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By the time Bai Xu returned to the Douluo Continent with the three women, the Will of the Plane had already resolved most of the trivial matters.
On the left side of the Will of the Plane stood Di Tian and the soul beast race under his leadership. On the right stood Qi Changping, leading the Federal Army, followed by several legion commanders, including Yun Ming and Ya Li.
As everyone witnessed Bai Xu's return with the Abyssal Plane in tow, they all bowed in unison.
"We welcome your return, my lord," the Will of the Plane said respectfully.
"There's no need for such formalities. I've brought back the Abyss. Once you absorb it, the Douluo Continent will advance further, ascending to a higher plane. The cultivation bottlenecks will be broken—this is what you deserve." Behind the Will of the Plane, Bai Xu spotted some familiar faces, even members of the Shrek Seven Monsters.
It seemed they had abandoned their former beliefs and chosen resurrection.
"No, this is something I must do."
The Will of the Plane slowly rose and turned to gaze at the soul beasts and humans, sighing. "Once, the beast race was dominant, preying on humans. To maintain balance, the world gave birth to soul masters to oppose the soul beasts. Over hundreds of thousands of years of evolution, the soul beasts have now been pushed to the brink of extinction. Sadly, I was stripped of my authority ten thousand years ago and could only watch as everything unfolded. Now that Tang San's faith on the Douluo Continent has been completely shattered, Tang Hao is dead, and I have regained my position as the master of this world, it is only natural that I continue to uphold balance."
"In the past, when I lacked consciousness, given the current plight of the soul beasts, the world would have birthed a Child of Destiny, nurturing them carefully to ensure the revival of the beast race. But now… you are all here. The secrets of this world are no longer hidden from you. I hope both humans and soul beasts will remember this: those who disrupt ecological balance will face divine retribution, and those who believe power alone grants them control over all will inevitably suffer backlash. Cultivation seeks both the Dao and the method, a beginning and an end—not tyranny after gaining strength, nor the desire to control the entire Douluo Continent for one's own benefit."
Di Tian bowed deeply. "The soul beasts will remember the teachings of the Plane's Master."
The Federal representatives also bowed, speaking in unison: "Humankind will remember the teachings of the Plane's Master."
"Good. For now, return to your homes. One month from now, we will convene in Shrek City to discuss the coexistence of humans and soul beasts. At that time, my lord and I will bear witness."
"Yes!"
The crowd dispersed, but Qi Changping remained. After discussions between Bai Xu and the Will of the Plane, he was asked to stay.
The middle-aged man, nearing fifty, showed signs of exhaustion. Recent events had left him overwhelmed—the future of the Federation, the remnants of Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect, the disbanding of the War God Temple, the establishment of a new political system… As the Federal Speaker, Qi Changping hadn't had a proper night's sleep in a long time.
"My lord…?" Qi Changping hesitated.
The Will of the Plane extended a hand, gently placing it on his forehead. "You have always been diligent, with unfulfilled ambitions. But this world operates on the principle of survival of the fittest. With insufficient strength, some things remain beyond your reach. Today, I grant you a shortcut to the pinnacle."
As soon as the words were spoken, a terrifying aura erupted from Qi Changping's body—Level 99, a Limit Douluo! In an instant, he had reached the apex, a gift from the heavens!
His appearance reverted to his youthful prime. Overwhelmed with emotion, he trembled, his breathing ragged. "Thank you, Plane's Master! Thank you, my lord!"
He knelt, overwhelmed with joy.
The Will of the Plane spoke again. "I know your thoughts. Proceed with your reforms. The Federation needs change, and I wish to see how far you can take it."
"Yes!"
Qi Changping departed. Now a Limit Douluo, standing at the peak of the world, he would ascend to godhood once the world advanced further—a meteoric rise.
With the humans gone, Bai Xu and the Will of the Plane turned their attention to the soul beasts.
Gu Yuena, Gu Yue, Na'er, Di Tian, and the other fierce beasts stood silently, their emotions unreadable, as if awaiting judgment.
The Will of the Plane spoke. "Silver Dragon King, Di Tian… and all the fierce beasts, I know you hold resentment toward humanity. From the time of Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao's ascension ten thousand years ago to this day, soul beasts have been slaughtered en masse, reduced to livestock under the Spirit Pagoda's control in the Star Dou Fortress, exploited at will. Even the Far North is now a desolate wasteland, devoid of any ice-attribute soul beasts. I won't preach forgiveness to you. To me, as long as the world remains balanced, it matters not who lives or dies. But your current stance is perplexing. In ancient times, humans were nearly hunted to extinction by soul beasts. Had I not birthed soul masters, the Douluo Continent would have become a world ruled by soul beasts. Now, the tables have turned—history repeats itself, roles reversed. To me and my lord, this is nothing unusual. However, if you still cling to the idea of exterminating humanity, I cannot allow it."
The atmosphere grew tense. Bai Xu stood firmly behind the Will of the Plane, his expression indifferent, as if prepared for a battle with the soul beasts at any moment.
Gu Yuena frowned deeply, as did Gu Yue and Na'er, their gazes locked onto Bai Xu and the Will of the Plane. After a long silence, Gu Yuena finally sighed. "Since we agreed to cooperate, I have already abandoned the idea of exterminating humanity. But in the negotiations a month from now, we demand the restoration of the soul beasts' most basic rights to survival and a framework for the future."
"Agreed," the Will of the Plane replied.
At that moment, Bai Xu, after much deliberation, stepped forward. "Gu Yuena, Di Tian… what do you think of the future of the soul beast race?"
"What do you mean?" Gu Yuena's frown deepened, sensing something ominous in his words.
Bai Xu swept his gaze across the crowd, lingering on the fierce beasts like Bi Ji and Xiong Jun before sighing. "To put it bluntly, in my eyes, the soul beast race has no future."
"Even if the negotiations grant you substantial benefits, over time, you will still be left behind. Humanity will always surpass soul beasts—in strength, intellect, technology, every conceivable aspect. In other words, your race is one that should have been phased out by the laws of natural selection, a fact proven over hundreds of thousands of years."
Bai Xu's eyes were cold as he pointed out the fatal flaw of the soul beasts.
"Hundreds of thousands of years ago, soul beasts ruled the continent, preying on humans. Back then, humans could only defend themselves with sticks and stones. Now, after all this time, humans can cultivate, wielding power comparable to soul beasts, aided by soul technology and mechas. Yet you still rely on your fangs and claws, no different from hundreds of thousands of years ago—only slightly stronger, nothing more. Even if the Silver Dragon King breaks the Dragon God's restrictions, allowing beasts to ascend to godhood, how many among you truly have the potential? Aside from Di Tian, none of you here qualify. In other words, this is merely a temporary solution. At best, you can maintain a fragile balance. But once the world evolves further, the Will of the Plane is not benevolent. When it inevitably deems the soul beasts obsolete, no one will be able to stop it. A new cultivation system will emerge, a new species will replace you, and a new balance with humanity will be forged."
Bai Xu looked at Gu Yuena and the other two women, his gaze profound. He had said enough—the rest was up to the soul beasts.
His words were no exaggeration. The Will of the Plane had already imprinted some of his system's laws, and perhaps new mystical beasts would emerge. What came after, however, remained uncertain.
---
Three Days Later.
Eastsea City, Eastsea Spirit Pagoda.
Leng Jiuming stared at the news on the Star Battle Network, still unable to process it. The names "Five Elements Sublime Art" and "Five Elements Extreme Art" resounded like thunder. His disciple had truly done it—reached the pinnacle of the continent.
"Really… this kid couldn't even come back for a visit. Does he think I've forgotten about the money he owes me?"
"Master, your disciple is still broke."
A familiar, calm voice sounded behind him. Leng Jiuming stiffened, turning to see Bai Xu, now fully grown, exuding an immortal aura as if detached from the mortal world.
"But I have something else as repayment." With a snap of his finger, a beam of white light drifted into Leng Jiuming's body.
"You brat…" Leng Jiuming chuckled, then froze as new information flooded his mind. The white light contained knowledge that could elevate him to godhood—even to the level of a first-grade deity.
Master and disciple stood side by side, revisiting old haunts and reminiscing.
---
Tianhai City.
Bai Tao's Residence
Bai Xu did not approach his family. His very existence had brought them immense hardship—days of fear and uncertainty. Now that peace had finally settled, with no further threats looming, he watched from afar.
He saw his younger brother, whom he had never met. The boy lacked innate talent, but Bai Xu could pave his path, ensuring he reached at least the Title Douluo level and securing the Bai family's prosperity.
---
Over the next month Qi Changping implemented numerous reforms, particularly in soul master education and the restructuring of major factions. He emphasized that the Federation's interests superseded those of individual families or persons.
Federal officials were stationed in every soul master academy as principals or vice-principals to ensure ideological conformity.
Schools existed to serve the Federation, not themselves. They were stripped of autonomy and military authority.
The Spirit Pagoda was also placed under Federal oversight, with spirit soul sales now regulated.
The War God Temple was disbanded, replaced by a new organization sworn to absolute loyalty to the Federation.
*****
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