......
Facing Xiao Bai's questioning, Luo Nan's expression remained as calm as still water.
He did not explain that he had obtained the Vast Sea Universe Shield from the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family.
He simply raised his hand slightly, letting the azure triangular prism spin slowly in his palm, radiating an even more enchanting halo of light.
"How I obtained it is not important."
A faint, enigmatic smile played at the corners of Luo Nan's mouth.
"What matters is that I am currently holding the Sea God's token."
"Since you recognize it, tell me—who am I?"
Luo Nan's words struck Xiao Bai's mind like a thunderclap. "Who am I?"
Xiao Bai was stunned; her massive body slowly descended onto the surface of the sea, kicking up a spray of white foam.
Her brilliant mind—that of a hundred-thousand-year-old spirit beast—began to race.
The Heart of the Sea God—that was the supreme token left in the mortal realm by Lord Sea God himself, containing a wisp of divine consciousness.
This sacred artifact had been missing for countless ages; successive High Priests of Sea God Island had attempted to locate it, yet never found a trace.
Yet now, not only had the artifact resurfaced, but it was also resting securely in the hands of a human.
Most crucially, the Heart of the Sea God possessed a spirit of its own!
If this human could wield the Sea God's token, then his identity...
Xiao Bai had a sudden realization!
Since he had arrived bearing the Sea God's token—and had clearly gained its approval—this human must undoubtedly be the successor chosen by the Sea God himself!
He was a supreme being destined to potentially inherit the Sea God's divine throne and rule over the vast, boundless ocean!
At this thought, Xiao Bai's entire demeanor underwent a complete 180-degree shift.
The aura of ferocity, hostility, and haughty superiority she had previously exuded vanished instantly.
A dazzling grey-blue radiance suddenly erupted from the massive, twenty-meter-long white shark.
The light twisted and contracted violently above the waves; within just a few breaths, the colossal beast-form disappeared.
In its place stood a breathtakingly beautiful woman.
She possessed a cascade of grey-blue hair that flowed down to her ankles.
Her skin was as white as snow, and her features were so exquisite they seemed like nature's most perfect masterpiece.
Having assumed human form, Xiao Bai stood barefoot—her feet fair and delicate as jade—upon the gently rippling surface of the sea.
She hurried to the spot beneath the bow of the ship where Luo Nan stood, bowed slightly, and crossed her hands over her chest to perform an ancient and solemn rite of Sea God Island.
"Could it be... that you are the successor chosen by the Sea God?"
Xiao Bai's voice was soft and respectful; the slight tremor in her tone betrayed the excitement surging within her.
Observing Xiao Bai's dramatic change in attitude, Luo Nan found the situation amusing, yet outwardly, he maintained an air of inscrutable mystery.
He offered neither confirmation nor denial. Luo Nan slowly put away the Vast Sea Universe Shield he had been holding. Looking down at Xiao Bai—who stood barefoot upon the ocean surface—he spoke calmly:
"You surely understand better than I do what it signifies to possess this token and to make it radiate the Light of the Sea God, don't you?"
To Xiao Bai, this ambiguous, open-ended response sounded like the perfect confirmation.
Indeed, the Heart of the Sea God was a sacred object; who else but the Sea God's successor could possibly wield it?
Perhaps this exalted figure chose not to speak plainly because the Sea God's trials had not yet truly begun, and he wished to maintain an air of mystery and discretion.
"Yes! Xiao Bai understands! Xiao Bai knows everything now!"
Xiao Bai nodded vigorously, the look of awe in her eyes deepening.
She gazed up at Luo Nan as if looking upon a future deity.
"Since you have come bearing the Sea God's token, you are the most honored guest of our Demon Soul Great White Shark clan."
"Please step off the ship and follow me; I shall take you to Sea God Island right away!"
Luo Nan gave a slight nod, then flashed forward, drifting lightly from the bow of the ship down to the surface of the sea.
Buoyed by his spirit power, he stood upon the water as easily as if it were solid ground, positioning himself side-by-side with Xiao Bai.
"Lead the way," Luo Nan commanded calmly.
"Yes, My Lord, please follow me."
Xiao Bai responded respectfully, then turned and let out a peculiar, piercing cry toward the hundreds of Demon Soul Great White Sharks surrounding them.
Upon hearing their leader's command, the sharks—previously looking fierce and menacing—instantly subdued their auras. They rapidly shifted formations on the water's surface, lining up on either side.
Like a well-drilled royal honor guard, they cleared a wide path across the water for Luo Nan. Guided personally by Xiao Bai, Luo Nan walked across the waves, heading toward the depths of Demon Shark Bay.
As they ventured deeper, the color of the surrounding seawater gradually shifted from dark red back to a clear, azure blue.
The oppressive atmosphere in the air vanished completely, replaced by an incredibly pure and intensely concentrated elemental energy of the water attribute.
After speeding across the sea for about an hour, a vast and beautiful island finally came slowly into Luo Nan's view.
It was an island that resembled a fairyland.
The vegetation on the island was incredibly lush, with towering trees reaching straight up into the clouds.
"My Lord, that is Sea God Island ahead," Xiao Bai said, pointing to the island with a tone full of pride and reverence.
Luo Nan nodded, gazing deeply at this legendary holy land for Spirit Masters.
Soon, the two of them stepped onto the sandy beach of Sea God Island.
The sand here was as white as jade, soft and comfortable underfoot.
The sea breeze wafted by, carrying the scent of exotic flowers that refreshed the spirit.
"My Lord, Sea God Island has a rule: outsiders who land here must first undergo trials set by the Sea God."
"The ones responsible for initiating these trials are the Guardians of the Seven Sacred Pillars who protect the island."
Xiao Bai explained this to Luo Nan while leading the way.
"I will take you now to meet the Sacred Pillar Guardian closest to this location."
Guided by Xiao Bai, Luo Nan passed through a dense coconut grove and arrived at the edge of a peculiar inland sea.
In the center of this inland sea stood an immensely thick stone pillar.
The pillar was a deep, solid black, its surface carved with countless strange, magical patterns, while its summit featured a lifelike sculpture of a seahorse.
At the base of the pillar sat a middle-aged man clad in a black robe.
His eyes were closed, and he seemed to have merged completely with the surrounding world, exuding an aura of unfathomable power.
A Titled Douluo! Luo Nan saw through the man's cultivation level at a glance; the soul power of this black-robed man was certainly formidable!
Moreover, on Sea God Island—a place saturated with water-attribute elemental energy—his combat prowess would undoubtedly far exceed that of others at the same rank.
Seeming to sense someone approaching, the black-robed man slowly opened his eyes.
His eyes were a peculiar deep blue, resembling two bottomless, icy pools.
......
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