Infer the process from the result.
Xu Cheng didn't even need to think deeply to know that Tang San was behind all this.
Why was it that only after Zhou Weiqing had lost everything—his family fortune depleted, his wife and loved ones all gone, left completely alone—did he just so happen to encounter the God of Destruction?
And considering that Tang San had previously offered him a god position, given Zhou Weiqing's unique potential, there was no way Tang San wasn't keeping an eye on him. But what happened afterward? After Destruction had gained the upper hand, Zhou Weiqing "accidentally" found out that the enemy was Tang San—his old benefactor—then suddenly turned on Destruction mid-battle and dealt a fatal blow?
A little too convenient, no?
This made Xu Cheng seriously suspect: was Zhou Weiqing a hidden pawn Tang San had planted in Destruction's camp? Waiting for the perfect moment to strike a deadly blow from within?
Of course, let's set Tang San aside for now.
But speaking honestly, Xu Cheng didn't have a great impression of Zhou Weiqing either.
Destruction had treated him well, had never wronged him. Yet Zhou turned traitor in the heat of battle—just because Tang San had once helped him more?
So that's your excuse for betrayal? Just because he helped you a bit more?
At the end of the day, the conflict between Destruction and Tang San was a dispute of ideals, not an issue of right or wrong. Both sides were, at least nominally, fighting for the good of the Divine Realm.
So Zhou's justification that "Tang San was right" didn't hold water.
Unless… he, like Tang San, also had the ability to foresee the future?
Since he didn't, and considering how much the Destruction faction had helped him, switching sides at the last minute based on one man's claim was…
"Unacceptable."
Xu Cheng spoke plainly.
For the God of Destruction to entrust him with this much power—including choosing successors—meant handing over his own trump cards. These Seven Deadly Sins were to be Xu Cheng's future inner circle in the Divine Realm. How could he allow someone unfaithful and disloyal into his ranks?
"Hmm?" The God of Destruction was slightly startled.
He hadn't even said who the candidate was yet…
"My Lord, his name is Zhou Weiqing. He's a highly gifted individual from one of the lower planes under Divine Realm jurisdiction. Even compared to others across all planes, he's among the top in raw talent," the God of Destruction explained quickly.
"Oh, it's him. Not allowed," Xu Cheng waved it off dismissively.
The God of Destruction: "..."
This new lord really seems to dislike Zhou Weiqing quite a bit…
But as a subordinate, he naturally followed orders.
"Yes. If my lord forbids it, I'll search for another successor."
"Wait…"
Just as the God of Destruction turned to leave, Xu Cheng stopped him.
"Where is this Zhou Weiqing now?"
"Currently waiting for a response on the Hao Miao Continent," the God of Destruction replied respectfully.
"If my lord disapproves, I will find an excuse to reject him—"
"Heh… Why reject him?" Xu Cheng's lips curved into a sly smile."Such a good pawn…"
"What do you mean, my lord?" the God of Destruction was confused.
"Bring him to meet Tang San," Xu Cheng said, waving his hand.
"Tang San? Such a gifted candidate—why hand him over? Isn't that a waste?" The God of Destruction tried to protest carefully. "Not to question your decision, but Zhou Weiqing's talent really is remarkable, even I was a little tempted…"
"Then guess—why do you think you happened to run into him now?" Xu Cheng smiled.
Seeing the God of Destruction still confused, Xu Cheng sighed and said bluntly:
"Tang San once saved him, even promised him the Asura God Position. But Zhou declined at the time, thinking the Divine Realm couldn't bring many people with them."
"Now that his loved ones are dead, and he's alone, he's suddenly remembered that promise—and wants to become a god."
"So, when he tried to reach Tang San again… just happened to run into you."
"Now guess: what will happen if he inherits your mantle, and then meets Tang San again?"
"...What?!!" The God of Destruction was shaken.
He thought for a moment, then his eyes widened further:
"Could it be… even my meeting him was part of Tang San's plan?"
"Highly likely," Xu Cheng said coolly.
"Good thing you saw through it, my lord. Otherwise…" The God of Destruction took a deep breath. He hadn't expected Tang San's schemes to run this deep—he'd almost been fooled!
"I'm actually quite curious—when Zhou Weiqing goes to Tang San, asking for the promised Asura God position, what kind of expression will Tang San make?" Xu Cheng smiled.
"Hahaha! His face will probably turn black with rage!" the God of Destruction laughed loudly.
Since the two were enemies anyway, seeing Tang San in a bind brought him joy.
"Alright, go then. Make sure the entire Divine Realm knows that our great God-King Tang San once promised his Asura God position to a young genius…" Xu Cheng's grin widened.
This is what it means to "turn the tables."
Watching Tang San stuck in an impossible situation—that's the real entertainment.
According to Xu Cheng's predictions, Tang San would most likely allow Zhou Weiqing to take the godhood exam, because as a God-King, his reputation still mattered. But he'd likely rig the exam, making Zhou fail.
And once this matter was publicized across the Divine Realm, everyone would begin to notice Zhou Weiqing's immense talent.
Undoubtedly greater than Tang San's.
Tang San had inherited the Asura God position without any exam, just by direct succession.
Now he's telling Zhou Weiqing to take an exam?
Everyone could understand that.
But when Zhou fails the test…
That's when it gets interesting.
Basically, Xu Cheng was putting Tang San on the hot seat.
"Go handle it," he waved.
"Yes!" The God of Destruction bowed deeply and faded away.
Staring at the space where he vanished, Xu Cheng's eyes gleamed.
He may still be weak for now, but with Destruction's authority, and command over the Seven Deadly Sins and other forces, his room to maneuver had just grown significantly…
Meanwhile…
"Artificial soul rings under 100,000 years can now be completely simulated," Elder Cheng explained.
"In fact, they can exceed the original human limits. For example, the upper limit of a typical fifth soul ring was around 12,000 years. But with artificial soul rings, it can now go up to 20,000 years. As for the third and fourth rings, because we've resolved the issue of soul resonance shocks, they can now reach 10,000 and 15,000 years respectively."
"The first and second rings can be safely pushed to 1,000 and 3,000 years."
"The technology is nearly mature. Nearly a hundred test subjects have shown no abnormalities. It's ready for widespread rollout."
Xu Cheng nodded slightly, visibly pleased.
This was a huge deal.
The original soul ring limits had been based on accumulated experience over generations—representing the extreme edge of what humans could withstand.
Outside of a few elites with top-tier bloodlines, most people could never reach those limits.
Especially in the Sun and Moon Empire, even getting close to your personal limit was already a rare achievement.
But now, Elder Cheng's breakthrough allowed everyone to reach those max thresholds.
(End of Chapter)