Tang San hides his whereabouts, harboring malicious intentions; remnants of the old era stir up undercurrents.

The night was as dark as ink at the edge of the Star Dou Great Forest, where a wretched figure was stumbling forward.

Xiao Ling's clothes were long since stained red with blood, and fragments of the Sea God Divine Armor hung from his body, making him look exceptionally pathetic. Scars from being burned by God-Defying Soul Power remained on his chest; every step he took pulled at his wounds, making him grimace in pain. But he couldn't care about the pain, only desperately running towards the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest. The figures of Su Chen and The women, the light of the nishen bond divine shield, and Ah Yin's words about the nishen inheritance echoed in his mind over and over, like needles piercing his heart.

"nishen inheritance... the will of the Douluo Continent..." A twisted smile tugged at the corners of Xiao Ling's mouth, his eyes filled with jealousy and resentment. "Why? Why can Su Chen get all of this? I am the child of destiny of the Douluo Continent! I am the successor of the dual God Positions!"

He thought of the talent humiliation in Suotuo City, the resource plundering in the Star Dou Secret Realm, the trampling of dignity at Shrek Academy, and the scene on the battlefield where Su Chen pierced the Godheads of three Main Gods with a single sword. Three instances of being crushed, four instances of humiliation; each time was like a deep cut into his heart.

"Su Chen... The women..." Xiao Ling's teeth chattered, his nails digging deep into his palms as blood dripped through his fingers. "I won't admit defeat just like this! The Old Era hasn't ended yet!"

He suddenly stopped and turned to look towards the Nishen Battlefield. In the night, the bonfires of that battlefield were still bright, like a piercing star burning his eyes. A flash of gloominess crossed his eyes, which then turned into ruthlessness.

He raised his hand and pulled a black token from his robe. Complex God Realm runes were carved on the token, emitting a faint pressure—this was a token of trust bestowed upon him by the three Main Gods when he defected to the God Realm. With this token, he could mobilize the remnant forces left by the God Realm on the Douluo Continent. These were secret pieces placed by the God Realm to monitor the continent, usually hidden in the corners of major Sects, Empires, and even the Spirit Hall, only waiting for the God Realm's command to appear.

Xiao Ling's fingertips brushed over the cold runes on the token, a flash of madness in his eyes. He thought of the remnants of the Spirit Hall; although Bibi Dong had been heavily injured by Su Chen, some of her confidants were still hidden in the Far North. He thought of the opportunists in the Two Great Empires who coveted the power of the Nishen Hall, long dissatisfied with Su Chen's actions of breaking the existing order. He even thought of those Lower Gods left by the God Realm on the Douluo Continent; though their strength was far inferior to the three Main Gods, they still possessed the power to crush ordinary Spirit Masters.

"As long as I twist these forces into a single rope, even if Su Chen has the nishen bond divine shield and the help of those women, he might not be able to stop us!" Xiao Ling gritted his teeth, clenching the token tightly in his palm. Black God Realm divine force slowly overflowed from the token, merging into his body and barely repairing some of his injuries.

He turned and ran towards a hidden valley deep in the Star Dou Great Forest. That was one of the strongholds of the God Realm's remnant forces on the Douluo Continent, guarded by a God Realm Lower God, the 'Shadow God'. This Shadow God specialized in stealth and assassination, and had once been a subordinate of the Asura God. He was loyal to the God Realm and was the only powerful combatant Xiao Ling could currently win over.

In the night, the trees of the Star Dou Great Forest were shadowy, like ghosts with bared fangs and claws. Xiao Ling traversed through the dense forest with uneven steps. The wounds on his body split open again, blood soaking his clothes, but he was completely oblivious. There was only one thought in his mind—revenge, to trample Su Chen underfoot and reclaim the 'Destiny' that belonged to him.

Half an hour later, Xiao Ling finally arrived at that hidden valley. The valley entrance was shrouded in a faint divine force barrier; without holding a god realm token, one would be unable to detect the abnormality here. He brought the token to the barrier, and the black runes instantly lit up, the barrier rippling open a gap like water.

The moment he stepped into the valley, a cold aura rushed toward him. In the clearing at the center of the valley, dozens of figures in black cloaks sat cross-legged, a faint God Realm divine force emanating from them, their auras cold and oppressive. Leading them was a tall man whose face was hidden in the shadow of his hood, only revealing a pair of eyes flashing with crimson light; it was the Shadow God.

"Xiao Ling?" the Shadow God's voice was as raspy as sandpaper, carrying a hint of impatience. "The three Main Gods ordered you to monitor Su Chen, yet you've ended up in this state and still dare to come see me?"

Xiao Ling endured the pain in his palm and bowed, his tone carrying a deliberate humility, yet hiding a sinister calculation: "Lord Shadow God, the three Main Gods have been killed by Su Chen and The women. Now Su Chen holds the nishen inheritance and has gathered the resisting will of the Douluo Continent. If he is not eliminated quickly, the God Realm's control over the Douluo Continent will completely collapse!"

The Shadow God's body shook violently, his crimson eyes staring fixedly at Xiao Ling: "What did you say? The three Main Gods have fallen?"

"It's absolutely true!" Xiao Ling looked up, a look of grief and indignation on his face, but a flash of calculation in his eyes. "Su Chen's nishen bond divine shield is infinitely powerful. The three Main Gods could not break it even by burning their Godheads, and in the end, their Godheads were pierced by Su Chen's sword. Now the Nishen Legion's morale is soaring. If we don't act, I'm afraid we won't even be able to keep this last stronghold!"

The dozens of members of the God Realm's remnant forces in the valley immediately became restless. They stood up one after another, their eyes full of terror and anger. The three Main Gods were their backing on the Douluo Continent. Now that their backing had fallen, these Lower Gods and God Servants were simply no match for Su Chen and The women.

"What are you panicking for!" the Shadow God lowed, his crimson eyes sweeping over the restless crowd. "Though Su Chen is strong, he has just experienced a great battle, and his spirit power must be severely depleted. Moreover, we are not the only ones on the Douluo Continent loyal to the God Realm." He turned to look at Xiao Ling, his tone carrying a hint of scrutiny. "Since you've come here, you must have a plan?"

Xiao Ling was delighted, knowing the Shadow God was interested, and quickly said: "Lord Shadow God is wise! I have already contacted the remnants of the Spirit Hall and the opportunists of the Two Great Empires. As long as our three parties join forces to form the 'Old Era Allied Forces', and launch a surprise attack while Su Chen's legion is resting, we will surely be able to wipe them out in one fell swoop!"

"Remnants of the Spirit Hall? Opportunists of the Two Great Empires?" The Shadow God's voice carried a hint of disdain. "What use can those mortals be?"

"Though their strength is insufficient, they have the advantage of numbers," Xiao Ling quickly explained. "The Spirit Hall remnants are familiar with Spirit Master combat techniques, the armies of the Two Great Empires are well-equipped, and combined with the God Realm forces under your command, the three together are enough to form an overwhelming force. Moreover, I have a Forbidden Token bestowed by the three Main Gods in my hand. At a critical moment, I can summon the Remnant Soul of the Asura God to possess me, and my combat power will be comparable to a Main God!"

The Shadow God fell silent for a moment, a flash of hesitation in his crimson eyes, which was then replaced by ruthlessness. He knew that once Su Chen completely established himself, they, the remnant forces of the God Realm, would surely be left with no place to hide. Rather than waiting for death, it was better to take a risk.

"Fine! I agree!" the Shadow God's voice was raspy and firm. "In three days, I will lead the forces under my command to the location you specify. At that time, we will together crush Su Chen and his Nishen Legion completely!"

"Thank you, Lord Shadow God!" A look of wild joy appeared on Xiao Ling's face as he bowed, but a glint of gloominess flashed in the depths of his eyes. He knew that the Shadow God was merely a pawn for his revenge. After getting rid of Su Chen, he would personally deal with these God Realm remnants and truly control the power of the Douluo Continent.

The Shadow God waved his hand, signaling Xiao Ling to leave: "Go back and prepare. I will be there on time in three days."

Xiao Ling bowed again and turned to walk out of the valley. His figure disappeared into the night, leaving behind only a wretched yet crazed silhouette.

In the valley, the Shadow God looked in the direction Xiao Ling had left, a flash of calculation in his crimson eyes. He didn't truly trust Xiao Ling; he only wanted to use Xiao Ling's power to get rid of Su Chen. After Su Chen's death, he would immediately clean up Xiao Ling and those mortals, take sole control of the Douluo Continent, and wait for the God Realm's next instructions.

The night grew deeper, and danger lurked everywhere in the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest.

The remnants of the Old Era were quietly assembling in the darkness. A massive conspiracy against the Nishen Legion was slowly unfolding.

Meanwhile, in the Nishen Legion's camp, Su Chen was sitting with The women, discussing the subsequent defensive deployment. He did not know that a fatal crisis was quietly approaching them.