The Ice Dragon King was speechless for a moment.
"I know what you're worried about, I've always known," Xuan Ming said.
"Don't worry, I will do my best to keep my promise."
The Ice Dragon King was silent for a moment, then hummed in response.
Xuan Ming took a deep breath, no longer hesitating. His powerful Divine Power, like invisible tentacles, slowly extended and cautiously penetrated into the interior of the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
At first, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud showed no reaction, like a special piece of blue crystal.
But when Xuan Ming's Divine Power touched its core area, a sudden change occurred!
Buzz--!
The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud suddenly erupted with a dazzling azure divine light, instantly illuminating the entire side hall as if it were a dragon Sea Dragon!
A vast, majestic, and terrifying divine power, imbued with the aura of the endless ocean, erupted and completely enveloped Xuan Ming!
Xuan Ming groaned, feeling as if his Divine Power had collided with a boundless, raging ocean. Immense pressure was pressing in from all directions, threatening to crush and assimilate him!
But he did not back down; instead, a sharp glint flashed in his icy blue eyes.
He steadied his mind, gathering his profound Divine Power, tempered in the Slaughter City, and like a pillar in the middle of a raging torrent, stubbornly resisting the impact of this divine might.
At the same time, he deliberately concealed the aura of the Ice and Fire Dragon Essence to avoid stimulating this wisp of the Sea God's Divine Sense.
"Huh?"
A soft sigh, seemingly tinged with surprise and doubt, resounded directly within Xuan Ming's Sea of Consciousness.
The vast ocean's divine power suddenly subsided, no longer aggressive, but transformed into a gentle yet still unfathomable probing force, carefully "examining" Xuan Ming.
This divine sense swept over Xuan Ming's incredibly solid Divine Power, over the dormant yet terrifyingly powerful Blood Spear within his body, and over the newly formed, abyss-like Divine Slaughter's Domain. Finally, it seemed to linger for a moment at the center of his brow.
"Such a refined spirit... such a pure Slaughter Domain... and this..." The Sea God's divine sense seemed somewhat surprised, but more so a scrutinizing and curious feeling of discovering a gem in the rough.
"Interesting... truly interesting. Such a young age, yet possessing such depth and... encounters."
It seemed to sense something, but couldn't quite see through it; it only instinctively felt that the human youth before it was extremely special.
"It's really impolite of you to talk nonsense in other people's minds." Xuan Ming's eyes narrowed, and his berserk Divine Slaughter's Domain erupted with full force, impacting that faint but far stronger divine thought of the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings's soul.
"Young man, don't get agitated, I mean no harm." The voice of the Sea God rang out leisurely, and the impact of the Divine Slaughter's Domain had no effect whatsoever, disappearing like a mud ox sinking into the sea.
Do you... crave power?
"Guess?" Xuan Ming asked in return.
Sea God remained silent for a moment, clearly not expecting this response.
Instead of answering a question properly when confronted by a deity, he actually asked him a question in return?
Is that correct?
The grand voice resounded once more, carrying the allure unique to deities, "Do you yearn to transcend the mortal realm, to rule the vast ocean, and to become the supreme being in this world?"
"Guess again?" Xuan Ming said.
"..." Sea God.
"Young man, you've successfully piqued my interest!"
Chapter 302, Fifth Trial, One-Third
Before Xuan Ming could say anything more, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud shone even brighter, and a wisp of blue light surged out from it, instantly disappearing into Xuan Ming's brow.
In an instant, he felt as if his soul had established a faint connection with a vast and boundless will. At the same time, all the information about the use of the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud flooded into his mind, as if this divine artifact had become a part of his body.
Acknowledging the Lord, complete!
The immense power of the Sea God receded like a tide, receding once more into the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
The side hall returned to calm, with only the azure triangular object still radiating a soft light, lying quietly in Xuan Ming's palm, yet it evoked a sense of intimacy with him, as if connected by blood.
"It's done?" The Ice Dragon King's voice was filled with disbelief.
She tried her best to conceal her aura, hiding it deep within the Xuan Ming Sea of Consciousness, but she could still sense that faint divine thought.
Instead of making things difficult, the divine sense seemed to be afraid that Xuan Ming would back out and run away, and forcibly bound the artifact to his mind!
"Hmm." Xuan Ming gripped the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud tightly, feeling the immense ocean power contained within and that wisp of dormant divine consciousness.
This does not mean that he has become the successor of the Sea God; it merely means that he has gained the recognition of this divine artifact, and... a "registration qualification" to participate in the Sea God Trial.
But that's enough.
With this "qualification," he had a trump card to intervene in the God Level game.
Whether the Sea God was genuinely choosing a successor or had ulterior motives, at least he was no longer a completely passive party.
"Now, we can take a little more initiative." Xuan Ming put away the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud and turned his gaze back towards the Douluo Hall.
At the summit of Pope's Mountain, Douluo Hall.
This is the tomb of Titled Douluo, and also the location of the Worship Hall, or rather, the Angel Temple.
Since the end of the Soul Master Tournament and the Ice Seal of Golden Crocodile Douluo, this little-known Worship Hall has fallen into complete silence, without a sound.
"If you want to see the sun rise tomorrow, you'd better put your arrows away."
Xuan Ming's voice wasn't loud, but it pierced the shadows like an ice pick, carrying an undeniable chill.
The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
The next moment, several incomparably powerful auras suddenly erupted from all around, like an invisible cage, instantly locking Xuan Ming in!
Directly ahead, a figure silently appeared, dressed in a blue outfit, with a cold and stern face and sharp eyes like an eagle. It was none other than the Fifth Worship Light Feather Douluo.
The Light Feather Divine Bow in his hand still emitted a soft white light; though the arrow had not yet left the bowstring, the killing intent locked on remained undiminished.
On the left, the figure of the Third Offering Azure Luan Douluo appeared like Gui Mei, surrounded by a faint azure aura, with indifferent eyes.
On the right, the four Mighty Lion Douluo stood like an iron tower, his crimson hair like burning flames, his violent aura was extremely oppressive, and his eyes were full of violence and hostility.
Behind Xuan Ming, the Sixth Elder, Qian Jun Douluo, and the Seventh Elder, Demon Subduing Douluo, stood side by side, their eyes fixed on Xuan Ming, filled with vigilance and undisguised killing intent.
The Great Enshrined appeared simultaneously!
They completely sealed off all of Xuan Ming's escape routes, and the terrifying pressure combined was enough to suffocate any Titled Douluo!
"Boy, this is no place for you!" Mighty Lion Douluo's voice boomed like thunder, carrying an undisguised threat, "Get down the mountain right now, or don't blame me for being impolite!"
The bowstring of the Light Feather Douluo emitted a faint hum, the arrow tip pointing directly at Xuan Ming's brow, the chilling killing intent almost materializing.
The atmosphere was tense, and a major battle was about to break out!
Xuan Ming was surrounded by the Great Enshrined, but his expression remained calm. He didn't even look at the murderous elders; his gaze remained calmly fixed on the tightly closed Douluo Hall gate.
"Three," Xuan Ming said calmly.
"..."
"Two."
"Stop."
A peaceful yet supremely majestic voice came from within the Worship Hall, instantly calming the restless Soul Power in the air and dissolving the tangible killing intent.
The Great Enshrined' expressions changed simultaneously, their imposing auras involuntarily diminishing. They bowed slightly, paying homage towards the Douluo Hall: " Great Enshrined!"
The heavy doors of the Worship Hall opened silently, leaving a crack.
Qian Daoliu, dressed in a gray-white robe, stepped out and looked over the crowd, landing on Xuan Ming.
A complex emotion flashed in his eyes, a mixture of scrutiny, inquiry, regret, and a barely perceptible hint of astonishment and murderous intent.
For many years, he had pondered why Qian Xunji had handled Bibi Dong's situation so poorly. He had countless ways to resolve it simply, such as clarifying things with Bibi Dong early on to prevent trouble from arising, nipping the threat in the bud by secretly dealing with that little brat from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, or...
He considered countless possibilities, but he could not understand the path Qian Xunji had taken, nor could he comprehend his actions.
That kid chose the most absurd and incomprehensible path from among countless simple and correct ones!
He made a simple matter increasingly complicated until it became unmanageable, and ultimately reaped the consequences!
He doesn't understand!
But now, he suddenly understands.
Qian Xunji made a mess of Bibi Dong's affairs, but wasn't he also allowing Qian Renxue to make a mess of Xuan Ming's affairs?
He had countless opportunities and ways to handle Xuan Ming's situation properly and prevent it from escalating to this point, but what did he do?
arrogant!
I'm confident that everything is under my control. There's no need to play cat and mouse like this. Anyway, there's still time and opportunity. They can't turn the tide!
He was confident that he had been cautious enough. With Bibi Dong's example as a precedent, he did not give Xuan Ming any more time or opportunity to grow. This kid was only a Soul Emperor. Not to mention him, even any Titled Douluo could easily finish him off.
But what's the reality?
He didn't know when Xuan Ming had acquired such a trump card that even he felt was fatally threatening, and he was even afraid that Qian Renxue had been with Xuan Ming all these years.
They always believed that Xuan Ming's life and everything about him were in Qian Renxue's hands, and that Qian Renxue could solve this problem at any time if she wanted to.
But the truth is quite the opposite.
Qian Renxue's life has always been in Xuan Ming's hands. If that kid had acted impulsively even slightly all these years, Qian Renxue would have been dead long ago!
Qian Daoliu slowly raised his hand, signaling the five elders to step down.
Although Guang Ling, Azure Luan, and the others were unwilling, they dared not disobey Qian Daoliu's orders in the slightest. They could only step back and make way, but their eyes remained fixed on Xuan Ming, full of vigilance.
Qian Daoliu looked at Xuan Ming and slowly asked, "You've come to see Xue'er?"
"Hmm," Xuan Ming replied indifferently.
Qian Daoliu silent for a moment, then said, "Come in."
Qian Daoliu around and took the lead into the deep and quiet Douluo Hall.
Xuan Ming remained expressionless, ignoring the piercing gazes around him, and slowly followed.
The heavy palace doors slowly closed behind them, shutting out all the noise and killing intent from the outside world.
It was still that magnificent hall, but everything had changed.
Qian Daoliu did not walk towards the statue symbolizing the Angel God at the deepest part of the hall, but stopped in the center of the hall and turned around. " Xue'er is undergoing God's Trial and cannot be disturbed in any way."
"Especially you!"
Xuan Ming remained calm. "And what about her progress?"
Where are we?
Qian Daoliu's eyes flickered slightly.
He hadn't expected Xuan Ming to be so direct, and to ask such a sensitive question.
The progress of the God's Trial is a top secret for any inheritor of a deity.
Especially for the current Spirit Hall Empire, for them.
He didn't know what Xuan Ming was thinking, but he would never tell him such a question.
"This is none of your business," Qian Daoliu said calmly.
"You..."
Before he could finish speaking, in the deepest part of the hall, the enormous Six-Winged Angel statue, exuding an aura of holiness and majesty, suddenly emitted a soft yet undeniable golden halo.
Buzz--
A soft hum, as if from another dimension, rang out.
Under Qian Daoliu's suddenly contracting pupils and Xuan Ming's calm and unwavering gaze, the golden gate beneath the Angel God Statue statue—the one that had never been opened to outsiders and symbolized the true entrance to the Angel Temple —slowly and silently opened a crack inward.
A dazzling golden light poured out from the crack in the door, and a figure, bathed in the sacred golden light, slowly walked out.
She wore an elegant white and gold long dress, her long golden hair flowing like sunlight, casually draped behind her. Her beautiful face showed a hint of fatigue, but her clear golden eyes were deeper than ever before.
It was Qian Renxue.