Gu Yuena seemed to only then notice their arrival, and slowly turned her head. Her eyes were somewhat dazed at first, then focused, recognizing the newcomers. She did not get up, but simply nodded slightly as a greeting, before her gaze quickly returned to the dragon cocoon in the sky.
"His condition... has always been like this?" the Godess of Kindness asked.
Gu Yuena gave a soft "Mmm," her voice slightly hoarse from not speaking for a long time, "It's always been like this. The energy is very stable, very... perfect. More perfect and peaceful than I imagined, more than any recorded Dragon God's Power. But... he hasn't woken up."
The Godess of Kindness approached her, his platinum-gold divine light like warm sunshine, dispelling a trace of the surrounding desolation. "His condition... seems stable, but why hasn't he woken up yet? We're a little worried."
Gu Yuena remained silent for a moment, her gaze still fixed on the dragon cocoon, and slowly said, " The Dragon God's Power represents the ultimate in creation and Destruction, and is one of the most fundamental forces in the universe. Xuan Ming... his own Godhead is very special; it is a power that even I cannot fully comprehend, seemingly containing the meanings of ' Negation ' and 'domination'."
She paused, seemingly organizing her thoughts. "I can sense that he didn't simply 'inherit' the Dragon God's Power. It's as if he's... using his own Godhead to 'digest' and 'reconstruct' this power, completely transforming the Dragon God's Power's power into his own. This process is likely far more complex and profound than we imagine."
Chapter 468 Waiting, Mercy
"So, he is neither asleep nor out of control," Gu Yuena concluded, her tone carrying a speculation that she herself was not entirely certain of.
He may be... redefining the concept of ' Dragon God ' at the most fundamental level, or rather, creating a... entirely new supreme law that belongs only to him.
This process takes time and requires absolute focus, so he shut down all perception of the outside world and immersed himself in it.
The Goddess of Life suddenly realized. "So, he's not asleep, but undergoing a profound... reconstruction of the laws?"
"That's one way to understand it." Gu Yuena looked at the nine-colored dragon cocoon with heartache in her eyes. " The Dragon God's Power is too immense. Even with his Godhead, it would take him an extremely long time to fully digest it. Moreover... I sense that he doesn't seem to be in a hurry to wake up."
"Not in a hurry to wake up?" The Godess of Kindness frowned slightly.
A bitter smile appeared on Gu Yuena's lips, "He... is very tired. Perhaps, this state of being immersed in the ocean of laws, free from the distractions of the outside world, is actually a kind of... rest for him."
The Goddess of Life and the Godess of Kindness fell silent once more.
They understood.
Xuan Ming was not in trouble, but was undergoing an unprecedented ultimate transformation, turning the supreme power of the Dragon God into his own.
This process takes time, a lot of time.
Xuan Ming himself seemed happy to immerse himself in it, temporarily escaping all responsibilities and conflicts.
"I see..." The Goddess of Life sighed softly, "Thank you for your hard work, guarding this place all this time."
Gu Yuena shook her head, her gaze still fixed on the dragon cocoon. "I should stay with him."
If it weren't for saving her, Xuan Ming wouldn't have needed to bear the Dragon God's Power at all.
Now, he is forced to undergo this long "digestion," and all she can do is offer this insignificant companionship.
The Godess of Kindness looked up at the nine-colored dragon cocoon, his platinum eyes gleaming. "Now that we know the reason, we are relieved. However, the expansion plan of the Divine Realm..."
Gu Yuena said calmly, "He'll wake up naturally once he's digested it. It can't be rushed."
The Goddess of Life and the Godess of Kindness nodded. They knew that urging a Supreme God King undergoing such a crucial transformation would be pointless and even dangerous.
"We will inform the other God King of the situation," the Goddess of Life said softly. "You should also take care to rest and not overexert yourself."
Gu Yuena gave a soft "hmm" and didn't say anything more.
The Goddess of Life and the Godess of Kindness exchanged a glance, their figures slowly dissipating as they left the God's Forbidden Land.
Silence returned to the border.
Gu Yuena remained seated, gazing up at the nine-colored cocoon of light that seemed to float eternally.
A gentle breeze blew by, ruffling her hair.
She knew that this wait might last a very, very long time.
But this time, she will wait.
Until he completes his transformation, until he... is willing to wake up.
Douluo Continent, Spirit City, Pope's Palace.
A chilling atmosphere once again enveloped Spirit City, more intense than ever before.
After Bibi Dong regained power, without even issuing any formal edicts, the phantom of the Asura Demon Sword was already hanging high above the capital, its chilling killing intent sweeping across every corner of the empire as if it were a tangible force.
Then, a purge far more precise and ruthless than that of a few years ago spread rapidly like a plague.
The names on the list were not based on evidence of crimes, but on "ideologies." Those nobles, leaders Qian Renxue Soul Master's reign were all taken away from their homes, banquets, and the Hall of Soul Master by an invisible force within a few days.
There was no trial, no announcement.
Only the figures that vanished silently, and the still-drying dark red bloodstains that had been quietly spilled in front of their mansions.
The judgment of the Asura God does not require the legal procedures of mortals.
Qian Renxue stood on the terrace of the Angel Temple, her face pale and her hands clenched tightly as she watched the faint scent of blood rising from various parts of the city. In the end, she could not stand idly by and went to the side hall where Bibi Dong handled government affairs.
"Enough!"
A figure bathed in golden holy light burst into the hall; it was Qian Renxue.
"You've killed too many people! If this continues, the empire will be filled with fear and instability! What we need is not endless killing, but appeasement and guidance!"
Bibi Dong slowly raised her eyes, and her icy gaze sent a chill down Qian Renxue's spine.
"Appease? Guide?" Bibi Dong's voice carried a hint of sarcasm. " Qian Renxue, are you trying to teach me how to govern a country?"
She stood up and walked down the steps one by one. Her powerful divine might caused the Angel Holy Light surrounding Qian Renxue to sway slightly.
"You thought your previous appeasement was kindness? That was nothing but indulgence! It was weakness!" Bibi Dong's voice suddenly turned stern. "Look at the result of your indulgence! Those scum who should have been completely crushed are starting to stir again! Those commoners who have just learned to respect the law are starting to doubt the will of the empire!"
"What I am doing now is not killing." Bibi Dong stopped in front of Qian Renxue, inches away, but her voice was as cold as the winds of the deepest hell. "I am eliminating the virus, I am cutting away the rotten flesh! I am using blood to recast the majesty of the imperial laws!"
Qian Renxue's face turned pale, and she gritted her teeth, saying, "But killing can't solve everything! The greed in people's hearts can never be eradicated!"
"Can't kill them all?" Bibi Dong's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Then kill them until they're terrified! Kill them until they remember, deep down, what they should and shouldn't think! Kill them until the concept of equality becomes an instinct in their blood!"
Her gaze swept over Qian Renxue, carrying an undisguised warning. "As for you, my dear daughter. If you don't want the whole continent to laugh at you, if you don't want the world to think that the gods of the Spirit Hall Empire are fighting amongst themselves, if you don't want me to pin your Angel Temple's gate to me with the Asura Demon Sword in front of billions of living beings..."
Bibi Dong's voice was low, yet carried an undeniable threat. "Shut up now and go back to your Angel Temple. Otherwise, I don't mind letting the world see how utterly vulnerable the so-called 'merciful' Angel are before the 'cruel' Asura."
Qian Renxue trembled all over, staring at Bibi Dong in disbelief.
She knew that Bibi Dong was truly capable of such a thing.
This woman is capable of anything to carry out her will.
In the end, she could only silently leave the side hall, filled with humiliation and helplessness.
Soon after, Bo Saixi's figure also appeared in Spirit City. She did not go directly to see Bibi Dong, but walked quietly on the somewhat empty streets, feeling the lingering chill and fear in the air.
She sighed inwardly at Bibi Dong's methods, but did not voice her opposition.
Some things simply have to be done.
Just like the Sea God, who rules the ocean and bestows blessings, he can also unleash towering waves to Destruction anything that dares to blaspheme his divine power.
God's mercy is never boundless indulgence.
An empire that cannot even maintain the most basic legal authority, and whose people dare to openly speculate or even try to sow discord among the supreme rulers for personal gain, is already rotten to the core and is not far from disintegration.
Especially with two deities openly in charge, to still harbor such delusions is not just audacious, but a complete loss of reverence for divine authority and order.
Bo Saixi wasn't quite sure either. Knowing Qian Renxue as she did, the other woman wasn't usually indecisive. Why, then, did she appear so... naive and untimely in her "kindness" in this matter?
After dealing with a batch of urgent matters, Bibi Dong looked up at Bo Saixi, seemingly seeing through her doubts, and said calmly, "She feels that Xuan Ming has killed enough people, and the bloodshed is enough to shock the world. Therefore, it's her turn to bestow favors and balance things out."
Bo Saixi frowned slightly.
Bibi Dong sneered and continued, "But she forgot that the dead and the living are two different kinds of people. The living will never truly understand the fear of death. They will only remember the 'favor' of the Angel God, and take this favor for granted, and then want more."
"The so-called favors she bestowed were not comforting to those who had long forgotten the pain; they were encouragement. Encouraging them to continue testing the limits, encouraging them to push their luck."
"Authority isn't maintained by the number of people killed, but by ensuring that the living forever remember the consequences of disobedience. Qian Renxue... she's mistaken."
"Her self-righteous attempt at balance was, in reality, tearing down the dam that Xuan Ming had built with blood, and letting the flood of greed run rampant."
Bo Saixi remained silent. Bibi Dong's words, though cruel, hit the nail on the head.
The way to rule is to use both kindness and severity, but severity must always supersede kindness; otherwise, kindness will become a breeding ground for ambition.
Qian Renxue wanted to be a "benevolent ruler," but she chose the wrong era and used the wrong methods.
At this crucial juncture of breaking with the old and establishing the new, what is needed is not appeasement, but an iron fist.
Only a thorough purge can clear the way for the consolidation of the new order.
Chapter 469 Awakening
God's Forbidden Land.
Time flows silently, and several more years have slipped through our fingers like sand.
Gu Yuena remained outside the Nine-Colored Dragon Cocoon, as if she had become an eternal sculpture. Her mind had long since settled down during the long wait, calm as still water, without a ripple.
She knew that Xuan Ming needed this "rest," and she was willing to give him that peace.
However, on that very day, something unexpected happened.
The nine-colored dragon cocoon, which had been suspended in the void for years without any movement, suddenly burst forth with a dazzling radiance.
The nine-colored divine light surged like a tidal wave, illuminating the entire God's Forbidden Land in a dreamlike and ethereal way.
Gu Yuena suddenly stood up, a hint of surprise flashing in her silver eyes.
Before she could react, a gentle yet irresistible suction force emanated from the dragon cocoon, instantly enveloping her body.
She did not resist, letting that force gently pull her, her whole body transforming into a streak of silver light and disappearing into the dazzling nine-colored dragon cocoon.
As the light faded, the God's Forbidden Land returned to silence, as if nothing had ever happened.
Inside the dragon cocoon lies a vast and boundless starry sky.
Gu Yuena found herself in a warm embrace, the familiar scent instantly washing away her weariness and loneliness. She slowly raised her head, and what came into view was the face she had longed for countless days and nights.
Xuan Ming woke up.
His eyes were clear and deep, no longer showing the weariness and aloofness of before, but instead a calmness and gentleness that came with the experience of life's vicissitudes.
He didn't speak, but simply held her tightly, as if he wanted to pour all the longing and guilt he had felt over the years into that embrace.
Gu Yuena's eyes reddened slightly as she buried her face in his chest, greedily inhaling his breath. No words were needed; their embrace at that moment spoke volumes.
After an unknown amount of time, Xuan Ming gently stroked her long silver hair and whispered, "You've worked hard."
Gu Yuena shook her head, her voice slightly choked with emotion. "It's good that you're awake."
"Yes, you're awake." A gentle smile curved Xuan Ming's lips. "The things that needed to be dealt with should be dealt with."
He released Gu Yuena, took her hand, and gazed at the vast, nine-colored primordial energy. He calmly said, "I have completed the inheritance of the Dragon God Divinity's position. However, I am not interested in this power. Now, I intend to give it to you."
Gu Yuena was startled, then her expression changed drastically. She said urgently, "No! Xuan Ming, are you crazy? You've only just inherited your Godhood, your foundation is not yet stable. Forcibly stripping away the Dragon God's Power at this time will severely damage your soul, and you might even fall from your God Realm!"
She could sense the vast power within Xuan Ming's body, a power as boundless as the universe. It was precisely because of this that she understood all too well how terrifying the price of stripping away this power would be.
Xuan Ming shook his head, his face showing no worry but rather a relaxed smile, "Don't worry. Things aren't quite what you imagine."
He pointed to the space between his eyebrows, where a pure white, flawless Godhead mark faintly appeared, radiating an aura of transcendence that Negation and dominated everything.
"From the very beginning, I never chose to completely merge with the Dragon God's Power," Xuan Ming explained. "My Godhead completely analyzed and reconstructed it. Moreover, at the very last moment before I inherited the Godhood, the remnant soul of the Dragon God descended and gave me guidance. He approved of my path."
"So," he said slowly, seeing the shock in Gu Yuena's eyes, "My Godhead has completely stabilized at the God King level. The Dragon God's Power is more like a guide for me, allowing me to grasp the various power laws possessed by the Dragon God ahead of time. I don't need this ' Godhood,' I only need enough energy to break through to the same realm as the Dragon God Godhead my own divine status."
Gu Yuena was completely dumbfounded.
Analysis? Reconstruction? Has my Godhead stabilized at the God King level?
All of this was completely beyond her comprehension. This meant that Xuan Ming was walking a path that was unprecedented, a path that even the gods of the Divine Realm could not understand. He was not an inheritor, but a creator.
Seeing her dazed expression, Xuan Ming chuckled softly, offering no further explanation. He took Gu Yuena's hand, guiding her to sit cross-legged amidst the starry sky, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Get ready. It might be painful, but trust me, I can help you endure everything."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xuan Ming pressed his forehead against Gu Yuena's forehead.
In an instant, the boundless and boundless Dragon God Origin Power within the nine-colored dragon cocoon seemed to have found an outlet, transforming into a dazzling torrent that surged wildly into Gu Yuena's body!