I am the Clone of a Death Row Inmate

The golden energy within the Sands of Time could be stored for long periods, meaning he could still use it even after reaching a higher life level.

If another beast tide came, his best option would be to continue slaughtering those Marine Beasts. However, the beast tide had now receded.

’Should I go hunt at the bottom of the sea?’

Su Ze quickly dismissed the idea.

Not every Marine Beast had golden energy that could be extracted. Only those that had ”chewed the mud” in front of the big pineapple contained it.

He couldn’t just go on a mindless killing spree in the Central Sea. However, if he went to hunt around the big pineapple’s location, he might be able to extract a significant amount of golden energy.

But that was too dangerous. It was like dancing on the grave of a thousand-year-old zombie. If the New King Sponge discovered him, he’d have no chance of escape.

Su Ze guessed that some beasts, like the Coral Monster, which were abnormally rich in golden energy, were probably veteran employees of the new king, having received the Sands of Time as a reward for many years.

Just like the ”Crab-Headed Strategist” hermit crab—that guy had two large pieces of the Sands of Time, which must have also been a gift from the New King Sponge.

Otherwise, there was no way it could have so much golden energy just from taking a bite of mud.

So, rather than going on a random killing spree at the bottom of the sea, he was better off targeting the new king’s subordinates, like the Seven-Colored Conch, and hunting them when they were alone.

The only problem was, without a beast tide, Su Ze couldn’t easily stack the power bonus from his ”Bloodthirsty” skill. In that case, hunting a Tier 5 beast like the Seven-Colored Conch would be difficult.

Su Ze temporarily put the matter aside. In any case, absorbing the Sands of Time was a quick process. He could take them out to absorb at any time if necessary.

Putting away the Sands of Time, Su Ze took out the Soul Nourishing Jade Stone. He saw that the phantom of the Nian Race Divine Spirit on the jade stone seemed to have changed slightly, becoming a little clearer.

However, when Su Ze extended his Spiritual Power into the jade stone and tried to communicate with the residual soul, there was still no response.

’Looks like it’s not awake yet, but it should be soon.’

...

Su Ze called Chen Suifeng. Although many things were inconvenient to discuss over the phone, he could at least use the call to arrange a time to meet in person.

But when the call connected, Chen Suifeng surprised him by saying he was already on his way to Dongli.

’Is he making a special trip to tell me something?’

A Venerable Powerhouse could travel incredibly fast. Coupled with the fact that Lin Hua Country and Dongli were right next to each other, it wasn’t long before Chen Suifeng arrived in Dongping City.

After Chen Suifeng arrived, Su Ze asked and realized he had been overthinking things.

Chen Suifeng hadn’t come for him at all, but for the Dongli Saint Envoy!

”I’m planning to make contact with your Dongli Saint Envoy. If possible, I want to pull him into our Blue Star’s camp,” Chen Suifeng said. ”Many people, including Mr. Ke, believe he’s a trustworthy individual.”

”If we can win him over, that would be for the best,” Su Ze said.

If they could pull the Dongli Saint Envoy into the Blue Star Party, Su Ze would feel much more at ease. With the Saint Envoy’s help, Dongli would be safer and more stable.

He then changed the subject to something that had been on his mind. ”What was the deal with Peninsula Country this time? Was it a power play by the Alien Party, or were they just testing the waters?”

Chen Suifeng shook his head. ”It was a classic case of one side being willing to push and the other willing to be pushed. Peninsula Country had been entertaining the idea for a while. When the Alien Party applied pressure, they feigned resistance but ultimately went along with it.”

”What do you mean? Peninsula Country wanted to relocate to Lin Hua Country all along?” Su Ze asked, slightly astonished.

”At least their higher-ups had the idea. This beast tide taught them a lesson: they simply can’t defend a territory surrounded by sea on three sides. Even without a Tier 5 beast attacking, they would have collapsed sooner or later just from the constant assault of Tier 4 and lower beasts.”

Su Ze nodded in understanding. Peninsula Country’s leadership wanted to move off the peninsula, but they must have faced a lot of opposition at home. The beast tide, along with the pressure from Lin Hua Country, gave them the perfect excuse.

Chen Suifeng continued, ”However, Peninsula Country’s agreement to relocate has certainly bolstered the Alien Party’s momentum. When someone takes the lead, it’s easier for others to follow. Once many have done so, those who remain will feel the pressure of conformity.”

Su Ze chuckled. ”Who’s going to follow? Among the six nations, Peninsula Country has already compromised. Luofan Country and Mu Country are already under their control. Ancient An Country has hooked up with the Filth Earth Organization. That only leaves Dongli and the Great Desert Kingdom.”

”That’s the key point. In this beast tide assault, Peninsula Country suffered the most damage, followed by the Great Desert Kingdom. If the beast tide had continued and they couldn’t hold out, they might very well have agreed to move into Lin Hua Country, just like Peninsula Country,” Chen Suifeng said. ”Fortunately, the beast tide stopped.”

”Why would the Great Desert Kingdom suffer so much damage?” Su Ze found this strange.

The Great Desert Kingdom was a landlocked nation. It didn’t have to face the vast numbers of Marine Beasts, only land-based ones. Logically, it should have had a much easier time.

”Because during this beast tide, a massive number of beasts surged out from the Myriad Beast Mountain Range, crossed the Desolate Desert, and launched an attack on the Great Desert Kingdom.”

Su Ze fell silent. The Great Desert Kingdom was vast and sparsely populated, consisting almost entirely of desert. Defending against such an enormous horde of beasts would indeed be a struggle for them.

”The Great Desert Kingdom is crucial. If we can get them on our side, we might be able to really cause some trouble for the Alien Party in the future,” Chen Suifeng said.

”How is it crucial?” Su Ze was slightly puzzled, but then he figured out the answer himself. ”Because the Great Desert Kingdom separates Lin Hua Country from Luofan Country?”

”Exactly!” Chen Suifeng laughed. ”Luofan Country and Mu Country are both under the Alien Party’s control now. But if one day we have a complete falling out with the Alien Party and a war breaks out, the forces of Luofan and Mu would be cut off by Dongli and Great Desert. If they want to rendezvous with Lin Hua Country, they would have to cross either the Great Desert Kingdom or Dongli Kingdom.”

”And at that point, we could turn around and attack Luofan Country and Mu Country directly, and it would be difficult for Lin Hua Country to send reinforcements...” Su Ze added, extrapolating from the idea.

”That’s the logic. When the time comes, we’ll hold off Lin Hua Country while you attack Luofan and Mu. With Ancient An Country at their back, they’d be attacked from both sides, with nowhere to retreat.”

”So, as the Guardian God of Dongli, you should communicate more with your neighbors and maintain good relations.”

After chatting with Chen Suifeng for a little while longer, he left to find the Dongli Saint Envoy.

After seeing Chen Suifeng off, Su Ze was about to do some exercises to digest the Bloodline Crystal when he suddenly thought he heard someone calling his name right next to his ear!

It wasn’t a Spiritual Transmission; it sounded as if someone was really standing right beside him.

A thought struck him, and he quickly took out the Soul Nourishing Jade Stone.

On the surface of the jade, the silhouette of the Nian Race Divine Spirit was becoming clearer and clearer.

It seemed the Divine Residual Soul that had eaten itself into a stupor had finally awakened!

Wait a minute...

’Why does this Nian Race Divine Spirit have two faces on its head?’

He could clearly see that the phantom of the Nian Race Divine Spirit emanating from the jade stone actually had two faces!

Two completely different faces. And one of them, Su Ze felt, looked somewhat familiar.

Su Ze hesitated for a few seconds, then extended his Spiritual Power into it...

He remembered that the Mother Tree had placed a seal on the jade stone. None of the residual soul’s power, including its Spiritual Power, could leave the confines of the jade.

Therefore, if Su Ze wanted to communicate with the residual soul inside, he had to extend his Spiritual Power into the jade stone.

The Mother Tree had assured him that this was perfectly safe.

This time, he could sense the pulsating residual soul within the jade. It was clearly much stronger than it had been at the beginning.

”Who are you?” Su Ze attempted to establish communication with the residual soul.

He called out twice, but the residual soul ignored him.

”Playing deaf and dumb? I suggest you cooperate. You’re in my hands now, and I have plenty of ways to deal with you,” Su Ze said coldly.

”Su Ze!”

The residual soul finally spoke, calling out Su Ze’s name directly.

’It knows my name. Has it been spying on the outside world all this time?’

”Su Ze, we meet again. Surprised I’m not dead yet, are you? Haha!”