The Sun Moon Empire was like a coiled venomous snake, calmly licking its wounds, accumulating its deadly venom, and waiting for the optimal moment to strike.
Every perceptive person on the continent knew that this seemingly peaceful period of preparation was merely the final moment of suffocation before the storm arrived.
All the Sun Moon Empire needed was the time when its internal stability was complete and its war preparations were fully finalized.
And this timeframe, according to the most conservative estimates of all strategists, would certainly not exceed two years.
Two years is not a long time in a human life.
But for the original three Douluo Kingdoms, these seven hundred-plus days and nights would be the final countdown determining the future continental landscape and their own destinies.
The clouds of war had already lowered to a tangible level, waiting only for the wounded behemoth that was the Sun Moon Empire to complete its final build-up before unleashing a tidal wave that would engulf everything.
This was the despair brought about by the disparity in power: the three empires knew the Sun Moon Empire was preparing for war, yet they dared not launch a preemptive strike to interrupt its accumulation of strength.
Because they, too, needed more time to train their armies, manufacture soul tools, and set up their defense lines.
Merely preparing defenses was already straining the energy of the three empires, let alone actively attacking the Sun Moon Empire. Fighting on enemy turf would make them even less of a match for the Sun Moon Empire.
The Sun Moon Empire's soul tool defense lines were far superior to those of the original three Douluo Kingdoms, and they were not afraid of a preemptive attack from the latter.
On the contrary, the Sun Moon Empire even looked forward to the three kingdoms attacking first, allowing them to wait at ease; after all, offense typically consumes more resources than defense.
Given the Sun Moon Empire's soul tool technology, which greatly surpassed that of the original three Douluo Kingdoms, their armies would find it incredibly difficult to breach the Sun Moon Empire's defense lines.
In the parallel world of the Douluo Continent, at the Skywater City of the Spirit Empire, Lu Jingming brought Gu Yuena and others to the city gate, which appeared somewhat rustic in style but subtly hinted at a tense atmosphere.
Looking up, the flag hoisted high on the city tower had been replaced. The imperial emblem originally belonging to the Heaven Dou Empire was now replaced by a banner depicting a golden angel surrounding a scepter—the new symbol of the Spirit Empire.
"Skywater City..."
Lu Jingming murmured the city's name, his gaze sweeping over the guards beneath the city gate, who were much stricter than in the past, and the complex expressions of awe, unease, and novelty on the faces of the pedestrians.
He realized that the seeds he had sown had begun to bear fruit distinctly different from the original historical trajectory in this era.
Due to the variable he introduced—specifically, the Desperate Survival Competition—Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue respectively obtained a hundred-thousand-year soul bone and a hundred-thousand-year Holy Mark.
More importantly, with the presence of the World Tree, which was rooted in the planet's ley lines and quietly attracted and materialized negative energy to accelerate world evolution, the Spirit Hall's power and pace of action were significantly advanced and strengthened.
According to what they had witnessed along the way, about a month ago, Bibi Dong, who had already inherited the Rakshasa God position, could no longer contain her ambition to sweep the continent and boldly launched the long-planned Soul Hunting Operation.
Several Titled Douluo from the Spirit Hall were ordered to launch a surprise attack on the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, one of the three upper sects, intending to completely wipe out the sect known for its formidable offensive power.
However, just as the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was on the verge of annihilation, and its Sect Master, the Lightning Douluo Yu Yuanzhen, was about to fight to the death, several unknown Titled Douluo of surprisingly strong ability suddenly intervened in the battle, forcefully disrupting the Spirit Hall's perfect plan and successfully rescuing the heavily injured Yu Yuanzhen and some of his core disciples.
Concurrently, the attack targeting the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, which was rich beyond measure, also met with unexpected setbacks.
Ning Fengzhi, due to his collaboration with the Group Jade Pavilion, had acquired a large number of fine soul tools, including a top-tier detection soul tool, which completely exposed the whereabouts of the Spirit Hall's sneak attack team.
Furthermore, with Sword Douluo Chen Xin's strength breaking through to Level 97, the power of his Seven Killing Sword far exceeded the Spirit Hall's estimation. Combined with Bone Douluo Gu Rong's defense and the ultimate support of the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda, the attacking Spirit Hall experts suffered heavy losses and retreated in defeat.
The continuous setbacks in two key actions, while failing to severely damage the Spirit Hall's foundation, thoroughly exposed its ambition.
Seeing this, Bibi Dong simply stopped concealing her intentions, directly revealed her God-level strength, and used absolute military force to declare the reorganization of the Spirit Hall into the Spirit Empire, proclaiming herself the founding Empress, viewing the world with disdain.
On another front, Qian Renxue, disguised as Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, acted simultaneously, secretly poisoning the Heaven Dou Empire's Emperor Xue Ye.
According to the original plan, she would smoothly ascend the throne, annexing the entire Heaven Dou Empire without bloodshed.
However, at this final critical moment, her true identity was somehow leaked.
Heaven Dou Empire's Prince Xue Xing decisively took action, carrying Prince Xue Beng and a group of ministers loyal to the royal family. Under the desperate protection of Lightning Douluo Yu Yuanzhen, Sword Douluo Chen Xin, Poison Douluo Dugu Bo, and those mysterious Titled Douluo, they fought their way out of the encirclement and fled south, eventually converging with the Star Luo Empire.
Qian Renxue, who had become the Angel God, could have easily detained everyone, but perhaps out of consideration for her past relationship with her teacher, Ning Fengzhi, or perhaps because some of the rescuers were individuals she found intimidating, she ultimately showed mercy and allowed the remnant forces of Heaven Dou to depart.
Following this battle, the Heaven Dou Empire's central government collapsed, and its territory was quickly taken over by the Spirit Empire within a short period.
Cities like Skywater City, which originally belonged to Heaven Dou, also changed their flags and submitted to the new ruler.
It is worth noting that because Skywater Academy, Blazing Academy, and Godwind Academy had joined the Group Jade Pavilion, Qian Renxue personally stepped forward to protect them, saving them from Bibi Dong's grasp. This allowed the three elemental academies to maintain their original independent operations under the Spirit Empire's rule, untouched by the ravages of war.
However, this action clearly touched on Bibi Dong's authority, adding further cracks to the already fragile relationship between mother and daughter. The divine powers of the Rakshasa God and the Angel God almost clashed in a high-level meeting of the Spirit Empire, signaling that this empire, governed by two gods, was far from being a unified whole internally.
Walking on the streets of Skywater City, Lu Jingming could clearly feel the turmoil of the old and the new.
The Spirit Empire's flag fluttered in the wind, the patrolling soldiers wore new standard-issue armor, and the air was filled with a mixture of repressed excitement and unease.
The continental situation, due to his prior intervention, had bolted like a runaway horse toward a completely unknown direction.
The Star Luo Empire had joined forces with the Heaven Dou remnants, resisting stubbornly, while the Spirit Empire, despite having two gods in court, harbored internal crises.
And the origins and purposes of those few mysterious powerful individuals who had disrupted the Spirit Empire's plans added another layer of fog to this turbulent situation.
In the central area of Skywater City, a complex of elegant buildings with scattered pavilions and terraces stood in stark contrast to the slightly tense military atmosphere in the rest of the city.
This was the headquarters of the Group Jade Pavilion in this world.
The complex seemed to be enveloped by an invisible force field, isolating it from the outside world's disturbances, creating a secluded, peaceful haven.
When Lu Jingming arrived with Gu Yuena, Fire Dance, and Ruan Mei, Shui Bing'er, Huo Wu, and Feng Xiaotian, who had already received the news, were gathered outside the main hall to greet them.
"Young Master Lu."
Shui Bing'er stepped forward first and bowed slightly. She still maintained her cold, composed demeanor, but her eyes held a new sense of composure and gratitude born from experiencing changes.
Huo Wu, Feng Xiaotian, and the others also bowed, their attitudes respectful.
They deeply understood that had they not joined the Group Jade Pavilion earlier and received the protection pre-arranged by Lu Jingming, they and the families and academies behind them would have been utterly unable to remain aloof and unscathed by the flames of war raging across the Spirit Empire.
Even Bibi Dong, the omnipotent Empress of the Spirit Empire, temporarily withdrew her probing tendrils, tacitly accepting the Group Jade Pavilion's independence, given Qian Renxue's clear stance and the mystery exhibited by the Pavilion.
"No need for formalities. Let's go in and talk."
Lu Jingming slightly nodded, his gaze sweeping over these familiar yet increasingly mature faces, understanding their situation.
The group moved into the inner hall and took their seats.
Shui Bing'er, as the temporary head of this location, began to report in detail the earth-shattering changes that had occurred on the continent during this period.
From Bibi Dong's bold initiation of the Soul Hunting Operation after becoming a god, to the intervention of mysterious strong individuals during the attack on the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect thwarting the sneak attack with sophisticated soul tools, and finally, the shocking turn of events at the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, the poisoning of Emperor Xue Ye, the exposure of Qian Renxue's identity, and the southern escape of the Heaven Dou remnants under the protection of several strong individuals to the Star Luo Empire.
Lu Jingming listened quietly, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest of his chair.
When Shui Bing'er mentioned the mysterious Titled Douluo who had appeared several times at critical moments to disrupt the Spirit Empire's plans, she slightly frowned:
"Young Master Lu, the identities of those people are very peculiar. Their martial souls are powerful, and their strength is extremely formidable. Especially one of them, whose soul power reaches Level 98. His martial soul seems to be an extremely rare, top-tier beast martial soul, resembling a divine ox but also filled with a fierce, murderous aura, capable of swallowing energy. He is terrifying. We have investigated extensively but failed to ascertain their origins."
Shui Bing'er's description might be filled with mystery to people in this world, but upon hearing it, it was like the clouds parting for Lu Jingming, Gu Yuena, and the others.
"Resembling a divine ox, swallowing energy... Level 98..."
A look of understanding flashed in Gu Yuena's amethyst eyes. She looked at Lu Jingming and said softly, "It's Xuan Zi. The characteristics of his Gluttonous Divine Ox martial soul are too distinct."
A knowing smile curved at the corner of Lu Jingming's mouth.
"That's right. It seems they, who were swept into the space-time tunnel earlier than us, have already begun operating in this world ahead of us."
This discovery explained why the Spirit Hall's originally foolproof plans had suffered repeated setbacks.
Xuan Zi, and likely Ma Xiaotao and others who might be accompanying him, their strength and experience constituted an exceptionally powerful force in the Douluo Continent ten thousand years ago.
Their intervention forcibly reversed a situation that might otherwise have been completely one-sided.
After all, Xuan Zi and the others were very familiar with this world, hailing from Shrek Academy, which had a continuous legacy of ten thousand years. Naturally, they had records of the history from ten thousand years prior.
This explained why the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was saved, and why Qian Renxue's identity was exposed even without Tang San's presence.
"There is a subtle difference in the flow rate of time between the two worlds."
Lu Jingming quickly reached a conclusion.
"We arrived only slightly later, but they arrived about a month earlier. That one month was enough for them to understand the situation and choose to stand on the opposite side of the Spirit Empire."
Gu Yuena and the others showed understanding, while Shui Bing'er and the others looked confused.
Seeing the confusion on Shui Bing'er's face, Lu Jingming felt it was time to reveal some of the truth.
The appearance of the space-time tunnel and the prior arrival of Xuan Zi and the others meant that the interweaving of the two worlds had already begun. Continuing to conceal it was unnecessary and could lead to misjudgments.
He slowly spoke, his voice calm, "Bing'er, Brother Feng, Huo Wu, we might know the origins of those unidentified Titled Douluo you just mentioned."
Shui Bing'er and the others immediately looked up, their eyes filled with curiosity and inquiry.
Lu Jingming did not answer directly, but posed a more fundamental question: "In your opinion, where exactly does our Group Jade Pavilion come from?"
Feng Xiaotian pondered for a moment, cautiously replying:
"Brother Lu's methods are extraordinary. Whether in terms of strength, Holy Marks, or soul tools, they far exceed our imagination. We have always speculated that Brother Lu might be from a secluded secret realm, or perhaps obtained a complete, long-lost ancient inheritance."
Lu Jingming gently shook his head, his gaze seemingly piercing the roof and looking towards the boundless starry sky.
"Your speculation is correct, but not entirely. We did not merely come from some hidden place."
He paused, then delivered the earth-shattering fact.
"We come from another world, a Douluo Continent located ten thousand years after yours on the timeline—a parallel world."
"What?!"
"Ten thousand years later?!"
"Another world?!"
In an instant, the entire hall was like a fixed soul tool shell being dropped into it, with cries of astonishment erupting one after another.
Shui Bing'er's ice-blue eyes instantly widened. Her usual coolness and composure vanished, replaced by shock and disbelief.
Huo Wu stood up immediately, her pretty face etched with the word 'impossible.'
The smile on Feng Xiaotian's face completely froze, his brain seemingly stopping its function at that moment.
Ten thousand years later? Another world? This was entirely outside the scope of their understanding, even more shocking than hearing that Bibi Dong had become a god.
The legend of a god still existed in ancient texts and faiths, but traveling across time and worlds—that was truly a myth among myths.
"Young... Young Master Lu... are you saying... you are not from our world?"
Shui Bing'er's voice carried an undetectable tremor. She had to exert great control to keep her words coherent.
"That's right."
Lu Jingming nodded affirmatively.
"The space-time we are from and your current one are two parallel rivers. Due to certain reasons, we were able to traverse time and space and arrive here. And those mysterious Titled Douluo you encountered earlier..."
Pausing here, he looked at Shui Bing'er.
"If my guess is correct, they are people from the same world as us. That Level 98 strong individual whose martial soul is the Gluttonous Divine Ox is named Xuan Zi. In our world, he is a top expert at the continent's number one academy, Shrek Academy."
Gu Yuena calmly added from the side:
"In other words, the ones stirring up the continental situation and saving the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Heaven Dou remnants are visitors from a parallel world."
The amount of information was too massive; Shui Bing'er and the others felt their heads buzzing.
They needed time to digest this groundbreaking truth.
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