Chapter 414: Chapter 414: Li Zhexian Reunites with His Friends; A Great Calamity Looms in the Divine Realm

A voice sounded without any warning.

Everyone froze for a moment.

Then they hurriedly turned their gazes toward the divine statue at the center of the deck.

Wisps of sandalwood incense drifted in the sea breeze, gathering without dispersing, gradually outlining the figure of a handsome young man.

"Zhexian!" Zhu Zhuqing’s figure flickered as she turned into a blur and rushed to the statue.

Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Yu Tianheng, and the others also activated their Spirit Power, instantly surrounding the statue.

"Zhexian..."

Tears shimmered in Zhu Zhuqing’s beautiful eyes.

Over the past year,

Whenever someone mentioned Li Zhexian,

She would always gently reassure them, saying, "Once we become gods, we’ll naturally meet again."

But in truth,

The longing buried deep in her heart was like aged wine—growing stronger with time.

A strand of sandalwood smoke curled around her, like a lover’s tender caress.

"One day in the Divine Realm equals one year in the mortal world."

"I’ve been in the Divine Realm for just over a single day, yet spring and autumn have already come and gone down here."

Li Zhexian said with a smile,

"It seems none of you have been idle this past year."

"Of course not!"

With a thought from Dugu Yan,

A small jade-horned, emerald-scaled dragon manifested behind her. Its vast aura churned the sea into rolling waves.

"We’ll show you too!"

Spirited voices rang out one after another.

In an instant—

A golden dragon coiled and leapt amid dark clouds.

The Twelve-Heart Begonia and the Nine-Treasure Glazed Pagoda shone together, while the Ice-Crowned Phoenix and the Blazing Flame Goddess danced gracefully in tandem.

Elsewhere, the Wind Sword stirred violent sea storms, and the Hell Sacred Cat flickered through space, elusive and unfathomable.

This entire stretch of ocean

Was enveloped by multiple Martial Soul True Bodies.

The terrifying aura sent sea Spirit Beasts within a hundred miles radius fleeing in panic.

"Very good, very good." Li Zhexian nodded repeatedly.

The foundations of his companions’ Martial Souls were indeed superior to those of the original Shrek Seven Monsters from the original story.

After refinement by immortal herbs,

Every one of them now displayed extraordinary potential.

"Brother Xiaotian, your turn!"

Feng Buyu looked sternly at Feng Xiaotian, who was sprawled on the deck with a look of utter despair.

"Let Brother Zhexian see how much you’ve improved this year!"

Yu Tianheng, Huo Wushuang, and Oscar stifled their laughter as they added,

"Brother Xiaotian really has made rapid progress—his Martial Soul evolved into the Stormwind Doubleheaded Wolf, and the Eighteen Successive Chops have reached the realm of perfection!"

"And Zhexian, you became a god so early—was it because ’kings do not meet kings,’ or were you just avoiding his sha—"

"Bullshit! Shut your damn mouth! I never said that!"

Feng Xiaotian’s face went deathly pale.

Words like that—he didn’t even dare hear them, let alone say them. He was afraid he wouldn’t survive today!

Seeing the smile on Li Zhexian’s face,

Even Feng Xiaotian’s grip on his blade began to tremble.

"Brother Zhexian, don’t... don’t listen to these animals!"

"You know me—I, Feng Xiaotian, admire you the most! They’re just bullying an honest man!"

Watching Feng Xiaotian panic, sweat pouring down his face, Li Zhexian couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Being with these companions—

Was far more enjoyable than becoming a god.

"Alright, alright."

"I rarely—well, actually it’s not that rare. In any case, after such a long separation and reunion..."

"Is there wine and food?"

"We’ve got it, brother—we’ve got it!"

In no time at all,

The deck was covered with all kinds of seafood.

Flames danced at Huo Wu’s fingertips as she grilled fish and shrimp to a golden, sizzling perfection. In the salty sea breeze, an irresistible aroma quickly spread.

"Li Zhexian, you really are a terrible brother!"

She complained with her words, yet placed the most perfectly crisp and tender grilled fish before the divine statue.

"Since coming down to the lower realm isn’t difficult, why did you only come to see us now?"

Suddenly thinking of something, she asked with curiosity,

"What’s the scenery like in the Divine Realm? Are you adapting well? Has any god given you trouble?"

Li Zhexian discovered that, through the power of incense and faith, he could actually draw in the essence of food—his divine power even showing an almost imperceptible improvement.

After thinking for a moment, he replied,

"The other gods have treated me quite courteously. I’ve also kept to my place and haven’t caused any trouble."

"That’s good."

Everyone felt reassured.

"When we all ascend to the Divine Realm, even if we’re not as strong as you, at least we’ll have numbers on our side."

Hearing this,

The smile on Li Zhexian’s face faded slightly as he spoke solemnly,

"That you will become gods is only to be expected. There are already gods in the Divine Realm paying attention to you."

"But remember—hierarchy in the Divine Realm is strict. Higher-ranking gods are not only stronger, they also enjoy many privileges."

The group’s expressions grew serious at his words.

Li Zhexian continued,

"You should already be familiar with the ranks of gods."

"The authority of a First-Class God in the Divine Realm is far beyond that of a Second-Class God."

"At the very least, a First-Class God holds a seat on the Divine Realm Committee. Beyond that, the allocation of divine resources is also biased toward First-Class Gods."

His gaze swept across each familiar face.

"Most importantly, a First-Class God may bring two close relatives to ascend to the Divine Realm, while a Second-Class God has no such privilege."

"I hope all of you will give everything you have to strive for First-Class godhood. Do not let regret accompany an eternal life."

...

After feasting joyfully with his close friends,

Li Zhexian went on to visit seniors such as Chen Xin, Dugu Bo, and Feng Bailong one by one.

Once everything was properly arranged,

When he returned to the Divine Realm, he was already slightly drunk. Holding Qian Renxue, he lay down amid the brilliant river of stars and fell comfortably asleep.

...

The Western Region of the Divine Realm.

This was the Dao domain of the God of Destruction and the Goddess of Life.

Countless stars floated and revolved in this boundless expanse. Some were covered in dark-purple crystals, radiating an aura of destruction; others brimmed with vitality, sprouting luminous immortal plants.

Deep within the constellation-guarded region,

Two adjoining divine palaces stood quietly.

The Palace of Destruction was built from shadow crystals, its sharp edges reflecting the birth and death of stars. The Palace of Life resembled an ancient tree rooted in the void, with gentle radiance flowing between its branches and leaves.

Occasionally, when divine officials passed through this area, they would bow respectfully and walk on softly.

At this moment—

The God of Destruction stood atop his palace, gazing into the depths beyond the Divine Realm,

worry etched deeply between his brows.

"Life... have you sensed it as well?"

Behind him, the Goddess of Life nodded lightly. Worry rippled within her emerald-like eyes.

"You and I govern the authorities of destruction and life. We are the most sensitive to such an aura."

"When the Sword Lord and Asura fought, disturbances of spacetime could be heard coming from far beyond the universe."

The God of Destruction spoke slowly,

"The collapse of the remnant divine star realm in the universe’s seventh dimension triggered an energy flood—one that surpasses any cosmic-level disaster in the past."

"Only if the Divine Realm evolves into a Divine Star can it survive. Otherwise, in the face of this calamity, the Divine Realm has only extinction ahead."

The Goddess of Life gazed at her partner’s upright yet solitary figure and spoke softly,

"It will take an unimaginably long time for the spacetime turbulence to reach the Divine Realm’s star domain."

"To forcibly expand the Divine Realm now would be no different from wagering its final line of defense."

"If the existing defensive system collapses as a result, then when the time comes, the Divine Realm will not even have the slightest chance of survival."

Silence fell over the divine palace.

A long while later—

The hoarse voice of the God of Destruction broke the stillness.

"The earlier the expansion of the Divine Realm, the better."

"I am the most ancient God King of the Divine Realm. Some responsibilities are destined to fall upon me."

"Even if it means eternal damnation, being recorded in the divine annals and reviled for all ages, I must still do it."

He clenched his fist.

Suddenly, the image of the young God King who had defeated the Asura surfaced in his mind. After a few moments of silence, he said:

"Life."

"Do you think... the Sword Lord will support me?"

...

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