Evading the Heavenly Tribulation

In order to truly test the examinee and bring out her potential, the Life Goddess found himself having to rack his brains to design some of the test content that should have been given by combat-type gods!

For example, defeating powerful enemies in specific environments, maintaining healing output while counterattacking under extreme pressure, and so on.

"What's going on here..." The Life Goddess sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Me, a Life Goddess, spending all my time figuring out how to get my successor to fight with people..."

The two goddesses exchanged a glance, both seeing the same helplessness in each other's eyes.

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Douluo Star.

The "Contract Cultivation Method," spearheaded and promoted by the Spirit Hall Empire, spread rapidly among human Soul Master due to its visibly mutually beneficial effects, and its implementation proceeded exceptionally smoothly.

An even more remarkable step followed – the Soul Beast forces of the Star Dou Great Forest officially established diplomatic relations with the Spirit Hall Empire.

On the Star Dou Great Forest side, Cai Wenji and Yao were at the core. They were tightly protected in the center of the camp by numerous enormous and terrifying Ferocious Beast, although Cai Wenji might not need their protection.

The ferocity in the eyes of top beings like Xiong Jun, Myriad Demon King, and Scarlet King had lessened considerably, replaced by scrutiny and vigilance. Their massive bodies, like mountains, protected the two girls in the center, creating an extremely oppressive atmosphere.

On the Spirit Hall Empire's side, the delegation was equally impressive. The entire Spirit Hall Golden Generation, led by Qian Renxue, Xiang Yu, and Arthur, was present. They wore the Spirit Hall Empire's white-and-gold-trimmed formal attire and various badges and accessories, displaying great solemnity and demonstrating the importance they attached to this diplomatic event.

The two sides were quite a distance apart, clearly separated.

Chapter 286 Avoiding the Lightning Tribulation

The Angel God's original intention in establishing the Spirit Hall was to protect the continent and safeguard the human race.

For thousands of years, the Spirit Hall has strictly adhered to this core principle. Externally, it has continuously suppressed Soul Beast that threaten human survival, especially those high-level Soul Beast that are extremely aggressive. Internally, it has been committed to improving the overall strength of humanity, sparing no expense to cover every village with the branch halls for Martial Soul Awakening, striving to leave no potential Soul Master behind, thus greatly increasing the number of Soul Master and the strength of humanity.

Therefore, when Qian Xunji presented this revolutionary "Contract Cultivation Method," the shockwaves it caused within the Spirit Hall were far more intense and profound than the outside world imagined.

This is not merely an innovation in cultivation methods, but also directly addresses the root cause of the conflict between humans and Soul Beast —the way Soul Ring are obtained.

Once this fundamental conflict is replaced by a "contract," is there still a reason for a life-or-death struggle between humans and Soul Beast?

A heated debate erupted among the high-ranking officials, elders, and bishops of the temple.

Conservatives believe that those who are not of their kind are bound to have different intentions, and that Soul Beast are inherently ferocious. Cooperating with them is tantamount to seeking help from a tiger. They argue that tradition should be upheld, and those powerful Soul Beast should be driven away and exterminated to ensure the absolute safety of humanity.

The reformers, however, thought much further. They believed that if this cultivation method could be implemented, it would solve some of the bottlenecks in Soul Master Soul Master, enhance their future potential, and as for Soul Beast...

The debate ultimately centered on whether, if the "Contract Cultivation Method" truly offers humans and Soul Beast the possibility of peaceful coexistence and mutual progress, the Spirit Hall should continue its attitude of complete hostility towards Soul Beast.

After repeated debates and deliberations, the final decision was to decide based on the circumstances.

The Spirit Hall adopts an accepting and cooperative attitude towards Soul Beast that are gentle, willing to be close to humans, and capable of communicating and establishing contracts. They will be regarded as potential "partners" rather than enemies, and Soul Master are encouraged to establish contractual relationships with them.

Those Soul Beast that are inherently ferocious, extremely hostile to humans, and see humans as prey or food, must be resolutely eradicated to prevent future troubles. For example, the Wolf Bandit, who cruelly killed and ate humans, were directly wiped out by the Spirit Hall Empire.

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As the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall and the plenipotentiary representative for this diplomatic mission, Qian Renxue stood tall and proud at the very front of the procession.

The sunlight shone on her, as if draping her in a divine glow, making her seem like a child of God favored by light.

Her gaze calmly fell upon Cai Wenji and Yao, who were guarded by powerful Ferocious Beast opposite her. Her clear and steady voice, amplified by her Soul Power, resounded throughout the entire arena. "Everyone from the Star Dou Great Forest, I, Qian Renxue, on behalf of the Spirit Hall Empire, extend my greetings to you all."

Her opening remarks were solemn and formal; she gracefully placed her hand on her chest and bowed slightly, appearing beautiful and elegant.

Even the usually wild and untamed Soul Beast found it somewhat pleasing to the eye.

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Qian Renxue didn't know who initiated this diplomatic relationship with the Soul Beast. She only remembered that when her father, Qian Xunji, handed her the documents, his expression was as calm as ever, as if he were just entrusting her with an ordinary official business.

If he hadn't casually added at the end, "This matter concerns the future of both humans and Soul Beast," Qian Renxue would have almost thought it was just an ordinary mission.

After carefully reading the document, she remained silent for a long time before looking up at her father and asking the most crucial question, "What if... we mess this up?"

Concerning the future of countless lives in both races, even the usually confident and proud Qian Renxue felt somewhat uneasy and subconsciously wanted to seek encouragement and comfort from her unreliable father.

Upon hearing Qian Xunji, Qian Xunji's bright golden eyes still shone with wisdom. He reached out and gently rubbed Qian Renxue's head, just as he had done when they were children, then ruffled it. Her hair was still soft and healthy.

But Qian Xunji's words contradicted his current actions. "There's no other way but to kill all the rebellious Soul Beast and keep the obedient ones to breed in captivity."

He paused for a moment, as if considering technical details. "Hmm... the model can be based on the current Soul Beast Forest, but it needs some modifications. That way, humans and Soul Beast can 'theoretically' coexist peacefully."

Then, his gaze fell on Qian Renxue, and he said, "However..."

I believe in Xiao Xue.

Qian Renxue ruffled her ruffled hair. Good, he was still the familiar father. Comfort and encouragement were out of the question...

It's not bad!

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The negotiations continued smoothly.

Qian Renxue was initially worried that those legendary Ferocious Beast would be difficult to communicate with, and might even overturn the table.

However, to her surprise, the representative sent by the other side was actually a human girl who looked quite young— Cai Wenji!

Qian Renxue remembered Cai Wenji. Previously, in the Advanced Soul Master Tournament in Spirit City, this girl and her Exotic Beast Academy performed amazingly. Moreover, after being "certified" by her father and the Titled Douluo, she was not Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in human form, but a pure human.

So how did she manage to blend in with this group of Ferocious Beast?

Suppressing her doubts, Qian Renxue continued the conversation.

As they talked, Qian Renxue felt an even stronger sense of unease.

Cai Wenji seemed to be fully aware of the questions, concerns, and pace of the negotiations that Qian Renxue might raise. Her responses were always perfectly timed, expressing the demands of the Soul Beast while cleverly guiding the conversation in the direction Qian Renxue had planned, as if the two had rehearsed countless times beforehand.

Qian Renxue glanced strangely at the petite, blonde girl opposite her, who had no expression, then suppressed her doubts and continued to advance the topic:

"... Furthermore, after forming a contract with a human Soul Master, there is another crucial benefit for Soul Beast." She paused, then dropped a bombshell. "Contracted Soul Beast will no longer need to face Heavenly Tribulations."

"What?!"

"Human, are you telling the truth?!"

The Ferocious Beast, including Xiong Jun and Myriad Demon King, who had been standing quietly behind Cai Wenji like statues, clearly showing little interest in the negotiations and even a hint of resistance, suddenly raised their heads when they heard the words "Heavenly Tribulation," their eyes flashing with disbelief!

The Heavenly Tribulation is the Sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of all high-level Soul Beast; it is the greatest life-or-death ordeal on their cultivation path!

Xiong Jun's terrifying aura unconsciously spread out, but Qian Renxue's angelic Angel Divine Power flowed slightly around her, her expression remained unchanged, and she nodded firmly. "Of course! The Spirit Hall Empire swears in the name of the Angel God, and this is no empty promise."

Looking at the skeptical Ferocious Beast, she offered a solution. "If you don't believe me, you can conduct an experiment to verify it."

"Experiment? How?" Xiong Jun, unusually using its rarely used brain, questioned in a muffled voice, "Putting aside the possibility that you humans might deceive us into signing some kind of contract! Besides, what if you're lying to us? Wouldn't we be doomed?!"

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The two sides were deadlocked, and the atmosphere became somewhat tense.

After waiting for a long time and seeing that the negotiations were progressing slowly, Cai Wenji, who was sitting in the main seat of the Soul Beast side, seemed to be getting a little impatient. She gently tapped the Hujia Qin in her arms, and the crisp sound attracted everyone's attention.

Without consulting the other Ferocious Beast, she made her decision directly, her voice calm yet carrying an undeniable air. "Bring those Soul Beast who have forcibly suppressed their strength to avoid the lightning tribulation to come here and sign contracts with humans."

This suggestion is direct and most persuasive.

Xiong Jun recalled the feeling of Cai Wenji's fist hitting him and didn't utter any further rebuttal.

Soon, one of the selected Soul Beast was brought to the center of the arena.

This is a Gale Leopard. Its bloodline is not particularly strong among Soul Beast, and its own defense is relatively ordinary. Based on its accumulated experience and talent, it will undoubtedly die in the next tribulation that will occur every two hundred thousand years.

On the side of the Spirit Hall Empire, the representative sent was Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan from the Alchemy Hall.

Yue Guan initially didn't want to get involved in this diplomatic matter, but the young master of the Alchemy Hall casually suggested, "Why don't you give it a try? It might be beneficial."

As they spent more time together, Yue Guan realized that this young palace master never lied, so she agreed with a try-it-out attitude.

As it happened, Qian Renxue was also looking for a suitable candidate, so she naturally chose him.

The two stood within a pre-drawn contract array that shimmered with mysterious runes.

Under the watchful eyes of countless people, Yue Guan and Lie Feng Bao completed the linking of their souls and powers, following the guidance of the contract.

The moment the contract was established, at Cai Wenji's prompting, the Gale Leopard carefully, and then resolutely, released the suppression of its own Soul Power that it had held for hundreds of years!

A surge of powerful Soul Power erupted from its body, and its cultivation level broke through the threshold of two hundred thousand years without any hindrance!

Everyone and every beast held their breath, especially the Gale Leopard itself, who almost reflexively looked up at the sky, its huge beastly eyes filled with fear of the thunder.

One second, two seconds, three seconds...

The wind was gentle, the clouds were light, and the sky was clear and blue.

The cataclysmic calamity that was supposed to arrive on schedule and destroy the world did not actually appear!

"Roar--!!"

The Gale Leopard let out a roar of elation, filled with the joy of surviving a close call!

It excitedly jumped and spun around in place, feeling the surging power within its body, but there was no sign of the impending heavenly tribulation.

This scene was witnessed by all the human Soul Master and high-level Soul Beast around them.

It's confirmed! After signing the contract, I really won't have to get struck by lightning anymore!

At the same time, Yue Guan closed his eyes and felt the power shared from the other end of the contract. The pure Soul Power of the 200,000-year-old Soul Beast and its affinity for the wind element flowed into his body like sweet spring water, creating a wonderful resonance with his own Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum Martial Soul. The bottleneck of level 97, which had been stagnant for a long time, actually loosened quietly under the gentle impact of this external force, and then broke through in one fell swoop!

Yue Guan suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze filled with shock and delight! He finally understood what the Palace Master meant by "benefits"! The reward from a 200,000-year-old Ferocious Beast's voluntary contract was indeed an unimaginable opportunity for Soul Master!

Once Qian Renxue's words were fully confirmed, the attitude of the Soul Beast underwent a dramatic change.

The Ferocious Beast, who were just moments ago tense and full of doubt, now seemed much gentler.

Even Xiong Jun, who had the worst temper, subconsciously lowered his deafening voice by eight octaves, trying to make his voice sound "gentler," a stark contrast to his previous aggressive demeanor.

There was no other way; the Ferocious Beast wasn't stupid, and it genuinely didn't want to be struck by lightning! Who would willingly endure a near-death experience from a heavenly tribulation if they could survive?

Especially for Ferocious Beast that are older, the more severe and numerous the lightning tribulations they endure, and their fear of lightning tribulations is deeply ingrained.

Now that they've solved the problem of the lightning tribulation, they can even calmly communicate with humans they despise.

The ensuing communication went much more smoothly than ever before.

Both parties began in-depth discussions on the specific terms of the contract, rights and obligations, cooperation model, and other details.

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For the next two weeks, Qian Renxue and the Star Dou Great Forest, represented by Cai Wenji, held detailed discussions on the details of their cooperation.

The first consensus reached was that humanity and the Star Dou Great Forest would enter a period of peace.