Chapter 166: Submission or Execution
With a crisp ding, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, now transformed into a diamond shaped gem, finally fused into the corresponding slot on the Sea God's Trident.
In that instant
A blinding golden radiance erupted from the Sea God's Trident, illuminating the cave in such brilliance that it seemed to transform into a hall of gold.
An unprecedented divine aura surged forth from the weapon. At the same time, golden light burst from Neptune's forehead, forming a radiant barrier that shattered into fragments.
A voice resounded in his mind:
"Sea God's Eighth Trial: Retrieve the Sea God's Heart Completed. Reward: Sea God Affinity increased by 15%. Total Affinity: 100%."
"...That's it?"
Neptune frowned as he reviewed the completion reward.
Just 15% more affinity?
That's it?!
Not even an increase in spirit ring age? No soul power boost? Nothing?
Why was the Sea God being so stingy this time?!
'Wait a minute… Could it be that the reason I didn't get a spirit ring upgrade this time is because I'm not on Sea God's Island?'
The realization hit him.
In this world, gods were not omnipotent. They were strong, but their power had limits.
The real Sea God was currently in the Divine Realm. The reason he had been able to enhance spirit rings during previous trials was because those trials had taken place on Sea God's Island.
That was his domain, where he could tap into millennia of accumulated faith energy to assist his successor.
But now?
Neptune was on the continent, far from the island.
The Sea God had no way to remotely summon that energy to enhance his spirit rings.
So instead he just threw in a casual 15% affinity boost and called it a day.
As for why the Sea God could remotely summon the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud back in the video projection, that was different.
That artifact contained a piece of his divine will.
Using that as an anchor, and at the cost of consuming immense amounts of faith energy, he had managed to summon it across great distances.
But now? There was no urgent crisis.
Why would he waste valuable faith energy on something unnecessary?
Besides once Neptune inherited the godhood, all these resources would be his anyway.
So what did it matter?
'Fine… I'll get all my upgrades when I officially inherit the god position anyway.'
Neptune didn't dwell on it.
After all when Tang San inherited the Sea God's position in the original story, he not only gained a massive increase in spirit ring age, but his spirit bones were also refined, transforming into the Sea God's Divine Armor.
So while he didn't receive any immediate benefits, the final inheritance would more than make up for it.
…Unlike the Angel God and Rakshasa God, who were far stingier.
That's why Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong had both been crushed by Tang San in every possible way.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Neptune turned his attention to the Sea God's Trident in his hands.
It had fully transformed.
The blackened hue from before had completely vanished, replaced by pure golden brilliance. Every intricate golden pattern along its surface now shone with unparalleled clarity, extending all the way to its razor sharp blades.
The central blade of the trident was now two feet long and half a foot wide.
Embedded in its core, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, now a golden diamond shaped gem, radiated divine power perfectly fused with the weapon.
The two side blades emitted a shimmering, wave like golden glow, and on their outer edges, reverse barbs curved outward like deadly hooks.
Most strikingly
None of the three blades had visible sharp edges anymore.
Because
They were now composed entirely of golden divine energy.
Now, the Sea God's Trident was whole in its perfect form.
"Everything is ready. Time to return to the ocean and complete the Ninth Trial."
Neptune rose to his feet, casually recalling the Sea God's Trident into his forehead emblem.
At that moment
As the eighth golden barrier shattered, the final ninth barrier became fully visible, revealing the last test.
[Sea God's Ninth Trial: Subdue or Slay the Deep Sea Demon Whale King. Afterward, challenge the Grand Priest. If victorious, the final inheritance may proceed!]
The Ninth Trial was simple
Hunt down or subjugate a soul beast.
Then, defeat one person.
The Sea God had given him two options
Subdue or kill the Deep Sea Demon Whale King.
Unlike in the original story, Neptune was not required to kill it. If he could tame it, the trial would still be considered complete.
This was a major difference from Tang San's test.
Tang San had no choice but to kill the Deep Sea Demon Whale King
Because he simply wasn't capable of taming it.
Back then, he had been completely outmatched by the half god level soul beast.
In fact
Tang San had barely survived his encounter with it, forming an irreconcilable blood feud in the process.
Thus, the only option left for him was to kill it.
But Neptune was different.
His martial soul, his talents everything about him screamed that he was born to rule the sea.
Against sea spirit beasts, he held a natural advantage.
This was why the Sea God was eager to see whether he could subjugate this ancient whale king.
Of course, the Deep Sea Demon Whale King had once lost an eye to the previous Sea God
But that had been before the Sea God had attained godhood.
Once he became a god, his perspective changed.
From a god's point of view
All creatures of the sea were his children.
That included even powerful and violent beings like the Deep Sea Demon Whale King.
That's why, after becoming a true god, he chose not to kill it
Even though he could have easily done so.
Instead, he simply let it continue living in the ocean.
Likewise
He hadn't exterminated the Evil Devil Orca Clan, despite their longstanding rivalry with Xiao Bai's race.
To the Sea God, even the Evil Devil Orcas were still part of the ocean's balance.
To interfere in the natural conflicts between marine species would mean violating the laws of nature.
Thus, rather than wiping them out, he simply ordered them to restrain themselves and cease their reckless slaughter.
And while the Evil Devil Orcas had obeyed during his time in the mortal world
The moment he ascended to the Divine Realm, his divine pressure vanished.
And so
They immediately resumed their violent ways, preying upon the weak with impunity.
It was during this time that Xiao Bai's younger brother was killed by them, sparking an irreconcilable blood feud between their races.
When the Sea God learned of this betrayal, he was furious.
Thus
He included the extermination of the Evil Devil Orca Clan as part of Neptune's Sea God Trials.
And soon… their reckoning would come.
(End of Chapter)
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