Chapter 398: Tiger vs. Shark

Yu Zhizhi went to the Lord of Paradise’s side. She held her breath, her gaze fixed on the golden figure standing tall in the sky outside the palace. The Barrier stretched across the heavens, cracking inch by inch from their position all the way to the depths of the Extreme Ice Palace. A frigid wind howled, and across the vast, icebound domain, a convoy slowly came into view.

"They’re here..." Yu Zhizhi murmured.

She saw the flag at the very front of the convoy—a deep blue, bearing the emblem of the Deep Sea Empire.

The Deep Sea Mission had arrived at the Extreme Ice Palace.

The moment they entered this domain, the Barrier began to tremble. The delegation numbered around fifty people. At the very head of the procession was a gigantic Sea Whale. It floated on rollers, its sheer size enough to crush any Demon they might have encountered on the way.

And on the back of the Sea Whale stood a formidable figure. A sea-blue military jacket was draped over his shoulders, and an enormous, eye-catching longsword was strapped to his back.

The Little Octopus squeezed over as well. It wrapped several tentacles over its head and clapped them together. "It’s Lord Shen He!"

’That sound of the Barrier shattering just now must have been Lord Shen He’s doing!’

"Long time no see, Crown Prince."

Standing tall on the Sea Whale’s back, Shen He’s lips curved into a savage smile. His silver-gray hair was like a dusting of snow in the dark night, his features sharp as if carved by a knife. His tone dripped with sarcasm. "Allow me to congratulate you in advance on finally finding a suitable bride."

The Lizard Servant hiding off to the side broke out in a cold sweat.

’...H-how is that a congratulations?’

’This is more like a death warrant from King Yama!’

Cang Lan hovered in mid-air, his golden armor making him look like a war god from an ancient scroll descending upon the mortal realm. He looked down condescendingly at the man on the giant Sea Whale’s back. "You’re too kind, Marshal. When it’s time for our little one’s hatching banquet, I’ll be sure to invite you."

Yu Zhizhi was startled!

’Does Cang Lan know I’m pregnant?’

’No... he shouldn’t know...’

’Besides, no one but me can hear what the system says.’

Shen He sneered.

’He really thinks the little rabbit is going to give him a tiger cub?’

’He should think again about why the Deep Sea Mission is here.’

Shen He’s gaze slowly shifted to the side.

At the entrance to the Extreme Ice Palace—

Yu Zhizhi frantically hid behind the Lord of Paradise!

’Aaaah! I don’t dare look the Big Shark in the eye...’

’Back in Greenfield City, the Big Shark had told her countless times to wait for him to return. The moment he left, Yu Zhizhi had hightailed it out of there!’

Shen He saw the little rabbit hiding behind the other male. ’I so badly want to drag her out, grab her by the cheeks, and demand, ’Do you really want to marry that tiger?’’

’Hiding?’

’Hiding behind another male?’

’She’s really not afraid of the Spider, is she? Treating an ugly arthropod like that like some kind of treasure!’

The Lord of Paradise noticed Yu Zhizhi’s movements. He glanced at the man in the distance and more or less understood.

’The one the little rabbit ran all this way to see...’

’...was that detestable Mermaid.’

The Little Octopus was overjoyed. It thought Lord Shen He was looking at it and waved its tentacles frantically. "Hey~~ Lord Shen He~~ We’re over here~~~"

’HAHAHAHA!’

’Lord Shen He came in person!’

’This is great!’

’If Tutu wants to go back to the Deep Sea Empire, her wish should come true!’

Shen He had no desire to look at the idiot.

He simply averted his gaze.

"This wedding isn’t happening."

Shen He’s mood had been foul the entire journey. The thought that the little rabbit had run off to the Extreme Ice Palace without a word, delivering herself to another’s doorstep—

Now that he had finally met the "culprit" who had abducted the little rabbit, all he wanted was to vent the aggressiveness simmering inside him.

Cang Lan had also been suppressing a great deal of rage for the past two days. Seeing the shark stare at his little bride for so long made him want to run this Great White Shark through.

A golden sword suddenly materialized in the air above Shen He’s head and shot straight for his heart!

Shen He gripped his longsword, cleaving the attacking blade in two with a single swing. With a leap, he seized the initiative, his own giant longsword slashing viciously toward Cang Lan’s position!

CLANG!—

A tremorous ring like a dragon’s roar echoed out, and the shockwave from the impact of the blades spread out in all directions like an explosion!

Shen He’s muscles bulged, his expression turning savage. A cold sneer hung on his lips, and his gray eyes filled with the feral nature of a predator—

He and Cang Lan had clashed on the battlefield many times. The hatred between their Empires remained, and now he had even more reason to kill this Golden Tiger!

The golden greatsword in Cang Lan’s hand re-formed, radiating a scorching light like the sun itself. A frostiness filled the depths of his eyes as countless swords began to fall from the sky. In the gloomy Extreme Ice Zone, his position was as dazzling and brilliant as the midday sun.

"You’re nothing but an undersea beast. What makes you worthy of standing before me?"

Swords rained down, filling the entire sky with golden light. An aura of kingly might radiated from Cang Lan. Even the envoys of the Deep Sea Mission couldn’t help but feel their legs tremble, overcome with the urge to drop to their knees.

Yu Zhizhi hid behind the Lord of Paradise, clutching his dark green robes, her body trembling uncontrollably.

’Ugh, this is terrifying...’

’Whether it’s the Big Tiger or the Big Shark, they’re both terrifying when they fight...’

’I feel like I’ll go blind just from watching.’

The Lord of Paradise had been feeling resentful toward her, but seeing how genuinely frightened she was now... For a female, the outburst of spiritual power in this battle was too intense, triggering her instinctual fear.

The Spider slowly turned and gathered the little rabbit into his arms.

"It’s okay. I’m here."

The battle was too fierce, and a stray golden sword shot straight toward them.

White spider silk instantly shot out and wrapped around it, binding it tightly. At the same time, an icy barrier materialized out of thin air, blocking the entrance.

The Lord of Paradise looked toward the Deep Sea Mission.

His eyes shifted slightly. With a CRACK, the spider silk shattered the sword into countless pieces, which then fell onto the icy ground.

A frost rune flickered on the back of Yu Zhizhi’s hand.

She vaguely sensed that it was her bonded Glacier Ability. It must have detected that she was in danger and awakened on its own.

Once the danger passed, the ice barrier also disappeared.

Although Yu Zhizhi knew she was being protected, she still couldn’t suppress the deep-seated fear of a small animal. She snuggled deeper into the Spider’s embrace, hugging him tightly.

She thought she heard a soft sigh by her ear.

Then, slowly, came the Lord of Paradise’s voice...

"You’re best at playing innocent."

The Spider held her, and the anger and grievance he’d felt over this period of time slowly faded. It was as if by holding her, the rest of the world faded away, leaving only her.

’She didn’t want to stay in Paradise.’

’Yet she had run all the way to the Extreme Ice Palace.’

’If it was for a marriage alliance, did she like Cang Lan that much?’

’Wasn’t I good enough?’

In the Lord of Paradise’s arms, Yu Zhizhi felt much safer. Noticing a strange feeling around her ankle, she looked down and saw the Little Octopus cowering there, wrapped around her calf.

It was even trying to squeeze its way up...

...between the two of them...