At the Temple of Destruction, the ethereal forms of the Seven Deadly Sins Gods arrived one after another, greeting their Lord before the discussion began.
"I just found a genius on the Douluo Continent. Take a look."
The God of Destruction waved his hand, and a water screen materialized, showing Xu Tianxi fighting bare-handed against the Expressionless Swordsman.
Behind Xu Tianxi's head, a moon hovered. Every punch and palm seemed to be accompanied by a Moon Shadow. His steps were swift yet orderly, and his entire body was enveloped in crackling lightning. His skin was covered in condensed water elements, like he was wearing a suit of thunder-water armor. Cold light shot from his moon-silver eyes like electricity, captivating souls.
With each move, the moon phases behind his head would change, displaying various states of waxing, waning, brightness, and dimness, as if every strike carried powerful Moon Radiance Power.
His opponent, the Expressionless Swordsman, was a five-ring Soul King. He had a cold, handsome face and wielded an ancient, entirely black longsword, about four feet long. A scorching glow flickered in his lifeless eyes.
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The Seven Deadly Sins Gods clearly saw that both combatants were in a state of high concentration, integrating their Spiritual Power into their attacks, unleashing offensives that surpassed their own levels.
Xu Tianxi was at a disadvantage in direct confrontations, severely suppressed by the Gray Sword Qi unleashed by Ji Juechen. However, a continuous stream of power flowed within his body, allowing him to sustain himself through the perilous battle.
The constantly changing moon phases allowed Xu Tianxi's figure to swiftly appear in other corners of the Soul Duel Stage. He launched attacks without showing any decline. Amidst the intertwining light and shadows, both seemed to be improving themselves.
The Seven Deadly Sins Gods possessed extraordinary insight. Xu Tianxi was using Ji Juechen's pressure to unleash his potential, and Ji Juechen was also gaining insights into Xu Tianxi's combat techniques during the fight. They were sharpening each other like whetstones.
"My Lord, this kid is scrawny. He doesn't look like someone who enjoys eating a lot, so he might be able to control Gluttony Power. But I wonder if he'd accept a change in his appearance." The God of Gluttony rubbed his big belly, feeling his own image was not ideal.
"Hehe, this little fellow is still a virgin. I wonder if he can control Lust Power." The God of Lust, one of the Seven Deadly Sins Gods, chuckled, indicating that Xu Tianxi needed further observation.
"This kid is fighting so joyfully, he might be able to control Sloth Power..." The God of Sloth lifted his eyelids, saying lazily.
"Wrath Godhood needs observation—"
"Greed Godhood needs observation—"
"Jealousy also needs observation—"
"And Arrogance as well—"
The remaining four Deadly Sins Gods gave a unanimous answer. The God of Destruction nodded slightly, about to ask which of the seven wished to descend for a godhood assessment, but then he heard the seven gods say in unison:
"But we all wish to follow our Lord and do not wish to give up our positions!"
The God of Destruction smiled with satisfaction, his thoughts turning to the elemental gods who usually acted like idle fish. He waved his hand and said, "Since you are different from those who want to quit, then never mind."
"This kid, like the Sea God, possesses Twin Martial Souls. His Second Martial Soul has the Black Tortoise Bloodline and a Destruction aura that originates from me. What do you all think?"
"Should we find the Water God?"
The Seven Deadly Sins Gods gave a unanimous answer. The Black Tortoise is a Water and Earth Dual-Type Divine Beast, with particularly strong water attributes. In the God Realm, there was no one more suitable than the Water God among the Seven Elemental Gods.
There was indeed a Black Tortoise Godhood position in the God Realm, but it was only a Level 2 Godhood, a subordinate deity to the Water God, and currently vacant.
"No rush. I will observe him for a while longer. If he truly has the ability, I would be happy for the God Realm to have another young Level 1 God," the God of Destruction said with a faint smile.
The Seven Deadly Sins Gods nodded. Their Lord always favored these young geniuses. The newly ascended Level 1 God of Destruction, Zhou Weiqing, was found by their Lord, who then sought out the old God of Destruction for him. If this junior could also reach Zhou Weiqing's level, their Lord would certainly not hesitate to bestow the Water Godhood upon him.
Those elemental gods, who spent their days idly instead of doing their duties, had long wanted to leave anyway. It would be perfect to let the younger generation take their positions.
While the God of Destruction's side was discussing cheerfully, the atmosphere in the Sea God Temple on the other side was not so pleasant.
Wang Dong was attacked at Shrek Academy and nearly died. Even a ruthless person like Tang San, who could tear apart his daughter's soul, found it hard to bear. He cursed Yan Shaozhe and Ma Xiaotao eighteen times in his heart, and greeted their ancestors for eight generations.
Suppressing his burning rage, the Tang God King directly descended his divine sense upon the Clear Sky Sect, contacting his two senior brothers, Divine Beasts. He ordered them to take immediate action, ensuring Wang Dong's safety before he made her disappear.
Niu Tian and Titan, temporarily serving as Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect, guaranteed their compliance. They immediately sent people to negotiate with Shrek Academy. Due to their special identities, it was not appropriate for them to leave the Clear Sky Sect directly, which Tang San approved of.
Thus, a Haotian Sect Super Douluo, carrying personal letters from the two Sect Masters, set off towards Shrek City, tasked by the Sect Master to deliver a strong condemnation to Shrek City.
The Tang God King watched a live water mirror broadcast from the God Realm, showing the Haotian Sect Super Douluo scolding Yan Shaozhe to his face. His mood finally improved significantly.
However, to the Tang God King's surprise, only three hours later, his divine sense alarm sounded again.
The Tang God King released his divine sense to look closely, and his vision instantly darkened. The person who attacked Wang Dong and brought her life into danger was none other than Ma Xiaotao again!
"Attacking Little Seven twice in a row, even if you are Fatty's descendant, you have already found a path to death!"
Tang San's eyes were blood-red as he stared intently at Ma Xiaotao, swiftly descending his divine sense to intervene.
Shrek Academy, Outer Courtyard.
Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao, laughing after winning a New Student Competition, walked out of the assessment area. They were about to go outside the academy to sample Huo Yuhao's grilled fish when they saw two people approaching them.
It was none other than Ma Xiaotao, an Inner Courtyard disciple in red, and Xu Sanshi, the Outer Courtyard's top defensive Soul Master. Both had left a deep impression on Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong.
Compared to his usual spirited demeanor, Xu Sanshi's face was pale and bloodless, as if his energy had been drained. He looked listless and dispirited, his clothes crumpled, his posture utterly dejected, and his legs trembled as he walked.
Ma Xiaotao's face was beautiful, with an unnatural flush on her delicate cheeks, and nearly half of her eyes were light pink.
"Xiao Tao, I found the person you were looking for. Can I go now?" Xu Sanshi said with a bitter smile.
Having been sought by Ma Xiaotao for years, he had vaguely grown accustomed to this state, but he still secretly complained. He had been found by Ma Xiaotao a few days ago, and she had unceremoniously dragged him away, tormenting him for days. His spirit, body, and Soul Power had all been depleted. It was only because his Martial Soul was strong enough; if it were someone with a weaker Martial Soul, they would have been burned to a crisp by Ma Xiaotao ages ago.
Ma Xiaotao waved her hand, and Xu Sanshi scurried away as if granted a great pardon, leaving Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong with a look that wished them good luck.
Ma Xiaotao then gave Xiao Xiao a dismissal order. Noticing Ma Xiaotao's ill intentions, Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong motioned for Xiao Xiao to leave, while they themselves followed Ma Xiaotao back to Sea God Lake.
As they walked, both were lost in thought.
Huo Yuhao: This is Shrek Academy, famous for a reason. This senior sister shouldn't dare to do anything to us while she's lucid, right?
Wang Dong: Dad and Second Dad said they'd already warned the academy. I shouldn't be attacked again, right?
Upon reaching Sea God Lake, Ma Xiaotao stood with her back to them and said indifferently, "I know you must have recognized me. Yes, I am that student who ran out from the Inner Courtyard and almost harmed you. I had no choice, and for that, I apologize to both of you first."
Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong unanimously felt that Ma Xiaotao's apology lacked sincerity, but intimidated by her terrifying strength, they could only state that the matter was in the past.
However, while they wished to let it go, Ma Xiaotao was unwilling. She suddenly turned around, her pink eyes deepening in color, and an indescribable oppressive force fell upon Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong.
"But for me, this matter is not over."
"That day, there must have been an ice or water-attribute Soul Master who stopped me, preventing me from harming you. This person is very important to me. Tell me everything you know, or rather, who among you is his protector. I must find him!"
Three months ago, Tang God King's furious roar had struck down Ma Xiaotao, but he hadn't purged her Evil Fire. Not long after Ma Xiaotao's Evil Fire subsided, it flared up again, forcing her to seek Ling Luochen and Xu Sanshi's help to suppress it, with unsatisfactory results.
Ma Xiaotao, unable to endure any longer, finally went against Yan Shaozhe's instructions. First, she made do with Xu Sanshi, then she sought out Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao.
She knew Wang Dong came from an extraordinary background, but in her opinion, Shrek was the best in the world. As long as she handled herself carefully this time, she believed the Clear Sky Sect would have nothing to say.
Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao genuinely didn't know who that person was and couldn't answer Ma Xiaotao. Ma Xiaotao only thought they were trying to fool her, so she directly activated her Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul. Six Soul Rings—two yellow, two purple, and two black—floated up, and the fiery phoenix's silhouette rose roaring amidst the crimson flames.
"Since you truly don't know, don't blame me for being impolite. If you don't know, then I'll force him out."
Ma Xiaotao's Evil Fire surged around her, her eyes almost entirely covered in peach-pink. With almost every word she spoke, the heat waves around her intensified, sweeping towards Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong.
"Again? Run!"
Huo Yuhao/Wang Dong: We're going crazy!