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"Dong'er, becoming a god isn't easy. Otherwise, the Douluo Continent wouldn't have gone thousands of years without a single god being born."
"So, high rewards come with high risks. The level of power you want to achieve requires facing dangers of the same magnitude."
Hearing the worry in Bibi Dong's voice, Lin Yongming replied with a hint of helplessness.
"But didn't Great Worship say that you could take a few more days to rest and ensure everything goes smoothly?" Bibi Dong continued, her concern evident.
"Alright, Dong'er, Xiao Ming will have to face the trial sooner or later. Whether it's a day earlier or later doesn't make much difference. Right now, we need to believe in him, support him, and encourage him."
"If he can pass the trial, Xiao Ming will become the first god in thousands of years. How many people would give anything for such an opportunity?" Blue Silver Emperor chimed in, trying to ease the pressure on Lin Yongming by interrupting Bibi Dong's incessant worrying.
"Sister A Yin, I understand what you're saying. I don't want to pressure Xiao Ming either, but I can't help feeling worried," Bibi Dong said softly.
"Dong'er, it's fine. We don't even know what the trial entails yet. It's too early to worry. Besides, even if we find out the details, it's not like I'll have to complete it in a day or two. There should be a time limit for the trial."
"Let's just focus on eating for now," Lin Yongming reassured her.
"Exactly. Don't overthink it. No matter how difficult it is, it can't be that bad. After all, the Sea God has gone through great lengths to find a successor," Blue Silver Emperor added, trying to comfort Bibi Dong.
"Alright, I won't say anymore. Let's eat," Bibi Dong nodded obediently and even picked up a piece of meat to place in Lin Yongming's bowl.
After lunch, in the afternoon, Blue Silver Emperor and Bibi Dong took Lin Yongming to the rooftop of the side wing, describing the various sights of Sea God Island and the marine life in the ocean.
After playing around for a while, as it approached four o'clock, they accompanied Lin Yongming in meditation.
Lin Yongming noticed that the spiritual energy on Sea God Island was far denser than anywhere else on the Douluo Continent. After all, this was the domain of a living god, blessed by the Sea God himself.
By evening, the two women didn't disturb Lin Yongming, allowing him to rest peacefully. The day passed uneventfully, and it was quite fulfilling.
After a few days of good rest and the abundant spiritual energy of Sea God Island, Lin Yongming felt his soul power reach a bottleneck.
Early the next morning, after meditating for a while, his soul power surged, and he broke through to level 63, becoming a Soul Emperor.
When Lin Yongming stepped out of his bedroom, the two women were already waiting outside.
"Xiao Ming, did you break through to level 63?" Blue Silver Emperor asked.
"Yes, after using the Sea God's power in battle and resting well these past few days, I naturally broke through," Lin Yongming replied with a smile.
"That's great! This is a good sign," Bibi Dong said happily for Lin Yongming.
The three chatted for a while longer, and by noon, a maid from Sea God Island brought them lunch.
Around 12:30, Sea Horse Douluo arrived with a few others at the hall where the three were eating.
"Lin Yongming, I've received word from Great Worship. Since you're staying here, we've decided to have you begin your trial at the Sea Horse Pillar."
"Are you ready?" Sea Horse Douluo explained.
"Yes, I'm ready. Take us to the Sea Horse Pillar," Lin Yongming stood up and replied firmly.
"Good. You look to be in excellent spirits. Truthfully, all of us on Sea God Island hope you succeed. We've been guarding this island for generations, and it's been far too long," Sea Horse Douluo said, gazing out the window at the distant Sea Horse Pillar with a sigh.
But Lin Yongming knew that for the Sea God in the divine realm, becoming a god was only a matter of a hundred years or so. After all, one day in the divine realm was equivalent to a year on the Douluo Continent.
"Your faith is admirable. I respect that," Lin Yongming replied.
"Alright, if you're ready, let's head over now. There are already many people gathered around the pillar, as well as some sea spirit beasts blessed by the Sea God. They're all here to witness the results of your trial."
"Let's go."
Following Sea Horse Douluo, they left Sea Horse City. Within Lin Yongming's sensory range, he could feel the presence of many people. About thirty meters from the Sea Horse Pillar, the area was packed with onlookers, all eager to witness Lin Yongming's trial.
However, the crowd on Sea God Island was orderly, leaving three clear pathways.
"He's here! Do you think he'll gain the Sea God's recognition?"
"He should. Great Worship and the seven elders have high hopes for him. Plus, it's said he possesses the Sea God's divine power."
As Lin Yongming appeared, the surrounding crowd began whispering among themselves.
For them, Bibi Dong and Blue Silver Emperor didn't hold the same allure as Lin Yongming.
"There are so many people. It's like a sea of faces. It seems the entire island has come," Bibi Dong exclaimed in surprise.
"Indeed, and there are many sea spirit beasts too. Xiao Ming has truly become famous on Sea God Island," Blue Silver Emperor whispered to Bibi Dong.
Sea Horse Douluo, however, remained calm, responding to the greetings from the crowd as they made their way to the platform in front of the Sea Horse Pillar.
"You can rest here for a bit. Great Worship and the others should be arriving soon," Sea Horse Douluo said, leading Lin Yongming and the two women to the platform in front of the pillar.
"Alright, thank you, Sea Horse Douluo," Lin Yongming nodded.
"You probably don't know the purpose of the Sea Pillars, so let me give you a brief explanation."
"There are seven Sea Pillars on Sea God Island. They are relics left by the Sea God, and the Sea God's instructions are also conveyed through them. So, the seven Sea Pillars and Sea God Mountain are the most important inheritances of Sea God Island," Sea Horse Douluo explained, pointing at the pillar.
"I see. So, to begin the trial, the Sea Pillar must convey my presence to the Sea God, who will then descend and bestow the trial," Lin Yongming replied.
"More or less. When your aura touches the pillar, the Sea God will assess your potential and assign a trial difficulty accordingly."
"The trial levels are divided into White, Yellow, Purple, and Black, ranging from four to six levels. There's also the top-level Red Trial with seven tests, and the top-level Single Trial. As for the final trial... I'm not sure. I suppose that's the goal you need to achieve," Sea Horse Douluo said, shaking his head when it came to the final trial.
"You don't know?" Bibi Dong asked in surprise.
"No, only Great Worship knows. After all, she's the closest to the Sea God," Sea Horse Douluo nodded.
"I see."
"Greetings, Great Worship!"
After a while, Poseidon arrived with the other six Saint Pillar Guardians.
"Greetings, Great Worship," Sea Horse Douluo knelt and paid his respects.
"Rise," Poseidon nodded and said.
Lin Yongming simply nodded in greeting to Poseidon.
"This is Lin Yongming, a land soul master from the mainland. I'm sure you've all heard of him by now," Poseidon introduced him to the crowd without acknowledging Lin Yongming's greeting.
"Because he possesses the Sea God's power, today we will use the Sea Pillar to initiate his trial. Let us all hope that he gains the Sea God's favor and becomes the Sea God's successor."
After explaining the situation, it was clear that Poseidon's respect wasn't just due to her position as Great Worship. Her gentle demeanor toward others also played a significant role.
"Lin Yongming, are you ready? Remember, your only goal is to obtain the Sea God's Nine Trials. If you only receive the top-level Red Trial, then I'm sorry, but you will have failed," Poseidon said to Lin Yongming in a neutral tone.
"Great Worship, I'm ready. We can begin anytime," Lin Yongming replied with a fist salute.
"Good. Then all of Sea God Island awaits your success in becoming the Sea God's official successor," Poseidon nodded.
"Great Worship, shall I activate the Sea Horse Pillar for him?" Sea Horse Douluo asked.
"No, I'll do it myself," Poseidon raised her hand to stop him.
She then stepped forward to the Sea Horse Pillar, gathering soul power in her palm.
Lin Yongming gave a reassuring gesture to Bibi Dong and Blue Silver Emperor before stepping forward, ready for the Sea God's assessment.
"Great Sea God, descend your divine will and bestow a trial upon this individual," Poseidon said as she channeled her soul power into the Sea Horse Pillar.
Instantly, the Sea Horse Pillar seemed to come alive, glowing with a deep blue light that flowed continuously.
A blue beam of light shot up from the top of the pillar into the sky, turning the white clouds into dark storm clouds. Thunder rumbled, and a powerful pressure descended from above.
The clouds shifted between white, yellow, purple, and red as lightning crackled unpredictably.
Though Lin Yongming couldn't see, he looked up at the sky, facing the overwhelming force.
After a moment, a yellow beam of light descended from the clouds and enveloped Lin Yongming.
Lin Yongming felt his body lift uncontrollably, rising about ten meters above the pillar.
The yellow light turned to black, then to the red of the top-level Red Trial. After about three minutes, it shifted to gold.
As the golden light appeared, a massive surge of soul power erupted, radiating an incredibly powerful aura.
When the golden light appeared, a massive figure materialized in the clouds—the image of the Sea God.
"Sea God!"
Poseidon knelt, as did the seven Saint Pillar Guardians. Everyone in the crowd knelt, and even the sea spirit beasts prostrated themselves.
At the top of the golden beam, a massive golden card formed and slowly descended, splitting into nine smaller cards as it did.
"The aura of a god! Damn it, it's the Sea God! That shameless Sea God, breaking our agreement! How dare he bestow a trial! With me here, you won't make him your successor. Dream on!" The remnant consciousness of the Thunder God, sensing the presence of a true god, awoke from its slumber within the Thunder God's Heart.
The hexagonal, purple-blue Thunder God's Heart appeared beside Lin Yongming, and a figure wreathed in lightning materialized next to him.
"Divine Skill: Annihilating Thunder!" The Thunder God's remnant consciousness gathered a massive amount of lightning energy in its hands and unleashed it at the golden cards.
With a deafening explosion, a wave of energy spread out.
The nine golden cards were instantly reduced to ashes by the Thunder God's lightning, scattering into golden specks.
"Who dares disrupt the Sea God's ritual!"
Poseidon looked up in shock, unable to believe that someone could disrupt the Sea God's divine power.
No one had expected such a turn of events at such a crucial moment.
"Hmph!" The Thunder God's remnant consciousness turned its purple-blue eyes toward Poseidon and the others, causing their expressions to change.
"The aura of a god!" Poseidon and the others sensed a divine presence equal to the Sea God's emanating from the Thunder God's figure. They immediately realized that this was the remnant of a god, though they didn't know which one.
"Thunder God, you've gone too far. He is already on Sea God Island, which makes him my successor," the Sea God's remnant consciousness emerged from the Sea God's Heart, his face filled with anger.
"You're the one who broke our agreement. While I was dormant, you brought him to your inheritance site," the Thunder God's remnant consciousness retorted, refusing to back down.
"Hmph, blame yourself for not taking him to your inheritance site after discovering him," the Sea God replied disdainfully.
"What are you talking about? With his current strength, passing nine trials would be incredibly difficult. You're practically sending him to his death," the Thunder God roared.
"I don't see it that way. His strength is just right," the Sea God's remnant consciousness replied.
"We're both gods. Don't think I don't know what you're planning. With his current strength, even if he completes your simpler trials, he won't be able to fully inherit your divine position. The harder the trials, the easier it is to align with the divine position. Otherwise—"
"Enough! My affairs are none of your concern," the Sea God's expression darkened as he cut off the Thunder God.
"With me here, you won't be able to initiate this trial."
"And you, kid, once the Sea God's will descends and seals your consciousness, there's no turning back," the Thunder God suddenly turned to Lin Yongming and warned.
"A fallen first-level god, you're overstepping your bounds. If you dare interfere, be prepared to pay the price of having your remnant consciousness destroyed."
"Do you dare face me in battle?" The Sea God's remnant consciousness gathered divine power and shouted.
"Fine! Let me show you, a newly ascended first-level god, what the Thunder God is capable of!" The Thunder God's body crackled with countless bolts of lightning.
The two divine remnants glared at each other as they rose into the air, ascending higher and higher.
"Boundless Waves!"
"Thunderstorm!"
Boom!
The power they unleashed was far greater than Poseidon's. In the sky, the two clashed, their energies colliding. Only Poseidon could barely make out their movements, while everyone else only saw flashes of deep blue and sea blue light.
"Lin Yongming, what is going on?!" Poseidon stormed over and grabbed Lin Yongming by the collar, demanding an explanation.
"It's a long story. I forgot to mention that the first thing I accidentally picked up was the Thunder God's Heart. Back then, I was only a level 20-something soul master. Later, when I reached Soul King level, I stumbled upon the Sea God's Heart. I couldn't use either of these divine artifacts until I came to Sea God Island. The Sea God told me that the Thunder God had been interfering, which is why I wasn't informed earlier."
Lin Yongming had long suspected that the Thunder God wanted him to undergo his trial, while the Sea God had only recently become active. Now, he wasn't sure how to explain the situation.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 285 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 75 power stones I will publish the next chapter.