Forbidden Ground!

"And."

Lin Xia's gaze swept over her companions.

"Our trials have the same name, which means the location is likely the same. We can go together and support each other."

"Although my difficulty is doubled, your experience and attempts are also crucial for me in exploring how to deal with this Sea God's Light."

Similarly, my feelings and coping methods when under double the pressure may offer you some reference and warning.

Xie Yue nodded in agreement.

"That's right. Teamwork is our strength. Even if the tests are independent, we can support each other while being in the same environment. The most urgent task is to figure out the specifics and format of this 'Sea God's Light' test as soon as possible."

"Sea Horse Douluo said that the trial mark will guide us to perceive the content of the first trial. Perhaps, by calming down and sensing carefully, we can get a more specific direction?"

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement. Yan rubbed his hands together, eager to get started.

"What are we waiting for? Let's try it! I want to see what this Sea God's Light is all about!"

He was the most impatient of them all, so he immediately closed his eyes and focused his mental energy to communicate with the black six-pointed star mark on his forehead again.

The others fell silent, closing their eyes and focusing their attention on their respective trial imprints, trying to glean more specific guidance from the vague information of "Crossing, Sea God's Light"—where exactly was the sacred path leading to the first life-or-death hurdle?

The large living room fell silent, with only the faint sound of waves outside the window and the steady or slightly rapid breathing of the people.

Golden sunlight streamed through windows adorned with Sea God motifs, casting dappled shadows on the floor.

Lin Xia slowly closed his eyes, his mental energy sinking into the trident between his brows. The heaviness brought by the word "double" did not disappear, but became clearer in the stillness, like the Sword of Damocles hanging over his head.

But at this moment, besides feeling solemn, a strong fighting spirit also ignited in his heart.

So what if it's double?

While everyone was talking, a purple-clad Sea Soul Master arrived on the third floor.

He was a robust man with a silver Sea Horse totem embroidered on his chest, and was a high-ranking figure on Sea God Island, second only to the Sacred Pillar Guardian.

"Distinguished guests, lunch is ready. Please follow me to the first floor for your meal."

The purple-robed Soul Master bowed respectfully, his gaze lingering for a moment on the golden trident mark on Lin Xia's forehead, his awe deepening.

Lin Xia nodded.

Thank you for your help.

The group followed him down the spiral stone steps.

On the long table in the center of the first-floor restaurant, a dazzling array of seafood delicacies is on display.

The lobsters, over two feet long, Red shells, while the king crabs, a foot wide, had plump claws. Various seashells were arranged on an ice plate, adorned with emerald green seaweed.

Compared to the Purple Pearl Pirate Crew's meager rations and this morning's simple breakfast, this feast was like a gift from the gods.

Yan could no longer contain himself and forked up the snow-white crab meat to devour it.

Dugu Yan gracefully pried open the oyster, while Ye Lingling sipped the milky white fish soup.

Xie Yue's movements as swift as ever as when she cut the lobster, while Hu Liena scooped the richest crab roe onto Lin Xia's plate.

"It seems the compensation is indeed quite good."

Lin Xia was the last to put down her silver fork, smiling as she looked at her companions' satisfied expressions.

"Shall we explore the Sea God's Light again tomorrow, or go this afternoon?"

Xie Yue wiped the corner of his mouth, a sharp glint flashing in his silver eyes.

"I'll go this afternoon. The path of cultivation cannot be delayed for even a moment."

He scanned the crowd.

"You've replenished your energy with food; a short rest will restore you to peak condition."

Everyone agreed.

An hour later, the three levels of Sea Horse City reunited.

Lin Xia invited the purple-robed Soul Master had previously led the way and stated her purpose directly.

"Please lead us to the forbidden area. The First Trial bestowed upon us by the Lord Sea God is 'Transcending Time, the Sea God's Light,' which can only be performed in the forbidden area."

"Forbidden Zone?!"

The purple-clad Soul Master's pupils constricted sharply as his gaze swept over everyone's foreheads— Hu Liena's Red seven-pointed star, Xie Yue and the others' pitch-black six-pointed stars, and Lin Xia's gilded trident—his astonishment turned into realization and a deeper sense of respect.

"I see! Distinguished guests, please follow me."

Without hesitation, he stepped aside to lead the way, without the slightest doubt.

On the way out of the city, Xie Yue's Soul Power condensed into a thread and entered Lin Xia's ears.

"Too easy. This is a forbidden area, why didn't he ask why?"

Lin Xia glanced at the islanders bowing respectfully by the roadside and responded telepathically.

"It is precisely because it is easy that the test is so perilous. One reason he is so compliant is because of this mark."

His fingertips unconsciously brushed across the HeartGold.

"The Sea God's Trials assesses not only strength and potential, but also character. We all passed the advanced test, especially since it alarmed Grand Pontiff Bo Saixi; no one on the island dares to doubt our intentions now. Secondly..."

He gazed at the center of the island, shrouded in a seven-colored halo, in the distance.

"The defense of the forbidden area is undoubtedly an extremely dangerous situation, and the Sea God's Light is only one part of it."

The purple-clad Soul Master led the group out of the city gate and onto a winding stone path leading upwards.

The road surface was paved with dark gray sea rock, with fluorescent blue moss growing in the cracks. The fresh scent of grass and trees in the air gradually faded, replaced by a heavy, tangible sense of oppression.

The higher Lin Xia went, the more intensely the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud mark between his brows became, as if it were resonating with some kind of power of the same origin.

"Sea God Mountain is ahead."

The purple-clad Soul Master stopped and pointed to the cloud-shrouded peak.

Following his pointing finger, one could see a staircase leading to the sky extending from the foot of the mountain and disappearing into the clouds.

The staircase is made of neither stone nor jade, but seems to be cast from solidified azure seawater and golden light particles, with each step flowing with a sacred glow.

At the foot of the mountain stands a diamond-shaped platform a hundred feet high, surrounded by seven towering pillars, each topped with a different sacred marine beast—these are the Seven Sacred Pillars!

"The Sea God's Light then enveloped the entire staircase."

The purple-robed Soul Master spoke solemnly.

"This is a manifestation of the Lord Sea God power; it is both a test and a blessing."

He stepped aside and bowed deeply.

"May all our distinguished guests enjoy great success in their military endeavors."

Everyone gazed at the steps, feeling their souls cleansed by the light. Xie Yue's silver eyes narrowed slightly.

"The oppressive aura emanating from the steps... is more than ten times stronger than the Sea God's Light beneath the Sea Horse Sacred Pillar!"

Hu Liena gripped Lin Xia's hand tightly; her fingertips were icy cold.

"Lin Xia, your 'double'..."

Lin Xia nodded.

In his vision, the test marks on his companions' foreheads were emitting a faint glow, creating a subtle pull on the steps.

And when his spiritual power sank into the trident mark on his own body—

"Boom!"

Deep within my consciousness, the image of the stairway to heaven suddenly descended!

Unlike what others saw, the staircase he "saw" was shrouded in a thin yet suffocating golden halo.

The divine inscription at the beginning burned brightly.

"Time travel, double rewards, Sea God's Light. Time limit: one year."

"In my perception... the staircase is twofold."

Lin Xia's voice was deep and serious as he pointed to the first stone step at the foot of the mountain.

"What you see is azure divine light, but in my eyes, it is also covered with a layer of flowing golden flames."

Yan gasped.

"The pressure has doubled?!"

Lin Xia shook her head.

"More than that. The Gravity intertwine, like the deep sea and lava overlapping."