Chapter 193: Ye Lingling's Red-Level Seven Trials
With five of the six having successfully crossed the Sea Within the Sea, Seahorse Douluo was already a bit shell-shocked. What kind of monstrous group had arrived? Especially this fifteen-year-old girl—could she really be so young? Observing closely, he noted her spear skills, strength, and speed were all exceptional, and her physical toughness, despite being a power-attack spirit master, rivaled that of a defense-type.
While Seahorse Douluo was still recovering from the shock, Yang Potian prepared to cross the Sea Within the Sea himself. Yang Potian enveloped himself in a field of Gengjin energy, forming a protective sphere around him. This technique reflected his mastery of spear and sword intent, enhanced by the absorption of the Golden Behemoth's spirit ring, bringing him close to achieving Ultimate Gold attributes. Encompassed by layers of spear intent, he strolled through the sea's powerful currents and beast attacks with the calmness of a leisurely stroll.
Watching him, Seahorse Douluo quickly intensified the waves and commanded the sea spirit beasts to attack him. But neither the beasts nor the waves could penetrate his protective barrier—each beast was repelled, and the waves parted as if sliced by countless spears. Yang Potian controlled his spear intent precisely to avoid harming the sea beasts; otherwise, they would have been shredded in his path.
Step by steady step, Yang Potian crossed the Sea Within the Sea, reaching Seahorse Douluo as if he had simply taken a stroll. Seahorse Douluo's disbelief only grew. He couldn't even discern Yang Potian's spirit power level, and the Gengjin energy radiating from him carried a faint threat even to himself.
Swallowing hard, Seahorse Douluo asked, "Congratulations on passing the Sea Within the Sea trial. May I ask your exact spirit power level and age?"
Yang Potian bowed respectfully. "Seahorse Douluo, I am Yang Potian, 21 years old, of the Po Clan. My martial spirit is the Soul-Breaking Spear, and I am an eighty-fifth-level Spirit Douluo specializing in power attack. I am also a member of the Sky Path Academy."
Seahorse Douluo's expression showed surprise. "The Po Clan? The same Po Clan that was once a part of the Clear Sky Sect's auxiliary clans?" He marveled. "I never expected to see such talent come from the Po Clan."
Yang Potian replied solemnly, "Senior Seahorse Douluo, during the Clear Sky Sect conflict, our Po Clan separated from the sect. We now align ourselves with neither Clear Sky nor Spirit Hall. Our clan has resettled in the Armo Mountains, near the Extreme North, where we've established Sky Path Academy and have chosen not to involve ourselves in the conflicts of the spirit master world."
Seahorse Douluo nodded thoughtfully and turned to the rest. "And where do the rest of you hail from?"
Yang Tianyue stepped forward first. "Junior Yang Tianyue, martial spirit: Soul-Breaking Spear. I am also from the Po Clan and now part of Sky Path Academy."
The others followed.
"Junior Yang Ping'an, martial spirit: Soul-Breaking Spear. Born in the Po Clan, now also at Sky Path Academy."
"Junior Dugu Yan, martial spirit: Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor. I am from the Jade Phosphor Clan and also affiliated with Sky Path Academy."
"Junior Ye Lingling, martial spirit: Nine Heart Begonia. From the Nine Heart Begonia Clan, now also with Sky Path Academy."
Hearing that none of them belonged to Spirit Hall, Seahorse Douluo seemed to relax. However, his curiosity remained. "Sky Path Academy? I don't believe I've heard of it before."
Yang Potian smiled. "I hold the title of Champion Marquis in the Heaven Dou Empire, and my fief is located in the Armo Mountains. Four clans—the Po, Yu, Nine Heart Begonia, and Jade Phosphor—have moved to Armo and established Sky Path Academy, where we dedicate ourselves to teaching without partaking in spirit master disputes."
Seahorse Douluo nodded approvingly. "Creating an academy to avoid Douluo Continent's factional struggles is a wise decision. You are indeed eligible to undergo the Sea God's trial."
He studied them closely. "If that's the case, then you six didn't come to Sea God Island with the sole purpose of joining us?"
At his question, all eyes turned to Yang Potian and Yang Tianyue.
Yang Potian spoke with determination. "I came to Sea God Island to temper myself and grow stronger. I believe the Sea God will not deny me a trial."
Yang Tianyue added, "Seahorse Douluo, I do indeed hope to join Sea God Island."
Still somewhat perplexed, Seahorse Douluo listened as Yang Potian continued, "Seahorse Douluo, you'll understand our reasons more clearly once we undergo the Sea God's trial. Our coming here was indeed in response to the Sea God's guidance."
Hearing Yang Potian mention the Sea God's will made Seahorse Douluo hesitate slightly. However, he said, "No matter your reasons, you must remember that once you undergo the trial and join Sea God Island, you will not be able to leave except under extraordinary circumstances."
The six nodded solemnly.
With a solemn expression, Seahorse Douluo approached the Seahorse Sacred Pillar, showing deep reverence. "Step forward one by one to receive the Sea God's trial."
Before Yang Potian could move, Yang Ping'an stepped forward, catching him by surprise. What's up with Ping'an? Yang Potian wondered. He's been acting unusual lately, more eager to take the lead. Has something changed?
Before he could reflect further, Seahorse Douluo had already begun the ceremony. Standing before the Seahorse Sacred Pillar, he clasped his hands in a gesture of worship, as though performing an ancient rite.
Blue light radiated between his hands, resonating with the Seahorse Sacred Pillar. In response, intricate carvings on the pillar began to glow from the bottom up. When the topmost carving flared with intense blue light, Seahorse Douluo turned and gestured toward Yang Ping'an, enveloping him in a beam of blue light.
As the light enveloped Yang Ping'an, his expression went blank with a hint of daze. The blue light around him began to shift from azure to white, then purple, and finally to black—a deep, unfathomable black. Six distinct beams of light appeared around Yang Ping'an, each bearing different symbols, though only the first beam displayed any detail. The remaining five remained dark and unformed.
Finally, the black beam of light condensed and entered Yang Ping'an's forehead, leaving a dark hexagonal mark.
Seeing this turn of events, Seahorse Douluo's expression shifted dramatically as he muttered, "Black-Level Six Trials… who can say if this will be your fortune or your downfall?"
Noticing the puzzled looks on the group's faces, Seahorse Douluo continued, "A Black-Level Six Trial is two levels higher than the test I myself received. When I took the test, I only had the Black-Level Four Trials. The Sea God's trials are graded, each with varying difficulty, much like spirit ring colors. From lowest to highest, the levels are White, Yellow, Purple, Black, and Red—the latter being the highest. The trial tasks themselves are seen in the visions that just appeared; they're only known to the examinee and the examiner. The Sea God's trials are tailored to one's abilities and potential as well, as ordained by the Sea God."
"Black-Level Six Trials are the hardest among Black-Level exams. Here on Sea God Island, only Sea Dragon Douluo—the strongest among the Seven Sacred Pillars—holds a Black-Level Six Trial; the other six are all Black-Level Four."
"And for you, as land-based spirit masters, the challenge is a thousandfold. While a sea spirit master is given ten years to complete each stage, land spirit masters are only given one. This means your trials will be dozens of times harder. Also, once you agree to the test, there's no turning back. Whether you attempt to flee or fail, the mark on your forehead will detonate, destroying both your body and soul."
Upon hearing this, Yang Tianyue and the others grew solemn. Yet Yang Ping'an, unfazed, seemed only more resolute. "Thank you, Seahorse Douluo, for your advice. I am confident I can complete the trial."
Seahorse Douluo shook his head. "Confidence is admirable, but you will need much more. I barely passed my Black-Level Four Trials, and there were multiple times when I almost died. In the final test, I faced a horde of Devil Spirit Great White Sharks—a brush with death itself. Knowing this, do you still feel confident?"
Yang Ping'an glanced back at his five companions, his eyes filled with determination. "Seahorse Douluo, I do. Even if I must face death, I will not back down."
Seahorse Douluo nodded, seeing the unwavering resolve in Yang Ping'an's gaze. "Very well. As your examiner, I sincerely hope you will succeed."
The others, inspired by his determination, stepped forward to take their own trials under Seahorse Douluo's guidance. Yang Potian couldn't shake the strange feeling he'd had when Yang Ping'an looked back at them, though he couldn't quite pinpoint what seemed off.
Next was Niu Meng, who went through the ritual and received four vision panels, his trial designated as Black-Level Four Trials.
Then came Dugu Yan, who ended up with a Black-Level Five Trial.
Seahorse Douluo's confusion deepened. Why are there suddenly so many Black-Level trials? In the past, they'd only appear once every few years. Now, three appeared all at once, and even more prodigious candidates were still to come.
Ye Lingling was next. As the light from the Seahorse Sacred Pillar enveloped her, it changed from blue to white, then from white to purple, and finally to black. But then, it intensified, turning from black to red, and then deepened to a dark crimson. Before her, seven vision panels materialized in red, forming a seven-pointed star that embedded itself in her forehead.
Seahorse Douluo gasped, and after a long moment of shock, he spoke. "Red-Level Seven Trials…"
Realizing the gravity of the situation, he immediately bowed deeply to Ye Lingling. "My lady, it is an honor to serve as your examiner. I wish you the best in your trials."
Niu Meng, puzzled, blurted out, "Seahorse Douluo, aren't all these just trials? Why the huge difference?"
Seahorse Douluo gave Niu Meng an exasperated look. "Black-Level and Red-Level are both top-tier trials, but Black-Level trials are limited to candidates for the Seven Sacred Pillars, with extremely high death rates. Passing it means you're a candidate for one of the Seven Sacred Pillars. Red-Level trials, however, correspond to the Grand Worshipper of Sea God Island. To date, no one has ever failed one. Should Miss Ye Lingling complete hers, she will be the successor to the Grand Worshipper and a future leader of Sea God Island."
The others exchanged looks, uncertain of how to respond, while Ye Lingling herself seemed to process the unexpected revelation in silence.
Still, Niu Meng pressed on. "So, Senior, does that mean Red-Level trials are far easier than Black-Level?"
Seahorse Douluo sighed. "Of course not. Red-Level trials are a level higher than Black-Level and much harder overall. But once one passes a Red-Level trial, they're destined to become an unparalleled figure like the Grand Worshipper."
But then he paused. He found it strange to consider Ye Lingling, a healing spirit master, as the future Grand Worshipper, someone capable of wielding that kind of power.
Yang Potian began to understand. With Black-Level Four Trials, Niu Meng, whose martial spirit was the Armored Rhino, hadn't undergone a spirit evolution. Dugu Yan's Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor was a superb martial spirit, yet she might only reach Titled Douluo at best. But Yang Ping'an's martial spirit and bloodline had both evolved, now resembling the Dragon Soul Spear, giving him the potential to become a formidable force. Ye Lingling's Nine Heart Begonia had also undergone a transformation. Coupled with the effects of the Yearning Heartbroken Red, her martial spirit now carried an extreme life attribute, a quality that even impressed Yang Potian.
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