Beneath the boundless ocean, a ship shielded by a transparent barrier was sailing through the depths. The passing fish seemed unaware of its presence, swimming straight through and landing on the deck.
On the observation deck, a soul master with bright eyes was intently observing the movement of a certain sailing ship tens of kilometers away.
Next to him were Xu Mingguang and the sect master. Both were maintaining the operation of the Swordfish's hidden shield. This device was originally used to confuse sea soul beasts but was now being used to block Poseidon's perception.
Distance, the shielding device, and Xu Mingguang's illusion – with the triple-layer concealment, they dared to spy on Bo Saixi, the unrivaled Douluo bearing the title of Sea God, in the middle of the ocean.
"Grandfather, what kind of soul beast do you think Tang San is looking for? There's no sea soul beast suitable for his Blue Silver Grass in the ocean.
It's impossible to find him something like a ten-thousand-year seaweed king. What decent soul skill would a beast like that even give? Binding?
And I heard he hasn't eaten well since he was a child. For this seventh soul ring, it'd be better to find a thirty- or forty-thousand-year-old one."
"I don't know. Tang San isn't important. Our target this time is Bo Saixi. As long as we get rid of her, our only remaining enemy is the Spirit Empire.
With the number of titled experts and the strength of our Star Crown Sect and the Star Luo Empire, you and Mingyue just need a few more years to grow. Then we can destroy them with a siege."
The sect leader gazed into the dark ocean, as if he could already see the bright future of the Star Crown Sect standing tall on the Douluo Continent—forever.
They had poisoned Qingluan Douluo and Guangling Douluo, draining their bodies and soul power.
After more than half a year, even if those two woke up, their soul power would have dropped at least one level.
Besides, as long as their plan succeeded, it didn't matter if they were never released. Who would know that the Star Crown Sect had made a deal with the Spirit Empire?
As for Lion Douluo, who had returned, he had taken advantage of a moment of inattention and escaped. They would have to deal with him.
"Master, they've stopped. It seems they've found something. Poseidon Douluo has entered the water."
Huo Quan's voice drew their attention. He stopped talking and focused fully on maintaining the Swordfish's shield and surrounding illusions, sinking their presence even deeper.
The sea floor was nothing like the surface. Huo Quan could no longer accurately track Poseidon's high-speed movements underwater. Now, all they could do was pray she wouldn't come in their direction.
Luckily, fortune was on their side. Poseidon had entered the water only because she sensed the presence of a soul beast Tang San needed. She dove straight toward the deepest part of the sea.
Tang San on the boat could only anxiously gaze at the calm sea around him, hoping Poseidon would truly bring him the soul beast he needed.
"Xiao San, don't worry. With Senior Bo Saixi's help, that toxic kelp dragon won't escape."
"I know, Father."
Since Sea Star Douluo's disappearance, no one on Sea God Island had been willing to help Tang San find a suitable soul beast.
Growing impatient with his inability to advance his strength, he had subconsciously set his sights on the sea soul beasts that worshipped the Sea God around the island.
Tang San and Tang Hao discussed it for a long time. After persistent persuasion, Tang Hao finally agreed to attack the Great White Demon Spirit Shark tribe.
They knew that the tribe was already being hunted by the evil Demon Orca group, and Sea God Island had refused to help. If they secretly killed one under the guise of helping, no one would question it.
Tang Hao intentionally attracted the attention of the demon orcas and lured them into the Great White Demon Spirit Shark's territory. The two tribes engaged in a fierce battle.
He didn't care about the outcome of the fight. He targeted a thirty-thousand-year-old Great White Demon Spirit Shark being hunted, stunned it, and brought it back to Tang San.
However, just as he reached the shore with the unconscious shark, before he could hand it over to Tang San to kill, Hai Nu Douluo suddenly appeared, rescued the beast, and released it back into the sea.
"You dare harm a follower of the Sea God. I'll report to the High Priest and have you expelled from Sea God Island."
Realizing their plan was exposed, the father and son denied everything, claiming they were simply out for a walk with no intention of hunting sea soul beasts.
Hai Nu Douluo had no proof, and the shark hadn't seen Tang Hao. All he could do was watch them escape, furious enough to sever all relations with anyone from the Haotian Sect.
Compared to Tang San, the sea soul masters were far more willing to trust the Sea God Priestess, who had been with them for decades. And the shark had indeed been unconscious—it could only have been harmed by someone from the Haotian Sect.
After this event, members of the Haotian Sect could no longer move freely on Sea God Island. Their reputation had plummeted. No one liked Tang San and Tang Hao anymore.
Even Tang Xiao, the confused sect leader, couldn't convince people otherwise. They stayed far away from the father and son, swearing never to associate with them again.
When Bo Saixi heard about the incident, she frowned in disgust. Was it truly appropriate for someone who harmed the Sea God's followers to become the next Sea God?
For the sake of the Sea God and Tang Chen, she didn't say much—but deep down, she thoroughly disliked Tang San.
If not for the Sea God's orders, she would never have sacrificed herself for someone like him, even if it meant her death.
In the end, Tang Hao and Tang San had no choice but to kneel before Tang Chen, their grandfather, to obtain the seventh soul ring and pour out their sorrows.
Tang Chen was also displeased with their behavior. Why couldn't they do things in the open? Such underhanded methods were unworthy of the stage.
Yet he was still weighed down by his debt to the younger generation of his sect. Seeing the two kneel before him melted his heart.
With his support, and under orders from the Sea God to help Tang San grow, Bo Saixi finally took action.
She consulted all the ancient texts on sea soul beasts on Sea God Island and ultimately decided on the toxic kelp dragon—a unique sea beast for Tang San.
This soul beast looked like a sea dragon, but its body was made of countless poisonous seaweeds. It stood between plant-type and sea-type soul beasts.
Its bloodline clearly surpassed the Blue Silver Grass. In terms of durability, poison, and resistance to fire and ice, it was far superior to Tang San's current martial soul.
No one else wanted to serve Tang San. Tang Xiao left to retrieve his people, and Tang Chen's body wasn't fit for travel. In the end, only Bo Saixi and Tang Hao, along with several dozen sea soul masters, sailed out to help him obtain his soul ring.
After spending a few days in the region where the kelp dragons lived, Bo Saixi finally sensed their presence and dove into the sea to search for one of the appropriate age for Tang San.