Unifying the Continent

Bi Ji stood quietly on the still smoldering ruins, her emerald hair dancing in the wind. Each strand seemed to pulse with life, shimmering with a lustrous glow under the sun.

She wore a simple white dress, its hem embroidered with delicate ivy patterns. As she moved, the vines seemed to come alive, gently unfurling.

Most astonishing were the pair of jade-like wings on her back. Each feather was crystal clear, radiating a gentle life force. With every soft beat, tiny emerald particles of light scattered.

Her exquisite face held a hint of sorrow, her emerald eyes like two clear lakes, reflecting the devastated Star Luo City before them.

Her slender willow brows were slightly furrowed, and her long fingers unconsciously brushed the Jade Pendant hanging on her chest.

"Why would you go to such lengths?" Bi Ji's voice was like a clear spring hitting stones, trembling slightly. "Those soldiers, those civilians..."

Solomon turned around. The thirteen-year-old boy's frame was not yet fully grown. His white Holy Son robe billowed in the wind, yet it inexplicably carried a convincing authority.

He looked up at the much taller Jade Swan, his youthful face displaying a composure unbefitting his age.

"Senior Bi Ji," he called out softly, conjuring a ball of soft white light with his fingertips. Countless images appeared within the light.

Scenes of young Soul Beasts being hunted, dying Soul Beasts having their Spirit Rings stripped away, and human Spirit Masters killing each other for Spirit Bones.

"You've seen too many such scenes, haven't you?" Solomon's voice was quiet, yet each word was clear. "Humans and Soul Beasts have warred for tens of thousands of years. Hatred is etched into their very bones. To end such a cycle..." He waved his hand, dispersing the images, and pointed to the ruins at his feet. "Sometimes, the most drastic measures are necessary."

"Besides, I said those who surrender will not be killed. Those who died were all from the conservative faction that resisted the most fiercely. Those people had to die, and the ship of the new era has no room for them."

Bi Ji's wings folded slightly, ripples appearing in her jade-like eyes.

She saw a hideous scar on the boy's fair wrist, an injury sustained during a sneak attack when he first entered Star Luo City.

"Do you know? True peace always comes with the most brutal sacrifices. The sacrifices made now are valuable." Solomon suddenly offered a pure smile, a smile that finally made him look like a thirteen-year-old child. "And, if one day my death can exchange for lasting peace, I will not hesitate to offer my life."

The words were like a drop of water falling into a calm lake.

Bi Ji's pupils widened slightly. She saw the pure, almost terrifying resolve burning in the boy's eyes.

That light of self-sacrifice for an ideal reminded her of the mother beasts deep within the Star Dou Forest, who faced Title Douluo head-on to protect their young.

"But can such slaughter... truly bring peace?"

"This isn't slaughter." Solomon gently took Bi Ji's slightly cool hand and placed it on his chest. "This is surgery. Like cutting away dead flesh to allow a wound to heal."

His heartbeat was steady and strong. "The Star Luo royal family insisted on their traditional way of hunting Soul Beasts. If they don't die, more Soul Beasts will."

The roar of collapsing buildings echoed in the distance, but Solomon didn't look back. He only looked intently at Bi Ji. "You believe I can create a world where humans and Soul Beasts coexist peacefully. It's precisely because of this trust that you signed a Contract with me. Therefore, I cannot let you down." He lowered his voice slightly. "Sister Bi Ji, please continue to trust me with all your heart."

Bi Ji felt a sense of daze.

She had lived for a hundred thousand years and had seen too many human lies.

But at this moment, the light in the boy's eyes made her want to believe, involuntarily.

She even had a rebellious thought: perhaps compared to the Silver Dragon King sleeping in the Lake of Life, the boy before her was more suited to lead the Soul Beasts.

A crystal tear rolled down Bi Ji's cheek, reflecting a dazzling light in the sun.

She gently clasped Solomon's hand, her jade wings fully unfurled, showering them both with light particles.

"Of course, I am willing to believe you," her voice was soft, yet it sounded like the most solemn vow. "But please promise me, don't speak of sacrifice lightly. Peace must be protected by those who are alive."

"Okay." As soon as Solomon agreed, he felt an impact from behind. He staggered slightly before regaining his balance.

"Oh, so Brother Suo is having a private moment with Sister Bi Ji, huh?" Xiao Wu, also thirteen, had already begun to develop. When she hung onto Solomon's back, her weight was much greater than before.

Xiao Wu hooked her arms around Solomon's neck, refusing to let go. "Brother Suo, don't look at other women. We grew up together!"

This silly rabbit, Solomon was torn between laughter and tears. He supported Xiao Wu's backside with one hand and tapped her forehead with the other.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Didn't I tell you to assist Gabriel?"

Xiao Wu's cultivation had reached the third ring, and she had already contracted Da Ming and Er Ming in advance. The Pokemon Contract for Soul Beasts was based on mutual consent. As long as both parties were willing and had sufficient affinity, age was not an issue at all.

It was precisely for this reason that Solomon had Xiao Wu participate in this war.

Xiao Wu bit Solomon's shoulder unhappily. "What kind of assistance does Sister Gabriel need from me? No one can even defeat her, and I haven't been with Brother Suo for so long~" She buried her head in Solomon's shoulder and neck, greedily absorbing the warmth from him.

Bi Ji stood to the side, subconsciously feeling a pang of discomfort, but couldn't quite explain why.

Solomon said helplessly, "Yes, yes, I understand."

Not long after, about a month or so.

The Star Luo Empire officially announced its annexation, and at the same time, the Heaven Dou Empire had long been conquered by Lucifer's team.

Various large and small empires were completely absorbed by Spirit Hall.

The Spirit Empire was finally established!

Meanwhile, Tang San was still undergoing his Contractor assessment at the Spirit Academy in Nuoding City.

After a period of diligent effort, Tang San quickly discovered his talent for becoming a Contractor. His spiritual power was incredibly strong, allowing him to draw Contract Arrays faster and more accurately.

Relying on years of study, he could already skillfully draw Contract Arrays.

If he passed the assessment today, he would become a Soul Beast Contractor. Spirit Hall's Soul Beast Contractors received a monthly stipend of 500 Gold Spirit Coins, along with various other subsidies.

It could be said that this profession was the "Dragon People" of the new era.

Tang San, as expected, would not remain obscure so easily.