Vast Sea City.
As dawn broke, the sea breeze, carrying a salty, fishy smell, blew in from the direction of the pier.
Tang Feng and his group stood at the city gate, where two brand-new carriages were parked in front of them.
In order to return to his sect as soon as possible, he spared no expense in acquiring the best attire.
The wheels rolled and rumbled as they sped eastward toward Heaven Dou City.
However, during the process, some things happened that left everyone puzzled.
Tang Feng and Zhu Zhuqing always acted mysteriously.
Every evening when they set up camp, the two would slip away unnoticed and disappear from everyone's sight.
Sometimes it takes two or three hours, sometimes it's the middle of the night, and sometimes it's even until the next morning before they sneak back.
Every time someone asked, Tang Feng would solemnly say it was "related to the assessment," then put on an expression that said, "Don't ask, you'll know later," making people too embarrassed to ask any further.
Zhu Zhuqing kept her head down and remained silent, occasionally flashing a hint of panic and shyness.
No one asked any further questions.
Two carriages sped along the official road. During the day, everyone sat in their respective carriages, meditating and cultivating themselves without ceasing.
Tang Jian and Zhu Zhuqing, in particular, have both reached the peak of Level 89 and are supported by Soul Core, so they may break through the final barrier at any time.
Fifteen days later.
As night fell, the group set up camp at the edge of a grove of trees.
After the campfire was lit and dinner was served, everyone returned to their respective tents to cultivate.
Tang Feng and Zhu Zhuqing disappeared into the night again.
This time, they went further than usual.
A gentle night breeze caressed the night sky, where the stars shone brightly.
From the depths of the distant woods, a suppressed panting sound could be heard.
The sound was extremely soft and low, and was quickly swallowed up by the night wind.
Nearly an hour later, Tang Feng and Zhu Zhuqing emerged from the woods.
Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head, her hair slightly disheveled, and her face still flushed, while Tang Feng looked radiant.
Two years is neither a long nor a short time.
Although Tang Feng was very confident in his "efforts", he still felt some pressure.
After all, this was something he couldn't control; all he could do was increase the frequency and try to create a miracle through sheer force.
When they returned, the campfire in the camp was reduced to embers with a dark red glow, and everyone was already asleep.
At 3:45 AM (丑时).
A strong fluctuation of Soul Power emanated from Tang Jian's tent.
Tang Jian slowly opened his eyes, a flash of crimson-gold light appeared and disappeared, and a scorching and violent pressure emanated from his body.
Congratulations, Brother Jian! You've successfully broken through the Level 90 bottleneck.
Tang Feng's face was full of a gratified smile.
Others also gathered around, offering their congratulations.
Tang Jian stood up, feeling the unprecedented surge of power coursing through his body, his expression one of great excitement.
He took a deep breath, took out the golden God-Given Soul Ring, and held it in his palm.
Wave!
With a soft sound, the golden bead shattered.
A dense golden mist erupted, instantly enveloping Tang Jian.
The mist, swirling and hazy, completely engulfed his figure.
A halo of light began to appear around his body.
Time slips away, little by little.
As the morning light of the ninth day shone into the valley, the golden cocoon of light finally began to dissipate.
boom!!!
The golden light faded.
Tang Jian slowly stood up.
Nine Soul Ring lit up in succession beneath his feet: yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, red, red.
Two red, Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring gleamed in the rising sun, radiating a chilling aura.
The ninth one, in particular, has a deeper red color than the eighth one, and three gold edges.
" Brother Jian, how are you?"
Tang Feng stepped forward, his eyes filled with anticipation.
Tang Jian closed his eyes, feeling the earth-shattering changes within his body.
A moment later, he opened his eyes, his voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement. " Level 93! Soul Ring age limit of 300,000 years!"
Tang Jian directly pushed the age of his God-Given Soul Ring to 300,000 years, and this 300,000-year Soul Ring directly pushed his Soul Power to Level 93!
Tang Feng's lips curled up slightly.
He recalled the boy who had trained with him in the Clear Sky Sect.
Recalling the past, both of them had mediocre talents, with Innate Soul Power of only level six or seven.
Now, both of them achieved the Titled Douluo before the age of thirty, standing at the pinnacle of the continent.
" Brother Jian, congratulations." Tang Feng stepped forward and patted him heavily on the shoulder.
Tang Jian grinned, his right hand loosely clenched.
The Clear Sky Hammer fell into his palm as summoned.
The hammer, originally dark gold, has now turned into a deep crimson gold.
The hammer exuded a scorching and violent aura; simply holding it caused the surrounding air to distort slightly.
"My Clear Sky Hammer... probably weighs over 100,000 jin."
Tang Jian gripped the hammer, feeling its heavy, weighty force.
"What about Soul Skill? How strong are they?" Oscar couldn't help but ask.
Tang Jian nodded:
I have two Ninth Soul Skill.
"The first one Burning Heaven and Splitting Earth. Centered on the Clear Sky Hammer, it integrates fire and strength attributes, igniting crimson-gold flames on the hammer's body. The attack range is three hundred meters in radius. All enemies hit will not only suffer a three-fold impact but will also be continuously burned by the flames."
"The second one is Clear Sky Mountain Shattering. When swinging the hammer, all power is concentrated at a single point, capable of unleashing up to five times the attack power. It also has a built-in 50% penetration effect, capable of penetrating any form of defense, including armor, shields, and energy barriers."
Oscar muttered, "Five times the attack power, and it ignores fifty percent of defense... who can withstand that?"
Tang Jian's lips curled slightly upward, his eyes brimming with confidence:
"Even a Level 95 Titled Douluo would be severely injured if he didn't have defensive measures of the same level, if he took a hit from my hammer."
Just as everyone was immersed in the joy of Tang Jian's breakthrough, an unexpected change occurred.
A golden beam of light descended from the sky, enveloping Tang Jian!
The beam of light was about ten feet thick, dazzling and sacred, exuding an ancient and majestic aura.
Everyone involuntarily retreated, the oppressive aura making their very souls tremble.
A moment later, the beam of light dissipated.
A faint golden battle axe mark appeared between Tang Jian's eyebrows.
Tang Feng was the first to sense the aura of the deity and asked:
" Brother Jian, what was that golden light just now?"
Tang Jian showed a surprised expression:
"I have gained the favor of a deity."
"What?!" everyone exclaimed in unison.
Tang Jian suppressed his excitement and slowly said:
"That deity is called the God of War. The God of War said that I broke through to the Titled Douluo before the age of thirty, proving my combat talent and foundation of power. When my Soul Power reaches Level 99, I can receive his Godhood Inheritance."
The God of War, the deity who wields power and combat, is the object of worship for all combat-type Soul Master.
Tang Feng stared blankly at Tang Jian.
Tang Jian, who once possessed only a level six Innate Soul Power, was inconspicuous among the third-generation disciples of the Clear Sky Sect.
Now, he has not only become Titled Douluo, but has also gained the favor of the God of War.
Tang Feng stepped forward and gave him a big hug.
Others also stepped forward to offer their congratulations.
Tang Feng looked around at everyone. " Brother Jian has gained the favor of the God of War, Sister Yan is the successor of the Sea God, and I have also obtained the inheritance of the Asura God. This proves that divine inheritance is not out of reach. As long as we work hard enough, and as long as our foundation is solid enough, everyone has the opportunity to gain the favor of the gods."
He paused, his voice becoming even more solemn. "Everyone must work even harder. Believe in yourselves; you too can gain the favor of the gods in the future."
"Yes!" everyone responded in unison.
The group quickly packed up and set off again.
The carriage emerged from the valley, entered the official road, and continued eastward.
Five days later, Zhu Zhuqing also achieved a breakthrough.
Having absorbed the God-Given Soul Ring, the age of the Ninth Soul Ring also broke through to 300,000 years, and the Soul Power also reached Level 93.
She stood up, and nine Soul Ring lit up in succession beneath her feet: purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black, red, red.
Zhu Zhuqing's two Ninth Soul Skill are:
"The first one Netherworld Judgment. It delivers a final blow, ignoring all defenses and distances. As long as the target is within its perception range, it will inevitably hit. The most important thing is to focus intently on locking onto the target."
"The second Netherworld Eternal Night. Once activated, it creates Eternal Night Domain with a diameter of 500 meters centered on the user, lasting for 30 seconds. Within the domain, all light is swallowed up, and all senses, including sight, hearing, Soul Power perception, and mental power detection, become ineffective. Enemy attacks cannot lock onto targets, while the user can attack at will. It cannot be used simultaneously with the first skill."
After her breakthrough, a similarly dark pillar of light descended from the sky and enveloped Zhu Zhuqing!
A moment later, the beam of light dissipated.
A dark six-pointed star mark faintly appeared between Zhu Zhuqing's eyebrows.
" Zhu Zhuqing, have you also gained the favor of the gods?" Tang Feng stepped forward and grasped her hand tightly.
Zhu Zhuqing looked at him, her voice tinged with barely suppressed excitement:
" God of Darkness. First-Level God, one of the Seven Elemental Gods, who controls the power of dark elements."
She paused, then continued, "My divine sense tells me that the Darkness Secret Realm will open to me after I complete all the Sea God Trial. I need to complete the Nine Trials of Darkness there in order to finally inherit my Godhood Inheritance."
Zhu Zhuqing looked at Tang Feng, her eyes filled with tenderness.
She gently hugged him, buried her face in his chest, and whispered, " Brother Feng, I..."
She couldn't continue speaking because her eyes were already red.
Tang Feng gently put his arm around her without saying a word.