Seahorse Douluo had already spread the command of Poseidon, the Great Priest of the Sea God, yesterday. The purple-robed Sea Soul Master who arrived with Tang San had also been notified early on.
Upon hearing that everyone intended to go to the core forbidden area of Seagod Island, he did not hesitate to lead the way for them.
Under the guidance of the purple-robed Sea Soul Master, they left Seahorse City, traversed dense forests, and headed directly for another mountain peak standing amidst the embrace of the sea—Seagod Mountain.
"Everyone, welcome to Seagod Mountain." The purple-robed Sea Soul Master stepped aside, revealing the magnificent scenery behind him.
In the center of the circular body of water, the terrain alone was five hundred meters high. The entire small island was shrouded in a faint golden light, not the afterglow of a setting sun, but an intrinsic radiance from the island itself.
At the summit of Seagod Mountain, a palace carved from white jade was nestled within the sacred golden light. Even Tang San, with his keen eyesight, could not discern the detailed appearance of the palace architecture.
"This is the forbidden area?" Dai Mubai murmured, looking at the scenery before him.
He had imagined the forbidden area to be a solemn and eerie environment, but who would have expected such a magnificent spectacle?
The purple-robed Sea Soul Master's expression was one of utmost reverence, his eyes filled with profound faith. "Yes. This is the forbidden area of our Seagod Island, the Seagod Hall, where we worship the Great God of the Sea."
He introduced the stone steps extending downwards from the summit. In the rosy glow, the jade-white steps were illuminated, appearing crystal clear, like a jade belt connecting them, or a stairway to heaven, seemingly without end.
"What we are facing is the island-ascending staircase, and it is also the place where distinguished guests like yourselves must undergo trials. There are a total of one thousand and one steps. This island-ascending staircase is only accessible to guardians of Seagod Island who have passed trials of Purple level or above bestowed by the Great God of the Sea, allowing them to ascend and pay homage to the Seagod Hall. Otherwise, they will be blocked by the Sea God's Light."
The purple-robed soul master's tone grew somber as he continued, "Distinguished guests, although the Sea God's Light is the only trial among all the contents bestowed by the Great God of the Sea that is not dangerous, please still be cautious and do not push yourselves too hard. Also, please be mindful of the circular sea."
Dai Mubai immediately understood the content of this first trial. He bowed to the purple-robed Sea Soul Master in a gesture of noble thanks. "Thank you for your guidance."
The purple-robed Sea Soul Master nodded.
Tang San looked at the calm circular sea before him and said, "Let's go. We'll head to the foot of Seagod Mountain."
Oscar, sensing the need, began manufacturing sausages. Tang San and Tang Sui, who did not require them, rushed out first, followed closely by Ma Hongjun.
After consuming the "Fantasy Mushroom Sausage," the others also took flight, heading towards Seagod Mountain.
Sensing the presence of strange auras disturbing the waters, the swordfish schools began to stir.
They leaped out of the water, taking in the sight of everyone.
Swordfish school: Let us see which sneaky fellow is trespassing into the forbidden area? Su Dan Novel Network
Oh, it's people granted trials by the Great God of the Sea, all have the Great God's light... Huh? How is there one who slipped through the net over there!
Like sharks drawn by the scent of blood, the swordfish school, leaping from beneath the water, aimed their sharp, sword-like rostrums at Tang Sui.
"Careful!"
Xiao Wu's expression changed drastically, and she rushed towards Tang Sui, wanting to push her aside.
No one expected the swordfish school, which had been "welcoming" them moments before, to suddenly launch an attack on Tang Sui.
Despite the extreme speed of the Phoenix Tail Cockscomb Serpent, there was still some distance between Xiao Wu and Tang Sui.
As she watched the purplish-black sharp points and the swordfish school circling excitedly around their prey, a hint of black-red light ignited in Tang Sui's eyes. A powerful oppressive aura, akin to that of a Dominant Soul Beast, emanated from her.
—"Scram."
The charging swordfish school abruptly halted. Under the astonished gaze of the purple-robed soul master anxiously watching from the shore, they fell from mid-air. No longer leaping from the surface, they all settled beneath the water, their dark, beady eyes fixated on Tang Sui's location, blowing bubbles in the sea but not daring to resurface.
Xiao Wu, arriving beside Tang Sui a moment later, was also startled. She then warily positioned herself in front of Tang Sui, looking at the now docile swordfish school that had fallen into the sea, somewhat bewildered. "What's wrong with them? They were welcoming us one second, and the next they started attacking Sui Sui."
Ma Hongjun, who had flown closer, hovered and observed that the swordfish were all obediently submerged in the seawater, no longer leaping. He scratched his head. "Yeah, it's really weird. All eight of us are here, and they didn't attack Brother San, who was at the front, but instead targeted Sui Sui. Why is that?"
"Could it be related to Sui Sui not having received the Great God of the Sea's trial?" Ning Rongrong, with her keen mind, raised her hand and looked at her own fair skin, where a faint red light had appeared.
Looking up at Dai Mubai and the others, they all had black light. Tang San had golden light, while Tang Sui alone had no light.
"It seems so. But they won't attack us anymore. Let's keep flying," Tang Sui said, glancing at the swordfish school that had suddenly become docile.
Dai Mubai nodded and they continued forward.
However, their speed was slightly slower this time, and their formation was no longer dispersed but clustered, ready to deploy defenses at any moment.
Left far behind by the group, the swordfish school regained its restlessness. They began to communicate through the unique means of soul beast herds, blowing bubbles.
Swordfish #1: Who said the two-legged beast just now was a Dominant Soul Beast? Step forward! I'll poke them to death!
Swordfish #2: What's the use of hindsight? You didn't charge either just now.
Swordfish #3: Such strange two-legged beasts. Their aura is neither human nor beast, yet their pressure is undeniably terrifying.
Swordfish #4: I know that pink two-legged beast is a soul beast, and another possesses the aura of the Great God of the Sea.
Swordfish #5: As if nobody knew that.
Swordfish #6: What if they come again?
This question caused the swordfish school to fall silent for a moment, then they began to chatter again, their melancholy palpable even through the seawater.
Unaware of the swordfish school's internal debate, the group arrived unimpeded at the foot of Seagod Mountain.
The moment they stepped onto the island, a solemn and sacred aura permeated the air, unconsciously casting a somber and oppressive mood upon their hearts.
Tang San, the core soul of the team, turned to look at Dai Mubai, whose expression had suddenly become solemn, and said softly, "Brother Dai, let's try it together first."
Tang Sui, who clearly possessed the strength to do so, moved her heart and obediently stood beside Xiao Wu, not joining them, thus leaving this chance to test the waters to Tang San.
*Well, it's also important to let older brother feel his importance and responsibility at the right time.*
Meanwhile, Dai Mubai had already nodded heavily. The next moment, he and Tang San leaped from their positions, charging towards the towering steps.
"Bang! Bang—!"
Two muffled thuds sounded almost simultaneously.
To Tang Sui's unsurprised gaze and everyone else's worried eyes, Tang San and Dai Mubai, who had rushed forward, were repelled with great force, even staggering back twenty to thirty meters before stopping.
—Author's Notes—
Timid Swordfish School: Next time, we definitely will. Next time, we definitely will.