A huge welcome to our newest patron, 'Wesley Tebbens'! Supporters like you are the reason these stories can be shared with the world. You're now part of the community that helps decide which adventures we translate next!
I've recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Name: 'Pokémon But Stardew Valley'
----------------------
After entering the range of the Sea Dragon Holy Pillar, the middle-aged man who had been guiding Ye Wen became noticeably more solemn. His expression revealed a fervent faith as he addressed Ye Wen:
"Welcome to the Inner Sea. Though you may already have some understanding, it's still necessary for me to explain.
This is the Sea Dragon Holy Pillar, one of the seven Holy Pillars of the Sea God Island. The Sea God has bestowed divine power upon the seven pillars and uses them to spread His will.
At the same time, this is also the place where soul masters are tested. You will undergo the trial of the Sea God here.
However, I must ask you one last time, young man—do you really wish to take the trial? Compared to us sea soul masters, the Sea God is much harsher on land-based soul masters like you. We sea soul masters have ten years to complete each trial, but your kind only has one year. And if you fail, you will die here."
Ye Wen smiled confidently. After spending so much time reaching this point, how could he possibly give up now? He nodded firmly.
Seeing that Ye Wen's resolve was unwavering, the middle-aged man stopped trying to dissuade him. Shortly after, eight soul rings—one yellow, three purple, and four black—began to appear around the man's body.
As Ye Wen had previously guessed, this person was indeed a Soul Douluo.
Perhaps because Ye Wen was too far from the Sea Dragon Holy Pillar, this Soul Douluo had to use such an attention-grabbing method to notify the Sea Dragon Douluo of his arrival.
"Lord Sea Dragon, there is a visiting land-based soul master here to take the trial. Please grant permission," the middle-aged man said.
At this moment, the Sea Dragon Douluo, who had been meditating with closed eyes beneath the Holy Pillar, finally reacted. His gaze turned toward Ye Wen and the others.
Though they were separated by a hundred meters, the Sea Dragon Douluo's dragon-like eyes exuded an overwhelming aura of authority even from a distance.
The middle-aged man immediately felt immense pressure, but Ye Wen remained unfazed. Since his martial soul had evolved, he had discovered that no other martial soul could exert pressure on him anymore.
Seeing Ye Wen's unaffected demeanor, the Sea Dragon Douluo became intrigued. After all, his own martial soul was one of the top-tier True Dragon Beast martial souls, its quality comparable to that of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
"Interesting. It's been many years since a land-based soul master came to the Sea God Island to take the trial. However, if you wish to accept the trial of Lord Sea God, you must first cross this Inner Sea and come before my Holy Pillar. Only then will you qualify to take the trial," the Sea Dragon Douluo said.
As the Sea Dragon Douluo finished speaking, the Sea Dragon Holy Pillar behind him began to emit a faint blue glow. This glow gradually expanded, enveloping the entire Inner Sea.
Ye Wen remembered that this glow was meant to restrict bird-type soul masters from cheating by using their flight abilities.
Hmm.
Originally, Ye Wen had planned to rely on his mastery of wind elements to fly across. It seemed that plan was now out of the question.
However, Ye Wen didn't mind. He had plenty of other methods. Since the opponent had restricted his most peaceful means of passage, he might as well cause a little commotion.
Still, to prevent the other side from setting additional restrictions, Ye Wen called out loudly:
"Lord Sea Dragon, does this mean that as long as one doesn't fly, any other means of reaching your Holy Pillar is acceptable?"
The Sea Dragon Douluo hadn't expected Ye Wen to be so perceptive, instantly discerning the purpose of the restriction. Intrigued by this young man, he nodded meaningfully and replied:
"That's correct. As long as you don't fly, any other method is allowed. But be careful—the Inner Sea isn't as calm or harmless as it appears."
Ye Wen nodded in acknowledgment. 'So what? There's just a bunch of thousand-year-old sea soul beasts in the Inner Sea. Why make it sound so mysterious?'
With everything clarified, Ye Wen began walking toward the Inner Sea. One of the soul rings around him lit up, and Nana's martial soul appeared at his feet. As the first soul ring flashed, it materialized onto Ye Wen's body.
Upon seeing Ye Wen's two-yellow, one-purple, three-black soul ring configuration, both individuals present were momentarily stunned.
Though they had received blessings from the Sea God, they were still well-versed in the optimal soul ring configurations for soul masters.
But what was going on with this land-based soul master? Could it be that they had stayed on the Sea God Island for too long and fallen behind on intelligence?
Before they could dwell on it further, Ye Wen's sixth soul ring suddenly lit up, and a piercing cold wind swept through the area!
Just as Ye Wen's foot was about to touch the water's surface, his Ice Element Mastery activated instantaneously. The pitch-black seawater froze into solid white ice, providing a platform for Ye Wen to step on.
In the blink of an eye, many of the sea soul beasts lurking near the shore, which had just surfaced to attack Ye Wen, were instantly frozen into icy statues. The frozen surface spread rapidly, forming an icy path leading straight to the Sea Dragon Holy Pillar at the center of the Inner Sea.
"What!?"
The Sea Dragon Douluo stared in disbelief at the scene before him. After serving as a Holy Pillar guardian for so long, this was the first time he had seen someone bypass the Inner Sea's obstacles in such a manner.
A mere hundred meters, and Ye Wen reached the Sea Dragon Holy Pillar in moments. With a gentle smile, he addressed the Sea Dragon Douluo:
"Elder, I believe this counts as passing the trial."
The Sea Dragon Douluo nodded woodenly, his gaze flickering with suspicion as he stared at the icy corridor. Then, as if recalling something unpleasant, his expression darkened, and his eyes turned hostile toward Ye Wen.
Ye Wen was somewhat baffled. Sure, his method of passing the trial was a bit rough, but it wasn't enough to warrant such hostility, was it?
However, Ye Wen quickly realized the issue and explained: "Elder, please rest assured. Although I am strong, I do not hail from the Spirit Hall. I belong to a neutral faction called the Medical Alliance, composed of my family and friends."
Upon hearing this, the Sea Dragon Douluo's expression softened slightly. Though Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi had eventually become friends after the Spirit Hall's failed attempt to conquer the Sea God Island, the Holy Pillar Douluos like him hadn't forgotten the grudge.
In Douluo, the protagonist Tang San often claimed that there were no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters. But anyone familiar with the series knew that in the world of Douluo, becoming a high-level soul master required either possessing a top-tier innate talent or being born into a prestigious family. Otherwise, one would remain an ordinary soul master for life.
Rising to prominence with an ordinary martial soul? Across the four installments of Douluo, no one had succeeded.
Thus, when the Sea Dragon Douluo saw Ye Wen—a mere Soul Emperor—display such terrifying elemental mastery, he naturally suspected that Ye Wen might hail from the Spirit Hall, a divine-level organization on par with their own.
After all, in the Sea Dragon Douluo's eyes, Ye Wen's abnormal soul ring configuration and overwhelming strength could only have been cultivated by the Spirit Hall.
Initially, the Sea Dragon Douluo had assumed that the Spirit Hall was attempting to exploit the Sea God Island, which was why he displayed a hint of hostility.
------------------------------------------------------
Join my Patreon to read an exclusive novel – 'Douluo: Rebuilding Hao Tian Sect'
400+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)