Meanwhile, the matches continued.
In the stands, a young man with a flat top haircut was watching intently, his wise eyes scanning every battle, his brain — shaped like a pile of poop — analyzing each team's data with brilliant clarity.
The referee announced:
"Next match: Opeles Academy vs. Spark Academy."
At that, the flat-top youth perked up.
Hands behind his back, he murmured calmly:
"Spark Academy… a stepping stone on my dear disciple Tang San's rise to greatness. Good. Let me analyze your strength and weaknesses thoroughly. All for Tang San's future."
Both teams entered the field and took their positions on the Soul Fighting Platform.
Yu Xiaogang (the flat top guy) held his breath, waiting eagerly for the match to start.
Opeles Academy, please do your best. Force Spark Academy to reveal their trump cards and give me the intel I need.
But then, the Opeles team captain walked up to the referee, whispered something, and then—
The referee declared:
"Opeles Academy concedes. This match goes to Spark Academy."
Yu Xiaogang, who had been hoping for a fierce clash, exploded on the spot:
"Opeles Academy! You trash! Cowards! Mud that can't stick to a wall! You surrendered without even fighting! What happened to your honor as soul masters?!"
At Canghui Academy, there was a man named Shi Nian, also known as "Remnant Dream Shi Nian." He was a Spirit Saint of the spiritual attribute and served as the team leader of the Canghui Academy battle team.
Although the strength of Canghui Academy's team wasn't particularly impressive, in order to ensure the team's smooth advancement in the tournament, Shi Nian came up with a sinister idea: assassinating the geniuses of rival academies to weaken their teams and improve Canghui's chances.
Of course, this also happened to be one of Shi Nian's twisted personal hobbies.
He enjoyed killing geniuses. The more promising the target's future, the more thrill and pleasure he derived from extinguishing it.
So, with the commencement of the Spirit Master Tournament, Shi Nian drafted a list—a kill list, ranking members of the various teams based on their strength, talent potential, and perceived threat level.
Right at the top of this list were the seven members of Team Spark.
The four Soul Kings from Spark held the top four positions on Shi Nian's kill list. Following them were the three Soul Kings from Shrek, who, despite slightly inferior soul ring configurations compared to Spark's, had powerful martial soul fusion techniques that also caught Shi Nian's eye.
Below them were three Soul Ancestors from Spark, and then other notable geniuses like Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Huo Wu.
Curiously, there was one name missing from this long list—Tang San.
Why wasn't Tang San on it?
Well, Shi Nian didn't have the omniscience of a god. He didn't know that Tang San had a second martial soul. From his perspective, Tang San's first soul ring was almost white—barely even qualified.
His Blue Silver Grass, even after reaching the Soul Ancestor level, was still a trash martial soul. His performance in the first match was also embarrassingly bad. There was no thrill to be gained from killing such a mediocre person.
Even if he did kill Tang San, it wouldn't be satisfying. Not to mention, there were plenty of more pressing targets ranked above him. Tang San simply wasn't worth the effort.
So, Shi Nian continued looking for the right opportunity to assassinate a genius—and finally, his chance came.
The seven members of Team Spark had left the city without their supervising teacher. Shi Nian's eyes, sharp like a hawk, tracked them with glee, a sinister grin curling on his lips.
But just as he was about to make his move, a hand landed on his shoulder.
"Why have you been following my disciples?"said a playful voice—Evil Lord.
Shi Nian was instantly terrified. This senior had appeared behind him without making a sound, which already revealed his terrifying strength. What's more, when the man placed his hand on Shi Nian's shoulder, he suddenly found himself unable to use his martial soul.
Shi Nian forced a smile.
"Ahaha… Senior… I was just curious, that's all. No ill intentions, really!"
"Whether you had bad intentions or not," Evil Lord sneered, "I think I'll ask your brain instead."
"My… my brain?"
In the next moment, Shi Nian was mentally seized. Under Evil Lord's spiritual interrogation, he confessed everything.
When his consciousness returned, Shi Nian still retained memories of being controlled. He was drenched in cold sweat, looking at Evil Lord with fear.
"Se… Senior… I'll never dare again. Please, I beg you, since I didn't actually cause any major harm yet, let me go just this once…"
"Didn't cause a major harm?"Evil Lord snorted.
"The moment you laid eyes on Spark, your fate was sealed.
But… since you might make a good tool, I'll let you live—if you do one thing for me."
"What do you want me to do?" Shi Nian asked nervously.
"Something very simple."
And with that, Evil Lord forcibly controlled him.
Elsewhere, Tang San was on his way back when he suddenly noticed the space around him distorting and changing. In an instant, Tang San realized something was wrong.
"Shi Nian…!"
He thought.
"In my previous life, Shi Nian tried to assassinate me!How could I have forgotten that? But… at least he has the eye to see I was a genius."
Soon, Tang San was dragged into a phantasmic illusion.
Shi Nian's illusion realm was designed to force those who fall into it to relive their most painful and repressed memories. In his previous life, Tang San faced two such memories: the tragedy of the Tang Sect in Bashu, and the story between Xiao Wu and Bu Le.
But this life was different.
Tang San had already been a God King in the Divine Realm for over fifty years. He had also rebuilt the Tang Sect on the Douluo Continent.
In his heart, he felt that he had redeemed himself for what happened to the Tang Sect. Even when facing those from the original sect, he could speak without guilt.
Thus, that memory didn't appear in the illusion.
Tang San activated his Purple Demon Eye, smirking.
"Hmph. Let's see what it is this time. What is it… that I, Tang San, fear the most?"
The fog in front of him faded, and the illusion revealed itself.
And the moment he caught a glimpse of it—
BOOM—his mind nearly exploded, and his eyes turned red with rage.
What he saw was… in the Soul Master Tournament, during a team battle—
Yu Tianheng and Xiao Wu defeating an opponent together using a Martial Soul Fusion Technique.
"Yu Tianheng…"
Tang San growled through clenched teeth.
Following that match, Team Shrek surged forward thanks to the fusion technique between Yu Tianheng and Xiao Wu, ultimately winning the championship.
And Tang San?
He was just an ordinary team member—utterly unremarkable.
Time and again, Tang San watched as the despicable Yu Tianheng took advantage of the fusion technique to get closer to Xiao Wu, subtly seducing her.
Then, one day, Yu Tianheng took Xiao Wu to a scenic field filled with blooming flowers. He handed her a bouquet and said:
"Xiao Wu, from the moment I first saw you,
I knew I was hopelessly in love.
You are the warmest light in my heart.
My soul follows you.
Because of you, my world blooms.
These flowers pale in comparison to your smile.
My life—if it must stop—it will stop for you.
Xiao Wu… will you marry me?"
Xiao Wu trembled. She covered her mouth, eyes filled with tears and emotion. Her love for Yu Tianheng was written all over her face.
She reached out with her delicate, fair hand and accepted the bouquet.
"Tianheng-ge… I will."
The two gazed deeply into each other's eyes. Sunlight warmed their faces, flower petals danced in the wind, and the whole scene radiated romantic bliss.
The moment felt frozen in time—as if the two of them were the protagonists of the entire world.
Oh—except there was still that one thing ruining the mood: a fishy background figure named "Too Many Fish."
When Tang San saw Xiao Wu accept Yu Tianheng's proposal…
His brain instantly crashed.
"He… he actually succeeded?"
Tang San felt his past life memories crumbling.
Wasn't he supposed to be a God King in the Divine Realm?
Why did it suddenly feel like he was in Gotham, playing a game of wits against Batman?
After completing his confession, Yu Tianheng smugly wrapped his arm around Xiao Wu's slender waist and strutted in front of Tang San.
"See that, you little runt?" he sneered. "A beauty like her belongs only to the strong."
Tang San's eyes were bloodshot, breathing like an enraged bull. He roared, "Yu Tianheng! Enjoy it while you can. I'll take Xiao Wu back from you with my own hands!"
And so, Tang San threw himself into cultivation. He awakened the Blue Silver Emperor from his Blue Silver Grass, then set off to the Slaughter City. There, as fate would have it, he once again encountered that damned Yu Tianheng.
Having already planned ahead, Tang San chose not to inherit the Sea God's divinity right away. Instead, he directly sought the inheritance of the Asura God.
As a result, both Tang San and Yu Tianheng obtained the Killing God Domain and eventually entered the Asura God's Trials.
Tang San had past experience with divine trials. Watching Yu Tianheng with smug confidence, he thought viciously:
"Yu Tianheng, you think you're worthy of the Asura God's test? You fool. I, Tang San, am the chosen child of the Asura God!"
Tang San eagerly anticipated the results: he'd receive the God-Level Nine Trials, while that mutt Yu Tianheng would get the Top-Tier Eight Trials.
Ideally, Yu Tianheng would finish the Eight Trials and become the High Priest of the Asura God—sacrificing his life for Tang San's ascension. That would be the most satisfying revenge!
But the outcome was completely unexpected.
Inside the temple, two beams of nine-colored divine light descended simultaneously, enveloping both Yu Tianheng and Tang San.
"W-What's going on?! How did that mutt Yu Tianheng also get the God-Level Trials?! He's not worthy!" Tang San shouted furiously toward the temple.
The voice of the Asura God echoed with an ancient and distant tone:
"Tang San, Yu Tianheng—First Trial of the Asura God: Gain the recognition of the sheath.
Those who succeed proceed to the Second Trial. Those who fail shall receive the downgraded Top-Tier Eight Trials."
It turned out—Xiao Wu herself was the chosen sheath of the Asura God. Only the one who won her heart and earned her approval could inherit the godhood.
Tang San's heart thudded heavily.
"This… this isn't right! Wasn't I the one chosen by the Asura God?! Why is Xiao Wu tied to the god position now? To become the Asura God, I need her recognition—and even pull out the Asura Sword from her??"
"Humph." Yu Tianheng smirked wickedly, tossing his hair. "Seems like I have the upper hand in this first trial, little runt."
Tang San, still flushed red and panting, barked back, "Yu Tianheng, who Xiao Wu recognizes in the end isn't decided yet!"
Even though he said that, Tang San felt deep anxiety. So both he and Yu Tianheng went to Xiao Wu and explained everything about the divine trial.
Tang San looked at Xiao Wu expectantly. "Xiao Wu-meimei, I…" He wanted to ask her to choose him, but the words wouldn't come.
Yu Tianheng spoke gently, "Xiao Wu, choose. Do you want me to pull out the Asura Sword, or Tang San? No matter what your choice is—I'll love you the same."
Xiao Wu nodded. She looked at Yu Tianheng, then turned apologetically to Tang San.
"San-gege, you're a good man. But… the one I love is Tianheng-ge.
If I have to choose between you two… I'm sorry, but I choose Tianheng."
Boom!
A dull thunderclap resounded—and Tang San shattered emotionally.
Xiao Wu lifted her hands, tilted her head back, and from her heaving chest glowed a blood-tinged black light. From it, the hilt of a sword emerged.
She looked lovingly at Yu Tianheng and whispered:
"Tianheng-ge… it's coming out. Hurry, pull it out for me."
"Of course, Xiao Wu." Yu Tianheng stepped forward.
At that moment, Tang San snapped back to reality. Eyes red, breath ragged, he stared at the sword hilt protruding from Xiao Wu's chest—the hilt of the Asura Demon Sword.
That hilt symbolized the Asura God's divinity. Whoever grasped it would not only gain Xiao Wu—but ascend to divine status.
No! That's mine! I can't let Tianheng have it!
Fueled by desperation, Tang San activated Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step and darted ahead of Yu Tianheng, reaching toward the sword to pull it out first.
But just as he touched it—a burst of blood-red light repelled him violently.
Yu Tianheng walked past calmly, glancing down at Tang San with disdain.
"You little runt… Did you forget? Only the one recognized by the sheath can draw the Asura Sword. Clearly, you were never chosen by Xiao Wu."
With that, he stood before Xiao Wu, gripped the hilt—and drew the sword out in one swift motion.
In that instant, the sky turned blood-red with churning clouds and weeping winds. Yu Tianheng's hair turned white, and his eyes became blood-red. A divine mark—the sigil of the Asura God—burned itself into his forehead.
Then came the divine announcements:
Tang San: Trial downgraded to Top-Tier Eight Trials.
Yu Tianheng: God-Level Second Trial unlocked.
My Xiao Wu… my Asura Godhood… Yu Tianheng… you took everything from me!!
Tang San, furious beyond words, swore vengeance.
With no other choice, he turned toward Sea God Island, prepared to accept the Sea God's inheritance—an option he'd once scorned.
But in his heart, he'd already formed a plan.
"Once I become Sea God, I'll ally with the Angel God and the Rakshasa God of Spirit Hall…
We'll kill Yu Tianheng, and I'll reclaim both Xiao Wu and the Asura Godhood."
(Yes—Tang San's hatred for Yu Tianheng now surpassed even his hatred for Spirit Hall. He was willing to join forces with them for revenge.)
However, his very first step failed.
The Sea God rejected him.
"Why?! Is my talent not enough to be your Chosen?" Tang San asked in rage.
Poseidon's divine will responded:
"Your talent is sufficient. But you've forgotten—you're already the High Priest of the Asura God.
With that identity… how could I possibly make you my Chosen?"
Tang San finally understood.
The moment he received the Asura God's mark, his fate was sealed.
No matter how gifted he was—no other god would choose him.
He was doomed to be a sacrificial priest, destined to offer his life for Yu Tianheng's ascension.
Unacceptable.
Wait—
Tang San's mind flashed with inspiration.
As the High Priest, he knew the content of the Asura God's trials.
"If I can kill Yu Tianheng during the Sixth Trial… I can flip fate on its head—seize the divinity from him!"
"Then, the Asura God will return to its rightful owner. Xiao Wu will be mine."
With a new goal, Tang San reignited his motivation.
He threw himself into the High Priest's trials—preparing to raise his power and strike when the chance came.