Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Path to Godhood

The Angel Goddess, having accomplished all of this, breathed a sigh of relief. She had expended a significant amount of divine power to ensure Qian Daoliu could inherit the Angelic Godhood easily and quickly, leaving even her feeling somewhat drained. But at last, it was done.

Carefully looking toward Ling Xiao, the Angel Goddess said, "My Lord, my task is complete!"

"Very well, you are free to go," Ling Xiao replied, waving his hand dismissively, clearly unbothered.

Upon receiving her release, the Angel Goddess felt her tense body relax. A flash of joy crossed her face, and after bidding Ling Xiao farewell, she hurried back to the God Realm.

Everything had happened so quickly that the several High Priests remained in a state of stupor.

However, seeing that Qian Daoliu had indeed become a god, they quickly stepped forward to offer their congratulations. "Congratulations, Brother, on becoming the Angel Goddess! You now possess endless life!"

The eyes of the High Priests were filled with envy. Becoming a god meant not only possessing power that transcended the world but also attaining immortality. As for them, they would ultimately only be able to exhaust their lifespans and die in a few hundred years. Even though their strength had all reached the ninety-ninth level—with Golden Crocodile almost reaching the level of a demigod—without a divine position, they remained mere mortals bound by a limited lifespan.

Qian Daoliu looked at the High Priests and sighed. Divine positions in this world were few and far between. Besides the Angel Goddess they had worshipped for generations, the only ones he knew of were the Sea God of Sea God Island and the Rakshasa God of Bibi Dong. There was truly nothing to be done about it.

"If you wish to become gods, there is still a chance. It is not impossible," Ling Xiao suddenly spoke up.

"What? Holy Son, we also have a chance to become gods?"

Hearing Ling Xiao’s words, the High Priests were stunned at first, then their eyes filled with ecstasy, their breathing becoming heavy.

"It is possible. You have two choices now," Ling Xiao said. "Your aptitudes have already changed after drinking the Water of Life. You can try to create your own divine positions to become gods, or I can go to the God Realm and bring some gods down to see which ones you are suited for."

*Create their own gods!*

The High Priests were shocked, suddenly feeling lost. Could they really do it? Those were gods, after all.

"Nothing is impossible. Long ago, the Angel Goddess and the Sea God were also just mortals. They relied on their own efforts and, at a certain turning point, reached the level of divinity. Perhaps you can do it too!" Ling Xiao said.

The High Priests trembled, a flicker of hope appearing in their eyes. They were already Limit Douluos, a level they once never dared to imagine. Since that was the case, why not try to take another step forward?

Ling Xiao tossed out several bottles of the Water of Life, which they caught.

"Go and try now! With the help of the Water of Life, see if you have the ability to create a divine position!"

"Many thanks, Holy Son!" The High Priests bowed deeply before rushing off to enter secluded cultivation, striving to become gods.

"Holy Son, since I have already become a god, do I still need the Water of Life?" Qian Daoliu asked, looking at the bottle in his hand.

"Great High Priest, you have just attained godhood. Even with the help of the former Angel Goddess, your strength is only comparable to a powerful second-tier god. In a desperate situation, you might match a weaker first-tier god. This bottle of Water of Life is different from what you drank before; it is still of great use to gods," Ling Xiao explained.

After obtaining the Ancient Tree of Life and the Life God Realm, the Water of Life had changed. Influenced by the endless divine essence, it had been divided into different levels of pools. The first level was for ordinary soul masters and soul beasts; the second level was for ordinary gods; the third level was for Divine Sovereigns to Divine Ancestors; and the fourth level was for those beyond the Divine Ancestors. There were four more levels above that, which contained power so immense that even he could not withstand it; even just approaching them, the endless divine essence would cause his divine body to shatter.

"I see!" Qian Daoliu nodded and tucked the Water of Life away.

Chrysanthemum Douluo also quickly asked to be excused to go into secluded cultivation. His strength was now comparable to a demigod, and perhaps with the help of the Water of Life, he would have a chance to become a god. Ling Xiao incidentally gave him a few bottles of the Water of Life to pass on to the other elders, as well as Xie Yue and Yan.

"Xiao'er, do you think they can all become gods?" Bibi Dong asked.

"I don't know," Ling Xiao shook his head. "It doesn't matter. As long as they are obedient, even if they cannot create their own godhood, at worst I can just use the other option: go to the God Realm and find a few divine positions for them to inherit. After all, I am the one who calls the shots in the God Realm!"

*Hiss!*

Qian Daoliu gasped. Ling Xiao had quietly taken control of the entire God Realm! Such was his power; it was no wonder the Angel Goddess had been so respectful.

"Holy Son, now that I have become a god, should I go to the God Realm?" Qian Daoliu inquired, feeling a sense of reluctance. After all, Qian Renxue was still on the continent, and he had no other familiar acquaintances; he would be lonely in the God Realm.

"No need. You can go whenever you like. The God Realm won't interfere with you, don't worry!" Ling Xiao said. Although the God Realm had rules, what use were those rules to him?

"I see!" Qian Daoliu breathed a sigh of relief, glanced at the three of them, and sensibly took his leave.

The group returned to the Pope’s Palace, and Ling Xiao pulled them into the Life God Realm. They spent their time in cultivation, and by the time they emerged, the sky outside had already turned dark.

Under the night sky, Bibi Dong looked at Ling Xiao and asked, "Xiao'er, how much longer until you leave?"

"What? Xiao'er is going to leave?" Hu Liena immediately looked at Ling Xiao.

"In a while, because I want to participate in the Spirit Master Tournament before I leave," Ling Xiao said after some thought.

Hearing this, a flash of joy crossed Bibi Dong’s eyes, and she breathed a sigh of relief. Hu Liena also felt at ease, as there were still several years until the tournament.

"Let's go for a walk tonight," Bibi Dong suddenly suggested.

"Yes! Staying in the Spirit Hall all day is boring," Hu Liena agreed. Ling Xiao naturally had no objections; it didn't matter to him.

Bibi Dong vanished for a moment, and when she reappeared, she had changed her attire. She had shed her papal crown and robes, replaced by a more youthful outfit, her hair let down and adorned with a few simple accessories.

"Wow! Teacher, you look so beautiful!" Hu Liena exclaimed upon seeing Bibi Dong’s appearance.

"Really?" Bibi Dong twirled a lock of hair with her finger and smiled, looking somewhat shy.

"Yes! Teacher is the most beautiful person I have ever seen!" Hu Liena ran up and buried herself in Bibi Dong’s embrace, nuzzling against her.

"You're a grown woman now, still acting like this—aren't you embarrassed?" Bibi Dong said softly, tapping Hu Liena on the forehead.

"Hehehe!" Hu Liena giggled mischievously.

"Let's go! Spirit City is still quite beautiful at night," Bibi Dong said. Hu Liena nodded and released her.

The group walked out of the Spirit Hall, unaccompanied by anyone else. On the streets of Spirit City, the lights were bright, and the atmosphere was bustling. The moment Bibi Dong and Hu Liena appeared on the street, they attracted everyone's attention. They were simply too beautiful! However, no one dared to approach; even in ordinary clothes, as the Pope of many years, Bibi Dong carried an inherent air of authority that kept people at a distance.

Hu Liena looked around the street, showing interest in everything. Over the past few years, she had rarely left the Spirit Hall due to her cultivation, which had suppressed her nature. At the end of the day, she was still just a young girl in the prime of her youth.

Bibi Dong was not as open. Ling Xiao looked at her and saw a hint of loneliness and unfamiliarity in her eyes.

"I used to be as lively and active as Na'er, finding everything in Spirit City novel. But I have changed; I am no longer that carefree girl," Bibi Dong said, perhaps sensing Ling Xiao’s gaze.

"Is there anything that still troubles you, Teacher?" Ling Xiao asked. With her top-tier strength in the God Realm, she shouldn't have any worries in the mortal world.

"Perhaps, but I can never return to how I once was," Bibi Dong sighed. Over the last few decades, too much had changed. She had transformed from a simple girl into the Pope who now ruled the continent with an iron fist.

"Why not? People change, yet they also remain the same," Ling Xiao said softly. "In the many years I have lived here, you have been very kind to me and to Sister Na'er—that has not changed."

"Teacher, you have merely hidden your original nature because you are the Pope of the Spirit Hall. But here, no one knows who you are. You can be an ordinary woman!"

Bibi Dong’s body trembled, and the shackles that had bound her heart seemed to shatter instantly. A bright, radiant smile—one that had not appeared for over a decade—bloomed on her face. Her movements became light, and she began to dance like a young girl.

Ling Xiao watched her, the river of time flowing within his eyes.

"Time Reflection!"

A blurry, youthful figure from twenty years ago appeared in Ling Xiao's vision, constantly sharpening until it merged with Bibi Dong. That girl’s eyes were filled with curiosity about the world, sparkling with laughter, light, and a simple, innocent spirit.