That night, everyone who took part in the battle returned to the imperial capital, Spirit City.
All work paused, and the city welcomed the returning heroes. A city-wide party began.
Gu Ran rushed up to Tianlin excitedly. "Boss, you're finally back! Sorry I couldn't help. I wanted to fight, but the ministers, sect masters, and master wouldn't allow it."
"They were right, Gu Ran. As emperor, you can't go to a place that dangerous—your people need you," Tianlin said with a smile. "Besides, don't you trust your boss? When have I ever lost?"
"Haha, true! Boss, the victory banquet is ready—let's return to the palace," Gu Ran said, leading everyone in.
Before these meritorious heroes, he kept no imperial airs—especially not with Tianlin, who was basically a grand imperial elder above the throne.
This, however, left Ning Rongrong rather dissatisfied. Tianlin naming her the founding empress thrilled her, but she had never gotten to feel like an empress—in the time it took her to ascend and return, Tianlin had abdicated, making her empress dowager out of the blue.
She felt like she'd aged several generations.
…
That night, cheers echoed in Spirit City all night long. Everyone knew that after today, Douluo would truly see peace.
The Emperor Battle Team members were all heroes, admired by all.
Academy students pestered Shui Bing'er, Huo Wu, and the others for stories of the divine war—especially Shui Bing'er, who personally exchanged blows with a God King–level foe. She would become a legendary graduate of the Royal Spirit Academy.
The Goddess of Lust continued hounding Chen Xin, trying everything to get him to drink the spiked desire wine.
Ning Fengzhi had vanished—Tianlin guessed where. He was likely hiding to research the God of Wisdom position. Proud as he was, he would never accept being a cripple for life. Now that his strength could be restored and he had a chance at godhood, he would seize it.
At the banquet, Tianlin proposed to Ning Rongrong again. Their earlier wedding had been too rushed; he had promised her a once-in-a-century wedding, and now was the time.
Following his example, Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, Yu Feng, the Shi brothers, and others proposed again to their partners, hoping to share in the wedding. Tianlin had no objections; as comrades who pacified the continent and defeated the Evil Sword Immortal, he was happy to hold a group wedding with them.
Gu Ran didn't jump on the bandwagon. He remained regretful about not joining the final battle, so he decided to be the officiant as emperor—to make up for it in a way.
The Goddess of Lust was very interested. Clinging to Chen Xin's arm, she said, "Chen Xin, you've never married, right? Let's join this wedding too?"
Chen Xin refused flatly. "This is the younger generation's wedding. We old-timers shouldn't butt in. Besides, I'll be a witness for Tianlin and Rongrong. Next time."
She felt a bit disappointed but not sad, because of his last slip—"next time." Did that mean they would hold one of their own in the future?
As everyone laughed, a figure quietly slipped away into the night—Qian Renxue.
…
At the city gates, Tianlin, who had been watching her, called out, "Leaving already?"
"I still have a lot to do. Besides, you haven't proposed to me," Qian Renxue said, turning back, a grievance in her eyes.
"Sister Xue, I'll never forget you—ever. You're not in this wedding, but…" Tianlin pulled her into his arms and whispered in her ear.
Her eyes, dim a moment ago, immediately brightened. "Really? You mean it—no regrets!"
Tianlin nodded. "Of course. I, Jun Tianlin, keep my word. But Rongrong will definitely be upset—you'll have to help me."
Qian Renxue teased, "Who told you to be such a flirt? Besides, I've envied her all my life—it wouldn't hurt to let her envy me once."
"All right, looks like I'll still have to handle this wine jar myself," Tianlin said helplessly. "There's one more thing, Sister Xue—take out Bibi Dong's soul."
"Mm." Qian Renxue flipped her hand, and a pure white soul seed appeared. Bibi Dong had bathed in hatred and slaughtered countless, yet just before death, she completely let go, leaving a soul seed so clean.
But that couldn't wipe away her crimes. Tianlin accepted the soul, used the Holy Spirit Pearl to infuse the utmost goodness, completely purged the Evil Spirit Pearl's remnants, repaired the soul, and flicked his arm, sending it somewhere unknown.
"Mother… has gone to reincarnate?" Qian Renxue asked.
"Yes. She'll live lifetime after lifetime, and by accumulating enough good to offset this life's sins, she'll atone. Don't worry—I sealed her memories with the Holy Spirit Pearl and left the Rakshasa god position to her. After she finishes atoning, she'll return to godhood. Her memories will be restored, and you'll be reunited," Tianlin said with a smile.
"Thank you, Tianlin!" Qian Renxue rose on tiptoes and kissed his lips lightly. "I'm leaving too. Before ascending, I'll travel the continent, doing good—besides my mother, I have many of my father's debts to repay to the world. Goodbye."
She left. Sometimes indecisive, sometimes dashing.
…
Days later, the wedding blessed by the entire continent was finally held.
Centered on Tianlin and Rongrong, it also included Yu Tianheng & Dugu Yan; Yu Feng & Huan Yin; the Shi brothers and their wives; Ma Hongjun & Bai Chenxiang, and more.
In the days before the wedding, proposals across the continent spiked. Single heroines who'd fought in the war, like Zhu Zhuqing and Shui Bing'er, were pursued by countless suitors.
Of course, they refused without mercy. They'd rather be Rongrong's bridesmaids.
Oslo searched frantically for true love but, alas, it doesn't come easily. He gave up and served as a groomsman.
He resolved that if he couldn't find love in the mortal world, he'd go to the God Realm to seek a goddess. With the Holy Emperor's boons, his aptitude had risen again; he now had a shot at First-Level God. The God Realm had many vacant positions after the Evil Sword Immortal's chaos—he'd strive for one.
Fireworks bloomed overhead. The weather was perfect—after all, even heaven and earth must give face to the Holy Emperor; who would dare cause trouble at his wedding?
Couples walked hand-in-hand from the square into the palace hall, where the seats of honor were not Gu Ran's, but Tianlin's parents'.
As the Supreme Emperor and Grand Empress Dowager of the empire, they fully deserved to act as the elders of all.
These two ordinary folk, destined for simple lives, never imagined such splendor. Unassuming and ungreedy, they accepted the glory Tianlin gave them and gladly passed their blessings on to the world.
A once-in-a-century wedding concluded perfectly under all the people's blessings.