thefictionvixens Chapter 393 The Nine Trials of the Sea God!
Chapter 393 The Nine Trials of the Sea God!
In the Demon Whale Sea, the surface of the sea is as smooth as a mirror.
The azure light shield of the Vast Ocean Universe Cover resembled an inverted giant bowl, enveloping a ten-mile radius of sea. Inside the shield, the two-hundred-meter-long carcass of the Deep Sea Demon Whale King floated silently, its entire body radiating a faint, deep purple aura.
Above the corpse, a figure sat cross-legged; it was Tang Chuan.
At this moment, he was surrounded by nine soul rings: red, red, red, red, red, red, platinum, red, and orange-gold!
The nine soul rings slowly rotated, each radiating a chilling pressure.
Especially the outermost pure gold spirit ring, which is over ten meters in diameter and has a liquid-like golden light flowing on its surface, and the phantom of the Deep Sea Demon Whale King can be vaguely seen swimming inside the spirit ring.
Having absorbed all of the Deep Sea Demon Whale King's cultivation, Tang Chuan's soul power has broken through from level 90 to level 96 in one fell swoop!
He leaped six levels in succession, directly entering the realm of Super Douluo!
However, this is not simply an increase in soul power.
The Deep Sea Demon Whale King's million-year understanding of the laws, his control over water and lightning, and his vast life energy... all merged into his body, becoming part of his inner strength.
Tang Chuan slowly opened his eyes. A deep purple flashed in the depths of his eyes, then disappeared, replaced by an even deeper ice blue.
Immediately afterwards, he raised his right hand, his five fingers slowly closing, and in his palm, there were faint flashes of lightning and flowing water—those were traces of laws, the threshold to godhood.
"Level 96..." Tang Chuan murmured to himself, "But his strength... should have already touched the threshold of Limit Douluo."
He felt the surging power within him, but his face showed little joy. He knew very well that this was not the end. The Deep Sea Demon Whale King was a quasi-god level being; if he fully absorbed all of its power, it would at least bring him to level ninety-eight. The remaining portion would require time to refine.
Just then, Tang Chuan frowned slightly and turned his gaze to the sky outside the Vast Ocean Universe Cover.
There, two figures were approaching at an extremely fast speed.
Wearing a long red robe and surrounded by the vast power of the sea god, he was none other than Poseidon, the high priest of Poseidon Island.
The other figure was tall and imposing. Although his aura was slightly weakened due to his injuries, he still possessed an innate domineering and fierce spirit, and a majestic righteousness unique to Haotian Douluo.
Tang Chuan's eyes suddenly lit up!
"Tang Chen?!"
The next second, he suddenly stood up, and the azure light of the Vast Ocean Universe Shield vanished silently with a thought. The enormous whale carcass, the golden spirit ring, and Tang Chuan's figure were instantly exposed between the sea and sky.
On the whale corpse, the nine spirit rings, especially the dazzling golden spirit ring, shone brightly in the sunlight, radiating a suffocating pressure!
In the distance, Poseidon and Tang Chen's pupils shrank simultaneously!
"That is—"
Poseidon was horrified and abruptly stopped in mid-air.
Even with her composure, her eyes were filled with disbelief at this moment!
The Deep Sea Demon Whale King... is dead?
The two-hundred-meter-long whale carcass, the golden spirit ring over ten meters in diameter, the lingering aura of a million-year-old spirit beast permeating the sea...
Everything proves that the overlord of this sea has fallen!
The young man standing on the whale carcass was none other than Tang Chuan.
"Tang Chuan?!"
Upon seeing the boy not far away, Tang Chen's voice trembled, not with fear, but with excitement, shock, and disbelief!
He recognized the figure!
Although they only met once, there is no mistake about the dark red giant sword that was stuck diagonally on the whale carcass, the Asura Demon Sword that he personally handed over to his great-grandson!
"Great-grandfather!"
Tang Chuan took a step forward, his figure flashing towards Tang Chen like a streak of light!
Two figures met in mid-air, their eyes locked!
Tang Chen looked at the young man before him. He was not yet twenty years old, but his figure was as upright as a pine tree. He had sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes. The fortitude and composure between his brows were so similar to his own when he was young! Especially his eyes, which were deep and sharp, just like the sect leaders of the Haotian Sect throughout the ages!
"You...you are..." Tang Chen's voice choked with emotion.
"Great-grandfather, I am Tang Chuan!" Tang Chuan knelt on one knee in the void, solemnly bowing and saying, "A fourth-generation disciple of the Haotian Sect, son of Tang Hao, greets Great-grandfather!"
Upon hearing this, Tang Chen trembled.
It's him! It really is his bloodline! He's a direct descendant of the Tang family!
"Good! Good! Good!" Tang Chen said three times, his hands trembling as he helped Tang Chuan up, looking him up and down with eyes full of satisfaction and pride.
Tang Chuan asked with slight concern, "Great-grandfather, are you injured?"
"What are injuries!" Tang Chen waved his hand, interrupting him, his gaze fixed on the enormous whale carcass in the distance, and said, "Chuan'er, this... this Deep Sea Demon Whale King, did you kill it?"
Tang Chuan nodded: "Yes."
Are you alone?
"Yes."
Tang Chen gasped again!
He certainly knew the terror of the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, a million-year-old soul beast, a quasi-god level existence. Even in his prime, wielding the Asura Demon Sword, he wouldn't dare say he could win with certainty! And his great-grandson, a young man in his early twenties.
Tang Chen then noticed the nine spirit rings surrounding Tang Chuan, especially the dazzling golden spirit ring!
"Level 96?!" Tang Chen exclaimed, "You... what you just absorbed was..."
"The soul ring of the Deep Sea Demon Whale King," Tang Chuan said calmly. "A million years, all of its cultivation."
Tang Chen fell completely silent.
He looked at Tang Chuan, then at the whale carcass, then at the golden spirit ring, and finally at the Asura Demon Sword in Tang Chuan's hand...
After a long while, he suddenly looked up at the sky and laughed loudly!
"Hahahaha—!"
The laughter contained a sense of relief, pride, and acceptance.
There was also a complex emotion that even he himself couldn't quite explain.
His great-grandson, at the Soul Douluo level, single-handedly killed the Quasi-God level Deep Sea Demon Whale King, absorbed its million-year soul ring, and broke through to the level 96 Super Douluo in one fell swoop!
With such a descendant, how could the Haotian Sect not prosper?!
"Good! Good! Good!" Tang Chen exclaimed three times, patting Tang Chuan's shoulder heavily, his eyes glistening with tears. He said, "In my life, Tang Chen, there are three things I'm most proud of—first, becoming the Haotian Douluo; second, meeting Xixi; and third... having a great-grandson like you!"
"morning."
A soft voice sounded from the side.
Poseidon slowly landed and stood beside Tang Chen. Her stunningly beautiful face also showed shock and curiosity as she looked at the young man before her.
Before he was even twenty, at level ninety-six, he single-handedly slew the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, wielding the Asura Demon Sword...
When did such a prodigy appear on the mainland?
Tang Chen then remembered that his lover was beside him, and quickly pulled Tang Chuan over to introduce him: "Chuan'er, this is Poseidon, the High Priestess of Poseidon Island, and also... also his great-grandfather..."
He was unusually shy.
Poseidon smiled slightly and gracefully replied, "I am his fiancée."
A hint of surprise flashed in Tang Chuan's eyes, then he bowed respectfully and said:
"Junior Tang Chuan greets the High Priest."
"No need for formalities." Poseidon gently raised her hand, a soft force supporting Tang Chuan, and said:
"Since you were able to slay the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, your strength is already above mine. In terms of cultivation, we can be considered equals."
Tang Chuan shook his head and said, "You were my great-grandfather's wife, so you are my great-grandmother. We must not disregard propriety."
Poseidon was taken aback, then smiled, a hint of appreciation in her eyes.
This child possesses astonishing cultivation, yet remains humble and polite, neither arrogant nor servile—truly a rare find.
"By the way, Chuan'er," Tang Chen said, remembering something, "how did you end up in this area? And... and you even killed the Deep Sea Demon Whale King?"
Tang Chuan glanced at Poseidon, pondered for a moment, and said truthfully, "Great-grandfather, High Priest, I came to this sea area to go to Seagod Island."
"Poseidon Island?" Poseidon raised an eyebrow.
"Yes." Tang Chuan nodded and said, "My companions and I came from the mainland. We heard that Seagod Island has the Nine Trials of the Seagod, which can help Soul Masters break through their limits, so we wanted to come and try it. When we passed through this sea area, we were attacked by the Deep Sea Demon Whale King... We had no choice but to fight back."
He spoke casually, but both Poseidon and Tang Chen knew that the battle was far more complex than he made it out to be.
Poseidon nodded thoughtfully.
She looked at Tang Chuan, her mind racing. This child possessed extraordinary talent and impeccable character, and was also Tang Chen's great-grandson. If she could lead him to Seagod Island to undergo the Nine Trials of the Seagod…
With his talent, he might actually make it to the end!
"In that case, come back to Seagod Island with me."
Poseidon spoke, his voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable authority.
Tang Chuan was taken aback: "The High Priest means..."
"Since you wish to participate in the Sea God's Trial, as the High Priest of Sea God Island, I naturally welcome you."
Poseidon smiled slightly and said.
Tang Chuan looked at Tang Chen.
Tang Chen smiled and nodded: "Go ahead. With Xixi around, you won't suffer any losses on Seagod Island. Besides..."
He paused, a complex light flashing in his eyes.
Tang Chuan felt a chill run down his spine and solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute: "Yes, great-grandfather."
Seeing this, Poseidon didn't delay any longer. He raised his hand and waved it, and a blue light enveloped the three of them.
"Let's go back to Poseidon Island."
Three figures soared into the air and sped towards Seagod Island.
Behind them, the enormous corpse of the Deep Sea Demon Whale King floated silently on the sea surface, awaiting its fate of being devoured by the sea spirit beasts. The golden spirit ring had dissipated, but the lingering power of the million-year-old spirit beast still rendered the surrounding hundred-mile radius of the sea deathly silent.
Further out at sea, in a ravine 30,000 meters deep, a pair of eyes that had slept for hundreds of thousands of years were staring intently at the three departing figures.
It remembered that person's scent.
I remembered the aura of that demonic sword.
I've remembered... the aura of Asura.
One day, it will surface and demand retribution for this blood debt.
Half an hour later, on the shore of Poseidon Island, where sacred pillars stand in rows.
The azure sea gently laps against the white sand, and the seven towering pillars, like seven sharp swords piercing the sky, each radiate a different light.
The deep blue of the sea dragon pillars, the golden yellow of the sea spear pillars, the emerald green of the seahorse pillars, the purplish-red of the starfish pillars, and the jet black of the sea ghost pillars... seven colors intertwine, making this beach look like a dream.
Poseidon slowly descended with Tang Chuan. Tang Chen, due to the severity of his injuries, had been sent to the Sea God Temple to recuperate. Before parting, he patted Tang Chuan's shoulder heavily, said with a complex expression, "Do well in the test. I have something to say to you after it's over," and then left with the help of the Sea Soul Master.
At this moment, a gentle sea breeze blows across Poseidon Island, carrying a faint salty smell.
The remaining guardians of the sacred pillar watched from afar, their eyes filled with curiosity. Was this young man the guest personally brought back by the High Priest? The monster who was said to have single-handedly slain the Deep Sea Demon Whale King?
Poseidon ignored the stares and led Tang Chuan straight to the central pillar, the first of the seven pillars—the Sea God Pillar.
The entire structure is a pure azure blue, over a hundred feet tall, with intricate sea god patterns carved on its body, vaguely revealing waves, sea spirit beasts, and the legendary sea god.
Under the sunlight, the entire sacred pillar seemed to come alive, its surface shimmering with a water-like luster.
"This is it." Poseidon stopped and turned to look at Tang Chuan, saying:
"The Nine Trials of the Sea God are the greatest opportunities left by the Sea God to soul masters in the world. Each sacred pillar corresponds to a different level of trial, and this sacred pillar of the Sea God... is the gateway to the Nine Trials."
She paused, a serious expression appearing on her beautiful face.
"Tang Chuan, I'm asking you one last time—are you really ready? The Nine Trials of the Sea God, once they begin, cannot be withdrawn from halfway. During the trials, you will face life-or-death crises, and may even... perish."
Tang Chuan met her gaze, his eyes calm as still water, and said:
"High Priest, I've even slain the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, why would I be afraid of a mere test?"
Poseidon paused for a moment, then smiled.
Yes, how could someone who can slay the Deep Sea Demon Whale King be scared off by a mere assessment?
"Alright." She nodded. "Then I will begin the ceremony for you now. Please step back three steps."
Tang Chuan did as instructed and stepped back.
Poseidon took a deep breath, her red robes billowing without wind, and the vast power of the sea god surged from her body, transforming into ripples of azure that spread outwards. She slowly raised her hands, forming an ancient and intricate hand seal, while chanting incantations.
"The ocean is boundless, and divine grace is immeasurable."
"By the sea god above, your disciple Poseidon, in the name of the high priest, opens the gate of the sacred pillar."
"Bring the examinees in, determine their talents, and classify their level."
"If you are destined to be with God, you will see the answer."
As she spoke, the Sea God Pillar suddenly shone brightly! A blue pillar of light shot into the sky, piercing the clouds and illuminating the entire Sea God Island, making it resemble an underwater dragon palace!
The sea god patterns on the pillar began to move, as if they had come to life. In the shadows, it seemed as if a pair of majestic eyes slowly opened deep within the pillar of light, looking down at everything below.
"Tang Chuan!" Poseidon's voice carried a divine majesty as she said, "Place your hand upon the sacred pillar! The pillar will judge your talent and determine which level of assessment you should undergo!"
Tang Chuan strode forward and extended his right hand. However, just as his palm was about to touch the sacred pillar, he suddenly stopped.
"High Priest," he turned around, a hint of apology in his eyes, "Could you wait a moment?"
Poseidon was taken aback: "What is it?"
Tang Chuan did not answer, but simply raised his left hand and gently pressed it to his brow.
A bright blue light suddenly shone from between his brows!
The light grew stronger and brighter, eventually transforming into a palm-sized azure light shield that slowly floated out from between his brows and hovered above his palm.
Vast Ocean Universe Cover!
Upon seeing the item before him, Poseidon's pupils suddenly contracted!
"This is??!"
Her voice trembled with disbelief, and she even forgot that she was presiding over the ceremony!
The Vast Ocean Universe Cover! That's something left behind by Poseidon, the god of the sea! It's one of the three core components of Poseidon's trident! It's a priceless treasure that all the high priests of the sea have dreamed of but never obtained!
How did it end up in Tang Chuan's hands?!
"How...how do you possess the Vast Ocean Universe Cover?!"
Poseidon gasped, her beautiful face filled with shock.
Tang Chuan did not answer immediately. He held up the Vast Ocean Universe Cover, and with a thought, the azure light cover slowly opened, growing larger and larger until it finally transformed into a light gate with a diameter of about ten feet.
Four figures slowly walked out from inside the portal.
Leading the group was a young girl in a long emerald green dress. She had a beautiful face and a gentle, graceful demeanor. There was a faint begonia mark between her brows—Ye Lengleng, the owner of the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul.
Following closely behind was a tall, slender woman with purple hair and cold, beautiful eyes. Snake shadows seemed to move around her—the Azure Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul, Dugu Yan.
The third person to step forward was a petite figure, dressed in a lotus-colored long dress. Her appearance was stunning, yet she still carried a hint of childishness. She was holding a seven-story pagoda in her arms—the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda, Ning Rongrong.
The last person was a spirited woman with blonde hair and a fitted outfit, holding a golden dragon spear. She was Xiao Ruier, another companion Tang Chuan had brought from the mainland. (End of Chapter)