On Seagod Island, in the worship hall, Huan Yin strummed the zither before the Seagod Trident.
With melodious music, the Trident glowed sea-blue, as if it was basking in the wonderful sound.
The first trial of the Music God's test was to make the Trident resonate—a feat Huan Yin had accomplished a year ago. For her, playing the zither was also cultivation. Bathed in the light of both the Seagod and Music God, her progress was astonishingly fast.
Originally, her talent was only on par with Bai Chenxiang, but now her level had surpassed hers and caught up to the rest of the Emperor Battle Team—she was now level 75.
"To make the Trident shine so brightly, it seems you've mastered the seventh layer of the Yaoguang Score. Truly a rare musical genius," Seagod Douluo Bo Saixi praised as she entered the hall.
She herself was adept at harp and other instruments, but in this, she was far behind Huan Yin.
After resonating with the Trident, Huan Yin entered the real Music God's trial, which, due to her possession of the Yaoguang Score, was connected to that score.
The score Tianlin gave her wasn't just music—it was a complete cultivation method, with internal energy techniques and various sonic attacks, split into ten layers. If Huan Yin reached the tenth, she could achieve godhood.
"Senior flatters me. May I ask what guidance brings you here?" Huan Yin stopped playing and bowed.
"By Music God's decree, you and your companions must join a trial. Here are the details." Bo Saixi tossed her a golden card, which landed in her hand.
"Trial: Challenge a Titled Douluo—defeat Sea Maiden Douluo, one of the Seven Seagod Pillar Guardians." Huan Yin read.
Bo Saixi explained, "Though Music God isn't a battle god, you can't be a weakling. Sea Maiden Douluo is the only one among the Seven who fights with music. Let's see whose music is more beautiful—her sea demon flute or your seven-stringed zither?"
"Yes, Senior." Huan Yin withdrew her martial soul and left the hall. She rarely joined her friends for trials, so the chance to fight together was very welcome.
…
Elsewhere, the others received their fifth trial info—also to challenge a Titled Douluo.
["Seagod's Ninth Trial, Fifth Trial: Challenge the Pillar Guardians. From the first challenge, you have three days to defeat all seven to pass."]
This was Ning Rongrong's trial, just like Tang San's in the original—defeat all seven in three days.
There was one difference: because her second martial soul had only three rings, she was still mainly support. Asking a support to solo seven Titled Douluo in three days was unrealistic, so she could pick one helper who'd already cleared their trials.
"Even with help, it'll be tough," Ning Rongrong worried, uncertain whom to choose.
Those who'd finished their trials were Meng Yiran, Bai Chenxiang, Zhu Zhuqing, and Yu Feng.
Bai Chenxiang could be ruled out—pure agility-type Soul King, not much help. Meng Yiran was also not ideal; Ning Rongrong's buffs didn't boost her poison well.
That left Yu Feng (stronger, nearly Soul Douluo) and Zhu Zhuqing (less powerful but highly in sync). Back in Shrek, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing had been the famous "Goddess Duo"—the Seven Treasure Spirit Cat combo.
In the end, Ning Rongrong chose her close friend over raw power. "Zhuqing, will you fight with me?"
Zhu Zhuqing smiled, "Of course. It's been ages since our Goddess Duo took the stage—facing a Titled Douluo, no less!"
"I thought our trials were hard, but compared to Rongrong's, ours are nothing," Yu Tianheng sighed, showing his own trial card. "We only have to face one Titled Douluo, and they'll only use 60% of their strength."
This differed from the original, where they fought at full strength under Ning Rongrong's support. Now, they lost the support, but the enemy was limited to 60% power—still fair, since with no cheats like Tianlin or Tang San, ordinary Soul Sages and Douluo stood no chance.
"If you need to challenge the Sea Douluo, I can help!" Xiao Bai's voice called from the water. "Thanks for helping me defeat the Evil Demon Orca King. As thanks, I can spar with you and tell you the fighting styles of all seven Sea Douluo."
"Really? Thank you, Xiao Bai!" everyone cheered. Tianlin always said, "Know yourself and your enemy, and you'll never lose."
With this intel, their chances soared.
"Alright!" Xiao Bai leapt from the water, turning into a beautiful woman. "First, I'll tell you about the Sea Douluo's martial souls and levels. Then you can tell me which ones you'll face."
Xiao Bai explained gravely, "The Seven Sea Douluo—also called the Seven Seagod Pillar Guardians—are even stronger than mainland Titled Douluo of the same rank, since nearly all their rings are from high-year sea beasts, and ocean beasts are far superior to land ones. Don't underestimate them!"
"Their strength from lowest to highest is: Level 92 Sea Maiden Douluo, Level 92 Sea Star Douluo, Level 92 Sea Ghost Douluo, Level 92 Sea Horse Douluo, Level 93 Sea Delusion Douluo, Level 94 Sea Lance Douluo, and Level 95 Sea Dragon Douluo."
"The last three possess domains and are far stronger than the first four—especially Sea Dragon Douluo, who is already at the Super Douluo level."
Hearing this, the young people felt the pressure. Luck might let them draw one of the first four, but if they got one of the last three, only Ning Rongrong had a domain to match them.