Xiao Zhan woke up on the balcony.
He was twenty-four. Black long hair. Red eyes. No longer Rank 99.
*Rank 100. God.*
The air didn't dare move around him. The mountain was silent. Then it wasn't. Birds sang again. The wind blew. The world accepted him, because he'd chosen to remain in it.
Qian Renxue was still holding his hand. Her eyes were wide. "You're…"
"Still me," he said. His voice was the same. He checked. Good.
She touched his face. "Your eyes. They're…"
"Still red."
"No. There's gold in them now. Like a ring. Like my crown."
*[System Update: All Throne Marks Upgraded to Divine Marks. Permanent 10% loss restored + 5% bonus. All Marked gain +1 Evolution]*
*[Wei Lian: Rank 86 → 91]*
*[Dugu Bo: Rank 91 → 96]*
*[All others increased accordingly]*
Across the continent, eight people gasped as power returned, then doubled.
Xiao Zhan stood. The Monarch's Crown appeared above his head, not black-gold anymore. It was clear, like glass, like air. You could only see it if you believed in it.
He looked at Renxue. "The God Realm will come. They don't like new gods. Especially not ones who didn't ask permission."
She stood with him. Angel wings, real ones, flared from her back for the first time. "Then let them come. They'll meet the God King."
"And his Queen."
She smiled. Very beautiful. Like a born angel on earth. "And his Queen."
The Hegemon arc is done. The God King arc begins. The Trial tested his heart, and he chose to stay mortal in spirit, divine in power.