The Existence of Gods, Secrets of the God Realm, and the Secret to Becoming a God!

"Gods?!"

The Sky Azure Bull Python's enormous body jolted violently, and the scales around its neck even made a faint scraping sound.

The tremor it caused sent distinct ripples spreading across the lakewater near the shore, where it lapped noisily against the rocks.

Those deep eyes, which had witnessed the rise and fall of countless species and the changing of eras, now churned with turbulent emotion.

"Gods... those illusory things that only exist in stories fabricated from humanity's wishful thinking..."

The Sky Azure Bull Python could not help but doubt it.

"Are you certain you mean 'gods'? Beings that transcend mortal life and possess unfathomable power... beings that truly exist?"

It had lived through countless tens of thousands of years.

It had occasionally heard scattered mentions of the concept of gods.

But it had always regarded them as unattainable fantasies, desperate faith placed by the weak in powers they could not comprehend.

They were too distant.

So distant that they possessed no sense of reality at all.

Believing in them was as absurd as believing one could truly scoop the moon out of the lake.

"Gods truly exist."

Lin Qing nodded firmly.

"The traces and inheritances they left behind may not be as distant from this continent, from you and me, as we imagine."

Lin Qing walked back to the campfire, plopped down, and casually picked up a twig.

He idly scratched at the damp earth, his shadow stretched long by the firelight.

The tip of the twig finally stopped, leaving behind two clear words—"gods"!

Under the firelight, those two words seemed to carry an immense weight.

"There truly were powerful figures in the history of our Douluo Continent who successfully took that step and transcended mortality to become saints."

Lin Qing raised his head and looked toward those lantern-like azure eyes in the darkness.

His voice was especially clear beside the silent lake.

The Sky Azure Bull Python's massive head shifted slightly, and silent ripples spread over the lake.

"There were two who lived closest to the present day."

Lin Qing raised two fingers. "One was Poseidon, the Sea God, who controlled the power of the oceans and was revered by countless Sea Soul Masters and Sea Soul Beasts."

"The other..."

He continued, "was the supreme Angel God of legend, who established the foundation of Spirit Hall's faith."

Lin Qing remembered this matter very clearly.

Moreover, both of their God Positions had been self-created.

Poseidon became a god through the faith of the ocean.

The Angel God became a god through humanity's faith in light and justice.

Compared to gods who inherited God Positions, their status in the God Realm's system on Douluo Continent was exceptionally high, which was why both were first-class gods.

The night wind swept past, and the campfire suddenly flared higher.

"..."

The Sky Azure Bull Python remained silent.

Yet Lin Qing could sense that its gaze had become heavier.

He threw out even more shocking information, striking directly at the heart of the matter.

"Soul Power Rank One Hundred is the insurmountable gulf between mortals and gods."

"For you Soul Beasts, the equivalent is one million years of cultivation."

The twig lightly tapped the ground, emphasizing the terror of that number.

"Above Douluo Continent, there is an even higher-level Plane—the God Realm."

"Anyone who successfully advances to God Rank will be forcibly guided to the God Realm."

"So, naturally, you won't see true gods walking the world here."

He spread his hands, his tone carrying a hint of matter-of-factness.

The Sky Azure Bull Python still said nothing.

But the Soul Power Fluctuation surrounding it revealed the unrest in its heart.

Lin Qing added more fuel to the fire.

"Furthermore, the gods within the God Realm have strict and clearly defined ranks."

He spoke as though discussing everyday matters, yet what he revealed were secrets that overturned all understanding.

"Starting from the lowest-ranking God Officials, there are third-class gods, second-class gods, first-class gods, and even more powerful God Kings who rule over the gods."

"..."

A long silence descended, broken only by the crackling of burning wood.

The Sky Azure Bull Python had lived for countless years and considered itself broadly knowledgeable, looking down upon Star Dou.

Yet tonight, this human's casual words were like a Heavy Hammer, ruthlessly smashing apart its established understanding of the world.

The God Realm?

Becoming a god at Rank One Hundred?

Ranks among gods?

Each of those terms was like a thunderclap, exploding into monstrous waves within the still waters of its heart.

For the first time, it felt that its ten-thousand-year life was still as insignificant as dust before some vast existence.

"You..."

The Sky Azure Bull Python finally spoke, its voice dry like rusted metal grinding together.

"Why do you understand such illusory matters, matters that could be considered absolute secrets, so clearly?"

Its gaze locked tightly onto Lin Qing, trying to find a flaw in his face.

In its eyes, Lin Qing had become increasingly mysterious and unfathomable.

"It's actually quite normal when you think about it."

Lin Qing dusted off his hands, his expression somewhat helpless, yet carrying a hint of Isn't this obvious?

"Many myths and legends among humans are not baseless; they are fragments of history that can be traced."

"But you Soul Beasts are different."

His tone was resolute.

"It isn't merely because you lack a civilization with systematic inheritances. More importantly, Soul Beasts cannot become gods!"

He looked at the Sky Azure Bull Python, his eyes blazing.

"This is an ironclad law! It is the most fundamental restriction imposed upon your Soul Beast race by the rules of heaven and earth!"

The night wind caused the campfire to flicker, and Lin Qing's face appeared especially solemn amid the shifting light and shadow.

"After reaching one hundred thousand years, you must undergo a Heavenly Tribulation every additional hundred thousand years."

"Each Heavenly Tribulation is more terrifying and more lethal than the last."

His voice lowered slightly, carrying a heavy resonance.

"As far as I know, under normal circumstances, almost no Soul Beast can endure every Heavenly Tribulation and reach the level of one million years alive."

"Much less break the laws of heaven and earth and defy fate to become a god."

Of course.

A certain exception instantly floated through his mind—the comrade Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, who had somehow become a million-year living battery just by eating and sleeping.

That did not count as a normal situation. It was purely a bug.

He silently grumbled to himself.

"So..."

Lin Qing's summarizing tone returned to normal.

"Inheritances and information concerning 'gods' naturally circulate only in secret among the very few strongest humans."

"It is perfectly normal for ordinary Soul Beasts like you not to know."

"..."

This time, the Sky Azure Bull Python neither refuted him nor questioned him.

Those future daughters who had appeared out of nowhere, including Lin Wu'er, were themselves the strongest proof.

They proved that Lin Qing was entangled in causality beyond common sense.

Furthermore, as its hundred-thousand-year cultivation grew increasingly profound, that vague sense of impending danger became clearer and clearer.

It had indeed vaguely sensed that, someday in the future, a destructive trial would descend upon it.

That was likely the "Heavenly Tribulation" Lin Qing had spoken of.

At that thought, a chill could not help but rise in its heart.

Just as the atmosphere grew somewhat heavy.

Lin Qing suddenly raised his head.

His gaze became exceptionally serious as he stared directly into the Sky Azure Bull Python's enormous azure pupils.

He spoke clearly, one word at a time. "In fact, according to some extremely secret records I know of..."

He deliberately slowed his pace, ensuring that every word struck into the other party's heart.

"After successfully inheriting a God Position and gaining the mighty power of a god, it may even be possible for Soul Beasts whose souls remain intact after Sacrifice..."

"To return from the dead!"