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Bai Xu was carried by Na'er as they fled through the wilderness. His primordial spirit remained trapped within those unknown visions, resonating with him as if he were watching a movie.
The Plane Spirit was forcibly ejected, torn away from Bai Xu. Staring dumbfounded at Bai Xu's face, it seemed never to have expected that behind this young man stood such an overwhelmingly powerful existence.
In the vision, Bai Xu dragged his broken body, two immeasurable swords still embedded in his flesh. With a single step, he traversed light-years, overlooking the vast universe.
No living being dared raise their heads to meet his gaze. All prostrated themselves, swearing oaths to pledge allegiance to him henceforth.
Bai Xu did not accept their submission. Suddenly, he turned his gaze toward the "spectator" Bai Xu. His wounds healed rapidly, his white robes restoring themselves as he emerged from his shattered form.
His entire aura underwent a world-shifting transformation—from the initial fury of retribution to an eerie calm. Ignoring the kneeling beings on the planet below, he spoke to Bai Xu:
"A wisp of my consciousness should arrive soon. It is because you and I resonate that you can witness this scene."
Bai Xu was stunned. "This… is your memory!?"
"Yes."
"No—I am Bai Xu. Who are you?"
"It's difficult to explain in a few words. What you seek this time is me. Stay where you are. When the time comes, I will clarify everything—the mystery of your crossing, the truth behind these events, and the hidden dangers lurking beneath."
"In short, you are you, and I am me. Our paths are not the same."
"You are one possibility. So am I. I have no intention of hiding anything from you. This time, I came specifically to explain. There's no need for further doubts."
With a wave of his hand, darkness swallowed the world. The sensation of turbulence transmitted from his physical body as Bai Xu's consciousness gradually awakened.
The moment Bai Xu opened his eyes, he saw Na'er's cautious profile. She glanced back repeatedly, vigilant for any pursuers.
"You're awake?" Na'er set him down, exhaling in relief.
"Mn. Had another dream."
"A dream?" Na'er was puzzled. This was the second time.
Bai Xu didn't elaborate. Instead, he grasped Na'er's hand, concealing both their auras as they submerged underground. High above, Soul Emperors patrolled the skies, while lower-ranked evil soul masters conducted a carpet search. The murderers who had slaughtered the village had returned, joining the four Soul Emperors in hunting Bai Xu instead of participating in the town's massacre.
"Big brother, this makes no sense. How can a Soul King escape so quickly?" The youngest of the Zhong brothers frowned. They had chased for so long without spotting a trace.
The second brother appeared indifferent, his expression unhurried.
"Shut up! Keep searching. When we find him, attack together. This genius from the Spirit Pagoda is no ordinary foe. Even Lord Chou lost an arm to him. If you keep underestimating him, do you have a death wish?" The eldest brother berated them, demanding focus.
In silence, they quickened their pace.
*
Underground.
Bai Xu floated silently in the pitch-black depths, one hand firmly holding Na'er's. If he let go, she would perish instantly under the crushing pressure of the earth. Only his Earthwalk ability allowed them to move freely here.
"What's on your mind? You seem troubled," Na'er sensed his unease and asked.
"The dimensional plane I've been searching for hasn't arrived yet. Once this turmoil passes, waiting a few more days may yield results." Bai Xu's eyes lowered, his usual composure absent.
At first, he had thought those visions were glimpses of the future. But they belonged to another "Bai Xu"—not him. Strangely, the two shared some connection, resonating enough to reveal fragments of the past.
'How can there be two of me? A parallel world?' Bai Xu's mind raced with possibilities, though he suppressed them for now.
To think that the existence behind him was another version of himself.
Moreover, that Bai Xu was terrifyingly strong—already at the fifth layer of the Divine Forbidden Realm. And that was from an old memory. By now, he might have climbed even higher—sixth layer? Seventh?
How far has he gone?
Can I ever reach such heights?
Na'er tightened her grip on his hand. "If possible, sharing your burdens might help. Both I and Gu Yue are here for you."
Seeing her earnest expression, Bai Xu was briefly taken aback before smiling wryly. "I've realized what—or who—I've been searching for."
"What?"
"Another Bai Xu."
!!!
Na'er's eyes widened in shock. "Another… you!?"
Bai Xu nodded slowly. Na'er's mind reeled. One Bai Xu was already monstrous enough—if another appeared, would the Douluo Continent soon bear the surname Bai?
For some reason, she didn't doubt his words at all.
---
"Damn it! We've scoured dozens of miles and found no trace of those two!" The Zhong eldest brother's face darkened, unsure how to report this failure.
The Ant Devourer hissed, "We've searched for days. In his rage, Lord Chou exterminated the entire town—no survivors. Remote as this place is, it's only a matter of time before the empire notices. We must withdraw."
"Fine. If the empire tracks us, it'll be a disaster. Move out!"
The evil soul masters retreated. Though the Soul Sage was furious upon learning Bai Xu had vanished, circumstances left no choice. Lingering risked imperial encirclement—especially since the empire's attention was currently fixated on the capital due to the national ceremony and the Young Soul Masters' Exchange Tournament.
The prince governing this territory had also left for the capital, granting them this window of opportunity.
Bai Xu's shadowed expression emerged from the earth as he watched the distant black figures vanish into the horizon.
"Let's go. We'll find a secluded place to stay and wait for his arrival."
"Mn."
Na'er nodded, following closely. Once certain he wasn't paying attention, she reached out to Gu Yue once more.
*
Star Luo Empire Capital.
"What? Two Bai Xus?" Gu Yue shot to her feet. No matter how wildly she speculated, this was beyond imagination.
"Once the tournament ends, I'll go myself."
Suppressing her shock, Gu Yue steadied herself. For the first time, she felt utterly lost.
Events were unfolding too rapidly—too overwhelmingly.
*
Tournament Stage.
The finals between Long Yue and Tang Wulin had long since begun. The Golden Dragon King faced the Mountain Dragon King, but the gap in cultivation left Tang Wulin at a disadvantage. As Long Yue's madness escalated, he lost control entirely—his colossal draconic claws stomped down, his entire being radiating frenzy.
The audience saw only blood spraying.
Gu Yue observed grimly. In the critical moment, Mu Ye intervened, rescuing Tang Wulin.
Her gaze followed Mu Ye's departure, her heart heavy. "Just now, when Tang Wulin was struck, something felt… off."
"A hidden contingency?"
Gu Yue had never developed feelings for Tang Wulin. Under Bai Xu's guidance, she'd maintained rationality, increasingly perceiving the schemes concealed beneath the surface.
With a sigh, she murmured, "Beneath the calm façade, the chess pieces of various forces move unseen. The situation… grows ever more chaotic."