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"Someone just walked out of Hell Road."
"Hell Road?"
Xiao Wu tilted her head back, a trace of confusion in her eyes.
"It's in Slaughter City on our Douluo Continent," Tang San said with a resigned smile, gently stroking her silky hair. "I'm sure I've told you about it before."
"Nyah—"
She stuck out her tongue, her exquisite face playfully defiant. Twisting around, she looped her arms around Tang San's, pressing her cheek against his shoulder and winding her scorpion-tail braid into his long hair.
"I just forgot! But Brother San—you said you destroyed Slaughter City! So how can anyone possibly walk out of Hell Road now? Where did they even come from?"
Faced with her rapid-fire questions, Tang San's exasperation melted into fondness. He pulled her gently into his embrace.
"I don't know… but perhaps we can take a look."
With a wave of his hand, a luminous screen materialized before them—projecting the very scene of Hell Road. As the Asura God, he held the authority to monitor everything within Slaughter City.
The screen showed Chen Junting and Gu Tianchen stepping into the white light—the space where the Killing God Domain would normally be bestowed.
"Oh? Him."
Tang San's gaze instantly bypassed Gu Tianchen and locked onto Chen Junting. Having kept occasional tabs on Wang Dong'er, he was already aware of Chen Junting's existence. Though talented, Chen Junting wasn't a "chosen one" of heavenly fate—thus, not worthy of Tang San's serious attention.
That only changed slightly when Chen Junting interacted with the Imperial Fortune Beast, leading Tang San to label him a "lucky fellow."
But today—upon truly observing Chen Junting for the first time—Tang San's assessment shifted dramatically.
"The Rakshasa Nine Trials?!"
The faint, familiar spider-shaped mark—though hidden—couldn't escape Tang San's divine sight. It stirred memories from the past.
"Rakshasa God?!"
Xiao Wu gasped at the name.
After all, before ascending to the God Realm, their greatest enemy had been the former Rakshasa God, Bibi Dong. Who would've thought a new Rakshasa inheritance would emerge on the Douluo Continent?
"Brother San—is this a trial granted by the God of Destruction?"
In the God Realm, any deity of 1st-Class or higher who'd resided there over ten thousand days knew: the Rakshasa God title was vacant—and under the God of Destruction's control.
"Destruction must be furious you rejected his plan to expand the God Realm!" Xiao Wu's fists clenched, her voice brimming with indignation. "So he's handing out the Rakshasa title—a direct counter to you! Once this heir ascends, he'll bolster Destruction's faction and challenge your authority!"
Tang San smiled gently, though inwardly he agreed. "Xiao Wu, Destruction and I merely differ in policy. Even if a new Rakshasa God rises, I doubt he'd attempt a power grab."
"You're just too kind-hearted, Brother San!" she pouted, dissatisfied.
Tang San leaned down and kissed her brow. "Trust me—Destruction won't do that. And even if he did… if this heir inherits the Rakshasa title, he won't move against us."
The more Tang San insisted Destruction posed no threat, the more Xiao Wu distrusted him. But when he claimed the heir wouldn't harm them, her curiosity spiked.
"Why's that?"
"Because he's a disciple of Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—and a student of Shrek Academy…"
From Wang Dong'er's memories, Tang San had learned much: Chen Junting's background, his relationship with Dong'er, and his favorable stance toward Tang Sect.
"Oh! So he's from Shrek Academy—and one of Rongrong and Xiao Ao's sect brothers! That means all of us Shrek Seven are practically his ancestors!"
"And he's Xiao Qi's friend too… so what about seniority…?"
Watching Xiao Wu clap happily one moment, then frown in confusion the next, Tang San simply smiled and said nothing.
Though a mother now, she was still the impulsive girl he loved. She wriggled out of his arms. "Brother San, I'm going to tell Rongrong and the others!"
"Go ahead."
In a flash, her figure vanished from the Sea God Palace.
And Tang San's smile faded.
His words to Xiao Wu had been sincere—but he'd omitted a critical detail. In his view, the God of Destruction's move was a blunder.
If the inheritance failed, fine.
But if it succeeded…
Having only Zhou Weiqing planted near Destruction wasn't enough—and Tang San could only be 50% certain of Zhou's loyalty. This new Rakshasa heir, however, was different.
Like Xiao Wu, Tang San believed:
If this heir ascends, he won't oppose us—he'll likely side with us due to his mortal-world ties.
But that alone made him too passive a piece.
Better to act now.
Tang San could subtly favor him, then—once he ascended—deploy him as a spy beside God of Destruction… even to monitor Zhou Weiqing.
"Destruction… don't blame me for this," Tang San murmured.
He extended a thread of divine consciousness into the screen, sending it toward Slaughter City on Douluo Plane.
Technically, this violated the God Realm's ironclad laws.
But for Tang San?
As long as Destruction doesn't catch me—I'll do as I please.
...
Meanwhile, at the exit of Hell Road
Everything around them seemed to shift. The moment Chen Junting plunged into the white light, he felt his body enter a strange realm.
Endless white void stretched before him. He realized, alarmingly, that all his abilities—except his link to the Undead Demiplane and Electrolux—had been suppressed, forcibly sealed within. Even his connection to his two Spirit Souls was severed.
Gu Tianchen fared slightly better: though the soul-engineered tether's energy dispersed, its physical strand still bound them together.
But the atmosphere here felt… hostile.
"Hiss—why's it so cold?!"
Gu Tianchen collapsed onto the ground, struggling to lift his arm—only to find himself utterly powerless. He gave up with a groan.
"Hey! Old Chen—can you hear me?"
"Yes—and it's coming!"
Before Chen Junting could say more, he felt countless icy presences coalescing around him. Simultaneously, the killing intent within his Seven Kill Sword erupted outward—triggering a strange resonance.
Purest slaughter energy surged into his body, making him shudder with each invasion. It clashed—yet harmonized—with his Seven Kill Domain.
Gu Tianchen experienced something similar… though only killing intent poured into him, with none radiating out.
Just then, Electrolux's voice echoed in his mind:
"Be alert—the Sea God's divine consciousness has arrived."
Chen Junting's guard instantly rose.
He'd anticipated this.
But Slaughter City was worth the risk.
He had escape routes, God of Destruction was watching, and Tang San—bound by divine law—couldn't act without cause. Plus, Chen Junting was already prepared to counter Tang San's mortal-world influence.
The greater the storm, the pricier the fish!
Steadying his mind, he braced himself.
At that moment, a voice resonated in his consciousness:
"I am Tang San, the Asura God and Sea God. Though Slaughter City is destroyed—and thus, no Killing God Domain should be granted—your exceptional talent merits special reward."
The tone shifted abruptly—becoming colder, more authoritative:
"For conquering Hell Road, you are granted the Killing God Domain. As you already possess a similar killing-intent domain, the two shall merge."
Instantly, Chen Junting felt his Seven Kill Domain transform. A far more potent domain began forming within him—resonating deeply with his Slaughter Sword Intent.
His face flooded with "gratitude." He even eagerly asked, "Are you truly our ancestor Tang San?!"—all while his mind remained ice-cold and calculating.
He knew: Electrolux hadn't intervened, which meant this posed no harm. Their link to the Undead Demiplane remained intact—if they needed to flee, Tang San's single thread of consciousness couldn't stop them.
But his questions received no reply.
As if the entire exchange had been a hallucination.
Time passed. The new domain stabilized.
With a dizzying lurch, Chen Junting found himself lying amid blue silver grass—Gu Tianchen unconscious beside him.
"Master." After confirming Gu Tianchen was unharmed, Chen Junting called to Electrolux in his Spiritual Sea.
As if expecting the question, Electrolux replied immediately:
"Rest easy. The Sea God didn't tamper with you—and won't."
Chen Junting understood.
His identity as the Rakshasa heir wasn't just symbolic. Any harm to him would instantly draw God of Destruction's attention.
"But this isn't purely good fortune," he said.
"I know," Electrolux replied.
Chen Junting's will surged—and his new domain unleashed!
As he tested its power, he spoke mentally to Electrolux:
"Master, I've been drawn into a game between two God Kings. But for now, this isn't a bad position—at least I'm on the board. To self-create a godhood under Tang San's watchful eyes, merely hiding my faith-gathering isn't enough."
His voice turned resolute:
"If I'm to succeed, I must enter the game myself—deceive heaven, cross the sea, and pluck the chestnut from the fire. At least now… I won't need to live in constant fear."
Electrolux fell silent for a moment.
Then, his ancient eyes met Chen Junting's—flickering with quiet pride.
"Good. Then follow your path."
His form faded, leaving only his voice echoing in the Spiritual Sea:
"This old man will always be your backbone."
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