Chapter 98: Drinking Under the Moon, Each Unfolding Grand Plans
The dust on the Martial Arts Arena slowly dissipated, leaving behind a mess and two slightly disheveled figures. Qian Daoliu's golden hair was stained with dust, his Angelic Sacred Sword propped against the ground as he gasped for breath; Tang Chen used his Clear Sky Hammer for support, blood still wet at the corner of his mouth and his aura weakened. They gazed at the purple-gold figure ahead, who stood as deep as a pool and steady as a mountain, his aura as stable as ever, their eyes filled with complex, indescribable emotions.
Three parts loneliness, the powerlessness of giving one's all yet failing to shake the mountain; three parts unwillingness, the frustration of being a Prodigy yet always being suppressed; and four parts helplessness, the clear realization that the figure had already reached a height they could not attain in the short term. No matter how much fighting spirit or heroic ambition they possessed, in the face of an absolute gap in strength, it could only turn into a sigh.
"Monster..." Qian Daoliu spat in a low voice, wiping the sweat from his brow, yet there was no resentment in his eyes, but rather a sense of relief from being completely defeated. He was proud by nature, but not one who couldn't afford to lose; Yu Yuanchen's strength was indeed beyond his current reach.
Tang Chen gasped for air, shaking his head with a bitter smile: "Damn it... this kid has probably not been on the same level as us for a long time." He struggled to stand straight; the backlash from the Ring Explosion caused him intense pain, but even more painful was the sense of defeat from being left far behind.
However, both Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen were individuals of resilient will and a steady Dao Heart. After a brief period of dejection, their fighting spirit reignited in their eyes.
So what if they couldn't compare to Yu Yuanchen? Soul Power cultivation was for oneself, not for others. The struggle for the Great Dao was a fight against heaven for one's life; how could their Dao Heart be clouded by the strength of one person? Their respective ideals and paths would not change because of today's defeat.
Their gazes inadvertently met in the air, and they actually understood the same thought in each other's eyes: "It's fine to lose to a freak like Yu Yuanchen, I accept it! But between you and me, it can't just end like this!" An invisible fire of competition quietly ignited between the two new Titled Douluo.
Just then, Yu Yuanchen walked over slowly, the lightning around him completely withdrawn, returning to his usual appearance. With a faint smile on his face, he spoke: "The fight is over. You two, would you be interested in sharing a drink?"
Both Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen were stunned, not expecting Yu Yuanchen to take the initiative to invite them. Then, Qian Daoliu elegantly tidied his slightly messy robes and nodded: "It is exactly what I wish for, though I didn't dare ask." Tang Chen grinned, revealing blood-stained teeth: "Drink! Of course we'll drink! I just want to see if your alcohol tolerance is as freakish as your strength!"
That night, under a sparse moon and stars, in a quiet pavilion on the back mountain of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect. A few plates of exquisite side dishes were set on the stone table, and three jars of aged fine wine were already opened, their mellow aroma permeating the night breeze.
Yu Yuanchen, Qian Daoliu, and Tang Chen sat around, temporarily putting aside their Sect differences and thoughts of victory or defeat, raising their cups to the moon. After a few bowls of strong wine, the atmosphere gradually became lively, no longer as tense as during the day.
Qian Daoliu lightly swirled the amber liquid in his cup, looking at the bright moon on the horizon with a distant gaze. He was the first to speak, his voice clear and resonant: "My Dao is inherited from my ancestors. The Seraphim acts as God's shepherd, purifying the world. My wish is to fully inherit the Angel God Position, ascend to the God Realm, continue the glory of my clan, and protect the light of faith from being extinguished." His words carried an innate nobility and sense of mission, a Legacy flowing within the Angel Bloodline.
Hearing this, Yu Yuanchen smiled slightly. Now that his strength was sufficient, he no longer deliberately hid certain things and said frankly: "Brother Qian has lofty ambitions. Inheriting a God Position is indeed a shortcut to the heavens." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the two, his tone calm yet carrying an indescribable confidence, "As for me, by chance, I have also received the Legacy of a Divinity."
As soon as these words were spoken, Qian Daoliu's eyes flashed; he wasn't too surprised, as he had already guessed. Tang Chen's eyes widened, and he almost choked on his wine: "What? You really got a God Position Legacy? Which god? The Thunder God?" He looked at Qian Daoliu again, feeling his own nose turn a bit red.
Yu Yuanchen remained noncommittal and simply continued: "Having this Legacy can be considered a guaranteed chance to become a god. However..." He changed the subject, his eyes bursting with sharp light, as if lightning were being born and extinguished within them, "The God Realm is vast, and even gods have hierarchies. Since I have entered this door, how can I be content with mediocrity? My ambition might be a bit larger. If I am to become a god, I must reign Supreme Among Gods!"
Plain words, yet they contained unparalleled dominance and determination, causing both Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen's hearts to tremble. Reigning Supreme Among Gods! What arrogance, and what confidence!
For a moment, the pavilion was silent, with only the rustling of leaves in the wind. Qian Daoliu looked deeply at Yu Yuanchen, the last trace of comparison in his heart fading away; for such a person, his stage was no longer limited to this continent. Tang Chen gulped down a large mouthful of wine, smacked his lips, and muttered: "Comparing myself to you is really asking for trouble."
Then, a trace of depression appeared on his face as he sighed: "Fine, one of you was born with hope, and the other was chosen by a god just by going out. I'm the only one who's still a 'commoner'!"
"Our Clear Sky Sect's Legacy is also quite ancient, but our ancestors only left some vague and uncertain clues, saying something about a God Island overseas and an Ice Palace in the Far North. It sounds like fairy tales." He scratched his head, looking a bit frustrated, "Just how should this path to godhood be walked?"
Seeing Tang Chen's distress, Yu Yuanchen and Qian Daoliu looked at each other and smiled. At their level, some information no longer needed to be hoarded.
Qian Daoliu elegantly took a sip of wine and said: "Brother Tang, there's no need to be anxious. There are generally two paths to godhood. One is to inherit an existing God Position, pass the divine trials, gain the Divinity's recognition, and inherit its power and authority, like my Angel lineage. The second is to create a God Position yourself, which requires condensing a massive Power Of Faith and imprinting your own Dao upon the Laws of heaven and earth. This method is more difficult, but also more free."
Yu Yuanchen added: "Power Of Faith is the Foundation of becoming a god, especially for self-creating a God Position. The purer and more massive the faith, the faster the God Position is condensed, and the more solid the Foundation."
Tang Chen listened thoughtfully, his brow furrowed: "Faith... this thing is ethereal. Isn't the faith on the continent already mostly divided up?"
"Exactly." Yu Yuanchen nodded, a glint in his eyes as he proposed the plan he had been considering for a long time, "So, we need an Opportunity, one that can benefit all Soul Masters in the world and gather faith."
He looked at the two of them and said seriously: "After the Seven Clans Selection, I intend to make the 'Soul Core Condensation Method'—which the three of us have jointly deduced and perfected—public to all Soul Masters in the world!"
"What?" Both Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen were shocked. The Soul Core Method was a Heaven-Defying technique that could greatly enhance a Soul Master's combat power and change the cultivation system. Once made public, its impact would be enormous!
Yu Yuanchen explained: "Although I proposed the concept and Foundation of this method and discussed the prototype with my Family, it would have been difficult to reach such relative perfection without the two of you bringing out your respective forces' Foundations for verification, and then each breaking through and providing feedback from your unique perspectives. To the outside world, we can declare that this is the result of our joint deduction."
He paused and looked at the two meaningfully: "Once this method spreads and benefits the vast number of Soul Masters, the complex Power Of Faith it generates—though individual gains won't be much due to the scattered sources—will be long-lasting and widespread. This merit of pioneering and virtue of teaching is enough to condense a deep layer of 'Godly Charm' and 'Source of Faith' upon the three of us, which will be of great benefit for impacting the God Realm in the future! Especially for you, Brother Tang, if you intend to create your own God Position, this can lay a crucial Foundation!" (Tang Chen will also have a God Position Legacy in the future, but not the Asura God.)
A light of wisdom flashed in Qian Daoliu's eyes, and he immediately understood the key point. Faith in the Angel God was mainly concentrated in Spirit Hall and its surrounding areas. If this merit of "teaching" could be added, it would also benefit his perfect inheritance of the Angel God Position. He nodded slightly: "Brother Yu's proposal is excellent. It benefits the world and ourselves; it's a win-win."
Tang Chen's breathing became rapid! He was just worrying about where to get Power Of Faith, and Yu Yuanchen had sent him a great gift! If the Soul Core Method could really be promoted, as one of the "creators," he would surely get a share of the faith! This undoubtedly pointed out a broad path for him!
"Do it! We must do it!" Tang Chen slapped the stone table, making the wine bowls jump, his excitement beyond words.
But after the excitement, Tang Chen calmed down again and frowned: "However, is the faith from the Soul Core Method alone enough for me to create a God Position?" He knew how difficult it was to pioneer a new divine path.
Yu Yuanchen had already expected this question. He smiled slightly and prompted: "Brother Tang, besides being the Clear Sky Douluo, what other identity do you have?"
Tang Chen was stunned: "Me? I'm also a blacksmith! Among our Clear Sky Sect Disciples, who doesn't know how to forge..." Halfway through his sentence, he stopped abruptly, his eyes bursting with unbelievable light! "You mean... Forging?!"
"Exactly!" Yu Yuanchen confirmed, "Most low-level Soul Masters and ordinary people in the world today need weapons, armor, and farm tools. The path of Forging is closely related to their lives, yet it forms its own system. The only drawback is its low status because it's not very useful for mid-to-high-level Soul Masters. But isn't this your Opportunity? If you lead the rise of blacksmiths, they will naturally believe in you."
Yu Yuanchen continued: "Moreover, its Source of Faith is relatively independent and has no master yet! If you can promote the innovation of Forging techniques, improve the overall equipment level of Soul Masters in the world, and even... based on this, try to communicate with the Laws of heaven and earth to open up a 'God of Forging' path centered on'Strength' and'Skill,' wouldn't that be much more reliable than aimlessly looking for a God Position Legacy or fighting with old gods for faith?"
Yu Yuanchen had his own little schemes. His energy was limited; he specialized in the Thunder Martial Dao, and although he had some knowledge of Forging, he couldn't devote all his effort to developing it. If he could guide Tang Chen, the future Clear Sky Douluo, to focus on Forging, with his control over "Strength" and the natural advantage of the Clear Sky Hammer, it would greatly advance the Forging level of this world.
When Tang Chen hit a Bottleneck, Yu Yuanchen could provide some "pointers" using concepts from his past life memories like "Spirit Forging," "Inscriptions," and "Enchanting." Not only might this benefit him in the future, but he might even get a share of the faith dividends from the development of the "Path of Forging." Why not? This was called investing in the future.
Tang Chen felt as if he had been enlightened. He stood up abruptly and paced back and forth in the pavilion in excitement: "That's right! Forging! Why didn't I think of that! I might not be able to beat you guys in a fight for now, but when it comes to Forging, I have confidence! Promoting the development of Forging—this faith comes rightfully, and no one is competing with me!" The more he thought about it, the more excited he became, as if he saw a golden path unfolding before him.
He even subconsciously glanced at Qian Daoliu and thought to himself: Stealing the Angel God's faith? Forget it, forget it. Their ancestors contributed to the continent; I, Old Tang, am a man of principle and won't do that! That's right, it's definitely not because the Clear Sky Sect can't beat Spirit Hall; he, Tang Chen, was just such a person who respected his Seniors.
Besides, it was more solid to open up one's own path! Of course, if it really didn't work out, he could still secretly look for those God Position clues his ancestors mentioned... This wasn't called being cowardly; it was called being flexible!
Seeing Tang Chen's excited look after finding his life's goal, Yu Yuanchen and Qian Daoliu looked at each other and smiled, raising their cups to drink together.
Under the moonlight, the three most outstanding young men of the current era temporarily put aside their rivalry and, due to common interests and aspirations for the future, reached a preliminary alliance. One had a clear goal to inherit a God Position; one was ambitious, wanting to reign Supreme Among Gods; and one was taking a different path, wanting to create a new way. Their paths were already different, but tonight's encounter laid a profound Foundation for the future layout of the continent.
The wine jars gradually emptied, and the moon sank in the west. A hearty battle and a long talk not only laid the Foundation for the Soul Core Method to be passed down but also ignited the raging fire in Tang Chen's heart to carve a path with his hammer. The future of the continent, because of the agreement of these Three Heroes Under the Moon, quietly turned in a completely new direction.
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