Since We Came, We Never Intended to Retreat!
A deep purple light flashed in Lin Xia's eyes, and the pale blue triangular mark between her brows glowed slightly before disappearing.
The power of the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, which had been enveloping everyone and isolating their aura, quietly receded.
From the outside, it looked as if eight figures had appeared out of thin air on the beach.
Without a word, as Lin Xia stood up and turned her gaze to the lush, ancient forest, Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and the others also stood up at the same time.
Everyone's eyes became incredibly determined, like steel that had been tempered and refined.
The trials and tribulations they had faced along the way had already tempered their will into even greater resilience.
This tacit understanding silently coalesced into a powerful belief—no matter what trials lie ahead, they will overcome them!
Stepping onto the Limber, silvery sand, the group of eight maintained a vigilant yet orderly formation as they walked deeper into the island, towards that green world that seemed to hold endless secrets.
The moist and warm air carried the scents of grass, trees, and the sea, which was refreshing and invigorating. However, everyone was on high alert, their Soul Power flowing quietly within their bodies, ready to deal with any unexpected situations.
Just as they were about to step into the edge of the forest—
"Who goes there?!"
A low shout, filled with surprise and wariness, suddenly rang out from the dense forest ahead like a thunderclap!
Before the words had even faded, seven or eight figures darted out from behind the dense canopy and thick trunks like Gui Mei, their movements as swift as lightning. In an instant, they formed a line in the forest clearing, completely blocking everyone's path!
These people included both men and women, and varied considerably in age. The leader was about forty years old, with a sharp face, healthy bronze skin, and piercing eyes like a hawk.
The others were a bit younger, the youngest of whom looked about the same age as Lin Xia and the others.
They were dressed in uniform attire—simple and neat pale yellow outfits, made of durable fabric that seemed to have undergone special treatment, shimmering faintly in the dappled sunlight of the forest.
Lin Xia's pupils contracted slightly, Purple Demon Eye instantly Lock-On onto the color of the other person's robes.
Jixiang's deep and clear admonition seemed to echo in my ears again:
"The island has a strict hierarchy, and those who pass different levels of tests have vastly different statuses... The color of their clothes also varies accordingly. From lowest to highest, they are arranged according to the color of their Soul Ring. Yellow robes are the second rank, just above white-robed Soul Master."
These are the yellow-clad Sea Soul Master responsible for perimeter security on Sea God Island!
They are the most basic maintainers of order on Sea God Island, and also the first obstacle that outsiders encounter upon landing on the island.
The gazes of the eight yellow-robed Soul Master were like tangible probes, scanning back and forth between Lin Xia and the other six who had suddenly appeared, filled with surprise and uncertainty.
The middle-aged man at the head of the group had his gaze particularly sharp on Xie Yue, who was also at the head of the group. His brows were furrowed, clearly showing extreme surprise and wariness at the sudden appearance of this group of uninvited guests.
The Sea God Island is guarded by a clan of Demon Soul Great White Shark, making it impossible for ordinary ships to approach. How did this group manage to land on the island so silently?
Xie Yue stepped forward, his figure as upright as a pine tree, his voice steady and powerful, clearly echoing through the tranquil forest, carrying the unique, metallic sound of Land Soul Master, honed through countless battles:
"We admire the reputation of Sea God Island and have braved many dangers to cross the sea, all to be tested by the Lord Sea God, to hone ourselves, and to seek a breakthrough!"
His words were direct and to the point, stating his purpose while also conveying a firmness that was neither humble nor arrogant.
This was the strategy Lin Xia and the others had agreed upon before setting off—to be honest about their goals, demonstrate their determination, and avoid unnecessary misunderstandings in the face of Sea God Island's strict rules and potential xenophobia.
However, as soon as Xie Yue finished speaking, the middle-aged man in yellow, who was in the lead, suddenly changed his expression. His sharp gaze, like a steel knife scraping bones, swept over Lin Xia and the other six in an instant, finally fixing on Xie Yue. His voice suddenly rose, carrying undisguised rejection and a hint of cold scrutiny:
"Land Soul Master?!"
The two words he uttered seemed to carry a heavy, taboo connotation.
Upon hearing this, the other seven yellow-robed Soul Master' eyes instantly sharpened. They leaned forward slightly, their Soul Power fluctuations subtly increasing, and an invisible pressure spread out like a tide, Lock-On Lin Xia and the others.
The previously warm and peaceful atmosphere instantly turned tense!
Jixiang's somber words echoed in Lin Xia's mind once more:
"It's xenophobic. Sea God Island is a world unto itself, naturally wary and hostile towards outside Soul Master. Historically, there have been Land Soul Master like us who have actively come to the island to seek trials, but very few have succeeded, and most of the failures have met tragic ends."
As expected! Being Land Soul Master is a cardinal sin here, the first trigger for hostility!
The middle-aged man in yellow stepped forward, his Soul King- level Soul Power no longer concealed, pressing down on everyone like a heavy boulder. His gaze was piercing, and his voice was icy:
"That's right, we are Land Soul Master."
Lin Xia spoke calmly, her voice not loud, yet clearly drowning out the sound of the wind in the forest, carrying an undeniable composure.
He didn't let Xie Yue face the pressure alone, but took the initiative to stand at the front, his deep purple eyes meeting the sharp gaze of the yellow-robed leader without any fear.
"But this does not prevent us from following in the footsteps of the Lord Sea God and accepting His test. We are sincere and willing to prove ourselves with our strength."
"Prove?"
The leader in yellow snorted coldly, a sarcastic smile curving his lips.
"Sea God Island is not a tourist destination for you Land Soul Master to come and go as you please! The trials here are tests of faith and life, not child's play! Countless self-proclaimed genius Land Soul Master have ended up as skeletons in the waters surrounding the island, or as bait for the Demon Soul Great White Shark!"
"Since you managed to get to the island alive, I'll give you a piece of advice: go back to where you came from! It's not too late to leave now!"
His words were merciless, filled with a deep-seated contempt for Land Soul Master and a defense of the rules of Sea God Island.
At the same time, it was also a test and a deterrent, an attempt to make these "ignorant" young people back down.
"Since we're here, we never intended to back down!"
Yan's fiery temper was instantly ignited by the other party's contemptuous tone. He took a step forward, and a scorching aura rose up. Dark red flame patterns faintly appeared under his skin. The scorching Soul Power belonging to the peak of the Soul King burst out and met the opponent's pressure without showing any weakness.
"Even the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King couldn't stop us, do you think you can scare us with a few words like this?!"
"Yan!"
Lin Xia gave a low shout, signaling him to calm down, but did not stop him from releasing his aura.
Sometimes, a demonstration of strength is more persuasive than words.
Hu Liena, Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling also released their own Soul Power fluctuations at the same time.
In an instant, the auras of the five Soul Kings and Lin Xia, the Soul Emperor, intertwined, forming a powerful and Pressure torrent of force. Although they did not attack, they instantly dispersed the pressure released by the yellow-robed leader!