Dugu Yan opened her eyes, her emerald pupils still shimmering with blue light. She stared at her hands with a mixture of bewilderment and utter shock, feeling the surging new power within her body and the intimate connection she felt with the azure triangle.
Tang Feng smiled, genuinely happy for her. "Congratulations, Sister Yan. It seems it has chosen you."
The crowd gathered around, offering their congratulations with a mixture of surprise and envy.
After her initial shock, Dugu Yan gradually accepted this unexpected opportunity, her eyes shining with determination.
Tang Feng, however, was lost in thought. It was certainly a good thing that one of his companions had gained the favor of the Sea God.
But this also means that in the future, on the road to fighting against the Spirit Hall, they may face not only the forces of the mortal realm, but also the more complex power struggles hidden behind the scenes of the Divine Realm.
It seems it's time to put the Asura God Trial on the agenda.
That evening, inside the secluded hot spring room, the rain subsided, and the water in the hot spring pool gradually calmed down.
Tang Feng leaned against the smooth rock by the pool, holding Zhu Zhuqing's warm and slightly cool body in his arms. She nestled against him like a lazy cat, her long, wet hair clinging to his chest.
The misty vapor blurred their vision, but made their breathing and heartbeats even clearer.
As the afterglow of passion slowly faded, Tang Feng's thoughts gradually cleared, as if washed by spring water.
His fingers unconsciously twirled a strand of Zhu Zhuqing's slightly damp hair, his gaze fixed on the Nothingness, where the towering halls of the Spirit Hall seemed to be reflected.
" Zhu Zhuqing," he called softly, his voice slightly hoarse from the aftermath.
"Hmm?" Zhu Zhuqing didn't look up, but responded softly with a nasal tone, rubbing her cheek against his chest with complete trust and affection.
Tang Feng organized his thoughts and slowly said, " Qian Renxue's defeat and escape this time have rendered her years of lurking in vain. She is proud and will never accept this. Once she returns to the Spirit Hall, with the inheritance of the Angel Clan, she will definitely spare no effort to fully activate the Angel God Trial, thereby gaining overwhelming power to make a comeback."
He paused, feeling the slight tension in the person in his arms, and continued, " Bibi Dong is the same. With the Soul Hunting Operation thwarted and her prestige damaged, she will only be more eager to seek a breakthrough. She will likely accelerate the advancement of the Rakshasa God's inheritance as well. We don't have much time left. When the Spirit Hall makes a move, it will inevitably carry the power of a god. We must increase our strength even faster to have the resources to resist."
Zhu Zhuqing raised her head, her cool cat-like eyes reflecting Tang Feng's serious profile. She softly asked, " Brother Feng, you mean... going to that legendary training ground you mentioned before, the one that can transform a person and rapidly increase their strength?"
"Yes, that place is called Sea God Island." Tang Feng nodded, tightening his arms slightly to pull her closer. "What I need is there, and it might also hold the opportunity for all of us to leap forward. But the legends are not unfounded. The Sea God Trial is incredibly cruel, and for land-based Soul Master, it's almost always a matter of life and death; countless have perished. I'm worried about you..."
Before he could finish speaking, Zhu Zhuqing raised her arm and gently pressed her warm fingertips against his lips. The next second, she tilted her head back and kissed him.
This kiss wasn't as fiery as usual; instead, it carried a gentle yet resolute strength, sealing away all his lingering worries and hesitations.
After a long while, their lips parted.
Zhu Zhuqing breathed slightly, but her eyes remained fixed on his, her voice soft yet firm, as if making a vow. "No matter where you go, no matter if it's a mountain of knives or a sea of fire, or an endless abyss, I will never leave you. Wherever you are, I will be. We will share life and death, and never betray each other."
There were no grand pronouncements, yet every word Qian Jun, striking the softest spot in Tang Feng's heart.
His throat moved slightly; all words of comfort and worry were shattered by this brief vow, leaving only a surge of burning emotion and deep feeling.
" Zhu Zhuqing..."
He murmured something and kissed her deeply again, imprinting the promise and their intertwined breaths into the depths of their souls.
The hot spring water was once again stirred up with lingering ripples.
The next day, as dawn broke.
Tang Feng and Zhu Zhuqing gathered their companions, including Tang Jian, Ye Lingling, Dugu Yan, Oscar, Ning Rongrong, and Tai Long.
As Tang Feng's gaze swept over the crowd, he could clearly sense their growth over the past six months.
Tang Jian and Ye Lingling have broken through the Level 60 threshold, Tai Long has also entered the Soul King realm. After obtaining the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, Dugu Yan's aura has become more expansive and profound. Oscar and Ning Rongrong have also made significant progress thanks to the sect's resources and their own efforts.
Tang Feng cut to the chase. "Everyone, about half a year ago, I mentioned taking you to a place where we could quickly improve our strength through training. However, the Spirit Hall subsequently launched a series of attacks on Soul Hunting and plotted to usurp the country, dragging us into the vortex, and this matter has been delayed until now."
He paused, then continued, "Now that the external crisis has eased and the situation has stabilized, Brother Jian, Sister Lingling, and Tai Long urgently need to acquire new Soul Ring. My plan is that we first go to the Star Dou Great Forest together to help the three of them obtain suitable Soul Ring. After that, we'll set off directly from the Star Dou Great Forest for that legendary overseas holy land! Sea God Island!"
"I cannot fully predict what lies ahead. I have only heard that the rules there are cruel, the environment treacherous, and danger lurking everywhere, with the risk of death at any moment. But opportunity and risk go hand in hand, and perhaps there lies a chance for us to transcend the mundane. The road ahead is perilous, and I cannot guarantee absolute safety, but I will do my utmost to overcome every difficulty together with everyone."
"I'm going on this trip voluntarily. Would you like to come with me and give it a try?"
Tang Jian was the first to grin and say, "Hahaha! Little Feng, I don't need to say anything more, I'll follow you wherever you go!"
Ye Lingling firmly grasped Tang Jian's hand and nodded gently. "I'll go with Brother Jian."
" Brother Feng! We're definitely going!" Oscar and Ning Rongrong said in unison.
Dugu Yan touched the blue mark between her brows and said, "Since the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud has chosen me, then I naturally have to venture into Sea God Island as well."
Tai Long, Niu Zhen, and Bai Chenxiang naturally agreed to go as well.
Tang Feng nodded. "Alright! In that case, let's make some preparations, and in five days, we'll set off to Soul Hunting in the Star Dou Great Forest, and then... head directly to Sea God Island!"
That night, in the council hall of Cloud Mist Mountain.
Sect Master Tang Xiao, along with all the elders, were present.
Tang Xiao spoke first, asking, " Feng'er, what's the matter that you've urgently summoned all the elders?"
Tang Feng slowly stood up and took out the ancient and heavy token engraved with the Clear Sky Hammer and special cloud patterns from his bosom.
" The Clear Sky Token!"
Almost the instant the token appeared, the most senior elders, including the Second Elder Tang Zhen and the Third Elder Tang Ming, stood up abruptly, exclaiming in disbelief, their eyes filled with shock.
They stared intently at the token that symbolized the supreme authority of the Clear Sky Sect!
Tang Feng held up the Clear Sky Token with both hands, his voice deep. "Sect Master, Elders, I have summoned you all today because of some important information concerning the late Sect Master Tang Chen. This information has been kept secret until now, and it must be reported to the sect today."
Without further hesitation, he would reveal how he discovered Tang Chen, who was parasitized by the Blood-Red Nine-Headed Bat King and was in a dazed state, from the depths of the Blood Sea in the Slaughter City, and how he fought fiercely to awaken Tang Chen's will.
Finally, Tang Chen recounted his tragic past experiences, as well as the entire process of inheriting the profound meaning of the Great Sumeru Hammer, entrusting the Clear Sky Token and his last wishes, telling the whole story.
He explained that his and his grandfather Tang Lie's initial concern in deciding not to disclose the news was that this shocking news would suddenly shatter the newly united morale of the sect.
"The old sect leader entrusted the Clear Sky Token to me in his final moments, and gave me two instructions: first, to do everything in my power to revitalize the Clear Sky Sect; second, when the time is right, to go to Sea God Island and bring his remains and belongings back to the ancestral land for burial, so that he may rest in peace."
"Now that the external threats have eased somewhat, I believe it's time to fulfill our ancestor's last wish."
As soon as he finished speaking, Tang Xiao's eyes were already red. The Second Elder Tang Zhen, was also in tears, looking up at the sky and sighing. The other elders were all overcome with grief and sighed deeply.
After a long silence, Tang Xiao forced down his surging emotions, his voice hoarse. "My grandfather spent his whole life pursuing breakthroughs, yet he suffered such hardship... It's time to fulfill his last wish."
He surveyed the elders and said in a deep voice, "Although Sea God Island is far overseas and mysterious, the old man must have a profound reason for making this arrangement. I will support Feng'er and his group to go there! While they are away, we must work together to safeguard the sect's foundation and stabilize our rear!"
Tang Zhen wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes and was the first to declare, "I will also lend a hand!"
The elders all seconded the motion.
Tang Feng put away the Clear Sky Token, exchanged a glance with his grandfather Tang Lie, and the weight on his heart regarding Tang Chen finally lifted.