After days of endless travel beneath the sea, the moment the submarine surfaced, everyone—especially the girls—let out a breath of pure relief. At last, fresh air!

Only Li Chang’an remained calm. The instant his feet touched Sea God Island, he sensed that this place was extraordinary.

It wasn’t just the scenery—it was the temperature.

Logically, since it was winter, the island should have been cold, even with the tempering effect of the ocean climate. Yet the moment they set foot ashore, the air was warm—gentle, like a perfect spring morning.

All around them stretched endless greenery. The massive island felt more like a living continent than a mere patch of land. The vegetation was lush and diverse, with species even Li Chang’an couldn’t name.

The air carried the crisp, briny scent of the sea, fresh and soothing, while the wind whispered faintly with the murmurs of the waves.

The beach beneath their feet sparkled in the sunlight—fine white sand glimmering like powdered crystal. The entire island seemed painted in pure color: the deep blue sea merging seamlessly with the endless sky. Gulls soared above. The world looked as if it had been washed clean.

The sky itself was blue—so high, so clear, so pure that it seemed almost transparent.

Li Chang’an smiled faintly.

As the beauty of the place sank in, excitement slowly gave way to awe. One by one, the women fell silent, simply gazing at the horizon. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

And yet, while his companions were still marveling, Li Chang’an began quietly sending messages to each of them through spirit transmission:

"Xiao Wu, this place is beautiful. When all our battles are over, shall we spend our lives here together?"

"Zhuqing, this place is beautiful. When all our duties are done, let’s stay here—forever, just us."

Each girl blushed, thinking he had whispered only to her. Not one realized the "sweet words" were being broadcast in rotation.

After a brief rest to recover their soul power from piloting the submarine, they prepared to move forward—

Until a sharp voice called out:

"Who goes there?!"

Eight figures burst from the trees ahead, surrounding them in a half-circle.

Their appearances varied, but one feature was common—their clothing. All wore light yellow combat robes, and the eldest among them appeared to be in his forties, while the youngest was about Li Chang’an’s age.

Eight in total, they stood shoulder-to-shoulder, blocking the forest path.

Li Chang’an immediately recognized the pattern. Xx

On Sea God Island, a spirit master’s robe color denoted their test rank, not their soul power.

The difficulty of one’s divine trial determined their standing.

From lowest to highest, the colors ascended in the order of white, yellow, purple, black, and red—mirroring soul ring colors.

These eight, clad in yellow, were only one step above novices. Above them were the purple-robed elite, then black-robed elders, and finally, the red-robed Grand Priest himself—the island’s supreme authority.

Stepping forward, Li Chang’an clasped his hands respectfully and said in a clear voice,

"We come in admiration of Sea God Island’s glory. We seek to undertake the Sea God’s test and, if we prove worthy, to join the island’s ranks."

The middle-aged leader looked him up and down, frowning.

"You’re land spirit masters, aren’t you?"

Li Chang’an blinked. "You can tell?"

The man’s tone turned cold.

"You might not notice it yourselves, but we Sea Spirit Masters can see it instantly. Leave now. Sea God Island does not welcome you. I don’t know how you managed to arrive here—but however you came, leave the same way. Otherwise, don’t blame us for being... unkind."

Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward, frowning.

"We heard that anyone may attempt the Sea God’s trials and join the island if they succeed. Why drive us away before we’ve even begun?"

Clearly, she had done her homework.

The man snorted.

"So, you know something of Sea God Island. Good. Then hear this—I’m telling you to leave for your own good."

He folded his arms, expression hard.

"Land-dwellers cannot pass the Sea God’s trials. They are not made for you. The Sea God’s test on outsiders is impossible to overcome. Go back now. Courage is admirable, but blind recklessness only leads to death."

Li Chang’an remained polite.

"Senior, we did not come here to turn back at the first warning. No matter how difficult the test, we wish to try. You are right—recklessness can bring ruin, but without courage, we do not deserve to be called spirit masters."

His final sentence rang with power, laced with faint mental energy.

The air trembled slightly. The middle-aged man remained steady, but the seven younger spirit masters behind him involuntarily took a step back. Their eyes widened as they met Li Chang’an’s gaze—those bright, cutting blue eyes shining with unshakable confidence.

’What powerful spiritual pressure!’

The leader frowned deeply.

"Very well, one last chance. Leave now—or face the Sea God’s test. But know this: once the test begins, there is no quitting midway, not even at the cost of your lives."

He paused, glancing over the group.

"Your soul power is strong, but the difficulty of the Sea God’s trials has nothing to do with cultivation. The tasks may be as simple as lifting a handful of sand—or as deadly as fighting a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast. Are you truly prepared?"

Li Chang’an turned to his companions. They exchanged brief looks, then nodded together.

"We are ready," they said in unison.

’Ready to harvest every treasure this island has to offer,’ Li Chang’an added inwardly, amused.

The middle-aged man studied them for a moment longer, then murmured something to one of the younger yellow-robed guards. His voice vibrated strangely, a sound wave technique that rendered his words inaudible to outsiders.

The young man bowed and flew off toward the interior of the island. The leader turned back.

"Very well. Follow me. Don’t regret your choice."

He and his team turned and headed into the forest.

Li Chang’an gestured for Hu Liena to stay at the rear while he took the lead.

The deeper they went, the more vivid the world became. The air in the forest was so pure, so alive, that even the fresh breath of the Star Dou Great Forest paled in comparison.

Before long, the trees opened into a clearing—revealing a sight that drew gasps from everyone except Li Chang’an.

Before them stretched a vast inner lake, as if an ocean had been carved into the island’s heart.

Though no wind blew, the waters churned and surged like a living sea.

Encircled by dense forest, the lake measured at least five hundred meters across.

At its center stood a triangular platform, atop which rose a stone pillar—tapered like a spearhead, carved with countless intricate markings. At the peak was a sculpted emblem radiating faint, divine energy.

At the base of the pillar sat a man in black robes, cross-legged and motionless, facing away from them in deep meditation.

Even the yellow-robed guards grew solemn. None dared speak loudly.

"Welcome," the middle-aged man said reverently, "to the Sea within the Sea—the domain of the Sea Horse Sacred Pillar."

He gestured toward the central platform.

"The Sea Horse Pillar is one of the Seven Sacred Pillars of Sea God Island. Each was blessed by the Sea God himself and serves as a conduit of divine will. Any one of the seven can issue the Sea God’s trials. It is here that you will receive your test."

With that, he turned toward the lake, bowing low—his voice amplified by soul power as he called out a formal greeting.

As he did, his martial soul flared to life—two yellow rings, three purple, one black. A solid six-ring configuration.

’A Spirit Emperor,’ Li Chang’an noted. ’And yet he’s only a yellow-robed guardian? This island’s standards are high indeed.’

The man’s voice carried over the waves, echoing across the shimmering water.

And before long, the Sea Horse Douluo—the black-robed man by the pillar—slowly opened his eyes.