God of Music Inheritance

A couple days later, the Star Luo Army arrived at Liuying Gorge. The Shrek Seven Devils reunited, and the Star Luo Emperor went inside the main tent to speak with Xue Beng, Xue Xing, Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, Gu Rong, Yu Xiaogang, and Tang San. Meanwhile, six of the seven Shrek Tyrants trained alongside the soldiers. Ru Shenqi, seeing everything was going smoothly for the moment, slipped away from the joint camps. Protected by her seventh spirit skill, she stood at the edge of the cliff, preparing to descend into Liuying Gorge. Just as she was about to jump down, a voice called out.

"Xiao Shen, what are you doing?"

She turned around to see Ming Yong approaching. "I'm going to scout Liuying Gorge's terrain. Since you're here, do you want to come with me?"

He nodded. "Sure."

She held out her hand, and he took it. Then, they jumped down. The two of them checked the cliffside and went all the way down to the ground. As they walked along the bottom of Liuying Gorge, Ming Yong glanced at the youngest of the Shrek Seven Tyrants.

"Xiao Shen?"

"Hmm?"

"How are you sure that Xingyun won't give up the throne for you?"

"I'd never ask him to do that. He's been the Crown Prince for so long now and is the perfect one of all five to be the next King of Guang Kingdom. Plus, one day, he will pass from this world and I will ascend to the Douluo Divine Realm, so perhaps it's better this way. If he gives up the throne and lives on Haishen Island with me, one day I will have to watch him die or he will have to watch me ascend. Gods are not meant to remain in the Mortal Realm forever. My time here is limited."

"I will stay with you on Haishen Island. I have nothing better to do or anywhere else to go."

"You could always stay at Shrek Academy or Tang Sect."

"Are you trying to get rid of me?"

She chuckled. "Of course not. Just giving you options."

"Jiaxiang and Suyin will eventually return to Suotuo City. Shanxin and Youyou, since they're together, will go back to the Tang Sect. You will return to Haishen Island and be its Head Flamen. Xingyun... is the only one who's future is questionable other than mine."

"Yong, do you really want to stay on Haishen Island?"

"It's a beautiful and warm place. Why not?"

Ru Shenqi lowered her head. "I appreciate it."

Just then, Ming Yong stopped. "Do you hear that, Xiao Shen?"

She shook her head. "I don't."

A majestic purple light suddenly shone down on Ming Yong. It lit up the skies, and everyone above looked at the sudden change.

Yu Xiaogang frowned. "Could it be Spirit Empire trying to distract us?"

Liu Erlong curled her arms around his. "Xiaogang, where's Xiao Shen?"

They raced around the camp but couldn't find her anywhere. The other Tyrants couldn't find Ming Yong either.

Gu Xingyun's mind raced. Are they together? At least he can... what am I thinking? She's a God. She doesn't need protecting. Wait... if they're together... then what's going on between them?

Meanwhile, Ru Shenqi released her third spirit skill. She tried to protect Ming Yong, but the majestic purple light didn't seem to be hurting him. Instead, a deep noble voice echoed in his mind.

I have not seen such a young and promising spirit master in years. You, with the Seven String Dragon Qin spirit, have the potential to be my successor. Turn to your right.

Ming Yong did as he said. Soon, the wall nearby fell away to reveal a door. Ru Shenqi's jaw dropped.

Come in.

Ming Yong was about to move when he remembered he wasn't alone. He turned to look at his friend. She smiled gently at him. "Go. If it's what I'm guessing, a God should've just chosen you to inherit his God Seat. Find out who it is."

He nodded and steeled himself. As he approached the door, his hand rested on the knob. The door light up with the same majestic purple light. It swung open, and he entered. Ru Shenqi remained outside to guard the entrance. When he came out an hour later, he seemed to be in a daze.

"Well, how was it?"

"The God of Music asked me to be his successor. I- I accepted. Xiao Shen, should I not have?"

"What are you talking about, Yong? Of course you should have! What do you have to do to become a God?"

"I have to go through nine trials. Xiao Shen, did you have to?"

She thought about it. "If I did, I did so as a child and don't remember it well. And since my mother guided me back then, I might have done things without realizing that I was completing Nine Tests to become a God."

"Oh."

"What's your First Trial?"

"I need to prove I have what it takes to become a God. My First Trial is to fight a Titled Douluo and win within half an hour."

"Can it be any Titled Douluo?"

"I think so. I don't have a restriction, not like the trials on Haishen Island."

"I shouldn't count then because Gods cannot be compared to mortals. You have to fight a mortal. So what about Xingyun?"

"I suppose I should say that the Titled Douluo isn't allowed to go easy on me."

"So Xingyun must fight all out?"

Ming Yong nodded. "I have an idea, but it might wind up with me getting killed."

Ru Shenqi shook her head. "I won't let that happen. What's your idea?"

"Telling him the truth. That I like you."

She went still. "T- that's up to you. Are you willing to risk it to become a God?"

"I have to show my sincerity to the God of Music. This is the best way."

Finally, Ru Shenqi acquiesced. She flew them both back up to the camp, and the other Tyrants ran over to them. The Shrek Seven Devils and the Golden Iron Triangle walked over as well.

"Xiao Shen! Yong!"

Gu Xingyun reached them first. "Where did you two go?"

Ru Shenqi turned towards Ming Yong. She asked through spiritual communication, Are you sure about this?

Determination lit in his eyes as he nodded. I am.

She sighed. Very well. Then I'll help you in your journey to becoming the God of Music.

Facing Gu Xingyun, she said softly, "Yong just wanted to talk about something."

"What?"

"He admitted that he liked me... as more than a friend."

Gu Xingyun's icy Death God Domain surged in an instant. "You dare-?!"

He lunged, spirit released. Ming Yong quickly released his own spirit, and Ru Shenqi side-stepped away. Seeing the second and third strongest of the Shrek Seven Tyrants beginning to fight, Shu Jiaxiang, Bai Shanxin, Fang Youyou, and Liao Suyin moved to interfere. But Ru Shenqi appeared in front of them, Golden Scepter in hand. She held it out, blocking their way. A twinge of sadness filled her eyes.

Will the Shrek Seven Tyrants ever be the same?

"Don't. Let them fight it out."

"Xiao Shen, they're fighting over you. How can you just let them do it?" Shu Jiaxiang questioned.

Flender looked ready to step in, and Ru Shenqi's eyes narrowed.

"Third spirit skill, secondary ability: Clear Crystal Wall."

This freaky secondary ability of her third spirit skill was a barrier. It was an invisible wall that could appear in front of anyone and was impenetrable. Clear Crystal Wall could block any spirit master under God-level.

When Flender ran into her barrier, Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong gaped at her. Even the Shrek Seven Devils were confused. No one understood why she would let Gu Xingyun attack Ming Yong when they were all supposed to be friends.

"Seventh spirit skill, Seven String Dragon Qin Spirit Avatar!"

"Seventh spirit skill, Golden Heavenly Lion Spirit Avatar!"

Gu Xingyun's frenzied attack ran into Ming Yong's mind blanking spirit skill. Ming Yong quickly launched his eighth spirit skill, Dragon Qin Lullaby. Gu Xingyun used his skull bone to try and block out his music, but it was no use. The strings moved at an astonishing pace. Soon, Gu Xingyun collapsed.

Everyone but Ru Shenqi gasped. She stepped forward and walked past the unconscious Gu Xingyun, launching her Clear Crystal Wall to keep their friends back. At Ming Yong's side, she rested a comforting hand on his shoulder. He turned his head to look at her.

"You did good," she murmured. "You held out against Golden Lion Douluo."

He glanced at Gu Xingyun. "At what cost? Will he ever forgive me?"

"I'll talk to him later. For now, see if you passed."

Ming Yong nodded and closed his eyes. The same deep noble voice echoed.

First Test, Challenge Titled Douluo completed. You did well, youngster. For such a sacrifice, I'll grant you an increase in spirit power.

Ming Yong felt his power rise two ranks. His eyes flashed open.

"Yong?"

"Xiao Shen, I made it. I reached the Titled Douluo stage. The God of Music granted me two ranks of spirit power."

She smiled. "That's great! We're not far from Star Dou Great Forest. If you want, I can take you to hunt a spirit beast. I can even bring you back to the sea if you want me to."

"I'm satisfied just being at rank ninety. I can wait for a suitable spirit beast."

"Are you sure?"

He nodded.

She brought down the barriers, and the other Tyrants ran over. "Xiao Shen, Yong, what's going on?"

"I've accepted the inheritance of the God of Music. My First Test was to win against a Titled Douluo. So, I had to make Xingyun want to fight me with all he had. Xiao Shen's known for a while now how I feel about her. It was my luck to have her with me when the God of Music chose me as his successor."

Tang San stepped forward. "Congratulations. The road to becoming a God is tough. But with Xiao Shen and the others at your side, I believe you can make it. Good luck on your future Tests."

Ming Yong bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Senior."

Then, Gu Xingyun groaned as he came to. Oscar presented a sausage, and he ate it, recovering. Turning, he glared at Ming Yong.

"I'm a Titled Douluo, how could I lose to a mere Spirit Douluo?"

Ming Yong replied calmly, "You acted out of rage and weren't thinking clearly. If you had a peak mental state, who's to say you wouldn't win?"

The Death God Domain's evolved skill, Demon Hell, suddenly surged. Gu Xingyun lunged at him, but Ru Shenqi stepped in between them and banged the Golden Scepter down on the ground. Spirit power exploded from her, knocking her beloved back a few cun. He gaped at her in shock.

"Xiao Shen?" he asked incredulously. "Are you taking his side?"

"I don't wish to take sides nor choose between one or the other. We're all friends. We're a family. We're the Shrek Seven Tyrants. But Xingyun, I beg you, let Yong explain."

"Only because you asked, Xiao Shen."

Ming Yong stepped forward and told everything. When he had finished, Gu Xingyun lowered his head.

"Congratulations," he gritted out.

Everyone knew he was very jealous. Ming Yong rested a hand on his shoulder. "Xingyun, I came across this chance by accident. I'm not trying to one-up you."

"I never said you were."

"Then what's the issue?"

"There is no issue."

Ming Yong frowned. "Then are we good?"

Gu Xingyun nodded. "We're good."

But Ru Shenqi didn't believe him. She kept quiet though and turned to face Tang San. "Sect Leader, may I have a word?"

Tang San nodded. "This way, Xiao Shen."

The two departed and headed over to the other side of the camp. They stopped under a tree, and he looked at her.

"What is it, Xiao Shen?"

"I'm worried about Xingyun. I fear the Shrek Seven Tyrants will be broken up."

"His jealousy is strong, but I don't think he'd do anything to ruin the Shrek Seven Tyrants."

"Do you think he'd turn on us?"

"Are you doubting him, Xiao Shen?"

"I worry about his heinous spirit. It's growing stronger by the day. If someone sways him, it could be detrimental to us."

"Who could sway him?"

Ru Shenqi met his eye in all seriousness. "The former Angel Goddess, Qian Renxue."