After speaking, Ye Tian had no chance to refuse.
He was lifted effortlessly, heading toward an imposing palace.
Fortunately, it was a gentle levitation rather than being carried like a sack. Otherwise, Ye Tian thought he'd never want to set foot on Sea God Island again.
As they approached the palace, Ye Tian saw three grandiose characters above the entrance: Sea God Hall.
Inside, a woman with flowing white hair, clad in ceremonial robes, holding a scepter and wearing a platinum crown, sat solemnly in the hall's center.
As the Sea Witch and her entourage entered, the woman's crystal-clear eyes lifted, meeting Ye Tian's gaze.
The Sea God Douluo bowed deeply and said, "Grand Priestess, I have brought Ye Tian as you instructed."
"Hmm," Bo Saixi nodded lightly before looking at Ye Tian. "I trust that the offerings explained the situation to you before you arrived."
Ye Tian scrutinized Bo Saixi and marveled inwardly.
Had he not known her identity, he'd never have guessed she was approaching 200 years old.
Her youthful, radiant skin resembled that of a young maiden. Her figure was stunning, and although her beauty fell slightly short of Bibi Dong's, she was undoubtedly among the top beauties of the continent.
It was no wonder that Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu, both Limit Douluo, had been captivated by her for so many years.
Her enchanting figure seemed designed to mesmerize men.
Of course, admiration aside, as a man, it was natural for him to feel drawn to a beautiful woman.
But he was determined not to let his demeanor betray even a hint of impropriety.
After all, offending a Limit Douluo like Bo Saixi could result in a swift and inexplicable death.
Bo Saixi, however, didn't seem to mind Ye Tian's gaze, assuming he was still overwhelmed by the awe of arriving at Sea God Island.
Raising her hand gracefully, she conjured a crystal orb that shimmered in gold and deep sea-blue, which hovered mid-air.
"This is the inheritance mark bestowed by my Lord, the great Sea God," Bo Saixi said calmly. "Absorb it into your brow, and you will have the ticket to inherit the Sea God's position."
"You're incredibly fortunate," Sea Spear Douluo interjected with a touch of jealousy.
As one of the Seven Sacred Pillars of Sea God Island, he had once dreamed of inheriting the Sea God's position. Yet, after a lifetime of effort, he barely managed to hold his current title, and the prospect of achieving the Sea God's power remained distant.
The Sea Witch, too, looked envious. Ye Tian was the first qualified inheritor to set foot on the island in decades—and he was personally invited.
As one of the Seven Sacred Pillars, she understood the weight of this honor. Even Bo Saixi, the Grand Priestess, couldn't simply invite someone without the Sea God's explicit approval.
This spoke volumes about Ye Tian's extraordinary potential.
"Young people are so lucky these days," the Sea Witch muttered playfully.
Surrounded by admiration, Ye Tian felt helpless.
Did they think he wanted this?
Feigning innocence, he looked at Bo Saixi and asked, "Grand Priestess, are you sure there's no mistake?
"I'm not even a soul master. How could I inherit the Sea God's position?
"As an honest young man, I feel obligated to point this out."
"What?! You're not even a soul master?"
The Sea Witch was stunned.
Her mind raced. Could Xiao Bai have made a mistake? How could someone without soul power qualify to inherit the Sea God's position?
If even someone like this could inherit it, then what were the Seven Sacred Pillars striving for all these years?
"Quick, find Xiao Bai and confirm this!" Sea Dragon Douluo, the High Priest of the Sacred Pillars, furrowed his brow. "No wonder I couldn't sense any soul power from this kid earlier. I thought he was hiding it with some advanced technique. Turns out he's just a regular person."
The absurdity of the situation was undeniable. If someone like Ye Tian could inherit the Sea God's position, it would render the Sea God's strict selection criteria over the centuries laughable.
"There's no need for that," Bo Saixi raised her hand, halting the Sea Witch's attempt to leave.
"This is indeed the person the Sea God instructed me to find," she stated calmly, though a flicker of astonishment passed through her eyes.
In truth, even she was shocked. But her faith in the Sea God was unwavering. If the Sea God had chosen Ye Tian, there must be a reason.
Her duty was to follow the Sea God's will without question.
Her words sent ripples of disbelief through the Seven Sacred Pillars.
"Grand Priestess, are you certain this is the Sea God's directive?"
"Yes! How could the Sea God choose someone who isn't even a soul master?"
"Exactly! Even Titled Douluo struggle to withstand the power of a godly inheritance. How could an ordinary person manage it?"
The Sea Witch glanced meaningfully at the other Sacred Pillars and smirked.
"Come on now, do I really need to spell it out for you?
"You're just feeling jealous, aren't you?
"After all, every one of us has undergone the Sea God's trials. Surely you're not so narrow-minded as to begrudge this kid a chance."
"Who knows? Maybe he has some unique qualities we've yet to see."
She turned to Ye Tian with a teasing smile.
"If you don't show us some kind of ability, it'll be hard to justify this, don't you think?"
Lowering her voice, she whispered mischievously, "Just so you know, the Sea God's trials involve all of us."
"I'm just an ordinary person; I don't have any special abilities," Ye Tian protested, waving his hands nervously.
Then, with sincerity, he turned to Bo Saixi.
"I'm terrified of death and utterly unfit to be the Sea God's heir.
"Please, Grand Priestess, send me back to shore.
"Tomorrow is my wedding day, and if I miss it, my fiancée will be furious."
Ye Tian played the emotional card, hoping to appeal to Bo Saixi's better nature.
Hearing this, the Sea Witch chuckled and glanced at the Sacred Pillars.
"Back then, we would have fought tooth and nail for a chance like this, yet here he is, rejecting it outright.
"It seems human happiness truly isn't universal."
Her words carried a subtle warning. She didn't want Ye Tian to pass up the opportunity of a lifetime.
Even the gentle and refined Sea Star Douluo spoke up:
"Remember, you only get one chance."
(End of Chapter)
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