Oscar looked at Tang Sui, who was serious, and Tang San, whose expression was equally serious. He lowered his voice and said, "Six of the eight people who accepted the assessment have now completed it. After Xiao San passes the seventh trial, Rongrong will also complete hers, changing from six to eight. Then, shouldn't we consider how to leave this place?"
"Sui Sui, you've had the most contact with Poseidon Douluo Bo Saixi. Do you think that once Xiao San's ninth trial is also completed, with the strength of our nine people, we can successfully leave here?"
Tang Sui shook her head, "Difficult, I'm afraid. I'll say it again, if we plan to run after brother's assessment is completed, we'll be detected the moment there's any movement."
Tang San echoed, "Exactly. Moreover, let's not even mention the Seven Sacred Pillars Douluo. I think the biggest threat comes from Poseidon Douluo Bo Saixi. Although we haven't truly faced her yet, just in the third trial, Tide Body Tempering, her ability to overturn the forces of nature with a mere gesture... even if we all cultivate to above Title Douluo level..."
Tang San surveyed his companions and said gravely, "The number of people who could escape by chance would probably only be two or three. And don't forget, that's a rank ninety-nine Limit Douluo! Think about the power Senior Shang Yang displayed. Even though Senior Bo Saixi hasn't made a move yet, I can imagine the gap between us and her is like a chasm."
Oscar and the others' expressions shifted. Bai Chenxiang, thinking of the precarious state of the Heaven Dou Empire and the tragic scene in Geng Xin City, her pretty face paled slightly and she murmured, "Is there really no other way? We can't stay on Sea God Island forever..."
Ning Rongrong looked at Tang Sui with a worried expression, "Only Sui Sui among us can come and go freely now, but we can't have her facing the Spirit Empire alone..."
Ma Hongjun's expression also turned serious, "The Spirit Empire is advancing aggressively. A war with them is surely going to happen in the next two to three years. What will we do then..."
"Let's take it one step at a time."
Dai Mubai's brow furrowed, his gaze falling on Tang San, who looked solemn, "The most important thing right now is for Xiao San to pass the Sea God's Nine Trials."
"Perhaps, there's another possibility," Xiao Wu's eyes flickered, a spark lighting up in their depths. "If Xiao San truly becomes the Sea God in the end, then wouldn't the rules and regulations of Sea God Island, which was originally under the Sea God's command, also be decided and unchangeable by Xiao San?"
Oscar's pupils contracted, and he murmured, "Then Xiao San... he can only succeed now, not fail."
Tang Sui: "......"
She looked over with a faint sigh, "Regardless of whether it turns out as Sister Xiao Wu said, my brother's assessment must succeed, and he absolutely cannot fail, okay?"
If he failed, he would truly die.
Finally, Tang San sighed and made a definitive statement, "Then let's leave it at that. In two days, Rongrong and I will go to Sea God Mountain to find Senior Bo Saixi. Oldest Brother, you can focus on your own cultivation for now. As for Sui Sui, Heaven Dou..."
"In Heaven Dou, Teacher and the others are there. The Tang Sect's situation is also relatively stable. The blacksmiths in Geng Xin City have been settled well and are forging weapons in preparation for the potential official war," Tang Sui cut off Tang San's arrangement, her tone shifting from hurried to slow.
Tang San's heart stirred, "Sui Sui, you're not returning to Heaven Dou?"
Tang Sui nodded, "I plan to return to the Slaughter City."
"What?! Back to the Slaughter City again?!" Ma Hongjun exclaimed, leaning back dramatically.
"Since... my martial soul and bloodline have fully awakened, the gray vortex has disappeared. Its appearance was likely to help me comprehend the Dao. However, how to achieve enlightenment after that is still a process that needs to be explored slowly. On this point, I believe only Snake Uncle knows," Tang Sui said, a touch of warmth appearing in her eyes.
"Besides, with Oldest Brother and the others here for you, brother, I can focus on my cultivation and seek further improvement."
Dai Mubai nodded, looking at Tang Sui with trust, "Then go. Even though our assessments are complete, we won't slacken in our cultivation. Xiao San, you have no objections, right?"
Dai Mubai raised an eyebrow at Tang San, who still looked somewhat unwilling.
Tang San sighed, "Since you all say so, what objections can I possibly have?"
The others couldn't help but smile.
For the next two days, Tang San and Ning Rongrong rested, not cultivating, to bring their bodies and minds to their optimal state.
It wasn't until the appointed day that the Shrek Nine Monsters set off together for Sea God Mountain.
Standing at the foot of Sea God Mountain, the group watched Tang San and Ning Rongrong ascend step by step until their figures disappeared into the swirling golden mist. Only then did they withdraw their gazes, and it was also time for Tang Sui to leave.
...
Dim red light filled the air, with the familiar scent of rust.
Standing again on the grounds of the Slaughter City, Tang Sui looked at the New Hell Hall, which had been rebuilt under Shang Yang's command during her absence. The familiar furnishings in memory made Tang Sui feel as if a lifetime had passed.
"Oh? You've returned?"
A voice, lazy yet tinged with surprise, suddenly sounded from the side.
Tang Sui turned her head as if sensing something.
She saw that the light inside the hall distorted slightly, and a tall, slender figure silently appeared by the candlelight, reflected in Tang Sui's clear blue pupils.
Deep gray hair, sharp and defined features, symmetrical black snake markings on his face, and those iconic dark red snake eyes – it was Shang Yang.
"Snake Uncle?"
Tang Sui also looked at Shang Yang with some surprise at the receding coldness in his eyes. Could it be that Snake Uncle was still groggy and didn't recognize her?
Shang Yang's gaze fell on the trailing raven-black ends of Tang Sui's hair. His snake pupils flickered. Maintaining his inhuman gaze, he moved instantly to stand before Tang Sui.
Tang Sui's pupils contracted slightly. She forcefully suppressed the urge to dodge, allowing the close Shang Yang to lift a lock of hair from her shoulder. His pale, slender fingers toyed with the silky smooth black hair, and he said with great interest,
"I was wondering why this demon aura suddenly appearing in the Slaughter City felt somewhat familiar. Your aura used to be mixed. I didn't expect that after completely eradicating the mixed bloodline, you'd be like a different person. How did you suddenly become pure-blooded?"
And her hair color had completely turned black. He had thought it would eventually turn red.
Because he preferred blood-red to black.
Perhaps he should change the little one's hair color?
Noticing a hint of regret in Shang Yang's eyes, Tang Sui calmly took a step back and raised her hand in a gesture of invitation, "This is a long story. Snake Uncle, shall we go to the side hall and sit down to talk?"
Although she didn't know what Shang Yang regretted, her intuition told her it was best not to ask, not to touch, and to change the subject.
Shang Yang lowered his hand and hummed in agreement. The silky smooth sensation still lingered on his fingertips, and the regret in his eyes deepened.
Yes, it seemed the little one didn't really want to change her hair color.
What a pity.
Why was it black? Sudan Novel Network
—Author's notes—
One more chapter, I'll post it whenever it's finished [mask of suffering]