But the risks involved will be ten times, a hundred times, greater than before!
Directly drawing that Destruction Sea God's Light into the body? A slight misstep, and it wouldn't just be a severe injury and a reversal, but... utter annihilation from the inside out! Soul scattered and spirit dispersed!
Thinking of this, Xuan Ming summoned the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
Sea God's Heart.
Xuan Ming gazed at the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud suspended in his palm. The azure triangular shape emitted a soft yet profound light, as if it contained the will and power of the entire ocean.
An extremely dangerous yet incredibly tempting idea swirled in his mind.
If one forcibly merges this Sea God's Heart with oneself, will it be possible to awaken the true Sea God's Light at a deeper level?
Is it possible to more efficiently and directly channel that vast and boundless purifying power into the body, thoroughly cleansing and disintegrating the ferocious core of the Blood Spear, formed from endless slaughter and resentment?
Just as he was deep in thought, a soft footstep interrupted his thoughts.
Xiao Wu slowly walked over and stopped in front of him.
Those pink eyes no longer held their usual playfulness and liveliness, but instead carried an unprecedented seriousness and determination.
Chapter 316 Evolution, Ice and Fire Divine Crown
"What's wrong?" Xuan Ming turned to look at Xiao Wu.
"Aren't you tired from climbing stairs in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?"
Xiao Wu didn't speak, but just quietly looked at Xuan Ming, at the weariness and vicissitudes that he couldn't hide between his brows, and at the faint, not-yet-fully-healed, fine cracks that were faintly visible under his black robe.
Countless images flashed through my mind--
In the Star Dou Great Forest, a powerful figure descended from the sky, Ice Seal everything in its path, and rescued her and her mother from Bibi Dong's clutches...
Nuoding City, that shameless, bullying, childish kid who beat her up for half a month...
Suotuo City, Shrek Academy —all the laughter, tears, camaraderie, and mutual support I've shared with my companions over the years...
And... the Ice Dragon King's icy yet expectant words echoed in my ears:
Saving you in the Star Dou Great Forest wasn't purely out of kindness; it was more about paving the way for Xuan Ming's future...
His Seventh Soul Ring requires a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast willingly Sacrifice. Only the wisp of divinity contained within Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast after undergoing the tempering of Heavenly Tribulation can enlighten that extremely vicious weapon, endow it with a true Soul Core, and lay the foundation for its future transformation...
Past memories flooded back like a tide, ultimately transforming into the deepest, most unwavering resolve in my eyes.
" Xuan Ming," Xiao Wu's voice was soft, yet exceptionally firm, "Let me help you."
Xuan Ming raised his head, his icy blue eyes looking at her.
Xiao Wu took a deep breath, forcing a hint of her usual playful smile onto her face, but behind that smile lay a calm and resigned acceptance of death, "I remember our promise, and I remember what Senior Ice Dragon King said."
Her gaze fell on the faint, illusory image of the Blood Spear in Xuan Ming's palm. " The Sacrifice of Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, especially someone like me who has experienced Heavenly Tribulation, the wisp of primal divinity that erupted during the Sacrifice should be able to help you, to truly touch the core of that spear... perhaps, to give it a true soul."
Her words were clear and direct, without the slightest hesitation or retreat, as if she were stating something that had been predetermined and was something she was willing to do.
However, no sooner had she finished speaking than a figure filled with urgency and panic rushed over from the side!
"No! Absolutely not!" Ah Rou forcefully pulled Xiao Wu behind her, shielding her daughter with her body. Her beautiful face was filled with unprecedented anxiety and determination, and her voice trembled slightly. " Xiao Wu! Shut up! Live! This... let Mom handle it!"
She abruptly turned to Xuan Ming, her eyes filled with sorrow and pleading, yet also with an undeniable maternal glow. " Xuan Ming! Use me! My cultivation is far greater than hers; the Sacrifice will only be more effective! Let Xiao Wu live! She's so young; she can live for a very, very long time..."
The sudden turn of events froze the atmosphere, filling the air with a tragic and suffocating feeling.
Xuan Ming watched the scene unfold in silence.
He looked at Xiao Wu's eyes, which, though protected by her mother, still shone with a resolute light, and then at Ah Rou's back, which trembled slightly but was exceptionally firm, full of sacrifice and protection.
After a moment, he slowly, but with unusual determination, shook his head.
"No need."
He knew what Ah Rou was worried about, and he knew what she was afraid of.
If it were merely Sacrifice that preserved the soul, Ah Rou wouldn't be so worried, but the Blood Spear is far too dangerous now.
Once Sacrifice, even the soul of Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast is highly likely to be devoured by the Blood Spear, with no chance of resurrection.
The so-called imbuing of the Blood Spear with true will is less accurate than saying it's a life-for-life exchange.
"This is only the First Trial," Xuan Ming said calmly.
"If even this first test requires your sacrifice, your lives, to earn me a chance to pass, how am I supposed to face the even more difficult and dangerous trials that follow? What right do I have to bear them?"
His gaze rose again, sweeping over Xiao Wu and Ah Rou, his icy blue eyes unwavering. "Live on. Your Life have their own value; they shouldn't, and cannot, be wasted here, wasted on my First Trial."
His words were cold and direct, even somewhat cruel and inhumane, but they revealed an absolute confidence and an unyielding pride that came from the bottom of his heart.
If it's just to increase Soul Power, or if there's no danger, Sacrifice is fine, since you can be resurrected anyway.
But now... there's no need for that.
The next day arrived.
Without the slightest hesitation, Xuan Ming once again stepped onto the white jade staircase leading to the clouds.
Level 700, Level 750, Level 800...
He once again surged to that terrifying height, a height that would make even Titled Douluo unable to take a single step, at an astonishing speed. The pressure around him was like tangible lead and mercury, frantically squeezing his body, causing his bones to groan under the unbearable strain.
But this time, he did not begin the tempering process immediately.
Amidst the Destruction energy surge of the eight hundred steps, he stood firmly, took a deep breath, and faced upwards with his palms.
Buzz--!
The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud quietly appeared, its azure triangular shape emitting a soft yet profound light, creating a strange contrast with the surrounding raging golden Sea God's Light.
The moment the Sea God's Heart appeared, it seemed to be strongly stimulated by the same source of power. The light on its surface suddenly became brighter, and there seemed to be surging tides inside, emitting a deep hum.
Strands of purer, more refined azure light flowed out from it, swirling around Xuan Ming's arm like living things.
In the Divine Realm, within the temple.
When Sea God Poseidon, saw this, he raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
"This kid... could he be thinking of..." he muttered to himself, his tone tinged with uncertainty and a hint of worry, "Forcibly fusing with the Sea God's Heart? In his current state and with zero affinity, the Sea God's Heart's own weak will would strongly reject him; it's almost impossible to succeed! Even if he were to succeed by chance, he might not be able to control the Sea God's Light; the risk is too great..."
However, Xuan Ming in the mirror had clearly made up his mind.
He ignored the terrifying pressure surrounding him, pressure strong enough to crush steel, and focused all his attention on communicating with the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
He tried to slowly inject his Divine Power and Soul Power into the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, attempting to establish a connection with the vast and ancient ocean will within and guide its power.
As Poseidon had predicted, the Sea God's Heart sensed the intrusion of an external force, and its weak internal will immediately produced a strong rejection reaction!
Buzz--!
The azure light became sharp and resistant, and a powerful resistance, imbued with the majesty of the ocean, erupted from it, forcefully pushing away Xuan Ming's Divine Power. It even caused his soul to tremble, and a trace of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth once again.
Externally, he was oppressed by the Destruction Sea God's Light; internally, he was subjected to the intense rejection of the Sea God's Heart; and on top of that, the Blood Spear within his body constantly and viciously retaliated...
Xuan Ming was instantly plunged into an unprecedented predicament. His face was as pale as paper, and his body trembled violently, as if he might be completely crushed by the triple pressure at any moment.
But the light in his eyes grew even brighter!
Deep within those icy blue eyes, the phantom images of an ice dragon and a fire dragon seemed to light up simultaneously!
In an instant, the Ice and Fire Dragon Origin Head Crown on his forehead burst forth with an unprecedentedly brilliant light!
Red and blue halos intertwined and flowed, and the illusory dragon souls of the Ice Dragon King and the Fire Dragon King seemed to have fully awakened, emitting a deafening dragon roar!
Two vast Soul Power originating from the God Level dragon king surged into Xuan Ming's body without regard for anything else, forcibly supporting his collapsing body and spirit. At the same time, they transformed into two powerful forces with completely opposite properties, yet perfectly fused together, and fiercely rushed towards the fiercely resisting Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud!
The freezing and imprisonment of Ultimate Ice! The melting and penetration of Ultimate Fire!
The power of the Ice and Fire Dragon Soul, in an almost domineering manner, forcefully suppressed, soothed, and began to slowly "refine" the resisting will of the Sea God's Heart!
This is an extremely difficult and painful process.
The Sea God's Heart contains a vast and boundless oceanic will; even a faint trace of its own consciousness possesses an extraordinary power of resistance.
Although the power of the Ice and Fire Dragon Soul is strong, it is ultimately only a remnant soul, and it needs to be distracted by the terrifying external pressure and the backlash within its body.
Xuan Ming's body became the most brutal battlefield, with every inch of flesh and blood and every wisp of soul enduring unimaginable torment.
Time, amidst this extreme pain and struggle, slowly passed.
One day, two days, three days...
Xuan Ming stood frozen amidst the Destruction energy of the eight hundred steps, like a reef in a storm, enduring wave after wave of impact.
His body was on the verge of collapse time and time again, only to be forcibly pulled back by the power of the Ice and Fire Dragon Soul and the Life of the Blue Silver Emperor Soul Bone.
Bo Saixi stood quietly not far away, her gentle aura isolating her from external pressure.
She looked at the young man struggling against the golden tide and battling the will of the artifact, his eyes, which had seen the vicissitudes of life, filled with indescribable complex emotions.
Finally, as night fell on the third day, the stalemate was broken!
Buzz--!!!
A deeper, more expansive hum, seemingly emanating from the depths of the ancient ocean, emanated from the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud!
The originally fiercely resisting azure light gradually became gentle and mild, and finally, like all rivers flowing into the sea, it transformed into an incomparably condensed azure light pillar, which slowly rose and finally connected with the radiant Ice and Fire Dragon Origin Head Crown on his forehead!
The red and blue Dragon Core Crown greedily absorbed the vast and pure ocean power. The dragon patterns on it became clearer and more majestic, and the shape of the crown began to change subtly. The edges and corners became more distinct, and the lines became smoother, as if it had truly solidified into a physical form!
The ultimate power of ice and fire, and the boundless power of the ocean, began a slow and arduous process of fusion and sublimation atop this magical crown!
The entire process was still fraught with pain and risk. The fusion of the three supreme powers was by no means easy, and the slightest mistake could result in energy conflict and death from body explosion.
But Xuan Ming, with his abnormally tenacious willpower, managed to maintain that delicate balance and guide this transformation.
When the first rays of sunlight fell on Sea God Island on the fourth day, the transformation was finally complete.
The crown on Xuan Ming's forehead has changed drastically.
It retains the red and blue color scheme, but the colors are deeper and more restrained, as if containing endless energy.
On the crown, the originally relatively simple dragon pattern has transformed into a more complex and mysterious pattern. Upon closer inspection, the pattern seems to be woven from fine dragon scales and ocean waves, exuding an ancient and sacred aura.
At the center of the crown, a tiny, yet more solid, deep blue triangle is set in, like the most perfect sapphire, radiating a gentle yet vast aura of power.
The Ice and Fire Divine Crown!
A new being that has merged with the power of the Sea God's Heart!
Although Xuan Ming did not gain the Sea God's approval or affinity and could not control the Sea God's Light, the existence of this Ice and Fire Divine Crown greatly reduced the repulsion between him and the Sea God's Light, and allowed him to more clearly perceive, and even... guide a Sisi of the Sea God's Light's vast purifying power into his body!
Xuan Ming slowly opened his eyes, his icy blue eyes filled with extreme exhaustion, yet also with a hint of obvious joy.
It was a success.
Chapter 317 One Month, Three Years
Taking a deep breath, Xuan Ming clearly sensed that the Ice and Fire Divine Crown was resonating with the surrounding Sea God's Light.
The originally violent golden energy subtly softened, no longer rampaging and crushing, but instead being slightly guided, even absorbing a wisp of purifying power to cleanse the restless Blood Spear within the body.
But just as he was trying to guide this new power, his body suddenly felt empty, and the enhancement brought by the dragon soul and dragon bones rapidly diminished.
In order to help Xuan Ming complete the fusion with the Sea God's Heart, the Ice Dragon King and the Fire Dragon King consumed too much of their dragon Soul Power. At this moment, they have also fallen into a deep sleep. The power of the dragon bones has also been depleted again in the past few days of recovery and consumption.
"Puff--!"
Xuan Ming had no time to react. As if struck by an invisible giant hammer, blood and fragments of internal organs gushed out. The faint energy around him instantly dissipated, his Soul Power collapsed, and his consciousness went blank.
He was flung away like a kite with a broken string, plummeting downwards.
Just then, a magnificent red figure appeared as if Teleportation, enveloping him with a vast and gentle aura.
Bo Saixi reached out and caught him.
Her vast, ocean-like Soul Power acted as the gentlest barrier, completely enveloping Xuan Ming. It not only isolated him from the lingering, suffocating power of the Sea God's Light, but also transformed into a pure and gentle energy, carefully nourishing his almost completely shattered body and protecting his last glimmer of life.
Bo Saixi looked down at the young man in her arms, who was once again covered in blood and gore, his breath so weak that he seemed about to die at any moment. In her deep eyes, which had seen so much of life and should have been calm and undisturbed, a very subtle ripple, one that even she herself did not fully notice, appeared.
Shock, confusion, worry, admiration... a complex mix of emotions intertwined, ultimately transforming into an indescribable surge of emotion.