Tang Xiao did not speak, merely pulling her tightly into his embrace.
Their hearts were pressed incredibly close in that moment.
"My Lord, Bibi Dong of the Spirit Hall Empire requests an audience."
Zhong Lingyue's respectful voice suddenly came from outside the door, shattering the warm atmosphere within the room.
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue's body stiffened slightly, and she looked at Tang Xiao with worry.
Tang Xiao patted her shoulder gently, signaling for her not to worry.
"Let her in."
Tang Xiao said calmly.
"Yes."
Zhong Lingyue acknowledged the order and then withdrew.
A moment later, the door was pushed open, and Bibi Dong walked in slowly.
Today, Bibi Dong was not wearing her magnificent Pope's robes, but rather a simple, elegant white dress, and she appeared haggard.
She looked at Tang Xiao and Qian Renxue standing in the room, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
Especially when she saw Qian Renxue clutching Tang Xiao's arm in such an intimate manner, a flash of sorrow flickered deep within her eyes.
"Why have you come?"
Tang Xiao looked at Bibi Dong and asked in a calm voice.
Bibi Dong took a deep breath, suppressing the complicated emotions in her heart, and looked at Tang Xiao as she spoke slowly.
"I have come to represent the Spirit Hall Empire and surrender to the Blue Silver Empire."
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room instantly froze.
Qian Renxue looked at Bibi Dong in shock; she never expected that the always arrogant Bibi Dong would actually choose to surrender of her own accord.
Tang Xiao, however, appeared very calm, as if he had long since anticipated this outcome.
"Surrender? You had better think this through clearly. Once you surrender, the Spirit Hall Empire will cease to exist, and you, as Pope, will lose all your power."
Tang Xiao looked at Bibi Dong and said indifferently.
Bibi Dong gave a miserable smile.
"Power? In the face of absolute strength, power is nothing more than a fleeting, illusory thing."
"I witnessed your strength today, and I know that the Spirit Hall Empire has no possibility of defeating you."
"Rather than letting the citizens of the Spirit Hall Empire die alongside me, it is better to submit voluntarily and exchange that for a lifetime of peace."
She looked at Tang Xiao, her gaze firm.
"I have only one condition."
"Oh? What condition?"
Tang Xiao asked with curiosity.
"Spare Xue'er, and let her stay with you to live a happy life."
Bibi Dong looked at Qian Renxue, a flicker of complex maternal love crossing her eyes.
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue's body trembled violently, and her eyes instantly turned red.
She never imagined that at the very last moment, the thing Bibi Dong would think of was her happiness.
"Mother..."
Qian Renxue called out tremblingly, and she could no longer hold back her tears.
For the first time in all these years, she had called Bibi Dong "Mother" with genuine sincerity.
Hearing this "Mother," Bibi Dong's body also trembled, and a look of gratification and relief flashed in her eyes.
"Xue'er, all these years, Mother has failed you."
"Now that you have found someone to whom you can entrust your life, Mother can finally rest easy."
Bibi Dong said softly, her voice carrying a trace of a tremor.
Watching this scene, Tang Xiao felt a slight stirring in his heart as well.
Although he hated Tang Hao, he could not say he held much hatred for Bibi Dong.
Seeing the reconciliation between mother and daughter, he was pleased.
"I agree to your condition."
Tang Xiao looked at Bibi Dong and spoke slowly.
"Not only that, but I will not strip you of all your power."
"The Spirit Hall Empire can be incorporated into the Blue Silver Empire as a province, and you shall continue to manage it."
"As long as you do not commit any acts of betrayal against the Blue Silver Empire, I can guarantee that the lineage of the Spirit Hall will continue."
Hearing Tang Xiao's words, Bibi Dong abruptly raised her head, looking at him in disbelief.
She never expected that Tang Xiao would be so magnanimous; not only did he spare her life, but he also preserved the legacy of Spirit Hall.
"You... are you truly willing to preserve Spirit Hall?"
Bibi Dong asked, unable to believe it.
"When I, Tang Xiao, give my word, it is as heavy as a mountain."
Tang Xiao said indifferently, his voice revealing an irresistible air of dominance.
Bibi Dong looked at Tang Xiao, a flicker of deep awe flashing through her eyes.
She finally understood why Qian Renxue had fallen in love with this man.
He was not only powerful in strength but also possessed the broad-mindedness and grace to embrace the world.
Only a man like this was worthy of being called a true Supreme.
"Thank you... Supreme."
Bibi Dong bowed deeply to Tang Xiao.
This bow signified that the once-renowned Pope of Spirit Hall had submitted to Tang Xiao's feet.
"Husband, thank you."
Qian Renxue leaned into Tang Xiao's embrace and said gratefully.
She knew that the reason Tang Xiao was so lenient toward Bibi Dong was entirely for her sake.
"Silly girl, there is no need for thanks between us."
Tang Xiao held her and said in a soft voice.
Watching the two of them in their loving state, Bibi Dong felt a sense of relief in her heart.
She did not disturb them further and quietly withdrew.
She had to go and arrange for the Spirit Hall Empire to be integrated into the Blue Silver Empire.
With the surrender of the Spirit Hall Empire, the situation across the entire continent instantly became clear.
The Heaven Dou Empire was now isolated, and its destruction was only a matter of time.
The Blue Silver Empire would become the sole ruler of this continent.
"Husband, what do you plan to do about the Heaven Dou Empire?"
Qian Renxue asked curiously.
"Once the Sky Screen finishes announcing all the rankings, we will head to Heaven Dou City and end all of this."
A cold glint flashed in Tang Xiao's eyes as he spoke calmly.
"Alright, I will go with you when the time comes."
Qian Renxue linked her arm with his and said firmly.
"Mm, we will go together."
Tang Xiao smiled, held her, and turned to look at the sky outside the window.
Although the sky was cloudless at this moment, Tang Xiao knew that the God Realm was likely already beginning to take notice of him.
God Realm... I hope you do not disappoint me.
Tang Xiao said to himself, his eyes flickering with a fervent fighting spirit.
He was now a million-year-level Blue Silver Emperor, possessing the bloodline of the Supreme Blue Silver Emperor, and his strength was unfathomable.
Even if those God Kings from the God Realm descended, he was confident he could put up a fight.
Meanwhile, in front of Jialing Pass, the armies of the Blue Silver Empire had begun to take over the defensive lines of the Spirit Hall Empire in an orderly fashion.
The golden-blue flags of the Blue Silver Empire fluttered high atop the walls of Jialing Pass, heralding the arrival of a new era.
Countless Blue Silver Grass grew wildly inside and outside the pass, emitting a soft glow that adorned the once blood-stained battlefield with vibrant life.
This scene left all the soldiers feeling incredibly stunned.
They knew that the true master of this land had been born.
Back in the manor, Tang Xiao and Qian Renxue did not step out all day, staying indoors to enjoy a rare moment of solitude together.
Tang Xiao told Qian Renxue about his experiences on the Sun Moon Continent, recounting how he started from nothing to build the Blue Silver Empire.
Qian Renxue sat to the side, resting her chin on her hand, listening with great interest.
Whenever she heard of a perilous moment, she could not help but let out a gasp, nervously clutching Tang Xiao's hand.
Watching her act like a little woman, Tang Xiao's heart was filled with satisfaction.
"Husband, you are truly amazing."
After listening to Tang Xiao's narrative, Qian Renxue sighed with admiration.
"To be able to build such a vast empire all on your own, without any support."
"If it were me, I fear I would have collapsed long ago."
Tang Xiao smiled, reaching out to pull her into his embrace.
"Because I know that in this world, there is someone waiting for me."
"That is why I cannot fall; I must become stronger than anyone else."
Tang Xiao said with deep emotion.
Hearing this, Qian Renxue felt a wave of emotion, her eyes growing moist.
"Husband, no matter what happens from now on, I will always be by your side. I will never let you be alone again."
She said, choking back a sob.
"Silly girl, with you here, how could I ever be lonely?"
Tang Xiao gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, speaking in a soft, comforting tone.
The two looked at each other and smiled; everything was understood without a word.
As night fell, the manor lit up once again with a golden-blue glow.
Tang Xiao and Qian Renxue stood side by side at the window, watching the stars gradually brighten in the sky.
"Husband, look, that star is so bright."
Qian Renxue pointed at the brightest star in the sky, saying with excitement.
"Silly girl, that is the Morning Star; of course it is bright."
Tang Xiao smiled helplessly, his tone filled with doting affection.
"Hmph, I don't care, I just think it's beautiful."
Qian Renxue gave a playful, willful huff and leaned into Tang Xiao's arms.
The night grew deeper, and the temperature within the manor remained pleasant.
Tang Xiao held Qian Renxue, and the two watched the flickering Morning Star in silence.
"This world will soon be at peace."
Qian Renxue said softly, pressing her face against Tang Xiao's chest to listen to his strong, steady heartbeat.
Tang Xiao stroked her hair and responded gently:
"With me here, no one will be able to stir up trouble again."
Just as the two were sharing this tender moment, the previously silent night sky suddenly trembled violently.
Streaks of golden light pierced through the night sky, completely illuminating the entire Douluo Continent.
Above the sky, that massive scroll of the Great Dao Golden Ranking slowly unfurled once more.
"The Golden Ranking is updating again."
Qian Renxue looked up, a hint of curiosity flashing in her beautiful eyes.
Tang Xiao watched the brilliant golden light with a calm expression:
"It seems the Heavenly Dao does not wish for this world to remain quiet for too long."
Above the sky, golden runes began to dance frantically.
The ranking, which had previously settled on the final few positions, began to extend upward.
Countless golden halos condensed in the sky, eventually forming rows of massive characters.
[The Strongest Power Ranking, Number Eleven!]
[Name: Xiong Jun!]
[Identity: One of the Ten Great Fierce Beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest, King of the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear clan!]
[Cultivation: 470,000 years!]
With the appearance of these words, the entire Douluo Continent was instantly thrown into an uproar.
The image on the sky screen began to shift.
It revealed an ancient and dense forest.
Deep within this forest, a dark golden giant bear, its body as massive as a small mountain, sat upon a giant boulder.
Every time it breathed, it whipped up a gale in the surrounding area.
Its thick, wall-like dark golden fur shimmered with a metallic luster under the sunlight.
Most striking of all were its giant claws, several meters long, the blades shimmering with a heart-stopping light.
In the image, the giant bear seemed to sense something; it suddenly stood up and let out a massive roar toward the sky.
The roar transformed into visible sound waves, shattering the ancient trees within a radius of several thousand meters into dust.
"What a terrifying soul beast!"
Before Jialing Pass, countless soldiers watched the scene on the sky screen, their bodies unable to stop trembling violently.
Although they had witnessed battles between Title Douluo, facing such a super-beast that had lived for hundreds of thousands of years, the pressure emanating from the depths of their souls still filled them with heartfelt terror.
Deep within the Star Dou Great Forest, beside the Lake of Life.
Xiong Jun stared at the massive list in the sky, his rugged bear face filled with rage and resentment.
His colossal body trembled violently with fury, and he slammed his fists heavily into the ground.
With a thunderous boom, he smashed two craters dozens of meters deep into the earth, sending soil flying in every direction.
"Eleventh? This King is actually ranked only eleventh?"
Xiong Jun's voice exploded through the forest like rolling thunder, causing the thousands of soul beasts nearby to tremble in fear.
"Has this Heavenly Dao Gold List gone blind? This King's Dark Gold Terrorclaw can even tear apart a Holy Dragon; how could it be impossible to even make the top ten?"
He turned around, looked at the calm-faced Di Tian beside him, and bellowed in a rough voice:
"Di Tian, look at this list! This King is not convinced! Are those ranked ahead of me all gods?"
Di Tian, dressed in a black robe with his hands clasped behind his back, gazed at the Sky Screen and said slowly:
"Xiong Jun, be quiet. Since the Heavenly Dao Gold List has ranked them this way, there is naturally a reason for it."
"There's no damn reason for it!"
Xiong Jun spat, the fire in his eyes nearly erupting.
"In this Star Dou Great Forest, I fear no one but you! Even that big worm, I could flatten it with a single swipe of my claw!"
"Now, I can't even make the top ten? How am I supposed to hold my head high in this great forest from now on?"
As he spoke, he paced back and forth irritably, his massive body causing the surrounding ground to collapse continuously under his weight.
Bi Ji stepped forward and gently advised:
"Xiong Jun, do not be angry. This continent is full of hidden talents; besides our soul beast clan, humans also produce many experts."
"So what?"
Xiong Jun snorted with disdain.
"Those human Title Douluo are nothing but ants in my eyes! That fellow named Chen Xin, isn't he touted as having the highest attack power? Yet he is still ranked last!"
"I dare say, I could smash him into a pulp with one claw!"
The King of Ten Thousand Monsters sat on a massive tree branch and sneered:
"Xiong Jun, don't forget about the Supreme Blue Silver Emperor."
Upon hearing the words "Supreme Blue Silver Emperor," Xiong Jun's body stiffened slightly.
"That guy... is an exception!"
Xiong Jun muttered, his confidence wavering.
"Naturally, I cannot compare to him, but as for the one ranked tenth, I must see who it is! If I ever run into them, I will certainly have to spar with them!"
Inside the temporary camp of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Tang San sat in a crude wooden hut, his expression so dark it seemed as if water could drip from it.
He watched the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear showing off on the Sky Screen, his hands clenched so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms, bringing a wave of piercing pain.
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