The God Trial rewards arrived as scheduled. However, since Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan hadn't played a role in the trial, they only received one level of Soul Power and an increase of five hundred years to their Spirit Ring limit as rewards.
As for Ning Rongrong, possibly because Li Xun had accompanied her during the trial, the two still evenly split the Sea God affinity.
At this point, Zhu Zhuqing's Soul Power had reached level seventy-seven, while Dugu Yan and Ning Rongrong had successfully reached level seventy as hoped, preparing to absorb their first God-given Soul Rings.
Poseidon watched calmly as Ning Rongrong absorbed the God-given Soul Ring. "Li Xun, may I ask you to do something for me?"
"Senior, please speak. If it's within my capabilities," Li Xun replied with a cupped-hand salute, careful not to make any firm promises.
"It's not a serious matter, so you needn't take it too much to heart."
Poseidon thought for a moment but didn't elaborate on the details of her relationship with Tang Chen, speaking vaguely instead:
"Tang Chen of the Clear Sky Sect and I once made a promise, but he disappeared for decades, and I don't even know if he's still alive."
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School has always maintained good relations with the Clear Sky Sect. If you have time after returning, could you help me inquire about him?"
So that's how it is, Li Xun thought to himself, understanding the situation.
As their group's strength grew, the time left for Poseidon was running short. She probably had some regrets in her heart.
However, Seagod Island only concerned itself with its own affairs and was somewhat isolated from news. Poseidon didn't know about the current relationship between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Clear Sky Sect.
Because neither he and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, nor the Spirit Hall, wanted another living Tang Chen to appear on the continent.
He was destined to be unable to fulfill Poseidon's request. More precisely, he couldn't even let Tang Chen see her one last time.
Who knew if their affection might give Poseidon different ideas.
"Senior Poseidon, it's not that this junior refuses to help, but Tang Chen has been missing for decades. He didn't even appear during the Clear Sky Sect's most critical moment."
"This is common knowledge across the continent." Li Xun wore an apologetic expression. "The outside world widely believes Tang Chen is dead, and the Clear Sky Sect isn't what it used to be."
Everything he said was true, so he wasn't afraid of Poseidon investigating.
"Is that so..." A flicker of sadness passed through Poseidon's eyes. "So he's been dead all along!"
"Thank you for telling me this. Be careful when you leave the island this time, and don't forget the one-year time limit for your trial."
After a brief silence.
Poseidon belatedly nodded to Li Xun, then without waiting for a reply, soared into the sky and disappeared from view.
Li Xun stood in place, deep in thought.
Poseidon was actually a tragic figure. Her existence was meant for the Sacrifice to open the God Realm's gate for the Sea God's successor.
The strong were always lonely and proud, especially powerful individuals like Poseidon, Tang Chen, and Qiandao Liu. It was difficult for others to earn their special regard.
This led to the genuine affection that developed between Poseidon and Tang Chen after they grew fond of each other.
And after one defeat, Qiandao Liu never again entertained thoughts of pursuing Poseidon.
If there's a chance, maybe I can try to help...
Li Xun didn't dislike Poseidon. They weren't enemies, and his arrival hadn't provoked her displeasure. Facing death with such composure was enough to prove a person's character.
Although Poseidon now knew of Tang Chen's death, since he hadn't died before her eyes, their feelings for each other had become elevated.
While she might be despondent, she probably wouldn't abandon herself to despair. After all, having been separated for decades, she must have long been mentally prepared for such news.
Since the Heaven Dou Empire launched its blitz against Star Luo, the continent's situation had been changing daily.
Despite receiving support from the Clear Sky Sect and numerous native experts, the Star Luo Empire still couldn't withstand the steady advance of the Heaven Dou army.
This was primarily because Star Luo's top-tier combatants were being contained, while their conventional forces were being overwhelmed by the war machines developed by Heaven Dou.
Weapons like the Triple Bow Ballista, Hornet's Nest, and explosive barrels kept emerging one after another, dealing significant psychological blows to the Star Luo army.
Although Star Luo possessed the hidden weapon blueprints provided by Tang San, they had obtained them too recently. Even the most classic Zhuge Divine Crossbow was limited by its range, only proving effective in close-quarters combat.
However, despite holding the overall advantage, the Heaven Dou Empire didn't advance recklessly.
This was mainly due to Star Luo's abundance of powerful experts. Excluding Tang Hao, the Clear Sky Sect alone had six Titled Douluos, with Tang Xiao being a 97th-ranked Titled Douluo.
After reaching the Titled Douluo level, Soul Masters faced three watersheds: 90th to 95th rank, 95th to 98th rank, and the ultimate 99th rank.
Although Sword Douluo was powerful, the Clear Sky Hammer was no pushover either. Tang Xiao's full nine-ring detonation truly lived up to the reputation of the Clear Sky Twin Stars.
However, Ring Detonation came with the side effect of being unable to use Soul Power for three days.
After suffering one setback, the Star Luo Empire ensured that whenever Tang Xiao faced Sword Douluo, he would be accompanied by the Clear Sky Sect's Great Elder Tang Ming, minimizing the need for Ring Detonation during battles to avoid temporary combat gaps.
Bone Douluo and Poison Douluo found themselves in similar situations. Although their opponents weren't Super Douluos, the coordinated alternating attacks between pairs created stalemates in battles between Titled Douluos.
Though Tang Hao's combat ability had declined due to physical disability, he wasn't completely weak. With assistance from the Min Clan and Yu Clan, he served as a firefighter, rushing to provide support wherever needed.
The only ones from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School who could contain him were Yang Wudi and the Dragon-Serpent Couple.
However, the battlefield situation changed rapidly. Since the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's intelligence capabilities were inferior to Star Luo's, both sides found themselves in a deadlock for the time being.
"We can't continue like this - what difference is there between this and slow death?"
Two hundred li outside Antonio City, in the Star Luo frontline command tent, the Seventh Elder slammed the table angrily: "I maintain my previous position - Star Luo is finished. We need to make early preparations."
"Old Seven, we've discussed this too many times already. We haven't reached the end of our rope yet. Don't undermine morale."
The Great Elder coughed heavily.
"Currently, Star Luo's frontlines are just overextended. If we contract further and use the Star Dou Great Forest as a natural barrier, Heaven Dou will be the one in trouble."
Tang Xiao's expression was also grim - how could he not recognize Star Luo's disadvantage from their continuously retreating battle lines?
But they still had fighting capability.
More importantly, if the Clear Sky Sect withdrew from Star Luo now, their reputation would be truly ruined, leaving them no place to stand throughout the continent.
The Clear Sky Sect couldn't withstand such losses.
"The current priority is discussing how to defend Antonio City. If this place falls to Heaven Dou, the Yanlong Province will be left completely exposed, and Gengxin City will become a frontline position."
Tang Xiao tapped the table, frowning at the map.
Gengxin City was the Steel Capital, and the Blacksmith Association played a crucial role in the war. Though the Heaven Dou Empire's military armaments were advanced, the Star Luo Empire hadn't been idle either.
Led by Divine Craftsman Lou Gao, master blacksmiths were working overtime to decipher the war machines of the Heaven Dou Empire.
"Let the elders practice the final form of the Great Sumeru Hammer."
At this moment, Tang Hao, seated at the far end, suddenly spoke.
"Preposterous!"
Second Elder Tang Ming's eyebrows trembled with anger as he pointed at Tang Hao, "You know full well the risks of Ring Detonation! If one's physique isn't strong enough, they could explode during cultivation!"
The Great Sumeru Hammer had never been a secret technique among the elders, but its cultivation method was extremely demanding, requiring exceptional talent and physical strength to practice safely.
"This is just an excuse for your timidity. If it were truly that difficult, how did I succeed in cultivating it when I was still a Soul Douluo?"
Tang Hao expressionlessly scanned the room, "Now that you've all reached Title Douluo level with robust physiques, why are you imposing mental shackles upon yourselves?"
Tang Hao considered citing his victory over Title Douluo Qian Xunji when he was at level 90 as an example, but decided against it.
These people already held grudges against him, and bringing up past events now might only provoke criticism.
"I believe I may have a way to stabilize the situation."
Just as the tension in the tent was mounting, Tang San's voice came from outside.
(End of Chapter)