"Lin Mu, are you close to completing the Divine Trial?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Qian Renxue's eyes flickered, a hint of barely perceptible probing and expectation hidden within.
Judging from his past performance, Lin Mu should have begun his Divine Trial earlier than her. Given his overwhelming strength, he had probably already completed the first eight trials.
"I suppose so. I can complete the trial at any time, but..." After a moment's hesitation, Lin Mu changed the subject, saying calmly, "I don't want to become a god yet."
This statement was seven parts truth and three parts falsehood, but it was not an exaggeration. Back when he broke through to the Limit Douluo level, Lin Mu had already met the requirements for three different gods.
In fact, if he frequently used his other two sets of armor, he might even attract two more first-level gods. However, he had mastered five ultimate elemental powers; a single elemental godhood was no longer suitable for him.
In his grand plan, even if he failed to seize control of the elemental laws directly, he could still use the power of faith to forge a new elemental godhood, one at least stronger than the Sea God.
Perhaps, with the amplification of the Thunder Atlas Armor, he might even be able to rival a God King. If he eventually obtained the Asura Armor, the possibilities would be even more extraordinary, as it inherently possessed the laws of both time and space.
"You don't want to become a god?"
Hearing Lin Mu's answer, the seven worship elders, including Qian Daoliu, were dumbfounded. If it were them, they wouldn't have hesitated for a single second. Let alone becoming a god, even the slightest favor from a deity would be an unparalleled honor.
However, as unbelievable as it sounded, they didn't doubt the truth of Lin Mu's words. If even Lin Mu couldn't pass a divine test, then no one else in the world could. Besides, he had no reason to deceive them.
Perhaps in Lin Mu's eyes, godhood was already so securely within his grasp that he could afford to be so nonchalant.
Suddenly, a thought struck Qian Renxue. She looked up at Lin Mu with bright anticipation. "Lin Mu... you said you don't want to become a god for now. Is it because you're waiting for me?"
Upon hearing this, the surrounding worship elders all looked away, suddenly finding the architecture very interesting.
Although they were well aware of the relationship between their young master and Lin Mu, this unexpected, blatant display of affection was still overwhelming.
Only Qian Daoliu looked on with loving eyes, his gaze shifting between the two young prodigies. With Lin Mu around, he wouldn't have to worry about Xue'er being bullied, even after they ascended to the God Realm.
Thinking of this, a barely perceptible sadness flashed in Qian Daoliu's eyes. As the Grand Worshiper of the Angel God, he was destined to sacrifice himself to open the final door for Xue'er.
Although he had long been prepared for this fate, the thought of not being able to attend their wedding still brought a profound sense of loss.
"Um, if that's what you want to think, then sure," Lin Mu said, hesitating for a moment before nodding under Qian Renxue's expectant gaze.
His decision to delay godhood had absolutely nothing to do with her, and he wasn't quite sure how her mind had connected those dots. Perhaps it was just her love-struck imagination running wild.
However, having her be a little love-struck wasn't entirely a bad thing; at the very least, he found her occasional romantic delusions amusing.
"Great! I promise I won't keep you waiting too long."
As she spoke, Qian Renxue stood on her tiptoes, wrapped her arms around Lin Mu's neck, and kissed him on the lips right in front of everyone.
Caught slightly off guard, Lin Mu naturally wrapped his arms around her slender waist. He looked at her face, now mere inches from his own.
Compared to two and a half years ago, her stunning beauty had gained a profound touch of holiness, radiating an aura of untouchable elegance. It was undoubtedly the influence of the Angel God's inheritance.
At the same time, the worship elders lowered their heads further, not daring to peek for even a second. Both the young master and Lin Mu were practically confirmed future gods.
Even as the esteemed worship elders of the Spirit Hall, they dared not show the slightest disrespect or offense.
After a long moment, the two finally separated.
Seeing his granddaughter being "bullied" by Lin Mu in public, Qian Daoliu quickly coughed twice to break the tension. "Lin Mu, Xue'er still has to take her fifth divine trial. Don't take advantage of her right now."
Hearing this, Lin Mu rolled his eyes. Who was taking advantage of whom was highly debatable!
He had already let go, but Qian Renxue still looked reluctant to part from him. If no one had been watching, it certainly wouldn't have ended with just a simple hug.
Watching the interaction, Qian Daoliu shook his head helplessly, though a smile touched his lips.
Fortunately, Lin Mu was excellent in every conceivable way and completely worthy of Xue'er. If she had fallen for a useless piece of trash, he truly would have collapsed from despair.
Take Bibi Dong and Yu Xiaogang from years ago, for example. Although Qian Xunji's methods in handling that situation had been undeniably dark and twisted, Qian Daoliu believed his underlying intention, to protect the Spirit Hall's future from a worthless man, wasn't entirely wrong.
If Qian Xunji had simply allowed Bibi Dong and Yu Xiaogang to elope, he would have had the right to execute them both for treason based on that incident alone. In that situation back then, this was probably the only way to go.
Alternatively, he could have waited until Bibi Dong gave birth and then executed her directly, but that would have been too cruel and crossed Qian Daoliu's bottom line.
Although Lin Mu hadn't officially joined the Spirit Hall, he was at least an ally and would never be a threat to Qian Renxue.
A moment later, Qian Renxue finally gathered her wits, remembered her impending assessment, and reluctantly stepped out of Lin Mu's embrace.
The group then relocated to an open, desolate area outside Spirit City. A battle of this magnitude within the city walls could easily destroy surrounding buildings and cause mass panic among the citizens.
This barren plain, with its unobstructed views, was the perfect battlefield.
"Young Master, please forgive any offense during our sparring," Thousand Jun Douluo said, his tone solemn.
From a personal perspective, he wanted nothing more than to show mercy to the young master he had watched grow up.
However, the Grand Worship had explicitly instructed him to go all out, stopping only short of inflicting serious injury.
"Sixth Worship, please make your move," Qian Renxue said proudly. She summoned the Angelic Holy Sword. Three pairs of radiant wings unfurled from her back as her all-purifying Angelic Domain expanded across the field.
Seeing her ready, Thousand Jun Douluo said no more. He instantly summoned his Coiling Dragon Staff.
CLANG!!
In an instant, the two attacked almost simultaneously. Their weapons clashed violently, producing a shockwave that kicked up a cloud of dust. In just a few seconds, they had exchanged dozens of blows.
Since this was the probing phase of the fight, both combatants only utilized their first four soul skills.
Surprisingly, relying on the sheer quality of her martial soul and the suppression of her domain, Qian Renxue not only held her ground but actually maintained a slight advantage.
"Young Master is only Level 93, yet she can block Big Brother's attacks so easily!"
Watching the battle from a distance, Falling Devil Douluo's expression shifted to one of sheer disbelief.
In his view, his older brother, boasting a three-level advantage in soul power, should have easily suppressed her. Instead, the opposite was happening.
"What's so strange about that? You were once beaten half to death by a Soul Douluo," Glowing Feather Douluo suddenly chimed in.
Hearing this, all the worship elders slowly turned their heads to look at the calm, silent Lin Mu standing nearby.
To effortlessly crush a Super Douluo while only possessing the cultivation of a Soul Douluo was a feat truly unprecedented in human history.
As for the Falling Devil Douluo, the victim of that particular historical event, he was so embarrassed he wished the ground would open up and swallow him whole.