The next day.
"Ahh, the fresh sea breeze—so invigorating!"
After an eventful night with Bo Saixi, Chen Xiaoming enjoyed a deep, restful sleep, waking up naturally, feeling utterly refreshed.
As soon as he stepped out of his room, a man dressed in purple robes approached respectfully, inquiring whether he wished to have breakfast.
Noticing the man's deference, Chen Xiaoming did not refuse. After washing up, he followed him to the dining table, where a lavish breakfast awaited. In addition to fruits, porridge, and pastries, there were several unique delicacies.
Without hesitation, Chen Xiaoming took his time enjoying the meal, patting his stomach in satisfaction once he had eaten his fill.
"By the way, where are Tang San and the others?" he asked the purple-robed attendant beside him.
At this hour, surely Tang San and his group wouldn't still be asleep? That would be far too lazy!
"My lord, they have already gone to the Forbidden Grounds," the man answered respectfully.
The Forbidden Grounds? Chen Xiaoming pondered for a moment. The Forbidden Grounds of Seagod Island—so they had gone to participate in the trial. Yet, they had previously said they would inform him before setting off.
Shaking his head, Chen Xiaoming gave the attendant a command, and the latter, without hesitation, led the way ahead.
Since the journey was long, and Chen Xiaoming had no interest in running, he simply took the attendant along and flew instead.
A distance of two hundred li was quite far for most people, but for him, it was hardly an inconvenience.
Before long, a small island appeared in his view, surrounded by the vast ocean. A faint golden light enveloped the island, casting an ethereal glow.
At the island's peak stood a magnificent structure, as if sculpted from pure white jade. It was square in shape with a domed roof, its crystalline material gleaming with a divine radiance.
"My lord, this is the Forbidden Grounds. However—"
The purple-robed man hesitated before continuing in a hushed tone. "The Forbidden Grounds house the Sea God's Shrine. Flying directly over is an act of great disrespect to the Sea God."
"Mm."
Chen Xiaoming acknowledged the warning with a soft response and descended slowly, landing in an open area outside the circular lake surrounding the shrine.
Glancing up the steps, he saw Tang San, Dai Mubai, and the others engaged in intense cultivation. Sweat dripped from their brows, yet they remained steadfast in their efforts.
"Oh? Their awareness is quite sharp—they've already discovered its use?"
Seeing Tang San and the others treating the Sea God's Light as a training ground, Chen Xiaoming chuckled. Due to his presence, the Shrek Seven Devils all possessed soul power above level sixty. Unlike in the original timeline, they had not received divine-bestowed spirit rings from Bo Saixi.
As a result, without her guidance, Tang San and the others would not have known that the Sea God's Light could enhance cultivation speed.
Yet, despite that, they still trained with such dedication—it was commendable.
"Please arrange for daily food deliveries here, and bring them fresh clothes as well," Chen Xiaoming instructed the purple-robed man beside him.
The attendant's expression shifted. Daily food and clothing? Were they planning to reside here permanently?
Nevertheless, given Chen Xiaoming's esteemed status, the man obeyed without question.
"Understood."
With a slight nod, Chen Xiaoming's figure flickered, effortlessly crossing the circular lake to arrive at the base of Sea God Mountain.
He glanced at the Shrek Seven Devils, all immersed in arduous training. Without disturbing them, his gaze shifted beyond the stairs—to Bo Saixi.
With a flicker of silver light, Chen Xiaoming's foot touched the first step, and he ascended rapidly. In just a few moments, he reached the upper platform.
Bo Saixi stood there, her deep blue eyes gazing solemnly down at the cultivators below.
She showed no surprise at Chen Xiaoming's arrival.
"So diligent," Chen Xiaoming commented, sweeping his eyes over Bo Saixi before turning back to observe the scene below, where Tang San and the others pushed themselves to their limits.
"Sigh."
A soft sigh escaped his lips. His peripheral vision caught a glimpse of Bo Saixi, and a trace of regret flickered in his heart. The road to godhood always required sacrifices. Qian Renxue had sacrificed Qian Daoliu in her final trial, while Tang San's ascension had cost Bo Saixi her life.
Only Bibi Dong—her path remained unclear. Perhaps she, too, had made a similar sacrifice.
"Are you ready?"
Chen Xiaoming's calm voice broke the silence, his words carrying an unmistakable depth of meaning.
Bo Saixi's expression changed slightly. She understood exactly what he was asking.
Her gaze lingered on Tang San, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.
From the beginning of the Sea God's Nine Trials, she had always known the fate awaiting her. But she was the Sea God's High Priestess, and her faith was unwavering.
Turning her eyes toward Chen Xiaoming, the hesitation in her gaze melted away like snow beneath the sun. She shook her head and let out a faint, bitter smile.
With Chen Xiaoming here, how could she possibly kill Tang San?
Bringing these people to Sea God Island—his purpose was clear: the Sea God's inheritance. She had no chance at all.
"Do you need my help?"
Chen Xiaoming asked, his tone carrying a trace of sympathy for her plight.
As the High Priestess of Sea God Island, Bo Saixi had once held deep feelings for Tang Chen. But fate had been cruel—because of one fateful declaration that they could only be together if they ascended to godhood, they had been separated for decades. In the end, they had only reunited for a few short days before his death.
Yet, Tang Chen had always been a proud man, and Bo Saixi could never leave Sea God Island. Perhaps they were simply never meant to be.
Bo Saixi's expression flickered, but ultimately, she gazed out at the endless sea and shook her head in refusal.
She had devoted her life to the Sea God. He was her faith—betrayal was not an option.
Seeing her rejection, Chen Xiaoming said no more. He had offered her a choice, and she had made hers.
Just as he stepped off the platform, he paused briefly and, after a moment's hesitation, spoke in a soft voice:
"Tang Chen is in the City of Slaughter."
With that, his figure vanished in a flash, descending to the mountain's base.
He had given his warning—what Bo Saixi did next was her own decision.
"Mm, the environment here is quite nice. This will do for a rest."
With the warm sea breeze brushing against him and golden sunlight shining down, Chen Xiaoming found the setting particularly comfortable. Standing at the foot of the mountain, he watched Tang San and the others train diligently.
Feeling idle, he raised a hand, causing several branches to sprout from the ground, intertwining to form a reclining chair.
Lounging in his makeshift seat, he basked in the warmth, leisurely watching the efforts of Tang San and the rest.
"Truly, comparisons can be cruel," Chen Xiaoming mused, recalling a well-known saying from his past life:
A moment of cheating is a moment of joy. A lifetime of cheating is a lifetime of joy!
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