Chapter 194: The Grueling Trial Requirements
The fifth to step forward was Yang Tianyue. As the blue light enveloped her, its color began to change, shifting from blue to white, then purple, and finally black. But it didn't stop there. The color continued to transform, glowing blood-red, which in turn activated a strange phenomenon. The Sea God Island's Seven Sacred Pillars responded, each emitting a red glow that gathered on Yang Tianyue, ultimately forming a golden light. This golden light manifested as nine vision screens in front of her, finally transforming into a golden Sea God Trident that embedded itself in her forehead.
Yang Tianyue turned to Seahorse Douluo, astonished. "Senior, my trial appears to be golden, requiring me to pass nine stages."
Seahorse Douluo forced a wry smile. "I don't know what it means either. I've never seen a golden trial."
At that moment, a voice, clear as a heavenly melody, resonated through the air: "In the history of Sea God Island, this is the first occurrence of the Sea God's Nine Trials. I will personally oversee your test."
A graceful woman holding a scepter appeared in a flash of red light. She exuded no discernible soul power, seemingly merged with the heavens and the earth, radiating a sense of serene purity. Yang Potian guessed: This must be Sea God Douluo, Bo Saixi—one of the world's three unparalleled powerhouses and a Level 99 Limit Douluo.
Bo Saixi approached Yang Tianyue, her voice warm and gentle. "I am Bo Saixi, Sea God Douluo and the Grand Worshiper of Sea God Island. I know your purpose here; the Sea God has given me specific instructions. He hopes that you will train diligently and pass the Nine Trials."
Yang Tianyue immediately bowed. "Thank you, Sea God Douluo."
Bo Saixi turned to Seahorse Douluo. "Oya, these six are honored guests of Sea God Island. Ensure they are treated with the utmost respect."
With those words, Bo Saixi vanished, leaving Yang Potian awestruck by her immense strength. So, this is the power of a Limit Douluo…
Breaking the silence, Yang Potian addressed Seahorse Douluo. "Senior, I haven't yet received my Sea God trial. Could you inform me of its content?"
Seahorse Douluo, regaining his composure, replied apologetically, "Forgive me. I didn't expect the Grand Worshiper herself to appear. I will arrange your trial now."
With a wave of Seahorse Douluo's hand, a blue light surrounded Yang Potian, gradually transforming to red. But unlike the others, only a single red light screen appeared before Yang Potian, which condensed into a red dot that entered his forehead.
When Yang Potian read his trial's content, he was speechless: "Assist the Sea God's Chosen One in completing her trials. Concurrently, you must pass all stages. Trial requirements: None."
Seeing the trial's description, Yang Potian nearly choked in frustration. What kind of joke is this? I only came for the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, hoping to gain strength through the Sea God's trials. Now it feels like I'm falling deeper and deeper into a pit I can't climb out of.
In the Divine Realm's Sea God Hall, Sea God and God of Asura were sharing a drink, with the Sea God watching the events on Sea God Island below with a bemused smile, occasionally nodding in approval.
The God of Asura, intrigued, asked, "Sea God, what's with the single Red-Level trial you assigned him?"
Sea God replied with a relaxed tone, "That Red-Level One Trial is more complex than it looks. Let's see if he can handle it. But what about you? Are you planning to pass up a promising candidate like him?"
The God of Asura's eyes flickered with consideration. "The child shows potential, but he has yet to truly grasp the essence of Asura. Once he does, I'll give him his trial."
Back on Sea God Island, Seahorse Douluo led Yang Potian and his group to Seahorse City, where they were housed in the city's lord's mansion.
Unable to contain his curiosity, Yang Potian asked, "So, what were your trial requirements? Anything particularly challenging?"
Niu Meng shrugged casually. "My first trial is to cross the Sea God's Light. I have to climb ninety-eight steps to reach the sacred ground of Sea God Island. We're allowed to exit midway if we can't handle it, and we have a one-year time limit."
Dugu Yan added, "Mine is the same, but I need to reach one hundred and eight steps."
Yang Ping'an seemed more anxious. "I have to climb one hundred and eighteen steps."
Ye Lingling appeared slightly apprehensive. "My trial requires me to reach one hundred and thirty-six steps."
Finally, the group looked toward Yang Tianyue, who was radiating confidence. "My trial requires me to climb three hundred and sixty-eight steps of the double-strength Sea God's Light."
Yang Potian felt a wave of dizziness and asked, "Three hundred and sixty-eight steps? Are you sure? That seems impossible!"
Yang Tianyue nodded, puzzled. "Brother, what's so strange about it? It's just three hundred and sixty-eight steps. How hard could it be?"
Yang Potian could only smile wryly. The Sea God is truly ruthless! Tianyue's trial is harder than Tang San's. Tang San only had to climb three hundred and thirty-three steps in the original story. And now Tianyue has to do three hundred and sixty-eight… is it because I got her that extra soul bone?
Yang Tianyue glanced back at Yang Potian. "Brother, what about your trial? Since it's a Red-Level One Trial, does that mean you only need to pass one stage?"
Yang Potian shook his head. "My trial requires me to help you complete all of yours."
"Well, then, let's eat and rest up. We'll begin the trials this afternoon, and you'll soon understand what divine-level trials really mean."
After a hearty lunch, a spirit master in purple robes escorted them to the testing site. The view before them was breathtaking: an island surrounded entirely by seawater, positioned higher than the surrounding land—a towering structure with a small palace at its center, providing a panoramic view of all Sea God Island.
The island itself seemed blanketed in golden light, emanating a strange, oppressive energy. At the front of the island, a stairway made entirely of white jade led straight up to the palace at its peak.
The group looked questioningly at the purple-robed spirit master. "Senior, is this the sacred ground of Sea God Island?"
The purple-robed master gazed reverently at the stairway ahead. "Yes, this is the path to the Sea God's Shrine. Only those undergoing a Purple-Level or higher trial may attempt to climb these steps. Otherwise, you'll be barred from setting foot on them. Your first trial is to climb as many steps as possible."
"If, at any point, you feel overwhelmed during the trial, do not force yourself to continue. Retreating from the shrine will prevent any harm."
Yang Potian nodded to the group. "Alright, let's go. We'll get a taste of what the first trial entails."
As the six of them approached the staircase, a mysterious energy surged forward, creating an invisible barrier that sought to block their passage onto the sacred steps.
The group quickly realized that the trials on Sea God Island were anything but simple; in fact, they were likely going to be incredibly arduous. No wonder the purple-clad soul master who had learned of their trial requirements had shown a look of pity.
Yang Potian addressed them, "Everyone, give it your all and see how many steps you can climb. Find out your own limits, because the next year will be nothing short of hell."
Yang Ping'an was the first to step up, but as soon as he set foot on the steps, he felt an intense pressure that only increased with every step. When he could no longer endure it, he released his martial spirit and soul rings, which slightly relieved the pressure, allowing him to advance a little further. But even with all his abilities active, he eventually reached his limit and was forced to retreat.
Despite giving everything he had, Yang Ping'an only managed to reach the fifty-eighth step before he could go no further.
Seeing this, the others exchanged nervous glances. With Yang Ping'an's high soul power level and physical conditioning, he had only climbed fifty-eight steps. What could the rest of them expect, especially considering that Ye Lingling had to reach the one-hundred-thirty-sixth step, and Yang Tianyue, the three-hundred-sixty-eighth step? The difficulty of their trials seemed beyond imagination.
The others then tried the stairs themselves to find their limits, but the results were disappointing.
Niu Meng barely managed to reach fifty-two steps before collapsing, Dugu Yan struggled to reach forty-eight with the help of her external soul bone, and Ye Lingling only made it to the forty-fourth step. Surprisingly, Yang Tianyue climbed seventy-nine steps in one go, thanks to her exceptional physical conditioning, honed by four supreme-quality soul bones and Ice and Fire body tempering. The twin arm bones, in particular, provided her with immense strength.
This was already an impressive showing due to their intensive weight and gravity training, combined with the effects of top-tier medicinal baths that had increased their strength far beyond average. For other soul masters of the same level, it was doubtful they would even reach half the distance.
Yang Tianyue looked at Yang Potian with curiosity. "Brother, aren't you going to try the steps?"
Yang Potian shook his head. "I'll test them later. Now you understand how difficult the Sea God's trials are—and why I've been pushing you to train so hard. Let's hear your thoughts on this first experience."
Yang Tianyue reflected, "This 'Sea God's Light' feels a bit like our gravity training, but it also speeds up soul power circulation. However, the pressure keeps increasing as you ascend. Given our current strength, passing this trial seems nearly impossible."
The other four nodded in agreement, concern clouding their faces.
Yang Potian continued, "Now that you've had a taste of the challenge, here's what I need you to focus on for the next year:
"First, you'll meditate on the highest step you can manage. Training under the Sea God's Light will amplify your progress. Aside from mealtime, you won't stop cultivating.
"Second, each day you'll push beyond your limits. Even if it means getting injured, you'll keep climbing until you're drained. I'll arrange a medicinal bath for you afterward to aid your recovery.
"Third, every week, I'll fight each of you one-on-one. You're to use everything you have because I won't be holding back. True breakthroughs only happen in the heat of battle."
With that, Yang Potian turned to the purple-robed sea soul master. "Senior, would it be possible to have food delivered here each afternoon? And if possible, could you arrange for a female soul master to assist us? We have three women in our group, and they'll need help with the daily medicinal baths. We'll also need two small huts nearby for privacy."
Yang Potian had come prepared, fully aware of Sea God Island's challenges. He had brought ample supplies, including materials for medicinal baths and a variety of healing resources.
The purple-robed soul master nodded quickly, "Rest assured, honored guests; I'll see to these arrangements right away."
(End of Chapter)
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