Xiao Wu casually tossed the bandit leader to the ground. The thoroughly desiccated corpse shattered into fragments, kicking up a puff of grey-white dust.
She lightly lifted the coin pouch she had just taken and grinned. "Now we've got the travel expenses to go to Seagod Island! Fatty, once we get to the next town, let's change to a new carriage."
Ma Hongjun let out a hearty laugh. "All thanks to Sister Xiao Wu's might and brilliance. Now we don't have to worry about getting to Seagod Island anymore."
But in his heart, he was thinking, 'This girl really lives up to being a reborn soul beast. She absorbs life force like she's drinking water—no hesitation at all. That creepy ability must be related to Tang San… Could she have already seen him? Do I have to pretend I don't know forever?'
Looking at Xiao Wu continuously draining life force before him, and recalling what he had done to Tang San in the past, Ma Hongjun's calves trembled uncontrollably.
As Xiao Wu walked off to drain the last bandit, Ma Hongjun gulped and calculated the distance he'd need to flee safely, then cautiously asked, "Sister Xiao Wu, have you seen Third Brother recently?"
Xiao Wu froze slightly, paused her technique, and asked in her spiritual space, "Third Brother, should I tell Fatty I've seen you?"
Tang San's face darkened instantly. Just thinking back to the sticky shame he endured after leaving the Road to Hell sent a chill down his spine. For the sake of his pure and untarnished image, absolutely no one could know the truth.
He hurriedly replied, "Xiao Wu, my body and soul are currently separated and it's not safe. The fewer people who know, the better. Just pretend you haven't seen me."
Receiving the directive, Xiao Wu hesitated briefly before resuming her energy absorption and casually said aloud, "After I was revived, I came straight to Shrek Academy. You're the only familiar face I've met so far. I figure Third Brother is hiding out somewhere with his father… Who knows when I'll get to see him again?"
That single pause nearly made Ma Hongjun take flight. But after hearing her explanation, he slowly exhaled and suppressed the urge to flee.
He followed up, "Sister Xiao Wu, where did you get this life-absorbing skill? And why are you going all the way to Seagod Island for that soul technique?"
"This Drain skill? It activated automatically when I leveled up. As for the Soul Codex—honestly, even though I've been revived and reached the Soul Saint level, I still feel like my soul and body aren't fully fused. That's why I thought of the master's books."
Following Tang San's instructions, Xiao Wu crafted the excuse, then turned and teased, "Fatty, this is all your fault. You burned the books, and now I have to travel so far. If I don't find the soul secret method, you're dead meat!"
Seeing her expression, Ma Hongjun thought, 'Maybe I've been overthinking things… If she had really met Tang San, the two would definitely be sticking together again.'
"It's my fault, Sister Xiao Wu. To make up for it, from now on I'll go wherever you point, no complaints. Once I pack up, I'll cook for you."
Xiao Wu waved the coin pouch. "No need to clean up. Sister Xiao Wu's rich now! Let's get to the next town, I'm treating you to a big meal."
"Yes ma'am…" Ma Hongjun scratched his crotch, packed up their things, and followed her happily.
———
Hanhai City lay at the far eastern edge of the continent. Even by carriage, it would take two months to reach. And from Hanhai City to Seagod Island by ship was another month.
Along the way, Ma Hongjun, the Evil Fire Phoenix, often had to vent his built-up urges, while Xiao Wu would take detours to find unfortunate souls and drain their life force and spirit energy for Tang San. As a result, their pace was dreadfully slow. A journey that should've taken three months ended up taking more than half a year before they finally reached the shores near Seagod Island.
On a bright beach beneath blue skies, a winged figure suddenly swooped in, startling the gulls. Ma Hongjun folded his wings and landed with Xiao Wu on the white sands of Seagod Island.
"Sister Xiao Wu, it took us half a year, but we finally made it to Seagod Island." Ma Hongjun chuckled and pointed toward the forest. "Let's go see if that legendary Sea Witch is real."
After so long together, Ma Hongjun had fully submitted to this cold-blooded, Soul Saint–level reborn soul beast and called her Sister Xiao Wu without shame.
Half an hour later, the two were brought to the nearest sacred pillar by yellow-robed soul masters.
In the center of the forest, a sea-like lake appeared before them. Strangely, though it was inland, the water churned like an open sea. In the middle of the lake stood a tall, conical stone pillar, etched with countless mysterious runes, emanating waves of strange energy. A black-robed man sat atop the pillar.
"Welcome to the Sea Within the Sea, the Seahorse Sacred Pillar." A yellow-robed soul master announced respectfully. "The Seahorse Pillar is one of Seagod Island's seven sacred pillars, infused with divine power to spread the Seagod's will. Any of the seven can issue divine trials to outsiders. Here, you'll receive Seagod's test."
The black-robed man atop the pillar suddenly opened his eyes. Though he sat over two hundred meters away, the moment he opened them, Xiao Wu and Ma Hongjun both shivered. His eyes were like deep wells, distant yet overwhelmingly oppressive.
'Titled Douluo…' The thought echoed in Xiao Wu's mind. As a former hundred-thousand-year soul beast, she immediately sensed the unique aura only a Titled Douluo possessed. This was the first Sea-type Titled Douluo she had encountered.
A powerful voice carried over the waves. "Two land-based soul masters. Are you here to receive the Seagod's trial?"
Since Yu Tianming's visit, Seagod Island had seen many land-based soul masters. The Seahorse Douluo was used to it by now.
Xiao Wu shook her head. "Senior, we're here to seek the leader of the merfolk—the Sea Witch. We don't intend to take the Seagod's trial."
"Sea Witch?" The Seahorse Douluo frowned. "How do two land-based soul masters know about her? What business do you have with her?"
"I heard the merfolk can manipulate spirit through song—something land-based soul masters can't compare with. The Sea Witch is said to be the most powerful in spiritual manipulation. I hope you can introduce us."
The frown on Seahorse Douluo's face deepened. He shook his head. "Aside from the rule forbidding outsiders from wandering freely, the Sea Witch dislikes meeting strangers. You'd best leave."
But Xiao Wu couldn't give up. Without that secret technique, she couldn't help Tang San fuse his soul and body. She immediately pressed, "What if I pass the Seagod's trial?"
"If you do, you'll be allowed to visit the Sea Witch's pillar."
Hope rekindled, Xiao Wu smiled. "In that case, please begin the Seagod's trial."
The Seahorse Douluo solemnly raised his hands and channeled divine blue energy. Moments later, he pointed at Xiao Wu. A blue beam of light fell from the sky, enveloping her.
The light rapidly shifted colors—blue to white, white to yellow, then to purple, and finally deep black.
In the divine realm, the Seagod burst into laughter. "Shura, guess what I just saw? A spirit—a dual-spirit one—lodged inside my trial taker! Heh heh…"
The look on his face was almost as pervy as Uncle Oscar's when he was scheming.
The Shura God's expression turned cold. He instantly remembered the soul he had guided from another world into Douluo. That same soul with twin spirits… the one originally intended for the Rakshasa God. But due to Tang San's poor performance and Dugu Yan obtaining the Shura Sword instead, he had long stopped caring. Now Tang San was just a disembodied soul?
'Wow, how badly did he mess up down there…'
He kept his face neutral. "What a pity. If I didn't already have a chosen successor, he might've inherited my divine seat."
Hearing this, the Seagod grinned nastily. "Heh heh heh… I've got someone too. But since you're not using him… I might just throw him a random trial—"
"Wait," the Shura God interrupted, hesitating briefly. "The Rakshasa God recently rejected her chosen successor. Tang San still carries much of her divine power. Give him to her instead."
The Seagod chuckled slyly...
Shura and Rakshasa—Douluo's two gods of darkness. Both became gods in Slaughter City. Both chose successors with twin spirits. Though they seemed opposed, their relationship was far from simple…
Once Tang San's fate was decided, the black light surrounding Xiao Wu abruptly turned crimson, like a hundred-thousand-year soul ring. It condensed into a red beam and merged into her brow. Inside her mental space, Tang San stared at the brilliant light in stunned silence.
"Top-Tier Seventh Trial!!!"
On Seagod Island, the sudden burst of red light drew the gaze of all soul masters. On the Seagod Steps, Shui Yue'er paused her training and looked at the fading glow.
"Big Sis, did you see that red light? Something big's happening. Should we check the nearby town for news?"
Shui Bing'er didn't even glance back. "If you want to, go ahead. As a sea-type soul master, your training takes ten times longer than mine. Taking a break isn't a bad idea."
"I'll pass. I'm not as gifted as you. I don't want to fall even further behind."
———
Recovering from his shock, the Seahorse Douluo bowed slightly to Xiao Wu. "Miss, may I ask your full name?"
"I'm Xiao Wu—'Wu' as in dancing. Is there a problem, senior?"
The Seahorse Douluo swallowed nervously. "It's an honor… to be your trial proctor. If you complete this top-tier trial, you will become the next Grand Priest and a future leader of Seagod Island. If you need anything during your time here, please come to me. I will do everything in my power to help."
Ma Hongjun blinked at the treatment Xiao Wu was receiving. "Senior, please begin my Seagod trial too!"
The Seahorse Douluo raised his hand once more. Blue light enveloped Ma Hongjun. White, yellow, purple, black… Finally, the light settled on black.
As it faded, the Seahorse Douluo said flatly, "Black-Level Fifth Trial."
"Senior, is that… bad?" Ma Hongjun looked at his hands, dejected. "Why do you sound so cold toward me?"
With a hint of pity, the Seahorse Douluo replied, "Not at all. I only received a black trial myself. But as a fire-type land soul master, your challenges will be far harder than mine ever were. Be careful."
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.