If Tang San had not later become a god, allowing Poseidon and Tang Chen's divine souls to remain forever intertwined, this would have been a tragedy. Since it is a tragedy, the master of tragedy himself, Huo Yuhao, thought it might as well be made even more complete.
Thus, Tang Chen's fate reached a crossroads. In the original timeline, Tang Chen was to inherit a divine seat in the City of Slaughter. But in the timeline where Huo Yuhao exists, he was guided by Tianmeng to Huo Yuhao's inheritance site in the Far North and underwent the divine trial.
After passing the top-tier eight trials, Tang Chen became a servant and devotee of the Eternal God, bound to the Eternal Sanctuary. The first trial required Tang Chen to visit both Haotian Sect and the Spirit Hall to congratulate his descendants and close friend Qian Daoliu.
In other words, on Douluo Continent, the three supreme Douluo—Tang Chen, Poseidon, and Qian Daoliu—no longer hold any special status. All three have become divine servants. Of course, Poseidon serves as a Level 2 God's servant, Qian Daoliu as a Level 1 God's servant, and Tang Chen as the servant to the Supreme God King. At least in front of Qian Daoliu, Tang Chen still retains a slight edge.
This, however, unsettled the Asura God. His chosen heir had been stolen. The key issue was: Huo Yuhao didn't just steal his heir to inherit Huo's own divine seat — he made his heir a servant instead. What was that supposed to mean? Was Huo Yuhao implying that the Asura God's heir could only be a servant under him?
Immediately, the Asura God convened the Divine Realm Council, attempting to impeach Huo Yuhao on grounds of unethical appropriation of his heir. But an unexpected event occurred at the meeting. Unlike the usual unity among the Five Great God Kings, the God of Life was absent as always, and the God of Destruction cast a dissenting vote alongside Life's absence, causing the impeachment proposal to be rejected.
The rejection didn't really trouble the Asura God — he never expected to topple Huo Yuhao by this means. His true strength lies not in political power but in sheer might. What worried him was the stance of the Gods of Life and Destruction.
Originally, the two gods were steadfast allies, but recently the God of Life had been absent from council meetings, secluding himself in the Life Sanctuary and refusing visitors. Meanwhile, the God of Destruction had become increasingly neutral.
This left the Asura God baffled.
The Sea God, eyes gleaming, offered his own theory: "Asura God, could it be that some accident befell the God of Life, causing the God of Destruction to seek aid from the Eternal God?"
Upon hearing this, the Asura God pondered deeply before replying, "That is indeed a possibility."
"If that's true," the God of Food said worriedly, "would that mean the two great gods of the Divine Realm might side with the Eternal God?"
Huo Yuhao is no ordinary god king; he is a Supreme God King of Dragon God level. The Divine Realm's balance rests on the alliance of the Five Great God Kings restraining Huo Yuhao's Eternal God King. If Life and Destruction side with Huo Yuhao, that balance will be shattered. What hope do those who stand with Asura have then?
Suppressing his unease, the Asura God calmly said, "I have governed the Divine Realm alongside Life and Destruction for tens of thousands of years. Huo Yuhao's attempts to sway this friendship with trivial favors or leverage are but foolish dreams."
He stood, clasped his hands behind his back, and paced the temple, saying, "However, one thing is certain: the balance of the Divine Realm is about to be broken."
The Sea God hastily asked, "Why is that, Asura God?"
The Asura God replied, "The veteran gods of Good and Evil intend to retire. They wish to pass down their divine seats and then roam the universe freely."
"Have you tried to persuade them otherwise?" The Sea God's heart tightened. The situation with Life and Destruction was uncertain, but now even the most stable gods—Good and Evil—were preparing to step down. If they give up, and Huo Yuhao rises, what good days remain for the rest of us? The Eternal God King's hostility toward me is openly displayed.
The Asura God said, "I have pleaded with them, but their minds are made up. Still, to prevent the Divine Realm from falling into Huo Yuhao's hands, I convinced them to transfer the council's power to an heir I select after their departure. The newly appointed Good and Evil gods will assist this heir in maintaining balance."
"Ah…" The Sea God was stunned. "Asura God, could it be that you also…"
"Yes. I, too, plan to roam the universe, but I have delayed this because the Divine Realm must never fall into the hands of that despicable Huo Yuhao." The Asura God said firmly.
"If Huo Yuhao gains great power, supreme authority will let him act arbitrarily, suppress dissent, and turn the Divine Realm into his personal dictatorship — a single mind imposing the will of many. This would be a catastrophe for the Divine Realm and for the beings of the lower realms." The Asura God paced the hall, eyes filled with concern for both divine and mortal realms.
"But now, with Good and Evil planning retirement, Life and Destruction estranged, no longer eager to check the Eternal God, the balance is on the verge of collapse. Is the Divine Realm to fall to such shameful hands? Alas…"
"This is why I cannot relinquish this heavy burden." The Asura God said resolutely. "As the Asura who holds the power of judgment, I must choose a worthy successor for the future of the Divine Realm and the beings below. This heir must be pure, just, humble, and virtuous in mind and body — a paragon of excellence. Only such a one can inherit my power, take the central authority from Good and Evil, and stop the Eternal God's tyrannical ambitions, leading the Divine Realm and lower worlds toward a bright, hopeful future."
"So, Asura God, have you chosen anyone?" The Sea God asked curiously.
The Asura God said, "In a few dozen days, the great fortune convergence will occur on Douluo Continent — a once-in-ten-thousand-years event. Past gods like the Dragon God, Ice God, Eternal God, Angel God, and Sea God all rose during these rare convergences. None of the gods born on Douluo Continent were simple.
"I have carefully chosen a precious treasure from the lower realms, one who embodies all virtues. I will bring him to Douluo Continent, guide the continent's fortune toward him, and help him grow to establish an unsurpassed foundation. Then, he will inherit my divine seat, become the strongest Asura God, and take the Divine Realm's central authority from Good and Evil, thus thwarting the Eternal God's dictatorship."
"A precious treasure?" The Sea God's eyes spun as he asked, "May I ask who has earned your favor?"