Mori City, Sword Sect.
Today, joy filled every corner of the Sword Sect. The young sect master Oscar rode a tall horse, accompanied by the second and third elders, leading a group of disciples to Tianshui City's Tianshui Academy to propose marriage.
Tang Hao watched the marriage procession disappear into the distance. He had only learned last night that the great elder, Gai Yue, was not yet sixty years old and had never married.
As the dean of Tianshui Academy, Tang Hao knew a little about the woman in question. She was indeed a capable and charming lady, and her union with the Sword Sect's great elder was a fine match.
It was not uncommon in the world of soul masters for marriages to happen late in life. Most talented soul masters devoted their youth entirely to cultivation. Unless they met someone destined for them, marriage usually came much later, so this was not strange at all.
Still, it was truly a joyous occasion. Although the Sword Sect did not yet bear the title of one of the top three sects, everyone with insight could see that its power was not inferior to them.
Not to mention the mysterious sect master who had never shown himself, even the five great elders were all titled Douluo.
Such strength surpassed even the former top three sects. Moreover, the Sword Sect's inns and escort bureaus had now spread across the entire continent.
Not only soul masters but even ordinary people had come to rely on the convenience of these escort services.
Now that the Sword Sect had announced the great elder's wedding to the world, many invitations had already been sent out.
The engagement ceremony was to be held on May 6, with the wedding on July 7. The Sword Sect invited all major powers to witness Elder Gai Yue's grand celebration.
The news spread quickly across the continent through the escort network. Soon, every notable faction heard of it. Even those who had not received invitations wanted to attend, hoping to make connections with this rising giant.
Tianshui Academy.
Xue Qingluan stood in the dean's office, gazing into the distance. Behind her stood a figure dressed in black.
"Xue Qingluan, do you really intend to do this? To betray the sect for your disciple?" the black-clad person asked sternly.
Without turning her head, Xue Qingluan replied, "I was prepared to risk my life to win a chance for Bing'er, but perhaps even the heavens could not bear to see it. A few months ago, I met him. At first, I only wanted to use his strength to make the great elder and my sister give up, but I developed genuine feelings for him."
"There's no need to say more. My mind is made up. I will take Bing'er with me. I won't touch the sect's foundation, but I will not leave behind any of my students. If you dare to make a move again, I will stop that little beast from harming any more women even if it costs me my life."
The black-clad person sighed. Although the Xuanming Sect was a hidden sect and its master was also a titled Douluo-level expert, compared to the current Sword Sect, it was far weaker.
The Sword Sect had publicly announced Xue Qingluan's marriage to the great elder, which meant she had already discussed the matter with him,and that he had agreed to help.
To offend such a powerful force for the sake of a single woman was far from wise.
"You!" The black-clad figure glared at her. "Do as you wish!"
In the end, he said nothing more. Both of them were level eighty-eight; if they fought, the outcome was uncertain.
The figure turned into a shadow and swiftly disappeared, leaving behind a distant voice. "I will report this to the great elder and the lady. When she comes in person, it will no longer be up to me."
Xue Qingluan sighed deeply. On one side was her elder sister, on the other, the disciple she cherished like her own child. The choice tore at her heart.
If not for Xu Que being a despicable creature worse than an animal, Xue Qingluan would never have resisted so strongly.
The Xuanming Sect had never forced anyone. Unfortunately, Xu Que was a once-in-a-century genius, with the potential to lead the sect out into the world like the Sword Sect one day. This had stirred the great elder's ambitions, and even her own sister ignored Bing'er's feelings. Not even Xue Qingluan could change her mind.
"Sister, have you forgotten your original heart after joining the sect?" Xue Qingluan whispered wearily, praying things would not reach the point of no return.
Gai Yue truly loved her, and she had grown to love him as well.
With Gai Yue's backing, she had the entire Sword Sect behind her. In the end, she would not be the one to suffer.
Yet she still felt indebted to the Xuanming Sect and did not wish to see it face disaster because of her.
No matter what, she would never let Bing'er be put in danger. She would never agree to let Xu Que marry any of the girls from Tianshui Academy, for that vile brat treated women as playthings, not as people.
He had extraordinary talent but a rotten heart. Truly heaven must despise the Xuanming Sect for giving birth to such a creature.
Even if that little bastard had world-shaking potential, what use was it? He would only bring ruin when grown.
But her sister, now a grandmother, seemed blind, insisting the boy was young and could still be taught. To Xue Qingluan, that was pure delusion. For someone so young to commit such acts,he was worse than an animal. How could such a person ever change?
Just as anger rose in her heart, a gentle knock sounded on the door. "Teacher, Bing'er is here."
Xue Qingluan quickly adjusted her appearance to hide her emotions. "Come in."
Shui Bing'er and her younger sister Shui Yue'er entered. Both were beautiful beyond words, and Bing'er was the most gifted student in the history of Tianshui Academy.
At only seventeen, she had already reached level forty-seven. With her talent, she could reach the Soul King realm by eighteen,surpassing even the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation.
If she survived, her potential would surely take her to the level of Titled Douluo.
As for her younger sister, sixteen-year-old Shui Yue'er, though not as gifted, was already level thirty-eight. With proper training, she too could reach Soul Douluo in the future.
"Teacher, I heard that you're getting married?" Shui Bing'er asked softly, holding her teacher's arm, her eyes full of reluctance.
Xue Qingluan playfully tapped Bing'er's nose. "At my age, meeting someone suitable is not easy. And I truly have fallen for him. What, can't you bear to part with me?"
Bing'er's face brightened with genuine happiness for her teacher. "Of course I'll miss you, but if you've found true love, I'll give you my blessing."
Seeing Bing'er's pure-hearted smile, Xue Qingluan's expression softened into one of true warmth.
She hadn't told her students about the sect matters, fearing it would disturb their cultivation. Now that the issue was settled, there was no need for them to know.
The Extreme North, within the Ice Cleft.
The enormous Titan Snow Demon and the humanoid Snow Empress had arrived at the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion's territory.
With these three together, they could sweep away any opponent below level ninety-nine.
After hearing the Ice Emperor's story, both the Snow Empress and Titan Snow Demon King looked at Oscar in disbelief.
When they had first seen him, they had noticed he was human,but never imagined he could bring a way to defy fate itself.
When they saw the Ice Jade Scorpion reach the hundred-thousand-year level after consuming the Beyond Limit Black Gold Sausage Oscar had given, most of their doubts vanished.
Now, the three kings of the Extreme North stared intently at Oscar, who faced them calmly without fear.
Oscar spoke slowly. "What do the three of you think? Will you cooperate with my Sword Sect, or do you have other plans?"
Hearing the name Sword Sect, the Snow Empress and Titan Snow Demon King were stunned. "You're not from the Spirit Hall?"
The Ice Emperor explained, "The Sword Sect's current power may not yet match the Spirit Hall, but their ambitions far exceed it."
Evidently, during their wait, the Ice Emperor had learned much about the world through Oscar.
After a long silence, the three rulers spoke. "The Extreme North can cooperate with you, but you must make a promise."
Oscar raised an eyebrow. "What kind of promise?"
The Snow Empress replied, "When we begin reorganizing the rule of the Extreme North, your Sword Sect disciples must not recklessly hunt soul beasts."
Oscar nodded. "Of course. In fact, we will accelerate our campaign to unify the continent within thirty years. How does that sound?"
Thirty years was more than enough for Oscar, but for soul beasts, it was only a moment. Thus, they did not object, though they found the goal unrealistic. They knew of the Spirit Hall, the two empires, and the three upper sects, even if they didn't know much about the Sword Sect.
But what they didn't know was that the Clear Sky Sect had already secluded itself over ten years ago, while the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had allied with the Sword Sect.
The two empires were shadows of their former selves,the Heaven Dou Empire deeply infiltrated by the Spirit Hall, and the Star Luo Empire influenced behind the scenes by Dai Mubai.
For Oscar, the only remaining obstacles were the Spirit Hall, the Clear Sky Sect, and the hidden sects lurking in the dark.
As Oscar's strength continued to grow, those threats would soon be eliminated.
But first, he needed to secure this alliance with the Extreme North.
Oscar briefly explained the current state of the continent, putting the three rulers at ease. He even generously shared his plan for god-making,using the Soul Spirit technique to link powerful beasts with gifted humans so that their fates would become one.
With this method, top geniuses who could reach the hundredth level would have help from mighty beasts, making godhood within reach.
If the plan succeeded, not only could humans ascend to the divine realm, but soul beasts could follow and achieve eternity as well.
For both humans and beasts, this was the ultimate shortcut.
After all, it was now nearly impossible for soul beasts to become gods,the tribulations were too deadly.
After a long silence, the three rulers' eyes gleamed. "Human, your so-called god-making plan is interesting. But we will not trust you so easily."
The Ice Emperor said bluntly, "Until we see proof, we will not agree. But if you truly have the ability, I may personally offer myself as your ninth soul ring and soul spirit."
"If your plan fails, however, I will use your Black Gold Sausage to break through to four hundred thousand years and live another hundred thousand."
The Snow Empress and Titan Snow Demon King shared the same sentiment. Oscar did not argue, only smiled slightly. "Rest assured. Once the Soul Spirit technique takes root in the Extreme North, I will prove my sincerity."
As for the Ice Emperor's suggestion of offering herself as sacrifice, Oscar was deeply tempted. But he knew he had to show genuine proof first; they were no fools.
And what was true proof? A chance to ascend to godhood.
As long as he demonstrated enough talent and strength, these soul beasts would take the gamble. They had little chance of surviving their next tribulations anyway.
The allure of eternal life was irresistible to all living things.
Once Oscar fully mastered the Killing God Domain, he would return to the Extreme North to subdue them. With these supreme soul rings, he would have the foundation to create his own godhood without inheriting from any deity.
Of course, that would require gathering faith from across the entire continent to forge a new divine seat.
Before that, the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm would be his choice for his eighth soul ring. At level seventy-five, Oscar would likely reach level eighty within two years. With the Ice Silkworm's million-year soul ring and spirit, he would have the confidence to accept other powerful beasts' sacrifices later.
The Ice Silkworm would also serve as an endless source of power, allowing Oscar's growth to skyrocket.
It might even grant him a third martial soul. With three martial souls, Oscar's potential and foundation would be unmatched across the entire Douluo Continent.
Thinking of this, Oscar's lips curled into a smile.
Soon,very soon,he would soar like a great roc rising with the wind, flying to the heavens.
Bibi Dong… once he had enough strength to eliminate that great threat, everything else would fall into place.
Of course, Qian Daoliu, the level ninety-nine peerless Douluo, was another obstacle. Oscar would need to act carefully against the Spirit Hall to avoid provoking him.
At his current strength, Oscar could not last even one move against Qian Daoliu.
However, once he became a Titled Douluo, his Death Arena skill might even allow him to slay Qian Daoliu in a battle to the death.
Still, among all of them, Qian Daoliu was a man of true righteousness, faithfully upholding the Spirit Hall's justice.
His only mistake was raising a corrupt son, Qian Xunji, which led to the Hall's decay under his rule. Bibi Dong had then sought to destroy not just the Spirit Hall but everything she despised.
Thus, Oscar's true enemy remained Bibi Dong. Unless absolutely necessary, he had no wish to fight Qian Daoliu.
Follow me on my patreon for 60 Advanced chapters and 3 chapter daily updates pat*eon.com/GodofTranslation889