[Alright, this is just the beginning.]
The System spoke indifferently, voicing Tang Sui's thoughts.
[Your realm has indeed improved, enhancing your physical attributes. Think about how fragile you were before, and look at yourself now. To last half an hour without any protective force is already quite good. Keep at it, there's no need to rush, we still have enough time.]
Tang Sui closed her eyes and exhaled a breath of stale air.
'I understand...'
There's no harm without comparison. Compared to her former self who would gasp for breath after just two steps, she was already pleasantly surprised by her progress.
No rush, no rush...
Tang Sui mentally coached herself. After lying on the ground and adapting for a while, she felt the pain in her body gradually numb and adjust. She then sat up, her gaze fixed on Bo Saixi.
"Senior, please send me down."
Bo Saixi was slightly taken aback. Seeing the astonishing light in Tang Sui's eyes, she curved her lips into a faint smile and nodded readily.
Days passed one by one.
Everyone spent their time between enduring the sea's assault and catching their breath, their lives on a simple, two-point trajectory.
Under the pounding of the waves, the special energy contained within the seawater merged into their meridians, flesh, and marrow, making their bodies even stronger.
Although this body-tempering method was overbearing, requiring great perseverance and considerable strength to sustain, its benefits to the body were equally immense once one endured it.
The relentless tempering, unaffected by sun or rain, led to a qualitative leap within everyone's body.
Except for Tang Sui, everyone else's skin had darkened considerably.
Ning Rongrong looked with some envy at Tang Sui's skin, still as fair and tender as a peeled egg, with a cool touch like jade. She then looked at her own rougher skin, weathered by sun and wind, and sighed. She picked up the special skincare cream that Tang San had made for the girls in the team and began to apply it.
While becoming stronger was good, girls still preferred to be refined.
The agonizing daily training further squeezed the potential of the Shrek Nine Monsters.
During this time, Shang Yang had contacted Tang Sui, mentioning that the situation on the mainland seemed to have changed significantly. The team-based approach to accepting bounties that Tang Sui had advocated was also affected. He specifically informed her that he would handle it.
In the blink of an eye, a full eleven months passed.
As a sliver of fish-belly white began to appear in the eastern sky, Tang San, fixed to the foremost deep-sea silver pillar, looked up with a sense of premonition. He gazed at the fleeting purple light in the sky, his eyes suddenly brightening, a peculiar sensation permeating his entire body and filling his mind.
On this, the first day of the twelfth month of the third trial, Tidal Body Tempering, Tang San completed his assessment ahead of schedule. His Purple Demon Eyes had finally cultivated to the last, vast realm.
Tang Sui exhaled a breath of stale air and, along with her companions, congratulated her brother.
As the final month concluded, accompanied by the shattering of the luminous screen erupting from Ning Rongrong's forehead.
The third trial, Tidal Body Tempering, ended.
When everyone stood on the reef at the mountaintop, they felt a sense of having lived through a lifetime.
"I can't anymore. We really need to rest." Oscar was the first to collapse onto the ground. Although his body wasn't particularly tired, his mental state had reached its absolute limit.
It wasn't just him; everyone, except Tang San, felt the same.
Now, they lay scattered on the ground, not even having the mental energy to inquire about the fourth trial.
Even Tang Sui lacked any spirit, sitting listlessly on the ground.
For a year, a full year, she had persisted without using any power, enduring countless wave impacts solely through physical strength.
Her physique had improved, and her skin, when touched, emitted a wave-like ripple that dissipated external forces.
Tang Sui had gained both of these significant benefits, but it was undeniable that her mental state was also exhausted.
The others felt the same.
The hardships they had endured in their brief three years on Sea God Island were more than they had experienced in their previous twenty-odd years.
Seeing the tired expressions of his companions, Tang San said, "Then let's take a longer rest this time. Everyone is truly exhausted. I've already looked at the questions for the fourth trial. If everyone's is the same as mine, then our fourth trial shouldn't be as painful as the first three."
This statement immediately piqued everyone's interest. Dai Mubai pushed himself up and looked at Tang San, asking, "Xiao San, what's your fourth trial? Let me check mine."
As he spoke, the black mark on Dai Mubai's forehead glowed with golden light.
He held the long-lost golden assessment card in his hand.
"My fourth trial is: Battle of the Peak Shark Whales. Assist the Sea God Shark clan in killing the Demon Spirit Orca King from the group of Demon Spirit Orcas, with a deadline of one year."
Tang Sui's expression suddenly became subtle.
Demon Spirit Orca King...
Dai Mubai exclaimed, "Mine is also a Shark Whale battle. But it's to assist the Sea God Shark clan in killing at least ten Demon Spirit Orcas."
Oscar raised his hand to report, "Mine is ten."
Zhu Zhuqing: "Mine is eight."
Ma Hongjun: "Mine is also ten."
Xiao Wu: "Mine is twelve."
Ning Rongrong looked down at her golden assessment card, "My assessment content is similar, but it's to ensure the Sea God Shark King does not die."
Everyone exchanged glances.
Oscar pondered for a few seconds, then looked up and smiled, "Considering we have a year to complete each task, it shouldn't be a problem if we rest for half the year, right?"
Just as Tang San was about to nod, Tang Sui poured cold water on her expectant companions:
"I don't think so. Our rest and adjustment period should ideally be around three months."
Ma Hongjun cried out, "Why, Sui Sui! Six months turned into three, how much more unbearable will that be! I don't want to compete!"
Dai Mubai looked at Tang Sui with a grimace and said, "Sui Sui, I know you and Xiao San are cultivation fanatics, but we've truly reached our limit this time. We can't compete anymore."
Xiao Wu and the others, in strong agreement, raised their hands in support.
"This..." Tang San looked at his companions, then at Tang Sui, and tried to plead, "Sui Sui, I think maybe we should..."
"I don't want what you think, I want what I think," Tang Sui interrupted her brother and looked at her companions, saying, "Two months ago, Uncle Snake informed me of news from the mainland. He said the continental powers have undergone significant shifts, and the Spirit Hall has directly established the Spirit Empire, and in the name of the Spirit Empire, they have initiated the Re-election Assembly of the Seven Great Sects."
"What?!" The expressions on everyone's faces went blank.
"Bibi Dong established the Spirit Empire and, in its name, initiated the Re-election Assembly of the Seven Great Sects?! Such an obvious trap, whoever goes will die!" Ma Hongjun gasped for breath after recovering.
Tang Sui nodded, "Precisely. That's why the Clear Sky School, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, and the Blue Electric Tyrant Dragon School did not attend the Re-election Assembly. After all, going at this time would undoubtedly be like sheep entering a tiger's den. And these seven great sects promoted by the Spirit Empire... well, according to my intelligence, they have long since secretly pledged allegiance to the Spirit Empire."
"Therefore, our time is short. The enemy will not stand still and wait for us. We can rest, but our progress cannot be delayed."
Finally, Tang Sui's decision was final, and no one had any further objections.
--- Intermission ---
See you tomorrow 0v0