178: Path to the Gods

The endless Lightning Element power gradually receded, and everything was withdrawn from the outside world into his body and mind.

Ye Kong's heart was calm, and a touch of divinity emanated from his every move.

"System!"

"Ding—"

"The billion-fold enhancement system is at your service!"

"Open the attribute panel!"

"Ding—"

"Host: Ye Kong"

"Talent: Lightning Element (Divine-Grade)"

"Physique: Divine Body"

"Realm: Peak Honored One"

"Title: Asura Supreme"

"Energy Value: 0"

Ye Kong looked at his attribute panel, filled with emotion.

He remembered when he first arrived in this world, after testing, he only had an A-grade Talent.

He originally thought he was just a Mortal, but he never expected to receive the favor of the billion-fold enhancement system, achieving the Peak Honored One Realm and becoming a powerful expert!

What a twist of fate!

Immediately after, Ye Kong thought of many people and events.

Along his journey, many looked down on him, even wanting to kill him.

But there were also many who thought highly of him and gave him great help.

Ye Kong clenched his fist and looked in the direction of the capital.

Qing Wan, I am only one step away from becoming a god!

Thinking carefully about his next plan, it was undoubtedly to participate in the upcoming Ten Kingdoms Tournament!

Before going to the Royal Family, he should first bid farewell to Lin Yaer.

After all, this treasure hunt in the forest was thanks to the Lin family's intelligence.

For a moment, Ye Kong thought of his classmates at the Great Sage Academy, never expecting time to pass so quickly.

The days of hunting Demonic Beasts together in the Ten Thousand Race Battlefield were gone forever.

"Report—Asura Supreme Ye Kong is here!"

A Lin family guard ran to the main hall of the mansion, reporting to Lin Bin, who was playing chess.

Lin Bin immediately stood up and said to the surrounding servants, "Quickly follow me to greet our guest!"

As Lin Bin stepped out of the living room into the courtyard, Ye Kong had already descended from the sky into the courtyard.

Several Lin family experts rushed over, still wondering who could break through their defenses and enter the mansion directly.

When they saw it was Ye Kong, they immediately lost their temper, bowed from afar on the rooftop to their family head, Lin Bin, and then left.

Lin Bin saw that Ye Kong had already entered the courtyard, quickly stepped forward a few paces, and saluted Ye Kong.

"Ye Supreme's strength has greatly advanced again, congratulations! We did not come out to greet you, please forgive us."

Honored Ones, beings second only to gods, were to be respected wherever they went.

Lin Bin's attitude towards Ye Kong also underwent a subtle change as Ye Kong's strength further improved.

This couldn't be blamed on Lin Bin being snobbish; it was simply the way of the world.

Anyone with eyes could see that Ye Kong's strength had improved again since his return!

Ye Kong also quickly returned the salute and said, "City Lord Lin, what are you saying? You are Lin Yaer's father, and Lin Yaer and I are peers and classmates. You can just call me by my name, Ye Kong, there's no need to be so formal!"

Lin Bin nodded, greatly appreciating Ye Kong's humble attitude.

Then he said to the nearby servant, "Quickly go invite Young Miss to the reception hall for a chat."

"Ye Kong, please!"

"City Lord Lin, no need to be polite, please!"

Afterward, guided by Lin Bin, Ye Kong arrived at the reception hall, and Lin Yaer also arrived at that moment.

"Big Brother Ye Kong!"

Seeing Ye Kong safe and sound, Lin Yaer was very happy.

Ye Kong also smiled and greeted Lin Yaer.

Lin Yaer originally wanted to rush up and hug Ye Kong, but she suddenly remembered that Ye Kong already had someone he liked, so she had to suppress the impulse in her heart.

Everyone settled into their seats.

Lin Bin was not yet aware of Ye Kong's romantic situation, but as Lin Yaer's father, he naturally saw his daughter's affection for Ye Kong.

Seeing Lin Yaer's cheeks flush and her hesitation to speak, he thought his daughter was simply too shy.

So Lin Bin looked at Ye Kong and said, "Ye Kong, how did you feel about this test of your blade?"

Ye Kong chuckled a few times and told Lin Bin about the Spirit Medicine.

"I went to the Ten Thousand Race Battlefield, intending to test my blade, but I never expected that within this precious blade, there was actually a Spirit Medicine hidden!"

"After absorbing this Spirit Medicine, my cultivation greatly advanced!"

Lin Bin stroked his beard and nodded, saying, "Indeed, it is a rare treasure in the world. Ye Kong, you obtained this Divine Artifact, and your cultivation has made great progress."

"With the financial situation of our Lin family in Jinan City, I'm afraid we might not even be worthy of you anymore."

Ye Kong quickly waved his hand and said, "City Lord Lin, what are you saying?"

"Lin Yaer and I are classmates, and Jinan City is where I was born. As the City Lord, you protect the safety of Lin Yaer and all the citizens."

"This treasure hunt in the forest outside Jinan City was successful largely thanks to your intelligence."

"There's no way for me, Ye Kong, to repay you. If there's ever a place where I, Ye Kong, can be of use, just say the word."

Lin Bin was very happy to receive this promise from Ye Kong.

Putting aside Ye Kong's relationship with his daughter, any Honored One was someone Lin Bin had to carefully befriend.

Originally, Lin Bin was already satisfied with Ye Kong's promise, but he still had to consider his daughter's future.

"Ye Kong, my daughter is now of marriageable age, but the world is difficult, and it's hard to find a man she can entrust herself to."

As Lin Bin spoke, he looked at Ye Kong, carefully observing his reaction.

Ye Kong was startled, not expecting Lin Bin to bring this up.

Lin Yaer's face also flushed red at this moment, and she had a bad premonition.

"Father, why are you talking about this with Big Brother Ye Kong..."

Ye Kong hesitated, not quite understanding Lin Bin's meaning, so he said, "Lin Yaer is beautiful, and her own strength is also very good."

"From what I know of her, I believe her judgment won't be bad."

"Why not let her find someone herself?"

As Ye Kong spoke, he glanced at Lin Yaer.

As soon as Lin Yaer met Ye Kong's gaze, she quickly averted her eyes.

Lin Bin chuckled twice and stroked his beard.

Lin Bin quickly said, "Yes, beauty matches hero. If Lin Yaer can find a hero like you, Ye Kong, in the future, then I will be at ease!"

Lin Bin's hint was quite clear; if it were anyone else, they might have immediately stood up and asked Lin Bin for his daughter's hand in marriage.

But Ye Kong's heart already belonged to Ye Qingwan.

Lin Yaer was indeed beautiful and moving; if Ye Qingwan didn't exist, Ye Kong might have been very happy to be with Lin Yaer.

But Ye Kong was a devoted person and now only regarded Lin Yaer as his friend.

How could Ye Kong not understand Lin Bin's unspoken meaning at this moment? He chuckled awkwardly, then stood up and said:

"Thank you for City Lord Lin's high regard. I believe Lin Yaer will definitely find a better and stronger partner than me in the future!"

This was a polite refusal.

Although this might hurt Lin Yaer, it was better to make things clear.

Lin Bin felt a little disappointed in his heart. Where in this world could one find a young Genius stronger than Ye Kong?

However, he didn't show it, but rather said freely, "It seems, Ye Kong, that you already have someone else in your heart. Your future Dao is still very long, and your prospects are limitless."

"I must congratulate your beloved!"

Lin Yaer's heart ached. When her father first asked, she knew that Ye Kong was a devoted man and wouldn't choose her.

But for that one moment, how much did Lin Yaer wish that Ye Kong would be willing to be with her?

Even though she had known it all along, Lin Yaer's heart still felt an incomparable pain at this moment.

She and Ye Kong, after all, belonged to different worlds.

Seeing Lin Yaer remain silent, Ye Kong understood her feelings for him.

He sighed, knowing that staying here would only cause her more sadness, so it was better to head to the Royal Family territory immediately.

He couldn't relax yet; the Ten Kingdoms Tournament was still waiting for him!

Ye Kong quickly said, "City Lord Lin, next I will represent the Dragon Kingdom Royal Family in the Ten Kingdoms Tournament, and I must head to the Royal Family territory immediately."

Lin Bin was surprised to hear this, stood up, and said, "Really? You received an invitation from the Royal Family?"

Ye Kong nodded.

Lin Bin nodded and said, "With your current strength, participating in the Ten Kingdoms Tournament should not be a problem."

"However, this Ten Kingdoms Tournament is very terrifying; there have even been people with demigod strength appearing in the Tournament."

"Although you, Ye Kong, have advanced to Asura Supreme, with the combat power of a Peak Honored One, you may not necessarily be able to overcome the Dao of a god."

"The safest way is to embark on the path to godhood and become a demigod!"

Ye Kong nodded gratefully.

"I understand. I will embark on the path to godhood next and achieve the body of a demigod!"

Lin Bin sighed and said, "This path to godhood is extremely difficult, probably a hundred times more difficult than all the challenges you have faced so far."

"Gods, the ultimate goal yearned for by countless strong individuals, countless people have fallen on the Dao of becoming a god."

"As a City Lord now, managing various affairs, I still feel mentally exhausted and stretched thin."

"Sometimes I feel that instead of becoming a god, it's more comfortable to live as a commoner."

Lin Bin realized he had said a bit too much, chuckled twice, and said, "Just my personal opinion, Ye Kong, you are destined to embark on the Dao of achieving godhood, so there's no need to pay attention to it."

"Since that's the case, the road is long, Ye Kong, take care!" Ye Kong saluted Lin Bin, deep in thought.

Then he looked at Lin Yaer and said, "Ya'er, I'm leaving."

Lin Yaer said nothing, her eyes red, just looking at Ye Kong with a resentful expression, her throat choked, unable to speak.

Ye Kong no longer hesitated, turned and flew into the clear blue sky, like an eagle spreading its wings.

His sky was so vast!

Lin Yaer watched Ye Kong's receding figure, and tears rolled down from her eyes.

Lin Bin embraced Lin Yaer and sighed.

Lin Yaer suddenly hugged her father and burst into tears.

"Father... I'm not worthy of him."

Lin Bin gently comforted Lin Yaer, knowing in his heart that Ye Kong was no ordinary person and could not be forced.

At this moment, a scout entered and reported to Lin Bin: "City Lord, the Ye family in the capital has sent an urgent document, requesting all cities to search for Spirit Medicine and the best physicians, as their daughter, Ye Liting, is gravely ill."

Lin Yaer's heart trembled: I must tell Big Brother Ye Kong immediately!