I've also recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Douluo: AFKing to Become a God
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Time flew by, and soon a full year had passed since their arrival at the Sea God Island. During this year, everyone's progress had been rapid, not only in terms of soul power levels but also in physical strength.
Yang Xiong had already reached Level 80, having achieved this milestone two months prior. Under the influence of the Sea God's Light, his soul power increased by one level every two months on average.
Ning Rongrong had reached Level 74, with her divine-bestowed soul ring boosting her by one level. Oscar was at Level 73.
Feng Xiaotian's soul power had surged to Level 72, showcasing his exceptional talent as the person with the most significant increase in soul power among the group.
Yang Wei, Yang Xiong's older brother, had just broken through to Level 71.
Qin Shuang was at Level 68 and had yet to reach a bottleneck. Notably, he was the only one who hadn't absorbed a divine-bestowed soul ring.
Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er had the fastest growth rates. Huo Wu's soul power had reached Level 66, while Shui Bing'er's had climbed to Level 67—both had gained a full eight levels of soul power.
Under the Sea God's Light, everyone's cultivation speed was several times faster than usual. Without this intense environment, such rapid progress would have been impossible.
The group was thrilled with their progress over the past year and prepared for the final trial.
From the very beginning of the first trial, Yang Xiong had emphasized that everyone should strive to overcome the Sea God's Light trials using their own strength. Only in the direst of circumstances should they rely on others' assistance.
If they grew complacent or overly reliant on external help, their cultivation would slow down, failing to maximize the benefits of the Sea God's Light trials.
The first to step up was Feng Xiaotian. Though he lacked soul bones, his physical prowess was extraordinary, particularly his wind-attribute abilities.
Even without external assistance, Feng Xiaotian managed to barely cross the 118th step after exerting all his strength.
Next were Yang Wei and Qin Shuang.
Qin Shuang's martial soul, the Power Golden Bear, was formidable in terms of strength, rivaling even top-tier Soul Sages. Her physical conditioning was exceptional, and as a Black-Level Four Trial participant, she only needed to ascend 98 steps.
With immense effort, a massive Power Golden Bear emerged under the Sea God's Light, pushing itself to the limit and finally passing the trial.
Yang Wei faced greater difficulty. However, as a Soul Sage, his Xuantie Sword emitted sharp sword qi that resisted the Sea God's Light. In the final stages, he forcefully cleaved open a small gap in the light with his sword qi, allowing him to step onto the 98th step.
After these three passed their trials, the remaining individuals faced more challenging obstacles.
The fourth to attempt the trial was Huo Wu. Despite her significant progress over the year, and the enhancement her Body Martial Soul received under the Sea God's Light, her previous attempts had only brought her to the 99th step. She consistently fell short of crossing the 100-step mark.
After multiple failed attempts, Yang Xiong instructed Ning Rongrong and Oscar to assist her.
Under the combined effects of Ning Rongrong's Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda, Oscar's Hyperactive Pink Sausage, and other enhancements, Huo Wu's attributes skyrocketed. With her indomitable willpower, she finally crossed the 118th step, completing the trial.
Next came the most difficult challenge: Shui Bing'er. Despite her best efforts, she could only ascend slightly over 90 steps, far from the required 136. Among the group, she faced the greatest danger due to her relatively low soul power level.
Oscar's seventh soul ring was a divine-bestowed soul ring, granting him the same ability as in the original storyline—a skill called "Sturdy Golden Fly."
When this skill first appeared, the group nearly burst into laughter. Especially Qin Shuang, who looked at Oscar as if he wanted to beat him up—the name was simply too vulgar.
However, this time, Oscar's seventh soul skill was significantly stronger than in the original storyline. He now possessed two additional soul bones, making him far more powerful.
Moreover, Oscar's Sturdy Golden Fly could be stored for extended periods, functioning as a cheat-like ability within the food-based category.
After breaking through to his new level, Yang Xiong had Oscar begin producing Sturdy Golden Flies. By now, he had amassed a considerable stockpile, preparing for future needs.
With Ning Rongrong's Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda support, along with the Hyperactive Pink Sausage, Beyond-Limit Emerald Green Sausage, and Sturdy Golden Fly, Shui Bing'er's strength underwent a qualitative transformation. Her normally gentle demeanor turned into an incredibly fierce and powerful state.
With the full support of two people, Shui Bing'er seemed to break through her limits, finally crossing the 136th step and completing the first trial.
At this point, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Among them, Shui Bing'er's trial had been the most challenging.
Next were Oscar and Ning Rongrong. Compared to others, their trials were relatively less difficult.
Oscar possessed numerous soul bones, and his physical conditioning far surpassed that of the original storyline. With his pre-prepared Sturdy Golden Fly, ascending the 118th step posed no challenge.
Ning Rongrong relied on her unwavering determination and the support of multiple soul bones, along with Oscar's sausages, to climb independently.
Once she surpassed the 120th step, the true power of her Eight Spider Lances became evident.
The Eight Spider Lances acted like eight spider spears, firmly supporting her body as she leaned forward, climbing with sheer grit. Her resolute demeanor even made Yang Xiong feel a pang of sympathy.
Ultimately, she crossed the 136th step, completing the first trial on her own.
After the other seven members completed their trials, only Yang Xiong remained.
Yang Xiong didn't seek assistance from anyone else. He swiftly ascended the staircase of the Sea God's Light.
The first 200 steps posed no challenge to Yang Xiong. He ran up the steps as if strolling leisurely, moving with incredible ease.
Although Yang Xiong had only increased his soul power by five levels over the past year, his repeated breakthroughs under the Sea God's Light had significantly enhanced his physical strength and power.
Recently, he had been meditating and training directly on the 400th step, a level that no longer affected his body.
After surpassing the 200th step, Yang Xiong gradually slowed his pace. Summoning his martial soul and soul rings, his physical strength and power surged dramatically.
With his martial soul and soul rings activated, Yang Xiong continued sprinting upward, reaching the 350th step before his speed began to decline.
Step by step, he climbed higher, seemingly ignoring all pressure, as if nothing could stop his advance.
By the time he reached the 550th step, his body's strength had reached its peak. The pressure of the Sea God's Light felt like a mountain crushing him, every inch of his skin and every bone in his body straining under the weight.
Yang Xiong steeled himself, simultaneously activating his third soul skill, Tyrant Dragon's Fury, and his fourth soul skill, Dragon Elephant Steel Body. All his soul bones lit up, transforming him into a towering, beast-like figure.
Under the amplification of these two top-tier soul skills, the pressure on his body seemed to ease somewhat, and his pace quickened. Yang Xiong pressed onward, defying the overwhelming force.
Reaching the 640th step, the two amplification skills had been pushed to their absolute limits. His entire body felt as though it might shatter under the strain.
At this moment, Yang Xiong gritted his teeth, and his seventh soul ring blazed brightly. A blood-red figure materialized around him—it was his seventh soul skill, Asura True Body.
Simultaneously, boundless red light erupted from his body, unleashing the Killing God Domain. The crimson glow collided with the golden radiance of the Sea God's Light, creating a spectacular clash between the Killing God Domain and the Sea God's Light.
Though only slightly more than 20 steps remained, these steps held no fear for Yang Xiong. At this moment, his goal wasn't merely to pass the trial—he sought to discover his own limits.
In an instant, his first five soul rings shattered explosively, releasing torrents of energy into his body. The blood-red silhouette surrounding him expanded exponentially, resembling a colossal crimson giant. Its violent aura dyed the entire staircase red.
Yang Xiong was taking a gamble, using the explosive technique known as Ring Detonation. By detonating five soul rings simultaneously, the blood-red figure soared to a height of over 30 meters. The Killing God Domain also intensified, resembling a demon crawling out of hell or an Asura incarnate. This was the desperate move Yang Xiong had devised after absorbing three Thousand-Pound Ant Emperor soul rings: the Asura Dharma Body.
The colossal Asura Dharma Body clashed with the Sea God's Light. The Killing God Domain seemed to tear apart the heavens and earth, like a giant roaring in defiance, challenging the divine.
With the activation of the Asura Dharma Body, Yang Xiong felt an unprecedented surge of power, his body erupting with terrifying strength.
Without hesitation, Yang Xiong pushed forward, climbing higher with all his might, disregarding how many steps he had ascended.
He climbed countless steps until his body reached its absolute limit, and even the Asura Dharma Body could no longer advance further.
At this point, Yang Xiong released the tension in his mind, and the overwhelming pressure vanished instantly. He collapsed onto the staircase of the Sea God's Light, exhausted.
Looking toward the summit, he realized he was only about a hundred steps away.
At this moment, Yang Xiong appeared utterly battered. Every bone in his body felt as though it might shatter, and blood trickled from his seven orifices.
This was Yang Xiong's first use of the Asura Dharma Body. By detonating five soul rings, he had momentarily surpassed his limits, gaining extraordinary power—but the side effects were severe.
On one hand, each use of the Asura Dharma Body far exceeded his body's endurance, leaving him in excruciating pain afterward, as if every bone in his body had been crushed.
On the other hand, he would be unable to fight for some time, and the detonated soul rings would temporarily vanish. Since this was his first use, the exact recovery time remained uncertain.
"Hahahaha!"
Yet Yang Xiong ignored the pain, throwing his head back in triumphant laughter.
This time, he had climbed to the 860th step. Though the difficulty increased exponentially as he ascended, Yang Xiong felt as if he had finally released the suffocating weight in his chest.
All along, Yang Xiong had never revealed his ultimate goal to anyone. His true pursuit had always been achieving divinity at Level 100.
Only now did he realize that divinity was not as distant as he had once thought. At just Level 80, he had pushed himself to reach the 860th step of the Sea God's Light. The legendary 1,001 steps no longer seemed so unreachable.
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