The strife on the Saint Demon Continent had finally settled. The murderous aura and chaos that had permeated the heavens and earth gradually dissipated, replaced by a tranquility born of surviving a catastrophe and a hopeful anticipation for a new order. The shattered mountains and rivers needed time to heal, and the scarred living beings required a period of rest and recuperation.
Inside the highest Council Hall of the Alliance headquarters, the atmosphere was starkly different from the heavy tension of the past.
Yu Yuanchen sat upright in the main seat, his aura restrained, yet he naturally exuded the majesty of one who held the power to command the universe. After several days of regulating his breath, he had recovered most of the divine essence lost during the great battle. Though a trace of fatigue lingered between his brows, his eyes remained as deep as a sea of stars. Gu Yuena, Qian Daoliu, and Tang Chen sat on either side, their auras having also stabilized significantly; it was clear they had gained much.
Below them, the high-ranking members of the Temple Alliance, led by Yang Zhou and Han Tao, were all present, their faces brimming with irrepressible excitement and gratitude.
"Your Excellency Yu, and all other Excellencies!" Yang Zhou stood up and bowed deeply, his voice trembling slightly with emotion. "The Demon Race has submitted, the Planar Spirit has been executed, and the evil has been purged. This is an unparalleled feat that has saved our human race from fire and water and reshaped the world! On behalf of the billions of compatriots in the Temple Alliance, I offer our deepest thanks for your great kindness!"
Behind him, Han Tao and the masters and vice-masters of the five great temples also bowed in unison, their eyes filled with heartfelt respect. Thousands of years of oppression had been wiped away in an instant; this debt of gratitude was heavier than any mountain.
Yu Yuanchen raised his hand slightly, and a gentle force lifted everyone up. "Temple Master Yang, you are too kind. The catastrophe of this world was also an opportunity for our own training. Now that the culprits have been removed, it is time for you to rest, recuperate, and rebuild your homes."
His gaze swept over the crowd as he said slowly, "Now that matters here are concluded, we shall depart in a few days to return to our homeland."
As soon as these words were spoken, the joy on the faces of Yang Zhou and the others froze, instantly replaced by intense reluctance and panic.
"Your Excellency is leaving?" Han Tao could not help but say urgently, "The continent has just been pacified and everything is waiting to be rebuilt; we need pillars like you to sit in command and provide guidance! The Alliance... cannot do without you, Excellencies!"
"Indeed, Your Excellency Yu!" the vice-master of the Magic Temple added hurriedly. "If not for you, the Alliance would have already collapsed. We implore you to stay, lead the Alliance, and guide us in creating a golden age!"
The others echoed these sentiments, their words sincere and heartfelt. They were truly reluctant to see them go; these divine-level experts from another realm were not only peerless in strength, but the brand-new concepts and cultivation insights they brought had benefited the entire Alliance immensely. With them in charge, the future of the Alliance would be bright.
Yu Yuanchen shook his head, his tone peaceful yet firm. "We are, after all, mere passersby in this world; our roots lie in our homeland. The future of the Saint Demon Continent should be created by those who live here. Relying too much on external forces is not a long-term solution."
Seeing the disappointment on their faces, he changed the subject. "However, although we are leaving, we will not sever our connection."
He turned his gaze to the Evil Emperor (who had transformed into human form) standing to the side. "This is the Evil Eye Tyrant Lord, the Evil Emperor. He comes from the Douluo Plane with us, and his strength has reached the peak of the mortal realm, just one step away from the divine level.
"He will stay in this world for the time being, partly to stabilize his realm and seek an opportunity for a breakthrough, and partly to act as a liaison between us and the Alliance. If you encounter any major changes that the Alliance cannot handle, you can contact us through him."
Because the Evil Emperor was not a native creature of the Douluo Plane, the prohibition set by the Dragon God—that soul beasts could not become gods—only took effect when he was on the Douluo Continent. Therefore, he did not intend to return to the Douluo Continent for the time being and prepared to remain on the Saint Demon Continent to achieve godhood.
Di Tian, however, could not do the same; as a pure-blooded dragon, the Dragon God's prohibition was far too restrictive for him.
The Evil Emperor stepped forward, his massive vertical pupils sweeping over the crowd, his mental fluctuations calm. "I have been entrusted by Brother Yu to reside in this world for a time. If the Alliance faces any difficulties, you may come to the Evil Demon Swamp to find me."
Yang Zhou and the others were stunned at first, then overjoyed! To have a peak expert capable of trading blows with the Demon God Emperor willing to stay and watch over them was an incredible surprise.
Although it was not as good as having Yu Yuanchen and the others personally in charge, it was still an extremely strong guarantee! Moreover, the Evil Emperor was not human; having him as a neutral liaison also avoided the potential hidden dangers of the Alliance becoming overly dependent on any one side.
"Many thanks, Your Excellency Evil Emperor! Many thanks, Your Excellency Yu!" Yang Zhou and the others bowed again, their hearts finally at ease.
After settling the affairs of the Alliance, Yu Yuanchen gave the Evil Emperor a few final instructions via telepathy, mainly regarding the precautions for his breakthrough to the divine level and advising him that once his realm was stable, he could appropriately guide promising juniors in the Alliance, but should not interfere too much in the Alliance's internal politics. The Evil Emperor agreed to each point.
A few days later, everything was ready.
At the site of the former Demon Capital Heart City, in the void where the divine battle had once erupted and which had now been preliminarily stabilized by Yu Yuanchen's great power.
Yu Yuanchen, Gu Yuena, Qian Daoliu, Tang Chen, Di Tian, and Ye Zhilan had gathered there. Only a few of the highest-ranking members of the Alliance, such as Yang Zhou and Han Tao, had come to see them off.
"Everyone, even a journey of a thousand miles must come to an end. Take care." Yu Yuanchen cupped his hands toward Yang Zhou and the others.
"Take care, Your Excellencies! May you achieve your goals soon, and if you have the leisure, we sincerely hope you will visit this world again!" Yang Zhou and the others bowed in return, their eyes filled with reverence and blessings.
Yu Yuanchen nodded, saying no more. He waved his hand to summon the Hell Gate. After the battle with the Planar Spirit, his understanding of Space Law had deepened, and he now wielded it with effortless ease.
The dark golden gate stood in the void, its surface covered in flowing runes, emitting stable spatial fluctuations.
With a thought, Yu Yuanchen did not directly construct a temporary passage. Instead, he took out a Hell Gate Replica—a smaller, more intricately structured gate that had been reinforced with a high-grade Void Nether Silver Mother obtained from the Planar Spirit's legacy, and which resonated faintly with the main Hell Gate.
Yu Yuanchen fixed it to a spatial node, creating a marvelous resonance with the main Hell Gate.
"This sub-gate can sense the main gate. By injecting enough energy, you can temporarily open a passage between the two worlds," Yu Yuanchen said to Yang Zhou. "It can be used as a contingency for emergency contact. Do not use it lightly unless absolutely necessary, so as to avoid attracting unnecessary trouble."
Yang Zhou nodded solemnly, treating this gate as the Alliance's highest secret.
"Let's go." Yu Yuanchen signaled to Gu Yuena and the others, stepping into the Hell Gate first. Gu Yuena, Qian Daoliu, Tang Chen, Di Tian, and Ye Zhilan followed closely behind.
The gate flashed with light, and the six figures vanished. The Hell Gate and the sub-gate also slowly faded into the void.
The process of crossing planes was no longer a perilous journey for those who had become gods or quasi-gods; it was more like a marvelous transit. Surrounded by bizarre and fantastic spatial light, and feeling the aura of the Douluo Plane—which was vastly different from the Saint Demon Continent yet far more intimate and familiar—drawing ever closer, ripples of homecoming stirred in everyone's hearts.
Ye Zhilan, in particular, had eyes sparkling with anticipation. Having been separated from her husband and children for several years, her heart was overflowing with longing.
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Douluo Plane, Douluo Federation, Purple Blazing Dragon City.
Inside a secret hall deep within the Governor's Mansion, space fluctuated slightly, and a dark golden gate quietly emerged.
Yu Yuanchen and the other five stepped out, their feet touching solid ground. The dense and familiar Heaven and Earth Origin Qi rushed toward them, carrying the unique life force and vitality of the Douluo Continent.
"We're back..." Qian Daoliu took a deep breath, feeling the familiar air, a look of comfort appearing on his face.
The Douluo Continent was their root. Returning here was like a fish returning to water; there was an indescribable sense of ease. Although the limitations of the plane meant they could not exert their full power, their daily cultivation and comprehension of the laws were much smoother.
Tang Chen laughed heartily and stomped his feet firmly on the ground. "Home is still the best! That Saint Demon Continent was filled with such demonic energy; it never felt right staying there!"
A trace of softness also flashed in Di Tian's massive dragon eyes. The Star Dou Great Forest was his true home.
Yu Yuanchen put away the Hell Gate, his divine sense instantly covering the entire Dragon City, and he quickly locked onto two familiar and powerful auras sparring in the martial arts arena outside the city. A warm curve appeared on the corner of his mouth involuntarily.
"Dad! Mom!"
Almost the moment Yu Yuanchen's divine sense swept over them, two calls filled with surprise came from near and far! Two streaks of light, one cyan and one purple, shot from outside the city at high speed, landing outside the hall in the blink of an eye.
The light dissipated, revealing two heroic and spirited figures.
The young man on the left was over 1.9 meters tall, with broad shoulders and a thick back. He wore a simple white martial outfit, his black hair loose, his brows sharp like swords, and his eyes bright like stars. His face was handsome and resolute, bearing a seventy-percent resemblance to Yu Yuanchen. Faint, fine Purple Gold Lightning flickered around him, and his aura had reached the peak of the Soul Sage realm; he was none other than Yu Yunting.
Yet, his usually steady temperament was currently filled with longing and excitement.
The young girl on the right had a tall, graceful figure, dressed in a light cyan long dress. Her black hair cascaded like a waterfall, and her face was breathtakingly beautiful, possessing both the gentleness of Ye Zhilan and a touch of Yu Yuanchen's heroic spirit. Her emerald-green eyes were like jade, pure and full of life force. Her cultivation had also reached the Soul Sage level; she was none other than Yu Yunyao!
"Yunting! Yunyao!" Seeing her two children, Ye Zhilan's eyes instantly turned red. She stepped forward quickly and pulled them both into a tight embrace. Having not seen them for several years, seeing them grown into adults with such refined cultivation left her feeling both comforted and heartbroken, regretting the important time she had missed during their growth.
"Mom!" Yu Yunyao buried her head in her mother's arms, her voice choked with sobs. Although Yu Yunting had a steady personality, he could not hide his excitement at this moment, holding his mother tightly.
Yu Yuanchen stepped forward, looking at his son, who was slightly taller than himself, and his daughter, who had blossomed into a beautiful young woman. His eyes were filled with a father's love and pride. He reached out, patted his son's shoulder firmly, and then gently ruffled his daughter's hair.
"Good, good! You've both grown up, and your cultivation hasn't lagged behind. Very good!"
"Dad!" Yu Yunting and Yu Yunyao called out in unison, their eyes filled with worship as they looked at their father. They had long since learned from the information transmitted when the Federation and the sect assisted the Demon Race in their migration about their parents' earth-shattering feats on the foreign continent. To be able to contend with the Demon God Emperor and slay the Planar Spirit—what immense power that was.
After a warm and affectionate reunion, the family returned to the official residence's inner hall to talk. Yu Yunting and Yu Yunyao could not wait to recount the development of the Federation over the past few years, the changes in the sect, and their own cultivation experiences.
Under the framework left by Yu Yuanchen, the Federation flourished, and Soul Tool Technology changed with each passing day. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan grew increasingly powerful under the leadership of Yu Mingfeng, Yu Yuanzhen, and others. The siblings also grew rapidly through constant training.
Listening to their children's accounts, Yu Yuanchen and Ye Zhilan both wore satisfied smiles. The warmth of home diluted the slaughter and exhaustion of their battles in the other world.
In the days that followed, Yu Yuanchen did not immediately enter seclusion. He first had long talks with his father, Yu Mingfeng, and his grandfather, Yu Boxuan, to understand the specific situation of the sect and the Federation. He selectively imparted some of his observations and cultivation insights from the Saint Demon Continent, especially regarding the path after Level 100 and the concept of the God realm, pointing out the direction for the future powerhouses of the Douluo Continent.
He also took the time to guide his children's cultivation, resolving the bottlenecks they were currently facing one by one and leaving behind more suitable follow-up techniques for them.
At the same time, he distributed some of the cultivation resources obtained from the Saint Demon Continent that were suitable for the Douluo Continent's system, further enhancing the strength of their core forces.
Gu Yuena and Di Tian returned to the Star Dou Great Forest. Qian Daoliu returned to the Martial Soul Hall, and Tang Chen could not wait to return to the Clear Sky Sect. They also needed to handle the affairs of their respective forces and digest the gains from this trip.
Warm times always pass quickly. In the blink of an eye, a month had passed.
On this day, Yu Yuanchen summoned Ye Zhilan, Yu Yunting, and Yu Yunyao to the quiet room.
"Zhilan, Yunting, Yunyao." Yu Yuanchen looked at the three most important people in his life, his tone gentle yet tinged with a hint of solemnity. "What we obtained from the Saint Demon Continent must be digested as soon as possible. I intend to enter seclusion for a period of time to attempt to refine the Plane Origin and break through to a higher realm. This seclusion may not be short."
Ye Zhilan held her husband's hand and said softly, "Go with peace of mind; I will take care of things at home. Father and Grandfather will handle the affairs of the Federation and the sect well. Yunting and Yunyao are also capable of standing on their own." She knew well the burden and the pursuit on her husband's shoulders.
Yu Yunting and Yu Yunyao also nodded heavily. "Dad, please go into seclusion without worry! We will definitely cultivate hard and won't let you down!"
Yu Yuanchen smiled with comfort. "Good. When I emerge, I hope to see that you have the ability to take on heavier burdens."
He then said to Ye Zhilan, "Zhilan, your accumulation is nearly complete. When you feel the timing is right, you can use the Hell Gate to go to the Saint Demon Continent to break through. The law suppression there is gone, making it more suitable for triggering the God Tribulation. The Evil Emperor will meet you there."
"I understand." Ye Zhilan nodded.
After settling family matters, Yu Yuanchen summoned Qian Daoliu, Tang Chen, Di Tian (Gu Yuena had already entered seclusion first), and the core leadership of the Federation and the sect to make final arrangements. He handed over the authorization for the communication channel between the Federation and the alliance to trusted individuals and left behind a method to wake him in case of an emergency.
Once everything was arranged, Yu Yuanchen could finally begin his seclusion without distraction.
In the secret realm deep beneath the Purple Blazing Dragon City, Yu Yuanchen sat cross-legged on a lotus platform condensed from thunder. Before him floated the chaotic-colored Plane Origin and the ancient Heavenly Dao Cauldron.
He took a deep breath, his eyes becoming incredibly deep and firm. Refining the Plane Origin and condensing the position of a God King would surely be fraught with difficulties, but his Dao heart was firm, and he feared nothing.
"Let us begin."
Forming seals with his hands, the Thunder Divine Essence slowly surged out, enveloping the Plane Origin and the Heavenly Dao Cauldron. A long seclusion concerning the future of his path had officially begun.
And the Douluo Continent, because of their return and the changes they brought, had quietly entered a brand-new era. The storm had temporarily subsided, the hidden dragon lay in the abyss, waiting only for its next soaring flight.
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: GodKun-Chan