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Since that day, Bai Xu had ventured into the cosmos, and the Douluo Continent entered a period of true peace. The three women—Gu Yue, Na'er, and Gu Yuena—each went into seclusion to cultivate. Though Gu Yue and Na'er harbored dissatisfaction toward Gu Yuena, their inferior strength left them no avenue to vent their frustrations.
However, if their cultivation progressed significantly in the future, that might no longer be the case.
Time passed swiftly.
Two years later...
On this day, the three women, all in seclusion, witnessed the same vision. As they immersed themselves in cultivation, each experienced a strange and unsettling dream.
In the dream, Bai Xu stood tall in the cosmos, locked in fierce combat with the Godking Tang San, who wielded the Asura Blood Sword. For some reason, Bai Xu, who should have been far stronger, was barely holding his own against the Asura God. Though the two seemed evenly matched at first, Tang San possessed too many hidden cards, and Bai Xu gradually fell into a disadvantage.
The three women tried to rush to his aid, but they were blocked by the gods of the Divine Realm. Helpless, they could only watch as Bai Xu perished, and the Silver Dragon King faced judgment from the Divine Realm.
!!!!
All three women jolted awake from their meditative states, their hearts pounding. Sensing the urgency, they immediately gathered together.
Seeing the unsettled expressions on each other's faces, they quickly understood.
"It seems we shared the same dream," Gu Yuena said coldly.
"I saw Bai Xu fall... killed by Tang San. And the soul beasts..." Na'er's voice was bitter, her eyes filled with worry as she glanced toward the starry sky.
Gu Yue remained silent for a long moment before finally speaking. "This... seems eerily similar to what happened back then."
The three exchanged glances, realization dawning.
In the past, the Dragon God had stubbornly sought to establish a Divine Star despite the warnings of his subordinate Dragon Kings. Under the influence of the cosmic laws, the Time Dragon King and Space Dragon King had foreseen the collapse of the Divine Star in a dream and had desperately tried to prevent it.
Now, it seemed the cosmic laws were silently influencing them as well, granting them a glimpse of the future.
"What does this mean? That we'll betray Bai Xu?" Gu Yuena's expression darkened. Could the cosmic laws really control them? As things stood, they would never turn against Bai Xu.
Gu Yue spoke calmly, "Logically speaking... ten thousand years should have been enough for Bai Xu to grow to a level comparable to the other Bai Xu from the 'The Heaven of Selfless Transformation.' Even if he didn't reach that height, he should have far surpassed the Godking and the Dragon God in strength. There's no way he would struggle against Tang San as the Asura God."
"Unless... the Divine Realm is returning ahead of schedule."
"What?!" Gu Yuena and Na'er were horrified.
After calming down, they considered the possibility. It made sense.
The cosmic laws were an existence even the Dragon God could not defy—the supreme ruler of the Douluo Universe. If it willed it, the Divine Realm could indeed return prematurely.
"Damn it... After two years, I've only managed to refine a trace of the Golden Dragon's essence..." Gu Yuena clenched her hand, which transformed into a dragon claw. The scales were no longer silver but shimmered with nine colors. However, this transformation was still incomplete. Given enough time, she could become the new Dragon God.
"Don't panic. Let's wait for Bai Xu to return. It's been two years—he should be back soon."
With that, the three women looked up at the starry sky, their hearts filled with anticipation.
---
Meanwhile, in the cosmos...
Bai Xu's divine form blazed like a sun, the five elements cycling endlessly within him. The world inside the portal within his body had expanded significantly, with several small stars now visible, hinting at the evolution toward a miniature universe. Two great suns—one bright, one dark—hovered within, radiating profound mystery.
"Haa..."
Bai Xu took a deep breath, his eyes calm as still water. "It's about time. Time to break through to the first level of the Divine Forbidden!"
As soon as he spoke, an overwhelming surge of power erupted within him. His essence energy flowed through his meridians, converging toward his brain as described in the ancient manual. He had attempted this breakthrough before, and now, with an endless supply of essence energy and the manual's detailed guidance, success was all but guaranteed.
And indeed, it was.
The space around Bai Xu collapsed as a terrifying aura burst forth from his body, spreading outward and obliterating several uninhabited celestial bodies in the distance.
Unlike the gradual refinement of the physical body, the Divine Forbidden realm was a leap into the heavens. The gap between the first and second levels was insurmountable by any means—whether in rank, energy, or raw power.
As the manual stated, very few could fight across such a divide.
BOOM!
Just as Bai Xu reached the critical moment of his breakthrough, a deafening thunderclap echoed through the cosmos. Dark clouds of heavenly tribulation gathered, as if the universe itself opposed his advancement. The storm of thunder and lightning coalesced in the depths of space, slowly drifting toward Bai Xu.
CRACK!
The tribulation clouds showed no mercy—any planet in their path was instantly reduced to dust. They were the manifestation of the universe's supreme laws, and none dared stand in their way. Like a monstrous beast wielding endless lightning, the clouds loomed closer, their full form unseen.
"Damn it..."
Bai Xu gritted his teeth, sensing the imminent threat. But he refused to yield. His aura surged once more as he accelerated his breakthrough.
Yet the tribulation responded in kind. Defying logic, it struck from light-years away—a bolt of divine punishment that transcended space itself, slamming directly into Bai Xu's body.
"Guh—!"
Even Bai Xu's Five Elements Body was nearly shattered by the blow. His essence energy was completely drained just to heal his injuries, and his body remained numb, crackling with residual electricity. Glancing at the retreating tribulation clouds, Bai Xu could only helplessly plummet back toward the Douluo Continent.
"So this is the obstacle he warned me about..."
The words of the first Bai Xu echoed in his mind. Everything had gone smoothly until now, making him forget the greater challenges ahead. The will of the cosmos had indeed barred his path, unwilling to let him advance further, leaving him stranded just before the first level of the Divine Forbidden.
This attempt had failed.
Yet the tribulation clouds did not pursue him. Seeing Bai Xu severely injured, they slowly dissipated, sparing his life.
---
Douluo Continent.
Just as the three women were about to leave, they sensed a familiar presence. The next moment, space rippled, and Bai Xu's slightly disheveled figure emerged. Gu Yue reacted swiftly, catching him in her arms.
"What happened? How were you injured so badly?" Gu Yue asked, her voice laced with concern.
"Cough... The will of the cosmos won't allow me to advance further. It struck me down," Bai Xu murmured weakly.
"So it's true..." Gu Yuena's eyes flashed with anger as she glared at the sky. The universe was cutting off their path forward!
But why?
"Are you alright?" Na'er stepped forward, her hands glowing with the vitality of the Wood Element as she tried to ease Bai Xu's injuries.
"I'll be fine. With the Five Elements Body, I'll recover fully within a month. No need to worry," Bai Xu reassured them.
"Good. Because we have something to tell you," Gu Yue said solemnly.
"What is it?"
"The three of us... we saw the future in a dream. We saw you fighting against the returned Divine Realm in the cosmos..." Gu Yue's voice was heavy.
"And the outcome?" Bai Xu asked.
"You fell... killed by Tang San."
Hearing this, Bai Xu chuckled. "Is that so?"
"Why are you laughing? Based on our deductions, the Divine Realm is likely returning ahead of schedule. We don't know when, but logically, in ten thousand years, you should have been strong enough to crush them. Yet what we saw was you struggling against Tang San," Gu Yue pressed.
It was true. Even if the Divine Forbidden path was blocked, ten thousand years should have been enough for Bai Xu to further evolve his physique and unlock more of the portal within his body. By then, his physical strength alone would have been enough to dominate the entire universe—there was no way he would be evenly matched with Tang San.
The only explanation was the premature return of the Divine Realm.
"In that case, the situation just became far more urgent," Bai Xu sighed, sitting up from Gu Yue's embrace. He looked at the three women and asked, "Do you trust me?"
Gu Yue crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. "At this point, what's the use of asking? Instead of—"
"Of course!" Na'er smiled.
"Do you have a plan?" Gu Yuena asked quietly.
"That depends on my comprehension. With my path blocked and the Divine Realm possibly returning early, I have no choice but to gamble everything. The divine ability the Plane Spirit wanted me to master... I haven't fully grasped it yet."
Space, Time, Fate—three paths had been conquered. Only Causality remained.
"Having a plan is good. But if all else fails... you must help me become the Dragon God," Gu Yuena declared.
"That's the worst-case scenario," Gu Yue frowned.
The three women had already discussed contingency plans. The simplest was for Gu Yuena to become the Dragon God, absorbing Gu Yue and Na'er if necessary to amplify her power. Even if they couldn't defeat the returning Great Divine Circle, they would at least die before Bai Xu.
"Don't think like that. We still have time," Bai Xu sighed. "It's almost ironic. I've always prided myself on severing karma, yet now I'm struggling to comprehend Causality. This tribulation may very well be the greatest trial of my life."
He gazed at his palm, lost in thought. Though he had faced dangers before, everything had been within his control. Now... fate was no longer in his hands.
"Let's prepare for both outcomes. She focuses on becoming the Dragon God, while you master your divine ability. No matter what happens, we'll have no regrets," Gu Yue said firmly.
"Agreed."
"Then let's go."
With that, Gu Yuena grabbed Bai Xu's hand and began leading him toward the house.
"What do you think you're doing?" Gu Yue stopped her, her voice icy.
"You know as well as I do that dual cultivation with Bai Xu accelerates our comprehension of the Yin-Yang Laws far more than solitary meditation. Given the urgency, don't interfere!" Gu Yuena argued righteously.
"I—" Gu Yue bit her lip and reluctantly released Bai Xu's arm.
"I'm still injured, you know," Bai Xu said dryly. Though his divine form was battered, the Five Elements Body and his authority as the Douluo Continent's World Master left no visible scars.
"You need a month to recover. Until then, you can assist me in cultivation. Borrowing your body will bring me closer to the Yin-Yang Laws. They won't stop us, right?"
Gu Yuena glanced at Gu Yue and Na'er, both of whom blushed slightly but nodded in silent agreement.
"Good." Gu Yuena smirked, pulling Bai Xu inside.
---
Meanwhile, elsewhere...
Just as Gu Yue had predicted, the Great Divine Circle—now merged with the Divine Realm—had found an opportunity to escape the black hole. Seizing the chance, they surged forth, with the Godking Tang San leading the charge toward the Douluo Continent, guided by prior coordinates.
The gods' expressions were grim.
Huo Yuhao, Tang Wutong, and the others were filled with grief and fury. Her younger brother had died—on the Douluo Continent.