Suddenly, sharp-eyed Xiao Wu saw a trace of blood-red light within the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, and then a beam of blue light shot onto the center of her brow.
At once her whole body trembled slightly, and a flood of vast information surged into her mind through spiritual transmission.
The scene around her changed, and her consciousness sank into a wondrous world.
It was an endless expanse of blue sea and sky, surging ocean beneath her feet and cloudless firmament above.
That feeling of clarity in body and mind was indescribably comfortable. The weakness that had been fading as she digested the whale brain vanished in an instant.
Strands of clear information flowed into her mind, each strand precise, as the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud unveiled its mysteries before Xiao Wu.
As the information shifted, the methods to use the Shroud imprinted themselves easily into her mind.
Outside, under the gazes of Chu Chengzhou and the other two, a blue ray poured from the Shroud into the center of Xiao Wu's brow, and brilliant blue light wrapped her whole body as she slowly rose from the bed, just like the Shroud.
Her right hand lifted naturally and elegantly. The Shroud drifted down to her palm and spun. With each rotation, the blue radiance on Xiao Wu intensified.
The brightest glow gathered at her right arm and the top of her head, precisely where she bore soul bones.
Ripples of blue consolidated around her, dyeing everything about her in blue.
Abruptly, the Wind-Ear head external soul bone extended from the crown of her head. Under the wash of blue, the originally long green Wind-Ear began to shrink, and its hue slowly shifted toward crystalline blue.
When Xiao Wu awoke from that wondrous world, dawn light already shone at the window.
Now the once long external Wind-Ear atop her head had shrunk to the size of her rabbit ears, matching their shape exactly. Only her rabbit ears were pink-white, while the Wind-Ear was crystalline blue.
Chu Chengzhou: So much for being a noble knight.
Seeing Xiao Wu wake and settle gently to the floor, Chu Chengzhou stepped up and touched the azure external soul bone atop her head.
"Feels a bit different from rabbit ears."
He smacked his lips.
Xiao Wu glared at him, then a smile tugged at her lips. A blue triangular mark bloomed at her brow, and the Shroud in her hand flew up of its own accord, shooting straight at Chu Chengzhou.
Blue flashed before his eyes. The Shroud abruptly expanded and enveloped him in an instant.
At once, under the Shroud, Chu Chengzhou found he could not move an inch.
"Hmph. Can't move, can you?"
Xiao Wu tilted her chin in triumph.
Chu Chengzhou: "…"
"Xiao Wu, does your Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud immobilize opponents?"
Ning Rongrong blinked and asked.
"Not only that. The Shroud has four abilities. This move is called the Cosmic Spirit-Fixing Shroud. It can restrain any opponent whose spiritual power is within three times mine. Right now Little Chu can't budge."
Xiao Wu said, proud.
Chu Chengzhou's spiritual power was stronger than hers, but not three times stronger. Once the Spirit-Fixing Shroud dropped, Little Chu was suppressed on the spot.
"That strong?!"
Zhu Zhuqing could not help exclaiming.
Xiao Wu's spiritual power was not weak. Exceeding three times her spiritual power basically meant high-level Titled Douluo. Such experts were few on the continent.
And once fixed, they could not move at all. With no chance to resist, did that not mean most Titled Douluo were no match for Xiao Wu?
"Uh, not that exaggerated. This move fixes the opponent, but the barrier's defense is very high. Unless you forcibly break the barrier, you cannot injure the target inside.
If the barrier is broken, the fixation ends. It can only be used for control."
Xiao Wu said a bit sheepishly.
"Ah, like throwing a meat bun at a dog and never getting it back?"
Ning Rongrong sighed, sneaking a glance at the immobilized Chu Chengzhou.
Chu Chengzhou: "…"
What's that supposed to mean?
Right now, though, Chu Chengzhou's imagination could not help conjuring a beautiful scene.
One day he fights the Hammer King. Nine rings explode, and the Hammer King becomes the ultimate form that can crush heaven and earth. The next second the Shroud drops over his head. Beautiful.
Ring-explosion does not increase spiritual power. On that front it makes no difference. As long as you can control him, wait a while, then release him when the backlash hits. What you face then is not an ultimate hammer god, but a crippled softshell.
Mm, here's hoping his "good nephew" Tang San will be filial later, or else this uncle will not show mercy.
"That won't happen. After the Shroud recognized me, no matter the distance, one thought and it flies back. Ordinary means cannot stop such a divine tool."
Xiao Wu shook her head, then continued, "Besides the Cosmic Spirit-Fixing Shroud, there's the Vast Sea Protective Shroud for group invisibility, Vast Sea Raging Tide for group attack, and Cosmic Demonbreaker for single-target attack.
I haven't tested them yet, but both attack skills are extremely strong. At my current level, using either drains all my soul power."
"Impressive. By the way, Xiao Wu, your external soul bone looks totally different. Did its skill change?"
Ning Rongrong gave a thumbs-up.
"Of course. The type didn't change, still a perception type, but the bone's attribute shifted from wind to water. The richer the water element, the larger the range and the clearer the sense."
"Then won't finding hundred-thousand-year sea soul beasts at sea be easy?"
Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing could not help asking.
No soul master did not yearn for a hundred-thousand-year ring, and Zhu Zhuqing was no exception.
On the continent, those who had such rings were all top experts. Even if not now, they would be in the future.
It was not that only those with such rings could be strong, but that such rings made it easier to become strong and reach higher in the end.
Clearly Zhu Zhuqing did not yet know that she would not need to hunt sea soul beasts for a hundred-thousand-year ring in the future. On Sea God Island, god-bestowed rings were free.
"Relax, Zhuqing. Bread will come, and milk will come."
Imitating Chu Chengzhou's tone, Xiao Wu smiled.
Then she put away the external soul bone on her head. The blue rabbit ears returned to pink-white. With a flick of her wrist, she recalled the Shroud.
This time the Shroud turned into a streak of blue, vanished at Xiao Wu's brow, and sank into her glabella.
Freed, Chu Chengzhou immediately launched "retaliation," dragging in the "innocent" at his side.
The next second, four figures appeared in a dreamlike setting.
Considerate Chu Chengzhou pulled out all the stops. Before long, a fierce battle erupted in the dreamscape.
Ten days later, outside the west gate of Heaven Dou City, a giant black tiger with wings beat the air and soared, carrying five figures westward.
"Brother Zhou, do you know where Sea God Island is?"
On the broad back of the over-ten-meters-long Dark Devilgod Tiger spirit summon Xiao Hei, Ning Rongrong asked Chu Chengzhou.
With Hu Liena, an "outsider," present, Ning Rongrong did not call him scumbag.
In her eyes, in terms of closeness, this fourth sister Hu Liena was far inferior to the two dear sisters at home.
"I know. Spirit Hall once sent people to attack Sea God Island. I prepared a chart a few days ago."
Before Chu Chengzhou spoke, Hu Liena pulled a sheepskin chart from her storage-type soul tool. It was Spirit Hall's sea chart to Sea God Island.
"The sea is huge, and there are few landmarks. With just a chart, it'll be hard to find, right?"
Zhu Zhuqing said, hesitant.
"No problem. A rough direction is enough. Xiao Wu's external soul bone has a very large sensing range."
Chu Chengzhou waved away the concern. He was not worried about finding Sea God Island.
Never mind having a chart. Even without one, it would not stump him. If he could not find it himself, the guides could.
There were many ordinary folk from Sea God Island scattered among the western archipelagos, and plenty of hundred-thousand-year sea soul beasts in the vast ocean surely knew where the island lay.
"By the way, Nana, did you tell your teacher you're going to Sea God Island to train?"
Chu Chengzhou asked Hu Liena.
Sea God Island was not a public stop. Going there to train meant you might not return for two or three years. That had to be reported to Bibi Dong. Otherwise, if her precious disciple vanished, Bibi Dong might show up with the Rakshasa Scythe to demand him hand her back.
Though his relationship with the little fox was not publicly admitted to Bibi Dong, Chu Chengzhou did not think she did not know what was going on.
By intelligence work, Spirit Hall was the best on the continent, above even the two empires.
They said imperial authority never reached the countryside in ancient times. Spirit Hall not only reached the countryside, it went down to the village level.
Like the little wooden shack that was the lowest-level branch in Holy Spirit Village, it still bore Spirit Hall's signboard.
"I wrote a letter, but it'll take three days to reach Teacher."
Hu Liena stuck out her tongue.
Afraid her teacher would not agree, she chose to act first and report later.
Chu Chengzhou: "…"
Worthy of the Pope's best disciple.
Hu Liena: The favored one acts with confidence.
Qian Renxue: The one who can't have what she wants is forever restless.
At this moment, if Bibi Dong came knocking in the future, Chu Chengzhou hoped she would do it later. Give him more time to train so he would not lose.
Xiao Hei was fast, far faster than Xiao Hong, and a spirit summon did not have a flesh-and-blood body. As long as there was soul power, there was no fatigue.
At subsonic cruise, in under two hours the five crossed the western coastline and flew over the vast sea.
For this Chu Chengzhou activated Flower Blooms in an Instant, now advanced to gold grade. The soul-power blossom opened over his head and shed protective light over him and the four girls, blocking the howling winds.
As for supersonic cruise? As a summon over a hundred thousand years, Xiao Hei could fly that fast, but the shock cone made for a poor ride for his "passengers."
Perhaps because Xiao Hei flew high enough, although there were many ferocious beings over the sea, they encountered nothing amiss on the way.
Three days later, after circling a large arc, they finally found Sea God Island.
They had no choice. Spirit Hall's chart was not very precise, at least the one Hu Liena had was not, and Sea God Island was not a large landmass. A small deviation at the start meant a large miss later.
Fortunately, there were many experts on the island, and Poseidon had left his miracles there, making the place distinct. Add Xiao Wu's Qiankun Ear external soul bone's skill, Ten-Thousand-Li Tracking, with its vast range, and it was not hard for her to pinpoint the island.
After the Shroud—Sea God's Heart—recognized her, Xiao Wu's external soul bone, the Wind-Ear, changed from wind to water attribute. To avoid a mismatch, she renamed it Qiankun Ear, and changed the soul bone skill Ear Hears All Directions to Ten-Thousand-Li Tracking.
Of course, "ten-thousand li" was an exaggeration. Even with abundant water element at sea, Xiao Wu could currently sense only several hundred li.
But people needed goals. Perhaps after ascending to godhood, sensing ten-thousand li would not be impossible.
Having found Sea God Island, Chu Chengzhou did not have Xiao Hei fly straight in. He could ignore others' face, but he had to give face to "Invincible in the Ocean" Bo Saixi, because he could not beat her.
Chu Chengzhou: Faced with the weak, I strike with a heavy fist; faced with the strong, the timid me chooses to be meek.
"Xiao Hei, give a roar. Show your aura."
Chu Chengzhou spoke to the summon beneath him.
"Roar—"
A deafening tiger's roar and a surge of evil, terrifying aura swept the skies over Sea God Island.
Bo Saixi: This is what you call giving me face?
"One, two, three, four…"
Chu Chengzhou began counting silently.
When he counted to "ten," a figure with an unfathomable aura shot through the air toward them.
"What an evil soul beast. Who are you?"
Hovering a hundred meters away, a woman in a starry coronet, gold scepter in hand, wearing a gorgeous gown, looking about thirty, elegant and noble, frowned at Xiao Hei and addressed the five.
It was Bo Saixi, Great Priestess of Sea God Island, known as "Invincible in the Ocean," one of the world's strongest.
Bo Saixi could see the unknown black giant tiger was an extremely evil soul beast, even more evil than the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King.
But she could also see it was not a wild soul beast, its aura was odd, and it likely obeyed the five youths on its back.
Moreover, these five likely were not here to cause trouble. Otherwise they would not be politely stopping short of the island.
Though Bo Saixi did not release her own aura, Chu Chengzhou felt at once that this woman must be "Invincible in the Ocean" Bo Saixi. If nothing else, the vast, unfathomable aura on her proved it.
"Greetings, Seagod Douluo. I am Chu Chengzhou. We come from the continent, revere the Sea God, and have come to pay our respects."
Chu Chengzhou cupped his hands.
Monk Tang: I come from the Great Tang in the East to the Western Heaven to ask the Buddha to step down.
"Greetings, Seagod Douluo."
Xiao Wu and the other three bowed respectfully.
"You know me?"
Bo Saixi's fine brows knit. She looked surprised.
She had not left Sea God Island in years and had never set foot on the continent. Yet these young ones knew her name?
"Yes. I have heard the title 'Invincible in the Ocean.'"
Chu Chengzhou nodded.
At the sudden mention of "Invincible in the Ocean," Bo Saixi's heart stirred, and she could not help but think of those on par with her, "Invincible on Land" Tang Chen and "Invincible in the Skies" Qian Daoliu.
Of course, Qian Daoliu was incidental, a background figure in the tale.
So many years. Who knows… Sigh.
Thinking of that tall figure, Bo Saixi sighed inwardly.
"Why have you come to Sea God Island?"
Composed again, Bo Saixi asked.
"Senior, we sisters admire Sea God Island's renown and hope to take the trials and join Sea God Island."
Xiao Wu spoke without hesitation.
At that, Bo Saixi's eyes hardened and she frowned. "Are you sure you want to join Sea God Island? Do you know that once you join, you may never leave?"
The four did not hide their soul power. Bo Saixi saw their levels at a glance.
So young and already six rings and even seven. Such talent. Bo Saixi did not believe they truly wished to devote themselves to Sea God Island.
They must have heard of the Sea God on the continent and come to train, right?
But Sea God Island was not a place you could come and go from freely. Once you joined and passed the trials, you could not leave for the rest of your life.
"Sure."
The four nodded.
"And you?"
Bo Saixi turned to Chu Chengzhou.
"Heh. I won't be joining. But I have heard the Sea God is benevolent. Would Sea God Island welcome visitors to look around?"
Chu Chengzhou waved a hand.
Bo Saixi: "…"
So if I don't let you in, the great Sea God is not benevolent?
"This black tiger is…?"
Bo Saixi did not answer directly. She looked at the Dark Devilgod Tiger beneath them.
"Oh, it is a summon formed by one of my soul skills. Its name is Xiao Hei. It can barely beat a few weak Titled Douluo."
Chu Chengzhou released a wisp of aura for Bo Saixi to gauge his level, then said with a face of "humility."
Sure enough, Bo Saixi's expression shifted.
This youth's soul power was only at seven rings, yet a summon formed by a soul skill could be this strong?
She did not know what species the evil black tiger was, but she could see Chu Chengzhou spoke true. The summon's power was at least Titled Douluo level, likely above the head of the Seven Sacred Pillars, the Sea Dragon Douluo at rank 95.
A mere seven-ring Soul Sage with such strength. What would he be like at nine rings?
Such a peerless talent, if there was no prior enmity, Sea God Island should befriend him.
"I am an old friend of Qian Daoliu of Spirit Hall. Have you heard of him?"
After a moment's thought, Bo Saixi asked the five.
No other meaning. She just wanted to see if they were from Spirit Hall.
If they were, they would likely try to climb the connection.
In the past, Spirit Hall sent people to attack Sea God Island. Though she and Qian Daoliu became acquainted through fighting, that did not mean she had no opinion of Spirit Hall's people.
Spirit Hall worshiped the Angel God. To Sea God Island, that was an out-and-out heresy.
Heresy would not be welcomed. Not killing them on the spot would already be giving Qian Daoliu face.
"The Grand Worship Qian Daoliu? We've heard he is the strongest on the continent right now, titled 'Invincible in the Skies.' But we are not acquainted. We are from the Heaven Dou Empire, and Rongrong is of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."
Chu Chengzhou gestured to Ning Rongrong.
Ning Rongrong manifested the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda in her hand.
"Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect?"
Seeing the pagoda, Bo Saixi lifted a brow.
Since the girl came from the Sect, the five were clearly not from Spirit Hall.
Sea God Island had little contact with the continent, but she had heard of one of the Three Great Sects. She also knew the Sect and Spirit Hall did not get along.
"I will ask once more. Once you join Sea God Island, you are our people. You may not leave. To leave is to make yourself our enemy. Are you sure you still wish to join?"
Bo Saixi asked again, voice deep.
She had guessed Chu Chengzhou's little scheme. He knew that joining meant taking the Sea God's trials and using them to grow stronger.
As for the rule of never leaving after joining?
He likely thought that with his strength he could one day take them away by force.
Put bluntly, these four girls had come to freeload.
But though the youth had reason to be proud, if he wanted to violate Sea God Island's rules and take them away… unless he reached godhood and defeated Bo Saixi, it was impossible.
T/N: For up to 30 chapters ahead on most of my translations, become a p@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle