In the image, two figures appeared.
They were Tang San, who had yet to become a god, and Bibi Dong.
The two were locked in fierce combat, but anyone with eyes could see that Tang San had already fallen into an absolute disadvantage and could lose at any moment.
Just as Bibi Dong was about to strike a fatal blow, the Sea God Trident in Tang San's hand suddenly burst into a dazzling golden light!
A towering phantom emerged from the trident.
It was the Sea God's Divine Sense!
The Sea God Phantom didn't even look at Bibi Dong. He merely flicked a finger, and a divine sense sank into the space between Tang San's brows.
[Golden Thirteen Halberds, First Form, Unfixed Wind and Waves—]
A grand voice rang out. The Sea God had actually begun teaching Tang San his ultimate technique right then and there!
The entire continent erupted into an uproar once more!
[You can do that? Can't win, so you call your parents?]
[This is straight-up cheating! If the Sea God's Divine Sense hadn't suddenly appeared, Tang San would've died a hundred times over!]
[Weren't gods not supposed to interfere with the lower realm? The Sea God's way too biased!]
Inside the Shrek camp.
Tang San's expression instantly turned utterly grim.
His lips moved as he stubbornly defended himself. "Th—That was because I earned the Sea God's recognition through my own strength!"
But at that moment, his words sounded utterly feeble.
The scene shifted.
This time, the setting changed.
Qian Renxue, who had just inherited the Angel Godhood, was awe-inspiring. She slashed her sword at Tang San, who had yet to become a god.
Everyone held their breath.
Everyone was curious: how had Tang San survived when facing a true god?
[No way. Don't tell me it's going to be—]
Someone in the comments ventured a timid guess.
The next second, the guess came true.
The familiar Sea God Trident shone with brilliant golden light once more!
The familiar Sea God Phantom appeared out of thin air again!
Only this time, the Sea God's Divine Sense seemed to sense Qian Renxue's strength. He didn't underestimate her, instead drawing upon the boundless power of the ocean and turning it into a towering wave that knocked Qian Renxue's attack back.
The entire continent was left utterly speechless.
[I'm sick of this. Isn't the Sea God taking this too far?]
[This isn't a successor. This is his own son!]
[Godhood with a full-time nanny? Let anyone have that kind of help and they could become a god too!]
[Tang San: I got where I am today through my own hard work!]
Inside the Shrek camp, the atmosphere grew awkward.
Dai Mubai and the others looked at Tang San with envy in their eyes.
Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang was envious too. Why hadn't he been the one chosen?
Still, he quickly composed himself, patted Tang San on the shoulder, and offered comfort.
"Xiao San, don't worry about what others think."
"The fact that the Sea God chose you proves that your talent and fortune far surpass those of ordinary people!"
At those words, Tang San's expression turned even grimmer.
He hated it most when people said he relied on luck!
He'd gotten where he was through his own strength and wisdom!
Star Dou Great Forest.
The Ferocious Beasts' expressions turned strange as well.
They could all see that the so-called Sea God's favoritism toward Tang San had become impossible to conceal.
"Heh."
Gu Yuena let out a scornful chuckle.
"So this is the god of humanity? How laughable."
At Jialing Pass, on the Spirit Hall side.
The people stared up at the images in the sky with disdain.
"So that's how it was. No wonder he became a god in such a short time. He's nothing but a hothouse flower."
"A man who grew strong only under a god's protection is no threat!"
Despite what they said, worry still lingered in many of their eyes.
Tang San himself might not be worth fearing, but a genuine god stood behind him!
Just as everyone's thoughts churned, an old yet powerful voice rang out.
Golden Crocodile Douluo slowly stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.
"None of you need to worry."
"Tang San has the Sea God backing him. Do you think our Spirit Hall has no one backing us?"
"Our Spirit Hall worships the Angel God! There was a time when the Angel God was the shared faith of the entire continent!"
"Compared to that Sea God hiding in the ocean, the Angel God is the true orthodox deity of this land!"
Golden Crocodile Douluo's words rang out with conviction, instantly soothing everyone's hearts.
That was right!
Their Spirit Hall worshiped the Angel God!
Lord Qian Renxue was the Angel God's representative!
What did a mere Sea God amount to?
On the city walls, the gloom weighing on countless Spirit Hall soldiers lifted, replaced by unprecedented fervor and pride!
"Angel God! Our faith!"
"That's right! A mere Sea God, holed up in one corner of the world, dares to rival our Angel God?!"
"Lord Qian Renxue will prevail!"
Their shouts surged together like a stormy sea, forming a mighty force that soared into the heavens.
Amid the fervent atmosphere, a sharp-eyed Soul Master instinctively looked up at the Angel Statue enshrined behind the city walls.
It was a dignified statue of a male angel god, holding a Holy Sword. His expression was solemn, and his compassionate gaze looked down upon all living beings.
"Hm?"
The Soul Master let out a puzzled sound, rubbed his eyes, and looked more closely.
"Don't you think—that Angel Statue looks a little like Lord Qian Ye?"
At those words, several Soul Masters nearby turned to look as well.
"Now that you mention it—it really does look a bit like him!"
"Especially the way his eyes and brows look. They could've been carved from the same mold!"
Their discussion was quiet, but it still reached Qian Renxue's ears.
Her heart jolted, and she spun around, her golden eyes locking firmly onto the statue.
She'd never noticed it before.
But now that everyone had pointed it out, the more she looked, the more shocked she became.
The statue's features, its detached gaze upon all living beings, the bearing that casually showed in every gesture—
They all looked remarkably like her master, Qian Ye, reclining in his chair!
An absurd yet audacious thought began to grow uncontrollably in her heart.
Could it be that her master—
Qian Renxue didn't dare think any further. Her mouth went dry, and her thoughts descended into chaos.
Meanwhile, inside the tent of Shrek Academy.
The atmosphere was oppressive in the extreme.
Tang San's expression was dark.
The comments scrolling across the Heavenly Vault Golden List made his face twitch.
[Cheater!]
[Nanny god!]
[Useless!]
[All through my own hard work? What a joke!]
These ignorant mortals!
What did they know?
They'd only seen the Sea God helping him, not all the blood and sweat he'd shed!
Tang San's fists clenched inside his sleeves, his knuckles turning white from the force.
Killing intent roiled in his eyes.
Fine.
He'd remember every person who'd mocked him.
Go ahead and laugh all you want now. Mock me all you want.
A sinister smile tugged at Tang San's lips.
Once I receive the Heavenly Dao's reward, I'll immediately flatten Jialing Pass and wipe out Spirit Hall!
Then the entire Douluo Continent will answer to me, Tang San alone!
Every one of you who mocked and humiliated me today—I'll settle the score with you, one by one!
Before you continue