God-Bestowed Second Martial Soul: Thunder God Hammer!

With a thought, streaks of golden lightning erupted alongside blue-gold vines, converging and fusing over his body before finally forming a blue-gold suit of armor covered in crackling arcs of lightning.

After activating Heavenly Punishment Thunder Armor, he felt the thunderous power surging through his entire body and revealed a satisfied expression.

"The duration of Heavenly Punishment Thunder Armor is related to Soul Power."

"As long as I have enough Soul Power, it can be maintained indefinitely."

"Moreover, the stronger my Soul Power, the stronger the Thunder Armor's defense. There is no upper limit."

"Not bad!"

Once he became a Titled Douluo, both its duration and defensive power would become even more outrageous.

His enormous risk had not been taken in vain.

After receiving the Thunder-Roaring Purgatory Vine's sacrifice, his entire body underwent another transformation. He became stronger and more handsome, with a faintly transcendent aura about him.

"Zhou Tao, you've changed quite a bit."

"A hundred-thousand-year Spirit Ring truly is extraordinary."

Dugu Bo stared at the deep crimson hundred-thousand-year Spirit Ring beneath Zhou Tao's feet, a trace of envy flashing through his eyes.

"What is your fourth Spirit Skill?"

"Teacher, my fourth Spirit Skill is an area-of-effect Spirit Skill."

After saying that, he directly activated his fourth Spirit Skill.

"Fourth Spirit Skill: Thunder-Roaring Purgatory!"

Golden light flashed across the black Spirit Ring.

"Boom!"

At that moment, the lightning elements between heaven and earth seemed to be drawn in, continuously gathering around Zhou Tao until they enveloped an area five hundred meters around him.

Within that five-hundred-meter radius, black thunderclouds rolled overhead as countless bolts of pitch-black Heavenly Thunder crashed down from the sky, transforming into electric serpents and pythons that struck the ground.

Dugu Bo's expression changed in surprise. "A rudimentary domain?"

Domain-type Spirit Skills were extremely rare. Even Dugu Bo, a Titled Douluo, did not possess one.

Within a domain, a Spirit Master could receive enhancements while weakening the enemy's power. It was an exceptionally rare type of Spirit Skill.

"My fourth Spirit Skill can communicate with the power of Heavenly Thunder, forming a Thunder Domain with a radius of five hundred meters around me and increasing my Spirit Skills' power by 10%."

"It can also summon world-destroying Heavenly Thunder for relentless bombardment, turning this domain into a Heavenly Thunder purgatory."

"Enemies within the Thunder Domain automatically have their lightning resistance reduced by 10%."

Zhou Tao nodded.

This Spirit Skill was indeed a rudimentary domain. Moreover, as his Soul Power increased, the domain's range could gradually expand.

In addition, because of the Thunder-Roaring Purgatory Vine's sacrifice, his Soul Power had broken through to level 49!

His Soul Power had surged again!

"We've been here for quite a while. Since you've obtained your Spirit Ring, we should head back."

Seeing this, Ning Fengzhi took the initiative to speak.

"Alright!"

Zhou Tao immediately agreed.

This was the core region of the Star Dou Great Forest. Staying here too long might attract the attention of high-level Soul Beasts, so it was better to leave as soon as possible.

However, at that moment, the Thunder God's voice suddenly rang out in his mind.

"Congratulations. You have successfully passed the second Thunder God Trial."

"Please enter the Thunder God Inheritance site and receive the reward for the second trial."

The next moment, an impulse emerged within him, seemingly guiding him toward the altar where the Thunder-Roaring Purgatory Vine had been.

"Everyone, I seem to have discovered a bit of an opportunity. Please wait a moment."

Zhou Tao smiled. In the next instant, he arrived at the center of the altar.

In an instant, nine streaks of lightning began to emerge across the altar. They moved like living creatures, forming an unfathomably mysterious formation.

"Thunder God Inheritance."

Zhou Tao murmured as blue-gold Blue Silver Grass flew from his hand and hovered in the air, as if resonating with the formation.

The next moment, the formation began to revolve rapidly. With a hum, Zhou Tao rose into the air and suddenly vanished from the spot.

Dugu Bo, Ning Fengzhi, and the others were all slightly startled by the sight.

"This inheritance seems rather strange. Zhou Tao will be alright, won't he?"

"Probably. The inheritance left behind by the Thunder-Roaring Purgatory Vine should not harm him."

"We only need to wait quietly for the result."

Ning Fengzhi and Dugu Bo discussed it.

Zhou Tao opened his eyes, and the sight before him made his breath catch.

An ancient hall entirely constructed from lightning crystals stood atop a mountain peak. Above its doors hung an enormous emblem.

Nine intertwined golden lightning patterns adorned the emblem.

Every lightning pattern was identical to the golden lightning on the Thunder-Roaring Purgatory Vine.

He held his breath and calmed himself, his gaze settling on the great hall before him.

The entire hall was wrapped in nine streaks of lightning, forming a mysterious lightning formation.

"Thunder God Hall."

The next moment, the hall doors slowly opened, and a majestic voice emerged from within.

"Come in. It is time for you to receive the item of inheritance."

Zhou Tao took a deep breath and strode through the door leading into the unknown.

"Tap, tap, tap..."

Zhou Tao's footsteps echoed through the Thunder God Hall.

The hall seemed boundless, sacred and solemn.

Its vaulted ceiling towered into the clouds, with countless bolts of lightning flashing within thunderclouds.

The floor was paved with purple-gold crystals. With every step he took, ripples of lightning spread outward.

The most eye-catching thing was at the center of the hall...

A thirty-meter-tall Thunder God Statue stood there.

The statue was lifelike, depicting a stern-faced figure with eyes like lightning, a thunder hammer raised in his left hand and a shield held in his right.

"You have finally arrived."

Suddenly, an illusory figure separated from the statue and gradually solidified.

It was a young man clad in golden lightning-patterned armor. Solemn majesty filled his brow, while lightning flickered around his body.

Zhou Tao's expression turned solemn as he felt the Thunder God's terrifying pressure.

"You have passed the second trial. According to our agreement, I shall grant you a divine artifact."

"Thunder God Hammer!"

"This was the divine artifact that made my name in those years. From the moment I entered the God Realm, it accompanied me through countless battles."

"Today, in the name of the Thunder God, I bestow it upon you!"

"Zhou Tao, are you willing to accept it?"

A storm surged within Zhou Tao's heart. It was actually a divine artifact.

Of course he was willing to accept such a heaven-defying divine artifact.

Without the slightest hesitation, Zhou Tao spoke.

"Zhou Tao is willing!"

"Very good."

"Do you know how the Thunder God Hammer is inherited?"

"Please enlighten me, Thunder God."

Zhou Tao said respectfully.

"You must temper yourself with the power of the Nine-Layer Heavenly Tribulation and accept the Thunder God Hammer's trial. Only after passing it may you gain the Thunder God Hammer's recognition and make it your second Martial Soul."

At those words, Zhou Tao was immediately startled.

The requirements were actually this strict.

"May I ask, Thunder God, what exactly is the origin of the Thunder God Hammer, for its inheritance requirements to be so harsh?"

He could not help but ask curiously. This Thunder God Hammer seemed a little proud, as though even the Thunder God could not completely wield it.

"It is an object from beyond this world."

"I only learned of it by chance, and that was how I embarked upon the path of the Thunder God."

"A heavenly divine artifact like this possesses its own will and chooses its own master."

"Of course, you need not necessarily be content with the position of Thunder God in the future. Within the God Realm, there is also the higher position of God King, which you may pursue as well."

"The hierarchy of divine power, from highest to lowest, is: God King, First-Level Deity, Second-Level Deity, Third-Level Deity, and God Official."