Xixi's Surprise

"Su Cheng, can you really sense the guidance of the Sea God?"

Just as the market on Sea God Island was closing and Su Cheng was preparing to return, a soft and melodious voice came from the shore.

He turned his head and saw a young girl lying on the stone platform on the shore, smiling at him.

The girl was extremely beautiful, but most people would never notice her appearance at first glance; instead, they would notice her lower body.

Instead of normal human legs, a huge fish tail grew there, long and Charm, its graceful curves extending all the way to her waist. Her upper body was clad in a small black top that didn't even cover her navel.

Su Cheng knew her.

Lorelai, the granddaughter of the Merfolk Race and the daughter of the current Sea Maiden Douluo, is currently undergoing the Black Level Four Trials. If nothing unexpected happens, she will be the next Sea Maiden Douluo of Sea God Island.

At this moment, her fish tail was gently slapping the surface of the sea near the shore.

Her large, sky-blue eyes were as clear and flawless as the sky over Sea God Island, and her beauty was in no way inferior to her mother's.

The two simply have completely different temperaments.

Compared to the current Sea Maiden Douluo's gentle and profound demeanor, she appears much more lively, with a faint smile always playing on her lips.

The fish kept slapping the water's surface with its tail, seemingly having a great time, and often emitted a melodious, bell-like laugh, making it impossible for anyone to feel any hostility towards it.

Despite Lorelai's current cultivation level as Soul Douluo, she is not old in age, and her mental age is even younger.

From a human perspective, he is only a little over ten years old.

According to the patriarch of the Mermaid Clan, she is a genius that appears only once every ten thousand years in the Mermaid Clan, and is destined to Sacred Pillar Guardian.

This assessment is by no means an exaggeration.

Mermaid Clan live much longer than humans, but their spirituality is far inferior to that of humans; they only share similar cultivation methods with humans.

To have cultivated to such a level at this age, it's not impossible for him to reach the Limit Douluo level in his lifetime.

Despite her childlike innocence, Lorelai is extremely intelligent because she possesses a unique talent: Mind Reading. This ability allows her to sense what others are thinking.

Unless the other person's Spiritual Power is equal to or higher than hers, her success rate in using Mind Reading is extremely high.

Lorelai had always been curious about Su Cheng.

As a child personally brought by Bo Saixi and who has always lived in the City Lord's Mansion, she, the Sea Maiden Douluo's biological daughter, naturally had a lot of contact with him.

But what intrigued Lorelai the most was that she couldn't see through Su Cheng's thoughts.

That's why she always wanted to try to understand Su Cheng's inner thoughts.

Su Cheng didn't care at all.

Lorelai's ideas and beliefs are very different from those of traditional Sea Spirit Master.

She didn't have that exaggerated reverence and faith in the Sea God.

Su Cheng didn't know what caused her to have this kind of mentality.

Perhaps it's due to talent, or perhaps it's due to the unique ability to Mind Reading.

Regardless, Su Cheng was happy to communicate with this Sea Witch because of her unique personality.

As for the fact that the other party's innate abilities are ineffective against him, that is only natural.

Su Cheng's Spiritual Power is indeed not high.

He has only just begun his cultivation, and before his Martial Soul Awakening, he has no foundation whatsoever.

However, he possesses sword intent, and the level of its meaning is extremely high.

The sword intent moves with the body, independent of other factors. Even without cultivation, this powerful will remains unaffected.

Su Cheng still vividly remembers the accident that occurred after the first Simulation.

When he first returned to reality, he was nearly pierced through his sea of consciousness by the sword intent he carried with him. If it weren't for the mission reward, he probably would have died on the spot.

Of course, a similar situation will not occur in the Simulation.

The Simulator will suppress his sword intent fluctuations, making it impossible for him to be killed by his own strong will at birth.

Su Cheng looked at Lorelai, a smile appearing on his face. "Stop wagging your big tail. Let's get ashore first."

On this island teeming with fanatics, Lorelai was one of the few people he could feel close to.

"Oh."

Lorelai did not resist upon hearing this, and her long fish tail rose from the seawater and landed on the shore.

The next moment, the fish tail transformed into real legs, covered by a long black dress.

She pursed her lips, a hint of worry appearing on her face. "I've been to the Sea Maiden Holy Pillar, but it's so boring there. I don't like that kind of monotonous life. I wish I could just give up the mission."

At this point, Lorelai's eyes suddenly lit up. "Su Cheng, didn't you say you could sense the will of the Sea God? Could you help me give up the Black Level Four Trials?"

Su Cheng scoffed, "I think you shouldn't be asking me that question; you should be asking your mother instead."

The current Sea Maiden Douluo is nearing the end of her life, Lorelai is destined to take over the Sea Maiden Holy Pillar in the future, whether she likes it or not.

"And what about you?" Lorelai narrowed her eyes, a hint of suspicion in her expression. "Didn't you say you could sense the will of the Lord Sea God? Aren't you going to say anything about my decision to abandon the mission?"

"Lord Sea God only saves and guides those who need saving," Su Cheng said calmly. "You are clearly not among them."

Lorelai thought for a moment and realized that she seemed unable to refute it, so she snorted and stopped probing.

"Lorelai, do you know how many people envy you?" Su Cheng walked up to her and said softly, "The Black Level Assessment, the price of failure is your life."

As he said this, his gaze darkened slightly, implying something deeper.

"Lord Sea Star's life is coming to an end. Do you know what it means once the next Starfish Douluo is chosen?"

"..."

Lorelai frowned upon hearing this, but remained silent.

Just as Su Cheng just said.

The Black Level Assessment offers only two options: success or death. There is no third way.

There are only seven positions for the Seven Sacred Pillars, and there have never been any extra options since ancient times.

When all seven Sacred Pillar Douluo returned to their positions, the fate of the others was self-evident.

"Actually, I'm also a little puzzled," Su Cheng said thoughtfully. "Given Lord Sea God's benevolence, he would never want his people to die so meaninglessly in the trials. Moreover, Soul Master who can pass the Black Level Assessment is exceptionally talented. Why do you think this is happening? Could it be that we've misunderstood the Seven Sacred Pillars?"

Lorelai didn't understand the meaning behind Su Cheng's words, and instead mocked, "I thought you knew everything, 'Divine Envoy Messenger'."

"How could that be?" Su Cheng laughed as well. "The Lord Sea God omniscient and omnipotent. I only borrowed a tiny bit of his Divine Might. Perhaps as my understanding of the Sea God's doctrines deepens, I will be able to know more about its inner meaning, but right now I am still far from it. My study of the Sea God's doctrines is only at the very beginning."

"Alright, alright, here you go again with your mystical theories." Lorelai waved her hand impatiently.

He then asked, "When do you plan to tell your mother about your advancement to Soul Master? Didn't the High Priest say he wanted to take you as his apprentice?"

"Those things don't matter. What's most important is being able to better comprehend the spirit of the Sea God. As for improving my cultivation, that's just a tool, not important to me. The same goes for whether I can be accepted as a disciple by the High Priest."

At this point, Su Cheng suddenly looked at the other person and smiled, "You think life is boring? I have some things that might interest you."

"What is it?" Lorelai raised an eyebrow.

She didn't think Su Cheng could offer any good advice; in her opinion, the two of them were simply not on the same wavelength.

But the fact that the other party was immune to her Mind Reading always piqued her curiosity.

Although Su Cheng kept saying it was due to the protection of the Sea God, she didn't really believe it.

"How about coming with me to perfect the doctrines of the Sea God?"

"This is completely pointless." Lorelai was immediately disappointed upon hearing this.

As expected, it's very much in line with this guy's usual style.

However, she did not refuse immediately.

"To be honest, your suggestion is boring, but you are a very interesting person, so I can consider it."

Lorelai lightly touched her red lips with her slender finger and said slowly, "But if the process doesn't satisfy me, don't blame me for giving up halfway."

Su Cheng smiled, looked at her, and said softly, "Don't worry, this matter will be far more interesting than you can imagine."

Three months passed quickly.

During this period, more and more people came to the Sea God Island market to listen to Su Cheng's speech.

The catalyst for all of this was Li Qing.

After Li Qing absorbed his First Soul Ring, his Martial Soul indeed improved significantly.

Although ordinary people cannot distinguish the specific grade, the speed of cultivation improvement cannot be faked.

On Douluo Star, the cultivation methods are the same whether on the mainland or in the sea.

That is, through meditation, the Soul Master can spontaneously absorb the free-floating, unclaimed Soul Power in the air.

This cultivation method means that the improvement of Soul Master's cultivation level is almost entirely influenced by only one factor: Martial Soul talent.

Those with high talent absorb faster and can hold more unowned Soul Power to refine each day.

Those with low talent cannot absorb more Soul Power no matter how hard they cultivate every day.

Li Qing's cultivation speed is now no less than that of those Soul Masters with Innate Soul Power of Level 4 or above.

Compared to the cultivation talent that took him more than four years to reach the level of Soul Master, his aptitude has improved by more than a fraction. Judging from this situation, he might even have a chance to become Soul Ancestor.

In the past, it could be said that Su Cheng's rapid increase in Soul Power, which was not limited by talent, was due to the favor of the Sea God.

But now, it's clearly no longer just his problem.

Many people truly regarded him as a "Divine Envoy".

Although these things are not yet widely known among the higher-ups on Sea God Island, he has already become famous in the surrounding waters, especially among low-level Soul Master.

Do you know how vast and expansive the ocean is?

"The so-called continents and islands, all combined, are less than half the size of the sea. And these lands were all created by the Lord Sea God so that we, his people who believe in Sea God, could live better lives."

"Wherever the light reaches, all living beings are children of the Sea God..."

Su Cheng's voice echoed through the market.

Everyone was listening attentively.

His gaze was devout, his expression solemn.

Su Cheng's words were like sunshine, washing away the gloom in their hearts and making everyone feel relaxed and comfortable.

None of them asked a single question about the improvement of their Martial Soul.

On the one hand, Su Cheng has already emphasized that he is merely spreading the glory of the Sea God and guiding believers. The enhancement of Soul Power is simply a way of worshipping the Sea God, and we should not put the cart before the horse.

On the other hand, whenever Su Cheng spreads the doctrines of the Sea God, he always makes them unconsciously forget those irrelevant things, as well as the various predicaments brought about by their own strength or weakness.

Everyone standing here is like one family. Regardless of their strength or status, there is no distinction between noble and lowly.

We are all equal, and all are faithful followers of the Sea God.

What distinguishes them is only the sincerity of their faith.

As for who is more devout, that should be judged by the Divine Envoy...

Su Cheng's actions on a daily basis have never encountered any obstacles.

Compared to the mainland, the living environment on Sea God Island is much more comfortable.

It's not just about climate factors.

The ability to change the climate does not require divine power; many Soul Master can do it, just not on such a large scale.

What's most special about this place is its residents.

With the protection of the Sea God and the guardianship of the High Priest Bo Saixi, there is no need to worry about external enemies. Furthermore, there are seven Sacred Pillar Douluo who control the Seven Sacred Pillars and the Seven Sacred City.

Everyone's future is predetermined; once they turn eighteen and pass the test, their future status will be confirmed.

In this way, there is naturally not much competition among these people, and even the battles only take place at sea, when they are driving away the Sea Soul Beast.

This also resulted in most Sea Spirit Master being rather simple-minded and not very cunning.

Su Cheng grew up on Sea God Island. In the hearts of the natives there, as long as he had not been tested and eliminated, he was a member of Sea God Island and they trusted him immensely.

Although his Martial Soul was inherited from his father, Martial Soul was not special; many Soul Masters on Sea God Island also possessed Tool Martial Soul.

Moreover, everyone believes that Su Cheng will definitely pass the test in the future.

The Sea God Warrior on Sea God Island were also pleased with his actions over the past few days.

Although residents of Sea God Island who fail the eighteen-year-old test will be expelled from Sea God Island, this does not mean that Sea Spirit Master outside of Sea God Island will be resisted or discriminated against.

In fact, Sea Spirit Master only have a strange attitude towards mainland Soul Master, and they have no prejudice against others.

There has been no attack on Sea God Island by the Spirit Hall yet, so even towards land-based Soul Master, they only have some distance between them, not hostility.

The difference in attitude stemmed largely from the Sea God Trial.

Because the trials that land-based Soul Master have to undergo to go to the island are much more severe than those for the residents of Sea God Island, and each assessment must be completed within a year.

This seems to represent the attitude of the Sea God, and the Sea Spirit Master will naturally comply.

Two days later, a major event occurred on Sea God Island.

The current Starfish Douluo has passed away.

He did not die in battle.

In fact, to this day, thanks to the existence of the Seven Sacred Pillars, almost no Sacred Pillar Douluo has died in battle.

Starfish Douluo died of natural causes at the end of his lifespan.

With his death, the other six Sacred Pillar Douluo all gathered in front of the Starfish Statue in Sea Star City to mourn him.

At this moment, a red light in the distance slowly magnified, and the entire space seemed to distort slightly.

The next moment, there was another person in front of the statue.

Bo Saixi, the Sea God Island High Priest who resides on Sea God Mountain year-round, also appeared today.

She was still dressed in red, radiant with beauty.

A trace of sorrow lingered in her deep blue eyes, and her exquisite face was heavy and solemn.

Titled Douluo have long lifespans. The last time Sacred Pillar Douluo died was more than fifty years ago, when she was not yet the Sea God Island High Priest.

So strictly speaking, this was the first time she had bid farewell to a long-time friend.

"Greetings, High Priest."

The other Sacred Pillar Douluo bowed respectfully upon seeing Bo Saixi's arrival.

"Greetings, High Priest."

Not only the Sacred Pillar Douluo, but also thousands of residents of Sea God Island gathered in Sea Star City, standing silently in solemn silence.

Not far ahead stands that tall Starfish Statue.

The statue, pentagonal in shape, rises straight up, with a giant Sea Star lying at the top. It is adorned with star-shaped magical patterns, as if formed from the light of the stars and moon in the sky.

Bo Saixi glanced at the few Sacred Pillar Douluo beside her, nodded slightly, and then nodded to the many residents of Sea God Island below before preparing to speak.

Just then, she suddenly paused, a look of obvious surprise flashing in her eyes.

She noticed the child near the front of the crowd in the direction of the Sea Maiden City residents.

That child whom she once predicted would never achieve anything in his life and would never be able to break through level 30 in cultivation.

At this moment, his cultivation level had already reached the fifteenth level!

In the original novel, the Sea Maiden Douluo doesn't have a name; the other Sacred Pillar call her "Sea Witch," but that's clearly not her real name. So, after some research, I've used the name of the Sea Witch from the Douluo game instead.