The Sea God glanced across at the High Priest, who was likewise seated in the place of honor, and a faint conjecture formed in his heart.
The High Priest was an old man dressed in a long white robe, with white hair, white eyebrows, and a white beard, his features kindly and benevolent.
At a single glance, one could not help but feel a sense of affinity toward him.
And in the hearts of the gods of the God Realm, the High Priest held an extremely exalted status.
It was not merely that the High Priest had selflessly dedicated himself and allowed the God Realm to avert several calamities.
Many deities had also asked the High Priest to calculate good and ill fortune for them, and had received the High Priest's grace.
Therefore, when Jiang Chen's matter spread, and with the High Priest testifying as well, the God Realm erupted into such a great uproar.
The majority of the deities of the God Realm believed that what the High Priest said was not alarmist talk, and that the human Jiang Chen truly was a future calamity for the God Realm.
That was why they were so impatient to eliminate Jiang Chen.
The God of Destruction was dressed in a dark-red robe, his entire body wreathed in an extremely terrifying aura of destruction, exuding an innate majesty even without anger.
That imposing presence made many of the invited deities below feel as though a great boulder pressed upon their hearts.
Hearing the Sea God's question, the God of Destruction smiled and said, "Naturally it is because of that human brat Jiang Chen. This time I invited all of you here because I wish to discuss with everyone how to eliminate that human brat."
At those words, among all the deities present, some showed a slight change of expression and revealed a trace of delight.
The Sea God's face remained calm as he said in a deep voice, "Has the God Realm Committee not already made a decision? The gods are not to lay hands on that human brat. You are one of the Enforcers; how can you knowingly break the law, acting one way on the surface and another in secret?"
His words were extremely direct, without the slightest circumlocution, and he showed no fear of the God of Destruction.
As a first-rank god second only to the two God Kings and the three Enforcers, his strength was not much inferior to that of an Enforcer, and therefore he held little dread of the God of Destruction.
The God of Destruction paid no heed whatsoever to the Sea God's attitude and continued, "Among the five members of the Committee, I alone opposed it, which was not enough to alter their decision. In truth, in my heart I likewise regard that Jiang Chen as a scourge who must be eliminated as early as possible."
"So you intend to drag us in, violate the Committee's regulations, and privately make a move against that Jiang Chen?" the Sea God continued to ask.
"Correct." The God of Destruction nodded.
"Then I must apologize." The Sea God stood up and shook his head. "I have no wish to violate the rules. Besides, to deal with a mere human brat, you, the God of Destruction, are more than sufficient; why must you bring us lesser gods along?"
During the earlier upheaval in the God Realm, the Sea God had not spoken out, maintaining an attitude of watchful observation.
Now that the Committee's decision had come out, it clearly leaned toward that human; he had no desire to board the God of Destruction's pirate ship. If the matter were later exposed, he would likely invite the Committee's sanctions.
Therefore, it was best to keep himself out of harm's way.
Facing the Sea God's ruthlessness, the God of Destruction still did not grow angry. He smiled and said, "Sit down first. Speaking of which, this human brat called Jiang Chen has some connection with you as well."
The Sea God had originally intended to leave at once, but upon hearing the God of Destruction speak thus, he immediately sat back down.
"Before the High Priest's prophecy, I did not know him. What connection could I have with him?" The Sea God's gaze rested on the God of Destruction.
The smile on the God of Destruction's face grew even richer. "Then let me show you what this Jiang Chen once did to you."
As he spoke, he raised his right hand and swept it across the void before him; at once a screen of light appeared in the empty air.
Among the gods present, aside from the God of Destruction and the Sea God, the others all grew curious as well and watched the light screen with keen interest.
From the God of Destruction's words, this Jiang Chen ought to have done something insulting to the Sea God in the past.
The gods of the God Realm lived long lives; the vast span of their existence had endowed every one of them with a gossipy heart, and eating others' melon was a very happy thing.
Upon that light screen appeared the figure of a young man, precisely the Jiang Chen of the prophecy.
Although the deities present were curious as to why the God of Destruction possessed this scene, none of them asked; they restrained their curiosity and watched attentively.
On the light screen, Jiang Chen opened a treasure box with an expectant expression. Inside the box lay a three-dimensional triangular object, crystalline and translucent throughout, like blue crystal.
The Sea God's heart stirred; he recognized it at once. This was precisely his Sea God's Heart.
Just like the Asura God's Asura Sword, this Sea God's Heart was likewise one of the divine implements indispensable for inheriting the Sea God's position.
Seeing this scene, an ominous premonition suddenly rose in his heart.
Yet he still could not guess what the Jiang Chen on the screen was about to do to the Sea God's Heart.
"Sea God, is that not your Sea God's Heart?" someone among the gods asked curiously.
This person was on rather good terms with the Sea God and therefore knew that the object was the inheritance, a divine implement the Sea God had left behind in those years.
The Sea God did not speak; he merely gave a slight nod, acknowledging it.
On the light screen, Jiang Chen began to study the Sea God's Heart.
After studying it for a while, Jiang Chen tried to probe his spiritual power into the Sea God's Heart and touched the small trick the Sea God had deliberately left inside. The Sea God's Heart began to smash against Jiang Chen's forehead again and again.
The Sea God's expression grew slightly awkward. This was a small trick he had left in those years, its purpose was to test the constitution of the one who possessed the Sea God's Heart.
But immediately afterward, astonishment appeared on his face.
His Sea God's Heart was a divine implement; its tip was extremely sharp, yet it had smashed more than ten times before it broke Jiang Chen's forehead.
Then the gods saw the divine sense the Sea God had left behind fly out from within the Sea God's Heart.
The divine sense laughed loudly: "I do not know how many years have passed, but at last I have found blood of a decent flavor, and at last I have found a constitution that can bear the power of the vast sea. This face is truly thick!"
The Sea God's gaze swept lightly about and discovered that the other deities present were all looking at him with peculiar eyes; at once he felt his old face grow slightly warm with embarrassment.
But right after that, in the scene, Jiang Chen suddenly sat up and slapped a palm onto the Sea God's Heart.
The entire Sea God's Heart, together with the Sea God's divine sense, was caught completely unprepared and smashed against the wall.
"I'll find your mother!" Jiang Chen's furious roar rang clearly in the ears of all the gods.
The Sea God's awkward expression vanished in an instant; his face became incomparably gloomy.
This human brat had actually given him a slap!
Although it had struck the divine sense, how was that any different from striking his true body's face?
A mere human dared to slap the face of the Sea God of the God Realm. If word of this spread, he, the Sea God, would certainly become an eternal laughingstock of the God Realm.
The Sea God's face was already as dark as water; boundless rage surged in his heart.
At this moment he felt an impulse to use his divine power to crush this hateful brat to pieces.
The scene on the light screen had not yet ended. That brat spouted wild words, provoked his dignity, and held his status in contempt.
Thereupon his divine sense spoke a few words of threat.
Immediately afterward, the figure of the Asura God appeared.
"Lord Asura God? How did he appear?" one person among those present exclaimed softly and could not help asking.
Then, under the Asura God's overbearing might, the Sea God's divine sense did not dare so much as fart and obediently returned into the Sea God's Heart.
The Sea God's face twitched; both fists were clenched tightly. He had already reached the extreme of rage.
His divine sense had been humiliated by a human brat, and when he wished to intimidate that brat a little, the Asura God had suddenly run out and made him lose face once more.
At this moment, as he felt the gazes from all around falling upon him from time to time, his cheeks burned.
"That Jiang Chen is actually the Asura God's inheritor!" someone could not help crying out in alarm.
In the scene, the Asura God had personally acknowledged before the Sea God's divine sense that Jiang Chen was his inheritor.
"No wonder the Committee made a decision favoring Jiang Chen. So Jiang Chen has actually accepted the Asura God's inheritance."
"Too excessive. Just because this is his inheritor, the Asura God would disregard the lives of us gods?"
"This is clearly using power for private ends."
"I had always believed the Committee was fair and just; yet in secret they have done such a thing that endangers the God Realm."
In an instant the atmosphere in the great hall exploded.
All the gods were filled with righteous indignation; their impression of the Asura God as an Enforcer plummeted in a single stroke.
"Everyone, quiet!" the God of Destruction barked in a low voice. That majestic tone at once silenced everyone in the hall.
"When this scene occurred back then, it happened to be my turn to stand watch over the lower realm. I just happened to sense the Asura God's divine sense appearing on the Douluo Continent, and so I recorded this scene.
"How to treat Jiang Chen is a decision reached after deliberation by the five members of the Committee; it is not something the Asura God alone can decide. Therefore, I ask that everyone not discuss the Asura God behind his back.
"The reason I called everyone here today is that I disagree with the Committee's decision, yet within the Committee I alone opposed it and could not stop them.
"Therefore we can only use other methods to exterminate this ant, or cripple him."
When the God of Destruction's words fell, the deities seated there all grew somewhat moved.
"Lord Destruction, the Committee has already announced its decision. If we move against that Jiang Chen again, is that not inappropriate?" someone asked worriedly.
The God of Destruction smiled. "Rest assured. The Committee's decision stipulates that we may not personally make a move, yet it does not say we are forbidden to borrow the strength of others to act."
Seated in the place of honor, the Sea God's heart stirred; a faint conjecture formed.
"What other methods are there? Please enlighten us, Lord Destruction," someone asked.
The God of Destruction said, "We cannot personally kill that Jiang Chen, yet we can find some outstanding inheritors on the Douluo Continent, bestow power upon them, and let them go kill Jiang Chen."
Having finished speaking, the God of Destruction swept his gaze over those below.
These people present had all been screened by him. Besides a strong desire to kill Jiang Chen, they also intended to seek inheritors.
That was why he had prepared this plan.
Someone frowned and said, "That Jiang Chen is already at the cultivation of a Spirit Douluo. Even if we find inheritors, their cultivation will not be able to catch up to him, will it?"
Everyone nodded.
Jiang Chen's talent was so monstrous that even if they could find outstanding inheritors, it would be difficult to contend with him.
The moment they thought of the eight deep-red spirit rings on Jiang Chen's body, their hearts grew heavy.
With such terrifying talent, if he matured, he would absolutely be an existence more terrifying than the present two God Kings and three Enforcers.
And when they further recalled the High Priest's prophecy, if this Jiang Chen possessed unmatched strength, he would be a catastrophe for the God Realm.
The God of Destruction said, "You may rest assured. During the assessment of the inheritors, you can increase the amount of the rewards and let them grow as quickly as possible. With so many inheritors, need we still worry about being unable to deal with one Jiang Chen?"
"Increasing the reward amounts… if it is discovered, I fear…" someone worried.
The God of Destruction raised a hand and interrupted. "I am not afraid to tell you: those eight hundred-thousand-year spirit rings on Jiang Chen's body came precisely from the Asura God's rewards."
The gods at once felt a wave of anger. The Asura God had knowingly broken the law and secretly given his own inheritor excessive rewards.
The God of Destruction continued, "You may rest assured. As an Enforcer, I have methods to conceal the traces of your rewards. I guarantee they will not discover anything."
The gods' hearts relaxed; they were already extremely tempted.
They had originally intended to find an inheritor, yet after the divine position was passed on they would not necessarily leave the God Realm at once.
Therefore, Jiang Chen was a scourge in their hearts who would endanger their lives.
With the God of Destruction's guarantee, this plan seemed seamless.
Even if the Asura God wondered why their inheritors' strength grew so rapidly, without evidence he would be unable to do anything to them.
"In that case, I am willing to participate in this plan. The premise, however, is that there is a human suitable for my inheritance on the Douluo Continent," someone spoke up.
"Haha, rest assured. There are countless geniuses on the Douluo Continent." The God of Destruction laughed.
"I am willing as well."
"Agreed."
...
By this time the Sea God had already calmed down. He sat there without speaking.
"Sea God, and you?" the God of Destruction asked.
Among those he had invited, the Sea God's strength was the greatest, only a hair's breadth weaker than the five supreme beings of the God Realm.
Moreover, it so happened that Jiang Chen had slapped the Sea God's face; thus the probability that the Sea God would agree was very high.
If it were any other first-rank god, they might not necessarily take part in this matter.
At once every gaze in the hall gathered upon the Sea God.
They believed that since the Sea God had suffered that brat's humiliation, he would certainly join this plan.
The Sea God pondered for a moment, then looked toward the High Priest opposite him, who had been smiling the whole time while drinking tea and had not uttered a single word, and asked:
"High Priest, I wish to know whether that prophecy of yours is absolutely accurate."
The High Priest set down his teacup and revealed an extremely kind and gentle smile. He showed not the slightest anger at the Sea God's doubt.
"Sea God, please rest assured. This old man's calculations have never once been wrong. In that corner of the future I saw, this Jiang Chen is absolutely the one who will slaughter the God Realm."
Hearing this, the Sea God fell silent. After a moment his expression gradually grew firm, and he said in a deep voice, "I agree to join. But I must choose the one with the highest talent as my inheritor."
"No problem." The God of Destruction agreed.
The others did not object either; after all, the Sea God's strength surpassed theirs.
The God of Destruction restrained his smile and said in a solemn voice, "Everything that occurred today, I hope you will keep strictly secret and not leak it. Otherwise, if it draws the Committee's sanctions, I will be unable to protect you."
"Certainly."
"Lord Destruction, please rest assured."
Everyone agreed.
The God of Destruction smiled as he looked toward the High Priest and said, "High Priest, next I must trouble you to calculate who, on the present Douluo Continent aside from that Jiang Chen, possesses the highest talent and the most abundant fortune."
The High Priest nodded. "Leave it to me. This old man will never stand by and watch the God Realm head toward destruction."
He spread his left hand; light flashed across the palm, and a circular disk of an extremely mysterious and peculiar appearance appeared.
This was his martial soul, the Heavenly Mechanism Disk, which had now become a divine implement.
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Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
"Don't forget there are chapters available on Patreon."
"Among Gentlemen of the Three Kingdoms 50 Advance chapters"
"Douluo: Divine Boar of Douluo 30 Advance chapters"
"Douluo: Sword of Judgment and Eternal Ice 30 Advance chapters"
"From Douluo to Godhood by Defying the Heavens 30 Advance chapters."
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