Although used, Poseidon showed no anger. Instead, he looked at Tang Sui with a sigh and said, "Truly formidable, you youngsters. When I first condensed my Sea God’s divine position, it was through countless amounts of faith. To think that without any inheritance or guidance, you could comprehend the Dao yourself and find a way to condense a divine position."
Tang Sui was unfazed that the Slaughter City’s schemes had been seen through. After all, she and the next Sea God were in the same boat.
She bowed slightly to the Sea God, her tone surprisingly calm, as if addressing a senior peer. "You flatter me. I apologize for using you, but if I were given the chance again, I would make the same choice."
The Sea God looked at the composed Tang Sui, a slight curve forming at the corner of his lips. "It matters not. I was merely a vessel. However, if I could become a guide to a new god, perhaps I could bask in a bit of merit and have a little longer to linger."
He spoke half-jokingly. Tang Sui’s gaze shifted, and she promised, "Should I eventually ascend to the divine throne, if you, Lord Sea God, ever face hardship in the future, I will spare no effort to assist you."
Whether it was the current Sea God or the future one, as long as they were "Sea God," she would offer her aid, repaying the favor.
She had only successfully sought the Dao, but had not truly comprehended it.
And after comprehending the Dao, there was still the final step of proving it.
Only by successfully proving the Dao would she truly ascend to a corner of the divine throne.
Aware of Tang Sui’s current status and her connection to the successor he saw, the Sea God smiled. His form slowly began to dissipate. "Though my power now is but a flicker, unable to offer much assistance, all the citizens of Sea God Island will wholeheartedly aid you without reservation until you succeed in proving the Dao."
"I wish you success in proving the Dao."
The Sea God’s lingering divine consciousness slowly faded, but Tang Sui remained, calmly meditating in the ethereal, pure white space, solidifying her power.
In the outside world, the time that passed was fleeting. Tang San and the others, who had been worriedly watching Tang Sui due to the phenomenon with the sacred pillar, didn't notice the vast expanse of time that flowed by for her. However, Bo Saixi, the Great High Priest of Sea God, received a divine oracle from her superior, the true Sea God—
'Before this woman proves the Dao, treat her with the same courtesy as the Sea God’s successor. Fulfill all her needs, all my believers, to the best of your ability.'
Proving the Dao!
The words struck Bo Saixi like thunder, causing a profound shock to cross her usually serene and beautiful face.
Unaware, Tang San and the others were still gathered around Tang Sui, who sat with her eyes closed, meditating in place, believing she had failed but was still struggling for an opportunity.
"The light of the Sea Horse Sacred Pillar has extinguished! Sui Sui is so exceptionally talented, how could she not even receive the lowest Yellow-level assessment?!" Bai Chenxiang found it unbelievable.
"It shouldn’t be. Sui Sui has the highest spirit power among us and the best talent. How could she not qualify for the assessment?" Dai Mubai felt something was amiss, suspecting foul play.
Xiao Wu also touched the red mark on her forehead, wondering, "That’s right. Even I could undergo the assessment, there’s no reason Sui Sui couldn’t."
She, as a spirit beast in her human form, could undergo the assessment, so why not Sui Sui?
If it was due to being a mixed-blood, what about Xiao San?
Xiao San was directly undergoing an assessment for a divine position!
"Yeah! Sui Sui’s spirit power level is the highest among us. How could she not even get the lowest Yellow-level assessment?" Ning Rongrong also refused to accept this outcome.
According to what Sea Horse Douluo had just said, the Sea God’s trials were divided into levels.
Different levels meant different difficulties.
The difficulty tiers were the same as spirit ring colors, from lowest to highest: White-level assessment, Yellow-level assessment, Purple-level assessment, Black-level assessment, and the top-tier Red assessment.
What happened to assessing based on the candidate's strength and potential?
"This... Senior Bo Saixi, why is my sister unqualified for Lord Sea God’s assessment?" Tang San also turned to Bo Saixi with a confused expression.
Sea Horse Douluo, not privy to Tang Sui’s true strength but whose hair stood on end from just a wisp of her aura, also looked at their Great High Priest in confusion.
Bo Saixi took a deep breath, looking at Tang Sui, who still seemed immersed in some profound state, and soothed them, "You don't need to worry. Although she didn't undergo the Sea God’s assessment, she is undertaking a far greater and immensely difficult trial."
"What?"
Everyone was taken aback, even Sea Horse Douluo.
"Senior Bo Saixi, what do you mean by that? Could it be that Sui Sui is also undergoing a divine position assessment?" Tang San boldly guessed.
Bo Saixi neither nodded nor shook her head. "You’re half right. But what she is undertaking is her own assessment."
Hearing this, Sea Horse Douluo immediately understood and looked at Tang Sui with awe. "This! Great High Priest, you’re saying she intends to prove the Dao herself?!"
"Prove the Dao herself?!"
Bo Saixi nodded. Amidst Tang San and the others’ bewildered gazes, she recounted the well-known story of the Sea God before becoming a true god.
The Douluo Continent spoke of reaching level 100 to become a god. But only upon reaching level 100 did one truly understand the hardships involved in transitioning from level 100 to godhood.
In those days, the Sea God spent hundreds of years and countless efforts governing the vast, chaotic sea, transforming it from disorder to order. He established clear rules and regulations at sea, solved the problem of marine pollution, and achieved countless merits, only then finding his Dao and ascending to godhood.
Tang Sui, barely in her early twenties and looking like a tender sapling, aspiring to prove the Dao and become a god – how could it be easy?
Her own Dao had been halted the moment she chose to become the Great High Priest of Sea God, her ultimate fate destined to be a sacrifice for the Dao.
This young woman...
Bo Saixi’s gaze was filled with complex emotions. Did she know what a thorny path this young woman was about to tread?
The Shrek Seven Devils, who had belatedly realized the truth, were also surprised by Tang Sui’s audacity in choosing such a path to become stronger.
Tang San, upon hearing this, felt an urge to lecture Tang Sui. However, considering everything Tang Sui had experienced since childhood, he found himself understanding why his sister had made such a choice.
They could be ordinary, but they couldn't stand by and watch those they cared about face danger without the power to protect them.
If Sui Sui hadn't arrived in time at the Star Dou Great Forest back then, his and Xiao Wu’s fate would have been eternal separation.
It was at that very moment he realized the urgency of becoming stronger.
Without power, one could only passively endure blows and watch the next tragedy unfold.
Tang San’s lips tightened, his gaze flickering as a cloud of gloom settled in his heart.
Sensing her lover's distress, Xiao Wu silently squeezed Tang San's hand, offering wordless comfort.
Though her heart was also filled with worry and anger.
Tang Sui, the focus of everyone's attention, trembled her eyelids and slowly opened her eyes, completely unaware of what lay before her.
---
Hey there. She's not inheriting anyone's divine position; she's going to fight for it herself. This time, it's a self-study exam~