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The High Priestess stood inside the Sea God Temple on Sea God Island. Before her stood five large crystal pillars. Each pillar was three zhang high and matched the spirit aura of one of the examinees.
Her gaze moved between the pillars. Finally, she looked at the central pillar, which belonged to Tang Chen. The pillar shook a little. The golden light inside it was brighter than yesterday.
"The content of the third trial has been chosen by the Sea God sacred pillar," she said softly.
A moment later, she turned around. Five people walked into the main hall one after another. Her voice was calm and grand.
"Unlike before, your trials will no longer be the same."
Ning Rongrong blinked her eyes and asked, "Not the same?"
"The Sea God Nine Trials are different for each person," the High Priestess explained. "The sacred pillar changes the next trial based on your talent, strength, potential, and performance. Starting from the third trial, your paths will be different."
Ye Lengleng and Dugu Yan looked at each other. They both felt a little nervous. Xiao Rui'er had no expression on her face, but her hands tightened around her Golden Dragon Spear. Tang Chen remained calm and waited for her to continue.
The High Priestess looked at the four women first.
"Your third trial is Body Refining in the Tides."
She waved her hand, and an image appeared in the air.
It showed a rocky coast on the east side of Sea God Island. Giant waves hit dark pillars standing on the shore. The giant pillars were pitch black and very smooth. Ancient symbols were written on them, giving off a cold metallic light.
The High Priestess pointed at the pillars in the image. "These are Deep Sea Sinking Silver Pillars. Each one weighs one hundred thousand jin and is made of deep sea sinking silver. They cannot be broken. You must climb them, sit on top, and endure the heavy waves."
Ning Rongrong whispered, "Just getting hit by waves shouldn't be too hard, right?"
The High Priestess smiled slightly. "Normal waves are easy. But you must endure the power of tides boosted by the Sea God Light. Every noon and midnight, the sea eye opens. Water rushes in and forms a powerful tide that can tear steel apart. Every drop of water is as heavy as a thousand jin. Every wave hits like a full attack from a Titled Douluo. You must stay on the pillar for one hour without falling. You must do this twice a day for seven days."
Ning Rongrong's face turned pale. One hour, twice a day, for seven days in a row. "Can we really survive this?"
"Yes," Dugu Yan said softly, though her eyes were serious. "But it will be very painful."
Ye Lengleng said, "Rongrong, we will do it together."
Ning Rongrong bit her lip and nodded.
The High Priestess looked at Xiao Rui'er. "Your Martial Spirit is the Golden Dragon, so your body is much stronger than ordinary humans. Your pillar is in deeper water, and the tide force will be double."
Xiao Rui'er said calmly, "Understood."
A hint of praise flashed in the High Priestess's eyes. This girl did not speak much, but her heart was strong.
Finally, she looked at Tang Chen. "Your trial is different."
Tang Chen raised his eyebrows. "Please tell me, High Priestess."
She raised her hand, and the image changed to a dark sea area. The water was pitch black with floating ice, and the air smelled like blood. A giant black monster swam slowly underwater. It looked like a moving island covered in dark scales. A sharp horn grew on its head, giving off a scary aura.
"Your target is the Evil Spirit Orca King," the High Priestess said. "It is a spirit beast as famous as the Devil Spirit Great White Shark."
Tang Chen's eyes narrowed. He knew this monster. It was far more cruel than the Devil Spirit Great White Shark. The shark was strong, but it did not attack people without a reason. The Evil Spirit Orca King killed for fun and destroyed everything in its path.
"It lives in the Death Sea three thousand miles north of Sea God Island," the High Priestess continued. "It has eaten many sea spirit beasts and ships over the years. When the Sea God was here, it hid away. After the Sea God left, it became wild and tried to attack our sea area many times. Your trial is to help the Devil Spirit Great White Shark kill it."
The hall became completely silent. Slaying a Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Beast alongside the Devil Spirit Great White Shark sounded crazy. Ye Lengleng and the others were shocked. Suddenly, their own trial did not seem so bad.
"Assist?" Tang Chen asked. "I don't have to kill it alone?"
"No," the High Priestess shook her head. The image changed again, showing a giant white shark over thirty meters long. "This shark was the Sea God's partner. Now you are here as the successor, holding the Asura Demon Sword and the Spirit Ring of the Deep Sea Demon Whale King. The shark is willing to work with you."
Tang Chen thought for a moment, then nodded. "When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow morning," she replied. "Rest tonight. Xiao Bai will wait for you at the Ring Sea. As for you four, your trial also begins tomorrow morning. Do not fall off the pillar. If you fall, you fail."
The four women nodded silently.
That night, Tang Chen sat on the cliff of Sea God Mountain, looking at the ocean under the moonlight. Soft footsteps came from behind him.
"Can't sleep?" Xiao Rui'er asked, coming over.
Tang Chen kept his eyes closed. "Aren't you awake too?"
Xiao Rui'er sat beside him with her spear across her knees. The wind blew her hair, showing her silver eyes. "Are you confident?"
Tang Chen opened his eyes and looked at the dark sea. "Of course. It is just a Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Beast."
Xiao Rui'er stayed silent for a moment. "I want to go with you."
"Your trial is Body Refining in the Tides," Tang Chen said, shaking his head. "The Sea God Nine Trials are a rare chance. You cannot give it up. The tides will help strengthen your body and mind."
Xiao Rui'er wanted to argue, but she stopped.
Tang Chen patted her shoulder. "Don't worry. I have the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, the Asura Demon Sword, and a million year spirit ring. An Evil Spirit Orca King cannot kill me."
She looked at him softly. "Just don't die."
"I won't."
They sat together in silence until the moon went down.
The next morning, at the Ring Sea shore, the giant white shark floated on the water. Its white skin shined under the sun, and its eyes were sharp.
"Kid, are you ready?" the shark asked in a deep voice.
Tang Chen stood on the shore with the Asura Demon Sword on his back. "Ready."
"Then let's go," the shark said, slapping its tail on the water. "On the way, I will tell you its weaknesses. I almost lost my tail to that monster years ago. Today, we get revenge."
Tang Chen jumped onto the shark's back and stood firmly. He turned back to look at the four girls standing on the shore.
"Wait for me," Tang Chen called out. "Don't get washed away!"
"You better come back alive!" Ning Rongrong shouted with red eyes.
Tang Chen smiled and turned around. The giant shark shot forward like a silver arrow, cutting through the ocean waves toward the northern sea.
At the same time, on the east side of Sea God Island, the four women stood before the Deep Sea Sinking Silver Pillars. The water here was rough and scary.
Ye Lengleng sat on the leftmost pillar with her Nine Heart Begonia floating above her head. Dugu Yan used her Jade Phosphorous Serpent poison mist to form a shield. Ning Rongrong held her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, constantly using her support abilities. Xiao Rui'er sat on the far right pillar in deep water, where the waves were twice as strong.
The High Priestess stood on the shore and raised her hand. A bright blue light shot into the sea. "Start!"
Instantly, a giant wave hit the pillars with a loud boom.
The giant wave slammed down, making all four pillars shake hard. Ye Lengleng bit her teeth as her light flickered. Her clothes got completely wet, but she did not move. Dugu Yan coughed from the seawater, but she held onto the pillar tightly.
Ning Rongrong suffered the most. She was physically weak, and the wave almost blew her off. She held onto the pillar patterns tightly, breaking her fingernails until blood came out.
"Rongrong, hold on!" Ye Lengleng called out.
Ning Rongrong gritted her teeth and stayed on.
Further out, Xiao Rui'er was completely covered by the massive wave. The heavy water hit her like a giant hammer, making her bones creak. Blood came out of her mouth, but she kept her body straight with her spear on her knees.
Waves hit them one after another without stopping. This was the true test of endurance.
Far away, Tang Chen looked back at the island from the shark's back. He knew his friends were fighting hard too.
"Xiao Bai, go faster!" Tang Chen said.
The shark grinned, showing its sharp teeth. "Hold tight!"
It swam even faster, rushing toward the dark northern sea.
Meanwhile, in Spirit City, night fell over the Hall of Worship. The city was quiet and filled with a cold atmosphere. After Bibi Dong died, the power of the Spirit Empire moved to the Hall of Worship, and guards were everywhere.
However, on the square in front of the Hall of Worship, dozens of Spirit Hall guards lay on the ground. They were knocked out with twisted arms and legs, bound by dark vines. Their faces were full of terror.
In the center of the square, Tang San walked slowly forward.
He wore black clothes, his hair was messy, and his face was pale. Dark purple mist floated around his eyes, which were filled with evil light. Every step he took left dark frost on the floor.
Behind him, Dark Blue Silver Grass vines moved in the air. Nine spirit rings floated around his body: black, black, black, black, black, black, black, black, and red. The final red spirit ring glowed brightly in the dark night.