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Core Area of the Star Dou Great Forest
"Master, what Bai Xu said earlier..." Di Tian was inquiring.
"He was mocking us for making no progress over hundreds of thousands of years," Gu Yuena said coldly. "And the truth is, he's not wrong. But as I mentioned before, he has never truly considered things from our perspective. Above us, the divine realm has laid hidden traps; below, I was severely injured and forced into slumber. The beast race is cursed by the Dragon God and cannot ascend to godhood. Even though you all have gained intelligence, most of you despise humans, refusing to interact with them or embrace their technology. All you think about is when the next heavenly tribulation will come and how to survive it. Countless years have slipped through our fingers just like that. There's nothing inherently wrong with that, and there's no need to take his words to heart."
Gu Yuena sat on the throne, with Gu Yue and Na'er standing beside her. Below them, the gathered soul beasts stood solemnly.
"Do you wish to take revenge on humanity?" Gu Yuena asked.
"Yes!" Xiong Jun was the first to respond, with others echoing his sentiment. He had always been a hardliner among the soul beasts. However, Xiong Jun was no fool. After speaking, he scratched his head with his Dark Golden Claw and added, "But Master, if we go to war with humans now... our chances of winning aren't great, are they? Especially with Bai Xu, that demon, and the Planet's Will involved..."
Bi Ji, representing the more moderate faction among the soul beasts, was gentle by nature and loathed the idea of rivers of bloodshed.
"The odds are indeed slim," Gu Yuena sighed. "Even if Bai Xu and the Planet's Will don't intervene, humanity still possesses god-slaying weapons like the Eternal Heaven and other weapons of mass destruction. At my current level of power, I can't withstand them—only evade them. And even if we were to win in the end, how many of us would remain?" The situation was simply too unfavorable.
On the human side, there were dozens of Limit Douluos, each equipped with four-word battle armor, nearly all of whom could go toe-to-toe with Di Tian. Meanwhile, the soul beasts only had a handful of powerful beasts. Bai Xu and the Planet's Will had gone to the Ten Thousand Beast Platform to visit Da Ming and Er Ming, and the outcome of that meeting was still unknown.
Di Tian remained silent, his expression conflicted.
Bai Xu and the Planet's Will were clearly allies. They had planned everything in advance, ensuring that both humans and soul beasts would be forced to accept a negotiated peace.
Moreover, without the Golden Dragon's origin energy, Gu Yuena's path to becoming the Dragon God now relied entirely on Bai Xu's Yin-Yang Art. There was no way she could afford to turn against him.
"Master, the situation is clear now. I propose peace talks with humanity to reclaim our habitats and focus on recovery," Bi Ji suggested.
"But that would just repeat history," Gu Yuena said solemnly. "As Bai Xu pointed out, even if some of us eventually ascend to godhood, how many will truly obtain divine positions? To avoid being left behind... his idea is for the soul beast race to integrate into human society's upper echelons, jointly establish a federation, explore the cosmos together, and form a community of shared interests. That way..."
"But can two different races truly coexist? Humans have always coveted our soul rings and soul bones..." Di Tian voiced his doubts.
The discussion seemed to have reached a deadlock.
"This line of thinking is too radical. To Bai Xu, it might seem perfectly reasonable, but to us, it's almost unthinkable. For now, negotiating with humans to secure the soul beasts' basic survival rights is the right move. If you don't wish to interact with humans, that's fine too. Even if the years pass and soul beasts once again face extinction, I will not stand idly by. As long as I am here, you will be too!" Gu Yuena declared firmly. She knew the fundamental conflict between the two races lay in the fact that soul masters needed to hunt soul beasts to grow stronger. To truly resolve this, a new cultivation system would have to be created.
She—no, they—Gu Yue and Na'er were already working on it and planned to seek Bai Xu's guidance. They would succeed. This was their backup plan. The ultimate safeguard was Gu Yuena herself.
Years later, she would become the Dragon God!
No—she would surpass even the Dragon God. Then, the issue of racial conflict would no longer matter. With a single thought, she could create or erase all life. If Bai Xu could do it, so could she.
"Yes! We obey your command!"
And so, negotiations began on the outskirts of Star Dou Fortress. The human delegation was led by Qi Changping, accompanied by the Federation's Limit Douluos. The soul beast faction was headed by Gu Yuena, with the fierce beasts in attendance.
The two sides engaged in a grueling back-and-forth, with Bai Xu and the Planet's Will acting as witnesses.
The talks lasted over a month before a final agreement was reached. Both sides fought tooth and nail for their interests without crossing the line. The soul beasts used their control over most soul masters as leverage, demanding more land from the Federation, a ban on hunting soul beasts for a set number of years, and a series of protective policies.
The Federation, relying on its technological superiority and overwhelming strength, repeatedly rejected the soul beasts' excessive demands. However, out of consideration for the Planet's Will and Bai Xu, and acknowledging the near-extinction of soul beasts, they made significant concessions.
Still, the two sides established the framework for future development. Humanity would focus on advancing space technology, gradually working toward cosmic exploration. Although the Douluo Star had regained its vitality, past lessons had taught them caution against reckless exploitation.
Beyond the universe lay uncharted worlds, perhaps even uninhabited planets suitable for life—and other races besides humans and soul beasts.
The future was theirs to explore.
With that, the dust settled.
Star Dou Great Forest
"Now that everything is settled, it's time to rest and recover," Gu Yuena said. "Only my final promise remains... Don't worry. When I leave this time, I will return as the new Dragon God, breaking the curse that prevents soul beasts from ascending. You will no longer need to fear heavenly tribulations."
"Master... Thank you, Master!"
"Di Tian... Do you think I've been a worthy leader for the soul beasts?" Gu Yuena asked, looking at the bowing fierce beasts with curiosity.
In her heart, she couldn't help but compare herself to the Gu Yuena of ten thousand years later—the one whose son became the Dragon God while she became the God of Life.
"Of course! You are more than deserving of the title," Di Tian replied.
"I still haven't done my best..." Gu Yuena shook her head. Taking Gu Yue and Na'er by the hand, she said, "Let's go back. Wait for my good news."
The three of them stepped into the void and vanished before the soul beasts' eyes.
However... to Gu Yue's surprise, their next step did not take them to Bai Xu's location. Instead, they arrived at an unknown mountain peak.
Gu Yuena glanced at Gu Yue and Na'er, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Dear sisters, I never got the chance to ask—how does it feel to be reborn?"
"What do you want?" Gu Yue asked warily, while Na'er looked equally concerned.
"I need to test something, and I'd like your cooperation," Gu Yuena said, stepping forward. Space elements rippled around her hands, transforming into chains that effortlessly bound the two.
"You—!" Gu Yue gritted her teeth in frustration. Damn it! She was currently in the process of re-cultivation and stood no chance against Gu Yuena.
Gu Yuena's playful demeanor faded as she activated her origin power, her body glowing with silver light. Sure enough... Gu Yue and Na'er also began shimmering in response.
"Just as I thought..." Gu Yuena murmured before releasing them. "Perhaps because our separation was recent, there's still a connection between us. We can sense each other."
"Hmph, so what? As Na'er and I continue cultivating, that link will fade soon enough," Gu Yue retorted, displeased by Gu Yuena's forceful approach.
"I was just thinking... if Bai Xu and I were to dual cultivate... would you two feel it too?" Gu Yuena narrowed her eyes teasingly.
"You—!" Gu Yue froze. She knew becoming the Dragon God required Yin-Yang dual cultivation, but... awkward scenarios flooded her mind.
Na'er's face instantly turned crimson. She withdrew from the two strong-willed women's clash, her imagination running wild.
It seemed Bai Xu's fantasy might come true—three women serving one man. But that was impossible. Even ignoring Na'er, there was no way the domineering Gu Yuena and Gu Yue would ever share a bed.
"Ah, enough teasing. Let's go!"
Gu Yuena laughed, pulling Gu Yue and Na'er along. She gave them a meaningful look. Back when her origin energy was unstable and these two had taken control of her body... they had gotten along quite well with Bai Xu. Especially Gu Yue—she had done that right in front of her!
She had never forgotten.
Now, she finally had a chance for payback.
After all, even if the two teamed up, they were no match for her. Any grievances they had would have to be swallowed.
---
Nameless Space.
"Lord, it's time for me to go," the Planet's Will said sorrowfully.
"You could continue existing in this form without issue," Bai Xu replied.
"No. Consciousness brings selfishness, and that is not fitting for a Planet's Will. We should exist in a formless state, free from personal desires. However... Lord, I secretly inscribed some of your laws into the world. You knew, didn't you?"
"I did. What were you trying to achieve?"
"I'm not sure. Perhaps once I return to that formless state, the answer will come naturally. In the future, new species or cultivation systems may emerge on Douluo Continent. Everything follows its own destined path."
"I was also planning to retrieve the Dragon Tomb and merge it back into Douluo."
"That's possible, Lord. You are my benefactor. I've granted you the same authority as me, etching your presence and bloodline into the world. No matter when you return to Douluo, you will hold the same power. I trust you."
"Perhaps. Or maybe once I leave, I won't return."
"Lord, our affairs is settled. Take care."
"Take care."
The Planet's Will severed its consciousness and returned to its duty.
Bai Xu sighed softly. After lingering for a while longer, he quietly departed.