A glowing ice-blue orb gradually rose from the statue's chest and shot into the air.
"Whoosh~"
The ice-blue orb floated to the center of the grand hall's ceiling, radiating a dazzling brilliance.
"Buzz, buzz, buzz!"
The next second, the orb suddenly began to spin violently. The entire sphere pulsated as if something was brewing inside it.
The buzzing grew more intense, and the spinning accelerated.
Finally, at a certain moment, the orb exploded.
"Boom!"
Countless ice-blue rays burst forth, transforming into eight translucent screens of ice-blue light, which arranged themselves neatly above Snow Empress's head.
Upon closer inspection, each screen seemed to bear mysterious inscriptions.
"Swish, swish, swish!"
The eight ice-blue screens hovered in formation for a dozen seconds before linking together, edge to edge, and spinning at high speed.
As they rotated, they merged, gradually forming a single ice-blue orb once more.
The newly reformed orb, as if summoned by an unseen force, transformed into a streak of light and shot into Snow Empress's forehead.
In that instant, Snow Empress seemed to lose consciousness, and a human-shaped imprint slowly appeared on her brow.
The imprint was unique—it depicted a female figure, with a faintly visible ice ribbon swirling around her.
The imprint glowed with an ice-blue light, exuding an aura of chilling majesty.
"This is… the Guardian Eight Trials."
Mu Wu looked at the mark on Snow Empress's forehead, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes.
But recalling Snow Empress's origins, his surprise quickly faded.
"Guardian Eight Trials?"
Su Yu stared at the imprint for a few seconds before turning to Mu Wu.
As if knowing what Su Yu was about to ask, Mu Wu chuckled and explained,
"Young Master, as you know, the divine trials within the Ice God Palace are ranked by levels."
"They are not only a symbol of status but also the best measure of potential."
"The lowest is the White Level One Trial. Generally, those who receive this trial hold the lowest status within the Ice God Palace."
"Apart from the palace's protection and basic citizen rights, they have almost no privileges."
"Next is the Yellow Level Trial, divided into Yellow Level One and Two Trials."
"Those who undergo the Yellow Level Trials receive a slight resource advantage, can participate in the Ice Guardian Army's assessments, and qualify for low-ranking positions."
"Then comes the Purple Level Trial, which consists of Purple Level Three and Four Trials."
"Those with Purple Level Trials form the backbone of the Ice God Palace's military force. Most armed forces in the palace belong to this level."
"They have the right to join the Ice God Palace Guard Corps, enjoy more cultivation resources, and can hold mid-to-high-ranking positions in the Ice Guardian Army."
"Next is the Black Level Trial. Those who pass this are already considered elite, possessing the potential to become Titled Douluo."
"Individuals at this level have entered the palace's upper ranks as strategic assets. They receive private training chambers, exclusive resources, and can hold high-ranking positions in the Ice Guardian Army, even leading a squad in the Ice Palace Guard Corps."
"Then there's the pinnacle—the Red Level Trial. There's only one Red Level Trial in the Ice God Palace: the Red Level Seven Trial. Typically, those who take this trial possess the potential to become Super Douluo."
"Barring any accidents, they are guaranteed to break through to Super Douluo."
"Those with top-tier privileges can become the commander of the Ice Guardian Army or the deputy leader of the Ice Palace Guard Corps. But such individuals are rare even within the Ice God Palace."
"Lastly, there is the Guardian Trial, marked by an ice-blue emblem symbolizing the essence of ice itself."
"This is the exclusive trial of the Nine Guardians of the Ice God Palace—the highest trial anyone other than the Young Master can receive."
"The Guardian Trials are divided into two ranks: the Guardian Seven Trials and the Guardian Eight Trials."
"The vast majority of guardians undergo the Guardian Seven Trials. Anyone who completes them will, within their lifetime, reach Rank 98 as a Super Douluo."
"But the Guardian Eight Trials are even rarer and more prestigious. Generally, anyone who attains the Guardian Eight Trials is destined to break through to the Ultimate Douluo level upon completion."
"And this young lady, Snow Empress, is undergoing the Guardian Eight Trials. Once she completes them, she will certainly become an Ultimate Douluo."
Su Yu narrowed his eyes. "And what about you? What level of Guardian Trial did you receive?"
Mu Wu grinned, clasped his hands before the Ice God statue, and said, "Thanks to the Ice God's favor, I was fortunate enough to receive the Guardian Eight Trials."
Su Yu chuckled and tapped Mu Wu on the forehead, seeing how pleased he looked.
Mu Wu laughed sheepishly before adding, "Besides me, Ling Guang is also undergoing the Guardian Eight Trials."
"Oh?"
Su Yu was a little surprised and asked, "What about Lu Yuan?"
Mu Wu replied honestly, "Second Brother, though he has the potential for Ultimate Douluo, only received the Guardian Seven Trials."
Su Yu's eyebrows rose slightly—Lu Yuan was only at the Guardian Seven Trials?
Now, he was beginning to understand just how valuable the Guardian Eight Trials were.
After all, Lu Yuan could challenge Xuanzi at full strength across levels, yet he was still only a Guardian Seven Trial holder.
Guaranteed to become an Ultimate Douluo.
Su Yu's ice-blue eyes flickered—this guarantee of reaching Ultimate Douluo was the true core of the Guardian Eight Trials.
Only those who were certain to become Ultimate Douluo could receive this trial.
Su Yu pondered carefully—it was true.
Snow Empress was in the process of recovering, and once she did, she was bound to reach Ultimate Douluo.
As for Mu Wu, had he not been striving for the Yin-Yang Complement, he would have become an Ultimate Douluo over a decade ago.
It was indeed a certainty.
But… Ling Guang—did this mean her talent was even greater than Lu Yuan's?
After all, her Ice Phoenix wasn't as powerful as Lu Yuan's Titan Snow Demon.
Su Yu voiced his doubts.
Mu Wu chuckled. "It seems the Young Master isn't aware of this secret."
"Ling Guang's bloodline has always been unique within the Ice God Palace."
"In every generation, her lineage produces one Guardian Eight Trial candidate. You could call it the Ice God Palace's Saintess lineage."
"But there is one condition—they almost never complete their eighth trial."
"Ling Guang herself has only completed seven trials so far. The eighth remains unfinished."
"However, she is more fortunate than her predecessors—she has a real chance to complete it."
Seeing Mu Wu's eyes fixed intently on him, Su Yu frowned. "You mean… me?"
"Young Master is perceptive."
Mu Wu smiled. "Ling Guang's eighth trial is linked to you. Every Saintess of the Ice Phoenix lineage has had their final trial tied to you."
"They've been waiting for the Young Master for tens of thousands of years."
Su Yu shuddered and quickly waved his hand. "Don't stir up trouble!"
Mu Wu simply smiled without speaking.
"What are you smiling at? You believe I won't smack you?" Su Yu said menacingly.
Mu Wu clasped his hands in a bow and replied, "Young Master, even if you do, it won't change the truth."
"Ling Guang's lineage has suffered for thousands of years. A hundred generations of Saintesses have waited. Young Master, please consider this carefully."
Su Yu froze, then fell into silence.
After a long while, he sighed.
"This Ice God… didn't do things properly."
"You're right, Young Master," Mu Wu agreed.
"Hmm?"
Su Yu glanced at him.
You're pretty bold, huh?
I can complain all I want, but you dare to agree?
And in the Ice God's main hall, no less? Are you trying to rebel?
Seeing Su Yu's expression, Mu Wu smiled and said, "Young Master is always right. You are now the ruler of the Ice God Palace."
In other words—you're the boss now. We follow you.
Even if you badmouth the previous boss, we'll cheer for you.
"You little rascal!"
Su Yu pointed at him with a slight smile and asked again, "Earlier, you mentioned the Guardian's Trials. What about the High Priests? Why is there no Priest-level assessment?"
Mu Wu replied solemnly, "Young Master, every High Priest was once a Guardian."
"When a Guardian breaks through to the rank of Ultimate Douluo and has already found a successor, they can then become a High Priest."
"Therefore, High Priests also undergo the Guardian-level assessment."
"So, even an old fellow like you might become a High Priest one day?" Su Yu teased.
Mu Wu chuckled, "In theory, yes."
"You're getting quite crafty, huh?" Su Yu laughed and scolded.
"Heh heh." Mu Wu laughed sheepishly.
Su Yu was about to say more when, at that moment, Snow Empress slowly regained consciousness.
The first thing Snow Empress did upon opening her eyes was touch the mark on her forehead. Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly as she fell into deep thought.
"The Eight Guardian Trials…"
She murmured, feeling the grand voice echoing in her mind, her thoughts surging.
"Still in a daze?"
A clear and bright voice sounded beside her ear. Snow Empress instinctively turned her head and saw Su Yu's handsome face.
"Su Yu!"
Her beautiful eyes flickered as she stepped forward, wrapping her arms around Su Yu's waist, and resting her head gently against his chest.
"What's wrong?"
Su Yu was slightly surprised. Snow Empress had always been proud and aloof—this kind of affectionate gesture was something he had never seen from her before.
"Thank you," Snow Empress said softly, feeling the warmth of Su Yu's embrace.
Having accepted the Eight Guardian Trials, she now understood what it meant.
A divine trial—there was no need to even think about how great the benefits would be.
Without Su Yu, she would never have obtained the Eight Guardian Trials.
"You're being too polite with me, silly wife."
Su Yu gently rubbed Snow Empress's head, his eyes full of affection.
This time, Snow Empress didn't refute him. It was as if she had tacitly accepted the term "wife," simply holding onto him tightly.
It wasn't that Snow Empress had no feelings for Su Yu—her personality had just always been aloof, unwilling to express herself easily.
But at this moment, the usually proud Snow Empress let go of her so-called pride and reservations. For the first time, she clung to Su Yu like a little girl.
For Snow Empress, this was undoubtedly a huge breakthrough.
Su Yu quietly embraced her as time slowly passed.
By the time Snow Empress finally let go, a quarter of an hour had already gone by.
Thinking about her earlier actions, Snow Empress felt a bit embarrassed, especially since others were watching. A blush immediately spread across her cool, beautiful face.
That was too impulsive—she should have done it when no one was around.
"Snow Empress and the Young Master truly make a perfect pair, a match made in heaven," Mu Wu said with a knowing smile.
Snow Empress's face turned even redder, and she couldn't help but turn away.
Su Yu wrapped his arm around Snow Empress's shoulders and patted her lightly.
Snow Empress understood and took a step to the side.
Su Yu stepped forward and sat cross-legged on an ice crystal cushion.
Mu Wu's expression immediately shifted from a lighthearted smile to a solemn one, his gaze filled with reverence.
Snow Empress took two steps back, watching Su Yu with curiosity—she wondered what kind of trial he would receive.
Just as Snow Empress stepped away, Su Yu slowly closed his eyes.
As soon as he did, the Ice God Statue in front of him suddenly radiated a brilliant light.
A massive pillar of ice-blue light surged upward from the statue.
The entire grand hall trembled before bursting into dazzling splendor.
The ice-blue pillar of light shot straight up from the palace ceiling, piercing the sky, its magnificent glow illuminating the heavens.
As if in response, the eight surrounding temples trembled simultaneously.
Eight more pillars of ice-blue light erupted from the temples, each as massive as the first.
Nine towering pillars of light ascended together, shaking the skies for miles.
The immense spectacle drew the attention of everyone in the Ice God Palace.
Jiang Nannan stepped out from a side hall, her beautiful eyes filled with astonishment as she gazed at the scene.
On the Ice God Plaza, eight figures gathered, all watching the breathtaking sight with reverence.
"It has finally… begun," Xiao Qiancheng said, gazing at the nine heaven-piercing light pillars, his eyes brimming with excitement.
"Thousands of years of waiting will come to an end in our generation. Perhaps we will witness the rise of a truly legendary figure," Shui Lingguang murmured in awe, her beautiful eyes dreamy.
"It's finally happening, hehe. The world is about to witness the true glory of the Ice God," Lu Yuan laughed with fervent enthusiasm.
They had lived in seclusion for thousands of years.
Did the world think they wanted to stay hidden? No—it was simply their duty.
Others might not understand, but Lu Yuan, an inherently restless person, certainly did.
If not for the weight of responsibility, he would rather be out there making his mark. As the wielder of the Titan Snow Demon martial soul, he was never one to sit still.
"The Young Master has already embarked on this path. The Douluo Continent will soon enter his era," Feng Xue declared, eyes gleaming with determination.
Countless generations of Guardians had shared this dream. Now, it was finally becoming a reality—how could they not be overwhelmed with emotion?
The other Guardians remained silent, but they too were filled with excitement.
To witness this moment firsthand made them far luckier than any Guardian before them.
"What a huge commotion, heh."
Hai Bodong silently appeared in the sky, yawning as he gazed at the nine pillars of light.
"The Young Master is about to take off. I can't afford to hold him back."
PS: Saintess final trial: Marry the Ice God candidate. lol