Douluo Continent: My Martial Soul is the Black Dragon, I am the Lord of the Gods

Chapter 323 Current Limit, Level 888

……

"What are you planning..."

Xuanming didn't quite understand the test for a moment, but he didn't think too much about it. He took a step forward and once again stepped onto the familiar white jade steps.

The moment his foot landed, he clearly felt that the dragon bone energy that had been surging like a river within his body, as well as the connection between his consciousness and the Ice and Fire Dragon Soul, seemed to be isolated by an invisible barrier!
All that remained was his level 80 soul power, as well as the Killing Domain, Blood Spear, Soul Bone, and other powers that were entirely his own!

Xuanming took a deep breath and increased his speed to the maximum.

Even without the support of dragon bone energy, his speed was still astonishing, like a streak of blood-red lightning, rushing up the white jade steps.

For the first three hundred levels, relying on his powerful physique and the burst of level eighty soul power, he practically ran across, leaving faint afterimages on the steps with his footsteps.

After reaching level 300, the pressure increased dramatically, and his speed noticeably slowed down, but his steps remained firm. The Killing Domain unfolded on its own, and the dark red aura clashed fiercely with the golden divine light, emitting a piercing hissing sound.

Level 500! Level 600!
Up to the 688th step!
Upon reaching this point, the overwhelming pressure of the sea god's light finally became heavy, like tangible mercury, squeezing his body and soul from all directions. Each step he took felt like stepping into a viscous swamp, requiring immense effort.

All three major sectors are open again!

A dark red aura erupted from him, staining the surrounding golden light with a blood-red hue.

The expansion of his domain barely created a killing space for him amidst the boundless light of the sea god, offsetting some of the pressure.

But that's far from enough to help him reach the top!
"Seventh Soul Skill, Slaughtering Battle Spirit!"

The dark red, 500,000-year-old soul ring suddenly lit up, but instead of bursting outwards and condensing into a huge battle soul, the light surged back into Xuanming's body like a tide!
His body swelled up instantly, his muscles bulged, dark red battle patterns appeared on his skin, his eyes turned completely blood red, and he exuded a more refined and terrifying killing aura than before!
This is about imbuing oneself with the power of the killing spirit, pursuing the ultimate individual combat strength!
Transformed into a killing spirit, Xuanming's strength, speed, and defense surged instantly! He took another step, braving the immense pressure, and launched an assault on an even higher level!

Level 750! Level 800! Level 850!
With each step he took, the white jade steps beneath his feet hummed under the weight, as if they might shatter at any moment. His soul power was being consumed at an alarming rate, and his killing domain fluctuated violently under the impact of the Sea God's light, its light flickering unpredictably.

Level 880!
The moment he stepped onto that step, a terrifying pressure far exceeding anything he had experienced before poured down like the Milky Way from the heavens, crashing down on him!
"puff--"

Xuanming's body was struck as if by an invisible giant hammer, blood gushing out. Like a kite with a broken string, he was violently thrown away by the irresistible force and plummeted rapidly towards the foot of the mountain!
Just then, a magnificent red figure flew over from the direction of the Sea God Temple. It was Poseidon, who had sensed the start of the second trial, felt a strange sense of unease, and couldn't help but come out to check.

As soon as she stepped out of the Sea God's Palace, she saw Xuanming being flung away by golden light, his blood splattering everywhere!
Without the slightest hesitation, or even a moment to think, Poseidon's figure flashed, transforming into a streak of light, and instantly appeared below Xuanming's fall.

She stretched out her arms, and the vast and gentle blue soul power, like the warmest seawater, gently supported Xuanming's falling body, catching him steadily and slowly lowering him to the ground.

Xuanming felt a gentle yet powerful force envelop him, dissipating the impact. At the same time, a surge of pure energy flowed into his body, relieving the intense pain and weakness caused by the depletion of his soul power.

He was panting heavily, exhausted. When he looked up, he met Poseidon's deep eyes, which held shock, worry, and a hint of complex emotions.

Eyes facing each other.

The atmosphere instantly became somewhat... subtle and stagnant.

Xuanming's icy blue eyes still held the sharpness of his full-force outburst and a trace of unwillingness, while Poseidon's exquisite face was filled with surprise, worry, and a hint of emotion that even she herself was unaware of...

She never expected that after sealing the power of the dragon bones and the dragon soul, Xuanming would still be able to reach the level of 880 in one go with his own strength!

The sea breeze blew by, lifting a few strands of hair from Poseidon's forehead and stirring Xuanming's blood-stained robes.

The surrounding air seemed to quiet down, leaving only the gentle lapping of the waves and Xuanming's slightly rapid breathing.

An indescribable atmosphere, a mixture of awe, admiration, curiosity, and a touch of subtle awkwardness, quietly spread between the two.

Hu Liena, Ning Rongrong, and the others below also witnessed this scene, and they all stopped their cultivation and looked over in surprise.

Poseidon was the first to regain her senses, her beautiful face quickly returning to its usual calm and composure, but a faint blush appeared at the base of her ears.

She gently placed Xuanming on the soft sand, withdrew her hand, and spoke in a tone that was as ethereal and peaceful as possible, but a few beats faster than usual: "You're too impatient. Reaching the top of the Nine Heavens Mystic Ranks is by no means easy; it requires a gradual approach. Your soul power consumption is too severe, and your foundation will be damaged."

Xuanming steadied himself, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and regained his composure in his icy blue eyes. "I know what I'm doing."

Seeing him like this, Poseidon felt that strange emotion welling up inside her again. She couldn't help but gently admonish him, her tone softening involuntarily: "Haste makes waste. Your body and soul both need time. Next time... don't push yourself so hard." Xuanming was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Understood. Thank you."

Poseidon nodded slightly, said no more, turned into a red light, and flew back towards the direction of the Temple of Poseidon. However, her departing figure seemed to be more hurried than usual, and even had a hint of... fleeing in panic.

Xuanming watched Poseidon's somewhat hurried departure, a fleeting hint of doubt flashing in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a review of the climb. He closed his eyes and began to regulate his breathing to recover, his mind replaying the terrifying pressure that had suddenly erupted on the 880 steps.

"The succubus is starting to exert her power again." Ning Rongrong withdrew her gaze and muttered to herself, her tone carrying a hint of helplessness and teasing that she was used to it.

Even Zhu Zhuqing, who was usually aloof, showed a rare hint of approval on her face and nodded slightly.

Xiao Wu simply pursed her lips and said, "Sometimes he's really... terribly slow to understand."

Hu Liena's cold eyes held a complex expression as she looked at Xuan Ming, who was completely absorbed in his own world and oblivious to the subtle atmosphere that had just occurred. She was both amused and annoyed, and in the end, she could only let out a soft sigh.

Xuanming possesses remarkable insight and keen perception in certain areas, especially in combat and power.

But when it comes to interpersonal relationships, especially when it comes to certain subtle emotions, he's practically a blockhead, or rather, he doesn't care about those things at all.

Or perhaps he's extremely paranoid; without absolute, concrete evidence, he won't believe anything. So, trying to provoke him with tricks will inevitably backfire!

He'd just think that person is crazy!
Yet he possesses a unique and powerful attraction: his unwavering focus on his goals, his relentless madness, and the resilience and responsibility hidden beneath his cold exterior. These qualities always manage to stir people's hearts without his own awareness.

They had clearly seen the High Priestess Poseidon's momentary loss of composure and panic.

This wasn't the first time. Over the past three months, Xuanming had become more and more insane, especially after he fused with the Heart of the Sea God. The High Priestess Poseidon had been by his side almost every day, providing him with soul power support and catching him when he was knocked away by the light of the Sea God.

It's as if she's the one who helped Xuanming complete the assessment.

"Forget it, hoping he'll suddenly get it is like hoping the sun will rise in the west." Dugu Yan waved her hand and turned her gaze back to the steps in front of her. "Keep trying."

Upon hearing this, the women also composed themselves and resumed their arduous climb. However, the occasional glances they cast at Xuanming still carried a complex and indescribable quality.

Even Ning Rongrong, who used to be reluctant to part with Xuanming, was no longer the same after arriving at Seagod Island.

Because they clearly saw the pressure Xuanming was facing, and they didn't even have the right to stand beside him, let alone help him.

Although they knew there was a huge gap between them and Xuanming, they did not have a real concept of this gap.

Now, the light of the sea god and the Nine Heavens Mystic Steps are blatantly displaying this enormous difference to them in terms of the number of steps.

Strive forward, get as close to Xuanming as possible; that's all they can do now.

“Brother, you won’t get up there like this,” the Ice Dragon King said.

She had roughly sensed the intensity of the Sea God's Light. To reach the top of the Nine Heavens Mystic Rank, one would need to reach the level of Poseidon, not only in terms of strength but also in terms of an immense amount of soul power.

Now that the divine test has sealed the energy of the dragon bone, Xuanming's power is simply insufficient to support him to travel that far.

"Do you have any ideas?" Xuanming asked.

"The Light of the Sea God, in its later stages, not only puts pressure on the body but also on the mind. Your current body cannot withstand higher pressure and needs to be upgraded, as does your mind," said the Ice Dragon King.

Xuanming was silent for a moment, then asked, "You mean, acquire new soul rings and soul bones first?"

"This is the only way," said the Ice Dragon King.

This divine trial was eerie in every way, and it was definitely not being orchestrated by Poseidon alone; at the very least, the Asura God was involved.

If the first test was to get Gu Yuena to take action, then with this second test, she roughly guessed the God Realm's purpose.

(End of this chapter)