💖 If you enjoy my work, consider supporting me on Patreon! I'm offering advanced chapters there as a thank-you to readers.
--------------------
Check out advanced chapters on : patreon.com/Veni_V
---------------
Grandfather.
Qian Renxue slowly stood up. Her spirit power was almost completely gone, and her Angelic Domain had been broken again and again by Qian Daoliu. Yet her eyes were brighter than ever before.
Ever since I was a child, everyone told me that I am the successor of the Angel God. They said I must be noble, calm, and strong. I couldn't cry, I couldn't lose, and I couldn't show any weakness.
She held the Angelic Sacred Sword tightly, blood dripping down from her palm onto the cold floor.
But no one ever asked me if I actually wanted to become the Angel God. I didn't understand it before. I thought becoming a god was for Spirit Hall, for my mother, for you, and to prove that I was stronger than Tang Chen. But now I finally get it. A God Position isn't a reward given to me by others. It's a fate I must grab with my own hands.
As her words echoed, the Seraphim Spirit behind her burst into an amazing bright light. The Angelic Domain, which was about to shatter, gathered together again. It didn't spread outward this time. Instead, it shrank inward, pouring all of its golden light directly into Qian Renxue's body. The angel mark on her forehead burned brightly like a small sun.
When Qian Daoliu saw this, a look of pride appeared in his eyes for the first time.
Very well, Xue'er. You finally understand.
He raised his hand slowly. In an instant, the entire Angel God Temple shook. Behind Qian Daoliu, the image of the Seraphim became solid, and a giant golden sacred sword fell from the sky right into his hand. At that moment, he was no longer just a rank ninety-nine super Douluo. He was like the final guardian of the Angel God in the living world.
Then let me see if you are truly qualified to inherit the Angel God Position!
Qian Daoliu took a step forward. He swung the golden sacred sword down, sending terrifying holy flames across the hall. He didn't hold back with this attack. He knew that if Qian Renxue couldn't block it, she wasn't ready to take this path.
Qian Renxue looked up at the incoming sword without any fear. She gripped her own sword with both hands, and the six wings on her back opened up. Her ninth spirit ring lit up brightly, and a pillar of golden sword light shot into the air.
The two swords hit each other with a loud crash. The whole temple was covered in bright light. A powerful wave of force spread out, cracking the floor and breaking the large stone pillars into pieces.
Qian Renxue groaned as she was thrown backward, crashing hard against the wall. But she didn't fall down. She set her teeth and charged forward again.
A look of pain passed through Qian Daoliu's eyes, but he quickly made his expression cold and strict again.
Too weak! Do you think this power is enough to become a god?
He swung his sword sideways, throwing Qian Renxue back once more.
Are you relying on your pride, or the anger in your heart? A god cannot live on hatred alone!
His voice echoed like thunder in the hall. Qian Renxue trembled.
Hatred. She had definitely felt it. She hated Bibi Dong for never loving her like a mother. She hated the Heaven Dou Empire for ruining her plans. She hated Tang Chen because people loved him even though he came from a normal background. And she hated herself for being like a puppet controlled by fate despite having noble blood.
But now, she smiled.
Grandfather, I won't live on hatred anymore, nor will I try to live up to other people's expectations. From now on, I am my own person. I am not a tool for Spirit Hall, a shadow of my mother, or a puppet for the Angel God. I am Qian Renxue, and I choose to become a god for myself.
The sword in her hand made a clear ringing sound. The cracks on the blade stopped spreading, replaced by pure golden flames. The Seraphim Spirit behind her changed too, showing faint divine patterns on its six wings. That wasn't normal spirit power; it was the start of true divine force.
Qian Daoliu looked surprised, then smiled warmly.
Good! That is how a member of the Qian family should speak. You are the true successor of the Angel God!
He held his sword with both hands, pushing his spirit power to the absolute limit. His nine spirit rings burned together, especially the final red spirit ring, which shone with amazing light. The Seraphim behind him merged completely into his body. At this moment, his aura was almost at the level of a demigod.
Take my final attack! Angelic Judgment!
A beam of golden sword light cut through the hall, looking as if it tore the sky open. Qian Renxue stood her ground without backing away. She closed her eyes for a second, and when she opened them, they were pure gold.
Angelic Domain, World Purge!
Endless golden light burst from her body, lighting up the sky above Spirit City. People in the city looked up in shock at the large pillar of light rising from the Angel God Temple, where a giant six-winged figure opened its wings.
Qian Renxue swung her sword. There were no flashy moves or anger in her attack, only pure light.
The two sword lights collided in the center of the hall. Then, Qian Daoliu's attack broke. His golden sword slipped from his hand and stuck into the ground, while he took half a step backward.
Just half a step, but it showed who had won.
Qian Renxue stood there, breathing heavily with a pale face, but she remained standing. She had won against Qian Daoliu, a rank ninety-nine super Douluo and the High Priest of the Hall of Worship.
The hall stayed quiet for a long time. Qian Daoliu raised his head and looked at her, feeling only pride instead of disappointment.
Congratulations, Xue'er. You have finished the Eighth Angel Trial.
The statue of the Angel God lit up, and a clear voice echoed in the temple.
The Eighth Angel Trial is complete. Angel compatibility raised by fifteen percent. Total compatibility is now ninety-five percent. The Ninth Angel Trial begins now: Inherit the Angel God Position.
A rain of golden light fell from above, wrapping around Qian Renxue. Her wounds healed quickly, her spirit power returned, and her aura grew stronger. But she didn't look happy, because she noticed Qian Daoliu's body was slowly becoming see-through.
Grandfather?
She stepped forward in surprise, but Qian Daoliu raised his hand to stop her.
Don't come closer, Xue'er. The Ninth Trial needs the true gate to open, and that requires the sacrifice of a guardian.
Her voice shook as her eyes widened.
Sacrifice? No! You never told me about this!
He looked at her gently.
If I told you before, you wouldn't have been able to use that full attack.
I don't care! I finished the Eighth Trial, so I can complete the Ninth Trial on my own! I don't want your sacrifice!
Qian Daoliu shook his head slowly.
Silly child. The legacy of the Angel God was never meant to be done by one person alone. The Qian family has protected this place for years just for this moment. Your father couldn't reach this step, and your mother didn't want this path. I have waited all these years just for you.
Tears filled Qian Renxue's eyes. She thought she had forgotten how to cry, but she realized she was still just a child protected by her grandfather.
Qian Daoliu touched her head gently.
Remember, after you become a god, don't live for anyone else. Don't let hatred pull you down. Tang San follows the Rakshasa path, Tang Chen follows the path of life, and you follow the path of light. Light can judge darkness, but it must never turn into darkness itself.
Grandfather...
He smiled as his body turned into tiny golden specks of light that flew toward the Angel Statue. The whole temple shook, and the sacred sword held by the statue lit up completely. A golden door opened in front of Qian Renxue, showing holy flames and the final trial inside.
She stood before the door for a long time before wiping away her tears. When she looked up again, her eyes were calm and determined.
I will become the Angel God, and I will show everyone that the Qian family has not failed.
She stepped inside the golden gate. The Seraphim phantom above the temple became fully solid, covering Spirit City in light.
Far away in the Sea of Death, Tang Chen felt the change and looked back toward the continent. Outside Star Luo City, Tang San stopped inside the Rakshasa Space, looking toward Spirit City with a dark expression. Across the Douluo Continent, three different god powers woke up at the same time.
Tang San had lost terribly in the fight outside Star Luo City. He thought his Rakshasa power would let him win while Tang Chen was away, using the souls of dead soldiers to strengthen his legacy. But Tang Chen had hidden a Blue Silver Life Imprint beneath the ground beforehand. Even from far away, Tang Chen used an incarnation of his will to save the souls and stop Tang San from getting their energy.
What made Tang San even angrier was that the incarnation wasn't even Tang Chen's main body, just a simple backup plan that ruined everything.
Inside the Rakshasa Space, black and purple mist moved around. Tang San knelt on an altar made of bones, pressing his hands against the floor until his knuckles turned white. Blood dripped from his mouth onto his torn black robes, and a deep blue-gold mark remained on his chest. It was a wound caused by Tang Chen's life force, one that Rakshasa energy couldn't heal or absorb. It served as a constant reminder of his loss.
Tang San held his head low, his voice sounding dry and painful.
Why? Why do you always stop me? Why do you always show up when I am about to win?
A cold female voice echoed from the mist, full of dark temptation.
Because you are still too weak.
He looked up quickly as the mist formed the shape of a person. It was the Rakshasa God. Even as a small thought, her presence put great pressure on the space.
I already accepted your power and threw away my past. I even gave up on the Sea God power. Why can't I beat Tang Chen?
The figure laughed softly.
Because you haven't given up everything yet. You still care about Xiao Wu, and you still think about bringing her back. You use that love as an excuse for your choices. You claim you are doing everything for her, but really, you just like the power you get from taking souls.
Shut up!
He swung his scythe through the mist, but it hit nothing. The laugh grew louder.
Anger won't fix anything. Tang Chen is coming for you, and Qian Renxue is about to finish her final trial. If you don't get stronger now, you won't stand a chance against them once they become gods.
Tang San lowered his head, breathing heavily. After a long pause, he spoke.
What do I need to do?
The voice grew quiet and dark.
Souls. You need more souls. The dead soldiers from the battlefield weren't enough, and Tang Chen saved them easily. But there are still millions of living people across the Douluo Continent in cities, towns, sects, and empires. If you want, the whole continent can be your source.
Tang San stayed silent as he remembered Xiao Wu. He thought of the young girl in the pink dress who promised to stay by his side no matter what.
He closed his eyes. Xiao Wu was gone, having sacrificed herself to Tang Chen, leaving her soul weak. He had promised to bring her back no matter what it took. Now, the cost was right in front of him: cities, towns, and millions of lives.
If he gathered enough souls, his Rakshasa power would reach its full potential, allowing him to rebuild her soul and body.
Tang San opened his eyes, the hesitation completely gone.
As long as I can bring Xiao Wu back, it doesn't matter how many people have to die.