Sea God Island lay shrouded in Sea God's Power.
The light seeped from the altar at the island's heart, like a thin film of water left on the sand after the tide receded. It was easy to overlook, yet it was everywhere.
The whole island was steeped in it. Trees, rocks, even the wings of seabirds were tinged with pale blue and gold.
The Sea God's avatar stood above the altar, his form half solid, half translucent.
His gaze crossed the sea toward the distant mainland, and his brow furrowed slightly.
"Hm."
He spoke softly, yet the air across the entire island seemed to tighten.
"A Soul Beast has become a god? How is that possible?"
The Asura God King's avatar stood beside him, the hem of his blood-red robe hanging in empty air.
He did not answer at once. He merely drew his gaze back from the sea and narrowed his eyes.
His true body was deep within the Divine Realm, while his avatar had stayed here to watch over Tang San.
The aura he sensed now was strange indeed.
The disturbance coming from Spirit Hall clearly bore the mark of Soul Beasts ascending to godhood—and more than one.
The Snow Empress, the Ice Empress, and several other Soul Beasts long since placed on the Divine Realm's blacklist had broken through that ancient, unchanging barrier at the same time.
"What's going on?"
The Sea God's avatar turned to him, his tone openly accusatory.
"Weren't you supposed to prevent Soul Beasts from becoming gods on the Dragon God's behalf? Until the Dragon God returns, no Soul Beast may ever become a god.
Is this how you carry out your duty as Proxy Punishment God?"
"Didn't you see that the Sword of Judgment Rules has already fallen?"
The Asura God King’s