Of course, the clips weren't all about romance.
They also included some cultivation, research, exploration, the evolution of cultivation techniques, new martial skills, new theories, and matters concerning the Spirit Pagoda, the Spirit Hall, humanity, Soul Beasts, and more.
It was clear that Huang Tian had never stopped moving forward. He kept growing stronger, whether in his cultivation realm, his research into techniques and martial skills, or, most of all, in promoting and advancing his ideals.
Gradually, some of the things he developed even proved useful to the Silver Dragon King.
And gradually, his rift with many established sects and noble families became impossible to mend.
This was especially true of the Sea God, the nobles' representative, and Asura God Tang San. The two sides argued and even clashed repeatedly.
Meanwhile, with the Divine Realm's heavy-handed assistance, Tang San's followers ascended to godhood one after another.
By contrast, aside from the Angel God and the Rakshasa God, many of those around Huang Tian were clearly more talented, yet the Divine Realm never acknowledged them. They could only pursue Self-Created Godhood or become subordinate deities of the Martial God.
There was no need to elaborate on how difficult the former was. The latter, meanwhile, required Huang Tian to share some of his power with them.
Before long, the clips about romance dwindled sharply. In their place came Huang Tian's conflicts with the Divine Realm.
[Huang Tian decided to announce to the people the basic version of the cultivation technique he had created, and to establish academies that would recruit those who achieved success in its practice and teach them the advanced version.
He wanted to spread martial arts throughout the land and let ordinary people cultivate too. In response, the Soul Masters, especially those from the major sects and noble families, fiercely opposed him.]
[Asura God demanded that Huang Tian merge his Godhead into the Divine Realm and leave the Douluo World ahead of schedule. He was not to interfere in mortal affairs again, or the Divine Realm would never accept him.]
[The Martial Dao Steles Huang Tian had set up in various places were repeatedly destroyed. Soul Masters practiced the martial arts techniques themselves, yet hunted martial artists and ordinary people suspected of practicing martial arts with crazed abandon. The world descended into chaos.]
[Several high-ranking Soul Masters from the Spirit Pagoda were ambushed while out quelling the unrest. Huang Tian had no choice but to step in himself, rushing from place to place until he was exhausted.]
[The heirs of the Sea God and Asura God came in person to negotiate. Huang Tian still stood by his position without yielding an inch. The two great empires and the Seven Great Sects therefore formally assembled a punitive army under Tang San's command.
Many high-ranking Soul Masters from the Spirit Hall and the Spirit Pagoda were also swayed and chose to leave and join the opposing side.]
[The Pope of the Spirit Hall was controlled by the Divine Realm and underwent a drastic change in temperament, intending to lead an army in a surprise attack on the Spirit Pagoda. Fortunately, a safeguard Huang Tian had left behind restored his senses in time. He destroyed his own Godhead and returned to Level 99.]
[The two sides fought at Jialing Pass for three months. Just as victory was within reach, a deity from the Divine Realm unlawfully descended and attached himself to Tang San, personally intervening in the battle.]
[Huang Tian was ambushed by an unknown divine skill, gravely wounded and left at death's door. Gu Na'er brought him into an isolated space to recover with the aid of Gold of Life. Na'er was also gravely injured as a result.]
Another long clip began. Gu Yuena was no longer relaxed and composed. Her face was taut, her eyes filled with worry and grief.
There was no narration in the memories, so nothing was explained or embellished. But she was a God King, after all, and understood many things. She could work out just how dire the situation was.
She had created this space from a small fragment of the Divine Realm that had broken off amid the turmoil there. It was incredibly sturdy and well hidden.
As long as no one noticed anyone entering or leaving from the Divine Realm, even a deity searching in person would have trouble discovering anything amiss, even at close range.
Yet Na'er, Huang Tian, and his many girlfriends had suddenly vanished into thin air right in front of Tang San and the mysterious deity. No matter how they searched, they couldn't find them.
Even if the Divine Realm hadn't tracked down the space's exact location, anyone with half a brain could guess that there were blind spots in the Douluo World's surveillance. They would surely tighten their control.
And with such astounding spatial abilities, only a handful of people could have done it. Huang Tian couldn't, and no one else was more capable. Anyone clever enough could even guess that she had been involved.
In other words, they couldn't get out. If they did, they would surely be surrounded.
Being unable to leave meant they couldn't replenish their energy from the outside world. They could only live off what they had, the necessary price of remaining well hidden.
Even before she had split Na'er from herself, the little mountain of Gold of Life would barely have been enough to restore her completely. Now there were also two more Main Gods, the Martial God Huang Tian, the Angel God Qian Renxue, several Level Three Gods, and Limit Douluo.
Watching the memories, Gu Yuena was frantic with worry. The version of herself in the clip was even more helpless, utterly at a loss.
Just then, Gu Na'er found her true self and spoke with resolute determination:
"Sister, the Divine Realm already knows this space exists. They could find it and attack us at any moment. Sitting here waiting for death isn't a good plan.
"There's only one way forward: I sacrifice myself to help you return to your full strength, and then you cultivate that technique with Master.
"With the Gold of Life that remains, it should be enough for the two of you to regain your peak strength at the same time. Then, perhaps, we'll have a sliver of hope of escaping."
"You're not..."
The Silver Dragon King was stunned, but Gu Na'er smiled with acceptance, looking completely at peace.
"Before, I resisted being reabsorbed because I loved him. I love him so much I can't help myself, and I'm an independent person with my own self-awareness, not someone's appendage.
"Now, I'm choosing to sacrifice myself for the same reason: love is selfless, it's great, and it means being willing to sacrifice yourself to make the other person whole.
"I've been happy all these years, every day, every minute, every second. He made me more human. With him, my life became vivid and colorful.
"I once possessed the finest thing in the world. Even if I die, I'll leave with a smile.
"Take the part of me that's yours, and stay with him forever.
"Sister, promise me: people can't deceive their own hearts. There's no rule that says you have to live your life a certain way. If you feel something, do it. If you want something, go after it.
"That way, even when death is before you, your heart will be at peace, instead of dying with regrets and resentment, unable to rest."
The Silver Dragon King froze for a moment. Her expression suddenly turned utterly horrified, tears glimmering at the corners of her eyes as she reached out to stop her.
"No! You're my little sister. There has to be another way. The Divine Realm might not even find us here."
"Just hearing you say that is enough for me. My life is complete. I have no regrets, no resentment."
Gu Na'er threw her head back and laughed loudly. At that moment, she was anything but ladylike.
Amid her laughter, her entire body melted away, becoming a rainbow-colored streak of light that descended from above and poured into Gu Yue'er's head.
Then she vanished completely, leaving only a sky-blue dress embroidered with beautiful patterns, drifting slowly to the ground.
The Silver Dragon King snatched up the dress and clutched it tightly to her chest. Tears poured down like rain as she sobbed until her voice was hoarse.
The Godhead of Creation she possessed stood even higher than the God King of Life. Though its power came from within her, Na'er had truly been a new life, with her own personality, thoughts, consciousness, and even soul.
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