Ripples on the Divine Path, Rivalry in the Mortal World

The turmoil in the Divine Realm has temporarily subsided. Yu Yuanchen, carrying the Heavenly Dao Cauldron and filled with Immortal Spiritual Qi, returns to the Douluo Plane. Everything in Purple Blazing Dragon City remains the same, the Federation continues to prosper, and the integration of Martial Way and Soul Tool Technology deepens day by day.

However, Yu Yuanchen knew that behind the seemingly peaceful vote in the Divine Realm, undercurrents were surging. The century-long buffer period was both an opportunity and a challenge.

He briefly informed his like-minded old friends, Qian Daoliu, Tang Chen, and Bo Saixi, about the controversy surrounding the Path of Divine Spark within the God Realm Committee, as well as the possible subsequent plans of the three God King: Goodness, Asura, and Asura.

Upon hearing the proposal of a "All-Deity Vote," Qian Daoliu and pondered, "Using the Conservative Faction to delay is indeed a calculated move. The Divine Realm has long suffered from deep-seated problems, and there are many who are lazy in their governance. If this proposal is put forward, the promotion of the Path of Divine Spark will likely be difficult."

Tang Chen sneered, "Hmph, a bunch of incompetent fools! If we just wait for the God Position to become vacant, who knows how many years we descendants will waste! I think Brother Yuanchen's Path of Divine Spark is better; a future earned through one's own fists is truly satisfying!"

Bo Saixi nodded gracefully, her voice ethereal. "The Godhood Inheritance, while secure, lacks ambition. The Path of Divine Spark, however, offers hope to the chosen ones and vitality to the Divine Realm. Though there may be setbacks, its direction is undoubtedly correct. Now that we have transcended, we should pave the way for future generations."

All three were dissatisfied with the seniority-based, almost rigid system in the Divine Realm.

In particular, considering that the Godhood Inheritance often requires the previous deity to Cultivation Level their cultivation to a point where they can easily detach themselves from the God Position (usually taking ten thousand years), it can only be carried out.

Over these ten thousand years, how many brilliant talents will emerge in the lower realm, only to grow old and die in obscurity due to the lack of vacant God Position? The Path of Divine Spark pioneered by Yu Yuanchen, though perilous, undoubtedly provides these geniuses with a shortcut to transcendence through their own abilities, greatly preventing the burying of talent.

The Path of Divine Spark is not one that everyone can walk, but it is at least a hope. If you fail, you can only blame yourself for not being capable enough, and there is nothing to regret.

Moreover, even if the Divine Realm opposes the Path of Divine Spark, it cannot actually control whether its own people cultivate it. The result of the Divine Realm's vote determines whether those who take the Path of Divine Spark and become gods will be recognized by the Divine Realm.

If the Path of Divine Spark is not officially recognized by the Divine Realm, those who succeed in this path will have no formal status in the Divine Realm and will be regarded as "Wild God." They will not only find it difficult to enjoy the nourishment of the Divine Realm 'Immortal Spiritual Qi (which means their lifespan will not be as long as that of orthodox gods), but may also be ostracized or even expelled.

Although Yu Yuanchen and others might be able to bring a small number of people into the Divine Realm with their permission, the number of slots is limited and it is by no means a long-term solution.

"Once we have resolved our mortal ties and ascended to the Divine Realm, we will certainly do our utmost to support Brother Yuanchen and help him vindicate this path," Qian Daoliu solemnly declared. Tang Chen and Bo Saixi nodded in agreement.

At that time, with the addition of Ye Zhilan, who has also become a god, Yu Yuanchen's side will have the strong support of four First-level Deity in the Divine Realm. This power is something that even God King cannot ignore.

Time flies, and another ten years have quietly passed in the Douluo Continent.

Over the past decade, the mainland has enjoyed overall peace and stability. Under Federation governance, Soul Master and ordinary people have lived in harmony, and various academies and sects have flourished. Among the younger generation, some rising stars have emerged, some following the rules and regulations, others forging their own paths and exploring their way forward.

A hundred miles outside of Dragon City, an intermediate Soul Master Academy called "Qinghe" welcomed another batch of graduates.

Among the crowd, a slightly thin young man with a scholarly air yet an undeniable sense of loneliness silently packed his bags. He was none other than Yu Xiaogang.

It has been nearly ten years since he left the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. At first, he was filled with resentment at being "abandoned" by his family and a desire to prove himself, so he studied quite hard at the academy.

With the last of the resources he brought from the sect, he barely managed to raise his Soul Power to level 20, and at a considerable cost, he hired a Soul Ancestor- level mercenary to help him hunt for his Second Soul Ring.

However, fate seemed to always play tricks on him. His Martial Soul, Luo Sanpao, after absorbing its second Hundred-Year Soul Ring, was granted Soul Skill that was once again—"farting"!

"Second Soul Skill: Fart like smoke, Hypnotize Sleeping Three-Pound Cannon!"

When the strange-smelling, murky smoke billowed from Luo Sanpao's buttocks and made a Ten-Year Soul Beast used for testing drowsy, Yu Xiaogang felt as if the whole world had collapsed.

His First Soul Skill was "Fart like thunder, Heaven-shattering and Earth-splitting," which, although impressive, was actually weak and extremely unseemly, earning him countless scornful looks; this Second Soul Skill, however, directly shifted towards "hypnosis," still closely linked to "farting"!

In the academy, the lower-grade students who had once sympathized with him because of his pitiful background as an "abandoned son of a major sect" all avoided him like the plague after witnessing (or hearing) his Soul Skill. Secretly, the nicknames "Fart King" and "Skunk" spread like wildfire.

Even the mercenaries he hired looked strange after helping him obtain the Soul Ring, and their payment speed was 30% faster than usual.

Yu Xiaogang had tried. He had gritted his teeth and undergone Martial Way training, barely managing to temper his body to the level of a Second-grade Martial Apprentice with the help of his remaining sect foundation.

But going any further, with the addition of Yuan's precious medicinal baths, each step requires painstaking, painstaking effort. He had already cut off his family's supplies and was simply unable to support himself with only the meager subsidies from the academy and the occasional low-level missions he took on.

Without resources, without guidance from renowned teachers, and without the perseverance to endure the grueling, relentless training day after day, his Martial Way practice quickly stagnated.

The path to becoming Soul Master seems to have come to an end. A level 23 Soul Grandmaster isn't the worst among intermediate academy graduates, but he's certainly not outstanding either.

The malignant mutation of Luo Sanpao's Martial Soul, along with his despair-inducing Soul Skill, almost completely severed any possibility for him to improve his status through combat.

He had heard of the "Soul Beast Contract" method pioneered by Senior Ye Zhilan, but the Soul Beast of any worthiness looked down on him, a master of a Trash Martial Soul; and those willing to form contracts with him were all weaklings of ten or twenty years old, offering no help to his strength improvement. How could the proud and arrogant Yu Xiaogang accept this?

"Theory...yes, there's still theory!" In near despair, Yu Xiaogang turned his attention to the theory of Soul Master.

Since the path of practical experience is blocked, perhaps we can find another way to gain the respect of others through knowledge.

He went through all the books in the Dragon City Primary Academy library on the theory of Martial Soul, Soul Beast, and Soul Skill, and felt that he had made some progress.

However, how profound could the books in a junior college be? He yearned for a wider Sea of Consciousness.

"Spirit City... that place has the richest collection of books in the entire continent." A thought sprouted and spread in his mind.

He's going to Spirit City! He wants to learn more advanced theories there, and perhaps even find a way to change his own destiny!

So, upon graduation, Yu Xiaogang, with only his remaining travel expenses and a few notebooks, embarked on his journey to Spirit City. His figure was desolate, yet carried a hint of stubbornness in the face of his fate.

In stark contrast to Yu Xiaogang's struggles, a new star is rising rapidly within the Clear Sky Sect at an unprecedented pace.

Tang Hao, the second son of Tang Wei, the sect Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect, is only nineteen years old, but his Soul Power has already reached level sixty-four, making him Soul Emperor! His talent is unparalleled among his peers, and even faintly surpasses that of his father Tang Wei in his youth.

At the Martial Arts Arena behind the Clear Sky Sect, a fierce wind howled and hammer shadows filled the sky.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Heavy impacts echoed incessantly. Tang Hao, shirtless, had bulging muscles beneath his bronze skin, and beads of sweat flew with his wild movements. The dark Clear Sky Hammer in his hand seemed to come alive at this moment, no longer an inanimate object, but an extension of his arm, a manifestation of his will.

Sometimes it is fierce and unparalleled, like a mountain pressing down; sometimes it is light and cunning, like a venomous snake emerging from its hole; and sometimes, the hammer blows are continuous and unending, each blow heavier than the last, like towering waves, which is the Clear Sky Sect's Ultimate Skill - the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer!

What's even more chilling is that he wasn't just using simple hammer techniques. Each swing of the hammer carried a unique "intention," as if the hammer itself had come to Life, roaring and fighting! This was a manifestation of hammer techniques cultivated to an extremely high level, reaching the level of "Hammer Soul"!

His opponent was his elder brother, Tang Xiao, Soul Douluo who was now at level 85. Tang Xiao held a slightly smaller Clear Sky Hammer, his expression solemn, suppressing his own Soul Power to the Soul Emperor level, and doing his best to deal with his younger brother's storm of attacks. Even so, he was still forced to retreat step by step, his hands and feet going numb.

"Good lad! You've mastered the essence of the Chaotic Cloak, and your Hammer Intent is even more refined! In terms of sheer ferocity of attack, it's hard to find an opponent among those of the same level!" Tang Xiao secretly praised him. Seizing an opening, he changed his hammer stance, switching from defense to offense, and delivered a simple and sharp straight hammer strike towards Tang Hao's center.

"Well done!" Tang Hao's eyes flashed with a sharp light. Without dodging or avoiding, he charged forward with his Clear Sky Hammer, carrying an indomitable momentum!

"Clang--!"

A deafening clang of metal clashing echoed throughout the Martial Arts Arena, and a visible shockwave spread out in a ring, cracking the bluestone slabs on the ground. The two men swayed simultaneously, each taking three steps back, showing they were evenly matched!

"Haha! That was exhilarating!" Tang Hao put away his hammer, stood up, and laughed heartily, his whole body steaming with heat and his fighting spirit soaring.

Tang Xiao also withdrew his Martial Soul, looking at his younger brother who had a long and tireless breath, his eyes filled with amazement and satisfaction. "Xiao Hao, your progress is truly astonishing. Grandfather is right, your talent surpasses mine. Given time, it's not impossible for you to surpass Father, or even catch up with Grandfather's glory in his youth."

When Tang Chen mentioned his grandfather, Tang Hao, a hint of reverence flashed in his eyes. This grandfather, who had become the God of Destruction, often went to the Divine Realm, but he also frequently gave him guidance and devoted a great deal of effort to him.

In particular, the evaluation of his Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul— "It has the potential to evolve into the Great Sumeru Hammer"—filled Tang Hao with motivation and anticipation.

"Brother, you flatter me." Tang Hao wiped his sweat, but his tone was confident. "I'm still far from it. At least, compared to Qian Xunji from the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament ten years ago..."

Mentioning this name, Tang Hao's eyes sharpened. Qian Xunji, son of the Angel God Qian Daoliu, God Bloodline, was already a level 72 Soul Sage ten years ago. With his abnormal Divinity defense, he forcefully defeated the Tianxing Team, led by his elder brother Yu Yunyao and Tang Xiao, and won the championship. This matter has always been a regret in the hearts of Tang Xiao and others.

Upon hearing this, Tang Xiao's expression also turned serious. "Qian Xunji... this guy is truly extraordinary."

"According to my father, in order to temper his character and prevent him from becoming arrogant because of his bloodline, Senior Qian Daoliu has not allowed him to rush to improve his Soul Power over the past ten years. Instead, he has suppressed his Cultivation Level and made him walk the ' Angel's Path to Glory ' again, so as to deeply understand the beliefs and will carried by the Angel Martial Soul."

Now, ten years later, his Soul Power seems to have only reached level 85 Soul Douluo, similar to mine."

"Level 85?" Tang Hao raised an eyebrow. "At the same level, brother, what do you think my chances of winning against him are now?"

Tang Xiao pondered for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "It's hard to say. While Qian Xunji's divine lineage defense is indeed abnormal, his attack, speed, and support abilities are equally flawless, making him a true Hexagonal Warrior."

Your attack is strong, but breaking through his defense will be no easy task. Even with equal Soul Power, his advantage lies in the quality and Divinity of his Martial Soul; he might still have a slight edge. After all, the Six-winged Angel is a true God-Tier Martial Soul."

Tang Hao's eyes burned with the fire of battle, yet he showed no sign of discouragement; instead, his fervor intensified. "So what if he possesses God-Tier Martial Soul? My Clear Sky Hammer might evolve in the future! My grandfather achieved God Position with the Clear Sky Hammer, and so can I, Tang Hao! Once I break through to the Titled Douluo, I will definitely seek him out for a battle!"

At this moment, Sect Master Tang Wei's voice came from the side. "It's good to have fighting spirit. However, Hao'er, don't underestimate Qian Xunji. Retracing the Angel's Path may seem to slow down your cultivation progress, but Cultivation Level reality, it has laid an extremely solid foundation, and your understanding of the Martial Soul Origin far surpasses that of your peers."

When he breaks through to the next level, he will likely reach the Super Douluo in one step, and his control over the Six-winged Angel will probably reach a whole new level. If you wish to challenge him, you will need to work twice as hard."

Looking at his exceptionally talented second son, Tang Wei felt both pride and a hint of worry. Tang Hao's temperament was very much like Tang Chen's when he was young—fierce, domineering, and relentlessly forward. This was an advantage, but also a weakness. As for Qian Xunji, under Qian Daoliu's deliberate tutelage, his character and skills had probably already far surpassed those of his peers. Tang Wei did not believe that Tang Hao would win.

"Father, rest assured, I understand!" Tang Hao nodded emphatically, gripping the Clear Sky Hammer tightly. The stronger the opponent, the more excited he became! He would use the hammer in his hand to smash all obstacles and prove that the Clear Sky Hammer's sharpness was no weaker than any God-Tier Martial Soul!

Purple Blazing Dragon City, the Governor's Secret Chamber.

Yu Yuanchen slowly opened his eyes, his gaze filled with a chaotic light that seemed to reflect an endless galaxy. Although he was focused on his own cultivation and the perfection of his Divine Spark, all matters, big and small, that occurred in the Douluo Plane, especially those related to his family and friends, were within the reach of his Divine Sense.

Yu Xiaogang's struggles and shifts in direction, and Tang Hao's rise and fighting spirit, are all like reflections in a mirror or the moon's reflection in water, etched into our hearts.

He suspected that Tang San in the original novel might be a henchman of the Asura God King. In the original novel, both of these people had extremely close relationships with Tang San. Although the plot might change significantly because of him, they might still be involved. If that were the case, he would undoubtedly have the upper hand.

His gaze once again turned towards the Divine Realm in the darkness. Ten years had passed since the hundred-year period was set. The schemes of the Goodness, the evil, and the Asura had probably already quietly begun.

He closed his eyes again, his mind completely immersed in the deduction and refinement of the Primordial Star Divine Spark. The massive amount of Immortal Spiritual Qi obtained from the Divine Realm was slowly refined and integrated into the Divine Spark, making the miniature universe within it, the trajectory of stars, and the beginnings of Life evolution even more profound.