Yin Zhang did not hesitate and chose the first option.
"Congratulations to the host for obtaining the first-option reward: Level 100 Godhood Card. It has been placed into the host's personal storage. You may view it through the personal attribute panel."
Yin Zhang quickly checked it. After confirming that there were no issues, his gaze returned to the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud inside the storage spirit tool.
"This is an excellent item," Yin Zhang thought calmly. "Once Nana's cultivation reaches a sufficient level, I'll have her absorb and refine the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud to inherit the Sea God's position. As for Sister Yunying, her spirit attributes conflict with the Sea God's, so her chances of refining it are extremely low. Moreover, she already possesses the Slaughter God Domain—she could aim for the Asura God position instead."
The Asura God was one of the five God Kings of the God Realm, a being of terrifying strength.
In the original timeline, Tang San had attracted the Asura God's attention from the very beginning, and the Sea God had even quarreled with the Asura God over competing for him. But in this world, with Sister Yunying's aptitude, there was every possibility that she could replace Tang San and gain the Asura God's favor.
"As long as the Asura God bestows the Nine Trials upon Sister Yunying, everything will be secured."
Yin Zhang nodded slightly.
In the original story, Tang San's existence caused both the Asura God and the Sea God to turn their attention toward the Douluo Continent. Once that happened, other deities in the God Realm also began searching for successors there.
That was how the Food God noticed Oscar, and how the Food God's wife, the Nine Heavens Goddess, took a liking to Ning Rongrong and granted her divine trials.
Ma Hongjun, on the other hand, fell just short of becoming a First-Class Fire God due to a lack of effort in his early years. With no other choice, he inherited the position of the second-class Phoenix God instead. As a result, he was unable to bring Bai Chenxiang to the God Realm and had to remain on the Douluo Continent until she aged naturally, ascending only afterward.
The rest followed a similar pattern.
Once a single deity descended, the other gods would inevitably notice the outstanding talents of the Douluo Continent.
Yan, Xie Yue, and the others around Yin Zhang would also gain opportunities to ascend.
In Yin Zhang's eyes, Yan was not inferior to Ma Hongjun at all. The only reason Ma Hongjun had been chosen was because he benefited from being part of the protagonist's group.
Ma Hongjun had been noticed largely due to the Immortal Herb—the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower.
But the fire phoenix pill was no weaker than that immortal herb.
Thus, Yin Zhang would not be surprised if Yuan Qiqi or Qiangu Yunying—both of whom had consumed the fire phoenix pill—were eventually favored by deities as well.
Yin Zhang picked up the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, examined it carefully, then placed it onto the golden bead chain around his neck.
Only then did he turn his attention to the letter.
He opened the envelope and took out the message inside.
---
"Yin Zhang,
By the time you read this letter, all preparations on my end will be complete. You only need to dispatch a large army to take control of the various regions of the Heaven Dou Empire. I will personally lead the Heaven Dou army to formally join Spirit Hall. At that time, you can split up and reorganize the Heaven Dou forces, integrating them into the Spirit Hall army without difficulty.
There is, however, one matter I must remind you of. Recently, the Clear Sky Sect seems to be showing signs of emerging from seclusion, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect has also been acting strangely. They even sent envoys to contact me, claiming that Spirit Hall harbors wolfish ambitions and intends to purge the entire Douluo Continent. Heh—quite amusing.
I believe you understand everything I've said.
—Qian Renxue"
---
After reading the letter, Yin Zhang headed straight to the Hall of Worship.
Other than during formal ceremonies, he usually wore the most comfortable clothes possible—constantly wearing ceremonial robes was far too restrictive.
Inside the Hall of Worship, Yin Zhang conveyed Qian Renxue's message to the assembled High Priests.
Qian Daoliu nodded in approval.
"Very good. Xiao Zhang, you know how to act with proper restraint. In that case, begin the takeover of the Heaven Dou Empire. Remember one thing above all else: any force that refuses to submit to Spirit Hall must be crushed at the very beginning."
"As for that Tang Hao," Qian Daoliu continued calmly, "he is only at Rank 94 now. Any Priest who acts can take his head."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Third Priest—Cloudmist Douluo Yun Shan—stepped forward.
"High Priest, allow me to accompany His Majesty the Supreme Pontiff to the Heaven Dou Empire. I will help eliminate remaining threats and protect His Majesty."
Qian Daoliu was not surprised in the slightest. In fact, he had expected Yun Shan to volunteer.
"Very well. Third Priest, you shall depart with His Majesty."
Yin Zhang and Yun Shan left the Hall of Worship together, heading straight for the Elder Palace at the foot of the mountain.
Despite its name, the Elder Palace was actually the main hall where the Titled Elders rested, discussed matters, and handled official affairs.
At this moment, six people were already present: Dugu Bo, Tang Zhen, Yuan Qiqi, Qiangu Yuan, Yue Guan, and Gui Mei.
Among them, Qiangu Yuan and Tang Zhen belonged to the Hall of Worship faction. However, since the Supreme Pontiff Palace and the Hall of Worship were now effectively unified, Qian Daoliu naturally did not stop them from joining. With more people involved, victory—already assured—would become even more absolute, and potential losses could be minimized.
"The time is ripe," Yin Zhang said with a smile. "We will immediately begin preparations to take over the Heaven Dou Empire. The army will move slowly, so all Elders should prepare in advance. Tomorrow morning, we depart for Heaven Dou City!"
---
Heaven Dou City
Salas was invited by the young Heaven Dou Emperor, Xue Qinghe, to enter the imperial palace for a secret meeting.
At first, Salas suspected a trap and did not dare to accept.
That was, until Porcupinefish appeared before him.
Only then did Salas realize—shocked to the core—that Emperor Xue Qinghe was actually one of their own.
Previously, Salas had believed that Xue Qinghe's close ties with Spirit Hall were merely political maneuvering—an ambitious prince using Spirit Hall's support to secure his throne.
He never imagined that Emperor Xue Qinghe was in fact the High Priest's granddaughter, the daughter of the Supreme Pontiff from two generations ago—Qian Xunji.
With mixed emotions, Salas followed Porcupinefish into the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace. The guards along the way turned a blind eye.
Those guards and nobles who were not loyal to Xue Qinghe had already been thoroughly purged. There was no longer any danger.
"Please come in."
Soon, the two arrived outside Xue Qinghe's study.
Creak—
The door slowly opened.
Led by Porcupinefish, Salas stepped inside.
What he saw stunned him.
A beautiful young woman sat inside, relaxed and composed, leisurely sipping tea.
Salas froze.
So this… was the true face of Emperor Xue Qinghe?
The woman set down her teacup and smiled faintly.
"Salas, this is our first meeting under these identities," she said calmly.
"Allow me to reintroduce myself."
"My name is Qian Renxue."
-----------------_-----_-----------------
Read 40 advanced chapter on
👉 patreon.com/Master_fic