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"What? The War God Temple handed the Eternal Heaven over to Shrek Academy? Does he intend to drag the Federation into a divine-level conflict?" Qi Changping was utterly dismayed upon receiving the news. He couldn't comprehend the reasoning of Chen Xinjie, the Master of the War God Temple and the Titled Douluo known as "Boundless Sea."
"Chairman, His Excellency Chen Xinjie has already resigned from his position as Temple Master of the War God Temple. The position has been taken over by His Excellency Guan Yue. Moreover, it seems he has gone to Shrek Academy. Many legion commanders have already misinterpreted this as the Federation siding with Shrek—and by extension, with him. They've begun following suit." A subordinate, having gathered the day's intelligence, hurriedly reported to the chairman.
"So, the legions backing the Dove Faction and the Neutral Faction have almost all aligned themselves with Shrek? What about the Spirit Pagoda?" Qi Changping pressed further.
"As far as I know, the Spirit Pagoda convened an emergency meeting, but there have been no subsequent actions."
"Good. Understood."
BANG!
Qi Changping was so furious that he smashed his soul communicator to pieces. Chen Xinjie was clearly doing this out of consideration for his old flame—this was nothing more than an attempt to compensate Shrek Academy for the damage inflicted by the Federation's two Godslayer-ranked soul ammunition shells with the Eternal Heaven.
Back in the day, Long Yeyue and the previous master of the Sea God's Pavilion, the Titled Douluo "Heaven's Chosen," had been a renowned couple. Even though the latter had long since passed away, was there really a need to grovel like this?
Does the Federation belong to the War God Temple, or does the War God Temple belong to the Federation?
And just like that, the last remaining twelfth-ranked Godslayer soul ammunition shell was handed over?
Qi Changping felt that these people deserved whatever fate awaited them. Choosing to extend goodwill to Shrek Academy at such a critical juncture had triggered a chain reaction. Ever since the five individuals returned from the Demon Plane that day, the information regarding Bai Xu and the Plane Lord had been circulating among the Federation's upper echelons.
Everyone was on edge, closely monitoring real-time developments. This was a pivotal decision that would shape the future—aligning correctly could mean soaring to unprecedented heights.
Of course, some legion commanders chose neutrality. After all, if they couldn't achieve godhood, why bother? No matter who emerged victorious in the end, their families would remain prosperous. The most typical example was the Southern Legion's Yue Family. Thanks to Yue Zhengyu's existing connections, no matter how much he pleaded, his father refused to take sides. At worst, the Southern Legion would lose Yue Zhengyu as a son, but the family itself would endure.
But now, with Chen Xinjie's actions, the Federation's War God Temple and the Sea God Legion had openly declared their stance. What more was there to say? Many legion commanders behind the Dove Faction—and even some from the Neutral Faction—immediately made their decisions, paying visits to Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect.
Now, only the Spirit Pagoda and the three legions backing it remained uncommitted.
As for the Federation taking the initiative to attack the Demon Plane... Tang Wulin and the various legion commanders had already explained that, on the Douluo Continent, he could at least rely on the Plane's favor to barely suppress Bai Xu's strength. But in the Demon Plane? That was Bai Xu's domain now. Things would be far more uncertain.
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Unknown Space.
Tang Hao and A'yin, reunited after so long, embraced each other, whispering words of love. Even after twenty thousand years, their affection remained as strong as ever.
"Hao... Bai Xu seems to have discovered our identities. Even Wulin's identity has been exposed." A'yin's voice was laced with worry as she gazed beyond the boundaries of their space, as if she could see Bai Xu lurking in the Demon Plane, watching them with predatory intent.
"No wonder I failed to detect Bai Xu's identity as an otherworldly demon back then. It was because of that lingering remnant interfering. If not for Xiaosan's timely warning, I might still be unaware." Tang Hao's voice was cold with anger.
"Was that the original Plane Lord? But back then, when Xiaosan helped us, he didn't sense that the Plane Lord had already developed its own consciousness. At the time, it was only in a vague, nascent state."
Tang Hao sighed. "A miscalculation. The authority of a Plane is inherently complex—even now, I haven't fully mastered it. There might have been minor oversights, preventing me from noticing the birth of that consciousness. But now... Xiaosan has already used two of his three opportunities. With the Abyss Plane lurking nearby, ready to invade at any moment, the situation is far from favorable for us..."
"A'yin, have you contacted the other two?"
A'yin nodded. "Da Ming and Er Ming are willing to help. They understand the gravity of the situation. However, they hope that, in the end, the soul beasts can retain a sanctuary—that they won't be driven to extinction on the Douluo Continent. I share their sentiment. Though I've taken human form, I was once a soul beast myself..."
Tang Hao agreed. "That was always the plan. Even if you hadn't mentioned it, I would have ensured it. Once Xiaosan's ten-thousand-year scheme succeeds and the Plane ascends, the soul beasts will naturally thrive. However... even with Da Ming and Er Ming's assistance, it might not be enough. Though they've reached the divine rank, they're only the lowest-tiered divine officials. Moreover, the Plane's suppression is still in effect. Unless they surpass me in strength, they won't be able to unleash their full power."
His gaze sharpened as he turned his attention to the Douluo Continent.
"Don't tell me... you plan to seek her out?" A'yin's expression shifted to alarm as she thought of the supreme ruler hidden deep within the Life Lake—the true overlord of the soul beasts, one half of the Dragon God's divided form: the Silver Dragon King.
As half of the Dragon God, Gu Yuena was an existence even Tang Hao was reluctant to provoke. If pushed to desperation, she could unleash her origin power, disregarding her injuries to fight at full strength—reaching the level of a first-rank god with mental power rivaling that of a God King. The entire Douluo Continent would suffer the consequences.
"She seems to have some entanglement with that otherworldly demon. And for some reason, I can't discern Bai Xu's past. Everything about his history is obscured—even the figures connected to him are shrouded in mist. Whether I investigate his adoptive parents, his master, or his brothers, all traces lead to nothingness. There's an inexplicable force interfering, blocking my attempts." Tang Hao's voice was heavy with frustration.
Because of this, he didn't know the exact nature of Bai Xu and Gu Yuena's relationship. At most, he could infer that there was some history between them—and that Gu Yuena held significant weight in Bai Xu's heart. That martial arts tournament back then seemed to have been Bai Xu's way of approaching her.
"If we can persuade her, our chances of victory will increase significantly."
"Given the stakes, I believe the Silver Dragon King will weigh her options carefully. At the very least, as a being of the Douluo Continent, she won't allow an outsider to seize her homeland."
"Let's have Da Ming and Er Ming approach her instead. It's not wise for us to meet her directly. What if she threatens Wulin's life? The Silver Dragon King has always coveted the Golden Dragon King's origin power—it's the only way for her to reclaim the Dragon God's throne." A'yin's concern was palpable.
"Then she will never regain her peak strength!" Tang Hao glanced at A'yin in his arms. In truth, this was primarily a test of the Silver Dragon King's stance. Tang San had informed Tang Hao that the spiritual imprint he'd left in Gu Yuena's mind had been erased. Her current allegiance was unclear, and it was crucial to ascertain where she stood.
Besides, they still had an ace up their sleeve.
The claim that only one opportunity remained was a lie. Back when Tang San had left the imprint in Gu Yuena's mind, she had only been at the Soul Ancestor level—hardly worth expending one of his God King's limited interventions.
The majority of that imprint's power remained sealed away. Only Tang San and Tang Hao knew the truth.
To these individuals, the Plane Spirit—the native Plane Lord—had become the outsider. No one cared about its sentiments. After all... without power, it had no voice.
The only one who truly commanded their attention... was Bai Xu.