Time flew by, and soon Yang Xiong's group had spent a full nine months on Circular Island. Everyone's strength had improved to some extent, but compared to the rapid progress they experienced under the Sea God's Light, their cultivation speed here was much slower.
Under the Sea God's Light, everyone's soul power had increased by an average of five to six levels, not to mention the significant improvement in their physical conditioning.
However, during this time in the Circular Sea, Tang San's group had only managed to increase their soul power by two levels on average.
In comparison, Yang Xiong's group had also gained about two levels of soul power. Even Qin Shuang had absorbed a divine-bestowed soul ring, raising her soul power to Level 72.
The most troublesome case was Huo Wu, whose soul power had already reached Level 70. Unfortunately, having already absorbed a divine-bestowed soul ring, she had no time to obtain a new one due to the ongoing trials.
Under Yang Xiong's guidance, everyone's combat abilities in water had greatly improved. Even Huo Wu had fully adapted to underwater fighting. Although her Shadow Martial Soul was somewhat suppressed by seawater, she could still unleash about 80% of her strength.
However, the biggest challenge facing Tang San's group wasn't the increase in soul power, but rather how the six of them would pass the trial.
Tang San's group had tried countless times, but they simply couldn't find any way to cross the Circular Sea, let alone face off against the hundred-thousand-year Demon Soul Great White Shark.
At this point, Tang San's soul power was only at Level 73, while Xiao Wu, after absorbing a divine-bestowed soul ring, had reached Level 72. These two were the only Soul Sages among Tang San's six-member team.
As a hundred-thousand-year soul beast who had taken human form, Xiao Wu could independently form her first six soul rings. But after reaching Level 70, she entered her mature phase and became indistinguishable from ordinary soul masters, requiring soul rings for further advancement.
It remained unclear whether Xiao Wu, with her stance toward hundred-thousand-year soul beasts, would ever consider absorbing a hundred-thousand-year soul ring in the future.
Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, Yu Tianheng, and Dugu Yan were all Soul Emperors. Among them, Zhu Zhuqing had broken through to become a Soul Emperor after receiving the rewards from passing the first trial.
Not only was Tang San's group feeling exceptionally disheartened, but even Ning Rongrong and the others were worried. If they failed the trial, all six of them would die—the Sea God's trials showed no mercy.
Even though Xiao Wu and Little Bai, the hundred-thousand-year Demon Soul Great White Shark, had a good relationship, Little Bai wouldn't lower the difficulty of the trial for Xiao Wu's sake. She dared not defy the dignity of the Sea God.
Dai Mubai and Yang Xiong had always maintained a decent rapport, but now Dai Mubai hesitated as he looked at Yang Xiong, who was meditating with his eyes closed.
During the first trial, although the actual help came from Oscar and Ning Rongrong, it had all been arranged by Yang Xiong.
Now, in the second trial, it seemed that the difficulty far exceeded everyone's capabilities once again, bringing them to the brink of life and death.
Even if Oscar and Ning Rongrong provided support to Tang San's group, their combined strength still wouldn't be enough to pass the Demon Soul Great White Shark's trial.
Although Yang Xiong and Tang San had a minor disagreement after their earlier conversation—considering each other as mere classmates—Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu had grown extremely close. After a year of shared training, the girls' bond had only deepened.
Seeing Dai Mubai's conflicted expression, Yang Xiong couldn't help but shake his head: "Dai Mubai, we've been classmates for so many years. If you have something to say, just speak your mind."
A bitter smile appeared on Dai Mubai's face: "Yang Xiong, we were too arrogant. Considering our strength and the difficulty of the Sea God's trials, it seems we won't be able to pass."
Over the past year, Tang San's group had trained diligently and fought frequently with Little Bai in the Circular Sea. Their underwater combat abilities had improved to some extent, but the gap between their strength and Little Bai's was simply too vast. Even using their Spirit Fusion Technique, the Hell White Tiger, had little effect.
On the other hand, Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan, after years of being together, had developed a Spirit Fusion Technique similar to Dragon Serpent Strike. However, even a Soul Emperor-level fusion technique had limited impact on a hundred-thousand-year soul beast.
Yang Xiong sighed helplessly: "Dai Mubai, although this second trial is a group effort where everyone can assist each other, what will you do if you encounter individual trials later? How will you pass then?"
In truth, over the past year, Tang San's six-person team had shown signs of fragmentation. While they still respected Tang San's strength, their attitudes had subtly shifted. At the very least, Tang San no longer held absolute leadership.
Suddenly, Ning Rongrong interjected: "Little Bear, I feel so sorry for Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Dugu Yan. If you don't help them, they'll surely die."
"As for this tiger of yours, although he used to be a playboy, he's been devoted to Zhu Zhuqing these past few years and has changed quite a bit. Can't you help them out?"
Hearing this, Dai Mubai's face turned beet red, unsure how to respond since it referenced his past embarrassing behavior.
Yang Xiong glanced at Ning Rongrong and the others, sighing deeply: "Rongrong, the Sea God's trials aren't so simple. Each trial's timing and difficulty are meticulously designed, leaving no room for slack. If we help them now, you'll lose three months of training time, and the subsequent trials will become even harder. Are you all prepared for that?"
Ning Rongrong and the others exchanged glances, lost in thought. Finally, Ning Rongrong spoke: "Little Bear, no matter how difficult the trial, we can overcome it. Xiao Wu and I are like sisters. What's a little extra hardship?"
Yang Xiong, who had been sitting cross-legged on the ground, immediately stood up: "Very well. Since you're all determined, let's pass the trial today."
The group erupted in joy. They had been agonizing over this trial for some time, but now, with Yang Xiong stepping in, the trial seemed certain to succeed.
Yang Xiong continued: "Rongrong, Oscar, Shui Bing'er, Huo Wu, I hope you remember the decision you're making today—it might change your lives forever."
Tang San, Dai Mubai, and the others pondered silently, unsure what to say. After all, this decision concerned their very lives.
…
Next, both Ning Rongrong's group and Tang San's group gathered together, totaling thirteen people.
Based on everyone's abilities and soul skills, Yang Xiong devised a relatively meticulous strategy.
At Yang Xiong's command, everyone immediately entered the sea in attack mode, swiftly summoning their martial souls and soul rings.
Except for Yang Xiong, the others weren't restricted from using their martial souls or soul skills—only Tang San and Ning Rongrong were barred from using their seventh soul skills.
Ning Rongrong and Oscar quickly provided support to the group, significantly boosting everyone's strength. This was thanks to Oscar's fourth soul skill: Hyperactive Pink Sausage, which everyone had consumed.
A swift shadow darted through the water—it was Little Bai, the Demon Soul Great White Shark.
With a furious roar, Little Bai shouted: "You despicable murderer of hundred-thousand-year soul beasts, you dare think you can pass my trial? Dream on!"
Yang Xiong sneered coldly. As Little Bai charged at him, he unleashed a full-powered punch.
When the Demon Soul Great White Shark collided with Yang Xiong, he was sent flying several meters.
Though neither Yang Xiong nor Little Bai could gain the upper hand in the ocean, Little Bai's speed and agility in the water far surpassed Yang Xiong's. This was the true advantage of sea soul beasts over land-based soul masters.
Tang San's group reacted quickly, and countless strands of Blue Silver Grass rapidly grew in the water.
Little Bai roared furiously, sending a towering column of water surging upward, shattering the Blue Silver Grass and even striking Tang San himself.
Feng Xiaotian, Xiao Wu, Yang Wei, and Qin Shuang immediately activated their True Body martial souls. Especially Feng Xiaotian and Qin Shuang, whose immense strength launched a fierce assault on Little Bai.
Feng Xiaotian's speed was extraordinary. Using his fourth soul skill, Demon Wolf Storm, a massive tornado formed in the water, forcefully interrupting the incoming water column.
Qin Shuang, with the strongest physical conditioning in the group, unleashed her Power Golden Bear, delivering a powerful blow to counter Little Bai's attacks.
Yang Wei slashed his Xuantie Sword, releasing countless sword qi that seemed to slice through the water.
Even though Little Bai's strength and speed were formidable, she struggled to handle the combined might of so many Soul Sages.
Meanwhile, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing unleashed their Spirit Fusion Technique, the Hell White Tiger. The enormous tiger clawed fiercely, its attack capable of rivaling top-tier Soul Sages despite being at the Soul Emperor level.
…
Yang Xiong's group didn't seem eager to break through the Circular Sea. Instead, they focused on battling Little Bai, pushing their abilities to the limit.
However, Little Bai's speed in the water was unmatched among sea soul beasts, far surpassing Yang Xiong's group.
According to Yang Xiong's plan, instead of desperately trying to break through the Circular Sea, it was better to engage Little Bai fully. This approach might offer a higher chance of success, especially since Yang Xiong had experience defeating hundred-thousand-year soul beasts.
Though Little Bai was powerful and fast, she couldn't gain a significant advantage against Yang Xiong's group. Yang Xiong could directly withstand her attacks, and their strengths were evenly matched. Without the restrictions on soul ring usage, Yang Xiong alone could potentially defeat Little Bai.
The battle in the sea was intense. Everyone attacked Little Bai with full force, but the ones causing her the most trouble weren't Yang Xiong—it was Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er.
From a martial soul perspective, Shui Bing'er and Huo Wu countered Little Bai effectively. Huo Wu's colossal fire shadow caused the seawater to heat up significantly, evaporating parts of it and even restricting some of Little Bai's soul skills.
Shui Bing'er continuously froze the water into ice, repeatedly using her first soul skill, Ice Seal. Even though Little Bai could break free from the ice, the surrounding environment was filled with ice, severely limiting her mobility and reducing her flexibility.
As the battle raged on, the situation in the sea began to shift. The group surrounded Little Bai, and despite her hundred-thousand-year strength, she was now at a disadvantage.
Moreover, Yang Xiong subtly controlled the battlefield, gradually shifting the fight closer to another part of the Circular Sea, inching nearer to breaking through.
At this moment, Little Bai realized something was amiss with the surroundings. If this continued, she'd be defeated in an undignified manner, while Yang Xiong's group would effortlessly pass the trial.
"You humans dare scheme against me! Let me show you my true power!"
Little Bai emitted a special glow. Bathed in its light, she seemed to merge with the entire sea. The waters surged violently, relentlessly attacking Yang Xiong's group. This was Little Bai's Demon Shark Domain.
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