However, for several days, the epic battle that the gods had eagerly anticipated failed to materialize. The Douluo Continent remained eerily quiet.
Yet, in just those few short days, several years had already passed on the Douluo Continent.
Just as everyone began to believe this peaceful happiness would last indefinitely, a ripple in the God Realm signaled to the gods that a great curtain was about to rise.
The God of Destruction glanced at Tang San, who was resting with his eyes closed, and thought silently:
"Has the inheritance of the Seven Elemental Gods truly fallen a step behind?"
---
At this moment, in the hidden retreat of the Haotian Sect—
Due to the rapid advancement of soul-guided technology, there was no longer any place on the Douluo Continent vast enough to conceal an entire sect. Fortunately, with Tang San, the Sea God, supporting them from behind the scenes, finding a small island in the boundless ocean to serve as the Haotian Sect's secluded refuge was an easy task.
Tang Wulin slowly emerged from the Sea God's inheritance sanctuary.
As he walked, Tang Wulin didn't spare a glance at the elder of the Haotian Sect, whose cultivation had been forcibly pushed to peerless levels to activate the inheritance sanctuary for him.
He also ignored Da Ming and Er Ming, whom he had always regarded as father figures.
Nor did he acknowledge Xuan Zi and others who had taken refuge alongside the Haotian Sect.
At this moment, Tang Wulin's gaze was indifferent, as if he had truly ascended to become a lofty god, detached and overlooking all living beings.
The reason for this transformation lay in Tang Wulin's life filled with setbacks on the Douluo Continent, as well as the clarity he gained during the divine inheritance process. Only now did he fully understand his roots and the psychological journey that led him to become who he was today.
Gazing at the distant horizon where the sea met the sky, Tang Wulin sighed.
"I was born in the clouds; I was destined to enjoy every privilege.
Though the foolish masses of Douluo have hurt me and hated me, I bear no grudge against you.
For you are but mortals.
Now, as the direct heir of the Sea God and the current Sea God, it is time to restore order and return this world to its rightful state."
At this moment, Tang Wulin raised his arms, as if embracing the world, proclaiming that this era belonged to him.
Everyone present—except for those who had already ascended to godhood—knelt halfway to the ground, pledging their loyalty to Tang Wulin.
Da Ming and Er Ming exchanged glances, sighed faintly, and then slightly bowed toward Tang Wulin along with the other god-level beings.
At this moment, the age of the gods had truly arrived.
---
In the God Realm, the Seven Elemental Gods began urging their High Priest to initiate the final divine trial.
The Seven Elemental Gods couldn't afford to delay. Once the divine trial began, it could not be stopped unless something unexpected occurred.
Both sides were clearly in opposition. Leaving aside other factors, Tang Wulin's side had already used immense divine power to push their cultivation to the peak of Divine Official, while their inheritors were still stuck at the initial stage of ascending to godhood. If they didn't act swiftly, the outcome for their inheritors would undoubtedly be dire.
After all, Tang San had a history of destroying two divine positions. They certainly didn't want the divine positions they had painstakingly built to be obliterated by Tang San due to this divine war.
Moreover, the Seven Elemental Gods wanted to save face.
The Sea God position was on par with them as Tier-1 gods, so losing to it wouldn't be shameful. However, the other positions were merely Tier-2 gods. If their inheritors lost to such "small fry," they would leave this world with their reputations tarnished.
The upcoming Douluo Divine War was no longer just an epic struggle among mortals—it had become a matter of pride and dignity for the gods.
And Tang San, being perceptive, clearly understood what these idle gods were thinking. Thus, upon completing the final inheritance, he issued orders to Tang Wulin.
"My child, act quickly. Time is running out for you. I can sense that the Seven Elemental Gods' inheritance has reached its final stage. If you don't swiftly eliminate the remaining forces of the Tian Xing Federation, your future will be fraught with hardship."
"I understand, Father. I will prove myself and protect the glory that belongs to you!" Tang Wulin replied earnestly.
---
Haotian Sect's Hidden Retreat –
Tang Wulin glanced around at the gathered crowd and asked:
"Uncle Da Ming, do you know where most of the Tian Xing Federation's members are currently concentrated, aside from the upper echelons who inherited the Seven Elemental Gods?"
Since Tang Wulin knew from Tang San that the Seven Elemental Gods' inheritors were undergoing their final trials, it meant they were unreachable for now. He planned to strike first against other high-ranking members of the Tian Xing Federation.
Suddenly being addressed as "uncle" after decades of being called "father," Da Ming felt a flicker of gloominess. But recalling Tang San's nature, he could only sigh and accept this reality.
Due to the Tian Xing Federation's relentless crackdown, the Haotian Sect and its affiliated forces were now operating covertly to avoid detection and annihilation by the Tang Sect.
Though their intelligence network wasn't as robust as before, it still maintained some level of functionality.
Da Ming recalled the latest intelligence and said:
"According to reports, these high-ranking members are mainly concentrated in Tian Xing City and near Tian Xing Academy. What are your plans, Wulin?"
Tang Wulin nodded slightly.
"Based on my information, the Tian Xing Federation's divine inheritors are currently undergoing their final divine trials. At this moment, the only remaining god-level combatant in the Tian Xing Federation is the Tian Xing Douluo. This is when their god-level strength is at its weakest. I plan to kill the Tian Xing Douluo immediately, eliminating their strongest fighter, and then deal with the remaining seven elemental gods later.
With all of us at the peak of Divine Official level, even if they eventually inherit their divine positions, they will be no match for us!"
At this point, Tang Wulin seemed to recall something, coughed lightly, and added with an air of humility:
"Of course, I am not a stubborn person. If any of the senior members here have better suggestions, please feel free to speak up."
The other god-level fighters of the Haotian Sect exchanged glances but ultimately remained silent.
The truth was, the power structure of the Douluo Continent boiled down to might making right. Although Tang Wulin had just inherited his divine position and been forcibly elevated to the peak of Divine Official, his strength was somewhat unstable. However, he had the backing of a God King—his father, Tang San.
Who would dare oppose Tang Wulin or offer suggestions? They feared being targeted for retribution later!
Seeing no objections, Tang Wulin nodded in satisfaction and declared boldly:
"Since that's settled, speed is of the essence! Let's move out immediately and catch the Tian Xing Douluo off guard. Let him regret ever oppressing us over the years!"
Afterward, Tang Wulin turned to the others and said:
"It's time for you to act as well. While we engage and restrain the highest-level forces of the Tian Xing Federation, you must seize this opportunity to carve out a piece of their territory. This will serve as our stronghold for the eventual war against the Tian Xing Federation."
"Yes, Lord Sea God!" everyone responded in unison.
With that, Tang Wulin and the other gods transformed into streaks of light, speeding directly toward Tian Xing Academy!
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