The Emperor waved his hand, and a model of the palace and the Sea God Clock Tower appeared. Cha Ming noticed that the palace only took up a small portion of the clock tower. Between the palace and the Heaven Ascension Platform, three massive floors consisting of dozens of hallways wound down the tower.
“This is the Sea God Clock Tower. Above the palace is an area that only gets used every thousand years. It is a separate dimension used for the selection of each ruler via a competition. This competition is called the Sea God Trials.
“The tests are there to assess each candidate’s capabilities. The first is the Trial of Adventure, where the competitors must fight a sea of illusory demons. Its purpose is to assess the candidates’ strength. The second trial is the Trial of Puzzles, meant to assess the candidates’ intelligence. That is why Shuren requested that you teach her runic arts. She is deficient in this regard. Finally, those who make it through can compete in the Trial of Inheritance. That is where they’ll compete for the three Sea God Artifacts.”
He pointed at his head. “I, the Sea God Emperor, inherited the Sea God Crown. My prime minister holds the Sea God Scales, and my grand marshal, the second in command, holds the Sea God Shell. The candidates who make it through the first two trials can use their bloodline to attune themselves to these artifacts. It’s a race, and the first to attune to the crown becomes the Sea God Emperor—or Empress—while the others become the Emperor’s capable assistants. It has been this way for time beyond memory, regardless of anything else that happens in the lands above.
“Shuren will not be in danger when attuning to the Sea God Crown, her target,” the Emperor said. “However, she might still have trouble racing through the first two trials. I want you to help her through the Trial of Adventure and the Trial of Puzzles.”
“Very well, I accept,” Cha Ming said.
The Emperor nodded. “Then please accept this personal, unofficial gift from me, the Sea God Emperor.” A much smaller flask than last time appeared.
“When are the Sea God Trials?” Cha Ming asked.
“Three months from now,” the Emperor said. “I know your time is precious, but I’d appreciate it if you coordinated with my daughter to strategize before going.”
“I’ll do my utmost,” Cha Ming said. “I’ll be done concocting my pill within a week.”
“Good,” the Emperor said. “Now, hold still. This will only take a second.” He held out his hand, and two blue phantoms of a three-pronged crown appeared on his palm. They both bore the number one. The two crowns shot into Cha Ming and Gong Shuren’s foreheads and left a pale-blue imprint. “These marks brand you as contender and champion. Be sure to return in time for the trials.”
“Thank you so much for Your Grace,” Cha Ming said, bowing. Then he heard a mental message from Huxian that caused him to frown. “Your Highness, might I be able to summon my brother, the contracted demon fox you saw on the Heaven Ascension Platform?”
“Is there a problem?” the Sea God Emperor asked.
“I just want to confirm something,” Cha Ming said.
The Emperor nodded, and soon Cha Ming’s shadow grew. It sprouted three tails as Huxian entered the chamber with as much flare and fanfare as he could muster. The small three-tailed fox popped onto Cha Ming’s shoulder. The pale-blue mark of a crown shone on his forehead—the same one Cha Ming bore.
“I’ve never seen such a thing before in my life,” the Sea God Emperor said, looking astonished. “It’s never been possible for a contestant to have more than one champion.”
“There’s more,” Cha Ming said. “Huxian?”
Huxian’s three tails glowed, and his four demonic friends appeared. The falcon, the mouse, the frog, and the mountain each had a pale mark.
The Emperor grinned when he saw this, and then he laughed heartily. “I knew I didn’t make a mistake. Who would have thought I’d get six for the price of one?”
“Father, is this really all right?” Gong Shuren asked uncertainly. “Won’t it raise some eyebrows?”
He shrugged. “This is Cha Ming’s strength. His bond of equals. It’s not my fault my daughter is friends with the contracted partner of a Godbeast.”
“Then we’ll do our best to see her through as swiftly as possible,” Cha Ming said.
“That’s all I ask,” the Emperor said. “Now, please excuse me, I have words to exchange with my daughter.”
For the first time since their meeting, Cha Ming saw fatigue on the man’s face. He nodded and left the palace, returning to his workshop, where he took out the flask of Waters of Life.
He summoned a single jin of Waters of Life. Fortunately, the amount required was very strict due to the runes involved in concocting the pill. Cha Ming tried to form the requisite rune a few times but to no avail. The fourth time, the rune disintegrated, and the Waters of Life evaporated.
Not discouraged in the slightest, Cha Ming summoned the second jin of Waters of Life and continued his attempts. This time, he created a formation network and had the energies in the water circulate as they collapsed into their form. The process was extremely slow, and by the time it finally failed, a half day had passed.
Having obtained the data he required, Cha Ming began his third attempt. The third jin of Waters of Life flowed over his palm and began taking shape. He guided it with his Clear Sky Brush, painting an intricate web that was three times as detailed as the last. It collapsed, but unlike last time, he guided the process slightly with his Grandmist flame and his brush. Soon, the Waters of Life condensed into a sigil that was perfectly suited to its nature, just like the other three.
Cha Ming then summoned the three other sigils and his transcendent cauldron. He threw all four components inside along with his Grandmist flame. The four components interlocked,
