Chapter 391: Seagod Nine Trials!
The Magic Whale Sea Region; the sea's surface was like a mirror.
The azure light barrier of the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud was like a giant bowl turned upside down, enveloping the sea within a ten-mile radius. Inside the light barrier, the two-hundred-meter-long carcass of the Deep Sea Demon Whale King floated quietly, its entire body emitting a faint deep purple glow.
A figure sat cross-legged atop the carcass; it was Tang Chuan.
At this moment, nine Soul Rings circled around him: Red, Red, Red, Red, Red, Red, White-Gold, Red, and Orange-Gold!
The nine Soul Rings rotated slowly, each one emitting a heart-palpitating pressure.
Especially the outermost Soul Ring, which was pure gold. It exceeded ten meters in diameter, with liquid-like golden light flowing across its surface. Within the Soul Ring, one could faintly see the phantom of the Deep Sea Demon Whale King swimming.
Having absorbed the entirety of the Deep Sea Demon Whale King's cultivation, Tang Chuan's Soul Power had surged from Rank 90 to Rank 96 in one go!
Leaping across six ranks consecutively, he had directly stepped into the realm of a Super Douluo!
But this was not a simple increase in Soul Power.
The Deep Sea Demon Whale King's million-year Law insights, its control over water and lightning, and its life energy as vast as the ocean... all of it had fused into his body, becoming part of his foundation.
Tang Chuan slowly opened his eyes. Deep within his pupils, a flash of deep purple appeared and then vanished, replaced by an even deeper icy blue.
Following that, he raised his right hand and slowly curled his fingers into a fist. Within his palm, lightning flickered faintly and water currents swirled—those were the traces of the Law, the threshold of the Divine Rank.
"Rank ninety-six..." Tang Chuan muttered softly to himself. "But my strength... should have already touched the threshold of a Limit Douluo."
He felt the surging power within his body, but there wasn't much joy on his face. He knew very well that this was not the end. The Deep Sea Demon Whale King was a Quasi-God level existence. If its full power were completely digested, it could have brought him to at least Rank 98; the remaining portion would require time to slowly refine.
Just then, Tang Chuan's brow furrowed slightly as he cast his gaze toward the sky outside the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
There, two figures were approaching at extreme speed.
One wore a red robe and was surrounded by the vast power of the Sea God; it was the High Priestess of Sea God Island—High Priestess.
The other figure was burly and tall. Though his aura was slightly withered due to injuries, he possessed an innate dominance and ferocity—the brilliant righteous Qi unique to the Clear Sky Douluo.
Tang Chuan's eyes suddenly lit up!
"Tang Chen?!"
In the next second, he stood up abruptly. With a thought, the azure light of the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud quietly dissipated. The massive whale carcass, the golden Soul Ring, and Tang Chuan's figure were instantly exposed between the sea and sky.
Atop the whale carcass, those nine Soul Rings—especially that dazzling golden Soul Ring—shone brilliantly under the sun, emitting a suffocating pressure!
In the distance, the pupils of both High Priestess and Tang Chen constricted simultaneously!
"That is—"
High Priestess turned pale with shock, her figure coming to a sudden halt in mid-air.
Even with her composure, her eyes were filled with disbelief at this moment!
The Deep Sea Demon Whale King... is dead?
That two-hundred-meter-long giant whale carcass, that golden Soul Ring exceeding ten meters in diameter, that lingering prestige of a million-year Spirit Beast permeating the sea's surface...
Everything proved that the overlord of this sea region had fallen!
And the young man standing atop the whale carcass was none other than Tang Chuan.
"Tang Chuan?!"
Seeing the young man not far away, Tang Chen's voice trembled—not with fear, but with excitement, shock, and disbelief!
He recognized that figure!
Though they had only met once, that dark red giant sword stabbed into the whale carcass—the Asura Demon Sword he had personally handed over to his great-grandson—could never be mistaken!
"Great-Grandfather!"
Tang Chuan took a step forward, his body streaking toward Tang Chen like a beam of light!
The two figures met in mid-air, their eyes locking!
Tang Chen looked at the young man before him. He was not yet twenty, yet his posture was as straight as a pine. With sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, the fortitude and composure between his brows were actually so similar to his own when he was young! Especially those eyes—deep yet sharp—they looked exactly like the successive Sect Masters of the Clear Sky Sect!
"You... You are..." Tang Chen's voice choked.
"Great-Grandfather, I am Tang Chuan!" Tang Chuan knelt on one knee in the Void Realm and performed a solemn salute. "Fourth-generation Disciple of the Clear Sky Sect, son of Tang Hao, greetings to Great-Grandfather!"
Hearing this, Tang Chen's whole body trembled.
It was him! It really was his Bloodline! A direct descendant of his Tang Clan!
"Good! Good! Good!" Tang Chen said 'good' three times. With trembling hands, he helped Tang Chuan up and looked him up and down, his eyes filled with relief and pride.
Tang Chuan said with slight concern, "Great-Grandfather, you are injured?"
"What do injuries matter!" Tang Chen waved his hand to interrupt him, his eyes fixed on the massive whale carcass in the distance. "Chuan'er, this... this Deep Sea Demon Whale King, did you kill it?"
Tang Chuan nodded. "Yes."
"By yourself?"
"Yes."
Tang Chen sucked in a breath of cold air again!
He naturally knew how terrifying the Deep Sea Demon Whale King was—a million-year Spirit Beast, a Quasi-God level existence. Even in his prime, holding the Asura Demon Sword, he wouldn't dare say he could win for sure! And yet his great-grandson, a young man in his early twenties...
Only then did Tang Chen notice the nine Soul Rings surrounding Tang Chuan, especially that dazzling golden Soul Ring!
"Rank ninety-six?!" Tang Chen blurted out. "You... what you just absorbed was..."
"The Soul Ring of the Deep Sea Demon Whale King," Tang Chuan said calmly. "A million years, its entire cultivation."
Tang Chen fell into complete silence.
He looked at Tang Chuan, looked at the whale carcass, looked at the golden Soul Ring, and then looked at the Asura Demon Sword in Tang Chuan's hand...
After a long time, he suddenly threw his head back and laughed loudly!
"Hahahahahaha—!"
In that laughter, there was relief, pride, and a sense of release.
There was also a hint of complex emotion that even he couldn't quite explain.
His great-grandson, at the Soul Douluo level, had single-handedly killed the Quasi-God level Deep Sea Demon Whale King, absorbed its million year spirit ring, and broken through to Rank 96 Super Douluo in one leap!
With such a descendant in the Clear Sky Sect, why worry about it not flourishing?!
"Good! Good! Excellent!" Tang Chen said 'good' three times again, heavily patting Tang Chuan's shoulder. Tears were even faintly shimmering in his eyes as he said, "In my, Tang Chen's, life, there are three things I am most proud of—first, becoming the Clear Sky Douluo; second, meeting Xixi; and third... is having a great-grandson like you!"
"Chen."
A soft voice sounded from the side.
High Priestess slowly descended and stood by Tang Chen's side. Her exquisite face also carried shock and curiosity as she sized up the young man before her.
Under twenty, Rank 96, single-handedly slaying the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, wielding the Asura Demon Sword...
When did such a Prodigy appear on the continent?
Only then did Tang Chen remember his lover was beside him. He quickly pulled Tang Chuan over and introduced him. "Chuan'er, this is High Priestess, the High Priestess of Sea God Island, and also... also Great-Grandfather's..."
He was uncharacteristically bashful.
High Priestess smiled slightly and took over the words gracefully. "I am his fiancée."
A flash of surprise crossed Tang Chuan's eyes, and he then bowed respectfully, saying:
"Junior Tang Chuan, greetings to the High Priestess."
"There is no need for such formality." High Priestess gently raised her hand, a soft force supporting Tang Chuan, as she said:
"Since you could slay the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, your strength is already above mine. In terms of cultivation, we can interact as equals."
Tang Chuan shook his head. "You are Great-Grandfather's beloved, which makes you my Great-Grandmother. Etiquette must be maintained."
High Priestess was startled for a moment, then she smiled, a bit more appreciation appearing in her eyes.
This child had astonishing cultivation, yet he was humble and polite, neither servile nor overbearing. He was truly rare.
"By the way, Chuan'er." Tang Chen remembered something and asked, "How did you come to this sea region? And how did you... how did you kill the Deep Sea Demon Whale King?"
Tang Chuan glanced at High Priestess and, after a moment's thought, spoke truthfully: "Great-Grandfather, High Priestess, I came to this sea region originally to head to Sea God Island."
"Sea God Island?" High Priestess raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Yes." Tang Chuan nodded and said, "I came from the continent with several companions. I heard that Sea God Island has the Seagod Nine Trials, which can help a Soul Master break through their limits, so I wanted to come and try. While passing through this sea region, we were attacked by the Deep Sea Demon Whale King... Out of necessity, I could only fight back."
He spoke of it lightly, but both High Priestess and Tang Chen knew that the battle was definitely not as simple as he made it sound.
High Priestess nodded thoughtfully.
She looked at Tang Chuan, her thoughts turning. This child's talent was extraordinary, his character was upright, and he was Tang Chen's great-grandson. If he could be led to Sea God Island to accept the Seagod Nine Trials...
With his Aptitude, he might really be able to make it to the end!
"In that case, follow me back to Sea God Island."
High Priestess spoke, her voice gentle yet carrying an unquestionable authority.
Tang Chuan was startled. "The High Priestess means..."
"Since you want to participate in the Sea God trials, as the High Priestess of Sea God Island, I naturally welcome you."
High Priestess said with a slight smile.
Tang Chuan looked at Tang Chen.
Tang Chen nodded with a smile. "Go. With Xixi there, you won't be at a disadvantage on Sea God Island. And..."
He paused, a flash of complex light in his eyes.
Tang Chuan's heart tightened, and he solemnly cupped his fists. "Yes, Great-Grandfather."
Seeing this, High Priestess did not delay any further. She waved her hand, and an azure light enveloped the three of them.
"Let's go, back to Sea God Island."
The three figures rose into the air and sped toward the direction of Sea God Island.
Behind them, the massive carcass of the Deep Sea Demon Whale King floated quietly on the sea, waiting for its fate of being devoured by sea Soul Beasts. The golden Soul Ring had already dissipated, but the lingering prestige of the million-year Spirit Beast still kept the sea within a hundred-mile radius dead silent.
And even further away beneath the sea, in a thirty-thousand-meter-deep trench, a pair of eyes that had been dormant for hundreds of thousands of years were staring fixedly at the three departing figures.
It remembered that person's aura.
It remembered the aura of that demon sword.
It remembered... the aura of Asura.
One day, it would surface to settle this blood debt.
Half an hour later, at the shore of Sea God Island, where the sacred pillars stood tall.
The azure seawater gently lapped against the white sand. Seven towering sacred pillars stood like seven sharp swords piercing the clouds, each one emitting a different light.
The deep blue of the Sea Dragon Pillar, the golden yellow of the Sea Spear Pillar, the emerald green of the Sea Horse Pillar, the purple-red of the Sea Star Pillar, the ink black of the Sea Ghost Pillar... The seven colors intertwined, reflecting on the beach like a dream.
High Priestess led Tang Chuan to a slow descent. Because Tang Chen's injuries were too severe, he had already been sent to the Sea God Temple to recuperate. Before leaving, he had heavily patted Tang Chuan's shoulder and said with a complex gaze, "Perform the trials well. After they are over, I have something to say to you," before departing with the support of Sea Soul Masters.
At this moment, the sea breeze of Sea God Island blew gently, carrying a faint salty scent.
Several Sacred Pillar Guardians on duty watched from a distance, their eyes full of curiosity. Was this young man the guest the High Priestess personally brought back? That monster who supposedly single-handedly killed the Deep Sea Demon Whale King?
High Priestess ignored those gazes and led Tang Chuan directly to the sacred pillar at the very center. That was the head of the seven pillars—the sea god sacred pillar.
It was pure azure, over a hundred zhang high. The pillar was carved with intricate Sea God patterns, faintly showing waves, sea Soul Beasts, and the legendary image of the Sea God.
Under the sunlight, the entire sacred pillar seemed to come alive, its surface flowing with a water-like luster.
"This is the place." High Priestess stopped and turned to look at Tang Chuan, saying:
"The Seagod Nine Trials are the greatest Opportunity left by Lord Sea God for the world's Soul Masters. Each sacred pillar corresponds to a different level of trial, and this sea god sacred pillar... is the gateway to the Nine Trials."
She paused, a hint of solemnity appearing on her exquisite face.
"Tang Chuan, I will ask you one last time—are you truly prepared? Once the Seagod Nine Trials begin, you cannot withdraw halfway. During the trials, you will face life-and-death crises, and you might even... fall."
Tang Chuan met her gaze, his eyes as calm as water, and said:
"High Priestess, I've even killed the Deep Sea Demon Whale King. Would I be afraid of a mere trial?"
High Priestess was startled for a moment, then she smiled.
Indeed, how could someone who could slay the Deep Sea Demon Whale King be scared off by a mere trial?
"Good." She nodded. "Then I will now open the ceremony for you. Take three steps back."
Tang Chuan stepped back as instructed.
High Priestess took a deep breath. Her red robe fluttered without any wind, and the vast power of the Sea God surged from her body, turning into azure ripples that spread in all directions. Her hands slowly rose, forming an ancient and complex hand seal, as she chanted under her breath.
"The ocean is boundless, divine grace is vast."
"Sea God above, I, your Disciple High Priestess, in the name of the High Priestess, open the gate of the sacred pillar."
"Lead the examinee within, determine his talent, and judge his level."
"If he is fated with the God, it shall be revealed."
Following her words, the sea god sacred pillar suddenly burst with light! An azure light pillar soared into the sky, entering the clouds and reflecting the entire Sea God Island like an underwater dragon palace!
The Sea God patterns on the pillar began to move as if coming to life. Faintly, it was as if a pair of majestic eyes were slowly opening in the depths of the light pillar, looking down at everything below.
"Tang Chuan!" High Priestess's voice carried a divine majesty. "Place your hand on the sacred pillar! The pillar will judge your talent and decide which level of trial you should receive!"
Tang Chuan took a large step forward and reached out his right hand. However, just as his palm was about to touch the sacred pillar, he suddenly stopped.
"High Priestess." He turned his head, a hint of apology in his eyes. "Could you wait for a moment?"
High Priestess was startled. "What is it?"
Tang Chuan didn't answer. He simply raised his left hand and lightly pressed it against his brow.
At his brow, an azure light suddenly lit up!
The light grew stronger and brighter, eventually turning into a palm-sized azure light barrier that slowly floated out from his brow and hovered above his palm.
The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud!
Looking at the item before her, High Priestess's pupils suddenly constricted!
"This is??!"
Her voice carried an unbelievable tremble; she even forgot that she was still presiding over the ceremony!
The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud! That was something left behind by the Sea God Poseidon! It was one of the three core components of the Sea God Trident! Furthermore, it was a supreme treasure that successive High Priestesses of the Sea God had dreamed of but never obtained!
How could it be in Tang Chuan's hands?!
"You... how do you have the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud?!"
High Priestess blurted out, her exquisite face full of shock.
Tang Chuan didn't answer immediately. Holding the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, he moved his mind, and the azure light barrier slowly opened, growing larger and larger, eventually turning into a light gate about a zhang in diameter.
From within the light gate, four figures stepped out slowly.
Leading them was a young girl in a dark green dress. Her face was elegant, and her temperament was as gentle as water. Between her brows was a faint begonia mark—the owner of the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul, Ye Lengleng.
Following closely behind was a purple-haired woman. She was tall, her eyes were cold and beautiful, and the shadows of snakes faintly swirled around her—the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul, Dugu Yan.
The third to step out was a petite figure in a lotus-pink dress. Her face was exquisite but carried a hint of childishness. In her arms, she held a seven-layered treasure pagoda—the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, Ning Rongrong.
The last person was a heroic-looking woman with blonde hair in martial attire, holding a golden dragon spear in her hand. She was another companion Tang Chuan had brought from the continent, Xiao Rui'er.
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