Chapter 243: Changing Thoughts
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, Yang Xiong and his group had spent a full nine months in the Ringed Sea. Everyone's strength had improved to some extent, but compared to under the Sea God's Light, their cultivation speed had significantly slowed down.
Under the Sea God's Light, each person's soul power had increased by an average of five or six levels, not to mention the significant improvements in physical strength.
However, during their time in the Ringed Sea, Tang San and his group had generally only increased by two levels of soul power.
In comparison, Yang Xiong and his group had also increased by about two levels of soul power, and even Qin Shuang had absorbed a God-given soul ring, reaching level 72.
The most troublesome case was Huo Wu, who had reached level 70. Unfortunately, since she had already absorbed a God-given soul ring, due to the trial issues, she hadn't had the time to obtain a new soul ring.
Under Yang Xiong's request, everyone's underwater combat abilities had greatly improved. Even Huo Wu had fully adapted to fighting in the water. Although the seawater did exert some suppression on her Fire Shadow Martial Soul, she could still exert about 80% of her power.
But now, the biggest issue facing Tang San and his group wasn't their soul power increases, but how they, the six of them, would pass the trial.
Tang San's group had tried countless times, but they couldn't find any way to cross the Ringed Sea, let alone face the 100,000-year Demon Soul Great White Shark.
Right now, Tang San was only at level 73, while Xiao Wu, after absorbing a God-given soul ring, had reached level 72. These two were the only Soul Sages among Tang San's six people.
Xiao Wu, as a 100,000-year transformed soul beast, could condense her first six soul rings by herself, but after reaching level 70, she fully entered her mature stage and became just like an ordinary soul master. From now on, her upgrades would require soul rings.
What remained uncertain was Xiao Wu's attitude towards 100,000-year soul beasts—would she want to absorb a 100,000-year soul ring in the future?
Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, Yu Tianheng, and Duguyan were all Soul Emperors, with Zhu Zhuqing breaking through to Soul Emperor after receiving the reward from the first trial.
Not only did Tang San's group look extremely depressed, but even Ning Rongrong and the others were very worried. If they couldn't pass the trial, all six of them would die. The Sea God Trial was not lenient.
Even though Xiao Wu and the 100,000-year Demon Soul Great White Shark, Xiao Bai, had a good relationship, Xiao Bai couldn't lower the difficulty of the trial for Xiao Wu. She dared not defy the authority of Lord Sea God.
Dai Mubai and Yang Xiong had always had a good relationship, but now, seeing Yang Xiong meditating with his eyes closed, Dai Mubai seemed hesitant to speak.
Back during the first trial, although Oscar and Ning Rongrong were the ones who truly helped, it was Yang Xiong who made the arrangements.
But now, in the second trial, it seemed to exceed everyone's abilities, and they were once again faced with a life-and-death situation.
Even if Oscar and Ning Rongrong helped Tang San's group, with their strength, they still wouldn't be able to pass the Demon Soul Great White Shark's trial.
Yang Xiong might have some minor grievances with Tang San and Xiao Wu from their earlier conversation, but they were still just ordinary classmates. On the other hand, Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu had become even closer over the past year of training together, and their bond had grown stronger.
Yang Xiong looked at Dai Mubai's expression and couldn't help but shake his head: "Dai Mubai, we've been classmates for so many years. If you have something to say, just say it."
Dai Mubai showed a bitter smile: "Yang Xiong, we were too arrogant. We didn't expect that with our strength, and considering the difficulty of the Sea God Trial for us, we might not be able to pass."
Over the past year, Tang San's group had also worked hard at their training, doing their best to fight with Xiao Bai in the Ringed Sea. While their underwater combat abilities had improved somewhat, the gap in strength between them and Xiao Bai was simply too large. Even if they used the Ghost Tiger, it would have little effect.
Yu Tianheng and Duguyan, after spending so many years together, had even come up with a soul fusion technique, somewhat similar to the Dragon-Snake Combo of the Dragon King and Snake Queen, but unfortunately, a Soul Emperor-level fusion technique didn't have much effect on a 100,000-year soul beast.
Yang Xiong helplessly said: "Dai Mubai, although the second trial is a group trial, where we can help each other, if you guys face personal trial content in the future, what will you do to pass it?"
In fact, over the past year, Tang San's small team had subtly started to show signs of splitting. While everyone still admired Tang San's strength, their mindset had subtly shifted. At the very least, Tang San could no longer claim an absolute leadership position.
At this moment, Ning Rongrong suddenly spoke up: "Xiao Xiong, I feel that Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Duguyan are all too pitiful. If you don't help them, they will all die."
"As for this Dai Laohu, although he is quite a flirt, he has been pretty devoted to Zhu Zhuqing all these years. His character has improved a lot. Just help them."
Dai Mubai turned extremely embarrassed upon hearing this. He didn't know how to refute it, as these were his own embarrassing matters from years ago.
Yang Xiong looked at Ning Rongrong and the others and couldn't help but sigh: "Rongrong, the Sea God's trials aren't that simple. Each trial's time and difficulty are carefully designed. They won't give us any opportunity to slack off. If we help them now, you will lose three months of training time, and the difficulty of the next trial will increase a lot. Don't you all care about that?"
Ning Rongrong and the others exchanged glances, each of them looking thoughtful. Finally, Ning Rongrong spoke up: "Xiao Xiong, no matter how difficult the trial, we will pass it. After all, Xiao Wu and I are sisters. Even if it's tough, so what?"
Yang Xiong, who had been sitting cross-legged on the ground, stood up directly: "Very well. Since you all have this determination, then we'll pass the trial today."
Everyone immediately cheered. They had been struggling with the trial for some time, but now that Yang Xiong himself was stepping in, they felt confident the trial would go smoothly.
Yang Xiong continued: "Rongrong, Oscar, Shui Bing'er, Huo Wu, I hope you all remember today's decision. It might change your entire life."
Tang San, Dai Mubai, and the others looked thoughtful but didn't know what to say. After all, this was related to their lives.
...
Next, Ning Rongrong and the others, as well as Tang San's group, gathered together. In total, there were thirteen people.
Yang Xiong, based on everyone's abilities and soul skills, devised a relatively detailed strategy.
With a command from Yang Xiong, everyone quickly entered attack mode and dove into the sea, rapidly summoning their martial souls and soul rings.
Except for Yang Xiong, the others were not restricted from using their martial souls or soul skills, and only Tang San and Ning Rongrong were restricted from using their seventh soul skill.
Ning Rongrong and Oscar immediately provided support to everyone, significantly boosting their strength by using Oscar's fourth soul skill: Frenzied Pink Sausage.
A figure quickly flashed through the sea—this was the Demon Soul Great White Shark, Xiao Bai.
Xiao Bai yelled angrily: "You shameless beings who casually kill 100,000-year soul beasts, and now you want to pass my trial? Dream on!"
Yang Xiong coldly snorted. Facing the rapidly approaching Demon Soul Great White Shark, he threw a punch with all his might.
The Demon Soul Great White Shark collided with Yang Xiong, and Yang Xiong was sent flying several meters.
Although in the vast sea, both Yang Xiong and the Demon Soul Great White Shark couldn't truly defeat each other, Xiao Bai's speed in the water was much faster and more agile. This was the real advantage of sea soul beasts over land soul masters.
Tang San and the others reacted quickly, and countless Blue Silver Grass grew rapidly in the sea.
Xiao Bai roared, and a column of water shot into the sky, directly shattering the Blue Silver Grass. Even Tang San himself was struck hard.
Wind Xiaotian, Huo Wu, Yang Wei, and Qin Shuang immediately used their martial soul true bodies, especially Wind Xiaotian and Qin Shuang. Their combined strength was extremely powerful as they launched a full-force attack on Xiao Bai.
Wind Xiaotian, with his lightning speed, used his fourth soul skill, Demon Wolf Storm, creating a massive whirlwind in the water that shattered the incoming water column.
Qin Shuang, with the strongest physical body among them, used the Great Power Diamond Bear's full force to block Xiao Bai's attacks.
Yang Wei used his Xuan Iron Sword to slash, sending countless sword qi through the water, cutting the sea apart.
Even though Xiao Bai's strength and speed were formidable, she couldn't hold her ground against so many Soul Sages' full-force attacks.
Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing immediately launched their martial soul fusion technique, Ghostly White Tiger. The enormous Ghostly White Tiger used all its strength to strike, causing the entire water surface to shatter. The Soul Emperor-level Ghostly White Tiger had the attack power of a top Soul Sage.
...
Yang Xiong and his group didn't seem to be in a hurry to break through the Ringed Sea. Instead, they focused on fighting the Demon Soul Great White Shark Xiao Bai with all their might, and both sides had pushed their strength to the limit.
But Xiao Bai's speed in the sea was simply too fast. As a sea soul beast, she was the fastest in the sea, far surpassing the speed of Yang Xiong and his group.
According to Yang Xiong's plan, instead of desperately trying to break through the Ringed Sea, it was better to go all out and fight Xiao Bai. This might give them a better chance. After all, Yang Xiong had killed 100,000-year soul beasts before.
Although Xiao Bai was powerful and fast, she couldn't gain much of an advantage against Yang Xiong's group. Especially since Yang Xiong could withstand Xiao Bai's attacks head-on. Both sides were very close in strength, and if the use of soul rings wasn't restricted, Yang Xiong alone could probably defeat Xiao Bai.
The battle in the sea was extremely intense, with everyone attacking Xiao Bai with all their might. The most troublesome factor for Xiao Bai wasn't Yang Xiong, but Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er.
From the perspective of martial souls, Shui Bing'er and Huo Wu were very restraining against Xiao Bai. Huo Wu's massive Fire Shadow Martial Soul raised the temperature of the seawater to extreme levels, causing some of the sea to evaporate. Even some of Xiao Bai's soul skills were suppressed.
Meanwhile, Shui Bing'er used her first soul skill, Ice Seal, continuously condensing water into ice. Even though Xiao Bai could quickly break free from the ice's control, there was ice everywhere around her, greatly limiting her mobility, making her much less agile.
Seeing both sides in such an intense battle, the situation in the sea began to gradually shift. It became a siege against Xiao Bai. Even though a 100,000-year soul beast was incredibly powerful, it was now being controlled from all sides.
Yang Xiong deliberately guided the battlefield towards the other side of the Ringed Sea, and the breakthrough was becoming increasingly closer.
At this moment, Xiao Bai seemed to notice that something was off in the environment. If things continued this way, she would be at a disadvantage, and Yang Xiong's group would easily pass the trial.
"You humans dare to scheme against me? Let me show you my true power."
Xiao Bai's body emitted a special glow, and under its radiance, Xiao Bai seemed to merge with the entire sea surface. The seawater immediately surged, continuously attacking Yang Xiong and his group. This was Xiao Bai's Demon Shark Domain.
(END CHAPTER)
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