DD Spiritual Sword [494-495] (Patreon)

Chapter 494: Passing the Fifth Trial, Pride of the Ice and Snow Empresses

"Zhuqing, are you alright?" Ning Rongrong helped Zhu Zhuqing up, asking with concern.

Zhu Zhuqing shook her head. Although her face was pale, she wasn't seriously hurt. "I'm fine. Although that person punched hard just now, there was no killing intent. After dispersing my Martial Soul True Body, he withdrew the remaining force in his fist. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't be able to stand now. It's just that I can't activate my Martial Soul True Body for a while, and my combat strength has dropped significantly."

"It's alright. Let's think of another way." Ning Rongrong put away her Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and said. Even with her boost, Zhu Zhuqing without her True Body could not possibly be a match for Seahorse Douluo. Now, they had to fight side by side.

"That Seahorse guy is really ruthless. Although he's not the strongest among us, he's definitely the most serious. No wonder these two girls chose him as their final opponent."

The other Sea Douluo were watching the trial from not far away. Seeing Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing forced to a desperate situation by Seahorse Douluo, the Sea Maiden Douluo, the one with the best temper, felt a bit uneasy. Although she had thrown a little tantrum earlier, it was like a child's: coming and going quickly.

After Huan Yin comforted her for a moment, she'd completely recovered.

"Rongrong, Zhuqing, good luck!" Yu Tianheng and the others, having completed their own trials, came to the Seahorse Sacred Pillar to cheer them on.

"Hmph, encouragement doesn't help strength. These two won't get stronger just because you cheer for them!" Seahorse Douluo snorted coldly. Although he was gentle by nature, he was also the most serious. If Ning Rongrong didn't show enough strength today, she would absolutely not earn his recognition.

While Ning Rongrong was swapping Martial Souls, beneath Seahorse Douluo's feet, his ninth soul ring slowly rose.

"Rongrong, be careful! It's the ninth spirit skill!" Zhu Zhuqing cried urgently.

"Ice Empress Bodyguard, Demonic Ice Mirror!" There was no time to switch Martial Souls again. Without hesitation, Ning Rongrong set up the same defensive array she had used against Sea Ghost Douluo.

From afar, Sea Ghost Douluo shook his head. "It's useless. Seahorse's physical attack is many times stronger than mine, and he's using his ninth soul skill. It's impossible to defend with just those mirrors and armor."

"Ninth Soul Skill: Heaven-shaking Tornado Annihilation Fist!" Seahorse Douluo shouted, punching out a massive tornado. The force of this punch was stronger than ever before, causing the entire Sea within the Sea to boil.

Upon seeing this punch, even Poseidon Douluo Bo Saixi fell into a moment of reminiscence. Years ago, Sea God Island had faced a disaster—an undersea volcanic eruption. Seahorse Douluo's punch had directly quelled the entire volcano.

Among the seven Sea Douluo, perhaps only Sea Dragon Douluo dared to compete with him in terms of fists. Even the powerful Sea Spear Douluo would have to avoid this punch.

The ten ice mirrors shattered in an instant, and Ning Rongrong's ice armor also dispersed into countless ice crystals.

With two screams, the two girls were struck by the tornado at the same time.

"Rongrong! Zhuqing!" The audience cried out in alarm.

At that moment, a figure was sent flying like a broken kite—it was Zhu Zhuqing.

Bai Chenxiang leapt up and caught her.

Zhu Zhuqing had already fainted. In the last moment, she had pulled Ning Rongrong behind her, taking most of the force herself.

But Ning Rongrong did not waste the opportunity Zhu Zhuqing had bought for her with self-sacrifice. She struck out with her palm, producing a whirlwind that clashed against the tornado.

Although the ice mirrors and armor couldn't block the Heaven-shaking Tornado Annihilation Fist, they had weakened much of Seahorse Douluo's force.

That was enough. In fact, the moment Seahorse Douluo threw that punch, Ning Rongrong's two big sisters in her spiritual sea had already told her how to counterattack.

"Rongrong, when my power and Snow Empress's power combine, besides the Snowy Dance of Ultimate Ice, there's another ultimate attack soul skill. In the world today, only you can replicate this move."

"Carry the pride of Snow Empress and me. You cannot lose. Fight back!"

Encouraged by Ice Empress and Snow Empress, Ning Rongrong raised her other hand.

When the power of Ice Empress and Snow Empress focused into one palm, forming a great blizzard tornado of pure white and emerald green, the strongest move of the Extreme North appeared.

This move was—

"Pride of the Ice and Snow Empresses!" Ning Rongrong roared. The blizzard tornado kept growing. The scales of victory began to tilt. No matter how strong Seahorse Douluo's ninth soul skill was, it couldn't match the top move from the Extreme North.

The force of the Heaven-shaking Tornado Annihilation Fist was pushed back at great speed.

"What?!" Seahorse Douluo's eyes widened. Before he could react, the terrifying cold had already turned him into an ice statue.

"Hah… hah…" Ning Rongrong knelt on the ground in relief. With her current cultivation, forcing out the Pride of the Two Empress was like Tianlin using the Heaven and Earth Primal Spirit Slash; she had completely exhausted her soul power.

But the move was indeed powerful. Even though she couldn't fully unleash its power, it was already enough to make up for the gap between Soul Douluo and Title Douluo, allowing her to challenge above her level.

With Seahorse Douluo frozen, the outcome of the battle was decided. Ning Rongrong had successfully passed the fifth trial.

A beam of Sea God's Light descended from the sky:

 ["Ning Rongrong, fifth Sea God Trial passed. Sea God affinity increased by 10%. Current affinity: 45%."]

["Zhu Zhuqing, for assisting the inheritor in passing the fifth trial, soul power increased by one level. Now at level 78!"]

As expected, Ning Rongrong's affinity for the fifth trial wasn't high. When Tianlin passed the fifth, his affinity was 55. In the original work, Tang San had 50.

There was no helping it. In this trial, she had been too clever in the previous four rounds. Even a 10% increase was good.

Zhu Zhuqing also received a reward, bringing her closer to becoming a Soul Douluo. The Sea God's Light seemed to have healed her injuries; she could now stand up.

At this moment, Sea God Douluo Bo Saixi descended, first dispelling the ice around Seahorse Douluo, then turning and saying,

 "Ning Rongrong, congratulations on passing the fifth trial. However, your performance did not fully satisfy the Sea God. Therefore, the difficulty of the sixth trial will be increased."

"Originally, your sixth trial was to withstand the joint attacks of the seven Sea God Sacred Pillar Douluo for the time it takes a stick of incense to burn. Now, because of the increased difficulty, it has changed. Instead of the seven Sea Douluo, it will be me. I will allow you all to face the trial together. Get ready."

Chapter 495: Tianlin Arrives

When everyone heard Sea God Douluo Bo Saixi say this, their faces turned dark.

For the sixth trial, they'd have to face an Ultimate Douluo directly?

Although they didn't know exactly how strong Bo Saixi was, several of them had witnessed the battle between Chen Xin and Qian Daoliu.

With a single Holy Light, Qian Daoliu turned the thousand-meter-high mountain summoned by Tianlin into ashes in an instant. Chen Xin could shatter the heavens and earth with a single sword.

At that time, Ning Fengzhi, Yu Yuanzhen, Gu Rong, Dugu Bo, and Yin Yang—five Title Douluo—had fought Qian Daoliu together. That team, including two Super Douluo and the world's greatest support, was not weaker than the seven Sacred Pillar Guardians working together. Yet they were utterly powerless.

If Chen Xin hadn't used sword dissolution to break through to Ultimate Douluo in that battle, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect would've been wiped out by Qian Daoliu alone.

Such is the might of an Ultimate Douluo.

Yu Tianheng felt envious of those who only had to face the fourth or fifth trials. At least they didn't have to face such a powerhouse.

Seeing everyone's despair, Bo Saixi smiled slightly and said,

 "Don't worry, I haven't finished. During the trial, I cannot use the power of the sea or the temple against you, nor use my domain. I'll only use my first six soul skills. As long as one of you is still standing when the incense burns out, you pass. But you only get one chance. I'll give you three days to prepare. In three days, you will face my trial."

Hearing this, everyone breathed a little easier. Without the eighth and ninth soul skills or Martial Soul True Body, they might have a glimmer of hope.

…

"The sixth trial is still against Bo Saixi? Luckily, I arrived early. If anything happens, I can help." Hiding behind a reef, Tianlin stood by. In fact, he had arrived as soon as the match between Ning Rongrong and Seahorse Douluo began.

Ning Rongrong's current strength surprised him a bit; he hadn't thought she could already use the Pride of the Two Empress. Truly impressive.

It seemed that Ice Empress and Snow Empress had looked after her well lately. In the original, this was a soul skill only Huo Yuhao could use with the help of his soul rings.

But Huo Yuhao's Martial Soul was the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion, while this move was led by Snow Empress. Thus, Ning Rongrong, whose Martial Soul was directly Snow Empress, could use it more easily, though she couldn't yet unleash its full power due to her cultivation.

Tianlin had come early because he was worried Bo Saixi would go all out against Ning Rongrong as in the original.

Although he had promised to bring Tang Chen to see her, his word alone was not enough. Bo Saixi was only half-convinced and might not show mercy for a vague promise.

And Tianlin didn't want Bo Saixi and Tang Chen to meet too soon.

The safest way, actually, was to show up during the trial, letting Bo Saixi see that Tang Chen was with him. Even if Bo Saixi tried to attack him during the trial, Tianlin wasn't afraid.

After reaching level 96, Tianlin's strength had grown again. If not on Sea God Island, even Bo Saixi might not be his match; even here, she couldn't do anything to him.

Once Bo Saixi realized she couldn't take Tang Chen from Tianlin, she'd understand the only way to get him back was to help Ning Rongrong pass the sixth trial.

Tianlin didn't reveal himself in advance, fearing Ning Rongrong and the others would plead for him. Over the years, Bo Saixi's killing intent toward Ning Rongrong had been deeply hidden; on the surface, she treated their group well.

If he appeared early, Bo Saixi would ask for help, Ning Rongrong and the others would surely plead for Tianlin's help, putting him in a difficult spot. After all, whether it was his wife or brothers, he couldn't refuse them. So it was best to act first and explain later.

"Hmm?" At this moment, Bo Saixi glanced at the reef and waved her hand, shattering it—but there was nothing behind it.

"High Priest, what's wrong?" Sea Dragon Douluo asked respectfully.

"Nothing, must have been my imagination." Bo Saixi frowned. She had sensed a trace of life but it vanished instantly.

She thought it was an illusion because she didn't believe anyone could hide from her on Sea God Island—not even Tang Chen or Qian Daoliu could do that.

As everyone dispersed, Bo Saixi returned to her palace, the seven Sea Douluo returned to their posts, and Tianlin finally appeared, taking a deep breath. "Phew, that was close. As expected of Sea God Douluo. If I hadn't made a breakthrough recently, she definitely would've found me. The Sea's Invincibility isn't just talk."

On the other side, everyone gathered by the shore to rest and discuss tactics. Honestly, their mood was heavy. After all, their opponent was Sea God Douluo.

And only four people remained in the trial: Ning Rongrong, Yu Tianheng, Oslo, and Oscar.

With just the few of them, they probably couldn't even withstand a single blow from Bo Saixi.

"I still have some of Tianlin's blood. Using my Clone Sausage, I can copy some of his strength—it should help Rongrong." Oscar spoke up first.

Oslo refused to be outdone. "If that's the case, with my six soul bones, Invincible Golden Body, and Void soul skill, I can definitely block a few attacks for Rongrong."

"Thank you, Oscar, Oslo!" Ning Rongrong smiled warmly. She was truly grateful for everyone's help.

But hearing this, Yu Tianheng felt awkward—he had nothing.

With his attack power, he couldn't break Bo Saixi's defense, and he couldn't withstand a single blow either. As the Heaven Dou Battle Team's captain, he couldn't even help his sister-in-law.

At this moment, he had the same thought as Dai Mubai in the original: go to sea, hunt soul beasts, and advance to Soul Douluo. Any increase in strength helps.

But as soon as he suggested it, everyone refused. Not only would it drastically affect his future, but even if he wanted to hunt a soul beast, it would have to be at least a sub-dragon species, if not a true dragon.

But with the vast ocean, where could he find a sub-dragon soul beast? It's not like one would just drift by.

At that moment, Shi Mo stared at the sea and muttered, "Tianheng, have you ever seen a two-headed dragon, orange all over, with a long neck and sharp teeth, and one of the heads is on the neck with its mouth facing upward?"

"A Two-Headed Thunder Dragon!" Yu Tianheng blurted out. "That's recorded in my clan—it's the perfect soul beast for my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Why are you bringing this up, Shi Mo?"

Shi Mo pointed at the sea. "Isn't that it?"

Yu Tianheng turned and saw a soul beast drifting on the sea, exactly as Shi Mo described. And it seemed to be breathing—meaning it was alive.

Yu Tianheng was shocked. "No way, it really did drift by!"