Chapter 172 Just Push-Ups, and You're Telling Me It's a Divine Test?_2

In fact, he understood that this was everyone's respect for the Sea God; after all, theoretically, Qin Xiao would be the master of Sea God's Island and even the boundless seas.

"In the future on Sea God's Island, if there's anything you need, you can come directly to me. I'll be inside the temple at the very center of the island,"

After Bossi finished speaking, he turned and left.

The Sea Horse Douluo, Sea Dragon Douluo, and others also gave Qin Xiao meaningful glances, silently departing.

Qin Xiao lingered for a moment on Meng Yiran, Zhu Zhuqing, Dugu Yan, Ning Rongrong, and others, speaking somewhat wistfully, "It's surprising how quickly a year has passed; you all have changed quite a bit."

"Your Highness, have I become uglier?"

"Have I gotten fatter too?"

"..."

They all became nervous.

Fearful that Qin Xiao would spot some flaw on them.

Qin Xiao shook his head with a smile, "Don't overthink it, I just meant to say that compared to a year ago, you're all even more outstanding."

Indeed, that was the case. Each assessment greatly benefited them and was hugely beneficial to the improvement of their cultivation levels.

"Really?"

"Would I lie?"

"Hehe."

Smiles as sweet as honey appeared on the faces of Zhu Zhuqing and the others.

It was as if they had tasted honey.

After a round of warm inquiries, Qin Xiao asked, "Over this past year, has Purple Pearl kept her promise to relay messages?"

"Yes."

Meng Yiran answered.

This had always been her responsibility.

"The Purple Pearl Pirate Group has some strength. They don't act too ignobly and even occasionally help some sea dwellers. There are Sea Soul Masters on Sea God's Island who have dealings with the Purple Pearl Pirate Group; our messages come from these Sea Soul Masters. As promised, they bring us some news every seven days."

"I see." Qin Xiao nodded in enlightenment, then asked, "Has there been any valuable information?"

"There weren't any important messages a few months ago; it might be because the seaside is too far from the mainland's core areas, so message transmission is slow. But something interesting happened about a month ago." Meng Yiran said, unable to suppress a smile.

Capturing the expression on Meng Yiran's face, Qin Xiao asked, "What good news occurred?"

"Yes." Meng Yiran nodded emphatically, "Your Highness, you might not be aware, but the Star Luo Emperor was attacked. According to Purple Pearl's intel, the Star Luo Emperor nearly lost his life. Now, with a hundred thousand soldiers guarding Xingluo City, the Star Luo Emperor dares not step out of the imperial palace."

"Oh, is that so?"

A smile couldn't help but appear on Qin Xiao's lips.

He had to admit, there was a certain satisfaction in the news.

Back when he was severely injured and left in haste, if it weren't for his personality, he would've gone on a rampage in the Star Luo Imperial Palace. He always regretted not being able to do that.

To his surprise, someone had already fulfilled that regret for him.

"Yiran, did Purple Pearl mention who made a move against the Star Luo Emperor?"

"No. Purple Pearl's power is limited, and their influence isn't all that strong; the news they have access to originates from the outskirts of Hanhai City. They can't learn more detailed information."

"Hmm, no matter, once I complete all the assessments, I will be able to return to Soul Land very soon. By then, all truths will come to light."

Qin Xiao said no more.

However, an unprovoked thought surfaced in his heart—could it be Liu Erlong or Zhao Wuji who took action?

But, upon further consideration, Qin Xiao felt it was unlikely.

They didn't know he was still alive, and they were not fools. They understood the principle of 'leaving the green hills, and there is no need to worry about firewood'—even if they harbored murderous intentions against the Star Luo royal household, they would wait for his return to Soul Land to act together.

Taking risks alone simply wasn't necessary.

"Qin Xiao, from what you're saying, you'll be returning to Soul Land soon? Could it be that the nine trials given by the Sea God are that simple?"

Ning Rongrong said while making a push-up gesture.

She had caught the subtext in Qin Xiao's words, as if suggesting he could complete the divine trials tomorrow.

If that were the case, she felt the trials given to them by the Sea God seemed a bit too much...

"What are you thinking?" Qin Xiao shook his head helplessly and gave Ning Rongrong a good-natured tap on the head.

'Ow...'

Ning Rongrong cried out in pain, her eyes turning red.

"It's probably because the Sea God knows I'm in a special situation, so he made the first trial a bit easier. The subsequent trials won't be as simple; at least they will match the difficulty of a true inheritance trial."

"What about your safety..."

Ning Rongrong and the others felt their hearts suddenly lift.

"Be at ease,"

Qin Xiao paused for a moment, then added, "Of course, for me, it might not be that difficult. Come on, let's proceed with the second assessment now."

...

Sparkling waters reflected myriad colors under the veil of the evening glow.

In the embrace of the sea, a small island enshrouded in a faint golden light stood in the center of the waters.

This was the true core area of Sea God's Island, as well as the forbidden land.

"Qin Xiao, is your second assessment going to take place here?"

Ning Rongrong gazed at the distant island, a hint of fear flashing in her eyes.

The light of the Sea God had tormented her greatly, it took all her might and nearly cost her life to complete this assessment.

Not just Ning Rongrong, after arriving here, Zhu Zhuqing, Meng Yiran, and Dugu Yan all wore very ugly expressions on their faces.

Clearly, this place had left a deep impression on them.

"That's right, my second assessment is here."

Qin Xiao did not look at the unusual expressions on everyone's faces.

He gazed into the distance where, atop the island, stood a building carved like white jade, square-shaped, with a domed roof, and giant white columns... all so crystalline, filled with a sacred radiance.

He knew this magnificent structure was the heart of Sea God's Island, the Sea God Temple where the Sea God was worshipped. Strictly speaking, that small island ahead was the true Sea God's Island.

"Qin Xiao, there are a thousand and one steps leading up to the Sea God Temple from there, how many steps do you have to climb to pass the assessment?"

Ning Rongrong asked as she raised her little hand.

Qin Xiao followed the direction of her pointing finger and saw that from directly in front of the Sea God Temple, stone steps extended downward, reflecting the evening glow like a ribbon of jade lightly resting on Sea God Mountain.

Climbing these steps marked the beginning of the assessment.

He knew that Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, Dugu Yan, and Meng Yiran had all undergone such an assessment.

In response to Ning Rongrong's question, Qin Xiao raised a finger.

Ning Rongrong's eyes widened in disbelief, "Could it be, one, just one step?"

She was shocked, wasn't the Sea God being lenient enough? Was he going to set the bar at sea level?

Qin Xiao shook his head.

"Could it be that just climbing ten steps would be enough?" Ning Rongrong guessed again.

If that were the case, she thought it would be reasonable.

Qin Xiao wouldn't be exerted, and the Sea God's dignity would be maintained; at least she wouldn't be backstabbing the Sea God afterwards.

Qin Xiao raised an eyebrow, "Do you think I'm that weak?"

Ning Rongrong paused, "That's not it either?"

"Rongrong, surely you're mistaken,"

"We all climbed a hundred and eight steps before it was considered the end, how could Your Highness be so much less than us?"

Dugu Yan joined the guessing crowd, "In my opinion, Your Highness should also climb more than a hundred steps, right? That would be fitting for his status in the assessment. Besides, one step, ten steps, a hundred steps, they don't really make a difference to Your Highness."

Indeed... Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up, feeling that Dugu Yan's words made a lot of sense.

He can't be worse than them, right?

However, when she turned to Qin Xiao for confirmation, she found Qin Xiao still shaking his head.

She was dumbfounded.

"Could it be that you have to climb a thousand steps to pass?"

"Gulp."

As she spoke, she couldn't help but once again focus on the steps that looked like a ribbon of jade, swallowing hard.

She couldn't imagine the pressure of climbing a thousand steps.

What she was certain of was that an average Titled Douluo-level expert definitely couldn't withstand it.

However.

Qin Xiao was still shaking his head, looking at his finger as he spoke, "While that's not quite right, it's close. What I mean is not climbing a thousand steps, but to keep walking on these steps... to the very end..."

What?

To the very end?

Apart from Qin Xiao, everyone's complexion instantly paled.

Wasn't this courting death?