After returning to the front courtyard of the Marquis of Yue'nan's residence, Zhu Ziyang and the others regrouped with Elder Song, Elder Zhu, and the rest.
"Ziyang, Lexuan, NanNan—how did it go?" Elder Song asked with a smile, instantly noting the joy written across the three youths' faces. Relieved that they hadn't run into trouble, he still made sure to inquire.
"All went well. Great-Grand Aunt took us to worship at the ancestral shrine of the Moon Vein and the Yin Clan's faith," Zhang Lexuan answered with a laugh. "Elder Song, Elder Zhu, we'll return to the inn first."
"Alright," Elder Song nodded in agreement.
"Lexuan, NanNan—remember, tomorrow morning I'll be waiting for you at the Marquis's estate!" Xu Jianwei reminded quickly.
"We won't forget!" Zhang Lexuan promised.
The group soon returned to the inn, where Zhu Ziyang gathered all the disciples. According to their agreed plan, the next step was to bring the Yue'nan Islands fully under control—something that naturally required Shrek Academy's aid. Elder Song and Elder Zhu gave instructions to Wu Ming and the seven inner court disciples.
These matters no longer concerned Zhu Ziyang directly. While Zhang Lexuan and the others held their meeting, he returned to his room to discuss the day's events with his three spirit souls: Electrolux, the Snow Empress, and Ice and Frost.
"Tsk, tsk… another god seat, eh?" Electrolux marveled. "The Taiyin Deity, master of the power of the lunar yin. This world never ceases to amaze!"
"Truly enviable, you humans," Frost muttered with a sigh. "So easily and casually receiving the inheritance of a god. Unlike us soul beasts—enduring endless years of struggle, surviving heavenly tribulations—and even then, not all of us can reach the threshold of godhood."
"Exactly!" the Ice Emperor chimed in angrily. "The heavens are so unfair!"
"Enough, Bing'er, Shuang'er," the Snow Empress said gently, her voice soothing. "We are no longer soul beasts, but spirit souls. When Father becomes a god one day, we too will naturally ascend to godhood. Compared to those poor soul beasts, our fate is far luckier."
"Xue'er is right," Zhu Ziyang agreed with a smile. "There's no need to wallow in self-pity. From the moment you became my spirit souls, you already surpassed the fate of soul beasts."
"Hehe, that's true!" Frost's expression brightened into a grin. "But Ziyang, you'd better work hard and stop dawdling. Hurry up and finish the Death God's Four Trials!"
"Alright, alright, I will," Zhu Ziyang replied with a laugh. "Once NanNan and Lexuan-jie begin their Taiyin First Trial, I'll head back and continue my Death God trials."
The next morning, Zhu Ziyang, Zhang Lexuan, and Jiang NanNan met Xu Jianwei at the Marquis's estate. After explaining their destination, she led them southward from April Island.
Beyond a dense jungle, they reached a cliff. It curved in a great arc nearly a thousand meters across, its surface smooth and faintly silver, radiating mystery. Towering waves—each crest more than ten meters high—relentlessly crashed against the cliff face.
What struck them most was that despite the utter stillness of the air here, the sea below surged endlessly, wave after wave battering the cliff. Not once since their arrival had the waves subsided.
"Hehe, this is the place of the Moon-Draws-Tides trial," Xu Jianwei explained with a smile. "This cliff is called Moon Arc Cliff. It is said to have been blessed by the Moon God long ago. That's why waves ceaselessly strike its walls. Look there—see those raised stone platforms? The trial requires you to sit upon them and endure the force of the waves."
Following her gaze, the three spotted several platforms jutting out from the cliff face. Each was barely large enough for one person to sit cross-legged. The surging waves rose just high enough to cover the platforms each time they struck.
"These waves never stop?" Jiang NanNan asked in awe.
"Not once, at least when I underwent my trial," Xu Jianwei answered. "Don't underestimate them. Each wave carries the weight of a thousand catties. When it crashes down, it tempers the body better than any training method."
"I understand. NanNan, let's begin," Zhang Lexuan said firmly.
"Mm!" Jiang NanNan nodded. The two women leapt down gracefully, timing their landing so they touched down on separate platforms in the lull between waves. Sitting cross-legged, they steadied themselves, awaiting the first crashing strike.
Watching them, Zhu Ziyang suddenly asked, "Can I try it too?"
"No." Xu Jianwei shook her head immediately. "This place is reserved only for trial-takers. Those without the trial's recognition cannot stand upon the platforms."
"Oh? Is that so…" Zhu Ziyang rubbed his chin, clearly unconvinced.
Before she could stop him, he leapt, aiming for an empty platform beside Jiang NanNan.
But just before he landed, a crushing pressure slammed down upon him. Caught off guard, he was forced down into the sea below with a splash.
Both Zhang Lexuan and Jiang NanNan cried out in alarm, standing instinctively. They didn't relax until they saw Zhu Ziyang resurface. But before they could sit again, a massive wave crashed into them. Their robes were instantly soaked, their bodies nearly swept off the platforms. Only by quickly steadying themselves did they manage to remain seated.
After that, neither dared to be distracted.
Meanwhile, though his attempt had failed, Zhu Ziyang wasn't discouraged. Climbing from the sea, he circled back to the cliffside where Xu Jianwei awaited him, an amused smirk on her lips.
He grinned sheepishly, saying nothing.
From then on, while Jiang NanNan and Zhang Lexuan endured the pounding waves, Zhu Ziyang sat cross-legged above, meditating quietly. With Xu Jianwei watching over them, he knew the two women would be safe even if they faltered.
Elsewhere—
In the Star Luo Empire, at the foot of Chichen Mountain, lay a small settlement called Chi Family Town. Emerging from the town was none other than Ma Xiaotao, returning from over a year of wandering. She strode purposefully toward the depths of Chichen Mountain.
"Huan'er, hurry up! Don't dawdle," Ma Xiaotao called back, her face full of helpless affection.
"Coming, Xiao Tao-jie!" a girl's crisp voice answered.
She was tall, nearly matching Ma Xiaotao's height, with long crimson hair flowing like waves down her back. Her figure—full and proud—rivaled Xiaotao's own. At first glance, she looked like a young woman of at least twenty.
Yet her face was startlingly youthful: bright eyes, small lips, a pert nose, even a pair of cute tiger teeth. Innocent and naive, her gaze carried such pure vulnerability it stirred a protective instinct in anyone who saw her.
"You and your appetite…" Ma Xiaotao teased, pinching the girl's soft cheek when she caught up.
"Hehe, but it was delicious!" Huan'er laughed, holding out another portion of food she hadn't touched yet. "Here, Xiao Tao-jie, try it—it's really good!"
"You little glutton…" Ma Xiaotao accepted the food, though her gaze briefly swept over Huan'er's chest. With a sigh, she muttered, "Sixteen years old, and you're already on par with me."
"Huh? Xiao Tao-jie, what do you mean, 'on par'?" Huan'er asked innocently, blinking her wide eyes.
"…Nothing," Ma Xiaotao coughed lightly, quickly changing the subject. "Come on, let's see if there's a suitable soul beast here in Chichen Mountain for your sixth spirit ring."
"Mm! There should be, right? You said this mountain is an active volcano, didn't you?" Huan'er replied brightly, her voice brimming with childlike cheer.
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