God Realm — Lake of Life
Compared to this divine Lake of Life, the one in Great Star Dou Forest was like a firefly next to the moon, a crow beside a phoenix—utterly incomparable.
At the center of the lake stood a lush ancient tree on a small island. Its branches dipped into the water, showering the surroundings with dense life energy. Countless plants thrived beneath it, blooming in a riot of colors. The air shimmered with ethereal immortal energy and life force so potent it had coalesced into mist, transforming the island into a paradise within paradise.
On this celestial island, a woman in a flowing green gown sat upon the tree's exposed roots, gently watering the plants with a delicate watering can.
The scene should have been pure serenity—yet a trace of sorrow marred her expression.
Sigh…
Her soft sigh echoed—and instantly, every flower, leaf, and blade of grass on the island drooped, as if sharing her heartache.
Just then—
"Little Green."
A deep, resonant voice cut through the air—and the woman's sorrow vanished like morning mist.
She turned toward the sound. From the horizon, a figure wreathed in annihilation energy descended slowly, gliding across the lake to land upon the island. Cloaked in violet, his presence radiated overwhelming destructive force.
But as he drew near, he reined in that annihilating aura—his stern features softening into a warm smile.
"Little Purple… you're here."
The woman floated down from the roots and took his right hand.
They were none other than Goddess of Life and God of Destruction.
"Finished your duties for today?"
"No—another endless bureaucratic tangle!"
In front of his beloved, God of Destruction let his frustration spill out. "I simply don't understand what the Sea God is thinking! Hundreds of planes in the lower realms are overflowing with geniuses—yet they wither and die before ascension, just because divine seats and the God Realm itself are 'limited'! I proposed expanding the God Realm—and what did he say? 'The God Realm will face calamity; expansion is unwise!'"
"Fine! I believed him at first!"
"But now—where is this calamity?!"
His voice rose, shaking the ancient tree's leaves into a rustling frenzy. Yet even that couldn't mask the fury—and helplessness—beneath his words.
"All this time, according to my expansion plan, even if we'd grown, stability would've been achieved by now. But calamity? I haven't seen so much as a hair of it!"
The Goddess of Life said nothing. She simply stepped forward and let him pull her into his embrace.
Her life energy gently neutralized his annihilation aura, soothing his raging power.
"Little Purple… don't be angry."
"I'm not angry, Little Green. I'm disappointed."
He thought of his old colleagues—none of them could bear staying in the God Realm. They'd find successors, then vanish, dumping the entire burden of divine governance on others.
Special criticism here for Asura God, Goddess of Kindness, and God of Evil!
And it wasn't just that they left—they handed control of the God Realm's core authority to that greenhorn, Tang San! If he'd actually achieved something, God of Destruction wouldn't have minded.
But the reality?
Not only no accomplishments—he was holding everyone back!
The God of Destruction grieved.
He mourned the lost geniuses of the lower realms, denied their chance to ascend. He lamented the God Realm's missed opportunity to grow stronger with fresh, mighty blood!
And just then—
"Hm!?"
A flicker of shock crossed God of Destruction's face.
"Little Purple, what's wrong?" Goddess of Life noticed his expression and tilted her head curiously. "Has something happened?"
Suddenly, God of Destruction asked a seemingly unrelated question:
"Little Green… do you remember the Rakshasa God?"
"Of course."
Though the Rakshasa God appeared to belong to the Dark God lineage—ostensibly under God of Evil's command—the truth was different.
The first-generation Kindness and God of Evil were too playful, paying little attention to their subordinates.
But the Rakshasa God had ambition—like replacing the Asura God as a God King. That was impossible under God of Evil's wing… so he defected to Destruction.
After all, everyone in the God Realm knew: among the Five God Kings, the God of Destruction treated his subordinates best.
Though the Rakshasa God later abandoned that ambition—or rather, that delusion—the allegiance was sealed. So the Goddess of Life knew him well.
"As I recall," she said without hesitation, "the Rakshasa God found a suitable successor and left immediately—barely looking back."
"Yes."
A flick of his hand—and a spider-like crystal appeared in God of Destruction's palm.
"When he left, he asked me to look after his successor, to keep Asura God's faction from bullying them. But before that successor could even ascend… Tang San killed them in the lower realm. The Angel God's heir died too—and the Angel God title shattered completely."
"I'd planned to find a worthy candidate and eventually pass on the Rakshasa inheritance… but now, someone's already found the Rakshasa God Palace. And not just anywhere—on Tang San's home plane, Douluo Star! How… interesting."
"Oh?"
Now the Goddess of Life was intrigued.
Seeing her interest, God of Destruction didn't hesitate. Using the Rakshasa divine title as a medium, he projected the scene inside the palace—prepared to initiate the inheritance trial.
But what they saw stunned them.
"Destruction energy…"
"Rakshasa divinity!? And… Fate energy!?"
The first was unsurprising—God of Destruction recognized it due to elemental affinity.
But the other two?
Rakshasa divinity alone was rare—but Fate energy? That was reserved only for chosen ones blessed by the fate of an entire plane!
No wonder the Rakshasa God Palace had opened on its own.
"Wait, Little Purple—that's not all."
The Goddess of Life, more perceptive, suddenly spotted something even more extraordinary. Her voice trembled with shock.
"Little Purple… he's gathering faith energy!"
"What!?"
"Indeed!"
God of Destruction immediately re-examined—and confirmed her words. The faith energy wasn't chaotic; it flowed in an orderly, disciplined convergence.
Just like…
…a quasi-deity preparing to forge their own divine title.
Like the departed old Sea God Bo Saidong… or the First Angel God, Qian Lingyun.
This child wasn't here for an inheritance—he was gathering clues to create his own godhood!
The same thought struck both God Kings simultaneously—and the God of Destruction's face lit up with unprecedented delight.
He'd always favored self-creation over inheritance.
Only this path could make the God Realm truly stronger!
"This child… perhaps we should help him."
Brilliant talent.
Annihilation energy.
Rakshasa divinity.
Fate energy.
And actively forging a divine title!
Five extraordinary traits—enough to ignite God of Destruction's admiration… and a flicker of wariness.
Not toward the child—but toward Tang San.
After all, Slaughter City on Douluo Plane was technically Tang San's territory. And with him controlling the God Realm's core… he might discover this any moment.
God of Destruction had no qualms assuming the worst:
What if Tang San sabotages this genius, just like he's always sabotaged my expansion plans?
So—
"Little Green… I'll need your help."
The Goddess of Life smiled softly. "Of course."
As the saying goes: husband leads, wife follows.
The two God Kings joined hands—and concealed the gathering faith energy. Unless two other God Kings intervened, this secret would never be uncovered.
Having done that, they resumed watching.
They were curious to see… what this child would do next.
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)
