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******
A voice had scarcely fallen silent when a figure stepped slowly out of a mountain cave.
It was Oscar.
The once callow, irreverent youth was nowhere to be found.
Not only his temperament, even his appearance had subtly changed.
Now, Oscar wore a fitted black battle tunic; his sword-straight brows framed star-bright eyes; his features were sharply hewn; his bearing tall and taut like a drawn blade.
A chill, razor sheen flickered in his gaze—cold as winter stars.
In this moment, Oscar resembled a peerless sword, tempered by time and whetted to a killing edge—brilliance unveiled, presence overwhelming.
He strode forward step by step, stopped before Lan Minghua, and dropped to one knee. "Master-Protector, your disciple has succeeded!"
His voice was low and powerful—utterly unlike the laughing boy from two years ago.
Lan Minghua looked upon the transformed Oscar, eyes full of gratification.
"Rise. Success was yours to seize. You may be level one hundred now, but do not grow arrogant."
Oscar stood, gaze unwavering. "Of course. Never assume others are fools—no matter when. That is your teaching."
"Mm. Very good," Lan Minghua nodded, then dispensed with mystery. "Another two years have passed. You've reached level one hundred, but you are not alone. Tang San, Qian Renxue, and Bibi Dong have completed their God Trials and also attained level one hundred."
"According to reports from Yunshan, Tang San and the others are on their way to the Star Luo Empire, planning to unite and stake a life-and-death showdown with our Heavenly Dragon Empire."
"Oscar—you know what to do."
Oscar clasped his fists. "Master, I will lead the Heavenly Dragon Empire to final victory. Even if they field three god-level combatants, I will never lose!"
He had barely finished when Lan Minghua rapped him smartly on the head.
"Ow—Master, what was that for?" Oscar rubbed the back of his skull, cheeks puffing.
Lan Minghua rolled his eyes. "Did I tell you to fight three at once? From start to finish, your opponent is Tang San alone. As for Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue, I've already arranged suitable opponents."
As he spoke, he clapped his hands. Several familiar figures stepped out one after another.
Oscar blinked in surprise. "Fourth Junior Sister, Fifth Junior Sister, Sixth Junior Brother, Seventh Junior Sister—how are you all here?"
Feng Xiaotian laughed aloud. "Hahaha! Senior Brother, how could we miss an occasion this grand? What—are you doubting our strength?"
Even as his words fell, Feng Xiaotian and the others released their soul power.
Without exception—they were all level ninety-nine, Limit Douluo.
Oscar's jaw went slack. He'd thought himself impressive; clearly, his junior brothers and sisters were no less formidable.
Watching his expression, Lan Minghua was quietly amused.
What's wrong, stunned? While you've been advancing, others have been advancing too.
In these two years they refined the inheritance templates I won in lotteries—their strength won't lag behind yours.
Though "only" Limit Douluo at ninety-nine, any two fighting in concert could test a level-one-hundred god.
With that thought, Lan Minghua made his decision.
He cleared his throat, speaking lazily but with iron beneath the tone: "Your strength is sufficient for the war to come. Oscar, you'll take Tang San. Yiran and Yanzi, you'll handle Bibi Dong. Xiaotian and Bing'er, Qian Renxue is yours. Tell your master—can you do it?"
"Of course, Master!"
Oscar and the others answered as one, confidence absolute.
Lan Minghua nodded, satisfied, then grew solemn. "Then set sail. It's time the world learned that as my disciples, you are in no way inferior to gods."
At the end, he added for Oscar alone: "And Oscar—don't keep Zhuqing waiting."
Oscar started, then a gentle light swept his eyes.
"I understand, Master. This time, I won't leave her to fight alone."
He could hardly wait. Two years apart had stoked a longing near to pain.
Soon after, Oscar led Feng Xiaotian and the others, along with the Heavenly Dragon Empire's Title Douluo, in a mighty march toward the Star Luo Empire.
Not long after they departed, several more figures appeared, lining up before Lan Minghua.
In unison, they bowed and spoke: "Sect Master!"
Lan Minghua swept his gaze across them and nodded.
These were all experts he had "drawn" through his lotteries—each one fearsomely strong.
From left to right:
Wu Song — Level ninety-nine, Limit Douluo. With the domain Pride of the Martial he can battle god-tier foes.
Yunshan — Level ninety-nine, Limit Douluo. With the Wind King Barrier domain he can battle god-tier foes.
Hai Bodong — Level ninety-nine, Limit Douluo. With the Clear Mind, Fresh Spirit domain he can battle god-tier foes.
Qi — Level ninety-nine, Limit Douluo. When main body and avatar merge, can battle god-tier foes.
Qingfeng — Level ninety-nine, Limit Douluo. Half-god combat power.
Chiya — Level ninety-nine, Limit Douluo. Half-god combat power.
Manjusaka — Level ninety-nine, Limit Douluo. Half-god combat power.
...
Apart from Wu Song, Yunshan, and Hai Bodong, the rest were shadow assassins.
And aside from Qi, every one of the shadow assassins possessed half-god-level might.
Lan Minghua assigned their targets with crisp precision: Wu Song vs. Tang Chen; Yunshan vs. Qian Daoliu; Manjusaka vs. Bo Saixi.
As for Qi and Hai Bodong, Lan Minghua had no intention of letting them show their hands too soon.
He knew all too well: gods from the God Realm would definitely interfere this time.
Even as gods, once they descended to the mortal world, the most power they could wield would be at the level-one-hundred threshold.
When that happened, then Qi and Hai Bodong would strike—catching them utterly unprepared.
Lan Minghua was certain the gods would meddle.
After all, the surge of Title Douluo across the continent these four years had been their doing.
Little did they know—the Heavenly Dragon Empire had more Title Douluo than they imagined.
After a moment's thought, Lan Minghua issued orders: "You'll shadow the main force in secret. Seek out the opponents I've assigned. The rest of you—hide and await my command."
"Yes, Sect Master!"
Once they left, Wu Song flexed his hands, itching for action.
"Finally, a real fight! Four years—four whole years without a true battle!"
Yunshan nodded in agreement. Over the past four years, he'd been managing the Heavenly Dragon Empire with hardly a moment to draw his sword.
The only "fights" he'd had were controlled sparring bouts with Wu Song and Qi—not satisfying in the least.
Lan Minghua listened to them and couldn't help but smile.
I didn't expect them all to be such battle fanatics. These years have truly stifled them. Don't worry—soon you'll fight to your hearts' content.
He lifted his head to the sky, as though peering across endless distance to the lofty God Realm.
At the same time, the gods themselves were stirring.
For this day, they had mustered the strength of the entire God Realm, preparing to lure their quarry into the urn.
In the Divine Realm, within the Hall of the Gods—
The Five God Kings and a host of First-Rank Gods gathered as one.
"At last—the day has come!"
（End of Chapter）