Chapter 326: The Era of the Douluo God Realm Part XVI: A Gift
The recent interstellar battle had gone smoothly. With the overwhelming forces Ye Wen brought, the fight was effectively a one sided onslaught. Within six months, thanks to the added power from Ye Wen's forces, Demon Star achieved something unprecedented: a unified empire. The old Keji Empire's name was cast aside, replaced simply with the Demon War Empire. The political system mirrored Douluo Star's established structure, which was set to gradually shape Demon Star's society over the next decade into one of order and prosperity.
Another six months passed. The Temple of the Gods was successfully promoted, becoming the official religion of this new empire and providing boundless faith for Douluo Star's pantheon. Every step of this conquest was broadcasted live back to Douluo Star. The brutal reality of war stirred the souls of countless spirit masters watching, igniting a fervor that had simmered within them all along.
"Ah… finally done. Warfare is exhausting," Ye Wen muttered, stretching in his private office. Perfectionist by nature, he'd poured immense energy into overseeing the campaign from start to finish. The fatigue weighed on him, his eyes reflecting the long, hard days of battle.
"It's time to go home," he whispered to himself.
Naturally, the Sea King would not remain anchored above a lower level world. When the portal was opened once again, a lesser class ship without the ornate markings of the Sea King took its place, circling the Demon Star's sun in an orbit similar to that of its predecessor.
Returning to Douluo Star a year after his departure, Ye Wen was greeted by the rapturous cheers of countless spirit masters. After a brief exchange of pleasantries with the officials, Ye Wen returned home. Sinking into his sofa, he sprawled in a lazy, contented repose, completely unwound. A Yin approached him with a warm smile, sensing his exhaustion and deciding to let him rest.
But before she could retreat, she found herself gently pulled into Ye Wen's arms, held close. Breathing in her familiar fragrance, he felt a deep wave of relief.
A Yin simply lay still, like a delicate doll. She knew no words were needed; their years together had long ago created a silent understanding between them.
Their quiet moment of affection was inevitably interrupted.
"Alright, alright, that's enough, Ye Wen! The kids are watching," Bibi Dong quipped from across the room. Her usual sharp demeanor had softened over the years, yet her mischievous streak remained.
Ye Wen only rolled his eyes. "Wives are the true blessing in life; kids are just life's little accidents," he teased, unfazed by the interruption.
Their children were well into their millennium now, with the boys preoccupied with their pursuits. His eldest son Ye Tianchen had settled with two wives but had yet to bring Ye Wen any grandchildren. His other son, Ye Tianhun, preferred to focus solely on his cultivation. As for his daughters, they were his true joy always his little gems, each one empowered as goddesses now and not in any rush to wed.
After a moment's thought, Ye Wen smiled and pulled a jade box from his spirit storage.
"A Yin, this is a little something I brought back for you from Demon Star," he said, offering the box.
A Yin's eyes sparkled, still carrying the same innocent joy after all these years. It wasn't the material value of the gift; it was the thoughtfulness behind it that made her heart soar. She opened the box carefully, and instantly a powerful aura of life energy spread throughout the room.
"This…?" A Yin gasped, eyes widening at the sight of the gift a simple but radiant necklace pulsing with a profound life force.
Ye Wen's voice softened. "I forged it from Demon Star's Gold of Vitality, an artifact I call Life's Radiance. Do you like it?"
A Yin nodded, her excitement barely contained. Though she was the Goddess of Fertility, life's essential force was inseparable from her own powers. She knew how precious Gold of Vitality was, but this piece was unlike anything she had seen before, clearly crafted with compressed gold imbued with an unparalleled concentration of life energy.
After her initial joy, A Yin's expression grew troubled. "But Ye Wen… isn't this too much? Taking so much of the Demon Star's Gold of Vitality might have harmed the planet. I wouldn't want your gift to come at such a cost."
Ye Wen gently held her face, reassuring her. "There's nothing to worry about. Warfare, by its nature, is about claiming spoils, and this is my reward."
Her concern faded as she recalled the Douluo Star's Rules of Conquest, which allowed a conqueror to claim limited resources from a conquered star, provided that its survival and regeneration weren't endangered. Relaxed, A Yin handed the necklace back to him, then turned around, letting her silver blue hair fall to reveal her slender, ivory neck.
"Help me put it on, please, Ye Wen," she murmured.
Ye Wen's grin softened as he fastened the necklace around her neck, admiring how the green jewel glowed against her skin, a perfect symbol of their connection.
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