Comparing People Kills You

The steamship broke through the morning mist, sailing slowly toward the direction of the mainland.

On the deck, the sea breeze carried a damp chill, and the rising sun dyed the surface of the ocean in shades of gold and red.

Sea Dragon Douluo gazed at the sun leaping out from the sea. After a moment of silence, he finally couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Qing, do you really dislike staying on Sea God Island that much?"

Ye Qing leaned against the railing, looking out at the distant horizon, his tone calm: "It is not that I dislike it, but that it does not suit me."

He turned his head to look at Sea Dragon Douluo and continued, "If I had awakened a water-type Martial Soul, such as a Sea Horse or a Shark, I would naturally stay on Sea God Island to cultivate in peace. But my Martial Soul is the Seraphim; light and fire are my origins. On Sea God Island, the water-type energy is dense. While it can nourish soul power, it contradicts the attributes of my Martial Soul, making cultivation twice the effort for half the result."

"The Sea God values me, and I am deeply grateful, but I know better than anyone that cultivation is the foundation of one's standing."

Ye Qing paused, then replied, "That is why when Sister Bo Saixi went to petition the Sea God, the God agreed to let me leave. Searching for the Heart of the Sea God is one thing, but allowing me to grow in a more suitable environment is likely the more important reason."

Hearing his explanation, Sea Dragon Douluo couldn't help but let out a soft sigh, his eyes filled with a touch of helplessness.

He thought of Bo Saixi.

When Bo Saixi awakened her Martial Soul at the age of six, it was the rare Sea God Martial Soul, and her Innate Soul Power was as high as level twenty. She was so brilliant and talented that everyone thought she would be the perfect successor to the Sea God.

Yet in the end, she only received the Eight Trials of the Sea God.

Of course, that is not to say the Eight Trials were poor; after all, they allowed her to cultivate to a level ninety-nine Peerless Douluo and become the Grand Pontiff of Sea God Island, whose word was law.

But behind this glory lay a heavy destiny.

One must know that once the true successor of the Sea God appeared, she, as the Grand Pontiff, would have to sacrifice herself to open the Gate of Inheritance and fulfill the other's path.

The Nine Trials, however, signified the true inheritance of a godhood.

During the process, one could possess a status equal to the Grand Pontiff, and upon success, one could ascend to the God Realm and enjoy eternal life.

Sea Dragon Douluo had once thought that he would never live to see that successor of the Nine Trials.

After all, Bo Saixi's talent was plain for all to see.

Who could have imagined that after only a hundred years, the new master of Sea God Island would arrive?

And this new master's Martial Soul was an Angel, the very opposite of the ocean.

To be honest, even now, he could not fathom the Sea God's intentions.

To pass over Bo Saixi, who possessed the Sea God Martial Soul, and choose a Seraphim instead.

Could it be that the quality of this Seraphim was actually higher than that of the Sea God Martial Soul?

He shook his head, suppressing this absurd thought.

Regardless, the Sea God's decision was not to be questioned.

His mission on this journey, beyond escorting Ye Qing to retrieve the Heart of the Sea God, was to find a way to make this child willingly return to Sea God Island to inherit that supreme godhood.

Come to think of it, he was truly envious.

How many soul masters spend their entire lives struggling for a common soul ring, exhausting their hearts and blood for a slim chance at becoming a god?

But what about Ye Qing?

The divine inheritance came looking for him, and even a divine artifact like the Sea God Trident was sent to him for protection before he had even passed the trials.

Just now at the pier, watching the Sea God Trident turn into golden light and merge into Ye Qing's brow, Sea Dragon Douluo even had the illusion of doubting his own life.

Comparing people truly is enough to infuriate one.

"What is Uncle Sea Dragon thinking about?" Seeing him lost in thought, Ye Qing couldn't help but ask.

Sea Dragon Douluo came back to his senses and laughed: "Nothing. I was just thinking that the mainland is not like Sea God Island; the hearts of men are unpredictable. Since you are going there for the first time, you must listen and observe more, and never be reckless."

"I understand."

Ye Qing nodded and said, "With Uncle Sea Dragon here, I have a plan in mind."

Sea Dragon Douluo looked at his steady demeanor and nodded inwardly.

Although this child was young, he was far more sensible than his peers and had his own opinions.

Perhaps it was this very temperament that made the Sea God value him so highly.

He said no more, turned, and walked to the other side of the deck, releasing his soul power to scan the surroundings.

On the vast sea, apart from the occasional leaping fish, there were no abnormalities for the time being.

But he dared not slacken, for this journey concerned not only the Heart of the Sea God but also the future hope of Sea God Island.

Half a month of sailing passed in the blink of an eye.

When the coastline appeared in his field of vision, Ye Qing knew that they had finally reached the mainland.

The two did not head directly to Heaven Dou City, but decided to detour to the Star Dou Great Forest first.

Because he had yet to attach a soul ring to his Seraphim Martial Soul.

Another half month passed.

The two stood on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest, looking at the primeval forest that blotted out the sky and seemed to have no end. Even Sea Dragon Douluo, who was accustomed to the wonders of Sea God Island, couldn't help but exclaim: "Is this the Star Dou Great Forest? It truly lives up to its reputation; the concentration of soul power alone is several times higher than the outside world."

From within the forest, the roars of soul beasts could be vaguely heard, carrying wildness and ferocity, yet also pulsing with vibrant life.

Ye Qing nodded and said, "Legend has it that the variety of spirit beasts here is vast, and their numbers are countless. As long as one's luck isn't too poor, one can almost always find a spirit ring that suits them."

Sea Dragon Douluo laughed upon hearing this, his gaze toward Ye Qing carrying a hint of teasing: "I didn't expect you to know more than I do. It seems you had planned on coming here for a long time."

Ye Qing chuckled softly: "Knowing oneself and the enemy ensures victory in every battle. Since I decided to come, I naturally had to do some homework in advance; one cannot simply wait until the last minute to prepare, right, Uncle Sea Dragon?"

"Well said!"

Sea Dragon Douluo laughed heartily, and after expressing his agreement, he asked: "That is indeed how it should be. So tell me, what are your thoughts regarding your first two spirit rings?"

Ye Qing pondered for a moment before stating his requirements: "First, they must be of the light or fire attribute, such as a phoenix-type spirit beast; second, the age must be over a thousand years."

"What?!"

Hearing this number, the smile on Sea Dragon Douluo's face instantly froze. His eyes widened to the size of saucers, and in disbelief, he couldn't help but ask: "Over a thousand years?"

He was not surprised by the first requirement.

Because the Seraphim Martial Soul was inherently of the light and fire attributes.

Therefore, adapting to light and fire attribute spirit rings was perfectly reasonable, and there was no issue with that.

But the second requirement was simply too outrageous!

A normal spirit master could only withstand a maximum of four hundred years for their first spirit ring, and no more than eight hundred years for their second.

Even Bo Saixi back in the day had not chosen to absorb a thousand-year spirit ring.

Because that was something only those at the level of a Soul Elder or higher could accomplish!

"Little Qing, do you know what you are saying?"

After regaining his composure, Sea Dragon Douluo's voice sounded somewhat strained as he explained: "Do you know how violent the energy of a thousand-year spirit ring is? Even if you are gifted, you might not be able to withstand it! If something goes wrong, the Grand Pontiff will skin me alive when we return!"

Ye Qing had long expected his opposition and explained: "Rest assured, Uncle Sea Dragon. Before leaving Sea God Island, I absorbed a piece of premium Whale Rubber. That substance greatly tempered my physique, and my current physical strength far exceeds that of spirit masters at the same rank. Coupled with the sacred nature of the Seraphim Martial Soul, absorbing a thousand-year spirit ring should not be a problem."