......
Upon seeing Xiao Bai walking in the lead, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes; he then stood up and bowed slightly in greeting:
"Lord Xiao Bai, what brings you to my Sea Horse Sacred Pillar?"
Although both were powerhouses at the Title Douluo level, Xiao Bai—as a hundred-thousand-year-old guardian beast—held an exceptionally revered status on Sea God Island.
Even the Guardians of the Seven Sacred Pillars had to show her due respect.
Xiao Bai walked briskly up to Sea Horse Douluo, her expression turning solemn.
"Ou Ya, I have come today to bring an extremely important guest."
Sea Horse Douluo Ou Ya followed Xiao Bai's gaze to Luo Nan, his brows furrowing slightly.
He could sense that the young man's aura was deeply restrained, yet it faintly exuded a sense of oppression that made even him feel a tremor of unease.
"And this is?" Sea Horse Douluo asked in puzzlement.
"This lord has come here bearing the Vast Sea Universe Shield."
"Ou Ya, you should understand what this implies."
"This lord is, in all likelihood, the successor chosen by Lord Sea God!"
"What?!"
Upon hearing the words "Vast Sea Universe Shield" and "Sea God's successor," Sea Horse Douluo Ou Ya shuddered violently.
His deep blue eyes instantly widened, his face filled with sheer, incredulous shock.
At that moment, the atmosphere beneath the Sea Horse Sacred Pillar grew incredibly tense, as if frozen solid. Seahorse Douluo Oya's deep blue eyes were fixed intently on Luo Nan—or rather, on the right hand Luo Nan was slowly raising.
*Hummm—*
A strange blue triangular object hovered silently above Luo Nan's palm; it was crystal clear, appearing as if it held a miniature version of the entire vast ocean within it.
"This... this is..."
Seahorse Douluo Oya's voice shifted drastically in pitch!
His resolute face was etched with unprecedented shock and disbelief.
As one of the Seven Sacred Pillar Guardians of Sea God Island, how could he fail to recognize this sacred artifact?
It was the token representing the supreme will of Lord Sea God—an object that successive High Priests of Sea God Island had sought in vain for countless ages.
The Vast Sea Universe Shield—also known as the legendary Heart of the Sea God!
"You... a land-based Spirit Master... how do you possess Lord Sea God's token?!"
Seahorse Douluo gasped, his mind going blank for a fleeting moment.
A land-based Spirit Master had not only crossed the perilous Demon Shark Bay but had also set foot on Sea God Island wielding the Heart of the Sea God.
This was entirely beyond Seahorse Douluo's comprehension.
Yet, he knew one thing for certain: regardless of how this young man had obtained the sacred artifact...
...the fact that the Heart of the Sea God was in his possession meant this matter was far beyond the authority of a mere Sacred Pillar Guardian to decide.
"This matter is of immense importance; please wait a moment!"
Daring not to show the slightest negligence, Seahorse Douluo spun around and slammed his palm heavily against the Seahorse Sacred Pillar behind him.
*BOOM!*
A brilliant blue beam of light instantly shot up from the top of the Seahorse Sacred Pillar, piercing straight into the clouds.
Immediately afterward, the beam exploded in the sky, transforming into six streaks of light that shot off like lightning in six different directions across Sea God Island.
At the same time, an immensely powerful yet subtle mental fluctuation swept directly toward the summit of Sea God Mountain—the towering peak at the island's center that pierced the clouds.
This was the highest-level summons of Sea God Island!
Luo Nan stood quietly in place, toying with the Vast Sea Universe Shield in his hand, a faint, calm smile playing on his lips.
He was in no rush; he knew the main figure was about to arrive.
Sure enough, before long, six incomparably powerful auras erupted in succession from various directions across Sea God Island.
*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!*
Accompanied by the sound of air being torn apart, six figures descended almost simultaneously around the Sea Horse Sacred Pillar.
These six individuals varied in appearance—men and women alike—but without exception, they all radiated the terrifying pressure characteristic of Title Douluo-level powerhouses.
They were the other six Sacred Pillar Guardians of Sea God Island: Sea Dragon, Sea Spear, Sea Illusion, Sea Ghost, Sea Star, and Sea Witch.
"Ou Ya, what has happened? Why invoke the highest-level summons?" Sea Dragon Douluo, the strongest among them, asked in a deep voice, his brows furrowed tightly.
However, before Sea Horse Douluo could even begin to explain, an immense pressure—indescribable in words—suddenly descended upon this inner sea without warning.
This pressure was not violent; instead, it was filled with an oceanic vastness and inclusiveness. Yet, it compelled the seven Sacred Pillar Guardians present—as well as Xiao Bai, who had taken human form—to involuntarily buckle at the knees and drop respectfully to one knee.
"Greetings, Great High Priestess!"
The eight of them shouted in unison, their voices filled with awe that resonated from the depths of their souls.
Luo Nan lifted his head slightly, his gaze shifting to the air above.
There, hovering in mid-air just tens of meters above the sea's surface, a woman had appeared—though no one had noticed exactly when she arrived.
She wore a magnificent, bright red robe, and her long, sea-blue hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall.
She was breathtakingly beautiful; the passage of time seemed to have left no trace upon her face. This was none other than the supreme ruler of Sea God Island—the Rank 99 Peerless Douluo and High Priestess of the Sea God—Bo Saixi!
The moment Bo Saixi appeared, her gaze locked instantly onto Luo Nan—or rather, onto the Vast Sea Universe Shield in his hands.
Two beams of dazzling light suddenly erupted from her otherwise tranquil eyes.
With a flash of movement, she instantly traversed a distance of tens of meters, appearing right before Luo Nan.
"The Heart of the Sea God... It truly is the Heart of the Sea God!"
Bo Saixi's voice trembled slightly as she extended a hand—fair and smooth as jade—towards the blue triangular object.
Yet, she stopped abruptly just an inch away from the Vast Sea Universe Shield, as if fearing she might profane this sacred relic.
Taking a deep breath to suppress her surging emotions, she fixed an intense, burning gaze upon Luo Nan:
"Young man, you have come here bearing the token of Lord Sea God. Is it to receive His guidance and undergo His trials?"
Luo Nan met Bo Saixi's gaze without a hint of fear and nodded calmly:
"Indeed. I have come here specifically for the Sea God's inheritance."
"Good! Good! Good!" Bo Saixi repeated the word three times, the fervor in her eyes intensifying with each utterance.
In Bo Saixi's view, since this young man had managed to arrive here holding the Heart of the Sea God, he was undoubtedly the successor chosen by Lord Sea God through some unseen destiny.
After waiting for countless ages, Sea God Island had finally welcomed its true master!
"In that case, I shall personally initiate the guidance for your Divine Trials!"
Without wasting a single word, Bo Saixi raised the golden scepter in her hand; the golden gem at its apex instantly erupted with a radiance as brilliant as the blazing sun.
"Light of the Sea God—descend!"
At her sharp command, a massive pillar of golden light descended from the heavens, instantly enveloping Luo Nan completely.
The Guardians of the Seven Sacred Pillars and Xiao Bai held their breath, staring intently at Luo Nan within the column of light.
......
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