Divine Trials Revealed, Staircase Shows Its Might; Sea Phantom Shattered, Speed Soul Master Triumphs

As the lingering glow from the closing Star Gate faded, the platform before the Sea Horse Sacred Pillar returned to calm. Bo Saixi gazed in the direction where the Star Gate had vanished and said gravely to Tang San and the others, "Now that Priest Ling Yun has taken Zhi Xia away, your trials must begin as soon as possible. Sea Horse, take them to the Sacred Pillar Residence to rest first. The specific contents of their trials will be announced early tomorrow morning."

Sea Horse Douluo answered and led everyone across the shallows of the Sea within the Sea toward the island's interior. The Sacred Pillar Residence was a row of stone houses built beside the sea, their walls carved with wave-shaped runes. The furnishings inside were simple yet carried a sacred air—each stone house could absorb the Soul Power of Sea God Island, making them ideal for everyone to recover their strength. Tang San settled Xiao Wu's true body onto a soft couch by the window. Watching her peaceful sleeping face, he silently resolved that he would improve his strength well over this year, so that when Zhi Xia returned, he could stand beside her and face the trials together.

The night passed without incident. At dawn the next day, Sea Horse Douluo led everyone to the Sacred Staircase Plaza—a staircase paved with white jade stood at the center of the plaza, leading high into the misty clouds. Pale blue Sea God's Light flowed across its surface, and every step radiated a different gravitational pressure.

"Everyone, today I will announce the specific contents of your trials!" Sea Horse Douluo held his scepter and pointed toward the white jade staircase. "This is the Sea God Staircase. Your first trials are all related to it!"

As his words fell, golden