But this atmosphere lasted only for a moment, and as the Sea God spoke again, it dissipated like bubbles.
"However, the Angel Holy Sword cannot stop me, but you can!"
The golden light on the trident in his hand faded, and the Sea God said with utmost helplessness.
"Your talent can make me keep you on Sea God Island at all costs."
"But your strength is beyond my current remnant spirit. Even if Bo Saixi and the seven Holy Pillar Guardians attacked together, they would not be your match."
"Even if I were in my true form, it would be extremely difficult to defeat you! Let alone suppress you!"
The Sea God chuckled self-mockingly, finding such an outcome incredibly amusing.
A god could not suppress a six-ringed Soul Emperor!
This was hilariously absurd, yet it was his most direct feeling.
"I cannot force you to stay, but I truly wish for you to become the next Sea God!"
"Therefore, I condensed all the divine thoughts of the Seven Holy Pillars into this remnant form and met you personally to show my sincerity and respect."
"Wang Zhong, what are your thoughts?"
The Sea God's tone became somewhat inexplicable at this point, carrying an undisguised, almost expectant, meaning.
A successor as powerful as Wang Zhong would be able to elevate the Sea God's prestige and faith, spreading it to every corner of the continent. Even if the Sea God's divine position rose from a first-level deity to a God King in a few hundred years, it would only be a matter of time.
With such a future, how could he give up on Wang Zhong?
"It's not impossible for me to inherit the Sea God's position."
"But Lord Sea God, I am from the Spirit Hall. I cannot betray them, nor can I join Sea God Island."
"If you want me to inherit the Sea God's position, it means the Sea God will become the second deity of the Spirit Hall, and Sea God Island will become a part of the Spirit Hall. Are you willing to accept such a result?"
Wang Zhong looked at the Sea God and spoke words that made Hai Long and others' eyebrows twitch. Even Bo Saixi subconsciously frowned.
Such a result was no different from Sea God Island being absorbed by the Spirit Hall.
Years ago, it was because they refused to accept such a result that the two sides engaged in a bloody battle. Now, they had returned to that point. How could they accept it?
"The Spirit Hall is too small to accommodate two deities!" The Sea God shook his head, rejecting Wang Zhong's proposal.
"Then what if the Spirit Hall is big enough!" Wang Zhong's gaze was fiery, his tone persistent and passionate.
An organization with two deities, who in the world could oppose it? At that time, the Spirit Hall's symbol of hope would shine how brightly.
"No."
"I am the God of the Ocean. Even if the Spirit Hall unifies the continent, it will bring me no benefit."
The Sea God looked at Wang Zhong with a solemn expression, his tone also becoming serious.
If Wang Zhong truly harbored ambitions of unifying the continent, no one could stop him. At that time, his faith would face unprecedented challenges.
The Sea God could only protect the sea, but the Angel God could protect the entire sky. Below the sky lay the sea itself!
Upon hearing this, Wang Zhong suppressed his thoughts and could only shrug and chuckle, "Then there's nothing that can be done."
"The Sea God's position is not destined for me."
Despite having prepared himself for the possibility that such an immensely powerful and exceptionally talented prodigy could not become his successor, the Sea God was still profoundly disappointed.
Suppressing this feeling of loss, the Sea God asked Wang Zhong, "Since you do not wish to inherit the Sea God's divine position, nor join Sea God Island."
"Then why did you participate in the Sea God's assessment?"
Wang Zhong's answer was a simple two words: "Cultivation!"
Cultivating to become stronger, and cultivating to protect those he cared about. This was Wang Zhong's never-ending and unchanging goal.
The persistence in Wang Zhong's eyes and tone made the Sea God nod incessantly. At Wang Zhong's age, possessing such strength was naturally important, but more crucial was that firm will and continuous arduous cultivation. Otherwise, even the greatest talent would become mediocre.
The reason for the Sea God's assessments being white, yellow, purple, black, and red stemmed precisely from this.
The difficulty of the assessments imposed pressure and coercion on the participants, and at the same time, it served as a motivation for them to cultivate diligently and strive forward. However, too many people faltered at the words "effort" and "hard work," ultimately perishing in the various assessment stages.
"I can give you the assessment you desire!"
"But I need you to promise me one thing."
The Sea God said solemnly.
"Please, speak!" Wang Zhong did not immediately agree. He needed to know what the Sea God wanted him to do. If it involved harming or compromising the interests of the Spirit Hall, then this assessment was not worth it.
"Rest assured, with a monstrous talent like you in the Spirit Hall, I would not be so foolish as to oppose the Spirit Hall."
"Furthermore, I can assure you that as long as your Spirit Hall does not proactively attack Sea God Island, Sea God Island will never harbor any ill will towards the Spirit Hall."
"However, if your Spirit Hall attempts to forcibly annex Sea God Island, even with your presence in the Spirit Hall, we will retaliate with full force."
The Sea God explained to Wang Zhong with utmost seriousness, making his assurances.
"What I want you to do is related to the Sea God's divine position."
Wang Zhong's eyebrows slightly raised, and he guessed, "You want me to help you find a successor for the Sea God!"
"Yes," the Sea God confirmed.
"Among the residents of Sea God Island, is there no one who catches your eye?" Wang Zhong asked with confusion.
To this, the Sea God could only sigh helplessly.
"There are some individuals with passable talent, but their mental power is too weak to bear my power."
"To control the ocean, one needs an extremely strong talent for mental power, which is not achievable otherwise."
"But such individuals are almost non-existent on Sea God Island, where the population base is too small. Otherwise, I wouldn't have spent nearly a thousand years without finding a suitable candidate."
Wang Zhong pondered this request. He could agree, but how would he judge if someone was qualified to inherit the Sea God's divine position?
As if sensing Wang Zhong's thoughts, the Sea God continued, "In the treasury of the Heaven Dou Empire's imperial family, there exists a divine artifact that I deliberately sent to the continent, named the Vast Sea of Heaven and Earth Cover."
"If there is anyone truly qualified to succeed my divine position, they will be able to withstand the remnant impact of the Vast Sea of Heaven and Earth Cover and use it at will."
"Alright, I agree." Wang Zhong then nodded in agreement.
"Since you have agreed, then the assessment that belongs solely to you shall be bestowed upon you."
As the Sea God spoke, he raised his finger and touched Wang Zhong's brow. With a flash of golden light, a golden trident pattern was imprinted on his forehead.
"Originally, this was the Nine Trials of the Sea God that I established to find a successor. But now, I will remove the condition of inheriting the Sea God's position. It will become your nine cultivation trials."
"I hope you can make further progress and let me see how far you can go in the end."
The Sea God's body began to slowly dissipate, eventually scattering into specks of golden light. These golden lights returned to the Holy Pillars. The shattered Holy Pillars, integrating with the golden light, slowly pieced themselves back together, eventually standing in their original place, completely intact.