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Hai Ma Douluo's explanation was detailed, but his purpose was singular: to inform the young people before him just how difficult the Black Rank Six Test truly was.
Success would grant them authority equivalent to that of a Holy Pillar Guardian. Failure, however, had only one outcome—death!
Hai Ma Douluo added, "Once you accept the Sea God's trial, it must begin immediately. For those from the mainland, the time limit for the Black Rank trials is one year to complete each test.
Only after completing one test will the next appear. If you exceed the time limit or attempt to evade the trial, the Sea God seal imprinted on your forehead will detonate, erasing you from existence.
There are no failures in the Black Rank trials—only those who pass and those who die. Hence, it is also known as Heaven and Hell. I never expected the Sea God to impose such an arduous trial on you mainland soul masters.
If any of you wish to back out, now is the time. Otherwise, if another Black Rank trial appears, you'll face the same fate. Since none of you hail from the Spirit Hall, I'll be frank with you.
With their current strength at over sixty levels, there's absolutely no chance they can survive the Black Rank Six Test—they're doomed."
After hearing Hai Ma Douluo's explanation, Oscar suddenly spoke up, "Wait a moment, Senior. You say my brothers have no chance of passing the trial and are doomed.
Then, how did you manage to pass your own trial? From what I understand, soul masters on Sea God Island must undergo their trials at the age of eighteen. Were you stronger than my brothers at eighteen?"
Hai Ma Douluo shook his head and replied, "At eighteen, I hadn't even reached Level 40, and compared to him now, I was far weaker. But there's something you must understand.
For us, the Sea God's Black Rank trials allowed ten years per task. Even so, my Black Rank Four Tests nearly killed me several times.
The final test I faced required me to endure for an hour amidst the Demon Soul Great White Shark zone, excluding the guardian beast."
The group fell silent, but Hai Ma Douluo noticed no trace of fear or discouragement on any of their faces.
Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward, standing where the previous trials had taken place. Her cold yet beautiful smile carried a faint trace of determination. "Senior, please grant me the Sea God's trial."
Hai Ma Douluo frowned slightly. "Are you sure you don't want to reconsider? You already possess a hundred-thousand-year soul ring—I don't know how you obtained it, but with your talent, you don't need to pursue power this way.
Given your potential, you could surpass me within twenty years. Is it worth risking your life like this?"
Zhu Zhuqing calmly replied, "Senior, we came here to accept the trial. If the trial were too easy, wouldn't our journey be meaningless? Without pressure, there's no motivation. We've already accomplished many seemingly impossible feats—what's one more miracle?
Moreover, I want to grow stronger. I want to stand beside him, not remain a mere decoration. He's young and incredibly powerful, and all I can do is strive to catch up to him!"
Zhu Zhuqing's words were resolute. This quiet girl possessed unwavering determination—a trait Li Luochen deeply admired.
"Very well. You young people truly possess remarkable drive. Few possess courage like yours." The Title Douluo said no more. The blue light gathered once again, and as the Seahorse Holy Pillar shone brightly, a column of light descended from the sky, enveloping Zhu Zhuqing.
The Sea God's light bypassed the transitions from white to yellow, and from yellow to purple, swiftly entering the strange black realm.
The black magical patterns surged upward. Under Hai Ma Douluo's wide-eyed gaze, the black patterns slowly surpassed the midpoint of the Seahorse Holy Pillar, signifying that Zhu Zhuqing would face the difficulty of the Black Rank Six Test.
But the black patterns didn't stop there—they continued climbing, soon reaching two-thirds of the pillar, the mark of the Black Rank Six Test.
Good heavens! Am I losing my mind? It's been years since a Black Rank trial appeared, and now, in such a short span, seven have emerged.
Hai Ma Douluo sighed inwardly. But just then, the seemingly halted patterns surged slightly upward.
In an instant, the magical patterns covering the Seahorse Holy Pillar, previously blackened, transformed completely into a dazzling crimson red. A beam of red light shot into the sky, piercing the heavens.
The blood-like light stabbed straight into the clear blue sky, causing a flash of crimson across the horizon.
On Sea God Island, thousands of eyes turned toward the sky almost simultaneously. The six Holy Pillar Douluos standing by the shore were utterly stunned, exclaiming in unison:
"Top—Level—Eight—Tests—!"
Even Bo Saixi, hidden in the void, was shocked upon seeing this scene. A faint hint of surprise mingled with even greater joy spread across her face.
As the red light gradually faded, eight crimson screens of light sank into Zhu Zhuqing's forehead, forming a peculiar red octagram. Her previously fair skin now bore a faint crimson glow.
"Miss, may I ask your full name?" Hai Ma Douluo bowed slightly, showing respect to Zhu Zhuqing.
"Senior, my name is Zhu Zhuqing. Why do you ask?" Zhu Zhuqing responded, surprised.
Hai Ma Douluo swallowed hard. "It is an honor to serve as your examiner. Though I don't understand why a top-level trial has chosen you, for the foreseeable future, should you require anything on the island, you may seek me out. I will do my utmost to assist you."
Oscar blinked, unable to resist asking, "Senior, isn't the gap between them enormous? They differ by only two tests—how can the disparity be so vast? Is it really just the difference between six and eight tests?"
Without even glancing at Oscar, Hai Ma Douluo's expression grew even more reverent. "Unlike the Black Rank trials, the top-level trials have never recorded a failure since their inception.
The last time a top-level trial appeared, it was for the island's Great Elder. Should Miss Zhu Zhuqing pass the top-level trial, she will inherit the position of Great Elder and become the future leader of Sea God Island."
Upon hearing this explanation, the group finally understood. Exchanging glances, their gazes toward Zhu Zhuqing became increasingly strange.
Oscar pondered, "Senior, does this mean the Top-Level Eight Tests are easier than the Black Rank Six Tests?"
Hai Ma Douluo shook his head. "Of course not. The overall difficulty of the Top-Level Eight Tests surpasses the Black Rank Six Tests by more than one tier. However, every time a top-level trial appears, it signifies the emergence of a powerful soul master capable of completing it and inheriting the elder's position. No matter how difficult, success is guaranteed."
Oscar couldn't wait any longer. "Alright, I'm ready! Bring it on, Senior!"
Hai Ma Douluo activated the holy pillar once again. To everyone's astonishment, Oscar received a Top-Level Seven Test!
"Respected sir, may I inquire your name?"
"Hehe, Your Eminence, I'm Oscar."
Next, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and Ning Rongrong all received Top-Level Seven Tests!
"Your Eminence, I'm Ma Hongjun!"
"Your Eminence, I'm Ning Rongrong!"
When Bai Chenxiang underwent her trial, luck wasn't on her side—she received a Black Rank Six Test. By now, Hai Ma Douluo had grown immune to such shocks. He'd seen enough to weather any storm.
Ye Lingling, like Zhu Zhuqing, received a Top-Level Eight Test. In just one day, there were several Black Rank trials, three Top-Level Seven Tests, and two Top-Level Eight Tests.
Hai Ma Douluo's mind was spinning, and even Bo Saixi began to wonder if she was growing old and hallucinating.
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