Chapter 164: The Secret of Becoming a God

This slash was incredibly fast—so fast that even the Fire Dragon King could only see a streak of crimson flash past.

Just then, a thin curtain of water suddenly appeared before him. It looked barely thicker than paper, yet when Xu Yang's blade struck, it felt as though he were cutting into cotton. There was no force feedback at all. The entire strike was absorbed by the water curtain and dispersed into gentle ripples, completely nullified.

Seeing this, the Fire Dragon King quickly pulled back, widening the gap between them.

But Xu Yang paid him no mind. He turned to the side—at some point, a blue phantom had silently appeared. It was also in the form of a dragon, but this one was over ten meters long and clearly in far better condition than the Fire Dragon King.

The blue dragon wasn't bulky but rather elegant and refined. Its scales shimmered like sapphires, rippling gently under the oppressive gold-red glow of the Yang Spring.

The moment Xu Yang saw her, he instantly understood—this was the Water Dragon King, another deceased beast god. But he hadn't expected her condition to be so superior, to the point where she could still manipulate the element of water.

What truly caught his attention, though, was the aura radiating from that water curtain—it was unlike anything he'd ever sensed from water-attribute soul masters or soul beasts.

Xu Yang speculated this must be the fundamental difference between Gods and mortals.

If he recalled correctly, Gods in the Divine Realm each wielded a unique Authority: the Sea God ruled the oceans, the Angel God governed the skies and part of the Sun, and the Asura God presided over slaughter and judgment.

Given that both the Fire and Water Dragon Kings were once at least Second-Class Gods, it stood to reason that they too possessed their own Authorities.

What Xu Yang wasn't sure of was whether Authority was something granted by the will of the heavens—or if it was a Law one had to comprehend and master on their own.

In his past life, Xu Yang had read many cultivation systems. Nearly all of them touched on the idea of comprehending Laws upon reaching a certain stage. He had long wondered whether the God Realm under the Soul Land universe followed the same model.

What exactly does it take to become a God?

Perhaps… today, he would finally find the answer.

"Human, would you be willing to spare Zhao Yan? I apologize on his behalf."

The Water Dragon King's voice rang like silver bells. As she looked at Xu Yang, her gaze carried a hint of apology. Her voice was soft and serene, instantly stirring a favorable impression in Xu Yang's heart.

"Yue Jiang, there's no need to plead with this brat," Zhao Yan—the Fire Dragon King—snorted in irritation. "We're already clinging to existence. My soul remnant won't last more than a few thousand years before it dissipates completely."

"…A few thousand years. Truly worthy of being called a God."

So, the Fire Dragon King was named Zhao Yan, and the Water Dragon King was Yue Jiang.

Xu Yang nodded slightly in realization, though his expression remained guarded. He could sense the aura of death emanating from Yue Jiang—that meant her remnant soul still retained the power to kill him.

"You don't need to be so on edge," Yue Jiang said calmly. "Yes, I could kill you. But in my current state, I would suffer for it. I'd rather hang on a bit longer. There are still things I must finish."

She had seen right through his thoughts.

"I don't believe a word you say."

Xu Yang's gaze sharpened as he tightened his grip on the Sun Sacred Blade. Deathgod Domain around him compressed tightly into the tip of his weapon. The blade's edge now gleamed a deep, bloody red, and the killing intent it exuded—even someone like Yue Jiang, a former beast god, felt her heart tremble.

"Dragons do not lie—especially not us Dragon Kings," Yue Jiang replied earnestly.

"And you think a few words are enough to earn my trust?" Xu Yang scoffed.

"Then let me offer you something more." Yue Jiang's voice remained gentle. "I can see your spiritual power is at a critical juncture. You're just one step away from converting it into divine sense—where your soul becomes a nascent soul, and your mental energy transforms into godforce. I can teach you the method of cultivating a nascent soul. You should know—this is the key to becoming a God."

"Yue Jiang, you can't—!" Zhao Yan immediately objected.

But as soon as he looked up and saw Yue Jiang's icy stare, he fell silent. He knew her temper all too well. Though she was the Water Dragon King, her fury surpassed even his. Given his current state, he definitely didn't want to provoke her. Better to keep his mouth shut.

"You just said I'm only one step away from it. Why would I need your method?" Xu Yang frowned. "At most, it'd just take a little longer."

In truth, he was tempted.

In cultivation, the method was everything. All else was secondary.

His rapid rise in power had been fueled by the various techniques he'd created himself. Without those, there was no way he could have progressed so quickly and against convention.

But when it came to breaking through into Godhood, he lacked a clear path. Without guidance, even with great talent, trying to create one from scratch was nearly impossible.

Now that he had a chance to acquire the nascent soul method… how could he not be tempted?

Still, Yue Jiang's mind was deep and calculating. He could tell she was scheming something. He didn't want to fall into her trap.

"You can certainly break through on your own," Yue Jiang said, smiling sweetly, as if she already had him in the palm of her hand. "But have you thought about the time it will cost you? Don't underestimate that last step. In your current state, completing your transformation will take at least a hundred years. If you're willing to wait, then by all means, turn me down."

Xu Yang was silent for a long moment.

In the end, he compromised.

"…Fine. But I want more than just the cultivation method for the nascent soul. I want to understand the Gods. What's the difference between Gods with God Positions and those without? What does a God Position mean? What exactly is Authority?"

"You really know more than I expected. You even know about Authority…" Yue Jiang and Zhao Yan exchanged surprised looks.

After studying Xu Yang for a moment, Yue Jiang finally said:

"Gods are ranked in two ways: by cultivation level, and by God Position.

In terms of cultivation, the levels are:

God, True God, Super God, High God, Half-Step God King, and God King.

As for God Positions, they are:

God Officer, Third-Class God, Second-Class God, First-Class God, and God King.

Back when I was alive, my cultivation was at the level of High God, equivalent to a First-Class God in the Divine Realm.

Now, as for the difference between having a God Position and not having one…

The key lies in Authority.

Authority is power granted by the will of the universe.

And the way to obtain a God Position… is through faith."

PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin