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After everyone had finished climbing, though they were all physically drained, their expressions turned unusually serious.
The trial of the Sea God's Light was far more difficult than anyone had imagined. Even with all their strength, everyone could only reach halfway up the staircase. The difficulty would only increase further as they climbed higher.
In comparison, Tang San's group was even more astonished. They had been training here for a full three months, and while their soul power and physical abilities had improved to some extent, they never expected Ning Rongrong and the others to climb so high—several of them had surpassed Tang San and Xiao Wu.
It was worth noting that Ning Rongrong, Oscar, and Qin Shuang had previously been substitutes in the team, with the lowest soul power levels. Yet after five or six years, not only had their physical prowess far surpassed that of Tang San's group, but their soul power levels had also completely overtaken them.
Even Tang San and Dai Mubai, who were always proud, now found themselves doubting their own abilities.
Dai Mubai had once been Oscar's older brother, leading him in soul master competitions before Yang Xiong and the others joined Shrek Academy. Now, however, whether in terms of physical strength or soul power, Oscar far surpassed Dai Mubai. And this was to say nothing of Ning Rongrong, who had once been the weakest in terms of physical ability and other aspects.
Once everyone had completed their climb of the Sea God's Light staircase, Yang Xiong began his ascent alone.
As Yang Xiong stepped onto the staircase bathed in the Sea God's Light, he felt an incredibly gentle yet overwhelming pressure. This pressure seemed to encompass everything—its level and depth were extraordinarily high, and the Sea God's Light even had the ability to purify both body and soul.
However, Yang Xiong didn't dwell on these thoughts for long. He slowly began walking up the steps. For him, the first hundred steps posed little challenge, but the pressure gradually increased after that.
Yet instead of slowing down, Yang Xiong suddenly accelerated, charging forward and reaching the 250th step with sheer determination.
At the 250th step, the pressure became immense, nearly reaching the limit of what a normal Soul Sage could endure.
At this point, Yang Xiong summoned his martial soul and soul rings. When the two blood-red soul rings appeared, not only Tang San's group but even those watching from elsewhere on the Sea God Island were astounded.
Yang Xiong pressed onward, taking each step despite the immense weight bearing down on him. Though the pressure was immense, it was still within his limits.
By the time he reached the 350th step, the pressure had surpassed what even a top-tier Soul Douluo could handle. Not even the strongest Soul Douluo would be able to cross this point.
At this moment, all of Yang Xiong's soul bones lit up, especially the Xuanming Armor external soul bone, which enveloped his torso like armor, protecting him fiercely.
Yang Xiong continued climbing under the crushing pressure. By the time he reached the 400th step, he had reached the limits of his physical endurance.
But Yang Xiong showed no fear. Multiple soul rings shimmered around him as he activated his third soul skill, Tyrant Dragon's Fury, and his fourth soul skill, Dragon Elephant Steel Body. His muscles swelled, and his height grew to nearly three meters, making him resemble a towering giant.
With every step he took, the pressure seemed to increase exponentially, even causing his bones to crack audibly.
Gritting his teeth, Yang Xiong activated his seventh soul ring, unleashing his seventh soul skill: Asura True Body.
Simultaneously, an endless crimson glow radiated from him—this was the Killing Domain.
With the combination of the Killing Domain and the Asura True Body, the crimson light clashed with the golden radiance of the Sea God's Light, and the pressure on Yang Xiong seemed to ease somewhat.
Yang Xiong pushed his enhancements to their absolute limit, using every ounce of strength to continue climbing higher.
When he finally reached the 530th step, Yang Xiong had exhausted all his means. The pressure felt as if Mount Tai itself was pressing down on him, with every inch of his skin and every bone in his body straining to their limits.
In the end, Yang Xiong gritted his teeth and slowly retreated from the Sea God's Light.
At this moment, whether it was Tang San's group or Ning Rongrong and the others, they all looked at Yang Xiong as though he were a monster.
Though they had always known Yang Xiong was strong, they had never imagined he could be this powerful. Climbing 530 steps was something none of them could have fathomed.
From the shadows, when Yang Xiong revealed his martial soul and soul rings, practically the entire Sea God Island was watching his climb.
Whether it was Yang Xiong's soul ring configuration or his terrifying physical prowess, climbing 530 steps was an achievement that even many Title Douluo couldn't match. Even Poseidon Douluo Bo Saixi expressed admiration.
However, Bo Saixi was also puzzled. Based on Yang Xiong's talent and physical abilities, he far surpassed what she had been capable of in her youth. Why, then, did his trial seem similar to hers?
Yang Xiong rested briefly before addressing the group: "You should all now understand the difficulty of the first trial on the Sea God Island. It's not just you—even I wouldn't be able to pass without giving it my all. Therefore, over the next year, you must train with everything you've got, striving for your lives."
Everyone nodded solemnly.
According to Yang Xiong's estimation, among his eight companions, the one facing the most difficulty was Shui Bing'er. Her Red-Level Seven Trial required her to climb 136 steps, yet she was currently only a Soul King.
As for his sole disciple, Huo Wu, although she faced a certain level of difficulty, given the uniqueness of her Body Martial Soul, the Sea God's trial would likely bring her the greatest leap in growth.
Following Yang Xiong's arrangements, everyone began training on the steps corresponding to their respective trials. Each day, they were required to push themselves to their limits by attempting a full climb.
After intense training, they would undergo medicinal baths and other treatments to maximize the improvement of their bodies.
Yang Xiong's plan was based on the methods he had used to temper his own body, including rigorous training and medicinal baths. Only when one was utterly exhausted could the effects of the medicinal baths be maximized.
The Sea God's Light possessed unique properties—it was highly inclusive and wouldn't harm the body. It was arguably the strongest simulated environment in existence, and training under such conditions could make one significantly stronger.
After finding their respective positions, everyone began focusing intently on their cultivation without a moment's rest.
Aside from training, Yang Xiong also assigned everyone an additional weekly task: sparring with him.
During these sparring sessions, Yang Xiong would beat everyone to the brink of severe injury but with careful control, targeting their muscles and bones. Afterward, they would consume Oscar's Super Recovery Sausage to heal quickly.
Only through repeated combat and enduring countless hardships could their bodies truly grow stronger.
…
As time passed, everyone began to notice the effectiveness of this training regimen. Under the Sea God's Light, their cultivation speed was several times faster than before.
Among everyone, Yang Xiong paid the most attention to Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er. Both were only Soul Kings, yet their trial difficulties were the highest, placing the most pressure on them.
Though Shui Bing'er appeared gentle, her personality was incredibly resilient. Her inner strength rivaled that of any boy.
As for his sole disciple Huo Wu, Yang Xiong devoted extra care and effort to her development.
Since taking Huo Wu as his disciple, she had grown prouder. Even her tendency to prioritize romance had diminished. In her eyes, the inheritance of the Body Sect now came first, and Feng Xiaotian had received some degree of neglect.
One day, Huo Wu approached Yang Xiong, looking somewhat lost.
Yang Xiong was puzzled: "Huo Wu, is the pressure from the trial getting to you? You seem a bit off."
Huo Wu shook her head: "Master, am I a failure? I'm your only disciple, yet among everyone, my soul power level is the lowest, and I climb the fewest steps."
Yang Xiong's expression turned serious: "Huo Wu, why do you think that way? If we're talking purely about innate talent, why are you undergoing the Black-Level Six Trial while Yang Wei and Qin Shuang are only on the Black-Level Four Trial? If it's just about soul power, I might as well take Feng Xiaotian as my disciple—he might even break through to become a Title Douluo faster."
Huo Wu sighed helplessly: "Master, I just feel the pressure, and I can't see a clear path forward."
Yang Xiong shook his head: "Huo Wu, do you know why I took you as my disciple?"
A hint of confusion appeared on Huo Wu's face: "Master, isn't it because I possess a rare Body Martial Soul?"
A faint smirk appeared on Yang Xiong's lips: "Do you really think I'm that shallow? A martial soul is only part of what makes a soul master. What truly matters in cultivation is the soul master themselves."
"You're an extremely proud person—perhaps even arrogant. Whatever happened to that indomitable spirit you showed during the soul master competition, that refusal to accept defeat?"
"In my eyes, you're proud, confident, fearless in the face of life and death for victory and growth. That's the real you, the essence of who you are—not this weaker version standing before me now."
Huo Wu's expression grew increasingly serious: "Master, I understand. I will become stronger, even surpassing Feng Xiaotian."
Yang Xiong shook his head: "Why is Feng Xiaotian the only one on your mind? Your potential is greater than you realize. A Body Martial Soul is a one-in-ten-thousand gift, bestowed upon us by the heavens."
"The true strength of a Body Martial Soul doesn't lie in its adaptability or compatibility, nor in the perfect fusion of body and martial soul. Its greatest strength is its unparalleled resilience."
"Because our martial soul is our body, everyone has their own limits. But as the willpower of a Body Martial Soul grows stronger, as one perseveres and strives unyieldingly, the Body Martial Soul can grow infinitely stronger, potentially rivaling even divine martial souls."
"I call this phenomenon a 'second awakening.' When you absorbed the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, I thought you might awaken again. Though your strength increased, it still fell short of my expectations."
"The Sea God Island is a treasure trove. Under the illumination of the Sea God's Light, you can break through your limits endlessly—but only if your willpower is strong enough. Only by enduring unimaginable hardships can you repeatedly surpass your limits and potentially achieve a true second awakening."
Hearing these words, Huo Wu was completely shocked. She had never imagined Yang Xiong held her in such high regard, nor that her Body Martial Soul was even more powerful than she had thought.
"Master, I understand. I will strive to break through my limits and reach the level of a Title Douluo as soon as possible."
Yang Xiong shook his head: "Huo Wu, you still underestimate yourself. If I merely wanted to train an ordinary Title Douluo, there would have been no need for me to take you as my disciple."
"I want the Body Sect I created to endure for ten thousand years. For that, we don't need ordinary Title Douluo—we need true peerless experts. With your extraordinary talent, the uniqueness of your martial soul, and your indomitable character, I hope you will one day reach the 98th level of a Title Douluo, or even the legendary 99th-level Limit Douluo. Only then can the Body Sect truly stand unshakable."
"This is an era of great contention. The Spirit Hall is about to wage war across the land, and only the truly strong will survive. I hope you become one of those strong individuals. After me, I hope you will lead the Body Sect to rule supreme over the world."
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