Chapter 5:The Vast Bright Empire,Level 97 Poison Douluo!
The deafening murmurs of discussion eventually coalesced into fervent prayers.
Believers kowtowed, offering their faith—purer and more powerful than ever before—to the figure atop the temple.
At the highest point of the temple, Yu Jingcheng stood with his hands behind his back, feeling the surging tide of faith washing over his near-perfect godhood, causing even the final barrier to show signs of weakening.
However, Yu Jingcheng's face showed little joy, but rather a hint of helpless exasperation.
"A pig... this Heavenly Dao assessment really... doesn't give me any face at all,"
Yu Jingcheng muttered self-deprecatingly.
Sixty years of aloofness and majesty, the glory of building the empire single-handedly, the transcendent status of a half-step god all seemed somewhat comical before the words "a pig's body."
He could imagine the incredible expressions on the faces of his people, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, in his distant Douluo Continent.
However, after a brief moment of helplessness, a sense of catharsis and relief, finally released after sixty years, washed over him.
"The best choice...the worst choice..."
A complex emotion flickered in Yu Jingcheng's eyes.
He felt no ill will towards his nephew, Yu Xiaogang, whom he had never met.
Only a trace of pity for both of them, possessing the "Luo Sanpao" martial soul.
But the words of Heaven had precisely revealed the most fundamental difference between the uncle and nephew—their choices in the face of adversity.
One chose to confront the challenge head-on, defying fate.
The other chose self-pity, escaping reality.
"Brother, Father, Uncle... now you should know that my choice, Yu Jingcheng's choice, was not wrong, right?"
Yu Jingcheng murmured softly, as if bidding farewell to the past sixty years ago.
Just then, several streaks of light shot down from beneath the Holy Mountain, landing behind Yu Jingcheng and kneeling on one knee.
Leading them was an old man clad in armor of light, with a resolute face; he was the Pope of the Light Empire,
Yu Jingcheng's most loyal follower, a level ninety-seven Super Douluo.
"Your Majesty!"
The old Pope's voice trembled slightly with excitement.
"The divine revelation of the Heavenly Dao has spread throughout the four borders of the Empire!
The people weep for your past and are awestruck by your will!
The Empire's faith is more united than ever before!"
Yu Jingcheng slowly turned around, his demigod aura naturally emanating from him, making the surrounding light elements incredibly docile.
"Rise,"
Yu Jingcheng said calmly.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The old Pope and the high-ranking officials respectfully rose.
"What are your thoughts on the matter of the Heavenly Curtain?"
Yu Jingcheng's gaze swept over the crowd.
The old Pope stepped forward and said in a deep voice,
"Your Majesty, this is a godsend!
Heaven has vindicated you, letting the world know your greatness!
More importantly, the 'Heavenly Blessing' has the power to defy fate!
Ning Fengzhi, merely tenth, was able to rebuild his martial soul after its destruction.
If Your Majesty is on the list, the blessing you receive might… help you take that final step!"
Yu Jingcheng nodded slightly; this coincided with his own thoughts.
He was only one opportunity away from becoming a god.
Originally, he planned to patiently wait several years, using the faith of the entire empire to forcefully break through the barrier.
But now, this Heavenly Ranking was undoubtedly a shortcut!
"However, Your Majesty," another minister said with a worried expression,
"The Heavenly Curtain has also completely exposed your existence to that… Old Continent.
Your homeland, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the top forces of that continent will likely be extremely interested in you, even… covetous."
Upon hearing this, Yu Jingcheng's lips curled into a meaningful smile:
"Covetous? Let them come."
His eyes gleamed with confidence:
"I had always planned to return home in glory after becoming a god.
This is merely bringing that process forward a little."
Yu Jingcheng paused, his tone carrying a hint of imperial authority and decisiveness.
"Pass on my orders!"
"Yes, sir!"
All the high-ranking officials bowed in unison.
"First, appease the people, defining this divine revelation as a 'sign before the descent of the God of Light,' further solidifying their faith."
"Second, the empire enters a state of high alert!
Strengthen coastal patrols and be vigilant against any uninvited guests from across the ocean."
"Third,"
Yu Jingcheng's gaze deepened,
"Send for nautical charts to the Douluo Continent.
Perhaps it won't be long before we... go home to visit."
"Yes, sir!"
The others obeyed and departed, leaving only Yu Jingcheng atop the temple.
He looked up again at the now calm sky, as if he could pierce through the endless void and see another continent.
"Three days later?"
"Where will my Light Dragon King rank?"
"And... what kind of blessing will the Heavenly Dao bestow upon me?"
An unprecedented sense of anticipation rose within him.
Sixty years of forbearance and accumulation might just unleash its most dazzling brilliance in this grand review of the heavens!
Douluo Continent, within the Heaven Dou Empire, Sunset Forest.
Deep within this vast forest lies a valley, perpetually shrouded in multicolored poisonous miasma, a place even ordinary soul beasts and titled Douluo dare not easily venture.
However, beyond this deadly barrier lies a paradise, a veritable fairyland.
Half crimson like fire, half icy white like frost, a strange spring gurgles in its center, radiating extreme heat and cold.
This place is the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Eye.
At this moment, on a blue stone beside the spring, sat a tall, thin old man with long, flowing green hair.
He was none other than the master of this precious land, the Title Douluo known as "Poison"—Dugu Bo.
The grand sound from the sky had long since dissipated, but Dugu Bo remained gazing at the heavens.
He was as if petrified, only his emerald eyes were contracting and trembling violently, revealing the turbulent emotions churning within him.
Behind him stood a middle-aged man with similar green hair, whose face bore a resemblance to his, but whose temperament was more composed—his son, the level 89 Soul Douluo, Dugu Xin.
Beside Dugu Xin stood a pretty young girl, his granddaughter, Dugu Yan.
"Grandpa…you…"
Dugu Yan looked at her grandfather's unprecedentedly distraught state and spoke with concern.
"Father,"
Dugu Xin's eyes were also filled with shock and confusion.
"The one mentioned on the sky... Yu Jingcheng, is someone you often talk about..."
"Shut up!"
Dugu Bo suddenly hissed, interrupting his son.
He slowly rose from the bluestone, his terrifying soul power, reaching level ninety-seven, somewhat out of control due to the intense emotional fluctuations, making the surrounding air thick and oppressive.
(End of Chapter)