A few moments later—
Plop, plop, plop—one by one, shark heads surfaced from the waters of the Ring Sea. Some large, some small, whole families arriving together.
"Where's the gift?" Xiao Bai poked her head out, grinning slyly. If there was a gift, surely every shark would get a share.
Yang Yunhai chuckled and stood, turning his head. "Everyone, step back a bit."
"Alright." Dugu Bo and the others nodded, putting away their lounge chairs and moving further away.
Yang Yunhai stepped forward, raised his hand, and summoned his Martial Soul. Soul rings rose beneath his feet. Black, black, black, purple-gold, jade-gold, dark-green gold, blue-gold—seven soul rings pulsed rhythmically. Their colors had not changed, but the sixth and seventh bore the unique golden patterns of soul beast sacrifice—now cleverly disguised to match the golden veins of his earlier innate soul rings.
"You brat! What's the meaning of those soul rings?!" Xiao Bai's voice grew cold, suspicious.
Ning Rongrong and Sword Douluo, however, were stunned. Yang Yunhai's Martial Soul had changed, and his soul rings were even harder to comprehend.
"This is the transformation of my soul rings after becoming a Soul Saint, merging perfectly with my body into innate rings," Yang Yunhai explained calmly. "They retain the traits of soul beasts, hence their unique colors. Their years can increase as my cultivation rises. If not for the low years of my first three rings, what you see now might look entirely different."
"As for why this happened—"
"It's tied to my special identity. And you'll understand soon enough."
"In truth, I won't bear this identity for long. Before I shed it, I intend to use Sea God Island's environment to bring blessings to both you and this place."
"Consider it my repayment, since Yan Yan is inheriting her godhood here."
Sword Douluo and Ning Rongrong exchanged shocked glances. Innate soul rings—this was the first they had ever heard of such a thing.
'So… even without reaching 100,000 years, they show this color?' Xiao Bai's heart jolted. Then, she asked the doubt that had long been buried in her mind.
"You… you're not actually a soul beast in human form, are you?"
The golden tree Martial Soul in his hand radiated such an odd sense of familiarity that it unsettled her.
"No." Yang Yunhai smiled faintly. With a slight lift of his Martial Soul, golden light erupted. "Martial Soul Avatar!"
Brilliant light burst forth. Centered on Yang Yunhai, a golden giant tree rapidly expanded, soaring to thirty meters tall in an instant. Pure life force rippled outward, invigorating every soul master and soul beast present, their vitality surging.
The weaker Devil Soul Great White Sharks instinctively lowered their heads. For reasons unknown, they felt a natural reverence and closeness. Around the Ring Sea, countless sea soul beasts were drawn to the radiance, lifting their heads above the waves in awe.
"What kind of Martial Soul is this?!" Xiao Bai was dumbfounded. In her senses, Yang Yunhai's aura had completely vanished—only the towering golden tree remained, brimming with boundless vitality, ancient and mysterious, as if it had lived far longer than she had.
If not for Yang Yunhai's words, she might have believed this was his true body.
"This little fellow truly knows gratitude." In the God Realm, the Sea God's eyes shone with approval. With a wave of his hand, he withdrew the Sea God's Light barrier over the island. Clearly, Yang Yunhai intended to channel life energy to the Devil Soul Great White Shark clan—and even Sea God Island's residents. Such generosity was no reason to block him.
And besides… this boy clearly wanted to cast aside the mantle of the Child of Nature.
'Can't blame him,' the Sea God thought. 'With Dugu Yan ascending, he can easily ride along to godhood. Who would risk their life when they can ascend comfortably?'
In the next instant, faint golden radiance rippled outward from the giant tree, staining every plant with gold. Elemental energies in the air were drawn in—especially the abundant water and earth elements. Blue and brown lights rose from sea and land, merging with the pale-golden life energy of plants and flooding toward the tree.
The Devil Soul Great White Sharks gaped. Their bodies yearned instinctively for this energy.
Even Sword Douluo, Ning Rongrong, and Ye Lingling stood stunned.
Yang Yunhai's Martial Soul… had evolved to such an unbelievable level.
Then—brilliant light flashed nearby. Bo Saixi descended from the sky, her gaze fixed in astonishment. Not only was this tree extraordinary, but the Sea God himself had lifted the barrier because of it.
"Senior Bo Saixi." Dugu Yan waved.
Bo Saixi nodded, silently landing to watch.
"Swish, swish—" The golden light spread rapidly, sweeping across Sea God Island, staining vegetation and seas alike. Sea soul beasts crowded closer, basking in the energy.
"This brat… you're actually this powerful?!" Xiao Bai's tail thrashed, her voice stunned.
"Not much." Yang Yunhai's calm reply came as golden energy surged into a whirlpool, condensing before bursting forth like a golden water pillar. It engulfed Xiao Bai, coating her massive body in light.
"I'll absorb! I'll absorb!" Xiao Bai frantically channeled her soul power, gulping it down. Yet it was too much. The overflowing energy spread to the surrounding sharks, gilding their bodies as well. They too opened their maws, devouring eagerly.
The excess split again—eight golden beams streaming into Bo Saixi and the seven Sacred Pillar Douluo's.
"Not for me." Bo Saixi shook her head.
Yang Yunhai retracted her share.
"Thank you!" The seven Sacred Pillars bowed deeply, meditating to refine the influx. Before everyone's eyes, their skin rejuvenated, their years seeming to fall away.
Sword Douluo's heart trembled. No wonder Dugu Bo, Chrysanthemum Douluo, and Ghost Douluo looked so young, no wonder Yang Yunhai and Dugu Yan's team advanced at impossible speeds. Living near him… was practically cheating!
Moments later, Sword Douluo's bottleneck cracked. His aura soared—he had broken through to rank 97.
Dugu Bo smiled knowingly. "Brother Chen, congratulations."
Sword Douluo laughed softly. "I must thank Xiao Hai."
'Tang San? What garbage. He isn't even worthy to carry Yang Yunhai's shoes!' Sword Douluo thought bitterly.
As the golden tree finally dissipated, Yang Yunhai emerged. The Sacred Pillars bowed again in thanks, while the Sea Witch giggled. "Xiao Hai, pity you're a land soul master. Otherwise, this lady might cling to you."
Dugu Yan smirked. "No problem. We'll dig a lake to keep you like a koi."
"You dare treat me as an ornament?!" The Sea Witch pouted.
Laughter echoed. Xiao Bai shouted thanks, then hurried away with her clan. Bo Saixi herself offered gratitude on behalf of Sea God Island. Yang Yunhai brushed it aside humbly, only asking that Dugu Yan and the others be cared for.
The Sacred Pillars departed. Bo Saixi smiled gently and vanished.
Sword Douluo clasped his hands. "Thank you, Xiao Hai."
Yang Yunhai smiled. "No need. Let's head back and wait for Zi Zhenzhu's news."
The others nodded, leaving the Ring Sea together.
---
Meanwhile, in the God Realm—
The Sea God turned to God of Destruction and Goddess of Life. "What do you think? He's talented, grateful, and already decided to abandon the Child of Nature identity. Should I lend him my inheritance grounds for a time?"
"He's extraordinary," the Sea God went on. "Though ruthless to his enemies, he remains innately good. I'd say he's worth grooming."
God of Destruction replied blandly, "No rush. His wife is already inheriting your position. If he ascends alongside her within a hundred years, I'll approach him directly. If he ascends on his own without becoming a God King, we need not intervene."
'Tch, black-hearted as ever,' the Sea God cursed inwardly. 'You're planning to squeeze every drop of value from him without lifting a finger. Free inheritor, free benefits. Shameless.'
Still, aloud he only asked, "So… should we tell him now?"
"No. If he knows too soon, he'll slack off."
The Sea God rolled his eyes. Typical. He cut the connection, poured himself wine, and muttered, "None of these seeds are simple. Better start visiting them all, before some old fox snatches one away."
Time in the God Realm passed; days rolled by on Sea God Island.
At sea, Zi Zhenzhu's pirate fleet sailed.
"Boss! A strange ship approaching from the west!" the lookout cried.
(End of Chapter)
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