"Completion of the highest first trial — accompanying the Sea God along the path of inheritance. Stacking rewards released: Soul Power level increased by ten ranks, all Soul Ring cultivation increased by two thousand years, three God-granted Soul Rings."
Shock. When those words echoed in Xiao Wu's ears, all she felt was shock — not merely from the surge in her own cultivation, but also from the sight of Tang San clad entirely in blue-gold armor, eight wings unfurled behind him, radiating an incomparably majestic presence.
It was the same highest rank trial, yet Xiao Wu's enhancement was clearly a step above even Ning Rongrong's top-ranked seventh trial. This was due not only to the trial's own difficulty, but also to the stacking effect of the rewards.
Meanwhile, at that same moment, a voice resonated in the minds of the other five — Dai Mubai, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing. "Assist in the Sea God's inheritance. Reward: one God-granted Soul Ring."
In truth, the rewards the Shrek Six Devils received went even further. At the very moment Tang San raised the Sea God's Trident high and completed the final Sea God inheritance, a surging pillar of blue-gold light shot skyward — and the crimson-gold gate of light they had been guarding transformed into blue-gold as well. Six beams of blue-gold radiance spread outward and infused their bodies. This was not power bestowed directly by Tang San; it was the residual divine Sea God power that radiated outward after Tang San had absorbed the vast majority of energy in the instant the inheritance was completed. To Tang San, this divine power was insignificant, but to the Shrek Six Devils, it was genuine god-tier power! Everyone's Soul Power surged rapidly under its influence, their heartbeats quickening several times over. The sensation of Soul Power brimming to the very limits was simply too wonderful.
Everything around them grew hazy and unreal. All the energy within that golden world had been drawn into the blue-gold pillar of light the moment it shot skyward, and drawn into Tang San himself. All eight trials of the Sea God's inheritance had been passed. The Sea God's Trident had been reforged. Clad in the Sea God's divine armor, Tang San keenly sensed the aura of another realm — the sensation of commanding everything was simply too wonderful.
And yet, it was not over. The ten rings on his body — nine red and one blue-gold — slowly faded away. New rings then ascended from beneath his feet, and as these fresh rings appeared, a dark red radiance shot skyward from Tang San's left hand, a dark crimson-gold aura spreading outward — it was the Sea God's Trident, now thoroughly suffused with the Shura Domain.
When it first appeared, Tang San felt a flicker of worry, but it vanished almost immediately. The Shura Domain rested quietly within the Clear Sky Hammer, and with its emergence, ten new Soul Rings materialized around Tang San.
Red, red, red, red, red, red, red, red — the first eight were identical to the previous Blue Silver Emperor rings, save that they were not enveloped in that layer of blue-gold, as though the Sea God's divine power had not fused with this Clear Sky Hammer. But the fifty thousand years of cultivation granted by the completed Sea God inheritance had similarly been applied to the Clear Sky Hammer. That alone was enough to delight Tang San. What surprised him even more was that as the first eight rings appeared, the ninth manifested simultaneously — a dark crimson-gold ring, identical in kind to the Clear Sky Hammer itself. Set against the backdrop of the eight rings before it, it was particularly striking.
Its color alone would not have drawn much of Tang San's attention. The crucial matter was that when this dark crimson-gold ninth ring appeared, Tang San's divine consciousness clearly perceived it for what it was — a god-tier Soul Ring, on par with the tenth ring of his Blue Silver Emperor after its fusion with the Sea God's divine power.
How was this possible? After his initial shock, excitement surged through Tang San. He actually possessed two god-tier Soul Rings? Though they resided on different Martial Souls, the mere bonus these god-tier rings provided to his physical attributes would surely elevate his fundamental stats beyond those of other gods.
He quickly understood. The ninth ring on his Clear Sky Hammer had come from the Deep Sea Demon Whale King — that mighty ocean overlord whose cultivation had reached the million-year level, just a single step from godhood. The fifty thousand years of cultivation that the Sea God's divinity granted upon completing the inheritance had undoubtedly given it an enormous boon, allowing this million-year ring to finally take that last step and achieve god-tier status.
But why was his god-tier ring on the Clear Sky Hammer the same dark crimson-gold as the Shura Domain, rather than the blue-gold of the Sea God? It was difficult to fathom. Regardless, at the very least, the power of the Shura God had not interfered with his Sea God inheritance — and that was enough.
Wasting no further thought on it, Tang San let his divine consciousness stir. The Clear Sky Hammer, along with its nine rings, withdrew into his body, and all surrounding light instantly converged, merging within him.
A divine gleam flashed through his eyes. His right hand swept the Sea God's Trident forward with a light motion, its main blade tracing a path of blue-gold brilliance through the air. A crack instantly appeared in the now-vast, empty space. Behind Tang San, the Sea God's eight wings folded shut. With a flash of light, he passed directly through the rift.
The scenery shifted. Feeling solid ground beneath his feet, Tang San had returned to the Sea God's temple where he had first received the Sea God's audience. Only now the temple stood empty — the Sea God was nowhere to be seen.
The Sea God had departed? Recalling the Sea God's earlier guidance, a faint smile touched Tang San's face. Facing the enormous throne at the far end of the great hall, he slowly knelt on one knee and bowed. This bow came from the very depths of Tang San's gratitude. Without the Sea God's aid on multiple occasions, he would long since be dead, to say nothing of having obtained such formidable Sea God power. Having inherited the Sea God's divinity, he was already qualified to sit upon that throne — but he did not do so, out of respect for the Sea God. Even if he had every right to become the master of this temple, he would never sit in that chair. It belonged to the previous Sea God, and always would.
Lingering no longer, Tang San seemed to hear his companions' calls. Though the gate of light no longer required their power to sustain it now that his Sea God power had fully connected to it, he had no desire to remain.
Blue-gold light coalesced into a flowing streak and flickered gently. In the next instant, Tang San appeared outside the Sea God's temple. He turned to look back, gazing deeply at that magnificent, towering palace, the smile on his face deepening. His body rose gracefully, and with a flash of light, he passed effortlessly through the barrier of light that had once blocked his path, entering the crystalline seawaters.
Submerging into the water once more, his experience was entirely different. Tang San felt as though the ocean itself was an extension of his body — he need not even channel his divine power. A single thought, and the sea would push him wherever he wished to go. He could sense every trace of energy contained within these waters and could command it all as his own. Yes — now he was the master of the ocean. No matter which sea, which stretch of water, they were all forces under his dominion.
The Sea God's Trident moved again, and within the newly reforged Heart of the Sea God, a blue light flickered. The gate of light that had previously vanished within the waters quietly reappeared before Tang San. Now transformed into blue-gold, the flame-wreathed gate still flickered with fire. Gazing upon this blue-gold flame gate, Tang San silently prayed: "Elder Bo Saixi, I hope you will be reunited with my great-grandfather in the Divine Realm. There, you will surely be together."
As he thought this, Tang San stepped forward, the Sea God's Trident in hand, and finally departed this buffer zone between the Divine Realm and the mortal world — the place where gods passed on their legacies.
His vision opened wide. The moment Tang San strode through the gate of light, every light pattern within the Sea God's temple transformed to blue-gold, as though joyously welcoming the return of their sovereign. Upon the seven circular platforms, the light withdrew in an instant, revealing the figures of Tang San's six companions.
Six people. Twelve pairs of eyes, all fixed upon Tang San. Their gazes held envy, relief, gratification, and even a touch of jealousy — but above all, they held excitement. Excitement for Tang San's successful inheritance. The Shrek Seven Devils had finally produced a god — their very first god.
But whether it was Dai Mubai, Oscar, or Ma Hongjun, each silently made his resolve. Tang San was the first, but he would certainly not be the last among the Shrek Seven Devils to achieve godhood. Someday, they too would advance toward that realm.
Before the Six Devils, three golden God-granted Soul Rings floated before Xiao Wu, while one hovered before each of the others. Yet none reached out to take them. Compared to the God-granted Soul Rings, Tang San's safe return was far more important.
Tang San did not speak. He raised his head toward the ceiling of the Sea God's temple and slowly lifted the Sea God's Trident high. Here on Sea God Island, within the Sea God's temple atop Sea God Mountain, he would proclaim to every living being in the ocean — their guardian Sea God had returned.
Blue-gold light gathered toward the temple ceiling in concentric waves. With a thunderous boom, the walls surrounding the entire Sea God's temple vanished — dissolved within the blue-gold radiance, leaving only the seven circular platforms standing. An enormous pillar of blue-gold light surged skyward, transforming into a peerless torrent of Sea God power that pierced the highest heavens.
This radiance was so vast and magnificent, so earth-shaking and heaven-rending, that it painted the sky above the ocean's surface the same color entirely.
The sea roared to life. The water level surged a hundred meters in an instant, and every creature in the ocean frantically swam toward the surface. Drawn by that immense Sea God power, they rushed one after another to behold the blue-gold sky that had formed above the sea.
A gentle light flickered. Tang San's expression grew serene. He was not swept up in exhilaration by this grand display of power. Within his divine consciousness, there was only a warm, soothing caress — calming the stirred hearts of every living creature in the sea.
The Seven Sacred Pillar Guardian Douluo had already fallen to their knees, bowing reverently toward Tang San. The grief in their eyes had vanished, replaced by near-manic excitement. In the very instant that pillar of blue-gold light shot skyward, Tang San's divine consciousness had entered their minds, imprinting upon them the Sea God's words regarding Bo Saixi's final resting place — erasing the last trace of misgivings from their hearts.
Every resident of Sea God Island had gathered in the open spaces and prostrated themselves toward Sea God Mountain. Tears of excitement sparkled in their eyes. So many years had passed, so many generations — they had finally reached this moment, the return of the Sea God. He was their faith.
Beyond Sea God Island, upon the ocean's surface, the Great White Shark Soul Spirit clan appeared in full. The king of the Great White Shark Soul Spirits, Xiao Bai, gazed toward Sea God Mountain and that blue-gold pillar reaching for the heavens, tears of excitement streaming from her large eyes. She knew that from this moment on, she would truly become the ocean's overlord — for she had once served as the Sea God's mount.
On Purple Pearl Island, every pirate stared at the wondrous spectacle in the distance, at the blue-gold sky. They were transfixed. The pressure emanating from the Sea God caused every pirate to drop their weapons, simply standing and watching in a daze.
Jixiang and Purple Pearl stood shoulder to shoulder, watching the colossal pillar of light in the direction of Sea God Island, too emotional to speak. They did not know what was happening, but Jixiang could faintly sense his master's aura within that blue-gold radiance.
At the shore, the six wings behind Qian Renxue unfurled simultaneously, the Angel's Sword materializing in her grasp. Gazing at the blue-gold across the sky, she drew a deep breath and murmured to herself: "So it's finally done? Tang San, you truly haven't disappointed me. Sea God... Sea God. I will wait for you here." She raised her hand, the Angel's Sacred Sword pointing straight toward the heavens. Scorching holy light effortlessly connected with the sun, forming a massive pillar of crimson-gold light between heaven and earth — between the sun and the Goddess of the Angel. This was her challenge, a challenge to the newly ascended Sea God, Tang San.
The Spirit Empire. Spirit Hall City.
In a pitch-black chamber, a figure wreathed in purple-black stood before a massive purple-black gate of light. One foot was already about to step through. But at that very moment, the gate trembled violently, and a layer of pale blue light flickered past.
"What is this...?" The purple-black figure froze. "Another one. It's actually another one. Fine. Fine. Wait for me — I will return." With those words, she stepped forward resolutely, and the purple-black gate seemed to swallow all light. In the next instant, the purple-black figure and the gate vanished together from that ominous, dark chamber.
The blue-gold radiance persisted for a full half-hour before finally subsiding. Tang San slowly closed his eyes, sensing the space between heaven and earth, sensing every call and every act of devotion within the ocean. The power of faith nourished his heart as countless creatures throughout the sea called out to him with their most fervent voices. And Tang San's Sea God power was thus elevated through that faith.
The eight wings slowly folded shut behind him. Tang San withdrew his Sea God power. He had already used his divine consciousness to proclaim the Sea God's return across the entirety of the ocean. From this moment on, no one would be permitted to defile the sea. He would fulfill the Sea God's mission, safeguarding every drop of water in the ocean.
"Xiao San, congratulations." Dai Mubai looked at Tang San, a hint of wistfulness in his gaze. Once upon a time, he had been the strongest among the Shrek Seven Devils, the eldest brother. But now, the gap between him and Tang San was perhaps one that could never be bridged. Looking at Tang San enveloped in the Sea God's divine armor, he even felt a certain distance between them. After all, in terms of strength, they now belonged to two different worlds.
"Why are you all looking at me like that? Don't recognize me anymore?" Tang San laughed — a hearty, open laugh. His voice was the same as before, unchanged in the slightest, his tone just as warm and familiar with his companions as ever.
"I've always said that the title of 'god' is simply what happens when human strength reaches a certain level. Gods are still human — just more powerful humans. If humans borrow nature's force and tap their own potential, then gods command it all. You're all around my age, and you're all geniuses among humanity. Perhaps before long, you'll come to this same realm, just as I have. You witnessed my inheritance process and heard my conversation with the Sea God. As a god, he seems to have been no happier than we mortals. I will always be Tang San of the Shrek Seven Devils. And you will always be my brothers and sisters."
As he spoke, the blue-gold light on Tang San's body suddenly receded. All of his armor — even the Sea God's eight wings — melted inward and merged into his body, leaving only a blue-gold robe draped over him. Even the Sea God's Trident transformed into a streak of light and sank into the Sea God's mark upon his forehead.
One moment, he had been the incomparable Sea God of legend; the next, with all his aura retracted, Tang San seemed less impressive than an ordinary Soul Master — just a man. Of course, his hair was considerably longer than before.
Ma Hongjun let out a long breath of relief. "Thank goodness — Third Brother is still Third Brother. I was starting to think that after becoming a god, Third Brother would get that untouchable, above-it-all kind of feeling."
Ning Rongrong giggled. "I never got that impression. Even if Third Brother were the above-it-all type, it wouldn't be toward us. Now we never have to fear Spirit Hall again — we've got Third Brother backing us. What's that Qian Renxue to us now?"