Chapter 514: A 99,999-Year Soul Bone - Part 14

Ye Wen's expression softened slightly, betraying a flicker of interest. In a calm, measured tone, he said simply: 

"Speak." 

Da Ming swallowed hard, gathering his thoughts before replying. 

"As everyone knows, reaching level 100 grants godhood—but surely you're aware that cultivation alone cannot bridge the gap to surpass that threshold." 

Ye Wen nodded indifferently. This fact had ceased to be a secret ever since the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Academy legends ascended to godhood ten thousand years ago. Everyone knew the key to ascending was obtaining a divine position—a pass to the God Realm. But faith, the essential resource for creating such positions, was inherently scarce. Over time, the method for self-condensing divine positions had been lost entirely, leaving behind not even a whisper of rumor. 

Ye Wen already knew where Da Ming was heading with this. 

"As it stands," Da Ming continued, "though my god has no intention of passing down a divine position, I happen to know how to condense one independently. With this knowledge, I can help you break through that final barrier at level one hundred." 

As expected, Ye Wen's eyes gleamed faintly with intrigue. 

But here, Da Ming hesitated, his gaze clouded with internal conflict. 

"What's wrong?" Ye Wen asked coolly, masking his impatience. 

Taking a deep breath, Da Ming steeled himself and spoke firmly: "I'll share this method with you, but first, you must swear upon your martial soul that you will never reveal it to another soul. If you refuse, I'd rather destroy us both than let you learn it." 

Ye Wen regarded Da Ming with an icy stare, his demeanor exuding absolute authority—as if scrutinizing a powerless child pleading for justice. 

A vow? Fine by him. Ye Wen had long grown weary of this charade. After all, he was merely an avatar, his martial soul nothing more than a simulation powered by divine energy. His true self had transcended the concept of gods altogether—his existence far beyond mortal comprehension. What significance could an oath from this shell possibly hold? 

Still, Ye Wen played along. With feigned seriousness, he replied: 

"Fine." 

Satisfied by Ye Wen's compliance—and reassured by the sacred tradition of oaths in the Douluo Continent—Da Ming proceeded to explain in detail the painstaking process of gathering faith and condensing it into a divine position. 

Ye Wen pretended to listen intently, though inwardly, he found the method laughably inefficient. Its success rate was abysmally low, and the process agonizingly slow. Predictable, really, coming from someone under Tang San's tutelage—a man who excelled in practice but lacked creativity. 

Once Da Ming finished laying out the specifics, Ye Wen withdrew the lethal aura radiating from his Overclock·Red. 

Just as Da Ming began to breathe a sigh of relief, thinking he'd narrowly escaped death, Ye Wen's voice drifted calmly through the air: 

"This is the first and last time I'll show mercy. 

You two High Priests—bear in mind the responsibilities that come with your titles. Do not interfere with the workings of the Douluo Continent. Serve your gods dutifully. 

Otherwise…" 

Though Ye Wen stood there impassively, an overwhelming wave of murderous intent suddenly blanketed the area, chilling Da Ming and Er Ming to their cores. Both trembled, silently marveling at the sheer number of lives Ye Wen must have ended to cultivate such a terrifying aura. 

"If I catch either of you causing trouble again, I'll kill you both without hesitation." 

With that parting threat, Ye Wen turned and left. 

Only after confirming Ye Wen's departure did the brothers collapse onto the ground, utterly drained and devoid of composure. Despite Tang San's strict prohibition against spreading methods of achieving godhood on the Douluo Continent, Da Ming felt no regret. Having already died once, he understood better than anyone the value of life and the yearning to see loved ones again. 

Still, Da Ming couldn't help but wonder aloud: 

"Er Ming, how did you manage to cross paths with someone like that monster? Tell me everything." 

Without holding back, Er Ming recounted the mission Tang San had assigned him. Initially, he thought it would be a routine protective duty—guarding against unforeseen variables. He hadn't anticipated encountering such an overwhelmingly powerful adversary, one capable of thoroughly humiliating them both. 

Yet, despite his defeat, Er Ming muttered stubbornly under his breath: 

"If I could unleash my full strength, that brat wouldn't stand a chance against me!" 

Hearing this, Da Ming frowned deeply. 

"Er Ming, watch your words." 

"But Da Ming," Er Ming protested instinctively, "if I really let loose, I could've beaten that punk senseless!" 

Er Ming flinched as Da Ming fixed him with a piercing, serious gaze. 

"Er Ming," Da Ming began gravely, "I know your current strength surpasses every other being on the Douluo Continent. 

But…" 

His expression darkened. 

"You and I both know our power wasn't earned through hard work or perseverance. As that formidable opponent pointed out earlier, our abilities were forcibly elevated. We lack the unyielding willpower that defines true strength." 

Seeing his elder brother praise the enemy so earnestly, Er Ming could only open and close his mouth wordlessly before finally nodding in reluctant acknowledgment of his mistake. 

However, Ye Wen's words also sparked a realization within Da Ming, whose sharp intellect began piecing things together. A thoughtful look crossed his face as he murmured to himself: 

"Willpower… Though I possess godlike strength, I always feel something is missing. Is this what they mean by willpower? 

When we encountered that boy on the Sea God Island, his strength may have been slightly inferior to ours, yet I felt a subtle threat emanating from him. Could that, too, stem from willpower? Perhaps I should seek his guidance." 

Da Ming's voice was barely audible, even to Er Ming's god-level hearing. Curious, Er Ming asked: 

"What are you saying, Da Ming?" 

Snapping out of his reverie, Da Ming sighed softly and glanced at his clueless younger brother. 

"It's nothing. Stay here and protect Xiao Wulin for now. I'll report our failure to Tang San myself." 

"Alright," Er Ming replied, still baffled by Da Ming's complex expression. 

For now, Da Ming decided not to share his newfound insights with Er Ming. Something about this mysterious force required careful thought—it wasn't something brute strength alone could solve. Moreover, failing Tang San's rare mission weighed heavily on Da Ming. Though Tang San was technically their brother-in-law, he had always maintained a dominant role over them. 

Meanwhile, the Star Luo Empire watched Ye Wen return unscathed and breathed a collective sigh of relief. Their precious ally remained intact despite the chaos. 

Curiosity soon took hold, however, as Emperor Xing Luo and others pressed for details about the battle's outcome. Ye Wen offered little explanation, simply stating that he had won. After all, the implications of this confrontation ran deep. 

And thanks to Ye Wen's victory, the already murky waters of the Douluo Continent grew even murkier.

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