Chapter 116: Spirit Hall Will Not Be Destroyed
Tang San sensed an icy presence condensed from tangible killing intent.
It was like a biting, cold wind—razor-sharp and unstoppable—instantly piercing through his body and making him shiver uncontrollably.
Immediately afterward, a colossal phantom slowly emerged.
That shadow stood several zhang tall, its body wrapped in dark crimson demonic patterns that radiated a terrifying, awe-inspiring authority.
Its eyes flickered with blood-red light, as though they could see through all things and pierce straight into the depths of one's soul.
Tang San felt an invisible pressure crash over him. An indescribable reverence surged in his heart, and he hastily dropped to his knees, lowering his head—daring not to look directly at the phantom.
"Tang San, greets Lord Asura."
"This is merely a fragment of my divine consciousness."
That ethereal voice echoed once more.
"Tang San, are you willing to accept my trials?"
"I am willing!"
Tang San answered without the slightest hesitation.
He knew that only by becoming a god could he gain the power necessary to personally slay Gui Mei and Yue Guan—to avenge his fallen family members and clansmen!
A god's trial was undoubtedly an immense challenge—but even if it meant climbing mountains of blades or descending into seas of fire, he would not hesitate.
"Very well."
A trace of approval colored the voice.
As soon as the words fell, nine blood-red curtains of light streaked through the darkness like meteors and appeared before Tang San.
Each of the nine light screens was vivid yet eerie, radiating intense energy fluctuations—as though they contained boundless mysteries.
They enveloped Tang San, slowly revolving around him.
Tang San felt neither fear nor unease. On the contrary, his heart brimmed with anticipation and excitement.
"Tang San, the trials I grant you total nine stages. Each time you pass one trial, you will receive a corresponding reward. If you pass all nine trials, you will become my successor—the new generation's Asura God. However, I must remind you: each trial is more difficult than the last. Every trial also has a time limit. Failure to complete it within the allotted time will be deemed a failure of the assessment, and you will not obtain my inheritance. Do you understand?"
"I understand!"
Tang San grew even more excited, impatient to begin challenging the Asura God's trials as soon as possible.
"Respected Lord Asura, then when can we begin?"
"Remain patient. Once you are fully prepared, I will naturally summon you into the Asura Secret Realm to undergo the first trial."
"Lord Asura, are you saying that the place we are in right now is the Asura Secret Realm?"
"That is correct. Some of the upcoming trials must be completed within the Asura Secret Realm. As for the specifics—you will learn them soon enough."
As the voice faded, the figure of the Asura God vanished.
At the same time, the nine blood-red curtains of light disappeared as well.
The world around Tang San seemed to rapidly shrink.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes, and his consciousness returned to the real world.
Looking around, Tang San was certain that everything he had just experienced was real.
He had seen the Asura God within the Asura Secret Realm.
"Asura God! So that mysterious power came from the Asura God!"
"This is wonderful! I, Tang San, must become a god!"
"The day I become a god will be the day of reckoning for Gui Mei and Yue Guan!"
"Father, Xiao Wu, Uncle, and all the family and friends who died because of Gui Mei and Yue Guan… I finally have a chance to avenge you…"
After waiting so long, this day had finally arrived.
Overwhelmed with joy, Tang San wept openly.
Perhaps it had all been destined.
As early as his trials in the City of Slaughter, he had obtained the title of "Asura King." Now, he had received the favor of the Asura God himself.
"I, Tang San, will not disgrace the name of Asura!"
Tang San silently swore in his heart that he would definitely pass all nine of the Asura God's trials and become the new generation's Asura God.
The next day
Tang San sought out Yu Xiaogang and told him everything about the Asura God's descent.
Yu Xiaogang was both shocked and delighted.
Now, both Bibi Dong and Tang San had a chance to become gods.
What awaited Gui Mei and Yue Guan was nothing but death!
"Xiao San, just like Bibi Dong's Rakshasa God Nine Trials, you've also obtained nine trials. Only those who undergo nine trials have a chance to become successors to a god. You've truly done it—your teacher is proud of you!"
"Teacher, I also have to thank you. It was your guidance that told me of the existence of gods, allowing me to sense the Asura God's divine consciousness ahead of time."
"Xiao San, then what are your plans next? Will you stay in Spirit City or go to Heaven Dou City?"
"After entering the Asura Secret Realm, it makes no difference where I am—but I still want to go to Heaven Dou City to find my aunt and stay by her side."
If not for seeking help from Spirit Hall, Tang San would never have remained in Spirit City.
After all, Spirit Hall was the chief culprit behind his mother's death.
With the Asura God secretly protecting him, he would not die.
At present, his aunt was his only remaining family, and she was in the Heaven Dou Imperial City.
So he wanted to stay by her side and focus wholeheartedly on the Asura God's trials.
"Xiao San, going to find your aunt is fine. I'll go with you—just in time to return to Shrek Academy for a look."
"Teacher, you should stay in Spirit City. I'm worried that Gui Mei and Yue Guan might act against you."
Yu Xiaogang smiled and said,
"Don't worry. Bibi Dong will send people to protect us. After escorting you to Heaven Dou City, I may still return to Spirit City."
Bibi Dong treated Yu Xiaogang well, but he was unwilling to keep hiding like a coward in the depths of her residence.
After these past few days of adjustment, his mentality had gradually recovered, and he had regained the courage to face everything again.
Though he was a crippled man, he would still seek opportunities to prove himself.
With Demon Suppressing Douluo and Glowing Feather Douluo dead in battle, the conflict between Gui Mei, Yue Guan, and Spirit Hall had further intensified. The overall balance of the Douluo Continent might well change because of this.
Chaos across the world was actually a good thing for Yu Xiaogang.
Whether he remained in Spirit Hall or went to Heaven Dou City, he would do his utmost to find the most suitable path for his development.
Master and disciple planned to leave Spirit City the next day and head for Heaven Dou City.
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On the other side—
Gui Mei's soul power had fully recovered, and he was traveling with Yue Guan toward Spirit City.
The two were moving at full speed when Yue Guan suddenly came to a halt.
He looked toward a certain direction, a trace of melancholy showing in his eyes.
"Old Yue, what's wrong?"
"This place isn't far from Death Canyon. Nana and the other two might be there."
"What? You want to go see them?"
Yue Guan nodded slightly.
"By my reckoning, it's been over two years since I last saw them. After losing the Soul Master Tournament championship, they were surely punished. Those three soul bones were originally prepared for the three of them. If we don't intervene, they won't be able to get them, and in the end, they might fall into the hands of those Shrek kids. Still… I just can't help feeling uneasy about it."
Xie Yue, Hu Liena, and Yan had grown up under the watchful eyes of Gui Mei and Yue Guan. In private, they even addressed them as "Grandfather."
Like the two of them, these three were also pitiful people, having lost their parents at a young age. It had not been easy for them to make it this far.
Hu Liena had Bibi Dong's favor, so her future was secure.
But Xie Yue and Yan were not so fortunate. They were more like reflections of Gui Mei and Yue Guan themselves.
Although Gui Mei and Yue Guan had fallen out with Spirit Hall, they did not wish to see Spirit Hall destroyed—because it concerned the fate of countless ordinary people.
Perhaps one day, Spirit Hall would no longer belong to the Qian family, nor to Bibi Dong, but would instead be reborn anew…
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End of Chapter