After Yang Podi finished absorbing the Evil Emperor's spirit ring and spirit bone, a voice echoed in his mind:
"Asura's Nine Trials, Fourth Trial completed. Asura Affinity increased by 10%. Total compatibility: 50%."
At the same time, the content of the Fifth Trial of the Asura's Nine Trials appeared in Yang Podi's mind:
Challenge the Sea God's High Priest, Bo Saixi, and the Angel God's High Priest, Qian Daoliu, and achieve victory. Time limit: one year.
Seeing the details of this trial, Yang Podi couldn't help but complain inwardly: What exactly is this Asura God trying to do? Based on strength alone, he should have no problem defeating Bo Saixi and Qian Daoliu, so why would this be set as a trial? What kind of actual improvement could this trial bring him? And making him challenge Bo Saixi, the Sea God Douluo—wasn't this essentially offending the Sea God behind her?
Yang Podi had always understood that Divine Trials mainly rewarded Affinity, just like how his own Asura Affinity and Yang Tianyue's Sea God Affinity worked. This affinity usually represented one's chances of becoming a god and, to some extent, reflected how closely one's body resonated with the corresponding god.
In terms of benefits, Divine Affinity was even more valuable than directly increasing spirit power by one level. Especially now that his Asura Affinity had reached 50%, Yang Podi could feel a subtle transformation within his body—whether it was his control over Slaughter Power or his mastery of the Asura Domain, both had become more refined and formidable.
After thinking for a moment, Yang Podi decided not to dwell on it for now. There was still a year left. He would deal with matters on the Sun-Moon Continent first before worrying about the trial.
Divine Realm – Sea God's Palace
Asura God and Sea God were together once again. In the center of Sea God's Palace, a massive mirror displayed Yang Podi's current state, particularly the changes after he absorbed his eighth spirit ring and reached 50% Asura Affinity.
At this moment, Sea God seemed a bit embarrassed: "Asura God, your successor is quite something. Just now, for a brief moment, if not for the fact that he lacks a god position and is being suppressed by Douluo Star's rules, I would have thought he could break through Level 100 and become a god."
Asura God's expression remained indifferent: "His strength and talent are indeed outstanding, especially his cultivation and spirit ring absorption strategy, which are well-planned. He barely qualifies to inherit my Asura God position."
Hearing this, Sea God secretly ridiculed him in his heart: You're putting on too much of an act. If Yang Podi were his successor, he would have directly allowed him to pass the Sea God's Nine Trials without any additional requirements. Yet Asura God still seemed dissatisfied and overly critical.
However, Sea God was still a bit confused: "Isn't there something wrong with your Fifth Trial? With Yang Podi's current strength, defeating the two High Priests shouldn't be a challenge."
Asura God shook his head: "Yang Podi's strength has already surpassed my initial plans. Any standard trial would be meaningless to him and wouldn't pose much difficulty. However, these two High Priests are theoretically the strongest individuals on Douluo Star. More importantly, when inside their respective divine halls, they can channel divine power. That is the true test."
Sea God suddenly understood: "You mean… you want Yang Podi to experience a battle against Angelic and Sea God's divine power? That way, he can become more proficient in utilizing divine energy and gain a deeper understanding of the difference between divine power and spirit power."
Asura God simply nodded slightly without saying more.
However, Sea God was still a bit skeptical: "Even though these two High Priests can use some divine power, they are just our projections. Their divine power is still limited. But considering Yang Podi's current condition, his spirit power might have already fully transformed into divine power. In terms of depth, he should be far superior to them."
For once, Asura God actually smiled: "That's why you're here, isn't it? This Fifth Trial won't be so easy for this kid."
Sea God: …
Suddenly, as if a thought struck him, Sea God asked: "Asura, after absorbing that 700,000-year-old soul beast—especially since he absorbed both its spirit ring and spirit bone through sacrifice—Yang Podi has likely gained a trace of Destruction Power. Aren't you worried that Destruction will come looking for him?"
At these words, Asura God's expression darkened slightly: "Everything follows the order in which it was granted. I already gave him my Divine Trial long ago. Destruction can't just come and steal him right in front of me."
Sea God showed a hint of concern. "That may be true, but don't forget—this kid's wife is the successor of Life, and he's also entangled with the Angel God's successor. Aren't you worried that those two will try to lure Yang Podi away?"
Hearing this, Asura God's face grew unusually serious. "Yang Podi is a smart one. He knows how to make his own choices. Douluo Star is my domain, and with my inheritance site here, no other god can exert greater power than Asura God."
Sea God remained silent upon hearing this.
Sun-Moon Continent
After absorbing the spirit ring, Yang Podi left the Evil Demon Forest.
After half a day of travel, he arrived at a special location—his true destination this time.
What lay before him was an academy, one of unparalleled grandeur—the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, the true core of the Sun-Moon Empire.
Yang Podi walked straight into the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy without paying any attention to the so-called guards at the entrance, simply proceeding along the path.
Ever since acquiring the Eighth Spirit Ring from the Evil Emperor, Yang Podi had gained an exceptionally powerful ability—Mental Illusion. By using this ability even slightly, he could block others' perception, making it so that no person or creature could see him.
As Yang Podi strolled through the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, he found himself somewhat surprised.
The architectural design of the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy was completely different from that of Soul Master academies on Douluo Continent. The entire academy resembled a small city, but more than that—it looked like a highly modernized metropolis.
Inside the academy, skyscrapers lined the streets, and every area was distinctly divided. The sheer number of buildings was astonishing, with some even giving Yang Podi a sense of threat—clearly, these were research facilities dedicated to offensive soul tools, especially high-grade ones.
Compared to the various cities on Douluo Continent, the Sun-Moon Empire was undoubtedly far more technologically advanced. A simple example: the buildings on Douluo Continent were generally just a few stories tall, rarely exceeding five floors. In contrast, the Sun-Moon Empire had much taller buildings, with some even surpassing ten stories.
Most notably, upon entering Mingdu, the prosperity of the city even surpassed that of Spirit City. Everywhere, the atmosphere was one of growth and vitality.
Within the Sun-Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, all students were Soul Masters, but their overall soul power levels were lower than those of the Advanced Royal Soul Master Academies on Douluo Continent. However, they seemed to place far greater emphasis on the research and development of soul tools.
In conclusion, the Sun-Moon Continent was more prosperous than Douluo Continent, its people lived in greater harmony, and society as a whole was more modernized.
After searching for a while, Yang Podi finally arrived at his true destination—Mingde Hall.