Chapter 328: Chapter 328: Bo Saixi: Did He Just Put Himself on the Same Level as the Sea God?

Even with Li Chang’an’s support, Ah Rou and Ah Yin could only make it to the eighty-ninth step before they reached their limits. Reluctantly, Li Chang’an released the hands of the two former wives and continued upward alone.

By now, not only the women below but even the distant purple-robed sea spirit master was watching him intently. Far away, within the temple atop the Sea God Mountain, Bo Saixi herself had turned her gaze toward him as well.

One hundred steps.

He had already reached the hundredth step—yet his expression remained calm, his movements unhurried, and his martial soul still unreleased.

’Impossible,’ Bo Saixi thought in disbelief. ’When I first took this trial, I was already a Contra, and even then, I barely made it to the eightieth step!’

Watching his solitary figure climb ever higher, she finally understood why the Sea God himself had personally urged this man to inherit his divine throne.

There truly exist people in this world whose strength defies all reason.

At the one hundred and fiftieth step, Li Chang’an finally released his martial soul—the Pangu Axe—accompanied by seven crimson soul rings, each one glowing with terrifying power. The sight nearly blinded those watching.

At the two hundredth step, the donghuang Bell manifested behind him, its deep hum resonating through the mountain.

At the two hundred and fiftieth, the Death God Domain unfolded in a wave of blood-red light.

By the two hundred and eightieth step, Li Chang’an finally came to a stop.

He didn’t collapse, nor was he repelled like the others. Instead, he began retreating slowly, one step at a time. With each step backward, the crushing pressure lessened. After ten steps, his body felt light again, though his soul power was draining rapidly—so fast that even his dual soul cores could no longer replenish it.

When he finally withdrew completely from the staircase, the golden mist surrounding his body dissipated. At that moment, every pore of his body seemed to open, and the sudden release of tension brought a wave of dizzying weakness. With a dull thud, he sank to the ground.

He waved off Xiao Wu’s attempt to help him and sat cross-legged where he fell, entering meditation immediately.

His teacher’s words echoed in his mind: "Pressure is the best catalyst for growth."

Freed from the Sea God’s Light, he felt almost weightless—as if every cell in his body were cheering in relief. The difference was extraordinary. The moment he began circulating his soul power, he realized his level had leapt from seventy-six to seventy-eight—a two-rank breakthrough in one attempt.

’Perfect. Saved myself some system points,’ he thought wryly.

As Li Chang’an absorbed the gains from his trial, the others were preparing for their next attempt. His feat of climbing two hundred and eighty steps had shocked and inspired them all.

’If he can do that... maybe we can push further too!’

When he finally opened his eyes, the women had already returned, weary but determined. Once he was fully recovered, he clapped his hands, drawing their attention.

"Let’s each test our individual limits," he said evenly. "Before climbing, activate all your support abilities—any buffs or defenses you can. Don’t help one another; climb using only your own strength."

"When you feel you can’t go on, retreat slowly—don’t rush it. Pay attention to how the pressure eases as you descend. This way, we’ll learn to control the strain. Think of it as a triangular training method—up and down—to maximize adaptation."

"After descending, don’t start meditating right away. I’ve got another idea to try afterward."

But before he could elaborate, a calm, authoritative voice interrupted.

"Wait a moment."

A figure clad in red appeared soundlessly beside them. Bo Saixi—the Sea God Douluo—had arrived without anyone noticing, not even Li Chang’an.

Raising her right hand, she turned her wrist, revealing a golden orb in her palm. It was as clear as crystal, its interior swirling with faint golden mist—exactly like the light surrounding them during the Sea God’s trial.

"I came here mainly for her," Bo Saixi said, her serene gaze settling on Zhu Zhuqing. "Child, you’re about to break through, aren’t you?"

Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly, still catching her breath from her earlier climb, her eyes full of confusion.

"Prepare to absorb your next soul ring," Bo Saixi instructed.

Glancing briefly at Li Chang’an—and seeing him nod—Zhu Zhuqing seated herself cross-legged.

A flash of golden light shot from Bo Saixi’s hand. The orb floated gently above Zhu Zhuqing’s head. With a flick of Bo Saixi’s finger, the sphere shattered with a crisp pop, releasing a flood of golden mist that cascaded down, enveloping her entirely.

Bo Saixi’s voice resonated in everyone’s minds.

"For all who receive the Sea God’s black-level or higher trials, when you reach your first bottleneck, you are granted a single chance to obtain a God-bestowed soul Ring. You need not hunt a spirit beast—the Sea God himself will grant you the ring most suited to you, with the highest level your body can withstand."

"Remember: this opportunity comes only once in a lifetime. Endure with all your will, and the greater your perseverance, the greater your reward."

The phrase God-bestowed soulq Ring instantly froze everyone in stunned silence—except Li Chang’an, who only raised an eyebrow.

After all, he had already received one himself—of the million-year grade. The Sea God’s version, while impressive, was still of a lower order. To him, this was just another divine courtesy.

Still, Zhu Zhuqing had struck gold. With her current physique, she could easily handle a ring of at least fifty thousand years—a tremendous leap in power, one that would leave the Sea God footing quite the bill.

The golden mist around her pulsed with dazzling hues as faint ripples of energy emanated outward. Through the veil, Li Chang’an’s spiritual sense caught a glimpse of her face—contorted in pain but filled with fierce determination.

’Yes, this was definitely a fifty-thousand-year ring, perhaps more.’

Behind her, a black cat materialized—its form elegant, regal, and filled with divine poise. It wasn’t a mere martial soul anymore; it was a Midnight Shadow Cat, a creature of pure darkness and grace.

Even Bo Saixi’s eyes softened in admiration. She could clearly feel the purity and potential in Zhu Zhuqing’s martial soul—one of the most flawless she had ever seen.

Then her gaze turned to Li Chang’an.

"Chang’an," she asked, genuinely curious, "how many steps do you plan to challenge today?"

Li Chang’an sighed lightly. "I’ll try for three hundred today. My strength’s still too weak. I can’t clear it yet—seems I’ve disappointed the Sea God."

Bo Saixi blinked in disbelief.

Three hundred?

The Sea God’s trial allowed a full year for each challenge, yet this man spoke as if failing to finish in a single day was shameful.

’Does he think this is a casual stroll?’

What unsettled her even more was the way he referred to "Sea God"—without the respectful "Lord" or "Divine One." And stranger still—the Sea God himself hadn’t reacted in anger.

That tone... it almost sounds like he’s speaking of an equal.

And she was right.

Li Chang’an truly did see himself as standing on equal ground with the so-called Sea God.

After all—he wasn’t just anyone.