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When Little Bai unleashed her Demon Shark Domain, countless massive waves surged throughout the Circular Sea. These waves moved with a rhythmic pattern, forming miniature tornadoes that severely restricted everyone's movement.
Yang Xiong sneered, and an endless crimson glow erupted from his body. It was as though a colossal blood-red sword cleaved through the sea, splitting it apart.
Although the Sea God had restricted Yang Xiong's soul rings, spirit bones, and even his Killing God Domain, no restriction could suppress the killing intent radiating from him.
Over the years, Yang Xiong had mastered the art of materializing his killing intent, fusing it with his sword qi to create a self-developed soul skill: Godslayer Slash.
Even without the amplification of the Killing God Domain, this Godslayer Slash descended like a blood-red blade from the heavens, forcibly shattering Little Bai's Demon Shark Domain.
The sheer intensity of this strike exceeded everyone's expectations. An overwhelming surge of killing intent slammed into Little Bai, as if attempting to cleave her entire body in two.
Little Bai let out a furious roar, and countless water columns erupted from the sea, all converging toward Yang Xiong's Godslayer Slash.
However, Yang Xiong's Godslayer Slash was imbued with boundless killing intent and sword qi, slicing through the water columns with ease. The attack landed directly on Little Bai, and despite her hundred-thousand-year soul beast physique being incredibly resilient, she sustained a ghastly wound from the impact.
Yang Xiong glanced at the others around him. Instantly understanding his intentions, everyone quickly consumed Oscar's third soul skill: Flying Mushroom Sausage.
In an instant, everyone ascended from the sea, swiftly flying toward the opposite end of the Circular Sea. Only Yang Xiong remained behind at the rear of the group.
Yang Xiong sneered: "A hundred-thousand-year soul beast, huh? I'd love to truly test my strength against you, but unfortunately, the Sea God forbids it."
Little Bai seemed genuinely enraged now, revealing her enormous, razor-sharp teeth. Sharks were among the fiercest predators of the sea, their sharp teeth capable of shredding any soul beast and striking fear into countless marine soul beasts.
With a mighty roar, Little Bai lunged at Yang Xiong, intent on tearing this detestable human apart.
Yang Xiong showed no fear. His fist shimmered with soul power, concentrating all his strength into a single devastating blow.
Little Bai roared: "You wretched human, if I don't tear you apart with my bite, I'll be unworthy of being a hundred-thousand-year soul beast!"
This was Little Bai's soul skill: Demon Shark Fang, channeling all her power into her teeth. With the terrifying bite force of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, she aimed to rip her opponent to shreds.
Yang Xiong countered with his full might, unleashing a Bone-Crushing Steel Fist.
The collision between the crimson fist and the Demon Shark Fang caused an explosion-like shockwave across the sea. Under the full force of both attacks, Little Bai was blasted back several dozen meters.
However, Yang Xiong used the momentum of the collision to his advantage, bringing himself closer to the other side of the Circular Sea.
Little Bai instantly realized Yang Xiong's plan: "Despicable human, you're too cunning! Let me show you my ultimate strength!"
A blue light emanated from Little Bai's head, and her Demon Shark Domain grew even stronger. Under the influence of this blue glow, not only did Yang Xiong slow down, but even Ning Rongrong and the others' flight speed diminished significantly.
This was Little Bai's most powerful attack skill: Despair Lightwave, a mental attack that placed the target's mind under control and temporarily sealed their soul skills, leaving them at her mercy.
Even Yang Xiong felt his consciousness falter for a moment, his movements slowing involuntarily.
However, Yang Xiong closed his eyes, carefully sensing the changes in his body while focusing on boosting his mental strength.
In that instant, his mental power reached its peak. His blood-red eyes glowed intensely, and a crimson beam shot forth, colliding with Little Bai's blue light.
The space around them seemed to shatter in that moment.
This was Yang Xiong's Asura Divine Light, evolved from the Purple Extreme Demon Eye. It was his most powerful mental attack skill.
Though Little Bai was an immensely powerful hundred-thousand-year soul beast, she couldn't withstand Yang Xiong's full-force Asura Divine Light. Her Despair Lightwave was instantly shattered, and Little Bai let out a piercing scream. Her body thrashed violently, as if caught in despair and endless slaughter.
Yang Xiong shook his head and paid no further attention to Little Bai's condition, swiftly crossing the Circular Sea.
The others had already taken advantage of Yang Xiong's confrontation with Little Bai to pass through the Circular Sea. The second trial of the Sea God's examination was now complete.
After crossing the Circular Sea, Yang Xiong heard a voice in his mind:
"Yang Xiong, your strength is formidable, daring to face a hundred-thousand-year soul beast head-on. You have passed the second trial of the Top-Tier Eight Trials. Reward: one level increase in soul power, and an additional thousand years added to your soul ring durations."
Yang Xiong summoned his soul rings. The previously shattered ones had already recovered, and his current configuration was three purple, two black, and two red rings.
With the increase in soul ring duration, Yang Xiong felt a significant boost in the power of all his soul skills.
The most notable change was in his first two soul rings, which had originally been mere hundred-year rings. Even with their previous enhancements, their power had been somewhat limited.
But after passing the first trial, these two rings had turned purple, and their power had increased exponentially, becoming far stronger than before.
His first soul skill, Mysterious Substitution, had its range greatly expanded. Originally limited to 100 meters, it now reached 500 meters. As the skill improved, Yang Xiong felt his mastery over space growing stronger.
Though he had previously achieved short-range teleportation with this skill, the distance had been severely limited.
Now, with the first soul skill upgraded to a thousand-year-level technique, Yang Xiong found he could gradually integrate spatial abilities into his Rasengan. The restrictions on teleportation were also reduced, as if breaking free from some invisible constraint.
His second soul skill, Golden Heart Amplification, saw even greater improvements. Originally focused on rapid healing and dispelling negative effects, it now enhanced these effects significantly. Moreover, it granted partial immunity to certain enemy debuffs, particularly those targeting the mind.
This was one of the reasons Yang Xiong could withstand and repel a hundred-thousand-year soul beast with his Asura Divine Light.
Additionally, with the strengthening of his wood-element energy, his vitality had increased dramatically. His body exhibited stronger growth potential and recovery capabilities.
Aside from Yang Xiong, everyone who passed the trial gained one level of soul power. Shui Bing'er and Ning Rongrong each received an additional five hundred years added to their soul ring durations. Now, their first four soul rings were all purple.
Amidst the joy, Dai Mubai, Tang San, and the others expressed their gratitude to Yang Xiong. Without his help, even Tang San might not have passed this trial.
Little Bai leaped onto the shore, glaring at Yang Xiong with unbridled hatred.
"You despicable human! How dare you deceive and injure me? I'll make you pay for this someday!"
Yang Xiong sighed: "Little Bai, I bear no ill will toward you or any soul beast. I merely used a small trick to pass the trial. If I hadn't given it my all, our entire group would have perished at your hands."
Little Bai's expression darkened with frustration: "This is the Sea God's trial, and I'm merely fulfilling my duty as an examiner. But you—you're too cunning, teaming up with so many people to gang up on me!"
Yang Xiong was left speechless. Had this hundred-thousand-year soul beast no sense of survival? She sounded as naive as a child. In life-and-death situations, there was no room for sentiment—only slaughter and calculation.
Yang Xiong smirked: "Little Bai, let me ask you one question. If my soul rings and spirit bone skills weren't restricted, would you stand a chance against me? If you're confident in yourself, we can fight right now. My restrictions are gone."
Little Bai swallowed nervously. Earlier, Yang Xiong's relentless attacks had injured her physically and mentally, even with his soul ring skills restricted.
Especially his self-developed techniques, like the Godslayer Slash and Asura Divine Light, had left her feeling mortal danger. Even now, she trembled at the memory.
If Yang Xiong's soul rings and spirit bone skills weren't restricted, Little Bai feared he might have the strength to slay her single-handedly.
Seeing Little Bai fall silent, Xiao Wu hurriedly stepped forward, stroking Little Bai's fin to comfort her.
"Little Bai, ignore that brute. He's just a monster obsessed with cultivation and killing. He doesn't know how to treat others gently."
Xiao Wu then glared at Yang Xiong, clearly upset that he had injured Little Bai.
The other girls quickly gathered around Little Bai, offering comfort. It seemed Yang Xiong had become the villain who harmed a friend. Eventually, Little Bai calmed down under their care.
Oscar even prepared food, wine, and his Super Recovery Sausage for Little Bai.
Under the influence of female friendship and delicious treats, Little Bai's icy demeanor softened, and she gradually warmed up to the group.
Yang Xiong: …
After the commotion settled, everyone turned their attention to the next trial.
The content of the trials was largely similar: Tidal Training.
A new message appeared in Yang Xiong's field of vision: "Yang Xiong, Top-Tier Trial, Third Test: Double Tidal Training, fourteen hours daily."
For the others, the requirements varied slightly: six hours for Black-Level Four Tests, eight hours for Black-Level Six Tests, and nine hours for Red-Level Seven Tests.
At this moment, Yang Xiong was filled with excitement but also a hint of confusion.
Among all the Sea God Island trials, Yang Xiong had long anticipated the Tidal Training the most—even more than the first trial under the Sea God's Light.
For a Body Martial Soul user, physical training was the most valuable aspect. Yang Xiong had deliberately refrained from absorbing a divine-bestowed soul ring, waiting for the Tidal Training to strengthen his body further before proceeding.
However, Yang Xiong found it odd. He was only undergoing the Red-Level Eight Trials—why did it feel like he was following Tang San's original storyline with the Sea God Nine Trials? And why did the difficulty seem even higher? Was the Sea God truly observing their progress?
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