However, when Tang San thought of his current situation, much of the anxiety in his heart quickly eased.
He was already a level 99 Ultimate Douluo, had completed the Asura God's Eight Trials, and achieved 100% affinity with the Asura God. He was just one step away from becoming the true Asura God.
As long as he went to Isa Fortress and there opened the final trial of the Asura God, he would become a god.
At that time—hmph—the reborn ones who dared to disrupt the historical order of the Douluo Continent would be dragged out and judged by him, Asura Tang San.
No matter what kind of changes this era had undergone, Tang San had the power to straighten out the chaos and restore everything back to its rightful track.
With this thought, Tang San set off toward Isa Fortress.
It was worth noting that the Divine Order Alliance, that gathering of old powers on the continent, had not yet been completely destroyed.
As various territories continued to fall, they had all gathered at the continent's strongest fortress—Isa.
Here had become the final bastion of the Divine Order Alliance.
Upon learning this, Tang San angrily said:
"Gangzi, that useless good-for-nothing! He truly ruins more than he accomplishes. I made him the leader of the Divine Order Alliance, and in just a few years he managed to lose the entire continent to me."
But then, thinking of his imminent godhood, Tang San no longer dwelled on it. Anyway, this useless man would certainly be dealt with once Tang San became a god—punishment would only be a matter of time.
Thus, Tang San concealed his tracks and headed toward Isa Fortress.
Meanwhile, in the Divine Realm Core, Huo Yuhao was rewriting the fundamental laws of the Douluo Continent.
This kind of alteration to a world's laws was on the same level as when the Dragon God had once decreed that soul beasts could not become gods.
After finishing, Huo Yuhao said:
"Alright, the final piece of the new order's puzzle is complete."
"Your Majesty Eternal, what rule did you rewrite?" the old Angel God, Qian Hanyu, asked.
"This rule is called: High-grade bloodlines—cut down generation by generation!" Huo Yuhao explained.
"Take your Angel Clan as an example. In Qian Renxue's time, the martial soul was the Six-Winged Angel. In the next generation, it would awaken as the Holy Angel. By the generation after, the bloodline would be further diminished, until it eventually sank to the very bottom of the Martial Soul Pool!"
"And among waste martial souls, the probability of mutating into a high-level martial soul will increase. Thus, the hierarchical order built stably upon bloodline will no longer exist."
Huo Yuhao continued:
"The High-grade Martial Soul Gene Serum is the adhesive. Once the technology appears, humans will keep developing it. The Federation, which holds this technology, can allow people to exchange their martial souls through contribution points."
The new Angel God, Qian Renxue, asked:
"In this way, the class hierarchy built on bloodlines will no longer be as unshakable as in the past. But in the future, will a new hierarchy form around monopolization of technology within the Federation?"
Huo Yuhao replied:
"We will do our best under the current system to prevent that, but it will certainly appear. Tell me, which is more formidable—a class formed by monopolizing bloodlines, or one formed by monopolizing technology?"
Qian Renxue thought for a moment and said:
"Of course, monopolizing bloodlines."
"Exactly. Technology is just a point in time. Once broken through, it keeps developing further. You may monopolize the technology of an era, but you cannot monopolize the ideas of every era. New technology will emerge and end the monopoly of the old."
Huo Yuhao continued:
"History repeats itself, cycling endlessly. We've only created a beginning; we don't need to perfectly plan out a flawless world for the future. Let change be left to later generations. There is no perfect order in this world—only change is the eternal rhythm."
Both generations of Angel Gods deeply agreed with this view.
At this time on the Douluo Continent, Tang Xiao's Rakshasa God inheritance was at its final step, while Tang San was on his way to Isa to take the Asura God's final trial. Both Asura and Rakshasa were rushing to ascend to godhood.
But neither knew—the very first new god on this continent had already appeared.
Huo Yuhao told Qian Renxue:
"Our script has reached its conclusion. It's time for you to make an appearance. Drive those two little crickets into the jar—that task is yours."
"Yes." Qian Renxue answered, then withdrew.
Isa Fortress, a stronghold long built by the Star Luo Empire.
This fortress was built deep among towering mountains, with its own water source, self-sustaining soil, and was easy to defend but hard to attack.
Tens of thousands of remnants of the Divine Order Alliance were stationed here, fortifying and defending it.
Within the lofty city walls, they deployed repeating crossbows and collected soul tools, preparing for a fight to the death.
These remnants of the old powers had reached this point, yet still clung to one hope—Tang San's godhood.
Once Tang San became a god, the mighty Asura God would lead them in counterattacking the continent, reclaiming their fiefdoms, restoring their hereditary status, and ending this rabble's uprising.
They even fantasized that once they returned home, they would drive these commoners back to the fields, turning them once again into tenant farmers—restoring order to the "glorious traditions."
Fortunately for them, ever since they gathered at Isa, the Douluo Federation, aside from taking all their other territories, had not made any move to attack Isa Fortress.
This gave the Divine Order Alliance a chance to breathe.
Yu Xiaogang sat upon the leader's seat, chewing a piece of thousand-year ginseng, swallowing it, then pulling out a piece of thousand-year lingzhi mushroom from a soul tool, preparing to enjoy it.
At that moment, Yu Xiaogang's belly rumbled, and with a pffft, a foul stench filled the air. His flat-topped face immediately showed an expression of blissful relief.
Logically, Yu Xiaogang no longer had a martial soul, and his cultivation had long been wasted. At this point, no matter how he farted, it didn't matter. But shouldn't these precious heavenly treasures be reserved for cultivating the next generation of talented seeds for the alliance?
Yet Yu Xiaogang did not choose to do so.
In his view, being able to enjoy these heavenly treasures himself—even if wasted in a fart—was still a symbol of his power. As the alliance leader, his authority was absolute. He would never give up even a shred of it.
And so, we once again witnessed a scene of Yu Xiaogang squandering heavenly treasures.
Just then, as Yu Xiaogang sat idly, two heralds rushed in excitedly:
"Reporting to the leader! Great news—His Majesty Tang San, the future Asura God, has returned in triumph!"
This sentence shattered the dead silence of Isa Fortress. Yu Xiaogang leapt up in excitement.
Remnants of all factions turned their eyes eagerly to the herald, desperate for confirmation.
After all, this was the only good news they had heard in years.
Tang San had returned, and with his return, hope had returned as well. With Tang San back, the feudal lords of Isa Fortress could finally begin to consider the matter of reclaiming their homeland.
Ning Fengzhi was moved to tears. Two years ago, his Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had been overrun by mobs. All the wealth his sect had accumulated over the years from moneylending, land annexation, and business ventures had been stripped away.
If not for his sharp perception of the situation and decisive action to lead his clansmen in a midnight escape, the moment Seven Treasure City had fallen, those mobs would have brandished the Ning family genealogy and slaughtered them one by one according to the family records.
Dai Tianfeng was equally overwhelmed. The millennia-long reign of the Star Luo Empire had ended with him.
His million-strong army had been annihilated or defected, and in just a few years, the once exalted emperor had become a fugitive. Even so, he was still more fortunate than the Heaven Dou Xue clan, who had been utterly wiped out.
Yu Luomian was also shaken to his core. Compared with Ning Fengzhi's sect, his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had suffered even worse.
The mobs had broken through the Thunder Mountain Range. Because of Yu Yuanzhen's arrogance in choosing to resist to the end, he had perished on the spot.
The mobs surged into the Blue Lightning Clan, dug out their genealogy, and executed the family members one by one. Only Yu Luomian's branch managed to escape in time; all the others were slaughtered.
But none were more excited than Yu Xiaogang.
Gangzi had lost his spirit and his spirit power. Without them, he was weaker than an ordinary man.
Yet in his eyes still shone a light—the light of hope.
Now that Tang San had returned, Yu Xiaogang believed his fortunes would turn. He would once again obtain a spirit, ascend to the pinnacle of humanity, journey to the God Realm, and achieve the grand feat of becoming a God Emperor.
After all, these were rewards promised by his beloved disciple Tang San in return for his guidance.
Eagerly, Yu Xiaogang hurried down from the alliance leader's seat, running outside while noisily letting out foul-smelling gas.
The other faction leaders quickly followed.
At last, they reached the plaza of Isa Fortress, where they saw a dark-skinned, green-haired, short-limbed odd-looking figure standing with his back to them.
Yu Xiaogang instantly recognized him: "You are… Xiao San, right?"
Tang San turned around coldly, gazing at Yu Xiaogang and the others. "Teacher, I am Tang San. Tell me, what exactly have you been doing these past years? How has the entire continent been lost, with you all cornered here in this last refuge?"
Hearing his question, Yu Xiaogang quickly explained: "Xiao San, you don't understand. The enemy is too strong. Between the soul beasts, Spark, and Spirit Hall—three great powers striking us at once—our Divine Order Alliance could only retreat to this state."
Tang San didn't press further on the matter.
Ning Fengzhi asked: "Tang San, could it be that today you have already…"
Tang San shook his head. "I have not yet become a god. The power of a god is far greater than you imagine."
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang panicked. All his hopes depended on Tang San's ascension. He cautiously asked: "Then, Xiao San, how is your god exam progressing?"
"I am already on the eighth trial. Once I complete the ninth, I shall become the Asura God." Tang San drew out a green-hued Asura Sword, its scabbard glowing with ten luminous slots, nine already filled.
Yu Xiaogang's face lit up. "That's excellent, excellent! But why not complete your divinity before returning?"
Tang San explained: "Because the location of my ninth trial is right here—Isa Fortress."
"Here?"
Tang San stepped past the crowd, walking to the center of the plaza. A Shura sigil appeared on his brow, shining a brilliant light onto the plaza. From the glow, a portal of space emerged.
"This is my trial ground." Tang San addressed them solemnly: "Everyone, I will enter Isa Fortress to complete my final god exam. During this period, I ask you to guard this last pure land of the continent."
Dai Tianfeng slapped his chest. "Rest assured, future God. I will lead the last of Star Luo's strength to defend Isa Fortress with our lives!"
Following his lead, the others too stepped forward to pledge loyalty.
This Spark Uprising had shaken the foundation of their rule over the continent, but in a sense, it was also a reshuffling. In their minds, Tang San's divinity marked the moment for counterattack. Expressing loyalty now would count as following the dragon, earning them favor in the future division of power.
Take Dai Tianfeng: with the Heaven Dou royals destroyed, when Tang San led the counteroffensive, he could not only restore Star Luo but also seize portions of Heaven Dou territory—perhaps even fulfill the dream of unifying the continent.
Each had their own schemes, but all shared one thought—merit through allegiance.
Under their gaze, Tang San entered the Shura God trial space. The portal closed, leaving behind a green crystal.
Tang San's return was a shot of adrenaline to the dispirited Alliance army. Dai Tianfeng immediately commanded his Star Luo troops and gray livestock to strengthen the fortress defenses, ensuring Isa Fortress would not fall before Tang San's godhood.
Others too began their preparations.
Meanwhile, inside the trial space, green light filled the vast expanse.
Tang San walked on and on until suddenly, a familiar figure appeared before him.
"Xiao Wu…" Tang San whispered.
"Ah San giegie, you're here." Xiao Wu turned to him.
"Xiao Wu, how are you here?" Tang San asked, confused.
"I'm here to assist you in completing the ninth trial of the Asura God." Xiao Wu answered.
"To assist me?" Tang San was stunned, then overjoyed. "Xiao Wu… does this mean the rift between us is gone—you finally acknowledge me?"
"Of course." Xiao Wu smiled. "Ah San giegie, you killed your own father to avenge me. What rift could possibly remain between us?"
Tang San's heart surged with excitement, his eyes filling with tears as he looked up at the green heavens, as if seeing his departed father.
"Father, it's wonderful. Your blood was not spilled in vain—Xiao Wu has finally accepted me."
But then Xiao Wu's tone shifted. "Besides me, my male best friends have also come to help you complete your final trial."
"Male… best friends?" Tang San froze.
The next moment, ten green figures descended from the sky, forming a line at Xiao Wu's sides. They were: Yu Tianheng, Dai Mubai, Davis, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, Tai Long, Feng Xiaotian, Er Ming, Xue Beng, and Bu Le.