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However, Ah Yu had no intention of ending things just yet. Her hand surged with terrifying thunder, and she unleashed a devastating strike toward Tang Hao.
Dao Ba and the others did not intervene—it was all part of Ye Wen's plan.
Though Ye Wen had once entertained the cruel idea of watching mother and son clash or testing Tang San's resolve, Tang San's growth in strength had become alarmingly overwhelming due to his interference in the world's development. Despite Ah Yu's relentless cultivation over the years, she had only reached level 96 as a Super Douluo. Facing the current Tang San was simply unrealistic.
After receiving Ye Wen's notification last night, Ah Yu—having spent years cultivating her mind and tempering her hatred—had let go of much of her resentment. Yet, a lingering sense of resentment remained, prompting her to propose that she be the one to carry out the final phase of the Hao Tian Sect extermination plan.
Ye Wen agreed.
This decision sealed Tang Hao's ultimate despair.
In his final moments, Tang Hao paid the price for his arrogance—losing both family and love.
Tang Hao died, reduced to charred remains in his despair.
Watching the death of one of the culprits behind her tragic past, a long-held shackle quietly broke within Ah Yu's heart. Though she felt an overwhelming sense of loss, she also experienced profound relief. Her cultivation broke through from level 96 to level 97.
At this moment, a gentle breeze swept by—
The charred remnants of Tang Hao's body dispersed with the wind, leaving behind six translucent soul bones as proof that a top-tier soul master had perished here.
Huo Rui stepped forward, collecting the six soul bones and turning to Ah Yu, who still stood lost in thought.
"Ah Yu, what are your plans now?"
Ah Yu harbored no objections to Huo Rui taking the soul bones. Everyone at Tian Xing Academy knew the rules.
But when it came to her future plans… Ah Yu truly had none.
Her sole hope now was to hear the good news of Ye Wen slaying Tang San.
If possible, Ah Yu wished only to properly bury her child's remains.
Seeing Ah Yu shake her head faintly, Huo Rui continued.
"In that case, Ah Yu, join us for now. There's still much to clean up in the Star Luo Empire."
Ah Yu readily agreed. After all, she had relied on Tian Xing Academy's resources for so many years—it was time to contribute.
Moreover, Ah Yu seemed to recall something, blushing slightly before beginning to follow Huo Rui and the others.
Due to the White Tiger Emperor's strategy of concentrating all high-level forces for a decisive battle, the Star Luo Empire's rear ranks had been almost entirely depleted.
Why had Ye Wen spent five years nurturing the grassroots of the Heaven Dou Empire?
It was all for this day.
In this era of widespread illiteracy, powerful soul masters were easy to find, but competent officials capable of managing a city's order were rare.
After all, there was no imperial examination system in the Douluo Continent to select officials. Most officials were nobles, appointed through connections, and their competence was questionable. As long as they didn't cause major trouble, they were considered talented.
Arrest those who needed to be arrested, detain those who needed to be detained. Every action had been meticulously planned by Ye Wen, with clear procedures in place.
First, cut down the old powers completely, then replace them with trusted individuals to ensure stability.
As a great leader from Ye Wen's previous life had said:
The relationship between the people and the state is not one where the people must rely on a specific nation to survive. As the saying goes, "A tree dies when transplanted, but a person thrives when moved."
Thus, officials must always act with humility and reverence; otherwise, their end would inevitably be tragic.
After all, where there is oppression, there will be resistance.
The takeover of the Star Luo Empire's territories proceeded smoothly, aided by the Zhu family dukes. Many illegitimate children of the royal family were executed—these restless individuals, though some had committed no crimes, carried martial souls that predetermined their fates.
Politics was inherently dirty—it didn't ask right or wrong, only allegiance.
The former Ye Wen might have hesitated, but the current Ye Wen bore the weight of thousands relying on him. He could not afford to show mercy.
As for the people of the Heaven Dou Empire, the formerly oppressed natives of the Star Luo Empire wept tears of joy.
These five years had been unbearable—the White Tiger Emperor had treated them worse than animals.
Even the most foolish commoners understood that unifying the continent would prevent such chaotic situations. At worst, life would return to the barely manageable state of five years ago.
This perfectly illustrated the principle: It's easier to go from frugality to luxury than from luxury back to frugality.
After all, being exploited was inevitable. For any rational person, choosing the easier side was only natural—even if the commoners had no real choice, it didn't stop them from despising the downfall of the Star Luo Empire.
Amidst this sweeping power shift across the Douluo Continent, Dai Mu Bai met an unfortunate end.
Dai Mu Bai was far from stupid—he possessed considerable courage. Otherwise, he wouldn't have chosen to flee instead of competing with his elder brother for the throne.
During the cold war between the two empires, Dai Mu Bai knew that siding with either faction would leave him in an impossible position.
Though life as a bounty hunter had been tolerable, Dai Mu Bai realized he couldn't remain in the Hunter Corps forever—not with his martial soul, which might attract opportunists seeking rewards from the Holy Spirit Empire.
So, on a dark and windy night, Dai Mu Bai quietly left the Hunter Corps.
The proud heterochromatic eyes that once symbolized his royal lineage were now partially concealed by an eyepatch.
But secrets can't stay hidden forever.
By chance, Dai Mu Bai was discovered by a former comrade from the Hunter Corps, who promptly assassinated him.
The world of low-level soul masters was cruel and merciless. Even veteran soul masters often warned newcomers:
In the Spirit Hunting Forest, the greatest danger isn't the soul beasts—it's other humans.
Though this was but a minor episode, it underscored the fact that the Star Luo royal family had no place left in the current Douluo Continent.
Everything unfolded exactly as Ye Wen had envisioned.
The grand war ended anticlimactically in just two days. The division of the Douluo Continent, which had persisted for over 2,600 years, was unified in this year.
History would call it—the First Year of the Holy Spirit Era!
And what was Ye Wen doing at this moment?
Fighting—a fierce battle against an unprecedentedly formidable opponent.
Though Ye Wen had long anticipated that the Asura God would strengthen Tang San immensely, he hadn't expected Tang San to ruthlessly attack the moment they were transported to the new battlefield.
Though Ye Wen managed to dodge in time, a wound that would never heal remained on his shoulder.
Lightly touching the blood with his fingers and tasting it, Ye Wen chuckled softly.
"How terrifying, Little Tang San. Is this the power of the second-generation Asura God?"
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