"What just happened?"
Many Chaos Demon Gods were stunned. They had no idea what had transpired. Why had the Light of Merit appeared once again in Chaos City? They knew how rare the Light of Merit was. Until now, no one except the Lord of Chaos City had ever been able to obtain it.
Even powerful gods such as the Lord of Light and the Lord of Darkness had found no way to obtain the Light of Merit.
Of course, they understood its immense benefits for cultivation—an endless source of power and enlightenment. Yet, if one could not obtain it, then one simply could not. The Source of Chaos did not grant its recognition so easily.
"It must be the Lord of Chaos City. He must have done something to earn the approval of the Source of Chaos," a Chaos Demon God quickly surmised, his expression shifting into one of familiarity.
"I see!"
Realization dawned upon many Chaos Demon Gods.
If it was the Lord of Chaos City, then it was no surprise. He had already accomplished many unbelievable feats before. Compared to those, obtaining the Light of Merit once more was nothing extraordinary.
"As expected of the Lord of Chaos City. Incredible! To acquire the Light of Merit so effortlessly… how does he do it?"
"Who knows? If I knew, I would be the Lord of Chaos City myself."
Many Chaos Demon Gods engaged in discussion, yet none showed envy, jealousy, or hatred. What they felt was pure admiration, respect from the depths of their hearts.
After all, the sun is admired by all yet envied by none—for it remains too distant to compare.
If a person is only slightly stronger, one might feel jealousy. But when the gap is too vast—like that between a mortal and the sun—jealousy becomes impossible. Only sincere reverence remains.
Great Ax Arena
In a vast, ancient arena, a towering, muscular figure exercised under the weight of unimaginable gravity. Surrounding him were thousands of equally robust Demon Gods, their muscles bulging like sculpted iron.
These warriors engaged in intense physical training—push-ups, weighted running, lifting massive boulders—all to refine their bodies.
The entire arena was bathed in an overwhelming gravitational force, magnified a hundred million times. Even for Demon Gods, walking under such conditions was an arduous trial. Every step required immense strength, causing their muscles to tremble and sweat to pour like torrential rain.
Among them, a single figure stood out. His upper body was bare, revealing muscles refined to the pinnacle of perfection. Every fiber of his being contained unimaginable explosive power.
This was Pangu.
With just a single punch, he could shatter the chaotic void.
"You weaklings! Train harder! Push your limits until you collapse! You are not allowed to stop until you are on the brink of death!"
Pangu's roar echoed through the arena like a divine decree.
"Muscles! Only muscles are the ultimate pursuit of our kind! Strength alone is the foundation of all Demon Gods!"
"Forget those worthless supernatural powers and spells! They are nothing but tricks and distractions! Let the enemy wield thousands of techniques—I shall shatter them all with a single punch! With absolute force, I shall break all laws! I shall bring chaos itself to submission!"
"YES, BOSS!"
A deafening chorus erupted from the gathered Demon Gods. Their voices shook the heavens, their eyes burned with unshakable determination.
While many Demon Gods had flocked to Gu Chuan's Chaos Library to study supernatural arts, there were those who simply could not grasp such techniques. The reason was simple: talent and comprehension.
Even among Demon Gods—beings of immense potential—there were still differences. Some excelled in supernatural powers, while others did not.
Mastering countless divine arts required deep comprehension and intelligence—qualities that not all possessed. No matter how much effort they put in, some simply could not succeed.
Yet, this did not mean they lacked potential. They were simply meant for a different path.
At this moment, Pangu had carved a new path—a path of absolute strength. He proved with his overwhelming might that the pinnacle of power was not found solely in mystical arts.
There existed another way—the Way of Pangu—the Dao of Power.
A path where one shatters all laws with sheer force. Where pure strength alone dictates victory.
It was a doctrine that resonated with many Demon Gods who prided themselves on their physical might. They worshipped Pangu, some even taking him as their master, determined to follow his path and prove their Dao through strength.
Thus, the Great Ax Arena became the gathering ground for those who sought the power to break all laws with a single strike.
And Pangu, ever bold and fearless, welcomed them. To him, boredom was the greatest enemy, while challenge and excitement were life itself.
In later eras, it was this same insatiable thirst for challenge that led him to split the Chaos and create the Prehistoric World.
From the very beginning, Pangu was destined to stand above all.
As Pangu trained his followers, he suddenly lifted his gaze. A familiar golden radiance illuminated the sky above Chaos City—129,600 rays of pure merit descended from the heavens.
"Hmm… The Light of Merit?"
His eyes gleamed with fierce intent. He immediately recognized what it was.
After all, he possessed the Good Fortune Jade Plate, granting him deep knowledge of the Source of Chaos.
"As expected of fellow Daoist Gu Chuan…"
Even he could not help but admire it. He knew just how difficult it was to obtain the Light of Merit, yet Gu Chuan had done it repeatedly. It was beyond belief.
"It seems that Gu Chuan has grown stronger once again… I can't afford to fall behind!"
Clenching his fists, Pangu's entire being surged with a burning fighting spirit. He had always regarded Gu Chuan as his strongest rival. His previous defeat still weighed on his mind, fueling his resolve to surpass him.
Meanwhile, the Demon Gods in the Great Ax Arena also noticed the descending Light of Merit.
"It's enormous! As expected of the Lord of Chaos City—his power is unfathomable!"
"How many times has he been acknowledged by the Source of Chaos now? Just what has he done to achieve this?"
"As expected of the strongest Demon God in Chaos… His power is far beyond our reach."
"I wonder if I'll ever reach even a fraction of his realm…"
"Keep dreaming! While we struggle to progress, the Lord of Chaos City is improving even faster!"
"Doesn't that mean we'll never catch up?!"
A wave of awe and helplessness washed over the training Demon Gods. They knew that even a single ray of merit could grant them hundreds of millions of years worth of cultivation.
Just imagining it filled them with boundless longing.
"What are you all staring at?! GET MOVING!"
Pangu's thunderous voice snapped them out of their daze.
"If you have the energy to gawk, then run until your legs give out! If you've eaten too much today, then add 10,000 more laps immediately!"
"Y-Yes, Boss!"
The Demon Gods wailed in despair, their faces turning pale. Running an additional 10,000 laps under this gravity would utterly break them.
Yet they dared not disobey.
For those who resisted… would suffer the Iron Fist of Love from Pangu himself.
And no one wanted to spend the next few centuries recovering from his punches.