This was already the fifth time he had tasted death. Deep within, he felt a flicker of retreat. But the Asura God's brand on his forehead pushed one step forward, stamping deeper into his skin, instantly dispelling his thoughts of backing out.
Since I've come this far, if I give up now, I'll forever lose the Asura God's position. Even if he managed to inherit the Sea God's throne in the future, without Asura he would forever be beneath the Five Great God Kings in the Divine Realm.
With only that, he would never support his ambition—to seize the Divine Realm itself, to turn Douluo Continent and the God Realm into the private domain of the Tang family.
This time, the Asura God seated on the throne did not personally act. Instead, he waved his hand. At once, armored figures appeared on both sides of the great hall, their faces hidden, their numbers reaching into the dozens.
After a moment, several of these warriors carried in a massive bronze cauldron, setting it in the center of the hall. The cauldron was filled with fat and oil. Beneath it, they piled firewood and lit it.
Before long, the fat melted and began to simmer.
The Asura God gave a cold, emotionless order:
"Use a low flame."
At once, the armored figures removed part of the firewood, letting the flame burn slower.
Then, they carried over a ladder and set it against the side of the cauldron.
Tang San's scalp tingled. He already sensed what kind of willpower trial this was.
"This round is the Oil Cauldron Trial. You must climb the ladder and willingly jump into the oil to undergo death. Of course, you may choose to give up this trial as well. Little bastard Tang San, the choice is yours."
As expected… this cauldron is to fry me alive. Tang San swallowed hard, his heart roaring:
Why? Why, Asura God? In my previous life, you granted me the divine seat directly, not even requiring the trial! Yet in this life, when I've come to you willingly for your test, why torment me like this?!
He hesitated, trying to delay and steel himself.
One warrior intoned:
"When this pile of firewood burns out, it will be deemed that you have forfeited."
But forfeiting was impossible. The Asura God's throne was a God King's position—the very foundation of all his ambitions. Without it, even if he became a god, he could never reach the height he had in his last life.
So Tang San forced himself to climb the ladder, standing on the edge of the cauldron. He stared at the bubbling oil but still couldn't bring himself to leap.
"The firewood is almost gone. Make your choice, trial-taker," one warrior urged.
Tang San shut his eyes. He refused to look at the cauldron or think about the trial. Instead, he thought of his mighty father who had supported him like a pillar, his gentle and beautiful mother Ah Yin, his kind and lovely beloved Xiao Wu, and his three adorable sons.
For them—for the Tang family's future, for Douluo and the God Realm to become the eternal foundation of my clan—I must endure.
He tilted forward and dove headfirst into the boiling cauldron.
The oil instantly boiled over, and from within came Tang San's hideous shrieking, like the wails of a dying baboon:
"Urrghh—AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
His screams lasted over two hours before finally fading into silence.
Fried Tang San, achieved!
Willpower Trial Completed: 4
Then, Tang San entered the cycle of death and rebirth once more.
Roasted Tang San, achieved!
Drawn-and-quartered Tang San, achieved!
Willpower Trial Completed: 46
Revived again, Tang San's eyes trembled. His voice cracked as he demanded of the Asura God:
"Why… why must you set such trials?!"
The Asura God answered coldly:
"To wear the crown, you must bear its weight. Without sufficient willpower, how can you shoulder the burden of the Asura God's throne? All of this is your test. Only by completing it will the godhood you inherit be the strongest."
No. That wasn't how it was last time. Last time, you gave it to me straight… Tang San wanted to shout it, but he dared not reveal the secret of his rebirth.
So instead, he declared:
"Fine. Whatever the trial, bring it on. I will endure them all."
There was no turning back. He forced himself to believe: The straight-granted God King throne was flawed. I couldn't fully wield it. That's why I stayed as a mere First-level God, the Sea God. But this life, the Asura God trial is harsher. If I pass it, the rewards and the throne will be terrifyingly strong—stronger than ever before.
Tickle-tortured Tang San, achieved!
Iron Maiden Tang San, achieved!
Death by a thousand cuts Tang San, achieved!
Willpower Trial Completed: 71
By now, Tang San was utterly numb. He had died and revived through endless cycles. There was no suffering he hadn't tasted.
What kept him going were the deepening brand of the Asura God on his forehead, his father's towering figure, his mother Ah Yin's gentle face, Xiao Wu's sweet smile, his three sons, and above all, the sunk-cost of his suffering: I've died in so many agonizing ways already. If I give up now, then I've died in vain.
Finally—at last—he reached the last trial.
Seeing the counter, his numb eyes sparked with light.
Just one more death. One more… and I'll open the true Asura God Examination.
He took a deep breath, roaring in his heart:
Come! Whatever trial it is, bring it on! What cannot destroy me will only make me stronger. All of this is for the grand hegemony of the Tang family! This life, with the trial so strict, the throne I inherit will surely be even greater. Once I have it, I will make the world feel the same torment I have endured. I swear it!
The next moment, the ground gave way. Tang San plummeted.
He landed in an underground space. Rising, he sniffed the air—thick with the scent of hormones.
Looking around, he saw a horde of massive lizards.
Then, suddenly, a familiar tune drifted into his ears:
"Ah kuli-hou ya hou-ben~"
A chill of dread stabbed into him. His vision shifted. The lizards vanished—replaced by countless figures of Xiao Wu, petite, graceful, and alluring.
One after another, they threw flirtatious glances at him.
"Come~ enjoy yourself~"
"No… you're not Xiao Wu! Stop! Don't!"
His reason screamed that it was an illusion. Yet the heavy scent in the air made his body stir. After five years alone—and 71 torturous deaths—how he longed for Xiao Wu's embrace!
Finally, Tang San gave in to his desire.
Defiled Tang San, achieved!
When Tang San revived, he found himself once more within the Asura God Temple. Thinking back on what had just happened, a pang of guilt toward Xiao Wu welled up in his heart.
He had actually… actually coupled with the giant lizard… and then died!
Tang San tried to console himself:
Xiao Wu, forgive me. It was because I love you too much that I made such a mistake. But that lizard wasn't human, right? So I'm still clean. Among the countless rivers of the world, I, Tang San, will always drink only from you — that will never change.
After this self-comfort, a wave of excitement rose within him.
Seventy-two times. Seventy-two different kinds of deaths! And I finally endured it all. What doesn't kill me, Tang San, only makes me stronger. With such harsh trials, surely the Asura God's inheritance must be incomparably powerful.
"Trial-taker Tang San, you have completed the Seventy-Two Trials of the Asura God's Will. You now qualify for the Asura God's Divine Test!" declared a vague, indistinct figure.
In the next moment, divine power enveloped Tang San's body. At last, the final divine imprint appeared upon his forehead — the Asura God's Mark was branded into his skin.
"From this moment, you are officially a candidate of the Asura God's divine test. The qualification cannot be abandoned. Once begun, it must be completed. You face only two outcomes: success or failure. Furthermore, regardless of whether you succeed or fail, you will never again be permitted to undergo any other god's trial."
Hearing this, the corners of Tang San's lips curled into a confident smile.
What does it mean that the divine test cannot be abandoned? Ridiculous. Once I've secured this qualification, abandoning it has never been an option. This is mine — my exclusive godhood.
As for the Sea God's inheritance, I was never planning to accept it anyway. The Asura God's position is enough for me.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Tang San exclaimed in excitement.
At this moment, all his long-endured pain and torment dispersed like mist. He had obtained the Asura God's divine trial. He was on the right path now.
By following the process step by step, he would attain godhood, realize his ambitions, and bring both the Douluo Continent and even the Divine Realm under the dominion of the Tang family.
"Then receive the First Trial of the Asura God!" said the indistinct figure. With a touch to Tang San's brow, a flood of information surged into his mind.
Asura God Nine Trials — First Trial:
Find the Asura God's Sword Scabbard, and fulfill one small wish of the Scabbard. The outcome of the trial will depend on the Scabbard's satisfaction.
Reward upon completion:
Asura God divine power affinity +10%
Restore your father Tang Hao's arm!
When Tang San read the contents of the trial, his grin widened uncontrollably.
This first trial is way too simple. What is this? Find the sword scabbard? Please. The scabbard is already found — it's Xiao Wu! As for fulfilling one of her little wishes, I love her so much. How could I not? The more I satisfy her wishes, the more she'll adore me. This first trial is practically a free gift. In a word: easy!
The indistinct figure turned and vanished from the divine throne. The armored guards lining the hall disappeared as well. Behind Tang San, the inner hall's gates and all the doors leading outward swung open in a straight line, clearly signaling that he was free to leave.
Seeing this, Tang San simply bowed three times in respect, then turned and departed.
Meanwhile, within the Asura Scabbard's space…
Xiao Wu was inside, engaged in a "protected" session of martial spirit fusion technique practice with her ten male companions.
Suddenly, a crimson radiance burst forth from her body. The companions halted their actions, puzzled, as the blood-light enveloped Xiao Wu.
Then, the Scabbard emerged from her body, floating in midair and glowing blood-red.
The companions were stunned.
Dai Mubai asked, "Xiao Wu, what's going on with the Asura God's Scabbard?"
Xiao Wu replied, "I sensed it — the inheritor of the Asura God has appeared."
"Who is it? Don't tell me it's that little bastard Tang San!" Yu Tianheng asked in disbelief.
Xiao Wu nodded.
"What should we do then?"
"Don't worry," Xiao Wu said. "I am the Asura God's Scabbard. The progress of his divine test will always be synchronized to me. If he wants to become a god, he must first pass through me. He can't bypass Xiao Wu."
"That's right. With that sharp chin and monkey face, he thinks he's fit to be a god? Hah. Honestly, Xiao Wu, you're the true body of the Asura Scabbard. You're the one most suited to inherit the Asura God's position." Ma Hongjun chimed in obsequiously.
"Exactly, exactly!" the others echoed in agreement.
Oscar then asked, "Xiao Wu, what exactly is Tang San's first trial? Can you tell us, so we can all think it through together?"
"Of course," Xiao Wu replied. "Tang San's first trial is to find the Asura Scabbard — me — and fulfill one small request. The degree of completion depends on my satisfaction."
"So basically," Feng Xiaotian said, "he has to satisfy one of your requests, Xiao Wu."
"Which means," Ma Hongjun added with a sly grin, "as long as you stay unsatisfied, you can keep blocking Tang San's divine test and stop him from becoming a god."
Xiao Wu nodded. "That's true. But the Scabbard has already told me: as the vessel of the divine position, Tang San can't become a god without me regardless. So there's no need to deliberately obstruct him here. There are still eight more trials after this — plenty of opportunities to toy with him."
Bu Le chuckled. "Xiao Wu, in that case, why don't we use this first trial to mess around with Tang San a bit?"
"That makes sense. But what sort of request should I set?" Xiao Wu asked.
Oscar's eyes spun with mischief. "Heh, Xiao Wu, I've got a perfect idea. We could do it like this… this way, and that way…"
As he explained, Xiao Wu and the others nodded along. Finally, Xiao Wu clapped her hands decisively.
"Then it's settled. We'll do exactly as Oscar suggested."
Dai Mubai's face curled into a wicked grin. "Jie Jie Jie, I can't wait to see Tang San's expression when that moment comes."
Laughter and cheerful chatter filled the Scabbard's space. Before long, they resumed the "protected" martial spirit fusion practice session that had been interrupted.