Chapter 11 Tang San: I am pure and innocent, what does the Sea God's scandal have to do with me?
"Yes, sir!"
After the cardinal withdrew, Bibi Dong slowly stood up, walked to the huge French windows, and looked down at the entire Spirit City.
"Qian Daoliu, Qian Renxue... your Qian family's good show is about to begin.
I want to see what you have left when the angel's halo fades."
--Shrek Academy.
The atmosphere was extremely oppressive.
Tang San sat blankly in his room, tightly gripping the Vast Ocean Universe Cover, also known as the Heart of the Sea God.
It, which used to emit a soft blue light, was now dim, even exuding a cold, deathly feeling, as if it had been completely severed from its source.
The contents of the sky screen had a devastating impact on him.
The path he had walked all along, the trials he had undergone, were all paved for him by the Sea God.
In his heart, the Sea God was a respectable guide.
But now, this guide had been proven to be a false god who had stolen the fruits of others' labor.
So what about the "Nine Trials of the Sea God" he was currently undergoing?
Was it just a continuation of a deception?
The power he had pursued with all his might to revive Xiao Wu and protect his companions—was its source so despicable?
For the first time, Tang San's heart was gripped by intense turmoil and confusion.
"Brother."
Xiao Wu tiptoed in and gently hugged him from behind.
Although her soul hadn't fully recovered, she could feel the pain in Tang San's heart.
"Little San."
Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang, Flander, and the others also entered, their expressions grave.
Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang looked at his most prized disciple and said in a deep voice, "Little San, don't be affected. What Tianmu said is the fault of the Sea God Poseidon; it has nothing to do with you."
"But, Teacher…"
Tang San's voice was a little hoarse.
"The power I inherited comes from him…"
"No."
Grandmaster shook his head, his eyes firm.
"Power itself has no right or wrong. The reason you were able to pass the test is because of your own talent, wisdom, and indomitable will, not because of the god's charity. No matter what the Sea God's past was, you, Tang San, are still yourself."
Dai Mubai also stepped forward, patted Tang San's shoulder, and said in a deep voice:
"That's right, Xiao San.
We believe in you, not some Sea God.
Even without a godhood, you are still the soul of our Shrek Seven Devils!"
"That's right!
At worst, we won't become the Sea God. With our own abilities, we can still stand at the top of the continent!"
Ma Hongjun also shouted.
The support of his companions was like a warm current flowing into Tang San's cold heart.
Looking at everyone's concerned eyes, the confusion in his heart gradually dissipated, replaced by a new determination.
Yes, his teacher was right.
Power has no right or wrong.
No matter what the truth about the Sea God was, his initial intention to become stronger was to protect Xiao Wu, to protect his family and companions.
This original aspiration must not be tarnished!
Tang San slowly clenched his fist, his eyes regaining their resolve.
"I understand. No matter what lies ahead, I will continue. For you, and for myself!"
The aftershocks had barely subsided when new waves arose.
The fleeting clarity of the City of Slaughter remained unknown.
Tang Chen's roar and vows were ultimately swallowed by the endless sea of blood and evil thoughts, fading into silence once more.
Meanwhile, outside, the storm triggered by the celestial curtain was sweeping across the entire Douluo Continent with ever-increasing intensity.
The collapse of the Sea God's credibility plunged countless Sea Soul Masters and coastal residents into a vacuum of faith, throwing the entire maritime power into chaos.
Just when everyone thought the storm would temporarily subside with the Sea God's scandal, another unexpected event occurred!
*Whoosh!*
The previously vanished celestial curtain reappeared without warning, covering the entire sky once more!
The golden light was even more dazzling than before, as if proclaiming its absolute authority.
Then, a line of even clearer and larger golden characters slowly emerged above the celestial curtain, each character carrying a judgmental majesty:
['Two great gods who created their own divine positions twenty thousand years ago in Douluo!' [The Ranking Continues]
[Three days later, at noon]
[Second Place: Angel God—That Unrequited Love Hidden by a Divine Halo!]
The new ranking announcement caused a sensation.
When those giant golden characters were imprinted on the sky like a divine decree, the entire Douluo Continent fell into a deathly silence.
After a brief silence, a volcanic eruption of uproar ensued!
"It's here again! The Heavenly Curtain has appeared again!"
"Three days later! The second person will be ranked in three days!"
"Angel God! It's actually the Angel God worshipped by the Spirit Hall!"
"My god, the Sea God just fell, and the Angel God is coming? Is the world about to change?"
Countless people looked up at the sky, their expressions quickly shifting from shock and astonishment to an indescribable excitement and anticipation.
If the first ranking of the Sea God was met with more skepticism and a sense of spectatorship, after witnessing the revelation of a deity's dark history, everyone no longer doubted the authority of the Heavenly Curtain!
This was no longer a vague legend, but a momentous event about to unfold, capable of overturning everyone's understanding!
The Spirit Hall, the Secret Library.
Qian Daoliu held the yellowed ancient manuscript, trying to find any clues to refute his ancestor's claims.
When he saw the dazzling golden characters on the sky, his heart clenched, and his body stiffened.
He stared intently at the prophecy—"A love shrouded in a divine halo, unrequited!"
One second, two seconds the expected thunderous rage and despair did not arrive.
Qian Daoliu's tense body slowly relaxed.
He exhaled a long, long breath, as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted.
"Thank goodness… thank goodness…"
Qian Daoliu murmured, his voice tinged with lingering fear and relief.
Yes, relief.
Compared to Poseidon's heinous crimes of "betrayal, murder of a close friend, and theft of an opportunity," what was a "love unrequited"?
The former represents a complete moral decay and a total collapse of the foundation of faith, enough to nail a deity to the pillar of eternal shame.
The latter… is merely a romantic tale. While this may tarnish the "sacred and flawless" image of the Angel God, leaving a blemish on its halo, it will not shake its fundamental attributes of "light" and "justice."
In fact, some might even see it as adding a touch of humanity to the lofty god.
"It's just an emotional entanglement… not a matter of principle…"
Qian Daoliu leaned against the cold bookshelf, wiping the cold sweat from his brow.
This was absolutely a stroke of luck amidst misfortune!
What he feared most was that the heavens would reveal that his ancestor's path to godhood, like Poseidon's, was filled with dirty deals and betrayals.
Now, it seemed the situation was far better than expected.
(End of Chapter)