"However, the order of completion needs to be carefully considered and planned to maximize its value," Tang San said, stopping Ma Hongjun's impulsive urge to drag Dai Mubai onto the steps.
Ma Hongjun scratched his head, "You can still extract value from this? Isn't it easier the more people complete it?"
Tang San showed a helpless expression, and Tang Sui sighed, taking over, "Brother means that the pressure of this first trial is our best sparring partner. The Sea God Island steps have a total of one thousand and one levels, but your target levels for everyone combined are less than half, yet you can't even endure one-tenth. This shows that the higher the steps, the stronger the pressure. It's the most ideal training tool, without fatal threats, that can bring out our maximum potential."
Tang San nodded, "Exactly. Excluding Sui Sui, all of us present are black-level assessment or higher. Sea soul masters face a bottleneck every ten years, and most fail. We only have one year, and the first trial is already so difficult. I imagine the difficulty will be even more terrifying in the later stages, so we can't afford to relax."
"You should have also felt that while resisting the strong pressure of the Sea God's Light, as your body's stress resistance increases, your soul power circulation becomes faster than usual, and your cultivation efficiency also improves. Therefore, during this year, we should all try our best to climb higher individually to test our limits. Only in the last few days will we start attempting team-assisted climbing and resistance. And the last day of this year will be the moment we all pass the first trial together."
As he spoke, Tang San's eyes gradually became resolute.
This action undoubtedly placed his own life and death on the scales of this proposal, becoming one of the bargaining chips alongside opportunity.
Less than two seconds after his words fell, a pressure suddenly descended, and the voice of Poseidon, the Great Priest, gently sounded—
"To be able to understand the mysteries of the Sea God's Light so quickly is indeed worthy of being chosen by the Sea God."
"Senior Poseidon."
"Great Priest."
Everyone turned to see Poseidon, dressed in magnificent robes and holding a scepter of power, standing in mid-air. Her gaze passed over Tang San and landed on Ma Hongjun, "However, I am here mainly for you this time."
"Ah? Me?" Ma Hongjun pointed at himself in surprise.
Poseidon nodded slightly, her voice not loud but resonating in everyone's ears:
"All black-level assessment holders and above can receive a God-bestowed Soul Ring when they first reach a bottleneck."
She raised her right hand, flipped her wrist, and palm facing upwards. Golden lights appeared in the air, shining like starlight, converging towards Poseidon's palm. A faint golden mist swirled, and the light gradually condensed into a bead radiating a golden luster.
"God-bestowed Soul Rings do not require hunting soul beasts. After being absorbed, it will grant you the soul skill you need most and a soul ring of the highest level within your tolerance. Everyone has only one chance, so feel it carefully and endure the baptism with your greatest willpower."
Saying this, Poseidon flicked her finger, and the golden bead turned into a shooting star, flashing and disappearing, flying above Ma Hongjun. Like a dewdrop falling into a lake, it rippled, and with a "biu" sound, it split open above his head. Even more concentrated and pure golden mist poured down like a waterfall, enveloping Ma Hongjun's entire body.
A golden cocoon of energy gradually encased him, blocking all prying eyes.
"This? A soul ring without hunting soul beasts? Is this achievable by human effort?" Tang San's pupils constricted slightly, murmuring, then, as if realizing something, he cast a subtle glance at Tang Sui.
Tang Sui's expression remained unchanged. She ignored Tang San's gaze, which, though he thought it subtle, still attracted Poseidon's attention.
Xiao Wu's expression was also strange, but most of her attention was drawn to Ma Hongjun or Tang Sui, making her the most inconspicuous.
Poseidon lowered her eyes, concealing the thoughtfulness in her depths. She looked at Ma Hongjun, who had already condensed into an energy cocoon, and said lightly, "You don't need to worry about him. I will guard here until he finishes absorbing it. In the meantime, you can all go about your own business."
Tang San came back to his senses, pondered for two seconds, and then said to his stunned companions, "Since Senior Poseidon is helping to guard, let's continue our climb."
While Tang Sui was refining the energy, Tang San had already visited the Sea Horse Sacred Pillar and discussed their future accommodation and dining arrangements with Sea Horse Douluo, Ou Ya.
From the moment he woke up after the first climb, he had already had this idea.
During this precious year, they would constantly try to climb to higher levels as much as possible.
At their current cultivation level, even a storm would not make them sick.
It took at least twenty minutes to get from Sea Horse City to the forbidden area, so it was better to live near the island steps. Food and drink could be delivered by sea soul masters at regular intervals. If clothes were needed, they could inform the sea soul masters when they delivered food and ask them to bring them next time.
As for washing, he had observed that the seawater near the forbidden area seemed to contain less salt than the seawater they had encountered on their way.
If necessary, they could distill potable pure water, which could also be used for a hot bath.
With his mind set on pushing his companions to compete, Tang San was filled with fighting spirit. He explained their plan to Tang Sui.
Tang Sui nodded and pointed towards the outer sea, "Then, brother, I'll go soak in the sea first and will be back soon."
Although the moisture from her sweat-soaked clothes had evaporated earlier, she still wanted to rinse off, otherwise, she would feel "stale."
Tang San grunted and shifted his burning gaze back to the long steps. He took a deep breath and stepped onto the island steps once more.
...
The cool seawater wetted her clothes and submerged her head.
The sound of the flowing sea echoed in her ears, and the clamorous waves became distant.
Her long hair floated like silk in the water. Tang Sui's eyes were shallow, and her heart was more peaceful than ever.
Hmm, if she wasn't mistaken, Poseidon was probably suspicious of the origin of her soul ring.
Although it could withstand "scrutiny," however...
"Splash—"
Tang Sui surfaced, and the moist, fresh air filled her nostrils again, making her thoughts clearer.
She still didn't intend to reveal everything.
Tang Sui, gazing steadily in the direction where Poseidon was, thought to herself. She flew out of the sea, and the scattered black and red demonic energy evaporated all the moisture from her body, making her dry and clear again.
【After that, your soul power level has reached 78, and you will soon reach level 80. There are only sea soul beasts here, but all movements within the Sea God Island are monitored by Poseidon. How do you plan to avoid her sight then?】
The system's voice was slow.
Tang Sui's lips curved slightly, 'I don't know. But I have a premonition that the breakthrough will still be within this Sea God's Light.'
'My intuition has always been accurate.'
— Aside —
According to the progress, the answer will likely be revealed tomorrow. Little cuties, guess quickly~
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