Douluo Continent.
Atop a towering sword-shaped peak, a white-haired elder stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing into the heavens. In his eyes burned a feverish desire.
Suddenly, a radiant beam of multicolored light descended from the sky. The mysterious aura it carried was immense, far beyond the limits of the mortal world.
"A god!"
The old man's face lit up with excitement.
Had he finally found the divine being he had sought in his dreams?
Had he finally earned the favor of a god?
At thirty-seven, he had achieved the rank of Titled Douluo, and before reaching sixty, he had become a Level 99 Peerless Douluo—the strongest under heaven. A once-in-a-generation talent.
But to reach godhood, he had spent more than seventy years searching for a path forward, without a sliver of hope.
And now, at long last, a god had come to him of their own will!
That power—it couldn't be mistaken! Across the entire Douluo Continent, nothing short of divinity could threaten a Level 99 Peerless Douluo.
"Wummmm—"
A soft hum echoed as an emerald beam of divine light descended, enveloping the entire mountain peak in gentle yet overwhelming power. Within the glow, a faint silhouette appeared—it was a middle-aged man with a solemn and dignified presence.
"I am the God of Hurricane. Chen Feng, are you willing to inherit my divine legacy?"
He spoke the old man's name in a single breath—Chen Feng.
Chen Feng was briefly stunned. The joy in his expression quickly faded.
"The God of Hurricane?"
Surprised and confused, he couldn't understand. His martial spirit was the Seven Kill Sword, and he had forged his path through the blade. He was the strongest cultivator in history with this sword spirit. Why would the God of Hurricane choose him?
Even though Chen Feng had never met a god, he knew well from legends that wind elements and sword spirits were completely unrelated.
Despite his burning desire for godhood, Chen Feng was clear-headed:
This godhood did not suit him.
Just like choosing spirit rings for a martial spirit, only the right ones worked. Incompatible choices wasted effort and could even cause conflicts. It was the same with divine inheritance, even if it came from a god.
The projection of the God of Hurricane let out a faint sigh, clearly understanding what Chen Feng was thinking.
"The Divine Realm currently has no open seats for Divine Kings or First-Tier Gods. Unless one can create a new divine position, there's no path forward—and that is extremely difficult…"
"I am but a subordinate Second-Tier God under the Wind Elemental God. My powers are not compatible with your martial spirit. I only came because your talent moved me—I couldn't bear to see it wasted. Whether or not you accept the inheritance is your choice."
His voice was open and honest, with no attempt to hide anything.
Chen Feng had never visited the Divine Realm, but from what he heard, it was clear:
Even gods had ranks.
And clearly, the God of Hurricane stood lower in both power and status than First-Tier Gods, let alone a Divine King.
But...
Wind blew through Chen Feng's white hair as deep wrinkles marked his age-worn face.
If he didn't become a god now, he knew he'd never have another chance in this lifetime.
His heart was in turmoil, conflicted and torn.
After a moment's silence, Chen Feng seemed to come to a decision. He cupped his fists toward the God of Hurricane and said resolutely:
"Senior, without false modesty, ever since my martial spirit awakened, I have never met an equal. If I cannot become the strongest god, then even if I ascend to the Divine Realm, I would find no meaning in the rest of my days.
Therefore, I must refuse the inheritance of the God of Hurricane."
His words were decisive, just like his Seven Kill Sword.
If the sword did not strike, all was calm.
But once drawn, it would cut through everything.
Even the bond with a god—once his mind was made up—meant nothing to him.
"Good! Very good! A man of backbone!"
The God of Hurricane didn't grow angry. Instead, he smiled and looked toward a different patch of sky.
"My lord, your judgment is impeccable."
As his words fell, a blinding red light erupted. A man with pale skin and flowing crimson hair stepped forward.
Unlike the God of Hurricane, this man arrived without fanfare. He simply stood there, yet exuded overwhelming majesty.
Even the God of Hurricane dared not posture in his presence, instead standing obediently behind him like a mouse before a cat.
"Ding—"
Chen Feng suddenly felt an immense pressure, nearly suffocating.
His Seven Kill Sword let out a low hum and appeared in his hand.
Nine soul rings rose behind him in a perfect combination:
Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Black, Black, Red.
That final red ring symbolized a 100,000-year spirit ring, slightly easing the pressure.
But the crimson-haired man's aura still pressed down like Mount Tai.
Even as a Level 99 Peerless Douluo, Chen Feng dared not move.
He was shocked.
This man was undoubtedly a supremely powerful god.
Likely a First-Tier God…
Perhaps even the legendary one…
According to ancient records, five hundred years ago, Tang San of the Seven Shrek Monsters had inherited the title of Shura God, and this was precisely his appearance!
"I am the God of Shura, Arbiter of the Divine Realm, one of the Five Divine Kings."
The man's calm voice confirmed it all.
A deep red glint flickered in his eyes as he stared at Chen Feng.
"Will you inherit the Shura God's position?"
Chen Feng hesitated for a moment, then asked:
"Lord Shura… I am willing to accept your inheritance, but isn't the current Shura God Tang San?"
He recalled the divine battle atop Jialing Pass five centuries ago, when Tang San held both the Sea God and Shura God positions and defeated the Angel God Qian Renxue and the Rakshasa God Bibi Dong.
With Tang San already holding the position, how could he inherit it?
Wouldn't that render Tang San's inheritance meaningless?
"Hmph!"
The Shura God let out a cold snort.
"Tang San? He's not worthy of being the Shura God!"
Huh?
Chen Feng froze.
Was there some hidden story here?
The Shura God continued, his voice grave:
"The Shura God represents judgment, impartiality, and the authority of the Divine Realm.
But ever since Tang San inherited my godhood—do you know what he's done?"
From the side, the God of Hurricane added with a wry smile:
"Chen Feng, ever wonder why, despite your talent, no god ever approached you before?"
"It's largely because of Tang San—the so-called Sea God.
Behind the scenes, he manipulated everything.
His family and friends—his parents, children, daughter-in-law, even his friends—many of them inherited divine positions, including First-Tier gods."
The Shura God nodded.
"Worse still, Tang San monopolized the resources of the Douluo Plane to become a god. For tens of thousands of years now, the Douluo Continent has practically belonged to the 'Tang' family."
He clenched his fists.
"As the Shura God, this is unacceptable.
Even a Second-Tier God has no right to interfere with other worlds, let alone someone like Tang San.
He's abandoned impartiality—and I, the original Shura God, must find a new heir to strip him of his title."
Even as a Peerless Douluo, Chen Feng was shaken.
The original Shura God wanted to replace Tang San?
Who would believe such a thing?
But it was true. And it was happening.
"We gods can traverse time and space.
There are things you don't yet understand—but I've seen it all.
Now I ask you one final time: Will you accept the Shura God's trial and inheritance?"
Chen Feng nodded firmly.
"Of course I will.
But... if Tang San already holds the Shura God's position, how can I inherit it?"
The Shura God sighed.
"I've already passed the Shura Godhood to Tang San.
Even as its original owner, I can no longer reclaim it.
All I can do… is forge it anew."
"Reforge the Shura God?"
Chen Feng was stunned.
Could the same divine title be created twice?
Beside them, the God of Hurricane looked grim.
"My lord… perhaps you should reconsider?
Without your divine position, recreating the Shura God would cost too much…"
The Shura God waved a hand.
"My mind is made up.
I won't let Tang San run rampant any longer.
Should the Divine Realm also bear the Tang name in the future?"
He turned back to Chen Feng, his expression solemn.
"Chen Feng, I've watched you ever since you became a Titled Douluo.
You are strong-willed, unyielding—you remind me of myself in my youth."
"Let me be clear: you are not immediately becoming the Shura God.
What I grant you is the qualification to inherit.
To truly inherit it, you must pass my trials.
Are you confident?"
Chen Feng nodded.
The Seven Kill Sword in his hand pulsed with boundless sword intent.
"Tang San in the present is too powerful.
You'd have no chance against him directly.
So I will send you back—five hundred years into the past, to compete in his era, before his rise."
"If you pass the trials and inherit the Shura God's power…
You will possess the power to judge all things!"
Chen Feng took a deep breath.
We soul masters—what do we cultivate for, if not to become gods?
A century of bitter cultivation had brought him to this point.
So what if it was five hundred years ago?
So what if he faced the Sea God?
So what if his opponent was Tang San?
With the Seven Kill Sword in hand, none shall stand before him!
Chen Feng's eyes burned with determination.
"Hoo—"
The Shura God raised his hand.
A wave of spatial distortion surged around them.
Chen Feng's vision blurred. He was swept into a dazzling, rainbow-colored tunnel.
"I offer myself in sacrifice—to forge a new Shura God!"
The Shura God's long crimson hair whipped through the air. Red divine light surged from his body like that of a demon god.
Yet his figure began to fade—melting, dissipating—until it merged completely with the Seven Kill Sword.
"Pass my trials… and you shall claim your godhood.
This is the greatest sacrificial rite in existence:
Take one step forward, and the heavens open before you.
Take one step back… and your body and soul will be destroyed."
Within the rainbow tunnel, the Shura God's voice echoed into eternity—
And Chen Feng, overcome by exhaustion, let his Seven Kill Sword return to his hand.
His vision went black.
He fainted.