A waterfall.
A curtain of water fell like white silk from a cliff over thirty meters high.
It crashed down onto the rocks below with a thunderous roar.
Tang Hao brought Tang San here and said, "Xiao San, your mother is here."
"My… mother?"
Tang San was stunned. When he had just transmigrated, he'd caught a fleeting glimpse of Ah Yin.
Could this be where his mother was buried?
Tang San's eyes reddened. In his previous life, he had never known his parents. In this life, even if it was just a grave, he finally had something to hold onto.
"Come with me."
Tang Hao bent one knee and then leapt into the air, crashing through the waterfall.
Tang San followed, jumping into the water curtain.
Behind the waterfall, there was actually a cave just wide enough for one person.
He followed right behind Tang Hao.
After walking sideways for three or four meters, they entered a narrow chamber.
It had been carved into the rock, and in the center was a stone platform, upon which grew a lush green Blue Silver Grass.
Looking closely, the edges of its leaves shimmered with gold.
As soon as he saw the plant, Tang San felt an inexplicable closeness.
"This…"
Tang Hao's face turned solemn. "Kneel, Xiao San. Call her 'Mother.'"
Tang San was baffled. Looking at the gently swaying Blue Silver Grass, he opened his mouth. Was he really supposed to call a blade of grass his mother?
That was… a little too weird, wasn't it?
"Dad, I…"
Tang San knelt down, looking at Tang Hao, waiting for an explanation.
Tang Hao's eyes were moist. In a deep voice, he began recounting the story of him and this Blue Silver Grass.
When it ended, Tang San's face twisted in fury.
"The Spirit Hall has gone too far!!!"
"This can't be forgiven! We must destroy the Spirit Hall and avenge Mother!"
Tang San was outraged.
He had finally found his mother, only to learn she'd been destroyed by Spirit Hall?
How could that be acceptable?!
If he didn't avenge this, how could he call himself her son?
Tang Hao gave a slight nod and rubbed Tang San's head. "It's good that you have this determination. But Xiao San, you can't do it yet."
"I brought you here to say goodbye to your mother. The Sea God has made an announcement: for the next ten thousand years, no gods will descend. No matter how talented, no one can attain godhood — only those who enter the Sea God Tower will have a chance…"
Tang Hao's voice grew heavy.
Tang San opened his mouth. Stay in the Sea God Tower for ten thousand years?
By then, the outside world would have changed beyond recognition.
Spirit Hall might not even exist anymore…
"Dad, I… I want to stay here…" Tang San gritted his teeth. He wasn't afraid of death.
Smack!
Tang Hao slapped him across the face. "Foolishness! What nonsense are you talking?! You carry the bloodline of your mother and me. You have a high chance of becoming a god, and you want to throw that away?!"
"Only when you become a god can you truly erase Spirit Hall from this world!"
Tang Hao grabbed Tang San's shoulders, eyes bloodshot.
Tang San froze, then nodded slowly, agreeing.
But he couldn't help glancing at the Blue Silver Grass. "Then if we leave… Mother will be left here all alone?"
Tang Hao smiled faintly and nodded. "Maybe even the heavens are helping our family. In ten thousand years, when we come out of the Sea God Tower, maybe your mother will have reformed into human shape. Then, we can reunite as a family."
Tang San examined the situation.
Above, only a narrow beam of sunlight reached through. Rainwater barely dripped in.
The roots below were buried in regular soil, and beneath that was solid black rock.
Even with the vitality of Blue Silver Grass, there was little room for growth here.
"Dad, I think we should find a better place for Mom…"
Tang San suggested cautiously.
"No!" Tang Hao refused immediately.
Tang San was stunned. "But—"
"No buts. Only here is she truly safe. No soul beasts or animals can harm her."
Tang Hao patted the surrounding rock walls with satisfaction.
Neither soul beasts nor humans could find this place. Even burrowing rats couldn't gnaw through the thick stone to reach the Blue Silver Grass.
It was a natural fortress — a secret sanctuary he had personally built for Ah Yin!
Tang San's mouth twitched. "This place may be safe, but it's lacking in nutrients… sunlight, rain, soil…"
Seeing Tang San continue to argue, Tang Hao's expression darkened.
"Are you questioning your father's decision?"
"No, I just…" Tang San tried to explain.
Tang Hao cut him off. "Your mother is the Blue Silver Empress. Her vitality is immense. She'll be fine!"
"That's enough. Now I'll help you awaken your bloodline."
Tang Hao said coldly, giving Tang San no chance to argue. He grabbed his shoulder and pulled him out of the cave.
Tang San looked back longingly at the Blue Silver Grass, then followed.
Star Luo City.
The Dai brothers returned here with the Shrek team.
This was the new capital of the Star Luo Empire — the old Star Luo City had been taken by the Fontaine Empire.
The Dai brothers introduced the Shrek members to the Star Luo Emperor.
When the Emperor learned they were runners-up in the Soul Master Tournament, he was overjoyed and immediately granted Shrek Academy full support per Davis's recommendation.
He had only one condition: All Shrek graduates must serve the Star Luo Empire.
Flender didn't refuse. He was tired of struggling.
After accepting the decree, Shrek's team left the palace.
Davis had already parted from the group to resume his duties as crown prince.
Dai Mubai stayed with the Shrek team. Looking at Ma Hongjun's awkward waddle, he chuckled.
"Fatty, have you made your decision?"
Ma Hongjun's face flushed. "It's just that the Evil Fire is driving me crazy! But that doesn't mean I'll let someone take me from behind!"
Dai Mubai rubbed his chin. "We're brothers. I can make a small sacrifice for you."
"Get lost!!" Ma Hongjun was furious.
The anger tugged at his wounds, making him gasp in pain.
"It's all that cripple Tang Hao's fault! Damn it!!"Right now, Ma Hongjun had only one thought — Castrate that father and son pair!
Zhao Wuji asked, "Have you all decided? Stay or head to the Sea God Tower?"
Many in Shrek had received a summons from Poseidon to hide within the Sea God Tower and escape time acceleration.
"Aren't we building Shrek Academy? To make it the greatest soul master academy?! To raise little monsters! You're not going to quit now, are you?!"
Yu Xiaogang suddenly raised his voice.
He hadn't been invited by Poseidon — if the others left, the academy dream would collapse.
So he seemed particularly agitated.
Everyone exchanged glances.
Flender smiled. "I'm done running around. I'll stay and build Shrek Academy."
Zhao Wuji scratched his head. "Flender, you're my big bro. If you're staying, so am I!"
"Same here!"
The other Shrek teachers also voiced support.
None of them thought they had a chance of becoming gods after ten thousand years.
And what joy would be left if they had to wait decades in the tower?
Yu Xiaogang secretly sighed in relief. Thank goodness these idiots fell for it!
"I'll stay with Teacher too—"
Flender cut in. "You can't!"
"Why not?!" Ma Hongjun protested.
"You, Mubai, and Xiao Ao have potential for godhood. You must enter the Sea God Tower and return in ten thousand years."
Flender's tone was firm.
"But… even there, I can't fix my Evil Fire. I'd rather help build Shrek!"
Ma Hongjun argued.
"Maybe Lord Poseidon can help. Or maybe there's another way. If not…"
Flender glanced at Dai Mubai.
"???" Dai Mubai's eyes widened. Wait, I was just joking earlier! Why are you looking at me like that?!
He grabbed Oscar and shoved him in front.
Oscar was also startled. Seeing Ma Hongjun's greasy skin, he swallowed hard.
Please, no…
Spirit Hall – Hall of the Pope.
All soul master elites of Spirit Hall had been summoned.
As the strongest soul master organization on the continent, more than thirty of them had been chosen by Poseidon to enter the Sea God Tower.
"Make your choices."
Qian Daoliu sat on the Pope's throne and addressed them.
They looked at each other. Soon, decisions were made: nearly 70% chose to enter the Sea God Tower.
Inside, there was still a sliver of hope to become gods.
Outside, there was none.
Golden Crocodile Douluo laughed from the crowd: "I'll stay and guard! With my talent, godhood is impossible. Staying in the tower would be a waste of time!"
Other titled Douluo with no hope for godhood also stayed behind.
But among them — one person made a decision that no one had expected…
…Qian Renxue.
Qian Renxue also stood among those who chose to stay behind.
Qian Daoliu frowned and said, "Xue'er, don't be foolish! You—"
"Grandfather, I must stay. I want to find... the reincarnation of Bibi Dong, and guide her. If I leave too, then she truly has no hope of returning."
Qian Renxue's expression was resolute.
"The Spirit Hall will naturally take care of that. How can you stay out here…" Qian Daoliu said disapprovingly.
Qian Renxue shook her head and smiled slightly:
"Don't worry, Grandpa. I'm not just an ordinary person! Just because others can't become gods doesn't mean I can't. I can remain at the demigod stage at all times. Even after ten thousand years, I'll still exist in this world."
"..."
Hearing this, Qian Daoliu didn't know whether he should let her stay.
He looked deeply at Qian Renxue, knowing that the two of them—grandfather and granddaughter—might be separated for a very long time.
All the other soul masters looked at Qian Renxue in astonishment.
With Qian Renxue holding the fort, the Spirit Hall would remain the dominant force on the Douluo Continent for the next ten thousand years—utterly unshakable!
"Everyone, when you return one day, the Spirit Hall will still be standing tall on the Douluo Continent!"
Qian Renxue said solemnly.
The other soul masters all expressed their gratitude to her.
Sunset Forest, atop a certain mountain.
Gu Yuena and the others had relocated here. Following Dan Heng's guidance, they found a residence at the foot of the mountain.
The place was remote and seldom visited by people, with many birds and beasts—but all ordinary animals, not soul beasts.
A river flowed past the base of the mountain, teeming with aquatic life.
The residence was not far from the river—a spacious compound.
As soon as the group of women arrived, they began cleaning and tidying up under Gu Yuena's leadership.
The two little children played on their own.
Zi Ji was swinging two large brooms, stirring up clouds of dust.
Zhu Zhuqing was coughing from the dust and had to carry the children farther away.
"Zi Ji…"
Gu Yuena shot her a death glare.
Zi Ji immediately became obedient, scratching her head with a sheepish grin. "Sister, when is Brother-in-law coming back?"
"I already told you, and you've asked over ten times now!"
Gu Yuena replied irritably.
Since their marriage, this was the first time she had been apart from her husband for so long.
Alone in an empty room, it had been unbearably awkward these past few days!
Zi Ji shrank her neck, sensing that her sister seemed to be accumulating anger recently. If she kept provoking her, she'd probably be in for a beating sooner or later!
She gave a soft "oh" and obediently went to clean the backyard.
Gu Yuena looked up at the sky. From this mountaintop, she could see the outside world clearly. At this moment, the clouds were shifting rapidly.
One moment it was sunny, the next it turned into a torrential downpour.
Clearly, time was accelerating...
She was aware of this.
And she also knew clearly: if she left this mountain and lost the protection of Dan Heng's power, even if she was close to regaining her strength as a God King, she would still be unable to endure it—and would have to leave the Douluo plane.
"Bang...!"
A sound rang out.
Gu Yuena frowned and rolled up her sleeves, ready to give Zi Ji a good scolding to vent her frustrations!
But it wasn't Zi Ji—it was Long Long.
Long Long was holding a rock, tossing it into the air and letting it fall to the ground with a thud.
"Angry…!!"
Long Long shouted up at the sky with a toddler's fierce little roar.
Gu Yuena smiled slightly and walked toward him.
Long Long was, after all, the ruler of the plane. Now that the gods were forcibly accelerating time on the Douluo plane, he probably felt humiliated and was sulking!
"Mama… mama…"
Long Long grinned widely the moment Gu Yuena picked him up.
She patted his back, and the corners of her lips rose too.
The child could speak now!
"Hug… hug…" Bao'er stretched out her tiny hands, looking at Gu Yuena pitifully, her mouth about to tremble into tears.
Gu Yuena quickly picked her up too.
She gave each of them a kiss, then looked up at the sky and murmured:
"When will your father return…"
At the same time, in the world beyond the mountain, things were evolving rapidly. In the blink of an eye, several years passed.
Thousands of years later, a foreign continent collided with the Douluo Continent.
It was the Sun-Moon Continent, home to an empire known as the Sun-Moon Empire, which possessed advanced soul tool technology.
The Sun-Moon Empire launched a war and soon crushed the Star Luo Empire.
At that time, the Spirit Hall intervened to barely hold the line.
But Qian Renxue never appeared. Many people even began to suspect she was merely a legend of the Spirit Hall.
Eventually, it was the Fontaine Empire that stepped in and drove the Sun-Moon Empire back.
The Star Luo Empire, however, could no longer sustain itself and was annexed by the Spirit Hall, becoming a vassal state—though it continued to be known as the Star Luo Empire in name.
Another thousand years passed. The Heaven Dou Empire split into two: the Heaven Soul Empire and the Dou Ling Empire.
The only constant was the Fontaine Empire, which remained at the center of the Douluo Continent like a stabilizing anchor!
More than ten thousand years later.
Outside Star Luo City, a young boy dressed in plain clothes looked back at the grand and luxurious Duke White Tiger's mansion, his eyes filled with determination and repressed emotion.
"Mother, please watch over me from the heavens…"
(End of Chapter)