Chapter 299: The Traitor Zhou Weiqing
Nan Qiuqiu noticed that Nan Shuishui's expression seemed off and asked, "Mom, what's wrong? Why do I feel like you're not happy? Participating in the Soul Master Tournament is a good thing for our Earth Dragon Sect! If we do well, we might even attract more people to join us!"
Nan Shuishui forced a smile. "It's nothing, Qiuqiu. I was just thinking about some things."
She sighed internally, feeling that her daughter was too optimistic.
The Earth Dragon Sect might be the second most powerful force in Dragon City, but on the entire Douluo Continent, they were completely insignificant.
With the new tournament rules allowing sects to participate, many powerful sects would surely enter, including perhaps even the Body Sect, one of the strongest.
Compared to previous tournaments, this one would be far more challenging.
So while Nan Qiuqiu was hoping for a good result, Nan Shuishui had a different expectation winning just two matches would already be considered a success.
God Realm
Outside a castle exuding aura of destruction and flashing with lightning, Destruction God Zhou Weiqing floated in mid air, gazing at the structure with clenched fists.
Just moments ago, he and the Sinful Gods had been summoned by Destruction God, where he announced his plan to "make the God Realm greater."
The core of the plan was simple Destruction God intended to activate the God Realm's core hub, consuming all accumulated faith energy to expand the God Realm.
The benefits were clear:
Existing gods would become stronger.
More god positions could be created.
Talented individuals from the lower realms, who would normally perish due to lack of a god position, could ascend and survive.
However, the risks were also apparent.
By consuming faith energy, the God Realm's defensive strength would drastically weaken.
And if Tang San's premonition of a major crisis came true, wouldn't Destruction God's expansion plan be planting the seeds of destruction?
"Destruction God's intentions are good… but his approach is far too reckless. If Tang San is right, then the God Realm will be doomed!"
Zhou Weiqing made up his mind he had to stop Destruction God.
That meant working with Tang San.
Yet, at the same time, he felt deep guilt toward Destruction God.
After all, if it weren't for Destruction God, who sent the former Destruction God to patrol the lower realm, Zhou Weiqing would have never been discovered.
If he hadn't accepted the Destruction God's inheritance, he would have died long ago.
Not only that, but Destruction God had nurtured him, treating him as a trusted right hand man.
Yet, in the end Zhou Weiqing chose betrayal.
He took a deep breath, his gaze turning resolute.
Even though Destruction God had shown him kindness, protecting the God Realm was the greater cause.
"I'll find a way to repay his kindness later. But for now I must side with Tang San."
With that, he flew toward Tang San's residence.
The Betrayal Exposed
However, hovering above him the entire time was a cloud of purple mist, completely unnoticed by Zhou Weiqing, a First Class Deity.
As Zhou Weiqing entered Tang San's domain, the purple mist hesitated momentarily, then drifted to a secluded spot.
Three figures emerged from within it Destruction God, Lust God, and the former Destruction God.
Destruction God stared in the direction of Tang San's residence, his tone filled with regret.
"In the end… Zhou Weiqing has chosen to betray me and side with Tang San. As soon as I announced my plan to expand the God Realm, he couldn't wait to run to Tang San.
"It's clear he's going to expose my plans. Since ascending to the God Realm, I have nurtured him, treated him as my right hand… and yet, all I receive in return is betrayal."
His "expansion plan" had been a test to gauge Zhou Weiqing's loyalty.
Truthfully, he had no intention of carrying it out immediately.
With the Kindness God and Destruction God still present in the God Realm, if they joined Tang San's faction, things would become problematic.
Lust God scowled. "My Lord has shown Zhou Weiqing immense kindness, yet he dares to betray you? He's worse than a beast! Please, allow me to capture this traitor when he comes out!"
Destruction God glanced at her and said, "You're not his match. In terms of individual strength, Zhou Weiqing ranks second among my subordinates."
He then turned his gaze toward the former Destruction God.
This man, a tall, white skinned youth, was clad in intricately patterned armor, radiating immense power.
He had once been Destruction God's most loyal follower.
Had he not chosen to retire, Zhou Weiqing would never have inherited his position.
The former Destruction God sighed, his expression filled with disappointment.
"My Lord, I never expected Zhou Weiqing to betray you. When I passed my god position to him, I believed he would be your strongest ally.
"Since he has chosen treachery, I will personally capture him and bring him to you for judgment."
Even without his divine position, he had once wielded the Destruction God's power for countless years. Compared to Zhou Weiqing a "new god" he still had the advantage.
Yet, Destruction God shook his head.
"No, that won't work. If we capture Zhou Weiqing now, Tang San will immediately become suspicious."
"If I truly want to eliminate Tang San, I must think long term I must set a trap. As for Zhou Weiqing, we will simply feed him half truths, letting him relay them to Tang San.
"That way, Tang San will unknowingly step right into our web."
Initially, Destruction God had no intention of eliminating Tang San.
Their dispute had been a difference in ideology, not a fight to the death.
But now, his perspective had changed.
The fact that Zhou Weiqing immediately ran to Tang San proved one thing
Tang San was actively working against him.
And since Tang San refused to surrender the God Realm's Core and continued to oppose his plans, then Tang San was the enemy.
The former Destruction God and Lust God exchanged glances before bowing.
"A brilliant strategy, my Lord."
(End of chapter.)
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