Do Gods Really Exist?

"Hmph!" Sea Spear Douluo could only swallow his anger in the end, turning his gaze to his teammates on the arena. "Children, let the continent's Soul Master witness the blessings of Lord Sea God!"

In the VIP section, Ning Fengzhi's gentle and refined face still wore a humble smile, but a subtle glint of shrewdness flashed deep in his eyes. His gaze lingered for a moment on the unique attire of the Sea God Island Team and the distinctive aura of the Sea Soul Master.

As the sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, with a business network spanning the continent, he had naturally heard of the mysterious and powerful force overseas— Sea God Island. It was rumored that the Sea Soul Master there had a unique power system and even possessed divine inheritances, making their strength unfathomable. However, Sea God Island had always been isolated from the world and refused to interact with Soul Master from the mainland, so his many attempts to probe and befriend them had all failed.

Now, the Spirit Hall has actually managed to invite Sea God Island to participate in the competition... What does this mean? Has the Spirit Hall extended its influence overseas? Or has Sea God Island and the Spirit Hall reached some unknown agreement or connection?

The thought of this possibility sent a chill down Ning Fengzhi. The Spirit Hall alone was already enough to overwhelm the Upper Three Sects and the Two Great Empires; if the mysterious and unpredictable Sea God Island were added to the mix... He slightly turned his cane, his sense of crisis stronger than ever before.

Sitting beside him was Xue Qinghe, the eldest prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, who was also gazing intently at the people from Sea God Island. Unlike Ning Fengzhi's pure worry, deep within his seemingly calm eyes, besides his fear of this unfamiliar and powerful force, there was also a barely perceptible hint of restless ambition.

This has become a long-standing tradition in the Heaven Dou Empire: to win over various forces and maintain a balance of power in order to preserve its own position.

Even though the Clear Sky Sect openly supports the Star Luo Empire, it secretly collaborates with Xue Ye of the Heaven Dou Emperor. Faced with the overwhelming power of the Upper Three Sects, Tang Hao's cunning is completely negligible.

As the beautiful referee on the stage announced the Soul Power Level and Soul Ring Configuration of the two competitors.

Everyone in the audience stared in astonishment.

"Spirit Hall First Team, Captain Xiang Yu, Level 78 Power Attack System Soul Saint, Martial Soul: Six-Winged Angel."

"Vice Captain Qian Renxue, Level 77 Power Attack System Soul Saint, Martial Soul: Six-Winged Angel."

"Arthur, a level 69 Power Attack System Soul Emperor, Twin Martial Souls of the Holy Sword and the Holy Shield."

"Dongfang Jing, a level 69 Power Attack System Soul Emperor, Martial Soul: Blazing Sun Divine Radiance Sword."

"Daji, a level 68 Power Attack System Soul Emperor, with the Martial Soul Nine-Tailed Sky Fox."

"Dugu Yan, a level 65 Power Attack System Soul Emperor, with the Martial Soul Jade-Scaled Flood Dragon."

"Bian Que, a level 76 support-type Soul Saint, Calamity Spirit Medicine of Martial Soul."

The competition will begin with only a brief introduction.

"Sea God Island Team, Captain Luochuan, Level 65 Soul Emperor..."

"..."

"Doria, a level 54 support-type Soul King, whose Martial Soul is the Mermaid."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a lively debate erupted around him.

Some people even rubbed their ears in disbelief, wondering if they had misheard.

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When the referee's clear voice announced the Soul Power Level and Martial Soul of each member of the Spirit Hall First Team, the entire Great Soul Arena fell into an eerie silence, as if everyone's hearing had malfunctioned at the same time.

Immediately afterwards, like boiling water, a deafening uproar and incredulous exclamations erupted, almost lifting the entire arena off its feet!

"How... how many levels? Soul Saint?! And there are three of them?!"

"Level 78?! How old does that Xiang Yu look?!"

"Six-Winged Angel?! Isn't that the legendary... Spirit Hall?"

"Twin Martial Souls?! That Arthur?"

"A level 76 support-type Soul Saint?! What is Bian Que's Martial Soul? Calamity Spirit Medicine? Never heard of it before!"

"Isn't it very difficult to assist in cultivation?"

"They're all Soul Emperors or higher?! How are we supposed to fight them?!"

Countless people stared wide-eyed, frantically picking at their ears, wondering if they were experiencing a collective hallucination. Even Ning Fengzhi, in the VIP section, froze completely with his gentle smile, nearly dropping his cane.

He had long known that the Spirit Hall's current generation was strong, but to be this strong was simply inconceivable! Two Soul Saint under the age of twenty? Twin Martial Souls? And a previously unheard-of level 76 Support-type Soul Saint? This completely exceeded his understanding of the younger generation of Soul Master!

Xue Qinghe's pupils also contracted slightly. Although he knew some of the inside story, he was still shocked to hear such an exaggerated configuration announced in public.

When the lineup of the Sea God Island Team was announced, although Captain Luochuan's cultivation of a level 65 Soul Emperor was considered top-tier, he paled in comparison to the monsters of the Spirit Hall First Team. Especially the last one, the level 54 support-type Soul King, Doria, who might be good in other teams, only made everyone feel a desperate gap in strength at this moment.

"Is there still any suspense in this competition?" someone muttered to themselves.

The Sea Spear Douluo in the preparation zone had a face as black as the bottom of a pot, his teeth grinding together. Humiliation! This was blatant disgrace! The Spirit Hall was deliberately using this lineup to crush them, to flaunt their unparalleled next-generation power to them and to all other forces!

On the arena, Bian Que, standing at the back of the group, listened to the exclamations and commotion around him. He lazily raised his eyelids, his face, which always carried a hint of weariness, remained expressionless. He even couldn't help but cover his mouth and let out a small yawn.

For him, an opponent of this caliber, a match whose outcome was already known, was utterly... boring. He hadn't slept for days on end, researching a new potion, and was truly exhausted.

As the referee announced, "The match begins,"...

The Spirit Hall First Team doesn't even need a commander.

Xiang Yu and Qian Renxue didn't even use their Martial Soul; they simply stood with their hands behind their backs.

Arthur took a step forward, his right hand forming a fist, and a massive two-handed Holy Sword burning with holy flames instantly materialized. At the same time, a heavy Holy Shield engraved with cross patterns appeared in his left hand! The overwhelming aura brought by the simultaneous possession of his Twin Martial Souls made the air freeze!

Dongfang Jing's figure blurred like Gui Mei, and the next moment, as if another mirror image of her appeared at the same time, the Blazing Sun Divine Radiance Sword in her hand emitting a scorching light that was impossible to look directly at.

Behind Daji, nine enormous, furry fox tails unfurled, a bewitching pink aura spreading outwards, and her eyes shimmered with a captivating light.

Dugu Yan was surrounded by green mist, with the phantom of Jade-Scaled Flood Dragon coiled around him, and a poisonous aura permeated the air.

Bian Que, standing at the back, simply waved his hand lazily, and a medicinal Martial Soul emanating an eerie green light and a medicinal fragrance— the Calamity Spirit Medicine— appeared before him. He didn't even chant a soul incantation; several illusory glass bottles containing strange liquids of different colors appeared out of thin air, and the liquids inside flew out as if they had a life of their own, accurately entering the bodies of each of his teammates in front of him.

First Soul Skill - Wicked Medicine (Amplified Version): Greatly increases teammates' strength, speed, and Soul Power activity, and comes with an attack lifesteal effect.

Second Soul Skill - Life Dominator (Amplified Version): Increases teammates' maximum health and recovery speed, and also applies a poison reflection effect when attacked.

Third Soul Skill - Lethal Elixir (Group Application): Inflicts a powerful neurotoxin and corrosive effect on every attack made by teammates.

With the terrifying boost from Bian Que, the Spirit Hall members' aura surged wildly once again, as if each of them had transformed into a war machine!

The expressions of the Sea God Island Team members changed drastically. Feeling the terrifying power that was pressing down like a tsunami, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and release their Martial Soul and Soul Skill. The sea-blue Soul Power bloomed, and various phantoms of Sea Soul Beast appeared in an attempt to resist.

Arthur launched the first attack, raising his Holy Sword high above his head and slashing down fiercely!

Holy Sword Judgment!

A massive, holy fire-infused cross-shaped sword beam tore through the ground, hurtling towards the Sea God Island Team's formation like a beam of judgment!

At the same time, several clones of Dongfang Jing thrust out the Blazing Sun Divine Radiance Sword, and countless scorching light swords covered the area like raindrops!

Daji's alluring aura distracted the opponent, while Dugu Yan's Azure Scale Poison Mist spread from the flanks to encircle them!

The battle was a one-sided, overwhelming affair from the very beginning!

Bian Que even yawned again, idly toying with the Calamity Spirit Medicine in his hand, seemingly considering whether to prepare some new medicine for the next round to test its effects.

Just as the Spirit Hall First Team's combined offensive, like a raging storm, was about to overwhelm the Sea God Island Team—

The mermaid girl, Doria, who seemed the most delicate, stood at the very back of the Sea God Island procession. Her azure eyes gazed at the opposite side. With a light touch of her toes on the ground, her petite body leaped up as if weightless, uttering a string of ethereal and melodious murmurs that seemed to come from the deep sea.

First Soul Skill: Descent - Pure Waters!

As she unleashed her Soul Skill, a strange body of water, crystal clear and shimmering with a faint blue light, instantly appeared out of thin air, spreading rapidly and almost covering the entire arena!

This body of water was no ordinary pool; it exuded the pure aura of water elements and a calming, purifying power. The moment all the members of the Sea God Island Team stepped into this water, it was like fish returning to the sea; their auras, which had been somewhat suppressed due to their distance from the ocean, instantly became smooth and powerful!

Their skin faintly reveals scale-like patterns, and their movement speed is not only unaffected in water, but actually becomes more agile, greatly enhancing their control over the water element!

This sudden change in environment significantly weakened the combined attack of the Spirit Hall First Team after they entered the water! The speed of the Sacred Flame Sword Aura slowed down, and most of its scorching heat was carried away by the water flow; the penetrating power of the Blazing Sun Sword was hindered by the water; and the alluring halo and poisonous mist were greatly reduced in effectiveness under the purification of the pure water element!

Chapter 230 Do Gods Really Exist?

The battle on the arena ended even faster than many had anticipated. Although the Pure Water Domain created by Doria was incredibly powerful, greatly enhancing the strength of the people from Sea God Island and limiting the Spirit Hall's forces, the vast difference in absolute strength between the two sides could not be completely bridged by a single domain-based Soul Skill.

After an initial period of adaptation, the monsters of the Spirit Hall First Team quickly found their rhythm in fighting in the water. Arthur's Holy Sword erupted with holy flames that could even burn briefly in the water, purifying the currents; Dongfang Jing's Blazing Sun Divine Radiance Sword became like a red-hot iron, causing the seawater to boil and vaporize wherever it passed. Combined with the speed of the "Flying Thunder God," the members of Sea God Island only felt a blur before their eyes as a golden figure flashed past them, and they were defeated.

Daji's allure pierced through the water, reaching straight to the heart; although Dugu Yan's poison was purified by this body of water, her physical body was still strong enough to fight as a Power Attack System Soul Master.

Most importantly, Bian Que, standing at the very back, was preparing his new medicine with great interest.

After some fiddling, several bottles of dark purple liquid were broken and thrown into the water, instantly spreading out – Zero-Dwelling Elixir: Aquatic Variant!

Instead of being purified by the pure water, this potion used the water as a medium to frantically absorb water elemental energy, transforming it into a decaying force that continuously corroded Soul Power and physical bodies, causing the people of Sea God Island to feel as if they were trapped in a viscous swamp, and their strength was greatly reduced once again.

Ultimately, without Xiang Yu and Qian Renxue even making a real move, the Sea God Island Team suffered a complete defeat. Captain Luochuan was sent flying off the field, coughing up blood, after Arthur's Holy Shield Strike shattered all his defenses; Doria's domain was corrupted and destroyed by Bian Que Que's potion; and the remaining team members were easily dealt with by Dongfang Jing, Daji, and Dugu Yan.

An absolute crushing defeat, a victory without any suspense.

Offstage, after emergency treatment by the healing Soul Master, Luochuan and the other team members gradually woke up. Their physical injuries could be healed, but the sense of defeat and humiliation in their hearts gnawed at them like venomous snakes. Luochuan's face was particularly ugly, a pale bluish-gray, and he clenched his fists so tightly that his nails almost dug into his palms.

When they left Sea God Island, how spirited they were! As the best of the younger generation on Sea God Island, having received the divine blessing, they were brimming with confidence, even boasting that they would definitely show the might of Sea God Island in this highest-level competition on the continent, letting all land-based Soul Master witness the power of the sea!

But reality gave them a resounding slap in the face! In the first round, just the first round, they were swept out of the competition by the Spirit Hall in a manner that was almost humiliating!

go back?

How could they face going back? How could they meet the high priest's expectant gaze? How could they answer the questions of their companions on the island? They had broken the vow they made when they set out.

But what if we don't go back?

Sea God Island has strict rules. These geniuses who have passed the Black Level Assessment are destined to protect Sea God Island. They are not allowed to leave the island without permission, let alone stay on the mainland for an extended period. Violating the island rules will have unimaginable consequences.

A dilemma! Despair and confusion enveloped every member of the Sea God Island.

Their unusual condition and their extraordinary Soul Ring Configuration naturally caught the eye of Ning Fengzhi, the sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, who was sitting in the VIP seats.

He didn't know the specific reward mechanism of the Sea God Island's Divine Trial, but he was very clear about one thing: improving the age of Soul Ring was extremely difficult, and those who could break the continent's recognized limit were all people with extraordinary opportunities. And this team from Sea God Island had more than one person with Soul Ring that surpassed the optimal ratio, especially the core members, whose Soul Ring were so deep in color and so powerful in energy fluctuations that they far exceeded those of Soul Master of the same level!

"This is no ordinary matter..." Ning Fengzhi to himself, his fingers unconsciously stroking the smooth surface of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. "Sea God Island... truly holds a great secret. If this method of mass-producing Soul Ring could be used by my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect..."

His gaze deepened. The Spirit Hall's power was already suffocating, and now it had revealed some kind of "connection" with Sea God Island (in his view), forcing Ning Fengzhi to seek any possible means to break the deadlock. Sea God Island was a huge variable and a potential opportunity.

Looking at the group of distraught and bewildered young people from Sea God Island below the stage, an idea gradually took shape in his mind.

Perhaps... this is an excellent opportunity to contact Sea God Island, learn its secrets, and even try to bring it into the fight against the Spirit Hall? Offering help in times of need is always better than adding to someone's already good fortune.

Ning Fengzhi's signature gentle yet unfathomable smile reappeared on his face. He slowly stood up, whispered a few words to Xue Qinghe beside him, and then walked unhurriedly toward the Sea God Island Team's rest area.

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Seeing Ning Fengzhi leading the Sword Douluo Chen Xin, whose aura was as sharp as a sword, straight towards them, Sea Spear Douluo's already agitated mood darkened further. He was now in a complete predicament. These young men had boasted so loudly before the battle, only to suffer a crushing defeat. Now they were stuck in an awkward situation where they couldn't stay or leave, and he didn't know how to salvage the situation. How could he possibly have the mind to deal with these treacherous continental Soul Master?

He instinctively stepped forward, his tall frame blocking Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin like an iron tower. His expression was unfriendly, and he asked in a harsh tone, "What brings you here?" His wariness was undisguised.

Ning Fengzhi's face still wore that gentle, spring-like smile, as if he hadn't noticed the aloofness on Sea Spear Douluo's face. He nodded slightly, and light flowed around him as the magnificent Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul quietly emerged, radiating a soft yet powerful aura of support.

"Your Excellency, please do not misunderstand." Ning Fengzhi's voice was gentle and pleasant, instantly inspiring goodwill. "Just now, I noticed that some of the young talents from your island seemed to have suffered some injuries. I am but a level 79 support-type Soul Master with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul, and I have some experience in healing and recovery. Therefore, I came to inquire whether there is anything I can do to help, so that the young men can recover as soon as possible."

His words were perfectly worded, entirely based on a facade of "compassion," packaging his motives as selfless and legitimate.

However, Sea Spear Douluo had seen many storms on Sea God Island and knew that mainland Soul Master, especially these high-ranking figures, were never kind without a reason. He just wanted to get rid of these people as soon as possible and then shut himself in to deal with the mess he had made.