The Sea God Island was unlike any other place...
At this point, the powerful factions on the Douluo Continent had been mostly eliminated. The strong ones, such as the former Top Three Sects, had already been completely annihilated, while the weaker ones, like the Bottom Four Sects, had submitted without any rebellious intentions.
Now that the Heaven Dou Empire had fallen, only the Star Luo Empire remained. Once the Star Luo Empire was destroyed, the entire Douluo Continent would belong to the Spirit Empire!
To reign supreme!
The thought of becoming the first empress in Douluo Continent's history to unify the land filled Bibi Dong with excitement.
She secretly rejoiced, a faint smile curling on her lips. "You must be tired after returning. Go and rest."
With that, after bidding farewell to Bibi Dong, Ye Hao returned to his room to rest. He was utterly exhausted.
Ye Hao had no idea how long he had slept. When he groggily opened his eyes, he found that it was already dark outside, and the room was dimly lit. Unbeknownst to him, someone had slipped into bed beside him.
"You're awake." Qian Renxue lay beside him in a golden nightgown. She had just settled in, taking care not to disturb his rest as she quietly slipped under the covers.
Unexpectedly, Ye Hao still woke up.
"I've been sleeping for half the day. I'm just too sensitive." Ye Hao rubbed his throbbing temples and nestled into his wife's embrace.
Qian Renxue rolled her eyes at him before leaning down to plant a soft kiss on his lips. She then gently massaged his temples with her slender fingers.
"..." Ye Hao was so relaxed he couldn't even speak. Nothing compared to the comfort of his wife's care.
"Let me ask you—what's the deal with that Tang Yuehua?" Qian Renxue's gaze held a hint of suspicion as she spoke softly.
"Huh?" Ye Hao instantly perked up. He hadn't expected a woman's intuition to be this sharp.
"N-Nothing. She's just a woman. After the Clear Sky Clan was destroyed, I figured she'd be lonely, so I happened to take her captive. That's all." Ye Hao's survival instincts kicked in.
"Just that?" Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow.
"Just that." Ye Hao nodded firmly, his eyes unwavering.
"Fine, I'll believe you for now. But Tang Yuehua is already in her thirties. You destroyed her clan—she probably wants you dead. Keeping her locked up is the right move. A woman like that would only cause trouble if left unchecked." Qian Renxue said.
Tang Yuehua was a clever woman. Since they weren't going to eliminate her completely, the best course was to keep her imprisoned, ensuring she'd never escape the Spirit Hall's surveillance.
"By the way, I heard Mom mention today that we're establishing an empire, right?" Ye Hao looked at Qian Renxue.
"Yes." Qian Renxue nodded. "The only major power left on the continent is the Star Luo Empire. The former Heaven Dou Empire's territories have been fully taken over by us. It won't be long before the announcement is made."
She smiled affectionately at him. "You've worked hard—destroying the Top Three Sects was a great achievement."
"Well then, how will my wife reward me?" Ye Hao slowly sat up, wrapping his arms around Qian Renxue's slender waist.
His voice softened. "I've worked tirelessly for the Spirit Hall. Shouldn't my wife show some appreciation for her husband's efforts?"
"You're impossible." Qian Renxue chuckled, lightly tapping Ye Hao's forehead with her finger. Her loving gaze met his as she leaned in, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her lips to his.
Ye Hao instantly felt his blood boil, his self-control slipping away.
...
Time flew by. Before he knew it, Ye Hao had already been back at Spirit Hall for a month.
During this time, he alternated between peaceful cultivation and blissful domestic life. His days couldn't have been more comfortable.
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away from the Douluo Continent, out at sea...
Tang San, ragged and disheveled, arrived at a remote island.
"Damnable Demon Spirit Great White Sharks—one day, I'll slaughter every last one of you." Tang San glared hatefully at the sharks lurking in the distance.
After a month of arduous travel, he had finally reached Sea God Island. Yet, the moment he set foot on its shores, he had nearly lost his life to the Demon Spirit Great White Sharks, filling him with fury.
His tattered clothes were proof of that.
A month ago, he had been rescued by a wisp of the Sea God's divine will.
When Tang San awoke, he found himself in Harbor City.
This was the only major port in the former Heaven Dou Empire. Tang San had suffered a grievous wound from Yang Wudi—a strike that had nearly pierced his heart. If not for the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, he would have died.
Naturally, Tang San added Yang Wudi to his "List of Those Who Deserve Death." Once he became the Sea God, he would settle the score.
"Is this Sea God Island?" Tang San muttered, his ragged appearance no different from that of a beggar.
"I've finally arrived." He exhaled in relief.
"Who are you?"
Suddenly, a group of men and women dressed in yellow robes surrounded him. There were about seven or eight of them, eyeing this outsider with vigilance.
"Who am I?" Tang San paused, then smiled. "My name is Tang San. I..."
No, I can't say the Sea God sent me. That would draw too much attention.
"My name is Tang San. I've long admired the reputation of Sea God Island, so I traveled thousands of miles to come here, hoping to join you."
His words were met with skepticism. Those who came from the mainland were rarely trustworthy.
"Leave at once. Sea God Island does not welcome people from the continent," the lead yellow-robed man declared. They had no intention of allowing this ragged beggar to enter.
"I am—"
Suddenly, the blue triangular mark between Tang San's eyebrows emitted a faint glow. The group froze, their expressions shifting to uncertainty.
"Why does he carry the aura of Lord Sea God?"
They exchanged glances. The yellow robes they wore represented their status on the island and the level of trials they had undergone.
White, yellow, purple, black, red.
Five levels, each denoting a different rank, ascending in importance.
"You—come with us." The sudden change in the leader's attitude caught Tang San off guard.
However, he quickly recovered. Though he didn't understand why, his sole purpose in coming to Sea God Island was to undergo the Sea God Nine Trials. Only by inheriting the Sea God's divine power could he take revenge on Spirit Hall and wash away the humiliation Ye Hao had inflicted upon him.
The island's scenery was breathtaking, like a paradise untouched by the world.
Tang San followed the group to a stretch of sea within the island, where a towering azure prismatic stone pillar stood in the distance. Beneath the pillar was a platform, upon which a black-robed man sat cross-legged in deep meditation.
"Lord Sea Horse, a land-based soul master has come to undergo the trials. We request your permission."
As soon as the words were spoken, the black-clad figure beneath the Sea Horse Sacred Pillar suddenly opened his eyes. A vast aura erupted outward from where he sat, rippling through the surroundings. Those bright eyes were like bottomless abysses.
This was the aura of a Titled Douluo—the man before them was none other than Sea Horse Douluo, a 92nd-ranked Titled Douluo.
"A Titled Douluo?" Tang San was stunned.
"Land-based soul masters seeking to undergo the trials must first cross the Sea Within the Sea and reach the Sea Horse Sacred Pillar."
The voice was firm and resonant, and as it echoed, the waters of the Sea Within the Sea began to churn violently. Countless sea creatures leaped from the waves, and the Sea Horse Sacred Pillar emitted layers of blue radiance, appearing extraordinarily sacred.
Tang San frowned slightly, looking at the black-robed man opposite him. "A trial from a Titled Douluo? Are we expected to defeat a Titled Douluo?"
"No." Sea Horse Douluo shook his head with a faint smile. "You must reach me without killing any of the sea soul beasts within the Sea Within the Sea. Only then will you qualify to receive the Sea God's inheritance."
"So that's how it is. Understood..." Tang San's eyes gleamed as he steadied himself, ready to act. The Sea God Nine Trials were right before him—his era was about to begin...
...
Meanwhile, on the Douluo Continent, on this very day, the flag of the Heaven Dou Empire was suddenly lowered in the capital, Heaven Dou City.
In its place, the banner of the Spirit Hall was slowly raised.
The sight left everyone dumbfounded. The capital of a mighty empire, one of the two most prosperous cities on the continent, was now openly flying the flag of the Spirit Hall.
Thus, on this day, news that would shake the entire continent began to spread...
"Today, I, Bibi Dong, Pope of the Spirit Hall, hereby establish an empire—the Spirit Empire. The former capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City, shall serve as the imperial capital. I now ascend as the first emperor of the Spirit Empire."
The announcement sent shockwaves across the land.
"The Heaven Dou Empire has just... fallen like that?"
"The Spirit Hall has become the Spirit Empire—this is unprecedented!"
"..."
In an instant, the news spread like wildfire across the entire Douluo Continent.
The transformation of the Spirit Hall into the Spirit Empire had profound implications. It solidified the division of the continent into two major powers and marked the definitive end of the Heaven Dou Empire's era.
The wheels of history rolled forward, and the Heaven Dou Empire was no more...
At the same time, reactions to the Spirit Hall's ascension as an empire varied among the continent's factions. Some were wary, some reverent, and others dismissive.
But none were more alarmed than the Star Luo Empire—the only remaining major power on the continent, which had once stood side by side with the Heaven Dou Empire, dominating vast territories.
The fall of the Heaven Dou Empire had caught the Star Luo Empire completely off guard.
The Spirit Empire's ambitions were now unmistakable. First, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was annihilated, followed by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, and then the Clear Sky Clan. One by one, the former Top Three Sects had vanished into the river of history.
Those who understood the situation knew exactly who was behind it all.
Now, the Star Luo Empire feared suffering the same fate—being wiped out without even knowing how it happened.
Even before the Spirit Hall officially became the Spirit Empire, the Star Luo Empire had already begun purging all Spirit Hall-affiliated forces within its borders. They had no intention of becoming the next Heaven Dou Empire.
...
Meanwhile, inside the Spirit Hall...
"My soul power has reached the 79th rank." Ye Hao smiled faintly. After this period of cultivation, he had finally broken through, now just one step away from the 80th rank.
Suddenly, an unexpected voice echoed in his mind...
"Tang San has now obtained the Sea God Nine Trials. All previous restrictions are lifted."
As the words faded, Ye Hao rubbed his chin in contemplation.
"Tang San has obtained the Sea God Nine Trials... So he really did go to Sea God Island. According to the previous agreement between the Death God and the Sea God, I can now openly move against him without restraint."
Ye Hao slowly rose to his feet. He intended to head to Sea God Island immediately to gather information. Tang San obtaining the Sea God Nine Trials also meant that his death was imminent.
Ye Hao had many ways to kill Tang San, but Sea God Island was a different matter. Once Tang San became the Sea God's heir, he would be under the protection of the island's high priest, Bo Saixi—just like Grandpa Qian, a divine emissary on the continent.
"If I recklessly kill Tang San, it will provoke Bo Saixi. That woman's power is immense—even Grandpa Qian might not be able to defeat her when she harnesses the might of the ocean. What a headache."
Without delay, Ye Hao set off from the Spirit Hall toward Sea God Island. He needed to assess the current situation firsthand.
...
On Sea God Island...
The moment Tang San obtained the Sea God Nine Trials, Bo Saixi, the high priest of Sea God Island, descended from the heavens. Clad in red robes and wielding a golden scepter, she embodied regality.
"So this is Sea God Douluo, Bo Saixi." Tang San rejoiced inwardly. Now, all he had to do was complete the trials step by step, and he would eventually inherit the Sea God's divine position. Then, all debts—old and new—would be settled.
"I have waited over a hundred years... and finally, you have arrived. Young man, what is your name?" Bo Saixi's gaze burned as she looked down at Tang San.
"This junior is Tang San. My great-grandfather's name... is Tang Chen."
As soon as the words left his mouth, a flicker of surprise crossed Bo Saixi's face.
"You... are Tang Chen's great-grandson?" Bo Saixi was taken aback. She slowly descended from the air and stood before Tang San, studying him intently.
"Indeed." Tang San smiled smugly, the golden trident mark between his brows shining brilliantly.
Bo Saixi then stepped back, her figure gradually rising into the air once more.
"Ou Ya, pass down my orders—no one is to disturb Tang San while he undergoes his trials. Provide him with whatever resources he requires."
"As you command." Sea Horse Douluo bowed respectfully.
"Tang San, your trials are tied to the fate of Sea God Island. I hope you can complete them."
The look in Bo Saixi's eyes was no longer benevolent but profound—like the depths of the ocean, with a trace of killing intent hidden within.
"Bo Saixi... has murderous intentions toward me?" Tang San shuddered. In the next moment, Bo Saixi transformed into a streak of golden light, vanishing toward the central Sea God Mountain.
"No matter. I'll focus on completing the first trial first. Once I finish all nine, not even Ye Hao or the Spirit Empire will be my match. I'll crush them all beneath my feet and make them suffer as I have. Xiao Wu... your brother will avenge you."
At this moment, Tang San clenched his fists tightly...