At that moment, countless fathers across the Douluo Continent understood Yu Yuanzhen's approach and fell into thoughtful silence.
At the same time, countless sons couldn't help but feel a bitter lump in their throats.
It was easy to imagine that, for a long time to come, scenes of genuine—or even exaggerated—filial devotion and fatherly affection would become increasingly common throughout both Douluo Continents.
---
The Heavenly Screen Continues...
No one noticed what Yu Yuanzhen was thinking, and he chose not to explain himself.
After all, the secret of becoming a god was already enough for everyone present to digest.
However, Yu Xiaogang soon thought of another important question.
"Does that mean Spirit Beasts have no way of becoming gods?"
Otherwise, Arou—who knew so many secrets—would never have sought cooperation with them.
Arou's expression dimmed slightly.
"That's right... Spirit Beasts have no direct path to godhood."
"Or perhaps there is one... but it isn't a path we can walk."
"Can't?" Yu Xiaogang asked with raised eyebrows.
Arou nodded.
"Earlier, you asked what happens after a Spirit Beast reaches one hundred thousand years of cultivation."
"At that point, every Spirit Beast faces two choices."
"The first is to continue living as a Spirit Beast."
"The second is to transform into a human."
"I don't know why these choices exist, but once a Spirit Beast chooses to become human, all of its cultivation is reset to zero."
"From then on, it awakens a Martial Spirit just like humans do and begins cultivating again."
"As for those who remain Spirit Beasts..."
"When their cultivation reaches two hundred thousand years, they must face a Heavenly Tribulation."
As she spoke, Arou's face grew noticeably paler.
The reason she had chosen to transform into a human wasn't only because she was curious about the human world.
She also knew very well...
She simply wasn't strong enough to survive that terrifying tribulation.
"It is a Heavenly Lightning Tribulation."
"It's as though the heavens are testing whether Spirit Beasts deserve to continue existing."
"If we survive it, our strength increases dramatically, allowing us to become a Two-Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Beast."
"Then we wait for the next Lightning Tribulation."
"But if we fail..."
She didn't finish the sentence.
She didn't have to.
Everyone understood that failure meant only one thing...
Death.
"A Heavenly Lightning Tribulation..."
Yu Yuanzhen and the others exchanged glances.
The world truly was unfair.
Spirit Beasts simply lived their lives, cultivating year after year...
Only for heaven itself to suddenly strike them down with lightning, questioning whether they deserved to continue living.
Who could possibly argue against that?
Arou continued quietly.
"And that's precisely why it is almost impossible for Spirit Beasts to become gods."
"To achieve godhood, I believe a Spirit Beast would need to survive at least nine Heavenly Lightning Tribulations."
"I even suspect that reaching one million years of cultivation requires facing an unprecedented final tribulation."
"Honestly..."
"I can't imagine any Spirit Beast surviving something like that."
She had personally witnessed an elder Spirit Beast endure a Lightning Tribulation.
It was because she had seen it with her own eyes that she fully understood its terrifying power.
She simply couldn't imagine how powerful a Spirit Beast would have to be to survive nine tribulations—or even the legendary one-million-year tribulation.
(Somewhere deep within the Star Dou Great Forest, a certain million-year Spirit Beast suddenly sneezed.)
"Who keeps talking about me?"
Yu Xiaogang smiled faintly.
"So... how many Lightning Tribulations has the strongest Spirit Beast in the Star Dou Great Forest survived?"
He had always been curious about the mysterious Star Dou Great Forest and the beings that ruled it.
Yu Yuanzhen and the others also listened attentively.
Unfortunately...
Arou shook her head.
"That question is beyond what I'm willing to answer."
She looked directly at Yu Xiaogang.
"Although I wish to cooperate with you..."
"That doesn't mean I've betrayed the Spirit Beast race."
"I don't want to become a traitor in the eyes of my seniors."
Yu Xiaogang looked disappointed but quickly understood her position.
After all, they had only known each other for a few hours.
The fact that Arou had already revealed so many secrets was remarkable in itself.
He had no intention of pushing her any further.
Turning toward his father, Yu Xiaogang asked,
"Father... what do you think about cooperating with her?"
"I'm in favor of it."
Hearing those words, Arou quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
The most important person had agreed.
Yu Yuanzhen nodded.
"We've actually been leaning toward cooperation from the very beginning."
"The information Arou has provided is invaluable."
"If everything she's said is true, then it's more than enough to make up for the doubts caused by her earlier secrecy."
Information should never be underestimated.
Sometimes, a single crucial piece of information is worth more than a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Bone.
With this knowledge, they could prepare well in advance.
Preparation often made the difference between victory and defeat.
If, after learning so many secrets and making every possible preparation, they still failed...
Then perhaps Heaven itself simply wasn't on their side.
Yu Yuanzhen smiled.
"Then it's settled."
"Our cooperation begins today."
"Wonderful!"
Arou clenched her fists happily, unable to hide the excitement on her face.
She had successfully formed an alliance with someone who possessed the potential to become a god.
Through continued cooperation, trust would gradually grow.
If Yu Xiaogang eventually ascended to godhood...
Perhaps she could follow him and obtain the same opportunity.
From that moment onward, Arou silently made up her mind.
She would protect Yu Xiaogang with everything she had.
Even if it meant...
Sacrificing her own life.
A determined light flashed in her eyes.
No matter what... she would never let go of this opportunity.
---
Black World — Star Dou Great Forest
Inside the hidden space above the Lake of Life, several powerful Spirit Beasts silently watched the Heavenly Screen.
"So..."
"That rabbit from the parallel world intends to become a god through Yu Xiaogang?"
Another Spirit Beast replied calmly,
"Naturally."
"We all know Arou's strength."
"She never had the ability to survive the Heavenly Lightning Tribulation."
"That's why she chose to become human."
"But once she became human, her lifespan could no longer compare to ours."
"So she had to seek another path toward godhood."
Another beast frowned.
"But how does she know so many secrets?"
"Some of the things she mentioned..."
"Even I didn't know."
Several pairs of eyes turned toward one elegant figure.
Bi Ji smiled gently.
"You all know Arou hated loneliness."
"After we became friends, she often came to chat with me."
"Over time..."
"I naturally told her many things."
"But Arou understands her limits."
"She knows exactly what should—and shouldn't—be revealed."
Bi Ji looked toward the Heavenly Screen.
"Even now, when facing someone with the potential to become a god..."
"Hasn't she still protected our greatest secrets?"
The gathered Spirit Beasts nodded.
That was exactly what satisfied them.
Arou hadn't betrayed the Spirit Beast race for her own benefit.
As for the secrets of godhood...
Whether humans learned them or not didn't really matter.
Without the required talent and opportunity...
Knowledge alone wouldn't allow anyone to become a god.
Bi Ji sighed softly.
"It's just unfortunate..."
"The Arou of our world is already gone."
Sadness flashed across her beautiful face.
Living deep within the Star Dou Great Forest, Arou had been one of the very few companions she could truly talk to.
Losing that friend had left a lasting emptiness.
After a moment of silence, Bi Ji spoke again.
"Shouldn't we prepare for what's coming?"
"If this Heavenly Screen keeps revealing more information..."
"Our existence may eventually be exposed."
Although Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Beasts feared little...
There were still individuals who absolutely could not be discovered.
Di Tian.
And...
Their Lord.
Those two had to remain hidden at all costs.
A powerful voice echoed from the corner of the chamber.
"Let's continue watching."
"Yu Xiaogang may never even encounter us."
"What interests me more..."
"is how far the Arou of that parallel world can ultimately go."
The speaker slowly raised his head.
It was Di Tian.
His cold golden eyes remained fixed on the Heavenly Screen.
"With the God Realm watching everything..."
"Arou's future will become the perfect measure of how much influence the God Realm truly possesses."
Silence once again filled the hidden chamber as every Spirit Beast continued watching the unfolding events on the Heavenly Screen.
________________________________________
⚡ Enjoying the story? Don't stop here!
The adventure continues on Patreon:
👉 patreon.com/Obito_uchiha
🔥 Read up to 50 chapters ahead
📚 Get access to 20+ fanfics with a single membership
Be among the first to experience new chapters weeks before they're released publicly.
Join today and start reading ahead!