosen to hide himself.

Even from this gap of distance, she and the rest feel... weak. Too weak. His divine intent is vast. Like the world itself. It feels as cold as death but within this coldness is the grace of life. The divine intent itself clashes with the lone divine intent patrolling the region and the sky turns blood-red in response.

*Rumble*

Blood-red lightning roars and crashes into the sea around the island. Massive tides of water rise and threaten to engulf the island itself!

Just the barest flicker of their power and intent has everyone who wished to fight back swallow hard.

But as quickly nature changes to their whims, it also settles just as swiftly.

The sky turns bleary with a hint of sunlight stretching forward and announcing the break of dawn.

The massive waves 'recede' as if ordered to not crash upon anyone or anything.

And... she knows why.

They are here for IT.

They want that divine blessing.

The true gift of godhood.

The Divine Inheritance.

But the initial clash between the Beast and the Blood God gave her some hope. Maybe... things would not be easy for either of them. Maybe, that's when Poseidon shall smite them from high heaven!

"Is this the welcome of the famous Sea God Island? A bunch of sharks? At least try and look threatening... it feels like you all ran into a group of Sword Dolphins," An amused chuckle echoes in the mind of the strong ones on the island.

She is included, no doubt.

This raises many alarms in her head and she taps her staff while standing up quickly but... nothing happens.

"By the way, I dismantled Divine Grace Array long ago so doing it again is no issue. Fun times," the voice snickers sincerely as if understanding the strongest resource of the island and the greatest tool of protection after the inheritance really is simply FUN for him.

"What? You couldn't? Did you just stay and watch over the island while trying to study the array? You're a sissy excuse for a God, you know," The voice now no longer regards them but shares his voice nonetheless.

But the rest seem to understand that the Beast God is... mocking the Blood God now.

"Anyway, if you can just drop the act of repulsion, that'd be great," Great, he is now talking with them once again.

She hesitates to leave the plaza. It may provide no protection for her but this is the place where she feels the safest.

This is the location where she feels the closest to her lord.

But... things usually never go as planned.

The space itself warps in front of her and a youth steps out with a curious smile, "Yo! You must be master's old flame, huh?"

He grins, "I'm Ja Sun, nice to meet you."

And his roaming, intense gaze really did indicate that it IS nice to meet her.

"Oh," as if recalling something and not paying attention to the trembling trident letting out soft whines, he adds, "Just so we're clear, I don't think Master is into you that way... I doubt he truly ever felt that way so," he snickers again and opens his hands wide, "You can jump in any time now."

But he frowns the next second and crosses his arms, "Or... maybe not. I think I am getting a little bit unhinged after my trip..."

Snapping his head in her direction, he smiles again, "But don't just discard my offer. Sleep on it for a bit. Days, even. I'm here to stay."

Announcing this, he glances at the dull trident with what she would consider a sadistic smile and warps away.

And somehow... the eccentric youth felt far from terrifying and felt more... upbeat than anything else.

'Wait, where did he go?' She snaps out of her reverie and frowns. Did he just use his divinity to charm her?

No... she considers sourly. He is NOT a god, thus, he possesses no divinity.

---

On a sleek silver-blue yacht named Honey, Ja Sun reappears and grins, "Well, I got permission to enter the island," he sticks his tongue out at Bibi Dong and scoffs, "See? An invasion does not need to start with a battle always."

"My point still stands," Bibi Dong smirks, "You did clash with my master, did you not? Besides, a battle is necessary when two parties are at a relatively equal level. You aren't on the same level as them."

Ja Sun shrugs and then looks at everyone present, "So, remember the plan!"

"Yep, we charm 'em!" Hu Lana pumps her fists.

"And then we live happily ever after!" Ja Sun adopts the same pose with a similar grin. Those around Ja Sun and Hu Lana blanches and consider the validity of this plan but...

'I am not here to conquer but just live peacefully and cultivate,' Bibi Dong chants internally.

"In case it doesn't work..." Bi Ji hesitates and Xiao Bei doubles down, "It WILL work with my carrot stew!"

"Doubt it," Zi Ji shoots her down instantly.

"Mum's food is the best!" Xiao Wu gushes.

"It may just work..." Yuehua smiles beside herself. It's heartwarming to see Ja Sun... not thinking of death or really just pulling pranks like that again.

"Ugh... I'm just glad we get to step down this stupid boat!" Bing Bing grumbles.

"Eager to spread love, huh? I knew I shouldn't have ever doubted you!" Ja Sun presents her with a divine thumbs-up!

"You!" Bing Bing flushes, "Moron!"

"Remind me again... is he serious?" Lan Ruo leans into Ja Yin's side knowing full well that she is annoyed by her presence.

As expected, Ja Yin tosses back a stinky glare.

"Let's go," Ah Yin taps Ja Sun's shoulder and smiles, "I hope... you know what you're doing."

Ja Sun and other go-getters in the group stop for a moment as many gazes converge upon him.

Working his jaw slightly, Ja Sun merely chuckles, "The only way to rest for someone as wicked as me is to take more risks. But..." strangling away that last moment of true hesitation as it would be unbecoming of him, Ja Sun nods, "My final master plan is to live. Let's make that work, one step at a time."

Others smile while for someone like Lan Ruo, a more interested and curious expression is more suited alongside a tinge of anticipation.

Not caring that now Xunji can confirm that they indeed have a way to hide from his sights... even if it's only possible on Honey, Ja Sun directs the ship towards the island's port as he waves at the paralyzed and floating groups of shark including a dazed 100000-year-old shark.

"Sorry about that guys. You know how it can be when two gods clash. Anyway, my divine intent was perfectly contained. I'm a master that way. It's the other fool who still is wet behind his ears... and tiny nutsack!"

"You say as if you've seen it," Xie Xan grins and high-fives Oscar who adds quickly, "And I wonder how the nutsack got wet!"

Ja Sun scoffs and smiles at them, "I hope you have the same drive with your kids."

"Yin is pregnant, too," Xie Xan shoots back.

"Oh, I'm going to be an amazing parent," Ja Sun shrugs, "See those sharks? My kid is gonna swim with them and even more aggressive fish for fun."

"No, I don't know how you concluded that. But no," Ah Yin leans on her chair and squints her eyes, "Just stay focused on remaining alive... I'm sure you'll enjoy having fun with a bundle of kids with how you're going through them," she gestures at the group behind her and emphasizes, "And more."

This causes Bing Bing to fidget slightly while Xiao Wu perks up.

This leaves Xie Xan and Oscar cackling while Ja Sun grimaces with a pout.

***

Alternate Title: Clash of Divine; Sussy Ja Sun; Open Arms Invitation Baby; The Weak Resistance of the Trident; Flopping Sharks; The Dedicated Priestess... is the Be(a)st Priestess!; Flickering Faith; Inviting Oneself In; Dismantling Divine Grace Array.