Spirit Hall's Backyard

"What a powerful self-created soul skill. Bai Fan was already on the verge of touching the laws, wasn't he?!"

Ten thousand years later, in the God Realm, Sea God Tang San's expression was somewhat grave.

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

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

"He actually comprehended 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 on his lips. "Shura, it seems the one you cast aside isn't much after all. I'm truly curious about the scene when these two meet in the future."

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

Inside the Heavenly Screen.

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

Little Golden Dragon's massive body suddenly shrank, turning into a miniature Golden Holy Dragon that quietly followed at Bai Fan's side.

"Sorry, I came too late."

Bai Fan looked at the corpses of the soldiers before the city gates, his heart filled with complicated emotions.

Many of them were 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 hugged Bai Fan. This burly man cried loudly like a wronged child at that moment.

"Boss, I got You Cai killed. I've let down the fallen brothers. I'm guilty."

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

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

While Bai Fan only had faint impressions of these soldiers, Da Niu had truly regarded himself as the team's big brother and devoted considerable attention to 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 too much pressure on yourself. I'll avenge our brothers."

The soldiers recovering from their injuries 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. It's all because we were too foolish and failed to fully comprehend the skills Boss gave us."

A neat, resounding voice rang out from the city gates behind them.

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

"May all the deceased rest in peace. We will forever remember your kindness!"

Before their eyes stood a dense sea of commoners.

"Brother Da Niu, I was the one who failed to stop You Cai. It's 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 feel guilty. This was his own decision!"

Countless commoners spoke in unison, "We bid farewell to Lord Pig. May you rest in peace on your journey!"

At this moment, the commoners 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 burst with radiance. Warm sunlight shone upon the commoners.

The decayed scene from moments ago stood in stark contrast to the thriving sight before them.

Golden sunlight fell upon Bai Fan, and a wondrous feeling rose within him.

An enormous phantom of a golden lotus condensed behind Bai Fan.

"Bathe in heavenly light, illuminate the mortal world."

"Radiant World Golden Lotus, cycle of flourishing and withering!"

Under the heavenly light, the golden lotus phantom gradually expanded before drifting into the air.

The bones and chunks of flesh on the ground were drawn into the golden lotus, eventually turning into pure light that shone upon the soldiers.

The soldiers bathed in golden light looked at their hands in disbelief. "I actually have soul power now?!"

"My body is full of strength!"

"I can take on ten people—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 toward the middle of the group.

"My child is going too!"

"These old bones of mine can still fight!"

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

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

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

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

Outside the gates of the Skyfrost Duchy.

The originally quiet city gates suddenly became restless.

Bai Fan stood atop the Golden Holy Dragon as it circled through the skies above the gates.

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

The four great kingdoms and one great duchy could be compared to ancient vassal states. The original work did not explain them in detail; most of this is fan-created content.

This explanation is also inspired by comments I received. Since I had not made it clear at the time that this was fan-created content, readers habitually assumed that Qian Xunji, the original work's rapist of his disciple whose background was not explained in detail, was a holy pope.)

After several breaths, a vast army swept in, kicking up waves of yellow sand.

Above the city gates, the 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 brings you here?"

Seeing the city gates filled with Spirit Hall deacons, Bai Fan was slightly stunned. A moment later, he came to his senses.

"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 gates became slightly flustered, 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, or you will become the common enemy of Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire."

"Hahaha!" Bai Fan laughed wildly atop the dragon's back. "If I drove all of you away, do you think Emperor Xue Ye would thank me?"

"This place has probably long since become Spirit Hall's backyard, hasn't it?!"

"You insolent brat! How dare you make baseless judgments about Spirit Hall?!" Having had his hidden thoughts exposed, the purple-robed bishop instantly lost his composure.

Five soul rings appeared around him, while the deacons behind him revealed their martial souls at the same time.

Bai Fan's smile vanished, and his expression beneath the mask abruptly turned cold.

"Crows are black everywhere! You're no good either!"

"Holy Dragon Barrier!"

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

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

"Everyone, charge!"

Little Golden Dragon beat its wings and dove forward. An enormous phantom of the Radiant World Golden Lotus emerged behind Bai Fan, while the World-Destroying White Lotus suddenly gathered in his palm.