105: Chapter 105: After you pass this test, I will give you a special reward.

The figures of Poseidon and the various Pillar Douluo transformed into streams of light and departed one after another.

After the commotion, the beach that had experienced the peak duel returned to tranquility, leaving only the sound of waves tirelessly lapping against the shore, and in the distance, on the stairs of Sea God Mountain, that beautiful silhouette faintly visible within the golden halo.

The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the sky a warm orange-red, also reflecting upon Lu Jing and the Snow Empress, casting long shadows.

Lu Jing withdrew his gaze from the direction where Poseidon had disappeared, turning instead to the middle section of the stairs, to Wang Donger, who was diligently cultivating under the pressure of the Seagod's Light.

After watching for a while, Lu Jing tilted his head slightly, his gaze falling upon the profile of the cold and ethereal woman beside him.

The golden light of the setting sun plated her ice-like skin with a soft halo, reducing some of her usual coldness and adding a touch of tranquil beauty.

He was silent for a moment, seemingly deliberating his words, before finally speaking softly, breaking the silence between them: "Sister Snow, now that things have come to this... have you thought about your future path?"

His voice was very light, yet it was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, sending ripples across the lake of the Snow Empress's heart.

The woman beside him, her ice-blue eyes still gazing into the distance, but her long eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly.

She did not respond immediately, as if she hadn't heard, or perhaps as if she were immersed in her own thoughts, unable to provide an answer.

The sea breeze blew through her silver-white hair, carrying a hint of the sea's saltiness, and also bringing a touch of the heaviness of fate.

Seeing that the Snow Empress remained silent, Lu Jing was not surprised; he sighed softly and continued, his tone carrying a calmness and insight beyond his years: "Sister Snow, I know what you are thinking. With your pride, you would rather fight gloriously in the 700,000-year heavenly tribulation than choose the path of sacrifice, entrusting your own fate to the hands of others, losing your freedom and dignity."

He paused, his gaze becoming deep, as if trying to see through the distant future: "But, Sister Snow, have you ever thought... even if you rely on supreme perseverance and strength to luckily survive this 700,000-year great tribulation, what about after that? 800,000 years? 900,000 years? Or even... that legendary million-year heavenly tribulation?"

Hearing this, the Snow Empress's eyes, which had always been as calm as an icy lake, finally rippled.

She turned her head slightly to look at Lu Jing, and for the first time, a clear look of astonishment appeared on her stunningly beautiful face.

The million-year heavenly tribulation, for the vast majority of Spirit Beasts, was an unattainable legend, something they didn't even dare to imagine.

She subconsciously believed that if one could become a million-year Spirit Beast, it should naturally be like a human reaching level 100 to become a god, ascending to the legendary Divine Realm and obtaining eternal life.

"What... what do you mean by this?"

The Snow Empress's voice carried a hint of imperceptible fluctuation, her eyes, capable of freezing all things, stared fixedly at Lu Jing, and she asked: "When a Spirit Beast's cultivation reaches a million years, shouldn't it be the same as a human reaching level 100 to become a god, breaking the shackles and ascending to the Divine Realm? This is a legend that has circulated in the Spirit Beast World for countless years!"

Watching the rare confusion and the light of seeking answers in the Snow Empress's eyes, the corners of Lu Jing's mouth curled into a complex arc.

That smile carried a touch of helplessness, a touch of mockery, and even more, a touch of pity for seeing through the truth.

He shook his head, his tone carrying a calmness that exposed a cruel reality: "Sister Snow, aren't you thinking too simply, too ideally?"

He looked directly into the Snow Empress's eyes, saying each word clearly: "Legends? Many times, legends are just the beautiful fantasies of the weak about the path of the strong, or... lies deliberately left behind by those in power to appease or, in other words... to shackle."

"Lies?" The Snow Empress's willow eyebrows slightly furrowed, her stunningly beautiful face filled with a grave expression.

She instinctively wanted to refute, but looking at Lu Jing's firm and serious gaze, and associating it with the mysterious God of Destruction inheritance on him, the firmness in her heart couldn't help but waver a little.

Lu Jing did not answer directly, but instead changed the subject, mentioning an existence that made the Snow Empress, and even certain individuals in Lu Jing's spiritual sea, feel surprised: "Sister Snow, you remember Tian Meng Ice Silkworm, right?"

The Snow Empress nodded; although she resided in the core of the Far North all year round, she had heard of such a million-year Spirit Beast that had appeared in the Far North with heaven-defying luck but extremely flimsy cultivation, and her tone carried a hint of disdain: "I know, that bug that had incredible luck, possessing million-year cultivation in name only, yet lacking the matching strength."

"Yes, that's the one." Lu Jing smiled, his smile carrying a meaningful nuance, and explained: "He indeed reached a million years by sleeping and devouring the heaven and earth's primal energy, his cultivation flimsy and unbearable. But it cannot be denied that what he possesses inside his body is real, accumulated million-year life origin and Soul Power foundation! This weight cannot be faked. So, according to the legend of Spirit Beasts ascending to the Divine Realm, since he possessed this million-year cultivation foundation, shouldn't he have sensed the Divine Realm, then faced the ascension tribulation, and succeeded to become a god?"

Lu Jing's question was like a heavy hammer, striking the Snow Empress's heart.

She followed this line of thought.

That's right!

If the legend were true, then regardless of Tian Meng Ice Silkworm's strength, since he possessed the hard metric of million-year cultivation, theoretically, he should have touched that threshold!

"And what was the result?"

Lu Jing did not wait for the Snow Empress to answer, but answered himself, his tone carrying a hint of mockery: "The result was that until his life was about to reach its end, when he was exhausted, he did not wait for the so-called opportunity to ascend, nor did he feel any summons from the Divine Realm! His final choice was to sacrifice himself to me, using his million-year cultivation and soul power as resources for my growth, in exchange for a slim future that existed by attaching itself to me!"

"Why did he do that?"

Lu Jing's voice raised slightly, his gaze looking sharply at the Snow Empress, reminding her: "It was because he despairingly discovered that the so-called million-year godhood was simply a castle in the air that couldn't be seen or touched! It was a dead end that couldn't be walked! If he did not want to completely dissipate between heaven and earth, he could only choose this humiliating yet potentially life-saving path!"

"This..." The Snow Empress was completely stunned, her red lips slightly parted, her ice-blue eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

Lu Jing's words, combined with the living example of Tian Meng Ice Silkworm, were like a thunderbolt, splitting a huge crack in the cognitive barrier she had guarded for hundreds of thousands of years!

If... if the million-year godhood was really a scam... then what was the ultimate goal she was bitterly holding on for, risking the destruction of her body and soul time and time again to pass the heavenly tribulation?

Could it really just be to live a few more difficult years under those increasingly terrifying heavenly tribulations, until one time she couldn't hold on and turned into ashes?

A cold chill spread from the depths of the Snow Empress's heart; this chill was even colder than her Ultimate Ice, a bone-chilling cold originating from the confusion about the path ahead and the injustice of fate.

For the first time, she had such deep doubts about the path she had insisted on for countless years.

Just as the Snow Empress was plunged into great shock and contemplation, her mind wavering...

"Hum..." On the stairs of Sea God Mountain, the golden pillar of light enveloping Wang Donger fluctuated slightly, then, like a whale swallowing water, it quickly converged and completely submerged into Wang Donger's body.

The girl sitting cross-legged, her long eyelashes trembled a few times, and she slowly opened her eyes.

Those were eyes as clear and bright as sapphires; after four years of tempering by the Seagod's Light, they had become deeper, filled with spirituality and a sense of power.

She gently exhaled a breath of turbid air, and that breath even caused a faint ripple of energy in the air.

Feeling the increasingly solid and surging Soul Power within her body, as well as the qualitative leap in her physical strength, the corners of Wang Donger's mouth couldn't help but curve into a satisfied and joyful arc.

She stood up, stretched her body, which was slightly stiff from long-term cultivation, and her bones made a crisp crackling sound.

Subsequently, she tapped her toes lightly on the steps, her posture as light as a butterfly, and within a few leaps, like a dancing fallen leaf, she landed steadily in front of Lu Jing and the Snow Empress, who were talking below.

"How do you feel? Looking at you, the harvest seems quite significant." Lu Jing temporarily restrained the emotions from discussing heavy topics with the Snow Empress, a warm smile appearing on his face as he looked at the graceful girl standing before him, whose aura was becoming increasingly powerful.

Wang Donger nodded vigorously, her pretty face overflowing with the radiance of confidence, and she said with a smile: "Very good! My Soul Power is more condensed, my physical strength has also improved a lot, and I feel that my control over Soul Power has become much more refined. At this rate, I feel that in another few months or so, I should be able to fully adapt to this Seagod's Light and begin to formally challenge the 333rd step to complete this first trial!"

Her voice was crisp and pleasant, full of vitality and confidence.

Lu Jing's eyes showed admiration, and he praised: "I knew it, our Donger is the best! Although these Seagod Nine Trials are difficult, they certainly won't be a problem for you! Your future achievements will definitely not be weaker than the legendary Tang San!"

His words carried a bit of teasing, but also a bit of sincerity.

In his heart, Wang Donger's cultivation talent was not at all weaker than Tang San's, and perhaps even stronger.

Upon hearing this, Wang Donger immediately looked like a kitten being stroked, her eyes squinting in enjoyment, but immediately she raised her fair chin, gave a light hum, and answered with a bit of small arrogance: "That goes without saying! Since Lord Sea God chose me, I naturally won't let him down!"

--- Years turn into songs, and time passes like flowers.

Sea God Island is like spring all year round, it seems one cannot feel the passage of time, but the calendar pages turn one by one.

Unknowingly, since Lu Jing, Wang Donger, and the Snow Empress stepped onto this overseas fairyland, four autumns have passed.

In these four years, her cultivation, under the rewards of the top-level trials, has improved at an astonishing speed, from the Spirit Emperor level when she first arrived, breaking through all the way to the height of an 87th-level Spirit Douluo!

Such cultivation speed, if passed back to the mainland, would be enough to shock the World.

And Lu Jing, although his God of Destruction trials have not yet officially begun, but being in a place with such abundant energy as Sea God Island, coupled with his own extraordinary talent, and... because Wang Donger passed the trials, receiving rewards from the Sea God and the God of Destruction, his cultivation speed was also not slow, having already broken through to level 93, becoming a true Titled Douluo!

Title — World-Destroying!

What is even more shocking is the two's spirit ring configuration.

Under the rewards of one God King and one First-Class God, as well as the superposition of their own talent and cultivation, Wang Donger's spirit rings have already reached the shocking four black and four red!

And Lu Jing is even more terrifying, having reached the unprecedented and hard-to-repeat peerless configuration of one scarlet-gold and eight red!

Such spirit rings, looking at the entire history of Spirit Masters, can be called a miracle.

Of course, this is inseparable from the help of the two Divinities.

Especially the God of Destruction, who opened the back door so much that he almost fed the God Position to Lu Jing's mouth; after all, the trials haven't even started, and he already started giving rewards.

On this day, at the foot of Sea God Mountain.

Wang Donger gently exhaled, lifted her beautiful head, her gaze passing through layers of clouds and mist, looking at that towering shrine located at the summit, shining with sacred radiance under the sunlight.

Her eyes were complex, with anticipation, nervousness, and even more, a determination to burn her bridges.

Today is the day she conducts the Sea God's Seventh Trial — pulling out the Sea God Trident!

"Do you think... I can succeed?" Wang Donger's voice was very soft, carrying a hint of imperceptible trembling, as if asking the two beside her, and also as if asking herself.

Although she had passed the first six trials one by one relying on her tenacious will and strength, this seventh trial had extraordinary significance.

The Sea God Trident, that is the Sea God's Super Artifact!

Whether she can pull it out almost directly relates to whether she can truly obtain the Sea God's recognition and inherit the God Position.

Lu Jing, who was on the side, heard this, smiled, and said: "Of course you can! Don't forget, you are someone who has already broken through the previous six difficult barriers. This seventh trial, although important, is essentially the final test of your growth over these four years. You must have confidence in yourself."

After four years of living together and training together, the current Lu Jing's figure is more upright, his face has distinct features, his eyes are as deep as a sea of stars, and although he is just standing there casually, he naturally exudes an aura of confidence and calmness that is heart-captivating.

The Snow Empress standing on the other side was still in that white dress unstained by dust, her silver hair like a waterfall.

Four years of life on Sea God Island had not changed her cold temperament, but in her gaze towards Wang Donger, there was a hint of imperceptible softness compared to when they first arrived.

She looked at the somewhat nervous Wang Donger, and spoke coldly, her voice like flowing ice springs, but it could strangely soothe the anxiety in people's hearts: "Don't think too much, and don't presuppose failure. Just keep a normal heart, just like when you completed every previous trial. Since the Sea God chose you as the inheritor, he must have seen that you possess the potential and qualities to pass the trial. Believe in the Sea God's choice, and even more so, believe in the efforts you have put in over these four years."

The Snow Empress's words were concise and comprehensive, but went straight to the core.

Wang Donger heard this, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled, as if expelling the anxiety in her heart along with it.

She nodded gently, her stunningly beautiful face blooming with firm radiance again, and she clenched her small fists as if cheering herself on: "Mm! Sister Snow is right! I can do it!"

After speaking, she suddenly stood on tiptoe, leaned into Lu Jing's ear, and using a voice that only the two of them could hear, with a hint of shyness and playfulness, whispered: "Hey, if I succeed this time... after we go back, I will give you a special reward."

Lu Jing heard this, his eyes immediately brightened, he curiously lowered his head to look at the pretty face close at hand, the tip of his nose lingering with the unique fragrance of the girl, and he teased in a low voice with a smile: "Oh? What reward? Can you reveal it now?"

Wang Donger's pretty face flushed slightly, as if dyed with the evening glow in the sky, she cunningly blinked those big azure blue eyes, and sold a trick: "Hee hee, it's a secret! You'll know when the time comes! Anyway... it won't let you down!"

After speaking, it seemed as if she was afraid of Lu Jing asking more, she gently pushed him, then turned around, took a deep breath, looked firmly at the stone steps leading to the summit, and took the first step.

"Let's go."

Lu Jing looked at Wang Donger's back, which was pretending to be calm but couldn't hide a trace of panic, and couldn't help but laugh and shake his head.

He and the Snow Empress looked at each other, nodded to each other, and then also started walking, quickly following.

The three's figures, along those long steps leading to the Sea God Hall, step by step upwards, gradually disappeared into the swirling clouds and mist.

The critical moment that determines Wang Donger's fate is about to arrive.