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...As the argument reached its end, Xuan Ming looked at Qian Renxue's unwilling and aggrieved expression. After weighing it in his heart, he finally made a decision.
"Forget it." He sighed, his tone softening slightly. "The future development of the Spirit Empire indeed requires a relatively peaceful spiritual symbol that can unite people's hearts. Bibi Dong represents reform and an iron fist, while I represent absolute military security—both are quite rigid. A gentler image is needed for balance."
His gaze fell upon Qian Renxue: "The Angel God, whether in terms of outward image or divine force attributes, symbolizes light, order, and hope. It is undoubtedly the most suitable choice. I will leave this matter for you to attempt. I hope you can achieve results and truly live up to the title of God of Angels."
Hearing this, Qian Renxue was first stunned, and then an inexplicable sense of humiliation surged in her heart.
Xuan Ming's words sounded like he was entrusting her with a heavy responsibility, but the subtext clearly suggested she was currently useless—just a 'vase' who needed to rely on her image to get by?!
"You!" Qian Renxue's chest heaved with anger.
Bibi Dong, on the other hand, unceremoniously twisted the knife: "Hmph, the Empire's operations are stable now, and there's no need for you to interfere in any aspect of its promotion. As for future warfare, Xuan Ming and I have our own plans; there's even less need for a peace symbol like you to act. You just need to be your figurehead and stay out of trouble."
"Of course, if you insist on picking a fight and causing the situation to spiral out of control, or even triggering a war, then as long as you're happy."
"But in that case, you shouldn't be called the God of Angels. You should be called... the God of War, right?"
Qian Renxue was so enraged by the two of them playing off each other that she nearly exploded. However, looking at Xuan Ming's unquestionable gaze and the predatory eyes of Bibi Dong, Bo Saixi, and Gu Yuena nearby, she ultimately suppressed her anger.
At the very least, she had obtained an entry ticket to the core affairs of the Empire. Though her starting point was like a vase, she would definitely prove that she, Qian Renxue, was absolutely not just a decoration!
Star Dou Great Forest, core area, Lake of Life.
Gu Yuena stood by the lakeside, her silver-purple long hair swaying gently in the breeze, a trace of solemnity on her peerless face. A faint Dragon's Might emanated from her, blending with the majestic Life aura of the Lake of Life, yet carrying a majesty that stood above all things.
Before her, several figures of various forms were either prostrating or standing solemnly, each emitting a powerful aura without exception.
They were the overlords of the various Spirit Beast gathering areas on the Douluo Continent today. Led by Di Tian, there were Xiong Jun, Myriad Demon King, Scarlet King, Zi Ji, and Bi Ji from the Star Dou Great Forest, as well as several Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Beasts from the Extreme North Land led by the Snow Empress, and several hundred-thousand-year Sea Spirit Beasts from the ocean led by the Demon Empress.
During this period, under the personal mobilization of Gu Yuena, the soul beast co-lord, and through the connections of these overlord-level Spirit Beasts, the preliminary concept of 'Spirit Ring Recycling' had been transmitted to the high-level members of Spirit Beast Clans across the continent with extreme efficiency.
However, the feedback received was not optimistic.
"Lord! When the children of my clan heard of this, they were all indignant! Humans have slaughtered our kin for tens of thousands of years to take their spirit rings and Spirit Bones—this is a blood feud! Now, they actually want us to proactively offer our spirit rings to them when our lifespans are near their end? This is absolutely impossible!"
"Lord, humans are insatiably greedy and take an inch then want a mile. If we take a step back today and offer spirit rings, they will demand more tomorrow! They might even use this as an excuse to force our young and strong kin into premature sacrifice! Once this precedent is set, the consequences will be endless!"
Other Spirit Beast overlords chimed in one after another, expressing strong opposition and confusion. The hatred between them and humans had long been deep-rooted and was certainly not something that could be resolved overnight. Allowing them to help their enemies become stronger, even after death, was emotionally unacceptable.
Gu Yuena listened quietly. She had long anticipated these fierce voices of opposition. How could racial hatred, especially a blood feud lasting tens of thousands of years, be so easily erased?
She raised her hand, signaling the Spirit Beasts to be quiet.
"I understand your anger." Gu Yuena's voice was cool and calm, yet it possessed a power that soothed the heart. "I know better than any of you the sins humans have committed against the Spirit Beast Clan."
Her gaze swept across the Spirit Beasts: "But have you ever considered what the future of the Spirit Beast Clan will be if we continue to maintain the status quo?"
She pointed in the direction outside the forest: "The speed of human progress far exceeds our imagination. A few thousand years ago, there were barely ten thousand Spirit Masters on the continent. Now, there are over a hundred thousand. What about in another thousand or ten thousand years? When the number of human Spirit Masters reaches millions, tens of millions, or even hundreds of millions, can we still hold them back with our currently dwindling numbers and territory?"
The Spirit Beasts fell silent. Though they hated humans, they were not stupid. The terrifying reproductive and learning abilities of humans were far beyond what Spirit Beasts could match.
If this continued long-term, the living space of Spirit Beasts would only be continuously compressed, eventually leading to extinction. This was no alarmist talk.
"The direction Xuan Ming proposed is not for us to yield to humans." Gu Yuena continued, "It is more like... a self-preservation strategy under an unchangeable trend, a backup plan to preserve the sparks of the Spirit Beasts."
"If we can establish a spirit ring circulation system, at the very least, we can avoid the fate of a large number of young Spirit Beasts being hunted. The way Spirit Masters obtain spirit rings will change from hunting to a kind of trade or contract. We contribute the spirit rings of kin whose lifespans are ending in exchange for human respect for Spirit Beast territory, constraints on indiscriminate killing, and potentially even more survival resources and rights."
Gu Yuena threw out an even more tempting vision: "Furthermore, Xuan Ming has an even more far-reaching concept—he is exploring a possibility: if the spirit ring condensed after a Spirit Beast's death can establish a deeper symbiotic or contractual relationship with a specific human Spirit Master, perhaps... the Spirit Beast's Origin consciousness within the spirit ring can be nourished through the Spirit Master's cultivation and growth. In the future, there may even be hope for re-condensation or even resurrection!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the Spirit Beast overlords were instantly in an uproar!
Resurrection?!
For Spirit Beasts, who had long lifespans but for whom death was the end, this was undoubtedly earth-shattering news!
"Lord, is this true?!"
"Currently, it is just a concept in the earliest stages of exploration." Gu Yuena told them truthfully. "But Xuan Ming's understanding of Soul and Life rules far exceeds that of ordinary people. He believes it is not entirely impossible. If it can truly be realized, then the relationship between Spirit Beasts and humans will undergo a fundamental transformation. spirit rings will no longer be looted spoils of war, but could become a bond of symbiosis and mutual prosperity. Spirit Masters need spirit rings to become stronger, while Spirit Beasts can gain the hope of Rebirth through Spirit Masters."
Looking at the Spirit Beasts lost in thought, she concluded: "Compared to heading toward mutual destruction in hatred, why not try a path that might bring new Life and hope? Although this path is full of unknowns and hardships, at least it points toward a future rather than despair."
Gu Yuena's words stirred layers of ripples in the hearts of the Spirit Beasts.
Pure hatred and anger began to seem somewhat pale and powerless in the face of the heavy yet tempting terms 'racial survival' and 'hope of resurrection'.
Although the vast majority of Spirit Beasts still harbored doubts and their strong opposition could not be immediately calmed, at least a seed had been planted. They needed time to digest it and weigh the pros and cons.
Gu Yuena knew this matter could not be rushed. Changing a mindset that had lasted for tens of thousands of years required patience and an opportunity. And whether Xuan Ming could truly turn the concept into reality would be the key to persuading these Spirit Beast overlords.