In the distance, Aglaia, having successfully evaded the fatal blow, maintained her speed and instantly disappeared into the horizon, carrying the shaken Ma Xiaotao and Han Ruoruo.
Their hearts were heavy; the danger and strangeness of this world far surpassed their imagination.
The smoke of the battle at Luoxia Plain had not entirely cleared. The blood and residual spirit power lingering in the air were nothing compared to the silent storm brewing inside the central military tent of the Spirit Empire.
Bibi Dong had pursued Tang San and the others, and her terrifying aura, belonging to the God of Rakshasa, vanished into the distance. The resulting power vacuum was instantly filled by another divine presence—more brilliant and righteous, yet also incomparably cold.
Qian Renxue, clad in her brilliant golden Angelic Divine Armor and wielding the Angelic Sacred Sword, walked step by step toward the main seat, which symbolized ultimate authority.
She did not deliberately release any pressure, but the sacred aura of the Angel God flowed naturally, like pervasive sunlight, dispelling the residual gloom and evil energy of the battlefield. It also inspired awe and... allegiance from the depths of the souls of countless Spirit Hall (Wuhun Hall) Soul Masters and soldiers.
That was the light they had believed in for countless years—the manifestation of their spiritual totem.
Behind her, the six great Priests, led by Golden Crocodile Douluo, stood in solemn silence. They were like six imposing mountains; their immense spirit power was contained but ready, and the invisible pressure made the few Title Douluo previously affiliated with the Elder Hall, such as Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei, feel their breath constrict.
"His Majesty pursued the enemy. Before leaving, she entrusted the authority to command the legion to this God."
Qian Renxue's voice was clear and calm, echoing in the silent tent. There was no passionate proclamation, but it carried an undeniable finality.
She gave no one a chance to question her, setting the tone directly with an oracle-like tone.
This was not a consultation; it was a notification.
Her gaze swept over the varied expressions of the people below, finally settling on Hu Liena, who stood at the front of the Elder Hall group, her face complex and her lips tightly pressed.
"Saintess Hu Liena."
Qian Renxue spoke.
Hu Liena's body trembled slightly. She raised her head, meeting the eyes that held golden divine fire and seemed to see through people's hearts.
She saw calmness, dignity, and a hint of... an inexplicable oppressive feeling.
She knew that the Angel God before her was her teacher's biological daughter.
At this moment, all struggle, all unwillingness, turned into a silent sigh.
What right did she have to contest this? What could she use to fight? Faith? Strength? Or moral justification? In the presence of the Angel God, she, the Saintess, seemed so pale and powerless.
This was not just a transfer of power, but the culmination of a twenty-year-long grudge between a mother and daughter. She, the disciple, was merely an outsider from beginning to end.
She slowly lowered her head, responding in a clear and submissive tone: "I respectfully obey the divine oracle."
These three simple words signified the concession of the Elder Hall faction.
Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei exchanged a look, both seeing profound helplessness in the other's eyes.
Their loyalty to Bibi Dong was primarily out of awe and reliance on her formidable strength and iron-fisted rule.
But facing Qian Renxue, the situation was completely different.
She was the embodiment of the Angel, the ultimate manifestation of the Spirit Hall's faith. The absolute support of the Priest Hall further established an unshakable foundation.
To resist? That would mean opposing the very foundation of the entire Spirit Hall, meaning being instantly crushed into powder.
The two silently bowed, joining the other Title Douluo of the Elder Hall in expressing silent obedience.
The transfer of power, achieved in just a few short sentences, was settled with a chilling calmness.
Qian Renxue withdrew her gaze with satisfaction. Hu Liena's pragmatism did not surprise her.
She began issuing clear and highly efficient commands one after another:
"Golden Crocodile Priest."
"Here."
Golden Crocodile Douluo responded in a deep voice.
"You will oversee the central army, coordinating the overall situation. Ensure that all remaining enemy forces on the Luoxia Plain are swept clean within three days, and then march directly toward the Star Luo Imperial Capital."
"Yes, your will be done."
"Hu Liena."
"Here."
"You are familiar with the frontline military affairs. Assist the Golden Crocodile Priest, coordinate the legions and the Seven Great Sects. No mistakes are allowed."
"...Yes."
Hu Liena bowed again to receive the order, her heart a mix of emotions, yet knowing this was both an opportunity and a test granted by Qian Renxue.
Command after command spread throughout the vast army like flowing mercury.
Under the light and iron fist of the Angel God, the Spirit Empire army was swiftly reorganized and unified, transforming into an even more efficient and focused war machine.
Qian Renxue walked out of the tent, looking into the distance toward the Star Luo Empire. There was no joy of victory in her golden eyes, only determination.
"Unifying the continent is just the beginning..."
She murmured inwardly.
"Lu Jingming, do you see? I will possess my own power, my own world. Only then will I be worthy to stand beside you and witness the vast sea of stars."
On the main battlefield, the Star Luo Coalition Army and the remnants of the Heaven Dou forces, having lost their top fighting power and suffering a collapse in morale, rapidly disintegrated under the crushing assault of the Spirit Empire army.
Prince Xue Xing and Prince Xue Beng were killed amidst the chaos, marking the complete annihilation of the last royal bloodline and resistance of the Heaven Dou Empire. The Heaven Dou Empire, which had endured for many years, officially met its demise.
After the battle, Qian Renxue made a decision that surprised many—she spared Princess Xue Ke, who had been placed under house arrest in the rear and had long lost her freedom.
Looking at the shy girl whose eyes were full of fear, a barely perceptible ripple finally stirred in Qian Renxue's cold heart.
She remembered the innocent sisterly reliance and reverence the girl had shown her when she was disguised as Xue Qinghe.
"Take her away, guard her well, and do not treat her poorly."
Qian Renxue waved her hand, her tone indifferent, but it determined Xue Ke's remaining life.
She was not truly merciful, but for this harmless "sister" who had once given her a brief moment of false warmth, she was willing to make an exception.
For a swan unable to fly, to be confined to an exquisite cage and live out her remaining days was the best possible outcome.
If necessary, it would not be difficult to erase her memories and let her live peacefully as an ordinary person, forgetting the hatred between nations and families.
This trivial "softness" was harmless when compared to the path she was about to embark on and the sea of stars she sought.
With internal consolidation and external threats cleared, Qian Renxue's gaze was already fixed on the continent's final destination—Star Luo City.
The tide of unification was now set in stone.
In the Spirit Empire camp, within the central military tent that symbolized supreme authority, Qian Renxue was discussing the specific details of the advance on the Star Luo Imperial Capital with Golden Crocodile Douluo, Hu Liena, and others.
Suddenly, a barely perceptible ripple appeared in the space inside the tent, like a tremor on the water's surface.
The next moment, a figure appeared without warning in the center of the tent, as if he had been there all along.
The person was none other than Lu Jingming.
He was still dressed simply, with a hint of laziness and a knowing smile on his face.
His appearance was so abrupt, yet so natural, that the elite guards outside the tent did not even notice him in the slightest.
"It seems you have taken control of the situation."
Lu Jingming's gaze fell directly on Qian Renxue in the main seat, his tone familiar, as if he were just greeting an old friend.
Qian Renxue was not surprised by his sudden arrival, and a subtle, almost undetectable smile flickered in her golden eyes—one that she might not even have noticed herself.
She nodded slightly: "It was merely the inevitable trend of things."
Lu Jingming smiled, his gaze sweeping over the people in the tent with their varied expressions, lingering briefly on the tense Hu Liena and the wary Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo, before returning to Qian Renxue. He spoke in a calm voice:
"In that case, there is only one last thing left that blocks your path, hinders your true control over this world, and prevents you from stepping toward the wider heavens—"
He paused, his voice not loud, but it exploded like thunder in everyone's ears.
"—...That is your obsessive and insane mother, Bibi Dong."
"Hiss—"
As the words fell, the sound of gasping instantly filled the entire tent.
The Priests of the Priest Hall, such as Golden Crocodile Douluo, flashed their eyes and adopted even more solemn expressions.
Title Douluo like Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo from the Elder Hall changed color dramatically, instinctively lowering their heads, not daring to look at Qian Renxue's face.
Hu Liena, who stood beneath Qian Renxue, trembled violently, clenching her fists until her nails nearly dug into her palms.
The mother-daughter relationship.
This was the highest-level taboo in the Spirit Empire.
It was an unhealed scar between Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong, a chain of thorns entwined with resentment, disregard, and complex emotions.
Those present who knew the truth guarded this secret fiercely, not daring to utter a word for fear of enraging either side and bringing about disaster.
Yet, this young man dared to expose it so casually in public.
Everyone's heart jumped to their throats, cautiously peering at Qian Renxue's reaction out of the corner of their eyes, anticipating the imminent wrath of a God.
However, contrary to everyone's expectations.
Qian Renxue sat in the main seat, her beautiful face completely calm, her eyes showing no fluctuation, as if Lu Jingming had merely said something as ordinary as, "The weather is nice today."
There was no fury, no gloom, only a bottomless tranquility.
At this, even veteran peak Douluo like Golden Crocodile Douluo, who had weathered countless storms, couldn't help but look at Lu Jingming with surprise and scrutiny.
Who exactly was this young man? What was his relationship with Miss Qian Renxue? Why could he touch this taboo so easily without causing any dissatisfaction?
But the other piece of information Lu Jingming's words revealed startled them even more—he intended to move against His Majesty Bibi Dong?!
"No!"
Hu Liena could no longer restrain herself. She took a fierce step forward, disregarding her reverence for Qian Renxue. Her voice trembled with agitation:
"Teacher... Her Majesty the Empress is the legitimate sovereign of the Spirit Empire, the supreme God of Rakshasa. Are you... are you planning regicide and rebellion against a God?!"
She could accept Qian Renxue temporarily taking command of the army through strength and faith, as that was ultimately a power transition within the Spirit Hall.
But if the target was Bibi Dong, if they aimed to overturn Bibi Dong's position, that was something she absolutely could not accept.
Bibi Dong was not just her ruler, but the mentor who had given her a new life and power.
As Hu Liena spoke, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei also took a step forward simultaneously. Though they said nothing, their concentrated spirit power and vigilant eyes clearly indicated their stance.
The atmosphere in the tent instantly became tense, the air seemingly solidified.
Faced with this sudden tension and the hostility and determination practically blazing in the eyes of Hu Liena and the others, Lu Jingming merely smiled gently.
That laugh broke the heavy atmosphere, carrying an ease that was infuriating yet undeniable.
"Relax."
He waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over Hu Liena and the few elders. His tone was somewhat comforting, yet contained absolute certainty.
"Bibi Dong is, after all, Sister Xue's biological mother. We wouldn't commit such a heinous act as matricide."
He referred to Qian Renxue as "Sister Xue," a term of intimacy and naturalness that shook everyone's hearts again.
"What she needs to do has never been about killing, but..."
Lu Jingming looked at Qian Renxue, his voice steady and firm.
"...Taking back everything that rightly belongs to her, and making the Empress, whose eyes are blinded by hatred, relinquish the power she cannot properly wield. That is all."
His words instantly soothed the fear in Hu Liena and the others, but they plunged them into deeper confusion and struggle.
Relinquish power... To her teacher, how was that any different from killing her?
On the other side, the traces of the divine battle had reshaped the earth.
Bottomless ravines, crystallized soil, and the crackling energy residue still in the air all narrated the ferocity of the battle.
At the center of the battlefield, the purple, gold, and blue forces were still clashing wildly.
Bibi Dong was clad in the Rakshasa Divine Armor. The purple divine armor flowed with the most wicked power in the world, making her resemble a queen of destruction stepping out of the abyss.
Behind her, a gigantic and hideous Rakshasa Avatar stood tall. The Avatar's face was that of the First Generation Rakshasa God. Every roar and swing carried the might to shatter mountains and rivers. Fused with Bibi Dong's main body, her every strike contained terrifying power far exceeding that of an ordinary Second Rank God.
"Barrier of Annihilation."
Bibi Dong commanded coldly. An invisible divine barrier instantly sealed off all surrounding space.
The golden lightning summoned by Jing Yuan's General's Sword seemed to crash into an unseen wall, greatly reducing its power.
Xiao Wu's swift, flowing assault was also delayed by layer upon layer of spatial barriers, making it difficult to approach.
"Rakshasa of the Netherworld."
The giant Rakshasa Scythe swung again. The purple light in the sky descended in response, condensing into a colossal purple blade hundreds of meters long that traversed the sky and slashed down towards Jing Yuan and Xiao Wu with a soul-piercing shriek.
This strike was even more savage than before, filled with the malice and madness that had fully erupted from Bibi Dong due to Yu Xiaogang's death.
Jing Yuan's expression was grave. The Lightning Lord roared, gathering thousands of golden lightning bolts onto its weapon, which met the giant blade head-on with fierce defiance.
Xiao Wu also let out a battle cry, condensing all her divine power to a single point, aiming a soft-bone annihilation kick at the side of the giant blade.
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