Tang San's expression remained calm as he shook his head. "When I passed the trial and entered the portal, what appeared before me was simply the passage to leave."
'Did the Asura God discover the parasitic seed I left inside Tang San?' The Slaughter King's expression eased. He raised the cup of Bloody Mary in his hand and drained it in one gulp before saying flatly:
"You can go now."
If he couldn't gain direct control, then nurturing Tang San as a spare vessel would suffice. With Tang San's potential, there was a real chance he could one day reach Tang Chen's height.
Tang San's face betrayed nothing as he turned and left, but inside, a cold sneer flashed across his heart. 'Once the toxins accumulate enough to erupt, that will be the moment you die.'
He had tested the venom after his mutation. Diluted, its potency wasn't overwhelming, but its strength lay in persistence — a poison that built up, day after day. That suited him perfectly. If it acted too quickly, the Slaughter King would grow suspicious, and the consequences of that were something he couldn't afford to bear.
Back in his quarters, Tang San summoned his Martial Soul to study it.
"With this potent poison attribute, neither my appearance nor abilities resemble Blue Silver Grass anymore. To still call it Blue Silver Grass is meaningless."
He paused, gazing at the eerie green patterns pulsing across the vines.
"Since the derived domain is the Poison Corrosion Domain, from now on, you shall be called Poison Corrosion Grass."
He dismissed his Martial Soul and began using Poison Transformation, along with the toxic herbs he had gathered on his last excursion, to forge new Hell King Posts.
To kill the Slaughter King — a rank 99 Limit Douluo — he would need to prepare thoroughly.
"There's a forge in the Slaughter City as well. Tomorrow, I'll have them build me the framework. With my current strength, I can already create stronger mechanism-based hidden weapons. Once the Slaughter King is dead, I'll search for rare metals outside and recreate the top-tier designs."
His eyes flickered with a strange light. "To recreate the Buddha's Fury Tang Lotus in this world… that has always been one of my wishes."
As for devouring fallen Soul Masters, he would test that tonight.
"If the impurities created by this evolved devouring ability are negligible, then I'll continue. If not…" His eyes narrowed. "The Rakshasa God's second trial is to kill and devour the Slaughter King. Clearly, more assistance will come afterward. Perhaps now, I can already absorb and refine perfectly, just like the Dark Devil God Tiger or the Deep Sea Demon Whale King — soul beasts that advanced through devouring."
That night, within his room, Tang San drove the Eight Spider Lances into a corpse.
The devouring ability activated. In mere moments, the body shriveled into a husk.
"So efficient!" Tang San's eyes gleamed. The decision was made.
He rose, stepped outside, and disappeared into the night.
One by one, groans echoed through the darkness as more fallen Soul Masters collapsed under his lances.
Time passed quickly. Two months later…
"Great Slaughter King, recently many in the city have been dying mysteriously. Judging from the corpses, it seems to be poison. Even I have felt strangely weak of late." The veiled girl reported respectfully before the throne, worry etched on her face.
Could it be some mutation in the Hell Road? The Slaughter King frowned, then said, "Go and summon the Asura King."
"Yes." She bowed and left swiftly.
Soon, Tang San arrived, having already been briefed by her on the way.
"I've felt the same," he said with a furrowed brow, his voice calm and steady. "I suspect the concentration of Bloody Mary from the Hell Road has exceeded its threshold, making its effects stronger. At this point, without dilution, it's no longer something ordinary people can endure."
He glanced at the veiled girl. "When I first came here, I heard that the Slaughter City has existed for at least ten thousand years. With such long accumulation, I wouldn't be surprised if changes or even mutations occurred."
"The power of time… is something none of us can resist. Survival of the Fittest is nature's unchanging law."
The Slaughter King frowned but slowly nodded. It made sense. He turned to the veiled girl. "Pass the order. From now on, all Bloody Mary distributed is to be diluted to half strength. We'll see if this alleviates the situation. If people adapt, we'll adjust again."
"Yes." She bowed and left.
"You may go as well," the Slaughter King told Tang San.
He hadn't suspected him — Tang San had rarely left the city these past months, spending all his time in his newly built forge crafting weapons. How could this be his doing?
Tang San nodded slightly and strode away.
Half a month later, behind Yunhai Academy, golden motes gathered in a chamber.
Dugu Yan slowly opened her eyes. Turning her head toward Yang Yunhai, she smiled. "Yun, I've reached rank 90."
Yang Yunhai smiled as well. "Then tomorrow, we set out."
"Mhm." Dugu Yan's smile grew radiant. She glanced once at the window, then closed her spiritual sea and slipped her hand through his arm.
'As expected of a dragon-type Martial Soul,' Yang Yunhai thought silently as he closed his own spiritual sea and reached out with his other arm to pull Zhu Zhuqing closer.
"Yiner, help me scrub my back."
"Oh."
The night passed quietly.
The next morning, everyone gathered in the hall. Ning Rongrong and Ye Lingling were present too, having been staying at Yunhai Academy to cultivate and share in the gains.
"Yan Yan has broken through to rank 90. Rongrong, Lingling, your assessments are complete. Stay here and continue cultivating," Yang Yunhai said. "Grandfather, Teacher, Martial Uncle — the Deep Sea Demon Whale King's cultivation is close to one million years. To be safe, we'll go together this time."
After two years of growth, even Dugu Bo had reached rank 99. And within Yunhai Academy's wide forest domain, there was no longer any need for him to hide his abilities. Out in the Soul Master world, much less so. He could unleash his fifth soul skill openly now, and the academy's students had benefited greatly. His reputation outside was growing ever brighter.
"Fine," the three elders nodded. "Good to stretch our bones again."
"Should I return to the clan and ask Father and Grandfather Sword to join us?" Ning Rongrong asked.
"No need," Yang Yunhai smiled. "The few of us are already enough."
In truth, he alone was enough. Bringing Dugu Bo and the others was only to prevent the Deep Sea Demon Whale King from fleeing midway.
On the vast ocean, chasing it down would be far too troublesome.
Ning Rongrong nodded with a smile. "Then I wish you all success."
"Don't worry," Dugu Bo said faintly, "it's only a million-year soul beast. No matter how strong it is, it can't take on several of us at once."
"Let's set out, then." Dugu Yan laughed. "The sooner we inherit the godhood, the sooner we can return to reunite."
Thus, the group departed, soaring westward.
"Every time I see Senior Yunhai, I feel defeated. Handsome and powerful… how are we supposed to live with that?"
"Simple — accept it. There's always a gap between humans and monsters."
"..." The academy's students sighed in unison.
Days later, in the depths of the Demon Whale Sea.
"Deep Sea Demon Whale King, please show yourself." Yang Yunhai stood alone upon the sea's surface.
With a great surge, bubbles roiled up across the waves.
A massive shadow slowly rose from the depths.
(End of Chapter)
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