“This trial, you have passed,” Xiao Bai declared the result directly, disregarding Hai Die’s astonished expression. As the chief examiner, she had the authority.
Even Wang Zhong had not anticipated such an outcome, but for him, it was a good thing, as he could easily complete the second trial, which for him was the second stage of his cultivation.
“Thank you.”
Wang Zhong expressed his gratitude. Given his previous relationship with Xiao Bai, she could have employed some minor tactics during the trial. While they might not have injured him, they could have very well made him waste a significant amount of time.
“I merely recognized the gap between us, not that I was helping you,” Xiao Bai pouted dismissively.
“Alright, go on with your third trial. I need to go back and cultivate.”
Xiao Bai waved at Wang Zhong and then pinched Hai Die’s cheek before leaping into the ring-shaped sea, transforming into her true form as the Spirit Devouring Great White Shark, and then vanishing into the distance.
Hai Die waved continuously at Xiao Bai’s retreating figure, shouting, “Thank you, Sister Xiao Bai!”
“I’ll come to play with you again!”
Wang Zhong smiled gently as he watched Hai Die’s lively demeanor. He then activated the trident imprint between his brows, preparing to check what the third trial entailed.
This time, however, there was a change. Previously, Wang Zhong could only see one trial at a time. But now, as his mind sank into the trident, he discovered that all the trials were listed at once.
They were numbered from one to nine:
The first trial, traversing the Sea God’s Light; the second trial, breaking through the ring-shaped sea; the third trial, Tidal Body Tempering; the fourth trial, battle with the Whale Shark; the fifth trial, challenging the Seven Sacred Pillars; the sixth trial, enduring a stick of incense under the combined assault of the Seven Sacred Pillars; the seventh trial, drawing out the divine artifact, the Sea God’s Trident; the eighth trial, slaying the Deep Sea Demon Whale King; the ninth trial, condensing the Sea God’s Heart.
All nine trials were laid out as if Wang Zhong could choose from them.
This change made Wang Zhong a little curious. However, he was indifferent to it; what he sought was to participate in the so-called Sea God’s trials, and the process or order was of no consequence.
This method of allowing him to choose was, in fact, better for him, greatly facilitating his progress and saving considerable time.
“Little Fish…”
Wang Zhong withdrew his consciousness from the imprint between his brows and was about to ask Hai Die about the location of Tidal Body Tempering when he saw Hai Die circling him, scrutinizing him from head to toe.
“What’s wrong?” His question turned into a query as Wang Zhong asked.
“Sister Xiao Bai said that even with all the spirit beasts in the ring-shaped sea, none of them are your match. This made me think of a question.”
Hai Die stood prettily before Wang Zhong, tapping her chin with her slender finger as she inquired with curiosity, “Wang Zhong, what is your current strength?”
“I saw you suppress Sister Xiao Bai on the sea surface. Because I was so startled at that moment and worried you two might actually fight, I overlooked this matter.”
“Sister Xiao Bai is a hundred-thousand-year-old Spirit Devouring Great White Shark, with few rivals in the entire ocean. You could actually suppress her, does that mean you are a Titled Douluo, a Super Douluo?”
“Also, how old are you? How can you be so strong?”
Wang Zhong chuckled and casually replied, “I am not a Titled Douluo. My strength is the same as yours, both are Spirit Emperors!”
“As for my age, if you convert it to the age of your mermaid tribe, I am sixty-five years old this year!”
His joking tone caused Hai Die’s beautiful eyes to widen, and her small mouth involuntarily parted, revealing her pearly white teeth and tender tongue.
“How is that possible!”
“You are a Spirit Emperor like me, how could you possibly suppress Sister Xiao Bai? I can’t do that.”
“And, and, if you are sixty-five years old by our mermaid tribe’s reckoning, then converting it back to human age, that would be… that would be… only…”
“Eleven, twelve, thirteen years old. You’re only thirteen! How can you be so young!”
Hai Die suddenly leaned her head forward, almost touching Wang Zhong’s face.
The unique scent of the ocean emanating from her, along with a distinct aroma like her natural fragrance, made Wang Zhong’s heart skip a beat.
He extended his index finger and pushed Hai Die back a small distance, saying helplessly, “What are you saying?”
“It’s like you. You are a genius of the mermaid tribe, and I am a genius of humanity.”
“There’s nothing surprising about this kind of thing.”
“As for what you said earlier, why I, being a Spirit Emperor like you, can suppress Xiao Bai while you cannot, the fundamental reason is that my strength is not solely based on spirit power.”
“My physical strength and constitution are also part of my strength! With them, of course, I can suppress Xiao Bai.”
With Wang Zhong’s explanation, Hai Die suddenly recalled that Wang Zhong had once mentioned he was looking for a way to increase his weight-bearing capacity beyond ten thousand jin, but had not succeeded.
It was for this reason that she had recommended Wang Zhong to come to the ocean and cultivate using the sea’s pressure.
“That’s right! How could I forget this?”
Hai Die clenched her right fist and struck her left palm, exclaiming in realization.
She extended her slender, soft fingers and squeezed Wang Zhong’s shoulder, then lightly patted his arm. Seemingly finding nothing unusual, Hai Die moved to Wang Zhong’s back, her small hands sliding from his shoulders down to his waist.
Wang Zhong tilted his head, watching Hai Die’s actions, and asked with amusement, “Little Fish, what are you doing?”
“It tickles.”
Hai Die frowned and asked in confusion, “Strange, your body doesn’t seem special in any way. How can you withstand a weight of ten thousand jin?”
She withdrew her hands from Wang Zhong’s back and faced him, her pretty, alluring face filled with a strange expression.
Wang Zhong gently shook his head and tapped Hai Die’s forehead, saying helplessly, “Physical strength cannot be determined by appearance alone. It must be demonstrated through actual exertion.”
“That’s not right. I’ve seen some sea spirit masters. The bigger their bodies and the more developed their muscles, the stronger they are.”
“But you look a bit thin and don’t have much muscle…”
As she said this, Hai Die’s face flushed slightly. Out of curiosity earlier, she had thoroughly felt Wang Zhong’s body.
She hadn’t noticed it before, but now that she recalled, Wang Zhong’s body indeed didn’t have exaggerated physique or bulging muscles. Instead, his body was very strong and felt dense, with a hardiness that transmitted from her fingertips to her heart.
It even exuded a unique sense of security and attraction.
“What are you thinking? Your face is turning red,” Wang Zhong teased with a smile.
“N-nothing! I wasn’t thinking of anything!” Hai Die quickly shook her head, denying she was thinking anything.
“Little Fish, do you know where Tidal Body Tempering is?”
Seeing Hai Die’s denial, Wang Zhong decided to ask about cultivation matters.
“Tidal Body Tempering, I know about that.”
“It’s on the easternmost side of Sea God Island, by the steepest coast. There are several pillars made of deep-sea silver. Just stand there and accept the impact and baptism of the waves; that’s what’s called Tidal Body Tempering,” Hai Die explained with a giggle.