...
They knew that the scene about to unfold would determine the future destiny of Sea God Island.
Arriving with the Heart of the Sea God—this was undoubtedly the legendary Nine Trials of the Sea God; this was a being destined to become a god!
Enveloped by the golden pillar of light, Luo Nan felt an immensely warm and vast energy scanning his body.
Immediately afterward, the Seahorse Sacred Pillar began to tremble violently.
The magical runes at the base of the pillar lit up instantly, and a beam of light shot straight up into the sky along the pillar.
White, yellow, purple, black!
The colors shifted with incredible speed; in the blink of an eye, the light bypassed the four levels representing ordinary trials and transformed directly into a deep, profound black.
However, the black light did not linger for long. After pausing for merely a second, it surged upward violently, transforming into a blindingly intense blood-red!
"Red-level! It's a Top-Tier Trial!" the Seahorse Douluo exclaimed involuntarily.
The red light climbed wildly up the Seahorse Sacred Pillar. Then, one after another, red curtains of light separated from the pillar and hovered before Luo Nan.
One, two, three...
Amidst the expectant and fervent gazes of the crowd, the number of red light curtains continued to increase.
"Five! Six! Seven!"
When the seventh red light curtain took shape, the radiance of the Seahorse Sacred Pillar suddenly faltered, and the red beam shooting into the sky began to slowly retract.
Finally, seven square light curtains, radiating a rich blood-red glow, hovered silently before Luo Nan. They transformed into seven streaks of red light and—*whoosh*—vanished into the center of his forehead.
A strange, red seven-pointed star mark was left upon Luo Nan's forehead.
A deathly silence fell over the entire scene. The sea breeze blew past, leaving behind only the sound of waves crashing against the reefs.
The Guardians of the Seven Sacred Pillars exchanged glances; Xiao Bai, in particular, had her eyes wide with sheer disbelief.
Even Poseidon's High Priestess, Bo Saixi, stood frozen in place, her hand gripping the golden scepter stiffening slightly.
Top-tier Seven Trials?
It was merely the Top-tier Seven Trials?!
How could this be?!
One had to realize that while the Top-tier Seven Trials were exceedingly rare—truly one-in-a-million—in the history of Sea God Island, they were, after all, merely the standard for the High Priestess!
Yet, the young man before them had arrived bearing the Heart of the Sea God!
How could someone carrying the Supreme Token of the Sea God Lord end up with nothing more than the Top-tier Seven Trials?
It defied all logic!
According to the legends of Sea God Island, the bearer of the Heart of the Sea God was destined to trigger the Sea God's Nine Trials and become the next Sea God!
"This... this isn't right, is it?"
Sea Dragon Douluo swallowed hard and broke the silence, his tone filled with confusion and disappointment.
Bo Saixi's brows furrowed tightly.
She stared intently at the red seven-pointed star mark on Luo Nan's forehead, then glanced at the Vast Sea Universe Shield in his hand, which was still emitting a blue glow.
Suddenly, a flash of insight struck Bo Saixi, and she realized the truth.
"So that's how it is..." Bo Saixi let out a long sigh, the fervor in her eyes gradually fading away.
"High Priestess, what exactly is going on here?"
Xiao Bai couldn't help but step forward and ask. She was in the most awkward position; just moments ago, she had confidently declared that she was bringing back the Sea God's successor.
Yet, the result was merely the Top-tier Seven Trials—the gap between expectation and reality was simply too vast.
Bo Saixi looked at the group, gave a wry smile, and explained:
"We simply took too much for granted."
"Although this young man brought the Heart of the Sea God, he has not truly been acknowledged by it."
"In other words, the Vast Sea Universe Shield has not accepted him as its master; he merely acted as a courier to return this sacred artifact to Sea God Island."
Upon hearing Poseidon's explanation, the Guardians of the Seven Sacred Pillars had an immediate realization, followed by a collective sigh.
*Sigh*—all that excitement for nothing!
After all that, he turned out to be nothing more than a deliveryman!
However, despite the sighs, when they looked at Luo Nan again, the awe in their eyes—while lacking the previous fanatical fervor—now held a genuine, solid respect.
After all, setting the Heart of the Sea God aside, this young man had genuinely triggered the Top-Tier Seven Trials!
What did the Top-Tier Seven Trials signify?
It meant that if he successfully completed the trials, he would become the future High Priest of Sea God Island—the island's future leader!
Everyone present, with the exception of Bo Saixi herself, would one day answer to his commands.
Bo Saixi's gaze toward Luo Nan also shifted completely.
The last person to complete the Top-Tier Seven Trials had been none other than herself.
She understood all too well the difficulty and immense significance of those trials.
The young man before her might not have become the Sea God's successor, but he was destined to become her successor.
"Young man, although you did not trigger the Sea God's Nine Trials, the Top-Tier Seven Trials represent the highest possible recognition of your talent by the Sea God."
Bo Saixi's tone softened considerably, carrying the kind, benevolent air of an elder addressing a junior.
"From this day forth, you are the most honored guest on Sea God Island."
"Throughout the duration of your trials, you may utilize any of the island's resources."
The Guardians of the Seven Sacred Pillars also stepped forward, bowing slightly to Luo Nan with an attitude of utmost respect.
Xiao Bai stood to the side, scratching her head in embarrassment.
He might not be the Sea God's successor, but he was still the future High Priest; guiding him here hadn't been a bad deal after all.
Meanwhile, Luo Nan stood where he was, feeling utterly speechless. He touched the red seven-pointed star mark on his forehead and stared in bewilderment at the Vast Sea Universe Shield in his hand—it remained completely motionless.
"What the hell? I thought holding this thing meant I could just snag the Sea God's divine position for free, but instead, I get the 'Top-Tier Seven Trials'?"
Luo Nan grumbled inwardly.
However, Luo Nan was a pragmatist at heart.
He quickly adjusted his mindset.
"Oh well, if it's the Top-Tier Seven Trials, so be it."
"Besides, it's possible the shield hasn't recognized me as its master yet."
"And let's face it: the Top-Tier Seven Trials mean seven top-tier divine rewards. Milking this opportunity for all it's worth definitely won't be a loss!"
Luo Nan calculated the benefits in his mind.
Yet, neither Bo Saixi, the Guardians of the Seven Sacred Pillars, nor Luo Nan himself knew of a shocking secret hidden far above in the endless void.
In the distant Divine Realm, within the magnificent Sea God's Temple...
Poseidon, the Sea God—clad in his blue divine armor—was peering through the clouds of the Divine Realm, his gaze locked intently on Luo Nan down on Sea God Island.
This First-Class Main God, renowned throughout the Divine Realm, actually had a fine sheen of cold sweat beading on his forehead!
"That was a close call... I nearly brought disaster upon myself!"
Poseidon let out a long sigh of relief, patting his chest as lingering fear gripped him.
In reality, it wasn't that Luo Nan lacked talent, nor was it that the Vast Sea Universe Shield had failed to recognize its master.
Consider Luo Nan's cultivation level—at the peak of Rank 97—combined with the terrifying bloodline of the Abyss Dark-Thunder Demon Dragon within him, and that unprecedented suit of armor crafted from 300,000-year-old spirit bones...
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