DD Spiritual Sword [423-425] (Patreon)

Chapter 423: The Nine Trials of the Sea God and the Trial of the God of Music

"Young lady, I didn't expect you to actually know about the Sea God's Nine Trials, and you even have the Heart of the Sea God in your hand. It seems you came here specifically for the Nine Trials, didn't you?" The woman slowly floated in front of Ning Rongrong and spoke.

"Rongrong, be careful. This woman is far from simple—her cultivation surpasses even my peak, probably on par with the Snow Empress," Bingdi warned gravely.

"Indeed. The aura of the ocean on her is extremely thick. If we fought at sea, I'm afraid I wouldn't be her match," Xuedi agreed, which was rare praise for a human from her. Compared to this woman, Tang Hao from the Extreme North is hardly worth mentioning.

"That's right. My purpose here is exactly to become the next Sea God!" Ning Rongrong admitted directly. "Senior, are you perhaps Poseidon Island's High Priestess Bo Saixi, the legendary Limit Douluo who once overshadowed the Soul Master world?"

"It seems you've done your homework. You have talent and ambition. To think the one I've been waiting for turned out to be a young girl like you…" Bo Saixi sighed. The appearance of a Sea God inheritor should have delighted her, but remembering her unresolved wishes, she felt a deep melancholy.

"Senior, this is a letter from my husband to you. Please read it." Ning Rongrong suddenly took out a letter and handed it to Bo Saixi.

Tianlin always liked to have backup plans. He wasn't worried about Ning Rongrong's safety in general—she had protective talismans and could summon him or Chen Xin at any time. But one danger could not be ignored: Bo Saixi herself.

Tianlin knew well that when the Nine Trials were completed, if the inheritor hadn't reached level 99 Limit Douluo, the High Priestess would have to sacrifice herself for the godhood to fuse with the inheritor. But Bo Saixi did not want to die—she was still waiting for Tang Chen.

In the original story, she even considered killing Tang San, Tang Chen's great-grandson. If Ning Rongrong reached the sixth trial, Bo Saixi would show no mercy.

Moreover, during these god trials, even Chen Xin could not intervene. As Ning Rongrong's husband, Tianlin could not take this risk lightly.

"Your husband knows me?" Bo Saixi was surprised. The girl before her was, at most, seventeen or eighteen. Her husband must be about the same age. Bo Saixi looked only around thirty, but she was actually over 120 years old—old enough to be Ning Fengzhi's grandmother. How could this girl's husband possibly know her and even write her a letter?

Bo Saixi took the letter curiously and opened it. There was only one sentence, but it shook her to the core:

"Senior Bo Saixi, please protect my wife and assist her through the trials. As repayment, before Rongrong's seventh trial begins, I will bring Tang Chen to see you."

"Your… your husband knows where Tang Chen is?" Bo Saixi asked, her hand trembling.

Ning Rongrong nodded. "Yes, Senior. My husband said he and Tang Chen are both inheritors of godhood. But Tang Chen's inheritance has been interrupted, and another god interfered during his trials. Please rest assured—my husband always keeps his promises. Although the letter mentions 'before the seventh trial,' he may even bring Tang Chen earlier."

"No, he won't. Even if he resolves Tang Chen's issue early, he won't bring him before your seventh trial. I must admit, your husband is truly a formidable man." Bo Saixi understood the letter was both a request and a negotiation.

Somehow, this man had anticipated she might try to kill the inheritor during the sixth trial, and had set up a deterrent while using her desires against her.

The letter told her: if she wished to see Tang Chen, she must guarantee Ning Rongrong safely reached the seventh trial, thus removing her desire to kill her during the sixth, and even requiring her to assist Ning Rongrong through the first six trials.

He was also sure she dared not attack Ning Rongrong outside the trials, as Ning Rongrong was now the Sea God's inheritor. Bo Saixi's duty was not just to not harm her, but to protect her; if she broke this, the Sea God she worshipped would be the first to punish her.

"Such meticulous thought. This girl really has a husband who's always thinking of her." Bo Saixi felt a twinge of envy. If only Tang Chen had been like Tianlin and not so stubborn, she wouldn't have waited so many years alone.

"Don't worry, I will look after you. I just hope your husband keeps his word and brings Tang Chen to see me."

"Thank you, Senior," Ning Rongrong said gratefully.

"Um, Senior!" At this moment, a timid voice beside Ning Rongrong spoke—it was Huanyin, who didn't receive a trial. "Senior, did the Sea God not grant me a trial because my talent is too low?"

Bo Saixi shook her head. "No. Even the least talented will get a white-level trial if they come sincerely. Your talent may not match the others, but a purple-level trial would not be difficult for you."

"Then why?" Huanyin asked, confused.

"Because, by the Sea God's command, I am to grant you a different trial." Bo Saixi tapped her staff to the ground. A golden ray shot out from the staff and entered Huanyin's body.

A divine mark appeared on Huanyin's forehead. Unlike the others' pentagrams and hexagrams, hers was a unique symbol—shaped like a musical note, much like Ning Rongrong's trident.

"Could this be... a God's Trial?" Yufeng exclaimed. His wife, like Ning Rongrong, had been granted a god's trial.

Though this trial was surely not as high-level as the Sea God's Nine Trials, it was still a god's trial—a higher honor than any ordinary test.

"Senior, what is this?" Huanyin grew more confused. Her talent was the weakest of all—how could she suddenly qualify for a god's trial?

"This is the mark of the God of Music. The Sea God is a first-level god, but has many second- and third-level gods under him. The God of Music is a third-level god who manages music at the Sea God's palace. Recently, while performing in the God Realm, she sensed profound, mysterious music from the mortal world and sought its source, eventually finding you here on Sea God Island. She asked the Sea God to let her bestow her god trial upon you in place of the Sea God's test."

"Could it be the Yaoguang musical score Tianlin gave me?" Huanyin immediately thought. Tianlin once said the Yaoguang score was created by a musical prodigy, and that if she could comprehend it, she'd achieve great things in music.

Now she realized Tianlin had underestimated the score—not only would it help her achieve, it had directly attracted a god's attention!

Chapter 424: Spirit Hall's Moves & The Expansion of the Nine Great Sects

"Sister Huanyin, you're amazing! I didn't expect you, besides Sister Rongrong, would be the first of us to get the chance to become a god." Bai Chenxiang grabbed Huanyin's hand, full of envy.

So, there's more than one path to godhood—one doesn't have to be the strongest. Achievement in other fields can also attract a god's favor.

Huanyin's soul power wasn't much higher than hers, but her future prospects now surpassed her by a hundredfold.

"I didn't expect it, either. I'm happy, but…" Huanyin was hesitant, unsure if she should take on the trial.

Sensing her worry, Yu Feng quickly took her hand. "You can't refuse, Huanyin. I know what you're thinking. Don't worry; I'll catch up to you one day. I'll find my own godly inheritance. I won't let you go to the God Realm alone."

Huanyin's hesitation came from her concern for Yu Feng, but with his encouragement, she resolved herself.

"Senior Bo Saixi, I, Huanyin, am willing to accept the God of Music's trial. Please guide me."

Bo Saixi nodded. "Then come with me. Your trial will be different from the others. They must first pass through the Sea God's Light, but you must move the Sea God's Trident with your music and make this super artifact shine for you."

"Alright, Senior, please lead the way." Huanyin was confident. She might not match the others in strength, but in music, she was among the best on the entire continent.

"Sister Huanyin, good luck!" Ning Rongrong and the others cheered her on. The trial of a third-level god was much easier than one of the first-level, so maybe Huanyin would become a god even before Tianlin.

"Thank you. You all keep working hard, too." Huanyin bid farewell and followed Bo Saixi to the Sea God Trident hall.

The others headed toward the first trial, the Sea God's Light.

With the Sea God and Fire God's trials underway, everyone gave their all.

…

…

…

Half a year passed peacefully.

But now, the timeline reached five years after the original story. After their failed spirit-hunting campaign, Spirit Hall became even more aggressive, forcibly absorbing dozens of sects in both Heaven Dou and Star Luo empires.

At first, the two empires weren't too concerned, confident in their military strength. Spirit Hall couldn't possibly challenge the entire continent, could they?

But soon, Spirit Hall announced that, thanks to years of prosperity, in addition to the original Seven Great Sects, new ones had risen. The Seven Great Sects would be expanded to Nine, ranked with four upper and five lower.

Both empires immediately objected. Heaven Dou's reason was simple—most of the great sects were in their territory, and soul masters preferred to join them. If new sects emerged under Star Luo or Spirit Hall, it would split their numbers.

Star Luo disliked sects altogether, believing only the royal family should rule the continent. They would never agree to sects expanding in power.

But then, over a dozen kingdoms and duchies declared support for the Spirit Empire, including the wealthy Xia Kingdom (a Star Luo vassal) and the highly militarized Balak Kingdom (a Heaven Dou vassal).

The two emperors were furious. Spirit Hall had quietly gained so much support.

Xia Kingdom's wealth and Balak's army could support over 400,000 troops. The other smaller kingdoms and duchies could muster another 300,000. Combined, Spirit Hall now had close to 70,000-80,000 soul masters and 700,000 troops—far surpassing either empire.

Soul masters' combat strength far exceeded normal soldiers. The empires had once relied on numbers, but now Spirit Hall had both soul masters and armies—nothing could stop them.

"Outrageous! Spirit Hall is rebelling—they truly have wolfish ambitions!" In the Heaven Dou palace, Emperor Xue Ye roared in anger. The officials below trembled in fear.

They held high office, yet hadn't noticed Spirit Hall's rise—this was their failure.

Ning Fengzhi, present at the meeting, sneered. The Heaven Dou court was rotten to the core—who could expect this bunch to notice anything? Only under Xue Qinghe had politics been clear, but after her departure, things reverted immediately.

Only one minister, Ge Long, was worth anything—but he was a general, good for war but not for governance.

"Father, please calm down. While we failed to notice Spirit Hall's rise, they haven't noticed our changes, either. We've expanded the Tang Army to 30,000. With their repeating crossbows and hidden weapons, each can fight like a Soul Sect—enough to be a soul master corps. We still outnumber them," Xue Beng said.

Hearing this, Xue Ye calmed down. "Son, thanks to you and Earl Tang San. But the Earl has been gone half a year. Will there be any problems with hidden weapon supply?"

Tai Tan stepped forward. "Your Majesty, the young master passed on all the methods for making the basic weapons. With me overseeing it, there will be no shortage."

"Good. Thank you, beloved minister. But I don't understand—why did Balak Kingdom defect? King Kundela is my cousin, yet he betrayed me. It pains me." Xue Ye clutched his chest in sorrow.

Gu Rong, who came with Ning Fengzhi, thought: these emperors are so dramatic—angry one moment, grieving the next.

Chapter 425: Heaven Dou's Court Session—Silent Ning Fengzhi and the Showy Grandmaster

"Father, I've already sent someone to investigate the truth about Balak Kingdom," Xue Beng said, looking troubled.

Everyone was impressed by Xue Beng's quick action—he'd already found a counter for Spirit Hall and uncovered the truth behind Balak's betrayal. If only his character were better, he'd make a fine ruler.

His right arm had also fully recovered—though once severed by Chen Xin, Tang San had healed him with the Blue Silver Emperor's soul bone, and there were always a few spare soul bones in the royal treasury.

Xue Ye was pleased. "Son, what was the reason?"

Xue Beng explained, "It wasn't our cousin who betrayed us, but the two major families of Balak: the Ao and Luo families. Father, you know Balak has three-way power: the king is nominal, but military is controlled by Luo, and finance by Ao. Both families joined Spirit Hall and forced a palace coup—our cousin had no power to resist."

Xue Ye realized why Xue Beng looked so troubled—this was their own doing. Kundela, as royal blood, could not be trusted with full power. Xue Ye had secretly supported the two families to check him, keeping a three-way balance. Now, the two rival families had somehow united, leaving Kundela powerless—a mere figurehead. If not for their mutual distrust, Kundela would have been deposed already.

"Sect Master Ning, do you have any ideas for resisting Spirit Hall's future invasion?" Xue Ye asked Ning Fengzhi. Surely, with so many monsters in his family, he would have a plan.

But Ning Fengzhi acted indifferent, which annoyed Xue Ye.

"Your Majesty, I am not wise enough for strategies, nor did I foresee Balak's situation. I truly admire Crown Prince Xue Beng's insight. With such a wise heir, I dare not show off." Ning Fengzhi used the classic official tactic of deflection. He wasn't a court official, but this worked everywhere. He had no intention of interfering in the empire's struggle with Spirit Hall.

In fact, he needed Spirit Hall to attract attention, so the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could develop in secret and buy time for Tianlin and Chen Xin. When they emerged, the sect would shock the entire continent.

"Your Majesty, I have a plan," Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang stepped forward, delighted. He loved showing off his talents before the powerful, proving that even if he wasn't strong, he wasn't useless.

"Oh? Speak, Grandmaster!" Xue Ye was excited—his handpicked Grandmaster was more reliable than Ning Fengzhi.

Seeing Yu Xiaogang's confidence, Ning Fengzhi secretly chuckled and whispered to Gu Rong, "Uncle Bone, he'll definitely suggest cooperating with Star Luo. Neither empire wants Spirit Hall to rise, and Star Luo hates them for stopping their unification. Star Luo's hatred is even deeper than ours."

"Your Majesty, let us cooperate with Star Luo Empire. They do not want Spirit Hall to grow, and Spirit Hall stopped their unification before. They are a perfect ally."

As expected, Yu Xiaogang's suggestion matched Ning Fengzhi's prediction. Ning Fengzhi continued whispering, "Next, he'll say Star Luo's military is stronger; when war breaks out, they'll be the main force, while we volunteer to handle Spirit Hall's soul master corps. With the Tang Army's hidden weapons, we can catch Spirit Hall off guard. After Spirit Hall and Star Luo are both exhausted, Your Majesty can unify the continent and become a legendary ruler."

"Your Majesty, Star Luo's military is stronger. Let them deal with Spirit Hall's army, while we take on the soul masters. With the Tang Army, we have a high chance of victory. Once Spirit Hall and Star Luo are both weakened, you can unify the continent and make history!" Grandmaster finished, and Emperor Xue Ye's eyes lit up.

That's right—while Spirit Hall's rebellion is a crisis, it's also a chance for unification!

"Excellent! Grandmaster, you are truly a pillar of the nation. We'll proceed as you suggest. But who should we send as envoy to Star Luo?"

"Uncle Bone, now Yu Xiaogang will volunteer," Ning Fengzhi whispered.

"Your Majesty, I volunteer. As a subject of Heaven Dou, I am duty-bound to serve our empire." Yu Xiaogang stepped forward.

Ning Fengzhi glanced at Gu Rong, silently asking: See? Was I right?

Gu Rong broke out in a cold sweat. Ning Fengzhi was too scary—thank goodness they were on the same side. Grandmaster thought himself clever, but was being played.

"Excellent! Once you succeed, I will reward you handsomely, and personally beg the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan to reinstate you." Emperor Xue Ye promised.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Yu Xiaogang was overjoyed. Returning to his clan in glory and shaming those who expelled him had been his dream since childhood.

After the meeting, on the way out, Gu Rong asked, "Fengzhi, since you'd already thought of the same plan as Yu Xiaogang, why let him take the credit? The emperor asked you first."

Ning Fengzhi smiled and shook his head. "I don't care for such attention. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect needs to keep a low profile these next three years. Besides, I haven't done nothing—Gu Ran and Lingling should already be taking action."