On the other side, Poseidon, the Sea God—who was being harshly criticized by Liu Erlong—left the Sea God Pagoda and sneakily headed toward the library.
"Dan Heng, Dan Heng…"
Poseidon sidled up to the service desk with a grinning face.
Dan Heng glanced at him and suddenly clenched his fist.
"!!!"
Poseidon's figure instantly flashed to the window in alarm.
He could escape from there in the blink of an eye!
After all, he had tricked Dan Heng earlier with a riddle...
"Dan Heng, you used me and discarded me before—don't I deserve a little revenge?" Poseidon complained.
Dan Heng gave him another look and shook his head. "I didn't plan to do anything to you."
Poseidon pouted. "But I saw you clench your fist!"
Still, he didn't dare approach Dan Heng.
If Dan Heng really did strike, he wouldn't stand a chance.
He'd only be asking to be beaten up!
Dan Heng replied calmly, "I was going to find you earlier, but it doesn't matter anymore."
"Really?" Poseidon remained uneasy.
"…"
Dan Heng just shook his head and said nothing more.
Only then did Poseidon relax and cautiously approach him.
"You better not try anything!"
Dan Heng ignored this flighty guy.
Seeing this, Poseidon let out a sigh of relief and put on his usual silly grin.
"I told you, after all our years of friendship, you wouldn't beat me up, right? If you want to do something, go deal with those Destruction Gods instead!"
Poseidon grumbled, "Speaking of which, those Destruction Gods let things slide too much—letting other deities take advantage of me. Dan Heng, I bet you don't know, but the Sea God Pagoda I built…"
"I know," Dan Heng interrupted.
"Huh?"
Poseidon was visibly uncomfortable—being cut off halfway like that felt like… trying to poop and stopping midway. That kind of feeling!
He muttered, "Then I bet you don't know that a few soul beasts are planning to—"
"I know." Dan Heng interrupted again.
"!!!"
Poseidon's face turned green.
This time, it wasn't just frustration—it was also sheer panic upon realizing that Dan Heng might be involved with soul beasts!
What was Dan Heng planning?
A grand scheme where soul beasts would counterattack the Divine Realm?
Let soul beasts gain divine seats, grow stronger, and then launch a divine coup?
Just imagining it, Poseidon swallowed hard.
"No way—I have to give up my divine seat ASAP. Whoever wants to stay in this crappy god realm can do it—I'm out once I pass on the godhood!"
Poseidon grumbled bitterly.
If Dan Heng really helped Gu Yuena, then the Divine Realm... might be done for!
Dan Heng had almost blasted the God of Destruction to bits with a single strike before. Poseidon had witnessed that terrifying blow up close!
One shot per god, and the Divine Realm would be his!
Then what would happen to him?
Dan Heng shook his head slightly. He didn't see the future Poseidon feared.
Although he and Gu Yuena now knew each other's identities…
They still maintained an unspoken mutual understanding and continued their normal life as a married couple.
Gu Yuena may have once tried to pull him to the side of the soul beasts.
But now? Nothing of the sort.
That "trouble" would likely fall on their child instead.
"Dan Heng, are you going to intervene? Will you help those soul beasts inherit divine seats?" Poseidon asked nervously.
Dan Heng shook his head. "No…"
Before he could finish the sentence—
Poseidon laughed in relief. "Hahaha—then it's fine! If you don't get involved, there's no way those soul beasts will amount to anything!"
"…" Dan Heng didn't bother continuing, letting the other guy get excited on his own.
Poseidon grinned again and asked, "Dan Heng, do you want to choose who gets my Sea God position? I'll listen to you."
Dan Heng shook his head. "Doesn't matter."
Poseidon forced a smile, looking awkward—what a snub!
"You're so infuriating with that calm and collected attitude. Honestly, I wanted to punch you thousands of years ago…"
"Okay," Dan Heng nodded.
"You… you won't fight back?" Poseidon was shocked.
Just thinking about finally punching Dan Heng was making him excited!
Dan Heng nodded. "I won't fight back."
Poseidon was just about to agree, then paused. Narrowing his eyes, he added:
"You also can't kick back! And no tricks either—no passive counterattacks! Just stand there, okay?"
Poseidon stared at Dan Heng suspiciously.
Dan Heng gave him a look like he was an idiot and fell silent.
"…"
Poseidon sneered coldly, gritting his teeth:
"Good thing I was cautious! So you were planning to mess with me! If I'd agreed, you'd definitely have used some trick!"
Dan Heng ignored him and continued reading his mythological texts.
"You said you wouldn't—HEY!"
Meanwhile…
At the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect
Several top-level elders gathered to discuss the Sea God Pagoda situation.
They had all touched the divine pillars and received divine tests.
Sword Douluo sighed, his face filled with sorrow. "I got the Purple Level Three Trials. I've already completed them… and there's no future for me."
Back then, to protect the sect, Sword Douluo had risked his life to lure away several temple enforcers and ended up severely injured.
Now, his spirit power had only recovered to the Spirit Sage level—a bit better than Tang Hao's situation.
He had hoped to heal through divine trials, but due to the injuries ruining his talent, he only got the purple-level tests. Even after finishing them, he gained little in return.
Bone Douluo patted Sword Douluo's shoulder, visibly distressed.
If he could, he would've taken Sword Douluo's place himself.
Ning Fengzhi wore a grim expression. He slowly said, "Maybe someone else will get divine test rewards that can help Uncle Jian. We should ask around... And since Spirit Hall is trying to mend relations, they might be our best bet—"
"Don't beg Spirit Hall! Even if I die, I won't beg those bastards!"
Bone Douluo stood up angrily.
Ning Fengzhi's eyes reddened. He shook his head, speechless.
Ning Rongrong burst into tears and threw herself into Sword Douluo's arms, clinging to his one remaining arm. "I don't want Grandpa Jian to be sad… sob sob sob…"
The room became heavy with sorrow.
A long silence followed.
Then Bone Douluo suddenly said, "What if… What if we asked Mr. Dan Heng? Could there be hope?"
"Mr. Dan Heng only gives advice…" Ning Fengzhi started—then stopped.
Wait. Just advice?
Even if Dan Heng didn't intervene directly, couldn't his advice help Sword Douluo?
No way… really?
Ning Fengzhi's eyes lit up. Gritting his teeth, he declared: "Even if Mr. Dan Heng doesn't like being disturbed, at this point—we must ask him!"
Suddenly, Ning Rongrong lifted her tear-streaked face and looked at him.
"I'll ask Mr. Dan Heng! Daddy, let me go—I know him! I'll go right now…!"
Wiping her tears, she dashed out of the room without waiting for a response.
Ning Fengzhi sighed, "I'd better go after her. Rongrong is too impulsive—if she oversteps, we can't afford to trouble Mr. Dan Heng…"
Back at the Library
Dan Heng looked up.
From behind a nearby door, a head peeked around, watching him nervously.
Long flowing hair, fair complexion, striking features—
It was Liu Erlong.
Dan Heng raised an eyebrow. Liu Erlong could be impulsive, but she almost never caused him trouble.
Seeing she'd been spotted, Liu Erlong hurried over with a forced smile, walking with odd, wobbly little steps, clearly nervous.
"Mr. Dan Heng, are you… hungry?"
She stood at the front desk, eyes wide, hesitating before blurting it out.
"???" Dan Heng looked at her, confused.
"No, I mean… are you thirsty? You've been working so hard—I'll get you some water!"
As she spoke, she grabbed Dan Heng's still half-full cup and rushed off.
"…"
Dan Heng stared after her, puzzled.
Soon, Liu Erlong returned, her fragrant scent lingering in the air.
Still wearing a fake smile, she gently pushed the water cup back in front of him.
Dan Heng opened it and sniffed lightly.
Thankfully, nothing had been added.
Liu Erlong's face turned bright red.
Just what kind of image does Mr. Dan Heng have of me…?
"Dean Liu…"
Dan Heng had barely started speaking when—
"Mr. Dan Heng, you must be hot! I'll fan you!"
Liu Erlong suddenly grabbed a few books and began fanning him with exaggerated effort.
"???" Dan Heng frowned. Something was definitely off.
Looking again at Liu Erlong—
Her eyes flickered with embarrassment and guilt.
"What's going on?" Dan Heng asked.
"I... I'm fine..."Liu Erlong looked like she was about to cry, but still had to force a fake smile.
At this moment, she was absolutely furious with Sea God Poseidon!This so-called godly trial he gave her was a complete prank. She was already on the fourth trial, and it was still targeting Dan Heng.
Now, it even required her to do that kind of thing...
Dan Heng didn't believe her, continuing to stare at Liu Erlong.
"Is it part of the Sea God's inheritance?"
"!!!"Liu Erlong's eyes widened in disbelief, staring at Dan Heng.
Mr. Dan Heng really was sharp!
He immediately guessed the crux of the issue!
But when it came to her lips, the words changed into:
"No... Mr. Dan Heng, I... I just..."
"Just what?" Dan Heng asked casually.
Liu Erlong's face turned crimson. Biting her lower lip, she looked at Dan Heng with a dazed expression, her voice as soft as a mosquito.
"I just... like you, and want to treat you well..."
Her voice was barely audible.
"..."Dan Heng pretended not to hear. He knew exactly what was going on—this had Sea God Poseidon's nonsense written all over it.
Using god trials for pranks—only he would do that.
"Mr. Dan Heng, did you hear me?" Liu Erlong closed her eyes tightly—out of sight, out of mind.
"Mhm." Dan Heng nodded.
Just that one word made Liu Erlong collapse like her bones had been removed. She sank to her knees, sitting awkwardly.
After a few seconds of silence, she suddenly cursed:"That damn Sea God! When I become a god, I'll make him pay!"
"I couldn't say no just now, it was all... all because of that trial! Mr. Dan Heng, don't take it seriously, okay? I—I don't like you at all, it's all the Sea God's fault!"
Liu Erlong gritted her teeth and pounded the ground with her fist, but didn't dare look at Dan Heng.
"..."Dan Heng didn't look at her either, silently adding another tally to Poseidon's debt.
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed.
Before Liu Erlong could even get up, someone rushed over and knelt right next to her.
"???"Liu Erlong stared, confused. What the heck? You're kneeling next to me—now it looks like I'm kneeling too!
Ning Rongrong was on her knees, sobbing uncontrollably, breathless and unable to speak clearly.
She assumed Liu Erlong was here for the same reason and hadn't even looked at her face yet.
Dan Heng rubbed his temples. Great, I've just arrived at Lanba Academy, and problems are already piling up.
He closed his book and looked over at Liu Erlong.
Liu Erlong reached out to help Ning Rongrong up and whispered, "Little girl, don't cry. If you have any trouble, just tell me..."
But Ning Rongrong refused to get up, sobbing,"No... I want to see Mr. Dan Heng..."
"I'm the dean of Lanba Academy, you know. I'm even more capable than Mr. Dan Heng!"Liu Erlong said, clearly feeling a little insecure.
Ning Rongrong brushed her aside with her hand, annoyed that she was blocking her view.
"..."Liu Erlong was left standing there awkwardly.
This brat... not giving her any respect as the dean at all.
Although, to be fair, she was no match for Mr. Dan Heng...
"It's like this, Mr. Dan Heng…"Ning Rongrong, crying, explained why she had come—hoping to cure Sword Douluo's injuries.
At this point, Ning Fengzhi arrived and quickly picked Ning Rongrong up.
"Don't act like this! Rongrong, even if your Sword Grandpa knew, he wouldn't want you to bother Mr. Dan Heng! If he wanted that, he would've come and pleaded himself already."
Ning Fengzhi scolded.
"..."Ning Rongrong kept crying silently, her eyes red and pitiful as she looked at Dan Heng.
Dan Heng shook his head and said:"You can go back and tell him—if his left hand is gone, he can still practice swordsmanship with his right. If both hands are gone, he can still use his mouth. He should reflect on what his real problem is. Is the sword really just a physical object?"
Ning Rongrong stared blankly at Dan Heng, not understanding what he meant.
But Ning Fengzhi's face lit up with joy.
Only he understood how difficult it was to get Dan Heng to give any kind of solution.
This... this was a huge favor!
"Thank you! Thank you so much!"
He pulled Ning Rongrong along and hurriedly left again.
"Eh???"Liu Erlong still hadn't figured out what was happening and stared blankly at their departing backs.
Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuyun and the other three girls returned to the training grounds and met up with Zhu Zhuqing.
"Zhuqing, are you sure you don't want to come to the Sea God Tower with us? Our god trials have real benefits! My first spirit ring advanced by 500 years!"Huo Wu said excitedly.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuyun were also smiling.
Clearly, they had gained from the inheritance of the Sea God's power.
Zhu Zhuqing shook her head gently.
"When the teacher tells me to go, I'll go. It's not time yet."
Zhu Zhuyun reminded her, "But who knows when Mr. Dan Heng will have time? He might've already forgotten about you..."
Zhu Zhuqing instantly gave her a cold glare and said firmly:
"He wouldn't."
With that, she picked up her pace and ran ahead.
"...Zhuqing is mad."
Zhu Zhuyun sighed.
Huo Wu and Xiao Wu shrugged, expressing their helplessness.
(End of Chapter)