A Trial and a Gift
On the Ring Sea, only the sound of waves remained, along with the rising and falling gasps of pain and despair, and the roar of Soul Power from the steps.
Cultivation has never ceased.
When Lin Xia awoke from her deep cultivation, it was already dark.
The stars Sea God Island shone brightly, reflecting the azure divine light flowing down the steps, creating a scene of breathtaking beauty, like a dream.
He slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, his breathing long and steady.
The previously depleted and chaotic Soul Power within his body was now like the ocean after the tide rose, not only fully restored but also significantly increased in total amount, becoming more condensed and pure.
The tiny cracks between the meridians have long since healed, and have even become wider and stronger.
The bones faintly shimmered with a pale golden-blue luster, a mark of being tempered by the Sea God's Power.
The benefits of breaking through the eighty steps far exceeded expectations.
He moved his arms and legs, feeling light and full of energy, and his perception of the surrounding pressure became more acute.
One could even faintly "hear" the subtle rhythm of the divine light flowing on the steps.
His gaze swept over his companion.
Xie Yue stood on the sixty-first step, swaying slightly, but finally managed to steady himself.
He was slowly adjusting his breathing, clearly having just completed a breakthrough.
Hu Liena was at level fifty-seven, cultivating with her eyes closed, her breathing steady.
Yan, at level fifty-four, was panting heavily, but grinning from ear to ear.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling also each advanced one or two levels.
Everyone's progress is very obvious.
Lin Xia smiled slightly and stood up.
The scabs fell off with the movement, revealing the new, tougher skin underneath.
He walked to the Ring Sea, scooped up some cool seawater and quickly washed his face and arms; the icy water invigorated him.
"Woke up?"
Xie Yue's voice came from the side. He had also retreated and was recuperating on the shore. Although his face was still a little pale, his eyes were as sharp as ever.
"Hmm. How are you feeling?"
Lin Xia asked.
"Level 61, a little faster than expected."
Xie Yue wiped the water droplets from her face.
"The commotion is even bigger on your end, like level 80 pressure. How does it feel?"
"It felt like being crushed by two mountains at the same time."
Lin Xia spoke the truth.
"However, after getting through it, the Harvest were significant. My Soul Power condensation improved considerably, and my physical strength also increased. Most importantly, I seem to have a clearer perception of the 'rules' of the Sea God's Light."
"Rule?"
Xie Yue raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, it's a kind of... rhythm. The pressure isn't uniform; it's like the tide, with its ups and downs. Catching the gaps in its fluctuations can save a lot of energy."
Lin Xia explained her vague feelings.
This isn't a specific technique, but rather an intuition developed during intense competition.
Xie Yue nodded thoughtfully.
"It seems that the height one climbs is itself a form of understanding the essence of the test. I will pay attention."
As the two were talking, Hu Liena and the others also finished their cultivation and gathered around.
Everyone looked tired, but they couldn't hide their excitement at making progress.
"Lin Xia, you're being too reckless!"
As soon as Hu Liena came over, she couldn't help but scold him, reaching out to check if he had any hidden injuries. But seeing his energetic appearance, she stopped in mid-air and finally just patted his arm lightly.
Don't push yourself so hard next time.
"Knew."
Lin Xia nodded readily and then changed the subject.
"Everyone must be hungry, right? Let's eat something first to replenish our energy."
Mentioning food, Yan's stomach immediately growled. He scratched his head and grinned:
"I'm starving! I feel like I could devour a whole Sea Soul Beast today!"
Ye Lingling silently took out the prepared food from her Storage Soul Tool —it was still grilled fish, seaweed, and some root vegetables and fruits that the islanders had given her, simple yet enough to replenish her energy.
After a month of adjustment, they had already gotten used to this rhythm of eating quickly during breaks in their training and seizing every moment to cultivate.
The group sat together, enjoying their dinner quietly and quickly under the pale blue light of the starlight and the Sea God's Light.
No one spoke; only the sounds of chewing and the waves could be heard.
But this silence wasn't awkward; instead, it conveyed a sense of tacit understanding and peace, as if they were fighting side by side and moving forward together.
After finishing their meal and resting for a while, Lin Xia looked at the sky, assessed everyone's condition, and then spoke.
"We won't continue climbing tonight. Our Soul Power and bodies need time to fully digest today's Harvest. We'll focus on consolidating our training within the pressure range of level 30 to 40, concentrating on recovery and comprehension."
The proposal was approved by everyone.
While extreme climbing can lead to rapid progress, a balance between exertion and relaxation is essential to going further.
Deep Meditation under relatively relaxed pressure to solidify one's foundation is equally important.
So the group dispersed again, each choosing a step that suited them, sitting cross-legged, and entering a meditative state.
Lin Xia chose level thirty-five.
The pressure here was nothing to him, enough to maintain his cultivation without affecting his ability to analyze what he had gained that day.
He closed his eyes, letting his mind sink into his body.
Soul Power flowed like a river through the broad meridians, circulating endlessly.
Each time it cycles, it Absorb a barely perceptible golden-blue speck of light from the outside world—the purest energy emanating from the Sea God's Light.
These points of light merged with the Soul Power, giving it a faint aura of Soul Power and making it more solid.
Consciousness spread, connecting with Venusaur on the other side of the soul.
His companion seemed to have benefited from his breakthrough today; his aura was more focused, and the flowers on his back seemed to have increased their efficiency in absorbing and releasing energy.
The natural vitality that comes from the connection and feedback gently nourishes every corner of his body.
Time flowed slowly in the tranquility of cultivation.
As night deepened, Sea God Mountain was shrouded in tranquility and sanctity.
Only the scattered figures sitting cross-legged on the steps, and the faint yet resolute glow of their Soul Power, proved that this place was not lifeless, but rather a place where transformation and growth were taking place.
Lin Xia's mind gradually emptied, not into a deep sleep, but into a deeper state of rest and enlightenment.
In a daze, he seemed to be able to "hear" the long and ancient breath of the steps beneath his feet, and even the entire Sea God Mountain.
Those are the marks left by the Sea God Divine Power over countless years; they are both a test and a gift.
Following this sensation, his consciousness extended slightly upwards, attempting to touch the majestic temple atop the mountain, bathed in the strongest divine light.
Just as my consciousness was about to touch the dense, impenetrable blue light surrounding the temple—
"Buzz!"
The trident mark between his eyebrows suddenly became hot!
A blurry, fragmented image suddenly crashed into his Sea of Consciousness!
... The endless deep sea... The majestic phantom of a temple... A golden pillar of light piercing through heaven and earth... Within the pillar of light...
A slender figure could be vaguely seen, struggling to climb upwards... Around that figure, pure white feathers danced, radiating a warm yet resolute light...
The image flashed by so quickly that it was impossible to catch the details.
But Lin Xia's heart skipped a beat!
That figure... that radiance...
Is it Sister Xue'er? Qian Renxue?
Is she undergoing Angel God Trial?
And it seems... they are also undergoing a test akin to climbing a staircase?