Douluo: Spiritual Sword-Chapter 588 - 587: First-Rank Gods and the Continent's Emperor

On the eve of the grand ceremony, in front of the Pope's Hall, the members of the Emperor Battle Team lay on the lawn gazing at the night sky. Yu Tianheng sighed, "It's finally all over. Our Emperor Battle Team… it's been a long time since we gathered like this to watch the stars, and in a place like Spirit City at that. I remember the last time was during the Academy Tournament."
"Yeah. It's a pity the boss isn't here, otherwise we'd really be complete." Gu Ran sounded a bit down. After all the dust had finally settled, Tianlin—the greatest contributor—was the one absent.
Although he hadn't participated in the final battle to unify the continent, his shadow was everywhere. Without his talismans and various arrangements, they couldn't have won so smoothly.
"Who said I'm not here? On a day this reunion-like, I'd come no matter what." Just then, Tianlin's voice sounded from behind them.
Everyone hurriedly sat up to see Tianlin walking over together with Qian Renxue.
After arriving in Spirit City, Tianlin had first gone to see Qian Renxue and Ning Fengzhi, learning that Qian Renxue had completed her ninth trial and that the continent had been unified.
"Boss, that's great, you're finally back! We've finished all the tasks you assigned us." Gu Ran said excitedly and joyfully.
Tianlin nodded. "I've heard everything from my father-in-law. It's just a pity that the casualties in this continental unification war were still not small. Xue Beng, that bastard, did something in the end that tripled my original casualty estimate. Although this won't shake the continent's foundation, it'll still take time to lick our wounds. Our failure to anticipate Xue Beng's rabid last-ditch move was our mistake—and it cost Senior Yu his life."
"This isn't your fault, Xiao Tian. I was the commander-in-chief. If my marching speed had been faster, Xue Beng wouldn't have succeeded. As for my grandfather, he fulfilled his lifelong wish and had no regrets. From now on, I'll inherit the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family and carry it forward." After so many days, Yu Tianheng had come to terms with it. One cannot cling to the past forever.
"Tianheng, actually, you and the senior may still have a chance to meet again," Tianlin suddenly said.
"What?" Yu Tianheng jolted. "Xiao Tian, you mean Grandfather has a chance to be brought back?"
Tianlin nodded. "Yes. Before he fell in battle, Senior had reached the level of a god. That should ensure his true spirit won't disperse for a long time. As long as you, Tianheng, can achieve first-rank godhood, you can use a first-rank god's authority to bring him to the God Realm and resurrect him."
In the original story, Tang San and Dai Mubai even found Huo Yun'er's soul after death and used Huo Yuhao's authority to resurrect her and take her to the God Realm. Of course Yu Tianheng can do the same. Given Yu Yuanzhen's strength, his remnant soul would only be more conspicuous than Huo Yun'er's and easier to find.
"That's great. Then I have a new goal. I will definitely become a first-rank god." The oppression that had weighed on Yu Tianheng instantly vanished. As long as a person has a goal they must achieve, they quickly rally.
"Right, Xiao Tian, this is for you. It's the Fire Dragon King soul bone. I checked—it's a torso bone. Aren't you just missing that slot?" Dugu Yan took out the Fire Dragon King's dragon bone from her soul tool and, as promised earlier, handed it to Tianlin.
But Tianlin pushed it back. "Give it to Tianheng. Recently, I've already gathered all six major soul bones, and my torso bone is even stronger than this Fire Dragon King bone."
"Tianheng needs it more right now. To become a first-rank god, resolve is needed, but strength and foundation are even more important. If Tianheng takes all of Senior Yu's soul bones, plus the Snow Jade Crown and this dragon bone, he can reach a full set of six soul bones. By my estimate, with so many soul bones and a ninth ring later, his soul power level should be able to reach 95. After all, both the Snow Jade Crown and the Fire Dragon Bone far surpass a hundred-thousand-year quality. These are the foundation for him to become a first-rank god."
"Mm. Thanks, Xiao Tian!" Dugu Yan smiled slightly and didn't insist. Since Tianlin already had a full set, the dragon bone should naturally go to Yu Tianheng, the second candidate—and indeed Tianheng needed it more, as it concerned whether their loved one could return.
"Thunder God, one of the elemental main gods of the God Realm, in addition to the thunder domain, has another duty: judgment—counted as a main god in the Asura lineage. Xiao Tian, you've really considered things for your brother. You intend to wait until you achieve Asura God, then seek an opportunity for Yu Tianheng to be tested by Thunder God, right?" Qian Renxue secretly transmitted.
Tianlin covertly nodded and replied, "As expected of my Sister Xue—the one who knows me best. When I ascend to the God Realm, I'll ask Thunder God to give Tianheng a chance. If he's looking for an inheritor, let the first trial go to Tianheng. But that's all I can do. Whether he passes depends on his own fortune."
In truth, given Tianlin's strength, whether Yu Tianheng passes doesn't matter much. After Tianlin becomes a god, the gods of the God Realm won't be his match. Even if he used force, the God Realm couldn't do anything to him. But that doesn't fit Tianlin's character. He would use another method: as long as he helps the God Realm expand, bringing a few more people along won't be a problem.
In the old God Realm, even second-rank gods could bring people. But as gods, divine envoys, and divine attendants increased, the rules changed: only those who inherit first-rank and above can bring two family members along when ascending.
Tianlin was confident that his Holy Emperor power could expand the God Realm ten or even a hundredfold without issue. The black hole of the Douluo universe would be helpless before it. Then he could bring more people along—neither abusing authority nor using violence—entirely reasonable.
However, Tianlin didn't plan to tell Tianheng this; otherwise he'd lose his motivation. Some people only find greater drive under pressure. With the goal of first-rank godhood, Yu Tianheng will grow stronger.
"By the way, members of the Emperor Battle Team—Xiao Tian and I came to discuss tomorrow's imperial matter. We've decided that since you were the main force in unifying the continent, the emperor should also be chosen from among you." Qian Renxue looked at everyone.
"According to Xiao Tian, in terms of merit, Tianheng and Gu Ran come first, so…"
Qian Renxue looked at the two of them. Since the continent was unified, she had fully let go. Even if she ascended before Tianlin, she wouldn't disturb the now-unified continent, so she wouldn't vie for the throne.
"I'll pass. I need to become a first-rank god—where would I find the time to be emperor?" Yu Tianheng voluntarily withdrew, leaving only one candidate.
This was exactly what Tianlin had planned. For years, he had been grooming Gu Ran for the path of a ruler, and Ning Fengzhi, who saw Tianlin's intention, had also taught him command and governance.
In fact, Gu Ran, like his master Gu Rong, was ambitious—a trait not at all bad. If the continental emperor were without desire, that would be the worst outcome. Since he wants it, let him have it.
"Heh, boss, I won't refuse if you give me such a good seat." Gu Ran stood up. In front of Tianlin, who knew him best, there was nothing to hide—he coveted the throne.
If Tianlin wanted it, he wouldn't fight him. But since Tianlin didn't care, he would naturally step up.
"But boss, I also have a suggestion—no, something we of the Emperor Battle Team suggest together." Gu Ran looked at Tianlin with a sly grin, and the others wore equally mischievous smiles.
Tianlin subconsciously swallowed. He had a feeling this group wanted to set him up.