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Upon learning about Bai Xu's recent activities, a federation-wide conference was convened to discuss the matter.
The leaders of various major factions—including the army corps commanders, the Tang Sect, the War God Temple, Shrek Academy, and the Spirit Pagoda—gathered together to deliberate.
On the maritime front, the commanders of the Eastern Sea Corps, the Sea God Corps, and the Northern Sea Corps each led elite teams to Mingdu, successively arriving and sealing off the surrounding areas.
On land, the Central Corps, the Western Corps, and the Northwestern Corps had already completed their mobilization. Their commanders arrived in Mingdu to make the final decision—whether to attack or negotiate. Given the strength Bai Xu had previously displayed, he was not yet at a level where the entire federation stood no chance against him. With so many Limit Douluos gathered here, there was no reason to bow to a lone individual with limited forces.
Even the Blood God Corps commander, Bright Mirror Douluo Zhang Huanyun, led a team of elites to the meeting. Though their numbers were small, every member was a seasoned veteran in battles against abyssal creatures.
At the center of Mingdu, the conference table in the command headquarters stretched over ten meters long, capable of seating more than thirty people at once.
At this moment, the table was surrounded by the federation's most prominent figures. Many major generals, and even lieutenant generals, could only stand.
At the head of the table sat two individuals, both bearing the rank of general. They were none other than Boundless Sea Douluo Chen Xinjie and Divine Brush Douluo Yu Guanzhi.
Two of the military's three top leaders were present, both of whom were also Limit Douluos.
To their left sat representatives from various soul master organizations. At the forefront was the representative of Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect—the leader of both organizations, Dragon Emperor Douluo Tang Wulin.
Tang Wulin was the only representative from Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect seated at the table. Behind him stood four Limit Douluos: Yuanen Tian and his son Yuanen Tiandang, Qilin Douluo Tong Yu, and the Tang Sect's Amorous Douluo Zang Xin.
It was evident that Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect had already regained their former glory.
Seated next to Tang Wulin was Sky Transcending Douluo Guan Yue, the newly appointed master of the War God Temple and a Limit Douluo. After him was the current master of the Spirit Pagoda, Silver Dragon Douluo Gu Yuena, who was on the verge of reaching the Limit Douluo realm.
Among the others present were representatives from prestigious families that had been influential for generations, such as the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—renowned as the world's premier support-type soul masters.
Further back, another family caught Tang Wulin's attention due to their indirect yet profound connection with him. This was a sect known as the Clear Sky Sect!
To the right of the head seat sat Dong Zi'an, commander of the Western Corps and another top military leader. Once hailed as the military's most formidable warrior, his martial soul was the Blue-Faced Wolf, earning him the title Fierce Wolf Douluo—a Limit Douluo.
Next to him was the commander of the Northwestern Corps, a scholarly-looking middle-aged man who always wore a faint smile, also holding the rank of general. Other notable figures included Heartless Douluo Cao Dezhi and other high-ranking military officers.
It was hard to imagine that a meeting of this scale—one that could have been convened to address the entire abyssal plane—was being held for Bai Xu alone.
Even Gu Yuena's expression darkened at the sight of such a lineup. These individuals represented not only the highest combat power on the Douluo Continent but also commanded millions of well-equipped, highly disciplined soldiers.
"I will now preside over this conference regarding the otherworldly demon," Chen Xinjie began hoarsely, glancing at Tang Wulin before continuing. "As we all know, beyond our Douluo Continent, the universe contains other planes—some weaker, some stronger, and some hostile invaders, such as the abyssal plane."
"Several months ago, during the battle in Mingdu, Dragon Emperor Douluo exposed the otherworldly demon—Bai Xu."
"Although he was severely wounded in that battle… according to Dragon Emperor Douluo, he did not die. Instead, he somehow escaped to the demon plane. The current situation will now be explained by Dragon Emperor Douluo."
Tang Wulin took over, speaking gravely. "Everyone, please look at the screen."
A massive virtual screen, nearly ten meters wide, materialized in the conference room. The footage showed a scene witnessed by Yuanen Yehui—Bai Xu, radiating five-colored light, meditating in the skies above the demon continent. Beneath him lay a desolate wasteland, the once-pervasive dark energy completely dissipated, with no trace of demons remaining.
"This scene was glimpsed by my friend, who accidentally peered into another plane. It is clear that the demon plane has been completely corrupted by Bai Xu. Now, in addition to the abyssal plane, we must prepare for the possibility of facing Bai Xu—a being with god-level combat power."
God-level combat power.
Those four words sent a chill through the room, drawing sharp breaths from all present.
"Pardon the interruption, but may I ask how Shrek Academy obtained this information?" The speaker was the commander of the Southern Corps, a possessor of the Seraphim martial soul. Due to his innate aversion to demonic energy, he harbored deep hostility toward the demon plane.
"One of the current Shrek Seven Monsters, Yuanen Yehui, possesses twin martial souls—one of which is the Fallen Angel. Normally, by the time this martial soul reaches the 90th rank, its user loses control and becomes a servant of the Fallen Demon Monarch. However, she resisted this fate and instead caught a glimpse of the demon plane." Tang Wulin explained.
"If I heard correctly, the demon plane isn't exactly benevolent, is it? If this otherwordly demon destroyed it, isn't that a good thing?" Western Corps commander Dong Zi'an interjected. Among the military factions, three corps maintained close ties with the Spirit Pagoda. Since Gu Yuena's ascension, she had not only preserved these connections but also expanded benefits for soldiers seeking spirit souls, ensuring the alliance remained strong.
"The critical question now is… what are the otherwordly demon's intentions toward Douluo Continent?" Central Corps commander Yu Guanzhi cut in. "During the battle in Mingdu, he clashed with Shrek Academy, the Tang Sect, the Spirit Pagoda, and even the military. Months have passed since then. If this footage is accurate, he is likely still recovering. Once he heals, if he returns, who can stop him?"
"Correct. According to federal investigations into Bai Xu's history, he possesses numerous abilities, wields a massive cauldron, and commands a formidable formation. He infiltrated Shrek Academy and even spent time within the Spirit Pagoda. Had it not been for Qiangu Dongfeng using him as a pawn, he might never have been exposed." Chen Xinjie added.
"It is clear that he absorbed the demon plane's essence to strengthen himself. The next time we face him, he will likely be even more powerful. So… is his purpose in coming to Douluo Continent to seize our world's essence as well?"
This statement was met with heavy silence. No one dared to answer, nor did anyone wish to voice an opinion.
Faced with a god-level threat—an unknown entity at that—every corps commander weighed their words carefully.
"What about negotiation? Is there a chance for peace? We could offer reparations to ensure no further conflict." A pacifist faction proposed.
Gu Yuena responded, "Unlikely. I know Bai Xu well. Unless we hand over those who acted against him in the previous battle, he will return for vengeance—specifically targeting those who attacked him."
Her words were unambiguous: the Tang Sect, Shrek Academy, and Chen Xinjie himself were all on Bai Xu's list.
Tang Wulin and the others frowned. If anyone understood Bai Xu, it was Gu Yuena. In a way, the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy were trying to bind the federation to their cause. Given Bai Xu's actions on the demon plane, it was easy to believe he might set his sights on Douluo Continent next.
After a long pause, Yu Guanzhi spoke. "The key issue is the otherwordly demon's objective. Perhaps we could send someone to probe his intentions… Didn't the Tang Sect leader mention a way to reach the demon plane?"
"Yes. Through my friend's ninth soul skill, we can access another plane."
If Bai Xu was determined to conquer Douluo Continent, they would have no choice but to fight. If not… the conflict would devolve into a tangled web of grudges between major factions.
But who would go?
"If we are sending someone, I have a candidate in mind." Zhang Huanyun said. From behind him stepped an elderly man—none other than Qiangu Dieting!
His eyes were dim as he spoke solemnly, "I will go… At the very least, I can resolve the enmity we provoked with the extraplanar demon."
He was volunteering to die.
With the federation already facing the threat of the abyssal plane, provoking a god-level enemy like Bai Xu risked catastrophe—especially if the two were to join forces. Given Bai Xu's ability to traverse planes undetected, the thought of him unleashing abyssal creatures directly over Mingdu was a nightmare scenario.
Thus… none of the military commanders were eager to make an enemy of Bai Xu.
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