Ma Hongjun's personality was flawed. If he were allowed to achieve his dream of living in the God Realm with Bai Chenxiang, he would undoubtedly slack off in his cultivation, indulging in a life of comfort. That was unacceptable. Moreover, while the Phoenix God was classified as a Second Class God, it had the potential of a First Class God. After all, the Phoenix God once battled the Dragon God. Though it ultimately lost and perished, it had severely wounded the Dragon God in the process.
The Phoenix God's divine position, though damaged, had once been at the level of a God King. This ant that while it had fallen to a Second Class God's rank, it still retained the possibility of restoration albeit an extrely slim one. But even a minuscule chance was better than none. Typically, a god who inherited a divine position could not break through to a higher realm. In most cases, a Second Class God could only remain as such, unable to advance to a First Class God.
However, Ma Hongjun's Phoenix God position was different it had once belonged to a God King! Tang San saw great potential in Ma Hongjun and hoped he would grow stronger. Bai Chenxiang's soul could wait; Ma Hongjun's cultivation took priority. If Ma Hongjun beca more powerful, he would beco an invaluable asset, potentially rivaling one of the God of Destruction's subordinates. With the Phoenix God's forr status, Ma Hongjun might not reach God King level, but achieving First Class God status was certainly possible.
First Class Gods were rare in the God Realm.
"But right now, I need to find a way to reclaim control of the God Realm Hub. Although the four God Kings jointly manage it, if Destruction convinces the others, he could use the accumulated faith energy to expand the God Realm. If that happens, our ability to handle external threats will be weakened. I've been saving that faith energy for ergencies if Destruction depletes it, what will I do in the future?" Tang San thought.
"Third Brother, I'll take my leave now," Ma Hongjun forced a smile, sensing that he had no reason to stay any longer.
"Why don't you stay for dinner? Xiao Wu's cooking has improved a lot lately. I think she's getting really good at it," Tang San said with a smile.
Gods didn't need to eat, but with their long lifespans, they sought enjoynt in different ways.
Ma Hongjun recognized this as re courtesy. He had no desire to watch others bask in happiness while he suffered. Making an excuse, he replied, "No need, Third Brother, I have things to do. I'll be going now."
Without waiting for a response, he quickly departed, flying toward his own domain.
A vast lake of molten lava stretched before him as he lay on its surface, sinking into deep contemplation. The more he thought about it, the more resentnt built up inside him. Why did everyone else get to enjoy a happy life with their loved ones while he was forced to spend eternity in loneliness, missing Bai Chenxiang?
Just then, a sultry voice echoed in his mind. "Phoenix God, hee hee… Why not join us? The God of Destruction is generous to those who side with him. If you betray Tang San, you'll be one of us."
A mont later, a seductive woman appeared before him the Goddess of Lust. She gazed at Ma Hongjun with a captivating smile, her divine power subtly influencing him.
Any ordinary Second Class God would have succumbed to her power in an instant. But Ma Hongjun was different. Fueled by his undying love for Bai Chenxiang, he forcefully resisted her influence.
His expression turned cold as he glared at the Goddess of Lust. "I will never betray Third Brother! He has been like family to , helping countless tis. I owe him everything! If you think you can turn against him, you'd better forget that idea right now!"
The Goddess of Lust chuckled. "You think Tang San truly sees you as a brother? With the kind of man he is, do you really believe he considers you his equal?"
Ma Hongjun hesitated, recalling how Dai Mubai once ntioned that Tang San used to call him "Boss Dai." But after Tang San's strength surpassed his, he rely called him "Mubai." And when Ma Hongjun asked Tang San for help, he had been t with a long winded lecture rather than any real assistance.
Tang San's reasoning sounded noble, but he had broken divine laws himself. Da Ming, Er Ming, and Ah Yin were all essentially divine beasts. Yet, according to the God Realm's rules, soul beasts were not allowed to beco gods.
"Well, Phoenix God? Do you have nothing to say?" the Goddess of Lust smirked. "Tell , do you want to resurrect Bai Chenxiang?"
Since the God of Destruction successfully took control of the God Realm Hub, the Seven Deadly Sins Gods had been studying Tang San and his closest allies in detail. The better they understood them, the easier it would be to sway them.
After a mont of silence, Ma Hongjun asked, "Resurrect Chenxiang? Your thod is to retrieve her soul from the underworld and preserve it? I admit, I once considered it, but I know that without Third Brother's permission, I'd never succeed."
"If you want Bai Chenxiang back, you must follow the proper process. That ans becoming a First Class God. If you reach that level, you'll have the right to bring mortals into the God Realm. Then, reviving her soul will be a re formality."
"Becoming a First Class God? That's too difficult," Ma Hongjun replied.
"In normal circumstances, yes. But with the God of Destruction controlling the God Realm Hub, the God Realm can expand. Once that happens, new divine positions can be created, and existing gods can rapidly grow stronger.
"When that ti cos, you only need to focus on cultivating. You might just break through to First Class God level."
Technically, the God Realm Hub was under the joint managent of four God Kings. But in reality, it was now completely under the God of Destruction's control because the others simply didn't involve themselves.
The Gods of Kindness and Evil were relatively new and had no interest in challenging Destruction for control. The Goddess of Life, being the God of Destruction's wife, fully supported him. And Tang San had alienated many with his recent actions. If faith energy didn't need ti to accumulate for an optimal expansion, the God of Destruction would have already acted.
"Besides, you may not know this, but your Phoenix God position was once at the level of a God King! The original Phoenix God was powerful enough to injure the Dragon God in battle! Even though it was weakened, its potential is imnse. While you may never reach God King level, ascending to a First Class God is very much within reach."
"That's impossible," Ma Hongjun said in shock.
"It's the truth," the Goddess of Lust smirked. "Why do you think Tang San let you inherit this divine position?
"Back then, you were ant to inherit the Fire God's position an elental god of great importance. The original Fire God had grown tired of divine life and intended to pass his role to you. But midway through the inheritance, he changed his mind. Ending the transfer would have broken the rules, so he sought Tang San's help.
"Tang San, as a God King, discreetly interfered with the inheritance, causing you to fail. Instead, you were forced to inherit the Phoenix God position. Thanks to this, Tang San gained the Fire God's loyalty.
"If you don't believe , ask the Fire God himself. With the God of Destruction backing you, you can force him to tell the truth."
Hearing this, Ma Hongjun's suspicions deepened. His anger surged. Tang San had manipulated his fate? Even if the Phoenix God position had potential, how many years would it take to fully restore?
Just for his own benefit, Tang San had kept him separated from Bai Chenxiang for so long?
"Fine, I'll join you. But before I do, I have a traitor to expose."
"A traitor?"
"Yes. I want to report Zhou Weiqing he's Tang San's spy."
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