Sea God Island, Seahorse Sacred Pillar.
A deep, oceanic hum resonated from the Seahorse Sacred Pillar, followed by an immense blood-red pillar of light that surged skyward, ten times stronger than before.
The sea within the sea boiled. At that moment, towering waves, a hundred meters high, rose vertically, exploding with a dazzling azure radiance.
The entire Sea God Island trembled as if responding to the crimson pillar's ascent. In the next instant, six additional massive blood-colored beams erupted into the sky, converging at a single point. As they merged, the crimson hue dissipated, giving way to an ultimate brilliance—a golden radiance descending from the heavens.
The golden light floated before Tang San before sinking into his forehead. As the glow faded, the golden trident emblem emerged. A majestic and noble aura enveloped Tang San, as if he were gazing down upon all living beings.
Seahorse Douluo was utterly stupefied. This kind of assessment was beyond anything he had ever witnessed. If he weren't certain that he was not dreaming, he might have slapped himself awake.
"Hahaha! The Nine Trials of the Sea God! Xiao San, it seems that the position of Sea God is yours and yours alone!"
Chen Xiaoming's figure appeared from behind, landing beside Tang San. With a glance at the golden trident mark on his forehead, he patted Tang San's shoulder.
As the protagonist, Tang San had the aura of destiny itself. The Sea God's Nine Trials were nothing more than a formality.
Hearing Chen Xiaoming's words, Tang San's eyes brightened. He now understood what his trial was and finally grasped the significance of Chen Xiaoming's earlier mention of the path to divinity. Yet, reaching this point only made his doubts grow stronger.
Achieving godhood at Rank 100 was the lifelong dream of countless Soul Masters. Although Chen Xiaoming was powerful, Tang San could clearly sense that—especially after receiving the Sea God's Nine Trials—Chen Xiaoming had yet to break through to the divine realm.
Then why? Why was Chen Xiaoming so insistent on making him the Sea God?
"Go ahead. If you have questions, ask them."
Seeing Tang San hesitate, Chen Xiaoming smiled faintly.
"Teacher Chen, you haven't reached Rank 100 and become a god yet, so why…"
Before Tang San could finish, Chen Xiaoming already understood his meaning. He patted Tang San's shoulder before turning his gaze toward Bo Saixi, who had arrived behind them.
"What do you all think a god truly is?"
Chen Xiaoming's words caused Tang San and the others to pause in thought. Meanwhile, Seahorse Douluo frowned, displeased. They were devout followers of the Sea God, and speaking so recklessly of the divine was a grave taboo.
"In my opinion, a god is simply someone who has mastered extraordinary power."
Without waiting for their response, Chen Xiaoming answered his own question, his eyes gleaming with fervent light.
The so-called gods of Douluo Continent might sound impressive, but across the vast myriad realms, a casual Great Emperor could likely obliterate them with ease.
To Chen Xiaoming, divinity was nothing more than a matter of strength.
If your fists were strong enough, you could call yourself anything you wanted. If they were weak, even calling someone 'father' wouldn't save you from a beating.
"You, as Soul Emperors, can effortlessly crush ordinary people without soul power. To them, aren't you essentially gods?"
With a light chuckle, Chen Xiaoming observed Tang San and the others. No matter how they viewed gods, they still held reverence for them in their hearts.
"So, even though I haven't become a god, my strength has already reached the point where I no longer fear them. Naturally, I have no need for a god's inheritance."
Having spoken his piece, Chen Xiaoming shifted the conversation back to the present. Without waiting for the shocked reactions of Tang San and the others, he bypassed Seahorse Douluo and walked toward the Seahorse Sacred Pillar.
This was Sea God's domain, and Chen Xiaoming was eager to test himself—to see what kind of trial the Sea God would dare to give him!
Yet, before he could advance further, a crimson figure appeared before him, blocking his path.
"You should step back."
Bo Saixi had already received the Sea God's command. Having heard Chen Xiaoming's irreverent words about the divine, she had been ordered to teach this arrogant youth a lesson.
Bo Saixi sighed inwardly, but an order from the Sea God was absolute.
"Oh? Are you stopping me of your own accord, or…?"
As the High Priestess of Sea God Island, Bo Saixi was standing in his way simply because he wanted to test himself? That seemed rather out of place. It made Chen Xiaoming think of certain nosy, eavesdropping deities.
"Come on, then. I've been meaning to spar with you. Let's take this outside."
Since the Sea God wanted to intervene, Chen Xiaoming didn't mind getting some exercise. The sea breeze was cool, and a good warm-up would be refreshing. A fight, a little sweat, followed by a bath on Sea God Island—what could be more invigorating?
"Whoosh!"
With a flash of light, Chen Xiaoming transformed into a streak of energy, soaring through the sky and leaving Sea God Island, arriving over the vast ocean.
"Whoosh!"
Bo Saixi followed closely behind, her figure flickering before appearing in front of Chen Xiaoming once more.
Beneath the Seahorse Sacred Pillar, Tang San, Seahorse Douluo, and the others watched in confusion as the two figures left to battle after only a few words.
They had no idea what had just happened! How had things escalated so quickly?
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"
A series of resounding explosions erupted as Sea God Island's seven sacred pillars simultaneously unleashed dazzling blue light. The seven beams converged in the sky, forming a massive projection.
And on that enormous screen, the two figures—Chen Xiaoming and Bo Saixi—stood suspended in midair.
Uh…
Seahorse Douluo stared at the spectacle, utterly bewildered. What was this?
He had initially thought that the tremors of the Seahorse Sacred Pillar signified a decree from the Sea God. But now, this… this was something entirely different from the divine reverence he held.
"Sigh, it seems your friend is in grave danger."
Seahorse Douluo let out a soft sigh. Now, he understood why the High Priestess had intervened. This kind of display could only be orchestrated under the Sea God's command. They had no authority to manipulate the sacred pillars, let alone project such an image.
"Lord Seahorse, you mean…"
Tang San's eyes flashed with insight. He had already guessed what this implied and spoke in a hushed tone.
Seahorse Douluo nodded, saying no more. Those who did not revere the gods deserved their fate. No one could save him now.
Receiving confirmation, Tang San and the others felt some concern, but they still had faith in Chen Xiaoming.
After all, his strength had always been terrifying. If he spoke with such confidence, he must have had the power to back it up.
While Tang San pondered these thoughts, Chen Xiaoming paid them no mind. At this moment, he was standing over the boundless sea, locking eyes with Bo Saixi.
"Are you ready? I'm coming!"
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