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The news of the martial arts competition to win a bride spread quickly among the higher-ups, though it had yet to be announced to the general public of the Federation. Thanks to the efficiency of the Tang Sect's intelligence network, that very night, members of the Tang Sect stationed in the Star Luo Empire and the Shrek Seven Monsters learned of the matter.
To those privy to the inside story, this martial arts competition was clearly bait—a test to see whether Bai Xu would take it.
But Tang Wulin had more considerations.
Recalling Bai Xu's past actions, there didn't seem to be any particularly villainous deeds that demanded punishment. As for his retaliation against the Spirit Pagoda... to be honest, after learning that his parents had been imprisoned by the Spirit Pagoda and that the organization had colluded with the Holy Spirit Cult to destroy Shrek Academy, Tang Wulin had wanted to do the same.
However... his father, Tang San, had warned him. If Bai Xu truly harbored even the slightest ill intent toward the Douluo Continent, given his power... it would be nothing short of a catastrophe.
An otherworldly demon was an otherworldly demon!
Once an otherworldly demon, always one!
The optimal solution was to imprison Bai Xu, ensuring he posed no threat to the Douluo Continent before granting him freedom.
What if Bai Xu turned out to be another Abyss Plane in the future? The consequences would be unimaginable—the Douluo Continent could not withstand another upheaval.
Upon returning to the Federation, Tang Wulin would have to convene a secret joint meeting between the Tang Sect and Shrek Academy to establish separate strategies for dealing with the Spirit Pagoda, the Federation, and Bai Xu. Currently, only the head of the Tang Sect's Star Luo branch was present in the empire; neither the Amorous Douluo nor the Heartless Douluo were here.
The most critical issue was this martial arts competition.
The conflict between Bai Xu and the Spirit Pagoda had reached a point of no return. If Tang Wulin stepped forward now, exposing Bai Xu's identity and the Spirit Pagoda's collusion with the Holy Spirit Cult, the gathered public sentiment under the spotlight would be unstoppable—even the Federation wouldn't be able to prevent Shrek's reconstruction, let alone the Tang Sect's resurgence.
This was a strategy that would kill multiple birds with one stone!
However, even an honest official found it hard to settle family disputes. Tang Wulin was deeply troubled by his relationship with Dai Yun'er. He had been drugged, spent a wild night with her, and the next morning, Dai Yun'er—unable to even get out of bed—had tearfully driven him away, her body completely immobilized.
She had called him "Brother."
——————
On the Deserted Island.
Qi Changping had long since departed. As he had mentioned, his presence with the fleet was due to the Federation's planned surprise attack on the Star Luo Empire!
If the Federation's fleet succeeded in their assault and full-scale war broke out, Tang Wulin's originally smooth mission would be rendered meaningless. Once Star Luo fell, the remaining Spirit Dou Empire—even with the high-end weapons provided by the Tang Sect—would be unable to withstand the Federation's naval onslaught.
Bai Xu paid no mind to this. Silently activating the silver scale in his hand, he murmured, "Find time to come see me. There are things I need to tell you."
In the next moment, the silver scale glowed, and Gu Yuena appeared before him in an instant.
Sensing the surroundings shielded by the Five Elements Grand Formation, she frowned, as if recalling something unpleasant, and asked with a hint of displeasure, "What is it?"
"Though I'm confident in my success, I still need to prepare contingencies to ensure I don't owe you anything." As he spoke, Bai Xu took out a copy of the Yin-Yang Reincarnation Scripture and handed it to Gu Yuena.
"This text... pertains to the Dao of Yin and Yang. If you can glean insights from it, you may soar to new heights. Additionally, this Heaven-Earth Five Directions Five Elements Grand Formation is the result of years of nurturing within my organs. If you activate it using the four-word battle armor I gave you, it can temporarily match my control as the primary caster. Even in the hands of a Limit Douluo, its power would be immeasurable."
"What do you mean by this? Are you preparing for your death?" Gu Yuena's displeasure deepened.
"Not exactly. The plane's spirit and I have left ourselves a way out. I don't want to stage some clichéd tragic farewell with you. It's enough that we both understand everything clearly before it begins," Bai Xu said softly.
Gu Yuena did not refuse, accepting both items before asking, "How confident are you?"
"Seventy percent."
"That's quite high." Her eyelids lowered slightly as she gazed at the miniature formation in her hand, her mood subdued. The artifact was profoundly mystical, far beyond imagination. If deployed over the core region of the Star Dou Forest and infused with the Wood element, it could restore its vitality in an instant.
Bai Xu pressed a finger to Gu Yuena's forehead, transmitting a stream of information, and joked, "These are some Five Elements techniques. You'd better comprehend them when you get back. I have my doubts about whether you can even learn them..."
"You're the one who'd be that slow. The reason I couldn't master them before was due to our differences. But now, with the four-word battle armor you gave me as a foundation, I can execute them." Gu Yuena leaned gently against Bai Xu's chest and said, "In any case, go ahead with your plans. I'll handle some matters on my end."
"If you truly forge the Five Elements Body, when you return, I'll help you comprehend the Great Dao of Yin and Yang. How does that sound?" Gu Yuena seemed to be trying to pique his interest.
"How? Through dual cultivation?" Bai Xu laughed.
Gu Yuena still couldn't bring herself to say it outright. Stomping on his foot in frustration, she snapped, "How can you say something so shameless with a straight face?"
Then she added, "The Secret Texts of Awakening to Truth mention it—all things possess Yin and Yang. To glimpse the traces of Yin and Yang within all existence and comprehend the Great Dao, mere physical union between man and woman is insufficient. You'll need deeper enlightenment."
Bai Xu suddenly said, "Once you comprehend Yin and Yang, you may be able to manifest the Silver Dragon's origin. At that point, I can help separate the three of you."
Gu Yuena shuddered at his words, her emotions in turmoil.
Her two avatars—Gu Yue and Na'er—could appear before her, the main body, as independent individuals.
That scenario... was unimaginable.
"We'll talk about it then..."
"Then why not start comprehending now? I'm quite looking forward to it."
"Comprehend your head off!!"
——————
On the Federation's Naval Warship
Qi Changping stood aboard the Federation's flagship, his brow furrowed. That esteemed individual had claimed this assault would fail?
His first reaction was disbelief. The Sea God Fleet was the Federation's most elite naval force, the direct military arm of the War God Hall's master. Not only was it exquisitely equipped, but its combat experience was also vast. To put it simply, even if the other two naval fleets combined forces, they might not be a match for it.
Boundless Sea Douluo Chen Xinjie was personally leading the operation, accompanied by War God Hall's deities. Despite his advanced age, the War God Hall's master had never lost his thirst for battle. As one of the hawkish faction's leaders, he had always possessed a warlike heart.
How could they possibly lose?
At the very least, they should be able to seize a few of Star Luo's coastal cities, right?
Soon, Qi Changping's doubts vanished. Before a fleet of Federation warships capable of annihilating cities, a handful of youngsters had toyed with them before escaping! The delay might cost them the element of surprise, allowing Star Luo to detect their approach. If the empire established a solid defensive line along the coast, the Sea God Fleet would be in for a tough fight.
Thus, Qi Changping decisively withdrew, opting to return to the Federation aboard a smaller vessel.