Sea God Island, Seahorse Sacred Pillar.
Seahorse Douluo and the others watched in awe as two figures approached from the distant horizon, walking side by side. The two were engaged in lighthearted conversation, their laughter carrying through the air as they returned to the platform of the Seahorse Sacred Pillar.
These two were none other than Chen Xiaoming and Bo Saixi, who had just concluded their battle. At this moment, there was no trace of the intensity from before—both wore calm, even warm expressions.
Tap.
With a single step, Chen Xiaoming appeared before Tang San and the others. Seeing the admiration in the eyes of Dai Mubai, Oscar, and the rest, he couldn't help but enjoy the moment. After all, earning the reverence of the Shrek Seven Devils was no small feat.
"Teacher Chen, from today onward, you are my greatest idol!"
Oscar grinned cheekily as he moved closer. Having once again witnessed Chen Xiaoming's terrifying strength, he couldn't help but feel that not even gods were as formidable as him.
He made up his mind—he was going to cling to Chen Xiaoming's thigh from now on!
"Heh, Xiao Ao, are you saying I wasn't your idol before?"
Chen Xiaoming patted Oscar on the shoulder, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. In that instant, Oscar felt as if a mountain had suddenly pressed down on him. Fortunately, the pressure vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
Oscar took a deep breath, realizing that he had just said the wrong thing.
Fatty Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai stifled their laughter. If not for Chen Xiaoming's presence, they would have burst out laughing already.
Oscar shot them a glare, his eyes flickering with disdain. Laugh while you can, just laugh.
Once I get a drop of essence blood from Chen Xiaoming, let's see who laughs last.
Although Bo Saixi had lost the battle, she had not suffered any punishment from the Sea God. On the contrary, because of Chen Xiaoming's existence, the Sea God's urgency regarding Tang San's Sea God's Nine Trials had only increased.
After a brief exchange with Tang San, where she learned he was the great-grandson of Tang Chen, Bo Saixi sighed before giving a few instructions to Seahorse Douluo and departing.
Seahorse Douluo respectfully opened a path and led the group forward while explaining the details of the trial. However, his gaze kept drifting toward Chen Xiaoming, whether intentionally or not.
The other Titled Douluo had already dispersed after the battle concluded.
Not long after, as they proceeded, Chen Xiaoming suddenly stopped in his tracks. His figure flickered, and he reappeared beneath the Seahorse Sacred Pillar.
He fixed his gaze on the pillar, his expression serious.
During the battle, he had nearly forgotten something important—when his cultivation had been suppressed earlier, there had been something called the Sea God's First Trial.
Now that Bo Saixi had been defeated and the trial was over, wasn't it time for a reward?
Chen Xiaoming wasn't greedy—just a God-bestowed Spirit Ring would do.
I wonder if a God-bestowed Spirit Ring can be upgraded by my system to become a true God Ring?
However, after standing beneath the Seahorse Sacred Pillar for a long while, nothing happened. Just as he was starting to lose patience, a golden light suddenly shot out from the pillar and imprinted itself onto his forehead.
"Sea God's First Trial, completion rate: 50%. Defeating the new Sea God—completion rate: 100%!"
A deep voice echoed in his mind.
Chen Xiaoming's eyes darkened slightly, and he gritted his teeth.
After a brief consideration—Forget it, I am a plant spirit after all.
"I have never seen such a shameless god!"
He cursed inwardly, his previous good mood instantly cut in half. If he knew where the Sea God was, he would have ascended immediately just to give him a beating.
"Let's go."
With another flicker, he reappeared before Tang San and the others. Fortunately, Chen Xiaoming was beyond such petty concerns—he didn't care much for rewards. Otherwise, with the Sea God's stinginess, someone else might have already gone up to punch him.
"Teacher Chen, what reward did you receive?"
The group had seen the golden light merge with Chen Xiaoming earlier, so they were naturally curious. If Chen Xiaoming, at Rank 99, gained another breakthrough, he would step into the realm of gods!
"Don't mention it. The trial isn't complete."
Waving his hand, Chen Xiaoming looked frustrated. He also wanted to know what kind of reward the Sea God would have given him.
A level-up in soul power? Not happening. No way!
A 10,000-year boost to a spirit ring? Completely useless!
He already had nine 100,000-year spirit rings. For a significant breakthrough, he needed not just 10,000 or 20,000 years, but a full 900,000 years! Unless the Sea God was willing to boost all his rings to the million-year level, he couldn't care less.
After all, he could increase them on his own.
Thinking about it, the only valuable reward would have been a God-bestowed Spirit Ring. But considering he had a single martial soul and was already at Rank 99, even if he got one, he would have no use for it except giving it to someone else.
"Hmm? Teacher Chen, what exactly is your trial?"
Tang San and the others grew more curious upon hearing that his task was incomplete. Tang San, in particular, who had received the Sea God's Nine Trials, was eager to learn more about the nature of such trials.
"My trial?"
Chen Xiaoming patted Tang San on the shoulder and smiled.
"My task is to defeat you after you complete the Sea God's Nine Trials!"
The Sea God had set such a task for him—wasn't this just an excuse to let Tang San challenge him?
In the world of Douluo, gods primarily resided in the Divine Realm. Newly ascended gods were only allowed to stay in their original world for a hundred years before they had to ascend.
The Divine Realm was ruled by God Kings and enforcers like the Asura God. The rules there were strict, and gods were immortal yet forbidden from descending into lower realms. It was a miserable existence.
The two God Kings had reincarnated, and the position of Asura God had passed to Tang San, forcing him to search for inheritors for multiple god positions.
"Tsk, tsk. Good luck, Xiao San."
Chen Xiaoming patted Tang San's shoulder again, as if he could already see his future misery in the Divine Realm. Fortunately, Tang San had been smart enough to bring his friends along—otherwise, the loneliness would have been unbearable.
As for Chen Xiaoming? There was no way he would ever go to the Divine Realm, much less endure such restrictions.
Tang San, who had just accepted the Sea God's Nine Trials, suddenly felt a strange chill run down his spine, as if another ominous event was about to happen.
Wait—why did I say "another" ominous event?
With no further words, the group continued their journey. Aside from Seahorse Douluo explaining the trial details, they soon arrived at Seahorse City.
Seahorse City was small, with only about a thousand residents. However, its layout mimicked that of mainland cities, making Tang San and the others feel a sense of familiarity.
After settling them in the main city manor, Seahorse Douluo gave a few final instructions before returning to the Seahorse Sacred Pillar.
Chen Xiaoming, ever the carefree type, casually picked a room and moved in.
Before entering, he paused slightly, turned back to Tang San and the others, and said—
"When you start your trials, remember to call me!"
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