A small island located at sea, filled with liveliness and laughter.
The golden sand, when stepped upon, its soft touch carrying a hint of heat, made one feel incredibly comfortable.
As a guest personally invited by the High Priest, Wang Zhong enjoyed the highest level of treatment.
Of course, this high level of treatment wasn't about red carpet welcomes or parades with cheering citizens, but rather the most luxurious hospitality in terms of food, clothing, housing, and transportation.
Originally, Wang Zhong was supposed to go to Sea Goddess City with Hai Die. However, Sea Goddess City was located underwater. Considering Wang Zhong's identity as a land soul master and the fact that he had returned the鲛珠 to Hai Die, Wang Zhong came to his current location.
Seahorse City.
This was a prosperous and vibrant town, extremely close to Sea Goddess City.
The City Lord of Seahorse City, Seahorse Douluo, was a Titled Douluo whose strength was comparable to that of the Sea Goddess, reaching level ninety or above.
"Has our honored guest rested well?"
A man wearing a dark green, armor-like opulent robe, with a gentle smile on his face, asked Wang Zhong.
"Thank you for your concern, Seahorse City Lord. I have rested very well," Wang Zhong replied with a gentle smile.
"If you need anything, please feel free to tell me. I will do my best to satisfy any of your requests."
The Seahorse City Lord, with his hands behind his back, spoke calmly. As a guest brought by the High Priest, he didn't know Wang Zhong's identity but wouldn't neglect him.
Speaking of needs, Wang Zhong did have something he was curious about.
"Seahorse City Lord, I heard that everyone who wishes to join Sea God Island must participate in a trial called the Sea God's Trial. If they pass, they can join."
"Furthermore, the Sea God's Trial has varying degrees of difficulty based on the participant's talent, strength, and potential."
"I would like to ask, if an outsider were to participate, could it be considered a form of cultivation?"
The Seahorse City Lord paused, then smiled and shook his head repeatedly. "What the esteemed guest said is correct."
"There is indeed such a trial on Sea God Island. However, if you merely intend to use it for cultivation, I would advise the guest not to entertain such thoughts."
"Why?" Wang Zhong asked, somewhat puzzled.
Seahorse explained seriously to Wang Zhong, "Because the Sea God's Trial has always been extremely difficult. Even we Sea Soul Masters are very likely to lose our lives in it, and for land soul masters, the difficulty will be multiplied."
"For us, completing an assessment takes ten years, but for land soul masters, it's only one year!"
"And the consequence of failing the assessment is death!"
"To risk your life for the sake of cultivation is not worth it."
Wang Zhong narrowed his eyes slightly, very interested in this explanation.
To join Sea God Island, one must undergo the Sea God's Trial, and this trial is fatal even for Sea Soul Masters. Does this mean that Sea God Island, when it was founded, did not want anyone to join?
But upon careful consideration, this was impossible. Any force that doesn't receive new members will eventually fade away with the passage of time. Yet, Sea God Island has existed for a thousand years, which is enough to prove that the idea of not allowing others to join is incorrect.
"It must be related to the difficulty levels!"
As his thoughts raced, Wang Zhong identified this crucial point.
"It doesn't matter. I just want to try."
"If this matter does not have the rule that one must join Sea God Island after participating in the Sea God's Trial, please, Seahorse City Lord, allow me to experience it."
"That so-called trial from the gods!"
His emerald green eyes glowed slightly, exuding a turbulence and desire that made Seahorse's heart skip a beat.
Such an expression, like a starving wolf seeing fresh meat, the longing originating from the depths of his heart, would make one tremble.
"An obsession with cultivation! No, it's a desire for power!"
"He craves to become stronger!"
Seahorse's gaze shifted, and he immediately understood the reason for Wang Zhong's reaction.
"I cannot make this decision."
"You are a guest brought by the High Priest. I need to seek her permission."
After some thought, Seahorse decided to report this matter to Bo Saixi, letting her make the final decision.
"Alright, I'll trouble the City Lord then." Wang Zhong expressed his understanding. It was a sudden impulse that made him think of this matter.
Given Wang Zhong's awkward identity, it indeed required Bo Saixi's permission.
The Seahorse City Lord nodded and left, heading straight towards a grand hall. The place where Wang Zhong was staying was none other than his Seahorse City Lord's mansion.
Upon entering the hall, the Seahorse City Lord walked to the front, where a colorless pearl the size of a human head was placed. He injected his soul power into it, and the pearl began to emit a brilliant radiance.
Soon, Bo Saixi's gentle voice emanated from within.
"Seahorse, is there something?"
The Seahorse City Lord bowed respectfully and said, "High Priest, the guest you brought, named Wang Zhong, wishes to participate in the Sea God's Trial without joining Sea God Island."
"Considering the inherent dangers, I dare not make this decision on my own."
The pearl remained silent for a while before a helpless voice replied, "He doesn't want to join Sea God Island but still wants to participate in the Sea God's Trial."
"This fellow is truly more than just a little greedy."
The Seahorse City Lord suggested, "Then should we refuse him?"
On the other side of the pearl, in the Sea God Temple, Bo Saixi, looking at a giant shell emitting divine radiance in mid-air, her eyes filled with a smile, said, "No, agree to him!"
"Consider it a gift from me to Hai Die."
Those who didn't join Sea God Island but participated in the Sea God's Trial were not unheard of.
A long time ago, there was a heroic and exceptionally talented man from the Clear Sky School who did just that.
"He was once the son of the Clear Sky School's sect master, and I am the High Priest of Sea God Island."
"You are now a candidate for the High Priest of Sea God Island, and he is a member of the Martial Soul Hall. With his absolute strength, he can subdue Xiao Bai. His status and position in the Martial Soul Hall must be no small matter."
"This strange intertwining of fate gives me a sense of familiarity, as if reliving a past event."
"Hai Die, what will become of your relationship with him?"
In the Sea God Temple, Bo Saixi murmured to herself. The pearl used for communication had long since dimmed, and her words naturally did not reach Seahorse's ears.
"Yes, High Priest!"
The Seahorse City Lord respectfully replied, then turned to leave the hall and headed towards where Wang Zhong was.
Seeing the Seahorse City Lord return so quickly, Wang Zhong's heart skipped a beat. Such a short time, and there was already an answer.
"The High Priest has agreed to your request, esteemed guest," the Seahorse City Lord calmly relayed Bo Saixi's response.
This answer also delighted Wang Zhong. He had initially thought his request might be rejected, but he hadn't expected Bo Saixi to agree.
"Esteemed guest, please follow me."
The Seahorse City Lord stood by the door, extending one hand to lead Wang Zhong.
Wang Zhong walked in the direction indicated by the Seahorse City Lord and, at this moment, waved his hand casually, saying, "Seahorse City Lord, you don't need to be so polite. Just call me by my name, Wang Zhong."