After finishing his conversation with Electrolux, Zhu Ziyang began to probe the abilities granted by his golden god-level spirit ring.
Closing his eyes, he carefully attuned himself to the power. A moment later, he opened them again, and his face lit up with unrestrained joy. As befitted a god-level spirit ring, his eighth ring had granted him not one, but three spirit abilities.
The first was Heavenly Frost Dragon King's Roar. At last, Zhu Ziyang had completed the three signature abilities of a true dragon. This roar combined the might of the Heavenly Frost White Dragon King's dominance and sovereign authority. When unleashed, the dragon's bellow could shake heaven and earth. All creatures struck by it would fall into long-lasting dizziness and fear, while those too weak might die instantly.
The second was Heavenly Frost Dragon King's Dance. Taking the form of the Heavenly Frost White Dragon King, Zhu Ziyang would perform a unique draconic dance. Any being with dragon bloodlines would be compelled to respond to its call. Unless they stood equal to a Dragon King, they would suffer the dragon's punishment—imprisoned in a thousand meters of absolute ice, unable to move.
The third was Heavenly Frost Dragon Starfall. As the Dragon King, Zhu Ziyang could release a breath of ultimate cold into the sky, summoning a storm of frozen meteors from the depths of space. These icy stars would rain down across a kilometer radius, striking indiscriminately. All hit by them, whether living or dead, would be afflicted with the slowing frost. Within three minutes, their very souls would freeze.
Three abilities—two group control skills and one group attack skill. It was a set of powers both comprehensive and terrifying.
Satisfied, Zhu Ziyang left the Saint Law Demi-Plane and returned to his room. Without delay, he stepped into the Godhood Inheritance Grounds to claim his reward for the Sixth Trial of the Death God and to receive the next.
Standing on the sixtieth step of the Godhood Path, he calmly claimed his prize: another ten percent increase to his Godhood Affinity, along with two more Locking God Pillars. His affinity now stood at seventy percent, and he held twelve of the sacred pillars.
Without pause, Zhu Ziyang climbed to the seventieth step. There, inscribed upon the Locking God Pillars, was the content of the Death God's Seventh Trial.
Godhood Affinity: 70%
Death God's Seventh Trial: As the inheritor of the Death God, gaining the recognition of the Death God's weapon is a step you cannot avoid. Go forth, youth, and claim it!
Trial Content: Find and subdue the Death God's weapon—the Scythe of the Dead!
Requirement: Time limit—five years.
Reward: Unknown.
"Find and subdue the Death God's weapon?" Zhu Ziyang frowned. The instructions seemed simple, but were in fact vexingly vague. He had no idea what or where this so-called weapon was. With a helpless sigh, he muttered, "Xiaobai, what features does this Scythe of the Dead have? How am I supposed to locate it? You don't expect me to wander aimlessly across the continent like a headless fly, do you?"
"When the Scythe of the Dead draws near, the Death God's mark on your forehead will tell you," Xiaobai replied.
"Huh?" Zhu Ziyang blinked, startled. "You mean… the scythe is alive? It can move on its own?"
"Mm… something like that." Xiaobai's voice was uncertain, as though considering carefully before continuing. "Here's another hint—the Scythe of the Dead is not on the Northern Continent. It lies on the Eastern Continent."
"'Northern Continent'? 'Eastern Continent'?" Zhu Ziyang repeated, his eyes narrowing. His mind raced. "The Northern Continent must mean the Douluo Continent. Then… does that mean there's another landmass to the east? A whole continent beyond the ocean?"
"That's all I can say. The rest is up to you." With those cryptic words, Xiaobai vanished again.
"You…" Zhu Ziyang sighed, exasperated. "Forget it. Looks like I'll have to figure this out myself."
Leaving the inheritance grounds, he summoned Electrolux and his four soul spirits, sharing with them the contents of the Seventh Trial.
"Eastern Continent?" Electrolux and the four spirits were intrigued. Snow Empress spoke first: "That other continents exist beyond Douluo is beyond doubt. The Sun Moon Continent of four thousand years ago is proof enough."
"I once heard an old fellow say," Ice Empress added, "that long ago, Douluo was a supercontinent, ten times larger than it is today. Later, due to unknown reasons, it fractured into many smaller continents. Perhaps this Eastern Continent is one of those fragments."
"Heh." Zhu Ziyang gave a bitter laugh. "Whether that's true or not, the real problem is this: where exactly is the Eastern Continent, and how do we reach it? Even with today's seafaring technology, no one has discovered it yet. Which means it's far beyond the reach of ordinary voyages."
"Father is right," Snow Empress agreed. "The ocean belongs to the sea soul beasts. To land-dwellers like us, it's an unknown world. If we are to sail there, we must inevitably enter the deep sea. And who can say what terrifying sea soul beasts lurk in those waters? After all, even the near seas once birthed a creature as fearsome as the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, whose cultivation neared a million years."
"Mhm!" Ice Empress and Second Frost both nodded gravely.
"The soul beasts of the sea aren't the main issue," Electrolux interjected. "We have the Saint Law Demi-Plane. Even if we cannot win, we can retreat. The real concern is knowing exactly where the Eastern Continent is. Ziyang only has five years. A sea voyage could waste months or years if we sail in the wrong direction. We must find accurate information before we depart."
"Exactly, Teacher." Zhu Ziyang nodded firmly. "So I plan to visit the major seaports of Douluo. Those places gather the most experienced sailors and navigators. Perhaps I can find the clues we need."
"A good idea!" Electrolux praised. "And remember, the Sun Moon Empire's naval technology far surpasses the other three nations. You should head directly to their ports."
"Indeed. Teacher is right." Zhu Ziyang smiled. "The Sun Moon Empire currently holds the record for the longest voyage—eighteen thousand meters offshore, set by one of their deep-sea fishing vessels."
"Then what are you waiting for? Set out!" Electrolux declared decisively.
Zhu Ziyang nodded in agreement.
He left his room and went to Qian Lingyi's door, knocking gently.
"Brother Yang, you're out of seclusion? Did you really break through to Contra already?" Qian Lingyi opened the door, her eyes sparkling with delight. She threw herself into his arms and hugged him tightly, her face full of joy.
"Of course!" Zhu Ziyang laughed warmly. "Yiyi, pack your things—we're leaving Winter's End City. Our next destination is the Sun Moon Empire."
"Okay!" Qian Lingyi agreed at once, her eyes shining with excitement.
The two quickly prepared, checked out of the hotel, and left Winter's End City. This time, they weren't wandering aimlessly. They had a clear goal before them.
The Sun Moon Empire possessed the largest seaport on the continent, West Sea City, located on Douluo's western shore. From Winter's End, Zhu Ziyang and Qian Lingyi journeyed southward. After traveling nearly ten thousand li over the course of a month, they finally arrived at West Sea City.
There, Zhu Ziyang began his search for news.
But after three fruitless days, he realized how foolish he had been. His target was the Eastern Continent. Yet here he was, asking for news at a port on the western shore. Was this not completely backwards?
Smacking his forehead, he laughed ruefully. With his mistake clear, he immediately led Qian Lingyi away from West Sea City. They continued southward, planning to first visit Jiang Nannan and Zhang Lexuan, and then, by way of the Yue'nan Archipelago, make their way north to the Eastern Sea City—the largest seaport on Douluo's eastern coast.
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