Chapter 289: Bibi Dong Schemes for the Asura God Position
"Normally, it's impossible for humans to reach rank 99. Advancing from 97 to 98 alone requires three centuries, and from 98 to 99 demands six hundred continuous years of cultivation. My attaining rank 99 alongside Qian Daoliu and Qian Xunji was thanks to the legacy of our predecessors. Only your great-grandfather—and the Sea God of old—ever reached rank 99 purely by personal strength. Though I don't know how he or the Sea God accomplished it, your great-grandfather attained that rank three years earlier than the Sea God himself, making him the only one truly likely to become a god through his own means."
Long ago, while living briefly in Spirit Hall, Bo Saixi had wondered how they possessed so many powerhouses beyond rank 96. But as a 99th-level Extreme Douluo who had once beaten Qian Daoliu, her pride kept her from asking.
Meanwhile, a second-lifetime Tang San was stunned that Qian Daoliu and Qian Xunji were each rank 99 Title Douluo, plus two rank 98 Elders in the Hall. He privately scoffed at Sea God Island's training approach: from rank 95 onward, each breakthrough indeed required a "martial spirit evolution," but the path used on the Douluo Continent was all about comprehending one's martial spirit once one's spirit power was high enough. There was no need for centuries of slow spirit power accumulation to "nurture" a martial spirit into evolving.
"I myself am only about one hundred twenty years old. By normal logic, it should be impossible to achieve this realm," Bo Saixi said, a wry smile crossing her face, followed by a flash of pride. "But at fifty-six, I reached rank 95 Title Douluo and received the Sea God's gift through the previous Grand Priest, thereby ascending to my current level. Once you reach rank 95, you'll become the next Grand Priest of Sea God Island.
"Tang San, having received a god's gift, we stand nearer to the divine than anyone and enjoy the god's protection. Naturally, we must give back."
Tang San's eyes were resolute. "I understand, Senior Bo Saixi. I will continue to cultivate, fulfilling all a Grand Priest's duties, though not just yet. I still have unresolved grievances on the mainland. Once I settle them, I'll come back and take up the role."
Bo Saixi saw his determination and said, "Because you hold top-level privileges, you are free to depart and return to Sea God Island. Go now—leave with your clan members to settle your grievances."
By the island's rules, spirit masters who finished their Sea God Trials and received the Sea God's reward were bound to remain on Sea God Island forever, devoting themselves to the Sea God. But Bo Saixi, as Grand Priest, could override it—out of deference to Tang Chen.
Tang San left the Sea God Temple, gazing toward the mainland, his mind drifting to the Slaughter City. No way he'd remain here his entire life as Grand Priest, pinned down, eventually a sacrifice for the Sea God's inheritor. His aim was to inherit the Asura God's power, destroy Spirit Hall, resurrect his beloved Xiao Wu, restore his mother Ah Yin, and let his father's limbs grow back so the four of them could live happily forever.
In the Heaven Dou Empire's Prince's residence—a dark secret chamber—a tall, voluptuous, flawlessly beautiful woman stood, her skin fair, a faint golden trident insignia on her brow, violet hair cascading down. She was none other than Bibi Dong, having escaped battered from Bo Saixi and concealed herself in the Heaven Dou Imperial Family.
Three years ago, by manipulating her Rakshasa God Spirit, she had taken over Xue Qinghe. For someone like Bibi Dong who could multitask at will, impersonating the cultured, amiable Xue Qinghe was too easy. Not until she fully seized the Spirit Hall papacy would she show her true colors.
During these three years, controlling Xue Qinghe through her Devour Soul Spider Emperor, she first dealt with Xue Luochuan, then killed Xue Beng—leaving Emperor Xue Ye's four sons with only the third prince, Xue Hailuo, a gifted cultivator with the Fire Goose Spirit and the apple of Xue Ye's eye. Without the sudden interference of the Clear Sky Clan, Bibi Dong would have killed him too.
Those of the Clear Sky Clan's upper echelon knew what had occurred in the previous timeline, but with Tang San, Tang Tian, and Tang Hu still missing, they weren't certain Bibi Dong truly lived. They concluded that Spirit Hall must be "swapping the crown prince" in a ploy to seize the entire continent. Currently, they drip-fed partial intel to Emperor Xue Ye to stall for time, ignoring further intervention.
Finding it quite laughable that Spirit Hall was "swapping the crown prince," the Clear Sky Clan believed it was limiting Qian Renxue's progress toward godhood—buying the clan more time to grow strong and flip the tables. So they gave Xue Ye minimal intelligence: keep Xue Hailuo away from Xue Qinghe, discreetly guard him, and wait. Once Xue Ye was nearly on his deathbed, Spirit Hall would be forced to wrap up its scheme, and only then would the Clear Sky Clan act. Xue Ye's survival meant nothing to them.
Bibi Dong guessed their intentions but decided to stay patient, letting the Clear Sky Clan play their game. Meanwhile, she used the Devour Soul Spider Emperor's venom to steadily drain Xue Ye's life force. Once the final move came, with the Clear Sky Clan attempting a sudden strike, she would reveal herself, catching them off guard. She would poison the clan master and Elders with her Devour Soul Spider Emperor's venom, tormenting them repeatedly and turning them into fodder for her assault on Spirit Hall.
She felt supremely confident: controlling both the Heaven Dou Empire and the Clear Sky Clan would give her immense power.
"I've finally reached rank 98. The Slaughter City… the Asura God's inheritance."
Bibi Dong peered north toward the Slaughter City. Having been pounded by Qian Xunji and Bo Saixi and bearing the lessons from her first life, she intended to play it absolutely safe.
She had visited the Slaughter City twice, meeting its "Slaughter King," whose aura she judged on par with a rank 95 Tang Hao. Even if the Slaughter King possessed the Asura Demon Sword artifact, she believed she could crush him now. After all, he was not Tang San with dual spirits plus numerous high-level rings and many hundred-thousand-year spirit bones.
Right now, Bibi Dong's might surpassed her previous peak before the Battle of Jialing Pass. Back then, Tang San had only beaten her by relying on the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's extreme boosts and Xiao Wu's assistance. Could the Slaughter King match that version of Tang San?
This time, the Slaughter King was doomed. The Asura God's seat would be hers. If she couldn't claim the Sea God's power and couldn't devour Qian Xunji or Qian Daoliu's Angelic Spirit to open the Rakshasa God Trials, she would simply use the Asura God's might to sweep everything aside. At that time, she would settle all accounts with Spirit Hall and Bo Saixi.
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