Thank you to our new Patrons: William Ngo and Dog Jay! Your support means the world to me <3 We are up to Chapter 725: Poaching Talent – Part 1 on Patreon!
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
In the month following Ye Wen's return to Douluo Star, everything remained calm and uneventful.
But the more Ye Wen stayed silent, the more uneasy the powerful figures on Douluo Star became.
The constraints placed on the spoiled heirs within their families had reached unprecedented levels of severity. During this period, causing any trouble would result in immediate expulsion from the family register.
And just as these seasoned veterans had anticipated—
Ye Wen hadn't been idle during this month. He had secretly investigated the current state of power dynamics on Douluo Star.
He didn't demand absolute integrity or even absolute meritocracy, but his minimum requirement was simple: even if someone held a position due to connections, they must ensure the reasonable functioning of their department.
However, the Holy Spirit Empire—a vessel that had sailed for over 3,500 years—was now riddled with internal decay and rampant corruption. Most god-level experts were immersed in cultivation, leaving only a handful to manage affairs.
To address this, Ye Wen convened the highest-level Holy Spirit Council meeting.
Seeing Ye Wen's icy demeanor, even these battle-hardened god-level experts couldn't help but shiver.
Ye Wen remained silent, instead giving a subtle nod to his secretary standing nearby.
One by one, reports were placed before the assembled god-level experts.
"Take a look. I hope you won't have any objections to what I'm about to say next."
The god-level experts began reading the reports in their hands. Some grew increasingly pale as they read, while others turned ashen.
"How is it?" Ye Wen asked calmly.
But his words sent a chilling aura akin to the breath of death sweeping across everyone present.
The gathered experts knew that blood would soon be spilled—and not just a few thousand or tens of thousands of lives.
Ye Wen leaned on the table with both hands, his cold gaze sweeping over the crowd.
"I have no issue with your family members enjoying privileges due to your strength.
But—"
A surge of murderous intent erupted from Ye Wen, enveloping the entire room.
"The greed of those beneath you has become utterly disgraceful."
Some weaker-willed experts immediately knelt before Ye Wen, kowtowing desperately.
"Mercy, my Lord! Mercy! I've been focused on cultivation all these years—I truly didn't know these scoundrels had gone so mad!"
"Spare me, my Lord! Give me another chance! Please!"
"I didn't know! I swear I didn't know, my Lord! I had no idea they were acting so recklessly!"
Voices of pleading filled the air. There was no doubt that the crimes committed by their subordinates were severe, and they knew they had crossed Ye Wen's line. Hence, they frantically begged for mercy.
As for escaping? Hmph. The strength of gods increased exponentially with each tier. Many present had obtained divine cores but were still stuck at the third-tier god level.
Meanwhile, Ye Wen was known to have reached the pinnacle of godhood—the God King realm—and possessed the ability to traverse space. Where could they possibly flee to? The cosmos?
Ye Wen's gaze grew colder. With a disdainful snort, he commanded, "Silence. Return to your seats."
The pleading god-level experts instantly cowered like quails, trembling as they returned to their seats, too afraid to meet Ye Wen's eyes.
Ye Wen exhaled deeply, suppressing the killing intent in his heart, and continued.
"These documents are merely the tip of the iceberg. After all, I've only conducted this investigation for a month.
But I believe the darkness hidden beneath the surface of this era far exceeds what we've uncovered here.
The current state of the Holy Spirit Empire is also partly my responsibility. I won't place all the blame on you, but I expect you to take action.
If you wish to follow me into a more distant future and break through unprecedented realms, then understand this: Douluo Planet is not just my Douluo Planet—it belongs to all of you here.
Go back and thoroughly rectify the issues beneath you.
This meeting is adjourned. In one month, I expect to see a completely renewed Holy Spirit Empire. Do not disappoint me.
After all, you should all know that in the myths, I am the Creator God. I can create this era, and I can also destroy it."
Every word Ye Wen spoke struck heavily upon the hearts of those present.
Though this God King was usually kind and benevolent, if his limits were truly crossed, every god-level expert present was certain they would meet a horrific end.
As Ye Wen turned and disappeared, the assembled god-level experts finally snapped out of their daze and bowed respectfully.
"Farewell, Vast Sea God King."
A new storm had arrived—
An unprecedented political purge, unseen for a millennium, had begun.
The usually indifferent god-level ancestors went berserk, slaughtering the corrupt elements within their families. Even those who lived carefree, dissolute lives were not spared.
After some time, ordinary citizens began to notice changes.
The thugs who once bullied and dominated the streets had vanished. Even the once-oppressive law enforcement officials now wore warm smiles as they administered justice fairly.
For a time, the familiar cities felt strangely peaceful.
From somewhere, a rumor began to spread:
"Holy Golden Light, Eternal King, Compassionate Savior, Redeemer of Souls."
It linked the strange phenomena from the previous month to Ye Wen's identity as the Eternal King, revealing how much the common people of the Holy Spirit Empire had suffered over the past millennium.
When Ye Wen heard this rhyme, he was utterly baffled.
He hadn't spread such words himself—he still had some sense of pride. If he were to propagate faith, he'd at least make it more sophisticated.
However, Ye Wen had a rough guess. It was likely the work of one of the god-level experts trying to curry favor with him, hoping to quell his anger and prevent an apocalyptic purge.
In truth, Ye Wen had only issued a mild threat to make them clean up the corruption. He had no intention of destroying the world—such an act was beyond him.
Upon returning to Douluo Planet, Ye Wen discovered some new developments in his Vast Sea divine core.
Originally possessing only the authority of the sea, the Vast Sea divine core had now gained five additional divine authorities: Truth, Redemption, Space, Creation, and Destruction.
The first three newly acquired authorities had fully solidified, reaching a strength equivalent to a third-tier god.
The latter two—Creation and Destruction—remained in a nebulous state, not yet fully formed.
However, at this rate, it would only take about a hundred years for the Creation and Destruction authorities to fully materialize.
Though Ye Wen had long harbored the idea of embracing diversity and inclusiveness, he hadn't expected happiness to arrive so swiftly.
With the emergence of these new divine authorities, Ye Wen's cultivation had already reached the mid-stage of the 145th level of the God King realm.
Reflecting on this state, Ye Wen speculated: Could he break through to the peak of the God King realm simply by acquiring more divine authorities?
------------------------------------------------------
Support my writing journey: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow