"Don't you think so, Bo Saixi?"
In the distance, a crimson light slowly expanded. Space seemed to distort slightly, and in the next instant, another figure appeared before the Seahorse Sacred Pillar.
The newcomer was cloaked in a flowing crimson robe. Her long, sea-blue hair cascaded down her back, and her soft, delicate features made her appear no older than thirty.
She exuded an aura of nobility, elegance, and serene warmth.
In her right hand, she grasped a three-meter-long golden scepter, intricately engraved with sacred patterns. At the tip, a sharp, spear-like diamond protrusion held a gleaming, diamond-shaped golden gemstone.
Her deep blue eyes were clearer than the ocean itself, yet carried a benevolent wisdom that seemed to have endured through countless ages.
"Greetings, High Priestess."
Seahorse Douluo bowed slightly in respect to the crimson-robed woman.
At that moment, Tang San and the others couldn't help but be captivated by the arrival of the woman, while Chen Xiaoming observed her with great interest.
This was Sea God Douluo, Bo Saixi, the strongest among the three Limit Douluo, who had once defeated both Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen.
Had it been five years ago, Chen Xiaoming might have been eager to challenge her. But now? Ahem, there were more pressing matters at hand.
"Tang San, you all go and receive the Sea God's trial first."
Locking eyes with Bo Saixi, Chen Xiaoming spoke calmly. Tang San and the others snapped back to reality, while Seahorse Douluo shifted his gaze toward Bo Saixi.
She gave a slight nod. Understanding her meaning, Seahorse Douluo silently stepped aside.
Tang San and his companions respectfully saluted Bo Saixi before following Seahorse Douluo toward the Seahorse Sacred Pillar.
Chen Xiaoming and Bo Saixi exchanged knowing smiles.
"Interested in seeing what kind of trials these kids will receive from the Sea God?"
Bo Saixi turned her gaze to Tang San's group. At this moment, Seahorse Douluo had already begun the trial.
Raising both hands with reverence, he brought them to his chest. A soft blue light emerged at the center of his palms.
The glow abruptly intensified, bathing the entire Seahorse Sacred Pillar Platform in a shimmering blue radiance.
In the next moment, a flash of light erupted from the base of the Seahorse Sacred Pillar. A streak of blue light traced its way upward along the pillar's engravings, reaching the very top in the blink of an eye.
Seahorse Douluo turned, facing Dai Mubai. He raised his right hand and pointed at him.
A pillar of blue light descended from the sky, enveloping Dai Mubai.
The color of the beam began to shift—from blue to white, then swiftly from white to yellow, then purple. Finally, it settled on black.
"Black Level Six Trials."
Seahorse Douluo's lips twitched slightly, and he let out a bitter chuckle. He could now confirm one thing—
Chen Xiaoming and the others must have angered the Sea God.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have been assigned such a near-impossible trial.
He cast a sympathetic glance at Oscar and the rest, knowing that there was nothing he could do to help them now.
Following Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward. She also received a Black Level trial, though hers had five trials instead of six.
Seahorse Douluo glanced at her but remained silent. Then it was Oscar's turn. Once again—Black Level Six Trials.
"...Sigh."
A support-type food system Soul Master receiving Black Level Six Trials—what else could Seahorse Douluo even say?
As a devout follower of the Sea God, he could only silently lament their fate.
After Oscar, Ning Rongrong stepped forward.
Chen Xiaoming glanced at her and smirked slightly as she murmured, "Six trials... Six trials..."
"No, not six. There will be seven."
A blood-red radiance shot straight into the sky, piercing the clear blue heavens with a crimson flash.
"Top—Level—Seven—Trials!"
For the first time, Bo Saixi showed true shock. Her usually serene expression cracked, revealing genuine surprise.
The red glow gradually faded, and seven crimson light screens merged into Ning Rongrong's forehead, forming an unusual red seven-pointed star—the mark of a Top-Level Seven Trials recipient.
"Rongrong, well done! The highest-tier trial—looks like Oscar won't be surpassing you in this lifetime."
Chen Xiaoming teased, though he wasn't particularly surprised. After all, Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda had surpassed its original limits. Compared to Oscar's Innate Full Spirit Power as a Food-type Soul Master, Ning Rongrong had a greater natural advantage.
"No problem! Of course, she's my wife—her talent is unmatched!"
Seeing Ning Rongrong receive the highest-tier trial, Oscar grinned shamelessly and immediately sidled up to her, taking advantage of the moment.
He completely ignored Chen Xiaoming's teasing, instead using the opportunity to publicly show affection, feeding the crowd a heavy dose of romance.
Floating in mid-air, Bo Saixi's expression shifted slightly.
She had just sensed a faint disturbance in the surroundings. Though it quickly vanished, she had still noticed it.
Her deep blue eyes turned to Chen Xiaoming in confusion.
"Heh, Oscar, you're getting bolder!"
Chen Xiaoming secretly sighed. He had considered everything—except for Oscar's thick skin.
Hmm... Perhaps it was time to have a chat with the God of Food.
At that moment, Oscar—who was still basking in his moment of love—suddenly felt a chill down his spine, as if something ominous was about to happen.
The trials continued.
With Ning Rongrong's Top-Level Seven Trials standing out, Ma Hongjun's Black Level Six Trials now seemed less surprising.
Before long, only Tang San and Xiao Wu remained.
Due to Chen Xiaoming's involvement, Xiao Wu wasn't paralyzed like in the original timeline. Instead, after Ma Hongjun's trial ended, she cheerfully skipped forward, politely saluting the Sacred Pillar.
She then began chanting under her breath, "Seven Trials, Seven Trials…"
Hearing this, Seahorse Douluo's eye twitched uncontrollably.
"These people… Are they all insane?! One Seven Trials, three Six Trials, and one Five Trials already. Do they think this is a marketplace, where they can just pick and choose what they want?"
He outright refused to believe there would be another Top-Level Seven Trials.
If another one really appeared, he would—
A red beam of light shot straight into the heavens.
Seahorse Douluo immediately swallowed his unfinished words.
Kidding. He was a loyal devotee of the Sea God—he would never go against the divine will!
"Another Top-Level Seven Trials!"
Having just recovered from the last shock, Bo Saixi once again widened her eyes in disbelief.
"Heh. Don't be in a rush. The real madness is yet to come."
Chen Xiaoming smirked, watching as Tang San slowly stepped forward.
Xiao Wu receiving a Top-Level Seven Trials was merely a small surprise.
But the real grand finale… was about to unfold.
"Come now—Sea God Nine Trials!"
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