Chapter 203: Battle Against the Seven Sacred Pillars
After Sea Dragon Douluo and Yang Tianyue had fully recovered, the Fifth Sea God Trial was officially completed. Notably, Dugu Yan had also passed her Black Rank Fifth Trial, earning a level increase in spirit power, an additional level increase for accumulated achievements, and a divine-bestowed spirit ring. Now at Level 80, she was ready to absorb this powerful new ring.
Meanwhile, Yang Ping'an and Ye Lingling each gained a level in spirit power but remained at Level 80. Their actual levels would only be determined after they absorbed their next spirit rings. Ye Lingling's spirit ring years were also boosted by another 500, totaling 2,500 years of accumulated growth. However, given that her spirit abilities were exclusively healing-based, the increase didn't provide much additional utility.
Yang Tianyue also gained a boost, with her Sea God Affinity increasing by 20% thanks to earning the recognition of all seven Sacred Pillar guardians. Her affinity with the Sea God now stood at a substantial 50%. As for Yang Potian, his spirit ring years received another 5,000-year increase, passively benefiting once more from the divine trials.
The Seven Sacred Pillar guardians, however, looked at Yang Potian with puzzlement, leaving him somewhat bewildered.
Curious, Yang Potian asked Sea Dragon Douluo, "Elder Sea Dragon, do you have any questions or concerns about me?"
Sea Dragon Douluo shook his head, explaining, "The Fifth Trial for the Sea God's successor stated that you could assist Yang Tianyue. Why didn't you step in to help?"
Yang Potian looked puzzled. "As a battle spirit master, how could I assist in such a trial?"
With a hint of exasperation, Sea Dragon Douluo replied, "While it's true that combat-type abilities don't support directly, you could have supplemented Yang Tianyue's spirit power or used any defensive or support skills to shield her from attacks. That would count as assisting the Sea God's successor."
Yang Potian felt even more lost. "Elder, wouldn't that be taking advantage of the rules? At my current strength—Level 93—the battle would hardly be a fair test if I joined in."
Sea Horse Douluo joined in, chuckling, "We were all curious as to why you weren't involved. Given the trial required two participants, we assumed that either you had complete confidence in the Sea God's successor or that you held yourself above the need to step in."
Yang Potian felt somewhat speechless; it seemed the Sea God's trial instructions left much to interpretation.
Their Sixth Trial instructions soon arrived, requiring the four participants to withstand attacks from the seven Sacred Pillar guardians for the duration of a single incense stick, or about thirty minutes. Perhaps due to the fact that he hadn't "bent the rules" in the Fifth Trial, the difficulty level hadn't been raised for this test.
Relieved, Yang Potian was particularly glad they wouldn't face Sea God Douluo Bo Saixi herself in this trial. As a Level 99 Limit Douluo, Bo Saixi's strength was awe-inspiring and far beyond that of typical Title Douluo. Yang Potian was keenly aware that even though he felt confident facing Level 96 opponents like Qianjun and Jiangmo Douluo, or even challenging Jin'e Douluo with his spirit skills, facing a Level 99 powerhouse would be daunting.
Meanwhile, Sea Dragon Douluo confidently addressed Yang Tianyue, "Though I lost to you before, don't underestimate us. Together, the Seven Sacred Pillar guardians amplify each other's strengths. This time, I'll make sure to settle the score."
However, upon learning that her older brother could join her in the trial, Yang Tianyue felt reassured. "Thank you, Sea Dragon Douluo. We'll do our best."
Both sides agreed to hold the Sixth Trial two weeks later, allowing everyone time to recover their strength and spirit power. The team returned to Sea Horse City to rest and prepare. During this time, Dugu Yan began absorbing her divine-bestowed spirit ring. Although the process took only about ten days, her ring's strength maxed out at just over 90,000 years, as she wasn't yet capable of handling a 100,000-year ring. Even so, the ring added a respectable boost, bringing her to Level 82.
Two weeks later, everyone gathered for the Sixth Trial, presided over by Bo Saixi herself. Observing her calm and composed exterior, Yang Potian sensed a flicker of apprehension in her gaze. The guardians were well aware of the stakes tied to the Sea God's successor and the survival of their High Priest, motivating them to give their utmost effort in this trial.
As for Yang Potian, his fighting spirit burned bright. Since becoming a Title Douluo, he hadn't had the chance to test his strength in earnest, and though the Seven Sacred Pillar guardians weren't individually outstanding, as a team, they posed a worthy challenge. Especially since they harbored a measure of hostility, he welcomed the opportunity to demonstrate his power.
On the battlefield, Bo Saixi lit the incense stick, marking the official start of the Sixth Trial.
The guardians assumed a formation with Sea Dragon Douluo leading the front, flanked by Sea Spear and Sea Ghost Douluo. Behind them, Sea Star and Sea Illusion Douluo stood in control positions, while Sea Maiden Douluo provided support, protected by Sea Horse Douluo at the rear. Their 2-2-3 formation emphasized a strong frontal assault, likely aiming to leverage their numbers for a swift victory.
Yang Potian, meanwhile, led a simpler formation. He stood in the vanguard alone, with Yang Tianyue and Yang Ping'an positioned behind him, while Ye Lingling remained at the back, handling support. Analyzing the opposition's layout, he noted that the Seven Guardians seemed to be underestimating him. Placing their main attackers up front was a risk that left their support units vulnerable to his counterattacks.
As each side activated their spirits and spirit rings, the sight of Yang Potian's configuration took the guardians by surprise. With each of his rings having been upgraded by 25,000 years across five trials, his spirit rings now gleamed in a powerful sequence of black, black, black, black, black, red, red, red, red—surpassing even Bo Saixi's spirit ring array.
When Bo Saixi ignited the incense, the trial began.
Wasting no time, Yang Potian launched forward, his Soul-Breaking Spear gleaming as he darted to the rear of the guardians' formation, targeting Sea Maiden Douluo, their support specialist, with a forceful strike.
Simultaneously, Yang Tianyue and Yang Ping'an advanced with their spears, confronting Sea Dragon Douluo and the two frontline guardians, Sea Spear and Sea Ghost Douluo.
Yang Potian's first strike was infused with massive power, enhanced by his Soul-Breaking Spear, which now weighed a staggering 32,000 jin (about 16,000 kilograms) and rivaled the strength of a divine weapon.
As soon as Yang Potian lunged forward, Sea Horse Douluo was the first to react, immediately using his sixth spirit ability, Sea Horse Guard, to block the attack. But Yang Potian's thrust, carrying the force of a thousand jin and cutting with lethal precision, pierced right through Sea Horse Douluo's defense, driving into his shoulder and leaving a massive wound. With a flick of his Soul-Breaking Spear, Yang Potian hurled Sea Horse Douluo off the platform.
Seeing one of their own downed in an instant, Sea Star Douluo and Sea Illusion Douluo quickly activated their own spirit abilities, hoping to entangle Yang Potian. The sudden loss of a teammate sent a shockwave through the remaining six, who all activated their Spirit Avatars. Sea Star Douluo transformed into a gigantic starfish, with five tentacles attacking Yang Potian from all directions in a strangling formation. Simultaneously, Sea Illusion Douluo morphed into a massive, ghostly serpent, swiftly coiling toward him in an attempt to bind and incapacitate him.
Yang Potian remained unfazed. A brilliant white light emanated from him, enveloping all six opponents in his newly mastered Gravity Domain. A tremendous weight pressed down on them like an invisible mountain, hindering their movements and slowing the flow of their spirit power significantly.
Without hesitation, Yang Potian's fifth spirit ring flared as he activated his fifth skill, Tyrant Dragon Annihilation Strike. His Soul-Breaking Spear surged with an overpowering force, charging directly toward Sea Star Douluo and Sea Illusion Douluo, knocking them back with a strike reminiscent of a rampaging dragon.
Immediately after, his figure blurred, activating his second spirit skill, Demonic Tiger Annihilation Slash. With his second spirit ring now elevated to ten thousand years, this ability's teleportation range, speed, and attack power had all increased dramatically, with an especially notable boost to his attack strength. His target remained Sea Maiden Douluo, intent on taking her down swiftly.
At this critical moment, Sea Dragon Douluo roared, summoning his Spirit Avatar to transform into a colossal sea dragon. He activated his Anti-Magic Domain to counter Yang Potian's Gravity Domain, striving to negate its oppressive effects on his allies.
Sea Maiden Douluo also released her Spirit Avatar, transforming into an imposing Sea Enchantress figure, brandishing an enormous conch flute. As eerie music filled the air, it weakened opponents and seemed to draw them into a trance-like illusion, while simultaneously empowering her allies. Sea Maiden Douluo's unique skill of mind-reading allowed her to anticipate the attacks and movements of ordinary opponents—a skill rendered useless against Yang Potian, whose mental fortitude was already at the Limit Douluo level.
Yang Potian's spirit power flared again, this time shrouding him in the crimson aura of his Killing God Domain. To everyone but Sea Dragon Douluo, he now appeared as a massive, blood-red figure radiating overwhelming murderous intent.
Just then, Sea Dragon Douluo, now in his sea dragon form, launched himself into the fray to defend his teammates. Seeing Yang Potian's relentless assault, Sea Dragon Douluo felt compelled to abandon his previous offensive, hurrying to protect those behind him.
Meanwhile, Yang Tianyue and Yang Ping'an were locked in battle with Sea Spear Douluo and Sea Ghost Douluo, resulting in a temporary stalemate on their side of the battlefield.
The immense sea dragon intercepted Yang Potian's second skill, but not without consequence—Sea Dragon Douluo bore a fresh wound from the attack. Realizing Sea Dragon Douluo's intention to use his Anti-Magic Domain to neutralize Yang Potian's two domains and protect his allies from being picked off, Yang Potian merely smirked coldly as Sea Dragon Douluo approached. He was preparing for an all-out attack to eliminate four of his opponents at once.
(End of Chapter)
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