In addition to the soul bones, they also obtained over two hundred carcasses of Evil Tiger Whales this time.
These were all top-tier spirit beasts, and even their ordinary meat was extremely valuable. Yang Xiong led the group in extracting all the whale gelatin, making this a truly bountiful harvest.
After absorbing the soul bones, Yang Xiong's group returned to Sea Horse City and specifically sought out the Sea Horse Douluo to inquire about the Seven Holy Pillars.
The Sea Horse Douluo was well aware of everyone's trial content. The Seven Holy Pillars maintained close relationships, and since the trials were public, much information about them was openly shared. The Sea Horse Douluo didn't hold back and provided plenty of details about the other six pillars.
For the next full month, Yang Xiong trained with the seven others nonstop. He pointed out the flaws in their combat techniques while helping them adapt better to underwater battles.
Of course, this was also a form of self-discipline for Yang Xiong, as he fought against the seven without using his soul skills.
…
Compared to Yang Xiong's group, Tang San's group of six appeared relatively less fortunate.
After the battle against the Evil Tiger Whales, Tang San and the others were eager to follow Little Bai into the deep sea to eliminate the Black Scaled Merfolk clan.
The Black Scaled Merfolk were a particularly difficult-to-handle spirit beast species found in the deep sea. Their appearance resembled humans, but their bodies were pitch black and covered in dark scales. Their defense was incredibly strong, their strength immense, and they possessed lethal venom.
After enduring numerous grueling battles, Tang San's group finally defeated the Black Scaled Merfolk clan, killing many of them.
Dai Mubai and the others did not receive an upgrade to their trials; their Black-Level Four Trials were fully completed. Among Tang San's group, only Tang San and Xiao Wu needed to continue participating in the trials.
Upon completing their trials, Dai Mubai and the others were rewarded with another divine-bestowed soul ring.
After absorbing the soul rings, Dai Mubai reached Level 75, gaining one level from the divine-bestowed soul ring, one level from the fourth Sea God trial, and another from completing all trials.
Yu Tianheng was similar to Dai Mubai, reaching Level 74.
Dugu Yan reached Level 72, though Zhu Zhuqing remained at Level 69, still not breaking through to Soul Sage.
Meanwhile, after completing the fourth trial, Tang San's soul power reached Level 78, and Xiao Wu's reached Level 77.
However, when they returned, each of them bore numerous injuries, reflecting the brutality of the war.
After a month of intense training, Yang Xiong and his group were ready to begin the fifth trial of the Sea God's challenge.
The first battle was between Oscar and Ning Rongrong against the Sea Horse Douluo.
The Sea Horse Douluo's martial soul was the Sea Horse, and he had excellent mastery over seawater, capable of fusing with the marine elements to create waves for battle. He also wielded a certain style of boxing.
However, Oscar was well-prepared. He had prepared Feng Xiaotian's blood in advance and used it to create a Copy Image Sausage.
When the massive wave surged toward him, Oscar immediately consumed the Copy Image Sausage, transforming into a giant Stormwind Doubleheaded Wolf. His body emitted endless wind blades, and he even directly used Feng Xiaotian's fourth soul skill: Demon Wolf Storm.
Under the effects of the Demon Wolf Storm, especially with Ning Rongrong's full support from the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda, Oscar's soul skill power now matched Feng Xiaotian's completely.
Ultimately, Oscar's Stormwind Doubleheaded Wolf broke through the waves and shattered the Sea Horse Douluo's attacks, securing victory.
This battle lasted an exceptionally long time. Oscar continuously used various sausages to amplify himself, recover his body and soul power, and push his abilities to the limit. The fight resembled a prolonged tug-of-war.
The second battle was between Feng Xiaotian and the Sea Delusion (Fantasy/Illusion) Douluo.
The Sea Delusion Douluo had extremely powerful mental strength, and his martial soul was the Illusory Sea Serpent. His innate domain had formidable control capabilities, capable of confusing any opponent, even Title Douluos who hesitated to fight him.
Feng Xiaotian, being only a Soul Douluo, had significantly weaker mental strength compared to a Title Douluo. Throughout the battle, he was under the influence of the Sea Delusion Douluo's illusions.
Moreover, the Sea Delusion Douluo's beast martial soul amplification combined with his weapon martial soul control made the Illusory Sea Serpent unpredictable and hard to defend against.
At this critical moment, Ning Rongrong's support played a pivotal role.
With Ning Rongrong's assistance, Feng Xiaotian's mental strength greatly increased, as did his physical power and overall combat capabilities.
Especially during this battle, Feng Xiaotian displayed terrifying combat talent. Even while at a disadvantage, his Stormwind Doubleheaded Wolf was exceptionally swift. When he unleashed his martial soul true form, the wind element seemed to stir the entire ocean, placing the Illusory Sea Serpent within a hurricane.
When Feng Xiaotian unleashed his fifty-four consecutive slashes with the Stormwind Doubleheaded Wolf, his combat power far exceeded his current soul power level. In the final few strikes, his attack power reached Title Douluo levels.
Ultimately, under Feng Xiaotian's relentless assault, the Illusory Sea Serpent couldn't withstand such powerful attacks, and the Sea Delusion Douluo himself nearly suffered severe injuries.
Feng Xiaotian and Ning Rongrong emerged victorious. Feng Xiaotian's combat prowess left the Sea Delusion Douluo deeply impressed.
…
The third battle was between Yang Wei and Ning Rongrong against the Sea Spear Douluo.
This was a true clash of weapon martial souls. The Sea Spear Douluo's martial soul was the Sea Spear, ranked second among the Seven Holy Pillars, renowned for its overwhelming attack power.
Yang Wei's original martial soul was an ordinary iron sword, but after absorbing the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass, it evolved into the Black Iron Sword. His understanding of swordsmanship was profound—he not only mastered sword qi but also wielded devastating sword techniques.
During the battle, the Black Iron Sword and the Sea Spear clashed repeatedly, filling the ocean with endless sword qi.
The Sea Spear Douluo's high-powered attacks were equally formidable. Especially when he activated his weapon soul true form, he could use seawater as cover, merging his body with his weapon martial soul to amplify its power further.
Similarly, when Yang Wei activated his weapon soul True Form, the Black Iron Sword became like the strongest sword in existence. It radiated boundless sword qi and carried an indomitable sword intent, even exuding a fierce killing aura.
The Nine-Leaf Sword Grass truly lived up to its reputation as one of the finest immortal herbs—even Yang Xiong coveted it. If it weren't for his older brother, Yang Xiong wouldn't have parted with such a precious herb.
At this moment, Yang Wei no longer resembled a person but rather a pure sword. After absorbing the hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone, the Black Iron Sword seemed heavier and infused with the immense strength and bloodthirsty nature of the Evil Tiger Whale King.
When the Sea Spear Douluo unleashed his ninth soul skill, all his energy concentrated on the Sea Spear, focusing into a single explosive point. The Sea Spear rapidly expanded, emitting terrifying energy that distorted the surrounding space and moved so quickly that evasion was impossible.
Yang Wei, too, gave it his all, unleashing his strongest attack—a hundred-thousand-year soul ring skill: Tiger Whale Fury Slash. The sword transformed into a colossal Evil Tiger Whale, its blood-red sword qi piercing heaven and earth.
Ning Rongrong fully supported Yang Wei, maximizing the potential of his hundred-thousand-year soul ring skill. With one final strike, he shattered the massive Sea Spear and pressed the Black Iron Sword against the Sea Spear Douluo's neck.
This battle was extremely brutal, with both sides repeatedly wounded by each other's weapon martial souls, their bodies drenched in blood. If Yang Wei hadn't given his all in the end, victory would have been impossible.
The fourth battle was between Qin Shuang and Ning Rongrong against the Sea Ghost Douluo. Compared to the other battles, this fight was more akin to a collision of raw power.
In terms of strength, Qin Shuang was vastly inferior to the Sea Ghost Douluo. As a top-tier Soul Sage, battling a Title Douluo was exceedingly difficult.
However, Qin Shuang displayed terrifying power and tenacity. Her Mighty Golden Bear possessed immense strength and outstanding defense, leaving no openings.
Especially under Ning Rongrong's support, Qin Shuang became like an indestructible cockroach, relying on his robust physique to drag the fight to its conclusion.
In the final moments, all three combatants' soul power was depleted, turning the fight into a primitive struggle. Qin Shuang relied on her superior physical attributes to secure a hard-fought victory, thanks in part to the skills of his many soul bones.
At the most critical moment, Ning Rongrong suddenly revealed her combat abilities in addition to her auxiliary powers. A massive Rasengan appeared in her hands, striking the Sea Ghost Douluo and creating the final opportunity for Qin Shuang.
The fifth battle was Huo Wu against the Sea Star Douluo. Contrary to expectations, this battle wasn't as difficult as anticipated.
Huo Wu possessed extremely strong control abilities, and her Fire Shadow martial soul had an ultimate fire attribute. When she unleashed her martial soul true form, her entire body transformed into a colossal Fire Shadow. Her golden flames were impervious to ordinary seawater.
On the contrary, seawater evaporated rapidly under the golden flames.
The Sea Star Douluo was a control-type soul master, and his Sea Star martial soul could grow countless tentacles with powerful devouring abilities. He even possessed a devouring-type soul bone.
However, facing Huo Wu's overwhelming flames, fire held significant dominance over marine elements and could not be devoured.
After a fierce battle, Huo Wu narrowly secured victory with her overwhelming flames.
Finally, it was Shui Bing'er's turn. Her opponent was the Sea Witch Douluo, whose martial soul was the Sea Devil Flute—an exceptionally rare spiritual-type Title Douluo.
By Shui Bing'er's current strength, victory should have been impossible, especially without a head soul bone.
But at this critical moment, Ning Rongrong unexpectedly revealed extraordinary combat abilities. Not only did she possess the protection of the Nine Treasures Divine Light, but her Eight Spider Lances also manifested, granting her immunity to certain mental attacks under the Divine Light's influence.
Ultimately, Shui Bing'er and Ning Rongrong worked together—Shui Bing'er focused on control while Ning Rongrong took charge of the attacks, securing a hard-fought victory.
This was all part of Yang Xiong's meticulous planning. During the first three battles, Oscar, Feng Xiaotian, and Yang Wei were all Soul Douluos, allowing Ning Rongrong to focus solely on support.
During the battles of Qin Shuang, Huo Wu, and Shui Bing'er—the three Soul Sages—Ning Rongrong gradually revealed her combat talents. The Eight Spider Lances and Rasengan proved invaluable in critical moments, even capable of turning the tide of battle.
For example, during the fight against the Sea Witch Douluo, Ning Rongrong used her Nine Treasures Protective Divine Light and Eight Spider Lances for the first time, catching the Sea Witch Douluo off guard.
For these seven fighters challenging six Title Douluos, Yang Xiong deliberately arranged for one battle every one to two days, aiming to maximize Ning Rongrong's potential and give them a real chance at victory.
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