Mobilize the army to kill all able-bodied people in impoverished regions, physically eliminate the worthless population, and prevent them from rebelling.
Although the second method was inhumane, it was the most perfect solution. It required no effort from the empire to govern them and eliminated all future troubles.
After all, killing people was always easier than managing them.
As for which path the rulers of the two great empires would ultimately choose, no one knew.
Inside the Heavenly Screen.
Bai Fan set his development plan into motion, and more and more young people began joining the big family that was the organization.
Although these people were all ordinary folk incapable of fighting Soul Masters, Bai Fan still welcomed them warmly.
The steady influx of young and able-bodied people represented not only strength, but also a will to resist.
As long as the will remained, the struggle would never cease.
Of course, Bai Fan would not send them to their deaths. He arranged for them to make connections throughout society and draw in more Soul Masters dissatisfied with the empire, gradually expanding his own able-bodied forces.
At the same time, he modified Bibi Dong's Self-Created Soul Skill and taught it to everyone in the organization, allowing ordinary people to unleash strength through their vitality and blood.
"Listen up, everyone. Our organization is only just getting started. I don't demand great achievements from you. I only ask that you leave in one piece and come back to me in one piece."
"Our top priority right now is to improve the organization's structure and strengthen it."
"I hope every person in this organization always remembers that everything we do is for ourselves, for the parents, wives, and children back home, and for a better tomorrow."
"Boss Gang is mighty! Long live the organization! Victory to the organization!"
Bai Fan nodded in satisfaction as he looked at the flourishing organization. "Da Niu, from now on, I need you to manage our organization in my place. I have my own matters to attend to."
"All right, Brother Gang. You must be careful when you go out. You're our backbone. As long as you're here, our organization will never fall apart."
Bai Fan patted Da Niu on the shoulder. "Work hard. I have high hopes for you!"
Bai Fan left the organization with Little Golden Dragon, his thoughts drifting restlessly along the way.
"Sister Dong, have you been well these past four years?"
For no apparent reason, Bai Fan found himself missing Bibi Dong and wondering how she had spent those four years.
"Little Golden Dragon, do you think Sister Dong has been bullied by Qian Xunji?"
"Little Golden Dragon, reason tells me that I can't continue having anything to do with Sister Dong. Over the past four years, I've tried my best to forget her. But why do I still think of her for no reason?"
Now, Bai Fan could only confide his feelings in Little Golden Dragon. Perhaps saying them aloud would make him feel a little better.
"Little Golden Dragon, I truly don't want to interfere with Sister Dong's life, but I can't stop myself from thinking about her."
"Let's go to Spirit City and take a look at Sister Dong from the shadows. We only need to quietly look at her from afar once."
Little Golden Dragon merely listened quietly as Bai Fan poured out his heart. It did not know why Bai Fan was so conflicted; it only knew that Bai Fan missed Bibi Dong terribly at that moment.
Bai Fan had always hoped to forget someone by burying his memories, unaware that memories were like fine wine—the longer they were buried, the richer they became when recalled.
Beautiful memories would always suddenly surge into one's heart at some careless moment, and all the buried emotions would erupt in an instant.
One man and one dragon arrived in Spirit City, where the bustling streets remained as lively as ever.
Without realizing it, Bai Fan walked over to the stall that sold sugar cakes.
Little Golden Dragon no longer liked sugar cakes, and Bai Fan had lost the enthusiasm he once had as well.
Perhaps he had come here only to remember the scene of their first meeting.
Suddenly, a slick voice called out to Bai Fan. "Handsome fellow, I see your brow is tightly furrowed and your complexion is dim. Is something troubling you? Why not let this old man read your fortune?"
Bai Fan looked toward the source of the voice and saw the fortune-teller who had been beside the stall last time.
The man was quite young, yet his expression carried the air of a street thug, making it hard for anyone to believe he was truly a fortune-teller.
Bai Fan happened to have nothing to do, so he casually agreed, wanting to see what this fortune-teller was really up to.
The young fortune-teller studied Bai Fan's palm before beginning his divination. As he continued, his expression grew increasingly grave.
"Handsome fellow, if you've already decided to stop bothering her and choose to let her go, don't engage in meaningless actions anymore. They won't do you any good."
"Let me offer you a word of advice: be true to yourself, stand firm in your beliefs, and don't let worldly feelings trouble you. Otherwise, you will suffer nothing but setbacks."
At that moment, Bai Fan suddenly felt that this fortune-teller might actually know something. "Can you explain it in more detail?"
"Handsome fellow, heavenly secrets must not be revealed. If I say too much, it will shorten my life. I believe you understand what I mean. It is simply your own heart at work, unwilling to acknowledge and accept this outcome."
Seeing the fortune-teller's resolute attitude, Bai Fan could only leave helplessly.
Standing alone before his stall, the fortune-teller muttered softly, "Hongrui Fate and Heavenly Mourning Fate actually appeared in the same person. I hope you hold fast to your original heart and do not let Heavenly Mourning Fate interfere with you. This world needs to change."
Bai Fan wandered aimlessly by himself, his heart in complete turmoil and his thoughts swaying from side to side.
Just as he was feeling adrift, a piece of news rapidly spread through Spirit City.
"Did you hear? The Pope of our Spirit Hall is going to marry the Holy Maiden."
"When? I remember the Holy Maiden is only sixteen, isn't she?"
"Are you stupid? They're obviously getting engaged first. The official wedding won't be for another two years. Our Pope and the Holy Maiden are a perfect match, a couple made in heaven."
The citizens of Spirit City sent Bai Fan's body trembling. "She's getting married?"
After coming back to his senses, Bai Fan laughed at himself. "Isn't this the ending I wanted from the beginning? Sister Dong won't be violated by Qian Xunji anymore. Everything is moving in a better direction. I should be happy."
"Now, I am only Yu Xiaogang. Perhaps our first meeting was destiny's forced arrangement. That fucking fate loves creating tragedy, but I refuse to fall for it."
Bai Fan left Spirit City with Little Golden Dragon without making a sound. Before he knew it, several tears slipped from the corners of his eyes.
The emotions he had suppressed for so long surged into his heart like a burst dam.
Just as the fortune-teller had said at the end, Hongrui Fate and Heavenly Mourning Fate had gathered within him. Bai Fan himself was a contradiction.
Heavenly Mourning Fate corresponded to Yu Xiaogang's original destiny, while Hongrui Fate corresponded to Bai Fan's destiny.
Fate wavered between the two fates, toying with Bai Fan time and time again.
Only when Bai Fan completely let go of Bibi Dong could Hongrui Fate suppress Heavenly Mourning Fate.
Just as the fortune-teller had said, being troubled by worldly feelings would only leave Bai Fan suffering setback after setback. Only by completely letting go could he have smooth sailing.
Before you continue