The God of Destruction Seizes the Divine Artifact

His voice was deep and authoritative, getting straight to the point without any unnecessary pleasantries. Winning over a newly promoted, high-potential Life Goddess was crucial for the expansion of the Divine Realm order under his control.

Yao clapped her hands, stood up, and naturally stood a little behind Cai Wenji.

She didn't speak, but tilted her head, curiously examining the God of Destruction. There was no fear in her clear eyes, only pure curiosity.

Cai Wenji met the gaze of the God of Destruction and replied calmly, "Thank you for your high regard. If your plan can truly protect the Divine Realm Divine Realm and expand its barriers to consolidate Divine Realm foundation and prevent external interference, then... I will naturally lend a helping hand. The meaning of life lies in protection and survival."

At this point, Cai Wenji slightly raised her head, looking directly into those awe-inspiring eyes of destruction. "I, Cai Wenji, the Life Goddess, am willing to use the power of my Goddess of Life authority to help you stabilize the boundary and Divine Realm. This is fulfilling our duty as deities to this world."

Yao blinked beside her, forgetting to chew the candy ball in her mouth.

She didn't quite understand the complicated responsibilities and plans.

However, after glancing at Cai Wenji's serious expression and then at the imposing God of Destruction, she quietly swallowed the candy and stood quietly to the side, her little hand gently grasping the hem of Cai Wenji's clothes, silently showing her support.

The God of Destruction remained silent for a few breaths.

The intense aura of destruction emanating from him, strangely, did not become more violent during this brief silence. Instead, it seemed to have been calmed and softened by something invisible.

Then, he slowly and completely turned around. The corners of his mouth, hidden in the shadow of his helmet, seemed to twitch slightly upwards, a smile that was almost imperceptible yet undeniably real.

"Very good." The God of Destruction's voice remained deep, but the oppressive pressure from before had subtly diminished, replaced by a calmness born of reaching an important consensus. "Protecting the Divine Realm is the essence of this agreement. You have made a wise choice, Life Goddess."

His gaze swept over the now quiet Yao, then returned to Cai Wenji: "Thus, all four God-Kings have agreed to expand the boundary. The plan can be launched soon."

There was a rare hint of ease in his tone.

"Compared to those 'colleagues' who clung to old ways and argued endlessly, you new deities..." He paused, seemingly searching for the right words, before finally saying, "You truly understand what is important and what your real responsibilities are."

These words surprisingly revealed a hint of obvious appreciation, even a trace of... slight disdain for the "terrible colleague," and satisfaction with the "pleasing new colleague."

The God of Destruction nodded slightly to Cai Wenji: "You will be needed then. At that time, you will need to nourish the essence of the boundary wall with your Life Divine Power, making it both strong and gentle, and eternally indestructible."

"It is my duty, and I cannot shirk it," Cai Wenji readily agreed.

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The God of Destruction said no more and was about to leave when...

Cai Wenji's voice rang out again, "God of Destruction, I have a favor to ask, concerning the very foundation of my divine duties, and I may need your assistance."

The God of Destruction was in a relatively good mood and nodded slightly, indicating that she should speak frankly.

Cai Wenji's slender white fingers gently caressed the body of the gilded harp in her arms. It was not her divine weapon, but merely a manifestation of her Soul Power.

"I inherited the Goddess of Life, yet I have not yet taken the artifact of the Life Goddess ..." She paused slightly, raising her eyes to look directly at the God of Destruction, "That artifact seems to still be in the hands of the former Life Goddess."

The former Life Goddess happened to be the wife of the God of Destruction, although their relationship has now almost completely fallen apart.

"Indeed, it's in her hands." The God of Destruction nodded with a grim expression. Under normal circumstances, his wife would never withhold a divine artifact from her heir. Presumably, the Asura God was involved in this as well.

He only passed on the divine position, but not the divine artifact. Originally, the God of Destruction thought that only the Godess of Kindness and the Evil God, these two exceptional beings, could do such a thing in the entire Divine Realm.

Even gods and immortals are not afraid of the backlash from the rules of the Douluo God Realm.

Cai Wenji spoke in a clear and frank voice, continuing, "I know this request is somewhat presumptuous. However, the artifact of the Life Goddess is related to the rules of life. If I could obtain its assistance, it would not only greatly benefit my control of my divine duties and the advancement of my cultivation, but it would also help stabilize the expanded barrier of the Divine Realm and harmonize the life cycle of the newly formed realms, achieving twice the result with half the effort. For both public and private reasons, I earnestly request the Destruction God King to mediate and see if the artifact... can be returned to its rightful place as soon as possible."

The God of Destruction remained silent for even longer than when they had been discussing the plan.

He gripped the Scepter of Destruction Scepter with a slight tightening of his knuckles, and the air pressure around him was extremely low.

Although he has broken up with his wife, he at most avoids seeing her and doesn't bother with her. Except when he has to confront her, he never deliberately makes things difficult for her or hurts her.

Finally, the God of Destruction spoke again, his voice filled with complex weighing of options. "This thing... has been with her for a long time."

"However, what you say is also true. The compatibility between the newly created divine positions and the divine artifacts will indeed benefit the Divine Realm in the long run..."

He paused for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "I am aware of this matter. I will... keep it in mind. The expansion plan is about to begin, so you need to focus on that first. We can discuss the artifact later. I... will find an opportunity to explain things to the Life Goddess."

Upon hearing this, Cai Wenji did not press further. "Thank you for your consideration, Divine King. I will await good news." She knew when to stop, leaving the Divine King some room to maneuver.

The God of Destruction, almost with a barely perceptible hint of "escape," transformed into a dark purple streak of light and vanished in an instant. However, compared to before, that streak of light seemed to lack the triumphant exuberance of a successful plan, and instead carried a heavy, preoccupied air.

Yao gazed in the direction where the streak of light had disappeared, then moved closer to Cai Wenji, her large eyes filled with curiosity and sympathy. "Wenji, is his wife... very fierce? Even scarier than him?"

Cai Wenji chuckled, put away her harp, and patted Yao's head. "It's not that she's fierce. It's just... some things are of extraordinary significance to certain deities, and are difficult to part with. We just need to wait patiently."

She gazed in the direction the God of Destruction had departed, a hint of understanding and curiosity flashing in her eyes.

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The God of Destruction was torn; he still harbored a sliver of hope for his wife.

Therefore, although the two sides are at odds, they have always left room for reconciliation.

However, some things cannot be avoided.

As long as the Life Goddess remains firmly aligned with the Asura God, the two sides will inevitably break off relations and reach a final, irreconcilable conflict sooner or later.

Helping Cai Wenji obtain the divine artifact this time is simply bringing that step forward.

"Some things are unavoidable," the God of Destruction murmured to himself, gazing at the empty starlight.

He knew that even without Cai Wenji's incident, as long as the Life Goddess insisted on being on the same side as the Asura God, the two sides had fundamental differences on issues concerning the Divine Realm, and sooner or later it would erupt into an irreconcilable conflict.

Cai Wenji's appearance, and her need for the divine artifact, simply brought this step forward.

He closed his eyes, and the various faces of the Life Goddess —whether she was angry, smiling, or indifferent—flashed through his mind. Finally, he remembered the Dragon Clan outside the Douluo God Realm...

"... That's enough." After a long while, the God of Destruction slowly opened his eyes, his gaze resolute.

Since we're bound to reach that point sooner or later, since the expansion plan concerns the survival and safety of the Divine Realm and cannot be compromised, and since Cai Wenji's artifact is a crucial part of the plan... then personal emotional entanglements and vague hopes for the future must give way.

Having realized this, and recalling the problems currently facing the Divine Realm, the God of Destruction made up his mind.

With a flicker, it flew towards the Life Temple.

Meanwhile, the Life Goddess was still angry about the God of Destruction's previous wariness of her, unaware that something even more devastating was about to happen.

Chapter 351 The God of Destruction Seizes the Divine Artifact

The realm of Goddess of Life is the exact opposite of the place where the God of Destruction resides.

This place is filled with an almost tangible sense of life; the air is filled with tranquility, vitality, and a maternal, all-encompassing energy.

The Life Temple is located in the center of this area.

When the figure of the God of Destruction, carrying an aura of annihilation and majesty, suddenly appeared at the edge of this vibrant divine realm, the entire domain froze for a moment.

However, this stagnation did not last long. When the Life Goddess deep within the temple sensed the arrival of the God of Destruction, he was first slightly taken aback, and then a surge of joy welled up within him.

Inside the temple, the Life Goddess suddenly raised her head. Her face was exquisitely beautiful, her temperament gentle yet exuding an inviolable nobility, and her emerald eyes seemed to hold the promise of spring for all things. At that moment, a hint of disbelief flashed across her eyes, which were then illuminated by a bright light.

It was him? He actually came of his own accord? And he even came directly to her temple?

Since the two drifted apart due to their differing ideologies, and even became openly opposed, the God of Destruction has almost never set foot in the Goddess of Life. The last time he came was for Cai Wenji.

Even when they had to meet at the Council of the Divine Realm, he would usually be cold and distant, leaving immediately afterward as if he wanted to avoid them at all costs.

An uncontrollable thought sprouted and spread in the Life Goddess's heart—could it be... that he had finally figured it out? Tired of the endless conflict, realizing that expansion and destruction were not the only way out for the Divine Realm? Had he come to... bow down and beg for peace?

This guess made her heart beat a little faster, and a long-lost warm current mixed with anticipation and bittersweetness welled up in her heart.

No matter how many arguments and disappointments they had in the past, he was still her partner who had stood shoulder to shoulder with her. The faint flame that had been buried deep in her heart and had never truly been extinguished seemed to be rekindled by this unexpected visit.

Almost without thinking, a flash of green light appeared at her fingertips, and the star-like flower was safely placed. She glanced down quickly at her pale green divine dress, adorned with fresh dewdrops and newly blooming buds, and then casually tidied a slightly disheveled strand of hair by her ear, her movements light yet revealing an undisguised eagerness.

"He's here..." she murmured to herself, her voice soft without her even realizing it. Then, she took a step and walked out of the temple.

Her steps were lighter than ever before, even tinged with joy, as if she had returned to how she felt every time she sensed his return long ago. Her skirt brushed against the smooth ground, carrying a delicate floral fragrance. The sentient flowers and plants in the temple seemed to sense their master's mood, stretching out their branches and leaves, blooming with even brighter radiance, as if welcoming her, or perhaps silently blessing her.

She walked through the colonnades bathed in flowing light, across the courtyard filled with moonlit roses, imagining his possible expression—perhaps a little awkward, but his eyes shouldn't be so cold anymore; perhaps he would first bring up some trivial matters, and then subtly reveal his true purpose...

When she finally stepped out of the archway naturally formed by flowers and vines in the Life Temple and stood on the platform in front of the temple, which was bathed in warm light, she immediately saw that tall figure that was both familiar and somewhat unfamiliar.

The God of Destruction stood there, his dark purple armor appearing exceptionally profound under the light of life. The invisible destructive force surrounding him subtly countered and merged with the vibrant life energy around him. He didn't conceal his aura; on the contrary, he seemed even more... solemn than usual?

But at this moment, the Life Goddess did not notice anything amiss.

Her emerald eyes curved into a smile, and a genuine and bright smile spread across her lips. That smile, like the first thaw of spring ice, carried a warmth and anticipation strong enough to soften even the hardest heart. She took a few steps forward, her voice clear and melodious, filled with undisguised joy. "You've come."

This was the first time in a long time that they had met privately without any external interference or parliamentary disputes. The Life Goddess was filled with the excitement of a long-awaited reunion and an eager anticipation of the impending "reconciliation."

She was completely unaware of the complexity and weight in the God of Destruction's gaze hidden beneath his helmet, nor did she know how his impending words would shatter the beautiful illusions she held in her heart and tear apart the last fragile "gap" between them.

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Seeing that the God of Destruction did not reply, the Life Goddess's heart sank slightly, but the hope born from the long wait had not been completely extinguished. Maintaining her smile, she stepped forward, her voice softer than usual. "You came suddenly... is there something you need?"

She gave herself, and him, a way out.

The God of Destruction's gaze fell upon her face.

His gaze lingered on her radiant face for a moment, glancing at the expectation that wasn't entirely hidden in her eyes, but then the last possible trace of tenderness within them was completely suppressed.

He spoke, his voice deep and steady, devoid of any superfluous emotion. "Since you have decided to pass on the Godhood Inheritance of God of Life to Cai Wenji, according to the conventions of the Divine Realm, the original divine artifact that resonates with the essence of the divine duty should also be transferred, to help the new deity quickly consolidate her power and fulfill her responsibilities."

His words were clear and well-organized, each one striking like a blow to the heart of the Life Goddess.

The smile vanished completely from her face.

In those emerald green eyes, astonishment and disbelief surged, followed by immense disappointment.

So it turns out... he didn't come to seek peace, to mend the rift, or even for a casual visit.

He came to demand the artifact on behalf of the newly appointed Life Goddess.

Life was tightly pursed, its jawline taut, and the warm, vibrant aura that had just emanated from it had turned icy cold.

"... So that's what it was for." Her voice was somewhat stiff. "You came all this way just to ask me for the Goddess of Life on her behalf?"

The God of Destruction did not avoid her gaze, but simply stated the facts. "This is customary, and it is also beneficial for the new deity to grasp divine authority and assist in stabilizing the boundaries of the Divine Realm."

"A routine?" The Life Goddess scoffed, her laughter devoid of any warmth. "A fine routine indeed."

She had already thought it through. Since the God of Destruction had spoken up, it meant that Cai Wenji had accepted the God of Destruction's offer.

"Even according to convention, it is necessary to consider whether the new deity can truly wield the divine artifact, whether his temperament is calm enough so as not to dishonor the artifact's power, or even... cause disaster!"

Her emerald eyes stared directly at the God of Destruction, and she said, word by word, "The Asura God once told me that Cai Wenji, when she was in the mortal realm, was known for her fiery temper and direct methods... She has just ascended to godhood, her divinity is not yet stable, and her heart still carries the ruthlessness of the mortal world. Before she truly understands the inclusiveness and tranquility of life and restrains her violent temper, it would be unwise to rashly hand over the divine artifact."

She cited the reasons for the Asura God's admonition, her tone resolute, as if it were an irrefutable consensus. "You should also know her record, which is mostly... destruction and conquest."

After the Life Goddess finished speaking, her chest rose and fell slightly. She truly agreed with the Asura God's assessment.

In her view, Cai Wenji's exploits in the lower realm were full of ruthlessness and dominance, which differed considerably from her understanding of the Goddess of Life.