Chapter 272: Lingling, Just Coast Through for the Rewards

Chapter 272: Chapter 272: Lingling, Just Coast Through for the Rewards

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The next day, on Sea God Island.

The morning sunlight filtered through the thin mist, enveloping the entire island in a soft, golden glow.

Bo Saixi stood at the entrance of the small courtyard, her blood-red robes fluttering gently in the sea breeze. In her hand, she held her scepter.

Her gaze was as calm as still water as she waited for the people within the courtyard.

A moment later, Shui Bing’er and Ye Lingling emerged.

Today, Shui Bing’er had changed into a lightweight, aquamarine training outfit; her long hair was tied up high, giving her an air of crisp, clean efficiency.

Her face held a mixture of anticipation and nervousness.

Ye Lingling remained clad in her customary long black dress and black veil. She walked alongside Shui Bing’er with light, silent steps—moving like a soundless shadow.

Bo Saixi looked at them, her gaze softening slightly. She spoke, her voice ethereal and gentle: "Miss Shui Bing’er, what is your First Trial?"

Shui Bing’er curtsied slightly; although Bo Saixi had said that formal salutations were unnecessary, she still maintained the proper level of respect: "Grand Priestess, as you are my senior, please feel free to simply call me Bing’er."

"My First Trial is to traverse the Double Sea God’s Light. I must proceed to the core forbidden zone of Sea God Island and ascend the three hundred and thirty-three steps within that zone. The time limit is one year."

A flicker of astonishment flashed through Bo Saixi’s eyes.

Double Sea God’s Light? And she must ascend three hundred and thirty-three steps as well?

She nodded slightly, inwardly marveling at the challenge.

For most inheritors of the Sea God’s legacy, the First Trial merely entailed traversing the standard Sea God’s Light.

Yet for Shui Bing’er, the intensity was doubled, and she was required to ascend three hundred and thirty-three steps. The difficulty... truly befitting of one acknowledged by the Lord Sea God himself.

Her gaze then shifted to Ye Lingling.

Sensing her gaze, Ye Lingling spoke softly: "To traverse the Sea God’s Light and ascend one hundred and thirty-six steps."

Bo Saixi nodded: "Very well. Once you two are ready, please follow me."

Having said this, she turned and walked out of the courtyard. Her pace was neither hurried nor slow, her crimson robes fluttering in the sea breeze like a banner.

Watching Bo Saixi’s retreating figure, Shui Bing’er couldn’t help but exclaim with emotion: "As the Grand Priestess of the Sea God, Senior Bo Saixi is actually going to personally escort us to our trials!"

From behind them, a familiar voice rang out.

"You two had best be on your way."

Shui Bing’er turned around.

Jiang Bai—she hadn’t noticed when he had arrived—was standing in the doorway. His gaze rested upon Shui Bing’er, and the corners of his lips curved upward slightly: "Bing’er, you must do your very best to pass!"

Shui Bing’er nodded vigorously.

The Sect Master had practically spoon-fed the Divine Trials to her; from this point onward, she would have to rely entirely on herself to complete the assessments!

She thought this silently to herself, clenching her fists in determination. Jiang Bai’s gaze fell once again upon Ye Lingling, his voice softening slightly: "Lingling, don’t be nervous or anxious. There is no need to obsess over passing the entire trial; just do your best—simply reaping the rewards from the Divine Trials will be enough."

Ye Lingling blinked her beautiful, large eyes, evidently taken aback.

Jiang Bai explained: "For every stage of the Divine Trials you pass, you receive a reward. That is precisely why I encouraged you to attempt the trials as well. These rewards range from increasing the cultivation age of your Spirit Rings and boosting your Spirit Power, to the ’God-bestowed Spirit Rings’—rings that manifest specifically to suit your physical constitution."

Upon hearing this, a look of sudden realization flashed across Ye Lingling’s eyes. She nodded and said softly, "I understand. Thank you, Sect Master!"

Jiang Bai waved his hand dismissively: "Mm-hmm. Go on, now."

Shui Bing’er and Ye Lingling exchanged glances, then simultaneously curtsied slightly to Jiang Bai before turning to follow Bo Saixi out of the small courtyard.

...

Their figures vanished beyond the courtyard gate.

Jiang Bai stood at the entrance, gazing up at the sky illuminated by the morning light, and remained silent for a moment.

"Sister Bi Ji, come out."

The Nine-Colored Glazed Pagoda materialized in his palm; a beam of emerald-green light shot forth from it and settled by his side.

As the light dissipated, Bi Ji’s figure was revealed.

She was still clad in her signature emerald-green gown—graceful and elegant, like a celestial maiden stepped straight out of a painting.

The sea breeze stirred the hem of her dress, making it ripple like flowing water.

She looked around, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings, then turned her gaze toward the azure ocean stretching out beyond the courtyard walls; a flicker of curiosity danced in her eyes.

"Jiang Bai, where is this place?"

"Sea God Island," Jiang Bai replied, gazing out at the distant sea. "It is the earthly sanctuary where the Sea God’s legacy of faith is preserved."

Bi Ji walked over to stand beside him, following the direction of his gaze.

The sea and sky merged into one, stretching out boundlessly. A few seabirds circled in the distance, their calls ringing out clear and crisp.

"It’s beautiful," she murmured softly.

Jiang Bai smiled and briefly recounted the details of Shui Bing’er’s Divine Trial.

Upon listening to his account, Bi Ji nodded thoughtfully. She fell silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke, her voice very soft: "Jiang Bai... do you think Soul Beasts can become gods?"

Jiang Bai was slightly taken aback.

He looked at Bi Ji; within those emerald-green eyes, he saw a hint of bewilderment and a touch of anticipation.

"No," he shook his head. "At least, not right now."

A flicker of disappointment crossed Bi Ji’s eyes. "Why?"

She simply couldn’t understand.

Why were humans so uniquely blessed?

Not only could they reach a level of power rivaling a 100,000-year-old Soul Beast after merely a few decades of cultivation, but they could also ascend to godhood.

Yet Soul Beasts, on the other hand, not only had to endure the Heavenly Tribulation just to break through the 100,000-year mark, but they were also barred from ever becoming gods.

She had lived for so many years, yet she had never once witnessed a Soul Beast successfully ascend to godhood.

As for the existence of a "Beast God," she had only ever heard tales of it from Di Tian.

In fact, were it not for the Silver Dragon King lying dormant within the Lake of Life, Bi Ji might well have suspected that Di Tian was merely spinning her a lie.

Watching her in this state, a surge of tenderness rose in Jiang Bai’s heart.

He spoke softly: "It’s a bit difficult to explain. You could think of it as a curse left behind by the previous Dragon God. However, Sister Bi Ji, you needn’t worry; once I ascend to godhood myself, I will surely break this curse."

He looked at Bi Ji, a glint of earnestness flashing in his eyes. "Sister Bi Ji... do you wish to become a god as well?"

Bi Ji shook her head. "I don’t know. I was merely speaking my thoughts aloud."

Her voice was faint, carrying with it an emotion she could neither name nor fully articulate.

Jiang Bai smiled. "Sister Bi Ji, once I become a god, how about I bring you along to the Divine Realm with me? By then, you’d be—at the very least—a Divine Official!"

Upon hearing this, a spark of light flickered in Bi Ji’s eyes. She looked at Jiang Bai and couldn’t help but offer a gentle smile.

It was a smile of tender grace, as soft and soothing as a spring breeze brushing against one’s face.

"Is that so? Then I shall look forward to it."

She glanced around their surroundings, then asked, "Did you call me out here for something specific?"

Jiang Bai nodded.

He proceeded to explain to Bi Ji the details of his Seventh Trial—specifically, the task of comprehending the Power of Creation.

The Power of Creation, after all, was intrinsically linked to Bi Ji’s own Power of Life. However, the Power of Creation is not merely a simple form of healing or restoration; rather, it is the force that brings life into existence from absolute nothingness.

It is an ability of a far higher order.

At present, Jiang Bai’s understanding of this domain remains insufficient.

Therefore, he decided to first seek guidance from Bi Ji before delving deeper into the study of the Power of Creation.

Upon hearing his explanation, Bi Ji nodded thoughtfully.

She gazed at Jiang Bai, unable to suppress a faint smile.

It was a sect with precious few members—yet both the Sect Master and the founding disciple were, in essence, her disciples!

Noticing her smile, Jiang Bai asked in puzzlement, "Sister Bi Ji, what are you smiling about?"

Bi Ji covered her mouth with her hand and replied softly, "Nothing in particular; I was just thinking of something amusing."

She glanced around the courtyard and suggested, "Let’s go inside to talk."

The two of them entered the inner chambers and began their discussion on the nature of life and the Power of Creation.

...

Out in the courtyard, the sun gradually climbed higher in the sky.

Jiang Li’er stepped out of her room and stretched languidly, her long golden hair shimmering with a dazzling brilliance under the sunlight.

She rubbed her eyes and glanced around.

The courtyard was deserted; nothing could be seen save for the flowing spring water and the small golden fish darting through it.

"Jiang Bai?"

She called out, but received no answer.

She called out again: "Bing’er? Lingling?"

Still, there was no reply.

Jiang Li’er walked over to the doorway and peered inside.

The door to the inner chamber was closed, though the faint sound of Jiang Bai and Bi Ji conversing could be heard.

She pouted.

Everyone else had something to do—she was the only one left idle.

She stood in the courtyard, gazing into space for a moment.

Sunlight cascaded down, illuminating her radiant face, while the sea breeze swept past, stirring her golden tresses.

Her eyes darted to the side as an idea suddenly sparked in her mind.

"Jiang Bai, I’m going out for a stroll!"

She called out toward the interior of the house, and without waiting for a response, she immediately took flight.

Her golden figure soared into the sky like a streak of flowing light.