Star Luo Imperial Palace
The evening breeze blew gently, granting a panoramic view of the entire imperial city from here.
Lights sparkled everywhere.
But the current emperor of Star Luo was sweating heavily.
Though inside his own chamber, he felt no sense of safety. Seated across from him, a white-robed man gazed with interest at the scenes below.
"May I ask... what is your purpose in coming to the Star Luo Empire, sir?"
"If I may assist in any way, just say the word!"
This illustrious guest had gone viral across the continent just yesterday.
He commanded over a dozen beasts each comparable to Di Tian.
He had thrashed Yun Ming, lauded as the continent's number one, with ease.
Those SSS-class beasts, extinct from the planet and only appearing in textbooks and history books—he could summon at will. He had changed the fate and prestige of all beast-tamers.
Even the best Monster Academy of the Star Luo Empire now prioritized recruiting beast-type martial souls.
He was simply too overwhelming.
If they could even breed one-tenth of his power, it would be worth it.
In this era where mechas and battle armors ruled, none dared imagine someone could defy the current norms, relying on "traditional" beast-tamer and soul master systems to forge a new path.
"I'm not yet signed with the Federation."
Su Wen casually looked down at the scenery. Compared to the main continent, this place seemed more primitive, though their technology lagged little.
They leaned further into mecha development, as opposed to Douluo's battle armor.
"I'm traveling through the continents, urging all those involved to sign the pact."
"Your Majesty, you have no objections, do you?" Su Wen smiled.
"If you have any, feel free to speak."
"..."
"Er..." The Star Luo emperor's throat bobbed as sweat trickled down his neck.
"I dare not object. But may I ask, if there were no soul spirits, how would this world operate?"
"Would it mean...hunting soul beasts?"
"Wouldn't that contradict your intent?"
He was gambling that Su Wen did not fully stand with the soul beasts, but wanted all sides to benefit.
"A balance among all parties is impossible..." Dai Tianling sighed frankly.
"You're right," Su Wen nodded, "The core logic of this planet is flawed... Yet this is the only planet where one must hunt soul beasts for advancement. Other realms governed by the Divine Realm require none of this."
"Since I say this, I can surely find a solution."
"To let humans and soul beasts coexist in peace."
"..."
His Highness was stunned.
Was he an idealist?
This kind of thing was engraved in everyone's DNA—how could anyone change it?!
"Heh. The one who tied the knot should solve it. If the rules were set by the Dragon God, we'll have the Dragon God change it," Su Wen smiled gently.
He was never bullish except for those like Chen Xinjie, who was a hopeless simp.
"Gulp~"
Dai Tianling was completely stunned.
These words sounded like a logical fallacy, but when spoken so softly by this man, they were wholly convincing.
Could a human truly do this?
"Father!!"
Suddenly a crisp girl's voice called from outside, and Da Yun'er came in—a lively, spoiled princess.
"Yun'er!"
Dai Tianling was terrified.
This, his favorite daughter, he did not want caught up in this.
"Huh? You have a guest?" Dai Yun'er frowned, looking over Su Wen.
"This big brother looks so familiar, where have I seen him?"
Dai Tianling grew wrathful.
"Leave! Who let you in here?"
"Father~~"
Yun'er blinked cutely, oblivious to the fact that her imperial father, who commanded millions, was literally drenched in sweat before this gentle-looking guest.
Yet, she found herself a bit lovestruck.
Yun'er pranced over, clinging to her father's arm, then noticed something off.
"Huh? Father, you..."
"Silence!"
With gritted teeth, the emperor wanted to push her out.
For before this mighty being—one who could annihilate the entire Star Luo Empire—he could not afford a single misstep.
"..."
Yun'er's eyes flashed with surprise.
She became more subdued.
"I'll leave now, father..."
Once she was gone, Dai Tianling finally exhaled a long breath.
Making up his mind, he said:
"The Star Luo Empire is willing to dissolve its Spirit Pagoda branch."
"Heh..."
Su Wen smiled approvingly.
"I'll solve everything within one year."
Looking back at the struggle between soul beasts and humans, it was less tricky than it seemed.
In the original work, only Douluo Star relied on hunting soul beasts for advancement; other Divine Realm planets had no such need.
It was, essentially, a regional bug unique to Douluo Star—a tweak to the base logic of just this world, not the entire Dragon God domain.
Once Gu Yuena absorbed the Dragon God core, her authority and the original power of the Dragon God would hopefully settle the matter.
Nobody wanted to leave their home unless forced.
Soul skills, in the future, could be replaced through "cultivation methods."
Optimally, everything would be converted to Pokéballs.
Humans could catch soul beasts instead of killing them.
"This is Star Luo's finest wine—Purple Spirit Rhyme. Please try it," Dai Tianling offered eagerly.
"A small taste then."
Su Wen accepted.
"Feels so familiar…"
Dai Yun'er left the palace in puzzlement.
Even her father, usually above all, was so deferential before that young white-robed man...
He looked barely older than herself, about the age of Long Yue.
How could he inspire such awe?
Inside the palace, a banquet took place.
The younger generation busied themselves, and a golden-haired, handsome youth waved at Yun'er, smiling.
"Brother!" Yun'er bounced over.
"What's wrong? You look distracted." Dai Yueyan beamed.
"It's nothing…" She hesitated, then held her tongue.
Suspicious, Dai Yueyan let it go and continued discussing topics with Long Yue, Su Mu, and the other Eight Kings of Monster Academy.
"Beast Taming? That's a hard switch…"
"Who can find so many extinct beasts? He must be an ancient monster himself."
"Maybe he's immortal, like soul beasts? Otherwise, why would he look so young?"
"He likely uses disguise techniques—many online streamers do that. Why couldn't someone of his level?"
Their communicators played video from the Shrek Academy incident.
"So handsome…" Su Mu, the Fox King, sighed.
"Every strong expert was crushed beneath his feet."
"That's the mark of a real man." The Wolf King, Hua Lantang, admired.
"..."
But then, Yun'er couldn't help but gasp.
Staring at that white-robed figure, her pupils trembled violently.
It was the same man as in her father's study moments ago!!
All the signs fit together.
"Yun'er? Not feeling well?" Dai Yueyan frowned.
"Drink more hot water." Long Yue offered.
"I think... I saw him in Father's room..." Yun'er's voice shook.
Even she knew the gravity of this.
A mighty being who nearly wiped out Shrek Academy in her father's bedroom—given her father's reaction... this was not good.
"..."
The room was stunned.
Dai Yueyan froze, then pointed trembling at the screen playing the video: "Yun'er, you mean HIM?!!"
"Absolutely!"
"I…" Dai Yueyan was dazed, and rushed toward the emperor's chambers.
"Wait!"
Su Mu paled but stopped him: "Quick, go notify the dean! If you go, it's suicide!"
"Okay, okay…"
The kings panicked. This level of existence was scarier than a level twelve soul-guided shell, even more so perhaps.
Not even the dean...
A whole group stormed into the imperial chamber, only to find no carnage.
Dai Tianling, Dean En Ci, and Su Wen sat together, laughing.
When Dai Tianling saw them, he feigned anger.
"What are you doing?! Su Wen is a guest! All of you, out!"
"Yes, yes…"
They bowed and retreated, relieved.
"Yun'er, it's really him!!"
"He truly is outrageously handsome."
"But a man's worth is in strength, not looks." Long Yue blurted.
Awkward silence fell.
Seeing others' looks, Long Yue realized—before such overwhelming strength, looks didn't matter.
He quickly shifted topics: "So, why do you think he came to Star Luo?"
"Maybe... for the Spirit Pagoda branch?" Su Mu guessed.
In the endless mountains.
A soul train slowed to a halt.
Several young men alighted, followed by Su Wen and Gu Yuena.
"This is it!" Gu Yuena said excitedly.
The closer they got, the faster her heart raced.
Su Wen was calm, but the students barely dared breathe.
"Dragon Valley…"
Su Wen sighed.
"Let's get started…"
At his lead, the masked Tang Sect disciples followed.
Atop the mountain, inside a small hut...
An old man with white hair glanced at the newcomers, but stopped suddenly at Su Wen, suspicion growing.
Bai Qi stepped forward and whispered in the elder's ear.
The elder, unfamiliar with internet trends, was otherwise a mighty Titled Douluo, but could sense the threat radiating from Su Wen.
"May I ask, who are you?"
"Su Wen."
"This is Tang Sect's territory. Did you get our Sect Master's approval? Even if the Star Luo Emperor is powerful, he has no say in Tang Sect affairs!" Elder Wu frowned.
"..."
Bai Qi (Dai Yun'er) broke into a cold sweat, powerless to stop things.
She could only pray Su Wen wouldn't be angered.
Both sides were out of her league.
"Tang Sect's territory?"
Su Wen sighed.
"So a bunch of stray dogs pissing everywhere can lay claim to territory?"
"..."
A chilling silence.
Everyone froze.
This was Tang Sect turf, and they were all Tang Sect members.
Had it been anyone else, they would have swarmed in outrage.
But before HIM...
His mere presence sapped their willpower.
"What did you say?!"
Elder Wu turned crimson, smashing his cane to the ground, sending waves of power through the valley.
"How dare you insult Tang Sect? Die!"
"No!" Bai Qi shouted.
Su Wen simply stood there.
Elder Wu's attack made not a ripple.
"Tut…"
Su Wen glanced coldly at him, "After all these years, still in bed with Shrek."
He gestured gently.
In the sky, dark clouds coiled together and formed a massive claw, pressing down.
Elder Wu released all his soul rings.
Nine soul rings flashed.
Even with three-word battle armor, it was useless—he was crushed into the earth.
Not a single Tang Sect disciple dared to move.
Bai Qi was most shaken.
Yesterday he'd seemed so warm and gentle, but today...
But Elder Wu held the key to this secret realm—without him, how would they enter?
Suddenly, the white-haired woman at Su Wen's side, Gu Yuena, moved coldly, raising her white hand and making a tearing gesture.
The sky itself ripped open.
An immense true dragon's aura swept out.
Bai Qi gaped: "…"
...