The Three-Year Deadline Had Arrived-Welcome the Dragon King... Oh No, the God King, Out of Seclusion

Spirit Hall, Death Canyon.

This was a forbidden ground for Spirit Masters, shrouded year-round in gray poisonous miasma. If an ordinary Soul King entered, he would turn into a puddle of pus within half a day.

Yet at this moment, miserable wails came from deep within the canyon.

"Not again! I'd rather die than do this again!"

"Boom!"

A fiery-red figure was sent flying, smashing viciously into the rock wall and leaving behind a massive crater.

Yan crawled out of the rubble, filthy and disheveled, his granite muscle twitching all over. He looked at the two figures in the distance, who had not even fully released their martial souls, and nearly wept in despair.

"Nana, Xie Yue, I quit!" Yan pointed ahead, his finger trembling. "How is this sparring? This is outright slaughter! Three years ago, I could still withstand three moves from the Holy Son. Now... now my knees go weak just from looking at him!"

Xie Yue held his Moon Blade and leaned against a tree trunk, smiling bitterly. "Be content. At least His Highness didn't use that 'Auspicious Beast Hegemony.' Otherwise, you'd already be lying in orthopedics."

Hu Liena's beautiful eyes flickered as she stared into the depths of the canyon, her tone complicated. "So this is... a true monster?"

Time flew by.

To the outside world, these three years may have been nothing more than three years of constant friction between the two great empires.

But to Spirit Hall's inner circle, they were three years in which their Worldview constantly collapsed and rebuilt itself.

When they were ten.

Qian Mo and Zhu Zhuqing both broke through Rank 50.

To obtain spirit rings, Qian Renxue forcibly joined their party, and the three of them swept through the mixed zone of the Star Dou Great Forest.

That week, mercenary groups around the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest circulated a terrifying legend: three fiends had entered the mountains to stock up, causing Ten Thousand Year Soul Beasts to pack up and move overnight. Some soul beasts even ran to mercenary camps to "turn themselves in," begging only not to be caught by those three fiends and stewed into soup.

When they were eleven.

Zhu Zhuqing's development entered a completely unreasonable "miraculous" stage.

Bibi Dong had no choice but to have a tailor take her measurements and make new clothes every month. Each time, the old tailor, who had worked for forty years, would stare at the measuring tape in existential doubt and lament the Creator's unfairness.

Meanwhile, Qian Mo's height shot up like a bamboo stalk, reaching nearly 1.8 meters. The childishness had faded from his face, leaving features so handsome they were almost demonic. Rumor had it that merely buying candied hawthorn in Spirit City had caused traffic jams stretching across three streets, with even married women fainting on the spot.

At twelve.

That was today.

The atmosphere in the square before the Papal Palace was so solemn that even the air seemed frozen.

Bibi Dong held her scepter and stood at the highest position. Qian Renxue, clad in golden armor, stood to the left. Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo stood on either side.

Everyone's gaze was fixed on the Bronze Giant Gate that had remained shut for an entire year.

"The three-year deadline has arrived."

Bibi Dong's red lips parted slightly, her voice majestic.

"Rumble—"

The heavy sound of mechanisms echoed out as the dust-covered gate slowly slid open to both sides.

At that moment, heaven and earth lost their color.

There was no imagined eruption of Soul Power, nor any earth-shattering roar.

There was only light.

On the left was Sacred Golden Light, brilliant beyond measure. It was the auspicious radiance of the Auspicious Angel—warm, vast, and seemingly capable of purifying all filth in the world.

On the right was annihilating darkness, deep beyond measure. It was the deathly silence of the Hell Spirit Cat—cold, pure, like the Other Shore leading to Yellow Springs.

One gold, one black.

The two utterly opposing forces intertwined and entwined in the air, faintly forming the phenomenon of a massive Tai Chi Diagram suspended above the Papal Palace.

"This... this is..." Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan's eyes widened, his Orchid Finger Frozen Mid-air. "The perfect fusion of light and darkness? How is that possible?!"

Beneath that phenomenon.

Two figures walked out side by side.

The Youth on the left wore a white golden robe. His black hair was like ink, and his eyes like stars. He walked slowly, and with every step he took, an illusory Golden Lotus bloomed beneath his feet.

The Maiden on the right wore a Moon White Brocade Skirt that shimmered with Flowing Light.

This was no longer the one from three years ago, but an upgraded version into which Bibi Dong had poured countless efforts.

The hem of her skirt flowed like moonlight with her steps. Her expression was cool and aloof, like the Guanghan Fairy seated high among the clouds. As she appeared, the temperature around her plunged to freezing.

Only when her gaze swept across the youth at her side did the ice in the depths of her eyes instantly melt into a pool of gentle spring water.

"Crack."

Qian Mo stretched lazily, and his bones erupted with thunderous cracks.

"Ah... finally out."

He yawned and glanced at the blinding [Level 60] displayed on the System Panel, his tone lazy and infuriatingly smug.

"This damned leveling speed—I can't suppress it even if I want to. I originally wanted to stay at Level 59 and have fun for a few more days, but I broke through after one nap. So annoying."

In the square, the Golden Generation trio, who were striving to break through Level 45: "..."

Listen to that. Was that even human language?

We were risking our lives to cultivate, while he leveled up in his sleep and still complained about it?

Bibi Dong looked at the two nearly perfect "works" before her, and an almost imperceptible pride flashed in her eyes.

This was Spirit Hall's future.

This was the trump card that could drag those old geezers of the Divine Realm from their pedestals.

"Since you've come out of seclusion, don't idle around."

Bibi Dong walked down the steps, her gaze passing over Qian Mo and falling upon the distant south.

"The fledgling eagle has grown up. It's time to go make trouble in the skies outside."

Qian Mo raised an eyebrow. "Where to? Destroy the Tian Dou Empire or Star Luo?"

"..." The corner of the mouth twitched. "That kind of grunt work can wait. This time, I have a small task for you."

She casually tossed over a scroll.

"Suotuo City."

Bibi Dong sneered, a flash of disdain and cold light passing through her eyes.

"I heard that Yu Xiaogang, the so-called 'Master,' started some Shrek Academy over there and has been swindling people under the banner of 'only accepting monsters.'"

"Doesn't he want to prove his theories are invincible? Doesn't he want to raise monsters?"

"Go."

Bibi Dong's voice suddenly turned cold.

"Go tell the world what a real monster is."

"Go slap that trash's face until it swells."

Qian Mo caught the scroll, a teasing curve lifting at the corner of the mouth.

It was finally here.

Shrek.

That place full of "brotherhood" (double standard) and "those who dare not cause trouble are mediocrities" (bullying the weak and fearing the strong).

"As you command, His Holiness the Pope." Qian Mo bowed slightly, golden light flickering in his eyes. "I guarantee the mission will be completed."

However, at that moment.

Qian Renxue, who had been standing nearby without saying a word, suddenly moved.

She grabbed Qian Mo's hand, her grip so strong it seemed she wanted to crush his bones.

"Sis?" Qian Mo froze and turned to look at her.

The crown prince, who was usually decisive and ruthless, now had reddened eye sockets, tears swirling within them, as though she might burst into tears at any moment.

"Xiao Mo... Sister can't go with you."

Qian Renxue sniffled, her voice thick with a nasal tone.

"An urgent report came from Tian Dou. That old bastard Xue Ye is almost done for. The imperial family is in complete chaos, and that useless Xue Beng is making moves. I have to return immediately and take control."

The original plan for three people to travel together had to become a trip for two due to the sudden political upheaval.

Though Qian Mo felt some regret, he knew it was inevitable.

The plan to steal the nation had reached a critical stage. Qian Renxue truly could not leave.

"Don't worry, Sis. I'm not a child anymore." Qian Mo smiled and wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes.

"You are a child!"

Qian Renxue interrupted him domineeringly, then, as if performing a magic trick, pulled out a huge pile of things from her Storage Soul Tool and stuffed them all into Qian Mo's arms.

"This is a defensive Soul Tool, this is an antidote pill, this is Ten Thousand Year Snow Ginseng, this is a protective talisman I made myself..."

She stuffed things in while muttering nonstop.

Until Qian Mo had been turned into a walking general store.

Finally, Qian Renxue took a deep breath, abruptly turned her head, and stabbed Zhu Zhuqing with a knife-sharp gaze.

Zhu Zhuqing instinctively straightened her back, her cat ears twitching slightly.

"Zhu Zhuqing!" Qian Renxue gritted her teeth.

"Yes."

"While I'm gone, keep an eye on him for me!"

Qian Renxue walked up to Zhu Zhuqing. They were nearly the same height, their auras colliding and sending sparks flying.

"There are plenty of vixens outside, especially in that Shrek place. I heard it's a complete mess! If I find out another woman gets within three meters of Xiao Mo..."

Qian Renxue made a throat-slitting gesture, her eyes fierce.

"I'll hold you responsible!"

Zhu Zhuqing nodded expressionlessly. "Don't worry. I'll clean them up."

"And another thing!"

Qian Renxue suddenly leaned close to Zhu Zhuqing's ear, lowering her voice. Her tone carried heavy jealousy and warning.

"You... aren't allowed to sneak a bite either!"

"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking! He's still young. If I find out you touched him while I wasn't paying attention..."

Zhu Zhuqing's cool face instantly flushed crimson.

She turned her face away, not daring to meet Qian Renxue's eyes, while silently complaining in her heart.

Sneak a bite?

For the past three years in the Great Canyon, he had clearly been the one bullying me...

Who exactly was eating whom?

Half an hour later.

A low-key yet luxurious horse carriage drove out of Spirit City.

No Titled Douluo accompanied them.

With Qian Mo and Zhu Zhuqing's current strength, as long as they did not foolishly provoke those Limit Douluo, they could go anywhere on the continent.

Inside the horse carriage, the space was roomy.

Qian Mo reclined against a soft couch, idly playing with a golden chess piece.

Zhu Zhuqing knelt at his side, carefully peeling a glistening purple grape.

"Open your mouth." She held the grape to Qian Mo's lips.

Qian Mo swallowed it in one bite.

"Omniscience Omnipotence, activate."

Qian Mo closed his eyes, and the Auspicious Beast Skull at his brow grew faintly hot.

It was time to see how their "old friend" had been doing.

His vision crossed countless mountains and rivers, instantly locking onto an official road outside Suotuo City.

Within the image.

A desolate-looking Youth walked with heavy steps, carrying his luggage on his back.

That was twelve-year-old Tang San.

Though he had reached the realm of a Level 29 Soul Grandmaster, compared to his high spirits in the original work, Tang San now seemed rather lacking in confidence.

No Eight Spider Lances.

No Immortal Herbs to temper his body.

Even the Godly Zhuge Crossbow had greatly diminished power due to a shortage of materials—the money he had used to buy Iron Mother had been stolen.

Beside him, a girl in pink skipped around while catching butterflies.

"Xiao San, is that Suotuo City ahead?" Xiao Wu asked.

"Mm." Tang San nodded and touched the shriveled Soul Tool at his waist, Twenty-Four Bridges Moonlight Night. A trace of gloom flashed through his eyes. "I hope we can earn some money at the Spirit Arena there... Otherwise, we won't even be able to afford the tuition."

Seeing this, Qian Mo could not help laughing.

This was the so-called Child of Destiny?

Without his cheats, he was nothing more than an Ordinary Soul Master worried about making a living.

"What are you laughing at?" Zhu Zhuqing leaned closer curiously.

"Nothing."

Qian Mo opened his eyes and cut off the image.

He lifted the carriage curtain and looked at the towering city wall gradually becoming clearer on the distant horizon.

The setting sun was like blood, dyeing Suotuo City's outline scarlet.

Within that city were Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and the Tang San who was about to arrive.

That was where the dream began in the original work.

But now.

"Suotuo City is here."

A smile capable of changing the color of heaven and earth curled across Qian Mo's lips. Golden light flowed in his eyes, like a God looking down upon ants.

"Shrek, Dai Mubai, Tang San..."

"Are you ready?"

"Your nightmare has arrived."