Chapter 171 Qin Xiao Awakens_2

"Listening to what those girls said, Qin Xiao became a Titled Douluo at the age of eighteen. Now he's only nineteen, such a peerless genius has never existed in the history of Soul Land. Could it be that not even he can successfully pass the Sea God's test?"

"Yes, what a pity...."

'....'

Behind Bossi, the Seven Pillar Guardians were also whispering among themselves.

It wasn't hard to discern the regret in their voices.

They were no ordinary people either, having seen many exceptional talents.

No.

To be exact, they themselves were the geniuses among the Sea Soul Masters, outstanding outliers. But compared to Qin Xiao, they had to admit they fell far short.

But if even a prodigy like Qin Xiao could not become the Sea God's successor, was there anyone else in the world capable of achieving it?

Was the Sea God being too harsh on his candidates? Some were starting to grumble in their hearts.

"The Sea God's decisions are not something anyone can speculate about. It's best not to make wild guesses,"

Suddenly, Bossi's voice appeared out of nowhere in the minds of the seven pillar guardians.

It startled them, and they dare not speculate any further.

In reality.

If the Sea God in the Divine Realm could have heard their conversation, he would have been infuriated and retorted, 'Damn it, I'm not taking the blame for this. What does this kid's current state have to do with me? Who the hell isn't a victim here?'

"Eh, that's not right!"

Bossi suddenly frowned and let out a soft exclamation.

"Great Priest, what do you mean by that?"

"Could there be another explanation?"

"..."

Bossi's voice had no hint of concealment; all the nearby Sea Pillar Guardians also noticed the anomaly, and someone couldn't help but ask.

"It's nothing, just wait a moment and you'll all understand,"

In an instant, Bossi's expression returned to normal.

But others were puzzled, wondering, 'What does the Great Priest want us to see?'

Subconsciously, they looked towards Qin Xiao.

And they couldn't help but exclaim:

"Damn, that's blinding."

Wherever their gaze landed, Qin Xiao's body erupted in a dazzling golden light, and in an instant, no one could see his figure clearly, as if he'd become a mini sun.

Everyone subconsciously squinted their eyes, some even raised their hands to shield themselves.

And that's not all.

Even the people on Sea God's Island noticed something was amiss.

Some people didn't know what was happening, but they knelt in the direction of Qin Xiao, chanting fervently that the Sea God had revealed himself.

...

"Wait, this light is extraordinary, it's the astonishing Sea God's power,"

"Even the purity of the Sea God Divine Power is exceptionally high."

"What's going on, what exactly is happening?"

The Sea Horse Douluo and other guest elders also noticed something unusual.

Someone couldn't help asking, "Great Priest, what should we do now?"

The answer from Bossi was simple, "Let's just watch and see."

She, almost like everyone else, had not taken her eyes off Qin Xiao.

Even though the powerful Sea God's power had obstructed their vision, her gaze never left the place where Qin Xiao was situated.

"Your Highness, is it you? You've woken up!"

"It must be so, definitely."

'...'

Zhu Zhuqing, Meng Yiran, Ning Rongrong, and Dugu Yan were all beside themselves with excitement.

When Qin Xiao's body burst forth with the powerful Sea God's power, they couldn't stay by his side, a gentle force had transported them together to the side.

The next moment, a voice provided the answer:

"It's me, I have awakened."

"You no longer need to worry about me."

When this voice sounded, some had already started to cry uncontrollably.

They were certain, this was Qin Xiao's voice.

That man, he had truly returned.

As the voice fell, the golden Sea God's power dissipated at an incredibly fast rate.

When they could once again see clearly before them, they discovered that a handsome young man had already appeared in front of them.

His lips still bore a hint of a smile.

"Your Highness..."

"Qin Xiao."

Everyone spoke with a sob in their voice.

Qin Xiao didn't say much, just opened his arms and embraced all four of them.

Of course, he wasn't Rubber-Man, lacking the ability to stretch his body parts.

He simply tried, as much as possible, to let everyone feel the warmth of his embrace.

After a long while.

Qin Xiao shook his head helplessly, "I say, until when do you all plan to hold me? There is a big crowd watching over there. Besides, there's less than a 'shichen' left in the year, and I still have one task to complete."

"Oh oh."

Upon hearing Qin Xiao's voice, Zhu Zhuqing and the others belatedly untangled themselves from his chest.

And unconsciously blushed.

"Qin Xiao, what exactly is your situation?"

Ning Rongrong asked, puzzled and concerned.

"It's a complicated situation, not something I can explain in a short while."

Facing Ning Rongrong's doubts, Qin Xiao gave a vague response.

He obviously couldn't reveal to others what had happened to him.

After all, the mysterious Martial Soul and that unreliable System were his trump cards, the foundation on which he established himself in this world.

Not to mention, letting those on Sea God's Island know that he'd spent the past year refining and stealing the Sea God's power, rather than considering him as the successor to the Sea God, Qin Xiao felt that he'd be instantly placed on the blacklist of Sea God's Island and treated as an enemy.

Besides, Qin Xiao still planned to absorb some more of the Sea God's Divine Power as a reserve; he couldn't expose his intentions yet.

"Your Highness, with less than a 'shichen' left, can you really complete the Sea God's trial?"

Zhu Zhuqing asked worriedly.

"Qin Xiao, me, Zhu Qing, Yanyan, Yiran, all four of us have experienced the absurd challenge of the Sea God's trial. Not to say it was a perilous ordeal, but after much hardship and expending a lot of time and effort, we only just managed to complete the first trial. The Sea God's trial is really not that simple."

Ning Rongrong furrowed her brows together.

She truly believed the trial wasn't easy.

Zhu Zhuqing took six months, Meng Yiran seven, Dugu Yan eight, and she herself took nine months.

Now Qin Xiao only had one 'shichen'; was it realistic for him to complete the trial?

Not realistic at all.

It wasn't just Ning Rongrong; even among the Sea Pillar Guardians in the distance, there were those who weren't optimistic about Qin Xiao.

"The trials left by the Sea God are not so easily passed. The stronger one's power, the harder the trials become. I believe it is nearly impossible for Qin Xiao to complete the first trial within one 'shichen'."

"Indeed, that is also my opinion."

"It's a pity, too late. If only he had more time, after a few attempts, perhaps he could have succeeded."

"..."

The voices of the many Sea Pillar Guardians were not deliberately concealed.

Everyone in the arena could hear them clearly.

Zhu Zhuqing and the others' complexions changed.

The joy that had risen from Qin Xiao's awakening vanished instantly.

Worry once again took over their faces.

Ning Rongrong looked left and right, then approached Qin Xiao.

"What are you doing? Why so secretive?" Qin Xiao was greatly puzzled; what was this little demoness up to now?

Quietly, Ning Rongrong muttered in a very low voice, "Qin Xiao, I advise you to give up on the Sea God's trial. With one hour left, make a run for it. I know you're fast, you should be able to get very far in a 'shichen'. I believe that as long as you run fast enough, the Sea God won't be able to catch up to you, and there's nothing he could do."

Qin Xiao: "..."

For the first time, his expression turned very complex, unsure whether he should cry or laugh.

He hadn't expected Ning Rongrong to actually suggest that he flee.

Well.

He had to admit, it wasn't a bad option, but for the moment, he wasn't ready.

He reached out to pinch Ning Rongrong's cheek, smiling as he spoke, "Thank you for the suggestion, but I intend to give it a try. Fear the worst but hope for the best; what if I succeed? Wouldn't everyone be overjoyed then?"

However.

After hearing Qin Xiao's words, Ning Rongrong gave a stern shake of her head, "Qin Xiao, you're still too optimistic."

Not far away.

The many Sea Pillar Guardians simultaneously harbored a thought: This young man, still too confident. Full of youthful vigor.

They had all undergone the Sea God's trial, well aware of its difficulties.

No one believed Qin Xiao could succeed at once, especially within a 'shichen'.