Spirit Hall's Backyard

"That Self-Created Soul Skill is incredibly powerful. Bai Fan was already on the verge of touching the laws, wasn't he?"

In the God Realm ten thousand years later, Sea God Tang San's expression was grave.

"Will this Heavenly Screen affect reality? This man harbors thoughts of opposing me. He cannot be allowed to live."

Within the God Realm, the Destruction God King watched Bai Fan on the Heavenly Screen, his eyes filled with admiration.

"He could actually comprehend the true meaning of life through destruction? Not bad, kid."

The Destruction God King suddenly seemed to think of something amusing, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips. "Asura, it seems the one you cast aside isn't so worthless after all. I'm truly curious to see the scene when these two meet in the future."

Suddenly, the Destruction God King seemed to realize something. His smile vanished. "Well played, Asura. So you had planned this all along. I have to admit, you have more courage than I do!"

Within the Heavenly Screen.

Bai Fan leaped down from Little Golden Dragon's back and landed steadily beside Da Niu and the others.

Little Golden Dragon's enormous body abruptly shrank, becoming a miniature Golden Holy Dragon that quietly followed at Bai Fan's side.

"Sorry, I came too late."

Looking at the soldiers' corpses before the city gate, Bai Fan was overcome with complicated emotions.

Many of them had been familiar faces. For the first time, Bai Fan truly felt the cruelty of war.

"Boss, you finally came. I almost didn't get to see you one last time."

Da Niu tightly embraced Bai Fan. This brawny man now cried loudly like a wronged child.

"Boss, You Cai died because of me. I let down the fallen soldiers. I'm guilty."

Bai Fan patted Da Niu on the back. He understood Da Niu's pain.

Ever since the team had been formed, Da Niu had acted as his representative. Da Niu handled every matter and kept everything in perfect order.

While Bai Fan had only a faint impression of these soldiers, Da Niu had truly regarded himself as the team's elder brother and cared deeply for every one of them.

That was precisely why everyone was willing to listen to Da Niu and call him Brother Da Niu.

"Da Niu, you've already done very well. Don't put so much pressure on yourself. I'll avenge our brothers."

The soldiers recovering behind them also joined Bai Fan in comforting Da Niu.

"Brother Da Niu, we never blamed you. You already did everything you could."

"We're guilty too. We were just too foolish to fully comprehend the skills Boss taught us."

A loud, unified cry rang out from the city gate behind them.

"We willingly become citizens of the Republic Empire and serve the Empire with all our strength. Long live the Republic Empire!"

"May all the departed rest in peace. We will always remember your kindness!"

Before their eyes stood a dense sea of civilians.

"Brother Da Niu, I couldn't stop You Cai. It was all because I was too cowardly back then!" Goudan's face was full of guilt.

"You Cai also asked me to tell you that you don't need to blame yourself. This was his own choice!"

Thousands of civilians spoke in unison. "We bid farewell to Lord Pig. May you rest in peace on your journey!"

At this moment, the civilians had completely accepted Bai Fan and his group. The Republic Empire was flourishing, and a new order was about to be established.

The blazing sun tore through the dark clouds, and the gloomy sky instantly shone with brilliant light. Warm sunlight fell upon the civilians.

The bleak scene from moments ago stood in stark contrast to the vitality now before them.

Golden sunlight fell upon Bai Fan, and a wonderful feeling arose within him.

A massive golden lotus phantom condensed behind Bai Fan.

"Bathe in heaven's light, illuminate the mortal world."

"Radiant World Golden Lotus, cycle of prosperity and decay!"

Under the radiance of heaven's light, the Golden Lotus phantom gradually grew larger before floating into the air.

The bones and mangled flesh on the ground were drawn into the Golden Lotus, eventually transforming into pure light that shone upon the soldiers.

The soldiers bathed in golden light stared at their hands in disbelief. "I actually have Soul Power now?"

"My body is filled with strength!"

"I can take on ten men—no, a hundred!"

"Everyone, our counterattack has arrived. Let the Empire see our fangs!"

"Avenge our fallen brothers, so they may rest in peace on the road to the underworld!"

The soldiers behind him raised their fists to the sky and shouted, "Avenge our brothers!"

A childish voice rang out at an inappropriate moment. "I want to go too. I can kill people too."

Xiao Chenqiang squeezed his way toward the center of the group.

"My child is going too!"

"These old bones of mine can still fight!"

"I'm going too! I'm willing to dedicate myself to the Republic Empire!"

The villagers rushed to enlist. At this moment, their faith was unwavering.

Bai Fan and the others had now become the pillars in their hearts, a shelter amid chaotic times.

Beneath his mask, Bai Fan's face twitched slightly, and his nose stung. "Everyone, thank you for your support. The Republic Empire's future will surely be smooth and bright."

Outside the gates of Skyfrost Duchy.

The previously peaceful city gate suddenly stirred.

Bai Fan stood atop the Golden Holy Dragon as it circled through the sky above the gate.

(Note: Heaven Dou Empire had ten provinces. The imperial family directly governed five, while the other five were occupied by four kingdoms and one duchy.

The four kingdoms and one duchy could be compared to ancient vassal states. The original work did not explain them in detail, so much of this was fan-created.

I am explaining this here because of inspiration from book reviews. Since I had not stated that this was fan-created at the time, readers habitually assumed that Qian Xunji—the one who assaulted his disciple, whom the original work did not introduce in detail—was a holy pope.)

After several breaths, a vast army swept in, kicking up clouds of yellow dust.

Above the city gate, several Spirit Hall deacons wore solemn expressions. The purple-robed deacon at their head stared fixedly at the Golden Holy Dragon circling in the sky.

"May I ask what business brings you here?"

Seeing that the city gate was filled with Spirit Hall deacons, Bai Fan was slightly stunned before quickly reacting.

"Is this place still a vassal state of the Heaven Dou Empire?" Bai Fan asked the purple-robed deacon in return.

The purple-robed bishop atop the gate panicked slightly, then immediately regained his composure.

"Of course. The Frost Empire has always been a vassal state of the Heaven Dou Empire."

"I advise you not to act rashly. Otherwise, you will become the common enemy of Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire."

"Ha ha ha!" Bai Fan laughed wildly atop the dragon's back. "If I drive you people away, do you think Emperor Xue Ye would thank me?"

"This place has probably long since become Spirit Hall's backyard!"

"You insolent brat! How dare you make baseless accusations against Spirit Hall!" Having been struck at his sore spot, the purple-robed bishop instantly lost his composure.

Five Soul Rings emerged around him, while the deacons behind him revealed their Martial Souls at the same time.

Bai Fan's smile faded, and his expression beneath the mask suddenly turned cold.

"All crows under heaven are black! You're no good either!"

"Holy Dragon Barrier!"

Little Golden Dragon beneath his feet spat out golden light, and a golden barrier surged toward the deacons.

Everyone, including the purple-robed bishop, was restrained in place by the golden barrier.

"All troops, charge!"

Little Golden Dragon beat his wings and dove forward. A massive Radiant World Golden Lotus phantom appeared behind Bai Fan, while the World-Destroying White Lotus abruptly gathered in his palm.