A majestic and solemn aura permeated the surroundings. With each step forward, the oppressive atmosphere grew heavier, pressing down on everyone present.
Tang Yin stood before the Long Stairs that led toward the heavens themselves. His eyes gleamed with curiosity. Just how many steps can I conquer in one go? A hundred? Two hundred? Or maybe three hundred in one breath?
"I'll go first. You all wait here," he instructed, his voice calm yet resolute. Without hesitation, he placed his foot on the first step.
"Stupid Tang Yin! Don't order us around," Xiao Wu snapped, following behind—but the force of the step's rebound sent her flying back, landing hard on her arse. "Ow~"
It felt like hitting a rubber wall—the impact force rebounded against him, threatening to hurl him back. Yet his stance remained utterly unshaken.
Although he had achieved the Golden Awakening of his spirit body, he could feel the call of his martial soul—still hungry for more.
The divine light of the Sea God flowed over the first step, but Tang Yin relied purely on his body. He didn't bother using soul power; his raw strength alone was enough. Besides, he welcomed the chance for a real workout.
For someone like him, training had always been troublesome. His body absorbed energy passively, making it difficult to push beyond his limits. Gravity training at Shrek Academy had helped somewhat, but Zhao Wuji, being only a Soul Saint, could no longer exert enough pressure. His exercises had lost their edge.
Here, however, everything was different. The divine energy of the God of Ocean's couldn't be absorbed, leaving Tang Yin no shortcut. At last, he could push himself honestly against the weight.
Each step sank deeper into his muscles, bones, and blood. The Sea God's divine pressure resisted absorption, leaving no escape.
After ten minutes—
Haah… haah… haah…
For the first time in years, Tang Yin felt his body truly working—honestly, purely, straining without any cheating from his abilities.
"Good… good! Maybe I'll actually break a sweat for once," he muttered, chest heaving as he drew a deep breath and pressed on from the 300th step.
Meanwhile, Meng Yiran and Rongrong tried to climb the stairs behind him, their faces pale. They could feel the oppression even more keenly than Tang Yin. Though each possessed soul rings beyond normal limits, they were still human. Tang Yin… he was something else entirely.
"How… monstrous!"
Bo Saixi's breath caught in her throat as she followed Tang Yin's ascent. He had already passed the 300th step without using a shred of soul power. Her spiritual senses locked onto his steady rhythm, and within five minutes, he was already pushing past the 350th step.
"Did the Sea God… make a mistake?" she whispered, trembling with disbelief. "At this rate, he'll reach the 400th step within ten minutes…"
Her eyes softened as she stared at his familiar, resolute back. Faint memories stirred—echoes of another man who once made her heart flutter.
In the Divine Realm—
The Sea God nearly toppled from his throne. His eyes bulged as the golden screen showed Tang Yin breezing through the 350th step. Clearly, he hadn't gone all out yet.
What in the waves…? His jaw slackened. This brat is only level 70… and he's already passed the benchmark of 333 steps—the limit most Titled Douluo can't even dream of!
He clenched his trident, face twitching. Don't tell me I underestimated him? No… impossible. Unless—
Suddenly, the divine space rippled, warping like a curtain tugged by unseen hands. A blood-red figure swaggered straight into the Sea God's palace as though it were his own estate.
The Sea God jolted upright, nearly dropping his weapon. His divine aura flared, but when he focused on the newcomer, his expression froze.
Ashura God.
He didn't knock or show courtesy. With casual arrogance, he strolled in, sweeping his gaze around as if inspecting his own hall.
The Sea God's lips twitched. His cold glare lasted barely a heartbeat before melting into forced politeness. Rising from his throne, he gave a mock salute, voice dripping with flattery.
"Ah, Brother Ashura! What a rare honor—your presence graces my humble hall! If only you had sent word ahead, I would have prepared a proper welcome…"
Inwardly, the Sea God screamed, Why now of all times?! If this brat clears the first test so quickly, how will I face his mocking?
His divine beard bristled as he sneaked a glance at Ashura. And why does this guy always act like he owns the place?!
Ashura God let out a cold chuckle, his blood-red aura spreading like a storm. His gaze flicked lazily to the golden screen showing Tang Yin climbing step after step without pause.
"Hoh… Poseidon. I came expecting to watch a mortal crawl. Instead, I find a little monster running up your stairs like he's on a morning jog. Tell me—did you set the bar too low, or is your chosen trial just too soft?"
The Sea God's eyelid twitched violently, but he forced an ugly smile, bowing slightly.
"Brother Ashura jests… this is only the start. Naturally, the later steps will crush even him. But—" his eyes narrowed, trying to shift the topic, "—don't you see the potential of this kid? Surely you're also interested, right?"
Ashura God smirked, leaning back with casual arrogance, his chin propped on one hand as though savoring a private joke.
"Mm. Potential, yes. That's why I'm here. But I can't help wondering…" His lips curled into a demonic smile. "If he makes it past your oh-so-grand God of Ocean's Nine Tribulations on his very first attempt… wouldn't it be rather… humiliating for you? I'm quite eager."
The Sea God almost spat out a mouthful of saltwater. Embarrassing? Humiliating? If this brat clears it so quickly, I'll have to drown myself in my own divine sea! Forget face—I'll be a laughingstock in the entire God Realm!
He gritted his teeth, face stiffening as Ashura's chuckle echoed like thunder. Yet beneath that mocking tone, the Sea God noticed Ashura's expression shifting.
The smirk froze, then curved into something rarer: genuine intrigue. His crimson eyes locked onto the screen, gleaming with surprise.
The Sea God blinked. What now? What did this brat do again?
Unable to resist, he leaned over behind Ashura's shoulder.
And nearly dropped his trident.
There, on the 430th step, Tang Yin wasn't straining, roaring, or even climbing in the usual sense. He was casually lowering himself, arms steady, back straight—doing push-ups.
Push-ups. On the Long Stairs of Heaven.
Poseidon's mouth opened and closed like a stunned fish. He's… exercising? Using my divine trial as a gym?
Ashura God stared silently, then barked a laugh so sharp it shook the palace pillars.
"Poseidon… your trial—the one meant to crush mortal will—has been reduced to a warm-up! Truly, I underestimated your hospitality."
The Sea God's face turned blue, then green, then nearly purple. This brat isn't just climbing—he's mocking me! Push-ups on the 430th step! At this rate, I'll be the only god in history defeated by calisthenics!
He slumped into his throne, one hand covering his face. This is it… my reputation is finished.
Meanwhile, Ashura's eyes gleamed like a predator's. The mocking edge in his laughter faded into something sharper.
"Interesting…" Ashura murmured, his gaze fixed on Tang Yin with an ominous intensity. His crimson eyes brightened with each push-up. "Very interesting indeed. But I have to admit, Poseidon—this one has me hooked."
He rose, blood-red aura swelling until the Sea God's palace trembled. His voice boomed with godly finality. "Let's make history in the Divine Realm… with a heir who carries not one, but two God positions! Hahaha!"
The thunder of his laughter rolled through the divine sea, carrying both amusement and challenge.
Poseidon froze for a heartbeat, stunned. Then his divine blood surged, panic replaced by excitement. His trident pulsed with light, oceanic aura rising in resonance.
"Good! Good! Brother Ashura, since when have we gods shied away from the impossible? Let's see if this brat can truly shoulder it!"
Two gods—side by side—locked their gaze on a single mortal below.
Tang Yin, completely unaware, continued his exercises on the 430th step—pausing only to casually roll his shoulders, as if the Long Stairs of Heaven were nothing more than an afternoon warm-up.
"Very effective indeed!" he muttered, a note of delight in his voice.