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The battle against the Abyssal Invasion undoubtedly solidified Tang Wulin's prestige. His heroic efforts to turn the tide and save the Blood God Legion were etched deeply into the hearts of every soldier. Even Bai Xu gradually faded from the legion's spotlight.
Zhang Huanyun marveled at Blood One's sharp judgment—who would have thought that Tang Wulin would shine so brilliantly? If the day ever came when Tang Wulin resolved the crisis of the Abyssal Plane, the Blood God Legion would spare no effort in supporting the reconstruction of Shrek Academy.
In contrast, Gu Yue and Bai Xu maintained a low profile, almost as if they had renounced worldly conflicts. With the Abyssal Seal reinforced, the remaining Abyssal creatures fell to Bai Xu to handle. Over the past few days, he had been rushing between battlefields, striving to weaken the Abyssal forces as much as possible.
"With the attributes of the Five Elements, I've reached rank-78 Soul Sage in just over ten days..." Bai Xu slowly opened his eyes. Cultivating soul power was far too easy for him. The Five Elements Body's ability to instantly refine anything it devoured allowed his soul power to grow at an astonishing rate. If he wished, he could even tread the forbidden path.
"But... why are all my soul rings black?" He turned his gaze to the World Spirit.
"Uh... My Lord, my recovery is incomplete. Right now, I can't attach hundred-thousand-year soul rings yet. By the time you reach rank 90, I'll have regained some strength, and your soul rings will upgrade to that level," the World Spirit replied nervously.
"Forget it. I don't rely on soul rings for offense anyway."
---
Blood God Camp.
"So, Huanyun, what do you think? My Tang Sect boy..." Blood One (Cao Dezhi) spoke with undisguised pride. After the great battle, the Abyssal creatures would not invade again anytime soon, granting the Blood God Legion a rare period of rest and recovery.
"I admit, when it comes to judgment, I'm no match for you," Legion Commander Zhang Huanyun said. "This kid... truly has the potential to reverse the situation between us and the Abyss. And all the Abyssal energy he absorbs is poured into the Seed of Nature—this is an immense boon for the Douluo Continent!"
At this point, even Zhang Huanyun had no choice but to acknowledge it.
Tang Wulin had already been appointed as the deputy commander of the Blood God Legion. Coupled with his title of "Blood Dragon," his status within the legion was now nearly on par with Zhang Huanyun's.
Suddenly, Zhang Huanyun asked, "Why did you agree to let Tang Wulin leave? Rebuilding Shrek Academy means he'll have to face the Spirit Pagoda and the Holy Spirit Cult. Not to mention, the Federation would never allow a 'state within a state' to emerge."
Cao Dezhi smiled faintly. "He's no longer a fledgling—his wings have hardened. If we don't let him spread them, how will he know how vast the sky truly is? Besides, with his current strength, self-preservation shouldn't be an issue."
"No issue? From what I've heard, he lost to the Spirit Pagoda's Silver Dragon Princess—Gu Yue, who's now serving in our Blood God Legion—in the finals of the Star Fight Network Soul Master Tournament. And you call that 'no issue'?"
"Heh, I believe Wulin will redeem himself," Cao Dezhi said confidently.
"Hmph. Look, the Spirit Pagoda is also demanding someone from me." Zhang Huanyun tossed out a letter—a handwritten note from the current Pagoda Master, Qiangu Dongfeng. Gu Yue was far too important to the Spirit Pagoda; there was no room for negotiation. They insisted on her return.
As for Bai Xu? No one seemed to care.
And he was perfectly content with that.
"Isn't Bai Xu still here?" Cao Dezhi chuckled.
"Originally, we had three effective means of countering the Abyss. Losing two of them at once makes me uneasy. Even if the Abyss won't invade soon, we must prepare for the worst."
This was a practical concern. Bai Xu had not demonstrated the same world-shaking prowess as Tang Wulin, so he could only serve as a backup option here.
Besides, he was also affiliated with the Spirit Pagoda.
---
Knock, knock, knock!
A knock sounded at the door.
"Come in."
Gu Yue pushed open the door, her expression tinged with melancholy. Bai Xu's room remained as minimalist as ever—his Five Elements ability allowed him to keep everything immaculate without lifting a finger. The entire space carried his presence.
"What's wrong?" Bai Xu sat in a chair, browsing Federation news. It was as if Gu Yue had timed her visit perfectly—he was free at the moment.
"The Spirit Pagoda is recalling me. My mentor personally called. The ten-thousand-year spirit soul research can't proceed without me..." Gu Yue slumped onto Bai Xu's bed, her voice weary.
"Everyone has their own path. Until the final outcome arrives, we're all merely players in the game." Bai Xu showed no sorrow at their impending separation.
"I know. I just wanted to see you one more time... to talk." She inhaled the scent on the sheets—his aura, so close to nature, as if he could embrace all things. Moreover, Gu Yue felt that Bai Xu had grown even more attractive. The closer she was to him, the more she found him irresistibly captivating.
"In this relationship, you seem to have fallen deeper than I have." Bai Xu observed the crimson thread of karma between them. On Gu Yue's end, the red hue had nearly saturated the entire strand.
"..."
"When are you leaving?" Bai Xu asked.
"Tomorrow."
"Come to think of it... I don't really have anything to give you as a farewell gift." He pondered for a while but couldn't think of anything suitable.
"Tonight... I want to sleep here."
Bai Xu straightened, adopting the demeanor of a gentleman. "I promised Gu Yuena I wouldn't lay a finger on you. Besides, saying that makes it sound like I'm only after your beauty."
"Just sleeping. Consider it a small indulgence on my part." Gu Yue smiled, offering no further explanation.
"...Fine"
To her, Bai Xu was like a safe harbor—a place where she could let down all defenses, pour out her heart, and know he would listen patiently. No matter her identity—be it the Sovereign of the Soul Beasts, Gu Yue, or anyone else—she could no longer deny it: she depended on him. And she loved him deeply.
---
Spirit Pagoda Headquarters.
Qiangu Dongfeng's Office.
The soul communicator, silent for so long, rang once again today. Qiangu Dongfeng frowned and answered, his voice seething with suppressed fury. "Didn't you say we'd cut contact after our cooperation ended?"
"Heh, I didn't want to either, Tower Master Qiangu. But circumstances force my hand—I need your help with something!" Ghost Emperor's voice slithered through the line.
"You lunatics! Don't think I don't know what you've done! Attacking the Blood God Legion's outpost—were you trying to unleash the Abyss and destroy the Douluo Continent?!" he roared.
"Now, now, Tower Master, no need for anger. We didn't succeed, did we? And this time, I'm not asking for much—just recall one of your Spirit Pagoda members and send him to a designated location."
"And if I refuse?" Qiangu Dongfeng challenged.
"Then I'll have to announce our collaboration to the world. The Federation's been acting strange lately. The remnants of the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy already suspect your Spirit Pagoda is colluding with the Holy Spirit Cult. If—"
"This is a betrayal of our agreement!"
"Tower Master, you know better than anyone—evil soul masters never keep their word."
"After this, if you dare contact me again, don't blame the Spirit Pagoda for waging all-out war on the Holy Spirit Cult!"
"Agreed."
"Who do you want?"
"Bai Xu. That young man from the Blood God Legion."
"Who? You know he's currently serving there—his term isn't up yet."
"Since when does the mighty Spirit Pagoda Tower Master care about such trivialities?" Ghost Emperor chuckled. "Once he's recalled, I'll send further instructions. He's offended the Holy Spirit Cult. The Demon Empress has decreed his execution."
!!!!
Qiangu Dongfeng was taken aback. When had Bai Xu provoked the Holy Spirit Cult?
Even the legendary Demon Empress of the cult had ordered his death.