The next morning, a thin mist shrouded the dock on Sea God Island.
The salty sea breeze carried the coolness of dawn as it brushed across everyone's cheeks.
Bo Saixi stood on the shore, her white dress fluttering gently in the wind, revealing her fair, slender legs.
"Take care on the way."
Looking at the child before her, she spoke softly, a hint of concern barely detectable in her voice.
As the Grand Pontiff of Sea God Island and the Sea God's representative in the mortal world, she wanted more than anyone for Ye Qing to come to no harm.
At the same time, she also hoped more than anyone that Ye Qing would pass the trials and become the Sea God, allowing the light of the gods to shine upon the sea once more.
Ye Qing nodded and bowed deeply to Bo Saixi. "Don't worry, Sister Bo Saixi. We'll take good care of ourselves."
Sea Dragon Douluo cupped his hands toward Bo Saixi in a respectful salute. "Grand Pontiff, this subordinate takes his leave."
The two turned to board the ship docked by the shore, but the dock beneath their feet suddenly began to shake violently!
"Hm?"
All three frowned at once and turned toward the direction of the tremors.
It was the direction of Sea God Hall.
A brilliant blue pillar of light shot into the sky. Then, as if it had come to life, it raced toward the dock!
The blue light cut through the morning mist and reached the three of them in an instant.
As the radiance faded, a long halberd with a deep blue body and sharp prongs hovered before Ye Qing.
It was the divine artifact kept inside Sea God Hall, the weapon symbolizing the Sea God's authority—the Sea God Trident!
Although the Sea God Trident had yet to fuse with the Heart of the Sea God, the Sea God's Power it released was enough to leave both Bo Saixi and Sea Dragon Douluo stunned.
"T-the Sea God Trident?!"
A moment later, Sea Dragon Douluo was the first to recover. He cried out in shock, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Though it was his first time seeing the Sea God Trident, that didn't mean he wouldn't recognize it now that it had appeared before him.
After all, apart from Bo Saixi, he was the second-in-command. He had at least enough discernment to recognize it.
Of course, he wasn't the only one. Bo Saixi's pupils had also contracted, and her beautiful eyes were fixed on the divine artifact. For a moment, she couldn't find the words.
She understood better than anyone what the trident before her represented.
It was the divine artifact the Sea God had left behind in the mortal world.
According to the rules of the succession, only an inheritor who passed the Seventh Trial would be qualified to draw and wield it.
But Ye Qing had only just awakened his Martial Soul. He didn't even have a Soul Ring yet, so how could he...
"Grand Pontiff!"
Sea Dragon Douluo recovered his wits and turned to Bo Saixi, who was just as stunned. His voice trembled as he asked, "What does Lord Sea God mean by this...?"
Bo Saixi fell silent for a moment, her gaze fixed on the trident hovering before Ye Qing, her expression complicated. "Lord Sea God must be worried that Xiao Qing might encounter danger on the mainland, so he sent the divine artifact to protect him."
She paused, then a faint, bittersweet smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "As for those rules... They were meant to bind us mortals. Lord Sea God created them, so naturally he has the right to make an exception."
Only then did Sea Dragon Douluo understand. He looked at Ye Qing with unconcealed envy.
The fact that the Sea God would make such an exception showed just how important Ye Qing was to him.
Unless something unexpected happened, this child was destined to become the Sea God.
Still, a Sea God with an Angel Martial Soul? No one would believe it if they heard that.
Ye Qing was also startled by the sudden appearance of the divine artifact.
He steadied himself, then slowly reached out under the watchful eyes of Bo Saixi and Sea Dragon Douluo, grasping the trident that represented the Sea God's authority.
It felt cool to the touch, yet carried a warm power that flowed up his arm and spread through his body.
The next moment, the Sea God Trident turned into a streak of golden light and sank into his forehead, vanishing from sight.
Ye Qing could clearly sense that the divine artifact hadn't left.
Instead, it had formed some kind of marvelous connection with his soul, lying dormant within him.
He bowed solemnly in the direction of Sea God Hall. "Thank you, Lord Sea God."
Then he looked at Bo Saixi again and said softly, "Sister Bo Saixi, it's getting late. We should set out."
Bo Saixi forced down the turmoil in her heart and offered him a gentle smile. "Go. Once you find the Heart of the Sea God, remember to return to Sea God Island. I'll be waiting here."
"Mm."
Ye Qing and Sea Dragon Douluo boarded the ship. The oars turned, cutting through the morning mist over the sea as they slowly sailed toward the mainland.
Only after the ship had dwindled to a tiny black speck and disappeared over the horizon did six figures fly in from different directions and land behind her.
The newcomers were none other than the six remaining Sacred Pillar Douluo, excluding Sea Dragon Douluo.
"Grand Pontiff!"
Sea Horse Douluo spoke first. Staring at the empty sea, he asked, bewilderment written across his face, "Have Sea Dragon and the Holy Son... left Sea God Island?"
They didn't know the details, but for Sea Dragon Douluo to personally escort Ye Qing—and to take a ship—meant it was no small matter.
After all, given Ye Qing's status, even if he needed to obtain a Soul Ring, Bo Saixi should have taken him there aboard Xiao Bai, the hundred-thousand-year-old Demon Soul Great White Shark.
He shouldn't have gone with Sea Dragon Douluo alone.
Sea God Island had a strict hierarchy, and Ye Qing was still so young. To prevent any mishaps, only Bo Saixi, the level-ninety-nine Peerless Douluo, could personally handle it.
Bo Saixi turned around and looked at them. Without hiding anything, she replied calmly, "They went to the mainland."
"They went to the mainland?"
At that answer, the others exchanged glances. The confusion in their eyes deepened. "Why go to the mainland all of a sudden? Did something happen?"
Bo Saixi shook her head lightly and replied helplessly, "Nothing happened. That child simply... doesn't want to stay on Sea God Island."
"Doesn't want to stay on Sea God Island?"
At those words, the six Sacred Pillar Douluo were utterly dumbfounded.
They looked at one another, each seeing the same absurdity in the others' eyes.
If it had been anyone else, they might have thought the person didn't know what was good for them.
After all, Sea God Island was the land of the Sea God's succession, and the spiritual haven of every living being in the sea.
But Ye Qing was different.
He was the Holy Son Sea God Island had awaited for over ten thousand years, and the inheritor personally chosen by the Sea God!
With an identity like that, he still didn't want to stay on Sea God Island?
That was even more unbelievable than hearing that the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King had suddenly converted to the Sea God's faith!
Seeing their stunned expressions, Bo Saixi gave a quiet sigh and turned toward Sea God Hall.
Her white dress trailed across the ground, and helplessness and confusion filled her exquisite face.
Yes, how ridiculous.
After waiting for ten thousand years, they had finally welcomed their true master.
Yet this master was determined to leave.
Watching Bo Saixi's lonely figure retreat, the six Sacred Pillar Douluo fell silent as well.
The morning mist slowly dispersed, and sunlight bathed the dock, but it did nothing to dispel the strange heaviness in everyone's hearts.
From the very beginning, the future of Sea God Island seemed destined to be full of uncertainties.