Bo Saixi did not turn around.
Her gaze rested on the Golden Ranking.
A Level 99 Peerless Douluo.
She had remained at this level for many years.
She knew she was only one step away from truly becoming a god.
Yet that single step might remain forever beyond her reach.
On the Golden Ranking.
More text about Bo Saixi continued to appear.
[The highest authority on Sea God Island.] [High Priest of the Sea God.] [Responsible for guarding the Sea God Inheritance.] [Controls Sea God Island's power of faith.] [Can use Sea God's Light to deploy the Sea God Domain.]
In the Heaven Dou Empire's imperial palace.
Xue Ye gazed at the red-robed figure on the Golden Ranking, his expression grave.
"The High Priestess of Sea God Island."
He had never met Bo Saixi.
But he had long heard many rumors about Sea God Island.
It was a sacred place in the depths of the ocean.
Few forces on the continent could ever truly make contact with Sea God Island.
Yet every High Priest of the Sea God had been among the continent's strongest.
A minister lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty, Bo Saixi only has level 99 soul power."
"Why is she ranked above the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King, who has 1.39 million years of cultivation?"
Xue Ye did not answer.
His gaze lingered above Sea God Hall.
There, golden divine light was gathering little by little.
"The Golden Ranking does not judge cultivation alone."
"Bo Saixi must possess other powers as well."
At Spirit Hall.
Bibi Dong looked up at Bo Saixi in the sky.
She had heard that name before.
A Level 99 Peerless Douluo.
The High Priestess of Sea God Island.
Alongside Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen, she was known as one of the three great Peerless Douluos of the age.
But Bibi Dong had never actually seen Bo Saixi before.
Now, the Golden Ranking had displayed her figure to the entire continent.
Bibi Dong's gaze fell on the scepter in Bo Saixi's hand.
"The Sea God's power of faith."
Qian Daoliu stood beside her.
His expression was even graver than before.
"Bo Saixi can draw upon Sea God Island's power."
"She has guarded the Sea God Inheritance for years. The Sea God's power accumulated within her is far beyond anything an ordinary Titled Douluo could match."
Golden Crocodile Douluo looked toward the sky.
"Great Enshrined, who is stronger, you or Bo Saixi?"
Qian Daoliu fell silent for a moment.
"If we fought on land, I would not necessarily lose."
"But on Sea God Island, she can mobilize all of the island's power."
"I would have no confidence in winning that battle."
Bibi Dong's gaze shifted slightly.
Qian Daoliu was a Level 99 Peerless Douluo.
Even he dared not claim that he could defeat Bo Saixi.
The strength of this High Priest of the Sea God already surpassed the assessments the continent's various forces had made in the past.
At the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Ning Fengzhi stood in the center of the square.
Chen Xin and Gu Rong both looked up at the Golden Ranking.
Gu Rong frowned. "Bo Saixi."
"Of the three great Peerless Douluos back then, she was the only one who remained on Sea God Island."
Chen Xin rested his hand on his sword's hilt.
"What is her martial soul?"
Ning Fengzhi shook his head.
"The ancient records contain no detailed account."
"All we know is that she can control seawater and draw upon the Sea God's power."
Chen Xin watched the golden divine light in the sky.
"If she ranks above the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King, her strength must extend beyond level 99 soul power."
Ning Fengzhi's expression was grave.
The powerful figures appearing on the Golden Ranking were growing more and more terrifying.
The Evil Emperor, the Snow Empress, the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King.
And now Bo Saixi had appeared.
A clear gap had already emerged between the continent's Titled Douluos and these beings.
Chen Xin looked toward the Sect Forbidden Ground.
The Ancient Sword remained unchanged.
He withdrew his gaze.
"I will continue studying the Ancient Sword."
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect cannot remain stagnant forever."
In the Star Dou Great Forest.
Beside the Lake of Life.
Di Tian, Xiong Jun, and the Scarlet King all watched Bo Saixi's name.
Xiong Jun raised his head.
"Another human has made the ranking."
Di Tian nodded.
"A Level 99 Peerless Douluo, the High Priestess of Sea God Island."
All three of the Scarlet King's heads turned toward the sky at once.
"Is she stronger than the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King?"
Di Tian did not answer immediately.
Even before receiving his Golden Ranking reward, the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King had possessed nearly a million years of cultivation.
Now that he had obtained the Deep Sea God Position, his strength was still rising.
Bo Saixi only had level 99 soul power.
Yet the Golden Ranking had placed her fifth, meaning the power she wielded already exceeded that of an ordinary Peerless Douluo.
Gu Yuena stood on the lake's surface.
She studied Sea God Hall behind Bo Saixi, a thoughtful look entering her violet eyes.
"She has a direct connection to the Sea God."
Di Tian turned around.
"My lord, has the Sea God already taken notice of the Douluo Continent?"
"The Sea God has always been here."
Gu Yuena said softly:
"Bo Saixi is merely the Sea God's representative in the mortal world."
"She guards the Sea God Inheritance, as well as Sea God Island's faith."
Di Tian looked toward the Golden Ranking.
"Then who is stronger, her or the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King?"
Gu Yuena did not answer directly.
"The Deep Sea God Position that the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King received has not fully coalesced yet."
"Bo Saixi, however, can borrow the Sea God's power."
"On Sea God Island, she possesses the power left behind by a deity."
Di Tian's expression tightened.
"So that is why she ranks above the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King."
"At least for now."
Gu Yuena looked up at the sky.
In the image, Bo Saixi was ascending the raised platform before Sea God Hall, one step at a time.
She raised the scepter in her hand.
The seawater surrounding Sea God Island rose all at once.
Waves hundreds of meters high halted outside the island.
The seawater did not surge onto the island.
Instead, it transformed into nine water dragons that circled the whole of Sea God Mountain.
Golden light descended from Sea God Hall.
A layer of golden radiance swiftly coated the nine water dragons.
They raised their heads together, letting out silent roars.
Golden ocean tides covered the entire sky above Sea God Island.
More golden text appeared.
[Bo Saixi's talent: ocean affinity.] [Can sense changes in the water element within five thousand kilometers of surrounding sea.] [Can draw upon Sea God Island's power of faith to increase her strength.] [Within Sea God Island's boundaries, her domain's power is greatly enhanced.]
At Skywater Academy.
Shui Yue'er watched the nine water dragons in the sky, her eyes filled with astonishment.
"She can actually control that much seawater."
Shui Bing'er nodded gently.
"The Sea God's power is also present in that seawater."
Shui Yuerou looked toward Long Yao.
"Headmaster, is Bo Saixi's domain very powerful?"
"The Sea God Domain."
Long Yao said calmly:
"This is a power bestowed upon her by the Sea God."
"Once her domain unfolds, the seawater becomes her weapon."
Shui Yue'er asked, "Can she control the entire ocean?"
"Not yet."
Long Yao picked up his teacup.
"She can draw upon Sea God Island's power, but she cannot truly control the ocean's essence."
"If she became the Sea God, things would be different."
Shui Bing'er's gaze flickered.
"She can become the Sea God?"
"She is the High Priest of the Sea God."
Long Yao looked at Bo Saixi in the sky.
"Sea God Island's inheritance exists to find a successor for the Sea God."
"Bo Saixi has guarded the Sea God Inheritance for years, and she herself is qualified to inherit the godhood."
Shui Yuerou's expression changed.
"Then why hasn't she become a god yet?"
Long Yao did not answer right away.
The Sea God Inheritance had restrictions.
Though Bo Saixi possessed tremendous power, she could not personally inherit the Sea God Godhood.
This was a rule the Sea God had left behind.
But there was no need to reveal all that just yet.
Above, on the sky-screen.
The scene changed again.
Bo Saixi stood before Sea God Hall.
She drove her staff into the ground.
A ring of golden light spread from beneath her feet.
Wherever it passed, the sea rose.
A vast ocean appeared in the sky above Sea God Island.
It hung suspended over the island.
Every Soul Master on the island felt their Soul Power suppressed.
The golden seawater slowly swirled.
Countless droplets gathered into the shape of a trident.
Bo Saixi raised her hand.
The ocean in the sky suddenly came crashing down.
Boom!
The whole of Sea God Island shook.
A trench thousands of feet deep opened in the sea.
Endless waters parted to either side.
The mountains and rocks on the seabed came into clear view.
Golden text appeared at the same time.
[Sea God Domain.] [Centered on the Sea God's Power.] [Suppresses the flow of Soul Power within the domain.] [Controls seawater, tides, and ocean elements.] [The closer the domain is to Sea God Island, the stronger it becomes.]
Across the continent, every Soul Master who saw this fell silent.
One island.
One domain.
Yet it could part a stretch of sea thousands of feet deep.
Such power was beyond the understanding of an ordinary Titled Douluo.
In the Evil Demon Forest.
The Evil Emperor looked up at Bo Saixi in the Golden Ranking.
His single eye narrowed slightly.
"Sea God Domain."
"No wonder she ranked ahead of the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King."
The Evil Emperor had once sensed the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King's power from across the sea.
The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King had an extraordinarily formidable body.
But Bo Saixi's power came from Sea God Island and faith in the Sea God.
If they fought on Sea God Island, the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King might not have the advantage.
"Human inheritances truly can't be underestimated."
The Evil Emperor withdrew his spiritual power.
He offered no further comment.
He had now obtained the Evil God Crown.
But compared with those who wielded God Level power, he still needed to grow stronger.
In the Far North.
The Snow Empress watched Bo Saixi in the Golden Ranking.
The Ice Empress stood beside her.
"Sister Snow Empress, Bo Saixi's domain is so powerful."
The Snow Empress nodded gently.
"She borrowed the Sea God's power."
"If we fought on Sea God Island, even I couldn't afford to underestimate her."
The Ice Empress raised her pincers.
"Then could she defeat the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King?"
The Snow Empress looked at the sky-screen.
"The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King has only just obtained the Deep Sea God Position."
"Once he finishes consolidating his Godhood, Bo Saixi's advantage will diminish."
"But for now, there's nothing wrong with Bo Saixi ranking fifth."
The Ice Empress nodded.
She looked back at the Golden Ranking.
Bo Saixi's account was still unfolding.
All living beings waited.
They wanted to know what placed this High Priestess of Sea God Island ahead of the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King.
They also wanted to know
whether Bo Saixi possessed an even greater power beyond the Sea God Domain.
Above, on the sky-screen.
Bo Saixi stood before Sea God Hall.
Golden seawater fell from high above, yet not a drop touched the hem of her robe.
She raised the staff in her hand.
Nine water dragons circled at once, and waves rose around Sea God Island.
More golden text appeared.
[Bo Saixi, High Priestess of Sea God Island.] [Underwent the trials of the Sea God Inheritance from childhood.] [Guarded Sea God Island for decades with Level 99 Soul Power.] [Wields the Power of Faith of Sea God Island.]
The scene changed again.
A coastal village appeared on the sky-screen.
Waves battered the seawall.
Out at sea, several fishing boats struggled through the wind and waves.
Bo Saixi stood on a reef.
The guards of Sea God Island stood in neat ranks behind her.
From the depths of the sea, a massive Sea Soul Beast burst through the surface.
A huge wave surged over the seawall toward the village.
Bo Saixi raised her staff.
A golden ring of light spread from beneath her feet.
The seawater stopped dozens of yards from the village.
Then the towering wave broke into countless streams and fell back into the sea.
The villagers dropped to their knees.
They bowed toward Sea God Island.
Bo Saixi put away her staff.
Without lingering, she turned and walked toward Sea God Hall.
Golden text appeared.
[The High Priestess of Sea God Island guards faith in the Sea God.] [She protects the residents of Sea God Island.] [Over decades, she has quelled disasters at sea many times.] [She has never once set foot beyond Sea God Island.]
Across Douluo Continent.
Many Soul Masters watched the scene on the sky-screen.
Bo Saixi had taken no part in the continent's conflicts.
Nor had she built a faction of her own.
She had remained on Sea God Island all along.
Guarding the Sea God Inheritance.
Guarding the island's residents.
Guarding the faith the Sea God had left behind.
In the imperial palace of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Xue Ye watched the Golden Ranking, his expression gradually changing.
"The High Priestess of Sea God Island has guarded the island for decades."
A minister below lowered his head. "Your Majesty, Sea God Island rarely has dealings with the mainland."
"Yet Sea God Island has never suffered an attack by Sea Soul Beasts. That must have something to do with High Priestess Bo Saixi."
Xue Ye nodded.
"A powerhouse like her can no longer be measured by the standards of an ordinary Titled Douluo."
At Spirit Hall.
Bibi Dong watched Bo Saixi on the sky-screen.
She paid no attention to the islanders kneeling before Bo Saixi.
Her gaze stayed fixed on the staff in Bo Saixi's hand.
"Her power comes from the Sea God Inheritance."
Qian Daoliu stood nearby.
"Bo Saixi can do more than borrow the Sea God's Power. She has continued her own cultivation as well."
"Level 99 Soul Power, the Sea God Domain, and the faith of Sea God Island."
"She stands at the pinnacle of human Soul Masters."
Bibi Dong looked up at the Golden Ranking.
"Yet she still hasn't become a god."
Qian Daoliu fell silent.
He could not answer that question either.
The Sea God Inheritance had existed for a long time.
As the High Priestess of Sea God Island, Bo Saixi was closer to the Sea God Godhood than anyone.
Yet she remained in the mortal world.
There had to be some restriction behind it.
In the Star Dou Great Forest.
Beside the Lake of Life.
Gu Yuena watched Bo Saixi on the sky-screen.
"She isn't incapable of becoming a god."
Di Tian turned toward her.
"My lord, you know why?"
"The Sea God Inheritance needs a suitable successor."
Gu Yuena raised her eyes.
"Bo Saixi is its guardian, not its successor."
Di Tian's expression shifted slightly.
"She can't become the Sea God?"
"She can receive the Sea God's power, but she cannot truly bear that Godhood."
Gu Yuena looked away.
"The Sea God has already laid out her path for her."
Di Tian asked no more.
Gu Yuena knew the rules of the Divine Realm.
Bo Saixi possessed power approaching that of a god, yet she had never been able to take the final step.
It was not for lack of talent.
The Godhood itself had not chosen her.
Above, on the sky-screen.
The scene continued to change.
Inside Sea God Hall.
Bo Saixi stood alone before the statue.
The trident statue stood tall and imposing.
Golden light spilled from the statue.
She held her scepter before her, folded her hands, and bowed to the statue.
The Sea God's Light fell upon her.
Her Soul Power began to rise slowly.
Level ninety-nine.
Once her Soul Power reached level ninety-nine, the Sea God's Light gradually faded.
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