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Xuan Ming, holding the unconscious Bibi Dong, quickly returned to his resting area.
As a special privilege of the Seagod Nine Trials, Bo Saixi had people construct a row of temporary residences not far from the nine heavens profound steps, to serve as lodging for Hu Liena and the others while they passed through the Seagod's Light.
Originally, he also lived there, but since everyone would always sneak over to find him at night, he had no choice but to build an Ice Flame Castle for himself.
Its exterior was ice, and its interior was fire, with the indoor temperature constantly maintained at the most comfortable state.
Entering the room, Xuan Ming had just settled Bibi Dong on the bed when Hu Liena arrived, her eyes filled with worry and heartache: "Teacher!"
"She's fine, just exhausted her spirit power and needs a few days of rest," Xuan Ming said calmly. "You take care of her."
Hu Liena nodded quickly, carefully taking Bibi Dong. Looking at her pale, haggard face, which nonetheless held a trace of peaceful sleep, her heart was a mix of emotions. She looked up at Xuan Ming, wanting to speak but hesitating.
Xuan Ming said no more, merely giving her a slight nod before turning and disappearing again.
The next moment, he appeared on the Sea God Mountain Peak, in front of the magnificent Sea God Hall.
Bo Saixi seemed to have sensed his arrival. Dressed in a golden-red long dress, she stood quietly in front of the hall, her sea-blue eyes calmly watching Xuan Ming, with a hint of undetectable complexity.
"Grand Priestess," Xuan Ming landed in front of her, getting straight to the point, "I want to ask you for a favor."
Bo Saixi raised an eyebrow slightly: "What matter requires my trouble?"
"Spar with me," Xuan Ming's voice remained calm and unruffled. "I need to quickly master the new powers I've acquired, especially the skills brought by the Deep Sea Demon Whale King. In an ocean environment, you are the best opponent."
Upon hearing this, a trace of surprise flashed in Bo Saixi's sea-blue eyes, then turned into solemnity.
She had witnessed the extremely brutal "teaching" process between Xuan Ming and Bibi Dong, and vaguely guessed how terrifying his so-called new power was.
The Deep Sea Demon Whale King's strength in the sea was terrifying. If on Sea God Island, with the power of the Sea God Hall, the Deep Sea Demon Whale King would naturally not be her opponent. But if they went to the Demon Whale Sea Domain, even she might not be able to defeat the Deep Sea Demon Whale King.
And the news of Xuan Ming defeating the Deep Sea Demon Whale King had been told to her by the Snow Empress before. Although that battle contained a lot of embellishment, Xuan Ming, who had received the Deep Sea Demon Whale King's sacrifice, even possessing four million-year spirit rings and a million-year dragon bone, how strong his full power truly was, perhaps even he himself didn't know... Bo Saixi pondered for a moment, then slowly shook her head: "Xuan Ming, your fighting style... is too brutal. As the Grand Priestess of the Sea God, if I were to engage in such a life-and-death struggle with you, it might be inappropriate."
She was considering the reputation of the Sea God and her own duties, unable to easily take risks.
Xuan Ming looked at her, his ice-blue eyes showing no surprise or disappointment, merely nodding: "I understand. In that case, I apologize for disturbing you."
With that, he actually turned, making to leave, without any entanglement or insistence.
Watching his decisive back, Bo Saixi's heart inexplicably tightened.
She deeply knew the responsibilities and pressure Xuan Ming carried, and understood the reason for his urgent desire to improve his strength.
What's more... his calm acceptance of the refusal just now made her feel a hint of... reluctance?
Just as Xuan Ming was about to step into the air and depart, Bo Saixi sighed softly and spoke: "Wait."
Xuan Ming's figure paused, and he turned to look at her.
Bo Saixi met his gaze and slowly said: "I can accompany you in training, but it will only be to help you familiarize yourself with and control your skills. I will not engage in that kind of... life-and-death struggle with you."
Xuan Ming nodded: "That's fine. I just want to familiarize myself with the application and coordination of skills, and I don't plan to clash head-on with you, after all... I'm still not your opponent right now."
"Alright," Bo Saixi agreed. "Tomorrow morning, I'll be waiting for you."
"Thank you," Xuan Ming said after thanking her, and his figure disappeared from the mountain peak.
Bo Saixi stood alone in front of the hall, gazing at the distant, surging sea, a complex and unreadable emotion flashing in her sea-blue eyes.
What was wrong with her? How could she feel such emotions towards a child in his twenties?
God Realm, within the magnificent God Hall.
The light mirror clearly reflected Bo Saixi's complex and unspeakable expression, as well as Xuan Ming's decisive back as he departed.
"Tsk tsk..." The God of Evil rubbed his chin, a playful glint in his eyes. "It seems our Grand Priestess's heart has been stirred."
The eyes of several God Kings simultaneously turned to Poseidon, the Sea God.
Among the Gods in the God Realm, only Poseidon, the Sea God, had established the special position of Grand Priestess in the lower realm, to wield authority over Sea God Island on his behalf and guard the inheritance.
Other Divinities, even the Asura God, relied entirely on the examinee's own efforts for their inheritance, with absolutely no flexibility.
Succeed or fail, a slight difference was still a difference; there was never any talk of "going easy."
It was precisely for this reason that even someone as powerful as Tang Chen ultimately succumbed in the Asura God Test, yet the Asura God never entertained the thought of interfering.
The God of Evil developed a strong interest in Bo Saixi's current emotional changes.
After all, this "assessment," which drew attention from multiple parties, utilized the territory of Sea God Island, and this beautiful and powerful Grand Priestess naturally caught his attention.
"Poseidon," the God of Evil suggested with a smile, "Since that kid Xuan Ming is destined to have no connection with your Sea God Position, the Asura God and the God of Destruction are both eyeing him, and even the Life has indirectly intervened because of the Silver Dragon King. Why don't we officially include Bo Saixi in this assessment as well?"
He paused, the mischievousness in his eyes growing deeper: "For example, let Xuan Ming assist Bo Saixi in inheriting your Sea God Position? For him, this might be a completely new kind of test."
His words were half-true, half-false, primarily wanting to watch the show.
Bo Saixi clearly already had feelings for Xuan Ming that transcended duty, and Xuan Ming... although seemingly cold, his protection of those around him and his clumsy concern were genuine.
Forcibly binding these two to the same ship would surely lead to sparks flying and an incredibly exciting process!
Poseidon naturally saw through the God of Evil's pure desire to watch the show. He silently gazed at Bo Saixi's solitary figure standing in front of the hall in the light mirror, his eyes profound.
He watched her guard Sea God Island for a hundred years, watched her heart stir with Tang Chen's appearance, and then watched her admiration gradually erode into disappointment and even resentment due to Tang Chen's downfall and decades of no news.
The Tang Chen who once captivated her and made her wait for decades seemed to be gradually fading from her heart, replaced by this younger, stronger, more mysterious, and... more "interactive" Xuan Ming.
Tang Chen was good, but he was ultimately a thing of the past, and now, having fallen into Slaughter City, his future was uncertain. As for Xuan Ming... his potential was limitless, and more importantly, he seemed to better understand Bo Saixi's responsibilities and loneliness, sharing more common ground.
In Poseidon's heart, Bo Saixi was like his child. As a "parent," he always hoped to find the best home for his child.
Though Tang Chen was once extraordinarily talented, the current Xuan Ming, in terms of potential, character, and intricate fate connections, was far beyond the fallen Tang Chen. He could see that Bo Saixi's emotional defenses had already loosened.
If... if he could seize this opportunity to give a push, perhaps... Poseidon was in an internal struggle.
On one hand, he felt that the God of Evil was purely stirring up trouble.
On the other hand, he felt that this suggestion seemed... to make some sense?
Now that his Sea God inheritance had become such a mess, and the Sea God's Heart had been fused by Xuan Ming, it couldn't just be left unresolved.
Bo Saixi... "How about it?" The God of Evil urged. "Anyway, Xuan Ming's assessment is already chaotic enough, one more item won't hurt. Consider it adding some difficulty for him, and giving your child a chance? You can't really let her guard Sea God Island her whole life and grow old alone, can you?"
The Asura God, who had been silent, suddenly spoke coldly: "Feasible. Xuan Ming's character needs more tempering. Dealing with complex relationships and assisting others is also a test."
The God of Destruction also nodded, a hint of interest flashing in his scarlet eyes: "I second that. It will be interesting to see his performance under multiple pressures."
The Goddess of Life smiled gently, not objecting.
Poseidon watched as the several God Kings seemed to lean towards agreement, then looked at Bo Saixi's lonely figure leaning against the railing in the light mirror, and finally let out a heavy sigh, as if having made up his mind.
"Alright... just do as you say."
"However, the content of the assessment must be set by me."
These bastards, stealing people was one thing, but the first and second trials were practically forcing people to their deaths!
Was it necessary?
The next morning, Ice Plain Sea Domain.
Xuan Ming had already been waiting there, manipulating the ocean currents, experimenting with this power to control the sea.
Soon, a red stream of light descended from the sky, and Bo Saixi's figure quietly appeared, still graceful and noble, with an extraordinary temperament.
But accompanying her were seven powerful auras—the seven Titled Douluo guardians of the Sea God Island's Seven Sacred Pillars, all present.
Seahorse, Sea Ghost, Sea Star, Sea Illusion, Sea Lance, Sea Witch, and Sea Dragon, the seven Titled Douluo hovered with solemn expressions on the nearby sea surface, their gazes fixed on Xuan Ming, their eyes filled with vigilance and worry.
They had clearly guessed what Xuan Ming intended to do. Although they knew they were no match, out of loyalty to Bo Saixi and their duty to protect her, they still followed, just in case.
At the same time, on the other side of the sea, the enormous head of Xiao Bai, the Devil Spirit Great White Shark King, surfaced, her golden eyes curiously looking in this direction.
Ice Empress, Snow Empress, Bi Ji, and Zi Ji also appeared one after another, observing from afar.
Gu Yuena did not come; she was helping Bibi Dong recover, and also helping Hu Liena and the others complete their assessment as quickly as possible.
Bo Saixi seemed unsurprised by the appearance of the seven Pillar Douluo, nor did she dismiss them, merely giving Xuan Ming a slight nod: "Begin."
Before her words fully faded, she did not wait for Xuan Ming to make the first move. The Sea God's Scepter had already appeared in her hand, and she pointed it at Xuan Ming from a distance!
There was no earth-shattering commotion, only an intensely condensed blue-gold beam of light, as if it pierced through space, instantly appearing before Xuan Ming!
Xuan Ming's pupils contracted slightly. Not daring to be careless, a deep blue-black light instantly erupted around him!
Abyssal Whale Devour! The Deep Sea Demon Whale King's Domain-type skill.
Upon activation, it creates a huge, light- and space-distorting deep-sea Domain centered on himself. The water pressure within the Domain is terrifying, greatly weakening the opponent's perception and speed, while also extracting all energy within the Domain, including spirit power, mental force, and even life force, to replenish himself.
The Domain's range and power increase with Xuan Ming's spirit power.
Boom—!!!
Xuan Ming crossed his arms to block, and the blue-black Domain power surged wildly, taking the blow head-on!
He was sent sliding back several hundred meters, his feet carving two deep furrows in the sea surface! His arms were slightly numb, and his blood and qi surged!
Such powerful strength! A trace of solemnity flashed in Xuan Ming's eyes.
Bo Saixi's attack was completely different from Bibi Dong's violent, sharp, and intensely murderous offensives.
Each of her attacks seemed to carry the immeasurable might of the entire ocean, vast, grand, and heavy!
This was truly the power belonging to the unrivaled master of the ocean, the ultimate control honed through the Sea God's divine force a thousand times over!