"Knock knock knock…!!!"
The sound of knocking rang out.
Accompanied by several sharp and menacing auras.
"Come in," Gu Yuena said calmly.
Zhu Zhuyun opened the door. Entering were Di Tian and the other ferocious soul beasts, along with Zhu Zhuqing. They had finally returned from the Slaughter City.
And—each of them had obtained the Slaughter God Domain!
However, their time in Slaughter City had left their auras more bloodthirsty than ever.
Seeing Gu Yuena sitting casually on Dan Heng's lap, showing open affection as husband and wife, all of them paused in shock.
Before this, Gu Yuena had always been an aloof, supreme figure in their eyes. Who would've thought she'd now be acting like this?
"You all succeeded?" Gu Yuena asked indifferently.
"Yes, sister, we did it. We only came out now because we had to avoid overlapping in the Slaughter Fields," Di Tian explained.
"It's good you're back. For your upcoming divine trials, just consult your brother-in-law. Speed things up," Gu Yuena instructed.
"Understood…" Di Tian and the soul beasts nodded respectfully and began to prepare to leave again.
Gu Yuena leaned in close and whispered into Dan Heng's ear:
"Husband, my little brothers are finally back. How about we all go out for a family meal?"
Dan Heng raised an eyebrow. He was perfectly capable of cooking, but if it saved him the effort, he didn't mind.
"Master, Mistress..." Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward and respectfully bowed.
Dan Heng nodded slightly. "Not bad. Though your cultivation was suppressed in Slaughter City, you still reached level 50. Go hunt a soul beast along the way—I've already selected several suitable options for you. This time, try something new."
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes lit up. "I'll follow your arrangements completely, Master!"
The other soul beasts and Zhu Zhuyun looked at Zhu Zhuqing with envy.
After all, Dan Heng didn't offer this kind of guidance to just anyone.
Nearly ten people headed to a restaurant and ordered a full spread in a private room.
Xiong Jun (Bear King) had come too. Holding a wine jar, his face red, he muttered sheepishly:
"Brother-in-law, I was blind when I came before, and I didn't watch my mouth. I offended you. I'm sorry! This jar of wine is my apology!"
He didn't even dare to offer Dan Heng a drink—instead, he tipped the entire jar into his own mouth like a whale swallowing water.
Dan Heng chuckled and shook his head. "I didn't hold a grudge. It's all resolved now."
"Brother-in-law is so generous!" Xiong Jun belched drunkenly, giggling like a fool.
Gu Yuena smiled teasingly: "Look at you, acting dumb. If there's a next time, your brother-in-law might forgive you, but your sister will skin you alive and tear out your tendons."
This wasn't a joke—she very well could do it.
But her tone meant the past had been forgiven.
Xiong Jun grinned wider, relieved that the oppressive fear he'd been living with was finally gone.
He didn't know that Gu Yuena had once considered using his bear paw to make nourishing soup—for the baby she was carrying.
Only their ten-thousand-year bond had saved him from that fate.
Others offered toasts as well—but none dared to push drinks on Dan Heng.
They chatted about interesting experiences in Slaughter City.
"...When we became Slaughter Gods, we pissed off the King of Slaughter so badly his face turned green. Strangely though, he didn't pull any tricks. We were actually thinking of taking him out in the tunnels!" Chi Wang sighed regretfully.
The others nodded in agreement—they'd even considered taking his position.
Zhu Zhuyun listened with awe and envy.
She had thought being a noble daughter of the Zhu Clan in the Star Luo Empire put her at the pinnacle of society.
Now she realized—what were the Zhu Clan or the empire compared to the true reality of this world?
She'd heard of the Slaughter City before, but had always steered clear of it.
After all, in a thousand years, fewer than ten Slaughter Gods had ever emerged.
And now, half the people at this table were Slaughter Gods.
One of them was even her own sister.
Her emotions were tangled—envy, regret, and sadness.
After all, she wasn't truly part of Dan Heng's household and would eventually have to leave.
But… after living in this home, could she ever be satisfied with the outside world again?
Dai Weisi had once seemed like a peerless hero to her.
Now? He was nothing special.
"Everyone, tell me about your divine trial tasks. Over the next month, I'll help you finish them all," Dan Heng suddenly said.
"Brother-in-law is unbeatable!!!"The soul beasts were all ecstatic.
Just as Dan Heng said, with his guidance, the soul beasts completed their divine trials at astonishing speed—within one month, all their tasks were done.
Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing obtained her fifth soul ring.
It had been caught by Di Tian during a trip to the Sunset Forest—a 30,000-year soul beast, absorbed under Dan Heng's method.
Its true potential was waiting to be unveiled at the upcoming Soul Master Tournament.
Even Zhu Zhuqing herself was astonished—she was starting to wonder whether she could go toe-to-toe with entire teams even without teammates.
That day.
The soul beasts completed their initial divine trials and went for their second interaction at the Sea God Tower.
Their arrival drew widespread attention.
Among the crowd was Yu Xiaogang. Unlike others, he didn't approach them with flattery. Instead, he stood firm, eyes filled with determination.
"I'll definitely be recognized by the gods too! He who laughs last, laughs best!"
Yu Xiaogang declared, pumping himself up.
"Move it! Quit dawdling! Yu Xiaogang, I'm talking to you—hurry through! If you can't pass, next!"The soul master maintaining order barked impatiently.
He knew Yu Xiaogang, but held no respect for him.
Why was he standing around like an idiot? Everyone was waiting!
Yu Xiaogang flushed with embarrassment but clenched his fists.
He swore he'd pass—once he did, his future would open up wide!
He closed his eyes and ran straight toward the gate.
With everything he had. Faster! Faster!
Like a migratory bird flying home, he sprinted at full speed—
"BANG…!!!"
Yu Xiaogang slammed into the barrier and collapsed on the ground, immediately falling asleep.
"Idiot," the soul master sneered, and ordered him dragged away.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Yu Xiaogang's theories had never taken root. Even those who once believed in him had given up.
Frankly, not mocking him was already mercy.
Sea God Tower, Second Floor
Two years had passed, and there still weren't many people here.
When Di Tian and the others arrived, they drew the full attention of everyone present.
"Di Tian and the others are here! Looks like they're serious."
There was chatter all around.
Sword Douluo, Poison Douluo, Tang Xiao and others were present.
"Looks like they're aiming for the path I took. But the trials are too hard. Even I haven't completed mine..." Tang Xiao sighed.
Not everyone could be as lucky as Liu Erlong.
She hadn't even wanted a divine trial—yet the gods had practically delivered one to her.
In the end, going to Sea God Island wasn't to trouble Liu Erlong—but to groom her as someone truly worthy of divine inheritance.
Yu Yuanzhen's eyes gleamed as he suddenly remembered what Yu Xiaogang had said:
The gods have been lonely for too long… they need a different kind of provocation…
It sounded ridiculous.
But was it more ridiculous than Liu Erlong's divine trial?
Just then, Di Tian stepped to the divine pillar and placed one hand on it.
The next second, the pillar radiated a dark red glow, flooding the entire second floor.
A pillar of light rose section by section—
Until it stopped at the ninth level.
Red Grade—Nine Trials!
Di Tian withdrew his hand, a flicker of joy in his eyes.
Getting this trial, plus Dan Heng's guidance, meant he was very likely to become a god!
"Let me try too!"
The Ten Thousand Demon King stepped forward and also placed his hand on a divine pillar.
The next moment, the red glow that had just faded filled the entire hall once again.
Everyone's stunned expressions had yet to disappear when they were instantly frozen once more.
As the light gradually faded—
"Another Red Level Nine Test? What's going on?"
People hadn't even digested what had happened.
Then the Scarlet King also stepped forward, saying, "I'm here too!"
Red light! Again, red light!
Next was Demon Spirit, also receiving a Red Level Nine Test!
Everyone's faces turned red, then pale — they were completely dumbfounded.
Aside from Sword Douluo, no one else had ever received a Red Level Test before.
And now? So many suddenly appeared all at once?
What kind of joke is this?
Are they doing wholesale god trials now?
"What kind of force do they belong to?" Tang Xiao couldn't help but ask.
The origins of Di Tian and the other beasts were extremely mysterious, and they didn't interact with outsiders, so while everyone was shocked, they still didn't know who they really were.
Sword Douluo replied, "They might be from the Fontain Empire?"
The Fontain Empire was currently the most mysterious power on the Douluo Continent. Very few people knew what kind of experts were hidden within.
But anyone capable of defeating the Star Luo Empire must have powerful figures backing them!
"Unbelievable…"
Tang Xiao's face twitched hard — a group of Red Level Nine Test candidates, all from the same faction.
Once they matured, wouldn't they easily unify the entire Douluo Continent?
"We've succeeded! Hahaha! Now it's time for Xiong Jun and Zi Ji to come over!"
The Scarlet King laughed aloud.
They had originally thought it would take 80 to 100 years to finish everything.
Who knew it would all come together in just two years!
As long as they could complete the Red Level Nine Tests, obtaining a godhood would be as easy as sailing downstream.
"Let's return and say goodbye to Sister and Brother-in-law."
Di Tian nodded slightly, his face showing a rare smile.
Gaining a god position meant that even soul beasts could become gods — their hope of counterattacking the God Realm just grew stronger.
Under the envious stares of the crowd, they left together.
Because of their overwhelming aura, no one dared to speak to them.
Even though many were sure these beasts were hiding some secret, no one dared approach.
Otherwise — how could a group all receive Red Level Nine Tests?
"Wait… I think I know what's going on…" Tang Xiao's eyes suddenly lit up, and a guess formed in his mind.
From Fontain… Dan…
Just having a monster like Mr. Dan Heng in the Douluo Continent was already ridiculous enough.
There can't possibly be another one, right?
So…
As if telepathically linked, Sword Douluo and Poison Douluo also nodded slightly — they had the same thought.
Only Yu Yuanzhen was distracted, still mulling over Yu Xiaogang's words.
How could he make the gods see his uniqueness?
He couldn't just pee on the divine pillar, right?
Sea God Tower – Top Floor
On the bed, Sea God Poseidon was "asleep".
Suddenly, over a dozen water mirrors appeared around him, each showing the silhouette of a god.
Most of them were furious, clearly here to confront him!
"Poseidon!!!"
"You bastard! What the hell did you do? Why did you let a bunch of soul beasts inherit our god positions?!"
"Damn it! Those bastards inherited my god position and now I can't even sever the connection!"
"..."
The gods all roared furiously, demanding answers.
Poseidon was startled awake, rubbing his eyes. But even as he faced their angry glares, he remained completely unbothered and yawned.
"Why are you all shouting? I was sleeping…" Poseidon grumbled.
The Fire God, with a fiery temper, bellowed, "You can still sleep?! Do you have any idea what happened?! Soul beasts inherited our god positions!!"
"They did?" Poseidon asked, surprised.
"..."
The gods looked at Poseidon strangely.
It felt like this guy was utterly unbothered.
In the next second, Poseidon spread his hands and said, "And what's that got to do with me? Your god positions were taken by soul beasts — why are you blaming me?"
"???"
The gods all paused, stunned and confused.
Poseidon continued, "Also, I told you before — there were soul beasts in the Sea God Tower. But none of you listened. You were all so confident! Now you're blaming me?"
"Fire God, what did you say back then? That no matter what, soul beasts couldn't pass your trial… And Phoenix God…"
Poseidon started calling them out one by one, leaving the other gods speechless.
He wasn't the slightest bit apologetic. On the contrary — he was enthusiastic.
Perfectly deflecting blame.
"Besides, did you all forget? I was asleep, okay? How would I know what was going on outside? If you want to blame someone, blame yourselves for being too arrogant. If I had known, I'd have just killed them all… Sigh, you guys really disappoint me!"
Poseidon let out a dramatic sigh.
"..."
The gods blushed, thoroughly silenced by Poseidon's shamelessness.
The Goddess of Life gently said, "Soul beasts cannot become gods. After the last great calamity, the God Realm only just recovered. But what's done is done — let's find a way to fix it, not fight among ourselves."
"Yes, yes, leave it to the Goddess of Life to speak sense! Look at you all, losing your tempers — and you call yourselves gods?"
Poseidon chuckled.
"I…!!!" Fire God nearly exploded from frustration.
His divine successor was the Scarlet King — he was nearly sick with regret.
"Just kill them all. Poseidon, since you don't want to stay in the God Realm, go finish this off. Make up for your mistakes."
God of Shura spoke coldly.
Poseidon jumped, rolling his eyes. All he could think was — they're all connected to Dan Heng!
If he made a move, he might end up getting beat down instead.
Whoever they send would have to ask themselves — are they strong enough to take on Dan Heng?
"Why me? What mistakes did I make? I'm not doing anything!" Poseidon shrugged, clearly refusing to take responsibility.
"..."
The gods were helpless.
They couldn't interfere in the mortal world, and with the divine inheritances already passed on, things were now out of their hands.