A vast torrent of information poured into Li Chang'an's mind—most of it hazy, with only one thread truly discernible. He immediately understood why Zhu Zhuqing and the others had sat down to contemplate after their own tests: the Sea God's will needed time to settle.
The golden radiance faded—first from the sky and the Sea within the Sea, then from every horizon—until the final traces converged on Li Chang'an himself. The last sliver of light sank into his brow, leaving not a star-shaped sigil but a golden trident mark.
The trident's austere majesty lent him an innate air of command; simply standing there felt like overlooking all beings.
At that moment, his Pangu Axe thrummed once in warning. The trident mark remained—but its glow clearly dimmed.
Somewhere in the unseen heights, an old voice sighed: circumstances outweigh intent.
Facing the completely stupefied Sea Horse Douluo, Li Chang'an asked, feigning confusion, "Senior, red signifies the top trial. Then what does gold mean? It looks like I must complete nine trials to succeed."
Sea Horse Douluo shook himself hard, stared again, and still saw that blazing golden trident. He was not dreaming.
"I… don't know." The admission seemed to scrape his throat on the way out.
Truly awkward.
Being told earlier that a mere Spirit Saint had "only" level seventy-six was blow enough. Now this—gold—for the first time in their history.
Li Chang'an pressed, still mild, "Please think it over, Senior. What exactly did that golden light represent? Am I facing the Top-Tier Nine Trials?"
Before Sea Horse Douluo could answer, a serene voice drifted in from afar—clear and melodious like a song from the heavens, yet warm with compassion.
"Do not trouble him. Since the founding of Sea God Island, this has never occurred. What you will bear is not the top-tier nine trials, but the Sea God's Nine Trials."
As the final syllable fell, a distant red spark swelled. Space itself seemed to ripple—and in the next heartbeat a figure stood before the Sea Horse Pillar.
It was the Sea God Island's supreme guardian, Bo Saixi—the Sea God Douluo.
Clad in a flowing scarlet robe, sea-blue hair cascading nearly to her heels, she held a three-meter golden scepter engraved with divine runes, a diamond-shaped gem set below the spear-like tip. Her beauty stemmed less from youthful features than from a peerless bearing: noble, serene, and gently radiant. Only Bibi Dong and Gu Yuena could match such presence. Her eyes, a deeper blue than the ocean, held an ageless mercy no thirty-year-old could possess.
"Greetings, Grand Offering!" Sea Horse Douluo bowed. "I failed to interpret the Sea God's will. Please punish me."
Bo Saixi smiled, and the Sea within the Sea seemed to ripple in harmony.
"This is not your fault. I, too, am witnessing this for the first time." Her gaze swept the assembly; everyone felt briefly "seen." At last her eyes rested on Li Chang'an—more precisely, on the golden trident emblazoned on his brow.
"Young one, I have waited over a century to see you before the end of my allotted years. May I know your name?"
Hearing her voice up close, Li Chang'an's heart quickened—not from her beauty, but from the way her words resonated with his very soul. She looked human, but he knew exactly who she was: the only one to defeat both Tang Hao and the First Offering Qian Daoliu—the unrivaled Bo Saixi. Her spiritual pressure was no weaker than his own half-divine mental force—more condensed, more profound.
"Junior Li Chang'an, paying respects." He bowed almost to ninety degrees.
But Bo Saixi blurred to his side and would not accept the salute.
"From this moment, remember: on Sea God Island, no one is qualified to accept your bow—not even I."
"Ah?" He played the innocent, as though baffled by such deference.
Bo Saixi turned to Sea Horse Douluo. "Ou Ya, pass my order. Until they complete the Sea God's trials, these ten are honored guests of the island. No negligence and no offense will be tolerated. Assist with any request except helping them complete their trials. House them in Sea Horse City. Also, summon the other six guardians—Sea God Hall convenes tomorrow."
"Yes," Sea Horse Douluo replied, deeply respectful. On Sea God Island, only the Sea God outranked Bo Saixi.
Her gaze returned to Li Chang'an's striking features. "Good. Very good. I believe you will complete the Sea God's trials. If you need anything, ask Ouya. Remember: for your Sea God's Nine Trials, you must finish at least one per year. Otherwise, all efforts are wasted."
"Senior," Li Chang'an asked at once, "what if I attempt to finish them as quickly as possible—or if I decide to withdraw midway?"
A year per trial was far too slow. With the Abyss invading in six months, he needed to reach at least a Title Douluo's combat level by then.
Before Bo Saixi could reply, the pillar behind them pulsed again. A force not of this world brushed across every heart present, communicating not sentences but intent—clear, irresistible.
Please do your utmost to inherit my position—become the Sea God.
Li Chang'an's private "translation" was even plainer: I'm begging you—take the Sea God's mantle.
…Where was that divine dignity again?