This silence made Xuan Ming more wary than any direct killing intent.
Something unusual must be going on.
The thoughts of gods may be beyond the comprehension of mortals, but the absolute balance between interests and rules remains unchanged.
His own existence must, in some way, without his awareness, have conformed to some "expectation" of the Asura God, or... he is observing and waiting for a more crucial juncture?
" Xuan Ming?" Hu Liena's voice carried a hint of worry, pulling him back from his reverie.
She keenly sensed that beneath Xuan Ming's calm exterior lay a deep-seated suspicion and... wariness.
Xuan Ming raised his eyes and looked at her. His icy blue eyes regained their usual deep calm, suppressing all his turbulent thoughts.
"Nothing, just thinking about some things." Xuan Ming shook his head.
"The domain is newly established and needs time to be familiarized with and stabilized."
He temporarily put aside the abnormality of the Asura God.
Whatever the deity's plans, increasing one's own strength is always the top priority.
Now that the Divine Slaughter's Domain is complete, and the Blood Spear has been fully saturated, it still needs a crucial transformation. In the outside world, there is the conflict between the Spirit Hall Empire and the two great empires, as well as... the imminent threat of Qian Renxue's God's Trial.
His enemies have always been very clear.
Just then, a powerful and familiar aura rapidly approached from afar.
A figure appeared; it was Bibi Dong, who had been waiting there all along.
She looked at the two who were unharmed and whose auras had undergone a dramatic change, especially when her gaze lingered on Xuan Ming for a moment, a hint of undisguised surprise flashing in her phoenix eyes.
She also sensed the extraordinary power of Xuan Ming's domain. It was not a simple Divine Slaughter's Domain; its weight and oppressive aura made even her, the inheritor of the Rakshasa God, feel a little alarmed.
This is the Divine Slaughter's Domain, which has reached its peak and is about to undergo a transformation!
"It seems your gains have far exceeded my expectations." Bibi Dong's voice carried a complex mix of relief and satisfaction. "Welcome back."
"Teacher!" Hu Liena cried, her eyes red, and threw herself into Bibi Dong's arms.
Bibi Dong gently patted Hu Liena's back, but her gaze never left Xuan Ming.
She could sense that her disciple had undergone unimaginable trials in the Slaughter City, becoming more resilient and making rapid progress in strength.
But it was Xuan Ming's changes that truly alarmed her.
It was not merely an improvement in strength, but a fundamental transformation, as if a piece of raw jade, after being carved in bloody ways, finally revealed its astonishing sharpness and unfathomable darkness.
"How are you feeling?" Xuan Ming asked.
Bibi Dong shook her head. "It's strange. My power is sufficient to deal with it, but the Rakshasa Eighth Trial has yet to arrive."
Since confirming a year ago that Qian Renxue had begun the God's Trial, and that it was also God Level Nine Trials, she has devoted more of her attention to the inheritance of the God's Trial.
However, after she completed the Rakshasa Seven Trials, there was still no sign of the Eighth Trial!
Eighth Trial!
This is a crucial exam!
Once she completes the Eighth Trial, she will be able to transform into a true Demigod and control a portion of the Rakshasa Divine Power!
To become a true Demigod, Peerless Douluo!
However, since she completed the Rakshasa Seven Trials a year ago, there has been no progress on the Eighth Trial!
Xuan Ming frowned deeply upon hearing Bibi Dong's words.
Why is the Rakshasa Eighth Trial still not here?
This is by no means ordinary.
Although the God's Trial is difficult, once it begins, it will proceed step by step according to the established rules and the progress of the successor. In particular, the examination system for the succession of First-Level God like the Rakshasa Godhood should be rigorous and clear.
Bibi Dong's talent and strength are beyond doubt; she has already reached or even surpassed the standard for accepting the Eighth Trial, yet she has been unable to trigger the test for a long time.
This is definitely not normal.
Recalling the Asura God's unusual silence towards him, this "extraordinary" god of slaughter, a glimmer of understanding flashed deep within Xuan Ming's icy blue eyes.
The two deities, one in charge of judgment and slaughter, and the other controlling Evil and resentment, appear to be opposing forces, but in reality, they both belong to the upper echelons of the Divine Realm Divine Realm and maintain its rules and order.
Their silence is by no means an isolated incident.
"It seems that the Divine Realm... or rather, certain rules are undergoing changes we are unaware of." Xuan Ming slowly raised his head and gazed at the sky.
"Or perhaps, something, or someone, is simultaneously influencing the legacy of these two deities."
The fact that two First-Level God, or even God King level Asura, could simultaneously experience abnormalities during their inheritance trials suggests that the underlying reasons are likely far more significant than imagined.
Has a major upheaval occurred within the Divine Realm?
Or... Dragon Clan?
Chapter 301 Do You Crave Power?
The three did not linger. After a brief rest, Bibi Dong, along with Xuan Ming and Hu Liena, headed towards Spirit City.
The closer one gets to Spirit City, the more intense the tense and murderous atmosphere becomes.
The once bustling Spirit City, imbued with the aura of a sacred land for Soul Master, has now completely changed its appearance.
The towering city walls were further reinforced, gleaming with the unique energy glow of Soul Tool. The patrolling soldiers on the walls were no longer ordinary temple knights, but Soul Master soldiers dressed in standard Soul Master armor, exuding a powerful aura.
The enormous banner of the Spirit Hall Empire fluttered atop the city walls, its complex emblem, a fusion of the Pope's Scepter and numerous Martial Soul elements, signifying its new authority.
The city gates were heavily guarded, and everyone entering or leaving had to show a special identification token. The atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.
Upon seeing Bibi Dong's return, the guards hurriedly bowed, their eyes filled with awe and fervor.
Upon entering the city, the scene changed drastically.
Many non-core buildings were demolished and converted into barracks, training grounds, and workshops.
Teams of Soul Master were conducting coordinated combat training under the command of officers, with various Soul Skill flashing and roaring incessantly.
The people coming and going on the streets were mostly Soul Master officers in a hurry, scouts delivering intelligence, and logistics personnel transporting supplies.
The entire city, like a giant war machine, was operating at high speed, preparing for the impending all-out war.
Hu Liena looked at the Spirit City before her, so different from what she remembered, and felt the overwhelming atmosphere of war. Her eyes were filled with complex emotions.
She knew her teacher's ambitions and understood that the war was unavoidable, but seeing her homeland transformed into a giant military camp still weighed heavily on her heart.
Xuan Ming's gaze passed over the busy army and the heavily fortified positions, landing deep within Spirit City on the magnificent complex that symbolized the Elder Hall and the Worship Hall.
Qian Renxue was right there.
With the full support of the Peerless Douluo Qian Daoliu, the progress of the Angel God Trial will likely be faster than imagined.
Once the God's Trial begins, the flow of time and the perception of opportunities are different from those in the outside world, and it is not impossible to complete the nine tests in a few years.
Once Qian Renxue becomes the Angel God first...
The seemingly monolithic rule of the Spirit Hall Empire will develop fatal cracks from within.
The old forces of the Elder Hall and the Worship Hall will inevitably rise again, Bibi Dong's Rakshasa God Trial will show abnormalities once more, and the situation will be reversed in an instant.
At that time, not only will his plans be affected, but Gu Yuena and the others will likely be in danger.
We must ascertain Qian Renxue's progress as soon as possible and prepare for the worst.
" Nana, calm down."
Walking down the long street of Spirit City, Bibi Dong clearly sensed the murderous aura unconsciously emanating from Hu Liena. To prevent any accidents, she immediately released her Divine Slaughter's Domain to stabilize her.
"You... don't you feel anything?" Hu Liena took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the killing intent in her heart, and turned to look at Xuan Ming.
"I'm used to it," Xuan Ming said.
Normally speaking, after spending nearly three years in a hellish place Slaughter City, even without killing anyone, one's mind would definitely not be normal.
Fortunately, he wasn't quite right in the head to begin with.
Because the Blood Spear itself can condense killing intent, from the first day he killed someone to the later battles in the Great Soul Arena, he was honing his killing intent.
For him, the environment of the Slaughter City was simply a larger, more efficient whetstone.
As long as he isn't ambushed and his murderous intent isn't amplified, he won't run into any problems.
Soon, the three of them passed through layers of guards and returned to the Pope's Palace.
The Pope's Palace is now more solemn and busier than ever before.
High-ranking Soul Master generals frequently came and went, reporting military affairs and receiving orders.
The entire empire's war machine is centered here.
Back in the familiar side hall, isolated from the outside clamor, Bibi Dong looked at Xuan Ming, her tone softening slightly. "You've just experienced the Hell Road, your domains are newly formed and need time to stabilize. Especially Nana, your power..."
She paused, then added meaningfully, "It needs even more careful management. Let's rest here for now and ignore external affairs."
Hu Liena nodded. She did feel somewhat mentally exhausted. The newly acquired Divine Slaughter's Domain was still slowly integrating with her own power, and she needed to meditate.
"I need to rest for a while longer. Is there anything I can help you with?" Xuan Ming asked.
"Help me..." Bibi Dong thought for a moment.
"I'm a little worried about the Worship Hall. You... why don't you go and check on Qian Renxue's progress?"
With no progress on the Rakshasa God Trial and a mountain of affairs piling up in the Spirit Hall Empire, she was now overwhelmed!
If Qian Renxue really does get there first, not only will the power of the Spirit Hall Empire inevitably be seized by the Worship Hall, but Xuan Ming will also likely be in trouble!
She knew Qian Renxue's personality well; that girl wouldn't easily let go of her obsession with Xuan Ming. On the contrary, under the pressure of the God's Trial, her obsession with Xuan Ming would only deepen and become more and more insane!
If I can't have it, I'll destroy it!
In the past, Qian Renxue hesitated to make a decision, not only because of her feelings, but also because she felt that they hadn't reached that point yet. Perhaps later on, Qian Renxue did have that thought, but she no longer had the ability to do so.
But once Qian Renxue becomes a god, the power of life and death will be entirely in her hands!
Silence returned to the hall.
Bibi Dong had a lot of things to deal with, so she left quickly.
Hu Liena needed to calm her murderous intent, so Bibi Dong took her to a secret room for quiet meditation.
Xuan Ming sat by the window, looking at the Douluo Hall high up on Pope's Mountain.
"Actually, you have another way now," the Ice Dragon King said.
"Give it your all, either take down Qian Renxue or Qian Daoliu."
"The former solves everything, the latter can relieve your stress."
Xuan Ming withdrew his gaze from the direction of the Douluo Hall. "There's no need."
"What do you mean it's unnecessary?" the Ice Dragon King asked anxiously.
"Are you planning to wait for her to become a god so she can decide your life or death? And decide the life or death of Gu Yuena and the others?"
"Once Qian Renxue becomes a god, you won't even have the right to fight her to the death!"
"Do you think she can be faster than me?" Xuan Ming retorted.
"You..." The Ice Dragon King was slightly taken aback.
"What do you mean?"
Xuan Ming paused, then took out the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud. "Do you remember the safety measures I mentioned?"
If the Asura God ignores him, and Qian Renxue's progress exceeds expectations, he will have no choice but to use this backup plan.
Xuan Ming's gaze fell on the azure triangular object in his palm— the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
It lay there quietly, radiating a soft and deep blue light, as if it contained a miniature ocean.
"This thing... do you really think it can work?" The Ice Dragon King asked with some concern.
"Do you think I'm inferior to Qian Renxue?" Xuan Ming retorted.
"Still not as good as Bibi Dong? Not as good as Tang Chen, who's fallen into the Slaughter City?"