God Realm.
Seven-colored halos drenched the magnificent palace, its oceanic blue hues reflecting Tang San's identity as the Sea God. The palace walls rippled like seawater, deep and light blues blending into an artistic hall of waves and sky.
Outside the palace.
Tang San looked at Dai Mubai, whose face was covered in blood. Rage flashed in his eyes. Too presumptuous! Too outrageous!
What was Destruction trying to do?
Start a war?
But after a long silence, his fury faded. He merely patted Dai Mubai gently on the shoulder.
"Thank you, Mubai."
"Xiao San, we can't just let this go! Everyone in the God Realm knows I'm your man. He wasn't hitting me—he was hitting you in the face!" Dai Mubai, face gloomy, clutched his forehead, pressing his wound to stop the bleeding, full of indignation.
"…"
Tang San's mouth twitched.
He nodded in silence.
"Mm."
"That bastard Destruction beat me up in your name, said your face meant nothing to him! If we Seven Devils ever set foot in his territory again, it won't be as simple as today. If not for the God of Life healing most of my injuries, I'd be dead already!" Dai Mubai grumbled.
He, a dignified second-rank god and sworn brother to Asura God Tang San, had never been shamed like this.
Tang San remained silent until he sent Dai Mubai off, watching him disappear.
At last, his calm face darkened.
Only then did he realize: Destruction was still the old god-king, unrivaled after Kindness and Evil descended. His wife, Life, was absolutely on Destruction's side. Even though Tang San had deceived her, in the end—they were husband and wife, true companions for countless years.
Life had only been tricked by him, not truly on his side.
She healed Dai Mubai's wounds, then quietly stood behind Destruction, her stance made clear.
To Destruction, Tang San was still a "newbie" in the God Realm.
If it really came to a fight, Tang San would just be beaten up like Dai Mubai today…
"Very good, very good," Tang San's eyes narrowed.
He was good at enduring—at hiding.
He'd outlasted Kindness and Evil, only then daring to act recklessly. Now, with the God Realm in flux and Lie Yan and Ji Dong replacing the old gods—both neutral but open to alliances.
The Douluo Planet's opportunities were still things he had to bide his time for, to quietly build strength.
No wonder it was the world of his "birth"—treasures everywhere. Only after becoming a god did he realize…
Golden Dragon Spear, Luck Beast, Silver Dragon King, and the new rising star—once they reached the right level, the God Realm would surely take notice.
Thinking of that kid, Tang San narrowed his eyes.
After so many disputes with Destruction, he'd forgotten to check on Su Wen…
Never mind. According to his calculations, the Sun-Moon Empire would soon hold the All-Continent Soul Master Tournament—a chance to drive that group into the Yin Yang Love Querying Valley.
By then, he'd have everything in hand.
This leash wasn't something you could ever slip.
He needed to contact Da Ming and Er Ming below to cooperate…
Now that Destruction's "surveillance" on him was a bit lax, perhaps he'd turned his attention elsewhere. Tang San could finally breathe.
Once he'd brought the Silver Dragon King under his wing, and Su Wen became his son-in-law, then inherited Rong Nianbing or one of the Elemental Gods, he could consolidate his resources for power in the God Realm.
The only thing that puzzled him was why his Sea God power seemed to be waning day by day. Perhaps it was because his "free-range" management let many sea tribes lose their faith…
"I'll have to deal with that once Destruction eases up more. If I lose too much faith, my Sea God power will suffer…" Tang San sighed, gazing into the distance.
…
Clear Sky Fortress.
Mist swirled, canyons crisscrossed—an easily defensible military stronghold.
A burly man in green stared gloomily at the back altar. Three years had passed since the tournament and Tang San Avatar's death.
But the back altar hadn't reacted at all.
By now, even a fool could see that the one above had lost everything—daughter gone, army lost. But what was most frustrating… they couldn't reach the God Realm.
Which meant Tang San up there probably still imagined his avatar was dominating the lower realm, lost in delusion.
With not a hint of awareness.
"Big brother, are we still waiting?!" Er Ming complained, "If we wait any longer, that brat will become unstoppable. Already, he has the Lord, Snow Empress, Luck Beast and other top soul beasts around him, all enchanted. If this keeps up, he'll unify the soul beast world!"
"Ugh…" Da Ming's eyelid twitched.
It was absurd—a human mixing it up so well in the soul beast world, even the Silver Dragon King, whom the one above always coveted, had willingly joined as a bodyguard.
All because Su Wen was supposedly some "chosen one."
Now Wang Dong'er had lost interest, and all the secret letters from Clear Sky Sect had gone unanswered. They were furious, but had to keep it in check.
Tang San was missing, but the Silver Dragon King was still there.
If they really messed with the snake and monkey, it'd be nothing. But gods in the lower realm were limited, only able to use a fraction of their power—if they died, it'd be for real…
No telling when the one above would realize it, and even then, reviving them would be tough.
"Hey, big brother, it's moving!" Er Ming suddenly shouted, pointing excitedly at the altar's center.
But after several minutes, the air went silent.
Smack!
Da Ming slapped him. "What are you yelling for?"
Buzz…
The next moment, the altar array lit up, blue light rising.
"It's the Sea God! It's him! Finally!" Er Ming jumped up, tongue-tied.
"At last…" Da Ming was excited too.
As the light faded, a shadow appeared. Tang San looked around, frowning:
"Where's my avatar? Why can't I sense it in Clear Sky Sect?"
"Um…" Da Ming looked embarrassed, "It was killed by Su Wen during the tournament, and all its divine sense was devoured by the Silver Dragon King."
"What?!" Tang San was furious.
But soon he understood—it was because he'd cut off the lower realm's connection. He was angry, but didn't dwell on it. So what if the Silver Dragon King devoured it? Sooner or later, she'd cough it up, whether for his son's soul ring or his grandson's…
Either way, it would be his.
"In that case, help the Sun-Moon Empire complete the 'Hunting Plan' over the next year. Make sure Shrek Academy falls into the trap and enters Yin Yang Love Querying Valley. By then… everything will be in my control."
Tang San laughed.
If they entered the tournament, it wouldn't just be Su Wen—Silver Dragon King, Luck Beast, and his wayward daughter would all be there. Four birds, one net.
If Su Wen resisted? He'd crush him again and again—once, a hundred times, a thousand times—until he yielded.
Silver Dragon King? He'd use Su Wen's life to force her to submit, making her his tool.
As for his disobedient daughter, he'd take her back, merge her with a missing soul fragment to make her truly his daughter—Tang Wutong.
Everything was under control.
Thinking this, Tang San couldn't help but hum.
Victory was his!
"We are in awe!" Da Ming bowed.
"Worthy of a God King!"
"…"
…
Shrek Academy.
Lush greenery filled the campus, the air tinged with a faint scent of plants.
Inside the Golden Tree.
Su Wen yawned and woke up.
Beside him, a beauty lay half-covered, long white legs peeking from the blanket, fast asleep. The scattered clothes on the floor told of last night's madness.
Her fiery red hair fanned out on the pillow like a soft wave. Her white swan neck and the peaks barely covered by the quilt aroused a man's deepest desires.
The blanket hid the most mysterious parts, and that tantalizing sense of the unknown only fanned the flames.
Especially with the thin quilt outlining her graceful curves—her skin snowy white, her body full of tension against her red hair.
"Mm…"
Hearing her mutter in her sleep, Su Wen smiled.
Ah, Shrek Academy. Nothing like the Golden Tree house…
Now that "Ah Yin" had completely replaced the old A Yin as the main consciousness of the Golden Tree, it was even more fun. Playtime in the room was more adventurous, with vines—like tentacles—spicing up their love, building beds for every position…
He'd never dared be so wild before.
But now he did.
Thankfully, Ma Xiaotao was a battle-type soul master, her regular training and Soul Douluo-level power giving her the stamina to keep up with Su Wen…
Nearby, vines had already brought new clothes and wiped Su Wen's face with a damp towel.
He dressed and left the Golden Tree.
Heading straight to the Soul Tool Department.
It had been just over a month since returning from the Sun-Moon Empire to Shrek Academy.
Jing Hongchen's meeting with Xuan Ziwen had been entertaining.
Xuan Ziwen, guilty: "Hall Master."
Jing Hongchen, magnanimous: "It's fine. I'm just another stray dog from the Sun-Moon Empire. Now that I've been expelled, bringing Meng to Shrek Academy, there's no need for old titles. Call me colleague from now on."
Xuan Ziwen: "Yes, Hall Master!"
Jing Hongchen: "…"
Dead things keep following me. Where's my promised new life? And what about Ke Ke, Ju Zi, Ji Juechen, Nana—what's with all these people? How many did Su Wen bring back?!
They were all familiar faces—each among the most talented in the Sun-Moon Empire, worthy of Jing Hongchen's notice.
Su Wen just shrugged.
He'd gotten close to Ji Juechen at the academy, and the "sword maniac" just stuck to him.
…
At that moment—
Inside the Soul Tool Department building,
Seeing Su Wen, many senior students bowed in respect. The new students were shocked, but after hearing his name mentioned, they were ecstatic.
On the Douluo Continent, strength was everything—especially since they all benefited from Su Wen's resources.
The Soul Tool Department used to be a backwater.
Crushed by the Martial Soul Department.
Until Su Wen appeared, created the Forging Department, and proposed combining forging and soul tools—bringing more investment to the Soul Tool Department. Even the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan began investing… all thanks to Su Wen.
Even if they got only a little bit from the Forging Department, it was enough.
Now they had a brand-new lab, loads of rare metals—all thanks to him.
So their respect was heartfelt.
White-eyed wolves were rare—most people were decent…
…
Soul Tool Department Vice Dean's Office.
Su Wen entered to see Qian Duoduo, sitting half on the sofa, nodding obediently,
"Yes, yes, Director Hongchen, you're right."
Jing Hongchen, relaxed across from him.
Though he called him "Vice Dean Qian," he lectured him like a student.
"Dean Qian, we're short of rare metals. If we can't get more, the battle armor project can't continue. What should we do?" Jing Hongchen sipped his tea.
"Yes, yes." Qian Duoduo, spotting Su Wen, sent a pleading look.
Those rare metals were truly rare. He'd asked the Treasure Pavilion, but even they said it was impossible to find, maybe not for years.
"And Dean Qian, you're only an eighth-level soul engineer. Why not work with me for half a year? I guarantee you'll reach ninth-level. Your foundation is solid, you're a Super Douluo, maybe you can even try for level ten…"
"I…" Qian Duoduo saw Su Wen's smirk, gritted his teeth, and nodded miserably.
With so many bigshots, what use was a small fry like him? He couldn't even slack off or sneak away. Even at his age, he had to train, and if the students saw, where would he put his face…
"Old Jing, I forgot to mention—I already found the source of those ores you wanted." Su Wen grinned, sitting on the sofa.
"Oh?" Jing Hongchen was surprised.