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Battle Sky Douluo looked at Su Wen, and his expression immediately soured. Su Wen's current gaze made him feel genuinely offended.
What kind of look was it?
It was a look of pure, unadulterated pity.
"What do you mean by that?" the Douluo bristled.
"I know what the Red Grade Eight Trials represent," Su Wen said calmly. "It's the most difficult trial level beneath the actual God Succession trials."
Battle Sky Douluo snorted. "You certainly know a lot, brat. But again, what's with that look? Completing the Red Grade Eight Trials to become a God's Protector is a supreme glory."
"Ahem... Senior, I don't have an issue with the status of a Protector. It's just that I'm thinking about some other information I've come across..."
"What information?"
"Well," Su Wen coughed, "according to Spirit Hall records, there is a place called Sea God Island in the western ocean. It's the inheritance ground of the Sea God. The Spirit Masters there undergo trials left by the Sea God."
"And?" Battle Sky Douluo still hadn't realized the severity of the problem.
Su Wen continued, "Supposedly, in the Sea God's trials, regardless of the grade, there are rewards of God-Bestowed Soul Rings. Those who undergo a high number of trials can even receive a total of three or four of them."
Battle Sky Douluo's face went blank. "Follow me. I'm taking you to receive Lord War God's trial."
He stopped engaging with Su Wen entirely. He didn't even check to see if Su Wen was keeping up; he simply marched toward the heart of the Spirit Battle World.
They arrived before a towering, awe-inspiring statue. "Go up and touch the statue. Lord War God will bestow your reward."
Su Wen did as he was told.
In the Divine Realm:
Four figures were gathered together. One was a woman with a fine figure and a capable, sharp aura. She spoke to a burly man, "Brother Zhan, why did you call us here?"
The other two figures were a sturdy, stout man and a smiling, somewhat pudgy man.
"Brother Zhan?" They also looked toward the War God, wondering why he had summoned them.
The War God looked grave as he shared the situation on the Douluo Continent and Su Wen's information with the God of Speed, the God of Defense, and the God of Fortune.
"Hm?" The God of Fortune was particularly sensitive. He looked at the War God warily. "Brother Zhan, if you want to give him a trial, use your own Power of Faith. I don't have any to spare."
The God of Speed and the God of Defense seemed to take the hint, looking at the War God with equal suspicion. At the same time, they shot a disdainful look at the God of Fortune. You're the one who wins every bet with those squinty eyes of yours, and now you have the nerve to say you're low on faith? You're the wealthiest among the four of us!
"Ahem... this trial I'm giving him is a bit special," the War God coughed to hide his embarrassment. He was indeed a bit short on funds, but he couldn't bring himself to borrow faith from his friends.
"He has the potential to create his own godhood. Plus, opening Spirit Battle Arenas in his Academic Realm will be of great use to us. Perhaps the faith gathered from those arenas before he even ascends will be enough to help us reach the next level."
"Really?" The God of Fortune looked skeptical.
"I told you about his situation. His ambitions are massive; he won't be satisfied with being a Second-Class God. At the very least, he'll be like the previous Sea God—directly condensing a First-Class Godhood or even higher..."
The amount of faith required for such a process would be astronomical. To collect it, Su Wen wouldn't just let the Academic Realm sit; he would expand and operate it. Thus, the four of them could reap a massive harvest of faith through the arenas.
Investment was necessary.
"Su Wen believes that knowledge is power. So, in this trial, I plan to..."
The God of Fortune and the others looked at their "big brother." They hadn't realized this man, who usually only thought about fighting, could be so cunning.
"I feel knowledge is more important to him," the War God shrugged shamelessly. "But the rules of the Divine Realm cannot be broken. So, I have to play some tricks with the trial itself."
"So, what do you want us to do?"
"Give me a copy of your cultivation insights. Especially regarding God-Bestowed Soul Rings and research on Soul Bone sets."
"Fair enough. It's been a while since we've discussed insights anyway. Let's exchange our thoughts."
Spirit Battle World:
A white mark began to appear on Su Wen's forehead. A pillar of light descended from the statue, enveloping him. The color shifted immediately to yellow, deepening in hue.
Many Spirit Masters of the Spirit Battle World gathered, curious about the outsider the High Priest had brought back. They speculated on what grade of trial he would receive. Most outsiders usually received Purple Grade or higher.
Battle Sky Douluo watched the pillar of light intently.
"Trial Candidate: Su Wen. Yellow Grade One Trial."
"???"
Su Wen stared at the statue, then looked at his own hands, momentarily dazed.
What the hell? Yellow Grade? One trial?
Battle Sky Douluo was equally bewildered. "With Xiao Wen's talent, he should at least get a Black Grade trial, right? Why Yellow? And just one?"
Before Su Wen could think further, a massive flood of information rushed into his mind. The content of the trial manifested in his thoughts.
Yellow Grade One Trial
Task: Within ten years, change the method by which Spirit Masters on the continent obtain soul rings.
Reward: Insights into Divine Cultivation.
Su Wen's brow twitched. War God, are you seriously this broke?
I did all that foreshadowing about the Sea God's rewards, and you give me this?
Su Wen rubbed his temples, feeling his brain swell from the sheer volume of data being transmitted into the trial mark.
"It's... the actual experience of a God creating a God-Bestowed Soul Ring, along with research insights on Soul Bone sets..."
Su Wen realized the War God had indeed heard his "wish" when he discussed the rings with Battle Sky Douluo.
"I guess it's okay. At least I got the data I wanted." Su Wen realized that gods are bound by the rules of the Divine Realm and cannot communicate freely with candidates.
"So, the War God used this 'Yellow Grade' loophole to dump all the information I wanted into my head?"
Su Wen could only accept it with a wry smile. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. The War God had taken that proverb very literally.
"Change the way Spirit Masters obtain soul rings? That means finding a way to get them without hunting soul beasts."
Su Wen stopped complaining and began to analyze the task. He realized this trial actually held significant meaning.
(End of Chapter)