Chapter 100: Nine Sea Gods Trial 7
Chapter 100: Nine Sea Gods Trial 7
Word count = 1809 on 10/22/2023
(Woo-hoo chapter 100)
Bo Saixi has her eyes closed for a few moments as she understands what the instructions for the next test are. She finally responds after a full minute saying.
"In truth, after the first 2 trials there was not much we could have truly tested you and the nine tests are more formality sake or to help you think deeply on all the functions of all your powers. But since we have already reached the 7th now then we might as well go all the way. Your next task is to convince the Demonic Whale King's Wife, the Demon Queen, to submit to Sea Gods island. The oath needs to be at least for 20 years otherwise she will have to pay the price for this broken oath. Do that and the next one is technically the last trial we can formally give."
"It's alright, I expected something like this. Shame I couldn't experience the true trials but that would make me the new sea god. I believe there will come around someone who truly desires it soon enough." he says cryptically as long as Tang San retains the same spirit and destiny(mental perseverance) that the original Tang San held.
Bo Saixi pays his words no heed in regards to the successor part. She bids him farewell as she has to check up on the other pillars.
Xue Tie spreads his draconic wings and takes flight towards the southern sea as that is where the traces of the Demonic Whale King and his wife appeared during the 2nd trial when they worked together with the other beast emperors. The journey itself only takes a few minutes but with his senses he does not find them immediately.
It is only after searching for more than half an hour, he finds them resting at the bottom of the ocean.
POP. An audible pop is heard as Xue Tie stretches, cracking his back in the process with a satisfactory pop that he has only experienced by using the chairs of the schools in his old life to crack his back since he never really had anyone to crack it for him back then during his middle school age (roughly 11-14 years old-A/N: Basing it off myself though I was a turn of the century baby so i'm slightly older than my fellows of the same grade. After all 14.5-18 would be highschool)
With his stretches complete, He nosedives into the sea, only going a quarter of the way through pure gravitational force and a slight boost at the end. Granted it's not like he will have trouble reaching deeper. He is also suppressing his rune to not burn the water covering his body as he goes deeper. He already almost caused 2 tidal waves whilst fighting the pillars. The first from his earthquake ability to create a mini island. The 2nd when he created the dry arena. The receding water would have surely caused a small bit of trouble but the high priestess would not have struggled with fixing it and calming the ocean once more.
Xue Tie continues on deeper into the ocean, his existence obviously perceived by the water beasts but since they are intelligent. They naturally recognize the residual scent of the Sea gods blood from the 2nd trial as well as the nondescript aura emitted from his body due to the 1 point of spirit power he has as a memento of his humanity. As such, they recognize his as the one who easily knocked them out last time around and thus are wary.
"Human, why have you come here?"
"Demonic Whale King, this one has a decree for your family. Have your wife serve as a guardian beast of Sea Gods island for 20 years with no deceit and I shall not bother you further." Xue Tie says as he sends a mental message to the whale king.
"WHAT!!!" it responds with shock and continues by saying, "For what reason do you make such a demand, Do you wish to make an enemy of me?"
"I am undertaking the sea gods trial for my own interests, I have no desire for the throne and thus you are not my enemy." Xue Tie first responds with reason.
"On the other hand, you are not strong enough to be my enemy as even if you are a million year old beast, you have no access to natural law that all gods have access to. This is why you were defeated the first time around last week" His words seem to cause a tic on the demon whale's head as his aura flares up.
Xue Tie continues by saying, "I can not say to know what the duties of a guardian beast are but I very much doubt your wife would be fully restricted in her actions. She would still be able to be with you and maybe even receive some benefits from the sea god pillars. Of course I'm willing to provide a one time service to enhance your physical power without increasing your actual age. This is a tried and true method that I already offered to the Great Star Dou forest rulers." He provides logic in regards to her freedom and explains various benefits including a brief introduction to his own abilities
While they are talking, the Deep Sea Demonic Whale Queen also makes her appearance, she is hiding from a distance as she is wary. Especially since they are fully conversing in the mind. Her only indicator of how the conversation is going is her own husband's aura. He was first steady and then flared up twice before settling down to its current state.
In a contemplative mood, The Whale King is deep in thought for a minute before looking up at the human before it once more. "How can I be assured that this isn't a human trick and my wife won't be killed by the humans for whatever reason?"
"I can provide no defense for my fellow humans but with the benefit of the enhancement being given to your wife. Then even if the high priestess herself moved, your wife would not die immediately and at least have a chance to retreat." He reassures him by highlighting the specific benefits he himself is bestowing.
"You may have her come out so that she may be included in the conversation. Even if 20 years is small to a high level beast such as yourselves. It is still her life that hangs in the balance" He proclaims sympathy for the whale king's wife who nods and calls her over from her hiding spot.
The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King explains the situation to his wife who is flabbergasted by the situation, especially with the fact that her husband is actually agreeing to this demand. She has many reservations but the memory of their united defeat at the young man's hands just a week prior is enough for her to not have any outbursts. But when the mention of benefits is brought up. Her hidden desires rise up as well. In the end it comes to her saying
"I wish to receive the benefits you offer before I consider."
"If I give you it to you in full then you will not be getting a choice. As such, ill give you a small taste to let you feel for yourself what the full effect would be like" He waves his hand to shoot out a bubble that houses a bit of black flame. This enters the deep sea queens body. A moment later her body is ignited but she shows no movement. The King panicky strikes out at Xue Tie because the worst case scenario went through his head just now and he thinks that Xue Tie just killed his wife.
Xue Tie coats his body in flames which defeats the water crushing assault laid upon him. He yells out
"Feel her energy you goldfish" he insults the brain of the whale king who does so after seeing his powerful strike not do anything. His hope is quickly restored as he finds that his wife's life signature is there and slowly growing stronger. He sees the veins but he honestly thought the water burned her from the inside through her blood as a channel or something. He has greatly calmed down and awaits the final result.
A few minutes later the veins disappear and it takes another few minutes for the deep sea queen to regain her consciousness. She immediately feels the increase in strength and power. She has starry eyes as she swirls around in glee and desires for more. She readily accepts the work condition and placates her husband by describing her current growth. Her words reassure him and he is glad she got such an opportunity as her strength has always been below his and so he always worried for her safety whilst fighting.
Xue Tie states, "The current limit of my power to refine your body is 9 hours but i will only do so for 3 as part of this deal. I do not wish for you to create a conspiracy to either betray the Sea Gods island while your on duty, nor seek to drown the mainland continents during or after your duties. 3 hours will ensure your longevity and capacity to grow further but not enough that you can sink the world in water. After all, I too am an Emperor. I have my citizens to worry about just as you have your family and people."
They both accept the result and Xue Tie provides her with the 3 hours boost, it takes a few hours longer for her to recover her mind and experiment with her new strength. She believes in the truth of her defensive prowess that Xue Tie proclaimed. As such, She follows Xue Tie to Sea Gods Island, calling out Bo Saixi to oversee the oath made by the deep sea queen.
The Sea Gods trial rune appears with a golden glow for the completed task.
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Disclaimer: I honestly didn't expect this chapter to be so long but it smoothly progressed to it's current length. The next trial might be split into 2 chapters depending on how I feel. (Spoiler below)
Spoiler here: since it's the same as Tang Sans 9th trial for those who are aware. It is the Seven Emotions Array Trial which allowed Tang San to convert each of his spirit bones and external bones into Sea God Armaments. The array puts the target under a divine illusion where they must confront the 7 emotions. What those are, you may either see the wiki or wait 2 days for me to tell you.