Outside Jialing Pass, after a series of bloody battles, both sides became increasingly cautious. With heavy casualties on both sides, they were now locked in a stalemate, neither willing to back down.
On the Tian Dou Empire's side, the three standout performers were Tang San, Sword Douluo, and Ning Rongrong. Tang San and Sword Douluo were the only two top-tier experts, each possessing Level 98 combat power. Ning Rongrong, on the other hand, displayed an extraordinarily terrifying auxiliary ability, surpassing even Ning Fengzhi in many aspects.
However, just as the two sides were at a deadlock, Yang Xiong, the leader of the Body Sect, suddenly sent a message recalling Ning Rongrong and others to the sect for urgent matters.
Emperor Xue Ye had originally hoped Yang Xiong would come to assist, but Yang's decision to do the opposite left him feeling awkward. Even others expressed some dissatisfaction.
Yet Ning Fengzhi and Lin Gong understood well that Yang Xiong never made arbitrary decisions. If he was recalling Ning Rongrong and the others this time, it must be for something significant.
Without paying too much attention to others' opinions, Ning Fengzhi and Lin Gong immediately arranged for Ning Rongrong and her group to leave. By the time others realized what was happening, they were already on their way to the Body Sect.
Even Tang San and Tang Xiao felt somewhat disappointed. After all, the three great sects were working together, and now seven Soul Douluo-level members were being recalled. These individuals had performed exceptionally well, and their departure would significantly impact the battlefield.
Unfortunately, Ning Fengzhi and Lin Gong had already made arrangements. The people were already gone, and stopping them now was futile.
Moreover, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Body Sect appeared to function like one family, with seamless cooperation between them. Even the Hao Tian Sect didn't dare provoke them lightly, knowing full well that together, these two sects boasted six Title Douluo, including the universally acknowledged strongest attacker, Sword Douluo.
The battlefield had been sustained thus far largely due to the immense contributions of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Body Sect. Since neither sect had withdrawn any Title Douluo, the battle could likely continue as before.
Tang San seemed to realize something, his expression changing slightly.
In fact, Tang San's people had long known that Yang Xiong had already reached Level 90 and was only missing his ninth soul ring. This recall of so many individuals was likely aimed at obtaining that final soul ring.
Given Yang Xiong's personality, the ninth soul ring would undoubtedly come from an extremely powerful soul beast. Once Yang Xiong became a Title Douluo, his strength would reach unimaginable heights.
Though Tang San was confident, he also understood Yang Xiong's abilities. Even at Level 96, Tang San wasn't sure he could defeat Yang Xiong at Level 90.
As for Ning Fengzhi, Lin Gong, and Yang Wudi, they had all grasped the current state of the war. Both the Body Sect and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had suffered significant losses and no longer held the same unwavering confidence in victory as they had at the start.
At the Body Sect, Yang Xiong waited a full three days before Ning Rongrong and the others finally returned to the sect, having rushed back at full speed.
Ning Rongrong looked at Yang Xiong sitting in the main hall of the Body Sect and felt uneasy.
"You little bear! We've been fighting against the Spirit Hall Empire on the frontlines, and here you are slacking off. I'm going to tell my father and Grandpa Sword about this!"
Yang Xiong pinched Ning Rongrong's cheek affectionately.
"It's been a few days—why do you look thinner? It seems the frontlines were even harder on you than training on Sea God Island."
Ning Rongrong's face lit up with pride: "Of course! I've been absolutely shining on the battlefield at Jialing Pass. Now I'm recognized as the strongest auxiliary soul master in the world, even outperforming my father."
"If it weren't for me, the Tian Dou Empire wouldn't have lasted this long."
Yang Xiong tenderly ruffled Ning Rongrong's hair. Indeed, she had changed a great deal. There were even visible wounds on her body, evidence of the war's brutality.
Compared to her previous image as a gentle and adorable princess, Ning Rongrong now exuded a more spirited and resolute presence, with a faint hint of killing intent. The battlefield had truly honed her.
The others had also undergone changes. Before, they had only trained, but now, having experienced the horrors of war, they fought desperately amidst mountains of corpses and rivers of blood, striving to survive.
At the very least, everyone now radiated a trace of bloodthirstiness, a fierce arrogance and ruthlessness forged through warfare.
After communicating with everyone, Yang Xiong noticed that while there hadn't been much improvement in soul power recently, their combat awareness had noticeably increased.
Finally, Yang Xiong spoke: "Rongrong, Big Brother, Oscar—this time I called you back because there are two important matters to address, and they are of utmost significance."
Big Brother Yang Wei replied: "Xiao Xiong, speak your mind. We're all family here."
Yang Xiong didn't hesitate further. He took out the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, and the entire room was instantly bathed in a blue glow.
"Big Brother, when we went to Sea God Island for training, I had already prepared this Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud."
"The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud is also known as the Heart of the Sea God, the sacred artifact of Sea God Island. Recently, I've encountered a problem—I need to find a new inheritor for the Heart of the Sea God, someone who can become the true successor of the Sea God."
Everyone was shocked upon hearing this. Deities were supreme beings, and while they had encountered the trials of Sea God Island, they had never truly interacted with a god.
All eyes were fixed on the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud in Yang Xiong's hands, each person's gaze filled with mixed emotions—hesitation, confusion, and boundless desire.
With the exception of Feng Xiaotian, everyone present was under thirty years old and had already reached the Soul Douluo level. Their talent and combat awareness were unparalleled, making them the most brilliant geniuses in the world.
Yang Wei thought for a moment before asking: "Xiao Xiong, is this divine inheritance real? Does receiving the Heart of the Sea God's recognition mean becoming the Sea God's successor?"
Yang Xiong nodded: "Normally, when a deity wishes to pass on their divine position, they will issue a trial for the successor. For example, to inherit the Sea God's legacy, one must undergo the Sea God Nine Trials."
"Unfortunately, during your training on Sea God Island, the highest trial anyone achieved was Red-Level Seven. None of you reached Red-Level Nine, so none of you inherited the god's legacy."
"Over the years, through arduous training, all of you have improved in strength, physical fitness, and talent. Now, perhaps you have a chance to inherit the Sea God's legacy."
Yang Wei asked with some confusion: "Xiao Xiong, you underwent Red-Level Eight trials. Logically, you should have been the closest to passing the Sea God's inheritance trial. Why didn't you inherit it?"
Yang Xiong smiled: "Big Brother, I've already inherited the legacy of another god. Choosing a successor for the Sea God is part of my trial, so I no longer have the opportunity to become the new Sea God."
Everyone was once again astonished. They hadn't expected Yang Xiong to have already become a deity's inheritor, and choosing a successor for the Sea God was still part of his trial.
Yang Xiong continued: "There's one more thing I need to clarify. All of you have experienced the trials of Sea God Island, at least at the Black-Level. You understand how difficult those trials were. But let me make it clear—the true Sea God Nine Trials are infinitely more challenging than what you faced."
"For instance, take the simplest trial: crossing the Sea God's Light. Back then, even with all your strength, you only managed to reach over a hundred steps. But in the true Sea God's trial, you'd need to cross at least two to three hundred steps, and it might even be harder."
Yang Xiong had thought long and hard about this. In reality, very few people were truly qualified to undertake the Sea God Nine Trials. Among them were Poseidon Douluo Bo Saixi and Tang San. The rest generally lacked sufficient talent.
If Yang Wei and the others couldn't succeed, they could always turn to their teacher, Sword Douluo. With his talent and strength, he might have a chance to inherit the Sea God's legacy.
Moreover, Yang Xiong believed that to inherit the Sea God's legacy, one needed not only the Sea God's approval but also his own. It seemed that he had some sort of connection with the Heart of the Sea God.
After Yang Xiong's explanation, everyone began preparing to place a drop of their blood onto the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud as instructed.
The first to step forward was Big Brother Yang Wei. When he dripped his blood onto the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, it seemed to react faintly, emitting a soft blue glow that quickly faded.
In that instant, Yang Xiong understood. Within the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud was a trace of the Sea God's divine consciousness. It tested not only the soul master's physical fitness through their blood but also their aptitude, qualifications, and the compatibility of their martial soul with the Sea God. It was similar to the trials issued by Sea God Island.
However, these tests were far stricter. Since Yang Xiong now controlled the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, only those who earned his absolute approval would qualify.
Next was Oscar. The Heart of the Sea God glowed brightly, seemingly acknowledging his talents and aptitude, but his martial soul's compatibility was severely lacking.
…
After testing multiple people, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud showed no reaction.
It wasn't until Shui Bing'er stepped forward that things changed. When she dripped her blood onto the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, it erupted like boiling water. The Sea God's divine consciousness within seemed extraordinarily excited.
Yang Xiong immediately understood. Shui Bing'er's Ice Phoenix martial soul was one of the most suitable martial souls for the Sea God in the entire world. Ice attributes were a branch of water attributes, and after years of training, along with consuming the Ice Crystal Phoenix Sunflower, her Ice Phoenix martial soul had reached perfection.
Shui Bing'er's soul power began to flicker involuntarily, and her Ice Phoenix martial soul broke free from her body's constraints, spiraling through the room as if resonating with the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
Yang Xiong, in that moment, opened his mind and controlled the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud to float in the air.
But at that instant, even Yang Xiong was startled.
The Sea God's power within the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud seemed to reach its peak, beginning to devour Shui Bing'er's blood and soul power. Her Ice Phoenix martial soul was even drawn into the Cover's domain.
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