Chapter 4796: Preparing for Ascension She remained at the bottom of the sea for a full day and a night, continuously transferring her Blue Lotus energy to him. It was a tireless vigil, a selfless act of devotion, until the next day, when a wave of exhaustion finally washed over her. She gently withdrew her hand, drawing all the Blue Lotus energy back into her own body, feeling the familiar ebb and flow of power within her. “Mo Ze, I am ready to ascend,” she whispered, her voice soft yet resolute, echoing in the profound silence of the deep. “Stay here and take good care of yourself. After I ascend, I will kill all those who harmed you and avenge you! When that time comes, if you still haven’t woken up, I will bring the children back to see you.” She spoke tenderly, raising her hand to gently stroke his familiar face, a gesture filled with an aching love. Leaning down, she pressed her lips to his, a soft, lingering kiss. However, the sensation was ethereal, as though she were kissing the surface of water, with the faint, almost imperceptible sound of ripples spreading outward from their contact. She stepped back, quietly observing him, her eyes a complex mixture of reluctance, longing, and unwavering determination. “Don’t worry, I’ve made all the necessary preparations,” she murmured softly, as if speaking directly to his sleeping spirit. “I will definitely succeed in ascending.” She gazed at him deeply one last time, committing every detail of his peaceful face to memory. Then, she began to step back, one careful step at a time, creating a respectful distance. After retreating sufficiently, she re-cast the protective barrier around him, ensuring his undisturbed rest, and then slowly ascended out of the water. Back on the surface, she landed gracefully on her airship. She stood at the bow, gazing quietly out at the vast, shimmering expanse of the sea. A profound sense of peace settled in her heart, a quiet calm before the impending storm of her ascension. Du Fan, Leng Hua, and Leng Shuang stood respectfully behind her. Observing her standing there in silent contemplation, without uttering a single word, the three exchanged knowing glances. They understood the weight of the moment and her internal struggles, so they chose not to speak, simply offering their silent, unwavering companionship from behind. After a long time, which felt both fleeting and eternal, Feng Jiu finally turned around. She spoke a few brief words to the three loyal companions, her voice low and steady, before heading back into the cabin to rest. “Is Master okay? You don’t look very well,” Leng Shuang ventured, a note of genuine concern in her voice. “She’s probably just tired,” Du Fan replied, his tone dismissive of any deeper issues. “It’s nothing serious.” He tried to sound reassuring, but a hint of worry lingered in his own eyes. “I wonder what kind of situation Hell’s Lord is in right now?” Leng Hua mused softly, his gaze drifting out across the endless sea, a quiet sadness in his voice. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚 “I guess the situation isn’t very good, otherwise Master wouldn’t have come up alone,” Du Fan sighed lightly, the weight of their unspoken fears hanging in the air. “She would have brought him with her. At that time, Master said that it was impossible to bring Hell’s Lord out of the bottom of the East Sea Spirit Realm. Otherwise, how could Master bear to leave Hell’s Lord alone in the deep sea?” Hearing this, Leng Hua and Leng Shuang fell into a mournful silence. Indeed, the logic was undeniable. If there were any way to bring Hell’s Lord out of that submerged realm, their master, with her boundless love and devotion, would never have left him to sleep alone in the cold depths. But the grim reality was that they didn’t know when Hell’s Lord would wake up, or if he ever truly would. What they didn’t expect, however, was that when their master said she would go in to rest “for a while,” that rest would stretch into an astonishing three days… Three days later, in the early morning, Feng Jiu finally emerged from the cabin. The exhaustion that had etched itself onto her face a few days prior was now completely gone, banished by deep recuperation. Her entire mental state had recovered remarkably well, and a renewed vigor radiated from her. “Master,” the three greeted her in unison, their relief palpable as they saw her looking as energetic and vibrant as ever. “Mm,” Feng Jiu replied simply. She walked out to the bow of the ship and sat down at the table there, then motioned for them to join her. “You sit down too! I have something important to tell you.” Hearing the gravity in her voice, the three exchanged quick glances before dutifully sitting down. “What are your orders, Master?” they asked, their postures attentive. “I am preparing to undergo tribulation and ascend,” she declared, her voice calm and steady, despite the momentousness of her words. “So, you will have to take charge of everything in the future. Also, I haven’t yet told the Feng family’s old residence about my impending ascension, so after I ascend, you should inform them about it personally.” Feng Jiu looked at each of them, her gaze firm and clear, as she meticulously instructed them on the myriad responsibilities they would need to undertake in the days to come. Finally, she concluded, “There is also the Eastern Sea Spirit Realm where Mo Ze rests. After I ascend, you must guard it carefully and not make any mistakes whatsoever. You don’t need to actively check on the situation at the bottom of the sea; simply focus all your efforts on guarding it with your lives.”