Half a month later, as Bo Saixi looked at Su Cheng arriving at the foot of Seagod Mountain, she wasn't surprised.
In fact, she had been secretly observing Su Cheng's progress and cultivation status all along.
This included the scene where he received rewards after completing the first test, which was all within her perception.
For Su Cheng, the first level of the Purple Rank Assessment was naturally not a difficult task.
Finding the Evil Demon Orcas wasn't hard.
On the ocean, the Evil Demon Orca clan had almost no natural enemies, roaming freely without restrictions.
For other ordinary soul masters at the Soul Saint level, this test was actually quite challenging.
These soul beasts usually moved in groups, rarely appearing alone.
This meant that to complete the task of killing an Evil Demon Orca, not only did a soul master need sufficient strength, but also a great deal of patience to wait for the right moment, and a bit of luck.
Otherwise, being targeted by a group of Evil Demon Orcas would amplify the risk countless times.
For Su Cheng, this wasn't an issue at all.
Not to mention a mere fifty-thousand-year-old Evil Demon Orca, even the one hundred-thousand-year-old Evil Demon Orca King could be killed by him.
The previous test issued by the Sea Dragon Sacred Pillar was based on the condition that he had lost an arm and hadn't displayed his innate power. It was arranged considering his basic qualities, his strong swordsmanship will, the high-quality Eternal Sword Martial Soul, and his far superior soul ring configuration.
Compared to Su Cheng's true strength, the assessment naturally fell far short.
Bo Saixi watched him and asked, "What is your next test?"
Su Cheng's eyes flickered as he pointed ahead towards Seagod Mountain. "It says I need to pass through the Seagod's Light at the foot of Seagod Mountain and climb one hundred and eight steps within a year."
"Hmm?" Bo Saixi was momentarily stunned, her delicate brows slightly raised. "Are you sure?"
Seeing her reaction, Su Cheng was also a bit puzzled. "Is something wrong?"
Seeing that he didn't seem to be lying, Bo Saixi slowly shook her head, "Nothing, you may proceed."
After Su Cheng crossed the ring-shaped sea outside Seagod Mountain and stood at the foot of the mountain, Bo Saixi's brow furrowed again.
She murmured softly, "Strange, how could it be…"
Since she became the High Priestess, she had seen many soul masters undergo the Seagod's tests.
Among them, whether they were ordinary sea soul masters from outside Seagod Island, residents living on the island, or land soul masters from the Douluo Continent coming to the overseas area, none had assessments that included passing through the Seagod's Light, except for a few who received the Black Rank tests.
"Is it because of his unique foundation and strength? But if that's the case, why did Lord Seagod only grant him a Purple Rank Three Test…"
Things had progressed to this point, completely deviating from her initial expectations.
Now, even within this simple Purple Rank Three Test, there seemed to be all sorts of mysteries.
Bo Saixi even started to suspect if this was a special arrangement from Lord Seagod.
On the other side, after receiving Bo Saixi's permission and standing at the foot of Seagod Mountain, Su Cheng looked up at the staircase ahead.
On the heavy white jade steps, there seemed to be an aura of majesty and solemnity, making one feel oppressed.
The reason why he hadn't proceeded with the next two levels of the Purple Rank assessment normally was naturally intentional.
Because only in this place, leveraging the high concentration of soul power and pressure, did he have the chance to rapidly increase his soul power within just half a year.
After condensing his sixth hundred-thousand-year soul ring in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Su Cheng had already reached level sixty-two in cultivation, not far from level sixty-three.
After receiving the reward for passing the first test, his soul power level increased again, breaking through to level sixty-five.
Next, he only needed to cultivate here for a period, pushing his cultivation to level sixty-seven, then he could directly break the rule chain imprinted in the assessment and absorb the remaining soul power within.
Then, relying on the special environment of the Seagod's Light, he would directly condense his seventh soul ring and advance to Soul Saint.
By that time, he would have enough strength and confidence to confront Bo Saixi head-on.
Of course, Su Cheng did not deceive Bo Saixi when he spoke earlier.
At this moment, he truly believed that his second test was to pass through the Seagod's Light.
Approaching the staircase, Su Cheng slowly lifted his right leg and stepped onto the first step.
In an instant, a powerful resistance appeared in front of him, like a wall filled with elasticity, strongly pushing against his progress.
However, the elasticity wasn't very strong at this point. At least for someone of Su Cheng's strength, continuing forward wasn't difficult.
Quickly, one step, two steps, three steps...
He walked upward step by step.
As he advanced, a layer of golden mist appeared around his body, and during this process, his soul power was rapidly consumed.
Without stopping, he continued until the seventieth step, where he finally felt significant pressure.
This was mainly because he hadn't used many techniques; otherwise, it would have been much easier.
Looking up at the higher destination, there were still more than thirty steps to complete this test.
Su Cheng's eyes flickered slightly. He certainly wouldn't choose to finish the task just like that.
Completing it would mean he couldn't continue to cultivate here, which was secondary. More importantly, if it caused Bo Saixi to become vigilant and closely monitor him, that would be disastrous.
After all, this was only the second test, so Bo Saixi wouldn't be too anxious.
But when it came to the third test, what she might think and do would be unpredictable.
Thinking it over, Su Cheng didn't continue upward. Instead, he sat down cross-legged right there and began silently adjusting his breath and cultivating.
As his innate power circulated within his body, the high concentration of soul power around him quietly permeated his body, replenishing his consumption and rapidly enhancing his cultivation.
At the foot of the mountain, Bo Saixi watched the figure sitting halfway up the mountain, her eyes slightly flickering, but she said nothing more.
Given Su Cheng's intelligence, it was quite normal for him to realize that this was an excellent place for cultivation, so making this choice wasn't surprising.
And just as Su Cheng had judged, since this was the second test, Bo Saixi wasn't overly tense.
"Let's talk about it in a few days…"
With a silent sigh, the graceful figure in red at the mountain's foot turned and returned to the Seagod's Temple at the mountain's peak.
After that, Su Cheng stayed near Seagod Mountain.
Most of the time, he bathed in the Seagod's Light, cultivating, and occasionally relaxed his body and mind at the mountain's foot.
As time passed bit by bit, his position gradually rose, from the seventieth step, to the eightieth step, and then to the ninetieth step...
During this period, Bo Saixi no longer stayed in the Seagod's Temple at the mountain's peak as before. Instead, she often came down the mountain to observe Su Cheng's progress in cultivation.
Because of this, the two had more opportunities for interaction and communication.
Their interactions became much more harmonious, with less of the previous vague hostility and vigilance, and more mutual understanding.
This change made Bo Saixi feel somewhat strange.
The Su Cheng in her memory was the same way.
He never regarded himself as her disciple, always conversing with ease and never showing any restraint in front of her.
Unlike other Seagod Island residents, who revered her greatly and saw her as a deity, he was her only true friend.
However, unlike back then, Su Cheng used to travel between Sea Maiden City and Seagod Mountain, not staying primarily at the foot of Seagod Mountain like now, only occasionally going to Sea Dragon City to replenish supplies.
In comparison, they now spent even more time together.
The figures in her memory and reality sometimes overlapped, then split into two completely different people.
Sometimes, Bo Saixi herself couldn't figure out what she was expecting or fearing…
As time steadily approached the six-month deadline, Bo Saixi became more conflicted.
Should she forcibly keep Su Cheng here?
With his current combat power, she could still suppress him for now.
She also had the home-field advantage of Seagod Island and fighting at sea, which gave him even more confidence.
But if Su Cheng really advanced to a higher level of cultivation—he didn't even need to reach the exaggerated level of a Titled Douluo, just reaching the Soul Saint realm and obtaining his martial soul avatar—his combat power would experience a tremendous leap.
If that time came, even she wouldn't be completely sure she could handle him.
Moreover, although this young man's strength didn't compare to the person in her memory, his foundation and natural talent were even superior. He clearly had some trump cards up his sleeve, and if she hesitated further, who knows what unexpected events might occur.
"Why are you looking at me with that strange gaze again?"
Noticing Bo Saixi's blank stare, Su Cheng shivered slightly.
"I really don't remember meeting you before. Who exactly are you mistaking me for? Some heartbreaker?"
"…"
Bo Saixi snapped back to reality at Su Cheng's voice, subconsciously averting her gaze, her face slightly reddening.
Then, she turned cold again and said faintly, "Do you really think I won't kill you?"
"Then go ahead." Su Cheng rolled his eyes at her words, sounding a bit impatient.
He looked at her puzzled. "Why do you have such strong hostility towards me? It's been like this since we first met."
"…"
Seeing Bo Saixi's silence, Su Cheng raised his hand to pinch his chin. "Did you have a dream or something? Why don't you tell me about it, and I can analyze it for you, so we can clear up any misunderstandings."
"…"
"How old are you this year?" Su Cheng asked tentatively, seeing that she still refused to speak. "Did someone really deceive you or betray you, making you so upset?"
"Shh—"
A stream of water instantly condensed into an ice blade and shot toward his cheek.
The sharp, tangible killing intent swept past like a blade, making Su Cheng's hair stand on end.
He quickly stepped aside to dodge.
Seeing several more ice blades forming in mid-air and a powerful oppressive force rolling in from all directions, Su Cheng hurriedly shouted, "Stop, I was just joking!"
"Hmph." Bo Saixi snorted coldly and, after watching him for a moment, finally dispersed her killing intent and oppressive aura.
Su Cheng breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but remark, "I always thought you were quite reasonable. Why do you find me so annoying?"
"You're overthinking it," Bo Saixi replied blandly. "Just focus on your cultivation."
With that, she turned and walked up the mountain.
At the hundredth step of Seagod Mountain, Su Cheng sat cross-legged with a straight posture.
It had been five months since he began climbing Seagod Mountain. Under the dual influence of his innate power and the Seagod's Light, he had already reached level sixty-seven.
The moment his cultivation reached this level, Su Cheng's eyes suddenly opened, flashing with a bright, cold gleam, which he quickly concealed by lowering his eyelids.
Simultaneously, the mask covering his soul shattered.
"It's time…"
Next, he would completely break the rule chain on the assessment mark, using the remaining soul power reward to push his cultivation to level seventy.
Then, he would directly advance to Soul Saint right here!
...
I don't know what's happening, but I can't update the chapter all at once. This is annoying as hell.