Bo Saixi endured the pain wracking her body and barely managed to sit up, tilting her head to look at Bei Mingyuan.
"Even gods can't escape these mortal emotions?"
"Of course. Even I feel afraid when faced with the threat of death."
Bei Mingyuan studied the look in Bo Saixi's eyes and smiled. "It's nothing to be ashamed of. Fear isn't a bad thing."
"Fear allows people to seek good fortune and avoid calamity. The same holds true for gods."
"Heh, then what difference is there between gods and mortals like us?"
Bo Saixi's laughter was steeped in sorrow. Being betrayed by the god she revered most was one of the most painful things she had ever experienced.
"Fundamentally, there's no difference between gods and humans. Or at least, not much of one."
Bei Mingyuan pointed toward the Northern Underworld Continent a thousand miles away. "I've lived on Douluo Star for over a hundred thousand years and witnessed quite a few gods ascend. Those fellows were no different."
"You're that ancient being?"
Only now did Bo Saixi understand that the person standing before her was no mere king of the Northern Underworld Empire, but the true ancient being behind it.
"You're not entirely stupid."
Bei Mingyuan stood up and slowly spread his arms. "This body is merely one of my avatars."
"I am the true god who has existed on the Douluo Continent since ancient times! Demon Master Kunpeng!"
"Demon Master Kunpeng?"
Bo Saixi froze for a moment. Clearly, she had no idea what a Kunpeng was.
"Demon Master Kunpeng?"
In the Divine Realm, all the gods pondered Kunpeng's origins. Yet, astonishingly, none of them had any idea what the Kunpeng race was.
"Demon Master Kunpeng? Impossible! Even in the ancient era when the Dragon God, Phoenix, and Qilin lived, no one ever heard of such a Soul Beast!"
The Life God King watched Bei Mingyuan announce his identity on the screen. "Does a Soul Beast like this really exist?"
"It's only natural that you don't know."
Bei Mingyuan slowly clasped his hands behind his back. "My Kunpeng race consists of innate beings born in the Northern Underworld Sea. We're completely different from gods like you, who cultivated your powers after birth."
"We're born with power beyond your imagination, born with mastery over the power of laws."
"Over a hundred thousand years ago, I was born in the Northern Underworld Sea. Ever since then, I've remained hidden on Douluo Star, cultivating."
Bei Mingyuan raised his head, a glimmer flashing through his eyes as though piercing the heavens and pointing straight at the Divine Realm. "I learned of the Divine Realm long ago. I also knew about Soul Beasts like the Dragon God."
"I simply had no ambition to rule the Divine Realm or anything of the sort. Watching interesting things suited my tastes far better."
With that, Bei Mingyuan reached into the void and scooped up a feather that resembled a crimson flame.
"Everyone in the Divine Realm, I'm sure this is familiar to you?"
Bei Mingyuan waved the feather in his hand, the corners of his lips curling into a faint smile.
"That's the Phoenix God King's feather!"
The Life God King sprang to her feet in shock. "Why? Why do you have something belonging to Phoenix?"
"The Divine Realm's ancient records state that the Phoenix God King was gravely wounded by the Dragon God and cast out of the Divine Realm, whereabouts unknown."
The Asura God muttered to himself, "Now it seems the Phoenix God King may very well be on the Northern Underworld Continent!"
"I imagine you're all wondering why I have something belonging to Phoenix."
Bei Mingyuan toyed with the Phoenix Feather in his hand. "It's simple. I was the one who rescued Phoenix when she was dying."
"However, her injuries were too severe back then. She has already undergone nirvana and rebirth, and all her strength has vanished without a trace.
"But she still left behind quite a few good things, such as this Phoenix Feather."
Bei Mingyuan slowly took a few steps back. Space rippled once again, and a figure wearing a black cloak appeared.
"I'll leave the rest to you, little brother."
Bei Mingyuan handed the feather to the black-robed man, then turned and left.
[Douluo Continent · Chen Xin: Who is this now? He looks so mysterious.] [Douluo Continent · Dugu Bo: Judging by his tone, this fellow is Bei Mingyuan's little brother? He actually has a younger brother?] [Douluo Continent · Chrysanthemum Douluo: You all heard him just now. Bei Mingyuan is merely that giant beast's avatar. Where would a younger brother come from? This is probably another avatar!] [Douluo Continent · Dugu Bo: Oh, you're still alive? You really are hard to kill!] [Douluo Continent · Chrysanthemum Douluo: Hmph! Sorry to disappoint you, but I won't die that easily!] [Douluo Continent · Ma Hongjun: Why does he make so many avatars? Isn't that a split personality?] [Northern Underworld Empire · Bei Mingxue: How dare you disrespect the Progenitor! Once the Douluo Continent is united, I will not spare you!]
Hearing Bei Mingxue's words, Ma Hongjun shuddered violently and clamped his mouth shut in fright.
"Disaster comes from the mouth. Disaster comes from the mouth!"
Ma Hongjun could only curse his loose tongue. He really dared to say anything.
[Northern Underworld Continent · Dark Bei Mingyuan: Actually, you're not wrong, little fatty. I do have a split personality. Or rather, split avatars. Do you think over a hundred thousand years are that easy to get through? I have to find some entertainment for myself.] [Douluo Continent · Ma Hongjun: You-you know who I am? You're not even on the Douluo Continent!] [Northern Underworld Continent · Dark Bei Mingyuan: My true body's divine sense covers all of Douluo Star. I know every blade of grass and every tree here like the back of my hand. Of course I know who you are.]
Holy shit, I'm screwed!
Ma Hongjun wanted to cry, but had no tears. He had hoped to bluff his way through, only to discover that the other party had seen right through even his underwear.
[Northern Underworld Continent · Dark Bei Mingyuan: Actually, from the moment I came to the Douluo Continent, all I've been doing is looking for entertainment. Nothing more. So I'm in no hurry to wipe you out one by one. After all, that would spoil the fun.] [Northern Underworld Continent · Dark Bei Mingyuan: Be grateful, mortals. This is the tiniest shred of compassion bestowed by my true body.] [Northern Underworld Continent · Dark Bei Mingyuan: On the Douluo Continent, the Northern Underworld Continent, and the Sun Moon Continent, there are inheritance powers I created. Anyone who obtains an inheritance power can become a candidate. The candidate who achieves ultimate victory can become my true body's final disciple. So work hard! Work hard to amuse me!]
With that, the black-robed man accepted the Phoenix Feather, then pulled off his hood.
Beneath the hood was a man who looked almost exactly like Bei Mingyuan. He glanced up at the Sky Screen and revealed a wicked smile.
"It's him!"
The people watching the Sky Screen instantly realized that he was the one who had been speaking.
Beside him, Bo Saixi fell into a brief daze. She could sense an extremely sinister power emanating from this Dark Bei Mingyuan.
This was Bei Mingyuan's final avatar, his yin avatar.
He was the embodiment of Bei Mingyuan's negative emotions, ranking second in strength. He could summon the Asura Armor, the purest and most supreme Law-Attribute Armor.