God Realm.
Forbidden Land of the Gods.
A golden dragon slumbered, exhaling destructive energy, broad wings curled around, massive chains etched with complex runes binding its neck and ankles.
It no longer sensed the passage of time—only endless loneliness gnawed at its heart.
Until, after thousands of years, this silence was broken...
"Golden Dragon King!"
Before its enormous eyes, a mirror appeared.
A middle-aged man with sea-blue hair, a genial air, and a smiling face materialized.
Golden Dragon King's eyes shot open, suspicious and wary.
It had been alone so long, it barely remembered the succession of deities.
But this silhouette...
No—!
"ROAR——!!"
The dragon howled, shaking its body, unleashing terrifying energy; the dead forbidden zone surged to life.
"You're...Asura!" the Golden Dragon King spat fire from its nostrils, glaring balefully. Though Tang San wasn't the original Asura God, the aura was unmistakable.
"Heh, you saw through me…"
Tang San's eyes twitched, but he kept smiling, though the dragon's power terrified him even through the communicator.
"Yes, I am the current Asura God," Tang San said lightly.
Golden Dragon King didn't reply, lowering its body into an attack stance.
Raging fury filled its golden eyes.
Enemies to the death—no chance of reconciliation.
It hated Asura, to the core; once the dimensional storms came, its first task after breaking free would be revenge.
"I'll let you out!" Tang San took a deep breath, choosing honesty.
Golden Dragon King froze, deeply suspicious.
"What past Asura God did, I apologize for. There's no personal grudge between us…Have you sensed it? The Dragon God has returned?"
"Yes," the Golden Dragon King narrowed its eyes, still appraising.
"It's the Silver Dragon King in the lower world—she's restored the Dragon God's body, and could soon become unstoppable. If she regains full power, you won't have a place in the God Realm," Tang San said.
"If she's a Dragon God now, we have no conflict. You're trying to use me?" Golden Dragon King snorted.
Tang San's face flashed with embarrassment, but he quickly concealed it:
"Why so suspicious? I'm one of the God Realm's rulers. The Silver Dragon King isn't even a divine official. Crushing her would be like crushing an ant."
"But recently, during a God Realm meeting, the Death God proposed having the new Dragon God devour you. That way, her energy is replenished and you—the biggest threat to the realm—are gone. The others agreed..."
"I can't help but feel bad for you—you're an offshoot of the Dragon God, yet suffered endless hardships. Now, they want to finish you off," Tang San said, feigning pity.
"So, you want to let me out?" Golden Dragon King hesitated, surprised.
"Exactly!" Tang San smiled triumphantly.
Freed, even with two Supreme Gods, they might struggle to suppress him. The lower-realm powers would stand no chance.
Revenge against the God Realm wasn't Tang San's concern—after sowing discord, let the others deal with the consequences.
"Alright?" Tang San tried to look extra sincere.
"Fine."
Golden Dragon King watched Tang San carefully, hiding a flicker of mockery.
"Soon, Destruction and Life will travel to another world—for a while, they'll be absent. I'll let you out then..."
Tang San could hardly contain his glee.
If Golden Dragon King broke free now, the five Supreme Gods would fight to suppress him, but the dragon's body was just too strong.
"Fine."
As the projection faded, the Golden Dragon King's lips lifted in a sinister sneer. Perfect! He'd gathered enough power to break the seal, but the moment he escaped, he'd be too drained to fight all the gods.
He'd been waiting for the dimensional storms...
He'd hoped for a window—never expecting Tang San to hand it to him.
And set everything up so perfectly. Once Destruction and Life left, and with this new Asura God too weak to resist—he'd exact his vengeance.
"Dream on," the dragon scoffed, closing its eyes to recuperate.
Meanwhile—
Sea God Palace.
Tang San shut the projection, his eyes turning cold:
"I've been away from the ocean too long, let these beasts dare order me to scram... Once I deal with the Silver Dragon King, the merfolk will be next."
"But Third Brother, is letting out the Golden Dragon King really safe?" Oscar worried.
"What if he goes berserk—?"
"With his strength, can anyone hold him back..."
"Heh, I'm not the last Asura God. We have no grudge. I helped him break free—why would he target me?" Tang San replied confidently.
"As a God Realm enforcer, I must be generous. A petty mind achieves nothing…"
Oscar was dubious.
"Well... if you say so."
"Third Brother's a real leader!" Ning Rongrong chimed in.
"Yeah." Dai Mubai quickly agreed.
...
Inside the golden treehouse.
Su Wen sat cross-legged, absorbing cosmic spiritual energy. A black soul core the size of a dragon's eye pulsed within his body.
Bare-chested, showing off a muscular form, his physique had only grown stronger as he matured—a perfect balance of strength and style.
"Phew..."
Suddenly, a soft hand slid around his bare waist, fingers clamping his abdomen as a stunning face peeked over his left shoulder, lips curled in a sly smile, her body pressed against his back.
Skin against skin—soft, smooth, and intoxicating.
But Su Wen sat like a pine, calm and unmoving.
"Tsk..."
She pouted, as if annoyed by his lack of response.
Sliding forward to his front, she cupped his face, her tone coy:
"Open your eyes. I don't believe you're ignoring me."
Su Wen: ...
Helpless, he let out a long breath and opened his eyes.
"I'm cultivating."
"Cultivate with me," Gu Yuena laughed.
"Not too often, or it's not healthy…" Su Wen grimaced.
Gu Yuena pouted:
"Men—always lose interest so quickly. It hasn't been that long..."
"You've drained me for three months straight. I'm human, not a beast," he said, dead inside.
"Give me a break, won't you?"
"Then go back to ten thousand years ago, cool down, then when you return I'll work you hard again." She grinned wickedly.
"Your hair's turned white…" Su Wen said, fingering her soft, silvery locks.
White hair was rare in Douluo.
"Hmph, I don't mind you traveling back, but remember—keep away from my past self!" she huffed, pinching his face in warning.
"Alright, alright…" Su Wen could only shake his head.
"Jealous of herself…that's a first."
"I know what I'm like!" Gu Yuena rolled her eyes.
"Let's go!"
"Chill…"
...
Shrek Inner Court.
Many Inner Court students stood on the training grounds, all in red-and-white uniforms. Every one of them had been a legendary figure outside—but now, all gathered, faces serious, waiting for Su Wen to speak.
"Three Soul Douluos, nine Soul Sages, twenty-three Soul Emperors, thirty-one Soul Kings…" Han Ruoruo handed him a list.
"Mm."
Su Wen quietly looked it over and nodded.
This was the core of the Inner Court.
These days, once "Big Eye" finished perfecting the evil soul master training arena, Inner Court disciples threw themselves into intense training:
· To practice real combat against evil soul masters (because even if Su Wen wiped out the Holy Spirit Cult, the evil soul master problem was like weeds—it would always return).
· The second reason: the "rewards."
The system, powered by primordial divine energy, could boost soul power—like a cut-down version of the deity test or Sea God Hall. The Inner Court went wild, obsessed with upgrades!!
Given a year or two, this would be the domain of Soul Sages and Soul Douluos.
Lastly—
Everyone took on forging class.
Armor—in forging, making, or repair, you had to pick one. Even if someone gifted you a set, you couldn't use it well unless you worked closely with it and built a bond.
Only then could the armor unleash its true power.
"You must all know why I gathered you," Su Wen smiled.
"That's right—armor awards!"
Silence, then a volcanic eruption of cheers.
They'd waited too long for this…
Su Wen signalled to hush—at once, everyone fell silent.
...
"Wu Ming, fire-type armor..."
As each suit was given out, some beamed in delight, others, empty-handed, looked on in envy.
Not everyone got one—many graduates had returned to their clans...
They didn't even bother ranking the armor; the tech was still nascent, all cobbled together from materials Su Wen gathered across the continent—barely thirty suits.
A thousand years down the line, this would seem horribly wasteful.
But there was no other way—what lacked in technique was made up for in resources.
"Boom!"
Wu Ming, wearing crimson armor, exploded in flames, shocked and amazed.
"Splash!"
A water-type Soul Douluo intervened to keep the fire in check, equally shocked:
"Wow, what a powerful flame! Is this the armor buff?"
He knew Wu Ming's usual strength—the buff was shocking, at least tenfold!
"Wow..." Wu Ming gaped.
"Ruoruo-jie, I'm at level 69 now, but I feel like I could duel you!"
"Hmph, think I have no armor?" Han Ruoruo sniffed. Her golden armor shimmered, her aura soaring...
"Title Douluo!"
A student gasped.
She was level 83, yet with armor, she could fight on equal terms with a Title Douluo!
This power boost was terrifying.
Everyone knew—those seven ranks were a world apart; she'd have needed years to break through alone!
Now—it was a step to heaven.
With armor, the Inner Court's might had leapt a whole tier.
"You'll only get stronger as you bond with your armor," Su Wen smiled.
"I'll go for maintenance…" Xie Huanyue said sheepishly, "months in forging class showed me forging isn't my thing."
"Me too, for repair…"
Several chose forging—Mu Qiuer, Wang Donger, and others.
Just as everyone enjoyed their new treasure, the sky darkened.
Thunder exploded; clouds rolled.
Filled the whole sky.
"No! That's…"
In their sea of consciousness, Gu Yuena's voice rang out in shock:
"That's…"
"God Realm—The Golden Dragon King broke the seal—He's breaking free!" Electrolux's grave voice echoed at the same time.
"Golden Dragon King?!!" Su Wen was dumbfounded.
"He's out early!"
God Realm.
Tang San, swathed in a dark cloak that obscured his face and aura, hastily approached the cliff.
There, a god-level forbidden spell stood.
Left by Asura God himself.
He squinted, manipulating the realm's core, slowly fading the barrier. When he saw the light curtain dissipate, he jumped in—
Double-layered seal.
Massive chains, imbued with Asura God power, bound the Golden Dragon King.
Fog filled the area.
Tang San pushed aside the mist, pupils shrinking as he gazed down at the enormous golden dragon, its coiled body filling most of the forbidden zone. Its wings, if spread, could blot out the entire sky...
Tang San hesitated briefly, but decided to trust his charisma.
Resolving enemies with kindness—that was Tang San's way.
Activate "negotiation" skill…
Ahem!
He shook off the thought—memories of being beaten by Dugu Bo still haunted him. Too bad the old bastard was dead; Tang San would've gleefully dug up his soul to gloat otherwise!
"You've come?" grunted the Golden Dragon King.
"Yes," Tang San smiled, without hesitation. With a wave, the bloody runes faded from the thick chains, leaving only iron links.
"All set, Golden Dragon King—you're free!"
Tang San flashed a bright grin.
Bang!
Bang!
Golden Dragon King flexed, snapping all five chains binding its neck and ankles, muttering in disbelief,
"I'm...free?"
"That's right, you—" Tang San approached to discuss terms.
He was blasted away in an instant.
Golden Dragon King lashed its tail, eyes flashing with glee, mockery, and contempt:
"Enough yapping!!"
"Splurt—"
Tang San smashed into the cliff wall, blood pouring from his mouth.
He stared, dumbstruck and terrified.
Things were spiraling out of control.
"Golden Dragon King, you're breaking your word!!!" Tang San yelled, knowing exactly what sort of monster he'd released. If only the dragon had gone after the Silver Dragon King, all would've been well.
But—it was coming straight for him.
"Hahahaha!" The dragon's laughter boomed through the forbidden land.
Vast power swept the entire God Realm.
"You fell for it—finally! Hahaha..."
The dragon's manic laughter echoed.
Tears of conflicting emotion glimmered in its eyes:
"After so many years, you—came to me!"
"Having inherited the Asura God position, you should suffer the same grudges. The old Asura, I will find—but for now, after uncounted millennia of pain and hate, I need an outlet."
"You, you're the perfect soft target!"
"As for trust—"
"Heh. You forgot, I come from the Dragon God's evil side."
"I am the most wicked being on earth."
"Yet you pinned your hopes on me."
"Hahaha, how stupid you are...I don't know what made the old Asura see anything in you."
"No matter, today, with my freedom at hand, you'll be the first to fall!"
He unleashed his full power, overwhelming Tang San. Swift as wind, he pounced, smashing down with a claw.
Splurt! Tang San coughed up blood, escaping in panic. Seriously injured, he could only send out urgent distress calls to Ji Dong and Lie Yan.
There was only one way to seal the Golden Dragon King—the three divine swords forged by the five supreme gods. The other two swords were with Ji Dong and Lie Yan; the last, with himself. Only by merging the three could they hope to suppress the dragon.
But the dragon gave him no chance—even as Tang San tried to flee, the next attack came crashing down.
It was going for the kill—