Chapter 389: Difficulties Overcome
Watching everyone grit their teeth and endure under the continuous waves, Ning Bei couldn't help but feel a bit reluctant, especially for Ning Rongrong. As a support-type soul master, he knew her physical strength wasn't as high as the others, who were battle soul masters.
Although he constantly teased his younger sister, seeing her stubbornly persevere made a small ripple in his heart.
Posey, standing by, had seen everything in Ning Bei's expression.
"If you want to receive the Sea God's gifts, this hardship is necessary. Do you really want to protect them under your wings forever?"
Upon hearing this, Ning Bei was slightly stunned but then smiled faintly.
"If they want, it's not impossible. But they aren't willing to be caged birds. They will succeed."
Posey nodded in agreement. She had a deep appreciation for the determination of these young ones. Perhaps she had finally witnessed the successors of the Sea God.
"By the way, did you defeat Qian Daoliu?"
"Yes, only the last trial remains. Maybe when we meet next..."
Ning Bei didn't finish his sentence, but Posey immediately understood his meaning. The next time they met, they might not be on the same level anymore.
"Then I'll be waiting to call you Lord Ice God."
In response to Posey's teasing, Ning Bei gave a helpless smile. She had nearly become his mother-in-law.
"Senior, you're joking. Please take care of these children."
"Don't worry, that's my duty."
Posey nodded and then seemed to recall something.
"Are you preparing to leave?"
"Mm, I'll try to find an opportunity for the ninth trial. It's not good to keep waiting."
"Alright, I wish you success."
Posey looked at Ning Bei with a complicated expression, offering him her blessings. She didn't feel jealous of him, but she did envy him a bit.
The divine position she had sought but couldn't obtain, seemed to be within his grasp.
Three hours later, Ning Bei used his soul power to transfer the unconscious children, who had been exhausted by the tides, onto the shore. Even in their sleep, Ning Rongrong still had a look of defiance on her face, which made her appear very cute.
Finally, it was the soul master with the highest cultivation, Du Gu Yan, who woke up first. After confusedly scanning the surroundings, she saw Ning Bei and her eyes brightened as she regained her focus.
"Abey, the tide even prevents the use of auxiliary soul skills, it's almost like murder."
Ning Bei smiled and tapped her nose playfully.
"Should I let you give up? Anyway, I don't have high expectations for your strength."
"No way!"
Du Gu Yan didn't hesitate for a second to discard the thought of giving up. She already felt that her talent wasn't as good as Ning Rongrong's and the others, and if she gave up now, soon these kids who were six years younger than her would surpass her in strength. While Du Gu Yan didn't have huge ambitions, she still couldn't stand that.
"Then keep going. If you really can't do it..."
"There's nothing I can't do. If Rongrong can do it, why can't I?"
Before Ning Bei could speak, Du Gu Yan stopped him, signaling him not to continue.
While they were talking, the others began to wake up as well. Ning Rongrong woke up coughing and spitting seawater. It was clear that she had drunk quite a bit earlier.
"Wow, is it finally over?"
Looking at the scene, it was obvious that it wasn't the same as when they were on the silver pillars, so the answer was clear. The body refining session for the day had ended.
Just as Ning Rongrong tried to stand up, she felt a sharp pain all over her body and almost fell back to the ground.
"Ugh, that hurts so much."
"Tell me about it. Xiao Wu just wants to go back to sleep now."
Xiao Tuzi immediately agreed, nodding. Ning Rongrong, as a support soul master, had the worst physical strength, but even a battle soul master like Xiao Tuzi was nearly falling apart after being hit by the waves for several hours.
However, Zhu Zhuqing had a smile on her face, happy as long as she was growing stronger.
"Body pain means the tides really have a body refining effect. If you persist, your physical strength will definitely improve."
"Ugh, I know that, but a whole year of this is going to be hard to bear."
Xiao Tuzi drooped her ears, looking like a pitiful rabbit, which made everyone laugh. Even the pain in their bodies seemed to ease a little.
"By the way, how long did we last?"
Xiao Wu, who had been lacking in energy, suddenly looked up and asked Ning Bei, wanting to know if they had met the required time for the trial.
"Three hours for everyone. According to what Senior Posey just mentioned, none of you met the standard."
"Ah~~"
Xiao Tuzi slumped back down, clearly defeated. Getting knocked out by the waves was one thing, but now hearing that they didn't meet the standard... it was just too much.
"We're actually doing better than others. Zhuqing and the others were just short by one hour, and we were only short by two. Nami had it the worst, she was seven hours short on the first day, and that all has to be made up later."
Nami, who had been comforting Xiao Tuzi, suddenly stiffened. Clearly, she was remembering that her trial was double tidal body refining. Even as a sea spirit master, facing those endless waves was extremely painful for her.
"Ugh, I'll just have to make it up later. Tomorrow, I'll try to last four hours."
Nami didn't want to make the gap too big early in the refining process, as it might be hard to make up the lost time later. After all, the goal was to stay on the silver pillars for ten hours each day over the course of a year.
"Forget it, we'll think about that later. Let's go back to town, eat a nice meal, and get a good night's rest."
Xiao Tuzi's opinion was unanimously agreed upon, and the group said their goodbyes to Posey before returning to the Mermaid City. During dinner, Ning Rongrong and the others asked about the major events happening on the continent.
Ning Bei was about to speak when his gaze shifted to Zhu Zhuqing, which made the little cat blink in surprise. She brushed some stray hair from her forehead and asked:
"What is it, Brother Ning Bei?"
"The Star Luo Empire no longer exists. Or rather, it has become part of the Heaven Dou Empire."
"Ah!"
Hearing this, Long Nianbing and the others didn't feel much, but Ning Rongrong, who knew the level of the Star Luo Empire, exclaimed in shock.
"Really? The thousand-year-old Star Luo Empire is gone?"
While Ning Rongrong was in a curious mood, Zhu Zhuqing appeared more fearful. After a moment, a complex emotion surged in her heart.
"Brother Ning Bei, what about the Zhu family?"
Ning Bei understood her mental state, knowing it was the place where she grew up, even though growing up there wasn't a pleasant experience.
"The Zhu family is fine. They've already pledged allegiance to the Heaven Dou royal family and are still living in Spirit Cat City, but the Dai family of the royal family no longer exists."
"Ugh, that's good."
For some reason, Zhu Zhuqing, who didn't have much affection for the Star Luo Empire, sighed in relief upon hearing that the Zhu family was safe. As for who the Star Luo Empire now belonged to, she didn't care at all.
"When you have time, you can go back and see."
"Alright, thank you for telling me, Brother Ning Bei."
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Johanssen10