Chapter 253: A Decision That Defies the Divine Realm's Rules

  "I choose to support Destruction!"

  The Goddess of Life gazed at the God of Destruction with tenderness in her eyes.

  She knew his nature all too well. If today's vote didn’t go his way, he would surely lose control, which would be a disaster in itself.

  Moreover, their bond was close and unbreakable; she couldn’t bear to see him suffer such a defeat. In the end, her emotions triumphed over her reason.

  “Phew…”

  Hearing her words, the God of Destruction felt an immense sense of relief, as if a massive weight had been lifted from his heart.

  To be honest, he had feared the possibility of the Goddess of Life siding with the God of Kindness and the God of Evil. A betrayal like that would have been unbearable.

  "Very well, now we are tied." A satisfied smile appeared on the God of Destruction's face.

  He turned to the God of Kindness and the God of Evil and continued, "Traditionally, the affairs of the Divine Realm have been decided by the five Divine Kings. But now, the position of Asura God is vacant and will remain so indefinitely. I believe it’s necessary to allow the Principal Gods to participate in our meeting, to compensate for the loss of the Asura God’s vote."

  In truth, the God of Destruction simply wasn’t willing to let this decision end in a tie.

  If the vote remained deadlocked, they would enter a cooling-off period and reconvene after some reflection.

  But he couldn’t wait that long.

  As long as Qin Xiao remained, he couldn’t be at peace.

  Besides, he didn’t expect the results to change with another vote. It was obvious that the God of Kindness and the God of Evil were stubbornly set on bringing Qin Xiao into the Divine Realm.

  So he decided it was better to push for a final resolution today.

  Qin Xiao had to be eliminated!

  "So, what do the other Divine Kings think?"

  After waiting for a while without a response, the God of Destruction realized the others were holding back, waiting for one of the other Divine Kings to speak.

  Unable to hold back, he urged them for a response.

  "Destruction, are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?"

  "Turning the world into chaos may not be the best outcome for the Divine Realm," the God of Kindness said, unwilling to give up his persuasion.

  "Destruction, such a powerful adversary should not be confronted with force if it can be avoided," the God of Evil added. "I still remember the war from years ago vividly. The Divine Realm cannot withstand another blow like that."

  "I’ve said it before—Qin Xiao isn’t the Dragon God. He only has some potential."

  The God of Destruction frowned.

  "Wouldn’t that be better?"

  "The lower his current power, the more favorable the conditions for him to join the Divine Realm. Imagine a future where our Douluo Divine Realm produces someone capable of rivaling the Dragon God—it would be a cause for celebration," the God of Kindness and the God of Evil continued to urge.

  Cause for celebration, perhaps for them, but certainly not for the God of Destruction.

  The thought of Qin Xiao entering the Divine Realm made his skin crawl.

  "Enough talk; let’s make a decision."

  The God of Destruction didn’t want to continue expining or persuading.

  He only wanted his proposal to pass so he could mobilize the Divine Realm’s power to eliminate Qin Xiao and set the course of Douluo Star back on track.

  "Very well, if you’re that insistent, then I’ll give you one st chance."

  Losing patience with the God of Destruction’s obstinance, the God of Evil raised his voice, "I agree with the God of Destruction's proposal to allow the fourteen Principal Gods to participate in the vote."

  "I second it," added the God of Kindness, approving the request to let the Principal Gods cast their votes.

  "I second it as well," said the Goddess of Life, standing unwaveringly by the God of Destruction as she had from the beginning.

  "Good, very good!"

  The God of Destruction nodded in satisfaction and then turned to the Seven Elemental Gods and the Seven Deadly Sin Gods. "Now, you may cast your votes. God of Pride, let’s start with you."

  The God of Pride immediately responded, "I support my lord—no, I support the God King of Destruction."

  The God of Destruction nodded approvingly, his expression filled with satisfaction.

  In a typical Divine Council, Principal Gods would only observe. The God of Destruction had gone to great lengths to bring them into the vote, all for the sake of securing their support.

  And they did not disappoint.

  "Continue." The God of Destruction gestured, turning his gaze to the God of Sloth.

  Understanding his cue, the God of Sloth voiced his support, "I support the God King of Destruction as well."

  The God of Destruction felt even more pleased.

  These gods were showing their loyalty, and he would be sure to reward them handsomely in due time.

  "I support the God King of Destruction."

  "I support the God King of Destruction."

  "I support…”

  After the Gods of Pride and Sloth, the Gods of Greed, Envy, Gluttony, Wrath, and Lust all decred their positions.

  Unsurprisingly, they all chose to support the God of Destruction.

  Seeing this, the God of Kindness’s beautiful face took on a rare expression of coldness.

  Beneath the long table, she reached out and grasped the God of Evil’s hand tightly.

  And she continued to squeeze, her grip becoming firmer.

  "Don’t worry; we won’t lose."

  The God of Evil knew exactly what the God of Kindness was thinking and transmitted a comforting message.

  The God of Kindness looked at him in surprise, her eyes reflecting a glimmer of unusual admiration.

  The God of Evil, however, said nothing more, merely giving her a reassuring look as if to say, “Trust me.”

  ...

  After the Seven Deadly Sin Gods finished expressing their stance, it was now the turn of the Seven Elemental Gods. The God of Space, cloaked in a gray robe, was the first to step forward.

  "I support the God King of Kindness and the God King of Evil…"

  With that, he sat back down.

  Upon hearing his words, the God of Destruction’s eye twitched slightly.

  ‘So, some of the Elemental Gods side with Kindness and Evil after all…’

  ‘But I refuse to believe none among the Elemental Gods can see reason!’

  ‘Supporting me in eliminating Qin Xiao, that anomaly, is the only right path!’

  He wasn’t discouraged, firmly believing that at least one of the Elemental Gods would side with him.

  All he needed was one vote from the Elemental Gods.

  "I support the God King of Kindness and the God King of Evil…"

  After the God of Space, the God of Wind made his position clear, his response equally unwavering.

  Then followed the Gods of Water, Fire, Darkness, and Light…

  One by one, six of the Principal Gods aligned themselves with Kindness and Evil.

  Now…

  All eyes turned to the God of Earth.

  He was the st, and his vote was crucial.

  The God of Earth’s expression turned visibly uncomfortable under everyone’s gaze.

  He looked at the God of Destruction, then at the Gods of Kindness and Evil, a conflicted look crossing his eyes.

  It was clear that no matter which side he chose, someone would be offended.

  It was like being asked who he would save first if his girlfriend and mother fell into the water.

  "Earth, your vote is crucial. I hope you’ll think carefully…" The God of Destruction, feeling the pressure, gently reminded him.

  Hearing this, the God of Earth’s face darkened.

  It was clear that the God of Destruction’s words weren’t entirely well-intentioned; there was a hint of intimidation.

  However, this remark crossed a line for the God of Earth.

  So what if he was a God King?

  Did he think a First-Level God could be treated like a puppet?

  Even the most patient person has limits. Did he really think he could be pushed around?

  "Thank you for your concern, God King of Destruction, but I have made my decision. I will support the God King of Kindness and the God King of Evil."

  Feeling that his answer wasn’t strong enough, he added, "And let me add that I believe they’re right. The Divine Realm has been recovering after so many years, and it’s finally regained some vitality. War is indeed the st thing we need."

  "You…" The God of Destruction’s face twisted with rage.

  Who was the God of Earth to be so sarcastic?

  "Enough!"

  At that moment, the God of Evil smmed the table, drawing everyone’s attention to him.

  With a slight smile, he said, "The vote is complete. It’s a tie, 9 to 9."

  "According to council regutions, the proposal has not passed. The next council meeting will be held in seven days… at which point we will re-vote."

  "No!"

  The God of Destruction roared.

  "Oh? Are you pnning to viote the council’s rules?"

  The God of Evil raised an eyebrow, his voice turning icy.

  "Destruction…" The Goddess of Life stood up and took his hand.

  Her gesture was a reminder for him to control his impulses.

  She even channeled her calming green divine power, helping him regain his composure.

  Breathing heavily, the God of Destruction finally muttered through clenched teeth, "Very well. This council meeting is now adjourned. I won’t see you out."

  He turned away from the gods, his back heaving with anger—a clear sign that his inner turmoil was far from settled.

  The Seven Elemental Gods looked to the God of Kindness and the God of Evil, taking them as their anchors.

  "Let’s go," the God of Evil said, standing up.

  The God of Kindness hesitated for a moment before speaking softly, "Let’s all take some time to consider carefully. Hopefully, in seven days, we’ll come to a united decision."

  But her words received no response from the God of Destruction.

  ...

  The Seven Elemental Gods quickly followed the Gods of Kindness and Evil out of the Temple of Destruction.

  "Master, do we really have to wait seven days for this to be discussed again?" the God of Wrath asked, his eyes red with anger.

  As a devoted follower of the God of Destruction, he wholeheartedly supported eliminating Qin Xiao.

  "Master, if things keep progressing like this, there still won’t be a consensus in seven days," the God of Pride added solemnly.

  The Goddess of Life frowned, clearly displeased. "Enough. Just wait patiently for the next council meeting in seven days."

  She could easily see through the Seven Deadly Sin Gods' attempts to stir up the God of Destruction, pushing him towards breaking the Divine Realm’s rules.

  "No, Life, they’re not entirely wrong. Even after seven days, we still won’t have a resolution."

  The God of Destruction turned to face her, his gaze intense.

  "So, what are you pnning?" The Goddess of Life felt a chill. In this moment, he looked terrifying—his dark eyes devoid of emotion, clouded only with uncontrolble bloodlust.

  "Kindness and Evil have their own agendas, and they will never stand with me.

  But I have a personal grudge against Qin Xiao, and I can’t rest until he’s dead.

  If he really is allowed into the Divine Realm, I will go insane..."

  The God of Destruction could never allow Qin Xiao to become part of the Divine Council.

  "So, are you pnning to ignore the rules and act anyway?" The Goddess of Life, who had been with him for countless ages, could see his thoughts clearly.

  "Exactly."

  "Kindness and Evil wish to recruit Qin Xiao into the Divine Realm, which is why we’re at odds.

  But if Qin Xiao were dead… this issue would naturally resolve itself!"

  A hint of madness fshed in the God of Destruction’s expression.

  He intended to act, disregarding the rules of the Divine Realm.

  The Goddess of Life gred at him in anger. "You’re truly mad!"

  She rarely lost her composure, highlighting just how extreme his proposal was.

  "Yes, I’m mad! They’re driving me to madness!" the God of Destruction shouted.

  "And do you think you can defeat Qin Xiao?"

  The Goddess of Life’s words were like a cold spsh of water over him.

  The God of Destruction froze, struck by the harsh reality.

  Could he truly defeat Qin Xiao?

  The answer was no.

  In their first battle, even with his supreme artifact, he had barely managed to escape with his life.

  "Qin Xiao is indeed powerful, and I can’t match him alone. But he’s not invincible. If you join me, I am confident we can bring him down..."

  "Not just the two of us. We would have… them."

  The God of Destruction gestured toward the Seven Deadly Sin Gods.

  "They are all First-Level Gods. Together, they could stand against a God King. With their assistance, our chances of success would rise to ninety percent!"

  The Goddess of Life fell silent, contempting his words.

  Seeing her hesitation, the God of Destruction took her arms in his hands, pleading, "You’ll help me, won’t you?"

  He feared she might refuse him.

  In his pn, the Goddess of Life was essential.

  She countered, "Have you even considered the price they would pay?"

  "The price?" The God of Destruction blinked, momentarily stunned.

  He hadn’t thought about the cost to the Seven Deadly Sin Gods.

  Right now, all he could see was revenge, and everyone else was merely a means to that end.

  Kneel!

  At that moment, the God of Wrath dropped to one knee. "I am willing to risk my life for my lord, no matter the cost."

  Following him, the God of Pride knelt as well. "I am willing to offer everything for my lord, even my life."

  The God of Pride’s expression was fervent with dedication.

  "We too are willing to sacrifice all for our lord!"

  The Gods of Gluttony, Sloth, and the other Deadly Sin Gods followed Wrath and Pride’s lead, kneeling one by one.

  "Life, do you see this?"

  "My will is their calling!"

  The God of Destruction felt a surge of confidence.

  The Goddess of Life, her eyes flickering with emotion, finally nodded slowly. "Very well, I will help you…"

  Hearing this, the God of Destruction felt overwhelming joy and gratitude. "I knew you would help me, given our bond!"

  The Goddess of Life shook her head slightly. "That bond… is already exhausted."

  (End of Chapter)

  ? Unlock the World of Stories with Early Access on Patreon! ?

  Hello, beloved readers and supporters!

  I am thrilled to offer you an exclusive opportunity to dive deeper into our captivating stories before anyone else. By joining the Patreon community, you'll unlock a treasure trove of benefits, including:

  ? Early Access to 20 Chapters: Be the first to explore new chapters, experiencing the twists and turns of our tales well ahead of regur readers. Your journey through our stories doesn't have to wait!

  ? Connect with the Community: Join a vibrant, like-minded group of readers who share your passion. Engage in exciting discussions, share theories, and make new friends who love the stories as much as you do.

  ? Support the Creator: Your patronage directly contributes to the ongoing creation and improvement of the content you love. Be a vital part of the creative journey!

  Patreon.com/anish_44

  https://ko-fi.com/anish_44