Tang San slept deeply.
It wasn't until the morning of the fourth day that Xiao Wu, who was bringing breakfast and intending to continue watching over Tang San in his room, almost had a face-to-face encounter with Tang San, who had just woken up and opened his door.
Fortunately, both of them reacted quickly. One slid back, and the other stabilized himself, leaning his weight backward.
"Xiao San! You're finally awake!" Xiao Wu said, looking at the awakened Tang San with joy. If she hadn't been holding the tray, she would have rushed to hug him.
"Xiao Wu, I've made you worry," Tang San said, his gaze softening as he looked at the dark circles under Xiao Wu's eyes, feeling a pang of guilt. He knew that Xiao Wu must have been worried and stayed by his side while he was unconscious.
Xiao Wu nodded, handing her portion of the breakfast to her lover. "Xiao San, eat mine. You haven't had a drop of water in three days, you must be starving."
Tang San shook his head and chuckled, "No need, we can go eat in the hall together. At this hour, everyone should be there. It's perfect, we can join them."
He primarily had urgent questions he wanted to ask Sui Sui.
Hearing Tang San's words, a hint of hesitation appeared on Xiao Wu's lovely face. "Well... not everyone is here."
"Hmm?"
"Zhu Qing's spirit power has reached level eighty. The day after we brought you back to the City Lord's Mansion, she went to receive her God-Bestowed Spirit Ring to break through to Soul Douluo. When Dai Laoda woke up and found out, he also went to find Zhu Qing, and he hasn't returned yet. Oh, and Sui Sui, after she came back that day, she also went into seclusion in her room, saying she needed time to digest the energy. Before she went in, Sui Sui told me not to worry about her," Xiao Wu listed the absent individuals and their reasons.
Tang San's brow furrowed. Although he was anxious, he could only suppress his doubts and go to the hall with Xiao Wu first.
Upon arriving at the hall, the table was, as usual, laden with a lavish spread of dishes, as diverse as a lunch.
Of course, Sea Horse Douluo had considered that everyone had exerted a considerable amount of energy, and as spirit masters leveled up, their caloric needs increased. Thus, he had directly ordered that meals be prepared according to full banquet specifications for the next few days.
"Hey! Xiao San!" Oscar, holding a bowl of congee, had sharp eyes and spotted Tang San walking with Xiao Wu. He waved happily towards Tang San, "Over here, over here!"
"San Ge! You're awake!"
Ning Rongrong, using wooden chopsticks to pick up a piece of braised pork, turned her head. A brilliant smile bloomed on her face as well.
"Mmph mmph mmph!"
Ma Hongjun, with a chicken leg full of meat in his mouth, excitedly waved the chicken leg in his hand. Bai Chenxiang helplessly covered her forehead and shook her head, handing Ma Hongjun a cup of water. "You should swallow the meat in your mouth before you speak... be careful not to choke!"
Before she could finish speaking, Ma Hongjun, who was excitedly trying to speak but still had his mouth full of food, froze. Then, he heavily patted his chest and gulped down the water from the cup placed by the dining plate. Only then was he saved and weakly said,
"Next time, I'll definitely listen to Xiangxiang."
Seeing his "next time for sure" demeanor, Bai Chenxiang impatiently snatched the empty water cup from his hand and poured him a fresh one.
"Xiangxiang, you're so good to me!" Ma Hongjun said gratefully, looking at Bai Chenxiang. Bai Chenxiang felt the gaze of the other four, her earlobes flushing slightly, and pushed away Ma Hongjun, who had snuggled closer.
"Sit properly. We're still having breakfast, be careful with your chopsticks."
Ma Hongjun reluctantly sat up straight.
The wave of affection that washed over them dispelled some of the gloom lingering in Tang San's heart. He chuckled, watching the interaction between the two, found an empty seat, and sat down with Xiao Wu.
Everyone enjoyed the sumptuous breakfast with a rare sense of ease.
As they were halfway through their meal, Dai Mubai returned, looking travel-worn.
"Yo, Xiao San, you're awake!"
The moment he stepped into the hall, Dai Mubai spotted Tang San sitting next to Xiao Wu, and his eyes lit up.
"Dai Laoda, come sit and eat breakfast with us. You look like you haven't eaten yet, have you?" Tang San replied with a smile.
Dai Mubai didn't refuse, directly taking the empty seat and starting to eat as soon as he sat down.
"Dai Laoda, didn't you go to accompany Zhu Qing?" Ning Rongrong asked curiously, looking at the returned Dai Mubai.
Dai Mubai sighed, "Sea Woman Douluo senior was guarding Zhu Qing. I originally wanted to stay there with Zhu Qing, but Sea Woman Douluo told me that Zhu Qing's eighth spirit ring absorption would likely take a while, and asked me to return first, saying she would guard her. She said I still had the sixth trial waiting for me."
"And... well, you all know Sea Woman Douluo can read minds. I couldn't really handle it, so I thought it was fine and came back first."
The mention of the sixth trial caused the relaxed atmosphere among them to dim slightly.
Except for Ning Rongrong and Tang San, who had completed all their trials, and Zhu Zhuqing, the sixth trial for everyone else was their final one, and it was unlikely to be easy.
"Also, Xiao San, since you're awake, you should quickly check the content of your sixth trial. You were unconscious before, and strangely, the topics for our sixth trials hadn't appeared yet. But just now, we all received a notification simultaneously that the difficulty of the sixth trial has increased. Quick, see if yours has."
Dai Mubai said, taking a bite of a meat bun.
"No need to look, I'll tell you."
A gentle yet noble voice suddenly sounded from diagonally in front of the large round table where they were sitting.
Outside the semi-open railing, Sea God Douluo Bo Saixi, clad in red, was already hovering there at some point. Accompanying her was Sea Horse Douluo, who had hurried back to the City Lord's Mansion upon sensing Bo Saixi's aura.
"Great Grand Preceptor."
Sea Horse Douluo respectfully bowed to Bo Saixi.
"Greetings, senior." Tang San and the others quickly put down their chopsticks or food and stood up to bow.
A faint smile appeared on Bo Saixi's face. "I never expected you all to reach this point so quickly. However, what is meant to come will eventually come. I presume you've all received the notification that the difficulty of the sixth trial will increase due to your trickery in the fifth trial."
Tang San's heart tightened. He stepped forward and said, "Senior, the trickery in the fifth trial was only mine. It has nothing to do with my companions. The increased difficulty should only apply to me."
Bo Saixi smiled and shook her head. "The Sea God is absolutely fair. In Oscar's trial, can you say he conducted the assessment fairly? Even for Dai Mubai and the other two later, if you hadn't secretly reminded and strategized with your mental power, how easy would it have been for them to pass? Moreover, apart from Oscar, the other three all received corresponding rewards."
Tang San fell silent.
Indeed, from this perspective, everyone had taken advantage in the fifth trial.
The core of the fifth trial was personal strength.
To take advantage in this aspect and use the strength of others to pass the trial would indeed be judged as opportunism.
"Senior, then what is our sixth trial?"
Tang San, accepting his fate, asked about the content of the sixth trial after the difficulty had increased.
Bo Saixi sighed softly. "Originally, your sixth trial would have been to withstand the joint attack of the Sea God's Seven Saint Pillar Douluo for the duration of an incense stick. But now, due to the increased difficulty, it has changed."
"Senior Bo Saixi, please wait a moment!"
A sudden voice rang out from behind them.
The respectfully bowed Sea Horse Douluo was startled and looked at Tang Sui, who had suddenly appeared in the hall, with surprise.
He hadn't even detected any aura!
"Sui Sui!"
Everyone turned their heads, and upon seeing Tang Sui in a light blue dress, they all rejoiced.
"Senior Bo Saixi, before you announce the content of the sixth trial, could I speak with you privately for a moment?"
Tang Sui looked at Bo Saixi sincerely.
"Hmm?" Bo Saixi looked at Tang Sui, who had interrupted her. Her gaze flickered, and just as she was about to refuse, Tang Sui, sensing her intention, added:
"It concerns an old friend you've been searching for. I'd like to talk to you alone about it, may I?"
Bo Saixi's refusal, which was about to be spoken, faltered. Her sharp gaze fixed on Tang Sui, her lips parted, and she uttered two words:
"You may."
-- Author's Notes --
So sleepy, want to sleep. My brain cells say they're completely done and need a break.
One chapter left until chapter 15. Should I put it off until tomorrow? I'll do a double update tomorrow.
Little cuties, goodnight for now. Mo Li will update earlier tomorrow [tucking myself into bed jpg]