After spending a full month relaxing in Seahorse City, the group had finally taken a well-deserved break. However, the content of the trials for Yang Xiong's group of eight and Tang San's group of six were now different.
Yang Xiong's group faced the fourth trial: the Battle of the Whale and Sharks. Their task was to assist the Great White Shark clan in eliminating most of the Evil Tiger Whale clan.
Tang San's group, on the other hand, was tasked with accompanying the Great White Shark clan into the open sea to defeat the Black Scaled Merfolk, a vicious race of spirit beasts known for their toxicity and rampant destruction in nearby waters.
The core objective of both groups' trials was similar: to kill a certain number of spirit beasts, with specific details determined by the trial's requirements.
Since several people needed soul rings, Yang Xiong's group set sail under the arrangement of the Seahorse Douluo, preparing to acquire soul rings for everyone on a large scale.
In theory, if they continued through the trials, they might earn another divine-bestowed soul ring as a reward.
However, Shui Bing'er and Huo Wu's soul power levels were still too low—only at Level 70. Without acquiring soul rings, they would be unable to face the Seven Holy Pillar Guardians, who were at the Title Douluo level.
Moreover, given the nature of their martial souls and attributes, even the Evil Tiger Whales weren't suitable as their soul rings. Thus, Yang Xiong decided to arrange an early expedition to obtain appropriate soul rings for them.
It took nearly a month to secure suitable soul rings for Shui Bing'er and Huo Wu.
Finding a soul ring for Huo Wu was particularly challenging, as fire-attribute spirit beasts were almost nonexistent in the ocean.
Under the guidance of the Demon Spirit Great White Shark clan and the Purple-Robed Guardians of Seahorse City, the group eventually arrived at an enormous island spanning approximately thirty kilometers. The island was dominated by a massive active volcano, home to numerous fire-attribute spirit beasts.
This was an independent underwater volcano that periodically erupted, making it uninhabitable due to its intense heat and overwhelming fire energy. As a result, no sea spirit masters dared to enter, allowing fire-attribute spirit beasts to thrive there undisturbed.
With the group's help, Huo Wu successfully obtained a high-quality soul ring with a duration of seventy thousand years—a significant leap beyond her current level.
For Shui Bing'er, the group traveled approximately one thousand kilometers north of the Sea God Island, where floating icebergs began to appear, and temperatures dropped sharply. This region was home to many ice-attribute spirit beasts.
Compared to Huo Wu's seventh soul ring, Shui Bing'er's seventh soul ring had a slightly lower duration but still reached sixty thousand years.
After absorbing their soul rings, both Shui Bing'er and Huo Wu experienced significant increases in their soul power. Shui Bing'er reached Level 74, while Huo Wu advanced to Level 75. In terms of raw soul power gains, these two ranked highest among the group.
When they first arrived at the Sea God Island, both were only Soul Kings. Thanks to their unique martial souls and the effects of Tidal Training, their cultivation progress far surpassed the others.
Because of the intense refinement from Tidal Training, both absorbed soul rings beyond their usual limits. If this trend continued, Huo Wu's eighth soul ring might reach the hundred-thousand-year level—but whether a divine-bestowed soul ring would still be available remained uncertain.
As for Ning Rongrong, Feng Xiaotian, and Oscar, Yang Xiong planned to first complete the fourth trial with them. Among the Evil Tiger Whales, there were some spirit beasts with very high durations, though not reaching the hundred-thousand-year level, which were sufficient as soul rings for the three. Given their physical conditioning, absorbing a hundred-thousand-year soul ring might prove impossible.
Especially for Ning Rongrong, who was undergoing Red-Level Seven Trials, she could theoretically earn another divine-bestowed soul ring. For these three, there was no rush to acquire soul rings—they could wait until all trials were completed.
Upon returning to the Sea God Island, Yang Xiong's group immediately sought out Little Bai to prepare for the fourth trial.
Considering the strength of Yang Xiong's entire group, even a year of additional training would likely only increase their soul power by two levels. It made more sense to proceed with the trial now.
The group organized a massive barbecue on the beach, the aroma spreading across the coastline. Soon enough, a colossal Great White Shark emerged from the sea, transforming into Little Bai's humanoid form.
Ning Rongrong stroked Little Bai's fin: "Little Bai, did you miss me?"
Little Bai looked proud: "Rongrong, 'Little Bai' is a name reserved for the Sea God's exclusive use. You should call me Elder Bai. What do you need me for?"
Ning Rongrong quickly replied: "Elder Bai, we want to participate in the fourth trial. Isn't this something you're supposed to help us with?"
Little Bai's expression turned grave, even showing a hint of fear: "Are you prepared? The Evil Tiger Whales are not to be underestimated."
The group exchanged glances, and finally, Ning Rongrong nodded: "We're ready. We can depart anytime to confront the Evil Tiger Whale clan."
Little Bai shook her head: "The Evil Tiger Whale clan isn't so easy to deal with. Unlike our Demon Spirit Great White Shark clan, they aren't reasonable. Every single Evil Tiger Whale is extremely ferocious, dominating the seas without restraint. Very few spirit beasts can pose a threat to them."
Even as a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast, Little Bai's seriousness caused Yang Xiong's group to adopt a more solemn demeanor.
Feng Xiaotian quickly asked: "Little Bai, just how powerful are the Evil Tiger Whales? How many are there in their clan? This is crucial information related to our trial objectives."
Each member's trial objectives varied, but the overall goal was to eliminate more than half of the Evil Tiger Whale clan. Specific numbers differed for each person.
Yang Xiong's target was to kill fifteen adult Evil Tiger Whales.
Shui Bing'er's target was ten adult Evil Tiger Whales, while Huo Wu and Feng Xiaotian were tasked with killing eight each. Qin Shuang and Yang Wei were responsible for five each. Oscar and Ning Rongrong were to support the team while also killing two adult Evil Tiger Whales.
From the perspective of the trial design, the Sea God had clearly considered everyone's abilities, trial levels, and specific attributes. Even Oscar and Ning Rongrong, despite being support roles, were assigned combat tasks, likely recognizing their offensive capabilities.
Little Bai barked angrily: "You're only thinking about your trial objectives! Do you have any idea how terrifying the Evil Tiger Whales are? Just how brutal they truly are? This battle will be infinitely harder—and far more dangerous—than you imagine."
Ning Rongrong quickly interjected: "Elder Bai, don't scare us like this. How strong are the Evil Tiger Whales exactly?"
Little Bai clenched her teeth: "The Evil Tiger Whale clan and our Demon Spirit Great White Shark clan are mortal enemies—an irreconcilable feud between two races of the sea."
"Among sea spirit beasts, there is a hierarchy. At the very top are the Evil Tiger Whales, Great White Sharks, and Deep Sea Demon Whales—the apex predators of the oceanic food chain. However, even among these three races, there are significant differences in strength."
"The Deep Sea Demon Whales are the strongest, but their numbers are exceedingly rare. They generally live solitary lives, like the Deep Sea Demon Whale King Tang San encountered. He is the strongest spirit beast in the ocean, but due to his laziness, he rarely leaves his territory, merely opening his massive mouth to wait for food. His impact on other regions is relatively limited."
"The Evil Tiger Whales, on the other hand, are the opposite. Their population is substantial, numbering around three hundred. They are incredibly bloodthirsty, slaughtering every spirit beast in their path. They are the most ruthless hunters and destroyers of the ocean."
"Every few decades or century, our Great White Shark clan clashes with the Evil Tiger Whales. Each time, our clan suffers immense casualties. If not for our proximity to the Sea God Island, which deters the Evil Tiger Whales, our Great White Shark clan might have already declined."
Hearing this, the group swallowed nervously. They had witnessed the strength of the Great White Sharks firsthand. Hundreds of Great White Sharks surrounded the Sea God Island, each one formidable. Just how much stronger would the Evil Tiger Whales be?
Feng Xiaotian's expression turned serious: "Little Bai, please tell us the specifics of the Evil Tiger Whale clan. This will help us prepare accordingly."
Little Bai explained: "Adult Evil Tiger Whales are twenty to twenty-five meters long, with incredibly robust bodies and razor-sharp teeth. A single adult Evil Tiger Whale can match two Great White Sharks in combat. Their individual strength is extraordinary."
"Their total population is around three hundred, similar to our Great White Shark clan. Approximately two hundred are adults. Normally, an adult Evil Tiger Whale reaches the ten-thousand-year level. Except for the Demon Whale territories and the Sea God Island, they dare to invade any area, leaving behind trails of slaughter wherever they go."
"In their clan, the Evil Tiger Whale King has long since reached the hundred-thousand-year level, surpassing even my strength. Additionally, there are at least three Evil Tiger Whales at the eighty-thousand-year level and over ten at the fifty-thousand-year level."
The group swallowed again, feeling increasingly uneasy. Such a formidable race of spirit beasts, with such numbers, could easily sweep through the entire Star Dou Forest if they were on land.
A hundred-thousand-year spirit beast possessed incredible physical conditioning. The Evil Tiger Whale King likely rivaled the Titan Giant Ape, comparable to a Level 95 Title Douluo.
Even the eighty-thousand-year Evil Tiger Whales likely possessed combat abilities equivalent to Title Douluos, especially in the ocean, where their movements would be even swifter and more agile.
The Evil Tiger Whale clan's strength alone rivaled that of one of the upper three sects. Similar to the former Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan, their combined strength might still fall short of the Evil Tiger Whale clan's.
Feng Xiaotian sighed: "Little Bai, if that's the case, then we'll essentially be facing half of the Evil Tiger Whale clan's attacks. And that's assuming the Great White Shark clan can hold their ground."
Little Bai snorted coldly: "That's not all. Our Great White Shark clan has suffered consecutive defeats against them, leaving psychological scars. When the real battle begins, our combat effectiveness might not be as strong as expected."
After hearing this, everyone instinctively turned to Yang Xiong.
Though Yang Xiong and Little Bai had always been somewhat at odds, it was usually Feng Xiaotian, Ning Rongrong, and others who communicated with her. But when true difficulties arose, Yang Xiong was the group's steadfast pillar.
After careful thought, Yang Xiong spoke: "Big Brother, Oscar, Rongrong—are you confident in absorbing a hundred-thousand-year soul ring given your current physical conditioning?"
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