Shuyan listened to Qiangu Chaoshen's words but, for a time, didn't know what to say. After pondering for a moment, he slowly spoke:
"Elder Qian, the reason you summoned me today surely isn't just to tell me all this. What you truly want to say... must still be coming."
Qiangu Chaoshen chuckled lightly and nodded. His gaze drifted upward, toward the lingering hues of sunset, and he spoke softly:
"Human desire is endless. For those of us standing at the pinnacle of this continent, the craving for greater power can only be described as madness."
"I was relentless—when I first learned of the existence of gods, I was filled with sincere passion and obsession. I wanted that kind of strength—unparalleled and absolute. Even though I've long lost the chance to become an Ultimate Douluo, I still refused to give up."
"In that pursuit, I groped my way toward a path without precedent, one that might even be called delusional. That path... was becoming a god through origin refinement."
Seeing that Shuyan seemed unsure of what he meant, Qiangu Chaoshen wasn't surprised. He continued his explanation:
"If one doesn't inherit a god position, reaching the divine realm from Rank 99 requires transforming the body, soul power, and spiritual power all to divine-level standards. That also counts as becoming a god—just without a formal godhood."
"If one does inherit a god position, then the process is relatively simple—complete the deity's trials and inherit the godhood, then ascend to divinity."
"But neither path was suitable for me. Over the years, I chose a route that, in hindsight, seems almost laughable."
"Using the purified origin soul power of the Blood-Red Nine-Headed Bat King and the mysterious remnants left in the ruins of Slaughter City, I began a baptism and tempering of my martial soul. That mysterious power suppressed the Purging Dragon Soul within the Panlong Rod and eventually formed a sort of agreement with it. With my century-long nurturing of my origin at near-Ultimate Douluo level, I managed to elevate my Panlong Rod to a level infinitely close to that of a divine artifact…"
"I call it… a 'pseudo-divine weapon.'"
Shuyan looked at the ever-smiling Qiangu Chaoshen and couldn't help but interject:
"Elder Qian, I think I understand your point. A martial soul and its master are one and the same—you're trying to raise your martial soul to the level of a divine artifact, and from that, perceive the deeper truths of divinity. But…"
Qiangu Chaoshen quietly shook his head and stopped Shuyan from continuing.
"Actually, not long after I began this plan, I let go of my obsession."
"Mu En and Long Xiaoyao were both peerless prodigies, and even they never glimpsed that higher realm. How could someone like me, who relied on external force to rise, expect to succeed?"
"I suppose what drove me was simply unwillingness to accept reality. Over time, I came to understand that bringing my Panlong Rod to the pseudo-divine level was already my limit. To go further—whether fully refining it into a divine weapon or delving deeper into the Unyielding Rod techniques—in my eyes, those are not feats a mere mortal can achieve…"
Shuyan hesitated to speak, watching the faint sorrow in Qiangu Chaoshen's expression. He carefully chose his words before continuing:
"Then, Elder Qian, what is your intention?"
Qiangu Chaoshen was silent for a long while before finally speaking softly:
"I have at most three years left to live. Before I die, I plan to leave all my origin soul power to Yueyin, to support her future cultivation."
"You understand her personality. One day, it'll cause her serious trouble. The south won't be able to protect her forever, and the Empire faces even graver challenges. So, I hope... you'll look after her."
"As compensation, I'm willing to leave you the pseudo-divine Panlong Rod after my death—and tell you the location of a great opportunity…"
Shuyan's gaze grew complicated. After a moment of thought, he said:
"When a soul master dies, their martial soul vanishes with them. Even if your Panlong Rod has reached the level of a pseudo-divine weapon, it can't escape that fate—it's still not a true divine artifact."
"Even if you could leave it behind, its true master should be your granddaughter, Qiangu Yueyin—not me."
Qiangu Chaoshen shook his head again and explained:
"While martial souls and soul masters seem deeply connected, there are exceptions. The Panlong Rod's strength lies in the Purging Dragon Soul that resides within it. Whether it can remain after my death is not your concern—even if I can't solve it, there are other ways."
"As for not leaving it to Yueyin, the reason is simple—her own Panlong Rod is what suits her best. Every bearer of the Panlong Rod forms a soul contract with their Purging Dragon Soul. From that point on, they share one life and death. That's a fact."
"But I'm different. In Slaughter City, I encountered power that truly came from a god. That is my confidence, and the reason I dare to do this. Before death, one always worries for the younger generation and the promises made in the past."
"I promised Saint Bell that I would protect the Star Luo Empire and our descendants. But in the end, I could only watch them die one by one before my eyes. That... has been my greatest torment. I'm too tired—so tired I no longer have the courage to keep living. For me, death is a release… and a return. But before that, I must pave the way for the Empire and for Yueyin. That's my duty."
Shuyan was still weighing the pros and cons when a voice echoed from within his spiritual sea, quickly solidifying his resolve. He looked at Qiangu Chaoshen and spoke:
"Elder Qian, I agree to all your requests. But I'd like to know: the divine power you encountered in Slaughter City—whose godhood did it come from?"
Seeing that Shuyan had accepted, Qiangu Chaoshen visibly relaxed. He didn't hide anything and answered plainly:
"A thousand years ago, my ancestors once served the Spirit Hall, which was home to two gods. The power I encountered in the ruins of Slaughter City came from… the former Rakshasa God."
"If you trust me, then visit the ruins of Jialing Pass when you have time. All your answers… lie there."
Shuyan nodded, unsurprised. On the contrary, everything now seemed to make more sense.
That the Rakshasa God, slain by Tang San a millennium ago, could still influence the current era of Peerless Tang Sect proved that, even if she couldn't fully restore her power, at the very least her will or some of her divine essence still lingered in the world. And if that were true… perhaps the Angel God, whose divinity had shattered and fallen to Rank 89, also had some remnants of consciousness or legacy left behind?
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/XenTronix