With everything prepared, the group attempted to cross the ring-shaped sea blocked by the Demon Spirit Great White Shark King, Xiao Bai, once more.
Tang San and Yu Tianheng entered the sea first, with Ye Lingling and Ning Rongrong assisting them from the shore to distract Xiao Bai. Thanks to the dual support of healing and amplification, Tang San, though unable to use his soul rings skills, was still comparable to a Titled Douluo due to the Clear Sky Nine Absolutes and his soul bone skills.
Upon entering the sea, Yu Tianheng immediately activated his Martial Soul True Body. His seventh soul rings came from a 60,000-year-old lightning-attribute sea dragon. Although it was not a true dragon, it was an extremely rare sub-dragon with a high concentration of true dragon blood. Combined with his natural attribute compatibility, this greatly amplified his power.
In Martial Soul True Body mode, his attack, defense, and soul power increased by 50%, while all his soul skills gained a 200% increase in attribute power.
With the amplification from the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, the lightning power he controlled even surpassed that of a Titled Douluo.
Simply put, he had become a raging lightning dragon. Judging from the current situation, his destructive power was slightly stronger than Tang San's when his soul rings skills were disabled.
In just a few rounds, Xiao Bai was successfully restrained by Yu Tianheng in his Thunder Dragon form, while Tang San constantly interfered with her using the Clear Sky Hammer.
"Only a few days have passed, and yet these two have become so strong." Facing the continuous barrage of Thunder Dragon Claws and Clear Sky Hammer attacks, Xiao Bai groaned inwardly, only able to use the third evolution skill of her Demon Shark Domain, Crystallization, to defend.
At the same time, Shi Mò and his brother completed their Martial Soul Fusion Skill. With a loud thud, a Black Turtle the size of a small mountain entered the seawater, easily shattering Xiao Bai's defenses.
This Martial Soul Fusion Skill was different from their previous attempts; the two simultaneously activated their Martial Soul True Forms and fused in that state, barely managing to unleash a portion of the Black Turtle's divine power.
Under the cover of the Black Turtle, the others managed to cross the Ring Sea directly. Watching them pass through, Xiao Bai wanted to stop them but found herself powerless to do so.
Previously, she could easily block them, but she hadn't expected that after the two broke through to the Soul Saint level, their Martial Soul Fusion Skill would become so much more formidable. Even her evolved Demon Shark Domain skill couldn't withstand it.
After some time, everyone successfully passed the test and received their respective rewards. As soon as they returned to land, Tang San eagerly ran to Lin Mu.
"Master, our third test is Tidal Body Refinement. Is this another kind of physical training test?"
"In a sense, yes," Lin Mu replied calmly.
Just then, the High Priestess Bo Saixi, dressed in her signature red robes, descended from the sky. She stared at Lin Mu for a long time before looking at the group, her voice echoing leisurely: "Soon you will understand the meaning of Tidal Body Refinement. Follow me."
With that, Bo Saixi turned and walked away from Sea God Mountain. Seeing this, everyone quickened their pace to follow.
Tang San, however, remained unperturbed. Instead, he went to Ah Yin's side and whispered, "Mom, Master has given me such precious gifts; you must find a way to repay him properly."
For the past few days, Tang San had been thinking about how to repay his master's kindness. He already owed Lin Mu a great deal, and now, having received a True Dragon soul bone and a million-year-old soul bone, he felt the weight of that debt even more. Right now, he felt only his mother could truly repay him, ideally, by bearing Lin Mu a child. That way, they would truly become a family, and he wouldn't have the burden of an unpayable debt. He thought himself incredibly clever for this plan.
Although Ah Yin felt a deep sense of shame at her son's request, she did not refuse; she truly wanted to find a way to repay Lin Mu's kindness.
Later, Lin Mu took Ah Yin back to Seahorse City. With the hospitality of Seahorse Douluo, the two checked into the City Lord's Mansion once again, intending to stay there for a while. Staying on Sea God Island would facilitate the process of unlocking the Asura Armor sooner.
In the quiet City Lord's Mansion, they shared a simple meal before heading to their room on the third floor. To repay his kindness, Ah Yin was exceptionally proactive this time. Eventually, she fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.
Once she was asleep, Lin Mu did not rest. He left the mansion and flew toward the palace of the High Priestess, Bo Saixi. Not long after, he found Tang Chen. Compared to over a year ago, Tang Chen's appearance had changed drastically. He had aged significantly, and his hunched body looked as though it were on the verge of collapse.
Lin Mu was not surprised by this. The healing power of the Blue Silver Pills alone was insufficient to sustain a body ravaged by the power of the Asura God; surviving until now was already a testament to his strength.
"Brother Lin Mu, you've finally arrived! I thought I'd never see you again." Tang Chen gazed at the still-youthful Lin Mu with a hint of envy. It was a pity he was not destined to become a god.
Back when he first broke through to the Limit Douluo realm, he was unparalleled; even Qian Daoliu was no match for him. But then he realized he had been nearly a hundred years old at the time, incomparable to Lin Mu's genius.
Compared to a natural-born destined god like Lin Mu, he felt far inferior. Perhaps he had simply chosen the wrong path; the Asura God's trials were too punishing. If it had been a lesser god, he might have succeeded. But there are no "ifs" in life.
"Given your current physical condition, you have at most half a month to live," Lin Mu said calmly. He had already been more than kind to Tang Chen, granting him three extra years of life.
Tang Chen shook his head and said serenely, "I've lived long enough. Although I haven't fulfilled my original wishes, being able to spend these last three years with my beloved is enough for me to die without regrets."
He said this, but deep down, he knew that if he had a second chance, he would have given up the pursuit of godhood much sooner just to stay on Sea God Island. People only learn to cherish what they have after they have lost it.
"Brother Lin Mu, thanks to your help, I had this opportunity." Tang Chen bowed deeply. "I would like to ask a final favor: after Bo Saixi and I are gone, please treat the Clear Sky Sect and Sea God Island well."
Lin Mu frowned. It seemed Tang Chen knew Bo Saixi would eventually sacrifice herself. Bo Saixi must have told him after realizing there was no hope for his long-term survival.
"I cannot make a firm promise," Lin Mu said calmly. "First, the Clear Sky Sect no longer exists. Second, I will eventually enter the God Realm. I can only promise to do my best to ensure the safety of the soul masters on Sea God Island."
In his plan, once Tang San achieved godhood, he would likely dismiss the soul masters of Sea God Island, as they would no longer have any purpose. Keeping them there would only invite trouble once their protection was gone.