Sitting helplessly in her chair, Qian Renxue felt an overwhelming fear surrounding her, and the darkness tried to engulf her completely.
Suddenly, her mind flashed back to the last words her grandfather had said to her beneath the angel statue before he left.
"Xiaoxue, there are only three remaining powers on this continent: the Wuhun Empire, the Star Luo Empire, and the Sea God Island. After this journey, Sea God Island will surely be eliminated first.
When the two empires compete, no matter the outcome, I hope you will prioritize the spirit masters and the people of the Wuhun Empire."
"Grandfather, why are you suddenly saying this? As long as we win, the people of the empire will naturally live better lives.
When I become a god and wield great power, I will surely bring peace and stability to this continent."
Qian Renxue vaguely remembered how her grandfather slowly shook his head at the time, gently stroked her head, and left her with his final words:
"Xiaoxue, remember, our ancestors sought great power to eliminate all suffering in this world. Don't put the cart before the horse."
Grandfather, Xiaoxue will honor your last wish.
Qian Renxue wiped her slightly wet eyes with her bare hand. Her gaze became firm again as she swept over the Title Douluo below and made her final decision.
"You are the backbone of our Wuhun Empire, and you know the current situation very well. If you wish to retreat, go now. I won't blame you."
The people sitting below looked at one another, but none chose to leave—including Fierce Eagle Douluo, who had already sent his family away.
Chen Yan wanted to leave, but was blocked by Qianjun Jiangmo. Others could go, but this neutral person had to stay with them and contribute what little strength he had left for the empire.
Feeling pressure from both sides, he deeply regretted it. He shouldn't have returned to the Wuhun Empire in the first place. It would've been better to stay in Star Luo. With his strength, he could have protected his family and lived freely in a certain region.
The cursed Qian family, who clearly inherited the Angel God legacy, had been pushed to this point by the Star Luo Empire and the Star Crown Sect. What a waste.
He now truly suspected that the rumor about someone in the Qian family seeking to inherit the Angel God had been deliberately leaked by them.
Qian Renxue ignored Chen Yan. A person who refuses to commit is not welcomed anywhere, let alone one who betrays repeatedly.
"Since you've all chosen to stay, I'll tell you something directly.
This time, our Wuhun Empire will make Zhenxing City both the first and last line of defense.
Once Zhenxing City falls, the Wuhun Empire will be declared dead, and the Star Luo Empire will take over the entire Douluo Continent.
And I, Qian Renxue, will die for my country!"
This was unexpected for everyone. Qianjun and Jiangmo looked at Qian Renxue, who stood with her back to them, wanting to say something but unable to.
The little girl once watched over by the seven high priests had finally grown up. She had to make her own choice and pay the price for it.
All they could do now was obey her decision and stand firmly behind her.
The two looked at each other, stood up, and led all the Title Douluo in kneeling on one knee toward Qian Renxue and the angel statue.
"I will live and die with the Wuhun Empire."
"Good!"
The Wuhun Empire's spirit master corps began to assemble, and under Qian Renxue's leadership, they headed to Zhenxing City, ready for a desperate final battle.
——
Deep inside the Spirit Empire palace, in a secret chamber, Bibi Dong held a long whip and stared at the two men chained to the wall. Her earlier interest seemed to have faded.
In her mind, the image of Qian Renxue leading her forces kept appearing, interwoven with scenes of Qian Xunji torturing her, and pain spread through her heart.
"Damn it, why? Why are you that bastard's daughter?"
Bibi Dong furiously threw the whip away. The Soul-Eating Spider Emperor possessed her, and two spider legs suddenly pierced out, ending the lives of the teacher and student on the wall.
Then she walked straight out of the secret chamber and headed toward Zhenxing City. She was the Empress of the Spirit Empire, and no one could stop her without her consent.
The dark secret chamber was swept by Bibi Dong's wild soul power. The chains binding the teacher and student were completely shattered. Yu Xiaogang, who had lost all vitality, fell to the ground, ending his meaningless life.
Having absorbed many spider and venomous snake spirit rings, Tang San, who was barely breathing, weakly crawled toward the chamber door, trying to find a sliver of hope.
Unfortunately, Bibi Dong's strength far exceeded his. He eventually lost all power. He could only watch the iron gate not far away—but would never reach it.
No. It shouldn't end like this. He was supposed to become the Sea God, ruler of this world.
He wanted to pass on hidden weapons and the Tang Sect to this world. How could he die in such a filthy secret chamber? Impossible.
Unfortunately, the Law Enforcement God in the Divine Realm was the Destruction God. He could not tolerate Shura God's blatant violation of divine laws.
As for the Sea God, he had completely given up on Tang San as his successor since the moment High Priest Bo Saixi died.
He had only chosen Tang San in the beginning because Shura had. Now that Shura no longer cared, why would he go against the Destruction God for Tang San?
Without the support of the gods, Tang San was like a fish out of water. He could only die alone in this deep secret chamber.
——
At the same time, outside the Wuhun Empire's imperial city, Flender—who had been waiting for Yu Xiaogang—suddenly felt his heart skip a beat. He turned toward the palace, and tears began to stream down.
The eyes, usually full of mercenary cunning, were filled with sorrow for the second time. He had suspected for days, but always held on to a glimmer of hope.
Now, that hope was completely shattered. In the end, he was the only one left of the former golden iron triangle, and the flying corner had no place to land.
Flender returned to the outskirts of Soto City, the birthplace of Shrek and the starting point of his dream.
There, he built three graves—one for Liu Erlong, his beloved; one for Yu Xiaogang, his best friend; and one for his lifelong dream.
He leaned against the three tombstones, recounting the stories and experiences of the three of them, his tears soaking his clothes.
Gradually, his tears flowed more and more, and two lines of blood trickled from his eyes. The four-eyed owl became a blind man who could no longer see.
He seemed unaware, still speaking of the past and the dreams of the three—of their heroic deeds long ago to their current destruction.
"Erlong, Xiaogang, it feels like I'm dreaming. I dreamed that Shrek became the number one academy on the continent, and our statues stood in the center of the academy, admired by all."
But how could that be?
His arms went limp, and Soul Saint Flender died on that small hillside—buried there with his love, friendship, and dreams.
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