, Second Test: Sudden Change!"Congratulations on passing the first test, but the next one is even more difficult..."
Before she could finish speaking, Poseidon realized something was amiss. Except for Ning Rongrong, the others had all completed the test with ease; where was the difficulty? She glanced at everyone with a complicated expression, gently shook her head, and said:
"Each of you is exceptionally capable, but don't forget the power of teamwork. When faced with an insurmountable enemy, unity is often the best strategy. Alright, Dai Yao, is there anything you want to ask me?"
Although Dai Yao knew everything, he still had to go through the motions. Just like those people who cheated in games in his previous life, they still had to put on an act, so he feigned confusion and asked:
"Senior, why is my reward for completing the assessment Sea God Affinity? What is Sea God Affinity?"
Poseidon smiled and said:
"That's a very good question, but I can't answer it right now. The only thing I can tell you is that the higher your affinity with the Sea God, the greater the benefits for you. Compared to the rewards of increasing your soul power or the age of your soul rings, the affinity with the Sea God is much more important."
"Thank you for your explanation, senior."
Dai Yao bowed and thanked him.
"Alright, in that case, I'll be going now."
Poseidon glanced at it indifferently, and then disappeared in a flash of red light.
"Phew—the Sea God Douluo is finally gone. Her appearance was so oppressive that I didn't dare to speak."
Ning Rongrong patted her chest, somewhat still shaken.
"If we persevere, one day we will also reach the level of the Sea God Douluo. However, Rongrong, your performance today was beyond everyone's expectations. You actually completed the assessment on your own."
Feng Wutong looked at Ning Rongrong with some surprise.
Feng Wutong was a commoner Soul Master, so she held stereotypes about most noble Soul Masters. Although she was also Dai Yao's wife, she hadn't spent much time with Ning Rongrong and didn't know her very well. Most of the time, she accompanied Dai Yao on his travels.
She had seen Ning Rongrong's serious and hardworking attitude in the sect.
Although Ning Rongrong was not the noble soul master she remembered, and had a gentle and elegant personality, she did not think that Ning Rongrong could endure hardship and dedicate everything to the path of a soul master, especially since Ning Rongrong was a pampered soul master from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
But Ning Rongrong's performance today completely overturned her impression of her. It turns out that Ning Rongrong also has a competitive side.
Ning Rongrong was taken aback. In her memory, Feng Wutong had always maintained only a superficial politeness with her, but now, she could sense Feng Wutong's genuine admiration. She smiled slightly, took Feng Wutong's arm, and said:
"I am also a genius among my peers, and of course I don't want to fall too far behind everyone. Sister Wutong, although I can't fight like you, I can provide you with the best support. The stronger I am while I'm still alive, the more confident you can be in fighting."
Upon hearing this, the women looked at Ning Rongrong with a hint of respect.
Bai Chenxiang was the same. Ning Rongrong's talent was top-notch across the entire continent, but she was not arrogant or disdainful of others. Recalling her own arrogant demeanor in her clan, she couldn't help but feel ashamed.
"Alright, everyone, no need to praise each other anymore. We have more important things to do now."
Dai Yao said with a serious expression.
The women all turned around, looking at Dai Yao with curiosity. Dai Yao coughed lightly, his gaze sweeping over each of the women's faces, and said domineeringly, his tone carrying an unquestionable air.
"For a whole year, we've been immersed in cultivation and haven't been able to have normal marital relations. Now that we finally have some free time and a break before the second test, we must cherish it."
It was as if a 'boom' had exploded in everyone's minds. Ning Rongrong and Bai Chenxiang, who were more shy, blushed immediately and dared not meet Dai Yao's aggressive gaze. Even Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong, who were both aloof, couldn't help but feel their bodies heat up when they thought of that scene.
Dugu Yan, who was the most uninhibited, had her beautiful eyes brimming with tears, and her gaze towards Dai Yao seemed to be able to draw out threads of affection.
A year passed, and not only Dai Yao was holding it in, but the others were also incredibly frustrated. Without needing to say anything, they all tacitly returned to their rooms, closed the doors and windows, and sealed them with their soul power to prevent any sound from escaping. The wooden house remained unopened for three days and three nights.
At the summit of Poseidon Mountain, stands the Temple of Poseidon.
Poseidon, who was keeping a close eye on Dai Yao and the others, noticed that the cabin hadn't been opened for three days and immediately realized what had happened. She was shocked, but also felt an overwhelming sense of embarrassment.
"These young people are just too..."
She shook her head, the blush on her face still lingering, and thought helplessly.
Her heart, which had remained undisturbed for nearly a century, was stirred by the absurd actions of a few young people. She couldn't help but think of that person from the past, and in the end, only a faint sigh echoed in the temple of the sea god.
······
Three days later.
The door, sealed for several days, finally opened slowly, and the women, dressed neatly, walked out. Dai Yao, holding Zhu Zhuqing's hand in one hand and Ning Rongrong's slender waist with the other, strode out with a carefree air. Although there was a hint of fatigue between his brows, he exuded more of the confidence and domineering presence of a lion proclaiming its territory.
The women's eyes were glazed over; they were all utterly enamored with this man. No wonder they were so indulgent towards Dai Yao. Even with all five of them vying for his attention, they couldn't satisfy him. So why would they even think about competing for his favor?
"Alright, now it's time to pass the second test."
Dai Yao said solemnly.
A golden curtain appeared in the sky above the sea, which was only two hundred meters wide, in front of them, like a barrier covering the sea within the sea. Dai Yao and the others immediately understood that this was to prevent them from cheating to pass the test.
"Dai Yao, the second test is far too restrictive for you. The content of this test is definitely not as simple as you imagine. Let me go and scout ahead first."
Dugu Yan turned around and said softly.
Over the past three days, everyone has gained a general understanding of each other's achievements and the upcoming assessments. Ning Rongrong's seventh soul skill was sealed, while Dai Yao's situation was even more extreme; not only were all his soul skills sealed, but he also couldn't use any of his soul bone skills.
Dai Yao released Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong, took a few steps forward, looked at the raging sea within the sea, and laughed:
"No, I'll go first."
"But······"
Dugu Yan wanted to persist, but seeing Dai Yao's domineering demeanor, her tone softened. Over the years, she had come to understand Dai Yao's character well; once Dai Yao made up his mind, he would do it, and it would always be the right thing to do. These years of experience had instilled in her a blind trust in Dai Yao.
Even worship.
"Alright then, Rongrong, you're always ready to boost him. If Dai Yao is in danger, boost him immediately."
Dugu Yan explained to Ning Rongrong.
After Ning Rongrong agreed, Dai Yao took a breath, bent his body slightly, and shot towards the opposite bank like an arrow released from a bow. With each light step, a visible ripple spread from where Dai Yao landed. This was Dai Yao's explosive step, a technique he hadn't used in many years!
Without the White Tiger Eight Wings or the flight ability of the Blue Silver Emperor Soul Bone, Dai Yao was still able to fly by using precise control of airflow.
However, the moment Dai Yao stepped into the Sea Within a Sea, it immediately became turbulent, with waves tens of meters high crashing straight at him. Strangely, not a single drop of water splashed out of the Sea Within a Sea.
Feeling the oncoming waves and the soul beasts lurking within them, Dai Yao's eyes remained completely unmoved. Although his body felt incredibly heavy in the strange energy of the sea, his steps remained perfectly steady.
Bang!
Like a cannonball, Dai Yao pierced through the waves. Facing the attacks of countless arrow-shaped fish soul beasts, Dai Yao showed no intention of retreating and charged straight at them.
The assessment stated that Dai Yao could not harm the soul beasts in the Sea of the Sea, but he did not make a move. Those soul beasts bumped into him, so it can't be counted as him harming them, right?
One after another, the arrow-shaped fish crashed into Dai Yao's body, instantly leaving him dazed and confused. Dai Yao's body was now like steel, and according to Dugu Yan's calculations, he could even withstand some Soul Saint-level Soul Skills without injury, so why would he be afraid of these Soul Beasts?
Dai Yao was like a bulldozer, relentlessly pushing forward. The obstruction of the sea within a sea was like a tickle to him. Although his speed was somewhat slow, the distance to the opposite shore was gradually closing.
Finally, when Dai Yao arrived in the middle of the sea, a strong sense of alarm suddenly arose in his heart!
A massive black shadow appeared in the sea below him, its vast and heavy aura attacking him from all directions. Instantly, the enormous shadow soared into the air, and a tremendous force that made even him feel extremely heavy struck him head-on.
Dai Yao could clearly see the dark shadow's grinning mouth, as if it were teasing him.
A series of dazzling rainbow lights descended from the sky, instantly enveloping Dai Yao's body.
It was Ning Rongrong's increase.
Faced with the sudden appearance of the dark figure, Dai Yao was not surprised at all; the appearance of the Demon Soul Great White Shark was entirely within his expectations. With Ning Rongrong's enhancement, his aura also continued to rise, and the Sacred White Tiger Martial Soul instantly possessed him, its wings unfurling. These were the wings of a Martial Soul, not wings attached to an external soul bone.
With its wings flapping, it constantly adjusted its position in the air, and slowly raised its right fist, compressing the surging soul power within it.
Not only that, but a cold and sharp aura shot out from Dai Yao's body, which was the Sacred White Tiger Domain! To Dai Yao's surprise, his seven sealed gray soul rings slowly emerged uncontrollably, trembling slightly. Through the gray seal, their original appearance could be vaguely seen.
The faint, dazzling red glow stunned the Great White Shark of the Demon Soul, who had originally intended to tease Dai Yao, and instantly transformed it into a chilling hatred!
"Despicable human, how dare you take the soul ring and soul bone of a 100,000-year-old soul beast! I will kill you!"
Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, the enormous black shadow leaped into the air, its gray-white, streamlined body coming into view. The body, which had been brimming with power for a hundred thousand years and was covered in scars, instilled a sense of fear in everyone.
"not good!"
Zhu Zhuqing was shocked and immediately used her seventh soul skill, Martial Soul True Body. Not only her, but everyone except Bai Chenxiang used their strongest soul skills at the same time. The Vermilion Bird, the Azure Dragon, and Zhu Zhuqing all rushed towards Dai Yao's aid.
However, the moment they stepped into the Sea within the Sea, they immediately felt an immense pressure coming from all directions. This pressure was exactly the same as the pressure within the Light of the Sea God!
For a moment, the women were extremely anxious. Although Dai Yao was powerful, all of his soul skills and soul bones were sealed. Encountering this powerful soul beast might be fatal! They could only hope that their own domains could provide enough enhancement for Dai Yao.
Dai Yao was baffled. He wasn't Tang San from the original story, who was carrying around a mindless Xiao Wu and thus incurring Xiao Bai's wrath. But in a flash, he understood. It turned out that Xiao Bai wasn't against Tang San enslaving Xiao Wu's body, but rather against any Soul Master with a 100,000-year Soul Ring and Soul Bone.
A surge of karmic fire, born of ignorance, rose within Dai Yao's heart.
If he's guilty of hunting 100,000-year-old soul beasts, then why didn't you say a word when Tang San hunted the Demonic Tiger Whale and the Deep Sea Demon Whale in the original story? Weren't they also 100,000-year-old soul beasts?! Just because you say they are evil soul beasts, how do you know that what he hunted wasn't an evil soul beast?
Most importantly, you, Demon Soul Great White Shark, are just like the previous two, the top predators in the ocean. How can you not be an evil soul beast? Just because you follow the Sea God, do you represent justice and can arbitrarily decide everything for the weak?
This is what Dai Yao hates the most!
Was he wrong to leave the Star Luo Empire? He would have died if he hadn't! Yet, the Elders' Council judged it as treason, forcing him to wander the Heavenly Battle Realm. His diligent cultivation was precisely to break the Elders' Council's dominance. After going to the Star Luo Empire and killing the Star Luo Emperor, would the Elders dare utter a word then?
Having finally arrived at Poseidon Island, only to be met with this kind of ordeal? All my years of cultivation have been for nothing!
Dai Yao's face was expressionless, his bright golden eyes filled with coldness. The anger in his heart continued to rise. He took a deep look at the trembling soul rings around his body. The surging soul power still could not break through the seal. He could not use soul skills or soul bones.
Hovering in mid-air, he met Xiaobai's murderous gaze without concealing his own ferocity, and said coldly:
"Very well, what a Demon Soul Great White Shark! I've always heard that the Demon Soul Great White Shark is one of the three most powerful soul beasts in the ocean. I've just broken through to level 80 and am missing a soul ring, so I'll use your soul ring to fill that gap!"
As soon as he finished speaking, streams of gray-black energy shot out from Dai Yao's body, enveloping him. A sinister laugh echoed in the sky like a night owl. When Dai Yao reappeared, he had undergone a tremendous transformation. He had a full head of black hair, and although the lines of his face had not changed at all, the feeling he gave off was completely different!
Reckless and unrestrained, acting as one pleases, exuding an aura of wickedness! (End of Chapter)