Zhu Ziyang suddenly opened his eyes, a divine light bursting from his pupils, his face filled with peace. He slowly stood up, his body feeling a bit stiff from maintaining the same posture for so long. After about three or four minutes, this rusty-machine-like sensation gradually faded.
"Whew!" He exhaled a breath of turbid air, his whole body relaxing, a gleam flashing in his eyes as he murmured, "This origin golden pill is indeed domineering!"
As he spoke, he stretched out his hands, clenched his fists, and felt the surging power within his body. A trace of excitement immediately appeared on his face. The other shore flower mark on his brow kept flickering. The next second, he vanished from the Tianyuan Pavilion, entering the inheritance grounds of the Death God's divine position.
Zhu Ziyang appeared on the ninetieth step of the Ascending God Path, his gaze burning as he stared at the final two God-Locking Pillars on either side of the steps. The text on the pillars shifted, unexpectedly erasing the words.
He was stunned for a moment, about to voice a question, when a familiar voice reached his ears: "Congratulations, you have completed all the contents of the Death God's Nine Trials. Now, you may ascend to the hundredth step and enter the Death God Temple. I'll be waiting for you there."
The voice belonged to Xiao Bai, but compared to the previous emotionless tone, this time it carried a hint of melancholy, a hint of gratification, and a hint of relief.
Hearing this, Zhu Ziyang did not hesitate and immediately stepped forward, heading toward the hundredth step.
Yes, at this moment, he had already met the requirements of the Death God's Ninth Trial. A single origin golden pill had directly propelled his cultivation from level 97 to level 99, with even some surplus energy accumulated in his body, awaiting the next release.
According to Zhu Ziyang's personal experience, the energy contained in one original golden pill was enough to elevate a level 95 Titled Douluo directly to a level 99 Titled Douluo—an extremely terrifying feat. If handled properly, the eight origin golden pills in his possession could create at least eight Limit Douluo!
He had many ideas about how to distribute the original golden pills, but the most important thing right now was to reach the top of the Ascending God Path, enter the Death God Temple, and obtain the true inheritance of the Death God.
The ten steps were not a distance worth detailing for Zhu Ziyang, but he walked slowly, each step incredibly solid, as if reminiscing about past experiences. From the moment he began the Death God's First Trial to now, six or seven years had passed. For ordinary people, six or seven years might only allow an increase of one or two major realms, but he had completed a heaven-defying transformation from a mortal to a god. Though he was not yet a true god, he was close enough!
Soon, Zhu Ziyang stood at the end of the Ascending God Path. Before him was the majestic and grand Death God Temple, and behind him was a path of ascension filled with the light of time.
He now stood at the end of the human path; one step forward would mark the beginning of the divine path. With a hint of nostalgia, he glanced back at the Ascending God Path. The final two God-Locking Pillars standing on either side rose from the ground with a "whoosh" and flew to him. He reached out, and the two pillars shrank into two embroidery needles, landing in his hand.
Zhu Ziyang smiled faintly, placing the final two God-Locking Pillars together with the previous sixteen. Then he turned back, his eyes fixed on the palace gates before him.
The gates of the Death God Temple were very ordinary. Their only distinctive feature was probably their color—they were white, made of a wood-like material, covered in peculiar patterns, appearing very minimalist.
He stepped forward, placed his hand on the gate, and pushed gently. With a "creak," the gates opened. Zhu Ziyang stepped inside the Death God Temple, his expression immediately becoming one of astonishment, for the interior was extremely simple. In a vast space, only a figure in a white robe stood in the center of the hall.
The white-robed figure had its back to Zhu Ziyang, its face unseen, exuding an aura of ordinariness that only mortals possessed. If not for being inside the Death God Temple, Zhu Ziyang would certainly have overlooked them. But obviously, Zhu Ziyang was very certain of their identity, so he instinctively walked toward them, calling out, "Xiao Bai?"
"Haha." Hearing Zhu Ziyang's call, the white-robed figure let out a laugh, then turned around and said, "It's been a long time since I've heard that name! Little guy, hello. I am the God of Death. I already know everything about you from Xiao Bai's memories, Zhu Ziyang."
"You're not Xiao Bai?" Zhu Ziyang's expression was one of shock as he stared at the white-robed figure. Their appearance was now fully revealed to him—a face that made it impossible to harbor ill will. Though not very handsome, it was very comforting. However, what Zhu Ziyang cared about was the white-robed figure's words.
"I am Xiao Bai, but I am not the Xiao Bai you know." The white-robed figure smiled and said, "That Xiao Bai is a wisp of my divine soul. He is me, but I am not him."
"Ah, this!" Zhu Ziyang couldn't help but open his mouth, unsure how to respond to the white-robed figure's words.
"Haha," the white-robed figure laughed at Zhu Ziyang's reaction, then said with a serious expression, "I am the God of Death. You may address me as God King, or as the Death God. Of course, if you wish, calling me Xiao Bai is also fine."
"Then… I'll still call you Xiao Bai." Zhu Ziyang's lips twitched slightly. He couldn't help but feel that this God King's personality was a bit erratic. But since the other party had explicitly said he could call him Xiao Bai, there was no need for Zhu Ziyang to lower himself by addressing him as "Lord." The other party probably preferred to be treated as an equal.
"Of course!" Xiao Bai said with a cheerful smile. "Then I'll call you Ziyang. Ziyang, if you have anything you want to ask, go ahead. I'll answer everything I know without holding back."
"Uh!" Zhu Ziyang fell into thought before speaking. "When do we start the divine position inheritance?"
"Are you in a hurry?" Xiao Bai's face darkened upon hearing Zhu Ziyang's words.
"Not really in a hurry." Seeing this, Zhu Ziyang's heart sank, and he thought to himself, Could something go wrong at this final moment?
"Then can't you chat with me for a bit?" Xiao Bai's darkened expression instantly turned into a pleading smile. He said, "I haven't spoken to anyone in hundreds of thousands of years. I'm so lonely!"
"Uh!" Zhu Ziyang's face became astonished again. He was increasingly certain that this Death God's style was different from his own. But a rather absurd thought arose in his mind. He looked at Xiao Bai with a strange expression and asked, "That… the trial examiner Xiao Bai… wasn't split off by you just to keep you company and talk, was he?"
"Yes." Xiao Bai wore a helpless expression and said, "But essentially, we're the same person. I know everything he says, and he knows everything I say. It's really no fun. But fortunately, you've appeared. So, is there anything you want to know? I know all the secrets of the God Realm!"
As Xiao Bai spoke, a proud little expression appeared on his face, completely lacking the demeanor a god should have. Instead, he seemed like a gossip who wanted to share everything, leaving Zhu Ziyang momentarily unsure of what to say.
"Then, let me think." Zhu Ziyang showed a thoughtful expression.
"No rush, no rush." Xiao Bai looked expectant and said, "Anyway, inheriting the divine position isn't something that can be completed quickly. You'll definitely need to settle your worldly affairs first to accept the Death God's position without distractions. During this process, you can consult me anytime, anywhere. As long as I know it, I'll tell you everything.
But, as compensation, please talk to me more when you have free time. How about it? Isn't that thoughtful?"
"Mm!" Zhu Ziyang nodded, about to speak, but was stopped by Xiao Bai.
"Alright, as long as you understand what I mean." Xiao Bai said, "Now, you should return to the Douluo Continent first. I feel you might have things to attend to."
Zhu Ziyang was stunned, then found himself sent out of the divine position inheritance grounds, back to the Tianyuan Pavilion. Feeling a bit depressed, he carefully sensed the time and understood the meaning behind Xiao Bai's words.
He had actually cultivated for a full year. Before seclusion, he was not yet twenty-one. After he came out of seclusion, he was almost twenty-two. Whew, indeed, cultivation knows no time.
The thought of missing an entire year, the thought of receiving all sorts of information and matters the moment he stepped out, made Zhu Ziyang's head ache. It really hurt!
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Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
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