However, Bai Chenxiang was not having an easy time either, as his body was repeatedly injured by the Sea Star chains, putting him in grave danger.
A moment later, the incense stick finally burned out.
Sea Star Douluo also fell silent, helplessly retracting his Martial Soul Avatar.
The sea returned to calm, the chains dissipated, and the whirlpool subsided.
Bai Chenxiang staggered back to the shore, her Soul Power almost exhausted. Her legs gave way, and she nearly fell.
Ye Lingling had already gone to meet her, and soft light emanated from the Nine Heart Holy Begonia, enveloping Bai Chenxiang's entire body.
Ye Lingling said softly, " Xiangxiang, you did it."
Bai Chenxiang leaned on her shoulder, panting heavily, her vision blurred by sweat.
On his forehead, the black five-pointed star mark glowed faintly.
That familiar voice echoed deep within her mind:
" The Fifth Trial the Black Level Five Trials: Endure the attacks of the Sacred Pillar Guardian for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. If successful, your Soul Power will increase by one level. Upon completion of all Black Level Five Trials, you will be rewarded with a God-Given Soul Ring."
Bai Chenxiang closed her eyes, feeling the new life force within her.
Level 75.
She opened her eyes, looked at Tang Feng, and then at her companions.
Tang Feng nodded slightly, his eyes filled with satisfaction.
Relying on a Martial Soul with no offensive capabilities, she managed to get this far; her resilience moved everyone.
In just over two years, she grew the fastest, rising from level 52 to Level 75, and even re-establishing Zhu Zhuqing's record as the youngest Soul Emperor and Soul Saint.
After Bai Chenxiang successfully completed her Fifth Trial, the group returned to Seahorse City and rested for two days.
Over the past two days, Bai Chenxiang has been focusing on recovering from her injuries, and Ye Lingling has been taking care of her every day to ensure that she recovers as quickly as possible.
The others weren't idle either. Oscar sparred daily with Sea Horse Douluo to familiarize himself with the fighting rhythm of Titled Douluo; Tang Jian honed his Clear Sky Nine Absolutes in the sea...
On the evening of the third day, Tang Feng summoned everyone.
The group sat in a circle, Tang Feng's gaze swept over each face, his expression solemn.
"I've called you all here today because there's something crucial that will determine the success or failure of our upcoming assessment, and I want to share it with you."
Everyone perked up and sat up straight.
Tang Feng slowly began, "During the Third Trial, the Tidal Body Tempering, I gained some insights under the impact of those giant waves. Senior Dugu once compressed all the toxins in his body into a single poison pill and placed it in his dantian."
Dugu Yan nodded slightly. It was her grandfather Dugu Bo's secret technique, so she naturally knew about it.
Tang Feng continued, "Inspired by this, I tried to compress all the liquid Soul Power in my body into a high-density core and place it in my dantian. I call it the Soul Core."
" Soul Core?" Oscar's eyes lit up. "That sounds amazing."
Tang Feng's lips curled slightly upward. "The effect is indeed quite good. After condensing the Soul Core, the space in my meridians was released, allowing it to hold more Soul Power. The Soul Core operates automatically, providing me with a massive supply of Soul Power, while continuously absorbing Soul Power from the outside to replenish itself, essentially giving me a never-ending engine. During battle, the endurance of my Soul Power is greatly enhanced."
Everyone's eyes lit up as they listened.
Tang Jian couldn't help but ask, "Then can we also condense?"
Tang Feng looked at him and said seriously, "This is exactly what I wanted to say. Condensing Soul Core requires extremely high mental strength. In my judgment, one needs at least the mental strength of Soul Douluo to have a chance of success. Moreover, one's foundation must be solid, and the control over Soul Power must be extremely high. If one is not careful, at best the meridians will be damaged, and at worst the dantian will explode."
A chill ran through everyone.
Tang Feng's gaze fell on Dugu Yan:
"Among you all, Sister Yan is currently the most likely to succeed."
Dugu Yan was slightly taken aback.
Tang Feng continued, " Sister Yan already possesses a high-age Head Soul Bone, making her spiritual power far surpass that of others of the same level. Moreover, her Fifth Trial requires her to defeat seven Sacred Pillar Guardian consecutively within three days. This demands an extremely high level of Soul Power, and the Soul Core Technique can provide her with the greatest assistance."
Dugu Yan remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded. "I understand."
Tang Feng then looked at Tang Jian and Zhu Zhuqing:
" Brother Jian and Zhu Zhuqing also have the foundation, but there's no need to rush. You two should first obtain your Eighth Soul Ring. Once you have the Eighth Soul Ring and your foundation is more solid, it won't be too late to try condensing Soul Core."
Tang Jian grinned. "Okay, whatever you say."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly, without saying anything more.
Tang Feng finally looked at the other six people:
"Your mental strength is not yet sufficient; forcing it will only harm you. I will tell you the method, and when your strength has increased further and the time is right, you can make your own arrangements."
Everyone nodded solemnly, knowing that Tang Feng must have meant well for them by saying that.
Dugu Yan took a deep breath and looked at Tang Feng:
What do I need to do?
Tang Feng solemnly said, "Everyone, relax. I will transmit the process of condensing the Soul Core to you through spiritual power."
He closed his eyes, a faint light flickering between his brows. The next instant, a gentle spiritual wave emanated from him, enveloping everyone within it.
It was a wonderful experience, as if countless pieces of information flooded into my mind, but not words or images, but a more direct and personal feeling, like a firsthand experience.
The flow trajectory of liquid Soul Power in the meridians, the compression process at the dantian, the subtle techniques of guiding spiritual power, that sense of balance teetering on the edge of limits...
Everything is etched into everyone's heart like an imprint.
A moment later, the mental fluctuations subsided.
Dugu Yan opened her eyes and murmured softly, "So that's how it is..."
Tang Feng said solemnly, his tone even more serious than before:
"The method has been taught to you. You should also be able to sense that the risks involved are no less than dancing on a tightrope. Therefore, do not attempt it lightly before your mental strength meets the requirements."
Everyone immediately nodded in agreement, and no one dared to be negligent in the slightest.
Dugu Yan closed her eyes, pondered for a moment, then stood up and said firmly, "I need to go into seclusion for a while. At least a month, at most two months. During this time, everyone should continue their cultivation as usual."
Tang Feng nodded, stood up, and began to arrange the follow-up matters. " Sister Yan, don't rush. Let's get Chenxiang, me, and Brother Jian out of Sea God Island first, then you can go into seclusion."
He turned to Bai Chenxiang: " Chenxiang, immediately return to the sect and invite my grandfather, maternal grandfather, and Senior Dugu here. Your round trip will take about two months."
Bai Chenxiang nodded vigorously. "Understood!"
Tang Feng then looked at Tang Jian: " Brother Jian and I are going to hunt Lava Black Tortoise. If all goes well, I estimate it will take about two months."
He paused, his gaze falling on Zhu Zhuqing, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes. "By then, Sister Yan should have successfully emerged from seclusion. Once she's out, we'll meet up again and hunt down the Shadow Demon Squid for you."
Zhu Zhuqing looked at him and nodded gently.
Dugu Yan chimed in, "Good, Little Fengzi's arrangements are thoughtful."
Tang Feng was the last to stand up. He looked around at everyone and said in a steady, powerful voice, "There's no time to lose, let's set off now."
The group immediately got up, crossed the bluestone streets of Seahorse City, and arrived at the outermost coastline of Sea God Island.
Tang Feng and Zhu Zhuqing stood facing each other.
Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward and straightened his collar. The movement was gentle and slow, as if she had a thousand words to say, but in the end, they all boiled down to one sentence:
"Careful."
Tang Feng grasped her hand and pressed it firmly. The warmth of her palm was more powerful than any words.
"Wait for me to come back," he said.
Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly.
Behind her, Dugu Yan had already activated the golden trident mark on her forehead. A gentle and sacred golden light emanated from her body, enveloping Tang Feng, Tang Jian, and Bai Chenxiang.
The light carried a strange power, as if it could penetrate any barrier.
With Tang Feng leading Tang Jian Bai Chenxiang Martial Soul Possession, the three of them flew towards the boundless ocean.
The group stood still, watching the three figures grow ever more distant until they completely disappeared into the sky, before turning and heading towards Seahorse City.
On the sea, the three flew a short distance before stopping in a relatively calm area.
Tang Feng looked at Bai Chenxiang and earnestly instructed her:
" Chenxiang, be careful on the road. Don't fight if you encounter danger; survival is the most important thing."
Bai Chenxiang nodded solemnly. "Don't worry, Brother Feng, I understand."
She then looked at Tang Jian: " Brother Jian, you guys be careful too."
Tang Jian grinned. "Don't worry, it'll be fine."
The three of them exchanged a smile.
Then, Bai Chenxiang took a deep breath, spread her wings, and transformed into a white streak of light, shooting towards the mainland and disappearing into the air in an instant.
Tang Feng and Tang Jian exchanged a glance, then soared into the sky towards another area of the sea.