Just as everyone was feeling excited, seven people suddenly emerged from the woods, their expressions filled with anger.
"Who dares to trespass on the Sea God Island without permission!"
These seven individuals had distinct appearances, all of them soul masters, dressed in bright yellow robes. Judging by their age, they appeared to be middle-aged.
From the situation, it seemed these were the administrators of the Sea God Island—specifically, Yellow Rank administrators.
In response to their questioning, Yang Xiong stepped forward: "Honored elders, we have long admired the reputation of the Sea God Island and wish to join it."
The leader of the group, a middle-aged man, looked surprised: "You're land-based soul masters?"
Yang Xiong replied: "We come from the Tian Dou Empire. We've traveled thousands of miles just to join the Sea God Island."
The middle-aged man shook his head: "The Sea God Island does not welcome outsiders or land-based soul masters. Please leave immediately, or don't blame us for being impolite."
Yang Xiong quickly responded: "If my information is correct, land-based soul masters can join the Sea God Island through trials. I humbly ask for your understanding, elder."
The middle-aged man snorted coldly: "You certainly know a lot about the Sea God Island. Let me tell you this for your own good—even though land-based soul masters can join through trials, it's practically impossible for ordinary people to pass them."
"Even in the past hundred years, very few land-based soul masters have managed to pass the Sea God Island's trials. The Sea God's tests for you land-based soul masters are countless times harder than those for sea soul masters."
"Not long ago, a group of land-based soul masters tried to join the Sea God Island. Now they're barely clinging to life. Sooner or later, the Sea God will punish them—it's only a matter of time before they die."
Yang Xiong was startled. It seemed that the group the middle-aged administrator referred to might be Tang San and his companions. He wondered what their trial entailed and why they would face punishment from the Sea God.
Yang Xiong quickly spoke up: "Elder, since we've come here, we won't leave. No matter what kind of trial it is, even if it's troublesome, we'll find a way to pass it."
The middle-aged administrator shook his head: "It's not that I'm unwilling to give you a chance. If you leave now, I can pretend nothing happened and let you go safely. But once you enter the trial, there are only two outcomes: success or death."
"Moreover, the Sea God's trials are exceptionally perilous. You might even be tasked with challenging ten-thousand-year soul beasts. Do you have the courage and the resolve to face death?"
Yang Xiong glanced at the others around him: "Are you afraid of death? Or, between death and survival, which would you choose?"
Ning Rongrong and the others all wore serious expressions: "We're not afraid of death. We want to undergo the Sea God Island's trials."
Yang Xiong nodded and turned to the middle-aged administrator: "Elder, you've seen our determination. We may die, but we refuse to perish out of cowardice. I hope you'll grant us this opportunity."
The middle-aged administrator gazed at Yang Xiong's group, their expressions resolute. Finally, he sighed: "Very well. Since you hold the Sea God in such high regard and wish to join our island, I'll grant you this chance—but remember, the consequences are yours to bear."
Yang Xiong smiled: "Thank you, elder. We accept all consequences, even if it means death."
The middle-aged administrator nodded: "Very well, follow us."
Under the guidance of the group, Yang Xiong and his eight companions entered the forest.
Yang Xiong walked at the forefront of the group, while Feng Xiaotian brought up the rear. The eight of them followed the middle-aged administrator in a formation.
As Yang Xiong walked through the forest, he felt something strange about the trees.
These weren't ordinary trees—they seemed to radiate a special energy that not only blocked detection but also repelled anyone who tried to approach.
Yang Xiong was astonished. His spiritual power had already reached the level of a Title Douluo, yet this invisible energy, though faint, seemed to be of an extremely high tier—impossible to penetrate.
Moreover, Yang Xiong felt that this energy seemed familiar. In terms of its tier, it resembled the energy permeating the Killing City, though the Killing City's aura was far more ferocious. In contrast, the entire Sea God Island exuded an overwhelming gentleness.
The middle-aged administrator glanced back at Yang Xiong.
"Young man, your spiritual power is remarkably strong, even surpassing mine. However, the Sea God Island is under the protection of the Sea God. It's not something mortals can touch."
Yang Xiong nodded: "Thank you for your guidance, elder."
Under the middle-aged administrator's lead, the group soon passed through the forest, but the sight that greeted them left everyone in awe.
Before them was a massive pond, its waters turbulent. At the center of the pond stood a triangular platform, atop which rose a towering stone pillar engraved with countless ancient patterns. It exuded an aura of immense antiquity.
The stone pillar radiated a unique energy, seemingly merging with the entire Sea God Island. The energy in the forest likely originated from this pillar.
The middle-aged soul master now appeared extremely solemn, his eyes filled with reverence.
"Eight land-based soul masters, welcome to the Inner Sea. This is one of the Seven Holy Pillars of the Sea God Island—the Seahorse Holy Pillar."
"The Seahorse Holy Pillar is one of the Seven Holy Pillars bestowed upon by the Sea God. Through these pillars, the Sea God spreads divine will. Here, you will undergo the trials to join the Sea God Island."
Yang Xiong and his group bowed deeply: "Thank you, elder. Thank you, Sea God."
The middle-aged administrator nodded in acknowledgment. Then, he unleashed his soul power and summoned his martial soul and soul rings.
To everyone's surprise, the middle-aged administrator's martial soul was a sea lion, with two yellow, three purple, and one black soul ring.
Everyone was shocked again. A mere Yellow-Rank administrator was already a Soul Emperor-level soul master. Considering that Yellow-Rank administrators held a relatively low position within the Sea God Island, the island's strength and depth must be truly terrifying.
The middle-aged administrator used his soul power to emit an exceptionally loud voice:
"Honorable Seahorse Elder, foreign land-based soul masters have arrived to undergo trials. Please grant them permission."
The black-clad figure seated beneath the Seahorse Holy Pillar suddenly opened their eyes, emitting a powerful surge of soul power. The presence of a Title Douluo was unmistakable.
"Why have more land-based soul masters come to the Sea God Island? Are you not afraid of death? Very well, if land-based soul masters wish to undergo the Sea God's trials, they must independently cross the Inner Sea."
A radiant light emanated from the black-clad figure, resonating with the Seahorse Holy Pillar. Instantly, the pillar emitted a deep azure glow, enveloping the entire Inner Sea.
It seemed that for land-based soul masters, the most basic trial was to walk normally in the water. The black-clad figure's action was clearly meant to restrict flight.
Yang Xiong glanced at the others: "This should be a preliminary test to determine whether we're qualified for the trials. Everyone must cross the Inner Sea individually."
Feng Xiaotian was delighted and stepped forward eagerly: "Brother Yang, let me go first. Let's see what makes this Inner Sea so different."
Before coming to the Sea God Island, Yang Xiong had already communicated with everyone. From now on, they shouldn't address him as Sect Leader; instead, they should use casual names among friends.
Otherwise, misunderstandings could arise. If the many experts of the Sea God Island thought he led a sect, it might cause unnecessary trouble.
Yang Xiong nodded: "Be careful. The Sea God Island's trials aren't so simple."
With a roar, Feng Xiaotian summoned his Twin-Headed Gale Demon Wolf martial soul, accompanied by six soul rings. Under the massive twin-headed wolf, countless wind blades seemed ready to launch at any moment.
The Seahorse Douluo casually waved his hand, and the previously calm Inner Sea erupted into towering waves, reaching tens of meters high, completely blocking the path forward.
Feng Xiaotian leapt into the air and directly dove into the Inner Sea, unleashing his first soul skill: Wind Blade Array.
Countless wind blades shot out, slicing the incoming waves into fragments. Each blade seemed far more powerful than before.
Moreover, all the wind blades combined, carving a path ahead of Feng Xiaotian.
Feng Xiaotian moved at incredible speed, racing along the path like a storm.
At this moment, the waves seemed to possess a consciousness, rapidly reforming into a new, massive wave.
Undeterred, Feng Xiaotian continued forward, seemingly unafraid of the crashing waves.
Suddenly, his fourth soul ring flashed, and the surrounding seawater was swiftly sliced apart. Charging directly into the wave, he unleashed his fourth soul skill: Demon Wolf Tempest.
The massive Gale Demon Wolf surged forward like a storm, smashing through the waves until Feng Xiaotian finally stood before the Seahorse Douluo, seemingly unaffected by the waves.
The Seahorse Douluo couldn't help but nod: "Impressive combat talent. You possess both the speed of an agility-type soul master and the strength of a power-type soul master. You qualify to undergo the Sea God's proxy trial."
After Feng Xiaotian successfully crossed the Inner Sea, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. They now understood the rules for crossing the Inner Sea and began formulating their own strategies.
Next up was Yang Wei, the eldest brother. Compared to Feng Xiaotian's dominance, Yang Wei's Black Iron Sword radiated sharp sword qi. With each slash, the waves were split in half, allowing him to easily traverse the Inner Sea.
The Seahorse Douluo nodded again: "Excellent. Your swordsmanship is highly refined, especially your mastery of sword qi. Among Soul Emperor-level weapon-type soul masters, you are truly exceptional. You qualify to undergo the Sea God's trial."
Third to step forward was Shui Bing'er.
Unlike the others who relied on various soul skills, Shui Bing'er appeared exceptionally graceful, walking directly on the water's surface.
Under her influence, the turbulent water quickly froze, transforming into solid ground.
Even the largest waves froze instantly under the icy aura of her Ice Phoenix, turning the sea surface into a smooth, flat expanse.
Even the Seahorse Douluo was speechless: "Young lady, whether it's your Ice Phoenix martial soul or your mastery of ice attributes, you are undoubtedly the strongest Soul Emperor I've ever seen. All I can say is that your future is limitless."
What the Seahorse Douluo didn't say aloud was that Shui Bing'er was essentially the natural counter to all sea soul masters, especially with her ability to freeze water into ice—a devastating advantage in the ocean.
Next was Huo Wu. Upon entering the water, a massive fiery shadow appeared behind her.
Facing the incoming colossal wave, the fiery shadow exuded ferocity, instantly evaporating the water. Even the hundreds of meters of the Inner Sea began to boil under the fiery shadow's heat.
Taking advantage of the evaporated waves, Huo Wu swiftly crossed the Inner Sea.
The Seahorse Douluo appeared somewhat speechless: "Young lady, your martial soul is incredibly unique, and your flames are extraordinarily powerful. Given time, your potential is limitless. However, you must consider carefully—you are a fire-attribute soul master, inherently disadvantaged in water. Your trials will likely be far more difficult than the others'."
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