["Ning Rongrong, Sea God Nine Trials—Trial Six complete. Reward: Sea God Affinity +20%. Current: 65%."]
["Yu Tianheng, Black-Level Six Trials—Trial Six complete. Soul power +1 level. All six trials complete—bonus soul power +1 level. Current: Level 83."]
["Oslo, Black-Level Six Trials—Trial Six complete. Soul power +1 level. All six trials complete—bonus soul power +1 level. Current: Level 86."]
["Oscar, wise and brave, forced Sea God Douluo to use the ninth soul skill. Black-Level Six Trials—Trial Six overfulfilled. Soul power +2 levels. All six trials complete—bonus soul power +1 level. Current: Level 80 (81). Granted one god-bestowed soul ring."]
The Sea God's Light descended, and the four received their rewards. Their injuries slowly healed, especially Oscar—his soul power surged by three levels in an instant, reaching the rank of Soul Douluo. And having just hit a bottleneck, he was granted a god-bestowed soul ring.
Oscar felt a bit embarrassed. Wise and brave? He was just riding Tianlin's coattails.
Seeing his expression, Tianlin patted his shoulder. "What's there to be ashamed of? Enduring my nine-ring Demon Sword by will alone is no small feat."
"That's right," Bo Saixi approached with elegant steps. "That sword is so overbearing it even surpasses my Sea God martial soul. This is the first time I've been hurt by a Soul Sage. Although you pushed your soul power to the Titled Douluo level via the four-in-one fusion, it was only just at that threshold. Yet that one sword could slay an Ultimate Douluo who wasn't going all out. Without iron will, copying this kind of martial soul is simply impossible."
Bo Saixi lifted the scepter in her hand and blew on it. The scepter instantly crumbled to powder—split by the Demon Sword. The Primordial Spirit Slash was not so easily blocked. If not for Bo Saixi's deep cultivation and timely response, she would have been seriously injured.
With even Bo Saixi speaking so, Oscar no longer felt embarrassed and sat aside to absorb his soul ring.
Then Bo Saixi turned to Tianlin. "You are Rongrong's husband, aren't you? She has now passed the sixth of the Sea God's Nine Trials. Isn't it time to fulfill your promise and return Tang Chen to me?"
Her tone was still calm, but those who had dealt with her for years could hear an unprecedented urgency. Clearly, Tang Chen was very important to her.
Tianlin smiled faintly, took Ning Rongrong's hand, and said, "Of course. Although you just now harbored killing intent toward my wife, you did keep your promise these past years and took care of her. I'll lift Tang Chen's seal now."
"That's right, Senior Bo Saixi, I don't blame you at all. Sword Brother has told me the truth. If I don't die, you will. People are selfish. If one day my Sword Brother was in danger, and sacrificing someone could save him—even if that person were innocent—I might not show mercy either." Ning Rongrong put herself in Bo Saixi's place. If she stood where Bo Saixi stood, she might act even more ruthlessly.
Bo Saixi nodded apologetically. "Rest assured. After the sixth trial, I no longer have an opportunity to kill you. How far you go from here is up to you. When you complete the Nine Trials, I will fulfill my duty."
By then, Tianlin had already lifted Tang Chen's seal. He was as before, all four limbs broken. But when he saw Bo Saixi, excitement surged in his heart and he struggled to rise.
"Tang Chen, how… how did you become like this?" Bo Saixi held Tang Chen, years of bitterness welling up until she could no longer hold back, her voice slightly choked.
"I'm sorry, Bo Saixi. I failed my god trial. I have no right to propose to you." Tang Chen was truly a straight man—still hung up on this even now.
"Fool. Big fool! Do you really think I wanted to marry a god? I only said that to reject Qian Daoliu. You idiot took it seriously and never returned for so many years. If you had come back earlier, we might have… might have…"
"No, it's my fault. I was too arrogant back then. I never made my feelings for you clear, not even hinted at them. All the blame is mine."
Bo Saixi's remorse and grief overflowed. Seeing this, Tianlin felt a little pity. But the Clear Sky Sect was an enemy; Tang Chen was naturally an enemy too. Bringing him back today to let him and Bo Saixi meet one last time was benevolent enough—there was no need to invite trouble by saving him.
Tianlin walked to Tang Chen and Bo Saixi and said to Tang Chen, "Senior, I've fulfilled my promise. From here on, please spend your remaining time with Senior Bo Saixi. We'll take our leave."
"Rongrong, let's not disturb Senior Bo Saixi and Senior Tang Chen. We'll go first."
"Mm." Ning Rongrong nodded. The group was just about to leave.
"Wait." Tang Chen suddenly called out to them. "Little brother, I'm deeply grateful for your help. I won't go back on what I promised—the soul bones will be sent via Bo Saixi. But I have one question. You're a soul master from the mainland, aren't you? Can you tell me some news of the Clear Sky Sect? My days are numbered. Besides Bo Saixi, the only thing I worry about is the sect."
Hearing this, Tianlin sighed inwardly. How could he tell the truth? It would only make Tang Chen die hating him and unable to rest in peace.
In the end, Tianlin said, "Rest assured, Senior. The Clear Sky Sect is still the number one sect on the Douluo Continent. The sect has seven Titled Douluo. The brothers Tang Hao and Tang Xiao are renowned, and the five elders are formidable. In addition, Tang Hao and a woman named Ah Yin have a son named Tang San. His talent is no less than yours—enough to hold up the sect's future."
"Is that so? Hao'er even has a child… that's wonderful. Then I can be at ease." Tang Chen's heart settled at the news. Knowing the Clear Sky Sect was well, he could spend his remaining days by Bo Saixi's side in peace.
No one else was foolish enough to expose Tianlin. They could all tell it was a kind lie—at least this way, Tang Chen could pass on without regrets.
Sea Dragon Douluo stepped forward then. "Young lady, can your seventh trial be postponed a few days? You've seen the Grand Priest's condition. You can rest in my Sea Dragon City for now. When we can conduct the trial, I'll send someone to notify you. Don't worry, it won't be long."
"Yes. Thank you, Senior." Ning Rongrong naturally had no objection. After continuous trials, she was exhausted in both body and mind. The group headed toward Sea Dragon City.