On his second trip to Dragon God Island, Qi Ling didn't bring anyone with him this time, because he knew that it would likely take him a considerable amount of time.
"Master, you're finally back! I thought you'd forgotten why you came back in the first place." The Dragon Maiden said to Qi Ling upon seeing him again, "Well, I guess that's understandable. Men are naturally romantic, hehe."
Qi Ling replied awkwardly, "Hey, I didn't! These are all very important things that I have to do. I haven't wasted my time on women!"
"Yes, yes, Master is right. In that case, let's hurry up and begin your Dragon God Trials," the Dragon Maiden said with a smile. "Also, I have some good news for you in advance: the sixth trial will be the easiest one for you, and you'll even be able to obtain your Ninth Soul Ring. Please look forward to it."
" Ninth Soul Ring? You obtained it so easily?" Qi Ling exclaimed in surprise. "What kind of Soul Ring is that? What's its age?"
"Defining this Soul Ring by its age is far too simplistic. This kind of thing can't be measured by time or quality," the Dragon Maiden laughed. "In a sense, it's countless times more important than a God Ring!"
Qi Ling was utterly astonished this time. A spirit ring countless times more important than God Ring? What kind of Soul Ring must that be?
"Of course, don't get excited now. To obtain your Ninth Soul Ring, you still need to pass these three trials," the Dragon Maiden said. "Do you remember what the first three trials were about?"
"Of course I remember! It was something like Threading a Needle, Hide-and-Seek, and Ten Thousand Years in an Instant, right?" Qi Ling said. "I wonder who came up with such strange and wonderful things!"
"Strictly speaking, it's you, Master," the Dragon Maiden chuckled. "Then you'll probably dislike this next challenge even more."
Hearing the Dragon Maiden say this, Qi Ling couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. He wasn't afraid of real fighting; the tasks in the Sea God's Nine Trials were nothing to him.
But the Dragon God seemed to know her thoughts; these past few trials had absolutely nothing to do with combat. Qi Ling even began to wonder if this guy was a peace enthusiast?
"Tell me, Dragon Maiden, as long as it's not about doing those messy things again!" Qi Ling couldn't help but say.
But the Dragon Maiden just smiled and said, "Oh dear, I'm so sorry, Master, because these things weren't prepared for you by me! As I just said, you prepared these challenges for yourself!"
"So, this next level must also have a special meaning for you, which is why it's set up this way. Just enjoy it."
Speechless, Qi Ling had no choice but to go with the Dragon Maiden to the fourth island in the sky. The way to break through this island was naturally the same as before: fly upwards as fast as possible and then try to get as close to it as possible.
After Qi Ling finally landed, the Dragon Maiden also arrived on the island via the teleportation array. Pointing to a high platform that seemed to extend beyond the island's edge, she said to Qi Ling, "This is it, Master. Your fourth trial is here."
Looking at the high platform, Qi Ling felt a sense of unease and said, "Um... this thing doesn't look like it's for fighting! Dragon Maiden, what's this thing for?"
"It's simple, just sit." The Dragon Maiden said, first sitting down on the high platform herself, but only on one side, leaving a seat for Qi Ling.
"Sit?" Qi Ling asked, puzzled, but since the Dragon Maiden had made room for her, she decided to sit down first.
"That's right, sit down, and then listen!" the Dragon Maiden said, then closed her eyes as if she were really listening to something.
Qi Ling closed her eyes as before. After losing her sight, her hearing indeed became better; she could even hear the faintest sounds, and her own heartbeat became exceptionally clear.
Gradually, besides the howling wind, another sound seemed to faintly reach Qi Ling's ears. It sounded somewhat noisy, yet full of vitality and life.
"What is that sound?" Qi Ling couldn't help but ask the Dragon Maiden.
"This is the voice of the Dragon God Continent," the Dragon Maiden said. "What you are hearing now, Master, is the voice of all living beings on the Dragon God Continent!"
"On this fourth island, Master, all you need to do is listen attentively to the voices of every living being on the Dragon God Continent! Feel their presence, comprehend their breath, their heartbeat, and every pulse of their lives. And this is what the greatest deity should do."
"Really? That god is really quite boring," Qi Ling couldn't help but say.
"Hehe, don't say that, Master," the Dragon Maiden laughed. "When your attention is focused enough and your perception is strong enough, everything you hear will be transformed into corresponding images in your mind."
"It might seem a little difficult at first, but with practice, it will become easier and easier, and the images will become clearer and clearer! Master, please try it yourself first."
Following the Dragon Maiden's instructions, Qi Ling completely immersed herself in listening. Sure enough, although the sounds didn't get louder, the details Qi Ling could perceive gradually increased.
When there are enough of these details, they can form a picture, and gradually, the first thing Qi Ling sensed appeared.
It was a rhinoceros running on the grassland. At first, it was just an indistinct outline, like a few strokes randomly drawn in the air, almost impossible to discern in its physical form.
But gradually, as Qi Ling Qi Ling perceived more and more details, the image before her eyes began to become more vivid and complete, just like a painting.
Stroke by stroke, the rhinoceros's body gradually came together, and its general appearance became clear. It seemed to be chasing something, running wildly across the grassland.
After he told the Dragon Maiden what he had felt, Dragon Maiden laughed and said, "Wow, Master, you really are a genius! It's your first time doing this, and you've already been able to feel it in such detail!"
"Next, you just need to continue improving your ability to sense things, and then practice more until it becomes a habit, something that comes naturally and unconsciously."
"And at that point, you'll know exactly what color the rhinoceros is, how many scales it has, and its expressions and movements. Then you'll have accomplished your mission."
"This stage is called 'Listening to All Things '!"