Chapter 47: The Asura and the Rakshasa
After winning the championship on behalf of Spirit Hall's team, Bibi Dong received the award and, once the tournament had ended, sought out Yu Xiaogang.
When she saw him again, her eyes flickered uneasily.
During the competition, she had been forced to use her Death Spider Emperor's full possession form. Though she'd fought magnificently, she couldn't stop thinking about how monstrous she must have looked. She didn't mind showing that form to strangers, but Yu Xiaogang was different—he was her only true friend, the one she didn't want to scare away like the others who had once called her "monster."
"Was I… very ugly when I used my martial spirit possession?" she asked softly, uncertainty trembling in her voice.
Yu Xiaogang looked at her and, deep inside, a smug thought flickered. Ugly? You were repulsive. Disgusting, even. But I, Yu Xiaogang, am the only man virtuous enough to overlook that flaw. Hiding the condescension behind a gentle smile, he shook his head. "No, Bibi Dong. 'Ugly'—that's what ignorant people see. To me, you are beautiful no matter the form your spirit takes."
"Really?" she whispered, moved to tears.
"Of course," he replied warmly.
Her eyes brightened. "By the way, Xiaogang, you don't seem to have anywhere to go. Why don't you come to Spirit Hall? You've been searching for a way to fix your martial spirit, haven't you? Perhaps Spirit Hall can help."
"Truly? But… would that be appropriate?"
"Don't worry," Bibi Dong said confidently, patting her chest. "I'm the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall. All I need to do is speak to my teacher, and you'll be welcomed."
"I can't trouble you like that," Yu Xiaogang said with feigned modesty, eyes glinting with calculation.
"It's no trouble. We're friends, aren't we?" she said, smiling kindly.
His voice softened. "Then… I'll entrust myself to you, Bibi Dong."
And with that, Yu Xiaogang had quietly achieved the first step of his hidden agenda.
God Realm – a secluded corner, unseen by mortal eyes.
The Asura God stood with his hands behind his back, his tone authoritative as he gazed into the veil of worlds below.
"In just over ten days, the ten-thousand-year convergence of fate will arrive. Douluo Continent shall witness the birth of the next Child of Destiny. But my precious one must descend before that moment—to seize the world's destiny and replace the chosen as the true bearer of fortune."
He stroked his divine beard and smiled smugly. "With my treasure becoming the Child of Destiny, it will be a blessing to all creatures of Douluo."
Pacing slowly, the Asura God's expression grew more self-satisfied. Every detail of his plan—his "precious one's" past life, birth, growth, and eventual ascension—had been meticulously arranged. Every step was a carefully laid path toward godhood, guided by the Asura's unseen hand.
"Under my careful nurturing," he went on, "my darling will grow into an unsurpassed being, destined to inherit the responsibility of the Divine Committee itself."
But the instant the thought of the God of Destruction crossed his mind, his brow furrowed.
"After my treasure ascends," he murmured, "he must claim a seat in the Divine Core. When I and the gods of Good and Evil journey beyond the stars, who else but my precious one could take my place? But alas, his qualifications may be lacking. Destruction will surely have objections…"
He clasped his hands behind his back again. "Therefore, when my treasure becomes a god, he'll need the right trial—a trial worthy of recognition. If he ascends after saving the world from calamity, no one will dare question his right to rule."
A voice, low and tinged with resentment, drifted from behind him. "So that's why you wanted me to find a successor?"
The Asura God turned to face the speaker—a striking woman veiled in shadows, her deep violet-black aura exuding danger and allure. The Rakshasa Goddess.
"You really are calculating," she said, her voice cold and mocking. "You sacrifice my godhood just to pave the way for your precious heir. What a fine plan, Asura."
The Asura God frowned slightly. "Rakshasa, must you always make such a fuss? Haven't I told you many times to be reasonable—to understand our duty?"
Her eyes darkened. "Understand? Be reasonable? We were born as counterparts—equals. I was no less divine than you. Yet you've judged and condemned me, playing the noble enforcer while branding me a creature of sin. You crafted yourself into the great beacon of justice while casting me as the goddess of darkness—abhorred by the very heavens." Her voice trembled with fury. "And now, after stripping away my dignity, you want me to give everything I have to your bright little golden heir. Tell me, Asura—what do I gain from all this?"
Her temper flared, the atmosphere thickening with chaotic divine power.
The Asura God realized he could no longer brush her aside with dismissive words.
"Rakshasa," he said more gently, "I promise you—this will be the last time. Once this is done, I'll relinquish the burdens of the Divine Realm. We'll explore the cosmos together, just the two of us. What do you say?"
Her anger softened slightly. "You… you mean that?"
"Of course." He patted his chest solemnly. "You have my word."
Her gaze softened, turning syrup-sweet. "Then one more thing," she said, stepping closer. "You must acknowledge our bond publicly—like the God of Life and the God of Destruction, like Good and Evil. Everyone in the Divine Realm must know who I am to you."
For the briefest moment, the Asura's eyes flashed with cold irritation—but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. Forcing a reassuring smile, he said, "Of course, Rakshasa. Anything you wish."
She smiled in triumph. "Good. That's more like it."
The Asura exhaled slowly, his patience wearing thin. "So—how goes your search for a successor?"
"I've already found one," the Rakshasa said proudly. "A perfect match for my god position. If it weren't for your little plan, I'd want to cultivate her fully myself." She drew closer, her voice melting into a whisper near his ear. "Shall I train her for real? The stronger she becomes, the more pressure on your precious one—and pressure breeds growth."
"Hmph." The Asura God snorted coldly. "Absolutely not. If your inheritor grows too powerful, she could harm my treasure. The opportunities of the Douluo world belong only to him. I won't share even a fraction. Do you understand?"
The Rakshasa Goddess rolled her eyes. "Fine, fine."
"Good." The Asura's tone sharpened again. "When you descend to assign your divine trial, make sure you limit her development. Slow her progress. She must ascend after my treasure—and her reward should be modest. A shard of your divinity, a single artifact, nothing more."
"Understood," she said dryly, smirking. "I'll restrain her, make her crawl if you insist. No prizes, no advantages—after all, we wouldn't want to bruise your little darling's ego, would we?"
(END CHAPTER)
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