Douluo Continent: A Thousand Miles of Cultivation

As Qian Shui slowly ascended the steps of the Sea God Mountain, his heart sank deeper and deeper. This was the seventh test, and he had no reason not to pass it, having just pulled out the Sea God's Trident. For nearly a year and a half, he had almost single-handedly overcome all nine tests of the Sea God with absolute strength, and he was not far from completing the assessment.

"This is their worry, and it's also your fate, isn't it?"

Feeling the trident mark on her forehead resonate with the trident of Poseidon, Poseidon prostrated himself on the ground, praying devoutly.

A somber atmosphere pervaded the island, as if the entire Poseidon Island was grieving the impending departure of their great deity.

Looking up at the high platform, Qian Shui stepped out and stood behind Poseidon.

Even if it's unbearable, even if it brings pity, even if it brings fear, we must keep going, at least to fulfill her current will!

"You know a lot and are very insightful, so the angel successor has already appeared in this generation, right?"

He knows many things he shouldn't know. How could his identity be what he and Seahorse Douluo made up on the spot?

"The High Priest of the Angels, Qian Daoliu, is your friend and my elder. The current Pope, Bibidon, is my teacher. Perhaps, the Angel's successor is the lover who grew up with me."

At this point, there was no need for him to hide anything anymore, so telling the truth wouldn't matter.

Poseidon showed little emotion, only saying, "I see."

Standing up, Poseidon slowly began, "Before you begin your seventh test, let me tell you a story about the ocean. Do you know how vast the ocean is?"

This question concerns the land and sea area of ​​Douluo Continent, which stumped Qian Shui. He knew that Earth's ocean area was about 70% ocean, so he deduced, "Three times?"

When Qian Shui began to ponder, Poseidon was already astonished. This was something that ordinary people simply could not contemplate, because it touched upon the very essence of the world.

Only when the area of ​​land and sea is finite does the question of multiples have meaning.

However, Poseidon didn't dwell on it and simply replied, "The area of ​​the ocean is four times that of the land. In other words, the ocean is equivalent to four Douluo Continents in size."

"Douluo Continent is actually this small? Oh! And there's also the Sun Moon Continent!"

Poseidon nodded in agreement. "It seems you already understand what the land beneath your feet means!"

'A planet? That's not obvious.'

"With your strength, you can break through the planet's limitations, right?"

Qian Shui was interested in these things, so he blurted out that it was possible to break through gravity at level 99.

“A planet? That’s quite fitting.” But Poseidon didn’t continue on that topic; instead, she went on to tell the history of the sea god.

"In this vast and boundless sea, there live far more creatures than on land. If these sea creatures were to lose their restraint and continue to wage war..."

Then, it might be even more chaotic than Lu's situation.

Many, many years ago, the sea was in chaos. As the saying goes, troubled times produce heroes. Among the many sea spirit masters, a genius of extraordinary talent emerged. He single-handedly devoted his entire life to traversing every corner of the sea, wielding a trident, and conquering one sea race after another with his immense strength and unparalleled personal charisma.

After a thousand and one years, he finally unified the oceans and was revered as the Sea God by all sea creatures, creating an immortal myth.

'Faith can lead to divinity, therefore faith is a constraint, but a thousand years is far too long…'

"Can a peerless Douluo live for a thousand years?"

"You don't seem surprised?" Poseidon smiled, giving Qian Shui an even higher evaluation of her character.

"When a person's strength breaks through to the Title Douluo level, they can have a lifespan of about three hundred years."

After that, with each level advancement, one can live an additional hundred years. In other words, someone at my level could live for a thousand years.

And the Sea Master back then conquered the sea precisely because of his level 99 strength.

"That's surprising; the increase in strength can only bring such a short lifespan."

At least in Qian Shui's memory, reaching the Golden Core stage meant living to be five hundred years old, and the Nascent Soul stage meant living to be over a thousand years old. This is why people always talk about "Nascent Soul Old Monster".

'Perhaps those who cultivate immortality know how to maintain their health and are therefore more likely to live longer...'

"Your talent and potential are very strong, but don't think that just because you're already at level 87, your future path will be easy."

Once one's soul power exceeds level 95, according to normal cultivation, the time required to advance to each next level is based on a hundred years. Therefore, it takes one hundred years to go from level 95 to level 96.

It would take another hundred years to go from level 96 to level 97, unless there is a special opportunity. Otherwise, it would take at least two hundred years to reach level 97.

However, that's not the hardest part. There should be quite a few strong Soul Masters on your continent. But I can say with certainty that, apart from Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen, none of them have been able to break through level 97.

That's an absolute bottleneck, calculated under normal circumstances.

It is impossible for humans to cultivate to level 99, because it takes a full three hundred years to go from level 97 to level 98.

The level from ninety-eight to ninety-nine requires six hundred years of tireless and arduous cultivation. Qian Daoliu and I are both fortunate to have achieved our current strength thanks to the legacy of our ancestors.

Only Tang Chen, like the Sea God back then, reached level ninety-nine entirely through his own cultivation.

Although I don't know how he and the Sea God accomplished it, Tang Chen reached level ninety-nine three years earlier than the Sea God at that time. He was also the only one who had a chance to cultivate into a god through his own power.

"So your long-cherished wish, your reluctance to part, and your expectations are all because of Tang Chen?"

Seemingly in some pain, Poseidon slowly closed her eyes. "You guessed right!"

Poseidon continued, "Back then, after I passed the eight highest trials, I received the honor bestowed by the Sea God and was promoted to High Priest."

The vast majority of my strength is a gift from the Sea God, which allowed me to reach level ninety-nine in just fifty years. Qian Daoliu's situation is similar to mine, except that he received the blessing of the Angel God.

It can be said that the three of us are roughly equal in strength, but on a fair platform, Tang Chen is the strongest.

Because his strength comes entirely from his own cultivation, but our competition can never be fair.

On the high seas, they are no match for me; on land, Tang Chen is the strongest; but in the sky, Qian Daoliu has a slight advantage.

Poseidon sighed, shook his head, and said, "I haven't seen him for many years since we parted ways back then."

It's a little embarrassing to admit, but when he left, he made a promise to me that if one day he could break through level 100 and become a true god, he would come back to find me.

This is precisely why I hesitated.

At this point, Qian Shui clearly saw a faint blush appear on Poseidon's face.

"The pity in your eyes is undisguised. You know about the succession to the divine throne, don't you?"

Qian Shui smiled helplessly and said, "If I were in your situation, this position of Grand Elder and this strength would not be as important as that feeling!"

This is the pain of parting. If Qian Renxue hadn't been determined to give up everything, how could she have grasped their destiny?

It seems inevitable that they will turn against each other. He will not be able to escape the city of slaughter. If he dies in it, that's one thing, but if he manages to escape, what will become of the two of them?

Qian Shui dared not imagine that this incident only taught him one thing: one must never hesitate when it comes to feelings, and one must never be self-righteous!

Would you like to hear my story?

...

"Is that the choice for the angel's successor?"

Poseidon closed her eyes and listened quietly; she had never possessed these things, nor did she necessarily know them.

But Qian Shui had something more important to ask, something that touched her soul.

"Perhaps the position of a god is important? Perhaps talent and strength are also important? But human life is even more important!"

But aren't there always some people and some things that are more important than life itself?

Then I would like to ask, which is more important, the succession to a divine position or that burning passion?

After listening for a while, Qian Shui continued:

"Please don't rush to answer me, think about it carefully!"

People have so many things to pursue that they forget what they want most.

I'm talking about something that you've always wanted but never obtained, and that you'd be willing to give up everything for once you get it—that's what truly deserves to be called the most desired thing.

But you have so few choices! Are you really willing to give up Tang Chen and sacrifice everything for me?

Is this really what you want most?

Chapter 152 Retrograde

"My mouth..."

With a thud, Qian Shui knelt on the ground, and Poseidon's unparalleled level 99 cultivation was poured onto him without reservation.

'This tastes much better than Bibi Dong!'

Poseidon said, "Rules, as the Sea God once said, our world has its own rules."

The strength of a level 99 Title Douluo is the upper limit of this rule; once you reach this level, you can forget about advancing any further.

Breaking through this level is equivalent to breaking through the rules and transcending them. That is, becoming a god, which is something that cannot be achieved by individual power alone.

The Sea God broke through by relying on the faith of countless sea spirit beasts and sea spirit masters, which is why so many were needed.

As believers in the Sea God, and Qian Daoliu as a believer in the Six-Winged Angel, we are no longer qualified to receive the power of faith. Naturally, we cannot become gods. Only when the power of faith reaches a certain level is it possible to break through the rules.

This is why it is said that Tang Chen has a chance to become a god, but in reality, how slim that chance is.

Of course, there is another shortcut to becoming a god: gain the approval of the gods of the past and inherit their divine status.

Gods do not die, but after becoming gods, they can only exist in this world for a hundred years.

One hundred years from now, I will have to leave this place, and as for where I will go, I have no idea.

Before they depart, they would leave behind a portion of their divine will, because their divinity still exists and will remain in our world. When someone can gain their complete approval, they can inherit their divinity and become a god again through special means.

There are only two paths to becoming a god at level 100, relatively speaking. The second path is much easier, and you, having accepted the Sea God's nine trials, are the chosen one! The one chosen by the Sea God!

When you pass the nine trials of the Sea God, you will inherit the Sea God's position and become the new Sea God, ruling over the countless people of the sea!

By the end, Poseidon's emotions had clearly intensified. Her voice rose in pitch, echoing throughout the temple.

Poseidon's impassioned voice echoed in the hall for a long time before slowly dissipating.

"Qianshui, I'm telling you this now because you've already passed the first six of the Nine Trials of the Sea God."

This is also the basic test among the nine trials of the Sea God. Next, you will face the real test from the God. These last three tests are much simpler than the previous six tests, but they may also be as difficult as climbing to heaven. It all depends on your fate.

The weapon that is stuck upside down on this Sea God's platform is the weapon that accompanied the Sea God throughout his life, and it is also the place where part of the Sea God's power is concentrated. Pull it out.

That's your seventh test. Only with its approval can you truly take a crucial step towards becoming the Sea God.

My advice to you consists of only two words—faith. As the Sea God left behind, it is said.

Only those chosen by him, with unwavering faith, have the chance to pull out Poseidon's trident. You have passed your seven trials!

Poseidon didn't want to hear Qian Shui say any more. She used her overwhelming power to force Qian Shui to shut up so that she could better fulfill her duties as the High Priest of the Sea God.