Black Whale was an expert at the Heavenly King Realm Ninth Level and the Imperial Son of the Jing Tribe. He was hailed as the number one prodigy of the East Sea, his power beyond all doubt.

Su Han hadn't expected to encounter him here. Is this a coincidence? No, it couldn't possibly be a coincidence! His gaze grew solemn. I managed to shake off even the three great Demon Venerables and took an unexpected path to hide in this remote sea. There's no way this is just a stroke of luck. Black Whale must have used some method, possibly a divination technique or a tracking-type treasure. Regardless, I know my current situation is grim.

I can handle ordinary Heavenly King Realm experts. I'm even confident I could fight someone like Jing Ming, another Heavenly King Realm Ninth Level expert. However, the Black Whale before me isn't just a Ninth-Level expert; he's the Imperial Son of the Jing Tribe, the prodigy of prodigies. His combat power is terrifying. Even if I go all out, I'm not certain I can withstand him. Unfortunately, I have no way out. Either I defeat Black Whale and escape, or he'll tie me down until the other Demon Race experts find me. When that happens, how can I possibly stand against the entire East Sea alone?

"Su Han, you truly are a prodigy, managing to break through three blockades and escape the pursuit of the three great Demon Venerables," Black Whale communicated via Divine Sense. "If I didn't have special methods, I might have actually let you escape the East Sea this time!"

His tone was neither arrogant nor aloof but filled with absolute confidence. He looked at Su Han as if he were a turtle trapped in a jar, completely unable to escape his grasp. Indeed, Su Han is a prodigy. He managed to snatch the opportunity of the Dragon Transformation Pool from the Tian Lou Saint, but that was a clever trick. If it were a battle of true ability, I believe anyone present at that time could have crushed him. Even though he broke through three blockades and killed Jing Ming, a Heavenly King Realm Ninth Level expert, I am not concerned. As a prodigy, I have my own pride and confidence. I will neither underestimate Su Han nor overestimate myself. However, I believe my strength is greater than his. In a one-on-one fight, I am confident I can defeat him, vindicate the honor of the East Sea Demon Clan, and seize everything he possesses.

It seems this battle is unavoidable! Su Han's spirit grew taut as he stared at Black Whale. He put the Ghostly Face Mask he had just removed back on, and the cold Devouring Heaven Demonic Qi helped him remain perfectly calm.

"Demonization!"

With the Black Blade in hand, Su Han borrowed the power of the Great Majestic Demon King and entered the Demonized State once more. Instantly, the fiery Black Blade demonic energy caused his will to fight to surge, growing stronger the more he fought.

Cold and heat were two contrasting sensations that would normally conflict. But Su Han was already accustomed to them and had found his own way to manage it all. The cold kept him calm, while the heat sustained his battle intent.

It's impossible to be too cautious when facing Black Whale. This is undoubtedly one of the strongest opponents I have ever encountered. This is a prodigy on the same level as the Tian Lou Saint. If I can defeat him, I'll have a good chance of defeating the Tian Lou Saint in the future. Moreover, with my life on the line, I can't afford a single moment of carelessness.

"A Demon's Body? Rare indeed," Black Whale's spirit communicated, pulsing with intense confidence. "But your realm is ultimately too low. Even if you've used external items to enhance it, that power is not your own. If we were to fight in the same realm, I truly couldn't be certain of victory. But as things are now, your defeat is guaranteed!"

With that, he took action, aiming to defeat Su Han and claim everything he had.

The Jing Tribe was the number one Demon Race in the East Sea, famed for their formidable physical bodies. Even the impressively powerful Shark Tribe ranked below them. As the Imperial Son of the Jing Tribe, Black Whale was the most exceptional prodigy of his generation. Although he lacked a Special Physique, he was the descendant of a Divine Beast.

He possessed the Kunpeng Bloodline. Though it was only at thirty percent purity, it was still astounding. In the future, he had a chance to undergo Reversion and transform into a true Kunpeng, a real Divine Beast. It was for this very reason that he could contend with experts like the Tian Lou Saint.

CRASH!

Black Whale's massive tail fin suddenly whipped through the water. The sea churned violently as a colossal wave rose into the sky, crashing toward Su Han with the force to move mountains and part seas.

This strike was terrifyingly powerful, enough to demolish a mountain range or submerge a city. For Black Whale, however, it was just a casual move intended to test Su Han's strength. He had never fought Su Han before, and after entering the Dragon Transformation Pool, no one knew what kind of fortuitous encounter he'd had. Black Whale was confident but never conceited. Even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit, let alone against the infamous Su Han.

"Origin Technique: Netherworld Cold Tide!"

Su Han waved his hand, unleashing a burst of frigid energy that transformed into a tide of ice, blotting out the sun. As it collided with the giant wave, the wave instantly froze solid. The sea between Su Han and Black Whale turned into a vast glacier.

Black Whale's attack was a probe, and Su Han's response was similarly casual, neither using his full power. Yet, from this first exchange, both had gained a certain understanding of the other's strength.

Such an intense Demon Qi, so potent and domineering. Truly befitting an overlord of the ocean. Even with my Demonization, I can't compare. He is an unparalleled foe. Su Han's gaze grew heavy. Black Whale's Demon Qi was as deep and unfathomable as the ocean itself, and it carried a tyrannical will that was difficult to resist. Furthermore, a casual strike from him had agitated the sea for a kilometer in every direction, a testament to his immense power.

Chilling to the bone. This isn't ordinary cold energy. But he possesses the Demon's Body, so this might not be his true strength. Still, to so easily block my strike shows how extraordinary he is. No wonder Jing Ming died at his hands. If you add the two Holy Artifacts he carries, he might actually stand a chance. Black Whale also sensed Su Han's formidable power. Even with the Ghostly Face Mask, there was a significant gap in their realms, yet Su Han had effortlessly blocked his attack, revealing his astounding strength.

"Su Han, you are indeed a rare prodigy. In my opinion, you could be compared to Chu Feng, the one who tops the Prodigy Rankings. If you were given more time to grow, the title of the Eastern Region's number one prodigy would likely fall to you.

"The East Sea and the Eastern Region share a feud so deep we cannot exist under the same sky. The more exceptional you are, the greater a threat you become to us. Therefore, no matter what, I cannot allow you to leave here alive today.

"Are you prepared to face death?"

Black Whale stared at Su Han, his tone flat as if he were merely stating a fact.

Su Han was simply too talented, which was not a good thing for the East Sea. The only solution was to eliminate him before his wings were fully grown.

Su Han heard his words, but his expression remained unchanged, his mind perfectly calm.

With the Black Blade in hand, Su Han looked at Black Whale and, instead of retreating, advanced and took the initiative. "Kill me? You're welcome to try!"