The cheers on the Bone Plain gradually subsided, the smoke of battle dissipated, leaving behind only a scarred landscape and the lingering scent of sulfur and char in the air. The human Coalition Army began to methodically clear the battlefield, treat the wounded, and tally the spoils of war. Though exhausted, every face was lit with the joy of victory and a soaring fighting spirit.
Yu Yuanchen hovered in mid-air, his powerful Spiritual Power spreading out like mercury poured onto the ground, carefully sensing this Demon Plane that had just endured a bloody war. The joy of victory did not cloud his mind; he was thinking of more long-term issues.
Although four of the Demon Kings had been slain and the others had fled with heavy injuries, leaving their top-tier combat power almost entirely wiped out, was the threat of the Demon Plane truly resolved?
The answer was no.
Beyond the range of his spiritual perception, he could still detect countless faint but evil and chaotic auras, like vipers hiding in the shadows, scattered deep within the vast and treacherous land, in dark canyons, and along the banks of boiling magma rivers. These were millions of low-level demons! They were weak, most not even reaching the level of a Soul Grand Master (Level 20), and possessed low intelligence, scattered like loose sand.
In normal times, these low-level demons would be no match for human soul masters. But at this moment, Yu Yuanchen frowned slightly. The numbers were too high! So high it made one's scalp tingle! Moreover, according to the information he had extracted from the demons' memories and his own observations, the reproductive capacity of these creatures was terrifying!
Like locusts, as long as they had sufficient energy and matter, they could reproduce frantically even in the harsh environment of the Demon Plane. The current number of demons in the Demon Plane was not limited by their birth rate, but had reached the limit of what this barren plane could support—what is known in ecology as the "carrying capacity (K-value)."
Endless to kill, impossible to eradicate... Yu Yuanchen understood this clearly. If he ordered the army to purge these low-level demons now, they might see results in the short term, slaughtering hundreds of thousands or even millions. But before long, the vacated ecological niches would be immediately filled by newborn demons, and because the survival pressure had temporarily decreased, the demons' reproductive rate would accelerate further, quickly returning to their original scale. This meaningless slaughter, aside from consuming their own strength and intensifying hatred, would be of no benefit.
Better to guide than to block, better to manage than to kill. A thought gradually became clear in Yu Yuanchen's mind. The best way to deal with these low-level demons was not total annihilation—which was almost impossible and went against the ecological balance of the plane—but rather... control and management. Let them survive under certain rules, and perhaps... could they be utilized in the future? For example, as training opponents for soul masters? Or, by screening out controllable demon species for use in specific fields? Of course, that was a matter for another day; the prerequisite was absolute control.
The most urgent task at present was how to ensure that the soul masters of the Douluo Continent could safely and effectively enter and develop this newly opened "colony," while guarding against potential remaining threats (such as the escaped Demogorgon or other unknown powerful demons).
Thinking of this, Yu Yuanchen had a plan. He descended and approached the core members of the Coalition Army.
"Yuanchen (Young Sect Master)!" Seeing him approach, everyone bowed, their eyes filled with reverence and anticipation, waiting for his next instructions.
Yu Yuanchen scanned the crowd and said in a deep voice, "Everyone, although we have won this battle and the Demon Kings have been slain, the Demon Plane is vast, and there are millions of low-level demons scattered everywhere. Purging them is difficult and not the best strategy."
Hearing this, everyone was stunned, then fell into deep thought. They had also sensed those pervasive, faint, evil auras just moments ago.
Yu Yuanchen continued, "Demons reproduce extremely quickly; slaughter can only delay them, not eradicate them. Our purpose in coming here is not genocide, but to eliminate the threat of their invasion and to open up a New Territory for the soul master world of the Douluo Continent to explore, train, and acquire resources."
He paused, his voice rising with determination, "However, due to our current lack of manpower, I have decided that we will temporarily establish only one permanent stronghold of our own in this Demon Plane—a city!"
"Build a city?" Hearing this, everyone was first surprised, then their eyes erupted with a gleam!
"Build a city? That's great! We can't just give back the place we worked so hard to conquer to the demons," Tang Gan laughed heartily. "Besides, with a city as a base, we can advance to explore the plane's resources, retreat to hold our ground while waiting for reinforcements, and it can serve as a bridgehead for long-term operations in the Demon Plane!"
"A fine proposal!" Ning Zhiyuan stroked his beard and nodded. "The environment of the Demon Plane is unique. Although there will surely be many special minerals and resources not found in the Douluo Plane, it is generally a barren land. The environment needs to be transformed, and it will take time to develop before expanding to new cities. For now, one city is enough."
Qian Chongxiao also nodded slightly, "Young Friend Yuanchen is thoughtful. However, building a city is no small matter; it requires a large number of craftsmen and supplies. Moreover, the environment here is harsh and surrounded by demons, so defense is the top priority."
"High Priest Qian is absolutely right," Yu Yuanchen nodded. "The matter of building the city requires careful planning. For now, we must first ensure the safety of the passage between the two worlds."
He turned and looked at the entrance to the Planar Passage leading to the Douluo Continent, which was blocked by a purple-gold thunder pillar.
"I intend to temporarily remove the seal and sit guard here myself. Firstly, to guard against the escaped Demogorgon or other scoundrels taking the opportunity to slip into the Douluo Plane and cause chaos; secondly, to take advantage of the unique laws of this Demon Plane to enter deep seclusion and seek a breakthrough."
Everyone was shocked. Yu Yuanchen wanted to guard the passage himself? And enter seclusion here?
"Brother Yuanchen, this place is treacherous. Is it wise to enter seclusion..." Qian Daoliu said with some concern.
"It is fine," Yu Yuanchen smiled calmly. "The Demon Kings are no longer a concern. Although the laws here are vastly different from our world, it is precisely because of this that it may help me draw parallels and break through my bottleneck. I have my own measures."
He looked at Yu Boxuan, Tang Gan, Ning Zhiyuan, and the others, "The matter of building the city will have to trouble you all. Please lead the elite of the Coalition Army back to the Douluo Continent. First, announce the news of our great victory to the world to stabilize the people; second, gather the best craftsmen on the continent, mobilize sufficient building materials and supplies, and prepare for the city's construction. I will stabilize the passage here and clear the foundation needed for the city."
He then looked at Qian Chongxiao, "High Priest Qian, the Martial Soul Hall is well-informed, and coordinating the efforts of all parties will require your extra effort. In addition, we must strictly monitor all parts of the continent to prevent any remaining Demon Seeds or Evil Soul Masters from taking advantage of the situation to cause trouble."
"It is my duty," Qian Chongxiao agreed solemnly.
"Good! In that case, let us not delay!" Yu Yuanchen acted with decisiveness. "I will open the passage immediately; everyone, return quickly! This news must also be conveyed to the Pope and the various sects as soon as possible."
The group took their orders and quickly assembled their teams.
Yu Yuanchen arrived in front of the Planar Passage, and with a thought, the purple-gold thunder pillar blocking the entrance fluctuated slightly. The light on the side closer to the Douluo Continent gradually thinned, revealing a stable exit that could accommodate several people walking side-by-side.
"The passage is open, everyone, please!"
"Take care, Yuanchen (Young Sect Master)!" The group bowed in farewell and stepped into the passage one by one, returning to the Douluo Continent.
After the last person had left, Yu Yuanchen once again cast the Holy Dragon Town Prison Tribulation, but this time, instead of blocking it completely, he condensed it into a relatively thin but more resilient thunder network with warning capabilities, covering the entrance of the passage. If any Powerful Being attempted to force their way through, he would immediately sense it and could strengthen the seal instantly.
After doing all this, he sat cross-legged on a charred cliff near the entrance of the passage, his gaze sweeping over this dark red, desolate world that nonetheless contained unique laws and resources.
The Demon Plane... different laws, different energy... perhaps this is the opportunity for me to condense my 'Ultimate Soul Core' and take that final step... He slowly closed his eyes, and his vast Spiritual Power and perception began to merge with this world, carefully experiencing the planar laws that were completely different from those of the Douluo Continent. His Thunder Sacred Dragon Martial Soul emerged on its own, purple-gold lightning flowing around his body, resonating faintly with the violent Fire Element in the air, the chaotic Fel Energy, and the deeply hidden spatial fluctuations.
He did not immediately enter deep seclusion, but instead divided a portion of his mind to monitor the passage and the surrounding movements. At the same time, he began to use his supreme power to clear a relatively flat area near the passage, leveling the charred rock and driving away low-level demons to lay the foundation for the future city.
A few days later, the first advance exploration team sent jointly by the Martial Soul Hall and the Seven Great Sects arrived at the Demon Plane through the passage, carrying a large number of measuring tools and defensive array materials. When they saw Yu Yuanchen sitting on the cliff, as if he had become one with this world, and the huge flat land cleared below the mountain, enough to build a majestic city, they were all inexplicably shocked.
Yu Yuanchen did not stand up, but merely transmitted his instructions regarding the exploration and initial array setup. The members of the exploration team began their work with a sense of awe.
Thereafter, batches of craftsmen, array masters, and soul master guard teams arrived one after another through the passage. Building materials, daily necessities, and defensive equipment were also continuously transported over.
On the barren, dark red land around Demon Quelling City, people also sowed seeds of Blue Silver Grass, which possessed tenacious vitality, hoping that their presence would improve the surrounding soil quality.
Under the guidance and supervision of Yu Yuanchen, the first human fortress in the Demon Plane—initially named "Expeditionary Fortress," but later renamed "Demon Quelling City" by consensus to commemorate this epic victory—began its foundation and construction.
The city walls were cast from granite mixed with some metals and engraved with powerful purification and defensive restrictions from the Martial Soul Hall. The layout inside the city was reasonable and fully functional, equipped with soul master quarters, supply warehouses, research institutes, and medical centers. Yu Yuanchen even took action himself, drawing on a portion of the Power of Space from the Hell Gate to construct a small, stable prototype of a two-way teleportation array in the center of the city, connecting it to a fixed point on the Douluo Continent side, greatly facilitating the future movement of personnel and supplies.
As for Yu Yuanchen himself, after the city began to take shape and the defensive system was initially perfected, he officially began his seclusion in the highest Meditation Tower built specifically for him in the city, which drew upon the power of earth fire and thunder.
In this seclusion, he would face the unique laws of the Demon Plane, organize his own learning, integrate the Blood Essence Martial Path, the Thunder Law, the mysteries of the soul core, and the True Meaning of Destruction and space from the other plane he had just touched upon, launching a final assault toward the legendary realm of the Level 99 Titled Douluo and his own unique "Ultimate Soul Core"!
The establishment of Demon Quelling City was like driving a shining nail into this dark and chaotic land of the Demon Plane, marking a historic step for the human soul master world of the Douluo Continent in cross-planar colonization!
The success or failure of Yu Yuanchen's seclusion would not only concern the peak of his personal martial path but would also profoundly influence the future destiny of both planes.
The storm had temporarily subsided, but the new journey had only just begun. Inside Demon Quelling City, the lights were lit, reflecting against the dark red sky in the distance, and reflecting the anticipation and firmness in the eyes of every pioneer regarding the unknown and the future.
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: GodKun-Chan