Douluo Continent.
A secluded, uninhabited gorge.
A massive stone tablet, about three zhang tall, stood there. It was neither stone nor jade, and glimmered with a faint golden hue.
Two ancient-looking characters were carved into its surface.
Bright Realm!
Yet there were no buildings anywhere near the tablet, only flowers, grass, and trees all around.
Only the ripples in space hinted at how extraordinary this place was.
Just then, space trembled and twisted. A handsome young man suddenly burst through.
He looked about twenty, with a tall, straight posture. He wore a black trench coat, and his black hair was neatly tied behind his head.
The moment he appeared, his sharp gaze swept across his surroundings.
After confirming that he had finally made it out,
he suddenly spread his arms wide, as if to embrace the whole world, and shouted excitedly:
"Douluo Continent—!"
"I, Duanmu Ting, have arrived! Hahahaha!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Duanmu Ting darted forward, becoming a streak of black.
He sped toward the forest's edge, toward the vast world of Douluo Continent.
Only after Duanmu Ting's figure had disappeared completely did another exceptionally handsome man appear before the tablet.
Yu Yuan watched Duanmu Ting's departing figure and couldn't help sighing.
"That guy really did sneak out."
Though his tone held a hint of helplessness, there was no blame in it.
He had been in Douluo Continent for several decades, and had successfully bound himself to a cheat called the Strongest Force System.
The stronger the force he built became, and the stronger its members grew, the stronger he himself would become.
At the same time, he would receive more rewards from the system.
From the beginner's gift pack, Yu Yuan had obtained the Bright Realm Template and successfully awakened the Emperor Armor Martial Soul.
He had also gained the Bright Realm Space, a world independent of Douluo Continent.
This was the foundation of the force he would build in the future.
Over the past several decades, following the system's guidance,
Yu Yuan had searched all across Douluo Continent for suitable successors to the Armor Martial Souls.
He had gathered them under his banner and resolved to keep a low profile and develop in secret, refusing to emerge until he was invincible.
"Ah, well. Let him go out and explore," Yu Yuan said, shaking his head and putting the matter aside.
"Now that I've reached Level Ninety-Nine, at least on this Douluo Continent, I have no rivals."
"It's just a shame that the Asura God has been watching this place all along."
"It would still be unwise to emerge now."
As he spoke, Yu Yuan paused, sensing the vast energy within him, and thought:
"Soon. It won't be long now. I'm only one step away from becoming a god."
"The day I become a god will be the day I Unify the World!"
Yu Yuan savored the thought, then turned and returned to the Bright Realm.
The world spun around him.
A world full of birdsong and fragrant flowers, with beautiful scenery, suddenly spread out before his eyes.
A few wispy clouds drifted across the azure sky.
The sunlight was bright but not scorching, falling over rolling green mountains and winding streams.
Exotic flowers and plants covered the land. Spirit springs bubbled, and immortal cranes wandered through a peaceful paradise.
At the center of this world
stood a massive city, built from a material no one could identify.
The city walls were not made of ordinary bricks and stones.
Instead, they were fashioned from a strange substance that was neither metal nor jade, shimmering with a starlike radiance.
The walls towered into the clouds, their surfaces engraved with countless intricate runes.
As if a peculiar magic formation had been carved into them, they occasionally flashed with strange colors.
The city gates stood open. Above them, two ancient-looking characters had been carved: Ming Capital.
This was the first city in this world.
Two Arrestor Generals in armor stood on either side of the city gates, each holding an Arrestor Spear.
When they saw Yu Yuan arrive, they straightened excitedly.
Keeping their eyes forward, they called out solemnly, "Your Majesty!"
They seemed eager to present their best selves to Yu Yuan.
Yu Yuan nodded and strode inside.
The streets within the city were bustling with people.
Most wore simple, practical clothing.
They varied in age, but every one of them had Soul Power rippling around them.
With the system's help, Yu Yuan could naturally help them awaken Armor Martial Souls from the Bright Realm.
Unfortunately, the vast majority awakened ordinary Arrestor General Armor Martial Souls.
Only a small number had the potential to bond with Main Armors such as the Flame Dragon Armor.
Even so, ordinary Arrestor General Armor possessed considerable power.
With so many of them gathered together, they formed a formidable force.
Children's laughter rang out nearby as they ran around, teasing one another.
Then a little girl suddenly spotted Yu Yuan entering through the city gates.
She shouted excitedly, "Your Majesty! His Majesty is here!"
Her words drew everyone's attention.
When they saw Yu Yuan's heroic, extraordinary face, they excitedly crowded around him.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Have you come to visit us?"
"Your Majesty, do you remember me? You were the one who saved me back then."
"Your Majesty! I'll train hard and repay you!"
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
Everyone gazed fervently at the man surrounded in their midst.
Their eyes were filled with loyalty.
Most of the people here wore expressions of comfort and hope.
They had come from all over the continent. Some had been found because of their talent; others had been brought here by chance.
Still others had fled here to escape disaster.
Now they were all members of the Bright Realm.
Under Yu Yuan's protection, they could grow and cultivate in this relatively peaceful place.
They worked toward a shared goal:
to make the name of the Bright Realm resound throughout the world.
Looking at the excited crowd around him, Yu Yuan didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Just as Yu Yuan was calming the excited crowd,
Boom—!!
A thunderous crash echoed across the world.
Purple lightning suddenly raged across the azure sky, and dazzling golden light burst forth.
Golden Lotuses, imbued with profound mysteries, emerged from the void.
A boundless Golden Light Screen stretched across the Sky Dome.
Everywhere in Douluo Continent, people could see it just by looking up.
Even the Bright Realm, independent of Douluo Continent, could see it.
[In this mortal world, Evil Gods run rampant, and the Heavenly Dao has awakened] [Today, the Heavenly Dao Ranking is established to benefit all people] [All who appear on the rankings shall receive Heavenly Dao Blessing and a Supreme Treasure] [The Human Race Combat Strength Ranking is now open. The top thirty on the list shall all receive rewards]
The astonishing spectacle naturally caught the attention of everyone in the Bright Realm.
They all stared at the sky in stunned silence.
"What... what is that?!"
"I-is it Heavenly Punishment?!"
"Such a powerful energy!"
Everyone turned their eyes toward their own ruler.
At that moment, Yu Yuan was also staring at the Heavenly Screen above, his brows furrowed.
His expression shifted, and no one could tell what he was thinking.
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