That night, countless people across the Douluo Continent gazed up at the starry sky.
In the midst of the overcast darkness, the heavens suddenly split open with a blinding rift stretching across the firmament. From within the rift poured out a white light so brilliant that it turned the central region of the continent into broad daylight.
Moments later, more than a dozen majestic figures slowly stepped forth from the rift, their gazes fixed on this land that felt both familiar and foreign.
At the same time, a shocking burst of aura erupted from the Star Dou Forest. A pillar of purple-black light shot into the sky, resonating with the rift above.
From within the pillar, Fang Chang stepped out in human form, staring directly at the dozen figures in the sky.
"Well now, I never thought I, Fang, would have the honor of inviting so many exalted gods to grace the Douluo Continent with their presence."
One of the gods raised his voice with a sneer. "Hmph, such arrogance from a mere spider. Do you not realize your end is nigh? After today, the world shall know you no more."
Fang Chang was unfazed by the ridicule. While quietly assessing their battle strength, he retorted, "You gods, so detached from the mortal realm, clinging to your laws, wielding them only to suppress the beings of the lower planes."
"Whether or not you can kill me tonight… we'll only know after a proper fight."
Among the gods who descended, only the God of Asura held the rank of God King. The Sea God and one other were First-Rank Gods, while the rest were all Second- or Third-Rank Gods.
Seeing such a lineup, Fang Chang felt reassured. Though the display looked formidable, their actual strength didn't seem as overwhelming.
On his side, he bore the power of dual godhoods—his strength likely exceeding that of an ordinary God King.
Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong had inherited the positions of Angel God and Rakshasa God respectively—both First-Rank Gods. According to the pact they'd made earlier, they would stand with Fang Chang in this battle.
In terms of top-tier power, Fang Chang's side wasn't at a disadvantage. As for the Second- and Third-Rank Gods, their attacks wouldn't do much to him anymore.
What's more, Fang Chang now possessed an undying body. As long as he didn't expose a fatal weakness that allowed the gods to combine their strength and seal him, he stood invincible.
With these conditions, he truly had no fear of these so-called gods.
His confidence made several of the gods feel uneasy. Never in divine history had such a powerful force descended upon the mortal world just to deal with a newly ascended god.
They had expected Fang Chang to either collapse in despair or surrender at first sight. Yet his boldness far exceeded their expectations.
"Just bluffing with bravado. I refuse to believe a mere beast that's only just become a god can overturn the heavens." The Sea God scoffed coldly at Fang Chang, loathing him to the core.
"Well, look who it is. Isn't it the mighty Sea God?" Fang Chang taunted with a grin. "Before I ascended, I sliced your avatar like cutting vegetables. Now that I've ascended, I'll cut you down all the same."
"You—!" The Sea God was rendered speechless, seething with rage, while the other gods couldn't help but chuckle.
After all, the Sea God had once descended an avatar only to be slain by an unascended soul beast, becoming a laughingstock throughout the Divine Realm.
The God of Asura, expression solemn, cut in to halt their bickering. "Enough idle words. Do not forget why we are here. If we fail to eliminate this creature today, it will become a dire threat to the Divine Realm in the future."
"Yes!" With his command, the other gods fell silent. Their divine auras unfolded and began pressing down upon Fang Chang, heralding an unprecedented battle upon the Douluo Continent.
Just then, a soft sigh rose from the ground. Two beams of light soared upward to flank Fang Chang—it was Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue.
However, the two didn't seem on good terms. One stood to Fang Chang's left front, the other to his right rear, with a wide gap between them.
Two more… and both First-Rank Gods.
This sent an even stronger wave of unease through the gods above.
Though not as mighty as the God of Asura, the Angel God and Rakshasa God were still undisputed First-Rank deities. The gods had heard rumors that someone had inherited their divine thrones in the mortal world—but never did they imagine both would stand by Fang Chang's side.
Seeing them, especially the Rakshasa God on the left, finally stirred a ripple across the God of Asura's previously calm face.
"Hmph. To think even the new inheritor is as unreliable as the last."
The previous Rakshasa God had always opposed him. Even the trial ground he designed had been tampered with by her—how could he not be infuriated?
Yet the Rakshasa God, though weaker and restrained by his nature, was still a First-Rank God. Without just cause, he couldn't eliminate her.
Now, her inheritor had delivered herself to his door and stood against the Divine Realm. This was the perfect opportunity to erase her line forever.
Bibi Dong, having inherited the Rakshasa God's power, turned pale with both fear and anger at the sight of the Asura God. But her years of holding authority helped her remain outwardly composed.
On the other hand, Qian Renxue was a complete novice when it came to the Divine Realm. She stood here purely because she trusted Fang Chang—and perhaps for other, unspoken reasons.
With the two of them beside him, Fang Chang felt the pressure ease.
He locked eyes on the God of Asura, and in the next moment, launched the first strike—charging straight toward him.
Among all the gods, the Asura God posed the greatest threat to Bibi Dong due to his suppressive nature. He could not be allowed to reach her—this was a key part of the strategy Fang Chang and she had previously agreed upon.
Aside from the Asura God, the others wouldn't gain any real advantage against Bibi Dong or Qian Renxue. Even if they couldn't kill them, they could at least hold them off.
Facing Fang Chang's assault, the God of Asura didn't hesitate. He pulled the Sea God in to fight alongside him. Against such a formidable opponent, he saw no need for honor—it would be two against one from the start.
Elsewhere, the other First-Rank God naturally engaged Bibi Dong—being a member of the Asura faction, he already bore resentment against the Rakshasa God's line.
Qian Renxue, meanwhile, faced two adversaries: a Second-Rank and a Third-Rank God, also in a two-versus-one scenario.
Of the over a dozen gods, five were now engaged with the three, while the remaining seven or eight Second- and Third-Rank Gods stood off to the side.
But they weren't idle.
The seven or eight gods formed a circle, seemingly working together to construct a special formation. Behind them, a vast curtain of divine light slowly began to take shape.