City!

Sea Horse paused, his gaze sweeping over the marks on everyone's foreheads— Hu Liena's red seven-pointed star, Xie Yue, Yan, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling's black six-pointed or five-pointed stars, and Lin Xia's unique trident that emitted a faint golden glow.

"Although Sea God Island has strict rules and places great emphasis on faith, there are not many cumbersome restrictions on daily life for those who have gained the approval of the Lord Sea God."

Sea Horse Douluo's voice carried a soothing tone.

"We will be heading to Sea Horse City, the central town of the Sea Horse Sacred Pillar region, and your main residence on Sea God Island. Upon arrival, comfortable accommodations will be arranged for you. There, you can rest and familiarize yourself with the surroundings."

His gaze was focused on Hu Liena and Lin Xia, but his words were addressed to everyone.

"You may decide for yourselves when to begin your respective trials. The trial marks bestowed upon you by the Lord Sea God will guide you through the content of the first trial. Except for Miss Hu Liena, who has already completed the preliminary recognition ceremony of the Top-Tier Seven Trials..."

As Sea Horse Douluo spoke, his tone was filled with respect for Hu Liena, the future successor to the Grand Pontiff Elder.

"Other distinguished guests, please note that the Lord Sea God's test for you has a time limit: you must complete one of the tests each year."

His tone became more serious; this was the core of the rules.

"Only after you complete this assessment will the specific content and requirements of the next assessment become clearly visible through the mark on your forehead. This cycle will continue until you have completed all the tests."

He slowed his pace, and his tone softened.

"During your stay on the island, if you have any needs, whether it's a training ground, food supplies, or information about the island, please feel free to ask me or the yellow-robed steward in charge of receiving you."

"As your examiner and guide, I will do my best to meet your reasonable needs and ensure that you can focus wholeheartedly on the challenges ahead."

Sea Horse Douluo finally stopped, adding solemnly as his gaze swept over the marks on everyone's foreheads.

"There is one more crucial point that you must all remember: On Sea God Island, apart from the core forbidden area at the very center of the island, where the Sea God Temple is located, which is absolutely off-limits, you are free to explore any other areas—whether forests, beaches, or other areas under the jurisdiction of the Sacred Pillar Guardian —provided you have permission and there are no conflicts. However—"

He emphasized his words.

"No matter when or where, please never cover the mark of the Sea God's Trials on your foreheads! This mark is a symbol of your identity, proof of the Lord Sea God's favor, and the only credential for your actions on the island and for acquiring corresponding resources."

"Covering up the mark will be seen as disrespectful to the Lord Sea God, which will bring unnecessary trouble and may even trigger the island's defense mechanisms."

Sea Horse Douluo's detailed and respectful explanation gave everyone a clearer understanding of the rules of Sea God Island, and also made them feel once again the special nature of their identities and the responsibilities that come with them.

Lin Xia nodded her thanks.

"Thank you for your guidance, senior. I will need your continued support in the future."

With genuine respect on his face, Haima Douluo Ouya bowed slightly and said:

"Mr. Lin, you are too kind. You are a distinguished guest appointed by the Grand Pontiff, and the successor personally chosen by the Lord Sea God. If you need anything, just give the word."

He deliberately lagged half a step behind Lin Xia, adopting an extremely humble posture. His unique voice, which was a blend of the roar of a tsunami and the Tackle of rocks, now carried an unprecedented gentleness.

The group walked along the smooth path paved with strange, dark gray rocks, the air thick with the rich, humid sea air.

About fifteen minutes later, the edge of the dense forest came into view.

Passing through the last row of strange trees that emitted faint fluctuations of Soul Power, the view suddenly opened up—a small town built according to the terrain lay quietly in the open space of the forest.

As Sea Horse Douluo said, the scale of this city is far inferior to any other city on the continent.

The five-meter-high city wall is built of a strange, dark gray rock that seems to absorb light, giving it a cold, hard, and restrained luster in the afternoon sun.

The city walls have no crenellations or gun emplacements, only simple and smooth lines, which are consistent with the solemn and restrained temperament of Sea God Island.

The group was situated on higher ground, offering a panoramic view of the entire small town.

The most eye-catching feature is undoubtedly the building that rises from the ground in the center of the city.

Its shape is somewhat similar to the Sea Horse Sacred Pillar, but it is wider and heavier, and its entire body is engraved with mysterious patterns with flowing light blue halos.

At the top of the building, a huge Sea Horse sculpture stands proudly towards the sky, lifelike—its robust humanoid upper body is muscular, its huge fish tail covered with hard scales is coiled below, its hands are crossed in front of its chest, and its face is majestic and sacred. It is the symbol of the Sea Horse Douluo and the soul totem of this city—the City Lord's Mansion.

An invisible, immense energy emanated from it as if it were a tangible entity, radiating throughout the city and creating a calming force field.

Lin Xia could sense that this energy was of the same origin as the protective force field that enveloped Sea God Island, only more concentrated and gentler.

"Sea God Island has seven Sacred Pillar and seven cities."

The voice of Seahorse Douluo Eurasia rang out at the right time, carrying a hint of guardian pride.

"This is the Sea Horse City that I protect. It is inhabited by about a thousand people, all of whom are the most loyal believers of the Lord Sea God."

He pointed to the magnificent city lord's mansion.

"That place is not only the administrative center, but also the daily gathering and prayer place for the Sea God Warriors."

Xie Yue's gaze swept over the orderly houses in the city, and he asked with a hint of doubt:

"We've heard that Sea God Island has 3,500 Sea God Warriors. If Sea Horse City has over 1,000, wouldn't the number of Sea Soul Master in other cities be vastly different?"

Upon hearing this, Sea Horse Douluo revealed a gentle smile.

"That's not the case. The number three thousand five hundred specifically refers to the Sea God Warriors who are in their prime and protect Lord Sea God. Each Sacred Pillar City is garrisoned with five hundred such elite warriors."

He paused, then explained.

"Once Sea God Warrior reaches seventy, he can retire and enjoy his old age. In addition, there are children under the age of eighteen in the city who have not yet undergone the Sea God's Trials, as well as believers engaged in fishing, handicrafts, and offerings; they are not counted among the warriors."

"Therefore, the actual population of each city is around a thousand. The population of Sea Horse City is still of medium size, while Sea Dragon City, which is located on the Sea Dragon Sacred Pillar, is the largest, with more than two thousand residents."

During the conversation, the group had already reached the city gate.

It was called a city gate, but it was more like the entrance to a large mansion, with only enough room for two carriages to pass each other.

The lintel is simple, without any elaborate carvings, only a miniature Sea Horse totem.

There were only four Sea Soul Master guarding the area, their robes clearly distinguished by color—two in white and two in yellow.

Upon seeing Sea Horse Douluo's signature black attire and his respectful posture, which was half a step behind Lin Xia, the four guards were shocked, their eyes instantly filled with awe.

They bowed in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized, like well-trained guards, without uttering a single sound. The white or yellow markings on their foreheads, signifying their respective identities, were clearly visible in the sunlight.

Only when Sea Horse Douluo nodded slightly did they straighten up, stand at their sides, and silently watch this special team, personally led by the Sacred Pillar Guardian, enter the city.