I'd Been Gone, and So Much Had Happened?

Asura God reminded her, "Life, don't forget one thing: your divine positions can be fused."

After Asura God's reminder, the Goddess of Life's eyes lit up.

She wasn't a fool. With Asura God's reminder, she naturally knew what to do.

The Goddess of Life looked up at Asura God, anticipation shimmering in her watery green eyes. "You mean, if Xu Yuan's Clear Sky Hammer reaches the divine level, it might become the bridge?"

The demonic patterns on Asura God's dark red armor shifted faintly, as if echoing his thoughts. "In theory, it's possible. The Blue Silver Emperor bears life, while the Clear Sky Hammer bears destruction. Two divine-level Martial Souls belonging to one person is already an extraordinary existence. If he can bring them into delicate balance, he may well be able to inherit your divine positions."

After a pause, he tapped the light screen with his fingertip, enlarging the image of Xu Yuan's Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul.

"The aura of this Clear Sky Hammer... is remarkably pure." Asura God's gaze was sharp as a blade. "Though it hasn't reached the divine level, it's already faintly touched the edge of the law of destruction. With proper guidance, it may well grow to match the Blue Silver Emperor."

The Goddess of Life looked at the Clear Sky Hammer, then at Xu Yuan, and the thought in her heart grew clearer.

Perhaps, in this young man from the lower realm, she might finally see a glimmer of hope for the successor she and Xiao Zi had sought for so many years.

"If it really can happen..." The Goddess of Life's voice trembled slightly. "Xiao Zi and I might truly be able to relinquish our divine positions and see the wider universe."

Seeing the longing in the Goddess of Life's eyes, Asura God softened his tone. "Don't get your hopes up too high. Inheriting two divine positions is no easy task. Besides, someone is interfering behind this child, and their intentions are unknown. There are too many variables."

"I know." The Goddess of Life composed herself, her eyes once more calm and gentle. "But we have to try, don't we? Even if there's only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, it's worth keeping an eye on him."

The Goddess of Life looked at Asura God and smiled faintly. "Thank you for reminding me. It seems I'll have to pay attention not only to his Blue Silver Emperor, but also to the growth of his Clear Sky Hammer."

Asura God gave a slight nod in reply.

Asura God fell into thought. "The law of destruction is fierce and domineering, utterly unlike the gentle, embracing law of life. For this child to master both, tempering his character will probably be harder than cultivating his Soul Power."

The Goddess of Life walked over to Asura God and said softly, "We'll have to see for ourselves what kind of character he has. At least for now, he has enough reverence for life. That's the foundation for bearing the law of life. As for destruction... perhaps it will take some storms for that Clear Sky Hammer to truly awaken."

"Storms?" Asura God's lips curved into a chilly smile. "Douluo Continent has never been short of storms. The ambitions of Spirit Hall, the struggles among the major powers, and the schemes of the one interfering behind him—that's more than enough trouble for this child."

He paused, then changed the subject. "Still, flowers grown in a greenhouse never amount to much. If he's to inherit your divine positions, these storms are nowhere near enough."

The Goddess of Life smiled, the light from the screen reflected in her watery green eyes. "Then we only need to watch. If we interfere too much, we may deprive him of the chance to grow naturally."

She looked up toward the great hall's entrance, where the Divine Realm's flowing lights drifted slowly across the sky. "I'll talk to Xiao Zi about it gradually. Knowing his temperament, he'll probably find this child some 'trouble' first, just to test his mettle."

Asura God wasn't surprised.

The God of Destruction had always been strict. Anyone hoping to inherit his divine position would never catch his eye without first enduring a trial like purgatory.

Asura God turned his attention back to the light screen. "Just make sure your partner doesn't put the boy through so much trouble that he's ruined."

"Don't worry, Xiao Zi knows where to draw the line." The Goddess of Life sounded certain, though a sly glint flashed in her eyes. "Besides, I'm here. I won't let anything truly happen to him."

The two exchanged a smile, then the Goddess of Life said goodbye to Asura God.

After a long flight, Xu Yuan returned to Nuoding City. He bought some of Xiao Wu's favorite snacks and went back to Notting Academy.

As soon as Xu Yuan returned to Notting Academy, he noticed quite a few students watching him.

They were all students who had stayed at the academy over the break instead of going home, because they didn't think there was any need to.

Xu Yuan paid little attention to their gazes and returned to Dormitory Seven.

"Are you a new student?"

As soon as he entered, Xu Yuan saw Xiao Wu walk over curiously and ask.

Hearing her words, Xu Yuan didn't know what to say.

He sighed. "Xiao Wu, it's me, Xu Yuan."

Xiao Wu blinked her lively, wide eyes and leaned closer. She circled Xu Yuan twice, then gently tugged at his sky-blue hair. "Xu Yuan? How'd you turn into this? Your hair's a different color. I almost didn't recognize you!"

She tilted her head and studied him, her eyes full of curiosity. "How'd you come back from one trip looking like a different person? Did you dye your hair? Or was it a Martial Soul Mutation?"

Xiao Wu thought Xu Yuan looked incredibly handsome now, and she couldn't help wanting to get a little closer to him.

Xu Yuan helplessly batted her hand away. "I didn't dye it, and it's not really a mutation. My Martial Soul awakened."

Then Xu Yuan took a paper-wrapped parcel from his backpack and handed it to her. "I brought you some carrot cake. I just bought it, so it's still warm."

"Wow! Carrot cake!" Xiao Wu's attention shifted instantly. She took the parcel and eagerly opened it, and a rich, sweet aroma immediately filled the air.

Xiao Wu shoved a piece into her mouth and said indistinctly, "You really know me!"

Xu Yuan looked at Xiao Wu and asked, "Xiao Wu, did anything happen at school while I was away?"

"Yeah. Tang San was hospitalized again, and that Yu Xiaogang guy got beaten up."

Xiao Wu was delighted at the mention of Yu Xiaogang getting beaten up.

Yu Xiaogang always wore this look like he was the greatest man alive. She'd been sick of him for ages.

Xu Yuan: "????"

What was going on? Why had so much happened while he was away?

Curious, Xu Yuan asked, "Xiao Wu, do you know what happened exactly?"

Xiao Wu thought for a moment. "I don't know much about Tang San. I just know Yu Xiaogang threw Tang San out and made him fall, so he got hurt. Apparently, he'll need half a year to recover. As for Yu Xiaogang, I heard some vagrant beat him up badly. He won't be able to get out of bed for a year."

After hearing Xiao Wu's explanation, Xu Yuan thought it sounded outrageous.

How had Tang San gotten so unlucky? He'd been seriously injured and would have to lie in bed for half a year.

As for who had beaten Yu Xiaogang, Xu Yuan already knew. It was Tang Hao.

Tang Hao must have seen something and beaten Yu Xiaogang without hesitation.