After leaving the Yue'nan Archipelago, Zhu Ziyang and his three companions passed through Black Mountain City in the Star Luo Empire. They decided to rest there for one night before continuing their journey the next day.
At the hotel, Zhu Ziyang finally found a rare moment of solitude. Jiang Nannan, still recovering from her earlier exhaustion, did not cling to him as usual. Qian Lingyi, having grown close with Zhang Lexuan, also chose not to disturb him.
Thus, Zhu Ziyang entered the Divine Inheritance Realm once more, where Xiaobai awaited him. Without hesitation, he asked:
"Xiaobai, why are Nannan's and Sister Lexuan's divine trials linked with mine? Could it be that the Death God and the Taiyin God share some deep connection?"
"The Death God and the Taiyin God are not related," Xiaobai replied calmly. "The contents of divine assessments are determined entirely by the deities or by the inheritances themselves. Their purpose is always to strengthen the inheritor. The Taiyin God sensed how closely you are bound to Her chosen successor, and so She designed a trial intertwined with yours. It is meant to deepen her foundation and improve her strength. This is perfectly normal."
"I see…" Zhu Ziyang frowned slightly. "Then why don't you arrange a similar assessment involving the Taiyin God for me?"
"Hah?" Xiaobai's voice carried a note of scornful disdain. "The Taiyin God? She is merely a Main God—hardly worthy of comparison! For me—the Death God, one of the God-Kings—to lower myself to her level would be laughable!"
"Main God? God-King?" Zhu Ziyang's eyes widened. "So… that's how divine hierarchies are ranked?"
"Your affinity with the Death God's position has already reached seventy percent," Xiaobai said after a pause. "That makes you qualified to learn this much. The divine hierarchy of the Douluo God Realm is simple. From low to high, it consists of: Divine Officers, Third-Class Gods, Second-Class Gods, First-Class Gods (Main Gods), and finally God-Kings.
"Of these five ranks, the lower three are numerous, but only the last two form the true core of the God Realm.
"A First-Class God—also called a Main God—is what you know the Taiyin God to be. The Sea God, the Angel God, and other such later-born deities are all Main Gods. They wield seven-colored divine rings and command at least one Law or system of faith.
"A God-King, however, stands above all. They are the rulers of the God Realm, rare in number but each possessing the might to stride across the stars themselves. The Death God is one of the primordial God-Kings, sovereign over the Great Law of Death."
"So that's how it is…" Zhu Ziyang murmured thoughtfully. Then something struck him, and he asked: "If the Sea God and Angel God are only Main Gods… then what about the Rakshasa God? Isn't She stronger?"
He thought of the last Pope of Spirit Hall, who inherited the Rakshasa God's position. That god had shattered the Sea God's heart during the Second Twin Gods War, killing Tang San. Were it not for the Nine Treasure Douluo and Food God Douluo reviving him through their fusion technique, history itself would have been rewritten.
"Rakshasa…" Xiaobai sighed with a rare note of emotion. "She is now a Main God—but once, She was a God-King."
"She used to be a God-King? How could that change?" Zhu Ziyang was astonished. He had never imagined that a divine position could be damaged.
"Do you know how the Death God fell?" Xiaobai asked instead.
"You once told me it was during a catastrophe of the God Realm," Zhu Ziyang recalled.
"Correct," Xiaobai said. "In that great disaster, not only did both the Creation God and the Death God fall, but even the Rakshasa God's position was damaged. She was forced down from God-King to Main God. At the same time, one of the two great divine chains that maintained the God Realm was severed."
"So… the Rakshasa God was once a God-King, but fell to Main God because Her divine position was wounded?" Zhu Ziyang marveled, finding the notion strange yet fascinating.
"That's right," Xiaobai confirmed. "This touches upon secrets of the God Realm. When you complete your trials, I will tell you more. For now—if you've nothing else, leave the Inheritance Realm."
"Wait, one more thing!" Zhu Ziyang said quickly, unwilling to leave yet. "Why is it that the Taiyin God grants rewards like soul power, soul ring enhancements, or even God-bestowed spirit rings… while you, a God-King, give such meager rewards?" His voice carried a note of grievance.
"What did you say? Meager?" Xiaobai erupted in fury. "Do you even comprehend the value of the Locking God Pillars I've granted you? And you dare compare them to soul rings or scraps of soul power? You ignorant boy—I truly feel like punching you!"
"Ah—uh…" Zhu Ziyang scratched his head awkwardly. "I didn't mean it like that! The Locking God Pillars are amazing, of course. I just thought… maybe the rewards should feel more… abundant. To match the dignity of the Death God."
"Get lost!" Xiaobai snapped. "The Taiyin God can bestow such rewards because She commands vast faith-power. If I had such reserves, forget soul rings—I could give you an entire martial soul! But I do not. The Death God is a Law God—we require no faith."
"Ah…" Zhu Ziyang gave a helpless smile. "Fine, fine. I won't complain anymore. Goodbye!"
With that, he left the Inheritance Realm and returned to his hotel room to rest.
At Shrek Academy
When the four finally returned to Shrek, Zhu Ziyang and Zhang Lexuan immediately went to Tianyuan Pavilion, while Jiang Nannan and Qian Lingyi went their own ways.
Inside the Pavilion, Master Xuan, Vice-Master Lin, Elder Zhuang, Xian Lin'er, Cai Mei'er, Qian Duoduo, and others gathered. They listened as Zhang Lexuan reported the progress of the "Empress Descends" plan. Smiles spread across their faces. When Lexuan revealed she had reached Rank 90, the elders erupted with joy.
"Lexuan, are you back this time to obtain your ninth spirit ring?" Xuan asked with a laugh. "We old fellows are idle anyway—just say the word and we'll help."
"Elder Xuan, not just a spirit ring—what I need most is also a soul spirit, right?" Xian Lin'er added with a mischievous wink toward Zhu Ziyang.
"That's right," Lexuan admitted. "If it were only a ring, I wouldn't trouble you. But Ziyang suggested I seek a soul spirit, so I haven't rushed."
"I see!" Xuan chuckled. "Then, Ziyang, do you already have a candidate beast in mind?"
"We plan to visit the Icefire Yin-Yang Well," Zhu Ziyang said. "Nannan also needs a new ring. There's a spirit herb beast there suited for her. I believe we'll also find one for Sister Lexuan. If not, then… we'll trouble you elders to capture a hundred-thousand-year soul beast alive."
"Very well," Xuan said at once. "Whatever you decide, we'll support you."
"Thank you, Elders!" Zhu Ziyang bowed with gratitude.
"Ziyang," Vice-Master Lin suddenly asked, "what about your own strength? Why is it that I cannot sense your soul power anymore?"
"Me? I've been fortunate. My soul power is now at Rank 85," Zhu Ziyang replied humbly.
"What?!" The elders froze, their expressions blank with shock. Eighteen years old—and already Rank 85?! The revelation struck them like thunder.
Even after Zhu Ziyang and Zhang Lexuan departed, the Pavilion's elders remained stunned. Master Xuan murmured softly:
"Elder Mu… you truly never misjudged this child."
Neither Zhu Ziyang nor Zhang Lexuan revealed their coming plans to sail beyond the continent. The fewer who knew, the better. Only before departure would they inform Master Xuan alone.
Back in his quarters, Zhu Ziyang saw that the cocoon of starlight housing Xingcai still shone steadily, her aura calm and serene. She would not awaken for at least another year.
He left quietly and returned to his new home in Shrek City. There, his parents Zhu Changhe and Liang Ying greeted him warmly. His younger brother, Zhu Ziguang, was absent—studying at Tianyuan Academy in Anyang City, having just awakened his martial soul at six years old.
From his parents, Ziyang learned that Ziguang had inherited the family's Scythe martial soul as well, though his had mutated into the Golden Saint Scythe, a top-tier Light-attribute weapon. With innate Rank 8 soul power, his future was bright. Though he might never match Zhu Ziyang, he was certain to become a Title Douluo one day.
Zhu Changhe could not stop smiling. For him, the Zhu family was destined to rise at last.
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