The more he spoke, the more convinced he became that his guess was right. Even his eyes began to shine. "Perhaps the two of you made a pact back then, or... something happened, and you eventually parted ways. That would explain why the Sea God deliberately chose Ye Qing, who possesses an Angel Martial Soul. It was meant to get under your skin, while also showing a... special kind of interest?"
At those words, Angel God's expression darkened at once.
When she realized what he was implying, she burned with fury. In Ye Qing's shocked gaze, she raised her hand and slapped Qian Daoliu across the face.
"Smack!"
The sharp crack echoed through the empty space.
Qian Daoliu flew backward like a kite with its string cut, slammed hard into the barrier of light, then slid to the ground.
"Shut your mouth!"
Angel God's voice was icy, her undisguised killing intent cutting through the air as she berated him. "Dare to spout such nonsense again, and I'll take your life! What is the Sea God, anyway? Does he think he's fit to be compared to me?"
After saying this, she took a deep breath and suppressed her anger. Her beautiful eyes narrowed, and she turned to Ye Qing with an utterly serious expression. "Besides being jealous of me, he had another very important reason for stealing you away."
She paused, then continued, "When the Divine Realm was founded, a rule was established: if a successor's talent and abilities surpassed those of the god they inherited from, then after successfully inheriting the godhood, they could cultivate and break through its original limits, upgrading it."
"For example, the godhood held by me and the Sea God was originally that of a First-Level Main God. As our successor, once you ascended to the Divine Realm, you could raise it to the level of a God King."
After hearing her explanation, Ye Qing fell silent.
In truth, he wasn't particularly surprised. He already knew about this rule.
Tang San was the best example. After ascending, he had raised the Sea God Godhood to the level of a God King.
"But what does that have to do with the two of you?"
Thinking this, Ye Qing looked up and pressed her, "I don't believe you're simply trying to nurture powerful fighters for the Divine Realm."
"Child, you're clever! Of course, our reason wasn't to help the Divine Realm nurture powerful fighters. We had our own selfish motives."
Angel God smiled, her radiant smile tinged with a slyness. "That's right. If you can ascend to God King, then we, as your inheritors, can ride that momentum and ascend alongside you. Otherwise, why do you think so few human Soul Masters can ascend through inheritance? Their talent isn't good enough to give the gods hope of upgrading. That's only natural, really. Anyone capable of becoming a god must have exceptional talent, so how likely is it that someone will appear whose talent and abilities surpass theirs?"
"The Sea God and I chose to create our own godhoods back then because we couldn't see any hope in passing on our godhoods. That left us with no choice but to take this path."
"Now do you understand why you could inherit the Sea God's power, even though your Martial Soul has nothing to do with the sea? Because you showed us hope of breaking through to God King."
At that, Ye Qing finally understood.
So that was why the Sea God and Asura God had both set their sights on Tang San.
Especially Asura God.
Even after Tang San had inherited the Sea God Godhood, he still wanted a piece of the pie.
So that was the reason.
Just then, Qian Daoliu got to his feet, holding his swollen, reddened cheek. Looking at Angel God, he ventured, "Lord Angel God, Xue'er is very talented too. She has a Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul and Innate Level 20 Soul Power. Would you consider...?"
He had no choice. If he didn't speak up now, he'd never get another chance.
He didn't believe Angel God would descend to the inheritance grounds again after this.
"Who among you doesn't have a Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul and Innate Level 20 Soul Power?"
Angel God glanced at him with a mocking tone and asked, "Don't you? Didn't your father? Didn't your grandfather? If not, do you think the Qian Family would have worshipped me for ten thousand years?"
As the saying went, all the world bustled for profit; all the world surged for gain.
Without something to gain, who would keep worshipping anyone forever?
Qian Daoliu was left speechless by her questions. He lowered his head and said nothing more.
Seeing this, Ye Qing added, "Lord Angel God, Senior Qian Daoliu has a point. That Xue'er might not be all that far behind me..."
"She's nowhere close."
Angel God cut him off, making no effort to hide her opinion. "Just in terms of Martial Soul strength, she's far inferior to you."
Ye Qing was at a loss. "But I've already inherited the Sea God Godhood. Lord Sea God has treated me well—even giving me an artifact."
"What does an artifact matter?"
At his words, Angel God laughed lightly and said with utter disdain, "You really think I don't have one?"
As soon as she spoke, a brilliant golden light flared in her palm.
When the light faded, a magnificent long sword appeared before Ye Qing.
A sacred gleam flowed along the blade, which was studded with countless dazzling jewels.
The hilt was carved in the shape of outspread angel wings. It was none other than Angel God's sword, the Angel Holy Sword.
"How does this sword compare to the Sea God Trident?"
Angel God lifted her chin, pride in her voice. "As long as you're willing to give up the Sea God Inheritance, it's yours. Once you inherit my godhood, ascending to God King will be within reach."
Ye Qing looked at the Holy Sword, radiating a terrifying, sacred aura, and felt his heart stir.
He had to admit, Angel God's offer was tempting.
The Angel Holy Sword was no weaker than the Sea God Trident. In fact, it was even more compatible with the attribute of light.
Qian Daoliu watched from the side, burning with envy. He wished he could accept on Ye Qing's behalf.
The Angel Holy Sword!
It was Angel God's personal divine artifact, more precious than any treasure in Spirit Hall!
What Qian Daoliu never expected was that Ye Qing barely considered the offer before shaking his head. He hinted, "Lord Angel God, your offer sounds good, but it's not quite enough. If you were in my place, would you give up the Sea God Godhood and choose the Angel Godhood instead?"
Although Qian Renxue couldn't beat Tang San, that didn't mean Angel God couldn't beat the Sea God.
The Angel Godhood and the Sea God Godhood were of the same rank, after all.
Both were First-Level Main Gods.
Gods like them, who had ascended after creating their own godhoods, were especially powerful.
Their strength was nothing like that of gods who had inherited their godhoods from others.
"Little fellow, you're greedy!"
Hearing this, Angel God smiled and immediately understood.
So he thought she wasn't offering enough.
No problem. As long as he was interested, that was all that mattered.
As for the offer, if it wasn't enough, she could always add more. It wasn't as if she was short on anything.
"How about this? Besides all that, I'll give you a wife. What do you say?"
After thinking for a moment, she finally smiled and said this.
Ye Qing: ?
Qian Daoliu: ?