The turmoil in the God Realm had temporarily subsided. Yu Yuanchen returned to the Douluo Plane, laden with Immortal Spiritual Qi and accompanied by the Heavenly Dao Cauldron. Purple Blazing Dragon City remained as it had been, the Federation continued to prosper, and the integration of martial arts and Soul Tool Technology deepened with each passing day.
However, Yu Yuanchen knew that beneath the seemingly peaceful vote in the God Realm, undercurrents were surging. The century-long buffer period was both an opportunity and a challenge.
He briefly informed his like-minded old friends—Qian Daoliu, Tang Chen, and Bo Saixi—about the controversy within the God Realm Committee regarding the Path of Divine Spark, as well as the potential future schemes of the three God Kings: Goodness, Evil, and Asura.
Upon hearing the proposal for an "All-Deity Vote," Qian Daoliu stroked his beard and mused, "Using the influence of the Conservative Faction to stall is indeed a calculated move. The God Realm has long been plagued by deep-seated ills and many who shirk their duties. Once this proposal is out, the promotion of the Path of Divine Spark will likely face significant obstacles."
Tang Chen scoffed coldly, "Hmph, a bunch of parasites! If we have to wait in line for a God Position to become vacant, who knows how many years our descendants will waste! I, for one, think Yuanchen's Path of Divine Spark is excellent. A future carved out by one's own fists is the only kind that feels satisfying!"
Bo Saixi nodded elegantly, her voice ethereal, "Inheriting a God Position is certainly stable, but it lacks the spirit of progress. The Path of Divine Spark gives hope to geniuses and vitality to the God Realm. Even if there are setbacks, the direction is undoubtedly correct. Since we have already transcended, we should pave the way for those who come after us."
All three were dissatisfied with the God Realm's rigid, seniority-based system.
They were particularly struck by the fact that the inheritance of a First-level Deity position often required the predecessor to cultivate until their power reached a point where stripping away the God Position would cause no serious injury—a process that usually took ten thousand years.
In those ten thousand years, how many brilliant talents in the lower realms would wither away and die simply because no God Position was available? The Path of Divine Spark, pioneered by Yu Yuanchen, was perilous, but it undoubtedly provided these geniuses with a shortcut to transcend through their own abilities, greatly preventing the burial of talent.
While the Path of Divine Spark was not for everyone, it at least offered hope; if one failed, they could only blame their own lack of ability, leaving nothing to regret.
Furthermore, even if the God Realm opposed the Path of Divine Spark, they could not stop him from letting his own people cultivate it. The result of the God Realm vote only concerned whether those who achieved godhood through this path would receive official recognition from the God Realm.
If the Path of Divine Spark did not receive official recognition, those who ascended through it would have no formal status in the God Realm and would be regarded as "Wild Gods." Not only would they struggle to enjoy the nourishment of the God Realm's Immortal Spiritual Qi (meaning their lifespans would not be as long as orthodox deities), but they would also likely face exclusion or even expulsion.
Although Yu Yuanchen and his peers might be able to use their authority to bring a few people into the God Realm, the quota was limited and certainly not a long-term solution.
"Once we have settled our worldly ties and ascended to the God Realm, we will certainly support Yuanchen in pushing for the legitimacy of this path," Qian Daoliu said solemnly. Tang Chen and Bo Saixi nodded in agreement.
By then, with the addition of Ye Zhilan, who had also achieved godhood, Yu Yuanchen's side would possess the full support of four First-level Deities in the God Realm—a force that even the God Kings could not ignore.
Time flew by, and ten years passed quietly on the Douluo Continent.
During this decade, the continent remained peaceful and stable. Under the Federation's governance, Soul Masters and ordinary people lived in harmony, and various academies and sects flourished. Among the younger generation, new stars emerged, some following the beaten path while others blazed new trails, exploring their own ways forward.
A hundred miles outside of Dragon City, an intermediate Soul Master Academy named "Qinghe" welcomed another batch of graduates.
In the crowd, a youth with a slightly thin frame and a scholarly yet lonely expression silently packed his bags. He was none other than Yu Xiaogang.
It had been nearly ten years since he left the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. At first, fueled by the resentment of being "abandoned" by his family and a desire to prove himself, he had been quite diligent in his studies.
Using the last of the resources he had brought from the clan, he had managed to raise his Soul Power to Level 20 and, at a significant cost, hired a Soul Ancestor-level mercenary to help him hunt his second Soul Ring.
However, fate seemed to love playing jokes on him. After absorbing his second century-level Soul Ring, the skill granted to his martial soul, Luo Sanpao, was—once again—a "fart"!
"Second Soul Skill: Fart like smoke, Hypnotize Sleeping Three-Pound Cannon!"
When that strange-smelling, murky smoke spewed from Luo Sanpao's rear and sent a ten-year soul beast used for testing into a deep slumber, Yu Xiaogang felt his entire world collapse.
His first soul skill was "Fart like thunder, Heaven-shattering and Earth-splitting," which, despite its intimidating name, had little power and was incredibly vulgar, earning him nothing but cold stares. Now, this second soul skill had shifted directly toward "hypnosis," yet it remained inextricably linked to "farting"!
In the academy, the lower-year students who had once pitied him for his "abandoned scion" background now avoided him like the plague after witnessing (or hearing about) his soul skills. Behind his back, nicknames like "Fart King" and "Skunk" spread like wildfire.
Even the mercenary he had hired, after helping him obtain the ring, wore a strange expression and collected his payment thirty percent faster than usual.
It wasn't that Yu Xiaogang hadn't tried. He had gritted his teeth and engaged in martial arts body tempering, relying on the remnants of his clan foundation to barely reach the realm of a Second-grade Martial Apprentice.
But to go further, without precious medicinal baths, every step required grueling, grinding effort. Having long since been cut off from family support and relying only on the academy's meager subsidies and the occasional low-level task, he simply couldn't afford it.
Without resources, without the guidance of a master, and lacking the indomitable perseverance required for day-after-day, agonizing limit training, his martial cultivation soon stagnated.
His path as a Soul Master seemed to have reached its end as well. A Level 23 Soul Grand Master was not the worst among intermediate academy graduates, but it was certainly nothing to boast about.
The malignant mutation of his Luo Sanpao martial soul, combined with those soul-crushing skills, had effectively cut off any possibility of him rising in status through combat.
He had heard of the "Soul Beast Contract" method pioneered by Ye Zhilan, but any soul beast that was even remotely decent looked down on him as the master of such a trash martial soul. As for those willing to contract with him, they were all weak ten- or twenty-year creatures that provided no benefit to his strength. How could the proud Yu Xiaogang be satisfied with that?
"Theory... yes, there is still theory!" In near despair, Yu Xiaogang turned his gaze toward Soul Master theory.
Since the path of combat was closed, perhaps he could find another way through knowledge and earn the respect of others.
He scoured every book on martial soul, soul beast, and soul skill theory in the Dragon City Primary Academy library, feeling he had achieved some small success.
However, how profound could the books in a primary academy be? He craved a wider ocean of knowledge.
"Martial Soul City... that place has the richest collection of books on the entire continent." A thought sprouted and spread in his mind.
He had to go to Martial Soul City! He would study more advanced theories there, and perhaps, he could even find a way to change his own destiny!
Thus, upon graduation, Yu Xiaogang set off for Martial Soul City with nothing but his remaining travel money and a few notebooks. His back view was desolate, yet it carried a stubbornness that refused to bow to fate.
In stark contrast to Yu Xiaogang's struggle, a new star was rising within the Clear Sky Sect at an unprecedented speed.
Tang Hao, the second son of Clear Sky Sect Master Tang Wei, was only nineteen, yet his Soul Power had already reached Level 64, making him a Soul Emperor! His talent was so immense that it surpassed his peers and even faintly eclipsed his father, Tang Wei, in his youth.
In the martial arts arena behind the Clear Sky Sect, a gale roared, and hammer shadows filled the sky.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The heavy sounds of impact were incessant. Tang Hao was shirtless, his muscles bulging beneath his bronze-colored skin, sweat flying with his wild movements. The pitch-black Clear Sky Hammer in his hand seemed to have come alive; it was no longer a dead object, but an extension of his arm and the embodiment of his will.
Sometimes it was fierce and unstoppable, like a mountain pressing down; other times it was agile and tricky, like a viper striking from its hole. At other times, the hammer momentum was continuous, each strike heavier than the last, like crashing waves—this was the Clear Sky Sect's ultimate skill: the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer!
What was even more startling was that he wasn't just performing simple hammer techniques. Every strike carried a unique "intent," as if the hammer itself possessed life, roaring and fighting! This was the manifestation of having reached a high realm of hammer cultivation, touching upon the level of "Hammer Soul"!
Sparring with him was his older brother, Tang Xiao, now a Level 85 Soul Douluo. Tang Xiao held a slightly smaller Clear Sky Hammer, his expression grave as he suppressed his own Soul Power to the Soul Emperor level, doing his best to cope with his younger brother's storm-like onslaught. Even so, he was forced back step by step, his palms stinging.
"Good kid! You've already grasped three of the essences of this Disorder Splitting Wind, and your Hammer Intent is even more refined! In terms of pure, ferocious attack power, it would be hard to find an equal among your peers!" Tang Xiao praised inwardly. Spotting an opening, he shifted his hammer momentum from defense to offense, delivering a concise and sharp straight strike toward Tang Hao's center.
"Well struck!" A gleam shot from Tang Hao's eyes. He didn't dodge or retreat, meeting the attack head-on with his Clear Sky Hammer, his momentum unstoppable!
"Clang--!"
A deafening Clash of Metal rang out across the Martial Arts Arena, and a visible Blast Wave expanded in a ring, cracking the Green Stone tiles on the ground. Both figures swayed simultaneously and retreated three steps, ending in a draw!
"Haha! That was satisfying!" Tang Hao stood with his hammer retracted, laughing heartily. Steam rose from his body, and his fighting spirit soared.
Tang Xiao also retracted his Martial Soul. Looking at his younger brother, who was breathing steadily and showed no signs of fatigue, his eyes were full of amazement and Comfort: "Xiao Hao, your speed of progress is truly staggering. Grandfather was right; your talent is even above mine. In time, it is not impossible for you to surpass Father, or even catch up to the brilliance Grandfather displayed in his youth."
Mentioning his Grandfather Tang Chen, a trace of reverence flashed in Tang Hao's eyes. This Grandfather, who had already become the God of Destruction, often visited the God Realm but frequently guided him, pouring a great deal of effort into him.
In particular, the evaluation of his Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul—"there is hope for it to evolve into the Great Sumeru Hammer"—filled Tang Hao with motivation and anticipation.
"Big Brother is too kind." Tang Hao wiped his sweat, his tone filled with confidence, "I am still far off. At least, compared to that Qian Xunji at the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament ten years ago..."
At the mention of this name, Tang Hao's Sharp Eyes grew a bit more intense. Qian Xunji, son of the Angel God Qian Daoliu, possessed the bloodline of a god. Ten years ago, he was already a Level 75 Soul Sage. Relying on his abnormal Divinity-based defense, he had exhausted the Tianxing Team—then led by his brother Yu Yunyao and Tang Xiao—to snatch the championship. This matter had always been a regret in the hearts of Tang Xiao and the others.
Hearing this, Tang Xiao's expression also turned serious: "Qian Xunji... that guy is truly heaven-defying."
"According to Father, in order to temper his character and fearing he would become arrogant due to his bloodline, Senior Qian Daoliu did not let him rush to increase his Soul Power over these past ten years. Instead, he suppressed his Cultivation Level, making him walk the 'Angel's Path to Glory' again to deeply comprehend the Belief and will carried by the Angel Martial Soul."
"Now that ten years have passed, his Soul Power seems to have only increased to Level 85 Soul Douluo, similar to mine."
"Level 85?" Tang Hao raised an eyebrow, "At the same level, Big Brother, what do you think my chances of winning are if I fight him now?"
Tang Xiao pondered for a moment and shook his head slowly: "It's hard to say. While Qian Xunji's god-descendant defense is indeed abnormal, his attack, speed, and support abilities have no shortcomings either; he is a True Hexagonal Warrior."
"Your attacks are strong, but breaking his defense will likely not be easy. With equal Soul Power, he might still have a slight edge due to his Martial Soul quality and Divinity advantage. After all, the Six-winged Angel is a God-Tier Martial Soul."
The flames of war burned in Tang Hao's eyes, but he felt no discouragement; instead, they burned even hotter: "So what if it's a God-Tier Martial Soul? My Clear Sky Hammer may not be unable to evolve in the future! If Grandfather could achieve a God Position with the Clear Sky Hammer, so can I, Tang Hao! Once I reach the Titled Douluo realm, I will definitely seek him out for a battle!"
At this moment, the voice of the Sect Master Tang Wei came from the side: "Having fighting spirit is a good thing. However, Hao'er, do not underestimate Qian Xunji. Walking the Angel's Path again may seem like a slowdown in Cultivation, but in reality, it is building an incredibly solid foundation, with an understanding of the Martial Soul Origin far exceeding his peers."
"When he breaks through to the Titled Douluo realm, he will likely reach the level of a Super Douluo in one step, and his Control over the Six-winged Angel will likely reach a whole new height. If you wish to challenge him, you must redouble your efforts."
Tang Wei looked at his exceptionally talented second son, feeling both pride and a trace of hidden worry. Tang Hao's temperament was much like Tang Chen's in his youth—rigid, fierce, and indomitable. These were strengths, but they were also prone to breaking. As for Qian Xunji, under the deliberate tempering of Qian Daoliu, his character and methods were likely far beyond his peers; he did not believe Tang Hao would win.
"Father, rest assured, I understand!" Tang Hao nodded heavily, gripping the Clear Sky Hammer in his hand. The stronger the opponent, the more excited he became! He would use the hammer in his hand to Smash all obstacles and prove that the sharpness of the Clear Sky Hammer was not inferior to any God-Tier Martial Soul!
Purple Blazing Dragon City, Archon's secret chamber.
Yu Yuanchen slowly opened his eyes, the color of chaos swirling within his pupils as if reflecting an endless galaxy. Although he was focused on his own Cultivation and the perfection of his Divine Spark, all matters, large and small, occurring on the Douluo Plane—especially those related to his relatives and old friends—were under the coverage of his Divine Sense.
Yu Xiaogang's struggles and shifts, Tang Hao's rise and fighting spirit, were all like reflections in a mirror, mirrored in his heart.
He suspected that the Tang San from the original work might be a hidden move by the Asura God King. In the original, the relationship between these two and Tang San was extremely close. Although, due to his own existence, the plot might have changed significantly, it was not impossible that they would still become involved. If that were truly the case, he would undoubtedly occupy the first-mover advantage.
His gaze turned once again toward the direction of the distant God Realm. A decade had passed out of the hundred-year deadline. The schemes of Goodness, Evil, and Asura had likely already begun quietly.
He closed his eyes again, his mind sinking completely into the deduction and perfection of the Yuan Chen Divine Spark. A massive amount of Immortal Spiritual Qi obtained from the God Realm was slowly refined and integrated into the Divine Spark, making the miniature universe prototype and star trajectories within it increasingly profound, with the evolution of Life beginning to show signs of emergence.
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: GodKun-Chan