Day by day, the Dragon Abyss Vessel quietly traveled beneath the sea, always keeping within the range where sunlight touched, yet avoiding the sudden shifts of weather above.
From time to time, it would surface for air, or when the skies were clear, it would sail above to adjust course.
Of course, they also dove down to catch fish, grilling them on the deck.
With Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo escorting them, the journey was smooth—aside from taking a little detour to avoid the Demon Whale's domain.
The next morning, the sea was once again calm and radiant, waves rolling gently.
But in the distant horizon, a black spot appeared.
"Hm?" Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo noticed first, lifting their gazes.
"It's a pirate ship." Yang Yunhai narrowed his eyes before smiling. "Teacher, let them come over."
"We just happen to need a guide who knows these waters. Saves us the trouble of searching ourselves."
Though they had a sea chart, without precise instruments, it was impossible to guarantee navigation across an endless ocean. At best, they knew they were heading in the right general direction. The exact course? That was another matter.
So if someone familiar with the sea could guide them, they would avoid detours.
"Alright." Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded.
Before long, the massive pirate ship drew closer. On its bow stood a woman in purple robes, about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, figure… ample.
'Zi Zhenzhu?' Yang Yunhai thought to himself.
"Brothers, business has come. Move in closer." On the other ship, Zi Zhenzhu peered through her spyglass at Yang Yunhai's group, their neat clothes, and the exquisite vessel. She immediately judged them as fat prey and ordered her men to steer closer.
Yang Yunhai and the others waited calmly as the pirate ship approached.
"Not bad, bold enough not to fear when facing my ship." Zi Zhenzhu looked down at them appreciatively.
"Perfect, we need a guide." Chrysanthemum Douluo smiled, his figure flashing as he vanished—
In the next instant, he stood on her deck behind her. Nine soul rings pulsed beneath his feet.
"A Titled Douluo!" The pirates froze in terror.
Zi Zhenzhu paled, instantly regretting her earlier confidence.
A small group, sailing in a vessel this fine in the middle of the boundless sea, with spotless robes? Without strength, how could that be possible?
"Senior, may I ask… where are you headed?" She bowed quickly.
The next moment—
Swish, swish, swish.
Yang Yunhai carried Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan, while Ghost Douluo held Ye Lingling and Ning Rongrong. With the Dragon Abyss Vessel stored away, they landed beside Chrysanthemum Douluo. Yang Yunhai spoke:
"Sea God Island. Just bring us close to it."
"Don't worry, your pay won't be lacking." He released a wave of golden ornaments with a casual flick.
When he ransacked the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, he had stored plenty of loot in his Soul Tool.
"Consider it done!" Zi Zhenzhu's eyes lit up instantly.
"Also, help us find some empty rooms." Yang Yunhai continued.
The Dragon Abyss Vessel was small inside; they hadn't even had proper places to lie down.
"No problem." Zi Zhenzhu nodded, signaling her crew.
"Guests, this way please." A pirate stepped out politely.
Yang Yunhai nodded, and the group followed into the cabin. Soon, food and water were delivered.
Money could drive even ghosts—apparently, it could turn pirates into waiters. Yang Yunhai sighed at the power of wealth.
"Raise the sails!" Outside, Zi Zhenzhu's voice echoed as the ship jolted forward, shifting direction and speeding up.
With her knowledge of the waters, their voyage became far smoother.
Two days later, a black dot appeared on the horizon.
"Guests, this is as far as we can go." Zi Zhenzhu pointed forward. "Beyond here lies Sea God Island's waters. Any ship that enters will be attacked by the guardian sea soul beasts, the Devil Soul Great White Sharks."
"Alright." Yang Yunhai nodded, holding Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan close.
Swish, swish, swish! Several figures tore through the sky, heading straight for Sea God Island.
"Daring! Who dares trespass Sea God Island!?" Angry shouts rose from the waters below.
But their altitude was too high. The sharks could only surface and roar in frustration, chasing behind uselessly.
"Damn it!" Xiao Bai seethed.
"Who dares trespass Sea God Island!?" Soon, the Seven Sacred Pillar Guardians discovered the intruders and shot up to intercept.
Chrysanthemum Douluo stepped forward, his 98th rank Titled Douluo aura exploding. His voice resounded like thunder:
"I am Yue Guan, here by order of Grand Worship Qian Daoliu to request audience with High Priestess Bo Saixi. I also bring a letter."
"In addition, one junior of our household has merged with a Soul Tool called the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, which seems connected to Sea God's inheritance. Today, we escort them to undertake the Sea God Island trials."
"Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud?" The guardians exchanged startled glances.
"Ou Ya, escort our guests to your Sacred Pillar for the trials," came a melodious voice from the Sea God Hall.
"Yes." The guardians bowed toward the hall, then turned back.
"Honored guests, please." The Sea Horse Douluo gestured.
Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded, leading the group to the Sea Horse Sacred Pillar. There, across the inner sea, Bo Saixi was already waiting quietly.
They landed. Chrysanthemum Douluo stepped forward with the letter. "Greetings, High Priestess Bo Saixi. This is a letter from the Grand Worship."
Bo Saixi accepted, opened it, and her gaze flickered with faint sorrow.
Looking at Yang Yunhai and the others, her heart trembled slightly. With her cultivation, she could not see through the strength of Yang Yunhai, Zhu Zhuqing, or Dugu Yan.
But her face remained serene, her voice like flowing water.
"Rules cannot be broken. If you wish to receive Sea God's trials, you must rely on your own strength to cross the inner sea and reach the Sea Horse Sacred Pillar."
"High Priestess, may we work as a team?" Yang Yunhai asked. "Two of our companions are auxiliary-type soul masters."
He remembered—the original story allowed it.
"You may." Bo Saixi nodded. "But all who reach the pillar must undergo Sea God's trial."
Those not participating need not cross—such as Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo. Yang Yunhai understood.
"Then let's go together. I'll open the way." Dugu Yan bowed slightly toward Bo Saixi and walked to the shore.
Though called an inner sea, it was more like a vast inland lake, two hundred meters across, its surface boiling as if stirred from below.
Zhu Zhuqing, Ye Lingling, and Ning Rongrong followed, bowing before stepping after her.
Dugu Yan crouched, placing her hand into the water.
Blue light surged from her palm—her torso bone's ability, True Lunar Water.
A terrifying chill burst forth.
Crack, crack, crack!
Ice spread rapidly, racing across the water to form a broad frozen path to the opposite shore.
"What terrifying cold!" Even the Sacred Pillar Guardians felt the chill.
'So this is the girl?' Bo Saixi's eyes glimmered.
"Let's go." Dugu Yan rose, leaping onto the ice. The others followed, striding across without hindrance.
They reached the opposite shore.
"Ou Ya, proceed," Bo Saixi said calmly.
"Yes." The Sea Horse Douluo stepped forward, standing before the Sacred Pillar.
"Step forth," he intoned.
Dugu Yan did so.
Blue light gathered between his palms, shooting into the Sacred Pillar. The colors climbed—blue, white, yellow, purple, black, red—then seven scarlet beams rose skyward.
Boom!
The inner sea roared, the sky itself trembled. Golden light fell, enveloping Dugu Yan. A trident-shaped mark etched itself onto her brow.
The guardians stared, stunned.
"She received the Sea God's Nine Trials!"
Even Sea God himself was shocked. His divine sense had been blocked—again!
Bo Saixi appeared beside Dugu Yan, her voice gentle yet solemn: "Congratulations. You have been chosen as Sea God's successor. From this moment forth, none on this island—not even I—are worthy of your salute."
'I… succeeded?' Dugu Yan was dazed.
So smoothly?
Bo Saixi turned, issuing her orders. "All guests are now honored on Sea God Island. Meet their needs—except you must not help them complete their trials. They will reside in Sea Horse City. Tomorrow, all Seven Sacred Pillar Guardians will convene at the Sea God Hall."
She looked back at Dugu Yan. "Remember, you must complete at least one trial each year, or all will be lost."
Yang Yunhai smiled faintly. 'Don't worry. If she can't complete the nine trials, then count it as my loss.'
Dugu Yan nodded solemnly.
The tests continued—Zhu Zhuqing stepped forth, and the Sacred Pillar lit with red, granting her the top-level Eight Trials.
Then Ye Lingling received the Seven Trials, and Ning Rongrong the Six.
All four gained high-level tests, leaving the Sacred Pillar Guardians deeply shaken.
As the group regrouped, Dugu Yan clutched Yang Yunhai's arm, grinning. "How about it? Impressive, right?"
"Impressive. All of you are." Yang Yunhai smiled. "But from here on, the trials will depend on you alone."
They followed the Sea Horse Douluo toward Sea Horse City, the golden sunlight shimmering across the inner sea.
(End of Chapter)
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