Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone

With the Asura God King's approval and the Asura Demon Sword that marked him as the successor, Jiang Mingyang was in high spirits, carrying himself like a man ready to point out rivers and mountains and command the world.

Then, with the Tianya Sword in his left hand and the Asura Demon Sword in his right, Jiang Mingyang walked out of Slaughter City step by step.

With every step he took, the murderous aura around him slowly gathered at his side.

Just as Jiang Mingyang stepped out of Slaughter City, an intricate white pattern slowly appeared on his Martial Soul, the Tianya Sword.

Jiang Mingyang narrowed his eyes and released the white pattern through his Soul Power. A domain roughly ten meters in radius formed in an instant. It was the Divine Slaughter's Domain.

Jiang Mingyang tested it. The Divine Slaughter's Domain had the same effects as Tang San's in the original story.

Within the Divine Slaughter's Domain, an enemy's strength weakened by ten percent, while Jiang Mingyang's strength increased by ten percent.

As for who counted as an enemy, the rule was simple: anyone who entered the Slaughter Domain other than Jiang Mingyang himself was an enemy.

Once Jiang Mingyang possessed the Divine Slaughter's Domain, the murderous aura around him floated at his side like loyal subjects, utterly docile.

At the sight, Jiang Mingyang laughed aloud. His heart brimmed with longing for the future as he strode forward...

He had taken only a few steps beyond Slaughter City when he sensed a powerful presence.

Jiang Mingyang quickly looked toward it and saw Tang Chen ahead of him, hovering high in the air.

Jiang Mingyang frowned. Hadn't the Asura God King already helped Tang Chen remove the Blood-Red Nine-Headed Bat King? Why was Tang Chen still here? Could it be...

Seeing Jiang Mingyang's puzzled look, Tang Chen smiled at him.

Then Tang Chen looked at the Asura Demon Sword in Jiang Mingyang's hand and said, his gaze conflicted, "Young friend, I imagine you're puzzled by what's happened. Let me explain."

Jiang Mingyang had a fair idea of what Tang Chen would say. It was probably about his own experiences.

But Jiang Mingyang did not interrupt. Tang Chen deserved at least that much respect, so he said calmly, "I am puzzled. I have a few guesses, but it would be better to hear the answer from you, senior."

Tang Chen nodded, his expression troubled. "Years ago, because of a promise, I devoted everything I had to becoming a god.

"But becoming a god was far, far too difficult. Only Power of Faith accumulated over thousands of years could help a top-tier powerhouse become a god in the flesh.

"Thousands of years were far too long for me. Who could be certain how long they would live?

"Every day mattered, so I chose another path: to seek out a godhood to inherit.

"Later, I was fortunate enough to find the godhood you're about to inherit here in Slaughter City... the Asura God Position.

"But I gradually lost myself. I grew arrogant, becoming someone who looked down on all living beings despite lacking the power of a god.

"At the time, I thought that with my level ninety-nine strength and a Godhood Inheritance,

"nothing in this world could harm me. Becoming a god seemed as certain as nails hammered into a board.

"Yet I paid a terrible price for that arrogance: during one of the trials, the Blood-Red Nine-Headed Bat King ambushed me...

"The Blood-Red Nine-Headed Bat King took hold of my body. From then on, we fought constantly for control of it, until you arrived...

"The reason I wanted you to make it through Hell Road was that I hoped you would return afterward and help me suppress the Blood-Red Nine-Headed Bat King.

"Although you didn't help me personally, it was because of you that the Asura God King appeared. I promised you an opportunity...

"This is a Soul Bone from a Hundred Thousand Year Snow-Eyed Eagle. I already have all the Soul Bones I can use, and I've never used this one. Take it as repayment for what you've done!"

As he spoke, Tang Chen tossed the Soul Bone to Jiang Mingyang.

Jiang Mingyang smiled. "Thank you, senior!" He caught the Snow-Eyed Eagle's Soul Bone.

Tang Chen smiled and nodded. "The Blood-Red Nine-Headed Bat King tainted me. I'm no longer qualified to inherit the Asura God King's position.

"I hope you'll take my fate as a warning and won't follow in my footsteps.

"If you succeed one day, remember our conversation today. I hope... I hope you'll lend the Clear Sky Sect a hand when it faces danger!"

Jiang Mingyang nodded, then turned and left.

When Tang Chen had first made his promise, Jiang Mingyang had been intensely curious and excited about the opportunity he mentioned. He had even thought it might be the Asura God King's inheritance.

But once Jiang Mingyang calmed down, that excitement faded.

He knew perfectly well that, even setting aside whether Tang Chen had the authority to choose a successor to the godhood,

Tang Chen would never give the Asura Demon Sword, the mark of the successor, to someone he barely knew and had no ties to.

So the opportunity had to be something else.

After all, as a level ninety-nine Titled Douluo who had been active on the continent for years, Tang Chen owned plenty of treasures that could count as an opportunity.

As for Tang Chen's request that Jiang Mingyang help the Clear Sky Sect in its hour of need, there was something neither of them had said aloud—help went both ways.

Jiang Mingyang smiled. The future looked bright!

Shrek Academy

The students were training. Among them was a girl with a noble bearing and a gentle, elegant manner.

She was Ning Rongrong, daughter of Ning Fengzhi, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's leader, whom Jiang Mingyang had met at Xue Ye's funeral.

Beside Ning Rongrong stood Zhu Zhuqing, a cold-looking young woman with a striking figure and generous curves.

Beside Zhu Zhuqing was Xiao Wu, a girl in pink with a long braid and remarkably long legs.

The girl to Xiao Wu's right was Jiang Zhu.

Facing the four girls were Tang San, Oscar, and Huang Yuan.

Shrek Academy was nothing like it had been before.

It now stood in Heaven Dou Imperial City, having been renamed from the former Blue Tyrant Academy.

Earlier, Shrek Academy had faced a major crisis.

It could not even gather seven students—not enough to enter the Soul Master Tournament.

Shrek Academy itself had never received official recognition, either, and was not eligible to enter the Soul Master Tournament.

At that critical moment, Grandmaster stepped forward and declared, "I have a girlfriend. She's the head of Blue Tyrant Academy."

And so the whole group marched off to Blue Tyrant Academy.

From that day on, Blue Tyrant Academy was officially renamed Shrek Academy.

Even Tang San, who had betrayed his teacher and ancestors, had to admit that while Grandmaster's actual abilities were limited, his connections... were rock-solid!

Fail to bow before the emperor, and your destined rule is lost.—Jiang Mingyang