The Divine Realm

Amid layers of cloud and mist, halos of light shimmered around a towering palace that appeared and vanished from sight.

A young figure stood quietly not far from the palace, gazing into the distance. Long blue hair fell to his feet, spilling over his magnificent blue robe.

This was the Divine Realm, and the man was Tang San, who had ascended ten thousand years ago and held the powers of both the Sea God and the Asura God.

More than ten days ago, he had discovered that someone had arisen on Douluo Continent in answer to fate. But when he tried to look closer, thick mist kept him from seeing clearly.

Just now, however, through the mist Xiao Qi had parted, he had been delighted to discover that she had successfully made contact with that child of destiny.

There had been a few twists along the way, but the outcome was still firmly within his grasp.

Not only that, another person who bore a share of Douluo Continent's fortune had appeared beside Xiao Qi.

Yet compared with the child of destiny, who gathered the continent's fortune into one body and shone like the sun, the fortune surrounding that other person was no more than a firefly's glow. It was nowhere near enough to warrant his attention.

"Hmph! God of Destruction!"

A terrifying malice flashed through Tang San's eyes, and dark-red Asura Power spilled from his body. "So what if you're an old hand in the Divine Realm? In less than a month, once the child of destiny ascends and serves me, the day will come when you and those Original Sin Gods kneel to polish my shoes!"

"Brother San, what's made you so angry?"

At some point, a beautiful woman in a pink dress, her hair tied in a long scorpion braid, had appeared behind Tang San. She playfully took his arm, utterly unconcerned about the effect Asura Power might have on her.

She was Xiao Wu, his wife, who shared the burden of Tang San's Asura God power and had willingly become its sword sheath.

More than ten thousand years had passed on Douluo Continent since the Shrek Seven Monsters ascended, and over twenty years had passed even in the Divine Realm.

Even so, his bond with Xiao Wu had only deepened. Not a day went by without the Asura Demon Sword returning to its sheath.

At the sight of Xiao Wu, the malice in Tang San's eyes receded along with his Asura Power, and he once more took on his lofty, pure-as-ice-and-jade bearing.

Worry flickered across his brow. He drew Xiao Wu into his arms and held her close before sighing softly. "It's nothing. Asura Power is made for killing, and it's terribly overbearing. Even after all this time, it still affects me now and then."

Understanding dawned in Xiao Wu's eyes. Worried but blushing, she said, "I see. Then... should we put that matter on hold for now?"

Tang San shook his head and gently stroked Xiao Wu's slender waist.

"It's all right. You know how hard it is for gods to have children. How long has it been since a new life was born in the Divine Realm after Xiao Qi? As one of the Five Great God Kings and a God Realm Enforcer, I'm responsible for the Divine Realm's prosperity. All the more reason to lead by example and keep working hard!"

Xiao Wu blushed even more deeply, but she nodded in agreement. The mention of Xiao Qi reminded her why she had come.

"Brother San, have you seen Xiao Qi? I haven't seen her in more than a day!"

"Ah... about that!"

Panic flashed through Tang San's mind, though he remained outwardly composed.

"She's probably off visiting an aunt or uncle somewhere. You know how playful children are at her age!"

With that, he made an excuse about having business at the God Realm Committee and hurried away.

Two days passed in a rush, and Shrek's admissions were nearly over.

After a friendly discussion with the other student assigned to Room 1024 and an exchange of dorm keys, Wang Dong ended up living with Huo Yuhao after all.

Perhaps because she had lost two fights in a row, Wang Dong, who possessed exceptional talent but had always taken a casual approach to cultivation, began cultivating in earnest for once.

But beside Huo Yuhao, who spent every moment cultivating except when he ate or went to the bathroom, her efforts still looked rather modest.

Lu Yi had not been idle these past two days either. He, too, had immersed himself in becoming stronger.

"System, add points!"

He focused on Defense Against the Dark Arts, and a list of spells appeared before him.

[Disarming Charm can be upgraded. Credits: 1]

[Shield Charm can be upgraded. Credits: 1]

In his earlier fight with Wang Dong, he had performed beyond his usual level and successfully cast two perfect spells: Expelliarmus and Protego. Both were among the spells most commonly used in wizard duels.

Except by dark wizards, of course.

Fights between dark wizards were much simpler. There were only two rules to follow.

First, cast Avada Kedavra faster than your opponent. Second, learn how to dodge Avada Kedavra.

Lu Yi cast aside those useless thoughts and selected the Disarming Charm first.

[Disarming Charm can be upgraded. Credits: 1]

[Bonus casting speed: 1 (+20%)]

[Bonus casting range: 1 (+20%)]

[Bonus projectile speed: 0 (+0%)]

The first two bonuses were still for casting speed and range, but the third, reflecting the Disarming Charm's ability to seize the initiative, had become a projectile-speed bonus.

The Disarming Charm was powerful, but its weaknesses were obvious: a long incantation, short range, and a projectile that was not especially fast.

All three bonuses were therefore important to it.

But credits were limited and would only become harder to earn later. Lu Yi needed to improve whatever would help him most right now.

After reviewing his fights with Wang Dong several times, he concluded that what he needed most at this stage was greater casting range.

Soul Master battles took place across far larger spaces than wizard duels. The range that had been more than enough against wizards had now become his weak point.

He could improve his casting speed through practice, while faster projectiles would be of little use if his range fell short. Range had to come first.

[Bonus casting range: 1 (+20%) → Bonus casting range: 2 (+40%)]

Next came Protego.

[Shield Charm can be upgraded. Credits: 1]

[Bonus casting speed: 0 (+0%)]

[Bonus defense strength: 1 (+20%)]

[Bonus deflection/reflection: 1 (+20%)]

Compared with the Disarming Charm's lengthy incantation, Protego had little need for a casting-speed boost.

But Protego had two modes. In one, the shield stayed active and passively absorbed damage until his Soul Power ran out.

Defense strength applied to that mode, simply making the shield tougher.

The other mode involved activating it for an instant to deflect an incoming attack. It demanded precise timing and quick reactions; a mistake could easily mean worse than injury. But because it lasted only a moment and concentrated its energy, it consumed far less Soul Power.

He had used that technique against Wang Dong's second Soul Skill, successfully deflecting the Light of the Butterfly God.

Personally, Lu Yi clearly preferred deflecting attacks.

[Bonus deflection/reflection: 1 (+20%) → Bonus deflection/reflection force: 2 (+40%)]

The upgrade was complete when Lu Yi heard a key slide into the door lock.

He closed the panel and looked toward the door. A black-haired youth with a scholarly air pushed it open.

When the youth saw Lu Yi lying on the bed, a friendly smile immediately spread across his face.

"Hello, hello! Let me introduce myself. I'm Zhou Sichen. You must be my roommate, right?"