"How about this—I'll give it some thought, and see how I can help you escape," Herta said, propping her chin and falling into thought.
She actually had several ways to help the six divine realms escape: using her own cosmic travel, simulating otherworldly energy, or even capturing a small star and detonating it to blow open the black hole—all could create a passage for the six realms.
As long as there was a passage, they had a good chance to get out on their own. Still, Herta didn't act on her own, not wanting to disrupt Lu Jingming's plans—after all, he was the mastermind behind the current situation. No one knew what would happen if the six realms burst out into this star system.
"Very well, we'll await your response!" Though there was no definitive answer, for the six kings, hope was enough.
Having been trapped for countless years, a little longer wouldn't hurt. Changgong Wei placed his hand over his heart and bowed deeply toward Herta's projection.
"See you next time," Herta nodded, and her projection vanished.
"Sigh, I never thought I, the great Hai Long, would have to pin my hopes on a stranger," Hai Long said with a helpless flick of his hair.
"I can feel Ms. Herta means us no harm," Ye Yinzhu smiled. Though there was no promise, hope had eased his burden.
"Yes, she must be a remarkable intellect. Helping us escape would be an experiment for her—she's unlikely to refuse," Tian Hen agreed.
"Alright, let's all prepare ourselves—help may come, but we must be ready," said Changgong Wei gravely, and the others nodded. They were fighters, but when it came to leadership and technology, they deferred to Changgong Wei and Tian Hen.
All they could do now was prepare and wait for the moment to break free.
…
"So it's them! I never thought the pseudo black hole made by the Golden Dragon King would connect to a real black hole space," Lu Jingming realized, receiving Herta's report.
The six divine realms had indeed been swallowed by the black hole long before Douluo's realm, and countless others had suffered the same fate. Lu Jingming had considered releasing the trapped realms to change the world and gain power, but Herta beat him to the punch.
If the six realms escaped, chaos would follow, giving Douluo's God Realm no time to deal with Douluo Star. The six realms, though each weaker than Douluo Realm's, could threaten it together.
If Herta helped them, and they asked for something in return, the six realms would hardly refuse.
When Lu Jingming first arrived in this world, he was wary of Tang San and the God Realm, always acting with caution. But as his strength grew, his apprehension faded. Now, with Herta and Mobius watching the God Realm, and the six realms as a wild card, he could focus on the upcoming Holy Grail War—crucial to his own godhood and Douluo's evolution.
With Tang San occupied and the God Realm in chaos, Lu Jingming could finally act freely on Douluo Star.
…
In the Heavenly Soul Empire, a majestic mountain range sprawled. At its peak, hidden in the clouds, stood an ancient fortress with the sign "Clear Sky Sect"—these characters were carved by Sea God Tang San himself ten thousand years ago.
Inside one of its rooms, Wang Dong'er slowly opened her eyes, a spark of intelligence flashing within—a dreamlike awakening.
Holding her forehead, countless images rushed through her mind, both strange and familiar. They felt like watching a movie where she herself was the protagonist.
"Lu Jingming!" recalled from her father's mention, she soon found his image in her memory: white hair, red eyes, more handsome than any boy she had seen—even more than her father—and an outstanding talent.
"Huo Yuhao!" she murmured, frowning. Why had she disguised herself as a boy? What was the point? She vaguely sensed another self far away, but could not connect.
Unable to make sense of it, she shook her head, got dressed, and decided to explore Douluo. Though she had many memories of the continent, she didn't feel much attachment—she'd only come for fun, but now she had a new task: to keep an eye on Lu Jingming for her father.
She couldn't understand why her divine king father cared about a mere mortal. In her eyes, all mortals were insignificant—the weakest divine official in the God Realm could easily crush any so-called Ultimate Douluo.
Pushing open the door, she found two men waiting outside: one with long green hair, broad shoulders, and gentle yet profound eyes; the other, tall and muscular, with close-cropped hair like steel needles and a chiseled face.
They were Niu Tian, the Clear Sky Sect master, and Tai Tan, the vice master—her mother's brothers, who had cared for her on Douluo.
"First uncle, Second Uncle, why are you outside my door?"
Drawing on her memories, she instantly recognized them.
"Dong'er, you…" Niu Tian's expression was complex. She was still the same cheerful girl, but the gloom was gone from her eyes. Although she still called them by their old titles, he felt a strange sense of distance.
"First Uncle, I've regained my memory. I'm Tang Wutong. You can call me Xiao Qi; that's what my parents do," she corrected him confidently.
Wang Dong'er was just the name they'd given her while her memories were sealed; Tang Wutong was her true name.
"Yes, you're not Dong'er, you're Xiao Qi! That was my mistake—I won't call you Dong'er anymore," Niu Tian forced a bitter smile.
Beside him, Tai Tan's fists clenched, his body trembling, eyes red.
Tang Wutong tilted her head, puzzled by their reaction, but didn't dwell on it. "First Uncle, Second Uncle, my father asked me to find Lu Jingming. Any ideas on how I should approach him?"
"You're not looking for Huo Yuhao?" Niu Tian asked, still somewhat hopeful.
"Why should I? Oh, I guess I liked him when my memory was sealed, but now that I remember, that doesn't count. You should cancel the search reward," she replied nonchalantly.
Before, she'd cared about Huo Yuhao. Now, with her memories back, that feeling was gone. The person she'd been as Wang Dong'er was so different from her true self—she could never stand the discipline of Shrek Academy.
Hearing this, Niu Tian was resigned—he realized Wang Dong'er was truly gone.