After Bo Saixi's introduction, Yang Xiong and his two companions understood the illustrious history of the Sea God and the significance of the inheritance of the Sea God Island.
However, Bo Saixi didn't elaborate on any specific cultivation methods or divine inheritance techniques. Instead, she led Yang Xiong and the others to the center of the Sea God Temple, where the Sea God's Trident stood before them.
"Yang Xiong, Ning Rongrong, Shui Bing'er, this is the Sea God's Trident that you must lift for your seventh trial. It was the weapon used by the Sea God in his conquests across the seas and is a divine artifact imbued with the power of the Sea God. Only by lifting it can you complete the final trial. If you fail, I cannot predict your fate."
Yang Xiong bowed slightly: "Thank you, Senior Bo Saixi, for your guidance."
After speaking, Yang Xiong stared intently at the Sea God's Trident. This was the first true divine artifact he had encountered, one of the most powerful artifacts on the continent.
Yang Xiong slowly approached the Sea God's Trident, with Ning Rongrong and Shui Bing'er on either side. The three moved in near-perfect synchronization toward the trident.
Yang Xiong summoned his martial soul and soul rings, his body turning golden as he reached out to grasp the Sea God's Trident. Similarly, Shui Bing'er summoned her martial soul and soul rings, also reaching for the trident.
Ning Rongrong immediately summoned her Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda, and six amplification soul skills surged into Yang Xiong and the others' bodies, increasing all their attributes by a full eighty percent.
With all their strength, Yang Xiong and Shui Bing'er pulled on the Sea God's Trident—but it didn't budge an inch. As expected of a top-tier divine artifact, its weight was said to be 108,000 jin.
Yang Xiong gritted his teeth as his third, fourth, and seventh soul rings flashed simultaneously—his third soul skill, Tyrant Dragon's Fury, his fourth soul skill, Dragon Elephant Steel Body, and his seventh soul skill, Asura True Body.
With the activation of the Asura True Body, the three of them were enveloped in an endless crimson glow. Under the influence of the three amplification soul skills, Yang Xiong's physique swelled, his muscles becoming incredibly dense, making him appear like a giant.
Shui Bing'er also activated her martial soul true form, transforming into a colossal Ice Phoenix. Her endless icy energy combined with Yang Xiong's killing intent as they both gripped the Sea God's Trident with all their might.
Ning Rongrong ignored her own exhaustion entirely, pushing the amplifications on Yang Xiong and Shui Bing'er to their limits.
Under their combined effort, the Sea God's Trident trembled slightly.
But before Yang Xiong and the others could rejoice, a special force emanating from the trident suppressed their upward pull.
Yang Xiong felt a pang of frustration. He had already activated three amplification soul skills. In terms of sheer strength, even an ordinary 108,000 jin should have been manageable.
Yang Xiong's physical prowess was extraordinary, especially after his Body Sect's golden-level awakening, which had increased his strength several-fold.
With the addition of three top-tier amplification soul skills, his overall strength had increased by at least tenfold, not to mention Ning Rongrong's amplifications. There was no way they couldn't lift 108,000 jin.
The only possibility was that the Sea God's Trident was imbued with the divine power of the Sea God. Only those whose strength resonated with the Sea God's essence could lift it. Otherwise, it would be akin to opposing a deity.
Realizing this, Yang Xiong focused his mental energy, and a deep blue crystal emerged from his body—the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
As the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud appeared, it emitted a radiant azure light, subtly resonating with the glow of the Sea God's Trident.
Upon seeing the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, Bo Saixi's expression turned deeply reverent, as if she were witnessing the descent of the Sea God himself.
Even though Yang Xiong was multitasking—using the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud to approach the Sea God's Trident while channeling its power and exerting his own strength to the utmost—the trident merely vibrated incessantly without being lifted.
At this point, Shui Bing'er and Ning Rongrong had pushed their abilities to the limit. Shui Bing'er had even achieved Soul Ring Fusion, merging all her soul ring energy into her martial soul true form.
Both of them, having expended all their strength, had twisted expressions on their faces. Blood trickled from the corners of their mouths as their lips were bitten through.
Yang Xiong knew he had to give it his all. If he failed this time, he would likely be trapped here forever by Bo Saixi and the Sea God.
Gritting his teeth, Yang Xiong caused all eight of his soul rings to shatter in an instant, unleashing an immense surge of power into his body.
His martial soul rapidly expanded, transforming into a colossal blood-red figure. The figure gripped the Sea God's Trident tightly, as if resisting the entire might of the Sea God Temple—or even challenging a deity.
As Yang Xiong unleashed the full power of his Asura Dharma Form, two shadowy figures appeared in the sky, seemingly locked in conflict—one a deep blue apparition of the Sea God, the other a blood-red Asura Dharma Form.
The Sea God's Trident, which had been trembling but unmoving, now seemed to be tainted by the Asura's power. Against all odds, it was pulled free from its pedestal, causing the entire Sea God Island to tremble in that instant.
Simultaneously, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud seemed to sense something and swiftly merged with the Sea God's Trident.
Yang Xiong and the others were ecstatic. The Sea God's Trident had finally been lifted! Yang Xiong himself held it aloft with both hands, enduring the mountainous pressure despite the excruciating pain coursing through his body from the shattered soul rings. His stance remained unwavering.
As the Sea God's Trident was lifted, the entire Sea God Temple lit up, and three beams of light swiftly infused into Yang Xiong and the others' bodies.
A voice echoed in Yang Xiong's mind: "Yang Xiong, surpassing the limits of your strength, Top-Tier Eight Trials, Seventh Trial—Lifting the Sea God's Trident, completed. Reward: One level increase in soul power, and an additional two thousand years added to all soul rings."
Yang Xiong finally exhaled in relief. A wave of exhaustion washed over him as the Sea God's Trident, seemingly responding to some unseen force, returned to its original position.
Beside him, Ning Rongrong and Shui Bing'er were equally thrilled, the rewards for completing their trials echoing in their ears.
Ning Rongrong had completed all her trials, gaining a cumulative three-level increase in soul power, an additional five thousand years added to all soul rings, and a divine-bestowed soul ring.
Now at Level 89, she was just one step away from Level 90. Once she reached Level 90, she would automatically condense her ninth soul ring.
Shui Bing'er had similarly completed all her trials, gaining a cumulative three-level increase in soul power, an additional five thousand years added to all soul rings, and two divine-bestowed soul rings.
Now at Level 80, she could absorb the first divine-bestowed soul ring at any time. As for the second, it would automatically condense once she reached Level 90.
Both were granted red-level privileges on the Sea God Island, meaning they had become the island's second high priestesses. Their status was now second only to Bo Saixi herself and surpassed that of the Seven Holy Pillars.
Ning Rongrong's soul ring configuration had changed to two purple and six black rings, while Shui Bing'er's became two purple and five black rings.
Yang Xiong's soul power had reached Level 92, but since he hadn't absorbed his ninth soul ring, his displayed soul power remained at Level 90. His soul ring configuration remained five black and three red.
At this point, aside from Yang Xiong, all seven others had completed their trials.
Even Bo Saixi's face showed a hint of joy: "Ning Rongrong, Shui Bing'er, congratulations. You have earned the recognition of the Sea God. From now on, you will hold red-level privileges on the Sea God Island. I hope you cultivate diligently and demonstrate the strength worthy of the entire island's reverence."
Ning Rongrong and Shui Bing'er quickly responded: "Thank you, Senior Bo Saixi, for your guidance. We will not disappoint the Sea God's expectations."
Bo Saixi then turned to Yang Xiong: "Yang Xiong, your next trial is no longer under my jurisdiction. It is not hosted by me. I hope you pass the final trial—it concerns your very survival."
Yang Xiong's expression shifted slightly: "Senior, does this mean my final trial will be overseen by the Sea God?"
Before Yang Xiong or Bo Saixi could say anything further, the Sea God's Trident, which had returned to its place, suddenly emitted a radiant blue light. Under its glow, everyone—including Bo Saixi—felt dizzy.
Yang Xiong felt his head spinning. When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a peculiar space.
It was an extraordinarily grand palace, similar to the Sea God Temple but infinitely larger in scale. On the throne at the center of the hall sat a colossal azure figure.
The figure exuded overwhelming power, even without moving. An invisible aura radiated from him, and his gaze upon Yang Xiong was akin to a deity looking down upon an ant.
Yang Xiong's face paled as he hastily bowed: "I pay my respects to the Sea God!"
"Yang Xiong, you have finally arrived."
The Sea God's voice carried an awe-inspiring authority. Even his simple words shook Yang Xiong to his core, causing his soul to tremble involuntarily.
Yang Xiong was puzzled: "Sea God, did you know of my existence long ago?"
The Sea God replied: "Since you set foot on the Sea God Island, I sensed the return of the Sea God's Heart. You carry the Sea God's Heart. What is your purpose in coming to Sea God Island?"
Yang Xiong's heart raced. He hadn't expected the Sea God to have been aware of him so early. Did that mean the Sea God also knew of his hidden intentions?
"Sea God, I came to the Sea God Island to inherit your legacy and to become the new Sea God. I humbly ask for your blessing."
The Sea God's presence was unyielding: "Do you understand that there is an insurmountable gap between mortals and deities? Any soul master who seeks to ascend to godhood must endure immense hardships. Even I spent a millennium cultivating in Douluo Continent before achieving divinity."
"In the presence of a deity, nothing about any mortal can remain hidden. Are you truly here to inherit the title of Sea God? If your words are false, I can reduce you to ashes in an instant."
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