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Douluo Federation, Tianhai City.
After being promoted due to Bai Xu's influence, his adoptive parents had moved to Tianhai City. Their biological son was now in his teens, but unfortunately, his talent had inherited the couple's mediocre aptitude, with no mutations. His soul power had barely reached rank 12.
However, today was a special day for the family.
For some unknown reason, the Spirit Pagoda headquarters had sent an invitation, summoning Bai Tao to take up a position there.
Yet, the family couldn't find it in themselves to feel happy. They all knew the truth—this was almost certainly because of Bai Xu.
As for this son they hadn't seen in over a decade, the couple's memories of him had grown hazy. After Bai Xu left, he had never returned home or sought them out. Only during a brief period when he seemed to have found work did he begin sending money and occasional letters with a few words of greeting.
But even that had eventually stopped.
The next time they saw Bai Xu's name, it was on the Spirit Pagoda's wanted list. And now, the title of "The Demon Lord of the Five Elements' Ultimate Law" had become thunderously infamous. Even ordinary citizens of the Federation knew a thing or two about him—after all, no one in history had ever destroyed four Spirit Pagoda branch towers in succession.
"Ah… this time, it's probably…" Bai Tao sighed helplessly, lowering his head in bitterness as he looked at his family. They had been dragged into the whirlpool of events.
"Husband, this…" Bai Ying's voice trembled with worry.
But outside their home, Spirit Pagoda personnel were already waiting to escort them personally to the headquarters. Most of them were soul masters, and there was even a Title Douluo among them.
"It's related to Bai Xu. They say he's now a Limit Douluo, standing at the pinnacle of the continent alongside the current Spirit Pagoda Tower Master," Bai Tao said with another sigh.
"What!?" Bai Ying covered her mouth, her eyes wide with shock.
Suddenly, an excited voice burst out: "What? My brother I've never met is a Limit Douluo!?"
Their son had overheard and couldn't contain his excitement.
The couple quickly shushed him. Bai Tao warned, "Remember, if you want to survive, you must answer truthfully. We only had occasional correspondence with Bai Xu—don't mention anything else!"
The family of three felt like small fish swept into a deep-sea vortex, suffocating under the pressure.
Unlike Leng Jiuming, they didn't know much about the soul master world. At most, they had only learned about Bai Xu from the news. After seeing reports labeling him as an evil soul master—and then having Spirit Pagoda personnel repeatedly visit their home for questioning—they had no choice but to believe it.
And now, their worst fears had become reality.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Time to go," a cold voice called from outside, making the family shudder. Slowly, they rose and opened the door, then followed the Spirit Pagoda personnel onto a soul train bound for the headquarters.
---
Late at Night.
A Lonely Island in the Sea .
Gu Yuena appeared on the island through her silver scales, her expression tinged with worry. Hesitating, she finally spoke: "Bai Xu…"
"I already know," Bai Xu replied, emerging from his meditation with a sigh.
Seeing this, Gu Yuena went straight to the point. "Your master… Leng Jiuming… took his own life on the soul train to the Spirit Pagoda headquarters. Your adoptive parents and younger brother have already arrived. Are you… grieving?"
Bai Xu's face showed neither sorrow nor joy as he gazed into the distance, as if reminiscing.
After a long silence, he turned back and said softly, "Don't worry. As long as I live, you all will endure."
Gu Yuena had never met anyone like Bai Xu. If it were Leng Yaozhu who had died, even she, as the ruler of the soul beasts, would have felt sorrow. Yet Bai Xu showed only indifference—like a seeker of the great Dao who had transcended emotion.
"You never contacted them before… Was it because you foresaw things coming to this, so you deliberately cut ties?" Gu Yuena walked to his side and asked.
"It was caution," Bai Xu admitted.
"I'll stay with you for a while." Gu Yuena fell silent, standing beside Bai Xu as they both looked at the moon.
Lately, Bai Xu had been focused on stabilizing his power, often going into seclusion—as if preparing solely for the day of the martial arts tournament for marriage.
Unusually, Bai Xu didn't cultivate tonight. The two of them walked to the shore.
Gu Yuena stood beside him, studying his face. She understood now: To Bai Xu, everything here was already known, as if all things in the world lay beneath his gaze, completely within his control. Moreover, the path of evolution Bai Xu walked was one that led to the heavens. At that level, a single session of seclusion might span tens of millions of years—an entire epoch. How could his heart still surge like the tides? He had long grown detached from worldly ties, devoted only to his own Dao.
Yet no matter how lofty he became, the experiences of his youth remained a part of him. The bonds of his younger days were etched into his heart, impossible to erase.
After a long while, Bai Xu bowed deeply in the direction of Eastsea City and said, "My heart follows my will, not the masses. Master… you were reckless."
Bai Xu had originally planned to reunite with his adoptive parents and master during the martial arts tournament. He hadn't expected Leng Jiuming to act so decisively, ending his own life to prevent the Spirit Pagoda from using him as leverage.
Gu Yuena whispered beside him, "In his final moments, he still believed in you. Even though the Spirit Pagoda and the Federation branded you an evil soul master, he never doubted you."
"Did he?"
"Perhaps this is the nature of the Dao. Each stage has its own scenery. No matter how rational I am, no matter how carefully I avoid forming bonds, it's inevitable. Another reason not to lose has been added." Bai Xu sighed softly as he gazed at the sea.
"So, you must win," Gu Yuena said with a smile.
Sensing Bai Xu's mood lightening, she lightened the atmosphere. "By the way… am I among your reasons not to lose?"
"Of course," Bai Xu chuckled.
---
Breaking News Broadcast.
"Today at 10 a.m., the Spirit Pagoda announced the launch of a grand soul master event—an unprecedented martial arts tournament for marriage, hosted for the new Spirit Pagoda Envoy, Miss Gu Yuena. All young soul masters under the age of 35 are eligible to register, provided they meet the minimum requirement of six rings. Both battle armor masters and mecha pilots may participate. Further details on registration will be released by the Spirit Pagoda in due course."
The martial arts tournament for marriage quickly gained official recognition. The Spirit Pagoda meticulously managed its publicity, releasing information in small increments to maintain public interest.
This strategy not only built hype for the event but also helped divert attention from the Spirit Pagoda's recent scandals.
When Tang Wulin saw the news, a trace of melancholy flickered in his eyes. As the Tang Sect Master and Sea God Pavilion Master, he secretly convened a meeting in Heaven Dou City, attended by Shrek's Seven Monsters, the Holy Spirit Douluo, the Light Dark Douluo, Amorous Douluo, and other high-ranking officials.
"Let's cut to the chase," Tang Wulin declared. "Rebuilding Shrek and exposing the Spirit Pagoda's crimes is imperative—this martial arts tournament is our opportunity. My adoptive parents will serve as witnesses to the Spirit Pagoda's collusion with the Holy Spirit Cult, revealing its corruption. This is how we will fully restore Shrek. And one more thing—this tournament is clearly targeting Bai Xu. But what I must tell you all is this: Bai Xu is a demon from beyond this world!"