Douluo Continent: My Martial Soul is the Black Dragon, I am the Lord of the Gods

Chapter 373 Liberation
……

"I'll go," Gu Yuena suddenly said.

Xuanming was slightly taken aback and looked at her.

“Poseidon can’t beat me. Besides, as a woman myself, there are some things that she might be more likely to accept if I say them,” Gu Yuena said.

By having her step in, she could not only ensure that the situation did not get out of control with her absolute strength, but also communicate from a woman's perspective, which might be better able to soothe Poseidon's emotions.

Xuanming was somewhat tempted. Gu Yuena's suggestion was indeed the safest option. With her strength and status, even if Poseidon was furious, she couldn't cause any trouble.

Moreover, recently, Gu Yuena's relationship with Hu Liena, Ning Rongrong and others seems to have improved a lot, and the atmosphere is much more harmonious than before. With her stepping forward, it is indeed possible to avoid affecting others to the greatest extent.

But... then he thought about it again, and a concern arose in his heart.

Poseidon, after all, is the high priestess of Poseidon Island, the earthly representative of the sea god. If Gu Yuena, the Silver Dragon King, were to handle this matter in a manner bordering on "threat," wouldn't that anger the sea god?
After all, the sea god had always treated him fairly well, even secretly helping him on several occasions. To antagonize the sea god over this matter would be a greater loss than gain.

more importantly……

Xuanming shook his head, his eyes regaining their resolve.

"No, I'll go. This matter started because of me, and I should settle it myself. Avoiding and shirking responsibility won't solve anything."

He took a deep breath and turned his gaze back to Poseidon Island in the distance: "What must be faced must be faced. No matter the outcome, I should personally give her an explanation."

This was the choice he made; he personally ended Tang Chen's life.

This responsibility should rightfully be borne by him.

……

Poseidon Island, Poseidon Mountain.

Xuanming and Gu Yuena landed on the mountaintop and headed straight for the magnificent Sea God Temple. However, the temple doors, which were usually open, were now tightly closed, enveloped by a soft yet resilient golden halo that separated the inside from the outside.

A maid dressed in white stood respectfully outside the hall. Upon seeing Xuanming, she immediately stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Lord Xuanming, the High Priest has instructed that she is currently in seclusion and will not be receiving guests for the time being."

Retreat?

Xuanming frowned slightly. He had just returned, and Poseidon had just gone into seclusion? This was far too coincidental. A sense of foreboding rose in his heart.

He didn't say much, just nodded, but his powerful spiritual energy spread out silently like an invisible tide, directly penetrating the heavy doors of the Sea God Temple and probing towards Poseidon's usual bedroom.

His spiritual power merged with the Heart of the Sea God. Although he could not actively control the Light of the Sea God, the Light of the Sea God did not reject him at all, which made his spiritual perception almost unimpeded on the Sea God Island.

However, just as his spiritual power was about to reach the core area of ​​Poseidon's palace—

hum!
A gentle yet undeniable golden divine light suddenly shone forth, acting as a barrier to gently deflect his spiritual power. Simultaneously, a voice tinged with a hint of mockery and helplessness resounded directly in his mind:

"Kid, that's not a good habit of yours. Using your mental power to probe a girl's room without permission?"

It is the divine thought of Poseidon, the god of the sea!
Xuanming's lips twitched slightly as he mentally replied, "Stop talking nonsense. Are you the one playing tricks?"

He suspected that Poseidon had informed Poseidon of Tang Chen's death in advance, which was why she avoided seeing him.

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't you dare wrong an innocent person!" Poseidon's divine sense immediately retorted, his tone tinged with grievance. "I always keep my word! I said I'd let you handle it yourself when you get back, and I never said a word beforehand!"

He simply shared with Poseidon, in an "objective record" manner, the "wonderful" experiences he and several other god-kings had seen through the light screen about Xuanming after Xuanming left Seagod Island. These experiences included the destruction of the City of Slaughter, Tang Chen's fall, and the final battle.

He didn't say a word more, simply letting her watch the "live recording" herself. Xuanming naturally didn't believe his nonsense, but he had no intention of arguing with him at the moment. He was more concerned about Poseidon's condition.

……

Deep within the Temple of Neptune, in Poseidon's chambers.

The bedchamber was softly lit and filled with a faint scent of the sea. Poseidon was not in seclusion as her maid had suggested, but rather sat quietly alone on the edge of the bed.

She was still wearing that solemn red priest's robe, but her usually calm and gentle sea-blue eyes were now filled with confusion, struggle, and a hint of... a sense of relief that she herself could hardly understand.

Before her floated a crystal ball emitting a soft glow. Inside the crystal ball, the thrilling battle that had taken place not long ago above the ruins of the Killing City was being clearly replayed.

In the scene, the fallen and crazed Tang Chen burns his remnant soul and the essence of his parasite, condensing a dark red Haotian True Body, which crashes towards Xuan Ming with world-destroying power. Xuan Ming, in turn, transforms into a hundred-meter-tall Killing Dragon Emperor Battle Soul, wielding a blood spear, and fiercely meets the attack!

In the end, the blood spear pierced Tang Chen's chest, devouring everything he had...

The image freezes on the moment Tang Chen turns to ashes and disappears.

Poseidon's gaze lingered for a long time on the empty scene.

She thought she would burst into tears, feel her heart ache, and be overwhelmed with a deep-seated hatred for Xuanming.

But... no.

The heart-wrenching pain she had anticipated did not arrive. Her heart felt as if shrouded in a thick fog, and what she felt more was... a sense of emptiness after everything had settled, and a... unspeakable... relief?
Yes, liberation.

This realization filled her with fear and shame.

Tang Chen, the man who had once amazed her for so long, the man she had waited for for decades, the man she thought would be her lifelong bond... In the instant he truly died, what she felt was not grief, but relief.

It was as if a heavy shackle that had been borne for far too long had been removed.

Decades of waiting brought not the joy of reunion, but endless torment and repeated disappointments. She hated his obtuseness, his lack of romantic understanding, and how he had allowed her to gradually exhaust her youth and passion in endless waiting.

Especially after Xuanming arrived, watching this young man relentlessly push his limits for his goal, risking his life, and feeling the ripples constantly spreading across her long-dormant heart because of him... her inner struggle and pain became even more intense.

On one hand, there are the constraints of morality and the past; on the other hand, there is the irrepressible stirring and longing deep within one's heart.

This quietly growing, inappropriate feeling, intertwined with her "responsibility" and "obsession" with Tang Chen, which had long since been worn down by time, caused her great pain and inner turmoil.

Tang Chen's death was like a sharp knife, severing the most stubborn thread in this tangled mess.

She no longer needed to agonize over whether waiting for Tang Chen was worthwhile, nor did she need to feel guilty or uneasy about the subtle changes in her heart.

But... this feeling of relief from the death of one person made her feel incredibly despicable and cold-hearted!

She didn't know how to face Xuanming.

Should she act like an elder who has lost a close friend, questioning him about why he was so ruthless? Or should she act like a woman with ulterior motives, secretly rejoicing because his actions indirectly helped her break free from her mental constraints?
These two completely different emotions collided fiercely within her, leaving her feeling lost and confused.

She had no choice but to hide away for the time being, avoiding everyone, especially Xuanming. She needed time to sort out her chaotic thoughts.

"What...what happened to me..." Poseidon murmured to herself, her sea-blue eyes filled with confusion and pain. She reached out and gently touched the cold crystal ball, as if she could feel the lingering destructive aura of that battle, and...the resolute figure of that boy.

(End of this chapter)