The news of Yu Yuanchen emerging from seclusion was like a spring breeze sweeping across the land, rapidly spreading through the upper echelons of the Douluo Federation.
The return of a true god—and one who stood above the average First-level Deity—brought an unparalleled sense of excitement and stability.
Because of his return, the massive machine that was the Federation seemed to have been injected with a brand-new soul, operating with greater efficiency and filled with newfound confidence.
In the days that followed, Yu Yuanchen did not immediately set about handling the unification of the continent.
He first had a long, deep talk with his father, Yu Mingfeng, and his grandfather, Yu Boxuan, gaining a detailed understanding of the specific developments within the Federation and the sect over the past decade, thereby obtaining a clear grasp of the gains and losses in every aspect.
Subsequently, he personally summoned the core members of the Federal Council and the commanders of various legions, listening to detailed reports on military, economic, soul tool technology, and civil affairs.
Listening to the well-organized and data-rich reports from everyone, Yu Yuanchen nodded frequently.
In ten years, the Federation had indeed made significant progress based on his blueprint.
Soul tool technology and the martial way system had been deeply integrated, civilian technology benefited hundreds of millions of people, the overall strength of soul masters had greatly improved, the territory had expanded steadily, and internal governance was in perfect order.
It could be said that the material and institutional foundations for unifying the continent had already been solidified.
At the same time, he also used special channels to establish contact with Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen, who were far away on the Saint Demon Continent.
With Yu Yuanchen having reached the realm of a God King, crossing the barriers of the plane with his divine sense was no longer a difficult task. He "saw" that the experiences of Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen on the Saint Demon Continent were also magnificent.
After making up for some of the shortcomings they had accumulated before reaching level 100 in previous years (Qian Daoliu's physique and spirit lagged behind his soul blade, while Tang Chen's soul power and spirit lagged behind his physique), they had resolutely returned to the Saint Demon Continent from Douluo to make their final sprint.
The place they chose for their tribulation was also the Meteor Mountain Range. Although the Godhood Tribulation they triggered was also a Seven-Colored Heavenly Tribulation, the scale of the tribulation clouds, the power of the thunder, and the danger of the final inner demon tribulation were all a notch inferior to what Yu Yuanchen had experienced back then.
Qian Daoliu, basing his foundation on the belief in light and fusing it with Angel Divine Power, shone with holy light during the tribulation as if a god had descended to the world, ultimately succeeding in inheriting the Angel God Position.
However, during the inheritance process, he integrated his profound insights into the ten principles of chivalry—"humility, honesty, compassion, valor, justice, sacrifice, honor, perseverance, benevolence, and righteousness"—into the god position. This gave the originally somewhat singular Godhead of Light Judgment a sense of depth regarding edification, protection, and order, increasing the potential of the god position and causing his martial soul, the Six-winged Angel, to show signs of evolving toward a Twelve-winged Seraphim.
Tang Chen, on the other hand, proved his path through strength. Relying on his tempered divine body and indomitable fighting spirit, he withstood the heavenly tribulation. The Clear Sky Hammer erupted with terrifying power capable of shattering stars in his hands, and he ultimately inherited the God Position of Destruction.
Yet, he did not stagnate either; he integrated his love and understanding of the way of forging into the godhead, causing the destruction to contain new meanings of "reshaping" and "creation." His divine artifact, the Clear Sky Hammer, evolved accordingly and could be called the "God-level Great Sumeru Hammer," with its potential greatly increased.
That's right, it was not the God-level Clear Sky Hammer. In fact, Tang Chen's Clear Sky Hammer and the Clear Sky Hammers of others in the Clear Sky Sect had long since ceased to be the same martial soul. Tang Chen's Clear Sky Hammer had evolved as early as when he condensed his soul core to break through to Titled Douluo, and it could be called the Great Sumeru Hammer, but he had simply never publicized it.
After the two successfully passed their tribulations, they could steadily exert the strength of a First-level Deity by utilizing the power of their god positions. They stayed on the Saint Demon Continent for a period of time, on one hand to stabilize their realms, and on the other, to fulfill the request Yu Yuanchen had previously made: to secretly look after the Temple Alliance and ensure a smooth transition of the situation on the continent after the migration of the Demon Race.
Learning that his old friends had all succeeded, Yu Yuanchen felt greatly comforted. He sent a message informing them of his emergence from seclusion and his upcoming plan to push for the unification of the continent, inviting them to return at the appropriate time to participate in the grand event. Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen naturally agreed happily, stating that they would set off immediately after dealing with the trivial matters at hand.
After handling these external affairs, Yu Yuanchen's attention returned to his home, especially to the matter involving his son, Yu Yunting, and the young lady named "Xue'er."
Yu Yuanchen had not expected such a melodramatic situation to happen to his own son, but as a father, he still had to clear away hidden dangers for him.
He found an opportunity to have an in-depth father-son talk with Yu Yunting. When facing his father, Yu Yunting shed the composure and sharpness he showed to others, revealing the sincerity and slight nervousness of a young man.
He recounted in detail the process of meeting and getting to know Xue'er, his words filled with care for her and longing for their future life together.
"Father, I know her background is mysterious and she has lost her memory, but I can feel her purity and kindness. I truly love her and want to spend my life with her," Yu Yunting said with a firm gaze.
Yu Yuanchen looked at his son, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He could naturally use his God King methods to easily investigate the truth behind the Snow Empress's sealed memories, or even forcibly seal or tamper with them completely to ensure she remained only "Xue'er" forever. But he disdained doing so.
A true expert must have the courage and responsibility to face everything, whether it be a blessing or a curse. Furthermore, in matters of the heart, coercion and deception were ultimately inferior.
After a moment of contemplation, Yu Yuanchen said to his son, "Yunting, you have grown up; you must choose your own path. As your father, I will not interfere in your feelings, but there are a few things you must keep in mind."
"First, since you have made your choice, you must take responsibility to the end. No matter what happens in the future, do not speak of giving up lightly, nor must you fail her."
"Second, the fact that Xue'er has lost her memory is a hidden danger. Have you ever thought about what you would do if she regained her memories in the future, her temperament changed drastically, or even... if she stood on the opposite side of you?"
"Third, no matter who she was in the past, since she has chosen to be with you, you must have enough strength to protect her and guide her into a new life."
Upon hearing this, Yu Yunting's expression turned solemn. After careful thought, he said solemnly, "I will keep your teachings in mind, Father. No matter what her past was, since I have chosen her, I will protect her for the rest of her life."
"If her memories return, she has her past and I have my persistence; I will strive to understand and communicate. If... it truly reaches the point of being irreconcilable," he paused, a flash of determination in his eyes, "I will respect her choice, but I will never let her be harmed. As for strength, I will certainly practice diligently and never fall behind!"
Looking at the maturity and sense of responsibility in his son's eyes that belied his age, Yu Yuanchen nodded with comfort: "Good. With that realization, go and put it into practice."
After Yu Yunting left, Yu Yuanchen sat quietly by himself. He had ultimately decided to act, but not by sealing or distorting memories as one might expect.
He condensed a wisp of pure Yuanchen Divine Power, containing the True Meaning of Law regarding "creation" and "guidance," and silently integrated it into the body of Xue'er, who was admiring flowers in the garden with Yu Yunyao.
This divine power did not forcibly strike the memory seal; rather, like the gentlest spring rain, it quietly nourished Xue'er's divine soul. Using its unique "Yuanchen" artistic conception, it gradually guided that solid memory seal to produce a trace of extremely subtle, natural "loosening."
This would allow Xue'er, in the days to come, to gradually recall some fragmented pasts belonging to the "Snow Empress" as her cultivation level increased or when she encountered specific opportunities, rather than being overwhelmed all at once by hundreds of thousands of years of cold memories, crushing these short dozen or so years of human memories.
Whether it was a blessing or a curse, fate or tribulation, let these youngsters experience and choose for themselves. All Yu Yuanchen could do was provide a relatively gentle transition, rather than deciding their destiny for them.
A few days later, Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen returned from the Saint Demon Continent. The reunion of the three old friends was naturally filled with emotion and long conversations. Feeling the vast divine might and deeper Dao rhymes on each other, they all laughed heartily. With three Spirit-level Experts sitting in command, the final piece of the puzzle for the Federation to unify the continent was in place.
The plan for the unification of the continent was officially launched.
Yu Yuanchen, Qian Daoliu, and Tang Chen did not choose to take action personally; at that level of conflict, there was no need for him to intervene. He sat in Purple Blazing Dragon City, coordinating the overall situation. They simply traveled to the border strongholds bordering the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire, releasing their divine pressure and power to make the high-level officials of the two empires realize the reality.
The Federation's war machine began to operate efficiently. The elite legions, prepared for many years, advanced toward the borders of the two empires in multiple directions, coordinated by soul tool arrays and powerful soul masters, like a tide. The offensive was not merely a brute-force attack, but a combination of political persuasion and military pressure.
Faced with the overwhelming national power displayed by the Federation and the invisible deterrence of the three divine-level existences, the high-level officials of the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire fell into unprecedented panic and struggle.
Resistance? Not to mention that the equipment and quality of the Federation's army far exceeded theirs, the three beings who were like gods were enough to collapse any will to resist. Stubborn resistance would only lead to the destruction of the nation and its people.
Surrender? How could the glory of imperial power that had lasted for ten thousand years be easily abandoned?
Immediately after, the Douluo Federation officially issued an ultimatum to the two empires, clarifying the desire for peaceful unification, promising to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the two royal families and nobles, granting the people equal status as federal citizens, and jointly building a new order of peace and prosperity.
The ultimatum was read by the Federal Council Speaker in person, the tone peaceful, but behind it lay the terrifying, mountain-like deterrence of the three divine-level experts.
The will to resist, under the dual effect of divine might and benevolence, rapidly disintegrated.
Faced with an absolute disparity in strength and considerations for the future, the emperors of the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire, after agonizing choices, ultimately chose the most rational path—unconditional surrender.
They knew deep down that in the face of the will of three deities, so-called imperial power and glory were nothing more than reflections in a mirror or the moon in the water. Resisting to the end would be meaningless, serving only to increase casualties. Submitting to the powerful Douluo Federation might at least secure a relatively stable future for their subjects.
In the year 2539 of the Douluo Calendar, the emperors of the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire issued edicts announcing the dissolution of their empires and the integration of all their subjects into the Douluo Federation. The edicts praised the advanced nature of the federal system and the benevolence of Yu Yuanchen, calling this move "in accordance with heaven and humanity, and the inevitable trend of the times."
When the news broke, the continent was shaken. The vast majority of commoners and low-level Soul Masters were overjoyed, as the prosperity, justice, and strength of the Federation had long been objects of their longing. Only a portion of the old nobility and those with vested interests gritted their teeth in secret, yet they dared not make a single move.
The Federation's integration work proceeded in an orderly fashion. The original imperial territories were divided into several provinces, and the Federation's laws, systems, currency, and educational structures were rapidly implemented. For the old nobles willing to cooperate, the Federation granted certain preferential treatment and time for transition; for the stubborn and unyielding, they were dealt with according to the law, without a shred of mercy.
The entire process was faster than anyone could have imagined. From the launch of the plan to the formal announcement of the two empires' submission, it took little more than a month. There were no large-scale bloody battles, nor did it cause massive upheaval; Douluo Continent, a land that had been embroiled in conflict for ten thousand years, finally ushered in an unprecedented unity!
A super-power spanning Douluo Continent and Sun Moon Continent, with vast territories, advanced systems, and three Spirit-level Experts at the helm—the Douluo Federation—officially stood tall in the world!
Dragon City held a grand celebration. Thousands of people cheered, celebrating the arrival of peace and unity. Although Yu Yuanchen, Qian Daoliu, and Tang Chen, the three Spirit-level Experts, did not personally attend the ceremony, their statues were erected in the centers of major federal cities, revered by hundreds of millions.
Standing at the highest point of the Governor's Mansion, overlooking the brightly lit and vibrant new city below, Yu Yuanchen felt no great excitement, only the calm of a task naturally completed.
The unification of the continent was, to him, merely a prelude to cleaning out an old house and preparing to welcome guests. His gaze had long since turned toward the more Vast starry sky, toward the supreme God Realm.
The mundane affairs here are finished; it is time... to go and take a look at the God Realm. Yu Yuanchen whispered to himself. He sensed a Faint fluctuation coming from the direction of the God Realm, originating from the contact mark left by the God of Destruction, carrying a hint of approval and expectation.
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: GodKun-Chan