In the military camp of the Tian Dou Empire, Ning Fengzhi, Ning Rongrong, Lin Gong, Sword Bone Douluo, Yang Wudi, and others had all gathered. These individuals were essentially the upper echelons of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Body Sect, as well as the key figures who could truly influence the course of the battle.
Ning Fengzhi's expression was solemn: "Rongrong, Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, Elder Lin—I can't shake this uneasy feeling. Something big is about to happen."
Yang Wudi's face revealed a hint of confusion: "Lord Ning, aren't you overthinking things? The Angel God has already been defeated by our sect leader. From what I've heard, Bibi Dong has also left Jialing Pass. Now, the forces at Jialing Pass are led by Jin E Douluo and Holy Maiden Hu Liena."
"Though Jin E Douluo and his group possess considerable strength, in terms of high-level power, we should be stronger. We no longer need to worry about them."
Ning Fengzhi shook his head: "Before Little Xiong left, he told me that among all the people in the Spirit Empire, the one we need to watch out for the most is Bibi Dong."
"Relatively speaking, Jin E Douluo and Qian Renxue are still somewhat rational, but Bibi Dong is a madwoman. For her ambitions and hegemony, she'll stop at nothing—even if it means sacrificing countless lives."
Lin Gong also nodded: "Before the sect leader left, he told me that if something truly irreparable happens, we can immediately retreat. As for how to handle it, we'll wait until he comes out of seclusion to resolve it."
Upon hearing these words, everyone fell silent. Ning Fengzhi, as the leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, had been in charge of the sect for many years and still possessed a certain level of vigilance.
At this moment, Ning Rongrong suddenly spoke: "Father, Elder Lin—before Little Xiong left, he told me that on the entire battlefield, the two people he's most worried about are Bibi Dong and Tang San. He fears something might go wrong with them and told me to be especially cautious."
"However, Tang San is from the Hao Tian Sect, part of our own alliance, so I didn't mention it earlier. I was afraid that if I did, our team might fall apart."
The Sword Douluo, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke: "Rongrong, it seems Little Xiong's concerns were justified. Although we achieved an unprecedented victory under Tang San's arrangements last time and dealt a heavy blow to Bibi Dong…"
"I feel there's something similar about the soul power emanating from both Bibi Dong and Tang San. Their auras are filled with evil—an evil far more powerful than Old Bones', as if they're on the verge of losing control at any moment."
Bone Douluo also nodded: "I find it strange. Logically speaking, the Hao Tian Hammer and the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor are completely different martial souls. Why does Tang San possess such an evil attribute? It's even darker and more malevolent than my Bone Dragon—it feels like it originates from hell."
"And I feel Tang San has changed completely compared to before. Whether it's his aura or his way of handling matters, he used to be relatively upright, but now I sense he's filled with bloodlust and will stop at nothing to succeed."
Hearing these words, everyone fell silent. In theory, though the three upper sects were allies, there was still competition between them. If not for the Spirit Empire's war, the three sects wouldn't have cooperated so closely.
If this veneer were stripped away and one carefully reflected on Tang San's battles or reviewed the changes in his behavior, it seemed Tang San had become an entirely different person—someone unfamiliar and almost unbearable to look at.
Ning Rongrong seemed to recall something: "Grandpa Sword, I once heard Little Bear say that Bibi Dong is the inheritor of the Rakshasa God—the god of slaughter and evil, who easily loses control. Could Tang San and Bibi Dong's changes be related to the Rakshasa God?"
Sword Douluo thought carefully before replying: "There's something I've never told you all. After defeating Bibi Dong alongside Tang San, I noticed that the evil aura around Bibi Dong seemed to weaken, while Tang San's evil aura significantly increased."
"Moreover, I carefully observed Tang San's combat techniques. His Blue Silver Grass shares similarities with Bibi Dong's Soul Devouring Spider Emperor—they can both absorb the blood and even souls of living beings. You all know what this means."
Everyone's hearts trembled. Such cultivation methods did exist in the world of soul masters, but they were rejected by almost everyone because these methods of consuming others could drive a person mad, ultimately turning them into an evil soul master.
For many years, the Spirit Empire had been the spiritual leader of the soul master world—not only because of its immense strength but also because it represented light and justice. It had executed many evil soul masters, contributing to the human world.
As for these evil soul masters, according to the rules of the soul master world, they were all sent to Slaughter City. Many present had been to Slaughter City and knew its horrors. Judging by Bibi Dong and Tang San's current state, they resembled the fallen ones within Slaughter City.
After some discussion, Ning Fengzhi finally spoke:
"Rongrong, Elder Lin—since both sides are temporarily not engaging in battle, we must slightly consolidate our strength. If something truly uncontrollable happens, we'll prepare to take subsequent measures immediately."
Upon hearing these words, everyone's thoughts varied. The so-called subsequent measures were essentially about preserving their strength and preparing for retreat. It seemed that whether it was Ning Fengzhi or the others, they were beginning to understand the conspiracy behind this war.
…
Deep within the Great Star Dou Forest, a dark presence loomed in the sky, enclosing an independent world within it.
At this moment, Tang San's face was filled with agony. All of his soul bones were being infused with countless black wisps of energy, as if undergoing refinement.
Tang San's inner turmoil was equally intense, his mind replaying various scenes from his past and present lives. He even returned to the cliff of his previous life, facing the scene where the sect elders pressured him.
This was Tang San's trial of the seven emotions and six desires, a critical part of the city's test.
However, the massive Rakshasa phantom in the space revealed a trace of disdain:
"You've reached Level 99, yet your mental fortitude is still so weak. Facing the trial of the seven emotions and six desires, you're still so easily consumed. It seems I've overestimated you."
For Tang San, passing the seven emotions and six desires was impossible with his current strength alone.
Though Tang San was intelligent and had experienced two lifetimes, his personality was extremely stubborn, and he acted single-mindedly, adhering strictly to the rules of the Tang Sect and basing everything on his own understanding.
In Tang San's eyes, Xiao Wu was everything to him. For her, he could sacrifice his life—but even so, Tang San had never revealed any of his secrets or information about the Tang Sect to Xiao Wu.
And whenever Xiao Wu was harmed, regardless of who the perpetrator was, Tang San wanted nothing more than to tear the enemy to shreds.
Now, undergoing the trial of the seven emotions and six desires, amidst extreme joy and sorrow, he seemed to be sinking deeper and deeper.
The seven emotions and six desires referred to joy, anger, worry, thought, grief, fear, and shock. Given Tang San's current state, it seemed he would fail at least three to four of these trials.
The Rakshasa God looked at Tang San's condition, his eyes revealing a trace of seriousness before sighing helplessly.
"Enough. The Asura God is about to appear. I've fought the Asura God my entire life and schemed against him many times. Though he couldn't do anything to me in the divine realm, the new Asura God doesn't seem easy to deal with. It's best to leave early."
"Tang San, though you're somewhat useless, I don't have time to find a new inheritor. You'll have to do. But the grievances I've endured will now fall to you to resolve."
With a wave of the Rakshasa God's hand, a crack appeared in the originally pitch-black space, and a peculiar energy merged into the darkness.
Xiao Wu, who had been in the Great Star Dou Forest, saw the crack appear and shouted in great concern:
"Brother San, you must ascend to godhood! For Xiao Wu's sake, you must succeed. You're now Xiao Wu's only family left."
Tang San, who had been gradually sinking, suddenly heard Xiao Wu's voice. That voice was like celestial music, instantly shocking his entire soul.
Tang San's expression shifted dramatically, and he instantly realized that everything before him was merely an illusion—it was the Rakshasa God's test. A single misstep would result in failure.
With a roar, Tang San shattered the illusion with all his might, reducing it to fragments.
The mantis leg external soul bone in Tang San's hand had completely disappeared, replaced by a black scythe—the Rakshasa Demon Scythe.
Gripping the Rakshasa Demon Scythe, a tear rolled down Tang San's cheek—a tear of regret for nearly failing and longing for Xiao Wu.
"Xiao Wu, thank you for saving me. I won't let anyone harm you anymore, and I won't let you shed another tear."
The Hao Tian Hammer in Tang San's hand began to change. The original six black and three red soul rings gradually condensed into a golden soul ring.
After an unknown amount of time, Tang San's Hao Tian Hammer radiated endless black light, as if it could crush anything in the world. Finally, the Hao Tian Hammer completed its final evolution, forming its tenth soul ring.
Tang San held the Hao Tian Hammer in one hand and the Rakshasa Demon Scythe in the other. His body emitted radiant light, and his terrifying presence spread throughout heaven and earth.
The Rakshasa God finally revealed a faint smile, his expression strange—relieved, as if shedding a heavy burden, and perhaps even a bit gleeful.
"Tang San, congratulations. You've finally become the new Rakshasa God."
Tang San quickly bowed: "Thank you, Great Rakshasa God, for passing on your inheritance. Tang San is deeply grateful."
The Rakshasa God nodded: "Tang San, remember this—the Rakshasa God is the god of slaughter and the god of evil. I hope you live up to the name of Rakshasa."
Tang San seemed to recall something: "Great Rakshasa God, were the scenes I encountered in the illusion real?"
The Rakshasa God nodded: "The future cannot be fully predicted. What you saw was just one of many possibilities. If you want to change your fate, you'll need to fight for it yourself and rewrite your destiny."
Before Tang San could say anything else, the Rakshasa God vanished without a trace into the void.
Tang San didn't dwell on it. He walked out of the black space and reappeared above the Star Dou Forest. The final golden soul ring seemed to alter the very heavens and earth.
The Rakshasa God had completed the inheritance, and Tang San had finally become the new Rakshasa God.
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