The Son Who Understands His Father and Forgives Him

The anticipated "disaster" has yet to arrive.

Until one day, the intense expansionary fluctuations originating from the edge of the Divine Realm, which had lasted for quite some time, finally subsided and stabilized.

A more magnificent, more stable, and more vibrant aura of law gently washed over the entire Divine Realm like a tide.

The Life Goddess rushed to the small domed window, ignoring the rattling of the chains.

She saw it.

That newly formed, more distant and magnificent boundary of the Divine Realm, like a dazzling Great Wall of Stars, quietly floats in the universe, stable and solid.

Far from showing any signs of cracking, it appeared even thicker and more vibrant than before the expansion. Inside the Divine Realm, the already abundant divine power had reached an unprecedented peak. The air seemed to be filled with liquid energy rain, and every breath made her feel a comfortable throbbing in her body and mind.

It worked? It actually... it really... worked?

The Life Goddess stood there, stunned, his emerald green eyes wide open, filled with utter astonishment, bewilderment, and a sense of unreality as if his understanding had been completely overturned.

All her worries, all her fears, the agonizing pain she endured day and night... seemed so... laughable? futile? Even... foolish? in the face of this stable, prosperous, and even more beautiful scene before her.

The God of Destruction... He was actually right? His expansion plan, instead of bringing disaster, actually made the Divine Realm stronger and its foundation more solid?

This realization instantly drained the Life Goddess of all its strength, causing it to stagger back a few steps, the chains dragging on the ground with a heavy, chaotic sound.

After the initial confusion, a more complex emotion welled up and instantly overwhelmed her.

If that's the case... then what was the purpose of all her perseverance, all her struggle, all her pain and despair during this time?

Her break with her husband, her intervention resulting in serious injury and imprisonment, her daily and nightly torment... what was the meaning of all this?

Crystalline tears slid down the cheeks of the Life Goddess without warning.

At first, it was just a single drop, but then, like pearls from a broken string, it fell in a flurry, dripping onto the cold temple floor and spreading out a small, damp patch. She didn't make a sound, only wept silently. Her beautiful face was now filled with endless emptiness, regret, and self-doubt.

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The expansion of the Divine Realm has come to a successful conclusion, bringing not only an increase in territory and an abundance of energy, but also an uplifting and hopeful atmosphere.

The God of Destruction stood at the highest point of the Divine Realm's central hub, overlooking this Divine Realm that had radiated even greater vitality under his leadership. For the first time, pride and self-satisfaction appeared in his dark purple eyes.

This was the first time he successfully put his idea into practice and achieved great success.

He had almost completely forgotten about the Life Goddess who had been imprisoned deep within the temple, who had stood shoulder to shoulder with him for countless years, and who had ultimately broken with him.

At this moment, what filled his mind was the exhilaration of his grand plans being realized and his even greater vision for the future.

"The assimilation of the Abyssal Plane, coupled with the absorption of cosmic essence during this expansion... the growth of the Divine Realm's essence far exceeds expectations." The God of Destruction pondered, "Following this trend, given time, the Divine Realm may very well naturally give birth to... a new rudimentary form of God-King authority."

This thought stirred his heart. Another God-King not only meant an increase in top-tier combat power, but also represented a further improvement and sublimation of the overall law system of the Divine Realm, greatly enhancing the ability to resist the Dragon Clan.

He seemed to already see a more powerful and stable Divine Realm standing in the future.

However, as his gaze swept over the assembled gods below, their faces beaming with joy at the successful expansion, it inadvertently fell upon two somewhat unusual figures— the Ice Empress and the Snow Empress.

These two rulers of the Extreme North, through their extraordinary talents and fortuitous encounters, successfully transformed into human form and transcended tribulations, ultimately embarking on the path to godhood. In the Divine Realm, they are unique beings who have become gods from Soul Beast.

They emanated pure and powerful ice-attribute divine power, possessed unparalleled beauty, and had a cold and aloof temperament, yet there seemed to be an invisible, unyielding layer of ice separating them from other deities.

When other deities converse, they often stand quietly to the side; when engaging in group activities, they also habitually remain on the periphery.

The God of Destruction's gaze deepened imperceptibly when he saw them, a hint of hidden hesitation and weighing of options flashing across his eyes.

The God of Destruction harbored a deep-seated wariness towards the Ice Empress, the Snow Empress, and all deities born from Soul Beast. This wariness stemmed from his profound memories of the ancient Dragon God era.

Who can guarantee that these individuals, intricately connected to the Dragon God, will not waver when the Dragon Clan truly returns and calls upon the world in the name of the Lord of Soul Beast? Will they not, for the sake of so-called "clan righteousness" or the summoning of a more powerful bloodline, choose to betray the current Divine Realm, or even become internal spies?

This doubt reached its peak when the Ice Empress Snow Empress underwent their tribulation to become gods and their divine status was initially formed.

The God of Destruction even considered secretly tampering with their divine status before it was fully stabilized, such as planting a hidden backdoor restriction in their Godhood Inheritance, or... simply finding a pretext to eliminate the potential threat in advance.

Given his power and influence at the time, it wouldn't have been difficult for him to do these things. But in the end, he suppressed that cold-blooded killing intent.

There are multiple reasons. Firstly, after the Dragon God was resurrected, the restrictions on Soul Beast to become gods were loosened and disintegrated. It is an inevitable trend under the operation of the universe for Soul Beast to achieve godhood through their own efforts and opportunities.

Forcibly suppressing it, going against the tide, may backfire and severely damage the credibility of the Divine Realm's facade that "anyone with ability can become a god."

Secondly, the Ice Empress Snow Empress possessed exceptional talent and were among the most powerful deities of their level, making them two extremely sharp blades. It would be a pity to destroy them like this.

Thus, the God of Destruction's strategy underwent a subtle shift. He chose a more ruthless and "efficient" method of exploitation.

"Keep a close eye on them." This was the order he secretly gave to the God of Original Sin and some of his trusted confidants, "Record all their social interactions, divine power fluctuations, and even their level of attention to the Extreme North. But do not interfere, do not alert them."

Since they cannot be completely trusted, the God of Destruction plan places them under strict surveillance and positions them as future "strategic resources."

When the Dragon Clan crisis truly arrives, these powerful Soul Beast deities, who, due to their origins, might be considered "one of their own" by the Dragon Clan, can undoubtedly be sent to the front lines against the Dragon Clan. They can unleash their full combat potential to deplete the Dragon Clan' strength; they can also be used to test the Dragon Clan' attitude at crucial moments; and even... if they do make any unusual moves, dealing with them in the pre-designed battlefield environment will be relatively "easier." In any case, it won't be a waste.

Furthermore, keeping the Ice Empress Snow Empress alive, and ostensibly granting them the same status and treatment as other deities, is itself an important political signal.

This can demonstrate to powerful Soul Beast who are still struggling to climb the path to godhood or who are wary of the Divine Realm that the Divine Realm does not reject Soul Beast outright. As long as they abide by the rules and possess sufficient strength, Soul Beast can also have a place in the Divine Realm. This helps to divide potential Soul Beast resistance forces and absorb some of Soul Beast combat power, or even bind them to the Divine Realm's chariot.

The God of Destruction withdrew his gaze, looking at the thriving Divine Realm, filled with confidence that he could control everything in the future.

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After Dongfang Yao became the God King, some time passed, and the pent-up frustration of being forcibly given a godhood suddenly vanished completely, replaced by an unprecedented, light, and delightful sense of pride.

This is because his older sister, Dongfang Jing, who had always been superior to him since childhood, finally lost to him, and he became a god before his sister Dongfang Jing!

Now, he finds everything in the Divine Realm pleasing to the eye.

On that already sunny and handsome face, a smile had almost become a semi-permanent mark, and his dark eyes sparkled with undisguised joy and... a touch of "showing off".

However, after the expansion of the Divine Realm was completed, he had one more thing to do: to encourage all the new gods he thought had potential to work hard and strive for the throne of the God King!

He must seize the qualification before his older sister, Dongfang Jing, becomes the God-King.

His primary targets, naturally, were those gods who, like him, were considered "new generation" deities.

For example, there's Sikong Zhen, who wields thunder and whose majesty grows ever stronger; Daji, who combines allure and agility; and Doria, whose pure aura resonates with the life of the ocean...

In the temple, by the training ground, and even on the cloud bridge of the Divine Realm where they might meet by chance, one could always "coincidentally" encounter this Godess of Kindness with an excessively bright smile.

"Senior Sikong! Today's thunderous power, wow, it's 30% more refined than yesterday! At this rate, becoming a God King is just around the corner!" Dongfang Yao hooked his arm around Sikong Zhen's shoulder, giving him a "I'm rooting for you" look.

Facing the gentle and pure Doria, he adopted the tone of a close friend, pointing to the edge of the Divine Realm: "Look, the Divine Realm is expanding, all waters are returning to their source, and the laws of the ocean are more active than ever before. Doria, your divine essence resonates with it most deeply—this is an opportunity! Perhaps one day, our Divine Realm will have another ' Sea God King'!"

The slight reluctance at being "forced" into a divine position by the Evil God has long been swept away by the immense joy of "I am the God King and I am proud" and "I am one step ahead of my sister."

He now only felt that this position of God-King was truly... well, a blessing in disguise!

Chapter 360 Empathy for the Father, Forgiveness for the Father's Son

Ten thousand years is but a few decades of boundary expansion in the Divine Realm, but in the mortal realm, it is enough for the world to change, dynasties to rise and fall, and civilizations to be rebuilt on ruins and reunite.

When Qian Xunji set foot on the land of the Douluo Continent again, he did not disturb anyone.

He concealed all his presence, walking quietly through this familiar yet unfamiliar homeland like any ordinary passerby.

When he left, the Spirit Hall Empire had just been established, and Tian Yue had just begun to condense her divine essence.

Now, ten thousand years have passed, and Tian Yue has long since ascended to the Divine Realm. Even the traces she left behind have begun to fade.

The empire still exists, but the power has been held by countless successors. Qian Xunji strolled past the still majestic Pope Palace in Spirit City, he sensed that the main deity enshrined inside was no longer just the Angel God, but also gods such as the Godess of Kindness and the Evil God.

However, to Qian Xunji's slight surprise, the Heaven Dou Empire, Star Luo Empire, and Sun Moon Empire dynasties—powers he had personally destroyed—still stubbornly exist on the continent's map and in people's memories.

However, they are no longer royalty. Those royal bloodlines that were once uprooted have, like weeds that cannot be burned out, taken root and grew anew in the cracks of a thousand years ago.

Qian Xunji stood in front of a magnificent Duke's Mansion, a cryptic smile playing on his lips.

Martial Soul may die out, and bloodlines may dilute, but as long as the seed of Martial Soul remains, as long as someone awakens a martial spirit similar to their ancestor, such as the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, the Seven Kill Sword, or even the most ordinary family Martial Soul, those past glories and honors will be passed down from generation to generation.

This may be the way life is passed down.

Qian Xunji continued walking, observing, and assessing.

The "Martial Soul Awakening Pill," promoted by the Spirit Hall ten thousand years ago, is now one of the most widely available pills on the continent, with almost every eligible child able to receive one for free. The ideal of everyone becoming Soul Master has truly been realized—the old man sweeping the streets is a three-ring Soul Elder, and the young woman serving dishes in the tavern possesses Hundred-Year Soul Ring.

But Qian Xunji quickly saw through the rigid class structure beneath this facade of prosperity.

Awakening Pills are not a panacea. Their principle is to stimulate the Martial Soul Second Awakening, but the quality of the awakened Martial Soul is closely tied to the user's original bloodline limit.

A descendant of the Blue Silver Grass bloodline, no matter how many Awakening Pills they consume, can at most awaken a mutated Blue Silver Grass or a barely rankable plant-based Martial Soul, and will never reach the threshold of a top-tier Beast Martial Soul or weapon- Martial Soul. Forcibly matching a high-grade Martial Soul will result in severe rejection, causing damage to the meridians at best, and instant death at worst.

Thus, for thousands of years, those who truly stand at the top of the Soul Power pyramid are still the descendants of those ancient bloodlines.

The disciples of the Clear Sky Sect still awaken the Clear Sky Hammer; the direct descendants of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School still possess the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda; Star Luo Dai Family still inherits the White Tiger Martial Soul.

The Awakening Pill created a vast lower-middle class composed of low-level Soul Master, but it couldn't shake the top class. Commoners gained power, but they could never catch up with the nobles.

Qian Xunji stood outside a massive arena for Soul Master, watching as noble youths crushed commoner challengers with their exquisite Soul Skill, amidst deafening cheers. His eyes remained devoid of warmth.

Equality has always been a relative concept.

The only thing that surprised him somewhat was the relationship between Soul Master and Soul Beast.

The Contract Cultivation Method from ten thousand years ago has now evolved into a complete and rigorous symbiotic system. Soul Master no longer hunt Soul Beast to obtain Soul Ring, but instead sign equal contracts with Soul Beast. Both parties share the fruits of Soul Power cultivation. When the contractor breaks through, the Soul Beast voluntarily sacrifices a wisp of Soul Power to condense Soul Ring, but it does not die. Instead, it evolves faster by sharing the human's cultivation speed. Towns where humans and beasts live together have been built on the edge of the Star Dou Great Forest, and it is no longer a strange story for Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast to intermarry with humans.

Qian Xunji passed through a square with a giant sculpture inscribed with "Eternal Contract" and saw human Soul Master and transformed Soul Beast sitting side by side.

He stared at it silently for a while.

He had anticipated this situation back then.

However, he believes this represents peace—memories of hatred may fade, but once interests are intertwined, war becomes a harmful option for both sides.

But some things are simply beyond our control.

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Qian Xunji did not leave Douluo Star.

Or rather, he should have left, but a strange intuition made him stop.

He decided to stay a few more days, just to observe what this empire, which he had created and then abandoned, would look like ten thousand years later.

Then he saw the child.

The Duke's Mansion is located on the east side of Spirit City and is the residence of the descendants of the Star Luo Dai Family.

Ten thousand years ago, the Star Luo Royal Family was wiped out, but their bloodline was not severed. Some branches eventually joined the Spirit Hall Empire and, through their efforts, obtained titles, which have been passed down to this day.

The child was standing in a dilapidated house.

Qian Xunji, hidden in the shadows of the pillars, spied on them.