170: Chapter 170, First Test: Everyone Passes

That night, Su Ling killed two birds with one stone!

He not only captured Shui Yueer but also conveniently took down Ning Rongrong.

[ Ding... Ning Rongrong favorability +1, obtained Red Treasure Chest *1 ]

[ Ding... Ning Rongrong Goddess favorability reached 100 ]

[ System Binding Goddess: Ning Rongrong ]

[ Goddess Comprehensive Value: 96 ]

[ Current Favorability: 100 (You are her whole World) ]

[ Binding Effect: The host can obtain 100% of the bound goddess's daily Cultivate effect, without reducing the bound goddess's Cultivation speed ]

[ Binding Skill 1: Support (Even if Ning Rongrong is not present, the host can use Ning Rongrong's Support Spirit Ability (excluding Martial Soul Avatar) on himself, but the effect is only 80% of what Ning Rongrong herself uses) ]

[ Binding Skill 2: Slow (Use the skill to Slow enemies within a 100-meter range by 50% of their speed) ]

[ Binding Skill 3: Perception (When Ning Rongrong encounters danger within 10,000 meters of the host, the host can perceive her location immediately) ]

[ Binding Skill 4: Fusion (Unleash Martial Soul Fusion Skill by integrating into the host's body, can be stacked with other goddesses) ]

Ning Rongrong's favorability finally reached 100!

[ Ding... Congratulations to the host for completing an intimate interaction with Ning Rongrong for the first time, obtained reward: Ning Rongrong's comprehensive talent increased by 100%, host reward: physical strength increased by 10% ]

It was this reward again, comprehensive talent increased by 100%.

Su Ling looked at Ning Rongrong's Goddess Comprehensive Value again; it had already increased from 96 to 98.

However, at this moment, Ning Rongrong herself could not feel her improvement.

A night passed, and all the goddesses got up to continue their Cultivate, even Ning Rongrong was no exception.

...

In the blink of an eye, more than two months passed quietly.

There were only Nine Heavens left until the first trial.

On this very day, Bai Chenxiang and Shui Yueer's Soul Power reached Rank 60, and they obtained a god-bestowed spirit ring, but the spirit rings they absorbed were still the ten-thousand-year spirit rings given by Su Ling.

Jiang Zhu and Ye Lingling were also still absorbing spirit rings; six days ago, they had also completed a Breakthrough, their Soul Power reaching Rank 70, and they were absorbing the ten-thousand-year spirit rings given by Su Ling.

Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu were both Rank 69, Yang Qingyu was Rank 66, and Ah Yin was Rank 77.

Hu Liena, Ning Rongrong, and Shui Binger's Soul Power had all reached Rank 79. Originally, Shui Binger was a bit short and wouldn't have reached Rank 79.

It was mainly because Su Ling thought it over and felt that Shui Binger might not be able to pass the trial, so he gave her a hundred-thousand-year Spirit Bone. After she absorbed it, she progressed quickly, and naturally, she reached Rank 79.

Feng Yuer successfully fused with the phoenix gall, condensing a spirit ring of over 60,000 years.

Her Goddess Comprehensive Value also reached 97 points, her Spirit became a true Phoenix Bow, a top-tier Spirit, and her Soul Power also broke through to her current Rank 74.

As for Zhu Zhuxin, her Soul Power reached Rank 70 two months ago, and she successfully absorbed a spirit ring to reach Rank 71. After another two months of Cultivate, her Soul Power had now increased to Rank 72.

Several people had broken through to Spirit Saint, but only Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu were at Rank 69, which made the two women very unhappy.

So, in the next few days, the two of them practiced even harder, and finally, on the day before the trial, they reached Rank 70. It was just a pity that the trial was right in front of them, and they had no time to absorb the spirit rings.

During this period, Bai Chenxiang and Shui Yueer successfully absorbed their spirit rings and took an Intermediate Spirit Ascension Pill, and now their Soul Power was at Rank 62.

Jiang Zhu, Ye Lingling, and Zhu Zhuxin were at Rank 71.

On the last day of the trial, the fourteen people stood on the steps together.

Su Ling looked at all the goddesses and then said: "Everyone, I set goals for you before. That was just a goal for you to strive towards. Today, you only need to complete the trial; there is no need to exceed it, or exceed it by too much. Understand?"

"Brother Su, why is that?" Ning Rongrong asked curiously.

This year, she had improved the most. At this moment, her goal for the trial was to chase after Su Ling and Shui Binger as they went up.

Su Ling said: "No need to ask why, just do as I say."

Exceeding the trial requirements was possible, but it might lead to an increase in the trial Rank.

Just like Bai Chenxiang's trial in the novel being raised to a Purple-level trial; the trial was raised, but it was still just a first trial, which didn't help much.

It wouldn't increase the number of trials, but it would increase the trial Rank.

And with the increase in trial Rank, the difficulty of the trial would go without saying; it would certainly increase as well.

This time, Su Ling helped every goddess improve a lot, and everyone might exceed the standard by quite a bit, but this excess wouldn't bring too many benefits.

Furthermore, later on, the amount Su Ling could help everyone would become less and less.

This point is very similar to a factory in his previous life; if you work hard on piecework for a month and earn a salary comparable to one and a half months in the past, then if you do the same work the next month, you might think the salary would be the same, but the actual result might be much less than usual.

Keeping a low profile for the trial also prepares for subsequent trials.

Everyone still listened to Su Ling's words.

"Alright, let's go up together."

"Rongrong, Binger, the three of us will be at the back." Su Ling said.

"Mm!" The two women nodded.

The rest of the goddesses rushed up together. Their trial was 108 steps, which was already very simple for most of them.

Soon, Hu Liena, Ah Yin, Zhu Zhuxin, and Feng Yuer stood at the 108th step.

When the four women stood in that position, a pillar of light fell from the sky and shone on each of them.

The trial reward increased everyone's Soul Power by one Rank.

With the instant increase in Soul Power, Hu Liena's Soul Power directly reached Rank 80, Feng Yuer was Rank 75, Ah Yin was Rank 78, and Zhu Zhuxin was Rank 73.

Following closely behind, Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu came up, receiving the same reward, but their Soul Power had already reached Rank 70 at this time, so the reward was not reflected yet; it would be reflected after they absorbed their spirit rings.

Next was Yang Qingyu, whose Soul Power increased by one Rank to reach Rank 67.

Finally, it was Ye Lingling, Jiang Zhu, Shui Yueer, and Bai Chenxiang, who all came up together. Everyone relied on their own efforts, and no one helped others in the final trial.

Actually, Su Ling left Ning Rongrong behind just in case someone couldn't make it up, so Ning Rongrong could provide Support, but it turned out to be unnecessary.

After increasing their Soul Power by one Rank, Ye Lingling and Jiang Zhu reached Rank 72, while Shui Yueer and Bai Chenxiang reached Rank 63.

"Brother Su, it's my turn to go up now." Ning Rongrong said.

"Rongrong, go ahead." Su Ling said.

"Okay!"

Ning Rongrong immediately set off. Her speed was very fast, and the pressure on the steps seemed to have no effect on her. In an instant, she reached the 108th step; it was simply not too simple.

In an instant, the reward came down, and Ning Rongrong's Soul Power increased by one Rank, reaching Rank 80.

But the next instant, a voice was transmitted over.

"Those who have passed the trial, if you can go up another 108 steps, all those who passed the trial will have every spirit ring increased by 1,000 years, except for the hundred-thousand-year spirit ring. No rewards or penalties for not passing."

An accident occurred, and a variable appeared.

Of course, this was excluding Su Ling and Shui Binger.

Although the trial had changed and the reward was not high, the goddesses all had strong hearts and wanted to challenge themselves. Besides, having all spirit rings increased by a thousand years meant the lowest spirit ring would be purple, right?

Whether to continue the trial or not still had to be decided by Su Ling.

Seeing all the goddesses showing hopeful expressions, Su Ling knew that everyone wanted to reach their limits.

So Su Ling said: "Then everyone go!"

"Thank you, Brother Su." The women said in unison.

"Rongrong, you are still in the back to cover for everyone." Su Ling said.

Ning Rongrong said: "Brother Su, I understand."

Going up another 108 steps meant everyone had to climb 216 steps.

"Go!"

Hu Liena and Ah Yin took the lead.

Hu Liena performed the best, especially; those who had trained in Slaughter City were just different.

But the other goddesses might not be as capable. The first few steps were fine, but at the 117th step, Bai Chenxiang couldn't hold on and stepped back.

At the 118th step, Shui Yueer failed.

Following that was Yang Qingyu, who ended at the 123rd step.

Instead, Jiang Zhu and Ye Lingling rushed to the 131st step before ending.

After all, they were Spirit Saints, so it was normal for them to walk to higher steps. It was just a pity that they were pure Support, otherwise, they could have gone higher.

Then came Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing; they had reached their limits when they walked to the 146th step.

At this time, Su Ling also hinted that Ning Rongrong could start her Support.

The reason why he didn't let Ning Rongrong provide Support earlier was that even with Ning Rongrong's Support, they wouldn't be able to reach 216 steps with their abilities, so it was better to end it there.

Ning Rongrong's Soul Power exceeded Rank 70, so the improvement she provided for others was 80%, and this improvement was not small.

It gave Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu motivation again in an instant.

Then Zhu Zhuxin and Feng Yuer reached their limits at the 153rd and 156th steps, and subsequently, they also received Ning Rongrong's Support.

And at this time, Ning Rongrong, Su Ling, and Shui Binger had already passed the 180th step.

The only ones who hadn't received Support yet were Hu Liena and Ah Yin!

However, Ah Yin reached her limit at the 195th step, and Ning Rongrong immediately provided Support.

At this time, only Hu Liena had reached the 216th step without any help from anyone.

Ah Yin reached the 216th step after receiving Ning Rongrong's Support.

But the other goddesses all failed!

Even Zhu Zhuxin and Feng Yuer failed at the 200-something step. Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing were already at their limit after crossing the 180th step with Support and could not take another step.

As for Ning Rongrong, she was relaxed. Her Rank 80 Soul Power helped her successfully reach the 216th step, and she hadn't even used Support on herself.

The effect of the million-year torso bone was truly not just for show. Subsequently, Ning Rongrong continued to move upward, following all the way to the 256th step before reaching her limit.

In this situation, Ning Rongrong still continued to move upward, but this time she used Support on herself.

And she was walking in front of Su Ling and Shui Binger.

It wasn't until she walked to the 299th step that she reached her limit and ended the trial.

At this moment, the rewards for the goddesses just now also came down.

Hu Liena's all spirit rings increased by a thousand years, followed by Ah Yin, because she received Ning Rongrong's Support, the reward was halved, and all spirit rings increased by 500 years.

As for Ning Rongrong, her trial reached the 299th step, just one step away from the 300th step, which was really a pity.

Fortunately, the reward given to her was not bad; all her spirit rings increased by 2,000 years, which was quite surprising.

Although the reward was given well, Su Ling always had a bad premonition that the next trial might be very difficult.

"Binger, it's up to you now." Su Ling said.

He and Shui Binger were currently on the 224th step, still over a hundred steps away from the 333rd step.

"Brother Su, I can do it." Shui Binger said.

"Go for it!"

Shui Binger had now fully improved, her seventh spirit ring had also reached a hundred thousand years, and her Soul Power was at Rank 79.

On these 224 steps, Shui Binger still did not release her Spirit, relying on her own ability to step up one step at a time.

Su Ling stood beside her, guarding her. Today, no matter what, he had to take Shui Binger up 100 steps.

Even though Ning Rongrong had already finished the trial, he still had Ning Rongrong's Support skill. Although it was only 80% of Ning Rongrong's Support effect, 80% of 80% calculated out to an improvement of over 60%.

Shui Binger's speed was neither fast nor Slow, and her rhythm was well-controlled. At the 260th step, Shui Binger released her Spirit and continued to move upward.

But for every step that followed, the oppressive force would increase.

Shui Binger still gritted her teeth and persisted. Soon, she reached the 276th step, and her Spirit Avatar had also reached her limit.

Subsequently, Shui Binger used her fifth Spirit Ability, her body was strengthened once again, and she continued to move upward.

And this time, it allowed her to successfully step onto the 300th step.

"Sister, go for it!"

"Binger, go for it!"

Everyone was encouraging Shui Binger.

And at this time, Shui Binger also activated her Domain and then released all her Spirit Bones to resist.

She still went up one step at a time.

These steps were simply child's play for Su Ling, having no effect. Being with Shui Binger, the main point was companionship.

Su Ling actually hoped that Shui Binger could go up without his Support.

Soon, Shui Binger reached the critical last three steps. At this time, she was already standing above the 300th step.

Shui Binger's breathing was already a bit rapid, and her body was almost at its limit.

"Up!" Shui Binger shouted, and with one foot, she stepped onto the 331st step.

But just at the moment she stepped up, she found that her body was no longer under her control; she actually fell backward. At this moment, she felt that she could no longer steady her body.

Even Poseixi in the distance couldn't help but frown and whispered: "Could it be that the first Seagod Nine Trials examinee has failed like this?"

Under everyone's worry, a pair of large hands were placed on Shui Binger's back to Support her.

"Binger, stand steady." Su Ling whispered, and at the same time, Su Ling activated his Support skill to Support Shui Binger, and her physical strength, Soul Power, and other aspects were all improved by more than 60%.

In an instant, Shui Binger steadied herself.

[ Ding... Poseixi favorability +3, obtained white treasure chest *2, Yellow Treasure Chest *1 ]

This actually gave Su Ling a surprise, indicating that Poseixi attached great importance to this trial and hoped in her heart that Shui Binger would pass, so his action increased Poseixi's favorability.

"It's Brother Su!"

"Sister will definitely be fine."

Shui Binger looked at Su Ling, her determined face revealing a smile.

Su Ling said: "There are only two steps left, Binger, what are you waiting for?"

"Okay!"

Shui Binger took a step up and arrived at the 332nd step. This step was very easy, after all, there was a 60% improvement.

"Went up, went up, Sister went up!" At this time, Shui Yueer below was the most excited.

For the last step, Su Ling pulled up Shui Binger's jade hand, and they stepped up together.

After stepping onto the 333rd step, all pressure disappeared.

Two pillars of light also fell from the sky, landing on Su Ling and Shui Binger respectively.

"Shui Binger's first trial, passing through the Seagod's Light, was successful. Soul Power increased by one Rank, Sea God affinity increased by 5%."

Shui Binger also used this to reach Rank 80.

As for Su Ling, his brows were slightly furrowed. His reward was not a one-Rank increase in Soul Power; if this increased by one Rank, he would have reached Rank 98.

Wouldn't he be able to reach Rank 100 after passing two more trials?

His trial reward was only a simple 1,000-year increase for all spirit rings, which was less than what Ning Rongrong had increased before.

Could it be that the Sea God did this on purpose, angry that I won't inherit his Sea God God Position?

To be honest, it was a bit disgusting, only a 1,000-year increase in age.

...

Meanwhile, in the Douluo Continent, when Su Ling was taking the goddesses to pass the trial, on a mountain range.

"Teacher, Xue Beng, Senior Dugu Bo, everyone, we will be leaving first!" Tang San said.

"Little San, Mubai, you must work hard!" Yu Xiaogang said.

"Senior Brother, I will wait for your return." Xue Beng said.

"Young Lord, you must take care of yourself. Tai Long, you must take good care of the Sect Leader." Tai Tan said.

"Grandfather, don't worry! I will definitely take good care of the Sect Leader." Tai Long replied.

"Mm! We are leaving first. You must be careful in your actions and wait for us to return." Tang San nodded and said, then took Tai Long and Dai Mubai beside him and left the Sandaozhai they had just occupied.