Chapter 231: Tang San's Rise Begins
All the way forward, Tang San encountered no further danger and soon arrived at the end of Hell Road.
Gazing at the curtain of light hovering above the sea of blood ahead, he finally understood why the King of Slaughter hadn't wanted him to take on Hell Road.
The Ten-Headed Sun Serpent had been killed by the Undying One and the Hell Envoy, drastically reducing Hell Road's difficulty.
"So this is my lucky break?" Tang San said with a faint smile curling his lips.
The temperature around him rose rapidly, the aura of slaughter thickening into an oppressive force.
Staring at the exit floating above the crimson sea, Tang San didn't even notice the change.
"That must be the exit of Hell Road! Once I pass through, I'll gain the Killing God Domain—and then I'll finally surpass Luo Ling!"
"I've already reached level sixty! As soon as I obtain my sixth spirit ring, I'll be a Soul Emperor! Luo Ling is a Soul Emperor too—there will be no more gap between us!"
Muttering to himself, Tang San's eyes glowed red with madness as he imagined trampling Luo Ling beneath his feet.
Unaware of himself, he slowly stepped into the sea of blood. The killing aura around him condensed into a physical mist, and his body began to sink into the crimson waves.
The sea churned violently. From its depths, countless blood-red arms reached out, grasping at Tang San and dragging him deeper.
His eyes remained fixed on the distant light, completely oblivious to what was happening around him.
Without his Blue Silver Domain and without the spiritual strength the immortal grasses had once granted him, Tang San was powerless against the erosion of the killing intent.
Just as the King of Slaughter had said, Tang San's chances of surviving Hell Road were almost zero—no exaggeration.
He was already being consumed by madness and bloodlust.
…
In the Divine Realm, within the Asura God's palace.
Watching the image of Tang San losing himself on the divine screen, the Asura God's eyes revealed a trace of disappointment.
He had observed the boy's path through Hell Road from beginning to end. Though slaying the Dark-Gold Three-Headed Bat King had been impressive, everything afterward was utterly lacking.
And now, before the Sea of Blood, Tang San had utterly succumbed to the slaughter aura—without even realizing it.
Such fragile mental fortitude was pathetic.
The Asura God's gaze flickered as he thought of the past Killing Gods.
They no longer resided in the Slaughter City, and even though they possessed the Killing God Domain, he couldn't reach them anymore.
Now, only the King of Slaughter and Tang San remained within his influence.
But the King of Slaughter was parasitized by the Blood-Red Nine-Headed Bat King, leaving only Tang San as a possible inheritor.
Yet Tang San was… disappointingly weak.
The Asura God wavered. With a wave of his hand, the divine screen shifted—only to show nothing.
Everything on the Douluo Continent was shrouded in mist, sealed off by an unknown power.
Even his divinity held no sway against this mysterious energy.
Not long ago, he had tried to summon the Five God Kings to discuss the matter of the Douluo Continent, but the other four had refused, ignoring his warnings.
The four God Kings clearly knew what was happening—and perhaps even the reason—but none would tell him.
The Asura God was furious.
Who was he?
The law enforcer of the Divine Realm! The youngest of the God Kings!
One of the greatest powers in existence—yet how did those four treat him?
He had no deep foundation in the Divine Realm; its ancient origins and buried secrets left even him in the dark.
Those four old monsters—none of them were good people!
Thinking back on the last God King Council, the Asura God clenched his fists, anger rising again.
He waved his hand, and the scene returned to Hell Road.
By now, Tang San had been completely submerged in the sea of blood. Only his head remained above the surface, while his crazed expression radiated manic ambition.
The Asura God sighed softly. He needed to uncover what was happening on the Douluo Continent—and Tang San was his only option left.
Wait for another soul to come through Hell Road?
That could take centuries.
Decision made, the Asura God extended a single glowing finger toward the image.
…
Beneath the blood, Tang San jolted violently as if struck by lightning.
The frenzy in his eyes vanished, replaced by sudden clarity. Seeing his surroundings, a surge of fear flooded his heart.
Instantly, Tang San leapt from the sea of blood, panting as scarlet hands thrashed below him. His expression was filled with dread.
He understood immediately what had happened.
He had nearly lost himself—had he not awakened in time, he would have become nourishment for the crimson depths.
The thought alone chilled him.
Hell Road was even more terrifying than he had imagined.
The Dark-Gold Bat King had been lethal enough. Add to that the corpse of the Ten-Headed Sun Serpent and the corruptive power of endless killing intent… It was truly a path of nine deaths and one life.
Thankfully, he had regained consciousness.
As he steadied himself, a voice like thunder resonated in his mind—majestic, vast, and authoritative.
"Asura God Trial! First Test: Attain the Rank of Titled Douluo! Preliminary Reward—Restoration of the Clear Sky Hammer!"
Massive streams of knowledge flooded his consciousness, leaving him dizzy. It took a long while before he recovered.
When he opened his eyes again, excitement blazed within them.
The Asura God Trial!
The information in his mind was clear—he had been chosen by a divine being to inherit its power.
The Asura God!
This was the third god whose existence he knew.
The first was the Primordial God, the second the Angel God of the Spirit Hall. And now—the Asura God himself.
As he absorbed the knowledge, Tang San's spirit soared.
The Clear Sky Hammer in his body suddenly flew out, surrounded by thick killing intent.
Once broken beyond repair, the hammer now trembled violently as the power of slaughter infused it.
Before Tang San's awestruck gaze, the hammer slowly reformed—no, it grew far stronger than before.
Crimson lines etched themselves across its surface, pulsing with murderous power.
It was the Clear Sky Hammer reborn—tempered with killing intent.
"Hahahaha!" Tang San laughed loudly, gripping the restored hammer.
The rings he had lost before reappeared, each one a ten-thousand-year soul ring—five in total.
"Luo Ling! Just you wait!" Tang San shouted coldly. "The humiliation you gave me—I'll return it a hundredfold!"
Now he was the chosen inheritor of a deity.
Within the divine knowledge he received, he learned that completing nine divine trials would grant him apotheosis—a true god, surpassing every Titled Douluo beneath the heavens.
Luo Ling was no longer worthy to be compared with him.
(END CHAPTER)
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