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Yun Ming's face showed reminiscence; regretfully he said, "Chen Xinjie and I tried to storm the World of godhood, but found only emptiness. This era is unlike antiquity—there are no God Positions to inherit, nor the long Lifespans of the first Angel God or Sea God."
"To force one's way into godhood alone incurs the suppression of the entire plane; condensing a God Position is impossible. Yet one question haunts me."
Feng Zaixing asked, "What question?"
Yun Ming said, "A few thousand years ago the plane loosened its suppression of Spirit Masters, allowing an era to produce so many Limit Douluo—even Quasi-Gods one step from godhood. In the eras of Spirit Ice Douluo or Sea God Tang San this would have been unthinkable."
"I'm certain the Quasi-Gods of today are stronger than the Limit Douluo of those two eras; yet the plane's suppression at the divine level is even more terrifying, giving us Quasi-Gods no chance to leave Douluo Star."
Remembering something, Yun Ming gave a self-mocking laugh. "Don't mock me for arrogance, but in the era of Spirit Ice Douluo, Chen Xinjie and I could have joined hands to leave Douluo Star and roam the cosmos."
Feng Zaixing said lazily, "Who knows what's wrong with this Douluo plane—maybe the plane lord has issues."
The loosening of suppression on Douluo Star's prodigies was clearly the work of the previous plane lord; Halossa was also created by him. As for the ruthless pressure at the divine threshold—that was probably Tang Hao's doing?
He remembered that in the original Abyss war, when Silver Dragon King Gu Yue tried to unleash her foundation and force her way into godhood to defeat the Abyssal Sovereign while all beings despaired, Tang Hao raised a plane Lightning Tribulation and injured her.
Hmm. Student Gu Yue tried to do good and Tang Hao stopped her, yet Tang Hao didn't stop Tang Wulin ascending to godhood in Dragon God Transformation, even showing up in person at the end—impossible not to read something into that.
Feng Zaixing never hesitated to interpret the Tang father and son in the darkest light—who let them be dyed-in-the-wool slavery warriors?
The two great Empires twenty millennia ago couldn't even qualify as feudal; slave markets were common.
Dugu Bo poisoned Jialing Pass and was deceiving by his own toxin, yet Tang Hao laughed heartily—truly a galaxy of human oddities, his morals rivaling the famously shameless British Queen Victoria.
Yun Ming said to Feng Zaixing, "Your talent is greater than mine, but I don't see you breaking the plane's cage unless the plane itself changes."
Feng Zaixing raised his brows and said solemnly, "I've always had the will to expand outward; unifying those two continents means little to me. But I need military merit to raise my people to federal high office, free of others' interference."
"I support the Hawk Faction because only it can fulfill my aims; the dove faction is useless—nothing but a hindrance."
"If you join the war process, I'm seventy percent sure of unifying without bloodshed. Your status will scarcely change; I can even back Shrek in opening academies across all three continents. Yet you'll never agree—because you can't bear to lose Tang Sect's obscene profits!"
Yun Ming started, then gave a long sigh. "So that's how it is; I understand your position."
Core beliefs diverged; Yun Ming knew further words were pointless. Feng Zaixing wasn't a war maniac—war was merely his tool, and his mind stayed clear.
As the talk deepened, Yun Ming even felt his own convictions wavering. Shrek's peace stance truly abhorred slaughter, yet to claim no profit motive would be a lie.
Compared with the other's candor, Yun Ming himself seemed the petty man.
Feng Zaixing made to leave, calling from afar, "Shrek has been proud too long; you, Yun Ming, are the proudest of all, indulging your desires without scruple. After your great ups and downs you've sobered a bit, but Shrek is already past saving."
"The unification process will not be interrupted a third time; if Shrek opposes again, it will meet destruction. Should mountains of corpses and seas of blood follow, I'll simply stake my life to play with you."
A Golden Rainbow shot skyward; Feng Zaixing vanished. Yun Ming stood on Sea God Island, his eyes flickering.
Ya Li stepped from the Pavilion and gently took his hand, hesitating. "Brother Ming, we—"
Yun Ming closed his eyes. "Don't think anymore—prepare to relocate."
Long Yeyue sensed a faint anomaly in the sky as Feng Zaixing left and walked over. "Yun Ming, was someone just—Ya Li? You've awakened?!"
Yun Ming gave Long Yeyue a sidelong glance, cold. "No need to pry. Your Lifespan is nearly spent—go enjoy life while you can."
A waste who can't even detect a Junior—Yun Ming had no interest in sparing her, indirectly wishing her an early death.
"You—"
Long Yeyue's face flushed liver-purple; she stamped her foot and stalked off in a huff.
Ya Li whispered, "Wasn't that a bit too harsh?"
Yun Ming's veins bulged. "Harsh my foot! I wish she'd die of anger right now!"
"If she'd shown a shred of responsibility in the last war, how could our losses have been so grave?"
From Shrek City Feng Zaixing flew straight to Heaven Dou City to visit Zhen Hua.
"Judging by your look, you've gained a lot of insight."
Zhen Hua lounged in a recliner, sizing Feng Zaixing up with interest. "Good, good—all your losses are restored. Looks like you'll soon take my place."
Feng Zaixing had just set down the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well specialties when the words nearly snapped his waist. "I'm drained of life energy, yet you're hale and whole with complete Spirit Bones—why retire?"
Zhen Hua casually picked up a Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Fruit Feng Zaixing had brought, munching and moaning, "You brat pile work on me. Forging Heavenly-forged metal for the Yuanen Father and Son has worn me out—my body's about to collapse."
Feng Zaixing murmured, "But you've broken through to Super Douluo. The Spirit Bones we sent fused well, didn't they?"
A dutiful Disciple, Feng Zaixing had hand-picked a batch of Spirit Bones for Zhen Hua and Mu Ye after wiping out the fat cats of the Southern Families.
He'd also invited Zhen Hua to recuperate for three months at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well; under the life sapling's care, old injuries and entrenched ailments were healed, Impurities from past Breakthroughs using Heaven And Earth Treasures were filtered out, and, after fusing a full set of six Spirit Bones, he leapt straight into the realm of Super Douluo.
Now rosy-cheeked and even-tempered, his breathing deep and long, he looked nowhere near collapse.
Zhen Hua, without the faintest blush or flutter, declared righteously, "I've forged my whole life—can't I enjoy myself? The sooner you become a Divine Craftsman and stand at the continent's peak, the sooner I can retire—how wonderful would that be?"
Feng Zaixing sighed. "I'm in seclusion pouring everything into hitting Spirit Saint, raising my mental force and studying combat skills. I've almost no time for forging—just the occasional practice."
"If you want me to take over, you'll have to keep at it at least another eight to ten years."
Zhen Hua wailed, "Disciple, you can't do this to me!"
Feng Zaixing consoled him. "There's really no way. Wait until I've slaughtered a few Titled Douluo from the Holy Spirit Cult, then teach me Heavenly Forging."
"The Federation is sending a return delegation to Star Luo, and Bright Capital asked if I'd like a sightseeing post over there. Since the Holy Spirit Cult has branches there, Evil Soul Masters might come after me of their own accord—I've already agreed."
Zhen Hua's face turned grave. "Again? Aren't you afraid something will go wrong? You've already burned a hundred years!"
"I've cut all ties with the Angel Family; I'll never use the Sacrificial Flame again."
Feng Zaixing's expression sharpened, a faint smile at the corner of his mouth. "Besides, I'm now a Spirit Saint—how many people alive can kill me? If the Netherworld Ghost Two Emperors come, it'll suit me perfectly; I've deliberately let my aura look hollow."
"By the way, are Lin Yuhan and her Disciple Chang Gongyan still around?"
Zhen Hua said, "After you rooted out the Blood God Legion's spies, I relaxed surveillance on them. When the Southern war ended, I let them leave—only after they swore never to reveal your identity as a forger."
"This past year, they've toured every corner of Douluo Continent."
"Good." Feng Zaixing gazed at the long horizon. "The ports across the Eastern Sea must be bustling—a grand spectacle."
Zhen Hua sighed wistfully. "I hear the customs of Star Luo Empire are delightful; pity I can't go. Bring me plenty of videos and photos."
Feng Zaixing smiled softly. "One day, I'll set foot on Star Luo Empire's soil—with you."
"I'll look forward to it. This time I'll have Yu Guanzhi bring extra Federation stockpiled weapons to guarantee your safety."
While the Federation's return delegation hurriedly finalized its roster, Feng Zaixing spent a month studying under Zhen Hua at the Forging Master Association, then set off for Tianhai City.
The sky was a washed cobalt; a slightly salty sea breeze carried refreshing coolness, the sun brilliant. Members of One Heart Society rendezvoused at the Tianhai Grand Hotel.
The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy exchange team, led by Luan Hongchen, had A Ruheng as head teacher; all Nine-Star Prodigies, including Le Zhengyu, were present—Xu Xiaoyan, Ye Xinglan, and the rest of the Merry Band were all there.
Feng Zaixing spotted a problem. "I'm just a sightseer—how did I become the delegation's Chief Military Adviser and Vice-Captain?"
Luan Hongchen, munching lunch, beamed. "Who made you a Lieutenant-General? No one in the delegation outranks you."
Feng Zaixing was speechless. "Land warfare is one thing—who put me down as military adviser here? I don't know naval combat."
Luan Hongchen said, "Naval combat's simple: open fire, blow the enemy to bits—if they don't die, fight; if you can't win, run."
"Sounds reasonable."
So Feng Zaixing accepted the post, asking only to keep his identity hidden for now.
Just before boarding, he noticed two familiar faces and the corner of his eye twitched.
"Awoo—this food's great. Didn't expect we'd be back so soon."
Tang Wulin, clutching an imperial-crab claw, nibbled contentedly, utterly satisfied.
Xie Xie was there too; both wore Spirit Pagoda Academy uniforms, following the Spirit Transfer Pagoda's exchange group.
The Spirit Pagoda's leader was one of the four great Spirit Envoys, Demoness Douluo Li Mengjie; the head teacher was a tall, upright youth—Qiangu Zhangting.
Whether other experts lurked in the shadows, no one could tell.
Spotting the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy group, Qiangu Zhangting broke into an enthusiastic smile and strode over. "Dean Luan, a pleasure. And this must be the renowned Brother Zaixing—your fame precedes you."
Luan Hongchen gave a slight nod; Feng Zaixing answered politely but had no interest in small talk.
If Qiangu Dongfeng were here, he'd take it seriously—Qiangu Zhangting was far from that caliber.
Lacking character, brains, and in both Mind and talent, he fell short.
Tang and Xie, thrilled to see the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy contingent, hesitated—longing to greet them yet afraid Feng Zaixing had no time for them.
Within Tang Wulin's mind, Tang San's Divine Sense awakened; its indifferent gauze swept over the insects before him, eyes narrowing slightly.
"So this is the Feng Zaixing Wulin mentioned? Why does he look like a half-dead short-timer?"
After a careful probe, Tang San's Divine Sense was certain: Feng Zaixing's life aura was weak—who knew how much life energy he'd burned away.
Reassured, he mused, "Thought the newly appeared Seraphim was something special—just a flashy burnout."
It tagged Feng Zaixing as "nothing special": "This boy has no chance of godhood. Let's see if he knows his place; if he supports Wulin, I might grant him a minor God-Official post in the future."
"Infuriating—Wulin's sixth Seal is broken, the seventh nowhere in sight; I must keep watch on the Golden Dragon King. Let's hope the Abyss Plane brings no variables."