"You mean, why not choose the Asura God's trial ground instead of yours?" The Sea God hesitantly nodded.
The Goddess of Life replied, "The Asura God's trial site is filled with killing intent and devoid of life. Your Sea God Island is different—its people are simple and kind. Plus, I've heard that you require all islanders to take part in tests, and those who pass receive rewards."
"Also, this testing isn't limited to just Sea God Island's residents. I shared this information with my successor, so of course, he'll choose your Sea God Island for my trial. And I heard he has quite a few companions who could accompany him for your island's trials. Isn't that so?"
The Sea God understood the implication: the Goddess of Life intended to benefit from his setup, tapping into the resources of his island.
Serves me right, he thought bitterly.
His Sea God Island tests were primarily set up to ensure that only worthy islanders gained benefits, while island outsiders seldom even knew of its existence. The trials mostly consumed minimal divine energy, except for the highest-level black trials and the rare red trials, which consumed substantial energy due to their high rewards.
But as the Sea God considered the people around Su Ming—each of them talented enough to qualify for the black trials—the thought of draining so much of his divine energy made him uneasy. And on top of that, Su Ming was an enemy of Tang San, his own chosen successor. Wouldn't this essentially mean aiding his rival?
The Sea God grimaced but held his tongue. The rules of the lower realm couldn't be changed so easily.
Noting his discomfort, the God of Destruction commented, "What's the problem, Sea God? The Goddess of Life wants to use your Sea God Island. You wouldn't object to that, would you?"
The God of Destruction radiated a subtle but unmistakable aura of power.
The Sea God hurriedly responded, "Of course not! It would be my honor if the Goddess of Life's successor trained on my Sea God Island."
Seeing Destruction's intent, the Sea God realized that resistance was futile. As powerful as he was among the first-level gods, he was still no match for the God-King's might.
The Asura God sneered, casting a look of disdain at the Sea God. Look at you, giving in so easily.
"Now, Sea God," the God of Destruction continued with a smirk, "when the Goddess of Life's successor and his friends arrive on your island, I trust there'll be no 'incidents' like today's?"
"If there are… well, I suppose we could place our own trial sites around your Sea God Island." The implication in his words was clear.
The Sea God's face twitched as he forced a smile. "Perish the thought. I strictly follow the rules of the Divine Realm."
"Then we're on the same page," the God of Destruction said, satisfied, as he and the Goddess of Life departed.
This wasn't just a verbal warning but an excuse to act if the Sea God went back on his word. If he interfered with Su Ming's trials, they'd have the reason they needed to intervene. And should the Asura God also interfere, that would only provide an excuse for a deeper purge of the Divine Realm.
Back in the residence of the Goddess of Life:
"So, tell me all about Su Ming's performance today," the God of Destruction said eagerly.
As soon as he sensed the Sea God's and Asura God's projections, he had rushed to confront them. Now, he was curious about what he'd missed.
The Goddess of Life chuckled. "You'd be impressed. Su Ming's abilities are truly fascinating, and his eyes… they're well-suited for inheriting your divine position."
As she recounted the events, the God of Destruction grew increasingly intrigued. "It's amazing that Su Ming's 'Susanoo' technique has such power."
"Even against a fragment of the Sea God's strength, he could withstand a divine skill. For a mere mortal to hold his ground like that… remarkable."
"Though," he added thoughtfully, "it's clear he hasn't yet unlocked the full power of that skill. Judging by how he had to rely on others' spirit energy, he seems limited by his current level."
The Goddess of Life nodded. "Exactly. Su Ming's technique likely requires immense spirit and soul power. Each time he uses it, he's left depleted, making him unable to continue fighting."
"Still, even such a powerful technique has its limits, which is only natural. Without the interference of a true deity, Su Ming is already the undisputed strongest in the mortal realm."
The God of Destruction, having missed Su Ming's display, remarked in surprise, "Little Green, you really think highly of Su Ming. Are you saying he could best those limit Douluo who've mastered fragments of divine power?"
The Goddess of Life replied without hesitation, "If Su Ming can land a hit, yes! His attacks can counter even divine skills. The only problem is maintaining the effort."
"Alright," the God of Destruction concluded, "after our warning, the Asura and Sea Gods should hold back for a while. You watch over Su Ming, Little Green. Meanwhile, I'll handle the other matters in the Divine Realm. Take this time to consider what tests would be fitting for his godly trials."
The Goddess of Life looked a little troubled. Su Ming was strong in all aspects, and any test she set in the realm of life seemed almost too easy for him, especially since he could already convert life energy into destructive energy!
In the Mortal Realm
As soon as Su Ming returned to his hotel room, he addressed Ah Yin in his mental space. "Ah Yin, I asked you to use the surrounding blue silver grass to monitor Tang Hao and Tang San. Where are they now?"
Ah Yin's gentle voice replied, "According to the messages from the blue silver grass along their path, they're heading toward the Star Dou Forest. But due to Tang Hao's lingering aura from the Asura God, some of the messages are patchy. Their exact words are unclear, but it's certain they're going to the Star Dou Forest."
Su Ming nodded. "Then their likely goal is the Blue Silver Sacred Ground, but their intentions are questionable. If the Blue Silver King doesn't appear, Tang San and Tang Hao might try something forceful."
Pausing, he added, "Then again, after Tang Hao's nine-ring explosion and the Asura God's empowerment, he must be extremely weakened. They'll probably need at least ten days to half a month to reach the Star Dou Forest."
"That's perfect. I was planning to visit the Blue Silver Sacred Ground after the competition anyway. There's power you left behind there, Ah Yin, which would be wasted on Tang San. You should absorb it yourself."
"If I'm right, Ah Yin, your strength has already returned to around 90,000 years, hasn't it? Impressive!" Su Ming's tone carried a hint of deeper meaning.
Ah Yin, unaware that Su Ming already knew about the diary copies, answered simply, "That's mostly because your strength has grown so quickly, allowing my power to follow suit."
Su Ming didn't expose the truth. Ah Yin's rapid recovery was likely thanks to the system, and if he guessed correctly, the system had probably withheld rewards from him at least twice.
"Alright, Ah Yin, keep an eye on Tang Hao's progress. We'll head out when they're halfway there."
Ah Yin agreed without hesitation, though inside, she felt a small sense of nervousness. She no longer had lingering feelings for Tang Hao or Tang San—her heart only desired to sever the past herself.
Sensing her emotions, Su Ming smiled. The day will come, he thought.
Su Ming had also been curious: given Ah Yin's nature as the Blue Silver Emperor, her mastery over blue silver grass should be extensive. When her strength eventually reached 100,000 years again, perhaps she could even develop new combat techniques?
Currently, Ah Yin's soul-form state meant her power would continue to grow without needing spirit rings, a fortunate advantage. However, if her cultivation reached 200,000 years, would she face a tribulation?
Su Ming dismissed the thought; he'd find out in time.
After all, he hadn't forgotten today's main task.
"Alright, system, your turn. Come out!"
Ding! [System] I'm here, Host.
"Do you admit that you've given Xiao Wu and the others diary copies?"
Ding! Yes, I do.
The system sounded resigned. It had hoped to keep Su Ming in the dark, but his companions had exposed too many clues.
Nothing is more frustrating than allies who are as clumsy as enemies! it grumbled internally.
Su Ming raised an eyebrow. "Oh? No further resistance? You're admitting it so easily?"
System: Ahem, well, you've figured out 98% of it already. There's no point in hiding.
So, Host, what do you plan to do? Are you going to stop those with diary copies from receiving rewards?
Now that its cover was blown, the system had little choice but to cooperate.
"No, they can keep getting rewards. But I am curious about who exactly has a copy, and what rules you use to distribute these rewards."
Ding! [System response]: Currently, those with copies include Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, Ah Yin, Qian Renxue, Bibi Dong, Hu Liena, Huo Wu, Shui Bing'er and her sisters, and Liu Erlong.
He'd suspected the Shrek trio and the Spirit Hall trio had copies, but Huo Wu and the Shui sisters? That was unexpected. And then there was Liu Erlong, who he hadn't been able to figure out due to limited interactions.
This explained the rapid advancement of their power—especially the Shui sisters' tri-soul fusion technique, which bordered on the absurd.
"So, what are the reward rules?"
Ding! [Reward Rules]:
Those with copies who view the diary daily receive a boost to their soul power every seven days, increasing it by 0.01% to 1%.The woman whose name appears the most in the Host's diary each day earns a random reward.If the Host records a day's events, which they perceive as "live," those who watch the entire event receive a broadcast reward at midnight.
Su Ming was unsurprised by the first two rules. The diary's existence explained why the women around him advanced so quickly—except for Qian Renxue, none should have progressed so fast given their innate levels.
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