The space harboring the inheritance of the Rakshasa God was dim and distorted, filled with unsettling whispers and malicious mutterings that gnawed at the mind. At the center of this universe floated a colossal Rakshasa Demon Scythe, its blade swirling with a dark, violet light that seemed to devour all brightness, emanating waves of evil divine power.
Deep within the demon scythe, the gaze of the Rakshasa God pierced through the very walls of space, landing directly on the figure below clad in the robes of the Supreme Pontiff.
"Bibi Dong…" The Rakshasa God's voice resounded directly in the depths of Bibi Dong's soul, stirring up the evil thoughts she had forcefully suppressed within herself.
"How have you been lately? I've given you my name as well, you know."
Bibi Dong's body trembled faintly. She took a deep breath, steeled her formidable willpower, and forcibly contained the negative emotions surging within her chest. Raising her head, her beautiful face appeared particularly cold and stern in the dim light.
"Recently, the Spirit Hall has established several substantial partnerships with the Body Sect led by Chen Yi. These collaborations are gradually deepening." What Bibi Dong said was the truth. The Spirit Hall was not only her own papal institution; its cooperation with the Worship Hall and the Body Sect represented another form of alliance.
The Rakshasa God, however, didn't seem interested in investigating these subtle distinctions in detail—at least, not at the moment.
"Remember, the focus is not on the Spirit Hall, but on you! Bibi Dong, you specifically must establish a stable relationship with Chen Yi."
"This will bring you unimaginable benefits in the future."
Benefits? More benefits?
Bibi Dong's brow creased slightly as her suspicions flared again. Having endured silently for long, she finally voiced the doubt that had lingered in her heart all this while.
"You keep emphasizing these so-called 'benefits'—but what specific benefit do you mean? As far as I know, Rakshasa is a first-class god, a major figure in the Divine Realm, and even the most formidable God Kings hesitate to oppose her lightly."
"If I inherit the divine position, I'd naturally gain corresponding power and status. Could becoming close with Chen Yi really bring me so many 'benefits' that you keep warning me about?"
In her heart, her image of Rakshasa was never of a compassionate master; it was more the image of a cunning demon driven by self-interest. If, as claimed, everything was really for her benefit, why arrange so many difficulties and obstacles, instead of giving up the divine seat sooner? There had to be some hidden reason.
For an instant, silence fell over the space around the Rakshasa Demon Scythe. The dim violet light wavered irregularly. After a minute, the Rakshasa God's voice echoed once more.
"Well—one day, you will understand all this. For now, let me explain."
The realm of the gods was far from monolithic. The two God Kings and the three Great Executors each had their own factions, some overt, some tacit, forming various alliances.
"Even the Goddess of Life, known for her mercy and believed to hate factional strife the most, possesses discreet subordinate powers under her command, though nothing is ever made public."
Of course, a small number of gods choose to maintain relative independence: thanks to their immense power and unique authority, they remain unaffiliated with any camp.
At this point, a hint of pride colored the Rakshasa God's tone. "I, this deity, fall into this category."
Anyone able to survive in the Divine Realm without taking sides was a true powerhouse: their godhood and their personal strength never having dipped below the sixth ring.
Bibi Dong listened quietly, gaining a clearer understanding of the power structure in the Divine Realm.
"But independence also means isolation." The Rakshasa God shifted focus, his tone becoming more somber. "The benefit of not taking sides is the freedom from unnecessary political struggles. But without a faction, there is no protection."
"If you ever enrage a powerful entity, you alone must bear the consequences—which are often unpredictable."
Hearing this, Bibi Dong's uneasiness grew stronger.
Sure enough, the Rakshasa God's next words confirmed her guess.
"Unfortunately, I have been in quite deep conflict with the Asura God, one of the Three Great Executors who preside over judgment and slaughter in the Divine Realm."
"Conflict?" Bibi Dong's voice pitched higher, slightly startled.
"Yes… Some old grudges." The Rakshasa God only vaguely mentioned details, but his tone became increasingly tense and solemn. "The enmity runs deep, not easily dispelled. As my heir, when you inherit the godhood and step into the god domain, you will inevitably be seen as troublesome by the Asura God, met with obstacles, or worse… he may even resort to underhanded tactics."
"But if, before becoming a god, you can establish a truly strong friendship with Chen Yi—even obtaining the approval of the powers behind him…"
There was a new note of temptation in the Rakshasa God's voice.
"Then, in the future, you may have the protection of at least one God King-level force in the Divine Realm. This is the enormous benefit I have spoken of—the talisman that guarantees your survival in the Divine Realm."
Bibi Dong was shocked. So this was it. The chance of gaining a God King's protection—how irresistible! But she quickly narrowed her eyes, probing, "And what about you? It seems to me there's nothing for you to gain in this."
She knew this Rakshasa God well. His methods closely resembled those of the calculating Body Sect—never violating taboos, always weighing interests. Both only acted for gain.
If it were truly all for her as his heir, why not pass down the divine status sooner, instead of constantly prolonging the process and subjecting her to endless divine trials?
Again, silence. The dim violet-and-black radiance in the inherited space rippled violently, as if wracked by fierce internal struggle. At last, the Rakshasa God's hoarse voice resurfaced.
"You truly are insightful. Very well, let me tell you."
"Most gods, after abdicating their divine seat to a successor, choose to leave the god's domain and explore the vast cosmos, seeking higher realms or unknown opportunities."
"But, danger lurks everywhere in the starry sky. Even gods may fall."
Divine status and a god's life essence are tightly intertwined—the gathered authority and law condensed into one. Even if that divinity is inherited by a new god, the traces and aura of the prior master forever linger deep within the godly seat.
Rakshasa God paused, then said solemnly, "This mark is the last refuge of the ancient gods."
"If, unfortunately, an old god should perish while exploring the cosmos, so long as the inherited divinity remains intact, the central power in the Divine Realm can use the mark left within the divinity to attempt resurrection and restoration."
Bibi Dong's pupils contracted slightly and she nodded slowly. "I see. So why…"
"Why, then, did I delay choosing a successor and subject you to such a harsh godly trial? Is that what you want to ask? Is there some other reason?"
The Rakshasa God had clearly guessed the end of her unfinished sentence. Bibi Dong fell silent, by default.
"It's very simple." A cruel reality seeped from the Rakshasa God's voice. "Resurrection comes at a cost—and is far from guaranteed."
"It requires consuming a vast store of archaic power from the godhood itself. Even if the ancient god is revived, they return greatly weakened, needing ages to recover, and may never reach their former peak."
More crucially, the new god, as the present holder of the godhood, wields vast autonomy and may have no desire to exhaust the godhood's essence for the sake of a dethroned predecessor.
"Even if an old god manages to revive, their power will be significantly below their living self."
The Rakshasa God's words were laden with the helplessness of reality. "Therefore, for the sake of their own future, the ancient gods must be extremely cautious in selecting a successor."
"It's not enough to test only their talent and character; they must also forge deep ties, bestow favors, and build good karma."
At the same time, the new god must be encouraged to grow strong and stable in their inherited godhood. Only then will the chances of reviving the old god in the future increase, and the negative impact on the new god be minimized.
"No one jokes about life and death—not even gods."
Bibi Dong understood fully now. Indeed, even the gods must pay a price for everything.
Rakshasa God had done his utmost to guide her to befriend Chen Yi—not only to increase her own chances of survival in the Divine Realm but also for his own benefit.
What shrewd calculation, what a pragmatic bargain! Bibi Dong sneered inwardly, but had no strength left to argue.
This was simply the naked, cruel rule of reality.
"Enough. It's still too soon to dwell on matters like this," the Rakshasa God said, abruptly changing the subject and betraying a hint of heaviness. "Just remember my words. Do your utmost to build a good relationship with Chen Yi. It's crucial for both you and me."
This time, there was rare sincerity in his tone. Although his ultimate purpose was self-interest, this matter would be of immense significance for Bibi Dong's future.
However, at the very instant his voice faded, his formidable divine sense had picked up a fleeting unnaturalness in Bibi Dong's aura—a stiffness and gloom she could no longer conceal.
The Rakshasa God's divine perception abruptly ceased.
The next moment, a horrifying suspicion mixed with shock and fury burst forth from the depths of the demon scythe, erupting like poisoned barbs into a piercing question within Bibi Dong's mind.
"Bibi Dong…"
"Could it be—you're already standing on the opposite side of Chen Yi?!"
…
Next bonus chapter at 300 PS