Gazing out at the ocean, Oscar said, "How are we supposed to find Xiao Bai? Are we just going to dive into the sea? What if she's not there and we run into her descendants or something who don't recognize us and attack?"
Tang San smiled faintly. "Don't worry, I have a way. Fatty, you're coming with me." Without even releasing his Martial Soul, he unflew into the air using the flight ability of his Blue Silver Emperor right leg bone.
Ma Hongjun didn't dare delay. Spreading his Phoenix Wings Heavenly Ascension and flapping gently, he soared up after Tang San. With his increased strength, he no longer had to worry about the flight capability of his Phoenix Wings Heavenly Ascension. Even without activating his Martial Soul True Body, this third soul skill was more than enough to keep him flying normally in the sky.
"Release your Martial Soul True Body and your domain. Fire and water oppose each other, and Xiao Bai is very familiar with your aura. As long as she's in the nearby waters, she'll definitely sense it. I'll help you expand the range of your domain."
"Okay." Ever since consuming the Inner Core of the Ten-Headed Blazing Sun Snake, Ma Hongjun had never spoken of it openly, but he followed Tang San's words without question. In his eyes, Tang San was not only a big brother but also a benefactor. The Rooster-Crested Phoenix Sunflower had neutralized his Evil Fire, granting him a true Fire Phoenix Martial Soul. The Ten-Headed Blazing Sun Snake Inner Core had elevated his strength to an entirely new level — and had even granted him the domain ability that only a Titled Douluo could normally possess. He had never dared forget these favors. He knew Tang San didn't like him dwelling on such things, so he kept it buried in his heart. Deep down, the fatty had already decided: wherever Tang San went, he would go; whatever Tang San told him to do, he would do.
When the Seven-Headed Fire Phoenix appeared in the sky, even the sun seemed to pale in comparison. Its dazzling tail flames cast an orange-red glow across the heavens. As Ma Hongjun held his Martial Soul True Body hovering in midair, his Seven-Headed Fire Phoenix domain began to unfurl.
Rings of gold-red light spread rapidly outward. A scorching, explosive aura descended from above, not only raising the temperature of the surrounding air but also suffusing everything nearby with the majestic presence of the phoenix.
At that moment, Tang San's eyes lit up. Two beams of deep blue light slipped silently outward, merging into one in midair and landing directly on the fatty's forehead. In an instant, the domain that had only covered a three-hundred-meter diameter exploded outward to a full thousand meters. The gold-red glow thickened and intensified, forming what looked like an enormous dome of light hovering over the waters beyond Sea God Island. The terrifying pressure set the nearly calm seawater to a faint boil. On the surface, sea soul beasts began poking their heads up — but upon glimpsing that fearsome power in the sky, not a single one dared entertain any thought of attacking.
What Tang San was amplifying for Ma Hongjun was his spiritual power. His spiritual energy carried the same quality as the highest realm achieved by his Purple Extreme Demon Eye — the vast, boundless force — flowing gently into Ma Hongjun's spiritual world and stimulating a dramatic short-term boost. The fatty's spiritual power went into a frenzy, absorbing the fire elements in the air and converting them into phoenix power that radiated outward. The process sounded simple but was in reality extraordinarily difficult. If Tang San's spiritual power hadn't been vastly superior to Ma Hongjun's, it would have been impossible. After all, no matter how much Ma Hongjun trusted him, an intrusion into one's spiritual world would inevitably trigger a bodily resistance reflex. But now, flooded with the infinite Purple Extreme Divine Light from Tang San's Vast-level spiritual power, Ma Hongjun couldn't even muster resistance. And Tang San himself understood clearly: it was precisely because his Purple Extreme Demon Eye had broken through to the Vast realm that he could finally, in the truest sense, challenge any Titled Douluo below the ninety-fifth rank head-on — even without an eighth soul ring. That was the source of his confidence.
As the fatty's domain spread, it wasn't long before triangular white dorsal fins began breaking through the increasingly agitated surface. The boiling sea gradually calmed again, and at least several dozen Demon Spirit Great White Sharks revealed their ridges. As guardians of Sea God Island, having suddenly encountered a challenge from the sky, how could they not respond?
Before Tang San or Ma Hongjun could speak, nearly thirty Demon Spirit Great White Sharks raised their heads in unison, releasing concentric rings of circular light waves that surged toward the two of them. It was none other than the Despair Light Wave that Xiao Bai had once used.
Though these Demon Spirit Great White Sharks were far from Xiao Bai's caliber, they had the advantage of sheer numbers. Launching a coordinated assault, they locked their wide-area spirit waves onto Tang San and Ma Hongjun. Even in his Martial Soul True Body state, the fatty shuddered. After all, every single one of these sharks was likely at the ten-thousand-year level!
Tang San, however, was unconcerned. Calmly watching the rising patterns of light below, he raised his right hand and pressed it to his forehead. Instantly, radiating from the center of his head, a torrent of deep blue light burst forth like crashing waves, pressing downward. Every light wave it met dissolved silently upon contact. Both were spiritual energy attacks, yet no collision occurred — it felt as though the Despair Light Waves launched by the Demon Spirit Great White Sharks were simply swallowed by Tang San's blue radiance.
"We are Xiao Bai's friends and bear no ill will. We simply have business with her. Could you please pass along the word?"
Tang San had not spoken these words aloud. Instead, he transmitted them through the wave-like blue light he had released — something that would have been utterly inconceivable before, yet which he could now do with ease.
Through his recent research, Tang San had discovered that his spiritual power had indeed ascended to an entirely new tier. He couldn't quite define what that tier was, but he had uncovered many remarkable applications. Communication between beings of the same spiritual level, for example — as he had done with the Sea God Douluo Bo Saixi. And then there was this: projecting his thoughts directly into the minds of those whose spiritual capacity was far inferior to his own. This wasn't conversation — it was the forcible implantation of his spiritual will. Naturally, this imposition could also be converted into an attack. If his previous Purple Extreme Divine Light had been a single-target strike, then at the Vast realm, it could be deployed as an area attack — and its power exceeded the old single-target version.
Tang San was still exploring the many additional applications of his spiritual power, but one thing he could affirm: the benefit his Purple Extreme Demon Eye had gained from breaking through to the Vast realm was in no way inferior to obtaining his Martial Soul True Body.
The blue light he had released was no longer merely the Purple Extreme Demon Eye's power — it now incorporated the ability of the Ocean Vast Heaven Cover: Vast Ocean Wild Surge. Once the Spirit Condensation Wisdom Skull had fused with the Ocean Vast Heaven Cover, it was as though his Purple Extreme Divine Light had merged with the cover's original four abilities. This was precisely why Tang San couldn't be certain of his skull bone's current rank. After all, even a hundred-thousand-year soul bone could only grant two skills. Yet he now possessed a solid four — and that wasn't even counting the additional spiritual applications his amplified mind now offered.
Sensing the meaning Tang San had conveyed, the Demon Spirit Great White Sharks in the sea grew uneasy. Though the spiritual force Tang San had imposed on their minds hadn't brought any tangible pressure, it had breached their inner defenses. Every shark abandoned its attack and dove back beneath the waves.
"Done," Tang San said, signaling Ma Hongjun to withdraw his Martial Soul True Body.
The fatty reverted to his normal form, hovering beside Tang San on his phoenix wings, his gaze somewhat peculiar as he regarded his Third Brother.
"What? Don't recognize me? Why are you looking at me like that?" Tang San found it amusing.
Ma Hongjun let out a dejected sigh. "Third Brother, you feel more and more unfathomable these days. Just how powerful are you, really?"
Tang San chuckled. "Why worry about that? No matter how strong I am, you're still my good brother. That was just a method of projecting spiritual power —借助 the Ocean Vast Heaven Cover, nothing more."
Ma Hongjun grinned. "Well, I'm following you from now on, so the stronger you are, the better. Being your underling comes with its own pride, you know. Ha ha."
Just as the two were talking, the water beneath them rippled again, and Xiao Bai's familiar figure emerged into view.
Her massive shark head broke the surface, regarding Tang San with a somewhat doubtful expression. The news from her clansmen was almost too hard to believe. Looking at him now, Tang San didn't seem to have changed at all! Could it be that in barely over a year, this guy had stumbled upon yet another miracle?
"Xiao Bai Bai!" Ma Hongjun called out with a teasing lilt.
Xiao Bai shot back, "Since when do you get to call me Xiao Bai Bai? That's the Sea God's exclusive name for me. You humans don't get to use it. What do you want?"
Oscar, standing on the shore, said, "Xiao Bai, don't tell me you're playing dumb. Surely you know our fourth trial is related to you?"
At the words "fourth trial," Xiao Bai's expression turned visibly more solemn. She countered, "You're already prepared?"
Tang San and Ma Hongjun drifted down, landing on the beach. Xiao Bai rose from the water as well, transforming into human form and alighting before the group.
Tang San said, "We have only one year left to pass our trials. Even with continued cultivation, it would be difficult to achieve any major breakthroughs in the remaining time. So we'd like to complete this mission as early as possible."
Xiao Bai's slender brows furrowed slightly. Under the sunlight, a grey-blue sheen reflected off her skin. "Evil Spirit Killer Whales aren't so easy to deal with. They're nothing like me — they're some of the most vicious creatures in the ocean. Aside from the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King, who can exert some measure of awe over them, these bastards have always run rampant through the seas."
Dai Mubai asked, "Just how strong are these Evil Spirit Killer Whales, then? We have to complete our mission regardless. I imagine your relationship with them isn't exactly cordial."
"Good? Of course it's good," Xiao Bai said through gritted teeth. "My younger brother was killed by the Evil Spirit Killer Whale King himself. If I had the power, I would have already obliterated that ocean-defiling creature entirely. Among sea soul beasts, there is a hierarchy. Broadly speaking, we Demon Spirit Great White Sharks, the Deep Sea Demonic Whales, and the Evil Spirit Killer Whales all sit at the very top of the ocean food chain. But in truth, there are gaps between us. The Deep Sea Demonic Whales are unquestionably the strongest, but their numbers are extremely small and they live solitary lives. Deep Sea Demonic Whales are also quite lazy — they generally just float beneath the surface with their foolish mouths agape, waiting for food to drift in. After the Deep Sea Demonic Whales, the most formidable are the Evil Spirit Killer Whales. As much as I hate to admit it, those ocean-defiling creatures are genuinely more powerful than us."
At this point, hatred blazed in Xiao Bai's eyes. "Evil Spirit Killer Whales are a bloodthirsty species of sea soul beast. Even the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King doesn't provoke them lightly. Because they travel in packs and have almost no natural predators, their numbers are considerable. These ocean-defiling creatures are utterly unrestrained — even when they don't need food, they kill relentlessly, tearing apart any living thing they encounter without hesitation. Every sea soul beast despises them. It's only because their power is so fearsome that no one dares challenge them. About five hundred kilometers from here, there is one pack of Evil Spirit Killer Whales. They are our sworn enemies. Every few decades or centuries, our two clans wage a holy war."
Seeing the clear wariness in Xiao Bai's expression, Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help asking, "You lost?"
Xiao Bai nodded unwillingly. "Every time, we are at the disadvantage. If it weren't for the fact that they don't dare approach Sea God Island for fear of provoking the Sea God's wrath, our clan would likely have ceased to exist long ago."
Tang San said, "Since we're going to face them, Xiao Bai — tell us everything you know about the Evil Spirit Killer Whales."
Xiao Bai replied, "Adult Evil Spirit Killer Whales measure between twenty and twenty-five meters in length. They have powerful physiques, razor-sharp teeth, and a wide array of formidable abilities. A single Evil Spirit Killer Whale can fight two of our adult clansmen to a standstill. These vicious creatures never leave survivors. Once they gain the upper hand, they always rip their opponents apart. The total population of an Evil Spirit Killer Whale pack is roughly three hundred, with about two hundred adults — similar to our numbers. The only thing fortunate for us is that their reproductive rate is lower than ours. Otherwise, their numbers would be even more terrifying. In truth, if led by the Evil Spirit Killer Whale King, that clan would already have the standing to challenge the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King. Of course, that might also lead to their extinction — which is why they've never truly ventured into the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King's territory."
The Shrek Seven Devils exchanged uneasy glances. Oscar swallowed hard. "So you're saying our fourth trial requires us to help you annihilate an entire Evil Spirit Killer Whale pack? That means we'd have to bear the brunt of half their forces?"
Xiao Bai snorted dismissively. "What? Scared? If you're scared, you don't have to go."
Oscar mimicked her tone with a snort of his own. "Believe me, I'd love to skip it. But if I don't go, my Black-Level Six Trials will kill me. Besides — even if it's a hundred Evil Spirit Killer Whales, so what? What makes you think we can't win?"
Xiao Bai's expression was unexpectedly grave. "I don't care whether you have the courage or the strength. What I'm worried about is my people. After decades of recovery, my clan has only just reached its current state. If you prove insufficient and fail to annihilate the pack, my clansmen will pay with their lives."
The Shrek Seven Devils fell silent. This concerned the lives of Xiao Bai's people, and they had to be cautious. But the trial was right before them — could they really not go?
After a long pause, Tang San spoke. "Xiao Bai, I can't guarantee that your clansmen won't suffer any losses. But what I can promise you is this: if this operation fails, we will die before you do. Please believe me — we would never joke with our own lives. You may be the examiner for our second trial, but you know full well that we consider you a friend. Your clansmen are our friends too. All I can say is that we will do everything in our power to minimize casualties among your people. If you truly don't wish to take part in this battle, then please — just transport us there. We'll face it ourselves."
Xiao Bai fell silent, her gaze burning into Tang San. "Can we not go? This isn't just your trial — it's also the mission the Sea God has given us. To annihilate the Evil Spirit Killer Whale pack and restore peace to our ocean home — as servants of the Sea God, we cannot shirk this duty. Since you believe you're ready, then let's set out."
With that, Xiao Bai turned toward the sea and opened her mouth, releasing a strange, resonant hum. At first it was faint, but as time passed, the sound grew steadily more powerful, eventually drowning out even the crashing of the waves.
The waters in front of Sea God Island churned to a boil. Sleek white forms began revealing their triangular dorsal fins across the surface, arranged in disciplined formation. The sight of two hundred Demon Spirit Great White Sharks assembled in ranks was nothing short of spectacular. Each shark measured over fifteen meters in length, and every one radiated a powerful surge of energy. Set against the glinting water, they looked like a perfectly organized army.
Xiao Bai cut off the sound and turned back to face Tang San. "Tang San, I know you're undergoing the Nine Trials of the Sea God. Otherwise, a trial like this would never have appeared. Before we depart, I have a request I hope you'll agree to."
Without a moment's hesitation, Tang San said, "Name it. If it's within my power, I won't refuse."