Seeing everyone fall silent, as the team leader in Tianlin's absence, Yu Tianheng stepped forward first. "My opponent is Sea Spear Douluo. What about yours?"
Tianheng felt unlucky too—facing the second-ranked tough opponent right away. But at least it was him, sparing his teammates.
"I'm against Sea Delusion," Oslo said.
As the two strongest in the team, they took on two of the Sea God's seven strongest, which was good news for the others.
The rest confirmed their opponents: Dugu Yan against Sea Star Douluo, the Shi brothers in a special two-on-two against Sea Horse Douluo and Sea Ghost Douluo.
Only Oscar's hand trembled as he held his card.
Meng Yiran snatched her boyfriend's card. "Why are you shaking? Only Sea Woman is left—the weakest Titled Douluo among the seven. You should be happy."
But seeing "Sea Dragon" on the card, her hand shook too. "Impossible! Why Sea Dragon Douluo, not Sea Woman?"
"What?" Xiao Bai was shocked. "Did Lord Sea God make a mistake? How can a food-type Soul Sage face Sea Dragon Douluo? Hey, kid, did you offend Lord Sea God? Or is your soul chant too vulgar for him?"
"No way, I didn't choose the chant. Lord Sea God wouldn't care about something trivial," Oscar said bitterly.
Xiao Bai agreed—Sea God wasn't that petty. Scratching her chin, she puzzled, "Strange. Lord Sea God wouldn't give an impossible test. Logically, Oscar's opponent should be Sea Woman."
"Because Sea Woman Douluo is my opponent!" At that moment, Huan Yin descended from the sky with Bo Saixi.
Everyone was thrilled to see her, especially Yu Feng, who had little time with his wife during assessments.
"Everyone, I can finally join you," Huan Yin said joyfully.
"So Sea Woman was assigned to Sister Huan Yin. That means Oscar got the leftover—Sea Dragon," Xiao Bai analyzed.
"Not quite," Bo Saixi's gentle voice rang out, addressing Oscar. "Lord Sea God judged you capable of defeating Sea Dragon at 60% strength, though I don't know why. Think hard—what's your greatest asset?"
"Greatest asset?" Oscar pondered, then lit up. "Haha, I get it! I'm winning this. Just 60% Sea Dragon? Bring it—I'll beat him in minutes! Wahahaha!"
Watching Oscar laugh wildly, Xiao Bai whispered to Meng Yiran, "Is your hubby brain-damaged? Scared silly? He was depressed, now he's gloating like he doesn't know his own mom. His opponent's the strongest of the seven."
Meng Yiran shook her head. "No, Oscar's got this." Clearly, she'd figured it out too.
Xiao Bai dropped it—if they were confident, let them try.
Over the next few days, Xiao Bai trained everyone hard. Opponents were limited to 60% strength, but even that surpassed most Soul Douluos. Without quick combat boosts, victory was tough.
As a 100,000-year soul beast at Titled Douluo level with a domain, Xiao Bai's combat power matched Sea Spear Douluo's—perfect for sparring.
…
Meanwhile, in the Far North's alternate space, Qin Ming and Ma Hongjun's assessments continued.
["Qin Ming, Black Level Four Trial, Fourth Trial passed. Reward: Soul power up one level. All Black Level Four Exams completed—extra soul power up one level. Now Level 88!"]
Qin Ming's level exceeded those on Sea God Island; his foundation was strong, starting around Level 77 here.
After half a year in demonic flames, he reached 78. First trial to 79, second trial cultivation to 80 with a god-bestowed ring.
Absorbing it raised him two levels to 82.
Second, third, and fourth trials added four levels total, plus three years of training for two more, reaching 88. Title Douluo was near.
["Ma Hongjun, Fire God Nine Exams, Fourth Trial passed. Reward: Fire God affinity 10%, now 35%!"] From raging flames emerged a perfectly built, handsome red-haired man.
He was Ma Hongjun, purified of evil fire by demonic flames, fully transformed.
The flames merged into him as purest divine fire, evolving his martial soul to god-level: Divine Fire Phoenix!
He gained an innate domain: Phoenix Domain, boosting fire attacks massively and converting non-living matter inside to phoenix flames. As long as the domain held, Ma Hongjun was immortal—reborn from ashes even if shattered. Invincible unless the domain broke.
In the original, this required true body state, but as a god-level innate domain like Tianlin's Demon-Suppressing Domain, he could activate it anytime.
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black—eight rings emerged, the eighth black with red tint, nearing 100,000 years.
"Well done, Hongjun. You've broken through to Soul Douluo," Qin Ming said proudly. His nurtured child now matched his rank, filling him with pride.
With the martial soul quality gap, Qin Ming knew he couldn't beat Ma Hongjun anymore.
Ma Hongjun could now face ordinary Titled Douluos.
"Hehe, Teacher Qin, imagine the dean's joy seeing our strength back home," Ma Hongjun grinned.
He'd grown handsome but kept his carefree personality.
"You two are impressive. Ma Hongjun, start your Fifth Trial," the Flame Lord descended. "Defeat me at 70% strength. Your teacher can assist. Ready? Begin."
They nodded. "Yes, please guide us, senior."
Divine Fire Phoenix and Fierce Fire Blue Wolf charged the Flame Lord, igniting a scorching flame battle in this fiery hell.
…
In Balak Kingdom, Suoto City.
"Old sir, you're fine now. Try moving," Ye Lingling said after healing a crippled elder.
His legs had been crushed by a noble's carriage, but a kind soul brought him to Ye Lingling, the renowned miracle doctor. She and Gu Ran walked their path here.