The red light on the statue flickered again, as if it were trying to understand Chen Chu's words. After a long while, it spoke once more, though its tone had become more complicated. "Wildfires cannot burn it all away? You have grasped the principle of uprooting the weeds quite thoroughly."
Chen Chu said nothing more in response to the Asura God King's consciousness. He merely continued on his own, "What? Does Your Majesty still think my temperament makes me unworthy of your inheritance?"
"Whether you are worthy is not determined by temperament, but by the heart." That dignified voice sounded again. "You say you would not spare an enemy's child because you fear leaving behind trouble. But if that child posed no threat to you whatsoever, and might even become an aid by your side in the future, would you still kill him?"
Chen Chu rubbed his chin. The sharpness in his eyes from before was gone as he answered seriously, "An aid? Your Majesty, that is absurd. An enemy's child would either hate me for killing his parents or seek revenge against me. What kind of aid would that be? I do not have the spare time to gamble on whether he might betray me."
"What if you taught him personally and made him acknowledge you as his master?" the statue pressed.
Chen Chu froze for a moment, but still shook his head. "Teach him? I have not even reached the peak of my own cultivation. Where would I find the time to teach someone else? Besides, I will not do something as foolish as raising a tiger that could turn on me. How many people have left behind future troubles because they were softhearted, only to die without even knowing why? I do not want to follow in their footsteps."
"You certainly understand many principles." The statue's voice carried a trace of helplessness. The bloody Killing Intent drifting from the tower gate thickened again and circled Chen Chu's martial soul projection twice. "Do you know that the Asura God's inheritance has never been meant to turn its successor into a madman who only knows how to kill?"
"Oh? Then what do you want me to become?" Chen Chu sat up straighter, an indescribable note in his voice. "Do you expect me to hold the world in my heart and become some savior?"
"No." The statue's voice sank. "The Asura God governs slaughter, but also judgment.
Kill those who deserve to die, protect that which deserves protection. That is my true intent. You only understand killing, yet do not understand why one must protect. That is why you cannot enter this tower now."
"Protect that which deserves protection?" Chen Chu frowned and said lazily, "I protect myself. Does that not count? To put it plainly, you do not take me seriously either!"
"It counts, but it is not enough. It cannot be only that." The statue paused. "If you protect only yourself, then you are no different from the madmen of Slaughter City, merely laughing at each other from fifty paces away. They kill to survive; you kill to become stronger. In essence, there is no difference."
"Enough. You are too stubborn, boy. I do not have time to chat with you here."
"When you understand what I mean, you will naturally be able to enter this Nine-Layered Purgatory Tower!"
The Asura God felt that this boy was still lacking something, so he decided to let him settle himself a little longer. As for protecting those who deserved protection, he merely wanted Chen Chu to understand that becoming a god meant bearing responsibility. He would need to safeguard the God Realm's safety. If he embraced only extreme individualism and cared for no one but himself, that would not do.
After leaving those words behind, he hurriedly departed. The stone statue lost its glow as well, and the surroundings returned to calm, as though nothing had happened.
Although Chen Chu knew the plot, he still could not account for every detail. Those old gods of the God Realm all hoped for the God Realm to grow stronger and greater. On the surface, they would never advocate individualism.
Chen Chu watched the Asura God King's consciousness depart, going over everything it had just said.
It had not seemed like much at first, but now that he thought about it, the Asura God seemed to have been far too deliberate.
By its reasoning, only by following its path and complying with its way would the divine position be passed on to him. Was that not forcing him to brainwash himself?
If becoming a god meant being restrained at every turn, then what was the point of becoming one?
"You think I need you that badly? You think I admire you, this so-called god? Do you really take me for some native? I refuse to believe that once Sagros evolves to the Holy King level, you will still be pulling this nonsense to test me. I only hope that when the time comes, you will not secretly go easy on me and open the back door just so you can quickly finish the god trials and pass down your divine position sooner!"
This was Douluo One, not Douluo Two. It was not yet the era when Tang Buddha ruled everything with one hand. Divine inheritances might not be everywhere, but they were not impossible to find. Without the Asura God, there were other gods. At worst, he could go looking for one himself. He refused to believe that someone the Asura God had chosen would be beneath everyone else's notice!
Watch the Dragon King return!
Chen Chu stepped forward, crouched down to retrieve the bead, then left Slaughter City. His divine sense returned to his body. Since he could not enter the tower, there was no reason for him to remain.
When he opened his eyes again, he was still in the small courtyard. Judging by the sun's position, it was probably around four or five in the afternoon, just in time to begin preparing for the evening banquet.
After washing up simply and choosing a rather expensive formal outfit, Chen Chu arrived early at the Education Committee's office.
Zhi Lin and the others had already been waiting for him for quite some time. When they saw Chen Chu approaching in formal attire, looking exceptionally valiant, they were quite satisfied.
"Little Chu, that outfit suits you very well. You truly cut a fine figure. I am sure Your Majesty will be very pleased with you."
Zhi Lin began praising Chen Chu from afar, a smile never leaving his face.
Several other teachers attending the banquet also chimed in.
"You flatter me, Education Committee Member. I do not have many clothes. This is merely the only one that fits reasonably well. Please do not laugh at me."
Naturally, Chen Chu would not say that he looked handsome in anything. It was merely that the clothes fit well.
"You brat, still so modest. That is what I appreciate about you. Alright, it is getting late. The other two Education Committee Members have matters to attend to, so I will lead the group this time. Let us go."
At Zhi Lin's command, they left the office, boarded their carriage, and headed toward the imperial palace.
This banquet was hosted by the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and invited all major factions and notable figures. Among them were Douluo One's foremost socialite, Ning Fengzhi, sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect; Salas, bishop of the Heaven Dou City Spirit Hall; and others.
The carriage wheels rolled over the bluestone streets as they headed into the palace. Chen Chu lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and watched the streetscape of Heaven Dou City pass by outside. The shops lining both sides of the streets were hung with red lanterns, while pedestrians came and went in a lively bustle.
Zhi Lin sat opposite him, idly rolling a pair of walnuts in his hand. Seeing Chen Chu constantly looking outside, he assumed the boy was nervous and suddenly said, "Little Chu, do not be too nervous when you meet Your Majesty later. Your Majesty has a gentle temperament. He simply likes asking about soul master cultivation. Just answer truthfully."
Chen Chu lowered the curtain and nodded. "I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Education Committee Member."
He was not worried. Xue Ye had some sense; toward a genius like him, the emperor would only seek to win him over and would have no other intentions. The ones he needed to watch out for were those other factions.
After traveling for roughly half an hour, the carriage finally arrived at the palace gates. Two rows of guards stood before the vermilion gates, their armor gleaming and swords hanging at their waists. Upon seeing Zhi Lin's carriage, they immediately allowed it through.
The carriage drove directly into the palace and stopped before the banquet hall. Servants immediately came forward to guide them.
Before you continue