In the Spiritual Sea, golden light surged like a tidal wave.
Fang Yang stood frozen, Tang San's Power of Faith crashing against his consciousness, eroding memories, implanting obedience.
Then—the Fallen Heart Flame erupted from his soul.
Soulfire blazed—wild, purifying—scorching every corner of his mind.
The golden faith burned away, refined to pure essence.
Its toxic incense, mortal obsessions—all cleansed by heartflame.
Fang Yang instinctively absorbed the purified energy, weaving it into his spiritual power—smooth, natural, as if destined.
"Excellent—he absorbs faith swiftly," Tang San's fragment praised, smug.
"Soon, he'll be my loyal puppet!"
But Ah Yin frowned, unease prickling her divine senses.
"As a Second-Tier God—why do I feel dread?"
She glanced at Fang Yang—still as stone—and sighed. "I'm overthinking…"
Time lost meaning in the Spiritual Sea.
Finally—
Fang Yang opened his eyes.
Golden light swirled in his pupils—depthless, serene—as if faith and soul had fused.
"Return the Golden Dragon King's core," Tang San's fragment commanded, arms crossed, tone absolute.
"Yes—I'll present it now," Fang Yang bowed, stepping closer.
Tang San scoffed inwardly—no one resisted Faith's corruption!
Ah Yin suddenly sensed danger: "Xiao San—BEWARE!"
"Mother?" Tang San's fragment turned—confused.
In that instant—
Fang Yang's eyes flashed with killing intent.
"Five-Finger Heart-Piercing Sword!"
His fist snapped open—five black flames lanced from his fingertips, piercing Tang San's spectral form.
"Sea God—I've bared my heart for you," Fang Yang sneered, voice dripping with mockery.
"No… impossible…" Tang San's fragment gaped, disbelief shattering his face.
"That was FAITH—it can't be—!"
His form rippled, disintegrating—annihilated.
Fang Yang's voice turned glacial—a death knell:
"'Pure-hearted' Tang God-King—farewell."
Tang San's consciousness fell again.
"NO—MY SON!" Ah Yin screamed, rage boiling her divine blood.
Fang Yang turned slowly, voice ice-cold: "Now—you're next."
"You—!" Ah Yin snarled, eyes crimson, breath ragged.
Divine power erupted—azure-gold Blue Silver Emperor vines lashed like soul-rending whips, a storm of golden light engulfing Fang Yang.
"Seeking death!"
Fang Yang snorted, black flame blazing in his palm.
This fire swirled with arcane runes, halos of primordial chaos flickering.
It burned silently—yet threatened to devour souls.
Where it touched, divine Blue Silver vines turned to ash.
"Ah Yin—outside, you might escape," Fang Yang intoned, void of mercy.
"But you forced your way into MY Spiritual Sea."
"Here—I reign supreme!"
"NO!"
Ah Yin realized too late—trapped in his domain.
She lunged to flee—if she escaped, Tang Hao (slumbering Plane Lord, her husband) would sense her peril!
"Hehehe… Too late!" Fang Yang laughed darkly, omnipotent, detached.
A golden miniature tower materialized in his hand—engraved with cosmic patterns.
"SEAL!"
The tower blazed—swelling into a heaven-piercing colossus, crushing reality with divine authority.
"NO—!"
Ah Yin roared defiance, divine power surging—but as a Second-Tier God, she couldn't even resist.
Absolute force compressed her—sealed into the tower's base.
Even at full strength—her "fire immunity" was a joke against Heavenly Flame!
Fang Yang flicked his wrist—the tower shrank, landing in his palm.
"This little tower… impressive. I like it."
Then—a reverent voice whispered: "Thank you, Great One, for saving me."
Fang Yang knew instantly: "You're… the Golden Ancient Tree's spirit?"
"Yes, Great One," the voice replied humbly.
"I am Elder Jin—the tree's spirit. Shrek's disciples honor me with this title."
"Your situation?" Fang Yang asked—partially informed, yet seeking clarity.
Elder Jin sighed, weary:
"Long ago, Sea God Tang San transplanted me here, granting me sentience, rooting me in this sacred soil."
"But his 'benevolence' was for his mother—Ah Yin, the Hundred-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Emperor."
"He bound my consciousness, letting her parasitize my core—feeding her soul with my essence."
"For years, I was devoured… and nearly lost myself. Without your intervention, I'd have been erased. This debt—I'll never forget."
"Understood," Fang Yang nodded. "Keep my secret."
"As you command, Great One," Elder Jin vowed, spirit fading like mist.
---
On Sea God Island, the Golden Ancient Tree blazed anew, golden radiance flooding the island.
Warmth surged into Fang Yang's body, a golden arbor pattern flashing on his forehead.
He sank into the golden sea—blissful, whole.
His Spiritual Sea now gleamed pure gold—transformed.
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