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Although Sea God Island is a land of divine inheritance, where every soul master can receive the Sea God's divine trial upon coming of age to enhance their cultivation and talent, as the eldest among the Seven Sacred Pillars, Sea Dragon Douluo was well aware of his limitations.

Even with the divine trial, the total number of Title Douluos on Sea God Island was only eight, including the high priest Bo Saixi, leaving only seven among the Sacred Pillars. The weakest among them, Sea Maiden Douluo, was at level 92, while Sea Dragon Douluo himself, the strongest, was barely at level 95—just stepping into the threshold of a Super Douluo.

The problem was that the Douluo Continent's Spirit Hall alone boasted more than ten Super Douluos on the surface. Their number of Super Douluos exceeded the number of Title Douluos on Sea God Island, and their Title Douluos outnumbered the Soul Douluos on the island. This disparity meant that apart from the high priest, the soul masters of Sea God Island were almost completely outmatched.

Even though the sea soul masters had the advantage of environmental bonuses in the ocean—confident enough that even a Soul Douluo could contend with a land-based Title Douluo—the sheer disparity in numbers made it impossible for Sea God Island's high-level soul masters to stand against Spirit Hall in a full-scale confrontation.

After Spirit Hall had once sent two Title Douluos and a large number of soul masters to invade Sea God Island but failed, Sea Dragon Douluo had looked down on Spirit Hall, thinking the soul masters of the mainland were nothing special. However, after two Ultimate Douluos, whose strength was second only to the high priest, descended upon the island, Sea Dragon Douluo reluctantly began to treat Spirit Hall as equals.

Now, after personally traveling to the Douluo Continent and understanding the state of affairs, Sea Dragon Douluo finally realized that if Spirit Hall had launched a full-scale attack on Sea God Island back then, even with the high priest present, the island might not have escaped destruction.

Sitting in a corner, Sea Dragon Douluo sipped the cheapest ale, feeling deeply frustrated. While he was drinking gloomily, the tavern door swung open again, and a tall figure walked in.

To be honest, the flow of people coming and going in the tavern was far too common for Sea Dragon Douluo to care about who entered or left. The issue, however, was that the person who entered at this particular moment was far too unusual in Sea Dragon Douluo's eyes.

Although the sharp-headed figure tried to suppress the killing intent and bloodthirst emanating from his body, Sea Dragon Douluo immediately sensed the strong aura of blood on him—a sign of someone who had recently killed many lives.

Frankly, while Sea Dragon Douluo disliked Spirit Hall, he acknowledged their policies against evil soul masters, considering it one of the few commendable things Spirit Hall did. Sea Dragon Douluo was not interested in actively hunting fallen ones across the Douluo Continent, but if such a person appeared in front of him, he would not hesitate to enforce the Sea God's authority and eliminate them—these evildoers were unwelcome both on land and at sea.

The moment he caught the scent of blood, Sea Dragon Douluo instinctively narrowed his eyes and looked at the man entering the tavern. One glance, and he immediately realized something extraordinary.

"Bone age around fourteen or fifteen, the aura of a Soul Ancestor? This talent is remarkable. If he were on the island, he might have been a candidate for inheriting one of the Sacred Pillars."

"Such a pity, though. His aura is chaotic, mixed with an intense stench of blood. Although I can't discern the purity of his soul power, much of it likely comes from unsavory sources."

Sea Dragon Douluo put down his drink and casually memorized the sharp-headed youth's aura, then began observing him in secret. Like many others, this peculiar individual had not come to the tavern for alcohol but to gather information. Upon learning about recent events on the mainland—particularly regarding the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Hao, Tang Chen, and Spirit Hall—the youth visibly trembled.

Although he suppressed it well, Sea Dragon Douluo still caught a fleeting mix of pain and excitement on the youth's face. Sea Dragon Douluo couldn't understand how someone could experience two such conflicting emotions simultaneously, but after a brief moment of thought, he decided not to waste any further mental energy on it.

Soon, after replenishing some supplies, the sharp-headed youth left the tavern and quickly headed out of the town. Inside the tavern, Sea Dragon Douluo stretched lazily, pushed open the door, and followed at a leisurely pace.

The sharp-headed youth being observed by Sea Dragon Douluo was none other than Tang San, who had recently emerged from the cave where he healed his injuries and absorbed the Immortal Herb, Nine Dragons Grass, achieving a complete transformation.

At this moment, Tang San no longer looked like a twelve-year-old child. Instead, he resembled a young man in his early twenties, with a height that had increased by nearly a fist and a half and a broader frame. Thanks to the Immortal Herb, his body was brimming with vitality. Although Nine Dragons Grass only slightly enhanced his soul power, it purified and marginally increased it. This, combined with Tang San's devouring skill and consuming some underground soul beasts, had allowed him to break through to level 40.

Tang San's fourth soul ring came from a 5,000-year-old Rock Vine. Rock Vines were mid-to-high-tier soul beasts that thrived in dark, damp places like underground caves. Known for their toughness and paralysis-inducing toxins, they could immobilize prey as if petrified.

Among soul beasts, Rock Vines were considered above average—not extraordinary but suitable for a plant-type martial soul.

When absorbing the soul ring, Tang San wasn't particularly concerned about the vine's toughness. Instead, he focused on its paralysis toxins.

Incidentally, the Martial Spirit Hall's old bishop who awakened Chen Ming's martial soul years ago also possessed a Rock Vine martial soul. Rumor had it that, despite appearing on the brink of death back then, the old bishop was still alive, stubbornly clinging to his position in Biluochen City due to procedural complications. This left the deputy hall master waiting to take over for years without success.

Whether the Rock Vine had life-extending properties remained a mystery.

After leaving the town, Tang San immediately used the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track to head toward his ancestral home, the Clear Sky Sect, in search of his legendary great-grandfather, who was said to be invincible.

Despite the sorrow in his heart over his father Tang Hao being captured by Spirit Hall, the news of his great-grandfather's return filled Tang San with renewed determination and excitement.