Chapter 449: Punishment and Gains – One Year Later
In front of the Sea God Temple, Dai Yao gazed up at the towering jade pillars engraved with sea spirit beasts.
"Dai Yao, enter," Poseysi said with a sigh. "Actually, you're entering the Sea God Temple prematurely. By the rules, you're only supposed to come here during the Seventh Trial."
Reluctantly, she pushed open the temple doors, revealing the dark, shadowed interior. Unlike other grand temples adorned with elaborate ornamentation, the Sea God Temple was simple, dark, and windowless. At the center stood a long trident embedded in the floor—the Sea God's weapon.
"Rules? So it's the Sea God's divine inheritance—why hide it?" said the black-haired, black-eyed 'Dai Yao' dismissively.
Poseysi started, turning to scrutinize Dai Yao. "How do you know?"
"Because I've met another god's inheritor, and from what I've seen, they're already on their Eighth or Ninth Trial. It won't be long before the Douluo Continent sees a new god," Dai Yao replied, voice casual but cutting. "And I assume that the Sea God's Nine Trials are meant to lead me to inherit the Sea God's position."
"The difference between the Sea God's and Angel God's inheritances, however, is that the other successor doesn't have someone like you to open the path for them during the Ninth Trial."
These few words struck Poseysi like a lightning bolt. Dai Yao's knowledge implied an intimate connection with another divine successor. But more shockingly, he had mentioned the truth about the Ninth Trial, a secret known to almost no one outside of the divine guardians.
Staring at Dai Yao, Poseysi asked, "Dai Yao, how did you learn what happens during the Ninth Trial?"
"I've met Qian Daoliu, that Limit Douluo who serves the Angel God. I understand why you harbor the urge to kill me; if I were in your place, being asked to sacrifice myself for a stranger would be unthinkable. But understanding your reasoning doesn't mean I forgive you. So, what are you offering to earn it?"
Poseysi wouldn't act petulantly about her sacrifice as a mere girl might. She accepted it as part of her role and purpose. But trying to kill Dai Yao had been driven by her personal desire, which made the situations wholly different.
Sighing, Poseysi extended her hand, revealing a golden orb—the rare and precious God-Bestowed Spirit Ring.
"Dai Yao, this is one of two God-Bestowed Spirit Rings I received as a reward when I completed my Red-level Eighth Trial. This one is the last," she said apologetically.
Dai Yao took the orb without hesitation, remarking, "Is my life really worth only one Spirit Ring? Surely, after all your years as the Great Worshiper, you have more treasures to offer? Spirit bones would suffice if nothing else."
Poseysi, despite her cultivation, felt a pang of frustration. She knew Dai Yao was aware of the God-Bestowed Ring's rarity, yet he continued pressing. Sighing, she produced two more items, which floated before him.
One was a blue bone radiating a dark, menacing energy; the other was a dark crystal.
"As the Great Worshiper of Sea God Island, I don't kill many spirit beasts. This bone was taken from an evil sea spirit beast I hunted—a powerful one with eighty to ninety thousand years of cultivation. It's rare but not a match for you."
"The crystal is a ten-thousand-year-old whale's gel, which greatly enhances physical resilience and raises the absorption limit of spirit rings."
She looked at Dai Yao earnestly. "These two are my most valuable treasures. If this still doesn't satisfy you, I have nothing better."
Seeing the gel, Dai Yao's eyes lit up even as he kept a calm demeanor.
In Absolute Tang Sect, whale's gel was introduced as enhancing one's body to withstand higher spirit ring ages. Even a thousand-year gel allowed for five hundred extra years on a ring, so this ten-thousand-year gel would grant an astounding increase of five thousand years. It would alleviate the burden of Ning Rongrong's third trial—originally designed to test her with intense physical endurance.
Inwardly amused, he thought, "With this gel, not only can Ning Rongrong endure the test, but Bai Chenxiang might even benefit from it... though, this gel also has some interesting side effects. Dai Yao is in for quite the surprise..."
Maintaining his composure, Dai Yao took a step forward and locked eyes with Poseysi. His previously mocking gaze turned cold and penetrating.
Feeling his unflinching black eyes upon her, Poseysi, a Level 99 Titled Douluo, felt a chill that she hadn't experienced in decades, as if she were prey under the gaze of a predator. She didn't move but tightened her grip on her staff, bracing herself.
Dai Yao finally spoke, his voice quiet but with chilling finality. "Let this be the end of it. Should there be a next time, the consequences will not be this simple."
As he spoke, Poseysi's surprise grew, for she saw a visible transformation in Dai Yao—his dark irises lightened into a brilliant golden hue, filling his eyes like blazing fire. His hair, once dark, was overtaken by this same shining gold.
Seeing Poseysi so close, Dai Yao instinctively took a step back, regaining his usual calm and polite composure.
"Dai Yao, what is going on?" she asked, curious.
Dai Yao quickly adjusted, already aware of the transformation's cause. Casting a critical glance at Poseysi, he replied flatly, "The one who confronted you just now was my other self. When I use my secondary spirit, he takes control of my body. In a situation as dangerous as today's, I allowed him to emerge. If you don't mind, I'll count on you to oversee my Third Trial."
As he turned to leave, Poseysi, still unsettled, called after him, "One more thing, Dai Yao."
"What is it?" he asked, looking over his shoulder.
Poseysi hesitated before speaking solemnly. "Dai Yao, your other personality is extremely dangerous. Unless absolutely necessary, avoid using him. That part of you bears the inheritance of a powerful entity. But you are also progressing in the Sea God's inheritance. Remember, one cannot inherit two gods' legacies at once—consider your choice carefully."
Dai Yao was prepared for this moment, and he responded simply, "Understood," before turning to leave.
Poseysi watched him depart, her emotions a tumultuous mix of regret and self-reproach. The God-Bestowed Spirit Ring, spirit bone, and whale's gel—these material treasures meant little to her, but her actions today had laid bare a flaw she despised within herself. Acting against the Sea God's chosen successor out of selfish desire was a betrayal of her faith and her identity as the island's Great Worshiper.
Though the Sea God had not rebuked her, Poseysi felt she could never forgive herself. Kneeling before the Sea God's trident, she whispered in repentance:
"Lord Sea God, your servant Poseysi has betrayed her devotion by attempting to harm your chosen. My sin is unforgivable, and I seek your absolution…"
One Year Later - Wrathful Abyss
In the bleak, overcast skies above a restless sea, thunder crashed and waves soared, casting unrelenting torrents toward the valley below. On six towering silver pillars stood six figures, bracing themselves against each wave. Exhausted, battered, but unyielding, they clung to their posts—it was the final day of their trial.
Perched on the cliffs above, Poseysi watched the trial-takers in silence, her voice barely audible as she murmured to herself, "So even the third trial couldn't stop him…"
Finally, as the last second passed, she opened her hand, and the calamitous waves stilled, replaced by a calm sea. Everyone exhaled in relief, glancing at the red marks on their foreheads before sharing weary yet triumphant laughter. They felt as though they had emerged from a nightmare.
Over the course of the year, each of them had been bound to the pillars, forced to endure the crushing waves. Every day had been like a living purgatory, and Ning Rongrong and Bai Chenxiang had suffered the most. As an auxiliary spirit master, Ning Rongrong lacked the same physical strength as the others, while Bai Chenxiang's body was weaker still. Even with the enhancement provided by Feng Wutong's extreme fire and the thousand-year whale gel, they had faced constant exhaustion.
Nonetheless, Ning Rongrong persevered. She started by enduring three hours daily, gradually extending her time until she met the trial's daily requirements. Bai Chenxiang, though only undergoing a lesser trial, was granted permission by Poseysi to attempt it. She managed to withstand an hour each day—surpassing Dai Yao's expectations.
Zhu Zhuqing, Feng Wutong, and Dugu Yan also faced their struggles, pushing themselves to the limit to make up for lost time and fulfill the required hours. Each day left them numb with exhaustion, yet they had to push on, cultivating their spirit power as they recovered.
Dai Yao had also struggled, finding his daily task taxing even with his waterfall training experience. After each grueling day, he also tended to his exhausted wives, wiping the saltwater from their skin and ensuring they weren't burned by the sun. These daily duties were a true test of his endurance, especially when Dugu Yan would sometimes tease him, adding a layer of torment.
The year's trial had ultimately yielded immense growth for everyone, their powers advancing significantly.
Once freed from the rings binding them to the pillars, Dai Yao leaped down, catching Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong in his arms and heading to shore. Feng Wutong, supporting Dugu Yan, flew alongside Bai Chenxiang. As they landed, Ning Rongrong slumped against Dai Yao, too weary to stand.
"No more, Dai Yao—I need a whole day of rest," she murmured, drained.
Dai Yao glanced at her. Over the past year, her elegance had transformed into an energetic, athletic demeanor. Her once porcelain skin had turned to a sun-kissed shade, and she looked leaner, radiating a newfound vitality.
"Yes, it's time we all took a break," Dai Yao agreed.
After this third trial, the following tests would be less demanding. Hunting down the Evil Devil Orca and challenging the Holy Pillar Douluo would pale in comparison to the past three trials.
Dugu Yan, resting against Feng Wutong, let out a deep sigh. "Well, it seems I lasted longer, but in reality, I lost. The sea is your domain, Wutong, and the Phoenix spirit doesn't exactly excel in water. Besides, if Dai Yao hadn't given me that spirit bone, I doubt I would've held out as long as you."
Dai Yao had given Dugu Yan the water-attribute spirit bone he'd received from Poseysi. It didn't suit Feng Wutong's Phoenix attributes, nor was it useful for the auxiliary Ning Rongrong. Between Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan, he ultimately chose to gift it to Dugu Yan, knowing Zhu Zhuqing's extreme Yin attributes were better suited to ice rather than water.
Wutong nodded, serene yet intense. "Indeed. Let's both accept it—it was fair enough. But the spirit bone Dai Yao gave you, and the Ten-Headed Sun Serpent's inner core he gifted me, are equally precious. I lost without complaint."
Despite her fatigue, Feng Wutong held herself upright, her gaze razor-sharp, like a sword primed to reveal its brilliance when the time came.
Dugu Yan gave a resigned laugh, knowing she couldn't argue with Wutong's disposition. "Fine, then—let's have another match. Before, we were both at seventy-eight. But now that we've both reached seventy-nine after our trial rewards, let's see who reaches Spirit Douluo level first!"
Feng Wutong's eyes shone with determination. "Deal!"
In this year, each of them had gained four levels. Zhu Zhuqing had reached level eighty, Dugu Yan, Feng Wutong, and Ning Rongrong had all reached seventy-nine, while Bai Chenxiang remained at level fifty, still waiting to acquire her next spirit ring.
Feng Wutong then turned to Dai Yao, her gaze warm and admiring. Of all of them, Dai Yao had seen the most significant growth. After receiving Poseysi's God-Bestowed Spirit Ring, he'd promptly used it as his eighth spirit ring—a formidable two-hundred-eighty-thousand-year ring that had propelled his spirit power to eighty-five.
His power was now nothing short of terrifying.