The God of Destruction was the first to sense that the universe's origin was being siphoned away. He immediately convened the God Realm Committee and ordered Asura God, who was in charge of maintaining order, to investigate the source.
"I found it. It's on a low-level plane called the Douluo Continent!"
Asura God wanted to find a powerful opponent, but he didn't want a new God King to be born, either.
If another God King appeared, the Divine Realm would have to expand and absorb more gods.
When that happened, the situation in the Divine Realm would change drastically, throwing its order into even greater disarray.
"The Douluo Continent?"
"Asura God, wasn't that where you chose to establish your inheritance?"
The God of Destruction furrowed his brow, a trace of worry crossing his mind.
"Indeed. There's already been a response!"
"But it definitely wasn't caused by my inheritor!"
Through the Nine Trials of God, Asura God could sense his inheritor's progress through the tests.
He had already completed the Eighth Trial and would soon inherit the godhood.
"Since your inheritance is there, it'll be convenient for you to go. Before this person becomes a God King, eliminate him."
"If we have to make a move, our power will be severely suppressed."
"I believe the Sea God, Rakshasa God, and Angel God also have inheritances on that low-level plane."
"We might as well send them along, too."
The God of Destruction pondered for a moment, then decided to send more people, just in case.
"What good would they do?"
"If even I can't kill this person, do you think they'll be able to?"
"I don't need them getting in my way!"
"Just wait for my good news!"
Asura God didn't think much of the Sea God, Rakshasa God, or Angel God's abilities.
He was the strongest in the Divine Realm. If he couldn't kill the target, no one else would be of any use.
"Asura's so arrogant, just because he's the strongest."
"Sea God, Rakshasa God, Angel God, where are you?"
The God of Destruction was helpless in the face of Asura God's arrogance. He summoned the three First-Level Gods behind his back.
Normally, he wouldn't have given it a second thought.
After all, as long as no God King made a move, there was no chance of failure.
But this time, they were dealing with a God King who was on the verge of being born.
Although this person had no godhood and hadn't officially become a god, his cultivation might already have reached the God King Realm. They couldn't afford to let their guard down.
Even if the three First-Level Gods weren't as strong in battle as Asura God, they were no pushovers.
Joining forces with Asura God would only improve their odds.
"Destruction, he won't be happy if you do this."
Goddess of Life knew Asura God's temperament best, and she worried he would settle the score later.
With Asura God and the God of Destruction's tempers, they were bound to fight.
If they did, the Divine Realm would be the one to suffer.
"Why should I give a damn? We can fight if we have to."
"It's about time we had another ranking, anyway."
"When the time comes, I'll defeat him fair and square and claim the title of First God King."
The God of Destruction snorted coldly, his eyes brimming with fighting spirit.
Goddess of Life, God of Evil, and God of Goodness were all speechless at the God of Destruction's attitude.
Here he went again!
Ever since the Divine Realm was born, the God of Destruction and Asura God had fought countless times.
The God of Destruction had an abysmal win rate and was almost always beaten down.
After all this time, he still hadn't learned his lesson. He was a bona fide glutton for punishment.
"Greetings, Lords God Kings!"
After receiving the summons, the Sea God, Rakshasa God, and Angel God flew to the God Realm Committee and bowed respectfully to the four God Kings.
At the same time, Angel God and Rakshasa God exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with resentment and hostility.
Standing between them, the Sea God couldn't have felt more awkward. He was afraid they'd start fighting on the spot.
"Mm!"
"We've summoned you because there's an important matter concerning the safety of the Divine Realm."
"Go secretly to a low-level plane called the Douluo Continent and assist Asura God with his assassination mission."
"Do not show yourselves unless absolutely necessary, unless Asura God is unable to complete the mission alone."
The God of Destruction gave the three of them their orders in the gravest tone.
The Sea God and the others were startled.
Could Asura God actually fail?
Impossible.
He was the strongest God King in the Divine Realm.
If even he could fail, how powerful could their target be?
Could the Dragon God have come back to life?
Looking back through the history of the Divine Realm, only the Dragon God had ever made Asura God return empty-handed.
"What?"
"Are the three of you unwilling?"
When the God of Destruction saw that they hadn't responded, his face instantly darkened.
Had he reached the point where he couldn't even order First-Level Gods around?
"Lord God of Destruction, we're willing!"
Sensing the God of Destruction's murderous intent, the three of them hurried to answer.
If they angered the God of Destruction, they'd be in for it.
"Then what are you waiting for? Go!"
"And especially you two—can't you work together? The greater mission comes first."
"You'll have plenty of time to fight after you finish it."
"If I find out you're fighting among yourselves in the lower realm, I'll skin you alive!"
"Sea God, you're in charge of supervising them. If anything goes wrong, you'll be punished, too."
The sight of Rakshasa God and Angel God squabbling annoyed the God of Destruction.
If it weren't for the fact that both of them had inheritors on the Douluo Continent, he wouldn't have sent them there together.
"Yes, Lord God of Destruction."
The three of them answered, then tore through space and departed.
"You two, please don't start fighting among yourselves."
"Judging by Lord God of Destruction's attitude, this is no small matter."
"If you two fight and delay the mission, we'll all be punished!"
"I'm sure you don't want the God of Destruction holding a grudge against you for the rest of your lives, only for you to disappear without a trace one day."
The Sea God looked at Angel God and Rakshasa God, his head aching.
Those two women were not to be trifled with.
The God of Destruction had told him to keep an eye on them. Wasn't that like putting him on the fire to roast?
One wrong move and those two would make him pay.
"We know. We don't need you meddling!"
"Go find Lord Asura God. Don't waste any more time!"
Angel God rolled her eyes at the Sea God and sped toward the Douluo Plane.
Although they were all powerful First-Level Gods and could move faster than light, the Divine Realm was too far from the Douluo Continent. It would still take them some time to get there.
"If you have time to talk, you'd be better off thinking about how to avoid being discovered by Lord Asura God later."
Rakshasa God gave him a chilling glance, then hurried toward the Douluo Plane as well.
"All I did was say one thing. Is there any need to keep picking on me?"
"I give up!"
The Sea God was utterly speechless, a bitter smile plastered across his face.
If he'd known, he wouldn't have left an inheritance trial on the Douluo Continent.
"Zi Chen really is willing to go all out."
"He's just handing me a God King position with a guaranteed appointment!"
"Doesn't he know this will make the universe even more fragile?"
Duan Changsheng looked at the God King-level divine core in his hand, his face full of helplessness.
To put him under the Heavenly Dao's control, Zi Chen had truly paid a steep price.
But he couldn't care less about this reward.
Even without accepting it, he could still become a God King.
Since Zi Chen was being so generous, he'd save the reward for his daughter.
[The Combat Power Ranking has officially ended. Rewards are being distributed.] [The Villain Ranking will open in six months. Everyone who makes the list will receive generous rewards!]