The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King was dead!
Ye Hao's eighth trial had concluded.
The Demon Whale Sea returned to calm.
The dark clouds shrouding the sky dispersed as warm sunlight once again bathed the ocean's surface.
Everything appeared unchanged, as if nothing had ever occurred.
Within the Death God's Heart:
Ye Hao sat cross-legged, the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor's nine soul rings glowing brightly, with the ninth golden ring particularly dazzling. Simultaneously, the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King's spine bone was being steadily absorbed in an orderly process.
Having previously absorbed over ninety percent of the whale king's power, Ye Hao had coincidentally broken through to level 99, becoming a Limit Douluo.
With the "Twin Spider Emperor" fusion, Ye Hao's current strength had reached the half-god level, matching Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi.
The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King had existed for countless years, accumulating tremendous power that now served as a veritable "treasure trove" for Ye Hao.
Absorbing the whale king's soul ring, soul bone, and stolen energy required careful digestion. It would likely take two or three days before Ye Hao awakened.
At the Sea God Shrine:
"..."
"..."
"..."
Bo Saixi remained silent for a long time, too shocked to speak.
Ye Hao had actually slain the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King. As a Limit Douluo herself, she clearly perceived everything that had transpired in the distant Demon Whale Sea.
"What a monstrous talent." Bo Saixi shook her head with a bitter smile.
The new generation surpassed the old. Each era produced greater talents than the last.
"This won't do. We must accelerate Tang San's sixth trial.
Given Ye Hao's current state, after absorbing the whale king's soul ring and bone, he'll likely attempt to break through to level 100. If Ye Hao truly becomes a god, then Sea God Island will..."
Bo Saixi couldn't help but worry. Gods were beyond mortal opposition.
For Sea God Island's sake, she needed to give Tang San special treatment and expedite his departure.
Early next morning:
Tang San returned after absorbing his eighth soul ring, reaching level 82. This significantly boosted his confidence for the sixth trial.
That day, Bo Saixi unexpectedly visited.
Tang San was startled. Besides their first meeting when she delivered the God-bestowed soul ring, Bo Saixi had always remained aloof in the Sea God Shrine. Her sudden appearance must relate to the sixth trial.
"Begin the Sea God's sixth trial," Bo Saixi stated bluntly.
Tang San hesitated slightly. "Senior Bo Saixi, isn't this too rushed? I've just obtained my eighth soul ring. Shouldn't I stabilize my soul power first before..."
"The time is now." Bo Saixi's expression remained impassive.
"I'll go easy on you."
Hearing this, Tang San secretly sighed in relief.
However, he didn't let his guard down. His opponent was none other than Sea God Douluo Bo Saixi, a level 99 Limit Douluo far beyond his capabilities as a mere Soul Douluo.
The battlefield was set at Sea God Mountain's base.
Bo Saixi stood on the steps holding her staff, appearing completely indifferent toward Tang San.
Currently, expediting Tang San's departure was the top priority.
Once Ye Hao became a god, it would be too late.
"Senior Bo Saixi, I'm ready," Tang San announced.
"Good." Bo Saixi nodded expressionlessly and waved her staff.
A sand timer materialized in an open area at the mountain's base.
"When the sand runs out, the trial concludes. According to regulations, I cannot use my martial soul's true form, only the first six soul skills, and cannot harness the sea's power."
Tang San was secretly delighted. With these restrictions, his chances of passing increased significantly.
"Begin!"
As Bo Saixi spoke, the Sea God's phantom slowly materialized behind her, holding the divine trident. Nine soul rings appeared at her feet:
Eight black and one red!
Before Bo Saixi even made a move, just her aura alone overwhelmed Tang San. Clenching his fists, he realized he needed godhood to surpass Ye Hao.
Tang San's eight soul rings glowed as blue silver grass sprouted from his palms.
Before he could act, Bo Saixi lightly raised her hand. An invisible pressure crushed Tang San to the ground, rendering him immobile.
"Why... why?" Tang San gritted his teeth. Each time he nearly rose, another bone would fracture.
"Tang San, is this all you're capable of?" Bo Saixi spoke coldly, her eyes filled with disdain.
She hadn't even used a soul skill yet. If she had, Tang San would likely be half-dead.
"Damn it!" Tang San's face contorted in pain. The pressure felt like an entire mountain. At this rate, he'd surely fail.
Moreover, during their first meeting after receiving the Sea God's trials, Tang San had clearly sensed killing intent from Bo Saixi. That feeling couldn't be mistaken.
Tang San couldn't afford to die here—not when his enemies still lived.
"How amusing." Bo Saixi increased the pressure, clenching her right fist.
Instantly, Tang San's face turned purple as his bones crackled under the strain.
"AHHHH!!!"
Tang San's agonized screams echoed across the mountain...
At Sea God Mountain's peak, Tang San was dragged away like a dead dog, most of his bones shattered.
The gap in soul power was simply too vast, and Tang San lacked any soul bones, making him easy prey for Bo Saixi.
"How disappointing." Bo Saixi shook her head in dismay. Was this all he could manage?
Another day passed...
At the Demon Whale Sea:
Where the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King had perished, the Death God's Heart remained concealed as Ye Hao absorbed the whale king's tremendous power.
"Whew—" Ye Hao exhaled deeply, opening his eyes with a sense of relief.
"Persistence pays off. Having fully absorbed the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King's soul ring and bone, my soul power has stabilized at level 99, reaching the half-god level. This sea voyage was truly worthwhile."
Shortly after completing the absorption, a long-absent voice echoed in Ye Hao's ears:
"Death God and Asura's eighth trial: Collect all soul rings and bones. Intercept the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King. Trial complete. Reward: 30% Death God and Asura affinity. Total affinity: 105%."
The voice faded.
Ye Hao's forehead shimmered as the Death God and Asura seals flickered intermittently.
He understood—the final step had arrived.
However, Ye Hao wouldn't rush toward the ninth trial and godhood just yet.
Instead, he turned toward Sea God Island.
Before ascending, he needed to eliminate Tang San—the lingering threat. Only then could Ye Hao truly ascend with peace of mind.
On Sea God Island:
Thanks to the Sea God's Light, Tang San's broken bones had mostly healed. With Bo Saixi having held back, he recovered fully within days.
"I passed the sixth trial?" Tang San was baffled.
He hadn't lasted half the time limit against Bo Saixi, being effortlessly subdued almost immediately. How could he have passed?
This was Tang San's greatest confusion.
"You're awake. The High Priest summons you," a purple-clad man announced upon entering.
"High Priest... wants to see me?" Tang San rose. "For what purpose?"
"That's not for me to know. Just come with me."
Seeing the man's ignorance, Tang San followed silently to Sea God Mountain.
Inside the Sea God Shrine, Bo Saixi awaited.
This was Tang San's first proper visit to the magnificent shrine. Facing Bo Saixi directly, an inexplicable dread welled within him.
"Senior Bo Saixi," Tang San greeted simply.
"You must have many questions," Bo Saixi stated.
"Yes. Why did I pass the sixth trial? I clearly didn't last the required time. Everything here has become so..."
Tang San trailed off, unable to articulate his confusion about the island's inexplicable occurrences.
"The Sea God decreed it. We merely follow his will," Bo Saixi explained.
"Tang San, as the Sea God's heir, you will inevitably inherit his divinity. Currently, the continent is in turmoil. The Spirit Hall's Spirit Empire wages war against Star Luo Empire, which suffers repeated defeats. Once the Spirit Empire unifies the continent, Sea God Island will face catastrophe.
Thus, the Sea God ordered us to lower your trial difficulty, hastening your ascension. Only this can preserve our island's peace.
Do you understand?"
Tang San suddenly comprehended.
The continent's situation had grown dire. The Spirit Hall's rise threatened the balance between land and sea—a balance whose collapse would affect more than just the continent.
"I understand," Tang San nodded gravely.
Earlier, he'd learned his seventh trial's objective: to pull out the Sea God's Trident.
"Senior, did you summon me regarding the seventh trial?" Tang San ventured.
"Correct." Bo Saixi sighed inwardly. They'd finally reached this stage.
"The first six trials were mere formalities. The true divine trials begin with the seventh."
Bo Saixi tapped her golden staff, revealing an object on the circular platform behind her:
A vertically embedded black rod.
Tang San approached, sensing its extraordinary nature.
"Senior, is this...?"
Bo Saixi nodded. "The Sea God's Trident, his lifelong divine weapon. Your trial is to extract it. Only then will you truly become his heir."
With that, Bo Saixi stepped back, allowing Tang San to proceed.
Watching Tang San's eager back, Bo Saixi clenched her fist excitedly. Soon—very soon—he would leave the island.
Several miles from Sea God Island, on a remote islet:
Ye Hao arrived to establish a foothold.
Ordinary people couldn't approach Sea God Island. He needed to wait here patiently.
Once Tang San completed the first seven trials and emerged, that would mark his true demise.
This was the agreement between Ye Hao and Bo Saixi.
Suddenly, an intense energy fluctuation radiated from the island. Ye Hao immediately noticed, glancing toward Sea God Island with understanding.
"Tang San is extracting the Sea God's Trident? No... this doesn't feel like a divine weapon's aura."
Ye Hao distinctly sensed this resonance resembled when he'd drawn the Death God's Scythe, yet something felt... off.
How to describe it?
The Sea God's Trident seemed fake.
That was Ye Hao's conclusion. While such reactions were expected when extracting a divine weapon, everything was proceeding too smoothly.
The reasons remained unclear to Ye Hao.
"The time has come. I must prepare to greet my old 'friend.'"
Ye Hao stretched and gazed at Sea God Island.
"Tang San, our feud ends today."
"Hmm?"
Ye Hao suddenly shuddered.
Inside the Sea God Shrine:
Tang San's hands tightly gripped the "Sea God's Trident," his face flushed red with exertion. The trident weighed 108,000 jin—an immensely powerful divine weapon capable of controlling the seas, much like Ye Hao's Death God's Scythe.
Only the true heir could extract it.
"RISE!!"
Tang San roared, his eight soul rings flashing. He even activated his martial soul's true form for this endeavor.
Yet the "Sea God's Trident" remained immovable, as if rooted to the ground.
...
Meanwhile, above Spirit Hall on the continent:
Dark clouds gathered ominously, with violet lightning striking the Pope's hall, damaging several structures.
The Spirit Hall, perpetually bathed in light, had never witnessed such phenomena.
"It's raining?" Qian Qiuyue in her golden floral dress looked up at the gloomy, thunderous sky showing no signs of rain.
"It's her. Your grandmother is ascending to godhood," Xiao Hong explained as he approached.
Among the three, Bibi Dong was the first to take this step.
The Rakshasa God's evil aura roiled as purple light engulfed the sky, creating an apocalyptic scene.
"Godhood? What's that?" Qian Qiuyue tilted her head, the concept entirely foreign to the child.