Tang Feng raised his head and gave a wry smile, "My requirement is to climb a thousand steps."
The living room fell silent instantly. Everyone stared wide-eyed, speechless, glancing at Tang Feng and then at Dugu Yan, unsure of what to say.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't speak, but silently held Tang Feng's hand.
Tang Feng felt the warmth of her palm, and his heart settled slightly.
He looked out the window at the majestic Sea God Island's core forbidden area and sighed helplessly.
Level 1000! What did I do to deserve this?
The difficulty of the test for a Top-Tier Eight Trials is actually higher than that of the Sea God Nine Trials, and more than three times higher.
Isn't this Sea God deliberately targeting me?
What he didn't know was that the highest step on the Sea God's Light Staircase was only one thousand steps.
This test of "climbing a thousand steps" was not the will of the Sea God at all.
It was decided by a certain God King who personally asked the Sea God for help.
The next morning, as dawn broke, everyone was already dressed and ready to depart.
The Sea Soul Master arranged by Sea Horse Douluo was already waiting outside the City Lord's Mansion.
The Sea Soul Master was a man in his thirties with dark skin, clearly a native of an island where the wind and sun blew year-round.
He didn't say much. When he saw the crowd come out, he simply bowed slightly and then turned to lead the way.
After walking for nearly two hours through Seahorse City, the view suddenly opened up before us.
A Ring Sea stretched out before them.
Although it's called the sea, it's more like a huge circular lake, with a calm, mirror-like surface reflecting the azure sky and white clouds.
The gentle waves rippled, breaking the sunlight into countless shimmering, colorful lights that danced and swirled on the water's surface.
In the center of the Ring Sea lies an isolated island.
The island is high up, about 500 meters high, and most remarkably, the entire island is shrouded in a faint golden light.
The light was not dazzling, but it possessed an indescribable holiness and majesty, as if separating the human world from the divine realm.
At the top of the island stands a building that looks like it's been carved from white jade.
Square-shaped with a dome, from their position they could only see the huge white stone pillars on the outermost edge of the building.
The pillar is crystal clear, reflecting a warm luster in the sunlight, and is full of a sacred aura.
"This is... the forbidden area?" Tai Long murmured, his voice filled with unconscious awe.
The Sea Soul Master leading the way stopped, turned to face the crowd, and his eyes were full of piety:
"Yes, this is the forbidden area of our Sea God Island, the Sea God Hall, where the Lord Sea God is worshipped."
He pointed to the small island:
"Please look, everyone. From the front of the Sea God Hall, a stone staircase extends downwards. That is where you will need to pass the test; there are a total of one thousand steps."
Everyone looked in the direction he was pointing.
Sure enough, starting from the base of the Sea God Hall, layers of white stone steps descended along the mountainside, stretching all the way to the Ring Sea in front of them.
Under the sunlight, the stone steps reflected a faint light, like a ladder leading to a divine kingdom.
"Those of you who wish to undergo the test may do so now. I will be waiting for you here," said the Sea Soul Master.
The group exchanged glances, about to set off, when the Sea Soul Master seemed to remember something and quickly added:
"Distinguished guests, if things become impossible during the trials, please do not force it. Simply retreat quickly from the sacred mountain, and you will naturally be unharmed. The Sea God's Light... is probably the only relatively safe trial you will face in your future endeavors. Therefore, you need not be overly cautious."
Tang Feng smiled slightly and nodded, saying, "Thank you for your guidance."
He paused, then added, "However, you don't need to wait for us here. We don't know how long this attempt will last, so please prepare some food for us."
The Sea Soul Master quickly agreed, "Yes, I will bring the food to all the distinguished guests on time."
Tang Feng said nothing more and turned to look at his companions.
He reached out and put his arm around Zhu Zhuqing's waist, whispering, "Let's go."
The next moment, the two took off and rushed straight towards the Ring Sea.
Behind him, the crowd followed.
The Ring Sea is about 200 meters wide, with small waves. Although it is called a sea, it is more like a circular lake.
Of course, the water here is still seawater, carrying a faint salty and fishy smell.
This time, it wasn't a test given by Sea Horse Douluo, so everyone found it much easier once they reached the other side.
Those that can fly can fly directly, and those that can't only need Oscar to deliver a Flying Mushroom Sausage to reach the other side.
The group flew over the Ring Sea and landed safely at the foot of Sea God Mountain.
The steps leading up the mountain were just a few dozen meters away from them.
The moment they set foot on this land, everyone simultaneously sensed something unusual.
A solemn and dignified atmosphere permeated the surroundings. It was as if some special energy was suppressing them, making their hearts heavy and even their breathing cautious.
Is this the breath of God?
Tang Feng gazed at the mountain peak shrouded in golden light, thinking to himself.
"I'll go try first," Tai Long said, always taking the lead.
He took a deep breath and strode towards the steps.
Bang!!
A muffled thud.
Just as Tai Long reached the edge of the steps, it was as if he had crashed into an invisible wall. He was thrown back by a tremendous force, flying more than ten meters away. He staggered back several steps before barely managing to regain his footing.
"What's going on?" Oscar rushed forward.
Tai Long rubbed his aching shoulder, looking bewildered. "It felt like I hit a wall... a very resilient wall. The greater my impact, the greater the rebound; there was simply no way to resist."
The group looked at each other in bewilderment.
Tang Feng walked to the edge of the steps, slowly raised his right hand, and reached forward.
When his palm touched that invisible barrier, he felt a gentle yet firm resistance.
He withdrew his hand and explained to the crowd:
"This Sea God's Light must be a protective shield. We can only climb up step by step, resisting the pressure of the shield. If our strength can't hold, we'll be immediately bounced back."
He paused, then added, "Offensive Soul Skill are definitely out of the question, but protective and amplifying skills should be fine."
He turned around to face the layers of white stone steps:
"Let's go try again."
Tang Feng was the first to step onto the stairs.
He slowly raised his right leg and stepped towards the first step.
As soon as his right leg entered the step, a strong resistance came towards him, forcefully pushing him away.
The feeling was like pressing your finger into a fully inflated balloon, with the dented balloon constantly trying to push your finger out.
He gritted his teeth and stomped down hard.
The moment he stepped onto the first step, an overwhelming pressure surged from all directions, squeezing his body forcefully.
The pressure was omnipresent and pervasive, as if it wanted to seal off every single pore.
Tang Feng took a deep breath and steadied himself.
Then he took the second step, the third step, the fourth step...
Behind them, the others also stepped onto the steps one after another.
The first dozen or so levels were relatively easy. But the higher you go, the greater the pressure becomes.
The pressure wasn't simply downward; it came from all directions, as if trying to force a person off the steps.
Tang Feng walked at the very front.
He took each step steadily, neither too fast nor too slow.
When he reached the hundredth level, his physical strength, which had been tempered by Ice and Fire Body Refining, the Slaughter Origin, and the Dragon Soul Origin, began to feel strain.
Looking back at the others, I saw that they had already been blocked far away.
He stopped relying on his physical body to endure the strain and began to circulate his Soul Power.
At level 150, he unlocked his First Soul Skill, Amplification.
At level 200, the Second Soul Skill, Amplification, was unlocked.
At level 250, the power of the External Soul Bone Flame Dragon Wings was also mobilized.
The oppressive aura of the Clear Sky Domain subtly emanated outwards, counteracting the pressure of the Sea God's Light.
When Tang Feng stepped onto the Level 60 step, he finally stopped.
My Soul Power is being depleted too quickly.
He still had trump cards up his sleeve, including the Soul Bone, Clear Sky True Body, and the Ring Detonation, but he knew now was not the time to fight to the death.
Tang Feng looked up towards the higher ground. The layers upon layers of stone steps stretched upwards, disappearing into the golden mist, with no end in sight.
A thousand levels seems like an unattainable goal.
He withdrew his gaze, sat down cross-legged on the spot, and immediately entered a meditative state.
Pressure is the best catalyst for self-improvement.
Under the immense pressure of the Sea God's Light, his Soul Power was rapidly depleted, but it was quickly restored through meditation.
Each cycle of consumption and recovery subtly refines his meridians and the purity of his Soul Power.
This feeling surprised Tang Feng but rather pleased him.