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

……

Shui Bing'er took a deep breath of the salty, fishy morning air and took a step forward. Huo Wu moved almost simultaneously with her, and the two walked side by side toward the castle that shone brightly in the morning light.

Gu Yuena stood at the doorway, looking at the last two people with a calm and unwavering gaze, and stepped aside to make way for them.

Inside the room, Xuanming still stood by the window, as if he hadn't moved all night. The morning light outlined his tall, slightly lonely figure.

Shui Bing'er and Huo Wu walked up behind him.

“Xuanming.” Shui Bing’er spoke first, her voice as clear and cold as her martial spirit, “We know that we and you… don’t actually have a very deep relationship.”

Huo Wu chimed in, her tone still carrying her characteristic straightforwardness, but with less of her usual competitive spirit: "Back in Tian Dou City, we might have just been unconvinced, or... a little admired you. We thought you were very strong and powerful."

Shui Bing'er nodded, her gaze fixed on Xuan Ming's retreating figure, and continued, "But after arriving at Seagod Island, seeing you risk your life time and time again, seeing you carry so many things... we finally understood that Ning Rongrong was right."

Huo Wu took a deep breath, as if gathering all her courage: "You're like a bottle of poison! Addictive! Now, we can't see or feel anyone else, no one else can fit in our eyes or hearts!"

Shui Bing'er's voice was gentle yet firm: "So, we're standing here. We're not asking you to make any promises, nor are we asking you to take responsibility for us."

Huo Wu nodded vigorously and said quickly, "Yes! Let's just say we made the decision on our own, that we were foolish! But we just want to stay, we want to be by your side! Even if... even if we can only watch from afar, that would be enough!"

Their voices echoed in the quiet room in the early morning, carrying the fearless courage unique to young girls, but also a hint of trembling fear of rejection.

They have no profound past to rely on, so they can only use the most straightforward way to reveal their truest feelings.

This feeling may have started with admiration, but now, under the daily gaze, it has fermented into a more complex and inseparable attachment.

Xuanming slowly turned around.

The morning light reflected in his icy blue eyes, seemingly melting away some of the past chill. His gaze calmly swept over Shui Bing'er's beautiful face, then settled on Huo Wu's eyes, which burned with a stubborn flame.

He didn't speak.

It's still his usual style.

But slowly, he reached out his hands to them.

It was a silent invitation and acceptance, more powerful than any words.

Incredible joy instantly flashed in Shui Bing'er and Huo Wu's eyes, and tears quickly welled up in their eyes. Without hesitation, they rushed forward almost simultaneously, one on each side, and hugged him tightly.

No more words.

The morning light shone gently through the ice wall, bathing the three people in their embrace.

Outside the castle, all the waiting girls witnessed this scene. No one spoke, but a strange, ineffable harmony and consensus quietly emerged in the morning light.

Xuanming made no promises, but he showed his attitude through his actions—he accepted the existence of all of them, and accepted this complex and heavy, yet warm, emotion.

The fourth test is to "sever all emotional ties and achieve a clear and unobstructed mind."

Perhaps what ended wasn't the romantic relationship, but rather the confusion and struggle of the past. What became clear was their mutual understanding and a path they were willing to walk together, a path they had never walked before.

……

Golden sunlight bathed Poseidon Island, seemingly bringing a temporary pause to the emotional storm that had raged all night.

Just as Xuanming led Shui Bing'er and Huo Wu out of the Ice Crystal Castle and met up with Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing and the others who were waiting on the beach, a strange change occurred.

Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Shui Bing'er, and Huo Wu—all the girls who participated in last night's "lottery" had their assessment marks on their foreheads light up with a soft glow.

A pure and gentle energy surged into their bodies, nourishing their soul power and spiritual power. At the same time, a clear message appeared in their minds—

[The third test of the Sea God: Enlightenment and Realization. Passed.]

[Rewards will be distributed based on individual performance and potential.] Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda shimmered with light, faintly revealing a clear, crystalline quality; Zhu Zhuqing's aura became even more profound and unpredictable; Xiao Wu's soul power fluctuations became increasingly agile; the illusory image of the Azure Phosphorous Serpent King around Dugu Yan solidified somewhat; Ye Lingling's Nine Heart Begonia petals gleamed with a faint golden light; Shui Bing'er and Huo Wu's control over their ice and fire attributes also clearly improved.

They smiled at each other, their last trace of anxiety vanishing. Passing the test felt like recognition of their courage in facing their inner selves and making the choice they had made the night before.

The girls' worries seemed to have been temporarily put to rest. They surrounded Xuanming, chattering away, their faces beaming with ease and joy, as if they had unloaded a heavy burden.

However, Gu Yuena, standing in the shadows of the castle, looked beyond the group of cheerful girls and into a more distant place.

Her silver-purple eyes shifted slightly, first glancing at the temple atop Poseidon Mountain, whose doors remained tightly shut—Poseidon still hadn't appeared.

Then, her divine sense swept across the other side of the island, to the temporary dwelling constructed of extreme ice.

The auras of the Snow Emperor, Ice Emperor, Jade Princess, and Purple Princess lay dormant there, completely out of place with the bustling atmosphere on the beach.

A barely perceptible hint of seriousness flashed in Gu Yuena's eyes.

The problem for the young girls has been solved. They are young and passionate, and they can do anything for the love in their hearts, putting aside their so-called face and reserve.

But what follows is the real trouble.

Poseidon, the high priestess of Poseidon Island, has guarded this place for nearly a century. She holds a prestigious position and possesses a graceful yet reserved personality, along with the pride and self-respect befitting a demigod.

It's absolutely impossible for her to rush in recklessly like Hu Liena, or to openly reveal her feelings like Shui Bing'er and Huo Wu.

Even though Gu Yuena had been subtly and overtly guiding her over the past few months, and even tempting her with the promise of "the right to inherit the Sea God's legacy," Poseidon remained steadfast in her bottom line—she could wait, she could hint, but she would never take that step voluntarily.

This matter requires Xuanming to take the initiative to approach her and give her a clear stance.

Otherwise, she would rather bury that stirring of emotion forever beneath the robes of the sea god's priestess and continue to be that solitary and aloof high priestess.

The same applies to Xue Di, Bing Di, Bi Ji, and Zi Ji.

They are ferocious beast overlords who have lived for hundreds of thousands of years, the pinnacle of the soul beast pyramid, ruling over countless soul beasts in the far north or the Star Dou Great Forest. They possess pride and majesty etched into their very bones.

To expect them to be jealous and competitive like human girls, or to lower themselves to beg for a relationship, is nothing short of a fantasy.

Even if Gu Yuena tried to persuade them with the greater good of the future of the soul beast race and the continuation of their bloodline, they would at most say "no objection," but would never "take the initiative."

They could acquiesce and wait for Xuanming to grow and make his own choices, but to expect them to actively approach him like Ning Rongrong and the others? Absolutely not.

This matter also requires Xuanming to demonstrate sufficient attitude and action.

Gu Yuena sighed softly.

She knew Xuanming's passivity and hesitation in matters of the heart all too well. Asking him to face these "young ladies" with deeper thoughts, more concerns, and more unique identities would be incredibly difficult...

"By the way, where's Mom?" Xiao Wu suddenly asked.

"Why didn't Mom come? Was this not her assessment?"

"I've already passed that." Arou pushed a small cart from a distance, which was filled with steaming breakfast.

Xiao Wu looked confused. "When?"

"Do you think I'm like you?" Arou took out a small table and laid out the breakfast.

"I completed the assessment on the same day it was announced."

"???"

Everyone was confused.

That's amazing? (End of Chapter)