The God of Destruction's voice boomed like thunder. "The God of Destruction's Seventh Trial is complete. You have fully comprehended the truth of Destruction through battle, used the Destruction Force to vanquish evil, cleanse the cosmos, and enforce Heaven's punishment. As a reward, your affinity with the Godhood has increased by twenty percent, your Soul Power has been deified, and your divine soul has begun to form."
As his voice faded, two pillars of light, one green and one purple, descended from the sky and pierced straight through the Sea of Consciousness.
Xu Yanli closed his eyes, feeling that power, pure to the extreme, seep into his soul. It was no longer the soul-rending agony he had endured four years ago. Instead, it was soft and gentle, like spring rain silently nourishing the earth. It was as natural as a drop of water joining a river, then the river flowing into the sea.
After an unknown amount of time, he opened his eyes and looked down at his hands.
Two patterns had appeared on his palms.
On his left palm, a green pattern wound like a vine, stretching from his wrist to his fingertips. On his right palm, a dark purple pattern was sharp as lightning, likewise spreading from his wrist to his fingertips.
Once his Soul Bones had transformed into armor, he would be close. He was just one step away from godhood.
His Second Martial Soul still needed five more Soul Rings.
Once he had gathered them all, he would complete the Eighth Trial.
But he did not move.
The time had not yet come.
Xu Yanli clenched his fist. The God Seal instantly receded beneath his brow and vanished without a trace. He turned toward the stone table, picked up the Jade Fan, and slipped it back