"That plane is very special. Its energy level is extremely high, and it has even birthed a powerful existence that possesses the strength of a First-Class God despite lacking a formal godhead. Furthermore, it contains a weapon that has reached the rank of a Transcendent Divine Tool."
"Once the matters of this plane are concluded, I will head to that world and... merge it with myself."
Celenova's tone was flat, but her undisguised hunger to assimilate an entire world caused even the deathly silent void around them to ripple with a cold chill.
"By then, my power should recover to what this world calls 'God King' level."
This was her pursuit—direct and efficient. Compared to Phantylia's convoluted schemes and unpredictable machinations, Celenova trusted only the power she could firmly grasp in her own hands.
Hearing Celenova's plan, a playful glint flashed in Phantylia's eyes. She fanned herself more vigorously, letting out a light, mocking chuckle.
"Oh? Are you talking about that place called the 'Abyss Plane'? It sounds... quite interesting indeed."
Phantylia turned around elegantly, her eerie eyes curiously scanning Celenova's cold, perfect profile as if she were admiring a fascinating piece of art.
"I'm curious. You've always been the most impatient regarding schemes and verbal sparring. Why were you so patient this time, even taking the initiative to cooperate with that man's plan? You've even allowed yourself to be placed on the chessboard like a pawn for him to manipulate."
She paused deliberately, the smile at the corner of her mouth deepening.
"Could it be that this is the legendary... 'soul connection'?"
Celenova remained expressionless. She seemed deaf to Phantylia's teasing, showing not even a flicker of emotion.
They were Lord Ravagers, the heralds of Destruction, existences that struck terror into countless civilizations. Yet now, on this tiny Douluo Star, they were forced to serve under someone else, utilized as chess pieces by Lu Jingming. To say they didn't have any thoughts about it would be a lie.
But the situation was stronger than the individuals. Even they had to admit this truth.
The lineup surrounding that man, Lu Jingming, was simply too extravagant—it was borderline absurd.
There was the former Sword Champion of the Luofu, Jingliu, whose swordsmanship was divine enough to cleave stars. There was the genius scientist Herta, who possessed wisdom beyond the era and seemed omniscient. There was Ruan Mei, obsessed with the mysteries of life and possessing eerie, unpredictable methods. And then there was Acheron, the Emanator who walked the Path of Nihility and shouldn't even exist... any one of them alone was enough to be troublesome.
When these extraordinary powerhouses gathered around one person, they formed an absolute force capable of crushing everything.
Although Celenova and Phantylia were powerful Lord Ravagers, they were not here in their complete forms. Their power was severely restricted. Outnumbered and outmatched, they had to face reality. If they wanted to achieve their goals on this heavily protected planet and eventually leave safely to continue expanding the Antimatter Legion in the wider galaxy, their only choice was to temporarily bow their proud heads and cooperate with Lu Jingming's plan.
They would draw fire for him, create chaos, and apply enough pressure to help him unify this planet as quickly as possible. It was an exchange—a compromise. They traded temporary obedience for ultimate freedom and the intelligence or benefits they each required.
"While the feeling of being used is a bit unpleasant, if the final reward is generous enough, I don't mind playing a supporting role for a while," Phantylia said, seemingly finding it boring to continue teasing Celenova. She stretched lazily, her graceful curves faintly visible beneath her ornate palace robes, exuding a fatal temptation.
Her gaze seemed to pierce through this isolated space, projecting toward the distant Divine Realm, her eyes shimmering with greed and excitement.
"I heard that in the Divine Realm, there is a 'God of Destruction' who holds the authority over destruction, and a 'Life Goddess' who stands in opposition to him, symbolizing life and creation."
"If... I could devour both of these God Kings at once, making their opposing yet unified godheads my own..."
A morbid, fanatical smile appeared on Phantylia's face.
"Then, would I also become a supreme God King with dual godheads, just like that Sea God Tang San or our 'partner' Lu Jingming?"
For her, nothing was more exhilarating than a dramatic, aesthetically conflicting seizure of power.
Celenova had zero interest in what Phantylia wanted to do. Her thinking was always cold and pragmatic; she would only follow her own plan, step by step, toward her final goal. Phantylia was the same. They were colleagues and temporary allies bound to the same ship, but they were not the same kind of people. Both knew that once they left this planet and shook off Lu Jingming's shackles, their cooperation would end immediately.
As fellow Lord Ravagers, without the direct suppression of the supreme Aeon of Destruction, neither would truly submit to the other.
Celenova's goal was to head into the vast sea of stars to find the Abyss Plane she had discovered long ago, devour it, and make it part of her power while obtaining a Transcendent Divine Tool. Phantylia's goal was the God of Destruction and the Life Goddess residing high in the Divine Realm. After all, the authorities of Destruction and Life suited her personal aesthetic perfectly.
The space rippled like water as Lu Jingming stepped out, holding Xue Di's hand.
The scenery before them shifted violently from a primitive wilderness to a futuristic fantasy in an instant. Just a moment ago, they were in a vast, vibrant wasteland; now, a city of indescribable majesty and splendor unfolded before Xue Di and Bing Di like a miracle.
"This... this is?"
Even with her cold temperament, Xue Di could not help but show a look of unbelievable shock in her beautiful ice-blue eyes.
They were standing on an aerial walkway several hundred meters above the ground, composed of pure white bands of light. Transparent energy railings lined the walkway, emitting a soft glow and allowing an unobstructed view of the entire city.
Below them, there were no familiar dirt roads or streets. Instead, there were layers and circles of intersecting energy tracks that flickered with various colors, resembling a precision circuit board. Countless sleek, metallic soul-guided vehicles without wheels sped silently along these tracks, leaving behind brilliant trails of light in an orderly fashion.
Further away, skyscrapers hundreds or even thousands of meters tall rose into the sky. Their shapes had long abandoned the traditional square constraints of architecture. Some twisted upward like spirals, others bloomed like giant metallic flowers, and some even defied the laws of physics, floating quietly in mid-air like inverted mountain peaks.
Massive holographic projections flashed and changed between the buildings—sometimes a dancing virtual idol, sometimes a mechanical dragon soaring through the sky, and even giant koi fish made of light and shadow swimming leisurely through the air, scattering spots of light.
There was no dust in the air; it was as fresh as if it had been through the most precise filtration. What permeated the air was no longer just pure Heaven and Earth Essence, but a highly active composite aura—a blend of soul power and another unknown energy.
"Welcome back, my City Lord."
A soft greeting interrupted the shock of the two empresses as a gentle, pleasant female voice rang out from the communicator by Lu Jingming's ear.
"What, don't you recognize Sea Abyss City anymore?"
A soft, heartfelt smile appeared on Lu Jingming's face. He lightly patted the back of Xue Di's hand, signaling her not to be surprised.
"The change is truly immense," Xue Di remarked, clicking her tongue. It wasn't that she hadn't been to Sea Abyss City before; back then, it was already one of the top cities in the world, with soul-tool technology far ahead of others. But the current Sea Abyss City was completely unrecognizable to her. To say it was ten thousand years ahead of the world wouldn't be an exaggeration.
"Hmph, just a strange city made of tin plates," a petite figure peeked out from behind Xue Di—it was Bing Di. She still maintained her proud, tsundere act, her emerald eyes scanning the surroundings. Though her words were dismissive, her slightly parted mouth and eyes filled with wonder betrayed her true thoughts. She had never imagined a human city could be built this way.
"Let's go, I'll take you around."
Lu Jingming smiled, not exposing Bing Di's hypocrisy. He led Xue Di forward while Bing Di subconsciously followed closely behind. The three stepped onto the automated aerial walkway. The walkway slid forward silently, carrying them through this city of the future.
"That is a maglev rail train, one of the city's public transportation systems. It's fast and stable," Lu Jingming explained, pointing to a train whistling by like a silver bullet on a track below.
"Those are the city's ecological maintenance systems, personally constructed by Buer. They can simulate the most suitable environment for plant growth, which is why you see so much greenery in the city." He pointed toward several transparent dome buildings in the distance that looked like giant greenhouses.
Xue Di and Bing Di listened silently, their shock deepening with every introduction Lu Jingming gave. They saw soldiers of the Jinwei Guard in uniform piloting small flying crafts on patrol, their armor shimmering under the sun. They saw ordinary citizens in various styles of clothing, with confident and peaceful smiles, shopping in aerial malls or dining in floating restaurants. Soul masters and ordinary people lived in harmony here, without that deep-rooted sense of class oppression.
This city seemed like a brand-new utopia, independent from the rest of the Douluo Continent.
"A-Ming."
Just then, a familiar and gentle voice came from ahead. Lu Jingming looked up to see Robin in an aerial garden nearby, holding Lu Mingyin. Her face radiated the gentle light of motherhood as she smiled at them.
Lu Jingming stepped forward quickly and took the tiny child from Robin's arms, his movements skilled and gentle. He looked down at the little girl sleeping in his arms—she was as exquisite as carved jade. His face held only the purest tenderness and doting affection.
Xue Di and Bing Di curiously leaned in to look. Lu Mingyin's sleeping face was peaceful and adorable; her small nose twitched slightly, and her long eyelashes rested on her eyelids like butterfly wings. Her hair color was unique—a gradient of silver-white and pale purple, like a nebula, clearly inheriting traits from both Lu Jingming and Robin.
As if sensing her father's aura, Lu Mingyin smacked her lips in her sleep and waved her tiny hand instinctively, a sweet smile appearing on her face that could melt all the ice and snow in the world.
In that moment, the extreme cold in Xue Di's ice-blue eyes completely melted away. She carefully reached out a finger, wanting to touch the pink little face, yet she hesitated, afraid her own chill would freeze the fragile little life. Her movements were hesitant and clumsy.
Because she loved the house, she loved the crow. She held an indescribable feeling for Lu Jingming, and that feeling naturally extended to the child he shared with Robin.
"It's okay, Xue Di. Mingyin isn't afraid of the cold," Robin said, seeing her hesitation and offering an encouraging smile.
With permission, Xue Di finally gathered the courage to touch Lu Mingyin's cheek with her fingertip, treating it with utmost preciousness. The soft, warm sensation made her heart tremble. A never-before-felt emotion called "maternal love" quietly sprouted in her heart.
On the side, Bing Di's emerald eyes were wide with curiosity as she stared at the little sprout. Though she said nothing, her slowed breathing and cautious posture revealed her fondness for the child. She even secretly condensed a tiny, crystal-clear snowflake, wanting to give it to the little one as a gift.
"Robin, please take Xue Di and Bing Di to arrange their accommodations. I have some matters to handle," Lu Jingming said softly as he handed the baby back to Robin.
"Mhm, leave it to me," Robin nodded with a smile, then warmly greeted the two empresses. "Xue Di, Bing Di, follow me. I'll show you to your rooms. They're right next to A-Ming's."
Watching Robin lead them away, the smile on Lu Jingming's face gradually faded. He turned toward the other end of the city, walking toward the biological laboratory that was filled with both technology and mystery.
Ruan Mei's laboratory was always clean, orderly, and filled with the aura of life and creation. The air was permeated with a faint, unique fragrance—a mixture of various rare plants and nutrient solutions. Precise instruments, which Lu Jingming couldn't even name, operated silently, with vast amounts of data and complex gene sequences flowing across pale blue light screens.
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