In Douluo Continent, he tricked Xiao Wu into giving him a soul ring.

"Young man, you must possess twin martial souls. To cultivate twin martial souls to this level at such a young age, and to be able to use both martial souls simultaneously, in terms of potential and talent, you have already surpassed me back then. You have even surpassed Qian Daoliu." Tang Chen looked at Lan Ji, who was inside the Azure Lotus True Body, and spoke. His voice had changed noticeably; the sharpness and evil were gone, replaced by an aged and deep tone. It didn't sound like the voice of a middle-aged man at all, but rather like that of a dignified old man.

Of course, he was an old man, but he looked young because Limit Douluo had a longer lifespan than ordinary people.

"It seems your mind has been awakened." Lan Ji looked Tang Chen up and down. His eyes were now exceptionally clear, and he was much more handsome than before. He was much better than when he was parasitized by the Crimson Nine-Headed Bat King. No wonder Tang Ritian didn't recognize him back then.

"I didn't expect you to see that. I have to thank you. If you hadn't driven the Crimson Nine-Headed Bat King to the brink of defeat, I wouldn't have regained consciousness, let alone completed the eighth trial of the Asura God and achieved a demigod body. Young man, I should thank you." Tang Chen's face showed a relieved smile. Unlike the original story where he was kissed by the Snow Swan, his body was still riddled with holes, but he could still barely maintain the Asura God power within him. As long as he spent a long time repairing it, he still had a great chance to challenge the ninth trial in the future.

"Since you're thanking me, hand over the item. I'll let you go since that matter has nothing to do with you." Lan Ji opened his right hand.

"Things?" Tang Chen was somewhat taken aback. He looked down at the Asura Demon Sword in his hand and suddenly realized that Lan Ji's soul power had reached level ninety-nine. The only difference between him and these veteran peerless Douluo was their understanding of the realm. If he wanted to go further, he would have to spend thousands of years collecting faith. Otherwise, he would be stuck here like he was back then.

"You must be referring to the Asura Demon Sword in my hand. It seems you've also sensed the aura of a god in the City of Slaughter, and you appear to be more suited to the Asura Godhood than I am now. But I'm sorry, I cannot agree to your request, because I still have a promise to keep. I promised to marry her after I become a god."

"You must be referring to Poseidon, the Sea God Douluo," Lan Ji said casually.

"You know her?" Tang Chen asked, looking puzzled.

"Just a pathetic wretch serving a hypocritical god, I don't know him at all." Lan Ji said with disdain. Anyway, no god was watching him now, so he could curse him however he wanted.

loubiqu.net

P.S.: First update, please vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets!

Chapter 373 An Inevitable Battle

"Poor thing..." Tang Chen smiled self-deprecatingly and did not refute.

In the process of divine succession, it is usually necessary to sacrifice the deity's representative left on earth in order to open the ninth test for the successor. Only a very few exceptions do not require sacrifice, such as Rakshasa and Asura.

Unfortunately, the position of sea god is not among this very few.

Once someone initiates the Nine Trials of the Sea God and gains the Sea God's approval, Poseidon, as the High Priestess of the Sea God Island, must sacrifice her life.

This is also why he did not choose to participate in the sea god's trial, because if he became the sea god, Poseidon would die.

At that time, his ascension to godhood will be beyond doubt.

“Young man, you’re right. Being the representative of the gods on earth does indeed imply a kind of sorrow to some extent. But the sea god is the embodiment of justice, and the word ‘hypocritical’ is not appropriate to describe him.”

"The embodiment of justice?" Recalling the actions of the sea god in the original story, Lan Ji felt a surge of anger. "Him? Does he even deserve it? I think all of this was told to you by that poor wretch Poseidon who was brainwashed by the sea god. That sea god achieved godhood by conquering the sea, withdrawing the power of faith, and calling himself the embodiment of justice. But what did he do for the sea? He just happily ascended to the realm of gods, and the sea remained as chaotic as ever."

I've never considered myself a good person. In fact, I'd stop at nothing to achieve my goals, except for family and friends. But I despise hypocrites—people who say one thing to your face and another behind your back, yet claim to be righteous; they're worse than genuine villains. His demonic great white sharks hunt for survival. The Demon Orca King's hunting is evil, it pollutes the ocean.

Everything related to him is righteous, and anything opposed to him is evil. This hypocritical god, he doesn't even deserve to call himself the embodiment of justice, utter nonsense.

“Young man, it seems you have some misunderstanding about the Sea God…” Tang Chen wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by Lan Ji.

He waved his hand impatiently. "Alright, let's leave it at that. Considering you know nothing about what happened back then, I'll give you a chance. Hand over the Asura Demon Sword, and I'll let you go. I'll let you reunite with Poseidon."

"Is there absolutely no room for negotiation?" Tang Chen's amiable expression vanished abruptly, replaced by a solemn and stern look. From Lan Ji's words, he sensed that Lan Ji seemed to have an irreconcilable conflict with the owner of the Haotian Sect, and with Lan Ji's current strength, the Haotian Sect simply could not withstand him.

He feared that the Haotian Sect was now in grave danger. He had to hurry back to check on them.

"What do you think?" Lan Ji asked indifferently instead of answering.

Tang Chen's fingers lightly brushed across the blade of the Asura Demon Sword, causing a flash of blood-red light to appear on the blade. He said in a deep voice, "Before we make a move, I have two last questions for you."

"I'll speak my mind." Lan Ji replied calmly with four words.

"Since you know I am the King of Slaughter and that the Asura Demon Sword is in my hands, why don't you just throw that Snow-White Swan Kiss into the Yellow Spring Dew? That way, even I would probably not be able to escape death in the end. Wouldn't your chances of obtaining the Asura Demon Sword be much greater that way?" Tang Chen asked.

"It's very simple. Where there is light, there is darkness. The City of Slaughter is both an evil place and a prison. Most of those who enter are evil people. Once it is destroyed, even if only a very small number of fallen ones escape, the consequences will be endless. In the future, it is very likely to lead to an overabundance of evil soul masters. In the end, it will be the common people who suffer. I was raised by commoners, and I do not want such a thing to happen in the future," Lan Ji said calmly.

Tang Chen suddenly realized and continued, "My second question is, from what you just said, I seem to sense that you are very dissatisfied with the Haotian Sect. Can you tell me why?"

"Telling you won't hurt." As he spoke, Lan Ji recounted how Tang Zhan abandoned his wife and children, how Tang Ritian tried to kill him during the Soul Master Competition because his son was beaten, how he was killed by Lan Ji five years later, how the Haotian Sect came to their door... and how they ultimately wiped out the first and second generation disciples.

The Fairy Tree Romance

After hearing this, Tang Chen fell into a brief silence. He hadn't expected that this incredibly outstanding young man was also from the Haotian Sect, and that he would eventually bring about the sect's destruction. The reason for this could be summed up in three words: 'Haotian Hammer'.

Eight black and one red, nine soul rings instantly rose up. A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he said, "So that's how it is. I admit that the Haotian Sect has wronged you, but you destroyed the Haotian Sect and now you want to seize my Asura Demon Sword. It seems that only one of us can leave here alive today."

“That suits me perfectly.” Upon hearing this, Lan Ji gave a cold smile. He had been wasting so much time with Tang Chen, it was clear that he wasn’t just talking nonsense.

He had already witnessed the power of the opponent's Asura Demon Sword. Even without time to charge it up, it could block his Haotian Bamboo Shoot. He had been accumulating his own martial soul fusion skill and lightning-inducing technique. His first martial soul had nine red rings, and his second martial soul had six red rings and one crimson gold ring, for a total of sixteen soul rings soaring into the sky.

In an instant, thunder roared, and the thunderclouds generated by the tenth level of the Supreme Qiankun Technique instantly covered the entire sky above the pit, reaching a diameter of over a kilometer. Lan Ji was completely covered in ice-blue armor, his long hair flowing, golden flames rising. The illusory form of Xiao Wu, transformed from the Azure Lotus True Body, wore the same armor as Lan Ji and held the Haotian Bamboo Shoot, which was formed from golden flames.

Behind the illusory figure was none other than the true form of the weapon spirit generated by the million-year-old soul ring of the Haotian Bamboo Shoot.

Countless thunderclouds gathered in the sky to form Xiao Wu's illusory image, and then merged into the true form of Haotian Bamboo Shoot Artifact Soul behind her.

Lan Ji's aura suddenly soared. His original aura, which was inferior to Tang Chen's demigod body, instantly surpassed it, and he showed a faint tendency to break through to the god level. However, because he did not have a god position, he was suppressed by the rules of this world and stopped at a peak that was infinitely close to the god level.

However, its own strength is undoubtedly no weaker than that of those newly inherited god-level powerhouses.

"Come on, Tang Chen, let me see whether your Asura God Power is stronger or the destructive power of nature is stronger." Bathed in golden flames and lightning, the God-level Soul Devouring Eight Spider Spears on his back had transformed into eight brilliant golden wings that were completely different from Qian Renxue's. Lan Ji's long hair moved without wind, and the hundreds-of-meters-tall Haotian Bamboo Shoot phantom slammed angrily towards Tang Chen.

All of this was accomplished in the blink of an eye.

Tang Chen was clearly startled. His previous composure was solely due to his Asura Demon Sword, his demigod body, and his exploding rings.

Seeing Lan Ji unleash an unprecedented self-fusion martial soul technique, he dared not hesitate any longer, nor did he dare to hold back any longer. This attack was no small matter, and he had to go all out.

P.S.: Second update. Please vote for me! Please give me your monthly tickets!

Chapter 374 A New Generation Replaces the Old

Eight black and one red rings—the first eight black soul rings exploded almost simultaneously, and the red light representing the killing domain completely merged into the Asura Demon Sword, meeting Lan Ji head-on.

From Bibi Dong's perspective, she witnessed once again the famous scene of lightning colliding with blood. But this time, it was mixed with gold.

Relying on the super artifact, the Asura Demon Sword, Tang Chen, despite the simultaneous explosion of all nine rings, managed to fight Lan Ji, who was in a state of self-fusion with his martial soul and had drawn lightning into his body, to a standstill. Neither of them would give way, and they clashed violently in mid-air. Sword and hammer resounded against each other.

What started as a pure clash of strength gradually transformed into a battle of skills, and eventually, it became a contest of soul power, as neither side could gain the upper hand.

Lan Ji didn't use any Soul Bone Techniques or Soul Ring Techniques other than his two Martial Soul True Bodies. Instead, he unleashed all the martial arts he had learned in his life, except for the Soul Ring Explosion Technique, on Tang Chen with great ease. He incorporated many martial arts moves into his hammer technique, perfectly blending power and skill together. With the support of the Mighty Thunder and the Azure Lotus Domain, the Haotian Bamboo Shoot fully demonstrated its indestructible nature, its tip repeatedly piercing through the Asura Demon Light that attempted to erode his body.

Tang Chen became increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed. He discovered that Lan Ji had actually mastered the Haotian Sect's supreme martial art, the Nine Absolute Techniques of Haotian, to an even higher level. Combined with some strange moves that Lan Ji repeatedly used, Tang Chen, who was known for his skill, found himself struggling to defend himself.

They were forced into a passive defensive posture for a time.

The two fought for three days straight, causing mountains to crumble and the earth to split open with deafening roars. Powerful individuals from across the continent with soul power levels of 97 and above arrived one after another. Qian Daoliu came, Golden Crocodile Douluo came, and even Sword Douluo, who had been living in seclusion in the deep mountains with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, rushed over.

They were all drawn here by the god-like battle aura.

No one interfered with the battle between Lan Ji and Tang Chen. Apart from Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu, no one else could interfere or even intervene.

They watched the scene intently, and they discovered that the two men, who had originally been fighting because of hatred and interests, no longer had any other emotions in their eyes. There was only fighting spirit, pure fighting spirit, a fighting spirit of equal strength.

"Great Elder, I never expected Tang Chen to still be alive. Is the man fighting Tang Chen the young lady's husband?" This was the first thing Golden Crocodile said upon his arrival.

"Yes, he is Xiaoxue's man, Lan Ji. I never expected that he would have the strength of a demigod so early in his cultivation, and be able to suppress Tang Chen who had all eight rings exploded. Xiaoxue was right about him... His strength has now surpassed mine." Looking at Lan Ji who was suppressing Tang Chen, Qian Daoliu felt very gratified.

At the same time, his gaze toward Tang Chen was somewhat complicated. He had already learned of the destruction of the Clear Sky Sect by Lan Ji through several elders of the Spirit Hall.

He didn't blame Lan Ji.

Although he promised that no one from the Spirit Hall would be allowed to set foot in the Clear Sky Sect during his lifetime, Lan Ji never took the initiative to mention joining the Spirit Hall. Therefore, he turned a blind eye to the dispute between Lan Ji and the Clear Sky Sect. Even if he tried to intervene, he couldn't control it.

His only worry was his old friend Tang Chen, who had been missing for many years. Unexpectedly, the two of them ran into each other so soon.

Golden Crocodile Douluo glanced at Bibi Dong in the distance, then at Chen Xin. Thinking that Bibi Dong had also been drawn here by the battle, he couldn't help but ask Qian Daoliu, "Grand Elder, that woman and the boy from the Chen family have also come. Will she harm Miss's husband? And that boy from the Chen family has actually broken through to level ninety-seven in soul power. Should I go and deal with him?"

"No need. Bibi Dong will no longer harm Xiao Xue. As for that boy from the Chen family, he has already sealed off his mountain with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. He was only attracted by the battle this time, so there's no need to worry about him." Qian Daoliu didn't even glance at Sword Douluo from beginning to end, but only looked deeply at Bibi Dong, and said thoughtfully.

He saw a different kind of feeling for Lan Ji in Bibi Dong's eyes, just like he had felt for Poseidon back then. Was it just his imagination?

...On Poseidon Island, Poseidon yawned for no apparent reason. As she also sensed the clash of soul power between Tang Chen and Lan Ji, she murmured to herself, "Tang Chen, could it be you? Are you thinking of me? Then why don't you come to see me?"

The battle has been going on for a while and is finally nearing its end. Both of them are exhausted, but Lan Ji, who used his own martial soul fusion skill, is clearly stronger.

Tang Chen, panting heavily with a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth, looked at Lan Ji and laughed loudly, "Junior, you are very strong, really very strong. You were actually able to fight to this extent against me, who has the body of a demigod, wields the Asura Demon Sword, and uses the Exploding Ring technique. If time could turn back, I really wanted to change everything that the Haotian Sect did to you back then and support you to become the sect master of the Haotian Sect. But that is no longer possible."

"Your self-fusion martial soul technique is indeed powerful, but it consumes a lot of soul power. I still have my strongest sword strike. Now, prepare yourself. I hope you will be my enemy again in the next life."

"Ten points of soul power consumption? Is that what you mean?" Lan Ji snapped his fingers calmly, activating the second skill of the Azure Lotus Domain, Nightmare Devouring Heart. A huge azure lotus suddenly opened up from Tang Chen's feet, instantly enveloping him.

Tang Chen reacted extremely quickly, almost instantly wielding the Asura Demon Sword to shatter it. However, there was no joy on his face; instead, he was shocked, because in that instant, less than 30% of his soul power had been instantly taken away by 10%.

"Now our soul power is even. Don't worry, I could have taken all your soul power directly, but I left you two-thirds, after all, I still want to see your Supreme Sword." Lan Ji said with a smile.

"Damn it..." Tang Chen roared in fury, his ninth spirit ring, his only 100,000-year spirit ring, shattering instantly. The blood-red light surrounding him merged completely into the Asura Demon Sword, which he then slashed down at Lan Ji. His ultimate sword strike was a culmination of the energy from his nine spirit rings, along with all his killing intent, flowing into the Asura Demon Sword to unleash his strongest attack.

Seeing Tang Chen arrive almost in the blink of an eye, Lan Ji's face remained completely calm. "I forgot to tell you something: since Tang Hao's death, you're not the only one in this world who can use the Ring Detonation Technique."

Almost the instant Tang Chen's Asura Demon Sword arrived, Lan Ji completely merged into the giant Haotian Bamboo Shoot, facing Tang Chen.

Blood and lightning collided, Haotian Bamboo Shoot's first red soul ring shattered, and the two were evenly matched.

The second red spirit ring shattered, and Tang Chen fell into a disadvantageous position. Cracks appeared on the red part that had been struck by the tip of the Haotian Bamboo Shoot.

The third red spirit ring shattered, and Tang Chen coughed up blood.

The fourth, fifth, and sixth lightning strikes occurred simultaneously, the golden flames fused with his own martial soul completely obscuring the red light. The Asura Demon Sword flew out of his hand. Enveloped in the lightning, Tang Chen's body crumbled inch by inch, like a piece of burnt paper, turning to ash at a visible speed. Before dying, he looked towards Seagod Island, murmuring in his heart: "I'm sorry, Poseidon. I ultimately failed to fulfill that promise."

The First Evolution

P.S.: Third update. Please vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets!

Chapter 375 Destruction and Life

At level 99, the self-fusion skill of martial souls blasted away six 100,000-year soul rings and borrowed the power of thunder, its power was undoubtedly enormous.

In the original story, when Tang San was at level 97 in spirit power, he relied on the divine artifact, the Trident of the Sea God, to destroy four 100,000-year spirit rings and three spirit rings over 50,000 years in the Clear Sky Hammer, thus unleashing a strike comparable to a god.

Lan Ji was undoubtedly superior to Tang San; with a single strike, the entire sky was covered in lightning.

Bibi Dong was stunned, Qian Daoliu was stunned, Golden Crocodile Douluo was stunned, and Sword Douluo was stunned. Especially the first two, as the two beings in Douluo Continent who were closest to gods, their perception was extremely sharp. Without a doubt, Lan Ji's attack had truly reached the god level.

...On Seagod Island, Seagod Douluo Poseidon's body stiffened inexplicably. The Seagod's Scepter slipped from her hand, wobbled, and fell to the ground. Tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks as she covered her face with her hands, her voice trembling, "No...no, Tang Chen won't die..."

The appearance of a god-level attack on Douluo Continent would naturally not be kept secret from the God Realm.

The Temple of Asura.