"Dong'er, what happened!?"
From the direction of the inner courtyard, figures arrived one after another. Aside from Yan Shaozhe at the lead, the rest were inner courtyard disciples stationed at Shrek Academy. Their cultivations ranged from Soul Kings to Soul Emperors, with some even reaching the Soul Saint realm.
As for Soul Douluo powerhouses...
Most of them had already rushed to the battlefield.
Yan Shaozhe landed in front of Elder Song at this moment. He swept his gaze over Sea Shark Douluo and Sea Serpent Douluo; his look seemed plain but carried a hint of scrutiny. Then he asked, "Elder Song, just now..."
"It was nothing."
Regarding the news of Wang Dong'er being the Sea God's Inheritor, Elder Song's plan was to blockade the information. This matter couldn't be allowed to become known to everyone. If it did, it would definitely be highly disadvantageous to them.
Therefore, facing Yan Shaozhe's doubts, Elder Song simply explained the anomaly in the Sea God Lake as a result of a brief spar between her and the two sea soul masters, insisting there were no other issues.
"But..."
Yan Shaozhe's eyes shifted slightly; obviously, he didn't believe it.
But before he could speak, "Enough."
Elder Song raised a hand, interrupting Yan Shaozhe.
She turned her gaze to the inner courtyard disciples nearby. "Except for Dong'er, everyone go back. Shaozhe, come with me."
"Alright."
As the inner courtyard disciples dispersed one by one, Elder Song shifted her gaze back to Sea Shark Douluo and Sea Serpent Douluo. She made a "please" gesture toward the Sea God Pavilion.
"Would you two like to go back in and sit for a while?"
The two exchanged a glance and shook their heads slightly.
Obviously, the current atmosphere wasn't suitable for them to stay.
"We thank you for your kindness, Senior. But we have more important matters to attend to next, so we won't overstay our welcome."
Elder Song didn't speak, only cupping her hands to see them off.
Seeing this, Sea Shark Douluo and Sea Serpent Douluo leapt into the air!
After leaving Shrek Academy, one of them stayed behind in Shrek City while the other rushed back toward the Sea God Family. They needed someone to stay here to prevent any accidents from befalling Lord Sea God's Inheritor, and they also needed to inform the Clan Leader of this unprecedented event in ten thousand years. For now, they had no choice but to split up.
Meanwhile, back at Shrek
After the two Titled Douluos from the Sea God Family left, Elder Song and Yan Shaozhe brought Wang Dong'er back to the Sea God Pavilion.
Bathed in the aura of light and life, the gentle atmosphere helped soothe Wang Dong'er's chaotic thoughts considerably.
"Dong'er, go get some good rest first."
Elder Song stopped and turned to look at Wang Dong'er.
"A lot happened today. Take some time to sort things out. We'll talk again once you've adjusted your state of mind."
Saying this, she pointed to a corridor.
A kind smile appeared on her lips. "It's the same as last time, the room Elder Mu let you enter before."
"Okay."
Wang Dong'er didn't refuse.
Just as Elder Song said, she needed to sort things out.
To sort out... how to keep herself alive...
After Wang Dong'er left, Yan Shaozhe hesitated to speak. It wasn't until Wang Dong'er's figure disappeared and they had sat down in the main hall of the Sea God Pavilion that he could no longer hold back and asked.
"Elder Song, what exactly just happened?"
The excuse from earlier would only work on those below the Soul Saint realm. Anyone at the Soul Saint level of cultivation or higher could tell that the giant waves stirred up in the Sea God Lake were definitely not man-made.
"Shaozhe, you are too impatient."
Elder Song didn't rush to give an answer. Instead, after a reprimand that made Yan Shaozhe "lower his head," she finally spoke.
"It's Dong'er. She has become the Inheritor of the Sea God."
"The Sea God!?"
Hearing this, Yan Shaozhe was so shocked he almost lost his composure.
As the Dean of Shrek Academy's Martial Soul Department and one of the Elders of the Sea God Pavilion, he was usually calm and collected most of the time.
But this was different. Precisely because of his current position, his perspective on martial souls was broader than that of outsiders.
This was the Sea God!
The previous Sea God could be considered the ancestor of Shrek.
What Yan Shaozhe never expected was that the Sea God's chosen Inheritor was once again a student of Shrek Academy, a disciple of the Tang Sect, and someone from the Haotian Sect. It was almost like an exact copy.
"Elder Song, then we..." Before Yan Shaozhe's excited voice could finish, Elder Song's next words blocked his throat.
"Our Shrek Academy doesn't have that ability."
She sighed softly. "Think about the examinations Ancestor Tang San went through back then; they are all recorded in the ancient texts."
First Examination: Crossing the Sea God's Light;
Second Examination: Circular Blockade;
Third Examination: Tidal Body Refinement;
...
Setting aside the later examinations, the first three primarily tested the foundations of soul power, mental power, vitality, and so on. While Shrek could help her improve these, could they actually form the examination itself?
The answer was naturally no.
"Furthermore..."
Elder Song paused slightly. "Just like Ancestor Tang San, she will return after completing the examinations. She will still be one of us at Shrek."
It was precisely because she realized this that Elder Song didn't force the issue. The glory of helping someone achieve godhood with the strength of a single academy was undoubtedly great, but if they couldn't do it, then so be it.
Yan Shaozhe was unwilling to give up. "Then can we do what we did when the original Shrek Seven Devils went to Sea God Island, and let some inner courtyard disciples..."
"Shaozhe, don't be too utilitarian."
Elder Song saw right through Yan Shaozhe's thoughts.
At this, Yan Shaozhe fell silent, lost in thought.
Elder Song, on the other hand, glanced around the Sea God Pavilion. "Before Xuan Zi went into closed-door cultivation, he entrusted the position of Pavilion Master to me. So, once Dong'er enters seclusion, I will activate the Sea God's Light. As for how to make the Sea God's Light produce the effects of the examination, I believe Dong'er's Sea God Trident mark should play a role."
These words instantly lit up Yan Shaozhe's eyes.
Could Shrek Academy's Sea God's Light have the same function as the one Ancestor Tang San experienced during his God's Examination?
The answer was naturally no.
Shrek Academy's Sea God's Light was merged with the Golden Ancient Tree; it was a Sea God's Light that possessed life energy. Although it could accelerate cultivation, it didn't possess that overwhelming sense of pressure.
Elder Song's goal earlier wasn't just to keep Wang Dong'er here. More importantly, she wanted to see if she could use the God's Examination to leave behind that specific type of Sea God's Light, providing a lasting benefit for the inner courtyard in the future. Even if it only existed during the God's Examination phase, it was fine.
At the very least, many inner courtyard disciples would be able to profit from it.
Once Yan Shaozhe figured this out, he couldn't help but give a thumbs up and praised, "Elder Song, brilliant!"
Elder Song shook her head and didn't reply.
After a brief moment of thought, she said, "Shaozhe, this news must be sealed. However, write a letter and deliver it personally to the two Sect Masters of the Haotian Sect. Let's see what they have to say."
Yan Shaozhe nodded slightly. "Alright."
Based on the address provided by Wang Dong'er, Yan Shaozhe quickly set out alone for the Haotian Sect. But in less than two days, he brought back a message from them:
We know.
There were no extra words, just these two words. That was it!
To Elder Song and Yan Shaozhe, this message didn't seem like much. At most, they were just curious about the Haotian Sect's lack of concern. But in their view, the Haotian Sect might have already learned of this through other means. After all, Ancestor Tang San originated from the Haotian Sect, so it would be normal for him to have left behind some methods of communication.
However, in Wang Dong'er's ears, these words meant something entirely different.
They made her heart sink to the bottom of the valley.
"Elder Song, Dean Yan, I want to inform Yuhao."
This...
The two looked at each other in dismay.
It wasn't that they were unwilling, but that they truly had no solution. The person was far away on the Sun Moon Continent or in the Extreme North Ice Sea; how could they possibly have the ability to contact him?
Wang Dong'er seemed to have realized this too. The smile remained on her face as she said, "It's fine," but she couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
...
Meanwhile, in the Mermaid Palace of the North Sea.
"Thank you, I take my leave."
Sea God Douluo Chen Juntao bid farewell to the Sea Princess, Chen Junting, and the others, then set off to return to the Sea God Family.
Since they had received news of the remnant, they needed to prepare as soon as possible.
As for why Chen Junting and the others were still staying here...
It could only be said that although Huo Yuhao had completed the contract with the mermaid spirit soul a day and a half ago, the mental power this spirit soul possessed was so massive, and the benefits it brought were so astonishing—coupled with a right arm bone—that it would take him a while to fully digest it. Because of this, Chen Junting and his group had temporarily settled down.
However, although they were temporarily staying, they weren't idle.
Since the next opponent they would face was the Evil Eye Tyrant Lord, the most top-tier spiritual-type spirit beast, Chen Junting spent his time waiting for Huo Yuhao suffering at the hands of the Sea Princess—who was also a spiritual type and could be called the "second strongest spiritual-type spirit beast."
Even though they didn't have to deal with the Evil Emperor personally, absorbing the Evil Emperor's soul ring ultimately depended on himself. As a spiritual-type spirit beast, the Evil Emperor's soul shock would be exceptionally terrifying!
To be safe, it was best to temper himself first.
At this moment inside the Mermaid Palace, a beautiful singing voice echoed incessantly. At first, it was like a babbling brook, clear and soothing, as if comforting the hearts of all living beings.
However, in the blink of an eye, the singing abruptly changed.
The gentle flowing water instantly transformed into surging, violent waves!
Inside the palace, Chen Junting sat cross-legged with his eyes closed. The singing, carrying the force of an avalanche, was unstoppable. It slammed into his Spirit Sea, making Chen Junting feel as if he had been thrown into a vast ocean of spirit, surrounded by turbulent waves on all sides.
As the singing shifted once more, the majestic waves turned into sharp blades, stabbing toward the depths of his consciousness.
This forced Chen Junting to concentrate all his attention, circulating his mental power to resist this wave after wave of attacks.
As time passed, the singing became increasingly complex and unpredictable. Sometimes it was high-pitched and impassioned, like a thunderbolt; sometimes it was low and melodious, seemingly hiding profound mysteries. Under this onslaught, Chen Junting's Spirit Sea not only rippled with layers of waves but also churned with massive swells.
Cold sweat flowed incessantly down his temples.
When the singing suddenly stopped, Chen Junting snapped his eyes open, his pupils filled with an indescribable fatigue.
The Sea Princess had stopped her singing, her red lips parting slightly.
"You are already quite good."
Before Chen Junting could speak, a stream of light merged into his body. With Ning Tian's amplification, his muddled and splitting headache eased up significantly.
Ning Tian stepped forward and rested her fingers on Chen Junting's temples. Only after she gently massaged them did he manage to respond.
"Thank you, Senior Sea Princess."
Even though he said this, his inner thoughts were:
I'm still off by more than just a little.
"That's completely normal."
Hearing this, Chen Junting calmed his mind.
At this moment, his Spirit Sea rippled once more, and the figures of Snow Empress, Tyrant, and Mad King appeared one after another.
The one who had just spoken was undoubtedly the Snow Empress.
She glanced at the fatigue shown by Chen Junting's consciousness body. "Whether it's the Evil Emperor or the Sea Princess, they are the absolute pinnacle of spiritual-type spirit beasts. They are equivalent to the Ultimate Douluos of your human spiritual system, and the Evil Emperor is even a cut above that."
The implication was: You're only a quasi-Titled Douluo, and not even of the spiritual attribute. If you could match or surpass them, they might as well grab a block of tofu and smash themselves to death with it!
"That makes sense."
Just as Chen Junting's words fell, the gates to his second Spirit Sea opened, and Electrolux's voice rang out from within.
"It makes perfect sense."
"Teacher."
Electrolux slowly stepped into the Spirit Sea. The moment he appeared, Chen Junting's Spirit Sea instantly calmed down completely. This not only restored his Spirit Sea, which had been damaged by the Sea Princess's song, but it also directly returned Chen Junting's condition to his absolute peak.
Electrolux floated over to Chen Junting and stopped.
"I have seen that Evil Emperor. Although his mental power is massive, it ultimately hasn't undergone a qualitative change. After you slay him, although there will still be a large amount of residual mental power, it is nothing to fear."
"From the moment the Evil Emperor is slain by you, I will begin to seal his spiritual energy, including the soul shock portion within his soul ring, and turn it into a pure origin. Whenever you need to use mental power in the future, this massive reserve of spiritual energy will lend you a hand, turning quantitative change into qualitative change."
Hearing this, Chen Junting felt a surge of joy.
Because the Evil Emperor's mental power was incredibly massive, standing at the very pinnacle of the mortal realm. If it was wasted, it would be a huge pity.
Now that there was a way to preserve it, it was naturally for the best.
"Mhm."
Just then, Electrolux suddenly sensed something.
"Someone is coming to find you."
Hearing this, Chen Junting immediately withdrew his mind. In the outside world, his closed eyes snapped open.
At this moment, he felt a blanket draped over his body. Ning Tian was massaging his temples, and he was resting his head on her lap, having seemingly just fallen asleep.
The main hall of the palace was now left with only the two of them.
"You're awake?"
Sensing Chen Junting waking up, Ning Tian said softly.
"Won't you rest a little longer?"
"No need."
"Under your skilled hands, I've already completely recovered."
Ning Tian softly scolded with a laugh, "Smooth talker!"
Chen Junting gave Ning Tian a doting glance and slowly sat up.
"Yuhao is almost here."
Saying this, he cast his gaze toward the palace corridor.
By the time Chen Junting helped Ning Tian to her feet, the sound of footsteps had already begun echoing through the quiet palace.
"Brother Junting, Sister Xiaotian."
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