Chapter 179: Poseidon's Scheme, Bibi Dong's Intensifying Madness

Poseidon observed Bo Saixi's Martial Soul condition and quickly frowned.

He had personally shaped this Seagod Spirit, so how could he not see the problems it revealed?

'Theoretically the High Priestess with the strongest faith, now her level of devotion to me has dropped to that of an ordinary True Believer?'

The faith levels from low to high classified believers into ranks: Nominal Believer, True Believer, Devout Believer, Zealous Believer, with the High Priestess being in a class of her own above Zealous Believers.

Everyone living on Seagod Island was at least a Devout Believer of his.

And now, the esteemed High Priestess of the Sea God had faith weaker than an average Seagod Island Soul Master!

This was unacceptable!

Even without using Divine Sense to carefully probe and gather intelligence, he could guess that You Chen must have done something far worse to Bo Saixi than just dismembering her before.

From this glimpse, You Chen's attitude towards Seagod Island was evident.

Poseidon's original thought was that since Bo Saixi's appearance and figure were so perfect, the fact that You Chen didn't kill her outright but kept her alive likely meant he had lustful intentions.

As an old player himself, Poseidon naturally understood the principle that familiarity breeds affection.

His idea was simple - wait for You Chen and Bo Saixi to develop feelings, then there was a possibility You Chen might voluntarily visit Seagod Island in the future.

Even if You Chen remained cautious and unwilling to come to the island, if Poseidon appeared at that time, You Chen's reaction might not be as intense, giving a chance to complete negotiations before the God of Asura noticed anything amiss.

But now, he could almost certainly deduce You Chen's attitude towards Seagod Island and himself as the Sea God.

As for why he didn't consider the possibility that Bo Saixi had fallen in love, thus weakening her faith?

Please, how many years had Poseidon been a god?

Faith was faith, love was love. If faith could be so easily shaken by love, then everyone on Seagod Island would probably end up lonely and single, which completely went against his principle of sustainable development for believers!

There were no restrictions against marriage and relationships in his Sea God doctrine! He had always advocated for freedom in love!

Moreover, for Bo Saixi whose faith was even stronger than Zealous Believers, allowing him to create a Seagod Spirit for her?

Not to mention that before this, Bo Saixi had experiences of falling for others, yet her faith had never wavered one bit!

It was obvious that You Chen must have used some unconventional methods!

Having been a god for so many years, what methods did Poseidon not know about? Of course he could imagine!

Poseidon's expression fluctuated as he rapidly considered ways to maneuver in his mind.

If he could set aside his divine dignity and some pride, it wasn't impossible to improve relations with You Chen.

The simplest way would be to directly issue tasks related to You Chen in batches when granting Godhood Trials to island residents this year.

Considering You Chen's deliberate concealment of his identity, they could choose to assist the organization You Chen established, indirectly showing goodwill.

But the Godhood Trial tasks on Seagod Island were often related to the ocean, and these trials were actually similar to offerings to deities.

This method was used to increase cohesion among believers, also producing xenophobia towards mainlanders, while ensuring the purity of the faithful.

Issuing trial tasks that obviously favored mainlanders would undoubtedly be digging his own grave.

The believers wouldn't doubt the Sea God at first, but would definitely express skepticism to the Sacred Pillars, believing they had tampered with things behind the scenes.

Believers were such stubborn creatures. Even if an order truly came from the object of their faith, as long as it contradicted doctrine and customs, they would feel something was off, or even directly question it.

This might be hard to understand for those without faith, but an analogy makes it easy to grasp - even if your ideal lover appeared in person, they couldn't compare to the image in your memory.

Such things that went against custom would certainly have backlash.

Of course, as long as Poseidon was willing to accept such backlash, it wasn't impossible to do once or twice. With the solid foundation of Sea God faith, the issues from one or two instances could be smoothed over completely.

Although it would shake faith slightly, it wouldn't cause the faith and customs of Seagod Island to collapse. Moreover, choosing to issue Divine Decrees through Godhood Trials completely circumvented the laws of the God Realm, so even the God of Asura couldn't do much about it.

This was indeed a highly feasible method.

However, Poseidon clearly wouldn't lower himself to curry favor with a mortal, even if that mortal had the potential to become a god.

All gods were arrogant. They could admire mortals, even fight and become jealous over them with other gods, but would never place a mortal on equal footing or consider them as equals.

So such thoughts never even crossed Poseidon's mind.

After rejecting all these options, what kind of ideas would Poseidon have? There weren't many branches left actually.

Right now, he was hesitating between two directions.

One was: If You Chen couldn't become his successor, then treat him as a complete enemy.

The other was... to break the rules! Communicate directly with You Chen in person!

Given Poseidon's personality, unless things were truly hopeless, he wouldn't choose the former.

As for the latter, timing was crucial.

Although You Chen's view of Seagod Island was likely quite negative now.

The feasibility of reducing You Chen's vigilance to minimize conflict as originally planned was basically zero.

But on the other hand, as a fellow "education master", Poseidon knew well how strongly they desired control over their toys.

Moreover, although Poseidon didn't dare use Divine Sense to observe the lower realm during this time, he was acutely aware of You Chen's repeated use of Divine Sense to probe the structure of the Seagod Spirit. Even with his Divine Sense curled up in the core of the Martial Soul, he was still perfectly clear about this.

He had previously worried about conflict with You Chen largely because he knew You Chen knew that Bo Saixi could absolutely resist and struggle if she received his help.

But now, Bo Saixi had been tamed by You Chen to the point where even her faith was greatly diminished.

So, if he actively backstabbed Bo Saixi when You Chen was just one step away from completely taming her, helping You Chen subdue Bo Saixi and providing the information about the Seagod Spirit that You Chen cared about most and wanted, how would You Chen respond?

Thinking of this, Poseidon smiled as if everything was under his control.

One day in heaven was a year in the lower realm. Poseidon decided to focus his consciousness on observing the lower realm for the next few hours.

The huge difference in time flow between the two realms made it impossible even for gods to maintain consciousness in both simultaneously.

Even Poseidon could only maintain a sliver of alertness in his divine body in the God Realm while his main consciousness resonated with the Seagod Spirit in the lower realm.

Fortunately, with the time flow of the lower realm, projecting consciousness there and back only took an instant in the God Realm.

Keeping consciousness in the lower realm for several hours still carried some small danger - not to personal safety, but the risk of being caught and confined by law enforcers like the God of Asura.

But considering that resigning and retiring might depend on this gamble, Poseidon still decided to take a slight risk.

...

In the dozen or so minutes that Poseidon observed, analyzed, pondered and made his decision, the Spiny Seahorse Douluo had already transmitted intelligence back to Spirit Hall through secret channels.

In the Hall of Offerings, beneath the Angel Statue, Qian Daoliu stood alone.

He looked at the Angel Statue for a long time, then took out the note from the intelligence officer for the second time and stared at it for a while.

"..."

Putting away the note, he looked up at the Angel Statue. Silence, still silence.

Only his wide eyes and slightly trembling hands revealed his inner turmoil.

Wait. You Chen, how did you go from innate soul power of level 2 to having strength comparable to mine in the blink of an eye?

Qian Daoliu's inner monologue would be more elegant, but directly translated into plain speech, that was roughly the meaning.

At first, Qian Daoliu thought he had misread.

You Chen's talent was ordinary, but it was unlikely for You Chen's talent to be ordinary.

If it was half a year ago and he saw that You Chen already had Super Douluo level strength, he would probably be very shocked, but then might seriously ponder the reasons.

But now, Peerless Douluo level strength? That was no longer a triple jump, it was practically ascending to heaven in one step!

"Sigh..."

Qian Daoliu let out a long sigh.

Regret, he now deeply regretted choosing to stand by and do nothing about Bibi Dong's oppressive actions against You Chen back then.

He even couldn't help but fantasize, if he had not let Qianxunji control Bibi Dong so strictly back then, and let Bibi Dong interact more with the children of Spirit Hall, if Bibi Dong could have met You Chen who was ten thousand times stronger than Yu Xiaogang, perhaps all the sordid affairs afterwards would not have happened...

But people always have to look forward.

Even a muddle-headed old man keenly realized what kind of influence a suspected Ultimate Combat Power existence would have on the continent's situation.

'Judging from You Chen's previous interactions with Xue Er and the others, at least he still maintains some goodwill towards Xue Er and remembers the teacher-student relationship. From the fact that he took away Di Wan and the others but also visited Yan and gave him rare Natural Treasures without forcibly taking Yan away, it can be seen that he is indeed a sentimental person.'

Qian Daoliu silently analyzed.

What the Spiny Seahorse duo knew, Qian Daoliu naturally couldn't not know.

It wasn't difficult to deduce that You Chen had visited Yan from Yan's changes.

The important point of the intelligence revealed by this matter was that You Chen took away three Soul Douluos but didn't take Yan.

He gave Yan very rare treasures but left him in Spirit Hall. There were only three possibilities for this.

Either You Chen didn't actually intend to be truly hostile to Spirit Hall, so he felt at ease leaving Yan behind.

Or You Chen wanted to plant this nail in Spirit Hall.

Or this was You Chen's smokescreen to divert their attention and lead them into a thinking trap.

Considering that You Chen had previously exposed himself but still spared Qian Renxue and the others, Qian Daoliu put himself in You Chen's shoes and didn't think You Chen was lying when he hinted at "not betraying".

Especially considering the "true strength" You Chen now displayed, what need would an Ultimate existence standing at the pinnacle of the continent have to lie? And who could force him to lie!?

But if so...

'I really can't figure out his true purpose. The previous actions against Spirit Hall, in hindsight, can be completely viewed as revenge against Bibi Dong. Then apart from that, establishing an assassin organization and a huge commerce guild, it can't just be for fun, right? With strength already reaching or approaching Peerless Douluo level, what else could attract him? Make him go to such great lengths?'

Establishing a sect? Leaving a legacy? Achieving great deeds? Becoming renowned for ages?...

Qian Daoliu thought of many possibilities, but as a faithful believer of the Angel God, he was stuck in the cognitive barrier of never considering "becoming a god".

But... there were only so many options after all.

When Qian Daoliu looked up again and saw the Angel Statue again, he finally had an epiphany.

'Is he... trying to become a god!?'

Qian Daoliu's pupils constricted.

This shocking possibility connected everything together. Qian Daoliu realized this was the most likely truth.

So, for Qian Daoliu, was having one more person who might become a god an unacceptable thing?

It should be noted that he had always known about Bibi Dong accepting a god's inheritance.

For people on the Douluo Continent, their own faith was absolute, but they didn't require exclusivity of faith, meaning... they didn't deny the existence of multiple true gods in the world.

Therefore, as long as You Chen didn't oppose Spirit Hall, or more accurately didn't interfere with the thing he cared about most - Qian Renxue becoming a god, then You Chen becoming a god had no conflict of interest with him at all.

Qian Daoliu breathed a sigh of relief.

This answer was shocking, but far better than the unknown.

At least he wouldn't be on tenterhooks anymore.

If Qian Daoliu still had concerns about whether You Chen would oppose Spirit Hall in the future, You Chen's actions of only educating Qian Renxue without doing anything else, when he had the ability and some necessity to kill or capture Qian Renxue to silence her, was enough for Qian Daoliu to judge that You Chen wouldn't hinder Qian Renxue's path to godhood.

Say what you will, Qian Daoliu was just a somewhat pedantic person with a bit of mental germaphobia, otherwise he wouldn't have truly abided by the agreement with the Haotian Sect and not taken action.

This was enough for Qian Daoliu to let down most of his guard against You Chen.

Especially after Qian Daoliu recalled what the high EQ Spiny Seahorse Douluo had subtly mentioned in the secret letter - that Qian Renxue seemed to have some improper thoughts about her teacher...

Qian Daoliu's expression became slightly strange.

'Xunji and Bibi Dong aside, since that was forced. But how could Xue Er be like this too? Could it be that our Qian family really has such hidden bloodline traits?'

Shaking his head, Qian Daoliu drove out this unrealistic thought, replacing it with slightly more serious ones.

'After becoming a god, one has endless lifespan. However, for Xue Er who has been lonely all her life, becoming a god may not be a good thing, and can even be said to be my own arbitrary decision, my willfulness. If the hatred between mother and daughter ultimately cannot be resolved, having such a beloved person by her side may prevent Xue Er from being too lonely...'

Thinking of this, a bitter smile appeared on Qian Daoliu's face.

Just as Bo Saixi could have romantic feelings while being a loyal believer, Qian Daoliu as a zealous believer of the Angel God also had warm familial love and care for Qian Renxue.

His many concessions to Bibi Dong, apart from guilt, were largely because Bibi Dong was Qian Renxue's mother.

Under this premise, after judging that You Chen "posed no harm to Qian Renxue becoming a god", let alone opposing You Chen, he was even willing to provide some help...

However, while Qian Daoliu was issuing friendly directives towards the Beast Soul Commerce to the offering faction of Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong also learned of the disappearance of Di Wan and the other two.

The connection between these three people was too obvious. Bibi Dong wasn't so stupid as to not realize their disappearance was related to You Chen.

After all, these were three Soul Douluos, and top-tier ones among Soul Douluos with hopes of breaking through to Titled Douluo!

Even a Titled Douluo couldn't have taken them away silently without a trace. They must have cooperated voluntarily.

It was only natural for Bibi Dong to make this judgment, as she couldn't imagine You Chen's current combat power.

But Qian Daoliu didn't inform Bibi Dong of the intelligence connecting the Beast Soul Commerce to You Chen.

Bibi Dong hadn't found a trace of You Chen or Sky Net in all these years. Even knowing this was You Chen's doing again, what could she do besides rage impotently?

You Chen's unscrupulous actions severely agitated Bibi Dong's nerves.

The aura of madness rose again as she began extensively investigating people related to Di Wan and the others, as well as some people connected to You Chen. She didn't even bother to conceal it anymore, directly using some cruel methods.

If not for Yan's relationship with Hu Liena, he probably couldn't have escaped punishment either. But the cultivation resources Yan enjoyed were still greatly reduced, far from matching his current status as the leader of the Golden Generation.

Such measures naturally yielded nothing.

You Chen had already anticipated that his old acquaintances would be implicated by him from the treatment Di Wan and the others had received before, but even if he knew, he didn't care.

Even for Ye Han, who was the closest among his general friends, although You Chen wouldn't be completely indifferent if he died, it was absolutely impossible for You Chen to let it affect his plans.

In terms of emotions alone, Ye Han and Dugu Bo meant about the same to You Chen, but if something happened to Dugu Bo, he would definitely go lend a hand, after all he was currently the top employee.

As for Ye Han? He could only say sorry.

Moreover, You Chen had long since withdrawn most of his eyes and ears left in Spirit Hall City, and simply didn't have the manpower to observe the situation of those old acquaintances.

Situations like this would inevitably come as the Beast Soul Alliance developed.

Even if Qian Daoliu chose to conceal You Chen's situation this time, as long as the Beast Soul Alliance took action, traces would eventually be left. After all, Bibi Dong was the current Pope. Although the quality of her personnel couldn't match the offering faction, the quantity was definitely superior.

You Chen had foreseen this point, which was why he specially took the time to bring Di Wan and the other two away.

The reason he didn't take Yan was because he understood that kid's personality.

Unlike the three great beast kings who had already entered middle age, even Kainekis could only accept the outcome of being forcibly abducted by him. After all, although Kainekis had a proud and unyielding personality, he wasn't a fool. Although Kainekis was more inclined to stay in Spirit Hall for self-actualization, following his close friend You Chen to do things wasn't so hard to accept when there was no choice.

But Yan was young, and youth meant being more simple and naive.

Yan, who was born and raised in Spirit Hall, would definitely think of nonsensical things like mediating between his teacher and Spirit Hall, believing both sides were essentially friendly and that anything could be resolved by talking it out.

Just like those young heroes in martial arts novels who, after interacting with the daughter of an evil cult, think the cult isn't actually so bad and then dream of reconciliation, ending up doing more harm than good and bringing disaster to their entire sect.

You Chen certainly couldn't do such a stupid thing, so he didn't take Yan away.

He wanted Yan to reassess the world after being suppressed by Bibidong, and then make a decision. Only then would Yan's answer be the true one, unswayed by external disturbances.

As a representative of the golden generation of Spirit Hall, under normal circumstances, Bibidong wouldn't actually kill Yan, especially considering Hu Liena's influence.

But... this didn't mean Yan was entirely free from the threat of death.

If Bibidong truly went mad and, in her rage, temporarily disregarded her plan to destroy Spirit Hall, then You Chen would have no choice but to consider reviving Yan in the future if the opportunity arose.

And if such an opportunity never came? Well... then it was just the way it was.

Bibidong's move against Yan actually served You Chen's interests better.

This blatant madness would undoubtedly shake the morale of Spirit Hall and greatly destabilize Bibidong's rule.

In fact, Bibidong's harsh investigative actions had already caused many within Spirit Hall to begin questioning her. However, due to her formidable power, an organized resistance had yet to form.

But rumors of Bibidong's extreme cruelty and her descent into madness had already reached her ears.

"Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die—!!!"

In the Pope's chamber, with her attendants dismissed, Bibidong, her face twisted and eyes bloodshot, was frantically smashing the room's decorations.

After nearly half an hour of venting, Bibidong's expression finally returned to normal.

But the slight twitching of her face revealed that she had merely forced her distorted emotions back down.

'If it weren't for this Godhood Trial... If it weren't for choosing this path...'

Madness and clarity alternated in Bibidong's eyes as the seductive whispers of a demon echoed in her heart.

Over a decade ago, Bibidong had already qualified for the Godhood Trial of the Rakshasa God.

In the original story, it took her over twenty years to complete all the trials.

In contrast, Tang San and Qian Renxue completed theirs in just a few years, and even had time to upgrade their Spirit Rings with Divine Power.

And Bibidong? When she accepted the Godhood Trial, she was already at the bottleneck of level 90, not to mention she had a second Martial Soul with Spirit Rings to upgrade.

So, in reality, the time Bibidong spent on her Godhood Trial was nearly ten times that of Tang San and Qian Renxue.

(End of Chapter)