NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 171: Just Push-ups, and You Call It a Divine Test?
Chapter 171: Just Push-ups, and You Call It a Divine Test?
It seemed like nobody believed it. Qin Xiao's gaze swept across each face, only Bo Saixi seemed calm. The rest wore expressions of concern and doubt.
"But it's really not that difficult."
"Why doesn't anyone believe me?" Qin Xiao stopped bothering to explain. He would prove himself through action.
In the next moment, he did something astonishing, dropping to the ground and propping himself up with one hand.
"What's he doing?" Everyone had a question mark on their foreheads.
"I wonder if this kid can't handle too much pressure and has gone crazy?" Sea Dragon Douluo furrowed his brow, voicing his opinion.
Yes, he was starting to think Qin Xiao was abnormal.
"It's late already. Weren't you supposed to be completing the divine test? Isn't this movement unnecessary now?"
"He's moving again. Look, the five-fingered support has turned into supporting with just the index finger."
"Hold on, he just did a push-up."
He was stunned.
"However, it's useless."
"What's this? It doesn't even count as a warm-up before the assessment?"
"But can Qin Xiao really do meaningless things?"
Of course not.
After completing a push-up, a voice suddenly sounded in his mind.
"Completion of the first assessment. Reward: 5% affinity with the Sea God."
Hearing this, Qin Xiao's lips twitched slightly, forming a smile.
Yes.
His first assessment was completed by doing a push-up with just one finger.
Simple to the point of being ridiculous for him.
Standing up and brushing the dust off his hands, Qin Xiao noticed everyone around him looking at him with puzzled expressions.
"Qin Xiao, were you just warming up? Shouldn't we start the assessment now?" Ning Rongrong asked instinctively.
Not just Ning Rongrong, but everyone else thought the same.
Though they didn't understand the significance of Qin Xiao doing a one-handed push-up, they couldn't fathom that it was the completion of the Sea God's test.
They didn't dare to think so.
"What other assessment? My first assessment is already done. It was just that push-up you all saw," Qin Xiao explained, gesturing with his hand.
What? You're saying a push-up was the Sea God's first test?
Though Qin Xiao's voice was not loud, everyone heard it clearly.
They simply couldn't believe their ears.
Whether it was Ning Rongrong and others, the seven Pillar Guardians not far from the Holy Sea, or Bo Saixi, they all wore expressions of shock and disbelief.
Wasn't this a bit too much?
However...
As if to confirm Qin Xiao's words, a golden beam suddenly descended from the sky, enveloping Qin Xiao within.
Qin Xiao felt nothing but warmth, as if he were soaking in a hot spring.
He didn't blame the delayed arrival of the Sea God's power; he had already absorbed too much of it before, believing that the Sea God was depleted now. The additional divine power bestowed upon him was already enough.
"The power of the Sea God descends."
"This kid, he was telling the truth!"
...
After a while, everyone had to accept this reality and exclaimed in amazement.
Ning Rongrong suddenly realized, "Oh, I remember now. The Guardian of the Holy Sea Pillar mentioned before that no one knows what the Sea God's test is like. For some, it might be simple, for others, it might be difficult."
But was it really like this?
The Sea Dragon Douluo shook his head. "Little girl, you said the problem only arises before the Black Level assessment, even saying that there won't be such tests even in the Purple Level assessments. You can understand that the higher the level of the assessment, the greater the difficulty of the test. Qin Xiao's level of assessment shouldn't have had such a task according to logic."
"That's right. Even for us, the content of the first assessment far exceeded Qin Xiao's. By the way, you all have also undergone the test bestowed by the Sea God. You must have experienced the thrill," added the Sea Dragon Douluo.
You must know that he was a rank six black-level candidate, and every one of those assessments was fraught with danger. Qin Xiao's progress wasn't as easy as it seemed.
Doing a push-up with one finger, in the eyes of the Sea Dragon Douluo, this task was preposterous.
He had to reassess Qin Xiao.
Wait a minute.
Could it be possible that Qin Xiao is the illegitimate son of the Sea God?
Otherwise, how could he possess the rank of Titled Douluo at such a young age, with the Sea God giving him special care?
"Hmm?"
Qin Xiao noticed the strange look from Sea Dragon Douluo and frowned, "You seem off?"
He didn't know what Sea Dragon Douluo was thinking, but he was sure it wasn't anything good.
"Qin Xiao, congratulations."
Suddenly, an ethereal voice echoed throughout the area.
Hearing this, Qin Xiao finally turned his gaze to the woman in the red dress.
The name Bo Saixi floated up in his mind.
Noticing Qin Xiao's gaze, Bo Saixi rarely showed a smile. "Let me introduce myself, I am Bo Saixi, the Grand Priest of Sea God Island."
"It's an honor."
Qin Xiao bowed with his fists.
He didn't introduce himself, as by now, all the major figures on Sea God Island knew who he was.
However.
Bo Saixi's figure flashed, avoiding Qin Xiao.
"No need for that, here on Sea God Island, you don't need to bow to anyone. Nor does anyone deserve such treatment from you."
"Hmm?" Qin Xiao hummed softly.
In fact, he understood that this was everyone's respect for the Sea God, since theoretically, Qin Xiao was to be the lord of Sea God Island and the boundless ocean.
"From now on, if you need anything on Sea God Island, you can come directly to me. I'm in the central temple on the island."
After Bo Saixi spoke, she turned and left.
Sea Horse Douluo, Sea Dragon Douluo, and others also gave Qin Xiao a meaningful look and silently departed.
Qin Xiao lingered on Meng Yiran, Zhu Zhuching, Dugu Yan, Ning Rongrong, and others, feeling somewhat melancholic, "I can't believe a year has passed so quickly, you all have changed a lot."
"Your Majesty, have I become uglier?"
"Have I also gotten fatter?"
Everyone became anxious.
Afraid of any flaws Qin Xiao might find.
Qin Xiao shook his head with a smile, "Don't overthink it, I just mean that you have all become even more outstanding than a year ago."
This was indeed the case; every assessment was greatly beneficial to them, especially in terms of improving their cultivation.
"Really?"
"Is that even a question?"
"Hehe."
Sweet smiles appeared on the faces of Zhu Zhuching and the others.
Just like eating honey.
After some pleasantries, Qin Xiao asked, "Has Zi Zhenhu kept her promise to send messages over this past year?"
"Yes."
Meng Yiran answered.
She had always been responsible for this.
"The Zi Zhenhu Pirates do have some strength; their actions aren't bad, and they even help some sea folk. There are some soul masters on Sea God Island who have dealings with the Zi Zhenhu Pirates, and they bring us messages every seven days as agreed."
"I see." Qin Xiao nodded in realization, then asked, "Any valuable information?"
"Nothing important in the past few months, perhaps because the sea is too far from the mainland's core areas, so messages are slow. But about a month ago, something interesting happened." Meng Yiran said, unable to suppress a smile.
Qin Xiao took in Meng Yiran's expression and asked, "What good news?"
"Yes." Meng Yiran nodded firmly, "Your Majesty, unbeknownst to you, Emperor Star Luo was attacked. According to Zi Zhenhu's message, Emperor Star Luo nearly lost his life, and now, a hundred thousand troops are guarding Star Luo City; Emperor Star Luo dares not step out of the palace."
"Oh, is that so?"
A smile also appeared on Qin Xiao's lips.
He couldn't help feeling a bit pleased.
He had left in a hurry, injured, and if it weren't for his nature, he would have stormed the Star Luo Palace. He had always regretted not doing so.
It turned out, someone had fulfilled this regret for him.
"Yiran, did Zi Zhenhu mention who made the move against Emperor Star Luo?"
"No. Zi Zhenhu's strength is limited, and their power isn't that great; the information they get is mostly from near Hancheng City. They couldn't obtain more detailed content."
"Well, no matter, once I complete all the assessments, I'll soon return to the Douluo Continent. Then, all truths will come to light."
Qin Xiao said no more.
However, an idea suddenly occurred to him – could it have been Liu Erlong, Zhao Wuji, and others?
But then he thought, it seemed unlikely.
They didn't know he was still alive, and they were not foolish; they knew the principle of leaving the green hills so as not to worry about firewood. Even if they harbored killing intent against the Star Luo royal family, they would wait for him to return to the Douluo Continent to act together.
Going on an adventure alone is really unnecessary.
"Qin Xiao, do you mean to say that you'll soon be returning to Douluo Continent? Could it be that the nine trials given to you by the Sea God are all this simple?"
Ning Rongrong said this while mimicking a push-up.
She picked up on the implications in Qin Xiao's words, as if he could complete the divine trials by tomorrow.
If that were really the case, she felt the trials given to them by the Sea God were somewhat excessive.
"What are you thinking?" Qin Xiao shook his head helplessly and gave Ning Rongrong a flick on the forehead.
"Ow." Ning Rongrong clutched her head in pain, her eyes reddening.
"Perhaps the Sea God knew my situation was special, so the first trial was made easier, but the subsequent trials will not be so simple, at least they all conform to the difficulty expected of a legacy trial."
"Then what about your safety?"
Ning Rongrong and the others suddenly became anxious.
"Rest assured."
Qin Xiao paused, then added, "Of course, for me, it might not be that difficult. Come on, let's proceed to the second trial."
The shimmering seawater reflected countless colors under the sunset.
In the middle of these embracing waters, there was a small island enveloped in a faint golden light.
This was the real heart of Sea God Island, and also a forbidden area of the island.
"Qin Xiao, is your second trial here?"
Ning Rongrong looked towards the distant island, a hint of fear flashing in her eyes.
The light of the Sea God here had tormented her terribly; she had used all her strength and risked half her life just to complete this trial.
Not just Ning Rongrong, but Zhu Zhuching, Meng Yiran, and Dugu Yan also looked pale after arriving here.
Clearly, this place had left a deep impression on them.
"Yes, my second trial is here."
Qin Xiao did not notice the unusual expressions on everyone's faces.
He looked towards the island, where a building sculpted like white jade stood, square-shaped with a dome and giant white pillars, all so crystalline, filled with holy radiance.
He knew this magnificent structure was the real core of Sea God Island, the Sea God Temple where the Sea God was worshipped. Strictly speaking, that small island ahead was the true Sea God Island.
"Qin Xiao, there are one thousand and one steps leading up to the Sea God Temple. How many steps do you have to climb to complete the trial?"
Ning Rongrong asked, raising her hand as she did.
Qin Xiao followed the direction of her pointing, seeing the stone steps extending downwards from directly in front of the Sea God Temple, reflecting light under the sunset, like a jade belt lightly resting on the mountain of the Sea God.
Climbing this staircase would mark the beginning of the trial.
He knew that Zhu Zhuching, Ning Rongrong, Dugu Yan, and Meng Yiran had all undergone such a trial.
Faced with Ning Rongrong's question, Qin Xiao held up a finger.
Ning Rongrong widened her eyes in disbelief, "Could it be, one, one step?"
She was shocked, still saying the Sea God didn't go easy? This was practically letting the sea through.
Qin Xiao shook his head.
"Could it be that climbing ten steps would suffice?" Ning Rongrong guessed again.
If that were the case, she felt it would still be acceptable.
Qin Xiao wouldn't be tired, and it would be passable in the eyes of the Sea God, at least she certainly wouldn't stab the Sea God in the back.
Qin Xiao raised an eyebrow, "Do you think I'm that weak?"
Ning Rongrong was stunned, "Is that also wrong?"
"Rongrong, that's definitely not right."
"We all had to climb one hundred and eight steps to complete it, how could His Majesty be that far behind us?"
Dugu Yan joined in the guessing, "In my view, His Majesty should also climb more than a hundred steps. That would fit his status for the trial. Besides, one step, ten steps, a hundred steps, it doesn't make much difference to His Majesty."
That's right. Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up, feeling Dugu Yan made a lot of sense.
He couldn't be worse than them, right?
However, when she looked to Qin Xiao for confirmation, she found him still shaking his head.
She was astounded.
"Could it be, you mean to say, you need to climb a thousand steps to pass?"
"Gulp."
Saying this, she couldn't help but return her gaze to the staircase, which resembled a jade belt, and swallowed hard.
She couldn't imagine the kind of pressure one would
have to endure to climb a thousand steps.
But she was certain, a normal Titled Douluo level powerhouse definitely couldn't withstand it.
However.
Qin Xiao still shook his head, looking at his finger and saying, "Although not correct, it's close enough. My meaning is not to climb a thousand steps, but to walk to the end of these steps."
What?
Walk to the end?
Everyone but Qin Xiao turned pale in an instant.
Wasn't this suicidal?
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