Poison God's Heritage

The trip through the Sea of Demons was far from a leisurely journey; in fact, it was anything but fun and games. For cultivators at the Emperor Stage, simply being present in the Sea of Demons was enough to have nearly all their energy drained, leaving them vulnerable and weakened.

This was painfully evident in the pale faces of both YuYu and Liang Yu as they boarded the ship, their usually vibrant complexions now ghostly and drawn, reflecting the toll this treacherous sea was taking on them.

The two women wore expressions of deep discomfort, their brows furrowed, and their eyes betraying a sense of unease. The Ant Queen, however, merely frowned, her reaction much more subdued, almost indifferent to the harsh conditions.

"What's the matter?" Liang Yu snapped, her voice tinged with irritation as she scowled at the Ant Queen, who had been watching them closely.

"Nothing," the Ant Queen replied, her tone dripping with casual disdain. "I just never thought that Shen Bao's wives would be so… weak," she added with a teasing smirk, her words deliberately provocative.

"We're not weak," YuYu retorted, a hint of defensiveness in her voice. "Something is wrong with this sea. It feels… off, like it's sapping our strength," she explained, trying to pinpoint the strange sensation that had been plaguing them since they entered the sea.

"Oh, you must not know," the Ant Queen said, her expression softening into one of mild amusement. "This wasn't a sea a few weeks ago. It only started raining recently, transforming the landscape entirely. Also, it's the water spray that's making you so exhausted.

The whole sea has a unique ability—it can seal a cultivator's inner Qi," she explained, her voice carrying a note of authority as she shared her knowledge.

"Then why aren't you affected?" Liang Yu asked, her tone sharp with suspicion as she eyed the Ant Queen, noting the contrast between her own weakened state and the Ant Queen's relative calm.

"Because I'm stronger than you," the Ant Queen replied with a grin, her teeth flashing in a predatory smile. "The Sea of Demons' water does affect me, but my cultivation is high enough that I can disregard a portion of the discomfort. You two, on the other hand, are still at the Emperor Stage—quite powerful in the Vast Expanse, but merely at the starting point here in the Beyond.

So, you'll have to endure this until your cultivation grows," she said, her tone carrying a mix of condescension and practicality.

"This sea water is strange," Liang Yu mused, her brow furrowing as she considered the implications. "I wonder if no one ever tried using it as a weapon. If it can seal a portion of one's Qi, then throwing a bucket of this stuff at an enemy could render them helpless," she speculated, her mind already working through potential strategies.

"It has been tried before, but it's ineffective," the Ant Queen responded, her voice tinged with mild exasperation. "The water's ability to seal Qi is linked to its current location within the Sea of Demons. The moment you remove it from this environment, it becomes completely inert—just ordinary salted water," she clarified, crushing Liang Yu's theory with a matter-of-fact explanation.

"I see…," Liang Yu murmured, her disappointment evident in her tone. She shifted her focus, squinting into the distance. "How long until we reach the cities?" she asked, eager to escape the oppressive environment of the sea.

"It should be soon," the Ant Queen replied, her gaze following Liang Yu's. "Do you see those lights?" she pointed toward the horizon, where several glowing orbs pierced the darkness, floating just above the water's surface.

In the distance, the lights became more distinct, revealing themselves as part of the grand central city they were heading toward. The city, built atop a massive standing platform, was a beacon of light in the otherwise dark and foreboding sea. From outside, it looked nothing short of spectacular, a dazzling contrast to the ominous waters surrounding it.

The city's lights reflected off the water, creating an almost surreal image, as if the city were floating in the void between worlds.

The ship moved steadily closer, and soon they were near enough to dock. The process was managed efficiently by the puppets, who controlled everything from the ships to the port and every vessel entering and exiting the city. There was no wasted effort, no hesitation—every movement was calculated and precise.

The puppets operated like a well-oiled machine, their tireless nature ensuring that everything ran smoothly, a testament to Shen Bao's meticulous planning and design.

Once the ship was securely docked, the three women disembarked, stepping onto the solid ground of the port. They made their way to the entrance, where they were each asked to provide their names. The port was bustling with activity, with several cultivators waiting in line to receive their tokens and gain access to the city.

Unlike the puppets, who were perfectly organized, the people were anything but. The atmosphere was chaotic, with a lot of pushing, shoving, and the exchange of heated words—many of which would make even the most hardened sailors blush.

"Move out of the way!" a burly cultivator demanded, trying to push past the Ant Queen's group with little regard for their presence.

"Damn, why are Emperor Stage cultivators here? Don't you know the Sea of Demons isn't a place for weaklings like you?" someone else jeered, attempting to bully them out of their spot in line.

Another cultivator, a gruff-looking man with a lecherous grin, added, "They're probably here to work as mistresses. I heard a new brothel just opened up. So, how much for a night pleasing this old man?" He licked his lips in the most disgusting manner imaginable, his gaze lingering on YuYu.

Before YuYu could react, the Ant Queen intervened, her hand lashing out to grab the man's arm as it extended toward YuYu. "You'd better watch your words and actions," she warned, her voice cold as ice. "Unless you want to die without ever knowing how," she added, her grip tightening just enough to make her point clear.

Recognizing her, the man's bravado evaporated, and he quickly backed away, fear evident in his eyes. Everyone in the Sea of Demons knew of the Ant Queen—she was practically a legend, the one who had facilitated their escape into these wild lands, away from the control of the eight sects. Her reputation alone was enough to silence any further dissent.

Ignoring the murmurs and complaints that followed, the Ant Queen led the group up the line, bypassing the grumbling cultivators who wisely chose to hold their tongues. However, their actions did not go unnoticed by a female cultivator perched atop one of the massive white walls of the imperial city.

She observed the entire interaction with keen, attentive eyes, taking mental notes of the group's arrival.

At the city entrance, the Ant Queen, having already been here before, presented a metallic token to one of the puppets guarding the gate. "These two are new," she said, gesturing to YuYu and Liang Yu. "They'll need their own tokens."

The puppet, acknowledging her request, instructed the two women to follow another puppet, who led them to a small desk set up for newcomers.

"X?" YuYu exclaimed in surprise as she recognized the puppet standing before the booth.

The puppet looked up at her, its eyes glowing faintly. "My design is based on X, yes, but I am nameless," it replied in a monotone voice. "Do you know of X?" the puppet asked, its tone shifting slightly to one of curiosity.

"Yes, he's Shen Bao's first puppet," YuYu explained, her voice tinged with nostalgia.

"That information is correct," the puppet acknowledged. Its eyes lit up briefly as it processed the information. "YuYu, our master's companion and the Sect Master of the Purple Cloud Sect. Please excuse our lack of attention," the puppet added, its tone now respectful. It then retrieved a purple token and handed it to YuYu.

"This token will grant you access to every facility within Master Shen Bao's territory. It was crafted by his own hands," the puppet explained, the importance of the token evident in its voice. It then turned to Liang Yu, "Mistress Liang Yu, this one is for you," it said, handing her a similar token.

"Oh, a purple token hand-made by Shen Bao himself? Even I don't have one of those. I'm really jealous," the Ant Queen teased, though there was a hint of admiration in her voice.

"What's this token for?" Liang Yu asked, examining the intricately crafted item in her hand.

"That token allows you to act with the authority of Shen Bao himself," the Ant Queen replied, her eyes widening slightly. "Well, I guess our escort has arrived already."

At that moment, a large puppet, gleaming in the color of pure silver, descended gracefully at the city's entrance. Its movements were fluid and precise, a perfect blend of elegance and power.

"My Ladies," the puppet greeted them with a bow. "I'll be escorting you inside."

"Oh, Y, you've got a new upgrade," Liang Yu remarked, her eyes scanning the puppet's sleek form with appreciation.

"I am X, my lady," the puppet corrected her gently. "I have been upgraded to match Y's appearance."

"You're quite strong now," YuYu observed, noting the aura of power emanating from the puppet. "Void Stage, I suppose?"

"Yes, my lady. This body possesses the prowess of a Void Stage cultivator," X confirmed,

its tone humble yet proud.

"Good," YuYu said, a glint of determination in her eyes. "I want you to handle something for me," she added, turning to where the two men who had insulted her earlier had been standing.

But they were no longer there. In their place were two massive holes where their heads should have been, their bodies slumped lifelessly on the ground.

"What problem, mistress?" X inquired, its voice devoid of emotion as it noticed the smoke still curling from its fingers.

"I guess there's no problem now," YuYu replied, a slight smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Let's go. I'd like to meet Shen Bao. We have much to discuss."