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Inside the Rakshasa God Palace…
Electrolux and Chen Junting were analyzing the murals, discussing the origins of the Rakshasa God. Chen Junting relayed their conclusions aloud for Gu Tianchen's benefit.
But suddenly, Electrolux fell silent—his ever-vigilant divine consciousness had detected a subtle shift in Chen Junting's aura.
"Old Chen, what's wrong?" Gu Tianchen, who'd been listening intently, asked when the explanation abruptly stopped.
"I'm fine," Chen Junting replied quickly, brushing it off. "Where were we?"
"You were saying the Rakshasa God was born from the world's collective malevolence, and thus gained dominion over evil to ascend as a god."
"Right, right."
Chen Junting nodded. "Though that sounds grand—'born of heaven and earth' and all—it's hard to deny the Rakshasa God likely has ties to evil soul masters."
He emphasized those three words clearly: evil martial soul, not evil soul masters.
"Hmm…" Gu Tianchen understood the implication—and fell into deep thought.
Seizing the moment, Chen Junting multitasked: keeping an eye on the palace while quietly asking Electrolux, "Master, why did you stop just now?"
"A god just intervened," Electrolux said simply.
Chen Junting's expression instantly tightened—but relaxed when Electrolux added, "Don't worry. In my view, this isn't a bad thing."
He then explained: someone had concealed Chen Junting's gathering of faith energy—a feat far beyond ordinary gods.
"Then… who could it be?"
Instinctively, Chen Junting thought of the Rakshasa God—but quickly dismissed it.
Setting aside whether the Rakshasa God (Asura God's old rival) would dare defy Tang San—who controlled the God Realm's core—to interfere in Douluo Plane, there was an even bigger issue: after Bibi Dong's failed ascension and death, the original Rakshasa God might not even still be in the God Realm.
Only two deities fit the profile:
God of Destruction and God of Evil.
Few gods would risk clashing with Tang San over the Douluo Plane. Moreover, the Rakshasa Palace was heavily shielded—only a God King could possibly peer inside.
And between the two, the God of Destruction was the far more likely candidate—given his historical patronage of the Rakshasa God.
Of course… this was all speculation.
With his current strength, Chen Junting couldn't investigate further—so he filed it away for now.
His immediate priority? Securing gains from the palace. Unlike the shattered Angel God Palace, this one was intact.
Thus, after exchanging a glance with Gu Tianchen, Chen Junting released his Rakshasa divinity—directing it toward the god statue!
Above, in the God Realm, the two God Kings watched.
Goddess of Life couldn't help but smile wryly. "Xiao Zi… what do you intend to do?"
Everyone in the God Realm knew: though the Rakshasa God was a 1st-Class God, their faith base was weaker than some 2nd-Class Gods'. Consequently, the inheritance trial offered paltry rewards—no offerings, no grand boons. Among 1st-Class Gods, the Rakshasa God was the poorest, and their successor the most pitiful.
After a moment's contemplation, the God of Destruction made his decision.
Chen Junting's talents hadn't escaped his notice.
"This genius is rare. Though self-creating a divine title is possible for him, the path is arduous. Since he seeks a god trial, I'll grant him the Rakshasa Nine Trials—but delay activation. Let this title become either his fallback… or fertilizer for his self-forged godhood. The God Realm has stagnated. Only a powerful new force can break the deadlock. I hope he doesn't disappoint me."
"Xiao Zi…"
The Goddess of Life was stunned by his audacity—but remained silent. She understood her husband's ambition. After so long, a self-creating genius had finally appeared… and he was willing to gamble.
After all—turning a 1st-Class divine title into "fertilizer" required more than mere godhood. It demanded God King-level power.
And so…
Back in the Rakshasa God Palace
The statue suddenly blazed with sickly green light, resonating with the surrounding violet-black energy!
Before Gu Tianchen's shocked eyes and Chen Junting's delighted gaze, twin beams shot from the statue's eyes—
—and plunged into their foreheads.
On Chen Junting's brow, a spider-shaped mark flashed briefly.
On Gu Tianchen's, a black star shimmered and vanished.
As they absorbed the transmitted information, both wore odd expressions—but before they could speak, the palace erupted in black light, expelling them instantly.
With a spatial ripple, they reappeared on the black, boulder-strewn plain. The Rakshasa God Palace? Gone without a trace.
"Old Chen… is this the god trial you mentioned?" Gu Tian Chen asked, sidling closer once he confirmed the palace wouldn't return.
"Seems so. Why?"
Chen Junting pulled out a mirror, watching his spider mark fade. He'd only hoped for a trial like the Shrek Seven (excluding Tang San)—not the full Nine God Trials! He never expected the palace to choose him.
But then Gu Tianchen dropped a bombshell:
"Old Chen, my trial has only one condition: help you self-create your godhood."
Chen Junting whirled around, disbelief etched on his face.
"What did you say!?"
"Help you self-create your godhood!" Gu Tianchen repeated, louder—yet the words left Chen Junting stunned.
Now he was certain: this wasn't the Rakshasa God's doing. Not even the God of Evil's.
"So this 'Nine God Trials'…" he murmured—then trailed off.
"What?" Gu Tianchen frowned, not catching the last part.
"Nothing."
Chen Junting checked both their foreheads—marks gone.
"Guess you'll be helping me nonstop from now on."
"Pfft—what kind of talk is that? We're brothers!" Gu Tianchen rolled his eyes, slinging an arm over Chen Junting's shoulder. "Who else would I help? And don't worry—I swear on my martial soul: not a word will leak. If it does, may ten thousand swords pierce my heart!"
"You… didn't need to go that far," Chen Junting said weakly.
"Say that again! Say it, and you're just being fake!" Gu Tianchen shot back.
They exchanged a laugh—loud, echoing across the desolate land.
When it faded, Gu Tianchen asked, "Where to next?"
Chen Junting glanced up at the abyss above. "Mission accomplished. Let's backtrack through the tunnel and leave quickly. This place isn't safe for lingering."
"Got it!"
They re-equipped their flight soul tools and departed the Rakshasa Palace grounds—unaware that moments later, a massive shadow streaked beneath the toxic blood sea…
"Why do I feel like we're getting closer to the blood sea?"
Back in the tunnel, they pressed onward—but despite the sensation of climbing upward, the path inexplicably drew them nearer to the abyss below.
"This is the Hell Road," Chen Junting said, senses sharp. "Before Slaughter City fell, escaping required traversing this path. The deeper you go, the harder it gets—"
Suddenly: "Old Gu—ascend!"
At Chen Junting's shout, Gu Tianchen's scalp prickled. Without hesitation, he activated his flight soul tool—rocketing skyward!
Chen Junting did the same.
Because—
The toxic blood sea below exploded.
Rivers of venomous blood erupted—and from the maelstrom, a colossal serpent shot upward! Its massive body shattered the stone path, then used the debris as a springboard, lunging toward the airborne duo with gaping jaws.
Two jets of venom blasted from its fangs—but Gu Tianchen's defenses held firm.
"Holy hell! There's life down here!?"
He nudged Chen Junting. "You jinxed it! There really is a soul beast—and not just any snake, but one infused with the blood sea's toxin! You could totally capture it for Dugu's soul ring!"
"It's not a soul beast," Chen Junting corrected, studying the serpent. "It's a Primordial Chaos Beast."
The creature had nine bulbous protrusions on its head and back—each resembling a purplish-red mushroom, pulsing with viscous toxin. Its fangs were thick, dagger-like blades.
Could this be the legendary Ten Headed Fierce Yang Serpent?
Perhaps… but mutated by this environment. The old name no longer fit.
"So… it can't provide a soul ring?" Gu Tianchen asked, crestfallen.
"No! It has a core—it can become a soul ring."
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