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One Day Later
Gu Yuena had fully recovered, though this vacation had been spent entirely in her room—she hadn't gone anywhere.
"Are you leaving?" She looked at Bai Xu and asked.
"Yes, I'm returning to the Blood God Legion. But… why aren't you going back?" Bai Xu was puzzled.
"I still have to participate in the Star Battle Network competition. But… are you sure you still want to return to the Abyss? Your abilities are too strange. The Abyss Sage Emperor will likely target you next." Gu Yuena was deeply worried. If the Sage Emperor made a move, it would be with the power of a god. In Bai Xu's current state… could he withstand it?
"Don't worry, I know my limits," Bai Xu reassured her.
"Then take this scale. Only then will I let you go." Gu Yuena held out a silver scale, her gaze firm yet pleading as she gripped Bai Xu's sleeve. It seemed she truly wouldn't let him leave unless he accepted it.
Bai Xu turned back, took the scale, and sighed. "Fine. But even if I'm in danger, don't exhaust your origin power to awaken the Dragon God's divine throne. I have many methods beyond your imagination. Death and rebirth suit me better."
"I don't believe that."
Hearing this, Bai Xu fell silent. Suddenly, fragments of time drifted around him, enveloping his body. Gu Yuena froze, feeling as though what she held in her hand had turned into nothingness.
"This is… space? No, there's also time."
As if light and shadow were flowing, Bai Xu remained standing in the same spot, motionless. Yet, the corner of his sleeve she had been gripping was no longer there.
"The soul rings bestowed upon me by the will of the plane—I've gained some insight into them. The spatial energy of Douluo Continent is unstable, making space the easiest to grasp. That time I helped you remove the imprint and glimpsed the past, I also gained some understanding of time. So, my words aren't empty." Bai Xu spoke seriously.
Seeing this, Gu Yuena finally believed him. Her stiffened hand slowly lowered as she said, "I'll wait for you to return…"
Bai Xu nodded and bid her farewell. Now, he no longer needed to ride a flying sword—a single step through the air carried him to the horizon.
From the Spirit Pagoda, Gu Yuena watched from afar, her eyes filled with unreadable emotions as she stared at his shrinking figure until it disappeared into the distance.
"Bai Xu… you truly are extraordinary. No one in Douluo Continent—not even Tang San, who became a god twenty thousand years ago, was praised for millennia, and laid plans for ten thousand years—can compare to you. All I can do… is wait, isn't it?"
"I hope you stay safe…"
---
Black Palace.
Headquarters of the Holy Spirit Cult.
"Empress, we've confirmed it. According to intelligence from our long-term spy in the Blood God Legion, Bai Xu possesses a martial soul or soul skill that allows him to summon a willow tree behind him. Its catkins seem capable of absorbing Abyssal energy and converting it for his use—on an enormous scale. He can almost influence a medium-sized Abyssal tide single-handedly." The Ghost Emperor frowned as he reviewed the report.
"Moreover, stolen confidential materials suggest Bai Xu absorbed enough Abyssal soul power to advance five levels in a month—with no apparent side effects. The Blood God Camp holds him in extremely high regard. There are even rumors that… if he were to devour the entire Abyss, he might ascend as a legendary god…"
The word "god" stirred the minds of everyone present. The Empress, who had been meditating, suddenly opened her eyes, releasing a pressure close to that of a true god, instantly enveloping the hall. Even the Nether Emperor beside her lost his composure.
All of them were demigods, striving to take that final step into godhood. Yet now… a mere child seemed capable of achieving it effortlessly. How could they not be furious?
The Empress sighed softly. "No wonder the Abyss Sage Emperor specifically asked us to eliminate him. He's too great a threat to the Abyss. Ghost Emperor, contact them again. In the near future, during the Holy Spirit Cult's assault on the Blood God Camp, ensure this person is killed."
"Understood."
As the others withdrew, the Empress privately doubted that a single attack could dismantle Douluo Continent's millennia-old Abyssal defenses. Besides, Bai Xu's existence wasn't entirely bad—she, too, had plans involving the Abyss. His actions weakened the Abyss, killing two birds with one stone. As for him becoming a god?
Hmph.
By the time he reached that level, he'd inevitably feel the suppression of the plane. Ascension wouldn't be so easy.
---
"Hmm?"
Within Tang Wulin's body, a faint sound echoed. Tang San's divine sense immediately sensed something amiss. Upon closer inspection, he discovered that the spiritual imprint he had left deep in the Silver Dragon King's mind had been severed.
"How is this possible? She actually removed my imprint?" Tang San's divine sense was shocked. This defied his expectations. When he had last sensed the Silver Dragon King near Wulin, she had clearly been in a weakened, human state. How could she, at a mere soul master's level, erase an imprint left by a God King?
"It seems… Wulin must grow faster. Son, some things have gone beyond my calculations. But… I've prepared contingencies. Your grandfather is still here… At least until you're strong enough to face the Silver Dragon King, he will protect you."
The Lord of the Plane, Tang Hao, was currently dormant—or hiding. He couldn't reveal himself until the final moment.
His son Tang San's ten-thousand-year plan revolved around the Abyss. If Tang Hao, as the Lord of the Plane, were to appear prematurely, the Abyss Sage Emperor might grow cautious and abandon his designs on Douluo Continent, severing the connection and retreating.
If that happened, Douluo Continent would truly face destruction. Humanity might develop soul technology to venture into space, seeking habitable planets, but for the resource-depleted Douluo Continent—and for Tang Hao and the Life Core, A'yin—there would be no escape. If Douluo perished, so would they.
Now, all hope lay with Tang Wulin. The Seed of Nature had already been entrusted to him, and the boy had proven diligent, reminiscent of Tang San's own heroic efforts.
Strangely, Bai Xu remained unnoticed throughout.
---
Blood God Legion.
Zhang Huanyun had returned to the Blood God Camp in high spirits.
Originally, his mood had already been excellent. The federal government's Star Battle Network had piqued his interest—he had personally traveled to the capital, Mingdu, to attend meetings and test the system. Compared to previous simulators, the Federation had not only incorporated artificial intelligence but, more importantly, made it accessible to nearly everyone, including ordinary humans. This would undoubtedly enhance the military's overall capabilities.
As a Federation general and the current commander of the Blood God Legion, Zhang Huanyun held a transcendent position within the military. The Blood God Legion's influence paralleled that of Shrek Academy in the soul master world. Many of the military's core officers had served in the Blood God Legion for over a decade before rising through the ranks. Thus, as its commander, Zhang Huanyun enjoyed a uniquely elevated status among top brass.
Now, he was reviewing combat footage of Bai Xu, Tang Wulin, and Gu Yuena battling the Abyss. After careful analysis, he remarked, "This is indeed good news. No wonder I was summoned back to the Blood God Camp immediately upon returning."
The other Blood Gods, including Blood One, saw hope.
Zhang Huanyun commented, "I've already met Tang Wulin. He's impressive. As for Bai Xu… is he currently with the Legion?"
Tang Wulin had been recommended by the Title Douluo of the Tang Sect and was closely tied to Blood One (the Coldhearted Douluo). Zhang Huanyun had missed his chance to recruit him, but Bai Xu might still be available.
Blood Seven replied, "Bai Xu returned today. Gu Yuena, like Tang Wulin, is participating in the Star Battle Network competition at the Spirit Pagoda's request and hasn't been active on the Abyssal front."
"Oh? Why isn't the boy competing? The final prize is rare metals for four-word battle armor, isn't it?" Zhang Huanyun asked curiously. As a 98th-ranked Title Douluo and a four-word battle armor master, he understood its significance.
"That's unclear. Bai Xu prefers absorbing Abyssal energy on the battlefield to rapidly increase his strength. According to our records, he advanced from rank 65 to rank 70 in a month—with no side effects."
"Now that's a treasure! Summon him to the Blood God Camp. I want to meet him. The rest of you, dismissed… Blood One, stay." Zhang Huanyun ordered.
A moment later…
"You acted fast. While I was away, you recruited all three of them into the Blood God Camp." Zhang Huanyun glared at the Heartless Douluo, displeased.
The Heartless Douluo chuckled. "Don't bother. Even if I hadn't moved, you couldn't have poached them. One is from my Tang Sect, and the other two are highly valued by the Spirit Pagoda."
"So what? In the face of external threats, factions mean nothing. Once they're in the Blood God Legion, they're mine. At least hand Bai Xu over to me for training. I'll handle the Spirit Pagoda. Those three are key to turning the tide against the Abyss. I can ensure their safety."
The Heartless Douluo smiled faintly. "No need to rush. They still need time to grow. Let's see who ultimately shoulders the responsibility of eradicating the Abyss. How about that?"
"Who do you favor?"
"Naturally, Tang Wulin."
"Why not Bai Xu? At present, he's stronger and more effective against the Abyss."
"Then let's make a bet. Whoever permanently slays the 108 Abyssal Emperors, severs the Abyssal passage, and ends Douluo's calamity will prove themselves. But I have a condition. Tang Wulin bears the responsibility of reviving Shrek Academy. If he contributes the most, will you—or the Blood God Legion—support Shrek in reshaping the continent's power structure?" The Coldhearted Douluo was confident.
Zhang Huanyun took a deep breath. "Fine. If that day comes and we no longer need to guard here, the Legion will recognize merit above all else. And no merit surpasses resolving the Abyssal crisis. If Tang Wulin achieves it, even if you treat the Blood God Legion as your private army, I won't object. All these years, even when the Tang Sect's headquarters was destroyed, you didn't return. I haven't forgotten your loyalty."
He paused, then added, "But… I suspect Bai Xu has a better chance. He may well be the next Legion Commander."
The Heartless Douluo smirked. "We'll see."