As the dimensional rift was torn open, a passage seemed to form in space, leading straight to the Divine Realm. Naturally, the Divine Realm was not unprepared.
A translucent, invisible barrier stood firm at the border of the Divine Realm, unmoved no matter how fiercely Fang Chang and his forces attacked it.
At the same time, chaos erupted within the Divine Realm. Numerous deities gathered on the other side of the barrier, watching the situation unfold.
Ever since the fall of the Asura God, they had left the Douluo World alone, opting to let Fang Chang grow unchecked. They had hoped he would remain docile, but now he had come knocking at their door.
While the gods were on high alert, a young woman who appeared to be in her twenties glanced at the barrier before quietly slipping away toward the depths of the Divine Realm.
To those with sharp eyes, she would have been instantly recognizable—Tang Liner, now grown up and ascended to the Divine Realm as a first-rank deity.
Back in the Douluo World, she had been an ordinary human, never involved in any earth-shattering events. The gods knew little about her past, making her the perfect inside agent for Fang Chang.
Her talent, after gaining a second Martial Soul, had rivaled even Tang San's in his prime. Coupled with the vast resources Fang Chang had secretly provided—immortal herbs in abundance—she had completed her divine inheritance at the mere age of twenty-two and ascended years ago.
Now, it was time for her to repay the Spider Clan.
Tang Liner moved swiftly through the grand halls of the Divine Realm, arriving at a place known as the Divine Repose. True to its name, it was where deities relaxed and rested between their cultivation sessions.
At first glance, it resembled an enormous, exquisitely beautiful garden, seemingly unremarkable.
But over the years, Tang Liner had discovered its true significance—this place housed the core of the Divine Realm's defenses. A secret known only to a few high-ranking gods, one she had stumbled upon by chance.
Outside, Fang Chang and his forces continued their relentless assault on the barrier. The violent tremors drew more and more deities to the scene, leaving the usually bustling Divine Repose deserted.
Seeing this, Tang Liner grew bolder. She walked casually toward the center of the garden, where a towering obelisk stood, inscribed with countless names.
This monument honored the gods who had perished during the Dragon God's rebellion, a memorial to let their spirits rest in peace.
But it was also the control hub for the Divine Realm's barrier—the very shield holding Fang Chang at bay.
"Water God, what are you doing here at a time like this?"
Just as Tang Liner neared the obelisk, a voice called out from behind her.
"Water God" was her divine title, a first-rank deity like the Sea God.
"Ah, I—" Caught off guard, Tang Liner faltered. "I just came to take a stroll."
The god who had spoken laughed. "A stroll? Now? The rebel gods from the lower plane are practically at our gates!"
Tang Liner turned, hiding her hands behind her back, and smiled as she approached him. "You know how much I love this place. The more tense things get, the more I need somewhere quiet."
The speaker was merely a third-rank deity, far beneath her in status and power—but also one of her many admirers in the Divine Realm. Perhaps that was why this 'chance encounter' had happened.
"True, the Water God does spend most of her free time here. My apologies for doubting you." The third-rank deity chuckled sheepishly as he walked toward her.
"Care to join me?" Tang Liner extended a slender, pale hand. "At times like these, all we can do is hope the barrier holds. Otherwise, the Divine Realm will suffer, and we might share the fate of the Asura God."
The third-rank deity's heart skipped a beat. The Water God—known for her aloofness—was inviting him for a walk? This was beyond his wildest dreams.
"Of course!" He nodded eagerly, stepping closer.
Tang Liner glanced around, confirming they were truly alone, then gently took his hand and led him toward the obelisk.
The third-rank deity was too elated to question anything. As a lowly third-rank god, having a first-rank deity show him favor was unimaginable.
In the Divine Realm, male deities vastly outnumbered females, especially among the higher ranks. The ratio was an absurd nine to one. Without that imbalance, he would never have dared to pursue her.
As they neared the obelisk, Tang Liner's sweet smile twisted into something far more sinister.
"You know..." She suddenly spun, pressing him against the monument, her free hand tilting his chin up.
The intimate gesture made the third-rank deity blush, his breath growing heavy. Did the Water God like it rough?
But then her tone shifted.
"Please die for me. Sorry about this."
Before he could react, Tang Liner summoned the Storm Holy Sword and slashed—cleanly bisecting him and slicing halfway through the obelisk behind him.
"You—!" The god's eyes bulged in shock. His divine power had barely begun to surge when the blade severed his body.
Had he been on guard, even a third-rank deity could have resisted. But he had fallen for her act, sealing his fate.
As the obelisk fractured, a strange ripple spread outward. The Divine Realm trembled, and the barrier shielding it began to dissolve.
Mission accomplished, Tang Liner abandoned the corpse and vanished in a flash.
Outside, Fang Chang's forces broke through the crumbling defenses, their attacks flooding into the Divine Realm. Casualties mounted instantly.
"They're inside! The rebels have breached the barrier!"
Panic erupted. Gods scattered in every direction, some fleeing in terror.