Chapter 309: The One Hiding Behind the Curtain
"So, you've noticed as well."
The God King of Life spoke first, her tone grave. "The fluctuations in Douluo Continent's faith energy have already begun to affect the Divine Realm's energy cycle."
Tang San nodded, recounting in detail everything he had discovered.
"That Human Altar is no ordinary creation. Its core connects to an unknown dimension capable of seizing the plane's faith by force. Its methods are so strange that even I cannot fully comprehend them."
The God King of Kindness frowned. "Faith energy determines the survival of worlds. For the Star Auction Pavilion to manipulate it—this is no different from slaying gods. What are they trying to achieve?"
"Whatever it is, we cannot allow them to succeed," the God of Destruction growled. "Douluo Continent is one of the pillars supporting the Divine Realm. If its source collapses, our realm will suffer as well."
The Evil God King sneered. "Such audacity—to meddle under the very eyes of the Divine Realm. Why not let me descend and uproot the Star Auction Pavilion myself?"
"No." Tang San shook his head. "The Human Altar is deeply fused with the plane's faith network. Attacking now would only cause greater chaos."
"Besides… do you really believe you could stand against the Star Auction Pavilion?"
He looked at the others with cold disdain.
He had faced them firsthand and knew their terrifying depth. The Pavilion housed countless powerful entities, shrouded in secrecy.
Even his mother, wielding the power of Douluo's plane core, dared not probe its interior.
That alone spoke volumes about its strength.
Though Tang San harbored caution toward them, his hatred for what they had done to him—and to the Divine Realm—burned ever deeper.
Now calm once again, his mind sharpened.
He knew that if he wanted to face the Pavilion, he must first strengthen himself and unite the Divine Realm's strongest gods.
To act alone would be to repeat his past humiliation.
He turned toward the gathered deities. "Don't you think it strange? How could a mere organization from the lower world possess such divine artifacts and power? There must be something far greater controlling them from behind."
A glint shone in the eyes of the God King of Life. "You mean… another plane?"
She had suspected as much. The Pavilion's treasures and strength clearly did not belong to Douluo Continent, nor could their existence be traced through the Divine Realm's knowledge.
The only explanation was that they came from another world entirely.
With the altar's sudden appearance, that suspicion had turned into certainty—the Pavilion must have cloaked itself from their divine senses before descending into Douluo Continent.
Their purpose, most likely, was to steal the plane's source and sever the realm's foundation.
Ultimately, their goal could only be to destroy it.
"The possibility is high," Tang San confirmed. "In recent years, the barriers between planes have grown unstable. Some force may have slipped through. The Star Auction Pavilion must originate from beyond our world—nothing else explains their actions."
"They exchange powerful treasures for meaningless gold soul coins. You don't find that suspicious?"
"No one in existence would give away power so generously. That motive alone reeks of deceit."
The gods fell silent.
If other worlds were indeed involved, the matter had become far graver.
While divine law forbade interference with other planes, such a provocation could not be ignored.
"Our first step is to uncover the Pavilion's true identity."
Tang San's tone was steady. "I'll have Shrek Academy investigate—they're rooted deep within the human world and won't arouse suspicion."
"At the same time, we should strengthen the spatial barrier between the Divine Realm and Douluo Continent, preventing any further incursions."
The God King of Life nodded. "I'll use my divine power to stabilize Douluo's life energy and contain the fluctuations in faith."
The God of Kindness added, "Evil and I will oversee the Divine Realm's energy circulation. If anything shifts, we'll intervene immediately."
The God of Destruction spoke last. "We must act cautiously. Until we know who stands behind them, we cannot break the balance outright. But if they dare to threaten Douluo Continent or our plane's core…"
A chilling gleam crossed his eyes. "Then they will bear the full wrath of the Divine Realm."
The gods agreed and parted to prepare their next measures.
Tang San remained alone atop the temple, gazing into the mist-covered expanse of the Divine Realm—then beyond, as if seeing through the clouds to the shadowed altar far below on Douluo Continent.
"Star Auction Pavilion…"
His voice was low and cold. "Whoever you are, for daring to touch my homeland—you will pay the price."
…
Meanwhile, on Douluo Continent at Shrek Academy.
After leaving the Golden Tree's inner space, Mu En and Xuan Zi exchanged uneasy glances, their hearts in turmoil.
"Elder Mu, what do you think?" Xuan Zi asked quietly, his tone uncertain.
Mu En sighed bitterly. "We must trust Lord Sea God. But… the Star Auction Pavilion's deeds hardly seem malicious."
"Perhaps that's what makes them so dangerous," Xuan Zi said darkly. "To conceal a scheme beneath righteousness—such craft is the most terrifying of all."
He recalled Tang San's warning, his eyes hardening. "Regardless, we'll follow his instructions to the letter. From now on, we investigate the Pavilion discreetly. If they sense our suspicion, Shrek Academy will be annihilated."
"And… we suspend all large-scale use of the altar's faith power."
The Pavilion's power was too great—beyond anything they could oppose.
"Then what about the soul beasts?" Mu En asked.
"We'll cross that bridge when we reach it," Xuan Zi replied grimly.
Mu En exhaled heavily. "I only hope our decision today is the right one."
They turned to leave and begin their preparations.
Unbeknownst to them, as they departed, a single leaf from the Golden Tree fluttered down.
A faint trace of gray light flickered across its surface before sinking into the soil below.
…
In an unknown realm, a man in a black robe stood before a shimmering water mirror that reflected Mu En and Xuan Zi departing.
"Heh… Tang San, is it?"
The figure's voice was hoarse yet amused. "So you've descended in person. No matter. The game has only just begun."
With a wave of his hand, the image shifted to reveal the Human Altar. Within its core, countless gray threads writhed violently, greedily devouring the incoming streams of faith energy from across the continent.
"The faith of Douluo Continent… how delicious."
"In truth, I should thank the Star Auction Pavilion. That Human Altar is quite the useful tool. Perhaps it's time I speak with them directly."
His scarlet eyes glowed beneath the hood as he licked his lips.
"When I've gathered enough power, the entire Douluo Continent—and even the Divine Realm—will tremble before me!"
A deep, thunderous roar echoed through the void, as if some monstrous being stirred in its slumber—waiting for the day it would awaken.
And so, cloaked beneath the continent's shadow, a storm destined to decide the fate of worlds silently brewed.
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Kira1997