Chapter 440: Heartbeats Over the Sea Within Sea
The group settled back down, and Dugu Yan continued her analysis.
"Although Zhu Zhuqing and I both have top-level eight trials, the same as Rongrong, she's a support-type soul master and not nearly as physically strong as we are. Isn't it a bit too challenging for her to reach the same steps as us?"
All eyes turned to Ning Rongrong, including Dai Yao's, who shared their concern. In the original tale, Ning Rongrong was assigned a top-level seven trial that required climbing only 136 steps, but now with an eight-level trial, she'd need to reach 228 steps—an exponential increase in difficulty.
While her martial soul's evolution had drastically improved her physical abilities, 228 steps seemed almost impossible.
"Don't worry, Rongrong," Dai Yao reassured her, "I'm here. Even if I have to carry you, I'll get you up all 228 steps."
If he weren't confident, he wouldn't have dared to come to Seagod Island. His current team setup was leagues beyond what the Shrek Seven Monsters had been. Zhu Zhuqing, Feng Wutong, and Dugu Yan all had physical capabilities on par with Tang San. Though Tang San's spirit rings were higher in years and included a hundred-thousand-year ring, Zhu Zhuqing and the others had martial spirits of far higher quality, and each had absorbed beyond-limit rings as Dai Yao had suggested. Their bodies were now as strong as Tang San's had been back then. Even Ning Rongrong wasn't too far off.
"Carrying me up for my trial? No way! I want to complete the trial on my own!" Rongrong protested with a slight pout, though the smile playing at the corners of her mouth revealed her true feelings.
Dugu Yan chuckled. Ever since getting married, Rongrong seemed to be embracing her playful side, reverting to her mischievous "little witch" persona from before. The dignified air she once had as Qinglian Sect's financial overseer had completely vanished. Teasing her, Dugu Yan laughed as Ning Rongrong hid behind Dai Yao, then turned to him, slightly worried.
"Dai Yao, you're facing a double Seagod's Light. How many steps do you need to reach, and can you handle it?"
After a moment of thought, Dai Yao answered confidently, "My trial is indeed to cross the double Seagod's Light, requiring me to reach 333 steps to complete the trial. But don't worry; I'm fully prepared to finish it."
In the original story, Tang San had passed the test. If Dai Yao couldn't accomplish this, how could he even think about standing up to Tang San? Compared to Tang San, his setup was a step above, not only as an assault-type spirit master with higher ring ages but also with the Chaos Green Lotus as his trump card. There was no chance he would fail.
Zhu Zhuqing instinctively squeezed Dai Yao's hand, her wide, clear eyes filled with worry. She didn't speak, but her emotions were written all over her face.
Dugu Yan gave him a glare, folding her arms as she sighed. "You've been telling us not to worry ever since we've been together. Always promising you'll succeed, but how can we not worry? Failing these trials... well, the consequences could be…"
She trailed off with a sigh. Having known him so long, she was accustomed to his reassurances, but how could they not be concerned? Dai Yao was their husband, after all!
"Oh, fine. No point in asking—you'll just repeat how you'll succeed for sure," Dugu Yan muttered, waving her hand in mock defeat before shifting her attention to Bai Chenxiang, who had been silent. "Right, Xiangxiang, what's your trial task? You wouldn't say earlier, but would you like to share now?"
Startled out of her thoughts, Bai Chenxiang noticed the expectant looks directed at her. She stammered, "I… I…"
With a quick glance at Dai Yao, she clenched her teeth and looked down. "Y-Yan, I still… don't want to say."
The group exchanged curious glances, but the unspoken emotion in Bai Chenxiang's look toward Dai Yao gave Dugu Yan a clue. With a gentle smile, she said, "No problem, Xiangxiang. If you don't want to share, we won't press you. You're part of the Qinglian Sect, and Elder Bai He is a shared elder between us. While we're here on Seagod Island, we'll look out for you. Don't feel any pressure; if you ever need to talk, I'm here." She winked at Bai Chenxiang and added playfully, "And don't worry, I won't tell him a thing."
Bai Chenxiang glanced at her with a mix of embarrassment and gratitude, murmuring, "Thank you…"
After a meal and a short rest, Dugu Yan looked outside at the sky.
"We still have some time left in the day. Should we head over to the trial grounds and take a look before making any plans? Judging by the way Seahorse Douluo looked at us yesterday, these trials won't be easy. We need to get started as soon as possible."
Everyone turned to Dai Yao, their leader. He thought for a moment before standing up.
"Let's go. We came here to train, so staying in this comfort for too long will dull our spirits."
The women nodded and called for a purple-robed soul master, explained their intent, and prepared for the journey. It was nearly 200 li (about 60 miles) from Seahorse City to Seagod Mountain, a distance that would take about an hour, according to their guide. The group activated their martial spirits and sped up.
Summoning their martial spirits shocked the purple-robed soul master; these spirits each radiated an aura so powerful that it felt as though he were in the presence of divine beasts.
"They didn't even use spirit abilities yet matched my speed," he thought, growing even more reverent. "It's no wonder they all received top-level trials."
After an hour, the group emerged from the forest to a stunning scene. Before them lay a tranquil expanse of water, sparkling under the sunlight, with a towering island in the center. The island rose steeply like a mountain, with a white jade palace perched at its peak, seemingly nestled in the clouds, radiating a serene glow. Leading up to this palace was a long, winding staircase of thousands of steps stretching from the base to the summit.
"So this is Seagod Island's core?"
The group marveled at Seagod Mountain, their eyes filled with wonder.
The purple-robed soul master, gazing reverently at the island, explained proudly, "Yes, this is the true Seagod Island, also known as the Island Within the Island. The white jade building at the summit is called the Seagod Hall, a shrine to Lord Seagod himself. The staircase leading up to it is where you'll undertake your trials—a path of 1,001 steps in total. If you're ready to begin, please proceed. I'll wait here for your return. Just remember to keep your voices down so as not to disturb Lord Seagod."
"One more thing," he added seriously. "If you reach your physical limit while climbing, don't push yourself. Simply retreat down the mountain, and you'll avoid any harm."
Dai Yao nodded in gratitude, reassured by the familiar details aligning with the original tale. He then took Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong by the waist, spreading his wings as he lifted them into the air toward Seagod Island. Feng Wutong and Dugu Yan shared a look before Feng Wutong took Dugu Yan's hand, and her fiery wings opened wide. Dugu Yan beckoned to Bai Chenxiang, then flew after Dai Yao and the others.
Without flying abilities of their own, Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Dugu Yan needed assistance to cross the Sea Within Sea.
With gritted teeth, Bai Chenxiang summoned her Piercing-Tail Swallow martial spirit, her spirit rings glinting as she followed behind them.
As they flew over the Sea Within the Sea, an invisible force seemed to envelop the group. Except for Bai Chenxiang, a faint red glow appeared on each woman's forehead, while a golden glow shone on Dai Yao's forehead.
"Something's wrong!"
The purple-robed soul master's face filled with panic when he noticed the yellow glow on Bai Chenxiang's forehead.
But it was too late—a terrifying pressure surged from below Bai Chenxiang as a massive shadow broke through the water, lunging straight at her! It was an enormous swordfish, with a spear-like, pointed snout and an aura of concentrated power—a spirit beast of at least ten thousand years! Its tail lashed the air, propelling it like a lightning bolt toward Bai Chenxiang.
Although Bai Chenxiang didn't fully understand what was happening, the sudden wave of pressure beneath her triggered every survival instinct she had. Her face went pale with fear. Against a ten-thousand-year spirit beast, what could she—a four-ring Soul Elder—possibly do? But her survival instincts outweighed her terror.
Summoning all her soul power, Bai Chenxiang twisted her body and barely dodged the swordfish's attack by a hair's breadth. Yet the swordfish wasn't about to give up. It twisted its body and, with another powerful thrust of its tail, launched itself at her again. She had put every ounce of her strength into evading the first attack and had nothing left to dodge this second assault.
Staring down the swordfish's spear-like snout as it aimed to pierce her, Bai Chenxiang's face filled with horror as she braced for the worst.
"Zhuqing, Rongrong!"
Dai Yao's urgent call broke through the chaos. Though there was no time for discussion, Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong instantly understood his plan. Years of teamwork created an unspoken bond between them. Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Ning Rongrong and grabbed her hand, her Nether Master martial spirit instantly coming to life.
As Zhu Zhuqing's spirit materialized, Dai Yao released his hold on her and spread his wings, transforming into an eight-winged formation as his external spirit bone activated. With one powerful wing beat, a massive wave surged from the Sea Within the Sea below them, and Dai Yao vanished in an explosion of speed.
Under the force of gravity, Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong began to fall. Just before they reached the water, Zhu Zhuqing summoned a thin sheet of ice under her feet. With every step forward, another ice layer formed underfoot, carrying them gracefully across the water. Holding Ning Rongrong close, Zhu Zhuqing moved over the sea as effortlessly as on land, dashing like a dark streak toward Seagod Island.
Meanwhile, Dai Yao had already reached Bai Chenxiang's side.
He gently wrapped his arm around her waist, shielding her behind him. With a quick glance at the oncoming swordfish, he raised his other arm in front of him to block the attack.
Facing an attack from a ten-thousand-year spirit beast, Dai Yao didn't dare underestimate it. As his soul power surged, six rings rose from his feet.
Yellow, purple, purple, black, black, red.
The release of his spirit rings unleashed a powerful and indescribable aura. But for Bai Chenxiang, it was different. Staring at Dai Yao's broad back, which stood before her like a towering mountain, she felt all her fear and tension melt away. His presence shielded her from every threat, and her heart, which had been tight with terror, finally relaxed.
As her mind drifted to her trial's requirement, her heart skipped a beat. She gazed at Dai Yao, momentarily mesmerized.
"White Tiger Barrier!"
His first soul ring lit up, and a transparent shield materialized in front of his hand. The swordfish collided with the barrier with a dull thud. When it saw the faint golden glow of the trident mark between Dai Yao's brows, it immediately recoiled, diving back into the water.
As the swordfish disappeared into the depths, Dai Yao exhaled a relieved breath. He couldn't help but curse himself for his momentary lapse. In the original story, Bai Chenxiang had faced a similar attack when she flew over the Sea Within the Sea. Due to her lower trial rank, she hadn't met the qualifications to cross, which led the spirit beasts of the Sea Within the Sea to attack her.
The sudden nature of the incident had almost prevented him from reacting in time. If Bai Chenxiang hadn't narrowly dodged the swordfish's first attack, he might not have been able to save her in time.
Had something happened to Bai Chenxiang on Seagod Island, Elder Bai He might have been pushed to betray the Qinglian Sect and side with Tang San of the Heaven Dou Empire. Fortunately, nothing had happened.
"Xiangxiang, are you alright?"
Turning around, Dai Yao looked at Bai Chenxiang with genuine concern. Her face, still pale, flushed slightly at his gaze. Although her body was still trembling from the encounter, a different emotion now stirred in her heart.
She could say, without a doubt, that Dai Yao was the most exceptional man she'd ever met. His talent was peerless; from nothing, he'd built a renowned sect that even the continent respected. The only flaw? He was a bit of a romantic, marrying four women at once and supposedly maintaining relationships with other women beyond that.
But to a noble, those were minor issues.
Initially, Bai Chenxiang had found it hard to like Dai Yao. She'd seen him as talented but overly flirtatious. However, after hearing of his past and learning more about him through the sect, she understood. In his shoes, she would've found it impossible to choose between Zhu Zhuqing, Feng Wutong, Dugu Yan, and Ning Rongrong.
With time, she grew to respect Dai Yao as her sect leader. But the trial on Seagod Island had thrown her into turmoil, leaving her both confused and bashful. Her trial demanded that she kiss Dai Yao for the duration of one incense stick. They were innocent of any inappropriate relations, so how could she kiss him? Especially since this would be her first kiss!
Torn between her sense of propriety and the lure of a powerful reward, she felt trapped. She had come to Seagod Island to grow stronger, and the reward from this trial was incredibly tempting. She was at a loss. However, Dai Yao's rescue in the Sea Within the Sea left her heart pounding. She didn't know if her quickened heartbeat was from narrowly escaping death or because of feelings stirring for him.
What was certain was that her gaze toward Dai Yao now held something new.
The look in Dai Yao's blazing golden eyes seemed to pierce straight into her heart. Embarrassed, Bai Chenxiang lowered her head and replied shyly, "I'm… I'm fine…"
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Canserbero10