As Tianlin stepped out of the main hall, the sword mark on his forehead flashed.
["Asura God's Third Trial: Sect Calamity. Kill over 80% of the invading enemies. Completed. Reward: Asura God affinity +10%, currently 25%."]
This Asura God was quite considerate—giving out tasks only after he'd rested.
Tianlin immediately summoned the fourth Asura Trial, but the content of the trial surprised him.
["Asura God's Fourth Trial: Reactivate the Sea God's Heart— Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, within three years!"]
Tianlin was stunned. The Asura God's intention was clearly for him to find a Sea God inheritor. But why did his Asura trial involve the Sea God?
This was because the Asura God had once promised the Sea God—since Tianlin used the Sea God's Heart, he owed the Sea God a favor and had to repay it.
The Asura God agreed because he thought it wasn't a hard task. Among Tianlin's acquaintances, there was someone with the potential to inherit the Sea God's position: Tang San, who was also a transmigrator.
He'd lived two lives, trained his soul power from childhood, had a powerful soul, and possessed twin martial souls. If Tianlin gave him an immortal herb to further strengthen his body, he'd meet the requirements to become a god.
But he overlooked one thing—Tang San and Tianlin were half-enemies if not mortal ones. Why would he help Tang San by giving him both an immortal herb and the Sea God's Heart?
He had to find someone else to complete the task.
Meanwhile, within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, countless people were hard at work. Whether soul masters or ordinary folk, everyone was contributing to rebuilding the sect.
Though exhausted, they all smiled, knowing that living was more important than collapsed buildings or cracked earth.
"Sword brother, how's your body?" Ning Rongrong ran over to check on him. When Tianlin returned yesterday, his spirit and soul power were exhausted, and he looked gravely ill, which worried her.
As the next sect master, she had been busy all night: leading disciples in rebuilding, comforting frightened citizens, and looking after her in-laws. Only now did she have time to visit Tianlin.
"Don't worry, Rongrong, I'm fine. If nothing else, my recovery ability even surpasses Master's." Tianlin smiled. "By the way, where are Master and Grandpa Bone?"
"Grandpa Bone is guarding the two people we captured yesterday. Grandpa Eagle is patrolling the mountains in case any enemies escape. Grandpa Dugu is still making pills. As for Grandpa Sword, he's been meditating atop the mountain since last night."
"Master is preparing for the next battle, right?" Tianlin understood—Chen Xin was gathering sword energy and resting.
Since they'd captured Golden Crocodile, Qian Daoliu would surely make a move. His strength exceeded Golden Crocodile's, and if Sword Douluo wanted to defeat him, he'd have to go all out.
"We will win—didn't we win yesterday?" Ning Rongrong gripped Tianlin's hand. "But this time, you can't use an excuse to send me away. I know my support isn't as good as Father's, and I can't fight, but I want to face difficulties together with you, Father, and all the grandpas."
Ning Rongrong was clever; she knew Tianlin had assigned her to fight Hu Yanzhen yesterday just to keep her safe. But this time, there wouldn't be any small fry for her to practice on.
"Alright, you can stay. I'll protect you. It's a pity the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud can't be used now. If I had Uncle Ning's support, I'd have the confidence to face Qian Daoliu alone!" Tianlin took out the blue shield, sighing.
Previously, he could use it probably because the Sea God had given special permission for the Asura God's sake.
Now the trial required him to reactivate it by finding a suitable Sea God inheritor. But among those around Tianlin—Ning Fengzhi, Ning Rongrong, the grandpas, Gu Ran, Ma Hongjun, Yu Tianheng—none were suitable.
He couldn't give it to Tang San. He wasn't that saintly.
"No matter. As long as I'm with you, I fear nothing. Nine Nether Ghost Prison, Elysium, with you I'm happy, without you I'm bitter!" Ning Rongrong smiled sweetly at Tianlin.
"Xiao Tian, your fiancée is impressive. Her soul fluctuation is so resolute. She's truly willing to die for you!" Skydream Ice Silkworm praised. "She's got some of my Bingbing's spirit."
"Bingbing? The Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion!" Tianlin suddenly thought of something and entered his spiritual sea, staring at Skydream Ice Silkworm.
"Why are you looking at me like that, Xiao Tian?" Skydream was unnerved.
"Brother Skydream, you said you could give me another martial soul, but I don't need it. Can your ability be transferred to someone else?" Tianlin asked hopefully.
Skydream instantly guessed his intent. "You want to give Rongrong a second martial soul? Don't even think about it—my ability isn't that strong. Only after someone fully absorbs my power can I help them get a new martial soul. I can't transplant it to others."
Tianlin was disappointed. As expected, his idea was impossible.
"But, there is another way to get a second martial soul," Skydream said, panting.
Tianlin's eyes lit up. "How?"
"Xiao Tian, do you know about soul beast embryos? When a soul beast reaches 100,000 years and chooses to become human, it enters a transitional embryo state, with all power and memory sealed. If someone directly absorbs the embryo then, there's a chance to turn that beast into a second martial soul."
"Of course, this requires extremely high physical qualities. Most humans can't handle the power of a second martial soul. But with my million-year cultivation as help, plus your Holy Spirit Domain, the success rate goes way up."
"Right, soul beast embryos! I can't believe I forgot." Tianlin was overjoyed. As long as Ning Rongrong had a strong water or ice-type martial soul, she'd match the Sea God's attributes.
If he further improved her qualifications, she might be eligible to inherit the Sea God's position.
Tianlin didn't want her to inherit the Nine-Colored Goddess position. First, it was only a secondary god, and second, in the original, the Nine-Colored Goddess chose Ning Rongrong largely because of Oscar.
Since the Nine-Colored Goddess and the God of Food were a couple, and now Ning Rongrong had nothing to do with Oscar, the goddess might not choose her. Even if she did, if Oscar later inherited the God of Food, Tianlin would feel weird about it.
The Sea God was better in every way.
"Don't get too excited. Finding a soul beast embryo is no easier than finding a god position," Skydream warned.
"No problem, I already have a target: your Bingbing, or maybe the Ice Heavenly Snow Maiden. I'll persuade one of them to become Rongrong's wisdom martial soul!"
"You're joking, right? They're all fierce beasts. You probably don't know, but after a soul beast passes 200,000 years, it's almost impossible to become human again."
Skydream wasn't optimistic about Tianlin's plan, but Tianlin was confident. He knew ways to help fierce beasts become human, and whether Skydream could persuade them would depend on his silver tongue.
It would benefit them too. For soul beasts, becoming gods was difficult, but companion god beasts could gain eternal life. And didn't Skydream always want to be with his Bingbing? If he and the Ice Jade Scorpion became bonded to Tianlin and Ning Rongrong as companion god beasts, being together daily would boost his chances of winning her heart.
If one fierce beast became Rongrong's wisdom martial soul and the other her wisdom soul ring, she'd have what it takes to be recognized by the Sea God's Heart.
In addition, Tianlin had other preparations to make. After defeating Qian Daoliu, he'd have to hurry to Star Luo for something that would help his god-making plan!