The spiritual brand had remained inside Gu Yuena's body for over a decade. It was likely implanted when she first went to the human world to visit Tang Wulin's adoptive parents.
"Huff… Huff…"
At that moment, the sound of figures tearing through the air could be heard from afar.
Powerful soul beasts in their true forms arrived one by one, coming from the forests, snowy plains, and the ocean.
Bi Ji, Zi Ji, Xue Ling, Sea Princess...
In front of this group of fierce beasts, Gu Yuena slowly clenched her delicate hand, and the spiritual brand floating in her palm shattered inch by inch.
Only then did Di Tian speak."You're trying to prove something, aren't you? Prove that you're innocent, that it was all the fault of Tang San's implanted spiritual brand?"
"But both you and I know, even if it were a God King-level spiritual brand, it has no real power to cause harm. At most, it can slightly influence one's way of thinking."
"If your will were even a little stronger, that spiritual brand would have meant nothing."
"You've lived in the human world for a long time. Surely you've heard the saying, 'A fly won't bite an unbroken egg.' You know exactly what it means."
"If you weren't tempted in the first place, how could you have fallen for Tang Wulin? Fallen for the son of your enemy?"
"Or are you saying you no longer love Tang Wulin now? That because of what his father did, your love has turned into hate?"
"If that's truly the case, then since Tang San has disappeared with Tang Wulin's divine consciousness, how about we go hunt them down and eliminate the threat?"
Gu Yuena showed no visible reaction to his words. She calmly sidestepped the question and replied:
"I am neither running away nor trying to prove anything. A king should not be swayed by emotions. If a king is wrong, she should admit it—and correct it."
"But right now, I'm the one holding you accountable, Di Tian."
"Not counting the time before I separated from the Dragon God's original form, ever since I gained my own consciousness, you and I have been together day and night."
"Don't think I can't read your expression. You knew I was being manipulated by Tang San, yet you turned a blind eye."
"You were my personal guard. When my power was sealed, you failed to protect me. That is your first crime."
"On Star Luo Continent, in the Dragon Valley, the Dragon God's inheritance, the super artifact Dragon God's Heart, and the assistance of the dragons—all of them, you took for yourself."
"Seizing them without permission. That is your second crime."
"You hindered the restoration of my strength, overstepped your role as soul beast monarch."
"Disloyal and selfish. That is your third crime."
"You, my guard, bearing three crimes—a dragon laden with guilt. Don't you think you owe me an explanation?"
With every word, Gu Yuena's voice grew colder, like a tribunal judging Di Tian's every fault.
And honestly, she was getting a bit wordy…
Upon hearing this, Di Tian's expression suddenly shifted.
Even though Gu Yuena was severely injured, her spiritual power was now at the level of a God King, higher than his own.
"He just left, didn't he?"
This abrupt question from Di Tian caused a nearly imperceptible flicker in Gu Yuena's pupils.
But that tiny flicker was clearly caught in Di Tian's golden dragon eyes.
No wonder Tang Wulin had been there one second and vanished the next, without leaving the slightest trace.
In that instant, a violent storm surged around Di Tian.
Energy—terrifying energy—caused the very heavens to darken!
With a single thought, the world shifted. The surrounding space was instantly sealed.
Space shattered in all directions as divine weapons emerged, their sharp brilliance all aimed directly at Gu Yuena.
"Roooaaarrr——"
Thunderous dragon roars echoed through the sky.
Di Tian let out an enraged laugh. "Hahaha! You say I'm guilty, three crimes, a dragon of sin."
"Fine! Fine! Fine!"
"Then let me correct my mistakes. As your guard, I must advise my ruler on her wrongdoings!"
"Right now, I ask you to join me in hunting down Tang Wulin."
"With the blood of a God King's son, I will cleanse myself of sin—and cleanse you too!"
His furious roar made Gu Yuena tremble, her white garments billowing in the wind.
Her little scheme… had been exposed!
Yes, her love for Tang Wulin may no longer have been pure—clouded by Tang San's manipulations and schemes.
But her feelings for Tang Wulin… were real.
Even now, she hadn't decided how to face him.
But when she looked into her heart, she knew that at least right now, she didn't want him to die.
By nature, even if she were to sever their emotional bond, it should be her decision—not something forced by Di Tian.
Her accusations toward Di Tian weren't just to cover for letting Tang Wulin escape. More importantly, she needed to drag Di Tian down to her same level of guilt.
Only by pulling down Di Tian—whose current prestige was unmatched—to her own "sinful" level could she ensure that the watching soul beasts wouldn't outwardly obey her but secretly revere Di Tian.
Only then could she still be their Soul Beast Empress. She could still be the "Dad"!
Unfortunately… now all was lost.
Her clever plans had all fallen apart, and Gu Yuena subconsciously made her choice.
She struck.
With a sudden whoosh, the Silver Dragon Spear appeared in her hand, pointing straight at Di Tian.
A silver spear over 12 feet long, with a slender shaft covered in small hexagonal scales. The spearhead made up nearly a third of the weapon's length, ending in a conical point inlaid with a smooth white gem, radiating a silvery glow.
"Di Tian, don't push me!"
"I will kill Tang Wulin—but not now, and certainly not because you say so!"
In the choice between reclaiming her role as Soul Beast Empress or saving Tang Wulin, she chose the latter.
This scene stunned all the soul beasts watching the two monarchs face off.
Their previously conflicted gazes vanished.
Especially Bi Ji and Zi Ji—moments earlier, they had thought their cold, ruthless, and proud Empress had finally returned.
They'd even started wondering if they should welcome her back, return to her side.
After all, the heavens have only one sun, the earth has only one sovereign, and a mountain can't have two tigers…
But Di Tian and Gu Yuena were male and female—if their ruler had truly returned to her old self, maybe they wouldn't have to fight so hard for the Empress position.
Because no one would be more qualified than the returning Empress.
But now—they realized—they'd been deceived!
Their ruler had fooled them again. Still siding with Tang Wulin, the son of their enemy!
When they looked at Gu Yuena again, all the earlier complexity in their eyes was gone.
Only anger remained. The anger of betrayal.
"Heh…"
Di Tian just let out a cold chuckle.
Without another word, he and Gu Yuena were suddenly encased in a separate dimensional space, torn out of the Douluo Plane entirely.
A battle between two beings at the peak of first-level godhood—this world could no longer contain them.
"Rooooaaaar——"
Above the skies, twin dragon roars clashed, echoing across the heavens.
The echoes carried an ancient grandeur, like the tolling of a divine bell, declaring an oath from the dragons of old.
"The old king shall fall.The new king shall rise…"
(End of Chapter)