Li Zhaoyan's heart surged with overwhelming waves! A god?! Do gods truly exist in this world?! This majesty, this level of power, far exceeded his comprehension!
The voice seemed to carry a faint trace of approval, but more prominent was an ancient weariness... and helplessness? "That previous generation fellow who enjoyed sowing his wild oats everywhere couldn't be bothered to handle things himself, yet had the nerve to leave this troublesome task for me before passing the buck... ordering me to help pass down the Godhood Inheritance of this 'God of Fear.' After searching for so many years, traversing countless realms, you, little one, are actually the first who could successfully awaken the Evil God Pearl's origin and show signs of your Martial Soul evolving toward the Evil God path. You could be considered... barely compatible with the Fear Divine Spark left behind by that fallen old fellow..."
God of Fear? Godhood Inheritance? Li Zhaoyan's mind trembled violently, the sudden information nearly overwhelming his ability to think. Could this be some earth-shattering conspiracy targeting him? How could a godhood be so easily obtained?
"Little one, stop uselessly speculating with those suspicions in your heart." The voice seemed capable of directly reading his thoughts, carrying a hint of condescending disdain. "I am one of the Five Great God Kings who uphold the divine realm's laws—the Evil God. Inheriting a godhood is both an unprecedented opportunity and an inescapable responsibility for you. The God of Fear already fell in the last great war, leaving the godhood vacant. According to ancient divine pact, a suitable living being must be found to inherit it. Since you've awakened the Evil God Pearl and your Martial Soul has evolved into the 'Evil God Spear,' you are fated with our Evil lineage. Now I ask you: Are you willing to join my Evil lineage and inherit this God of Fear godhood?"
Evil God King! One of the Five Great God Kings of the divine realm! Li Zhaoyan felt his heart was about to stop beating! This sudden encounter far exceeded anything he could have imagined! Becoming a god? This was the ultimate dream countless Soul Masters pursued throughout their lives, and now it was presented before him in such a manner! However, the hidden costs, the responsibilities he would need to bear, and the potential risks associated with the "Evil" name all made him cautious, as if treading on thin ice.
He forcibly suppressed the storm raging in his heart, striving to keep his voice steady as he cautiously asked, "Respected God King, what price must be paid to inherit a godhood? And what trials must be passed?"
"Price? Trials?" The Evil God King's voice carried a hint of amusement, as if mocking his caution. "Naturally, it's through the 'Nine Trials of Fear.' Only by passing nine tests, proving you possess the will and ability to face and master the world's deepest fears, can you truly inherit the godhood and control the laws of fear. As for the price... becoming a god means transcending the mortal world, protecting the divine realm's order, and maintaining the balance of laws—that is the price. So? Little one, this is an opportunity billions of creatures would desperately seek. I'll give you three breaths to consider."
Three breaths of time, fleeting as an instant. Li Zhaoyan's thoughts raced, his mind filled with countless considerations. The temptation of godhood was enough to drive anyone mad, yet the unknown Nine Trials of Fear would surely be a deadly ordeal, and the title of Evil God King also made him uneasy. However, when he thought of his family, of everything he needed stronger power to protect, and of the vast world beyond the peak of the Soul Master's path... an unprecedented courage and determination surged within him. Opportunity and risk coexisted—if he didn't dare seize such a chance, how could he ever climb to greater heights?
He took a deep breath, his gaze turning resolute as he declared firmly, "I am willing! I am willing to accept the Nine Trials of Fear and inherit the God of Fear's divine position!"
"Very well! You show some nerve." The Evil God King's voice held a trace of barely perceptible satisfaction. "The Nine Trials of Fear begin now! The content of the first trial will be imprinted upon your soul shortly. Strive to survive, little one. Do not disappoint me, nor that fallen old fool..."
As the voice faded, the colossal eye filling the void and the suffocating pressure receded like a tide. Li Zhaoyan's consciousness instantly returned to his body, and he immediately sensed a dark, intricate, and fear-inducing mark deep within his soul—the symbol of the Fear God Trials!
Almost simultaneously, the energy fusion in the outside world reached its conclusion! The vast energy of the Evil God Pearl had finally been completely absorbed and refined by him! An immensely profound, black-and-red intertwined Soul Ring, seemingly composed of countless intricate and mystical fear runes, slowly rose from beneath his feet and hovered behind him. The pressure emanating from this Soul Ring was filled with malevolence, terror, and a divine aura that transcended the mundane, far surpassing that of an ordinary hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring!
His Martial Soul had also completed its final transformation! The original Hundred Wood Divine Spear had vanished entirely, replaced by a spear forged from some sinister divine wood—the Evil God Spear. Its body was entwined with writhing black demonic patterns as if alive, and its tip pulsed with destructive black light. The quality of his Martial Soul had undergone a heaven-shaking qualitative change!
Moreover, with the addition of this unprecedented ninth Soul Ring and the evolution of his Martial Soul into the foundational "Evil God Spear," all his previous Spirit Abilities had undergone astonishing enhancements and mutations under the influence of the Evil God Power!
First Soul Skill: Spear Cry! Speed and attack amplification effects significantly increased!
Second Soul Skill: Spear Force! The defensive field formed is now more resilient!
Third Soul Skill: Spear Might! Attribute amplification effects for the entire team greatly enhanced!
Fourth Soul Skill: Evolved from "Maple Dragon Strike" to "Evil Dragon Strike"! The spear strikes like a descending evil dragon, with drastically increased power and an added soul-devouring effect!
Fifth Soul Skill: Evolved from "Maple Leaf Protection" to "Evil God Protection"! Defense greatly enhanced, with the ability to reflect a portion of damage!
Sixth Soul Skill: Evolved from "Blazing Maple Forest" to "Evil God Giant Soul Cannon"! Area-of-effect destructive power is terrifyingly immense!
Seventh Soul Skill: Spirit Avatar—Evil God Spear True Form! After transforming into the Evil God Spear, evil energy surges overwhelmingly, with limitless power!
Eighth Soul Skill: Pierce Through! Penetration and destructive power maximally enhanced!
And the ninth Soul Ring granted him two powerful Spirit Abilities worthy of being called divine techniques:
Ninth Spirit Ability One: Evil God Thorn! Containing a trace of the power of the Law of Fear, it almost never misses after locking onto a target, ignores most physical and energy defenses to inflict true damage, and can even absorb a portion of the attack power to replenish the user!
Ninth Spirit Ability Two: Evil God Power! A status-type Spirit Ability that instantly boosts all attributes by 200% upon activation! The user is enveloped in an aura of the Evil God, significantly enhancing the power and effects of all other Spirit Abilities!
But what shocked Li Zhaoyan the most was the fundamental transformation of his Martial Soul. Not only had the Evil God Spear's power greatly increased, but it had also awakened a bizarre characteristic—the Fear Trait! He could clearly sense that the living, black demonic patterns coiling around the spear contained the power of the Law of Fear originating from the Fear God's position. From now on, whenever the Evil God Spear's attacks struck an enemy, the fear-laden aura attached to the blade would invade their mind like invisible venomous thorns, planting seeds of fear deep within their hearts. This fear was not mere fright but targeted the most vulnerable parts of their psyche, infinitely amplifying their deepest nightmares and terrors. Moreover, this fear effect was cumulative—each successful attack would intensify the fear in the opponent's heart until their mind shattered, causing them to falter before the fight even began, unable to muster even half of their full strength! This was undoubtedly an extremely terrifying form of psychological intimidation and combat suppression.
Feeling the earth-shattering, terrifying power within him that seemed capable of destroying heaven and earth, Li Zhaoyan was filled with indescribable shock and ecstasy! He had succeeded! Not only had he successfully triggered the Evil God Pearl to become his ninth Soul Ring, but by chance, he had also gained the attention of the Evil God King, embarking on the trials of the path to godhood!
The moment he began to familiarize himself with this new power, the massive energy aura stirred by his breakthrough could no longer be completely contained by the Secret Chamber. It burst through the chamber's defenses like a flash flood, spreading throughout the entire Li residence and beyond!
Outside the Secret Chamber, Mother Ye, Marco, Ye Lingling, and others who had been anxiously waiting were the first to sense this aura—a mix of sinister, terrifying, yet immensely powerful energy. Their expressions changed drastically, and they rushed out of their rooms, gathering at the entrance of the Secret Chamber with complex looks of shock, worry, and anticipation in their eyes.
Li Zhaoyan slowly opened his eyes, the Evil God Spear transforming into a black light and merging into his body. He calmed his turbulent emotions, straightened his robes, and strode toward the chamber's entrance.
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