In Shrek City, inside a room near Shrek Academy, a middle-aged man with long hair, holding a wind chime, showed a look of terror.
A crack suddenly appeared in the blue-gold wind chime in his hand, and his body trembled.
Without hesitation, he turned and leaped, instantly disappearing as if he had never been there.
No one noticed this scene.
—
In the God Realm, Sea God Tang San received the feedback from that wisp of divine consciousness immediately.
Sitting on the throne in the main hall, a hint of regret flashed across his face as he softly said, "Alas! What a pity.
If I had known he would make a move, why would I have gone to such great lengths to stir up that old blockhead Mu En?
Wouldn't it have been better to just crush Zhu Ziyang? Alas, this is what they call 'even the wisest can make a mistake'!"
He closed his eyes, placing his hands on the armrests, his right index finger continuously tapping the armrest—one, two, three…
After an unknown number of taps, Sea God Tang San opened his eyes, a helpless look in them, and said, "Alas! The fate of the Douluo Continent is already in complete disarray.
I hope Huo Yuhao, this Son of Fortune, won't disappoint me!
It seems I need to find a time to help Xiao Qi recover her memories!
Where did that beast run off to?
As for Zhu Ziyang, hmph, we'll take our time…"
—
Zhu Ziyang was unaware of what was happening in the Sea God Pavilion, nor did he know that in the Sea God's eyes, he had already transformed from a blue team member into a red enemy.
Currently, he was still tirelessly working to increase the age of his spirit rings.
"Hoo!" He exhaled with immense satisfaction, his gaze sweeping over the large empty space around him, a look of excitement on his face as he said, "Finally done!
I didn't expect these Bi Lin Flowers to give me such a huge improvement.
This can be considered a reward for the God Trial, hahaha!"
At this moment, Zhu Ziyang's mood was incredibly uplifted, and the half-year of vexation and helplessness that had accumulated in his heart was completely swept away.
Half a year, yes, Zhu Ziyang had stayed in the Sunset Forest for half a year.
During this half-year, he had been devouring life force every moment, increasing the age of his spirit rings.
The entire field of Bi Lin Flowers outside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well had become Zhu Ziyang's nourishment.
After the Bi Lin Flowers were gone, the air quality of the Sunset Forest visibly improved.
It was foreseeable that many years later, this forest would once again become a haven of life.
He stretched out his hand, and the Pacifying Life-Reaping Scythe appeared in his grasp.
The six spirit rings behind him would undoubtedly shock anyone who saw them: black, black, black, black, black, red!
Five black and one red; such a spirit ring configuration appearing on a first Spirit was something Zhu Ziyang couldn't even imagine before the age of twelve.
Yet, at this moment, it had so truly appeared on him, filling him with immense joy and exhilaration.
The entire Bi Lin Flower field allowed Zhu Ziyang's first five spirit rings to reach an astonishing seventy thousand years.
Yes, seventy thousand years; each spirit ring had reached seventy thousand years.
If it weren't for the Bi Lin Flowers being completely gone, Zhu Ziyang would have even wanted to turn them into hundred-thousand-year spirit rings, directly achieving the goal in one go, how wonderful that would be.
After all, when a spirit ring's age increases, the Spirit Abilities it carries also undergo progressive strengthening.
When a ten-thousand-year spirit ring is upgraded to a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring, although it won't provide another Spirit Ability, the power of the original Spirit Ability will be greatly enhanced.
When a spirit ring's age exceeds fifty thousand years, the Spirit Abilities it provides undergo a qualitative change.
For example, Zhu Ziyang's first five Spirit Abilities of the Pacifying Life-Reaping Scythe have now been completely transformed, becoming what could be considered new Spirit Abilities.
First Spirit Ability, Life-Ending Sacred Blade Realm, advanced to ten-thousand-year Spirit Ability, Life-Ending Rotating Domain.
The Pacifying Life-Reaping Scythe undergoes a massive transformation, becoming four times its original size, and begins to orbit Zhu Ziyang in high-speed, irregular trajectories.
During its orbit, the Pacifying Life-Reaping Scythe releases deathly blade qi that devours life force and strikes down all airborne objects.
Second Spirit Ability, Blessing of Light, advanced to ten-thousand-year Spirit Ability, Jingshi Holy Incantation.
The Pacifying Life-Reaping Scythe transforms into a scepter of light, emitting holy light in all directions.
When the holy light shines upon allies, it provides them with a fifty percent all-attribute enhancement buff.
When the holy light shines upon enemies, it transforms into the most scorching light, purifying all sins.
Third Spirit Ability, Light Exorcism Slash, advanced to ten-thousand-year Spirit Ability, Jingshi Meteorite Art.
The Pacifying Life-Reaping Scythe displays the glory of Ultimate Light, firing a beam of light into the sky, summoning fifty-four meteors imbued with the power of light from the void.
These meteors unleash the punishment of light upon the guilty who dare to profane light, each meteor possessing immense power capable of splitting mountains and filling seas.
Fourth Spirit Ability, Starry Light and Shadow Transformation, advanced to Jingshi Heavenly Cavalry Charge.
The Pacifying Life-Reaping Scythe summons six fully armored unicorns.
Zhu Ziyang conjures five clones, forming six Light Knights who surround the enemy in the center.
Then, each Light Knight, wielding a Pacifying Life-Reaping Scythe, simultaneously launches a fierce assault on the surrounded enemy!
Fifth Spirit Ability, Hell Duel Arena, advanced to Life-Ending Execution Platform.
The Pacifying Life-Reaping Scythe releases Death qi imbued with the intent of execution, forming a barrier that isolates inside from outside.
Within the barrier, all living beings except Zhu Ziyang will be deprived of the right to use Spirit Abilities.
Only by defeating Zhu Ziyang can one leave the barrier; otherwise, they will undergo a judgment of sin and then be executed.
Within the barrier, Zhu Ziyang's spirit power consumption is reduced by ten percent, and his spirit power recovery rate is increased by ten percent.
In addition to all his Spirit Abilities being strengthened, Zhu Ziyang's spirit power also reached level 68.
Although he hadn't had time to cultivate his spirit power during the past half-year, the increase in his spirit ring age had silently accumulated spirit power for him.
Therefore, his spirit power increasing from level 66 to level 68 was a natural progression.
Without delay, he directly entered the God Position inheritance ground.
As soon as he appeared, he landed on the thirtieth step of the Path to Godhood.
The god-locking pillars on both sides of the steps displayed the rewards for the Death God Third Trial, which, as expected, were God Position Affinity and a pair of god-locking pillars.
The god-locking pillars on both sides of the thirtieth step fell into Zhu Ziyang's hands in the same manner.
This was already the third pair of god-locking pillars he had acquired; he really didn't know what use these pillars that could grow and shrink had.
With God Position Affinity reaching forty percent, he could ascend to the fortieth step of the Path to Godhood.
Without hesitation, Zhu Ziyang directly ascended the steps and arrived at the fortieth step.
Although the path ahead was still shrouded in mist, his heart was no longer bewildered.
He skillfully looked at the god-locking pillars on both sides of the steps, and the two god-locking pillars clearly displayed the content of the Death God Fourth Trial.
"God Position Affinity: Forty percent.
Death God Fourth Trial: The Death God is the master of Death, and Death is the purifier of sin.
As the inheritor of the Death God, you should punish all sinners who profane Death, upholding the justice of Death; you are duty-bound!
Assessment Content: Exterminate at least five individuals who possess Death attribute and are burdened with sin.
Assessment Requirements: Each sinner must not be weaker than a Spirit Emperor; the time limit must not exceed five years; the other shore flower mark can sense sin.
Assessment Reward: Unknown."
"This Death God Fourth Trial is quite interesting," Zhu Ziyang murmured, narrowing his eyes with a look of surprise.
"Individuals who possess Death attribute and are burdened with sin.
Sin? What kind of sin? Evil Soul Masters?"
He left the God Position inheritance ground and returned to the Sunset Forest, where Electrolux and the three Soul Spirits, Xue Bing霜, immediately appeared.
"How was it? What's the content of the Death God Fourth Trial?" Electrolux asked.
"It's fine, not too difficult, I already have a clue," Zhu Ziyang said with a smile, then told them the content of the Death God Fourth Trial.
"Individuals burdened with sin?" Snow Empress murmured softly, "Does killing Spirit Beasts count?"
"Uh…" Zhu Ziyang was speechless, looking at Snow Empress helplessly.
"Hehe~ Just kidding!" Snow Empress immediately revealed a mischievous smile and said.
"Although the definition of evil varies in each World, I can confirm that no matter the World, patricide is definitely a sin," Electrolux pondered and said, "Ziyang, you can start from this angle.
Whether it's killing one's father or killing one's mother, it's a heinous crime that goes against heavenly principles!"
"Teacher, I understand!" Zhu Ziyang nodded, then gave a wry smile and said, "Actually, sin isn't the difficult part; the difficult part is finding Spirit Emperors with the Death attribute.
That will take a very long time to search for."
"That's true," Ice Empress nodded and said, "The Death attribute is a rare attribute.
Very few Spirit Beasts possess this attribute, let alone you humans."
"It's okay, we can take our time searching.
There are five years, and Ziyang, doesn't your Academy have an intelligence system?
Just have them help search," Second Shuang also said.
"Mm, I know, you don't have to worry," Zhu Ziyang said with a smile and a nod.