Chapter 196: The Domain
In the following months, Yang Potian intensified the group's training by making them confront his Killing God Domain. Under its effects, Yang Potian became a towering shadow of bloodlust, overwhelming them with a terrifying killing intent that struck them with fear. To withstand the pressure, everyone had to focus their spirit power, but spirit power alone was often a level too low to effectively counter a domain, making the resistance grueling.
Time flew by, and after nearly four more months, steady progress was evident among the group. Both Yang Ping'an and Ye Lingling reached the bottleneck at level 70 and, after receiving God-bestowed spirit rings from Bo Saixi, each acquired a 60,000–70,000-year spirit ring, although neither reached the 100,000-year mark. As anticipated, Ye Lingling awakened a potent Life Domain, granting incredible regenerative effects to her teammates, making it nearly impossible for them to succumb to injury. In addition, her new spirit ability, Life's Guardian, further enhanced her supportive powers.
Yang Ping'an, despite his fierce determination, had not fully awakened a domain. However, he had grasped an embryonic form of one and was now more experienced in handling domain pressures. At least now, when faced with an overwhelming presence, he wouldn't be as defenseless as before.
During the final two weeks of training, Yang Tianyue's familiarity with the Killing God Domain reached a new level. Her repeated exposure eventually triggered a breakthrough, fully awakening her embryonic domain into what she named the Soul-Piercing Domain. Her martial spirit, the Broken Soul Spear, also completed its evolution, morphing into an inky green spear with a razor-sharp silver blade. She named this ultimate weapon Ink Jade Divine Spear.
Seeing Ye Lingling and Yang Tianyue evolve their martial spirits left Yang Potian questioning who the true protagonist was. Both showed signs of reaching godhood, while he was still struggling along his path.
After a year of rigorous training, the group's progress was immense. Yang Tianyue had reached level 78, thanks to the combined effects of a 100,000-year spirit ring, the Star Luo Spirit Pearl, and her newly formed spirit core, as well as her domain mastery. Her Soul-Piercing Domain was something that even left Yang Potian envious.
But Yang Potian hadn't been idle either; his frequent use of the Killing God Domain allowed him to deepen his understanding of its essence. He had even begun glimpsing a path towards evolving it into the Slaughter Domain.
Yang Ping'an and Ye Lingling both reached level 73, with Ye Lingling's Life Domain enhancing her healing capabilities significantly. While Ping'an had not yet manifested a domain, he seemed poised to awaken one when he absorbed his eighth or ninth spirit ring.
Dugu Yan, now at level 68, and Niu Meng at 67, had also each advanced by six levels—respectable progress. Yang Potian himself reached the peak of level 87, a gain of just over two levels over the year, which he considered satisfactory given the grueling training.
On the final day of the Sea God trials, Yang Potian gathered the group for their last test, urging each person to show their full potential and push past their limits.
Yang Ping'an went first. Though he still lacked a domain, his skill and resolve were unmatched among them. Scaling the required 118 steps, he pressed onward to 135, surpassing his target.
Next was Niu Meng, whose physical resilience allowed him to endure the mounting pressure. He climbed to 130 steps, well beyond his goal.
Dugu Yan, relying on her Eight Spider Lances, managed to reach 108 steps, her target limit.
Ye Lingling, bolstered by her Life Domain, surpassed her initial goal of 136 steps, ultimately reaching 143, a clear sign of her growth.
The hardest challenge awaited Yang Tianyue, but she tapped into her full strength—her four rare spirit bones, her newly developed Soul-Piercing Domain, and the external spirit bone on her right hand—all contributing to her performance. With unwavering determination, she reached the daunting 368 steps, completing the first stage of the Sea God's Nine Trials.
Lastly, Yang Potian took his turn. After a year of conditioning under the Sea God's Light, his physical strength had grown tremendously. This time, he pushed past the 699-step threshold to reach 760 steps before hitting his limit.
Exhausted, the group finally sat down, satisfied with the results of their relentless efforts. They each received rewards, though the results varied.
In Yang Potian's mind, a voice declared, "Red-level Trial One: Assist the Sea God's Chosen in completing their test. First phase completed. Reward: 5,000-year extension on all spirit rings."
Yang Potian almost spat in frustration. All his efforts, and all he got was a 5,000-year boost in spirit ring age—a minor increase that would enhance each ability slightly but felt underwhelming.
The others received different rewards. Yang Tianyue's affinity with the Sea God increased by 5%, though she wasn't entirely sure what that meant. The remaining four received an increase in spirit power levels, with Niu Meng and Yang Ping'an gaining an additional 500 years on one of their spirit rings, turning their second ring purple. Ye Lingling, due to her red-level trial, also gained a 500-year boost.
Yang Potian couldn't shake the feeling that the Sea God was intentionally slighting him. Why did everyone else get a spirit power increase while he only got an age boost for his rings? The only consolation was that his first and third abilities, both amplification types, had doubled in potency.
The group's spirit power levels had improved: Yang Ping'an and Ye Lingling now stood at level 74, Niu Meng reached 68, and Dugu Yan reached 69. Their overall strength was considerable.
With the first trial complete, the next trial's instructions appeared in their minds: Trial Two—Break the Circular Sea's Barrier. This involved passing through the encirclement of a sea spirit beast while evading its attacks to reach the other side.
Yang Tianyue and Yang Potian's challenge had an extra twist: neither could use any spirit ring abilities.
The restriction sparked an idea in Yang Potian's mind. Without spirit abilities, Tianyue could still rely on her five spirit bones, which were even more formidable than spirit ring abilities.
The group, led by the purple-robed sea spirit master, arrived at the trial's site: the Circular Sea.
Yang Ping'an went first, but the challenge proved daunting. After diving into the water and struggling to make headway, a shadow flickered beneath him, and a sea beast swiftly knocked him unconscious, sending him back to shore where he lay sprawled.
Yang Potian sighed, rubbing his forehead. Why has Yang Ping'an been so eager to show off lately? He thought. Whatever his reasons, he should have thought it through first. His impulsiveness had ended up getting him knocked out.
Ye Lingling quickly went over to heal him, and thankfully, though Yang Ping'an was briefly unconscious, he hadn't sustained any serious injuries and soon came to.
Yang Potian called out toward the water, "Senior, there's no need to tease the younger generation. Your strength is more than enough to handle a Spirit Sage."
At his words, a swift, shadowy figure emerged from the Circular Sea, surging up to the surface. This figure was a massive, white shark over 25 meters long. Leaping from the water, it transformed into a young woman. She stood around 1.8 meters tall, with a perfectly proportioned physique, her long, gray-blue hair cascading past her waist, emphasizing her graceful figure.
Her eyes were also a striking gray-blue, and her pale skin shimmered faintly with a bluish-gray tint. High cheekbones and chiseled features gave her a distinctly exotic look. Yet, despite her beauty, her prominent gills and small shark fins hinted at her true nature as a transformed soul beast.
The girl sniffed in Yang Potian's direction, her face suddenly darkening with anger. Without a word, she threw a fierce slap toward him, her palm carrying an immense force.
Yang Potian didn't back down; he met her strike with a punch of his own. The collision forced both of them to take a few steps back.
The girl's expression remained indignant. "Disgusting human! You've hunted not one, but multiple 100,000-year soul beasts!"
Yang Potian shook his head. "Senior, humanity and soul beasts have always been in opposition. Humans need spirit rings, which means hunting soul beasts. That's an unchanging truth of this world."
The girl's face grew even darker. "But a 100,000-year soul beast is different! They have emotions, thoughts… Killing them comes with consequences. Aren't you afraid of retribution?"
Yang Potian's face stiffened at her words. "Senior, I understand that you are also a 100,000-year soul beast, but humans and soul beasts have always been in conflict. And to humans, a 100,000-year soul beast is invaluable. Even Bo Saixi, the Sea God Douluo, possesses a 100,000-year spirit ring."
"I've taken what I needed for my spirit rings. I have no vendetta against your kind, nor do I hunt soul beasts indiscriminately, so I believe I've done nothing wrong."
Before the girl could respond, Yang Potian continued, "We are here as challengers of the Sea God's trials. I hope you can understand and treat us fairly. Otherwise, it would be an insult to the Sea God himself."
The girl was briefly silenced, then finally responded, "I am the Sea God's mount, Xiao Bai, King of the Demon Soul Great White Sharks. Your second trial is to cross the Circular Sea under my blockade. And for someone as vile as you, I won't go easy."
Yang Potian gave a slight bow. "Thank you, Senior. I can only say that humanity and soul beasts stand on different sides. I hold no ill will toward your kind, nor do I kill soul beasts wantonly. I hope you understand."
At that moment, Yang Tianyue stepped forward, asking, "Brother, who is this person, and why is she blocking our way?"
Seeing the golden Sea God trident mark on Yang Tianyue's forehead, Xiao Bai suddenly looked uneasy. She quickly bowed and apologized, "I didn't realize you were a Sea God challenger. My earlier words were rash. Please, ignore them. To show my sincerity, I will only obstruct you from crossing the Circular Sea but won't actively attack you. You may call me Xiao Bai, and I will be your examiner for this trial."
Looking at the young woman before her, Yang Tianyue couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you a 100,000-year soul beast? How are you able to transform into a human? I know someone named Xiao Wu at Shrek Academy, also a 100,000-year soul beast, but she can't freely switch forms like you."
Xiao Bai replied with some curiosity, "You know another 100,000-year transformed soul beast? Although I am a 100,000-year soul beast, I haven't truly transformed. Thanks to the Sea God's blessing, I can temporarily assume a human form for up to an hour each day. It's similar to how a mermaid might appear in legends, though it does weaken my powers somewhat."
With those words, Xiao Bai gave a powerful leap and dove back into the water, vanishing beneath the waves.
(End of Chapter)
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