Deep within the Thunder Gorge, in the blood-red lightning pool, Yang Xiong faintly sensed a feeling of unease, as if someone he cared about was about to face trouble.
Yang Xiong suddenly waved his hand, and the Thunder God's Hammer directly merged into his torso as he prepared to leave this place.
This time, the Thunder Qilin had meticulously plotted, intending to pass on the divine seat of the Thunder God to Yang Xiong while also attempting to seize control of his body.
Unfortunately, no matter how much the Thunder Qilin calculated, it had underestimated Yang Xiong's strength and his power of Creation.
At this point, Yang Xiong's limbs had already begun their transformation, essentially converting into a divine body. However, his head and torso had yet to undergo the same change.
Yang Xiong's head housed his Spiritual Sea, which was now inexhaustible, indestructible, and immortal. After inheriting the soul, his spirit had transformed into a divine soul.
Meanwhile, his torso contained a unique cycle formed by his internal organs, resembling a small, self-contained world. Within his torso, it seemed as though he could create anything or destroy everything in existence.
The Thunder God's Hammer bore the divine seat of the Thunder God. After eradicating the last remnants of the Thunder Qilin's consciousness, Yang Xiong had fully mastered the Thunder God's Hammer.
It could be said that Yang Xiong now possessed the divine seat, but his body remained only a semi-divine form, having not yet completed the final step of ascending to godhood.
However, Yang Xiong had now reached Level 99, completing all eight trials of the Asura God and even receiving the rewards for passing the Asura tests.
"Yang Xiong, you have completed the eighth trial of the Asura Nine Trials. Your affinity with the Asura God has increased by twenty percent, bringing your total affinity to one hundred ten percent."
Only then did Yang Xiong gain insight. It seemed the Asura God had been deeply involved, observing his every move, including the dangers he faced against the Thunder Qilin.
Yang Xiong couldn't help but shake his head: "The Asura God certainly thinks far ahead. At this point, I am determined to claim the divine seat of the Asura God."
Yang Xiong believed that if he could simultaneously master the divine seats of both the Asura God and the Thunder God, he would achieve true perfection and take the final step to ascend to godhood.
Especially now that his affinity with the Asura God had reached 110%, Yang Xiong felt as though he had become like the Asura God himself—perfectly wielding the Asura Demon Sword and seeing through the essence of all things.
But just as Yang Xiong was preparing to leave, a flash of silver light appeared before him, and a figure emerged.
It was an extraordinarily beautiful little girl. Not only was her appearance exquisite, but her long silver hair was breathtaking. Even Yang Xiong, who had seen many beauties, felt that she was the most perfect person he had ever encountered.
Yang Xiong was astonished, and his nerves tensed. The lightning pool was an independent small world—how could an outsider easily intrude?
Moreover, Yang Xiong could sense no fluctuations of soul power from this girl, meaning she was at least a Level 99 powerhouse, or possibly even a true god.
The little girl spoke first: "Yang Xiong, I never expected you to reach this level so quickly. Should I call you the Thunder God or the Asura God?"
Yang Xiong's expression grew serious: "Esteemed elder, this is no ordinary place. May I ask what brings you here to seek me out?"
The little girl replied: "My name is Gu Yuena. I have some matters to discuss with you, the newly appointed Asura God—or perhaps I should say, the newly appointed God of Order."
Yang Xiong's face changed. He hadn't expected the Silver Dragon King to appear so soon. According to the original storyline, the Silver Dragon King wouldn't emerge for another ten thousand years, and even then, it would be severely injured, with strength no higher than a Limit Douluo.
"Elder Gu Yuena, we are not acquainted, and there is nothing between us worth discussing. Moreover, I have other matters to attend to—I'm afraid I don't have time to converse with you."
The Silver Dragon King shook her head: "Now is the perfect time. The war in the Douluo world has just erupted, and Tang San has already become the new Rakshasa God. What follows will likely be a decisive battle that determines the development of the Douluo continent for the next ten thousand years—and you are the key to victory."
Yang Xiong's expression turned icy: "In that case, I should leave even sooner. I have no intention of interfering in your affairs."
The Silver Dragon King's expression shifted slightly: "How interesting. You show no curiosity upon hearing my name—it seems you are aware of my true identity."
"The emergence of someone like you in the Douluo world is becoming increasingly intriguing. Unfortunately, you are the key to deciding the fate of our race."
Yang Xiong let out a cold laugh: "You seem to misunderstand something. People must rely on their own strength. If they depend solely on others, they will end up with nothing but wasted effort."
Yang Xiong harbored no special thoughts toward the Silver Dragon King, nor toward the entire soul beast race.
Although the soul beast race had produced many powerful individuals and prodigies, their intelligence was generally low, and the females were often driven by emotions, making them utterly incapable of meaningful cooperation.
Take Gu Yuena and Wang Qiu'er, for example. Despite their high status among the soul beasts, their actions brought nothing but disaster to their race, offering no contributions and ultimately losing everything—a classic case of losing both the bride and the dowry.
The Silver Dragon King said: "Yang Xiong, I don't know how you became aware of my existence or how you learned my identity, but I truly need to collaborate with you now."
Yang Xiong sneered: "I have no idea who you are or how you arrived here. But since you mention collaboration, what can you offer, and what do you want me to do?"
The Silver Dragon King replied: "I am the Silver Dragon King, the true master of the soul beast race. Your previous collaboration with Di Tian was supported by me. Otherwise, you wouldn't have obtained the two divine bones of my dragon predecessors."
Yang Xiong shook his head: "Silver Dragon King, my collaboration with Di Tian was merely a mutually beneficial exchange. You gained what you wanted, and I want no further entanglements with you."
The Silver Dragon King's expression shifted: "Yang Xiong, you've taken a great advantage from my dragon race. The two divine bones on your arms are the strongest soul bones in the entire Douluo world, possessing boundless potential—stronger even than your torso soul bone. All you did was provide information. Wasn't that too easy?"
Yang Xiong sighed in exasperation: "It's strange indeed. The transaction is already complete, yet you want to renege on it? I've already absorbed the dragon bones. Isn't it a bit late to bring this up now?"
"Besides, without me, you wouldn't have come here or restored yourself. You should know who truly benefited from this."
The Silver Dragon King said: "You clearly know my origins. It seems you're hiding more than I imagined."
Yang Xiong laughed: "When the Asura God bestowed upon me the inheritance of his sword techniques, his final strike could destroy heaven and earth and even slay dragons. You must be one of those two divided dragons, right?"
Upon hearing Yang Xiong's words, the Silver Dragon King fell silent. However, her eyes revealed a trace of hatred, especially as she glared at the Asura Demon Sword in Yang Xiong's hand.
After a moment, the Silver Dragon King finally spoke again: "Time is pressing for you now, and only I can help you. Do you not care about the lives of those close to you? Only I can get you to the battlefield at Jialing Pass immediately."
Yang Xiong replied: "I never yield to threats. Whether Tang San ascends to godhood or Bibi Dong is about to ascend, it makes no difference to me. Worst case, I'll simply kill them all later."
The Silver Dragon King's expression changed dramatically: "They are gods! They are not so easily killed. According to the rules of the God Realm, gods cannot harm one another. Moreover, this war will be far bloodier than anyone imagines. All three empires may suffer heavy losses, and it will be humanity that pays the price."
Yang Xiong merely smiled faintly, saying nothing.
The Silver Dragon King seemed to realize something: "You've already foreseen everything. Perhaps this war is happening with your tacit approval. With your strength, you could have easily killed Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue. By allowing them to live, you're deliberately making the war more devastating."
"Are you not afraid of becoming a sinner to humanity? Are you not afraid that human soul masters will gradually decline because of your actions?"
Yang Xiong laughed: "I find it strange. For someone reputed to be wise, how can you fail to understand such a simple truth?"
"Nothing can be created without destruction. Only through the slaughter and bloodshed of war will people cherish peace, and only then can this world achieve true order."
"Moreover, I haven't done anything from start to finish. When it comes to mass slaughter, I'm far surpassed by Tang San and Bibi Dong."
"If you dare to stop me or prevent me from helping my friends and family, then we will become eternal enemies. Think carefully before making your decision."
The Silver Dragon King's expression froze, and she refrained from further nonsense: "Yang Xiong, our soul beast race wishes to collaborate with you. If you agree, we will fully support you—not only in your ascension to godhood but even in your quest to rule the entire God Realm."
Yang Xiong's expression turned icy: "You misunderstand something. With my current strength, whether I wish to ascend to godhood or become the strongest in the God Realm, I don't need your help."
"Besides, I never believe in free gifts. Your soul beast race lost long ago and was expelled from the God Realm. What do you have left to support me with?"
"Before discussing collaboration, you'd better have sufficient bargaining chips. Otherwise, you'll only expose your strength and lose everything."
The Silver Dragon King quickly responded: "Our soul beast race merely seeks a path to survival. Can't you even grant us that much?"
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