"It has always been this way, and it will always be this way!"
Tang San spoke without a hint of hesitation, his tone resolute and unyielding.
Before he ascended to the divine realm, there had been a rule in place: soul beasts could not become gods. After his ascension, he inquired about the reason and came to understand that the beast clans were inherently savage and immensely powerful.
Especially the Dragon God, if it hadn't been for the former Asura God's immense strength, who split the Dragon God in two, the divine realm might have been obliterated by the beast gods!
In Tang San's current view, unless a beast was one of "his own," all beast clans were untrustworthy!
Tang San had once made a vow to Xiao Wu: unless a soul beast actively attacked him, he would never kill innocents.
And so, he merely guided humans to capture the Snow Empress who had transformed, giving her a chance to become one of "his own." If she refused to see reason, then death would be her only path!
He didn't consider this a violation of his vow, after all, he hadn't personally taken action.
Hearing this, Paimon's face flashed with anger.
All intelligent beings, why should they be treated differently?
Was Zhongli a human?
Was the Cloud Retainer, Xiao, Azhdaha, and a host of other intelligent beings human?
They all fought for protection!
"Just because it's always been this way, does that make it right?"
This was clearly a flawed rule, and who knows who had established it.
As if recalling something, Paimon glanced at Xue Nu, the Ice Empress, and the immortal herbs, then continued, "Xue Nu has lived for hundreds of thousands of years, never once stepping out of the far north, and never actively harming anyone."
"She is kind-hearted, protecting so many soul beasts of the far north. What has she done wrong?"
Xue Nu was born of the far north and she had always protected the far north and its inhabitants.
How was this any different from Zhongli protecting the people of Liyue?
Aside from the object of their protection, there was no difference.
Yet a kind-hearted being like Xue Nu was ambushed by this trident-wielding man, nearly captured by evildoers, all under the guise of following the rules.
Even Paimon was shaken, imagine how the Snow Empress and other soul beasts must feel!
Just because they were born as soul beasts, they deserved to die?
To hell with the divine realm, and to hell with Sea God Tang San!
Paimon pointed at Youyou, then at the other immortal herbs, saying, "These plants and flowers you've kept here haven't even seen the outside world. What have they done wrong?"
"Fork Man, answer Paimon!"
At these words, the soul beasts' gazes toward Paimon changed!
Respect and gratitude appeared in their eyes.
This was Sea God Tang San, yet Paimon dared to speak to him like this for their sake!
Even if she wasn't the Martial God's spirit, she deserved to be remembered and respected by the soul beast clans.
Tang San's face darkened, a flash of killing intent passing through his eyes. He truly despised this nickname.
What he held in his hand was a divine artifact, a super divine artifact, the Sea God's Trident!
And this little creature dared to call it a trident!
"They were born in error, born inferior."
"Rather than die under heavenly tribulation, they might as well become part of my Tang Sect…"
At this point, Tang San's expression turned complicated.
Tang Sect… was Tang Sect still Tang Sect now?
That damned Tang Ya, the sect leader of Tang Sect, was a traitor who sought to overthrow her ancestors and kick him, the founder of Tang Sect, out of it!
Pausing for a moment, Tang San regained some composure and said, "This god will not exploit public office for personal gain. These soul beasts would be better off becoming human soul rings than dying under heavenly tribulation."
If these soul beasts could be of use to him, their identities wouldn't matter. But these soul beasts dared to question the great Sea God, they had already chosen the path of death!
Tang San glanced sideways at Paimon and said, "Little one, I am only answering your question out of respect for the Martial God."
"Do not push your luck. I am Sea God Tang San, and what I hold in my hand is the Sea God's Trident, not some trident."
"Watch your words, or do not blame this god for being ruthless."
"Hmph!"
Paimon crossed her arms and snorted, saying, "You can do bad things, but Paimon can't speak? Paimon will speak!"
Hearing this, Tang San's hand gripping the Sea God's Trident trembled slightly.
If it weren't for his wariness of Zhongli, he would have already acted.
But Paimon was pushing her luck, showing no respect for him, the Sea God!
"Martial God, the words have been spoken. Think carefully."
Tang San's words carried a hint of threat. Even if Zhongli was strong, he was still a new god, no matter how powerful, he couldn't surpass Tang San.
"Tang San…"
Zhongli was about to say something but shook his head instead.
A "god" blinded by the desire for control, no amount of words would change him.
He didn't feel like speaking, and Tang San didn't deserve to hear them.
With that thought, Zhongli extended his right hand, amber light flickering in his palm.
Seeing this, Tang San's expression changed. He never expected Zhongli to act so decisively over a mere disagreement.
"I am the Sea God, enforcer of the divine realm!"
"Martial God, do you truly dare to challenge me?!"
Tang San roared, furious.
He had repeatedly shown restraint, yet Zhongli mistook it for weakness!
It seemed he would have to suppress Zhongli to make him understand the gap between them.
"Fork Man, do you know how Zhongli earned the title of Martial God?"
"He's the one who ended the Archon War, a ruthless figure. How dare a fake Sea God like you challenge Zhongli?"
Paimon shielded Zhongli, her words filled with disdain.
Looking at Tang San, he wasn't even as intimidating as Osial.
Osial, even in his weakest state after being sealed for so many years, was more terrifying than Tang San.
Hearing this, Tang San, along with the immortal herbs and the Ice and Snow Emperors, were all puzzled.
Ended the Archon War?
What Archon War?
"Hmph, this god has also slain the Rakshasa God and shattered the Angel God's divine seat. I've never heard of any Archon War."
Tang San regained his composure and said calmly, "Since you have no regard for face, this god will not show mercy either."
"This place is one of the world's three great treasure basins. It would be a shame to destroy it. Martial God, dare you face me outside?"
Tang San was confident. He planned to take Zhongli to his domain, the ocean.
Caution was the key to longevity. In his domain, even if Zhongli had some strength, he would only be suppressed.
Hearing this, a complex emotion flashed through Zhongli's amber eyes.
After a moment of thought, Zhongli said, "Today, I will show you… all of you, the gap, so that in the future you won't act like buzzing insects, unaware of your own mortality, always buzzing in people's ears."
There were always those with a bit of strength who couldn't see their own limits and loved to control the fates of others.
Suppressing one Sea God would still leave the God of Destruction, Good, Evil, Life, and even the Dragon God.