Chapter 133: Xiao Bai Returns
"Sea God's Nine Trials: Third Trial Body Tempered by Tides. Withstand the Tempest without Soul Power for 24 hours, allowing the waves to hammer your body."
Ye Wen wasn't the least concerned by this trial. Even Sea God Poseidon viewed it as somewhat trivial a filler challenge, really, meant to pad out the trial sequence. In the original, Tang San and his group faced a time limit due to their lack of endurance. But with Ye Wen's godlike physique honed over years of grueling training, a mere battering by waves posed no threat. It was only a matter of standing in place for a day, and he would easily pass.
As expected, 24 hours later, Ye Wen completed the trial without a hitch.
"Sea God's Nine Trials, Third Trial: Body Tempered by Tides Completed. Reward: 15% Sea God Affinity, and a ten thousand year increase to all spirit ring ages."
Initially, Ye Wen had been impressed with the minimum ten thousand year spirit rings, but now he accepted these upgrades as a matter of course. Nonetheless, the technique of spirit ring age extension fascinated him; he made a mental note to study it once he achieved godhood.
"Sea God's Nine Trials, Fourth Trial: Battle with the Demon Eyed Tiger Whale. With Xiao Bai's assistance, kill the Demon Eyed Tiger Whale King."
This test carried no restrictions, especially as it was combat oriented. The Demon Eyed Tiger Whale was a creature Ye Wen remembered well from the original story. Its innate skill, the Demon Eyed Mirror of Destruction, even became one of Tang San's staple abilities, although for Ye Wen, it was simply a crude version of his Void Barrier technique just another defensive shield that could detonate to inflict damage.
The following day, Ye Wen arrived at the shore where Xiao Bai awaited him. In her youthful human form of about eleven or twelve years, her innocent face held a mixture of joy and worry. Ye Wen knew why she held a deep grudge against the Demon Eyed Tiger Whale King. Her brother had been killed by him.
Naturally, she was pleased that someone powerful had come to help her exact revenge. But her worry stemmed from their limited numbers, unsure if they could hold their own against the whole group of Demon Eyed Tiger Whales. Ye Wen, however, was indifferent to all of this; he was here solely to complete the Sea God's Nine Trials.
"Lead the way, Xiao Bai," he said.
Given her role as the Sea God's loyal companion, Xiao Bai might well be considered the first "guide" among spirit beasts, especially since the Sea God himself wouldn't have had the time to explore every corner of the sea alone. Yet the Sea God was somewhat callous; he had left his devoted mount behind rather than bringing her to the God Realm. It reminded Ye Wen of an old saying: "A King of the Sea might grant you any fantasy except love."
Due to the Sea God's influence, the Demon Eyed Tiger Whales dared not venture close to Sea God Island's waters. It took some time for them to reach the tiger whales' territory. Gazing upon the black and white patterned creatures nearby, Ye Wen was reminded of Earth's "street punks of the ocean," the orcas. Both species shared a reputation for aggression, even finding ways to entertain themselves by stirring up trouble after they'd eaten.
Without wasting time, Ye Wen summoned his nine spirit rings in an instant.
Five Black One Red Two Red Gold One Blue Gold.
The oppressive power radiating from the nine rings sent a shiver down Xiao Bai's spine, while the Demon Eyed Tiger Whales nearby instinctively sensed danger. Among his rings, three glowed crimson with the fearsome aura of 100,000 year rings, which alone struck terror into the creatures. Their leader, the Demon Eyed Tiger Whale King, had only barely reached the 100,000 year mark himself. Seeing this terrifying human, the Whale King quickly signaled his clan to flee.
"Seventh Spirit Skill: Domain Activation Above All, I Reign Supreme!"
The nine rings merged into one, and the million year golden blue ring gained yet another blue vein, as if empowered further. The golden blue ring swept over the sea, enveloping the entire area in an instant.
Realizing there was no escape, the Demon Eyed Tiger Whales froze where they were. Without hesitation, Ye Wen teleported, taking Xiao Bai with him, until they were just out of reach of the tiger whales.
Hovering before him, the Demon Eyed Tiger Whale King transformed into a burly, dark skinned middle aged man, standing ready to confront Ye Wen in midair. Glancing at Xiao Bai, a look of regret and disdain flashed through his eyes as he guessed why they had come.
"Honorable human, if it's my 100,000 year spirit ring you seek, I'm willing to offer myself in sacrifice. All I ask is that you spare my clan," he rasped, his voice coarse and unsettling. His willingness to surrender surprised Ye Wen, who had expected a more combative response.
"Very well, commence the sacrifice. My goal is you alone; I'll spare the rest of your clan," Ye Wen replied.
Relieved, the Whale King prepared to offer himself up. The last thing he wanted was to leave his kin vulnerable to extermination at the hands of a bloodthirsty adversary.
Yet Xiao Bai, standing beside Ye Wen, objected. "Lord Tianxing, please reconsider! The Demon Eyed Tiger Whales are a savage and malevolent species. If left unchecked, another 100,000 year Whale King will surely arise to wreak havoc. As the Sea God's successor, you can't ignore this threat!"
Ye Wen's face darkened as he cast an icy glance at her. "Survival of the fittest is the natural order. Who are you to label their existence as 'savage'?"
"Have the Demon Soul Great White Sharks never killed other spirit beasts? Perhaps the tiger whales are aggressive, but every creature they kill is reabsorbed by the sea, consumed by the fish and shrimp below them in the food chain. They are simply a part of the ocean's cycle.
"They exist for a reason. Their lineage has endured precisely because it is viable. You have no right to decide their future based on your personal judgment. Were it not for this trial the Sea God has imposed, I would never have meddled in your conflict with them."
Though she didn't understand every term he used, Xiao Bai knew she had overstepped and felt reprimanded. Her eyes grew misty, and she seemed on the verge of tears.
Ugh, tears again? That's the last thing I need right now, Ye Wen thought, stifling a sigh. If not for this trial, he'd never have involved himself in such trivial matters. The last thing he needed was to get entangled with Xiao Bai further.
Meanwhile, the Demon Eyed Tiger Whale King looked upon Ye Wen with newfound respect. Grateful for the just treatment he had received, he said nothing more. A red glow enveloped his body, marking the beginning of his sacrificial connection with Ye Wen. Just then, he noticed the nine spirit rings Ye Wen already had, and his gaze filled with confusion. How could he receive a spirit ring if he hadn't yet reached level 100?
Ye Wen paid no heed to the Whale King's confusion. He simply summoned the Time Pearl, his auxiliary tool spirit. A blood red spirit ring rotated slowly above it, a testament to the unique advantage of possessing a dual spirit, which allowed him to call upon both simultaneously, unlike twin beast spirits that required switching back and forth.
(End of Chapter)
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