I've also recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Douluo: AFKing to Become a God
------------------------------------------------------
There was no need for the others to say anything—Gu Yue had already sensed the presence of a deity.
When the azure divine light of the Golden Trident split the sky, the starlight flowing between Gu Yue's palms suddenly froze. She saw the trident mark imprinted on Tang Wulin's forehead emanating sacred ripples.
Though Tang Wulin was now safe, Gu Yue couldn't tell whether she felt relief or heartbreak deep within her soul.
"So that's how it is…"
Gu Yue's slender fingers suddenly tightened around the fabric of her chest, and scale-like patterns faintly shimmered beneath her fair skin.
As the embodiment of the Dragon God's wisdom, she had finally unraveled this intricate chessboard: the violent god core of the Golden Dragon King had been deliberately sealed within a human body—a meticulously cultivated vessel!
Tang Wulin wasn't the reincarnation of the Golden Dragon King at all; he was merely a pawn, perfectly capable of housing both divine consciousness and the Golden Dragon King's core. His veins undoubtedly flowed with divine blood.
The trembling from bloodline resonance, the whispers in the depths of midnight dreams—all of it was part of a conspiracy aimed at seizing the power of the Dragon God.
All that remained in Gu Yue's heart was a sudden clarity, followed by overwhelming rage and frustration at being manipulated and outwitted.
"Master!"
Di Tian's dragon claw had already torn open a pitch-black spatial rift, his dark golden eyes burning with shock and fury. "We must leave."
Gu Yue cast one last glance at Tang Wulin, who now resembled a descending deity, and revealed a desolate smile that belied her youthful appearance.
"Let's go."
At the exact moment the spatial rift closed completely, the residual shadow of Tang San's divine consciousness abruptly turned its head.
The eyes of the God King's projection seeped with faint golden light, reflecting Gu Yue's retreating figure.
But he dared not be distracted. The method of attack used to predict the future was nearly impossible to counter—it struck from the past into the future, leaving almost no room for evasion, only brute resistance.
If he made even the slightest mistake, his son might perish here.
After waiting for what felt like an eternity, no further attacks came. Tang San's divine consciousness gradually dimmed.
With his final trace of divine awareness, he swept across the entire street, searching for any possible clues—but found nothing.
"Who could it be? Three consecutive attacks, clearly targeting me. Who could know my plans and sabotage them from the shadows?"
The trident in his hand had long since shattered into particles of light, yet it still fiercely protected the writhing golden dragon pattern over Tang Wulin's heart.
Before the residual shadow of his divine consciousness returned to Tang Wulin's body, it gazed deeply toward the eastern sky. "Lin'er, only when you absorb the eighteen seals of the Golden Dragon King will you understand your father…"
The shadow vanished. Tang Wulin lay on the cold ground, clutching his head as he opened his eyes. "What happened to me? Where's Gu Yue?"
He looked around—the streets were deserted, save for the shattered windows that bore witness to the recent battle.
Tang Wulin's expression was dazed, as though he had forgotten something important. After failing to recall anything, he brushed the dust off his clothes and hurried back to the forging workshop.
---
At the top of a clock tower in a secret estate, Gu Yue gazed into the distance, her knuckles white as they gripped the stone railing.
Her feelings toward Tang Wulin were complicated. Their shared bloodline and equal standing instinctively drew her close to him, but her rational mind rejected him, causing her unbearable torment.
It was like forcing the soul of a holy maiden into the body of a succubus. Her reason told her to remain clear-headed, but the subtle instincts of her body gave rise to emotions that no soul beast lord should possess.
"Master, shall we continue to act against Tang Wulin?" Di Tian's expression was grave, his own doubts swirling within him. If he hadn't obeyed Gu Yue's earlier command to attack Tang Wulin, he might have suffered another devastating blow—or even death—from the divine consciousness.
"To leave the imprint of a God King on a human, to bear the surname Tang, and to possess the Blue Silver Grass martial soul—only Tang San, the Sea God from twenty thousand years ago, fits this description. It's said he holds dual divine positions, and now it seems that's indeed true. Back then, in the Star Dou Great Forest, I sensed his ascension to godhood was extraordinary."
"Your insight is profound, Master."
As Di Tian lowered his head, he caught sight of the dark silver glow swirling around Gu Yue's skirt. "If Tang Wulin isn't the reincarnation of the Golden Dragon King, then the god core fused within him must be part of a divine conspiracy. We must prepare accordingly."
But Gu Yue seemed oblivious, allowing the night wind to wrap her silver hair around the railing.
She finally understood why Na'er had developed an inexplicable attachment to that boy. From the moment Tang San implanted the Golden Dragon King's god core into Tang Wulin's body, it was destined that the essence of the Silver Dragon King would be fatally drawn to him.
"It's all a calculation… My failed transformation led to Na'er's creation. Na'er's mysterious encounter with Tang Wulin, her three years of silence, and her inexplicable feelings upon returning—all were orchestrated."
Gu Yue's expression turned icy, her thoughts a chaotic mess.
Yet she was terrifyingly calm, cutting straight to the heart of the matter: "The reason conspiracies can't see the light of day is precisely because they can't withstand scrutiny."
"Now that we know the Sea God's plans, his schemes against the Dragon God won't be so simple."
Gu Yue believed that Tang San intended for Tang Wulin to seize her bloodline and become the next Dragon God.
Though Tang San was primarily focused on the ten-thousand-year plan, Gu Yue didn't know that—and besides, with Na'er missing, it was clear that the plane's will had intervened.
Gu Yue declared, "For now, we'll proceed according to the original plan. I'll enter Shrek Academy to gain prestige and prepare to ascend to the upper echelons of the Spirit Pagoda. Since Tang San hasn't acted directly, it means the divine realm has encountered problems—he hasn't escaped unscathed. That's our opportunity."
"For now, Tang Wulin can't be touched. We'll find ways to deplete his divine consciousness. Once his strength is exhausted, that will be the day we seize the Golden Dragon King's god core."
"Master is wise." Di Tian had no better ideas and would follow the Silver Dragon King's commands without question.
Gu Yue shifted the topic: "How is Na'er recently?"
"The Master's other half has already apprenticed under Yun Ming and hasn't left Shrek Academy for some time," Di Tian replied.
"She's avoiding me."
Gu Yue sneered: she'd find an opportunity to tell her that her beloved brother was nothing more than a pawn in their calculations. She was curious to see the look on her face.
Di Tian remained silent. This was a conflict between the master and her split self—an issue beyond the scope of a subordinate's input.
---
Sunshine, sandy beaches, salty sea breezes.
"Woohoo! So refreshing!"
Gu La stretched his muscular upper body, beads of sweat glistening on his tanned skin like honey under the sun. He tipped back half a glass of concentrated essence, the coolness of lime and mint exploding down his throat. Reflected in the edges of his sunglasses were distant white sails dotting the horizon.
The natural energy of heaven and earth gathered spontaneously, refining his cells and drawing out sweat.
"This is the life I want to enjoy."
He raised his glass to the azure sky, the ice cubes clinking melodiously. Rarely did he take a break from forging, but now he was enjoying a vacation by the sea.
"Unfortunately, the God King is too powerful. No matter what methods are used, there's always the risk of being traced back. I can't afford to spectate—it would've been even more thrilling."
Gu La really wanted to see Gu Yue's current expression. He pulled out his communication soul-guided device, his fingertip hovering over the buttons for three seconds—but ultimately, he didn't press anything.
He shook his head: "She holds grudges. If I provoke her, I don't want to run into ferocious beasts blocking my way when I go out. Better not tempt bad luck. A good holiday requires proper relaxation."
Suddenly, Gu La flipped over, removed his sunglasses, and hummed an unknown tune as he walked toward the rolling waves. With a leap, he dove into the water, gliding through the depths like a dolphin.
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)