Chapter 455: Dai Yao vs. Bo Saixi
In an instant, the atmosphere seemed to freeze, broken only by the sounds of explosions from the ongoing battle. Dai Yao was momentarily taken aback by Bo Saixi's blunt statement. He raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk on his lips as he looked back at the fight and replied, "I understand. After all, no one would willingly give up their life for a complete stranger. But let me remind you, this might be the only chance you ever have, so make the most of it."
The confidence in Dai Yao's tone left Bo Saixi momentarily lost in thought. She sighed softly, her gaze distant as she replied, "If you withstand my attacks for one incense stick's duration and complete the Sixth Trial, I will fulfill my duty as High Priestess and open the gate for your godhood on the Ninth Trial."
"The return of Lord Seagod has always been the dream of every soul master on Seagod Island. For me as the High Priestess, it is my ultimate mission. And yet, I am no god myself—I cannot completely suppress my desires, and I have entertained the thought of ending you." A touch of self-mockery colored her words as a complex expression flickered across her usually composed face. She turned to look at Dai Yao, her tone resolute. "Part of me hopes you will pass and fulfill the Seagod's prophecy, but another part of me hopes you fail, so I might continue to live. I won't hold back in this trial, so I only hope you can conquer me and dispel these thoughts I dare not speak aloud."
Dai Yao gained a new insight into Bo Saixi's inner struggle. She was caught between her natural will to live and her sworn duty as High Priestess. He realized that he alone could resolve her conflict—the outcome of this Sixth Trial would seal her fate.
With a slight chuckle, Dai Yao replied, "Very well, Senior. I will definitely pass this Sixth Trial."
Bo Saixi leaned on her staff, staring blankly at the battle, seemingly lost in her own thoughts. After hearing Dai Yao's words, her usually composed face grew tense, and she pursed her lips before finally murmuring, "Let's hope so."
Dai Yao didn't reply but thought to himself, "With my Chaos Green Lotus Spirit, my Fifth Spirit Ability can release power comparable to a Level 99 Douluo. I could use it to replace Bo Saixi's sacrifice and open the gate myself, sparing her life."
But then he reconsidered, dispelling the idea. "Even if I use my Fifth Spirit Ability to spare her, I risk exposing the Chaos Green Lotus. Besides, if Bo Saixi lives and meets Tang Chen, she could turn against me. Taking that risk for an uncertain future ally isn't worth it. No, it's best if Bo Saixi quietly follows her destiny, just like in the original story…"
As Dai Yao pondered, the incense stick before Seagod Hall burned slowly toward its end, and the battle above the Sea within the Sea was also nearing its conclusion.
At the start of the fight, Sea Dragon Douluo and three others launched a direct offensive, attempting to shatter Zhu Zhuqing and the others' defenses. However, they didn't expect Wu Tong, with Ning Rongrong's support, to strike unexpectedly at the Seven Sacred Pillars Douluo's formation from the rear.
The Seven Sacred Pillars Douluo had fully evaluated the four women's strength beforehand. Wu Tong's explosive power was enough to demand even Sea Spear Douluo's attention, so when she moved to attack, the three Sacred Pillars Douluo in the rear immediately assumed defensive stances. Sea Illusion Douluo activated his ability to interfere with her, Sea Witch's flute melody echoed over the Sea within the Sea, and countless sea star tendrils bristled, ready to defend.
But at that moment, Wu Tong abruptly shifted direction, aiming for Sea Ghost Douluo instead. It was a feint—she had no intention of launching a reckless assault. Dividing their forces with only four people would have been suicide.
Seeing through the diversion, the Sacred Pillars Douluo altered their strategy, focusing their full strength on a frontal breakthrough to eliminate Ning Rongrong. However, Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan managed to hold their ground, with Dugu Yan's spreading purple fog blanketing the Sea within the Sea. Even though the Sacred Pillars Douluo were immune to the poison, they had to expend significant spirit power to resist its influence.
Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan weren't limited to single-attribute attacks. Their martial spirits endowed them with multi-faceted abilities, enabling them to serve as powerful attackers, swift assassins, or defensive support when necessary. With Ning Rongrong's full support and Wu Tong providing aerial cover, they withstood the offensive of four Titled Douluo.
When the three control-type Douluo from the rear joined the fray, the seven Sacred Pillars managed to suppress Zhu Zhuqing's group but could not gain an overwhelming advantage. Realizing their strategy was falling short, the control-type Douluo attempted a formation shift to regain the upper hand. However, Zhu Zhuqing's team quickly adapted their own formation in response.
The battle was as much a test of intelligence as of skill, with both sides locked in a brutal contest of wits and tactics. Though they remained at a disadvantage, Zhu Zhuqing's team endured, and the Seven Sacred Pillars couldn't break through. As the incense stick burned to its end, the Seven Sacred Pillars retreated, signaling the completion of the trial.
Breathless and drenched in sweat, Zhu Zhuqing, Dugu Yan, Wu Tong, and Ning Rongrong felt a profound satisfaction wash over them, easing their exhaustion.
"Thank you, seniors," they said in unison.
Sea Dragon Douluo glanced at Sea Spear Douluo beside him, exchanging a look filled with respect and admiration.
Each of these young women had left a deep impression on them. Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan had even managed to individually hold off two Titled Douluo, a feat that would be challenging even for experienced soul masters. Ning Rongrong's support had also been astonishingly effective, proving the worth of her elite support-type martial spirit.
As for Wu Tong, though still a Soul Sage, her combat abilities foreshadowed a terrifying potential once she obtained her eighth ring, rivaling Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan.
"You don't owe us thanks. You've earned our respect with your own strength," Sea Dragon Douluo said, placing his right fist over his heart and bowing his head slightly in salute.
Behind him, the other six Titled Douluo mirrored his respectful stance. Despite their higher spirit power levels and superior numbers, they hadn't managed to overcome Zhu Zhuqing's team within one incense stick's time. They accepted their loss wholeheartedly.
With the Sixth Trial complete, each of the women received their rewards.
Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan each experienced a one-level increase in soul power, along with a 1,000-year enhancement to their soul rings' ages. However, Feng Wutong and Ning Rongrong, having not obtained new soul rings, remained at level 80. The benefits of their rewards were temporarily not evident.
But none of the women paid attention to the rewards now. Returning to Dai Yao's side, they looked warily at Bo Saixi while their faces were filled with concern for Dai Yao.
Ning Rongrong whispered softly, "Yao-ge, you must win."
Dai Yao didn't reply. He simply smiled, placing Ning Rongrong's delicate head against his chest. Raising his eyes, he met Zhu Zhuqing's worried gaze and gave her a reassuring nod. After signaling to Dugu Yan and Feng Wutong, he released Ning Rongrong, took a deep breath, and stepped forward to face Bo Saixi.
"Senior, let's begin."
"You have only one chance. I won't hold back. If you fail this trial, you know the consequences," Bo Saixi said, her voice calm and devoid of emotion. Her tall figure and indifferent gaze bore down on Dai Yao, the immense pressure giving him the illusion of standing before an insurmountable mountain.
Although Bo Saixi's tone was tranquil, it felt as though a giant weight had settled over everyone's hearts, rendering them speechless. The surrounding air seemed to solidify, like the calm before a storm.
"Senior, let's begin," Dai Yao repeated, his tone steady.
As soon as he spoke, Bo Saixi's elegant hand moved slightly. Before anyone could register what had happened, an incense stick was planted into the ground, its smoke curling upward.
"The trial begins now," Bo Saixi declared flatly.
Her words had barely faded when both figures disappeared.
"They're in the sky!" Sea Dragon Douluo exclaimed, his head tilting upward, his expression grave.
Hearing this, the group looked up. Their faces turned to shock.
In the sky, Bo Saixi's red figure stood tall and calm. She held her staff with an air of noble elegance. Eight black rings and one red ring circled her, their presence overwhelming. Even from a great distance, her immense pressure rendered the onlookers speechless, incapable of even entertaining resistance.
On the opposite side of the sky, Dai Yao unleashed his full power, his golden hair billowing in the wind.
Behind him, the Sacred White Tiger's eight wings flared wide, exuding majesty. His left hand bore the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear's claw bone, while his left leg emanated the violent, dark red glow of the Demon Evil Orca King's leg bone. His right leg shone with the soothing blue light of the Blue Silver Emperor's soul bone, radiating an aura of peace and healing.
Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Red, Red, Red.
Eight soul rings surrounded him. Although he had one fewer ring than Bo Saixi, his visual impact was in no way inferior—perhaps even surpassing hers. The presence of three hundred-thousand-year red rings was enough to make any Titled Douluo present feel deeply inadequate.
Despite the immense pressure Bo Saixi exuded, which seemed to envelop the entire world, Dai Yao stood firm, like a rock in the midst of a raging sea.
Sea Dragon Douluo's eyes narrowed. Even he couldn't remain as composed as Dai Yao when faced with Bo Saixi's terrifying aura.
"So, Dai Yao still had this many trump cards. It seems he wasn't even serious during our battle. But even with these cards, defeating Bo Saixi will be nearly impossible."
Sea Witch leaned against her bubble, her playful eyes fixed on the two in the sky.
"How long do you think Dai Yao can last against the Grand Worshiper? I bet half an incense stick."
Sea Horse Douluo scolded her sternly,
"Sea Witch, don't be disrespectful. If Lord Dai Yao succeeds in the Sixth Trial, he will become our…" He paused, choosing his words carefully. "I know you and Xiao Bai are close, but don't let that influence your opinion of Lord Dai Yao. If you leave a poor impression on him, the future consequences could be dire."
Sea Witch stuck out her tongue playfully. "Oh, I get it."
Sea Horse Douluo turned his gaze back to the sky, his expression heavy.
He couldn't shake the feeling that Dai Yao was still holding back something. It wasn't that Dai Yao would deliberately hide his cards against Bo Saixi, but throughout his time on Sea God Island, Dai Yao had never revealed all his abilities. Now, with two external soul bones suddenly on display, something seemed amiss.
"Two external soul bones aren't enough to bridge the gap with Bo Saixi," he thought.
In the sky
Bo Saixi's gaze lingered on Dai Yao, her eyes flickering with interest as she noted the dazzling blood-red glow of his soul rings and the two external soul bones. As someone deeply familiar with soul master capabilities, she understood the rarity and value of external soul bones. Even she did not possess one.
"What a remarkable young man," she mused. "Not only does he have a soul ring configuration beyond imagination, but he also possesses two of the world's rarest external soul bones. And now, despite the trial beginning, he shows no intention of retreating. He actually wants to face me head-on."
"How confident. Since that's the case, I won't give him any chance to escape."
Bo Saixi's eyes gleamed coldly. Extending her hand, her five slender fingers slowly closed. Instantly, the heavens and earth shifted.
A massive blue vortex appeared, connecting the sky and the sea, as though locking the space itself. Despite this display, the ocean's surface remained eerily undisturbed—the vortex was formed entirely from Bo Saixi's overwhelming soul power.
"So this is what it means to face an Absolute Douluo," Dai Yao thought grimly.
For the first time, he felt helpless. Bo Saixi's attack carried the weight of a divine being.
Behind him, his eight wings beat furiously, generating powerful currents that churned the ocean into towering waves. But Dai Yao was still dragged inexorably toward Bo Saixi.
Even so, his face remained calm, his demeanor steady.
"To face such a powerful opponent at my current strength is an opportunity. If one day the Chaos Green Lotus is exposed and I'm hunted by the gods, I'll have some experience to rely on."
"So let's see just how strong an Absolute Douluo truly is."
With that thought, his golden eyes flashed, a faint green hue glimmering within them. In his pupils, a lotus seemed to bloom.
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