After resting for a long while, the three finally caught their breath.
Tang San turned toward the direction of the barrier gate—it was already open, revealing a staircase spiraling upward behind it.
At that moment, Dai Mubai walked up beside Tang San, placed a hand on his shoulder, and said,
"Third brother, I know in your heart you've long stopped seeing me as your boss, Dai-lao-da. But even if you're heartless, I can't be unrighteous.
Today, your big brother helped you out by opening this barrier. Remember—when you drink water, don't forget who dug the well. One day, remember your boss's kindness."
Tang San brushed his hand off coldly.
"Get lost."
"Oho, throwing a tantrum now, are we?" Dai Mubai sneered. "You don't think that just because the door's open, you can suddenly turn your back on me, do you?"
Tang San's face darkened. "Dai Mubai, this humiliation—I'll remember it."
"Fine," Dai Mubai replied indifferently. "If you want to call my kindness humiliation, that's your choice. But remember this, Third Brother—don't come begging me again later."
"Don't worry. There won't be a next time." Tang San said firmly. The divine trials would not repeat—of that, he was certain.
Dai Mubai gave a half-smile. "Let's see if you can keep that promise. We'll meet again."
With that, he vanished before Tang San's eyes, disappearing from the divine trial space.
After a brief rest to recover their soul power, Tang San and Xiao Wu set off once again.
All along the path, Tang San's mind churned with thoughts of what had happened earlier. Deep inside, resentment toward Xiao Wu gnawed at him.
She's not pure anymore, he thought bitterly. She never was—not truly the Xiao Wu I once loved.
But that didn't mean his love for her had vanished.
On the contrary—his love for Xiao Wu had only grown deeper. Of course, the one he loved was not this Xiao Wu, but the Xiao Wu from his past life—the one who had eyes only for him.
Once I become a god, he told himself, I'll cleanse Xiao Wu's soul and body, wash her completely clean, and restore her into the Xiao Wu from before—the one whose heart held only Tang San.
So, for the sake of divinity, what was a little humiliation now? His obsession with becoming a god only burned hotter.
At the top of the staircase stood another barrier gate. On it was a circular relief carving—half of it depicted a rabbit, the other half a fat, chicken-like phoenix.
Ma Hongjun stood before it.
The moment Tang San saw him, his heart sank. A familiar dread washed over him.
Without saying much, he walked up and examined the gate's conditions for activation.
When he read them, his face instantly turned green.
The rules were almost identical to the previous barrier—except this time, instead of (Wu-Bai), it required (Wu-Ma).
"Wu-Ma"… Tang San didn't even need to think to know what that meant.
Damn it. He clenched his fists tightly. Rage welled up inside him, but when he thought of the godhood that awaited him beyond this, he swallowed it back.
Ma Hongjun crossed his arms smugly, nose tilted toward the sky.
"Little San, if you want me and your lovely wife Xiao Wu to fuse our spirits and form Wu-Ma to open this gate, that's fine.
But first—you'll kneel before me. Knock your head three times, beg me. And swear upon the name of the Asura God that after becoming a god, you'll never settle accounts with me.
Remember—this is divine trial space. Any oath you make here cannot be broken, not even after you ascend as a god."
"You… you said it…" Tang San's eyes turned bloodshot, his breathing heavy and ragged.
"Of course," Ma Hongjun said with a smirk. "I, Ma Hongjun, never go back on my word. But you can always refuse, Little San. In fact, I'd love it if you did—then you can say goodbye to your godhood forever."
And so, Tang San once again bent those proud knees of his—kneeling heavily before Ma Hongjun.
He banged his head on the ground three times and said hoarsely,
"Ma Hongjun, I beg you to fuse your spirit with Xiao Wu and use your Wu-Ma to open this barrier. I swear upon the name of the Asura God—when I become a god, I, Tang San, will never seek revenge for this."
Ma Hongjun nodded with false solemnity.
"Alright then. Since you're so sincere, as your former brother, I'll help you out one last time. But remember, Little San—you must never forget today's favor.
It was I, Ma Hongjun, who agreed to your begging, fused with Xiao Wu, and opened this divine gate for you."
"Yes, yes. Tang San will never forget your… favor." Tang San said through gritted teeth, forcing the words out with a bitter smile.
But no sooner had Ma Hongjun agreed than Xiao Wu's face darkened with displeasure.
"Ah San-gege," she said with a pout, "why are you pushing me to another man again? You're the one who said you didn't want me getting close to other men. How could you?"
Tang San's voice trembled as he replied, "Xiao Wu, it's my fault, I know. Just this once—please. Ah San-gege is begging you. Fuse your spirit with Ma Hongjun and use your fusion skill."
"Fine," she said reluctantly. "But remember, this is your request, not my choice. I'm only helping you."
"Mm, mm." Tang San nodded rapidly.
Then, Ma Hongjun and Xiao Wu stepped to opposite sides of the platform, activating their spirits—the Fire Phoenix and the Soft Bone Rabbit.
Their bodies began to glow, drawn toward one another like magnets. Their spirits intertwined, merging in a swirl of blazing energy.
A greenish light spread across Tang San's body as the fusion energy enveloped him. His green hair shimmered with a faint light. He hung his head low, fists clenched, face hidden in shadow.
"Passion amidst the flames, the Undying Red Lotus."
From within the fusion, Ma Hongjun and Xiao Wu's voices echoed as one.
Then, the cocoon of light unfurled, revealing the form of a Red Lotus Enchantress Rabbit.
Its rabbit-like body was covered in fiery lotus petal scales, its eyes gleamed like pink gemstones, and two delicate teeth peeked from its lips. A phoenix's tail flicked behind it, and a pair of flaming wings stretched from its back—each flap radiating both heat and irresistible allure.
It folded its wings inward, gathering the blazing red energy in its arms.
"Wu-Ma!"
The condensed energy shot forward, striking the carved relief. The circular design began to spin.
Gradually, Ma Hongjun's power started to wane. From within the fusion beast came Xiao Wu's voice, strained but urgent:
"Ah San-gege, what are you waiting for? Brother Hongjun's soul power is almost gone! Our fusion skill won't hold much longer—quick, send your soul power over!"
The fusion beast extended a tendril-like appendage toward him.
Tang San stared at it. Once, twice—what difference does a third time make? he thought bitterly. There was no point in shame anymore.
He grabbed the tendril, face twisted with humiliation and rage, and poured all his soul power into it. His eyes went blood-red as he roared,
"Take it! Take it all!"
"Ahh, I can feel it!" Ma Hongjun's voice shouted with wild excitement. "Tang San's soul power—yes! Come on, give us more! More Wu-Ma!"
With that, the Red Lotus Enchantress Rabbit let out a blazing cry, the torrent of fiery energy swelling in strength and in one explosive surge, it shattered the barrier gate before them.
As the door opened, the Martial Soul Fusion technique activated once again. Ma Hongjun looked utterly drained, his spirit listless as he stood there, barely able to remain upright.
Xiao Wu's face was flushed red, her eyes filled with hearts, panting and gasping heavily.
Tang San's soul power was also completely exhausted. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself not to think about the humiliating scene that had just taken place.
"Little San, if it weren't for you kneeling down and begging your Brother Ma here to perform a Martial Soul Fusion with your beloved wife Xiao Wu to unleash the Ma-Wu Power, this barrier would never have opened. So remember to be grateful to your Brother Ma for this, eh?" Ma Hongjun said smugly before turning and leaving.
Not long after Ma Hongjun departed, Tang San and Xiao Wu recovered and continued on their way.
Before long, they arrived at another restriction.
Although Tang San had mentally prepared himself, the sight of the carved relief on the barrier's gate—a rabbit and a sausage—made him completely lose it.
He wanted to roar in fury at the divine test's space:
"Are you kidding me? When will this nonsense end?!"
"We meet again, Third Brother, and Sister-in-law Xiao Wu."
Oscar tipped his hat and conjured two large sausages with a wave of his hand.
"You've come a long way, you must be tired. Try one of your Brother Oscar's sausages."
"Thank you, Oscar." Xiao Wu took one and began to eat.
Tang San ignored him, instead reading the rules for breaking through this restriction.
Just like the previous trials, the key to opening this gate required the power of a Fusion between Oscar and Xiao Wu—the Ao-Wu Power.
Ao-Wu Power…
Tang San's fists clenched so tightly his knuckles cracked, but eventually he exhaled and relaxed them.
When he explained the situation to Oscar and Xiao Wu, Oscar immediately replied righteously,
"Third Brother, I know you hold some grudges against me, but we were once brothers, weren't we? Xiao Wu is your woman—my sister-in-law! How could I possibly perform a Martial Soul Fusion with her? That's improper! I'm not that kind of man!"
"Oscar, stop pretending," Tang San said coldly, holding back his fury. "I know what's in your heart. I've tolerated you enough... Fine. You and Xiao Wu can perform the Fusion. I have no objections."
Oscar shook his head firmly.
"Third Brother, I really can't do that. Find another way."
Seeing Oscar continue to act innocent, Tang San was filled with rage and despair.
Thinking of what had happened in the previous trials, a grim determination appeared in his eyes.
Then—he knelt down. Tang San, the proud Asura God's heir, knelt on the ground before Oscar and kowtowed three times.
"Oscar," he pleaded, "I know what you're worried about. I, Tang San, beg you—perform the Martial Soul Fusion with Xiao Wu and use your Ao-Wu Power to open this restriction. I swear, in the name of the Asura God—once I become a god, I will never hold this matter against you."
Oscar was stunned. After Tang San finished his kowtows and solemn vow, Oscar hurried over to lift him up.
"Third Brother! We're brothers, aren't we? You needed my help; I would've helped you no matter what. You didn't have to go that far!"
He sighed heavily. "Fine… since things have come to this, I'll accept your request and fuse with Xiao Wu. But rest assured, Tang San—this will be a purely martial fusion, nothing else."
"Mm. I understand." Tang San nodded, trembling slightly as he repressed his rage and humiliation.
At that moment, Xiao Wu protested angrily,
"Brother San, Xiao Wu is your wife! You keep saying 'just this once,' but why do you keep pushing me into fusions with other men? Even if it's Brother Oscar, this isn't right!"
"Xiao Wu," Tang San said in a low, pained voice, "these are the trial's rules. I have no choice. Please—help me once more. I beg you, as your husband."
"…Fine," Xiao Wu said softly, "for your future, I'll make this sacrifice one last time."
Once persuaded, Xiao Wu and Oscar stood at opposite ends of the platform.
Xiao Wu summoned her Soft Bone Rabbit martial soul, while Oscar released his Sausage martial soul.
As their martial souls flared to life, both were lifted into the air, drawn together like opposite poles of a magnet. Their souls intertwined, forming a cocoon of green light.
The fusion radiance poured down, bathing Tang San in shimmering green light. His blue hair gleamed with a slick sheen as he clenched his fists, head lowered, his expression unreadable.
From within the cocoon, Oscar and Xiao Wu's voices rang out together:
"The Explosion of Nourishment—A Hundred Flavors to the Heavens!"
The light cocoon burst apart, revealing a muscular, rabbit-shaped beast encased in armor woven from sausages. Its eyes blazed red, its twin buckteeth gleamed, and its massive fists and hind legs pulsed with explosive energy transformed from food itself.
The strange beast immediately unleashed a torrent of Ao-Wu Power toward the gate's barrier.
As the power poured in, the relief carvings began to rotate.
But, as usual, when the carvings turned three-quarters of the way, Oscar's soul power began to deplete. The once-blazing Ao-Wu Power beam flickered and thinned.
Just then, a tendril reached out toward Tang San. Xiao Wu's voice came from within the beast:
"Brother San! What are you waiting for? Oscar's power is fading—our fusion can't hold! Hurry, send us your soul power!"
This time, Tang San didn't hesitate. Grabbing the tendril, eyes bloodshot, he roared like a maddened beast:
"AAAAHHH! TAKE IT! TAKE ALL MY SOUL POWER!"
"I feel it—the power of Tang San! More! Give me more Ao-Wu Power!" Oscar shouted.
The hybrid creature roared, and the surge of Ao-Wu Power grew thicker and brighter until it smashed through the restriction.
The gate opened wide, and the fusion was released.
Oscar collapsed weakly to the ground, drained beyond measure. Xiao Wu sat cross-legged beside him, face flushed and panting heavily.
After a short rest, Oscar stood, patted Tang San's shoulder, and said,
"Third Brother, sorry for the offense—but rest assured, Sister-in-law Xiao Wu and I share only a clean, martial connection."
With that, he turned and left.
Endure it. You must endure it.
All of this is for godhood.
Tang San repeated the words in his heart over and over, took a deep breath to suppress his humiliation, and stood up.
"Let's go, Xiao Wu," he said quietly.
He had a feeling… the fifteen remaining trials ahead would only get worse.