Chapter 446: The Second Trial Begins, an Unexpected Turn!
"Congratulations on completing the first trial, but the journey ahead is even more..." Bo Saixi began, but trailed off, noticing that, aside from Ning Rongrong, the others seemed unbothered, almost too at ease. Shaking her head slightly, she remarked, "Each of you has remarkable abilities. However, do not forget the importance of teamwork. When faced with an enemy you cannot defeat alone, unity can often be your strongest ally. Now then, Dai Yao, do you have any questions for me?"
Though Dai Yao knew most of the answers, he went through the formalities. After all, like a gamer with cheats on, it was best to play along. Feigning curiosity, he asked, "Senior, why was my reward for the trial an increase in Seagod Affinity? What does that mean exactly?"
Bo Saixi smiled, "That's a good question, but I can't answer it in full just yet. All I can say is that a higher Seagod Affinity will bring you immense benefits. Compared to other rewards like soul power or soul ring enhancements, the Seagod Affinity is of far greater value."
"Thank you for explaining, Senior." Dai Yao bowed respectfully.
"Well then, I'll be going now." Bo Saixi cast one last glance at the group, her eyes flashing with red light before vanishing in an instant.
"Phew—thank goodness she's gone! Just her presence was so intense I could barely breathe," Ning Rongrong exhaled, pressing a hand to her chest.
"If we persevere, one day we might reach her level," Feng Wutong encouraged, then turned to Ning Rongrong with genuine admiration. "But, Rongrong, your performance today was incredible. To complete the trial all on your own... You really exceeded everyone's expectations."
As a spirit master from a common background, Feng Wutong had always held certain biases against noble-born spirit masters. Although she shared the role of Dai Yao's wife, she hadn't had many chances to interact closely with Ning Rongrong and mostly followed Dai Yao in his endeavors. However, during her time in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, she'd witnessed Ning Rongrong's dedication, her gentle nature, and lack of haughty airs.
Ning Rongrong paused, a bit taken aback. Until now, her relationship with Feng Wutong had been cordial, if distant. But hearing the sincerity in Wutong's voice, she chuckled, looping her arm through Feng Wutong's. "I'm a talented spirit master too, you know! I don't want to fall behind everyone else, Wutong. I may not fight on the front lines, but I'll always support you all to the best of my ability. If I grow stronger, you'll have more confidence on the battlefield."
Everyone looked at Ning Rongrong with newfound respect. For Bai Chenxiang, in particular, Ning Rongrong's humility and dedication stood out. She reflected on her own past pride and felt somewhat ashamed in comparison.
"Alright, enough compliments all around," Dai Yao declared, putting on a serious face.
All the women turned to him, curious. Clearing his throat, Dai Yao's gaze swept over each of them before he spoke with unyielding confidence, his tone leaving no room for argument: "We've spent an entire year immersed in training, with barely any time to be together as a family. Now that we've finally got some free time before the second trial, I say we make the most of it."
It was as if an explosion went off in everyone's minds. Ning Rongrong and Bai Chenxiang's faces turned crimson, while Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong, usually so composed, couldn't help but feel the heat rise in their cheeks as well. Dugu Yan, though, was already gazing at Dai Yao with sparkling eyes, practically glowing with anticipation.
Not another word needed to be said. They all silently returned to the cabin, firmly closing the door and reinforcing it with their spirit power, ensuring not a sound escaped. For three full days and nights, the cabin remained tightly shut.
On Seagod Mountain's peak, in the Seagod Temple, Bo Saixi, who had been keeping an eye on Dai Yao's group, quickly realized what was happening. As she blushed at the thought, she muttered, half in disbelief, "These young people… they're just…"
She shook her head, her face flushed with a mixture of shock and amusement. Unbidden, memories of her own past arose, and for the first time in nearly a century, her heart stirred with the faintest ripple of longing before a gentle sigh echoed through the Seagod Temple.
Three Days Later
Finally, the cabin doors swung open, and the women emerged, perfectly groomed. Dai Yao stepped out right behind them, one hand around Zhu Zhuqing's waist and the other holding Ning Rongrong's hand. Though his face showed slight fatigue, he carried himself with the confidence and authority of a king.
Each of his wives wore an expression of quiet satisfaction and adoration. With five of them to contend with, they knew it was impossible to vie for his favor individually. Having shared this experience together, they had long abandoned any notion of rivalry.
"Alright, it's time to take on the second trial," Dai Yao announced, now all business.
Before them, a golden veil had appeared over the Sea Within Sea, stretching wide like a shield, clearly intended to prevent them from bypassing the trial.
"Dai Yao, this barrier for the second trial seems awfully restrictive. I doubt it'll be straightforward. Let me go ahead and scout things out," Dugu Yan suggested, her voice soft but resolute. During their three days of seclusion, they'd all discussed their restrictions for the upcoming trial. Ning Rongrong's seventh ability was sealed, while Dai Yao faced even stricter limits—all of his soul skills and soul bone abilities were locked.
But Dai Yao stepped forward, releasing Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong, and stared out at the turbulent sea with a calm smile. "No, I'll go first."
"But—"
Dugu Yan wanted to insist on going first, but upon seeing Dai Yao's determined expression, she softened her tone. After all these years, she understood Dai Yao's character well; once he made up his mind, he would see things through, and he was nearly always right. This steadfast confidence had made her trust him almost blindly. Perhaps she even admired him.
"Alright then," she relented. "Rongrong, stay ready to boost him. If Dai Yao encounters any danger, you need to amplify his power immediately."
Once Ning Rongrong nodded, Dai Yao took a deep breath, his body crouched like an arrow, and shot off toward the opposite shore. With light, measured steps, he moved as if gliding across the water's surface, ripples spreading where his feet touched. He was employing a technique he hadn't used in years—Burst Step!
Though he couldn't use the White Tiger Eight Wings or the Blue Silver Emperor spirit bone to fly, Dai Yao relied on precise control over air currents to maintain his movement.
However, as soon as Dai Yao set foot in the Sea Within Sea, the waters grew turbulent. Waves as high as dozens of meters surged toward him. Strangely, not a single drop of water splashed beyond the Sea Within Sea's boundaries.
Feeling the oncoming waves and sensing the spirit beasts lurking within, Dai Yao's gaze remained steady. Although his body felt immensely heavy due to the unique energy in the Sea Within Sea, his steps never faltered.
Boom!
Dai Yao surged forward like a cannonball, breaking through the waves. Faced with an onslaught of arrow-like fish spirit beasts, he charged forward without hesitation.
The trial specified that Dai Yao couldn't harm the spirit beasts within the Sea Within Sea, but if the beasts collided with him, it wasn't his fault, was it?
Fish after fish crashed against Dai Yao's body, only to be dazed by the impact. With a physique like reinforced steel, Dugu Yan had estimated that Dai Yao could withstand attacks from some Spirit Saint-level skills without a scratch. There was no way he would fear these spirit beasts.
Dai Yao seemed like a bulldozer, steadily advancing. The obstacles posed by the Sea Within Sea were hardly more than an itch to him. Though his pace was somewhat slowed, he was steadily closing in on the opposite shore.
Finally, as Dai Yao reached the center of the Sea Within Sea, a sense of danger flared within him.
A massive dark shadow appeared beneath him, radiating an overwhelming, oppressive aura from all directions. In an instant, the shadow leaped from the water, and a surge of power that even he found daunting came crashing toward him.
He glimpsed the shadow's sneering maw, as if mocking him.
Suddenly, a radiant glow descended upon Dai Yao, encasing him in protective light.
It was Ning Rongrong's boost.
Dai Yao wasn't surprised by the sudden appearance of the creature; he had anticipated the arrival of the Demon Spirit Great White Shark. With Ning Rongrong's enhancements, his aura continued to intensify as his Sacred White Tiger spirit appeared and wings unfurled—spirit wings, not spirit bone wings.
With a beat of his wings, Dai Yao adjusted his position mid-air, his right fist slowly gathering compressed spirit power.
Additionally, a sharp, icy aura burst forth from his body—the Sacred White Tiger Domain. To Dai Yao's astonishment, his seven sealed, gray-colored spirit rings began to emerge, trembling slightly. Through the hazy veil of the seal, he could see hints of their original color.
The ominous red hue of his spirit rings caught the attention of the Demon Spirit Great White Shark, which had been poised to toy with him. Its expression shifted to cold, murderous fury.
"You despicable human! You dared to claim the spirit rings and bones of our one-hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts—I'll kill you!"
Under everyone's shocked gaze, the massive dark figure leaped into the air, its sleek, gray-white form fully visible. The scars on its powerful, battle-hardened body exuded a terrifying presence that inspired fear.
"This is bad!" Zhu Zhuqing gasped, her face paling. Without hesitation, she activated her seventh spirit ability, her Martial Soul True Body. She wasn't the only one; aside from Bai Chenxiang, everyone else activated their strongest spirit abilities simultaneously. Zhuque, Qinglong, and Zhu Zhuqing all rushed to Dai Yao's aid.
Yet, as soon as they set foot within the Sea Within Sea, they felt a massive pressure envelop them from all sides. It was the same kind of pressure they had experienced in the Seagod's Light!
Anxious and frustrated, the women watched. Though Dai Yao was immensely powerful, all his spirit abilities and spirit bones had been sealed. Facing such a formidable spirit beast, he could indeed be in mortal danger! They could only hope their domains would provide him with enough support.
Dai Yao was momentarily perplexed. He wasn't Tang San from the original story, who had enslaved Xiao Wu's body, thus inciting Little White's grudge. But a quick thought clarified it—Little White didn't resent Tang San solely for possessing Xiao Wu's body but harbored animosity toward any soul master with hundred-thousand-year spirit rings or bones.
A surge of anger flared within Dai Yao.
If hunting hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts was so sinful, then why hadn't Little White protested when Tang San hunted the Evil Demon Orca and the Deep Sea Demon Whale in the original story? Weren't they also hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts? Just because Little White deemed them "evil" beasts, they were fair game?
Worse still, the Demon Spirit Great White Shark, like the other two, was one of the top predators in the ocean—how could it consider itself righteous merely for following the Seagod? Did that give it the right to judge and dominate others?
This hypocrisy was exactly what Dai Yao despised.
Did he have a choice when he fled the Star Luo Empire? He would've died if he hadn't. And yet, the elders had branded him a traitor, forcing him into exile. He trained tirelessly just to break the council's control. After what he endured in Star Luo, he wasn't about to let something like this stand.
Dai Yao's face was expressionless, but his golden eyes radiated a chilling intensity. Rage boiled within him as he glanced at his trembling, sealed spirit rings. The surge of power within them struggled but failed to break free of the seals. He couldn't use any of his spirit abilities or spirit bones.
Suspended in mid-air, Dai Yao met Little White's hostile gaze, his own filled with undisguised defiance. His voice was cold as he declared:
"Very well, Demon Spirit Great White Shark. You are known as one of the three strongest spirit beasts of the ocean, correct? I just reached level eighty and am in need of a new spirit ring. Your spirit ring will serve perfectly!"
As he spoke, dark gray energy burst from his body, enveloping him. A sinister laugh echoed through the sky like a raven's call. When Dai Yao reappeared, he had undergone a dramatic transformation—his once golden hair was now jet black, and though his facial features were unchanged, his entire demeanor had shifted.
He exuded an aura of uninhibited arrogance and boundless malice.
The aura of sheer defiance was as intimidating as it was captivating.