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..."So, he is not in a deep sleep, nor has he lost control," Gu Yuena finally concluded, her tone carrying a conjecture she couldn't be entirely certain of herself.
"He might be... redefining the concept of the 'Dragon God' from the most fundamental level, or rather, creating a... brand new supreme Law that belongs only to him.
This process takes time and requires absolute focus, so he has closed off all perception of the outside world and immersed himself in it."
The Goddess of Life realized, "So, he's not sleeping, but undergoing a deep... reconstruction of Laws?"
"You could understand it that way." Gu Yuena looked at the Nine-Colored Dragon Cocoon, her eyes filled with heartache. "The Dragon God Power is too vast. Even with his godhood, it will take an extremely long time to fully digest it. And... I feel like he doesn't seem to be in a hurry to wake up."
"Not in a hurry to wake up?" The God of Kindness frowned slightly.
A bitter curve appeared at the corner of Gu Yuena's mouth. "He... is very tired. Perhaps, this state of being immersed in the ocean of Laws without having to think about the disturbances of the outside world is, for him, a kind of... rest."
The Goddess of Life and the God of Kindness fell silent again.
They understood.
Xuan Ming hadn't run into trouble; he was undergoing an unprecedented ultimate transformation to make the supreme power of the Dragon God his own.
This process required time, a lot of time.
And Xuan Ming himself seemed happy to be immersed in it, temporarily distancing himself from all responsibilities and conflicts.
"I see..." The Goddess of Life sighed softly. "It's been hard on you, keeping watch here all this time."
Gu Yuena shook her head, her gaze still fixed on the dragon cocoon. "I should be with him."
If it weren't to save her, Xuan Ming wouldn't have had to shoulder this Dragon God Power at all.
Now, he was forced to undergo this long "digestion," and all she could do was provide this meager companionship.
The God of Kindness looked up at the Nine-Colored Dragon Cocoon, light swirling in her platinum eyes. "Now that we know the reason, we can rest easy. However, the God Realm Expansion Plan..."
Gu Yuena said indifferently, "When he finishes digesting it, he will naturally wake up. It can't be rushed."
The Goddess of Life and the God of Kindness nodded. They knew that rushing a Supreme God King undergoing such a crucial transformation was pointless and even dangerous.
"We will inform the other God Kings of the situation," the Goddess of Life said softly. "You should also take care to rest; don't exhaust yourself too much."
Gu Yuena gave a soft "mm" and didn't speak further.
The Goddess of Life and the God of Kindness glanced at each other, their figures slowly dissipating as they left the God Forbidden Land.
Silence returned to the border once more.
Gu Yuena remained sitting quietly, looking up at the Nine-colored Light Cocoon that seemed to float eternally.
A breeze brushed past, stirring her hair.
She knew this wait might last for a long, long time.
But this time, she would wait forever.
Until he finished his transformation, until he... was willing to wake up... Douluo Continent, Spirit City, Supreme Pontiff Palace.
A murderous aura once again shrouded Spirit City, more biting than ever before.
After Bibi Dong regained power, she didn't even issue any formal decrees before the phantom of the Asura Demon Sword hung high over the imperial capital, its cold killing intent almost tangible as it swept through every corner of the Empire.
Immediately following that, a purge far more precise and ruthless than the one years ago spread rapidly like a plague.
The names on the list were not based on evidence of crimes, but on "ideology." Those nobles, Spirit Master Sect leaders, and even some opportunistic officials who had been most active during Qian Renxue's reign, spreading rumors, trying to sow discord between the divinities, and attempting to restore old-era privileges, were taken away directly from their homes, banquets, or Spirit Master halls by an invisible force within just a few days.
There were no trials, no announcements.
Only silently disappearing figures and the quietly splattered, not-yet-dried dark red bloodstains in front of their estates.
The judgment of the Asura God required no Mortal legal procedures.
Qian Renxue stood on the terrace of the Angel God Temple, watching the faint bloody aura rising from various parts of the city. Her face was pale, and her delicate hands were clenched tight. Ultimately, she couldn't stand by and watch, so she went to the side hall where Bibi Dong handled government affairs.
"Enough!"
A figure carrying golden Holy Light burst into the hall; it was Qian Renxue.
"You've killed too many people! If this continues, the Empire will be thrown into panic and instability! What we need isn't endless slaughter, but appeasement and guidance!"
Bibi Dong slowly raised her eyes, her cold gaze making Qian Renxue's heart skip a beat.
"Appeasement? Guidance?" Bibi Dong's voice carried a hint of mockery. "Qian Renxue, are you teaching this seat how to rule a country?"
She stood up and walked down the steps one by one. Her powerful Divine Might pressed down so hard that the Angel Holy Light surrounding Qian Renxue flickered slightly.
"You think your previous soft approach was mercy? That was nothing but indulgence! It was weakness!" Bibi Dong's voice suddenly turned sharp. "Look at the result of your indulgence! It's those dregs who should have been completely crushed starting to stir again! It's those commoners who just learned to revere the Law starting to doubt the Empire's will!"
"What this seat is doing now isn't killing people." Bibi Dong stopped in front of Qian Renxue, inches away, her voice as cold as a nether wind. "I am purging a virus, cutting out rotten flesh! I am using blood to recast the majesty of the Empire's Laws!"
Qian Renxue's face turned white. She gritted her teeth and said, "But slaughter can't solve everything! Human greed can never be killed off!"
"Can't be killed off?" A cruel curve appeared at the corner of Bibi Dong's mouth. "Then kill until they are afraid! Kill until they remember in their very bones what they should think and what they shouldn't! Kill until the word 'equality' becomes an instinct in their Bloodline!"
Her gaze swept over Qian Renxue with an undisguised warning: "As for you, my good daughter. If you don't want the whole continent to see a joke, if you don't want the world to think the divinities of the Spirit Empire are fighting internally, and if you don't want me to nail you to the gates of your Angel God Temple with the Asura Demon Sword in front of billions of living beings..."
Bibi Dong's voice was very low, yet it carried an unquestionable threat: "Shut your mouth now and get back to your Angel God Temple. Otherwise, I don't mind showing the world how a so-called 'merciful' Angel is utterly powerless before a 'cruel' Asura."
Qian Renxue's whole body trembled as she looked at Bibi Dong in disbelief.
She knew that Bibi Dong was truly capable of such a thing.
To carry out her will, this woman would do anything.
Ultimately, she could only withdraw from the side hall in silence, filled with humiliation and powerlessness.
Not long after, Bo Saixi's figure also appeared in Spirit City. She didn't go to see Bibi Dong directly, but simply walked quietly through the slightly empty streets, sensing the lingering atmosphere of slaughter and fear in the air.
Regarding Bibi Dong's methods, she sighed in her heart but did not speak out in opposition.
Some things had to be done.
Just like the Sea God, who rules the ocean and bestows grace, yet also stirs up towering waves to destroy any existence that dares to desecrate his Divine Might.
A god's mercy has never been an indulgence without a bottom line.
If an Empire cannot even maintain the most basic majesty of its Laws, and if those below dare to openly speculate or even try to sow discord between the highest rulers for their own gain, then the Empire itself is already rotten to the core and not far from collapse.
Especially when there are clearly two divinities presiding over it, to still have such delusions is not just bold, but a complete loss of reverence for divine power and order.
Bo Saixi also didn't quite understand. Based on her knowledge of Qian Renxue, the other was not an indecisive person. Why did she seem so... naive and display such ill-timed 'mercy' in this matter?
Bibi Dong finished handling a batch of urgent matters and looked up at Bo Saixi. Seemingly seeing through her confusion, she spoke indifferently, "She feels that the people Xuan Ming killed before were already enough, and the blood shed was sufficient to deter the world. Therefore, it's her turn to show grace and balance things out."
Bo Saixi frowned slightly.
Bibi Dong sneered and continued, "But she forgot that the dead and the living are two different kinds of people. The living will never truly experience the fear of death's arrival. They will only remember the Angel God's 'favors' and feel that these favors are a matter of course, and then want more."
"The so-called favors she gives are not appeasement to those who have long forgotten the pain; they are encouragement. Encouragement for them to continue testing the bottom line, encouragement for them to push for more."
"Majesty is not maintained by the number of killings, but by making the living forever remember the price of defiance. Qian Renxue... she got the target wrong."
"Her self-righteous balance is actually tearing down the dam Xuan Ming built with blood, letting loose the flood of greed."
Bo Saixi remained silent. Bibi Dong's words were cruel but hit the mark.
The way of ruling involves both grace and power, but 'power' must always override 'grace'; otherwise, 'grace' will become a breeding ground for ambition.
Qian Renxue wanted to be a 'merciful ruler,' but she chose the wrong era and used the wrong method.
At this crucial juncture of breaking the old and establishing the new, what is needed is not a soft approach, but an iron fist.
Only a thorough reckoning can clear the obstacles for the stability of the new order.