Yang Zhentian and Yang Podi flew rapidly and soon returned to Almo Mountain.
Yang Podi went back to his room alone, preparing to study the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
As for killing the second elder of the Elephant Armor Sect, neither his grandfather nor his maternal grandfather cared in the slightest.
Upon returning to his room, Yang Podi took out the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud and dripped a drop of his blood onto it.
The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud immediately displayed a blue figure and emitted a strong suction force, seemingly wanting to absorb Yang Podi's blood.
But a sudden change occurred. The white bat mark on Yang Podi's body flashed white light, instantly dispelling the suction force, and the room returned to calm.
In that moment, a blood-red figure seemed to appear in Yang Podi's mind. The figure coldly snorted, "Boy, don't be greedy."
Although the voice carried no emotion, the single sentence made Yang Podi's body and soul tremble endlessly, as if trapped in a hell of endless suffering.
However, in just a moment, the sensation disappeared, and everything seemed normal. Even the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud lay quietly, showing no reaction.
That cold sensation, though, pierced deep into Yang Podi's heart, leaving an impact that would linger for a while.
Yang Podi was utterly confused. Judging from the blood-red figure earlier, it should have been the Asura God, but what did that sentence mean? What was "don't be greedy" supposed to imply?
Yang Podi carefully reviewed the original story. In it, Tang San had the Killing God Domain, yet his blood could still make the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud recognize him as its master. Why wasn't it working for him?
By all accounts, his current strength should surpass that of Tang San at the time, and the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud did react to him initially. However, the reaction was interrupted by an inexplicable force. Could it be that having two martial souls, both marked with the Killing God Domain, caused a rejection of the Sea God's inheritance?
But that didn't make sense. The Asura God hadn't given him an inheritance either. Why would he say something like "don't be greedy"?
After much deliberation, Yang Podi was unable to make the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud recognize him as its master and had to give up for now.
Yang Podi couldn't help but complain inwardly, "What are the Sea God and Asura God even doing? Who's going to give me an inheritance? Why does it feel like I'm left with nothing? Isn't this too unfair?"
Meanwhile, in the God Realm
In the Asura God Hall, a massive blue figure entered. It was the Sea God Poseidon. Sitting on the main seat was a blood-red figure—the Asura God.
The Sea God, full of anger, exclaimed, "Asura God, what are you up to? I finally found someone capable of bearing the Sea God's Heart, and you blocked him? And how does that boy have your Asura God marks on both of his martial souls?"
The Asura God calmly replied, "Sea God, I couldn't help it. Although the boy has two martial souls, they are intrinsically connected. There's no conflict between them, and both are offensive martial souls. When he gained my Killing God Domain, the domain marked both martial souls simultaneously."
The Sea God, clearly upset, pressed on, "Since he has your Killing God Domain, why haven't you given him a divine trial?"
The Asura God shook his head. "That boy's talent and strength are excellent, but he's far from meeting the requirements for my inheritance. When he's ready, I'll naturally grant him a trial."
The Sea God, frustrated, argued, "This is wasting potential! You're holding onto him without doing anything, and you're stopping me from granting him my inheritance."
Back in the mortal realm, Yang Podi felt a growing sense of unease.
He had hoped to gain the Sea God's inheritance, undergo the trials on Sea God Island, and ascend to godhood before Qian Renxue. But now, not only had he failed to gain the inheritance, he had also sacrificed the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower to the enemy. It was a crushing disappointment.
Although Spirit Hall's attitude seemed ambiguous for now, they might target the Breaking Clan and the Defense Clan after eliminating the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. If his clan lacked strength, it would be disastrous.
Yang Podi pondered for a long time before making a decision. Even if he couldn't inherit divine power, he had to ensure that someone in his clan could. Otherwise, they would be left defenseless in the future.
If the final God War came and his clan still hadn't produced a god, they would be at the mercy of others.
Whether it was the Clear Sky Sect or Spirit Hall, they would spare no mercy on the Breaking Clan.
Four Hundred Kilometers West of Almo Mountain
A group of seven people moved stealthily—Yang Ping'an and his team.
Over the past weeks, they had wiped out every bandit and mercenary group in their territory, leaving only the Black Cloud Stronghold.
This stronghold was the largest bandit group within five hundred kilometers.
Through these battles, all seven of them had grown significantly—not in spirit power, but in their auras. Their eyes were now filled with a cold, murderous intent.
Each of them had killed over a hundred people. Even Ye Lingling, a support-type soul master, had taken lives.
At first, the sight of blood and dismembered bodies had made the three girls vomit uncontrollably.
But as the battles continued, they adapted. Their gazes turned fiercer, more ruthless.
When Yang Podi had commanded, "Leave none alive," they hesitated.
The bandit camps weren't only filled with men but also included women, children, and the elderly.
Killing the innocent felt wrong to them.
Yang Ping'an addressed them with a grave expression, "These people, regardless of age, are part of the bandits. They benefit from stolen wealth and live among them. That makes them bandits too."
His voice grew firm. "We cannot spare anyone. As the eldest brother said, leave none alive."
With that, Yang Ping'an struck down a young bandit decisively, his determination unwavering.
The others, inspired by his words, steeled themselves and pressed forward.
Through bloodshed and battle, the seven of them grew. They had become seasoned warriors, their resolve unshakable.
Now, their target was the final and most formidable bandit group.
This stronghold reportedly housed a Soul Emperor.
Despite the odds, the seven boldly infiltrated the camp, relying on Yang Tianyue's superior detection abilities and Dugu Yan's poison to gain an advantage.
But just as they reached the camp's heart, torches flared, and the bandits surrounded them.
A burly man, his Lion Demon Dog martial soul released, stepped forward.
Six spirit rings—two yellow, three purple, one black—hovered around him.
"You brats dare sneak into my territory?" he roared, his laughter echoing.
Yang Ping'an shouted back, "How did you find us?!"
The bandit leader spoke arrogantly: "With my martial soul, I can detect anyone who infiltrates within several kilometers. You kids have decent talent. Stay on this mountain, and I promise you'll be well-treated. Especially you three lovely girls—you'd make perfect wives for my men."
Dugu Yan, however, coldly responded, "A group of corpses daydreaming? Let me send you to the King of Hell ahead of schedule."
Over this period, Dugu Yan had killed more enemies than even the strongest among them, Yang Ping'an. For lower-ranked soul masters, the poison of her Jade Phosphor Serpent was devastating.
Surrounded by the enemy, the seven showed no fear, summoning their martial souls and preparing for battle.
The bandits around them also unleashed their martial souls and spirit rings, ready to attack the group of seven.
Looking around, there were over a hundred soul masters, many of whom were Soul Kings with five rings. However, their spirit ring configurations were subpar—apart from the bandit leader, not a single one possessed a ten-thousand-year ring, and some even had ten-year rings.
Yang Ping'an shouted, "Move! Stick to the plan!"
Hearing this, Dugu Yan immediately summoned her massive Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor and unleashed her ten-thousand-year spirit skill: Jade Phosphor Sky Gang Array. Poisonous gas spread everywhere, enveloping the surrounding enemies. Those without their martial souls activated to resist the gas fell dead instantly.
Yang Ping'an charged ahead, gripping his Breaking Soul Spear tightly, aiming directly for the bandit leader. It was clear he intended to capture the leader to end the fight swiftly.
Yang Tianyue followed closely, attacking the leader alongside Yang Ping'an, while Niu Meng rampaged nearby to shield them.
The bandit leader, provoked, was enraged. He couldn't believe two mere Soul Kings dared to challenge him, a Soul Emperor.
A massive Lion Demon Dog martial soul emerged, confronting Yang Ping'an. Relying on his Soul Emperor-level spirit power, the bandit leader sought to subdue the young challenger.
To his surprise, Yang Ping'an displayed remarkable strength. He activated his ten-thousand-year spirit skill: White Tiger Destruction Slash, attempting to overpower the bandit leader.
Unwilling to back down, the leader used his own ten-thousand-year spirit skill, transforming into a massive Lion Demon Dog. His right hand, glowing with white light, struck fiercely, its power immense.
At this critical moment, Yang Ping'an activated his spirit bone ability to accelerate, switching places with Niu Meng. Niu Meng took the brunt of the attack while Yang Ping'an pressed forward with his spear.
In their first exchange, the bandit leader was injured by Yang Ping'an, a deep gash on his shoulder looking particularly gruesome.
Enraged, the bandit leader couldn't believe that he, a dignified Soul Emperor, was wounded in a single exchange by two Soul Kings. He roared, "Everyone, attack! Capture them, and there will be rich rewards!"
The surrounding bandits grew even more fervent.
What they didn't realize was that Dugu Yan had already unleashed multiple spirit skills, filling the air with various toxic mists. Among them were the Frenzy Poison and the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor's deadly venom.
Meanwhile, the rest of the group fought fearlessly. Under Ye Lingling's support, they quickly cut down the bandits.
In just ten minutes, the bandits had suffered heavy casualties. Even the bandit leader had several wounds on his body, most inflicted by Yang Ping'an.
Under the effects of Dugu Yan's poison, the remaining bandits were in poor condition, all suffering from various degrees of poisoning.
Realizing that the tide had turned, the bandit leader clashed with Yang Ping'an once more but collapsed to the ground, severely injured and on the verge of death.
This victory boosted the morale of the seven, and they intensified their attacks. The remaining bandits, terrified, scattered in all directions, their formation utterly broken.
Suddenly, a change occurred. The bandit leader, who had appeared to collapse, took advantage of Yang Tianyue's momentary lapse in vigilance and attempted to capture her, the youngest of the seven.
Caught off guard, Yang Tianyue seemed momentarily frightened. But as the bandit leader's attack neared, his mind suddenly went blank. Yang Tianyue's right hand transformed, revealing five sharp steel claws that pierced through the bandit leader's body.
The leader, his face full of disbelief, weakly uttered four words: "External spirit bone…"
Yang Tianyue snorted coldly, "I knew you were pretending to be dead. I've been waiting to kill you myself."
With the bandit leader dead, the remaining bandits were quickly dispatched. Aside from a few who managed to escape, none were left alive.
Yang Ping'an set the entire Black Cloud Stronghold ablaze, ensuring that the bandits could not regroup and return.
Though the group sustained injuries, the battle ended in a resounding victory.
Watching from the shadows, Yang Wuju nodded in approval, clearly satisfied with their performance.