Beginning the First Trial of Destruction

As Huang Tian finished speaking, Shen Lian could clearly feel the power flowing through his Martial Soul becoming increasingly condensed. Every thread of Soul Power carried the pressure of an ancient ferocious beast. Huang Tian continued:

"While I reside within you, I will continuously temper your Martial Soul. Once you break through to Title Douluo, you may awaken the ancient talent of the Purple Imperial Heaven-Extinguishing Dragon."

Shen Lian trembled with excitement and reached up to touch the space between his brows, as though he could feel Huang Tian's cold scales.

"So that means, if I encounter danger in the future..."

"Rest assured."

Huang Tian's voice carried an unquestionable dominance. The dragon phantom within Shen Lian's Consciousness Sea suddenly opened its eyes and declared imperiously:

"Even a level ninety-nine Peerless Douluo would have to think twice before laying a hand on you!"

Before his words had even faded, Huang Tian's aura suddenly erupted. The entire Inheritance Land shook violently, and even the phantom stars upon the dome dimmed.

A surge of wild joy welled up in Shen Lian's heart. With a million-year Soul Beast backing him, where on the Douluo Continent could he not go?

He looked toward the nine hundred and ninety-nine steps behind the altar. The fear in his eyes had long since turned into blazing fighting spirit.

"Huang Tian, once I complete the First God Trial, we'll sweep across the Douluo Continent together!"

Shen Lian then headed out of the Inheritance Land. He needed to tell his grandfather, parents, and maternal grandfather, since he might have to spend much of his time in the Inheritance Land from now on.

Shen Lian's footsteps echoed through the empty passageway. The ghostly green flames dancing upon the stone walls stretched his shadow long and short.

Thinking of the shocking news he was about to bring, the youth's heartbeat quickened.

After passing through the light screen, dim lamplight came into view. Shen Lian narrowed his eyes and immediately spotted Xu Tianxiang.

Xu Tianxiang leaned against the stone wall, his silver hair disheveled in the wind. His bloodshot eyes were fixed on the passage entrance, filled with worry for Shen Lian.

"Grandfather!"

Shen Lian hurried forward.

Xu Tianxiang grabbed Shen Lian by the shoulders, his aged fingers trembling slightly.

"Lian, how did it go? What kind of trial did you receive?"

Xu Tianxiang's voice was hoarse, revealing the exhaustion and anxiety of a sleepless night.

Shen Lian wiped the sweat from his brow, his gaze firm.

"Grandfather, let's not talk about it yet. Quickly send someone to summon my parents and grandfather to the imperial palace. This must be discussed face-to-face!"

Shen Lian and Xu Tianxiang then went to Yangxin Hall in the imperial palace.

Half an hour later, sandalwood incense curled through Yangxin Hall.

Shen Long's grand chair creaked faintly. The white-haired old man rubbed the jade pendant at his waist, his gaze fixed tightly on Shen Lian.

Shen Meng clenched and loosened his fists inside his sleeves, his knuckles turning white.

Xu Ningxin quietly twisted the corner of her skirt, her eyes full of worry and anticipation.

Xu Tianxiang cleared his throat.

"Lian, you can tell us now, can't you? We're all here."

Shen Lian took a deep breath, straightened his back, and spoke to the four of them.

"Grandfather, maternal grandfather, Father, Mother, I received the God Trial of the God of Destruction. As long as I complete the Nine Trials of Destruction, I can ascend and become a god!"

As he spoke, Shen Lian lifted his bangs. The Purple Flame Mark between his brows gleamed beneath the sunlight. He continued speaking to the four of them.

"Look, this is the Mark of Destruction."

The hall fell into dead silence. The teacup in Shen Long's hand crashed to the floor, and tea snaked across the blue bricks like a stream.

Shen Meng abruptly stood up, knocking over the flower stand behind him.

Xu Ningxin covered her mouth, joy appearing on her face as well.

"Good! Wonderful!"

Xu Tianxiang was the first to break the silence. Cloudy tears rolled down the wrinkles on his face as he continued.

"Our Xu Family has waited eight hundred years for this day! From now on, the imperial family will have a god watching over it as well!"

Shen Long also stepped forward trembling, his palm brushing over the mark on Shen Lian's forehead.

"Good child, this is the glory of our Shen Family..."

Shen Long's voice choked up, and his aged chest heaved violently.

Shen Lian clenched his fists and swept his gaze over the faces of his loved ones before speaking again.

"There's one more thing. The First God Trial is to climb the nine hundred and ninety-nine steps behind the altar. Before completing the trial, I may have to remain in seclusion and cultivate in the Inheritance Land."

"Focus on your trial! Don't let yourself get distracted!"

Shen Meng said gruffly, though he quietly turned away to wipe the corner of his eyes.

Xu Tianxiang and Shen Long both voiced their agreement. Only Xu Ningxin's eyes suddenly reddened as she stepped forward and tightly embraced her son.

"Lian, you must take good care of yourself in there..."

Her voice trembled, and her tears soaked Shen Lian's collar.

Shen Lian hugged his mother back, his nose stinging.

"Mother, don't worry. Senior Huang Tian resides in my Martial Soul. If danger comes, he'll protect me. If you miss me, I can come out to see you anytime."

Shen Lian gently patted his mother's back. From the corner of his eye, he saw his father turn away and secretly wipe his tears. Warmth surged through his heart as he spoke to everyone present.

"Once I become a god, I'll definitely take all of you to the God Realm to enjoy a good life!"

The golden glow of the setting sun shone through the carved window lattice into Yangxin Hall, cutting warm patches of light across the blue bricks.

Shen Long's hand trembled slightly as he raised his cup. Amber liquor rippled within the white jade cup.

"This toast is to the future god of the Shen Family and the Xu Family!"

The four of them exchanged smiles, the wrinkles at the corners of their eyes filled with relief, though they could not conceal Xu Ningxin's quiet wiping of tears.

By the time the meal ended, the moon had risen above the willow branches. Shen Lian bid farewell to his family.

Xu Tianxiang stuffed a jade slip engraved with dragon patterns into his hand and said to Shen Lian.

"Inside are the combat insights of the Xu Family's past experts who possessed the Purple Imperial Heaven-Extinguishing Dragon Martial Soul. You may find them useful in the Inheritance Land."

Shen Meng stuffed a Black Iron Dagger into his son's hand. His rough palm lingered on the hilt for a long while before he spoke to Shen Lian.

"Be careful in all things."

Upon returning to the Inheritance Land, the nine hundred and ninety-nine steps behind the altar flickered in the ghostly light, like a heavenly ladder leading to hell.

Shen Lian took a deep breath and activated Martial Soul Possession with the Purple Imperial Heaven-Extinguishing Dragon. Dark purple scales gave off a cold glint in the faint light.

The moment he stepped onto the first stair, an invisible pressure suddenly descended, as though a massive boulder weighing a thousand jun had fallen upon his shoulders. His bones let out faint groans.

"This is... the pressure of Divine Power of Destruction?"

Shen Lian gritted his teeth and pressed onward, every step feeling as though he were treading upon knife blades.

The golden patterns on the stairs lit up and transformed into countless tiny runes that burrowed into his body. A needle-like pain stabbed through the spiritual world in his mind.

By the time he climbed to the thirtieth step, he was drenched in sweat. Soul Power surged wildly through his meridians, yet every limb and bone still screamed with exhaustion.

"Hah—"

Shen Lian leaped onto the ninety-ninth step, but he could no longer hold on. He dropped to one knee and gasped for breath.

The blue flames surrounding the stairs suddenly flared, turning into vicious ghost faces that rushed toward him. The assault on his spiritual power made his vision go dark again and again.

He forced himself to gather his Soul Power, forming a dragon-shaped barrier before him. Only then did he barely manage to withstand the attack.

"What an overbearing trial..."