Chapter 263: Sea God Temple

In Haima City, after passing the trials, everyone seemed unusually excited, yet a trace of restraint also showed on their faces.

So far, Oscar, Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wu, Yang Wei, and Qin Shuang have all completed the trials, but everyone knows the real challenge only begins now.

Sea God Island is an extremely closed place; aside from its native inhabitants, outsiders cannot enter, and even the supply ships from Hanhai City to Sea God Island cannot truly get inside, only able to interact with Sea God Island personnel from the outskirts.

And no one who has joined Sea God Island has ever been heard of leaving; the waters around Sea God Island not only host Demon Soul Great White Sharks, but the island itself has very few boats, so even when venturing out to hunt Soul Rings, they are basically accompanied by Demon Soul Great White Sharks.

It can be said that Sea God Island is a fanatical religious organization, making departure extremely difficult.

This is also the biggest problem confronting Yang Xiong and his companions; they will not truly join Sea God Island, nor could they stay there for a lifetime.

In the original story, Tang San and his group could leave Sea God Island partly because Tang San received the Sea God's Inheritance, and also because the Spirit Hall's ambition was so great that if it truly unified the entire Douluo Continent, it would sooner or later move against Sea God Island.

The Spirit Hall, like Sea God Island, is also a religious organization; such groups are extremely antagonistic toward each other, even to the point of life-and-death rivalry.

As for sneaking out of Sea God Island, that is utterly unrealistic; once at sea, the gap between Land Spirit Masters and Sea Soul Masters is huge. For example, the Seven Sacred Pillars of Sea God Island—if they truly reached the sea, Yang Xiong's party would not win easily, let alone the terrifyingly powerful Bo Saixi.

Seeing a hint of conflict on everyone's faces, Yang Xiong spoke to comfort them.

"It's still early; I still have two more trials. If I'm correct, the Spirit Hall cannot accommodate Sea God Island, and Sea God Island also has a belief conflict with the Spirit Hall. If the Sea God does not want Angel God to unify the world, he should let us return to resist the Spirit Hall's rule."

Everyone felt reassured upon hearing this, since after completing the trials they were idle, and idleness can easily lead to trouble.

After some preparation, Yang Xiong, taking Ning Rongrong and Shui Bing'er, set out for Sea God Temple to undertake the Seventh Trial.

At the foot of Sea God Mountain, gazing at the towering, cloud‑piercing, immensely grand Sea God Temple, the three wore solemn expressions.

Ning Rongrong and Shui Bing'er both seemed a bit moved; although they now possess considerable strength, the Divine Sense remains an unattainable existence in their eyes, inspiring boundless reverence.

"Xiao Xiongzi, can we really lift the Sea God Trident? That's a legendary Divine Artifact."

Yang Xiong gave Ning Rongrong and Shui Bing'er a reassuring glance.

"Rong Rong, Sister Bing'er, perhaps you think the Divine Sense is distant, but the so‑called Divine Sense is merely the ultimate of a true Soul Grandmaster. If a Soul Grandmaster can break through Level 99 and reach the true Hundred Level, they can become a Divine Sense."

"It may still seem far for you now, but I believe with your talent, your effort, and your opportunities, reaching the Hundred Level and becoming a deity is not unattainable."

"Don't forget, Rong Rong, you are the most gifted disciple in the history of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, and one of only two Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagodas in its history; your potential exceeds what you imagine."

"Sister Bing'er, your Ice Phoenix has become perfect since you took the Ice Crystal Phoenix Sunflower; the phoenix, as the king of birds, is not inferior to a great dragon. In terms of martial soul, you are already near perfect. With your perseverance and talent, attaining the Hundred Level and becoming a deity is not impossible."

After hearing Yang Xiong's words, Ning Rongrong and Shui Bing'er's previously slightly bewildered eyes became immensely confident; as Yang Xiong said, their martial souls are unprecedentedly powerful, and with various opportunities, they will surely reach the highest realm of a Soul Grandmaster.

Ning Rongrong spoke first: "Xiao Xiongzi, I believe you will certainly succeed, and I will certainly keep pace with you; the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda will surely shine across the entire Douluo Continent."

Shui Bing'er gave a slight smile: "Yang Xiong, I've always been grateful to you; I hope you succeed, I will give my all to help you, and I hope we all succeed."

The three exchanged smiles, and the initial tension vanished.

Yang Xiong, with Ning Rongrong and Shui Bing'er, stepped onto Sea God Island's staircase once more.

Now the Sea God's Light exerts no repelling force on the three, and they walk step by step up the stairs.

But as they climbed higher, the Sea God Temple became clearer, and the gap between the Divine Sense and mortals grew ever more evident; the three even felt the insignificance of being mortals.

Only when truly before a deity can one feel the disparity between human and god, and sense the intangible aura between them.

When the three crossed the One Thousand and One Steps, they all let out a sigh of relief.

What came into view was an extraordinarily grand palace; it was the first time Yang Xiong and his companions had approached the Sea God Temple so closely.

The entire Sea God Temple was exceptionally magnificent, especially the front, where massive stone pillars bore carvings of various images—marine creatures, as well as the Sea Soul Beast martial souls that Yang Xiong and others had seen, even depictions of the Deep Sea Demon Whale King and Evil Demon Tiger Whale, and many images they had never seen before.

The Seven Sacred Pillars of Sea God Island were already positioned before the Sea God Temple, as if awaiting a crucial moment.

Yang Xiong and his group gave a slight bow: "We have seen the Sea Dragon Douluo, we have seen all of you seniors."

Sea Dragon Douluo's expression was a bit complicated: "Three of you, follow me; the Great Supplicant is already waiting for you."

Soon, under Sea Dragon Douluo's lead, the three entered the Sea God Temple together.

Yang Xiong and the others were also tense, following Sea Dragon Douluo into the Sea God Temple, which was completely different from what everyone imagined; it had no decorations and looked very plain.

After the three entered the Sea God Temple, Sea Dragon Douluo left, leaving only Sea God Douluo Bo Saixi on the scene.

Only then did the three discern the interior of the Sea God Temple: there were eight platforms, one the largest where Sea God Douluo Bo Saixi sat, and the other seven smaller platforms, whose arrangement seemed to correspond to the Seven Sacred Pillars of Sea God Island.

At the center of the Sea God Temple stood a massive throne, its seat empty.

In front of the throne stood a gigantic trident, over three meters long, emitting golden light that made it impossible to stare at, resembling a deity.

Bo Saixi spoke lightly: "You have finally arrived. Have you decided to take part in the Seventh Trial?"

Yang Xiong and the others nodded: "Senior, please preside over our trial."

Bo Saixi nodded: "Very well, but before that I have a few questions for you, hoping you will speak your hearts."

Yang Xiong and the others exchanged glances, feeling a bit inexplicably odd; finally Yang Xiong spoke: "Senior, feel free to say whatever."

Bo Saixi said: "Yang Xiong, Ning Rongrong, Shui Bing'er, the three of you are all Red Level Trials, heirs of the Sea God Island Great Offering. I know you were born on the land; are you truly willing to devote everything to the Sea God, even your lives?"

The three's expressions shifted slightly upon hearing this, and the whole scene seemed to fall into silence.

Yang Xiong thought carefully before speaking: "Senior, I have always revered the Sea God, and I am willing to devote my life to the Sea God, never betraying."

Behind him, Ning Rongrong and Shui Bing'er quickly added: "Senior, we are willing to devote our lives to the Sea God."

Bo Saixi's face showed a slight change, as if a hint of helplessness appeared, yet he didn't know how to address the three.

"Yang Xiong, Ning Rongrong, Shui Bing'er, I know you were born on the land, each has a family and your own concerns, but now that you have come to Sea God Island, as future Great Offerings of Sea God Island and its future governors, there are some matters I must clarify for you."

"Perhaps your contact with Sea God Island and the Sea God has been limited, but the Sea God is far greater than you imagine."

"In the vast ocean, it was once filled with blood and slaughter everywhere, and countless races were exterminated during the carnage."

"The Sea God, pitying the beings of the ocean, wielded the Sea God Trident, exhausting his life's strength to traverse every corner of the sea. With the trident, using his immense power and unparalleled charisma, he conquered one marine race after another. After a thousand and one years, he finally unified the oceans, revered by all sea peoples as the Sea God, becoming a peerless deity."

"One could say that without the Sea God, the ocean would not be peaceful now, nor would there be harmony between humans and the Soul Beast clan."

Yang Xiong seemed to think of something: "Senior, has the Sea God truly traversed the entire ocean? The sea is endless, and legend says no one can reach its farthest edge."

Bo Saixi's gaze shifted, a hint of anger appearing on his face: "How dare you question the Sea God?"

"Senior, of course I would not question the Sea God; I am merely puzzled—whether this world is round or square, and whether, beyond our Douluo Continent, there are other places where humans live."

Bo Saixi, upon hearing Yang Xiong's question, was momentarily at a loss for words.

In the end Bo Saixi shook his head: "I'm not sure about that; the Sea God became a deity tens of thousands of years ago, and many things have been passed down for so long that we don't fully know. However, if you're interested, you could ask Xiao Bai; Xiao Bai once followed the Sea God in his campaigns across the world."

You distracted me, and I almost forgot the main business; after the Sea God unified the ocean, we on Sea God Island have worshipped the Sea God for generations, also to maintain the ocean's peace, and to keep peace one needs strength.

Therefore the Sea God bestows Inheritance and examinations, to select Inheritors who believe in the Sea God and peace, and you three, as my Inheritors, I hope you will later be able to protect the ocean's peace.

Yang Xiong, I know your talent is outstanding; at such a young age you have already reached the Title Douluo level. Given time, you will certainly be able to attain my realm; I hope you do not forget your original intention.

(End of chapter)