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The group of soul beasts stared blankly at the scene before them. After a moment of stunned silence, they bowed deeply to Bai Xu.
Di Tian spoke solemnly, "Your kindness is more than enough, whether it be the guidance in cultivation or the gift of immortal herbs. This has already repaid any debt between us."
The other soul beasts echoed in unison, "We thank the Immortal Lord!"
"Don't rush. There's one last thing," Bai Xu sighed softly.
Then, within his heavenly eye, a surge of primordial yellow qi flickered—as if fate itself were making a choice, or as if the will of the world could not bear to see the soul beasts perish. Thus, under the watchful eyes of all, Bai Xu's creation manifested a Three-Eyed Golden Lion.
"The Emperor's Auspicious Beast!" Chi Wang exclaimed in shock. Back then, he had been the one responsible for taking care of the beast, so he was all too familiar with this aura of destiny!
"This auspicious beast can ensure the soul beasts' prosperity for another ten thousand years. I've made some adjustments to it, so for now, the Plane's Master, Tang Hao, won't detect it. Cherish it well," Bai Xu said.
Di Tian's breathing grew slightly ragged as he commanded, "Bi Ji, you will take care of the Auspicious Beast."
"With this, all karma is settled."
A spatial vortex rippled, and Bai Xu's figure gradually faded, disappearing without a trace.
Gu Yuena had been standing silently by the entire time, not uttering a word.
Di Tian sighed, his expression melancholic as he surveyed their surroundings. "My Sovereign… perhaps you were right. It was our shortsightedness. Back then, we should have established a deeper cooperative relationship with Bai Xu, forged more karmic ties with him."
"What's done is done. And even if we had given more, it would only have been minor favors—not enough to compel him to aid us. If we wish to restore our kind, we must rely on ourselves."
Gu Yuena spoke softly, "You're approaching your 900,000-year heavenly tribulation, aren't you?"
Di Tian smiled bitterly. "Yes, my Sovereign."
"Do you have confidence in overcoming it?"
Di Tian shook his head. Given the current circumstances, he would undoubtedly perish, his Dao extinguished.
Gu Yuena waved her hand, and a silver radiance enveloped Di Tian's body, seemingly slowing the growth of his cultivation and delaying the arrival of the tribulation as much as possible.
"The future will be a grand world. As the plane ascends, the limits of cultivation will naturally expand. Your opportunity lies in the future, so you must make the most of the present."
"Yes!" The seven great soul beasts responded in unison.
"My Sovereign, recently I've sensed that Er Ming has left the Ten Thousand Beast Platform, leaving only Da Ming to sustain it. With the Dragon God's Core, it can barely remain stable," Di Tian reported.
"Do you know where he went?" Gu Yuena asked.
"To avoid detection, I did not follow him."
"Very well. I understand. However… you're aware of the upcoming martial competition for my hand in marriage, correct?"
Di Tian held a position within the Spirit Pagoda—no, all the soul beasts had human identities. They remained hidden, serving as administrators of the Ten Thousand Beast Platform and as the Silver Dragon Princess's most trusted subordinates.
"Yes, but isn't this a trap designed for Bai Xu?" Di Tian answered truthfully.
"He seeks to refine himself through great battles and is nearing the final stage of his path. Bai Xu has already mastered the divine abilities of space and time, and now, by manifesting the Auspicious Beast, he has grasped the power of destiny… Only karma remains." Gu Yuena murmured.
Di Tian's pupils constricted slightly. Time, space, and destiny were all supreme paths, but the final one—karma…
He asked, "My Sovereign, what would happen if one were to unite all four?"
Di Tian had never met the other Bai Xu, nor did he know of the "The Heaven of Selfless Transformation." But Gu Yuena had seen him, and Bai Xu had told her…
The other Bai Xu wanted him to comprehend something through these four paths.
Gu Yuena's gaze grew distant as she sighed. "Who knows? Perhaps the entire Douluo Continent could be destroyed."
Recalling the memories of "Gu Yue," the other Bai Xu was a relentless pursuer of the Dao. His life held no regrets—he had personally bid farewell to his loved ones, his Dao heart unshakable, allowing him to reach this stage.
If he were to descend…
No one would survive except Bai Xu himself.
---
Preparing for the martial competition was no simple task. Even the Spirit Pagoda had spent a long time making arrangements, ensuring they were fully prepared to reclaim their dignity in front of the entire Federation.
How would they achieve this?
If Bai Xu dared to come alone, then before the eyes of the masses, the people would witness his death.
Skipping past the tedious preliminary rounds, tomorrow would mark the final day of the competition—the day the Silver Dragon Princess would choose her groom. A trap had long been set, with even the spectator stands of the Mingdu Stadium equipped with high-level soul barrier systems to isolate the aftermath of battle.
It was worth noting that, just like in the original timeline, Tang Wulin had infiltrated the competition under the alias "Yu Longyue," along with the son of the Demon Empress.
Unfortunately, Bai Xu's name was not among the finalists. At his current level of power, he could come and go as he pleased—no one could restrain him!
However, as Gu Yuena's competition grew more heated, rumors began to spread. Someone had uncovered her past relationship with Bai Xu, now a wanted criminal labeled as a dark soul master by the Federation.
Combined with Bai Xu's destruction of four Spirit Pagoda branch towers, many speculated whether this competition was a deliberate ploy by the Spirit Pagoda.
But that no longer mattered. No one believed Bai Xu would appear at the Spirit Pagoda's headquarters, surrounded by countless powerful figures.
It was absurd—even a Limit Douluo would perish here. With Qiangu Donfeng personally overseeing the event, along with the Pagoda's leaders, the super Douluo of the founding families, and numerous elders and guardians, there were nearly a dozen super Douluo present.
Such a lineup was terrifying.
---
One Day Later.
At the venue, seated on the main platform, Qiangu Zhangting clenched the armrests of his chair, veins bulging on his forehead, revealing his turbulent emotions. His expression was slightly twisted with suppressed fury.
Yes, he had been eliminated.
After multiple rounds of screening, the master of the Sea God's Pavilion, Tang Wulin, had participated under the alias "Yu Longyue." His motives were unclear, but it seemed he wasn't here for Gu Yuena.
Qiangu Dongfeng, seated at the center, paid no attention to his grandson's agitation. Instead, his gaze was grave as he glanced at Gu Yuena before looking up at the sky.
Gu Yuena sat beside Qiangu Dongfeng. Today, she wore a rare silver dress, her long silver hair cascading down her back. Though her makeup was light, her beauty was breathtaking.
Among the Federation's high-ranking officials, Qi Changping was also present. He understood the undercurrents of today's event—the Spirit Pagoda was no benevolent force. In his eyes, they were no different from Shrek Academy: autonomous, beyond the Federation's control, and wealthy enough to rival nations.
If they harbored ulterior motives, like the Tang Sect, the Federation would be powerless to stop them.
But… the Spirit Pagoda was nearing its end.
"The finalists will now have the opportunity to impress Lady Gu Yuena," the announcer declared enthusiastically. "Shortly, Lady Gu Yuena will ascend the platform. Each participant may present a gift, demonstrate their strength, or speak words to win her favor. She may also pose questions or request sparring matches. After all presentations, she will make her final choice."
As the crowd cheered, Gu Yuena stood—but then froze, her eyes widening as she looked toward the sky, a thousand meters above.
There, a figure clad in black robes gazed down indifferently, having only just revealed a trace of his aura to draw attention.
In the next moment, Qiangu Dongfeng, Qiangu Zhangting, and the hidden super Douluo all shuddered in dread.
This aura was too detached—for an instant, the world itself seemed to turn monochrome, devoid of killing intent, only an overwhelming sense of indifference toward all living things.
It made them feel insignificant, as if they were mere ants gazing up at an unfathomable existence. In their eyes, Bai Xu's form expanded endlessly, becoming boundless.
Yet at that moment, Bai Xu turned his head, sensing a gaze upon him from afar.
---
In a Nameless Void.
Tang Hao slowly opened his eyes. "As Xiao San predicted… an outsider. But it's not too late yet."
---
Back at the Venue.
A furious roar erupted:
"You fiend! How dare you show yourself here today? Prepare to die!"