Chapter 320: The Godless Breakthrough and Shrek's Final Hour
In a secluded sea region of Shrek Douluo Star, Xiao Qiang sat cross-legged atop a colossal whale, tens of thousands of tons in weight. Surrounding him, the sea churned with soul power as he absorbed the vast energy pouring out of the whale beneath him. Floating anxiously nearby was a much smaller whale, her eyes filled with concern.
"Don't worry. He'll be fine," a voice soothed.
A snowflake drifted down and landed gently on the smaller whale's head before transforming into a woman—the Snow Empress, Xue Di. She turned toward the small whale reassuringly. "Xiao Qiang has created souls before—this isn't his first time. And even if the Deep Sea Demon Whale King is a million-year soul beast, Xiao Qiang has already absorbed such soul rings in the past."
The small whale was none other than Lan, daughter of the first and second Deep Sea Demon Whale Kings, as seen in Douluo III. The enormous whale beneath Xiao Qiang was the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, who later became the infamous Demon King of the Holy Spirit Church.
When Xiao Qiang and his group had first approached her, the Deep Sea Demon Whale King had no intention of meeting them. But faced with the combined presence of three quasi-gods—Xiao Qiang, Xue Di, and Lan, each wielding the Ultimate Ice or Snow attributes, she reconsidered. The addition of a Title Douluo with a 100% amplification from the Nine-Colored Divine Stone, a quasi-god guard Mu Qingxue, and Nana at level 97—who could teleport across the sea—made resistance unwise.
In the end, a negotiation followed. They shared a common enemy, and the Deep Sea Demon Whale King—unable to become a god herself—finally agreed to join Xiao Qiang.
The Whale King's Final Contribution
After consuming a vast number of marine soul beasts, the Whale King finally reached the million-year threshold. Xiao Qiang shielded her from the Heavenly Tribulation using a Faraday Cage, allowing her to survive. She, in turn, assisted Xiao Qiang in breaking the hundred-level bottleneck by infusing him with her soul power.
After two and a half months, Xiao Qiang successfully obtained his fifth through eighth soul rings—all at the million-year level—and broke through to level 100. With a million-year head soul bone added, his first martial soul finally acquired its tenth soul ring—a god-level soul ring, condensed by Xiao Qiang himself.
"I haven't received a divine trial yet," Xiao Qiang remarked after fusing with the Deep Sea Demon Whale Queen. "Looks like the God Realm's thrones are a bit too tight right now."
In truth, during the events of Douluo II, divine inheritance wasn't as exclusive as it had now become. But Xiao Qiang lacked two key things: bloodline and marriage.
Without a familial bond to Tang San, or a relationship with Wang Dong'er, Xiao Qiang had no legitimate connection to Sea God or Shura God. Tang San couldn't risk giving the God of Emotion's inheritance from Rong Nianbing to someone who wasn't under his influence.
Unlike his son, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, or grandson, Xiao Qiang wasn't a "Tang." And Tang San had no intention of adding any god kings outside his circle—even if it meant letting Xiao Qiang remain godless.
The Godless Strength
"How does it feel to break through to level 100?" Mu Qingxue flew over as Xiao Qiang emerged from his cultivation.
"I can't give a number," he admitted. "But I'd say I can defeat my former self with ease."
Unlike in Douluo I, where reaching level 100 shook empires, Douluo II had raised the bar significantly. And while Xiao Qiang's power had undergone qualitative transformation, it didn't feel overwhelming.
"Is the growth capped?" Mu Qingxue frowned thoughtfully.
"Somewhat," Xiao Qiang nodded. "But it's enough. Shrek won't survive this."
With four million-year soul rings that could detonate and Xue Di available as an emergency soul bond, Xiao Qiang was prepared for war. If Tang San himself tried to interfere, Xiao Qiang was confident he could now face him head-on.
"Then let's not make Shrek wait," Mu Qingxue said with a glint in her eyes.
The Fall Approaches: Shrek City
Three months earlier, the Sun Moon Empire army had completely surrounded Shrek City, the last bastion of the once-mighty academy.
Inside, Wang Yan, recalled due to personnel shortages, looked at Yan Shaozhe. "Dean, what do we do? Elder Xuan isn't here. Without him… Shrek may not survive this."
Yan Shaozhe stared at the siege lines in silence. "It's true, we likely won't escape. But it's fortunate that Elder Xuan is not here. At least if we fall, he still lives. Shrek will retain its last embers of hope."
"Rebuild Shrek…" Wang Yan whispered. But even the dean's words were devoid of conviction.
Xiao Qiang Returns
Outside the city, Xiao Qiang—newly crowned level 100 without a god position—arrived alongside the siege army.
"Nephew, Senior Sister Meng, what's the status of Shrek?" he asked.
"We've just been waiting on you," Xiao Hongchen replied, tone casual. "There's nothing left. Just a few leftover Titled Douluo. Meng and I can take them ourselves."
"Brother, correction." Meng Hongchen grinned. "I can take them myself. Whether you're there or not doesn't matter."
"Okay, okay, little girl," Xiao Hongchen waved her off. "Didn't you just get a mutated Dragon Pill martial soul from Xiao Qiang? That's the only reason you reached Super Douluo first. If I had that—"
He stopped mid-sentence. Xiao Qiang and Meng Hongchen were staring at him flatly.
"…Never mind. So, when do you plan to finish them off?"
"Now."