Douluo: When the piano sounds, the hidden weapon returns to the factory

After clarifying their respective assessment criteria, the five quickly formulated their next plan in the courtyard of Haima City.

Ning Rongrong, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling did not delay at all. The next morning, guided by a Sea Soul Master, they headed straight for the foot of Sea God Mountain. When they actually stood before the three hundred and thirty-three steps and felt the "Light of Sea God" descending from the sky, heavy and vast as if it were a tangible thing, they instantly understood the meaning of Qian Renxue's warning.

That light wasn't just simple pressure; it seeped into every cell of the body, relentlessly squeezing the soul power, bones, and even the spirit! With each level up, the pressure increased exponentially!

Ning Rongrong was already drenched in sweat after only reaching level ten and had to immediately release the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to amplify herself. Dugu Yan, relying on the resilience of her Azure Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul, barely managed to reach around level thirty before feeling utterly helpless. Ye Lingling was in slightly better shape; the healing effect of the Nine Heart Begonia allowed her to withstand the pressure for longer, but her progress was extremely slow.

Only then did the three women abandon any sense of contempt and begin the monotonous and painful cycle of climbing, recovering, and climbing again, day after day. Their soul power slowly but steadily increased under extreme pressure, and their bodies were constantly being tempered.

On the other hand, Feng Yao's cultivation method is completely different.

Instead of going to the steps of Poseidon Mountain, he went alone to a cliff on the edge of the island facing the endless sea.

Here, the waves crash against the shore, the roar of the sea is deafening, and the air is filled with the most primal and magnificent ocean atmosphere.

Feng Yao sat cross-legged on the edge of the cliff, closed his eyes, and did not circulate his soul power, but completely opened his mind and senses.

He no longer "listened" to the sound of the waves, but instead "felt" the power contained in that sound—surging, violent, and endless.

He no longer "looked" at the blue of the sea, but instead "understood" the profoundness represented by that color—encompassing all things, unfathomable.

He no longer "felt" the saltiness of the sea breeze, but instead "experienced" the life contained within that breath—nourishing all things and giving birth to endless possibilities.

He placed Fuxi across his lap, his fingertips occasionally brushing lightly across the strings, producing not melodies, but rather natural sounds that imitated the rise and fall of waves, the flow of sea breeze, and even the undercurrents of the seabed.

This process was far more difficult and abstract than he had imagined. For several days in a row, he seemed to be sitting in meditation, making no progress whatsoever. The power of the Vast Ocean remained a colossal entity separate from him, incomprehensible, let alone comprehensible.

Qian Renxue shuttled between the two. Sometimes she would go to the bottom of the Sea God Mountain steps to watch Ning Rongrong and the other two women cultivate, occasionally offering some pointers; other times she would come to the cliff where Feng Yao was, quietly accompanying him, also feeling the vastness of the sea. Sometimes she would try to release the aura of the Eternal Radiance Heavenly Fire Sword to subtly sense the resonance of the two divine powers at that special frequency, which was also a form of cultivation for her.

She could see the confusion and hesitation in Feng Yao's eyes, but she didn't interrupt him. She knew that this kind of enlightenment was something no outsider could help her with.

until the seventh day.

A massive storm swept through the waters surrounding Poseidon Island.

The wind howled, the waves surged, and the dark clouds hung low, as if the sky and sea had been turned upside down. Thunder rumbled among the clouds, revealing the most primitive and violent side of nature.

Ning Rongrong and the other two women had already been forced to stop climbing and retreat down the mountain to take refuge.

Feng Yao, however, remained seated on the cliff, letting the wind and rain lash his body, as if he had turned into a rock.

Just as a bolt of lightning suddenly ripped through the sky, followed by a deafening clap of thunder and a colossal wave, seemingly capable of swallowing everything, crashed against the cliff—

Feng Yao suddenly opened his eyes!
His eyes were no longer filled with confusion, but reflected the devastating power of the ocean before him!
The Fuxi Qin on my lap moved on its own without any wind, emitting a high-pitched and passionate sound, not an imitation, but a response!

At that moment, he seemed to touch a sliver of the true essence of the "Power of the Vast Ocean"—it is not only tranquility and inclusiveness, but also rage and destruction! It is the cradle of life that nurtures all things, and also the final destination of all things that devour everything!

These two distinct qualities are perfectly unified in the concept of "sea"!

"So... this is the Vast Ocean..." Feng Yao murmured to himself, his eyes gleaming brightly.

His first test, "comprehending the power of the vast ocean," has finally come to fruition, and at this moment, he has truly taken the crucial first step.

As time goes by, at the foot of Poseidon Mountain, Ning Rongrong, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling's cultivation has gotten on track, but they have also entered the most arduous period of training.

The same assessment was interpreted differently by the three individuals.

Ning Rongrong initially progressed the fastest thanks to the extreme amplification provided by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. However, after reaching level 80, the pressure increased dramatically. Each level felt like it was crushing her bones, and her soul power was being consumed far faster than it could be replenished. She had to learn to control every ounce of her soul power with extreme precision, calculating the optimal moment to apply the amplification. In the process of climbing, she honed her support-type soul master skills to an unprecedented level. Her assessment was the ultimate test of soul power control and sustained combat ability.

Dugu Yan, however, had a different understanding of the assessment. Her snake-type martial soul possessed not only powerful venom but also immense resilience, making her more able to withstand pressure, but also leading to a more brutal approach. She often forced herself to her limits with sheer grit, only to be thrown back or even injured by the immense pressure, requiring treatment from Ye Lingling. Through this repeated cycle of "destruction and repair," her physique grew stronger at a visible rate, and the venom of the Azure Phosphorus Emperor seemed to be further purified under the pressure. Her assessment was a tempering of both body and will.

Ye Lingling's progress was the most stable. The powerful healing ability of the Nine-Hearted Begonia gave her exceptional endurance, allowing her to often persist on the stairs longer than Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan. However, her weakness lay in her inability to forcefully break through certain pressure points like Dugu Yan. She focused more on subtly sensing the cleansing and oppressive effects of the Sea God's Light on her spiritual power and the origin of her martial soul while confronting the pressure. Her test was about resilience and a deep understanding of life energy.

The three supported each other, sometimes exchanging tips, sometimes encouraging one another. The number of levels they climbed increased slowly but steadily: eighty, ninety... Each breakthrough was accompanied by immense pain and the joy of success.

On the other side, atop the cliff, after gaining initial insight during that storm, Feng Yao's understanding entered a new stage.

He stopped sitting idly and began to actively "communicate" with the sea.

Sometimes he would stand in the midst of a raging storm, feeling the ocean's anger and destructive power. The Fuxi Qin would emit a powerful and stirring sound, which would stir up the waves and even briefly cause the giant waves crashing against the cliffs to be reversed!

Sometimes he would sit quietly on a moonlit night, feeling the ebb and flow of the tide. The music would become soothing and profound, and he would feel as if he were one with the rocks beneath his feet and the sea around him, his breath as long and deep as the endless ocean.

He even dived into the sea, closing his eyes to sense the immense silence and darkness that encompassed everything amidst the high pressure and undercurrents of the deep ocean.

His soul power level hadn't increased significantly, but his control over power, especially his understanding of "water" and "sound," had reached a completely new level. Every vibration of the Fuxi Qin could even resonate with the surrounding water vapor; he could even calm a small patch of sea instantly or create tiny waves with just a single note. The power of the vast ocean was no longer an unattainable concept, but was gradually becoming a "power" that he could begin to understand and invoke.

On this day, he felt something and tried to integrate a trace of the rhythm of the "power of the vast ocean" that he had comprehended into his own soul power.

When he activated his soul power again, the originally colorless and formless soul power was faintly covered with a very thin layer of azure light. As the soul power circulated, it gained a sense of being long and continuous with endless power! Although it was only a tiny bit, it represented that he had truly begun to turn "comprehension" into "his own use".

His first test, "Comprehending the Power of the Vast Ocean," finally marked a crucial step from understanding to mastery.

Qian Renxue often stayed by his side, watching him dance with the sea, watching him try time and again to integrate that rhythm into himself. Sometimes, she would also be inspired, trying to harmonize the frequency of the angelic power with the ocean rhythm driven by the wind, and the divine resonance between the two became more harmonious and natural.

Two different paths of cultivation, each steadily and firmly advancing towards its own goal. On Seagod Island, all five were putting in tremendous effort and sweat to pass the first test.

Time flies, and nearly a year has passed in the blink of an eye on Poseidon Island.

At the foot of Poseidon Mountain, Ning Rongrong, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling endured countless cycles of exhaustion, recovery, and renewed challenges. Sweat soaked every step, and their will and bodies underwent a transformative change under the relentless tempering of the Poseidon's light.

The final assessment is approaching.

On this day, the three women stood side by side before the steps once more. Compared to their trepidation and awkwardness a year ago, their eyes now held only unwavering determination.

"The final step!" Ning Rongrong took a deep breath, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda shone brightly, with an unprecedentedly powerful amplification enveloping herself and her two sisters.

"Charge!" Dugu Yan shouted, her body surrounded by azure and purple light, and she charged upwards like an arrow released from a bow. Her physical strength had reached a terrifying level.

Ye Lingling followed closely behind, the Nine-Hearted Begonia always ready, her cool gaze fixed on her companion ahead.

Level 103, Level 104, Level 105!

The pressure on the last three steps was like a mountain collapsing!

"Ah—!" Dugu Yan roared in unwilling anger, fine beads of blood seeping from her skin, but she withstood the terrible pressure and stepped onto the 106th level!

Ning Rongrong's soul power was almost exhausted, her face was as pale as paper, and she was supported by a stubborn will to not give up. She took a trembling step forward!

A trickle of blood spilled from Ye Lingling's lips, but a green light flashed in her eyes, and the last bit of power from the Nine Heart Begonia erupted, propelling her and the almost exhausted Dugu Yan to finally step onto the last step—the 108th step!

The moment the two women landed, the terrifying pressure that had enveloped them vanished without a trace! In its place descended a warm and pure golden beam of light, completely enveloping them!

A massive surge of energy flooded into their bodies, frantically repairing their damage and nourishing their depleted soul power and exhausted spirits! Under the infusion of this energy, their soul power levels began to soar!
Black-level Sixth Trial, First Trial Passed! Rewards Issued! Soul Power Level Increased by One!
They had no time to heed the divine pronouncements echoing in their minds; at this moment, climbing was their only instinctive obsession.

The Nine-Heart Begonia in Ye Lingling's hand had already bloomed. Its cool radiance mixed with the glistening begonia petals, falling like rain onto Ning Rongrong, gently yet swiftly repairing her nearly collapsed body.

"Spirit Pearl, move..." Ning Rongrong gritted her teeth, her consciousness almost sinking into darkness, yet she still desperately urged the Star Luo Spirit Pearl within her body. As if responding to her unyielding will, the Spirit Pearl suddenly accelerated its rotation, and a clear stream surged from her dantian, instantly cleansing her entire body—as if some invisible barrier had shattered in response!

Her exhausted body suddenly felt lighter, and her nearly depleted soul power surged forth with new strength. She subconsciously raised the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda in her hand, but suddenly froze—the glazed pagoda was still spinning, its light flowing, but somehow… it had transformed into nine stories!

The nine-colored divine light shone brightly, more dazzling than ever before.

There was no time for astonishment, nor time to ponder the origins of this transformation. The oppressive weight of the Sea God's Light still hung overhead, and Ning Rongrong could only rely on instinct, taking one step after another upwards with the help of the suddenly intensified amplifying light of the Glazed Pagoda and the continuous healing from the Nine-Heart Begonia.

Finally, she reached the 128th floor, and the terrifying pressure that had been enveloping her vanished instantly! In its place, a warm and pure golden beam of light descended from the sky, completely enveloping her!
The first of the seven supreme trials has been passed! Rewards are given! Soul Power level increased by one level, and Soul Ring age increased by five hundred years!
As the light faded, the three women collapsed at the foot of the mountain, exchanging smiles, their eyes filled with excitement and pride. They had succeeded!

Under the pressure of life and death, human potential seems limitless. Instead of wasting Feng Yao's assessment time to help themselves, they relied on their own strength to pass the assessment.

Meanwhile, on the cliff.

Feng Yao stood quietly, facing the vast and boundless sea. Nearly a year of reflection had made his aura almost one with the ocean, calm and profound.

He slowly raised his hand, without using his soul power, but with a slight thought.

In an instant, the sea within a hundred meters of him became as calm as a mirror, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds. The next moment, the mirror shattered, and countless streams of water rose into the air as if they had come to life, swirling and dancing around him, sometimes transforming into roaring dragons, sometimes into gentle dolphins, before finally returning to calm.

This is not a soul skill, but rather the resonance and guidance of his mind with the power of nature after he has comprehended the "Power of the Vast Ocean" to a certain extent.

His understanding of water surpasses that of the vast majority of Sea Soul Masters.

Just as he gathered his thoughts, a thick golden beam of light descended from the sky and enveloped him!
The vast divine power surged into his body, not simply increasing his soul power level, but also integrating more into his spiritual power, his martial soul origin, and especially his understanding of the laws of "water" and "sound"! His soul seemed to have undergone a complete cleansing and sublimation, and his connection with the entire ocean became clearer and closer.

The Sea God's Nine Trials, First Trial: Comprehending the Power of the Vast Ocean – Passed! Reward Issued! Sea God Affinity: 5%!
Feng Yao opened his eyes, his gaze seemingly shimmering with azure light, unfathomably deep. He could feel that his control over power, especially his ability to harness the power of nature, had reached a completely new level.

Qian Renxue had been standing guard by the side. When she saw the golden light descend and felt the increasingly profound aura emanating from Feng Yao, a gratified smile appeared on her face.

...(End of chapter)