Chapter 243: Hundred‑Thousand‑Year Demon Soul Great White Shark

At this moment, a voice echoed in Yang Xiong's mind: "Yang Xiong, by relying on your own perseverance, break your own limits, Top-Level Eight Trials First Trial, surpass the Double Sea God's Light with excess, reward: increase your soul power by one level, and extend the duration of all Soul Rings by three thousand years."

Yang Xiong felt as if an inexplicable power had been added to his body, his whole form grew a little stronger, likely a one‑level increase in soul power, though the exact amount was not fully manifested.

Especially the two Hundred‑Thousand‑Year Soul Rings seemed to have slightly boosted the potency of his soul skills.

Ning Rongrong and the six others had already passed the assessment, no longer blocked by Sea God's Light, and now all gathered beside Yang Xiong.

Ning Rongrong saw Yang Xiong's pitiful state and felt a pang of sympathy.

"Xiao Xiongzi, why are you pushing yourself so hard? Look how miserable you've become now."

Yang Xiong laughed: "Rong Rong, becoming stronger has been my lifelong pursuit; I wish to ascend to the pinnacle of Soul Grandmasters by my own strength and glimpse the view from the highest peak."

Everyone fell silent upon hearing this; Yang Xiong had already seemed unattainable to them, but now, hearing his words, it seemed everyone's aspirations were on entirely different levels.

Ning Rongrong took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the blood from Yang Xiong's body, appearing a bit more cautious.

"Xiao Xiongzi, I will do everything to help you; you will surely reach the highest realm of a Soul Grandmaster."

The other six all wore solemn expressions, seeming to understand the meaning of cultivation and struggle more clearly, to grasp Yang Xiong's goal, and even gradually confirm their own objectives.

…

This time, all eight of Yang Xiong's group passed the Sea God Island First Trial, and everyone's soul power increased by one level.

Among them, Ning Rongrong and Shui Bing'er were on the Red Level Seven Trials; besides the original one‑level soul power increase, each also gained five hundred years of Soul Ring duration.

Ning Rongrong's Soul Rings turned into one Yellow, three Purple, three Black; Shui Bing'er's became one Yellow, three Purple, two Black.

When Yang Xiong pierced through Sea God's Light, essentially all Seven Sacred Pillars were watching his situation; the instant he employed the Shura Method, they sensed only a towering giant who, by his own strength, forcefully shook Sea God's Light and reached an unprecedented height.

Even Bo Saixi was unusually surprised; when she first obtained the Red Level Eight Trials, it was merely a 228‑step ladder, and the final few steps had already caused her great suffering.

But now Yang Xiong was far stronger than she had been then; even on the entire Sea God Island, aside from himself, not even the strongest Sea Dragon Douluo could match Yang Xiong's stature.

At that moment, the scene before Yang Xiong shifted; originally only the Red Level Eight Trials First Trial details were visible, but the Second Trial details also manifested.

"Top-Level Eight Trials Second Trial: breach the Huanxing Hai Blockade, under the premise of testing a Sea Soul Beast, break through the Huanxing Hai blockade to reach the opposite shore, with all Soul Ring and soul bone skills restricted."

Everyone now looked at each other, each stating their own assessment details; essentially all the assessments were identical, the only difference being that Ning Rongrong was barred from using the Seventh Soul Skill, while Shui Bing'er, still only a Soul Emperor, had no soul skill restrictions.

After a day's rest, the group, led by the Purple‑clad Steward, arrived at the assessment site.

Unexpectedly, Tang San and his party were also present, each with somewhat solemn faces, appearing less confident about the assessment.

It had been three months since the two sides last met, and now they gathered again.

A few young girls quickly gathered again, sharing the details of this assessment with each other, looking extremely distressed.

When Oscar and the others heard that they would face a Hundred‑Thousand‑Year Demon Soul Great White Shark, each looked immensely astonished.

Hundred‑Thousand‑Year Soul Beasts are the pinnacle of the Soul Master World; not only are they incredibly powerful, but their physical qualities are outstanding, essentially possessing Title Douluo‑level combat power.

Moreover, this Hundred‑Thousand‑Year Soul Beast is a Sea Soul Beast; even if several Title Douluo arrived, they would likely be unable to defeat a Hundred‑Thousand‑Year‑level Sea Soul Beast.

Even the usually proud and confident Feng Xiaotian was somewhat stunned; although arrogant, a Hundred‑Thousand‑Year Soul Beast is virtually unattainable for ordinary Soul Grandmasters.

However, after some urging from Huo Wu and Ning Rongrong, Feng Xiaotian, brimming with confidence, leapt into the Huanxing Hai, eager to test the strength of this Hundred‑Thousand‑Year Soul Beast.

But in an instant, a massive black silhouette flashed through the Huanxing Hai; Feng Xiaotian was struck as if by a heavy blow, shot out of the sea at high speed, slammed onto the ground, his whole body convulsing, clearly badly injured.

Seeing Feng Xiaotian's pitiful state, everyone's mouths twitched; evidently this trial was more difficult and more dangerous than the first.

Brother Yang Wei, now somewhat solemn, said: "Xiao Xiong, this Second Trial is probably far harder than we imagined, especially since you are restricted from using soul skills; we're truly in trouble."

As Brother Yang Wei said, Tang San's party now also seemed a bit lacking in confidence; after all, these are Hundred‑Thousand‑Year‑level Soul Beasts, each a legendary being that many have never even encountered.

Yang Xiong laughed: "Brother, passing the assessment isn't the issue; the real problem is your combat experience—this is Sea God Island."

Yang Wei was a bit puzzled, and a hint of confusion appeared in others' eyes: "What does this have to do with Sea God Island?"

Yang Xiong shook his head: "Brother, we came to Sea God Island for the assessment to join Sea God Island; to truly establish ourselves here, underwater combat is the most crucial."

"Now it's just a regular assessment, not real combat, not a life‑or‑death battle with an enemy; if we can't even manage that, why join Sea God Island? Sea God himself probably wouldn't let a Soul Grandmaster who can't fight underwater join Sea God Island."

Everyone who heard this seemed to have an epiphany; as Yang Xiong said, they all aim to join Sea God Island, and later become high‑level like the Seven Sacred Pillars of Sea God Island, especially the Red Level assessors who are heirs to the Great Supplicant; if they can't even handle basic underwater combat, it's meaningless.

Yang Xiong continued: "The Second Trial is a good test; with a Hundred‑Thousand‑Year Demon Soul Great White Shark as a sparring partner, everyone can quickly adapt to combat in water."

"This time it's merely a normal crossing of the Huanxing Hai; next time, if we have to face ferocious Soul Beasts in the sea—like the legendary Deep Sea Demon Whale King—if we can't even master basic naval warfare, we have no right to stand on Sea God Island."

Yang Wei, thoughtful, asked: "Then what should we do now?"

Yang Xiong, with a serious expression, said: "For the next year, besides ordinary cultivation, everyone must spend as much time as possible each day training in the sea, honing combat abilities in the ocean."

"As for the assessment, don't overthink it; focus on cultivation and give it your all."

In fact, the Second Trial isn't particularly hard for Yang Xiong; given his own physique and strength, he's not weaker than a so‑called Hundred‑Thousand‑Year Soul Beast, but the real problem is that his land‑based Soul Masters are poor at underwater combat, and with their current strength they likely can't clear the later trials.

…

At that moment, the sea roiled wildly, and a black silhouette burst through the surface, transforming into a massive shark dozens of meters long.

After breaching the sea, the shark swiftly turned into a young girl, landing directly on the ground.

Huo Wu seemed unusually delighted, quickly walking alongside the young girl, even holding both of her hands: "Xiao Bai Bai, how did you run out of the sea?"

The two Hundred‑Thousand‑Year Soul Beasts looked very friendly; perhaps it was a rare encounter between such beasts, as Hundred‑Thousand‑Year Soul Beasts seldom find their own kind.

Xiao Bai looked unusually haughty at Yang Xiong's party: "Are you the other group taking the assessment? You look rather ordinary; why is your assessment much higher than Huo Wu's?"

Huo Wu hurriedly introduced: "Xiao Bai, these are all my former classmates; among them, Rong Rong is my roommate, so you should be gentle with them in the future."

Xiao Bai stared intently at Yang Xiong's party: "By Sea God's command, I will assess you; even if you are Huo Wu's friends, I will show no mercy. I hope you strive to pass the assessment."

Yang Xiong's party quickly bowed: "Thank you, Senior Xiao Bai."

Xiao Bai examined the crowd closely, his gaze suddenly shifting, looking at Yang Xiong as if at an enemy.

"You big villain, you actually hunted Hundred‑Thousand‑Year Soul Beasts, and even killed two of them."

Yang Xiong felt a bit bewildered: "Senior Xiao Bai, Soul Grandmasters need to improve and cultivate, and must absorb Soul Rings; hunting Soul Beasts is a normal phenomenon in the Soul Master World, and I cannot change that."

Xiao Bai raged: "Do you realize that Hundred‑Thousand‑Year Soul Beasts now possess normal human intelligence? Killing them is no different from killing a person!"

Yang Xiong shook his head: "The Soul Master World's rules are such; they're not for you or me to change. I only want to become stronger, and I don't care about other matters."

"Moreover, all true top‑level Soul Grandmasters in this world essentially possess Hundred‑Thousand‑Year Soul Rings and soul bones, and such a Soul Ring and soul bone are basic requirements for reaching Ninety‑Eighth Level. I believe any Quasi Feng Hao Douluo desires a Hundred‑Thousand‑Year Soul Ring and soul bone; no Soul Grandmaster would be an exception."

Xiao Bai seemed even more angry at those words: "You bastard, I won't let you get away."

After that, Xiao Bai threw a fist straight at him, the Ten Yi Wan Nian Soul Beast's full‑force strike, and the whole air seemed to burst apart, the fist filled with endless power.

Yang Xiong likewise swung his fist with full force, the two exchanged full‑force blows, and both Yang Xiong and Xiao Bai stepped back a meter, appearing almost equal in strength.

Xiao Bai seemed unusually angry, as if still wanting to continue the fight.

Yang Xiong roared, "Xiao Bai, I call you senior because you are the Sea God's examiner; even the Sea God cannot change the rules of the Soul Master World, let alone us mortals."

Xiao Bai's expression changed at those words, as if something held him back; finally he let out a cold snort, leapt, and transformed into a massive Demon Soul Great White Shark.

"You wait for me; the sea is my domain, and I will not let you pass the examination."

Yang Xiong watched the wandering black silhouette and couldn't help shaking his head; though Xiao Bai is a Ten Yi Wan Nian Soul Beast, his whole race follows the Sea God, becoming the Sea God's mount, the Demon Soul Great White Shark race became the Sea God's vassals, and in a sense they have already betrayed the Soul Beast Clan.

Perhaps it is precisely because he betrayed the Soul Beast Clan that the Demon Soul Great White Shark was eventually destroyed by the Soul Beast Clan; whether this is karmic retribution is unknown.

(End of Chapter)