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"Forget it, waiting here isn't going to solve anything."
"Since we don't know the situation, we can only go back to Seagod Island and ask High Priest Bo Saixi."
"As the Seagod's representative on Earth, she should know what's going on."
Having made up his mind, Luo Nan no longer hesitated.
The wings of the Dark Dragon on his back suddenly flapped, and he transformed into a black lightning bolt that tore through the sound barrier, speeding towards Seagod Island.
After absorbing the Deep Sea Demon Whale King's soul ring, Luo Nan's speed once again experienced a qualitative leap.
What would normally take several hours, he covered in less than half the time, and he could already see the towering Seagod Mountain of Seagod Island in the distance.
"Whoosh!"
Luo Nan's figure was like a light feather, landing steadily on the beach at the edge of Seagod Island.
However, the instant his feet touched the soil of Seagod Island, a sudden change occurred! The previously dormant red seven-pointed star mark suddenly erupted with a burst of golden light without warning.
Immediately afterward, that long-lost, majestic voice finally resounded in Luo Nan's mind.
"The Seventh Trial, the final trial, begins!"
"Trial Content: Become a nominal Second Priest of Seagod Island."
"Requirements: No need to undertake any daily work, no need to be stationed on Seagod Island long-term, only need to retain the title of priest."
"When Seagod Island faces a life-or-death crisis, or needs help, you must lend a helping hand and protect the Seagod Island lineage."
"Mission Deadline: None."
"Trial Reward: Two divinely bestowed soul rings, Seagod Island's highest-level VIP privileges!"
Upon hearing this sudden announcement of the seventh trial, Luo Nan froze on the spot, his expression incredibly complex.
"Good heavens..." Luo Nan couldn't help but curse inwardly, his face filled with disbelief.
He had initially thought that the sixth trial, hunting the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, was already so difficult; this seventh trial, the final one, must be some kind of inhumanly difficult task, perhaps even requiring a challenge against a divine phantom.
He had even mentally prepared himself to use all his trump cards and fight to the death.
But what was the result?
A nominal Second Priest?
No work required?
No need to clock in?
Not even a deadline?
All he had to do was come back and help when Seagod Island was about to be wiped out?
This wasn't some divine trial; it was practically a pie falling from the sky, and a super-sized pie at that, edged with gold!
Two divinely bestowed soul rings, plus the highest authority on Seagod Island—what was the difference between this and a free gift?
But after a brief moment of shock, Luo Nan's eyes gradually deepened.
He wasn't blinded by this seemingly free reward.
As a powerful figure who had fought his way through countless life-and-death battles in the Douluo Continent, Luo Nan understood one thing better than anyone: free things are always the most expensive!
Why would the Seagod give him such a seemingly effortless trial?
Was it really because they liked him and wanted to give him two divinely bestowed spirit rings for free?
Absolutely not!
The gifts from the gods always come with a hidden price.
This so-called nominal second priest, seemingly effortless, was actually binding Luo Nan's fate completely to that of Seagod Island.
What kind of place was Seagod Island?
It was the seat of the Seagod's lineage!
If a crisis were to arise in the future that even Poseidon couldn't resolve, it would be a cataclysmic disaster.
Could Luo Nan, as the second priest who had received the benefits, stand idly by?
This was clearly the Seagod using two divinely bestowed spirit rings to buy a super insurance policy for Seagod Island in advance!
He was buying Luo Nan's favor, a favor that would make him, a peerless powerhouse destined to rise above the continent!
With these complex emotions, Luo Nan strode towards the Sea God Temple atop Mount Poseidon.
Soon, Luo Nan arrived before the temple.
Poseidon and the seven guardian pillars seemed to have sensed his presence long ago and were already gathered outside the temple waiting.
When they saw Luo Nan return unharmed, and with an aura several times more terrifying than before he left, Poseidon and the seven guardian pillars were filled with profound shock.
"Luo Nan, you're back," Bo Saixi greeted him.
"Judging from your condition, how did the sixth trial go?"
Luo Nan smiled slightly:
"High Priest, rest assured, everything went smoothly. That Deep Sea Demon Whale King has been killed by me."
"The process was easy, not much effort required."
"Hiss—"
Hearing Luo Nan's nonchalant words, the seven guardian pillars, including Sea Dragon Douluo, gasped in unison.
Easily? Killed?
That was a million-year-old deep-sea overlord that even the Sea God himself couldn't completely slay!
In this young man's words, it was as simple as crushing an ant!
If it weren't for the undeniable, terrifying pressure emanating from Luo Nan, they might have thought he was exaggerating.
Bo Saixi also took a deep breath, trying to calm her inner turmoil.
She looked at Luo Nan intently and said with admiration,
"You truly are someone who constantly creates miracles."
"Now that the sixth trial is complete, what is the content of your seventh trial?"
"Do you need any assistance from Seagod Island?"
Hearing Bo Saixi's question, the relaxed smile on Luo Nan's face gradually faded. He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before him.
"High Priest, to be honest, the content of my seventh trial has been determined."
Luo Nan paused, his tone somewhat strange as he spoke.
"The assessment is... to make me the nominal second priest of Seagod Island."
"No work required, no need to stay here, just lend a hand when Seagod Island is in trouble."
"The reward is two divinely bestowed soul rings."
"What?!"
Upon hearing this, not only the Seven Sacred Pillars, but even the usually composed Bo Saixi couldn't help but exclaim in shock, her face filled with astonishment.
"This... how is this possible?" Seahorse Douluo's eyes widened.
"The final test of the top-tier Seven Trials, how could it be so simple? This is simply like..."
"It's like it's given away for free, right?" Luo Nan picked up on Seahorse Douluo's words, giving a wry smile.
He looked at Bo Saixi and said frankly,
"Great Elder, I don't want to lie to you. To be honest, when I heard about the content of this assessment, I also thought it was too easy, so easy it was unsettling."
"Sometimes, what's given away for free is the most valuable."
"Behind these two divinely bestowed spirit rings lies the cause and effect and responsibility for the future of Seagod Island."
Luo Nan took a deep breath, his eyes becoming extremely serious:
"To be honest, I don't know whether I should accept it."
"I, Luo Nan, have never liked owing favors to others, and I dislike being bound by invisible shackles."
"If I accept this assessment, and Seagod Island is in danger of collapse in the future, I will inevitably be involved."
...