In a certain pitch-black hall in the divine realm, two shadowy figures sat—one male and one female. The man sat on the central throne, while the woman occupied a lower seat.
The man appeared utterly calm: "Rakshasa, how is your successor, Bibi Dong? With her strength, shouldn't she be close to inheriting your godhood?"
The woman let out an eerie laugh: "Evil, why are you suddenly so interested in my affairs? That's not like you at all."
These two were none other than the Evil God King and Rakshasa Goddess of the divine realm, and this was the Evil God King's palace.
The Evil God King chuckled: "This Tang San is quite interesting. He absorbed my tiger and even my Evil God Pearl. Do you think he has what it takes to inherit your position as the Rakshasa Goddess?"
The Rakshasa Goddess replied: "Evil, you know my nature well. Whether it's Tang San or Bibi Dong, I simply wish to pass on my godhood. What happens afterward is none of my concern."
The Evil God King gazed at the Rakshasa Goddess: "The trajectory of Douluo Planet has exceeded my expectations. The gods are about to reemerge—Sea God, Asura God, Angel God, Rakshasa Goddess, even Food God and others are watching. This is likely the greatest change in the divine realm in nearly ten thousand years."
"Though Bibi Dong has considerable talent and the potential to ascend to godhood, my calculations show no connection between her and our divine realm. I cannot afford to see the power of my Evil lineage diminished."
A hint of confusion crossed the Rakshasa Goddess's face: "Evil, since when do you care about such trivial matters? It feels like you're plotting something."
The Evil God King's lips twitched slightly: "Compared to Bibi Dong, I sense that Tang San's destiny is stronger. Though his fortune has fluctuated over the years, he still possesses the potential to ascend to godhood—and he may even have ties to the divine realm."
The Rakshasa Goddess nodded: "I understand. I'll keep a close eye on Tang San. However, who inherits my godhood will ultimately depend on the choices made by Tang San and Bibi Dong."
"In any case, Douluo Planet is nearing the emergence of the gods. Let's hope nothing unexpected arises."
…
Within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Yang Xiong leapt out of the spring.
Dugu Bo was startled: "You little troublemaker, Yang Xiong! You could've warned me before jumping out. You almost gave me a heart attack!"
Yang Xiong chuckled: "My apologies for disturbing you, elder. By the way, how long was I in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well this time?"
Dugu Bo shook his head in exasperation: "You little monster, you were in there for over half a month. I thought you'd perished!"
Yang Xiong sighed: "Don't worry about that. A mere spring can't harm me."
Dugu Bo's expression turned serious: "Little monster, though we've settled the score for the immortal herb you stole, you shouldn't bring outsiders here so casually. Who was that person you brought last time? Their strength felt overwhelming—stronger than anyone I've ever encountered."
Yang Xiong paused before answering: "Theoretically speaking, that person should be considered the strongest in the Douluo Continent. However, they've remained in seclusion and are unknown to the world. Elder, it's best not to spread word of their existence—it could invite disaster."
Dugu Bo's expression shifted slightly: "You little troublemaker, always causing me headaches. Fine, I'll pretend I never saw them."
"By the way, the war on the frontlines has already begun. I'm gathering my poisonous herbs and will soon join Emperor Xue Ye on the battlefield. What are your plans with the Body Sect?"
Yang Xiong smirked: "Old Poison, this isn't like you. Though you're an honorary guest of the Tian Dou Empire, since when have you been so dedicated to its cause?"
Dugu Bo's face showed a trace of helplessness: "Do you think I have a choice? The Spirit Hall Empire is breathing down everyone's necks. Anyone unwilling to serve them has been labeled a traitor. If they win this war, there'll be no place for me either."
"Besides, I've enjoyed the Tian Dou Imperial Family's patronage for years—it's about time I contributed. Otherwise, people would ridicule me for doing nothing but eating their food."
Yang Xiong pondered for a moment before replying: "You're right. Once this great war begins, it'll shake the heavens and the earth. Neither the Body Sect nor the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect can remain uninvolved. Perhaps it's time to show the Spirit Hall Empire our true strength."
Yang Xiong straightened his clothes and departed from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
At this moment, a voice echoed in his mind: "Asura God Nine Trials, Third Trial: Obtaining both arm soul bones. Completed. Reward: 15% Asura Affinity. Total Affinity: 40%."
Upon hearing the reward, Yang Xiong felt puzzled. He had completed three trials so far, each granting a different amount of Asura Affinity. He hadn't expected the third trial to grant 15%, indicating that his choices had earned the Asura God's approval.
The Asura God had mentioned earlier that the later trials would focus on making choices, meaning that as the divine realm's enforcer, one must steadfastly uphold their principles.
This time, Yang Xiong had cooperated with the spirit beast race and remnants of the dragon race, signaling that the Asura God didn't truly intend to exterminate the spirit beasts but rather sought peaceful coexistence with them.
Yang Xiong grew increasingly intrigued by the Asura God. Though the god appeared impartial and just, his intentions seemed to deviate somewhat from the original narrative.
Especially considering that the Asura God was the one who slew the Dragon God—a grudge that should've been irreconcilable—why did it now feel like there were hidden complexities?
Yang Xiong didn't dwell on these thoughts too much. He decided to return to the Body Sect first. The war had already erupted, and it was time for the sect to step onto the battlefield.
At this moment, the details of the fourth trial appeared in his mind.
"Asura Nine Trials, Fourth Trial: Before obtaining nine rings, defeat the Angel God's successor. Time limit: one year. Failure results in annihilation."
Yang Xiong found this trial peculiar. Why would the Asura God assign such a task? It seemed to imply something deeper.
Normally, Qian Renxue should currently be undergoing the Angel Nine Trials. Given her talent, she should have completed at least six trials by now, if not more.
Yang Xiong wasn't particularly concerned about Qian Renxue's current strength. Instead, he sensed that the Asura God had another purpose in asking him to defeat her.
Suddenly, Yang Xiong recalled something from the original storyline: Qian Renxue had been manipulated.
Logically, Qian Renxue should have been the first to ascend to godhood. At her hundredth-level strength, she could have stormed Sea God Island, yet she inexplicably allowed Tang San to escape and didn't enter the sea.
Even above the ocean, there's sky—where the Angel God's combat prowess reigns supreme, easily rivaling the Sea God.
Moreover, during her Angel Nine Trials, Qian Renxue experienced deficiencies, clearly a result of interference from other gods.
The Angel God's divine power was unique, possessing potent purifying abilities even holier than the Sea God's power. It could suppress both the Asura God's and Rakshasa Goddess's powers.
Yang Xiong's thoughts grew tangled. Eventually, he chuckled helplessly: "Forget it, I won't overthink this. My battle with Qian Renxue is approaching anyway. Let's fight first and see what happens."
Yang Xiong flew back to the Body Sect at incredible speed using his sword.
…
Recently, the large-scale war among the three empires had begun to escalate, and tensions across the continent were rising.
After extensive negotiations, Emperor Xue Ye of the Tian Dou Empire and Emperor Xing Luo agreed to meet and discuss cooperation.
After years of war, the two empires harbored deep resentment toward each other. Only a meeting between the highest leaders could dispel their mutual distrust.
Though Bibi Dong had arranged forces to ambush the two emperors, the Spirit Hall Empire's elite strength had been severely weakened, leaving them unable to deploy many Title Douluo.
To support Emperor Xue Ye, the three great sects each sent a Title Douluo to collaborate with the Tian Dou Imperial Family.
The Body Sect sent Niu Gao, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect sent Bone Douluo, and the Hao Tian Sect dispatched their Fifth Elder, Tang Zhan.
Under the protection of these three Title Douluo, the Spirit Hall Empire's ambush plan was crushed, and many of their soul masters perished.
From the perspective of Title Douluo numbers, the Spirit Hall Empire was now outnumbered by the two empires combined. However, the three sects hadn't committed their full strength, partly due to their wariness of Qian Daoliu, a Limit Douluo.
Of course, in terms of total soul master numbers, the Spirit Hall Empire still held an overwhelming advantage, which was one reason the two empires hadn't launched a full-scale war earlier.
However, after Emperor Xue Ye and the Xing Luo Emperor's meeting, the tide of the war began to shift. From focusing on defense, the two empires gradually transitioned into offensive postures.
The Xing Luo Empire deployed over two million troops and thousands of soul master legions, preparing to invade the Spirit Hall Empire.
Similarly, the Tian Dou Empire sent one and a half million troops, though their soul master legions were fewer in number and lower in rank, totaling several thousand.
Facing off against two empires, the Spirit Hall Empire's military disadvantage began to show. No matter how powerful their soul master legions were, they would inevitably suffer losses against armies several times—or even dozens of times—their size.
Still, the soul master legions' strength was unmatched on the battlefield, dominating even the most elite troops.
When Yang Xiong returned to the Body Sect, all the elders except Niu Gao had gathered.
Bai He spoke up immediately:
"Sect Leader, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Hao Tian Sect are ready to act. We're the only ones who haven't taken a stance yet. Emperor Xue Ye personally wrote to you, hoping the Body Sect will join forces with the Hao Tian Sect and Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect to resist the Spirit Hall Empire's oppression. What's your decision?"
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