"Dad..."
"Mm." Luo Shang's voice was a little hoarse, but the corners of his mouth lifted. "You're awake?"
Luo Yun blinked. Remembering what had just happened, he furrowed his brows. "I just... seemed to change somehow."
Luo Shang's fingers tightened slightly. He was silent for a moment and said nothing.
He had a vague idea what had happened.
That god.
That damn God Trial had not only given him such a dangerous task, but had also possessed his son directly.
Luo Shang cursed the God of Destruction again in his heart.
"It hurts." Luo Yun struggled to sit up.
Luo Shang glanced at him, and only after confirming that the boy's gaze had returned to normal—not those cold, purple-red eyes from before—did he let out a quiet breath.
"You little rascal, you scared the life out of me just now!"
Just then.
Luo Yun lowered his head and looked at his palm.
A wisp of emerald-green light shimmered across his skin, brimming with the aura of life.
So this is the Law of Life?
Douluo God Realm.
Tree of Life.
The God of Destruction rested his chin in his hand, leaning against the tree trunk. Through layer upon layer of clouds, his purple-red eyes gazed toward the azure-blue planet.
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, as though he had seen something amusing.
"Have you watched enough?" The Goddess of Life sat beside him, a trace of helplessness in her voice.
"Not yet." The God of Destruction kept his eyes fixed on the planet.
"That boy didn't even pass out after my divine consciousness possessed him."
The Goddess of Life couldn't help laughing. "That child has mastered the Source of Life. It's constantly replenishing the energy your descent consumed."
The God of Destruction finally looked away and turned to the Goddess of Life.
"Interesting."
"When my divine consciousness entered his body, I sensed something else."
"What?"
"The Silver Dragon King's aura." The God of Destruction's tone gave nothing away. "It was very faint, but it was definitely there."
The Goddess of Life's brows drew together slightly.
The Silver Dragon King, one of the two incarnations born when the Dragon God split apart, had fled to the lower realm after the great war in the Divine Realm. Her whereabouts had remained unknown ever since.
"You mean... the Silver Dragon King is on Douluo Continent?"
"Not necessarily."
"But at the very least, traces of her aura remain."
"It seems Douluo Continent isn't as simple as I thought."
The Goddess of Life was silent for a moment, then returned the leaf she had been twirling in her fingers to its branch.
"What are you planning to do now?"
"What do you mean?" The God of Destruction raised an eyebrow.
"The child." The Goddess of Life looked at him. "You sent your divine consciousness into his body and saved him from disaster. Given your nature, you wouldn't have gone that far unless you'd already chosen him as your successor."
The God of Destruction said nothing, his purple-red eyes narrowing slightly.
"Xiao Zi." The Goddess of Life's voice softened. "I know you're protective. But don't spoil the child."
"Protective?" The God of Destruction's lips curled slightly, though the smile never reached his eyes. "I just think the boy has a good character. That refusal to admit defeat of his... he's a little like me."
The Goddess of Life looked at him without saying a word, but the corners of her mouth lifted slightly.
It was obvious she had no intention of calling him out on that.
"And besides," the God of Destruction added, a trace of smugness creeping into his voice.
"After this, the boy has witnessed the power of the Destruction attribute. I bet he'll choose Moon Eclipse as his primary Martial Soul. Hahaha!"
The Goddess of Life shot him a reproachful look. "It makes no difference whether he chooses Sun Corona or Moon Eclipse. Why insist on making that decision for him?"
"I just want the child to become stronger," the God of Destruction said, unconcerned.
The Goddess of Life sighed.
Star Dou Great Forest, Core Circle.
Half an hour later.
Luo Yun sat cross-legged by the lake, an emerald-green glow flowing slowly around him like a thin veil.
The Law of Life circulated automatically inside him. He didn't need to urge it on purpose; that gentle power continually nourished his body, repairing even the tiniest injuries.
Like a spring that traveled wherever he went.
No matter where he went, the Law of Life followed, constantly restoring his health and energy.
"Dad," Luo Yun couldn't help saying, "I feel terrifyingly strong right now."
Luo Shang didn't even look up. "How about picking a Ferocious Beast at random and fighting it, then?"
Luo Yun: "..."
Light footsteps sounded through the mist by the lake.
Bi Ji had returned.
Several Soul Beasts followed behind her, each one barely clinging to life, their bodies covered in horrifying wounds.
Some had shattered scales, exposing the bright red flesh beneath; some had broken wings dragging along the ground; some were charred all over, as though they'd been struck by lightning.
They were all thousand-year Soul Beasts.
And they were all on the verge of death.
Bi Ji stood a few steps away. The Soul Beasts stopped behind her without struggling or resisting, as if they had already accepted their fate.
"They were all injured by Evil Soul Beasts," Bi Ji said softly, a trace of sorrow in her voice. "They won't last much longer. Choose for yourselves."
Her gaze lingered on Luo Yun for a moment, a complicated look flashing through her eyes.
Luo Yun stood up, brushed the dirt off his clothes, and walked over to the Soul Beasts.
Luo Shang came over as well, his gaze sweeping across them one by one.
A thousand-year Shadow Leopard, a thousand-year Iron-Back Dragon, a thousand-year Purple-Winged Eagle... They were all excellent Soul Beasts. Anywhere else, Soul Masters would fight tooth and nail to claim even one of them.
He was just about to help Luo Yun choose when Luo Yun raised his hand.
"That one."
He pointed to a Soul Beast at the back of the group.
It was a swan with emerald-green feathers from head to toe. They gleamed with a warm luster beneath the moonlight, like jade.
But its condition was terrible. Its left wing was half-broken, drooping at its side, and its feathers were stained with dark red blood.
There was even a deep wound on its neck, so deep that its bones were almost visible.
It lay curled on the ground, its eyes half-open. Each breath came with a faint whimper.
Bi Ji's body trembled slightly.
That was one of her kin.
A thousand-year Emerald Swan.
It had been ambushed and badly wounded by an Evil Soul Beast. She had brought it back and tried everything, but still couldn't heal it.
Its wounds had worsened day by day, its life force steadily fading. All she could do was watch helplessly as it drew closer to death.
So when Di Tian said he would bring over a few thousand-year Soul Beasts on the verge of death, Bi Ji had thought of it at once.
It wasn't cruelty. It was mercy.
Rather than let it keep suffering, it was better to give it a swift end.
But she hadn't expected the boy to choose it outright.
"Why did you choose it?" Bi Ji's voice was a little strained.
Luo Yun tilted his head and studied the Emerald Swan carefully.
"Because the life aura around it is very similar to my Martial Soul."
He raised his right hand, and the Sun Corona Sword appeared in his palm.
Golden-green light flowed along the blade, sacred and warm, radiating a rich aura of life.
Before you continue