With the Douluo Continent unified and the Federation on the right track, mundane affairs were temporarily settled. The yearning in Yu Yuanchen's heart to explore higher realms and the mysteries of the God Realm could no longer be suppressed.
He knew well that although his Yuan Chen Divine Spark had condensed into a rudimentary form, perfecting it to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with veteran God Kings like the God of Destruction and the Life God King required massive amounts of Power of Faith, unique high-tier energy from the God Realm, and a specific environmental Law.
On this day, he entrusted the Federation and Sect Affairs once more to his father, his grandfather, and his two old friends, Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen. After a brief reunion with his wife and children, he quietly departed from Purple Blazing Dragon City.
He did not pass through the Hell Gate; instead, relying on his profound understanding of Space Law and the resonance between his divine essence and the contact mark left behind by the God of Destruction, he channeled his divine power and slowly traced his hands through the void.
Hum—!
A dazzling, seven-colored light gate, seemingly constructed from pure Law Runes, slowly tore open before him! Beyond the gate, it was no longer the familiar scenery of his home plane, but a strange world flowing with brilliant light, containing endless mysteries and vast energy—the God Realm!
Yu Yuanchen took a deep breath and stepped into the light gate.
In an instant, the world transformed!
Immortal Spiritual Qi, so dense it was nearly liquid, rushed toward him. The level of energy contained within far surpassed any plane in the lower realms; it was pure and gentle, nourishing his Divine Soul and divine body.
Looking around, the sky was not azure, but a dreamlike, glazed color. Countless stars were embedded in the firmament like diamonds, fixed and unmoving, radiating eternal brilliance.
In the distance, divine mountains and palaces suspended above a sea of clouds were vaguely visible, shimmering with light and presenting a magnificent spectacle. There were even rushing long rivers, not of ordinary water, but condensed from liquid Immortal Spiritual Qi; towering Divine Trees stood tall, with the Glow of Law flowing among the branches and leaves.
The entire God Realm was permeated with an aura of grandeur, order, and eternity. This was the embodiment of rules, an ocean of energy, and the dwelling place of deities.
"Welcome, Lord Yuanchen, to the God Realm!"
Two Divine Officials clad in standard divine armor, their auras clearly reaching the level of Third-level Deities, had been waiting respectfully outside the light gate. They had evidently received the decree from the God of Destruction to welcome him here.
Yu Yuanchen nodded slightly. His aura was restrained, yet the magnificent Divine Might unique to a nascent God King, carrying an artistic conception of creation and evolution, still filled the two officials with awe, making their demeanor even more deferential.
"I have troubled you both to lead the way." Yu Yuanchen's tone was calm.
"My Lord, please follow me. The God Kings are already waiting at the God Realm Committee," one official said with a bow. He then led Yu Yuanchen as they transformed into a streak of light, flying toward the most magnificent complex of buildings at the center of the God Realm, which radiated supreme authority.
During the flight, Yu Yuanchen slightly expanded his Divine Sense, feeling the pulse of the God Realm's Laws. The stability of the Laws and the vastness of the energy in this realm were far beyond anything in the lower planes.
In particular, the Power of Faith—which was everywhere, gathered from the prayers of living beings across billions of planes—was intangible and formless, yet as pervasive as air. It was the fundamental provision for deities to maintain their rank and increase their strength.
A moment later, a towering giant palace appeared before them, cast entirely from an unknown Divine Metal, its surface engraved with billions of profound runes, radiating a supreme majesty that suppressed the heavens and worlds. Above the palace gates hung an ancient plaque with five vigorous, powerful characters: God Realm Committee!
This was the highest authority governing and managing the entire God Realm!
Stepping into the hall, the interior space was boundless, as if it were a world unto itself. At the end of the hall, five divine thrones radiating different supreme artistic conceptions floated in the air.
On the far left, the throne was as black as ink, as if it could swallow all light, radiating a terrifying artistic conception of ending all things and returning to Nirvana—this was the God of Destruction King!
He sat upon it, his face shrouded in a mist of destruction, with only a pair of eyes that seemed to contain the end of the universe looking at Yu Yuanchen, carrying undisguised appreciation and expectation.
Beside the God of Destruction King, the throne was a vibrant, verdant green, full of vitality, as if it contained the origin and mysteries of all life in the universe; this was naturally the Life God King.
She possessed a gentle and harmonious temperament, and her gaze toward Yu Yuanchen held kindness. This was not only because of her husband's relationship but also because Yu Yuanchen's wife, Ye Zhilan, was the inheritor of her subordinate deity (the Plant God), creating a certain connection.
In the center were two thrones: one holy and magnificent, radiating the true intent of protection, order, and compassion; the other dark and deep, circulating the essence of judgment, law, and balance.
These were the God of Goodness and the God of Evil! Both God Kings had their faces shrouded in divine light, making them difficult to discern. Their auras were deep and profound, giving off a sense of majesty that was impartial and held the scales of justice. They nodded slightly to Yu Yuanchen, a peaceful greeting.
The throne on the far right was dark red, with an aura of slaughter soaring to the heavens, yet it also carried a stern righteousness that judged sin and upheld the rules; this was the Asura God King.
He sat tall with a cold expression, his gaze like a blade, sweeping over Yu Yuanchen with a hint of scrutiny.
The vigilance Yu Yuanchen had harbored, stemming from the many conspiracy theories of his past life, quietly rose, but he remained calm on the surface, returning the gaze steadily. The Asura God King's eyes were as still as an ancient well, revealing no emotion.
The Five Great God Kings were all present! Such a formation showed great respect to Yu Yuanchen, a future God King, and highlighted the God Realm's importance placed on the birth of a new God King.
"Yu Yuanchen greets the honorable God Kings." Yu Yuanchen was neither humble nor arrogant, bowing in salute. His etiquette was perfect, yet he carried a majesty that could not be ignored.
"No need for formalities." The God of Destruction King spoke first, his voice booming with a hint of a smile. "That you could forge a new path in the lower realm and condense a God King Rank is truly a grand event unseen in the God Realm for ten thousand years. This is the fortune of the God Realm!"
The Life God King also said gently, "Young Friend Yuanchen, there is no need to be constrained. Your path of 'Yuan Chen' contains the intent of creation and guidance, which aligns well with the God Realm's purpose of pursuing development and maintaining order. In the future, you shall be a pillar of the God Realm."
The God of Goodness interjected, her voice peaceful yet containing supreme authority: "According to the rules of the God Realm, a newly created divine position can receive support from the God Realm's faith channels to help stabilize its rank.
Yu Yuanchen, the God Realm Committee has specially approved the Power of Faith you require. You may draw upon thirty percent of the faith from the one hundred and eight planes under our jurisdiction for one hundred years (lower realm years) to solidify your divine foundation."
The God of Evil added, his voice carrying a cold sense of law: "However, drawing upon faith must follow the laws of the God Realm. You must not drain the pond to catch the fish, nor may you forcibly enslave the will of living beings. I hope you will conduct yourself well."
Yu Yuanchen's heart stirred. Thirty percent of the faith from one hundred and eight planes for a hundred years! This was an incredibly generous offer! While it was undoubtedly a timely help for perfecting his God King Rank, it could shorten his accumulation time by nearly eighty percent. He bowed again: "Yuanchen thanks the honorable ones for this generous gift. I will certainly abide by the divine laws and make good use of this power."
At this moment, the Asura God King spoke indifferently, his voice like the clash of metal: "The stronger the power, the heavier the responsibility. I hope you remember your divine duty and do not fail this position." His words were brief but carried an invisible pressure.
Yu Yuanchen's expression remained unchanged: "I will keep the teachings of the honorable Asura in mind."
The meeting did not have much tedious ceremony; it was primarily a declaration of the Five Great God Kings' formal recognition and resource support for Yu Yuanchen.
On the surface, it was harmonious, but in reality, undercurrents were surging. The God of Goodness and the God of Evil were actually somewhat wary of Yu Yuanchen's appearance, as he naturally belonged to the faction of the Life and Destruction God Kings.
Among the Five Great God Kings, the cultivation and status of the God of Goodness and the God of Evil were actually slightly higher than the other three (cultivation and combat power are not the same thing, and it is highly suspected that the so-called strongest combat power of the Asura God cannot be used at will; under normal circumstances, he should be about the same as the other four God Kings, otherwise, in a world where strength is king, Asura would be the boss).
Under normal circumstances, the five God Kings co-governed the God Realm. If one God King made a decision, as long as it was not too outrageous, the other four would give face and not oppose it.
However, there were always times when opinions diverged. The God of Destruction King clearly belonged to the Radical Faction, while the God of Goodness and the God of Evil belonged to the Conservative Faction. Under normal circumstances, the Life God King would also support her husband. In a two-versus-two situation, the role of the Asura God King became prominent.
But the God of Goodness and the God of Evil had long since befriended the Asura God King, and the Asura God King himself was also subtly inclined toward the conservatives. Therefore, in most cases, he would support the God of Goodness and the God of Evil. Because the God of Goodness and the God of Evil held a numerical advantage in the three-person conservative group, their influence was slightly higher than the other three.
Yet, Yu Yuanchen's appearance would undoubtedly bring some variables. When Yu Yuanchen truly achieved the rank of God King in the future, it might become three-versus-three. At that time, the status of the God of Goodness and the God of Evil would undoubtedly be shaken.
But they kept this matter buried in their hearts. Although these two God Kings had a strong desire for power, generally speaking, they still had deep feelings for the God Realm. They were happy that the God Realm was about to have another God King, and they would not block the Power of Faith that Yu Yuanchen needed.
As for the Asura God King, he had his own calculations regarding Yu Yuanchen's appearance, but he was so deep that no one could see what he was thinking.
Yu Yuanchen had actually sensed something vaguely. However, these God Kings were ancient monsters who had lived for countless years with deep, unfathomable minds; naturally, he would not reveal anything at this moment, and he could only make guesses based on the original plot.
However, since no one was making things difficult for him, Yu Yuanchen was happy to enjoy the peace. After receiving the authorization to communicate with the God Realm Sea of Faith, he politely declined the offer to have a Divine Official lead him on a tour of the God Realm and took his leave directly.
His main purpose for coming to the God Realm had been achieved, so there was no need to linger. One day in the God Realm was a year on the ground, and he was concerned about matters on the Douluo Continent.
Returning to the Douluo Plane through the space gate, Yu Yuanchen discovered that while half a day had passed in the God Realm, nearly half a year had passed on the continent.
His Divine Sense swept over Purple Blazing Dragon City; everything at home was well, and the Federation was operating normally. But when he sensed his son, Yu Yunting, his brows furrowed slightly.
On the Douluo Continent, in the core of the Extreme North, above the ice plains, the atmosphere was chaotic, as if a great battle had just taken place. His son Yu Yunting's aura was somewhat weak, while the aura of the Snow Empress (Xue'er) was fluctuating violently, carrying complex and indescribable emotions.
"It seems that quite a lot has happened in the half-year I was away." Yu Yuanchen's figure flashed, and he appeared silently above the Extreme North, concealing his presence to watch quietly.
Time traced back to several months ago.
Not long after Yu Yuanchen left for the God Realm, under the subtle nourishment of that strand of Yuanchen Divine Power, the memories of Xue'er (Snow Empress) began to slowly recover. She no longer recalled only fragments of memories from the world of ice and snow, but gradually remembered her identity—the ruler of the Extreme North, the third-ranked among the ten Fierce Beasts, the Heavenly Snow Woman, the Snow Empress!
Hundreds of thousands of years of cold memories surged in like a tide. Although it was not an instantaneous shock due to Yu Yuanchen's guidance, that vast, lonely, and imperial state of mind—the one that held the authority over ice and snow—still clashed violently with the simple emotions she had developed as "Xue'er" over the past few years.
She remembered her subjects in the Extreme North, her responsibility to protect the north, and the pride of being a spirit of heaven and earth... yet on the other side was the burning, sincere affection of Yu Yunting.
Two completely different identities and emotions fought fiercely within her heart. She could not face this sudden "love between human and beast," nor did she know how to face Yu Yunting.
In extreme confusion and struggle, she chose to escape, leaving Purple Blazing Dragon City under the cover of night and returning to the Extreme North.
After Yu Yunting discovered that Xue'er was gone, he was frantic with worry. With a guess in his heart, he chased all the way to the core of the Extreme North.
However, what awaited him were not the gentle words of his beloved, but the cold hostility of the three Fierce Beasts: the Ice Empress, the Titan Snow Demon King, and the Ice Bear King.
"Human! Leave the Extreme North! How could you possibly covet Xue'er!" The Ice Empress transformed into human form, her green hair swaying, cold light shooting from her eyes, though there was a hint of jealousy hidden within.
The Titan Snow Demon King blocked the path like a mountain, and the Ice Bear King let out a low roar.
Yu Yunting suppressed his agitation and tried to explain, "Xue'er and I are sincere toward each other. Please, everyone, be accommodating and let me see her!"
"Presumptuous! Is His Majesty someone you can see just because you want to?" The Titan Snow Demon King roared, a frost aura sweeping out, "If you don't leave now, don't blame us for being impolite!"
Communication failed, and the provocation escalated. Although the three Fierce Beasts were wary of Yu Yunting's identity (as the son of Yu Yuanchen) and dared not kill him, they did not hold back in their attacks, intending to drive him away.
Seeing that reason was useless, anger rose in Yu Yunting's heart. He respected the Snow Empress and was willing to respect her "family," but that did not mean he would allow himself to be bullied or give up his love. Besides, he had realized that reason didn't work with soul beasts; he would have to speak with his fists.
"Since that's the case, let's settle this with our strength!" Yu Yunting let out a long whistle, and the majestic soul power of a level 95 Super Douluo erupted! He directly used his strongest trump card, summoning his contracted partner—the hundred-thousand-year Evil-Breaking Dragon!
"Roar!" The sacred and majestic Dragon Roar shook the ice plains. The Evil-Breaking Dragon's massive dragon body manifested, instantly merging with Yu Yunting as a dragon soul to provide him with powerful enhancements and soul power supply.
Surging righteousness of heaven and earth intertwined with domineering thunder. Yu Yunting's figure expanded, transforming into a hundred-meter-long Thunder Sacred Dragon, purple-gold all over, wreathed in holy flames and destructive thunder! Sacred Dragon True Form!
The great battle erupted instantly!
Yu Yunting fought three opponents alone without a hint of fear! The Thunder Sacred Dragon's claws tore through the void, its tail swept across thousands of troops, and the purple-gold dragon breath it spat contained the ultimate Evil-Breaking Divine Thunder and power of destruction, which had a strong restraining effect on the ice attributes of the Fierce Beasts, excluding the Ice Empress who possessed the ultimate ice attribute!
The Ice Empress's Ice Empress Pincer, the Titan Snow Demon King's Titan Ice Fist, and the Ice Bear King's Ice Meteor—the three Fierce Beasts joined forces, their momentum heaven-shaking. With the geographical advantage of the Extreme North, they were fierce and peerless!
For a time, on the ice plains, dragon roars and beast bellows filled the air. Thunder and ice collided crazily, space distorted, and the earth cracked! The aftermath of the battle swept for a thousand miles, as if the apocalypse had arrived.
Although Yu Yunting was strong, the Fierce Beasts were no weaklings (the Ice Empress was nearly four hundred thousand years old, the Titan Snow Demon King over two hundred thousand, and the Ice Bear King over two hundred thousand). The battlefield was in the Extreme North, he lacked the home-field advantage, and he was fighting three against one, so he quickly fell into a disadvantage.
The dragon scales on the Thunder Sacred Dragon shattered, and dragon blood spilled onto the ice plains, but his fighting spirit was wild. Relying on the enhancement from the Evil-Breaking Dragon and his own tenacious will, he held on desperately, actually managing to severely injure the Titan Snow Demon King and the Ice Bear King, while the Ice Empress also suffered not-insignificant injuries.
The battle was incredibly tragic, and both sides had their eyes bloodshot with killing intent.
Just as Yu Yunting was about to exhaust his strength and the three Fierce Beasts were preparing to unleash even stronger killing moves—
"Stop!"
A voice, cold to the extreme yet carrying endless majesty and a hint of trembling, echoed across the battlefield.
The wind and snow filling the sky suddenly went still. A white-clad figure walked slowly from the depths of the Ice Palace—it was the Snow Empress! Her face remained stunningly beautiful, but her eyes had returned to their usual coldness and depth, though hidden deep within that coldness was a trace of complex and painful emotion that could not be melted away.
Seeing her appear, both sides of the fierce battle looked over involuntarily.
"Snow Empress!" The Ice Empress and the other beasts stopped their attacks in a hurry.
Yu Yunting also dissipated his Sacred Dragon True Form and returned to human shape. He was covered in blood and his aura was withered, but his gaze remained fixed on the Snow Empress, filled with worry, longing, and a hint of grievance.
The Snow Empress looked at the battered Yu Yunting and then at her three severely injured, capable subordinates; her heart felt as if it were being twisted by a knife. She waved her hand and said to the Ice Empress and the others, "You all withdraw to heal first."
"Xue'er, he..." The Ice Empress wanted to say something more.
"Bing'er, withdraw!" The Snow Empress's tone was stern and brooked no argument.
The three Fierce Beasts dared not disobey and retreated sullenly.
As the Ice Empress left, she gave Yu Yunting a fierce glare filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred.
On the ice plains, only Yu Yunting and the Snow Empress remained, speechless. The wind and snow began to fall slowly once more, and the atmosphere was suffocatingly oppressive.
After a long while, Yu Yunting wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and took a few difficult steps forward, looking at the Snow Empress with burning eyes: "Xue'er... no, Snow Empress. I'm here. I only want to ask you one thing..."
He took a deep breath, as if using all his strength, his voice hoarse yet incomparably firm: "In your heart, is there really no place for me, Yu Yunting? If there is, no matter how great the difficulty, we will face it together! If there isn't... I will leave immediately and never pester you again!"
The Snow Empress's delicate body trembled, her teeth biting her lower lip until it almost bled. Hundreds of thousands of years of cold memories told her that humans and beasts were different; she was the Empress of the Extreme North, and he was a human prodigy—this love was not tolerated by heaven and earth.
But the bits and pieces of those few years, Yu Yunting's sincerity, his protection, and even the resolution he had shown just now to fight to the death for her, were like the hottest flames, scorching her heart.
She remembered his clumsy concern, remembered how he ran off to learn sculpting just because she said she "liked ice sculptures," and remembered his meticulous care when she had "amnesia"... those moments of warmth were a light she had never known in her hundreds of thousands of years of cold life.
Two lines of clear tears finally fell uncontrollably from the corners of the Snow Empress's eyes, instantly freezing into ice crystals.
Looking at the young man before her, covered in wounds and having risked his life for her sake, the walls around her heart collapsed in an instant.
"Yes..." That single word seemed to drain every ounce of her strength, yet it carried a sense of relief as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
Upon hearing this, an unprecedented brilliance erupted in the eyes of Yu Yunting, the sheer ecstasy washing away all his exhaustion and pain! He lunged forward, heedless of everything, and pulled her cold, delicate body into a tight embrace!
"With those words from you, it is enough!" Yu Yunting's voice choked with emotion. "To hell with the Lord of the Extreme North, to hell with the divide between human and beast! The person I, Yu Yunting, have chosen—no one in heaven or on earth can stop us! Whoever dares to stand in our way, I will beat them until they submit!"
The Snow Empress's stiff body gradually softened within his warm embrace. She closed her eyes, letting her tears flow, and reached out to hold Yu Yunting just as tightly. Her hundreds of thousands of years of loneliness seemed to have finally found a home in this moment.
The wind and snow continued, but upon the ice field, two hearts were pressed firmly together.
Hidden within the void, Yu Yuanchen watched this scene, a faint, comforted smile finally appearing at the corner of his mouth. Children have their own fortunes; this path was one they had to walk themselves, after all. He turned quietly and vanished into the wind and snow.
The winds of the Extreme North seemed to have grown much gentler. A romance that crossed both species and time had finally seen the dawn in this world of ice and snow.
And though the road ahead would not be smooth, as long as they had each other, they would have nothing to fear. If they truly ran into trouble, they still had him as a father; it would be a waste not to use such a background.
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: GodKun-Chan