"The Dragon God's mistake was that he was too impatient."
"He was eager to make the Divine Dragon Domain leap to the top in a single bound, forcing it to break through to the God Star and defy the laws of the universe.
It wasn't that he wasn't strong enough. No being could skip the stages it was meant to pass through."
"Under the interference of the laws of the universe, the Time Dragon King and Space Dragon King rebelled. The grand ceremony was destroyed, and the crown prince fell.
His trusted followers betrayed him, and his son died in battle. The Dragon God completely lost control."
"The great war in the Divine Realm erupted, and both sides suffered horrific casualties.
Only at the very end of the battle did the Dragon God regain his senses. Seeking death, he let Asura God split him apart with a single sword strike, dividing him into you and the Golden Dragon King."
"He didn't fail because he wasn't strong enough. He failed because he tried to defy the laws of the universe."
Gu Yuena's body trembled slightly. "What makes you think you won't repeat his mistakes? The laws of the universe aren't something just anyone can touch."
"Because the path I'm taking is completely different from the Dragon God's."
"The Dragon God wanted to force a breakthrough. What I want is to unite the strength of humanity and Soul Beasts on this planet, step by step.
We may start out slower, but only by laying a solid foundation can we move on to the next step."
"The prohibition against Soul Beasts becoming gods was imposed by the Dragon God himself after he came to his senses.
Only by keeping Soul Beasts out of the Divine Realm's sight could the God Realm Committee be stopped from wiping you all out.
He wasn't forbidding you from becoming gods. He was buying you time to survive."
Gu Yuena froze where she stood.
She had hated the Divine Realm for tens of thousands of years, only to learn that the path blocking countless Soul Beasts
had actually been sealed off by the Dragon God himself—
It had been meant to protect them.
"The Dragon God gave his life to buy you tens of thousands of years. What have you done with that time?
Fought over territory and torn each other apart, scattered like loose sand.
He wanted you to unite your people and build up your strength, so that when the time was right, you could return to the Divine Realm openly and honorably."
Gu Yuena closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, an unprecedented resolve flashed in her pupils. "What do you want me to do?"
"Do what I said before.
Recruit the Soul Beasts, consolidate resources, and forbid infighting.
You unite the Soul Beasts, and I'll unite humanity.
Once both sides are united, this planet's strength will no longer be wasted on internal strife. Instead, it will be joined together and directed outward.
Then the Life Ancient Tree will naturally come into being.
There's no need to force a breakthrough against the laws of the universe—
When all living beings push in the same direction, the laws of the universe will make way on their own."
"And keep all this discreet. Don't forget, there are still some old fogies up there watching."
Gu Yuena said one word: "Fine."
Di Tian and Zi JI had already set out.
Then she left with the other Imperial Auspicious Beast.
"Hey, you really plan to unite humanity?"
"That means taking over the Two Great Empires, too."
Liu Erlong folded her arms and looked toward the place where the Silver Dragon King had departed, questioning Jiang Ce.
They had all heard Jiang Ce's conversation with the Silver Dragon King just now.
It had completely upended their worldview. They had never imagined they would hear so many secrets.
Even more surprising was the sheer scale of Jiang Ce's ambition. He actually wanted to control the entire world.
He had even advised the Silver Dragon King and the other Soul Beasts, helping them unite.
If things were united as he described, it would become difficult for humans to find Soul Beasts over fifty thousand years old.
Jiang Ce had said that Soul Beasts over fifty thousand years old would all be summoned, unified, and recruited.
That would leave only those under fifty thousand years old.
How, then, would humanity obtain high-level Soul Rings?
"What you're thinking about is the next step of the plan."
Jiang Ce gave a soft chuckle.
"Since we're going to put an end to internal strife and prevent losses among the Soul Beasts' upper ranks,
and we also need to ensure that humanity can continue to grow,
we'll naturally need an entirely new platform. But it's too early to talk about that now."
"Come on. It's time to start our plan."
Liu Erlong and the other two nodded.
The Imperial Auspicious Beast's eyes sparkled, and her admiration for Jiang Ce grew.
She truly hadn't expected him to persuade the Silver Dragon King like that, or to have such a grand ambition.
But what mattered most now was that she could go see the human world for herself.
It couldn't be better.
At dusk, outside the Star Dou Great Forest.
A small town bustled with people coming and going.
After all, it was already close to the outer reaches of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Many Soul Masters came here to hunt for Soul Rings or search for medicinal herbs, ores, and the like.
The town also served as a way station where Soul Masters could rest and repack their supplies.
As evening drew near, Liu Erlong's group decided to spend the night here and rest.
When three stunning beauties appeared in this remote place,
they immediately drew everyone's attention. But the fierce, murderous aura they carried made most people afraid to meet their eyes.
"One room, and a private dining room. Bring out an extra serving of every delicacy, and three portions of each house specialty per person."
Liu Erlong walked into the biggest hotel and slapped a small bag of Gold Soul Coins onto the reception desk.
The receptionist froze.
One serving of every dish, and three portions of each specialty per person—that meant nine servings of each, didn't it?
Could these graceful young women really eat that much?
"Hey, snap out of it."
Seeing the receptionist staring blankly, Liu Erlong rapped the desk, bringing him back to his senses.
The receptionist hurriedly nodded and bowed. "Guests, your room is on the third floor, number seven, and your private dining room is number nine. There's just one problem. Our restaurant has a specialty dish called Heavenly Chosen Spirit Root, and we only have one serving left. May I bring you other specialties instead?"
Liu Erlong nodded. "Sure."
She was about to head toward the private dining room.
"Hold on."
A booming voice rang out from the doorway.
"I'll take the Heavenly Chosen Spirit Root."
When Tang Yuehua heard the familiar voice, her body jerked.
She instinctively turned around, but then heard something and turned to look toward the newcomer instead.
Then she pretended to take a small mask from her breast pocket and quickly put it on.
The server looked puzzled. Why had this young woman suddenly put on a mask?
Before he could say anything, two heavy sets of footsteps drew near.
Two burly figures appeared in front of the counter.
They were none other than Tang Hao and Tang Xiao, who had recently set out to travel and gain experience.
The moment they entered, their gazes swept across the room before finally settling on Liu Erlong.
"Get me a private dining room and bring out some specialties. I want the Heaven Snow Spirit Soup, too."
Tang Hao was speaking to the server, but his eyes were fixed on Liu Erlong. It was obvious he wanted her to hear him.
People who threw their weight around never cared what anyone else thought.
The server snapped out of it and hurriedly tried to smooth things over with an ingratiating smile. "Sir, these guests ordered first—"
"Are you deliberately making trouble?"
Liu Erlong turned around and glared at Tang Hao's rugged face, scolding him.
Someone actually wanted to snatch what she had ordered?
Had he grown tired of living?
Did he really think Liu Erlong was a pushover?
"You can eat something else. I'm taking the Heavenly Chosen Spirit Root."
Tang Hao stood there with an air of self-importance, barely sparing her a glance.
Liu Erlong clenched her fist, her knuckles cracking. "Go eat shit!"
She raised her fist, ready to smash it into the man's face and see whether his skin was thick enough to stop her punch.
"Thank you for your hospitality, but that dish was clearly ordered first by those young ladies."
Just as Liu Erlong was about to strike, a gentle voice rang out.
Everyone's eyes turned toward the blue-clad, blue-haired young woman.
She had long blue hair and gentle, bright eyes, and wore a blue-and-gold dress that showed off her curvaceous figure.
Now she watched Tang Hao and Tang Xiao, her brows faintly furrowed at what they had just done.
She had stopped in the town for the day and run into these two men, who had been pestering her without end.
If she hadn't seen them being kind and charitable earlier, helping others out of the goodness of their hearts,
she wouldn't have agreed to their invitation to share a meal.
But now it seemed they had only been putting on a show for her.
"Ah Yin, don't worry about it. This is my treat, and I promise I'll get you the Heaven Snow Spirit Soup."
Tang Hao immediately turned around, his old face blooming like a chrysanthemum. His voice dropped several notches, a stark contrast to the domineering way he had just tried to take the dish from Liu Erlong.
Ah Yin shook her head and smiled apologetically at Liu Erlong.
"Sorry, young lady. They were too impulsive. I apologize on their behalf. We can just have something else."
Ah Yin's opinion of Tang Hao and Tang Xiao had already plummeted.
She planned to leave as soon as this meal was over.
Liu Erlong stared at Ah Yin for two seconds, then glanced at Tang Hao and Tang Xiao.
"Two big louts, and neither of you is half as reasonable as a young woman."
She gave a cold laugh, and most of her anger ebbed away.
Tang Hao's expression darkened. "What did you say?"
Tang Xiao furrowed his brows as well. "Young lady, watch your tongue. Don't bring trouble upon yourself."
Liu Erlong had been willing to back down for Ah Yin's sake, but at those words, her eyes widened.
"What? Come on, then!"
Before the words had even left her mouth—
Bang!
Liu Erlong punched Tang Hao square in the face.
His burly body flew backward—flew backward.
"You!"
Tang Xiao was furious and shocked.
"Courting death!"
Before you continue