During the trials of the Asura God, the Grand Priest's assessment progressed faster than Yu Tianheng's divine test, so Tang San ascended to the rank of Ultimate Douluo at a quicker pace.
Meanwhile, Yu Tianheng had arrived at the Sixth Trial of the Asura God.
Inside the Asura God Temple, Tang San's eyes were bloodshot, his breathing heavy like a raging bull, staring at Yu Tianheng who had his arm around Xiao Wu
In his heart, he roared viciously: Yu Tianheng, you damned bastard courting death, finally, the day I've been waiting for is here. You dare dream of inheriting the position of Asura God? You're not worthy! Today, I will end your life right here!
Both sides stepped onto the altar of the Asura God Temple, and the Asura God descended to declare the sixth trial:
Asura God's Sixth Trial
Trial Content: The chosen candidate and their "Sword Sheath" must enter the battlefield together to challenge the Grand Priest. They must survive for six minutes to pass the trial.
If they die in the arena or are defeated by the Grand Priest, the trial is failed. Upon failure, both the candidate and the Sword Sheath will be erased—body and soul.
Rewards for Success: +20 Affinity with Asura God; +10,000 years to soul ring age.
Tang San and Yu Tianheng both received this notification. Tang San, who had originally intended to go all out in this trial and destroy Yu Tianheng, was dumbfounded.
"What the hell, Asura God? What do you mean by 'the candidate and Sword Sheath enter together'? Are you saying Xiao Wu has to participate too? And if we lose, she'll be erased along with him, including her soul—no chance of revival?" Tang San angrily questioned the statue of the Asura God with a face like he was constipated.
But the Asura God gave a clear affirmation.
Tang San: "@#￥%￥%......!"
If the opponent for this sixth trial were just that dog Yu Tianheng, Tang San would have shown no mercy and struck with lightning speed. He hated him to the core and would gladly flay him alive. But if the price included Xiao Wu's life—
—A look of agony immediately crept onto Tang San's face like a death mask.
On the divine altar, Tang San watched as Xiao Wu and Yu Tianheng entered together like some celestial couple ready to challenge him. His heart twisted in pain. The one who should be by Xiao Wu's side, inheriting the Asura God trials with her—should be me!
The battle began.
Because of the divine assessment, Tang San—being tested as the Grand Priest—was like someone on steroids.
He had already become an Ultimate Douluo, while Yu Tianheng and Xiao Wu had only advanced to Titled Douluo through normal cultivation. Even though they had a Martial Soul Fusion Technique, Tang San still effortlessly pushed them into a desperate corner.
Their fused Dragon-Rabbit Martial Soul was sliced apart by the Asura Sword, and both Xiao Wu and Yu Tianheng coughed up blood as they crashed onto the altar. Supporting each other, they struggled to stand. Tang San looked at the two with a pained expression—five minutes had already passed.
"To think it would come to this…" Yu Tianheng spat out a mouthful of blood. He realized he had reached his limit. He looked at Tang San and said, "Ah San, I lost, that's fine. But I've dragged Xiao Wu down with me…"
Tang San's heart throbbed. At this point, all it would take was a single sword strike to end Yu Tianheng and win the trial. He could officially replace the Grand Priest. But… he couldn't do it.
Because—
He loved Xiao Wu. He loved her too much. To swing that sword would mean her death. And if her soul was wiped out, not even becoming a god could bring her back.
Without Xiao Wu, what was the point of becoming a god?
Yu Tianheng said, "Actually… there's still a way for Xiao Wu to survive—she can choose you again. Ah San… from now on, I entrust Xiao Wu to you."
Hearing this, Tang San's eyes lit up with hope. If Xiao Wu chooses me now… I'll eliminate my rival, gain Xiao Wu, and secure my godhood—talk about killing three birds with one stone!
He looked at Xiao Wu expectantly, praying she would make the "right" choice.
"No, I won't choose Ah San giegie." Xiao Wu said firmly. "Tianheng, I love you. Since I chose you back then, even if it means death, I'll walk this path with you to the very end."
She turned her teary eyes toward Tang San and said with guilt, "Ah San giegie, you've been really good to me, but… I'm sorry. You're my giegie. The one I love is Tianheng giegie, so—"
"Let's die together, and help you become the Asura God."
At that moment, Tang San's heart shattered into ten thousand pieces. He was in agony, despair, heartbreak—his soul felt like ashes. He wished he could plunge his sword into Yu Tianheng's chest, but when he looked at Xiao Wu… he just couldn't do it.
And so, in Tang San's hesitation, the six minutes passed.
"Asura God Sixth Trial complete. Congratulations to the chosen candidates. Affinity +20. Soul ring age increased by 10,000 years."
A soft divine light descended from the sky above the Slaughter City, enveloping Xiao Wu and Yu Tianheng, healing their wounds.
Yu Tianheng's soul rings emerged: yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, red. They finally stabilized as eight black and one red.
"We… we passed the trial." Yu Tianheng exclaimed in disbelief.
"Yes! Brother Tianheng, we did it!" Xiao Wu cried as she hugged Yu Tianheng and gave him a passionate kiss.
"…That's it? They passed?" Tang San muttered in bitter regret and despair.
Yu Tianheng walked over to Tang San, arrogantly saying, "Yare yare, you pitiful little thing, I must say—you really helped me pass that trial. Don't worry, I'll take good care of Xiao Wu in your place."
Xiao Wu looked at Tang San with gratitude and said, "Ah San giegie, you really are a good person. Thank you for helping us pass the trial. Don't worry, once we become gods, we won't forget you."
Tang San forced a bitter smile, his face dark.
At this point, he had no way left to stop Yu Tianheng from passing the divine trials. His only hope now was that Yu Tianheng would fail in the final three trials.
But—
Yu Tianheng successfully completed all nine trials.
The Gate of the Asura God was about to open. As the Grand Priest, Tang San had one final mission:
To sacrifice himself to open the path to godhood for Yu Tianheng and Xiao Wu.
Tang San was unwilling—but the role of Grand Priest forced him to comply.
In the Asura God Temple, Tang San knelt and bowed before Yu Tianheng and Xiao Wu, who were about to ascend to godhood. His heart brimmed with hatred, despair, and trembling bitterness. But on his face, he wore a devout and reverent expression, as if paying homage to the chosen ones.
Yu Tianheng walked up to Tang San, placed a green hat on his head, gently stroked his hair, and said:
"Little fool—no, I can't call you that anymore. Ah San, my good brother, you brought Xiao Wu to me, helped me meet the love of my life, enabled me to pass all the divine trials, and now you're even sacrificing your life and everything you have just to help me become the Asura God. I don't even know how to thank you. After thinking long and hard—"
Yu Tianheng patted Tang San on the shoulder and said with a smile:
"The best way to repay you… is to take care of Xiao Wu on your behalf. Rest easy. In the days ahead, I'll love her—with your share included."
Yu Tianheng's words agitated Tang San, whose emotions were already affected by the influence of the Asura God. His eyes began to redden, and his breathing grew erratic. At that moment, he wanted to self-destruct, to destroy everything here, rather than let Yu Tianheng have his way.
Just then, Xiao Wu appeared in front of Tang San. She looked at him gently, her presence calming his fury.
"Little… Little Wu."
"Ah San giegie, will you give us your blessings to become gods?" she asked, looking at him with hopeful eyes.
"I…" Tang San choked, then finally bowed his head in resignation. "I bless you both."
"Thank you, Ah San giegie. You're a good person. Tianheng-ge and I will never forget you," Xiao Wu said sweetly.
Then she took Yu Tianheng's hand and walked away with him.
The apotheosis ceremony began. Tang San's twin martial souls and all eighteen spirit rings manifested before shattering, transforming into a vast river of soul power.
His life force and soul power—all of it—was converted into this magnificent current. Tang San's body rapidly aged as he gave everything he had.
Through his selfless sacrifice, the river of soul power blasted open the Gate of Divinity.
At the final moment of his life, Tang San opened his aged eyes and looked forward.
He saw the backs of Xiao Wu and Yu Tianheng.
Xiao Wu had her arms wrapped affectionately around Yu Tianheng's. Hand in hand, they ascended the divine staircase and passed through the Gate of Divinity.
What a… perfect divine couple.
Tang San exploded in rage. (Quite literally.)
God Realm, Asura God Temple — The Yu Tianheng Household
Handsome Yu Tianheng was holding a pregnant Xiao Wu, both enjoying the beautiful scenery of the God Realm.
Xiao Wu said, "Tianheng-ge, life here is great, but… it's kind of boring."
Having become the Asura God, Yu Tianheng thought for a moment and replied, "True. This vast Asura Temple could use some clever divine servants. Ah—I've got it."
He entered the divine palace and immediately performed a resurrection ritual, reviving Tang San's soul. Just as Tang San's consciousness returned, Yu Tianheng castrated him.
Tang San twitched, slowly opening his eyes to see the person he hated most: Yu Tianheng.
Although his heart surged with boundless resentment, Tang San found himself utterly incapable of resisting Yu Tianheng.
"Yu Tianheng, you—" he began, but suddenly clamped his mouth shut. Why does my voice sound so… sneaky and sharp?
Yu Tianheng beamed smugly. "I really have to thank you. Without your sacrifice helping me become a god, I wouldn't be living so grandly. Before you stands the Asura God—Yu Tianheng. From now on, when you see me, call me 'Lord.' Understood?"
"You—!"
"But hey, I'm not the ungrateful type. Xiao Wu said the temple feels a little empty, so I revived you to serve us. To help you better adapt to the role, I removed some unnecessary parts from you."
He patted Tang San on the shoulder. "From now on, your name is Little Sanzi. You're the chief steward of the Asura God Temple. Serve us well. I believe in you."
"You—" Tang San's eyes turned bloodshot, his breathing like a raging bull's. But as a divine servant under a god's command, he could only lower his head and say, "Yes… my lord."
Then the Asura God Yu Tianheng brought Tang San to meet Xiao Wu.
Seeing Xiao Wu—mature, maternal—Tang San was filled with both longing and pain.
Especially when he saw the new life growing in her belly.
She was supposed to be mine—to marry me and bear my children. Now she's carrying someone else's child. This pain… is unbearable.
"Ah San, is that you?" Xiao Wu said in surprise.
"He's called Little Sanzi now," Yu Tianheng replied. "He's the chief steward of our Asura God Temple. Xiao Wu, feel free to assign him any dirty or tiring chores."
"Little Sanzi," Yu Tianheng turned to Tang San. "From now on, Xiao Wu is your Mistress. You must address her respectfully. No overstepping. Understood?"
"Y-Yes… understood."
And just like that, Tang San remained in the Asura God Temple, diligently fulfilling his new role as its ever-loyal steward.
He also witnessed Xiao Wu bear Yu Tianheng two children: a daughter named Yu Wutong, and a son named Yu Wulin.
Outside the Illusion
Evil Lord and Shi Nian stood watching. On the ground lay Tang San, unconscious and convulsing as if his body were reacting to the illusion. He murmured from time to time:
"No… I'll push… Can't I just push it?"
As he spoke, Tang San made repeated, mechanical motions with his arms—pushing forward, then recoiling, over and over.
Finally, still trapped in the illusion, Tang San seemed to beg:
"My lord… be gentle, please… don't hurt her… it pains my heart…"
Watching Tang San squirm on the ground like a worm performing some sort of interpretive art, Evil Lord exclaimed, "Damn, that dose was way too strong."
Shi Nian looked at Tang San with interest. Being just a Spirit Sage, he couldn't see the contents of the illusion, so all he could do was lament.
He turned to Evil Lord with a sycophantic grin. "Lord, I've fulfilled your request, right? So… can you spare me?"
Evil Lord gave a sinister grin. "Of course. Just make sure to drink plenty of hot rat tail soup."
With that, Evil Lord walked away.
Shi Nian sighed in relief. He glanced at the still-twitching Tang San. As a mere Blue Silver Grass user, Tang San wasn't even worth tormenting. Just as Shi Nian was about to leave—
A hand clamped down on his shoulder.
"Shi Nian, you are under arrest for attempted murder of a tournament participant. The evidence is irrefutable."
Shi Nian turned and saw Salas, the High Priest of the Spirit Hall, flanked by a squad of Spirit Hall enforcers.
Terrified, Shi Nian stammered, "You guys sure timed that well…"
And so, the villainous Shi Nian was apprehended.
After wrapping up the matter, Salas turned to look at Tang San, who was still lying on the ground.
Tang San was still trapped in the illusion, his body writhing like a grub as his arms repeated the same push-and-retract motion.
"What's wrong with him?" Salas asked in confusion.
"No idea. Probably some trauma he encountered in the illusion," one of the deacons replied.
"Wake him up, then," Salas ordered.
The Spirit Hall summoned a spiritual healer to treat Tang San's mind. Eventually, they managed to slowly awaken him from the illusion.
Tang San's movements slowed. His eyelids twitched, and finally, he opened his eyes.