A vicious female is trapped in a beastly hell.

Chapter 527 is a bit strange

A hint of doubt crossed Shen Tang's mind. Is breaking through to a higher realm really that easy?
Xiao Jin went through nearly a year of hardships to break through from the ninth to the tenth level, and almost lost his life several times.

However, Jialan had only been gone for a day, yet she had broken through several levels from the peak of the eighth rank, reaching the king realm above the tenth rank! This talent was not just shocking, it was terrifying!
Shen Tang was naturally delighted, yet a faint unease crept in, a feeling that things weren't so simple. Unfortunately, the dog system hadn't yet awakened from its slumber, preventing her from investigating further.

"Hmm? What are you thinking about again?" Jialan looked at the little female's worried expression with amusement, and gently pinched her fair cheek with her slender, jade-like fingers.

He looked into the distance, his brow furrowed slightly, and said with concern, "I wonder how many more men in black are hiding here. The bloodstains left from the battle will soon attract more mutants. We should leave."

Shen Tang gazed at the murky, black, blood-stained sea, the distant growls of beasts faintly echoing in the distance. Her face paled slightly, and she instinctively tightened her grip on the man's lean waist, nodding emphatically, "Yes, let's go!"

Jialan looked at the small female clinging to him in his arms, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. His long, strong arms encircled her lower back, and his powerful fishtail traced a graceful yet swift arc as he sped away from the polluted sea.

Unexpectedly, on the way back to the palace, they encountered the high priest.

The usually gentle and composed high priest had a rare look of panic on his face.

Seeing the two return safely, surprise flashed in his eyes, but he also visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

He had clearly come specifically to see them.

"Are the children alright?" Runas asked with concern.

Feeling a little uncomfortable in front of her elders, Shen Tang broke free from Jia Lan's embrace, her cheeks slightly flushed as she shook her head. "We... we've returned safely. By the way, High Priest, how's the situation at the palace?"

Lúnas smiled and said, "Don't worry, I have successfully rescued Her Majesty. I originally wanted to invite Her Majesty to stay at the temple temporarily, but after she recovered, she insisted on reorganizing the army as soon as possible and suppressing the rebels..."

He sighed softly, annoyed, "I never expected the priest's temple to be breached. The corrupting forces have been growing stronger these days, and even my power is almost unable to suppress them."

Shen Tang felt particularly heavy-hearted when she thought about the current state of the Sea of ​​Oblivion.

Even the high priest is finding it difficult to suppress the ever-growing power of pollution. If this trend continues, it will probably only be a matter of time before the sea creatures are completely swallowed up by the polluted land.

Moreover, this will take even longer than on land.

Lucius noticed their low spirits and gently comforted them, "My dear children, protecting the sea is the duty of the priests' temple, and it's not something you younger generations should worry about."

If one day pollution truly becomes uncontrollable, he will at least have one last trump card—

To sacrifice oneself.

Of course, he did not intend to tell anyone about it.

Seeing that the two men's clothes were tattered, it was clear they had been through a fierce battle. Even though their wounds had healed, one could imagine how serious their injuries had been.

He frowned, his gentle voice carrying a hint of coldness and reproach, "What exactly happened? You were supposed to be waiting for me at the temple, why did you suddenly disappear?"

Shen Tang swallowed hard, her attitude of admitting her mistake very proactively, "I'm sorry, High Priest, it's my fault! I was too anxious at the time, and I was deceived by someone with ulterior motives, and was captured and taken to the Sea of ​​Oblivion, which is why Jia Lan was implicated."

"You even ventured deep into the Sea of ​​Oblivion?" Runas frowned even more deeply, turning to the silent Jialan beside him. His deep, majestic golden eyes rippled, and his gaze narrowed slightly. "You went alone?"

"……Um."

Jialan turned her face slightly away, avoiding the high priest's scrutinizing gaze.

He gently embraced the female in his arms, his handsome eyes filled with tenderness as he looked down at her. "I know Father was worried about my safety, but I don't regret the urgency. If I hadn't gone to save Tangtang, she would have been taken away." Although Shen Tang disapproved of Jialan's rash actions, she couldn't bear to see him blamed, so she quickly defended her beast husband. "Those men in black dragged me into the Sea of ​​Oblivion. If it weren't for Jialan's rescue, I probably would never have seen you again. Fortunately, we both returned safely, so please don't blame him, High Priest."

"...You two are a perfect match."

The high priest looked at them, slightly dazed, then revealed a relieved yet helpless smile. "Alright, this time it was my oversight. But you are too reckless, child. Next time, you must consult with me or your mother first."

"Yes, Father, don't worry, it won't happen again."

When Lunas met the young man's gentle yet aloof smile, he narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of thought flashing in his gaze.

The priest's temple is no longer habitable and needs to be rebuilt.

Lunas made an exception and helped them and the sea creatures a great deal. Now that the mission was complete, he should have returned to the temple, but he insisted on personally escorting them back to the palace.

Jialan said considerately, "Father is busy with his duties as the High Priest of the Sea Clan. Now that the pollution is spreading, the situation is urgent. Thank you for your help this time. I have already taken up a lot of your time. Please don't trouble yourself with this small matter."

“The sea tribe rebels have not yet been eliminated. Your special identities make you easy targets. The enemy is lurking in the shadows, making it difficult to defend against.” Runas smiled slightly. “Besides, I still have some time.”

He looked at the handsome young man who resembled him, his eyes filled with affection and guilt. "Lan'er, it's my fault. I've neglected you all these years. In the future... I'm afraid we'll be separated more often than together. Let me see you off one last time and do my best to express my feelings."

The high priest insisted on seeing her off, and having said that, Jialan could not refuse.

Garuda, having sat firmly on the throne for many years, though momentarily caught in a trap, acted with extreme swiftness and decisiveness.

In just half a day, she had integrated the troops, quelled the rebels in the capital, and basically quelled the unrest in the capital and surrounding areas.

After Lunas safely delivered Shen Tang and Jia Lan to the palace, there was indeed very little time left.

The operation of the priest's temple requires his power to maintain it. His departure violated the rules, which weakened the temple's defenses and made it easy to breach this time.

He has been absent from his post for too long and must return as soon as possible, otherwise the spread of the contaminated area will be even more rapid.

Before leaving, Lunas's gaze passed over Jialan and gently fell on Shen Tang on the sofa. "Child, I have a few words I want to say to you. Could you give me some time?"

"High Priest, you're too kind! Please feel free to speak your mind." Shen Tang was flattered.

"Well, I have something I'd like to discuss with you privately. Please come with me."

Shen Tang quickly put down her teacup, got up, and followed him to the side hall.

After the two left, the smile on Jia Lan's lips gradually faded. He narrowed his deep, long blue eyes, staring intently in the direction they had gone, his fingers gripping the teacup tightening unconsciously until they turned white.

He stared intently at the commotion, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

Garuda came over and teased, "They've all disappeared, and you're still looking?"

Jialan quickly looked away, her ears turning slightly red, a little embarrassed. "I was just curious why Father called Tangtang away alone. What important matter did he want to discuss? Why can't even I know?"

"Your father is a strange person..." Garuda thought for a moment and said calmly, "He can be quite eccentric at times, but since he called Xiaotang over, he must have something important to discuss with her. Don't overthink it."

"Mm." Jialan nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

Update from yesterday