The battle between Yang Xiong and Qian Renxue was nothing short of a spectacle that captivated the entire world. Especially on the battlefield of Jialing Pass, millions bore witness to the clash in the sky.
The fight between Qian Renxue and Yang Xiong shook heaven and earth, reshaping everyone's understanding of battles among soul masters and redefining their perception of true strength.
In terms of raw power, Qian Renxue was a genuine Level 100 God—the strongest theoretical soul power level in ten thousand years.
Yet Yang Xiong, at Level 98, managed to hold his ground against a Level 100 true god—a feat beyond imagination. Consider Sword Douluo, also at Level 98, who couldn't withstand even a single strike from Qian Renxue.
For a mortal to challenge a god—this was previously unimaginable. Even the hidden powerhouses of the world were deeply moved by this event.
Deep within the Star Dou Forest, Di Tian and the Silver Dragon King hid in the void, but all their attention was focused on the battle at Jialing Pass.
Even Di Tian was astounded: "Master, as you predicted, Yang Xiong has defeated a Level 100 true god with his Level 98 strength. His power likely surpasses mine now."
The Silver Dragon King remained silent for a moment before replying: "Qian Renxue cannot truly be considered a Level 100 true god. Her inheritance is flawed—I don't know who tampered with it—but she hasn't reached full Level 100 strength yet."
"However, in terms of sheer ability, Yang Xiong is indeed formidable. He has already surpassed Qian Renxue, and it seems he still held back during that battle. At the very least, he didn't use his newfound power."
Di Tian asked: "Master, is it really possible for mortals to challenge gods? I feel like this battle between Yang Xiong and Qian Renxue wasn't entirely real."
The Silver Dragon King chuckled: "You're right. Though both fought fiercely, it lacked the life-and-death intensity one would expect. There's an inexplicable connection between them. Otherwise, if Yang Xiong hadn't held back his final Asura attack, both might have perished."
"But after witnessing this battle between Yang Xiong and Qian Renxue, I've gained fresh insights. Perhaps it's time for me to step out into the Douluo world and see what's happening."
Di Tian was shocked: "Master, your injuries haven't fully healed—it's best not to venture out. If your condition worsens, I'll have failed the entire dragon race."
The Silver Dragon King laughed: "Di Tian, my strength has recovered by eighty percent. You've helped me retrieve the souls of the Ice Dragon King and Fire Dragon King—both are among the strongest of our dragon race and share the same origin as me. With their final sacrifices, though I'm not at my peak, no one in the Douluo world can harm me."
"Besides, Yang Xiong is too mysterious. The fact that the Deep Sea Demon Whale King broke through limits to ascend to godhood is equally suspicious—I need to investigate further."
"If my suspicions are correct, perhaps you too have a chance to break through the million-year barrier and ascend to godhood. This might be our soul beast race's last opportunity."
Di Tian fell silent. He had always pursued breaking through the million-year barrier to achieve godhood, but the restrictions of heaven and earth left him without a clear path.
"Remember, you're now temporarily in charge of everything in the Star Dou Forest. Don't tell anyone about my departure."
With that, the Silver Dragon King let out a resounding roar that shook the entire space. In an instant, he transformed into a streak of silver light and vanished, leaving behind the Lake of Life—even Tang San failed to notice this flash of silver.
Shortly afterward, a silver figure appeared in the core area of the Star Dou Forest. It was a stunningly beautiful little girl with long silver hair, fair skin, and purple eyes. From every angle, she was a peerless beauty.
The Silver Dragon King strolled leisurely through the Star Dou Forest, seemingly undisturbed by her surroundings.
On the Sea God Island, Tang Chen, though appearing extremely aged and frail like a man on the brink of death, was still a Limit Douluo at Level 99 alongside Bo Saixi. Even separated by thousands of miles, they could sense the terrifying battle scene in the skies above Jialing Pass.
Bo Saixi said: "Tang Chen, we've spent our entire lives pursuing the Level 100 godhood, yet it's the descendants of Qian Daoliu who took the lead. What surprises me more is that there are ordinary soul masters capable of challenging gods."
"I've seen this Yang Xiong many times. His strength far exceeds my expectations. Perhaps this is what they mean by the younger generation surpassing the older."
Compared to Bo Saixi's astonishment, Tang Chen felt deeply sorrowful.
"Bo Saixi, if I'm not mistaken, my grandson Hao must have fallen, slain by the new Angel God, Qian Renxue."
"All my life, I've schemed for the Hao Tian Sect and planned for future generations, yet I've ultimately failed. Who would have thought that a casual remark to Qian Daoliu all those years ago would lead to this tragedy for the Hao Tian Sect?"
Bo Saixi quickly consoled him: "Tang Chen, the younger generation will find their own opportunities and fates. We're old now—we can't manage everything anymore."
After a long silence, Tang Chen nodded: "Perhaps you're right. Now that Qian Renxue has ascended to godhood, Yang Xiong's ascension is likely not far off either. I hope my great-grandson Tang San can achieve godhood soon. Otherwise, the Hao Tian Sect will remain at the mercy of others."
…
At the Lake of Life, ever since beginning his cultivation on the reef, Tang San seemed to undergo earth-shattering changes.
Especially after witnessing the cataclysmic battle between Yang Xiong and Qian Renxue, his entire worldview was shaken.
Tang San had always prided himself on his unparalleled talent, especially his mastery of the Tang Sect's secret arts, believing he could far surpass his peers. Even though he had consistently lost to Yang Xiong, he thought the gap between them was small. With effort, and by adding soul rings to his Hao Tian Hammer, he believed he could rival Yang Xiong.
But now, Yang Xiong's performance shattered all of Tang San's preconceptions. His pride seemed to crumble in an instant, and the advantage of his twin martial souls vanished without a trace.
Yang Xiong had only absorbed his ninth soul ring, yet he had reached the terrifying Level 98. Meanwhile, Tang San had added seven soul rings to his Hao Tian Hammer and devoured vast amounts of soul power with his Dark Blue Silver Grass, yet he remained stuck at Level 97.
Tang San felt that no matter how much soul power or how many corpses he consumed, he could only reach the peak of Level 97. Level 98 seemed impossibly distant.
Now, Tang San desperately needed two hundred-thousand-year soul rings and two hundred-thousand-year soul bones—one of the Rakshasa God's trial requirements. Unfortunately, even with his cooperation with the Black Dragon Emperor Di Tian, Di Tian offered only protection and no assistance in finding soul beasts.
Tang San knew well that the gap between his strength and Di Tian's was immense. Di Tian's terrifying dragon aura and powerful physique were such that even Qian Renxue might struggle to defeat him.
Moreover, the Lake of Life in the Star Dou Forest seemed to harbor secrets far beyond what he and his great-grandfather had witnessed.
No matter how many times Tang San searched the Lake of Life, he could never sense Di Tian's true dwelling place. This suggested the existence of an alternate space, possibly containing the deepest secrets of the soul beast race.
At this moment, Tang San's face twisted with inner turmoil.
"Yang Xiong, I won't lose to you. Once I obtain two more hundred-thousand-year soul rings, I'll definitely ascend to godhood before you. I'll surpass you again!"
"Qian Renxue, you dared to kill my father—I'll tear you apart. Even if you're a god, I'll drag you down from your pedestal."
Tang San seemed to teeter on the edge of madness, consumed by an intense obsession. His eyes were fixed on a spot near the edge of the Lake of Life.
That was where Titan Giant Ape Da Ming and Sky Azure Bull Python Er Ming lived. After suffering attacks from Bibi Dong, their strength hadn't even recovered to half its former level. At Tang San's current power, he could easily defeat these two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts.
But Tang San clutched his head, shaking it violently as if trying to expel this thought from his mind.
"No! Da Ming and Er Ming are Xiao Wu's family. I'll never harm Xiao Wu or her loved ones—I won't make her sad!"
Two conflicting thoughts battled within Tang San's mind. His expression alternated between tender affection for Xiao Wu and a monstrous ferocity, his body radiating murderous intent.
What Tang San didn't realize was that ever since accepting the Rakshasa God's inheritance trial, his soul power had begun to change. Absorbing vast amounts of soul masters' flesh and soul power introduced fragments of their souls into his body via the Blue Silver Grass.
This contamination not only tainted his Dark Blue Silver Grass but also began to corrupt his own soul.
If not for his cultivation of Xuantian Technique, Tang San would have succumbed to madness long ago.
The Rakshasa God was the deity of malice and evil, a servant of the Evil God King, representing one of the purest forms of slaughter in the world—a stark contrast to the order of the Asura God.
For years, Bibi Dong had already reached Title Douluo level, but after devouring Qian Xunji, she refrained from immediately absorbing a soul ring.
This was due to the repulsion between her dual martial souls and her gradual loss of control. Had it not been for the pure angelic power within the Spirit City, Bibi Dong would have gone mad long ago.
Though Tang San possessed Xuantian Technique, his continuous absorption of dark and evil soul rings had pushed his Rakshasa affinity to dangerous levels. Without a gradual progression, this imbalance put him in his current predicament.
Finally, Tang San clenched his teeth, his bloodshot eyes locked onto the location of Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python. He slowly walked across the Lake of Life, each step filled with grim determination.
"Father, Mother, I will avenge you no matter the cost."
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