Master and Disciple

Ordinary Soul Master might not understand the significance of condensing their own Soul Ring, nor would they understand the essential differences between different Soul Ring levels, but Bo Saixi did.

Because she herself is a beneficiary of the God-given Spirit Ring, and even possesses a Ninth Soul Ring of the 100,000-year level.

Not only her, but anyone who has undergone Black Level or higher assessment bestowed by the Sea God can have a chance to obtain God-given Spirit Ring when they reach their first bottleneck.

The effect of this God-given Spirit Ring is to grant them the Soul Skill they need most, as well as the highest level Soul Ring they can withstand.

With a flick of her wrist, a golden bead appeared in her palm.

The golden bead appeared to be carved from the most precious golden crystal, perfectly clear and flawless. At the center of the bead, a faint layer of golden mist rippled continuously, just like the golden mist that appeared around Su Cheng's body when he was under the pressure of the Sea God's Light.

Bo Saixi stared blankly at the bead in her hand.

This seemingly lustrous and round golden bead is the vessel for the God-given Spirit Ring.

However, the core of God-given Spirit Ring lies in the word "divinely bestowed." To use God-given Spirit Ring, this round bead alone is not enough; one must undergo the Sea God Trial.

Without being subjected to Black Level Trial, this God-given Spirit Ring is ultimately just condensed Soul Power, which has no effect on Soul Master to condense Soul Ring.

Bo Saixi pursed her lips, put away the bead, and stared intently at Su Cheng on the mountainside.

At this moment, Su Cheng's Soul Power surged like the waves of the ocean. Although he had only just entered the Soul Saint, the aura he exuded was not much inferior to that of an ordinary Titled Douluo.

The crimson Seventh Soul Ring beneath his feet was dazzling and captivating.

"100,000 Year Spirit Ring, and it's the Seventh Soul Ring at that."

Bo Saixi sighed, his expression unreadable.

Although the process of condensing Soul Ring is quite mysterious, there are always people who can do it.

For example, after Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast Transformation, the bottleneck every ten levels during the early stages of cultivation is overcome by condensing Soul Ring on its own, without needing to kill the Soul Beast.

Even those transformed Soul Beast, after reaching level 70 and maturity, need to obtain Soul Ring from other Soul Beast if they want to continue advancing.

When Soul Ring reaches the 100,000-year level, it contains a power completely different from that of Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring; it represents a qualitative change.

This can be seen from the Soul Ring skills alone.

Whether it's the lowest-level white Soul Ring or a ten-thousand-year-old black Soul Ring, they are treated equally, granting the Soul Master only one Soul Skill. However, at the 100,000 Year Spirit Ring level, one can have two Soul Skills.

Not long after, Su Cheng completed his breakthrough, and his aura completely subsided, without the previous restlessness.

Looking at the disciple walking towards her, Bo Saixi said softly, "You are indeed extraordinary."

At this moment, she seemed to have completely calmed down, at least on the surface, there was no trace of the shock and surprise she had just experienced.

"How did you do that? How were you able to condense a Seventh Soul Ring would last for 100,000 years and complete your breakthrough?"

"Insight." Su Cheng's expression was also slightly blank as he slowly said, "Just now, in the Sea God's Light, I suddenly felt the true meaning of the sea and gained a deeper understanding of the will of the Lord Sea God. I felt that I could break through, so I did it, and I succeeded."

"Is that so...? Is it the approval of the Lord Sea God?" Bo Saixi frowned.

If that's true, why hasn't the Sea God sent down any divine pronouncements all these years?

As the High Priest of the Sea God, she was unaware that the Sea God's Light had such effects.

No such event has been recorded, not even in the records left by the previous High Priest.

Is it because they are not devout enough?

Bo Saixi gazed intently at his only disciple, scrutinizing every subtle change in his expression.

But those eyes, clear as a lake, remained as warm and bright as ever, without a trace of impurity.

Su Cheng suddenly spoke up and asked, "Teacher, your strength has increased a lot, hasn't it?"

"You can sense it?" Bo Saixi raised an eyebrow, a slight smile appearing on her face.

She is definitely more human now than she was in the past.

"I can't feel it, but I can guess," Su Cheng lied.

"The Lord Sea God looks down upon the human world because he is a god, and he possesses experience and wisdom far beyond that of mortals."

"But you are different. Although you are the Sea God Island High Priest, you are just a stronger Soul Master. In terms of understanding life, you may not be as strong as those elderly people among ordinary people."

"Over the years, you have entered the mortal world and must have gained many insights that cannot be comprehended while sitting in the Sea God Hall."

Bo Saixi paused for a moment, then narrowed her eyes slightly. "You're right. But, are you trying to become my teacher?"

"No, no, I just felt compelled to speak," Su Cheng quickly replied with a smile. "Unlike you, who are exceptionally talented and were raised from birth to become the next High Priest, I have more feelings about this."

Then, he changed the subject, his voice becoming serious, "By the way, teacher, I want to leave Sea God Island."

"Leave?" Upon hearing this, Bo Saixi paused for a moment, then her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her expression became much more serious.

After many years, the majesty of the Sea God Island High Priest was finally revealed once again in her.

"What do you mean by that?" Bo Saixi said in a deep voice. "You will be put to the test in a few months, and this matter is of utmost importance to you."

In her mind, Su Cheng had a good chance of touching the legendary Sea God Nine Trials, at the very least the Top Seven Trials or Eighth Trial, and could take over the position of High Priest in the future.

Although if someone were to truly accept the Sea God Nine Trials, it would mean that her life was nearing its end. Her faith in the Sea God and her attachment to life made her both yearn for and fear this matter.

But if that person is Su Cheng, she is willing to pay the price.

Su Cheng smiled, not in a hurry to persuade the other party, and instead asked, "Teacher, isn't the highest difficulty of the Sea God Trial not the Top Eight Trials?"

"How did you know?" Bo Saixi paused slightly, somewhat surprised.

Su Cheng had no reason to know about the Sea God Nine Trials, but what the other party said was surprisingly accurate.

After a moment's thought, she hesitated and said, "Since you can sense this, why are you still thinking of leaving Sea God Island?"

Su Cheng nodded, looking at her. "Then please tell me, if I really reach the highest level of the assessment, what would that mean to you?"

"What... what do you mean by this?" A hint of panic flashed in Bo Saixi's eyes.

"What I mean is, I don't think that test is as simple as it seems. Or rather, the nature of that test is different from ordinary tests. At that time, not only me, but you will also pay a corresponding price, perhaps your cultivation level, or perhaps your life."

"... You can sense that too?" Upon hearing this, Bo Saixi no longer tried to deny it.

She sighed softly, avoided Su Cheng's gaze, and turned to look at the not-so-tall summit of Sea God Mountain behind her.

There, the noble and sacred Sea God Hall stands majestically, just as it has for thousands of years.

Su Cheng followed her gaze and said softly, "I didn't sense anything; this is just a reasonable speculation. As the Sea God Island High Priest, he gained countless benefits during the Sea God Trial and his status is exceptionally noble, yet he is almost idle on weekdays, which is somewhat unreasonable. The Seven Sacred Pillars and the Sacred Pillar Douluo are sufficient to protect Sea God Island. Lord Sea God doesn't need anyone to serve him. In that case, there must be a greater mission awaiting you."

Bo Saixi was stunned and turned to look at the boy beside her.

The boy had delicate features and a gentle expression. The image of that child seemed still vivid in her mind, yet in the blink of an eye, he had grown into a young man nearing eighteen, much taller than her.

She hadn't expected the other person to think so deeply.

What do these things have to do with him? Is it because of the bond between master and disciple?

But even though she had never taught him anything, she had benefited greatly from him.

After a moment of silence, Bo Saixi spoke calmly, "Those things are not for you to consider. Even if there is a price to pay, it is not a reason for me to run away, nor is it a reason for you to run away. What about your faith in the Sea God? How can you back down because of these things?"

"Hehe..." Su Cheng suddenly chuckled.

The voice was clear and bright, carrying a hint of relaxation and joy.

"What are you laughing at?" Bo Saixi asked coldly, her brows furrowed and suppressing the complex emotions in her heart.

"Teacher, you still don't understand." Su Cheng turned around and looked directly at her.

"This is not retreating, but making a choice. I have the right to choose my life and future."

"Believers are human, and so am I. Humans have selfish desires. I also have things I want to protect, and there are times when I want to give them up."

"The sea should be free and vast, and it should not bind anyone. Including me, and including you."

"The Lord Sea God never forces his followers. Even the trial at eighteen has never forced anyone to participate, has it?"

"You!" Upon hearing this, Bo Saixi felt a surge of anger, and her face flushed red with rage.

He scolded her with exasperation, "Do you even know what you're saying?!"

"Of course I know." Su Cheng nodded seriously. "This is something I made up my mind a long time ago, and you can't persuade me otherwise."

Seeing his serious expression, Bo Saixi couldn't contain her emotions.

Perhaps it was because of Su Cheng's previous act of condensing 100,000 Year Spirit Ring on his own that her established beliefs, built up over many years of cultivation, were shaken.

Or perhaps it's because after so many years, all the expectations they had for Su Cheng were dashed, and the psychological gap was too great.

It's also possible that the reasons and words the other person gave evoked complex emotions and mixed feelings in her.

In short, at this moment, her heart was churning with turbulent emotions. Even after years of sitting in the Sea God Hall and cultivating her spiritual power in the mortal world, she still found it difficult to suppress her emotions.

His chest heaved violently, tracing an alluring arc, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of anger, disappointment, confusion, and helplessness.

After a long while, she gradually calmed down and looked at Su Cheng. "Su Cheng, don't be so arrogant. Maybe you'll only be a Black Level Assessment in the end? Do you really think you're so special that you're the only one of your kind in the ten thousand years since the establishment of Sea God Island?"

"Of course, that's quite possible." Su Cheng didn't argue, but smiled.

"Teacher, I made this decision not just because of you."

"Sea God Island, there are still so many devout believers of the Sea God. On the continent across the sea from Sea God Island, there are still so many lost ordinary people."

"Didn't you already know more than ten years ago that my wish is to spread the glory of the Sea God? The glory of the Sea God should not be confined to the vicinity of the Sea God Island."

"Moreover, I myself want to experience more challenges."

"..." After hearing these words, Bo Saixi's eyes darkened slightly. "Whatever you want. Anyway, over the years, you've never really treated me as your teacher."

Su Cheng ignored her angry words and continued, "Teacher, tell me about the assessment, the one that's above the Top Eight Trials."

"..." Upon hearing this, Bo Saixi composed herself and began to patiently explain.

Perhaps she still held a sliver of hope that Su Cheng would stay and face the test.

"That test is called the Sea God Nine Trials, and it is a test that can help mortals become gods."

"Do you remember when I told you about the Lord Sea God's experience of becoming a god? In fact, there is another shortcut to becoming a god, which is to gain the approval of the previous gods and inherit the existing divine position."

"Gods do not die, but after becoming gods, they can only exist in this world for a hundred years, after which they must leave this world. I do not know where the Lord Sea God went, but before he left, he left behind a part of his divine will."

"Because their divine position still remains in our world. When someone can gain their complete approval, and through special means, there is a possibility of inheriting the divine position and becoming a god again."

"For Soul Master in the world, there are only two paths to reach the goal of becoming a god at level 100. Relatively speaking, the second path is much simpler than becoming a god on your own."

"If you can pass the Sea God Nine Trials, it means that you have become the person chosen by the Lord Sea God. And when you pass the Sea God Nine Trials, it will be the time for you to inherit the Sea God Godhood, become the new generation of the Sea God, and rule over the millions of people of the sea."

After she finished speaking, Bo Saixi gazed at Su Cheng with her deep, ocean-like eyes, "Now that you know all this, do you still want to give up?"

"Certainly."

Although she had expected this answer, she was still somewhat taken aback. "You don't want to become a god?"

Su Cheng didn't answer that question, but instead asked, "What is the price of the Sea God Nine Trials? No, what I really want to ask is, what price will you have to pay then?"

"..." Bo Saixi hesitated for a moment, but in the end she turned her gaze away from his eyes and sighed softly, "Sacrifice."

"Sacrifice your life? Then I don't want to become a god."

Bo Saixi turned back and stared at him blankly.

Su Cheng turned and left Sea God Mountain, his voice echoing in Bo Saixi's ears.

"I want my teacher to live."