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The members of Shrek Academy celebrated their success in passing the second trial with great joy.
Suddenly, a massive shark surfaced, looking at Dugu Yan with an aggrieved expression.
"Yan Yan, you're bullying me again! Is it really fun to keep doing this?"
Xiao Bai, the King of the Demon Soul Great White Shark, spoke mournfully.
"Sorry, Xiao Bai. It's just that you're too strong—my teammates can't handle you, so I had to step in.
Don't be mad, okay? In a couple of days, I'll let you taste my cooking skills."
Dugu Yan could only console Xiao Bai with food after bullying her.
Xiao Bai had already become familiar with the Shrek Academy members during the second trial. Though they claimed to be here for testing, aside from their training, they were essentially on vacation.
They brought a lot of supplies, including various pots and pans. Every week, they would hold barbecues to relax. Constant hard training alone wasn't sustainable.
It was during one of these barbecues that Xiao Bai tasted Dugu Yan's cooking and discovered a new world. Now, Dugu Yan had Xiao Bai hooked on her culinary skills.
Another person Dugu Yan had under her thumb was the Mermaid Douluo. Though over a hundred years old, by mermaid standards, she was still a young girl. It didn't take long for Dugu Yan to win her over.
(What a character, Dugu Yan truly embodies polygamy. She's the ultimate winner here.)
"Since Yan Yan said so, I'll forgive you with my vast magnanimity. Just remember to invite me to the next gathering. I'm leaving!"
With a flick of her tail, Xiao Bai disappeared into the ocean.
"Next, we need to head to the location of the third trial. The third trial is called 'Tidal Body Training,' a test of physical endurance. Everyone, give it your all."
Dugu Yan spoke calmly. Once silent and reserved, she gradually demonstrated leadership abilities during the second trial and displayed remarkable command skills.
As Li Luochen's wife, the rest of Shrek Academy naturally respected Dugu Yan. Previously, Oscar had been in charge of planning, but now Dugu Yan had taken over.
Oscar remarked, "Sister Yan, you have such strong leadership skills. Why did you wait until now to step up? Commanding is exhausting—I'm finally getting a break."
Dugu Yan carefully considered before taking over command of the entire Shrek team. As the strongest among them and the Headmistress of Shrek Academy's inner court, she felt obligated to protect the students from her alma mater. Moreover, with her new identity as the Sea God's inheritor, she could no longer afford to slack off.
"You'll soon understand what Tidal Body Training entails. Follow me." A serene voice echoed in everyone's ears. Unnoticed, the noble Sea God Douluo Bo Saixi, clad in red, had appeared beside them.
Perhaps they were used to being shocked, but under Dugu Yan's leadership, breaking through the Ring Sea blockade hadn't been particularly difficult.
After a period of trekking through forests, climbing hills, and crossing the inner seas of Sea God Island, the group followed closely behind Bo Saixi, almost traversing every type of terrain on the island.
Just as they were maintaining their speed using spirit energy, a thunderous roar suddenly reached their ears. Though they couldn't yet see it, the booming sound resembled rolling thunder, growing louder and louder, deafening in its intensity.
Bo Saixi leapt into the air, gliding freely like a bird, landing atop a towering peak hundreds of meters high. The mountain was entirely composed of black rock, barren and lifeless.
Before them lay a valley recessed into Sea God Island, with the endless sea beyond. The valley extended hundreds of meters inland from the shore. Surrounding them were the same black rocks beneath their feet, each step revealing their steel-like hardness.
What truly astonished the Shrek Academy members wasn't the vast ocean—they'd seen oceans before—but the spectacular sight of crashing waves within the recessed valley.
For some reason, the calm waters outside Sea God Island turned into raging torrents once they entered this valley. The highest waves reached nearly a hundred meters, crashing violently against the rocks beneath their feet. This was the source of the red glow.
The overwhelming might of nature left everyone awestruck. Compared to the sea, they felt utterly insignificant.
"This is where you'll face your third trial. It's called the Raging Wave Despair, one of the wonders of Sea God Island. Even sea soul beasts like the Demon Soul Great White Shark avoid this place.
It's one of the few areas in the ocean where sea soul beasts are absent. Do you know why this recessed valley exists?"
Oscar asked, "Was it carved out by the waves?"
Bo Saixi replied indifferently, "You guessed correctly. This valley formed through constant wave erosion. If you get the chance, try testing the rocks here. Pounded relentlessly over time, they're not only as hard as steel but also incredibly dense. Equal volumes of this rock weigh nearly as much as silver."
Bo Saixi suddenly released her spirit rings—eight black, one red—and stood atop a pillar of deep-sea sunken silver. She turned to address the Shrek Academy members.
"This is where you'll undergo your third trial. I'll stay here to oversee your assessment. If anyone can't endure, speak up and ask for help.
Black Rank Four Trials participants must endure two hours daily on the sunken silver pillar. Five-trial participants must endure three hours, six-trial participants four hours, seven-trial participants five hours, and eight-trial participants six hours. As for Yan Yan…"
Her gaze settled on Dugu Yan as she continued, "Sea God Nine Trials participants must endure twelve hours daily. Initially, you can reduce the time slightly, but starting now, over the next 365 days, the average time spent on the pillar must meet these requirements. Otherwise, the trial will fail."
The group finally understood the meaning of the third trial: they would endure the relentless pounding of the Raging Wave Despair while standing on the sunken silver pillar. This was known as Tidal Body Training.
The Tidal Body Training began, and every day was agonizing for the Shrek Academy members!
...
Meanwhile, at the Spirit Hall
A golden-haired figure in a white palace gown struggled to climb the steps of the Angel Temple.
Finally, after reaching the 666th step with great difficulty, she stopped, steadied herself, and suddenly, the angelic insignia on her forehead flashed.
A cold, gender-neutral voice echoed in her ear.
[First Trial of the Nine Trials of the Angel God: Ascend 666 steps to the Holy Angel Temple! Complete! Reward: 5% Angel God Affinity!]
This woman was none other than Qian Renxue, undergoing the Nine Trials of the Angel. After completing the first trial, she didn't rest but immediately reviewed her second trial.
[Second Trial of the Nine Trials of the Angel God: Master the Angel Sword Technique and defeat a Title Douluo who wields a sword.]
"Oh~ Defeat a sword-wielding Title Douluo, huh? There are only a few such Title Douluos currently.
Feng Bailong, the leader of the Wind Sword Sect, earned a spirit bone for his role in annihilating the Hao Tian Sect and recently broke through to become a Title Douluo. His title: [Wind Sword].
Then there's Sword Chen Xin, the guardian Douluo of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect. He has already broken through to Level 97. His strength cannot be underestimated.
And finally, there's Grandpa Qian Daoliu. Beating him would be difficult, Feng Bailong would be too easy, so Sword Chen Xin it is."
Qian Renxue had already chosen her next victim… ahem, lucky target!
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