"Don't waste time. After I help you complete the fifth trial, I have more important things to do," Dai Mubai said firmly.
Seeing his haste, a hint of seriousness flashed in Ma Hongjun's eyes.
'Was this bastard plotting something again?'
However, passing the fifth test was the absolute priority right now.
This was his final trial. As long as he defeated Sea Ghost Douluo, he would have completed all his requirements and wouldn't have to worry about losing his life anymore.
After that, he could consider whether he actually wanted to help Dai Mubai pass his own divine trial.
"Third Soul Skill, Phoenix Ascension!"
As the third soul ring lit up, a pair of dark red, fiery wings materialized on Ma Hongjun's back, lifting him into the air.
Immediately afterward, he grabbed Dai Mubai by the shoulders and flew forward at top speed across the sea-within-a-sea.
During the flight, a huge, unnatural wave crashed heavily onto Dai Mubai.
Since his martial soul had mutated into the dark, evil attribute, his physical durability and ability to withstand direct attacks had become a glaring weakness.
Now, suffering such a heavy, unexpected blow from the sea, he almost coughed up blood.
A moment later, the two arrived in front of the Sea Ghost Holy Pillar, landing roughly.
Dai Mubai glared angrily at Ma Hongjun and loudly questioned, "Ma Hongjun, what the hell was that just now?"
"I had no choice. There was only a small gap to fly through; at least one of us was going to get hit," Ma Hongjun said, shrugging his shoulders, seemingly entirely unconcerned about his actions.
Hearing this, Dai Mubai was furious.
'If the fat guy didn't have the flying ability to safely carry a passenger, why did he insist on flying me across? '
It was clearly intentional payback.
Even if he had chosen to force his way through the water himself, he wouldn't have been hit so hard by the wave.
However, knowing that things had come to a critical juncture, Dai Mubai didn't fly into a blind rage as he usually did.
Instead, he quickly regained his composure, straightened his clothes, and said coldly, "Ma Hongjun, you need to understand one thing: without my help, you absolutely cannot pass this trial."
It was the truth. Even though Sea Ghost Douluo was currently injured from his fight with Tang San, he was still a Titled Douluo, and Ma Hongjun, with only the cultivation of a Soul Saint, was absolutely no match for him.
Hearing the thinly veiled threat, Ma Hongjun felt a pang of regret for his petty action. If he broke ties with Dai Mubai right now, he alone would have zero hope of passing the fifth trial.
Just then, Sea Ghost Douluo, who was meditating near the pillar, sensed the commotion.
He immediately opened his eyes, his sharp gaze locking onto the two unexpected arrivals.
"Why are you here?" Sea Ghost Douluo asked, a heavy hint of doubt in his eyes.
A few hours ago, Tang San and his entire group had already passed this trial. If these two were participating in the Sea God's assessments, why weren't they with the main group?
"Senior, my name is Ma Hongjun. I've come to participate in the fifth trial," Ma Hongjun said respectfully, bowing slightly.
To him, Sea Ghost Douluo was not only a powerful Titled Douluo, but also the examiner holding his life in his hands.
If Sea Ghost Douluo refused to agree to Dai Mubai's participation as a helper, he was doomed.
"So you are Ma Hongjun." Sea Ghost Douluo gave him a deep, analyzing look, then turned his gaze to Dai Mubai standing behind him.
His expression turned distinctly unfriendly. "And you? You don't bear the mark bestowed by the Sea God."
Upon hearing this, both Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai froze. They had both completely forgotten about this crucial detail.
Generally speaking, any soul master residing on Sea God Island possessed a mark bestowed by the Sea God, which was not only related to their specific assessment but also served as an absolute symbol of status and right of passage.
As for Dai Mubai, his original Sea God mark had been forcibly overridden and replaced by a dark red one.
Quickly recovering his wits, Dai Mubai immediately strode forward with his head held high.
He pointed to the ominous red mark on his forehead and said arrogantly, "This mark of mine symbolizes a divine inheritance equal to your Sea God's. If you neglect me, you may not be able to bear the consequences."
When he had first received the Sea God's test, he had only obtained a pathetic Black-level Fourth Trial, a grade even inferior to Ma Hongjun and Oscar.
This insult had made him extremely resentful. What he found most unacceptable was that the first test, traversing the Sea God's Light, seemed entirely targeted at exposing his physical weaknesses.
If it had been a test of anything other than raw physical endurance, he believed he could have passed it without a doubt. To Dai Mubai, his low grade proved that the Sea God was blind to true potential.
After all, he had now inherited the legacy of the God of Wrath, a status far superior to a mere Black-level trial examinee.
"A god equal to Lord Sea God?"
Sea Ghost Douluo's expression instantly turned dead serious. He carefully examined the dark red mark on Dai Mubai's forehead, sensing that it indeed radiated an extraordinary, albeit deeply unsettling, divine aura.
Watching Dai Mubai boldly display his divine power, Ma Hongjun's eyes filled with a bitter mix of envy and jealousy.
Clearly, his own innate talent had been stronger back at Shrek Academy, so why hadn't he obtained a divine inheritance?
Why was he forced to grovel and pin his hopes of survival on Dai Mubai?
Upon closer, agonizing reflection, he realized the truth: Yu Xiaogang had completely used him as a disposable experimental subject.
If he hadn't blindly trusted Yu Xiaogang's "infallible" theories, his martial soul, even if it had never transformed into a true Fire Phoenix, wouldn't have become such a broken, incongruous mess.
"No matter who you claim to be, Sea God Island is under the absolute protection of Lord Sea God and does not welcome outside soul masters. Leave immediately," Sea Ghost Douluo said mercilessly, his tone brokering no argument.
As a Guardian of a Holy Pillar, the Sea God was his only faith; the inheritors of other, foreign deities were irrelevant to him, and potentially dangerous.
Moreover, the true authenticity and intent of this dark-hearted person's identity were still completely unknown.
Seeing that Sea Ghost Douluo completely disregarded his divine status, Dai Mubai's face darkened with rage.
As the chosen inheritor of a great god, his status should have been considered extremely noble, yet this mere island guardian showed him absolutely no respect.
"Senior, he's a soul master I invited to assist me with the assessment. The rules state I can have a helper," Ma Hongjun quickly explained, trying to run interference for Dai Mubai.
Hearing this, Sea Ghost Douluo hesitated for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized Dai Mubai once again.
Finally, he shook his head and said coldly, "According to the sacred rules, unless an outsider soul master actively holds and is participating in a Sea God's test, they cannot stay on Sea God Island, let alone participate in its sacred trials."
Upon hearing this strict interpretation of the rules, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun were stunned.
They hadn't expected Sea Ghost Douluo to be so rigidly heartless; they just needed to do the assessment, which wouldn't take much time at all.
"You say outsider soul masters can't stay on Sea God Island, but what about Lin Mu?" Dai Mubai shot back, his voice dripping with venom.
Faced with Dai Mubai's sharp question, Sea Ghost Douluo momentarily couldn't find a reasonable explanation to offer them. At his level, he couldn't possibly criticize or question the presence of someone like Lin Mu.
The High Priestess had explicitly declared Lin Mu an unparalleled, distinguished guest of Sea God Island.
Even if she hadn't, Lin Mu was Tang San's master, and his personal combat strength was rumored to be even above the High Priestess's; absolutely no one on the island would dare question his right to stay.
Seeing Sea Ghost Douluo's brief hesitation, Dai Mubai pressed his perceived advantage. "How about this? You give us half an hour for the trial. If we're no match for you within that time, I will leave Sea God Island permanently."
Hearing this arrogant proposal, Sea Ghost Douluo's face showed a hint of dark amusement.
But he quickly realized: why should he agree to this absurd request? If the High Priestess found out he had broken the rules to accommodate a foreign inheritor, he would definitely be severely punished.
He had almost let this arrogant brat bait him into a trap.
Thinking of this, Sea Ghost Douluo glared at Dai Mubai with open hostility and said coldly, "You have exactly one minute to disappear from my sight, or do not blame me for taking lethal action."
Seeing that Sea Ghost Douluo was completely unmoved by threats or bargains, Dai Mubai's expression twisted into an ugly scowl.
Having no other choice, he turned and stormed away from the Sea Ghost Holy Pillar.
Ma Hongjun followed closely behind, his face pale with despair. "This assessment is clearly targeting me," he grumbled bitterly.
"If I can't ask an outside soul master for help, and I can't use you, who else can I possibly ask?"
"There's only one path left," Dai Mubai said, his voice cold. "Go and beg Tang San to cooperate with you."