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The sudden appearance of Bo Saixi startled everyone.
"Greetings, Grand Priestess," the Seven Holy Pillar Douluos bowed to Bo Saixi.
"Greetings, Sea God His Eminence," the members of Shrek Academy also bowed. Li Luochen had already informed them that the Grand Priestess of Sea God Island was a Limit Douluo—an extraordinary woman.
"You must show her proper respect. After all, as our academy motto goes, 'Courtesy never hurts.'"
At this moment, the Shrek team finally got a close look at the Limit Douluo Bo Saixi.
Bo Saixi stood at about 1.8 meters tall, her entire figure shrouded in a flowing crimson robe. Her azure hair cascaded down her back, nearly touching the ground when spread out.
Her delicate features appeared to be around thirty years old at most. Her beauty stemmed not just from her appearance but from her demeanor—noble, elegant, and warm.
In her right hand, she held a three-meter-long scepter. The golden scepter resembled the golden light that had appeared in the sky earlier. Its surface was engraved with intricate magical patterns, and at the top was a diamond-shaped protrusion resembling a spear. Below the tip, embedded five inches down, was a rhombic golden gemstone.
If judged solely by her appearance, she was undoubtedly a rare beauty. But her aura was unmatched by anyone. Even Bibi Dong, the Pope they had met before, paled in comparison to her presence.
Most astonishing were her eyes—clear blue orbs deeper than the ocean itself. The gentle, ancient sorrow within them seemed to span eons. These eyes—how could they belong to a mere thirty-year-old woman?
"Respectfully greet the Great Elder," Hai Ma Douluo bowed slightly to the red-robed woman. "I have failed to properly guide the will of the Sea God. Please punish me, Great Elder."
The red-robed woman smiled faintly, and the Sea Within a Sea seemed to ripple in response to her smile.
"This is not your fault. I, too, am witnessing this for the first time."
Her gaze shifted, and everyone present felt as though she was looking directly at them. Yet, her eyes eventually fixed on Dugu Yan—or rather, on the golden trident mark imprinted on her forehead.
"Young lady, I have waited over a hundred years, and now, on the verge of my twilight years, I have finally met you. May I ask about your origins?"
Listening closely to her voice, Dugu Yan immediately felt her heartbeat quicken. It wasn't because of her beauty but because her voice resonated deeply with her soul.
Though she appeared to be an ordinary human woman, Dugu Yan knew well who she truly was—a being on par with Qian Daoliu, grandfather of Qian Renxue. It was even rumored that she had once defeated Qian Daoliu.
This was a Limit Douluo? Truly fearsome. No wonder I've fallen behind in cultivation—I should've reached Title Douluo by now.
"I am Dugu Yan, a mainland soul master, the First Lady of Atlas Douluo, granddaughter of the Poison Douluo, and an eighty-seven-level Battle Soul Douluo."
Dugu Yan gave a respectful bow to Bo Saixi.
To her surprise, however, Bo Saixi's figure flickered, and she appeared at Dugu Yan's side without accepting her bow.
"There's no need for formalities. The First Lady of Atlas His Eminence? It seems Atlas has more than one wife. You are already so exceptional—why is he so fickle? Truly not a good man. But that's your business, not mine."
Bo Saixi frowned as she spoke.
Off to the side, Li Luochen felt a bit awkward. Was Bo Saixi trying to provoke him? What did she mean by calling him a bad man?
Bo Saixi quickly composed herself and turned her gaze toward Dugu Yan. "Dugu Yan, look at me."
Dugu Yan met Bo Saixi's gaze calmly, without flinching.
Bo Saixi spoke gravely, "From this moment on, remember this: no one on Sea God Island is worthy of receiving your respect—not even me."
"Huh?" Dugu Yan looked at the Sea God Douluo in astonishment, unsure why this peak powerhouse would say such a thing to her.
Bo Saixi turned to Hai Ma Douluo. "Relay my orders. These individuals are guests of honor on this island until they complete the Sea God's trials. They are not to be disrespected or offended under any circumstances.
Do not assist them in completing their trials, but fulfill their needs as much as possible. They may stay in your Seahorse City."
"Yes," Hai Ma Douluo replied with utmost respect. Though it had been ten years since he last saw the Great Elder, on Sea God Island, Bo Saixi was an absolute authority. Only the Sea God Himself could surpass her.
"And the six of you," Bo Saixi glanced at the other Holy Pillar Douluos who had been spectating, "come to the Sea God Temple tomorrow for a meeting!"
"Yes!" ×6
Bo Saixi's gaze returned to Dugu Yan, and she nodded with a faint smile. "Very good, very good. I believe you will pass the Sea God's trials.
If you need anything, you may request it from Haima. Remember, for your Nine Trials of the Sea God, you must complete at least one trial per year. Otherwise, all progress will be lost."
Dugu Yan replied firmly, "I will not fail."
Bo Saixi's expression changed abruptly. In the blink of an eye, she appeared only centimeters away from Dugu Yan. Her previously gentle eyes turned icy, and an overwhelming pressure crushed Dugu Yan to the point where she couldn't breathe.
Li Luochen instantly appeared by Dugu Yan's side, using his soul power to counter Bo Saixi's oppressive force.
"Dugu Yan, remember this: never let the thought of failure enter your mind. Let me tell you, your trials are tied to the survival of Sea God Island. If you fail, the consequences will be far worse than death.
Hold fast to your current resolve!"
With that, Bo Saixi glared at Li Luochen before departing.
"She's incredibly powerful. Just that brief burst of her aura made me feel like my body was about to explode," Oscar said, still shaken.
At that moment, Hai Ma Douluo's voice rang out. "Honored guests, please follow me."
A dense blue light emanated from Hai Ma Douluo's hands. With a slight wave, a strange sight unfolded: the seawater on one side of the Sea Within a Sea surged upward, solidifying into a bridge in midair. In just moments, the bridge was complete. It didn't lead back to where they had come from but instead extended deeper into the forest of Sea God Island.
Hai Ma Douluo led the Shrek team toward Seahorse City.
Li Luochen decided to rest for the night before beginning the trials. Along the way, he asked Dugu Yan about the details of her first trial.
Dugu Yan replied, "Cross the Light of the Sea God. Prompt: Proceed to the core forbidden area of Sea God Island. Ascend the 666 steps leading to the forbidden area. Success in reaching the top counts as passing the trial. You may withdraw at any point during the journey. Time limit: one year."
Li Luochen's reaction was immediate confusion. "What nonsense is this? Why 666 steps? Didn't Tang San only have 333? Is there favoritism here?"
Upon further reflection, however, he realized Dugu Yan's strength far surpassed that of Tang San from the original timeline.
When Li Luochen inquired further, he learned that everyone's trials involved crossing the Light of the Sea God—even Dai Mubai, who was undergoing the Purple Rank trial.
Dai Mubai had to ascend 64 steps.
Four-test participants had to ascend 81 steps.
Six-test participants had to ascend 108 steps.
Seven-test participants had to ascend 136 steps.
Eight-test participants had to ascend 256 steps.
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