Sea God Island was a sacred land for sea spirit masters—a revered ground to worship Poseidon himself.
In the hearts of the island's sea spirit masters, the Sea God was their one and only faith. No spirit master from Sea God Island dared to disrespect the Sea God.
When Ye Feng and his group arrived at the port, they were immediately stopped by a man dressed in purple. Judging by his appearance, he seemed to be in his forties.
"Are you land spirit masters?" the man asked coldly.
The status hierarchy among Sea God Island's sea spirit masters was strict. One could tell their rank by the color of their robes—white, yellow, purple, and black, increasing in prestige.
The only ones qualified to wear black on the island were the guardians of the seven sacred pillars. Above even them stood the High Priest of Sea God, a legendary figure in the sea realm.
"Yes," Ye Feng nodded.
"You best leave right now. Sea God Island does not welcome you. Turn back the way you came, or don't blame us for being rude," the purple-robed man snapped.
"Can't we take the test to join Sea God Island? Why are you turning people away?" Ye Feng asked, his expression calm.
"Hmph. So you do know something about the Sea God Island," the man narrowed his eyes. "I'm advising you for your own good. It's nearly impossible for land spirit masters to pass the Sea God's trial. Once you begin, there's no turning back. Think it through."
Ye Feng smiled confidently. "Since we're already here, we won't leave so easily. Take us to the Guardian of the Holy Pillar—we're here to receive the Sea God's trial."
"You even know about the Guardian of the Sacred Pillar... Seems like you're well-informed about Sea God Island. Fine. Just don't regret it. Follow me," the man replied, stepping aside.
Ye Feng and the others followed the purple-robed man, traversing through a dense forest, climbing over three hills, and eventually arriving at an unusual spot.
Before them lay an inland pool, like a sea within a sea. Though it had appeared calm at first, it began to churn violently as if stirred by unseen forces.
The pool was surrounded by thick forest and measured around 500 meters in diameter. At its center stood a triangular platform with a strange stone pillar towering upon it.
The stone pillar resembled a cone, adorned with intricate carvings at its peak. Mysterious inscriptions covered it, and it radiated an intangible energy.
Beneath the stone pillar sat a man with closed eyes, seemingly deep in meditation. His robes were pitch-black.
"Welcome to the Sea within the Sea. This is the Seahorse Holy Pillar—one of Sea God Island's seven holy pillars. Here, you will receive your trial from Lord Sea God," the purple-robed man explained.
He then bowed slightly and addressed the man in black with reverence, "Lord Seahorse, there are land spirit masters here requesting to take the trial. Please allow it."
The black-robed man under the Seahorse Holy Pillar opened his eyes. They were cold and deep like a vast sea, scanning Ye Feng and his companions sharply.
"A Titled Douluo..." Qian Renxue murmured.
From his overwhelming presence, it was obvious he had reached the level of Titled Douluo.
Then came a booming voice, rippling through the area like crashing waves.
"If land spirit masters wish to receive the Sea God's trial, they must first cross the Sea within the Sea and reach the Seahorse Holy Pillar. Only then will they be eligible."
As the Seahorse Douluo finished speaking, a blue halo ignited from the pillar behind him. The light reached its peak and spread out over the surface of the water, forming a shimmering field.
The Seahorse Holy Pillar stood about ten meters tall, and the halo above the sea rose to match that height.
"Just reach the Seahorse Holu Pillar?" Ye Feng chuckled.
"Yes," Seahorse Douluo replied flatly.
"Then let's go," Ye Feng smiled at Qian Renxue.
"Alright," she nodded.
Buzz
Qian Renxue's wings extended as the soul bones on her back manifested. With a powerful flap, she soared toward the Seahorse Holy Pillar.
Seahorse Douluo: "..."
He stared blankly at her.
Then Ma Hongjun, Zhang Ping, and Shui Bing'er, all of whom possessed flight abilities, followed Qian Renxue across the sky. When they reached the Seahorse Holy Pillar, they descended gracefully.
"I'll head over now too," Ye Feng said.
He summoned his spirit, and stepped into the air, moving effortlessly over the blue halo like walking on water. Soon, he stood before Seahorse Douluo.
"You're cheating," Seahorse Douluo frowned.
"The trial simply requires us to cross the Sea within the Sea and reach the pillar. Flying across it is still crossing it. Intelligence is also a kind of strength, isn't it, respected Lord Seahorse?" Ye Feng replied smugly.
"..."
Seahorse Douluo was speechless.
Ye Feng made his point well. If Seahorse Douluo protested any further, it would be like admitting to a poorly designed trial.
Next came Xie Yue, Ning Rongrong, Hu Liena, Zhu Zhuqing, Meng Yiran, Ye Lingling, Dugu Yan, Shui Yue'er, and the others. Without flight, they had no choice but to swim through the sea.
Still, they were no amateurs. After training in the City of Slaughter, they relied on their own strength and tenacity to cross the turbulent waters.
"Nine Treasures Exquisite Pagoda!"
"Moon Blade!"
"Netherworld Cat!"
"Nine-Hearted Begonia!"
"Green Phosphorus Snake King!"
"Demon Fox!"
...
The names of their martial spirits echoed from Seahorse Douluo's mouth as his expression grew darker.
"You've all passed the Sea within the Sea trial. You are qualified to receive Lord Sea God assessment," he declared, but his tone quickly turned icy. "However, if you're from the Spirit Hall… you'd best return."
With that, Seahorse Douluo turned away indifferently and no longer acknowledged their presence.
"Um…" Hu Liena looked at Ye Feng, clearly uneasy.
The hostility between Sea God Island and Spirit Hall was no secret—especially since the war. Even Qian Renxue looked to Ye Feng, waiting to see what he'd do.
Ye Feng grinned slightly, muttering to himself: "So this was all for nothing? Just because a few of us are from Spirit Hall, we can't take the Sea God's trial? Damn… I'm seriously jealous of these sea spirit masters who get to take the Sea God's trial without restrictions."
Ding Dong!
"The system has detected the host's envy toward the sea spirit masters who can receive the Sea God's trial unconditionally. The system is displeased."
BOOM!
A silver beam of light suddenly struck down from the heavens, smashing directly onto Seahorse Douluo!
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