Yu Xiaogang gave the order: "Raise the alliance banner!"
The alliance's soldiers carried the banner forward and slowly hoisted it into the sky.
Tang San looked up at the flag rising high above. His coal-black face grew even darker.
On the banner was a striking figure—dark-skinned, with short limbs and a grotesque form.
That's supposed to be me? Tang San thought. At least he still had enough self-awareness to recognize the resemblance.
He recalled his past life—how dashing and handsome he once was. But ever since the Blue Silver Emperor bloodline was stripped from him, he had turned into this half-human, half-ghost monstrosity. Still, how could Yu Xiaogang draw that on the alliance flag?
Yu Xiaogang, however, stood proudly, as if expecting praise. He strode to the front, snatched the amplification soul device from the master of ceremonies, and began to explain the "meaning" behind the banner to Tang San and Tang Hao.
Just like last time, he rambled on endlessly—God's Brain, God's Eyes, God's Hands, God's Feet, God's Soles, introducing each ridiculous symbol one by one.
Finally, Tang Hao could not bear it anymore. He leaned in, his voice like a sharp line of sound that only Yu Xiaogang could hear: "Gangzi, what the hell makes you 'God's Brain'?"
Yu Xiaogang ignored the jab. Holding the sound device aloft, he addressed the crowd:
"Honored guests, why have we gathered here? Because of the evil Spirit Hall and the treacherous Spark Academy, who seek to disrupt the order of our continent! We are united here by divine command.
But I know you all harbor a question: my beloved disciple, Tang San—has he truly touched the realm of the gods? Today, the purpose of this Alliance Conference is to give you certainty, to put your hearts at ease."
Saying this, he turned to Tang San: "Xiao San, show them."
Tang San knew well enough that his impending godhood was no longer a secret on the continent. There was no point in hiding, and instead, it was better to display his value—making Yu Xiaogang's ramshackle stage look sturdier.
Without another word, divine markings appeared upon his dark forehead.
The moment the godmark surfaced, every strong cultivator present felt a trace of supreme pressure descend upon them.
Even the titled Douluo opened their eyes wide, staring in shock at the divine pattern glowing on Tang San's brow.
Silence fell for a moment—then voices erupted:
"What is that?"
"Heavens, even Titled Douluo feel suppressed!"
"Could it be… related to the gods?"
"Does this mean Tang San truly can become a god?"
Tang San declared: "This is the godmark bestowed upon me by the Asura God. Bearing this mark means I am undergoing the Asura God's Trials. Once I complete them, I will become the Asura God."
At once, Dai Tianfeng, Ning Fengzhi, Yu Yuanzhen, Huo Qiqiang, Xue Ye, and other faction leaders rose together, bowing toward him:
"Salutations to the candidate of the Asura God!"
Tang San nodded slightly. "Spirit Hall, Spark Academy—they may be strong, they may possess forbidden techniques—but once I become a god, none of these will matter."
Ning Fengzhi quickly flattered: "Future God-King, you are absolutely right. With your presence, the Spirit Hall and Spark Academy will surely be crushed, and the Douluo Continent restored to order!"
"Yes, yes! This alliance should naturally be led by you, Tang San!" others echoed, piling on the flattery.
But Tang San remained level-headed, not drowning in praise. Having served as an enforcer god in the God Realm for over fifty years, he knew well that their fawning was nothing more than a ploy to get him to shoulder their burdens.
So he dropped a carefully timed threat:
"However, don't rejoice too quickly. Let me reveal something to you: our alliance has a god, but so does Spirit Hall. The inheritor of the Angel God's legacy has emerged—Qian Renxue. If she completes her divine trials, do you know what that means?"
The entire crowd froze. They had been brimming with hope, envisioning a glorious future for the alliance with Tang San's impending ascension. What were a few titled Douluo or Spark Academy's "super martial spirits" compared to a god? But now Tang San told them—Spirit Hall also had a god. Anxiety immediately rippled through the hall.
Dai Tianfeng swallowed hard: "May I ask, future Asura God—between the Angel God and the Asura God, who is stronger?"
Tang San's eyes gleamed with meaning. "Once I ascend, I will not fear the Angel God. But don't forget—Qian Renxue is older than me, and with her grandfather Qian Daoliu overseeing her trials, she might very well succeed before I do."
Of course, Tang San scoffed inwardly. The Angel God compared to me, the Asura God—one of the Five God-Kings? Laughable. And Qian Renxue's divine trial is overseen by that lecherous Sea God. Against her, I have only one word—'crushed.'
But he would never say that aloud. If he didn't keep these leaders in constant fear of Spirit Hall, they wouldn't fight like rabid dogs, drawing Spirit Hall's attention and giving him the time he needed to develop.
The crowd erupted in whispers: if both sides had gods, then the future was headed toward a clash of deities—a battlefield of two divine powers!
Tang San's voice once more silenced them:
"That is why my focus now will be entirely on completing my godhood. As for the position of Alliance Leader, it shall remain with my teacher. I hope you all will give your utmost support—dividing the attention of Spirit Hall, drawing out the Angel God's strength. If I ascend first, then neither Spirit Hall nor Spark Academy will be of any concern."
He sat back down in his seat.
At that moment, everyone looked at Tang San, Tang Hao, and Yu Xiaogang with deep reverence.
Inside, Yu Xiaogang was beside himself with pride.
Hmph, see? My beloved disciple Tang San truly has the bearing of a god! All those who once looked down on me, mocked me—soon you will all have to bow and call me "Teacher of a God!"
But then he thought of how Tang San often defied him in private—refusing to call him "teacher," addressing him instead as "Gangzi," even degrading him to the status of a dog.
No, Yu Xiaogang realized, this is my chance. Here, before the entire assembly, I cannot miss it. I must seize this moment to force Tang San into making a public promise—to honor me as his master, and to remember me when he becomes a god!
Thus, he once again raised the amplification device and declared:
"Next, as the Alliance Leader, as the Teacher of a God—I have a few words to say!"
Beside him, Tang San and Tang Hao both felt a wave of unease.
This Gangzi… he's about to stir up trouble again!
Down below, Huo Qiang nodded in satisfaction. Now this will be a good show. But it wouldn't do to let Gangzi perform a one-man act. He turned toward Tian Meng, hidden in a corner of the venue:
"Atmosphere group, get ready!"
Tian Meng: "OK!"
Tang Hao's fury was boiling over, but in front of so many people, he couldn't explode outright. He transmitted his voice like a blade into Yu Xiaogang's ear:
"Gangzi, you damn cur, if you dare spout nonsense here, I swear when we get back, I'll geld you myself!"
But Yu Xiaogang ignored him. He knew what Tang San cared about: in front of everyone, Tang San wouldn't dare act against him, and he was still forced to honor him as a teacher. This is my chance. I must seize it. Today, I'll force Tang San to make me a promise!
"I still remember clearly," Yu Xiaogang began, his voice trembling with fake emotion,
"Back then, when Tang San sought to study under me, he came to my study three times. At last, I could not refuse, and I accepted him as my disciple.
At that moment, he knelt before me and said: 'One day as teacher, a lifetime as father!' That deeply moved me.
It was because of those words that I, Yu Xiaogang, poured my everything into nurturing him, guiding him step by step along the path of cultivation. And now, under my instruction, he has even embarked on the path to godhood."
Someone in the hall asked:
"Respected Teacher of the Gods, was the path of the God-King truly guided by you?"
"Of course it was!" Yu Xiaogang answered. He spoke at length, weaving tales of how he had "led" Tang San toward godhood, every detail sounding convincing. The audience, enraptured, began to applaud.
Compliments flowed like rain: "As expected of the Teacher of the Gods!"
But Tang San and Tang Hao's faces grew darker and darker. Especially Tang San—his expressionless, pitch-black face seemed to swallow light itself.
Head lowered, fists clenched tight, his visage twisted with fury—though no one could see it beneath the shadow of his skin. Inside, he was roaring with rage:
Why, Gangzi? Why do you insist on seeking death? Couldn't you have just stayed in Douluo Continent, wriggling like the worm you are, forever stuck at rank 29 until life ended? Why force me—force me to deal with you? Do you think I care about reputation, so I won't strike you down?
A cruel smile crept across Tang San's lips.
Tang Hao's voice lashed at Yu Xiaogang again, filled with curses:
"Stop. Stop right there! Gangzi, you one-eared eunuch dog, my son's godhood has nothing to do with you! How dare you claim to have guided his path to divinity!"
Then, someone else stood and asked:
"If you treated Tang San so well, then, Respected Teacher of the Gods, how does the future god treat you in daily life?"
Yu Xiaogang was nearly moved to tears. He had wanted to say this himself, but now the stage had been set for him. Seizing the moment, he said:
"Tang San is a truly filial child. From the moment he became my disciple, he has regarded me as a father. I am fortunate indeed to have such a filial son."
This time, Tang Hao nearly lost it. He's the real father! For Yu Xiaogang to dare usurp his paternal authority—that touched Tang Hao's reverse scale.
But just as he was about to explode, Tang San pressed a hand firmly on his father's shoulder, transmitting his voice calmly:
"Father, wait. Let's see what this fraud is trying to sell us first."
Tang Hao forced himself to calm down, glaring icily at the cropped-haired man before him.
Someone else spoke:
"Then surely, once the future god becomes divine, he will repay your guidance, yes? Your suffering has not been in vain."
Yu Xiaogang's heart surged with excitement. Perfect—another line fed to him. Otherwise, he'd have to keep forcing this monologue himself. Eyes brimming with tears, he declared:
"Of course! Tang San is filial. He once—"
"I once said," Tang San cut him off firmly, standing up,
"that once I become a god, I will restore my teacher's innate talent, make him into one of the world's peerless powerhouses. Furthermore, I will take him with me to the God Realm, granting him eternal life, as repayment for his teachings."
Tang San had to seize the lead—if he didn't, Yu Xiaogang would soon fabricate even more ridiculous promises in his name.
Tang Hao's voice thundered in his mind:
"Xiao San! You're not really going to acknowledge this fake father, are you?"
Tang San shot him a reassuring glance, silently saying: Trust me, Father.
Yu Xiaogang's words caught in his throat. To be honest, he wasn't satisfied with what Tang San had promised. He still wanted to remind him: Xiao San, have you forgotten? You also promised me a First-Class God position…
But Tang San was faster. He clasped Yu Xiaogang's hand, his eyes blazing with sincerity.
"Teacher, I understand your painstaking efforts all these years. Please, allow me to repay you."
He then pulled Yu Xiaogang to his own seat and pressed him down into it.
"Xiao San, this won't do! This is your seat—if I sit here, I'll suffer for it!" Yu Xiaogang protested feebly.
"One day as teacher, a lifetime as father. Teacher's father is the same as Father himself. You are my teacher, and like a father to me. This seat is forbidden to others—but you may sit here."
With that, Tang San forced him into the chair.
Feeling the lingering warmth beneath him, hearing Tang San's "beautiful promises," Yu Xiaogang muttered again and again:
"You'll bring suffering upon your teacher… you'll bring suffering upon your teacher…"
But the corners of his lips stretched so wide they nearly reached his ears, and he couldn't hold them back no matter how hard he tried.
Ah—what a touching scene of deep affection between master and disciple!
Tang San then addressed the assembly:
"Yu Xiaogang is my teacher—my most, most, most respected teacher. From now on, my father and I will devote ourselves entirely to the divine trials, focused solely on becoming gods.
All matters of the Alliance will be entrusted to my teacher. He is the Alliance Leader of the Divine Sequence Alliance, the spokesperson of my future Asura Godhood!"
He pointed at Yu Xiaogang:
"I trust my teacher. I believe his wisdom can govern the Alliance and bring order to the world. I expect you all to give him unwavering support. I will not tolerate anyone paying lip service while undermining him in secret."
With this, Tang San had openly endorsed Yu Xiaogang's authority in the Alliance.