Douluo, my clone Groudon

Chapter 162 Zang Xin's Choice
The mist rising from the Yin-Yang Well of Ice and Fire swirled under the moonlight, and the spring water, a blend of icy blue and crimson, shimmered with tiny specks of light.

The petals of the Qiluo tulip rustled under the oppressive power of the gods. The six immortal herbs, each ten thousand years old, huddled in the shadow of the rock wall, their roots and leaves intertwined to form a protective net.

"Tang San, the Sea God".

Gula calmly gave his answer.

“This is impossible…” Zang Xin’s pupils suddenly contracted to the size of pinpoints, and his expression, which had remained unchanged for millennia, finally changed. He murmured, “The Sea God defeated the Rakshasa God twenty thousand years ago and saved the continent. How could it be him…”

"Divinity is like an abyss, and the human heart is unfathomable."

Gula rose, his white robe fluttering in the air currents where hot and cold mingled. He ran his fingertips across the rising steam from the spring, and the mist instantly condensed into two divine figures playing chess.

"Look at this chessboard." He lightly tapped the figure holding the black piece on the right. "When the player realizes that a piece is about to jump off the board and pose a threat, should they ignore it?"

"At your level, you should know that Douluo Star has a consciousness, which is the collective consciousness of all creatures on Douluo Star."

Under Zang Xin's questioning gaze, Gula suddenly chuckled and asked curiously, "Zang Xin, do you think the existence of Shrek Academy is good or bad for Douluo Continent?"

"If Tang San, the founder of the Tang Clan, were to appear one day, would you... pay homage or not?"

The two questions struck Zang Xin like a giant hammer. Zang Xin's right hand was on the hilt of his sword, but he found that his proud sword intent was dissipating, which meant that he was wavering.

Silence enveloped the Yin-Yang Well of Ice and Fire. The six ferocious beasts of Qiluo dared not even breathe. They felt the power emanating from Gula that could easily destroy them, which filled them with awe and gratitude for their choice.

This isn't gambling; it's the absolute answer to immortality.

Zang Xin's eyes darted around, revealing his inner turmoil. The swordsman's pride and centuries of devotion clashed within him, his vast spiritual power surging, yet his sword-wielding hand grew ever more steadier, for a fire burned deep within his sword heart—the vow he made before the statue of his patriarch when he first entered the Tang Clan.

"Once you join the Tang Clan, you must uphold its reputation, treat your fellow disciples as brothers, and never use your skills to harm others!"

And now, his brother has died because of someone's selfishness!
"If it was truly Tang San's ancestor who brought the Abyss Plane, causing five thousand years of bloodshed and sacrifice on the continent, even if I, Zang Xin, am no match for him, I would still have the courage to draw my sword against him. But this is only your side of the story; do you have any evidence?"

Faced with the shocking facts, Zang Xin remained steadfast, staring directly into Gula's golden eyes, and did not back down even as tears and blood streamed from his eyes.

"Ha ha!"

Gula suddenly burst into laughter, his immense divine power shaking the very fabric of space. "I knew I hadn't misjudged you."

The six beasts of Qiluo trembled and huddled together for warmth. Only the earth dragon golden melon and the fiery apricot were overjoyed. Indeed, they were the most suitable to follow their master.

Gula slowly put away his smile. "No evidence is needed. Becoming a god does not change one's personality. From a human nature perspective, you can guess Tang San's psychological changes yourself."

"Since ancient times, the Douluo Continent has never lacked ambitious people; there have always been those who want to control everything. If you were Tang San, and by chance became a god, even one of the five supreme God Kings, would you be willing to see someone in the lower realm threaten you and your family?"

Zang Xin frowned.

"Ten thousand years ago, Huo Yuhao was a chosen one of destiny. If there were no external influences, he would have been qualified to unify the continent, inherit the throne of the God of Life with the destiny of humans and soul beasts, or create his own godhood and ascend to heaven."

"But Tang San just happened to send his daughter down to the mortal realm at this time, and even split her soul in two, making Huo Yuhao play with her like a dog. She ascended to godhood with the fortune of the Star Dou Great Forest, but with the potential of a god king, she only became a first-level god of emotions. Tang San's daughter, Tang Wutong, also benefited and became a second-level god butterfly god. The process was completely in accordance with the rules of the god realm."

“These are understandable. A first-level god is not incapable of becoming a god-king. In any case, the Tang family’s affairs can be used to smooth things over.” “However, the fact that they realized the special nature of Douluo Star, set up a ten-thousand-year plan, and attracted the Abyss Plane can never be cleared up.”

"The golden tree in Shrek Academy is actually a symbol of the core of the Douluo plane. Tang San put his mother's Blue Silver Emperor soul into it, replacing the core of the plane."

"Tang San's father, Tang Hao, has taken over the consciousness of the plane to prevent variables from appearing on Douluo Star that could affect the grand plan of ten thousand years, and he controls the Heavenly Tribulation. Can you try to overcome the tribulation?"

"Yun Ming is a genius, having condensed half a godhood in just over a hundred years. If he can't take another step forward, is it because he can't do it?"

"No, he had a premonition that as long as he took one step forward, the Heavenly Tribulation would surely kill him. Because once he became a god, with the current population of Douluo Star, the power of faith would elevate Yun Ming to a level that even Tang Hao couldn't defeat. The Abyss Plane that he had painstakingly attracted might not last until Tang San returned."

How much of all this do you believe?

Gula smiled knowingly, giving away the whole plot in one go.

Zang Xin took a deep breath and slowly said, "Yun Ming told me that there is no way forward."

A strange light appeared in Gula's golden eyes. "It's a real pity about Yun Ming. He was too ambitious. He failed to become a god and even dared to dream of evolving the God Realm by himself. What a pity..."

Zang Xin's heart trembled. This was the first time he had learned of Yun Ming's plans, and he hadn't expected him to surpass him by so much.

“I will…” He wiped the blood from the corner of his eye, and the Amorous Sword ignited with a hazy glow, “cutting through this web woven by fate.”

"Even God cannot control my destiny!"

The sword light cleaved through the rising mist, and Zang Xin realized his true nature, achieving a small breakthrough in his spiritual power and taking another step closer to the Divine Origin Realm.

Gula's laughter shattered the valley's rain and dew: "Good! You have ambition, but what can you actually do?"

“Once we leave this secret realm, without my divine power to conceal us, you demigods will definitely be Tang Hao’s primary focus. He won’t even need to use a second move to deal with you.”

Groudon wasn't lying. He could intimidate Zang Xin with his divine eyes. If he accepted the full power of Groudon's clones, Yun Ming wouldn't be a match for him either.

"Although Tang Hao is a second-level god, if he were to free up his strength and with the support of the plane lord, he could rival a first-level god."

"Besides, Tang San isn't without other backup plans on Douluo Star. Sometimes I have to admire him. He plans three steps ahead for every one he takes. Doesn't he get tired?"

Even Gula was exhausted from sabotaging him, so it's hard to imagine Tang San's mental state when he was scheming and planning.

Zang Xin had heard too many shocking news today, and his mind was as still as a deep pool. He stared intently at Gula.

"And what about you? I don't believe a god would tell me such important news for no reason."

He didn't even glance at the immortal herb out of the corner of his eye. If the immortal herb was useless to him, it was even less likely to make a god appear out of nowhere.

Gula's mind raced... The things they had discussed earlier were too lofty, each one concerning the fate of all living beings. Would it be a bit frivolous to say that he wanted to take away the immortal herb now?

(End of this chapter)