Chapter 51: The Bitter Resentment of the Forsaken Deity

In a divine tavern within the realm of gods, a cunning and malevolent deity was drinking in a state of despair and resentment, akin to a rogue contemplating suicide by alcohol as he felt his life had reached a dead end.

"Gah, how infuriating! I was so close to obtaining the magical artifact known as the 'Umbrella of Life and Death' from that mountain demon! Why did that wretched Snow Sky-Dog and his two companions have to show up just in time? Why do those three fools keep thwarting my life? I yearn to see them fail and be humiliated! Why does luck always favor them while I can only sit here drowning my sorrows in alcohol? I despise them! Why was I not chosen by the Water Patriarch of the Gods as his disciple, directly trained by him, instead of those three inferior deities? Snow Sky-Dog is merely a half-blooded fool with half divine and half youkai blood. He's just a reckless and careless brute. His only outstanding talent is seducing women. What does he have that surpasses me? Why does his life continue to be filled with impressive successes, while mine is just a series of failures? Kurogami Masayuki is merely a frontline warrior, lucky enough to be bestowed with magical power and immortal life by a benevolent deity. He's just an untalented lucky fellow! So why does the Water Patriarch of the Gods favor him so much? Meanwhile, I am a dragon deity, which alone speaks volumes about my superiority. Life is so unfair! Mizuchi Haruka is even less comparable to me! She's just a shallow love-stricken goddess! Her magical powers are utterly trivial and useless! None of those three deities compare to me! So why are they so happy and successful, while I can only vent my anger and relieve my sorrow by sitting here drinking like a worthless wretch?"

"Hey, cousin, you've had too much to drink!"

Ryujin Tetsu cast his gaze toward the tavern's entrance and saw his cousin slowly approaching him.

"Cousin, visiting me again, are you? Do you bring any valuable information for me, cousin?"

"I do have valuable information, but I don't think you want to hear it!" Ryujin Tetsu's cousin took a seat beside him, poured herself a strong drink, and emptied the glass. "Cousin, you truly appreciate the taste of both worlds! The wine here, the wine in this tavern, the tavern you frequent, truly exquisite wine."

"Indeed, cousin, I drink so much not because it tastes exquisite, but simply because I am sad and resentful! I detest those three deities who are the 'teacher's pets' of the Water Patriarch of the Gods! Like you, we are both dragon deities, yet I, your cousin, am defeated by those inferior deities time and time again. Not only that, the wretched deity Snow Sky-Dog has two incredibly beautiful women who willingly adore him. Why is that? What do I, Steel Dragon Ryujin Tetsu, lack compared to them? Tell me, cousin?" Ryujin Tetsu drank even more, his eyes ablaze with hatred and rage.

"Well, cousin, I was right. The important and necessary information I have might not be what you want to hear!"

"Why do you keep being mysterious with me, cousin? Just tell me this information!"

"Fine, if you insist, I will tell you! Kurogami Masayuki, Snow Sky-Dog's elder brother, and Mizuchi Haruka, one of the three deities you despise most in this academy, have just undergone a rigorous test in the Chamber of Trials. He excelled in that test and gained a new form, a new magical power, and he has a new name!"

"Damn it! I don't want to hear this!" Ryujin Tetsu angrily crushed the wine glass in his hand. "What is his new power? And what is his new name, cousin?"

"Kurogami Masayuki's most powerful magical ability at the moment is the power of thunder! And his new name is 'The Thunderous Phoenix King'!"

"Damnation! How could this be?"

Ryujin Tetsu, enraged, smashed the glass onto the table, the green light from the shattered glass reflecting on his face, creating a dark portrait of anger.

"Life is so unjust! Kurogami Masayuki, that mediocre fellow, has gained the power of thunder and proclaimed himself the Thunderous Phoenix King. He's nothing but a worthless being yet is rewarded like this! He's even called a 'king'! He's undeserving!"

Ryujin Tetsu silently looked up at the ceiling, the green light from his cousin's words still reflecting in his eyes, red like fire. Anger and disappointment flooded his mind, like a black stream, sweeping away all hope and belief.

"It will be my turn soon! I, Ryujin Tetsu, will not let anyone surpass me in this race. I will find a way to rise, to demonstrate my strength, and reclaim my reputation!" Ryujin Tetsu swore silently, his eyes filled with determination.

His cousin looked at Ryujin Tetsu with concern, he lifted the glass to his lips, but the taste of the wine suddenly turned bitter, the sweetness of the wine replaced by a bitter sense of disappointment.

"Are you starting to embark on a path of folly and unworthy ambition, cousin?" Ryujin Tetsu's cousin spoke with a tone of suspicion and a doubtful gaze.

Ryujin Tetsu didn't reply, but his eyes shone brighter day by day, like fire burning in the darkness of his heart, he would endure the difficulties, challenges, and goals he had set before him. His life seemed to have started a new page, a page filled with what he would build on his own, not following the shadow of anyone else.

But in those shadows, a small glimmer of hope still flickered in Ryujin Tetsu's soul. It was the pride of a dragon deity, unwilling to yield to any challenge, and determined to prove its strength, not only for personal reputation but also for the dignity of the dragon lineage. Life is an endless race, and Ryujin Tetsu is ready to face new challenges, with determination and eagerness to conquer.

The mysteries and tragedies of the divine world still await, but at this moment, Ryujin Tetsu has risen, ready to confront the challenges ahead. With firm determination and unwavering pride, he will continue to move forward, reaching even higher, to obtain what he deems worthy and rightfully his.

The stories of Ryujin Tetsu's journey and new threats will continue to be written, with new twists and challenges. Behind the darkness, there always exists a glimmer of hope, and within it, a dragon deity, proud and determined, ready to fight for its future.