Chapter 165: Returning the Treasure
"Brother Ni, returning what is rightfully yours."
Leaf City gazed at Neptune from afar, knowing that this grand performance had reached its conclusion. Without hesitation, he retrieved the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud and, with a casual toss, sent the Sea God's relic flying through the air, covering hundreds of meters in an instant.
A streak of blue light shot across the sky, tearing through the air with a piercing whistle.
Neptune extended his hand and caught it effortlessly, completely ignoring the force behind it an impact strong enough to crush an ordinary Soul Saint.
As he examined the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, he knew that simply obtaining it wasn't enough. He still needed to gain the approval of the Sea God's residual will within it. Only then would the Eighth Trial be complete, paving the way for the final Ninth Trial the ultimate test to inherit godhood.
Just the thought of it filled him with a slight thrill.
"I take my leave, Brother Ye."
Since the play had been acted out to its finale, Neptune followed through with the performance, bidding farewell to Leaf City. Without further ado, he turned, stepping onto a rising tide that lifted him into the air, carrying him swiftly toward the shore.
Leaf City, watching him depart, naturally wouldn't linger idly either. He activated his spatial soul technique and simply vanished from the scene.
As Neptune rode the waves toward the shore, many of the soul masters still trapped in the water instinctively swam away, afraid to block his path.
Those with keen eyes immediately noticed the water blue triangular relic in his hand and realized
He had obtained what he came for.
The waves surged forward swiftly, and before long, Neptune reached the shoreline, stepping onto solid ground once more.
There, Xiao Bai had been waiting for him.
Upon seeing the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud in his hands, she smiled and said, "That was not easy… But we finally retrieved the Sea God's Heart."
"Now, I just need to embed it into the Sea God's Trident, completing the divine weapon." Neptune nodded, his gaze fixed on the exquisite artifact in his hand. "We should find a place to fuse the Sea God's Heart immediately."
"After completing the Eighth Trial, we should return to the ocean, right?" Xiao Bai asked, her expression showing a hint of reluctance.
Though their time on land had been short compared to her thousands of years of life, it had been eye opening. She had seen wonders she had never imagined, and she had experienced a world so different from the sea.
And now, just like that, it was time to leave.
Who knew when she would ever get the chance to return?
"Why the reluctant look?"
Noticing her expression, Neptune chuckled. "If you want to come back, I can bring you again. And once I become a god, I'll grant you the ability to live on land permanently. Then you can stay as long as you like until you get tired of it."
"Promise?"
Xiao Bai's face lit up instantly. It was unclear whether she was happier about being able to explore land again or the thought of gaining a permanent human form once Neptune ascended to godhood.
Perhaps… both.
Somewhere in a remote mountain cave
Originally, this cave was the den of a large bear, but it had now been forcibly occupied by two uninvited guests.
Neptune didn't kill the bear. He simply chased it away and then used his water abilities to thoroughly cleanse the cave, eliminating all traces of the animal including its stench and droppings.
With preparations complete
Xiao Bai stood guard at the entrance, ensuring that no one disturbed him.
Meanwhile, Neptune sat cross legged inside the now immaculately clean cave, placing the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud before him. It was time to gain the artifact's approval.
The moment the azure triangular relic emerged, it bathed the entire cave in a mesmerizing blue glow. The light rippled like ocean waves, creating an illusionary underwater atmosphere, as if the entire space had been submerged in the sea.
Holding the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud in both hands, Neptune recalled how Tang San had obtained its approval in the original story.
If he remembered correctly
First, he had to infuse spiritual power into it… then it would bash his forehead, causing blood to spill… and then it would absorb his blood until, at some point, it acknowledged him.
…But Neptune was not Tang San.
He wasn't going to sit there and let the artifact bash his skull open.
Instead, he placed the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud onto the ground before him and, using his fingernail, made a clean cut across his palm.
Since his nails were infused with soul power, his palm was effortlessly sliced open, and fresh blood immediately trickled down.
Slowly, he pressed his bleeding hand against the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
The moment his bloodied palm made contact with the artifact
A brilliant blue radiance erupted from it.
A powerful suction force began drawing his blood, while the blue glow gradually shifted into a deep crimson hue.
Then, something stirred.
A faint blue light drifted from the artifact, slowly forming into a semi transparent figure an ancient, ethereal silhouette with a voice full of astonishment.
"Hm? My power… So this is how it is…!"
Sensing the divine aura of the Sea God's Trial on Neptune, the remnant will within the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud suddenly understood everything.
With that realization, the spectral figure transformed into pure blue light and re merged with the artifact.
Instantly
The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud's radiance dimmed, and it stopped absorbing Neptune's blood.
Instead, it began releasing energy pouring a mysterious power into Neptune's body through his wound.
This energy spread rapidly
First through his arm, then throughout his entire body, and finally into his mind.
A refreshing clarity washed over him, like a nearsighted man suddenly putting on glasses.
For the first time, he could sense everything inside himself with unparalleled precision
The flow of blood through his meridians, the subtle shifts in his internal organs…
He closed his eyes, silently immersing himself in the sensation.
When the strange state finally faded, Neptune opened his eyes, raised his hand, and pressed a single finger to his forehead.
SHING !
The golden Sea God's Trident emblem on his forehead flared, releasing Sea God's Light.
In the next moment
The Sea God's Trident materialized in his hand.
At its center, a diamond shaped slot stood empty
A void waiting to be filled.
At that exact moment
The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, which had returned to its dormant state, suddenly gleamed once more.
As if responding to an invisible force, it began to rise, hovering gently toward the trident.
The two artifacts seemed to share an undeniable connection, slowly drawing closer to each other.
When the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud reached three inches away from the trident's hollow slot, it halted.
Then
Its triangular form shifted, expanding to twice its original size
It was as if two Vast Sea Cosmic Shrouds had fused together, reshaping into a deep blue diamond like gemstone a perfect match for the Sea God's Trident's slot.
A blazing blue light erupted, illuminating the cave.
At the same time
Neptune felt his soul power, spiritual power, and Sea God's Light rapidly draining at an astonishing rate.
Fortunately, his cultivation was profound, allowing him to withstand the massive energy consumption.
(End of Chapter)
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