Chapter 303: The Ninth Trial of Asura, the First Stage!
Tang San's news?!
Tang Xiao's arrival and the message he brought instantly shocked Ning Fengzhi and Emperor Xue Ye.
With the great war imminent, at this critical moment, even though they had to appear calm, composed, and confident before their people, they couldn't help but show their worries in private discussions.
Tang San was their anchor of stability. They desperately needed his return.
"Master Tang, what's the news?" Emperor Xue Ye excitedly stood up, descended from his throne, and approached Tang Xiao.
Seeing this, Tang Xiao quickly entered the hall, came beside Emperor Xue Ye, and with a beaming smile said, "Hahaha… Your Majesty, there's no need to be so excited."
As he spoke, Tang Xiao took out a spread-out letter from his chest with a proud expression on his face. "According to the High Priest Bo Saixi of Sea God Island, it's only a thin veil separating Xiao San from becoming the Sea God."
"Moreover, if he wishes, he can break through at any time!"
Hiss—
Both Emperor Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi gasped.
According to the news from Sea God Island, didn't this mean that their Heaven Dou Empire could have a true god-level powerhouse at any moment?!
"Master Tang, you said Xiao San hasn't broken through to become the Sea God yet and is holding back. Does he intend to…" Ning Fengzhi seemed to catch a hint from Tang Xiao's words and the content of the letter, so he looked up and asked Tang Xiao.
As Ning Fengzhi had surmised, Tang Xiao gave him a thumbs-up and praised, "Master Ning, you indeed guessed it right."
"The reason Xiao San hasn't chosen to break through now is that he wants to break through the limits of two god positions at once and achieve dual god inheritance."
Dual God Inheritance!
Emperor Xue Ye's pupils contracted, and his breathing became rapid!
Inheriting two god positions simultaneously!
In the long history of his Heaven Dou Empire, there had almost never been a soul master who could inherit even one god position, and now Tang San was going to inherit two at once. The shock to him was indescribable!
If Tang San could successfully break through, wouldn't it be recorded in the history books of his Heaven Dou Empire?!
By then, as the emperor, he could have the historians write some commendable stories about himself and Tang San…
Thinking of this, Emperor Xue Ye couldn't help but feel delighted.
"Excellent! As expected of the prodigy of the Clear Sky Sect. Master Tang, it is truly a blessing for our royal family to have the support of your Clear Sky Sect."
Emperor Xue Ye laughed heartily and looked at Ning Fengzhi, saying, "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect of Master Ning and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan of Master Yu are no exceptions. With all of you here, even if the Spirit Empire army presses on, I can wait in peace for your good news."
Ning Fengzhi bowed to Emperor Xue Ye and said, "Your Majesty, there's no need for such formality. As the saying goes, those who are righteous gain much support, while those who are unrighteous lose it. The Spirit Empire is an aggressor, and most of those who help it are coerced by its force."
"But as long as Xiao San can achieve victory in the end, it will give them hope to resist."
"By then, counterattacking the Spirit Empire will only be a matter of time."
Tang Xiao also smiled and said, "We shall congratulate Your Majesty in advance."
With the news from Tang Xiao, the tense atmosphere in the hall dissipated.
---
City of Slaughter.
This place was now territory of the Spirit Empire. Before entering, Bo Saixi specifically warned Tang San not to act rashly to avoid attracting the Spirit Empire's attention.
"A bunch of people occupying my territory. Once I inherit the Asura God position, you will be the first I slaughter." Tang San's eyes flashed red as he looked at the Spirit Empire death warriors fighting each other in the City of Slaughter.
Now, as the heir to the Asura God, this city rightfully belonged to him.
Su Yun forcibly took it from him before, and now it was time to reclaim it.
Tang San wrapped himself in a black robe and followed the guidance in his mind, leaping through the shadows of the City of Slaughter.
Su Yun seldom appeared in the City of Slaughter, so Tang San could move freely within it.
Upon arriving at a secluded spot, feeling the energy there, Tang San's eyes under the black robe revealed a hint of excitement.
"Is this the place for the final ninth trial of the Asura God?" Tang San murmured to himself and began channeling the Asura divine power from within his body towards the front.
As expected, as if triggered by the Asura divine power, the surrounding environment suddenly changed dramatically like a mechanism had been activated.
In just a few breaths, Tang San felt the world spinning. When his vision cleared, he found himself in darkness.
The feeling here was completely different from the place where he received the Sea God inheritance.
If the power of the Sea God carried the vastness and grandeur of the ocean, then this silent darkness hid a solemn and serious strength.
Shua!
A sudden sound of wind arose, catching Tang San's attention. In his line of sight, he saw countless eerie blue flames igniting in front of him.
As the dim blue flames lit up on the walls on both sides, Tang San realized he was in a massive courtroom.
"Is this…"
Before Tang San could think further, a voice suddenly echoed in the space.
"Tang San, welcome to the Ninth Trial of the Asura God. I am the examiner here, the Asura Spirit."
A gigantic phantom appeared before Tang San, resembling the Asura God. Tang San was slightly stunned, as the tone of the phantom felt unfamiliar, as if they had never met before.
However, they had indeed met multiple times. Why was this happening?
"No need to be puzzled; I am merely a consciousness."
"To ensure the fairness of the ninth trial, I cannot descend in my true form."
Seeing the confusion in Tang San's eyes, the phantom explained, "According to the passage of time, the current me is at least several hundred years removed from that time."
Tang San understood and bowed deeply towards the phantom, saying, "I see, then I will trouble you, senior."
"No need for that."
The phantom of the Asura Spirit waved its hand, a gesture of distant rejection, hinting at what kind of personality it had several hundred years ago.
Even from a distance, Tang San could feel the sense of alienation and a killing intent that made his heart race. He silently prayed that the phantom wouldn't set difficult challenges for him.
However, given his current strength, he believed he could easily handle even dozens of hundred-thousand-year soul beasts.
After all, he was already comparable to the Sea God, only one final step away which he deliberately hadn't taken.
"Hmm? You have the divine power of the Sea God within you?"
The phantom of the Asura Spirit suddenly noticed something different about Tang San and made a sound of surprise.
Having slept here for hundreds of years, it naturally didn't know what had happened in the outside world.
Tang San then recounted his experiences.
"You're quite a lucky boy, but inheriting dual god positions is not an easy feat. Even if you pass my ninth trial, whether you can withstand the power of dual gods depends on the strength of your body," the phantom of the Asura Spirit said coolly.
Tang San smiled confidently and replied, "Senior, rest assured. With the help of the treasures on Sea God Island and the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, I dare say that my physical strength is unmatched, even among soul masters who specialize in body training."
His confidence was evident in his tone.
"Since you are so confident, we can begin the divine trial."
As soon as the phantom of the Asura Spirit spoke, Tang San's expression turned serious.
This was a crucial moment for him, and he had to treat it with utmost seriousness.
"The Ninth Trial of Asura consists of two parts. The first stage is a battle. If you pass the first stage, I will tell you about the second stage. If you can't pass the first stage, you will be expelled and can only try again in a year," the phantom of the Asura Spirit stated plainly.
A one-year interval?!
Tang San was shocked and frowned, asking, "Senior, why is there a one-year restriction?"
"No reason. Opportunities are for those who are prepared."
"If you can't even pass the first stage, it proves your preparation is insufficient."
"Since your preparation is insufficient, why should I waste time and energy on you?"
The Asura Spirit's words were domineering, making it clear that everything had to follow its rules.
However, Tang San did not show any signs of backing down after hearing this.
He had already passed all nine trials of the Sea God, so why fear the trials of the Asura God?
Seeing his expression, the phantom of the Asura Spirit said, "The first stage is a battle against a fragment of my consciousness. You have one incense stick's worth of time. If you survive my attacks, I will let you pass."
"If you can defeat my consciousness fragment, I will give you an advantage in the second stage."
Tang San's eyes lit up at these words.
For the Asura Spirit to mention "an advantage," it showed that the reward was significant.
But Tang San was no fool. From the conditions given, he knew the difficulty was high.
One incense stick's worth of time.
Survive.
These words made Tang San tense.
After all, these were the words of a god.
The trial's content was based on his current strength, meaning the Asura Spirit's consciousness fragment would be stronger than him.
"Afraid?"
"If you're scared, you can leave now," the Asura Spirit suddenly said.
Tang San shook his head, "No need."
"Let's begin!"
With that, the fire of battle ignited in Tang San's eyes.
"Good!"
"It's been hundreds of years since I've had a worthy opponent. Today, encountering a boy with the Sea God's power has stirred my fighting spirit."
"Let me see what kind of strength you have to be favored by both the current me and the Sea God!"
The Asura God created a fragment of his consciousness, and with a wave of his hand, the courtroom transformed into a vast space.
In this space, there was even a vast ocean, resembling the real world outside.
"Don't worry, I won't limit your power. Since you can inherit the Sea God's position, let me see how strong you truly are!"
The Asura God, being the master of slaughter, had an intense desire for battle, second only to the God of War in the Divine Realm.
Thus, battling Tang San at this moment was a way for him to relieve the boredom of not having a worthy opponent for hundreds of years.
Boom!
As soon as the words fell, a low explosive sound abruptly burst in the air!
Tang San instantly saw a phantom, like a supersonic cannonball, rushing towards him!
His pupils shrank suddenly!
Is this the true power of a god?!
Tang San was sure that if it were the real Asura God, the speed and power would be even more terrifying than now.
"If it were the old me, I might have been scared by you."
"However, now I have the power of the Sea God. Combined with my Tang Sect's Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record, it's still uncertain who will win." Tang San's eyes showed a spark of battle intent. He was eager to test his strength against the Asura God.
In an instant, Tang San also burst into high speed, using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, which he had mastered to its highest level.
The two streams of light collided dozens of times in the air, with the total number of exchanges exceeding a thousand!
During this time, Tang San wrapped his hidden weapons in divine power, occasionally ambushing the Asura God.
"Hahaha, good lad! Your little gadgets are truly troublesome." The Asura God fragment laughed heartily.
He saw nothing wrong with Tang San's use of hidden weapons.
In battle, as long as you win, that's enough.
Losing simply meant your skills were inferior.
Hearing the Asura God's laughter, Tang San's face showed no relief.
He felt his body being influenced by the Asura God's fragment.
The opponent's Killing God Domain seemed to be constantly eroding his own.
Moreover, his defenses had been breached several times by the Asura God's attacks.
If not for the Sea God Domain's protection, he might not have lasted this long.
The Asura God's combat awareness was too formidable. Even when Tang San managed to react, he sometimes couldn't keep up with the opponent's speed.
And this was only a third of the time.
"Boy, my combat is about slaughter. Your skills are good, but I can see you're hiding your inner killing intent."
"This is not the true you!"
"If you can't show your true self, don't even think about defeating me today!"
The Asura God's words instantly shocked Tang San.
The true self?
Tang San's mind flashed back to memories.
The assassin Tang San from the Tang Sect...
As he was lost in thought, the Asura God's punch was already coming towards him again!