The moment Chen Yi stepped through the dimensional portal and set foot once more on the soil of the Douluo Continent, the pervasive sense of suppression he had felt in the Demon Realm was instantly replaced by an indescribable feeling of relief. Fresh air, familiar surroundings, and the mysterious connection with the Douluo Continent all filled him with unparalleled peace of mind.
"The Douluo Continent is still better," Chen Yi muttered. He exhaled deeply, as if trying to expel every last trace of the otherworldly energy that had accumulated in his chest.
"Xiao Yi!"
A voice filled with surprise and reverence suddenly rang out from afar. Chen Yi turned toward the sound, a natural smile appearing on his face.
In the next instant, his body flickered slightly as if teleporting, and he appeared directly in front of the person who had called out.
The newcomer was a capable and beautiful middle-aged woman. Flanking her were two men of differing temperaments, yet an unspoken understanding clearly existed between them.
"Aunt Hong, Elder Yue, Elder Gui," Chen Yi greeted them with a nod and a smile. "Have you all been waiting here the entire time?"
"Indeed," Hong Yue replied with a smile as she stepped forward. "By the Grand Elder's orders, we have been guarding the entrance to the dimensional portal, awaiting the Sect Master's return."
Although Chen Yi had not yet held a formal inauguration ceremony, the moment he claimed the title of Body Douluo, he had effectively become the new Sect Master of the Body Sect. The tone in which Hong Yue and the others addressed him had quietly shifted accordingly.
"I see." Chen Yi nodded, finally understanding.
The Grand Elder always acted with thoroughness. To prevent any accidents and enable rapid response, he had dispatched people to secure the passageway.
"How long was I gone?" Chen Yi asked.
Time felt somewhat vague in the Demon Realm. He had spent considerable time breaking through his domain, battling demon spirits, and negotiating with them.
"Reporting to the Sect Master, nearly a full year has passed since you and the Angel Douluo entered the passageway."
"A year..." Chen Yi fell into brief thought. It had been longer than he expected.
The process of transcending the mortal realm to become a god seemed to take far more time than he had imagined.
At that moment, Yue Guan could not help but ask, "Sect Master, did only you return? What about Her Holiness the Pope...?"
Hearing this, Chen Yi regained his composure and spoke in a low voice. "Xue'er is fine. She is still in the Demon Realm, seizing an important opportunity there."
"The reason I returned first this time was precisely for her sake."
"Opportunity?" The three exchanged glances. Though curious, they knew Chen Yi would not explain further and lacked the courage to press him.
Chen Yi suddenly changed the subject and asked directly, "Do you know where the Spider Empress Douluo is right now?"
"Bibi Dong?" Hong Yue, Yue Guan, and Gui Mei looked at one another, slightly surprised. Chen Yi had just returned, yet instead of heading back to the sect or the Spirit Hall, he had immediately come looking for Bibi Dong.
Yue Guan quickly replied, "Reporting to the Sect Master, shortly after the great war ended, the Spider Empress traveled across the continent, purging the old noble families and stubborn forces. According to reports, the Spider Empress's method of offering sacrifices was extremely cruel. She carried out bloody purges in various regions, creating a massive deterrent effect."
"During this period, we remained stationed here. From the latest battle reports and itinerary, the large-scale extermination operations should be nearing completion. The Spider Empress has likely already returned to Spirit Hall to rest."
"She has returned to Spirit Hall?" Chen Yi nodded, a meaningful glint appearing in his eyes. "Good."
He looked at Hong Yue and the other two, speaking solemnly, "Next, this dimensional passageway will prove very useful. I ask that you continue guarding this location to ensure its safety and stability, and to monitor any possible anomalies."
"Sect Master, what are you saying!" Yue Guan hurriedly bowed his head. "Guarding the passageway is our duty—for the safety of the Douluo Continent. How could it be troublesome? Rest assured, Sect Master. As long as we are here, we will never allow villains to exploit the situation!"
Hong Yue and Gui Mei nodded simultaneously, expressing their determination to do their utmost.
Chen Yi nodded, exchanged brief greetings with the three, and gathered basic information about the situation on the mainland over the past year.
"In that case, I shall take my leave first."
As Chen Yi spoke, faint purple-gold lightning flashed around him. Under the shocked gazes of Hong Yue, Yue Guan, and Gui Mei, he raised his hand and gently struck the empty space before him.
Crack—!
A pitch-black spatial rift suddenly appeared. Chen Yi nodded lightly to the three, then stepped into the fissure. His figure was instantly swallowed by darkness.
The rift closed immediately afterward, returning everything to its original state as if nothing had ever happened.
Hong Yue and the other two stood frozen in place, unable to hide the terror on their faces as they exchanged glances.
"Tearing space apart with his bare hands... and crossing the void?!" Hong Yue murmured in a slightly trembling voice. "Even a Level 99 Peerless Douluo could never perform such spatial movement."
"Just how powerful has the Sect Master become?!" Yue Guan swallowed hard, feeling his mouth and throat go dry.
He sensed that although Chen Yi was currently suppressing his aura, its unfathomable depth was far greater than when he had left a year ago.
It was as if... a god had descended upon the mortal world!
"Unfortunately... it seems he has already touched, or even surpassed, the boundaries of humanity."
…
Meanwhile, during the brief journey crossing the void, Chen Yi had already quickly locked onto the direction of Spirit Hall.
In just a few breaths, the space before him tore open once more, and the familiar silhouette of Spirit Hall appeared before his eyes.
Chen Yi hovered motionless in the air and did not land immediately. His divine sense spread out silently like an invisible tide, instantly enveloping the entire Spirit Hall.
His godlike perception swept across the whole city. Every blade of grass, every tree, every person, and every object appeared vividly in his perception.
"Huh? Everyone's here?"
A smile appeared in Chen Yi's eyes. He sensed that not only Bibi Dong, but also Qian Daoliu, Chu Shanhe, the Grand Elder, and several high-ranking officials from both the Spirit Hall and the Body Sect had gathered in the Elder Hall. Shui Bing'er, Ye Lingling, Dugu Yan, and others were also present.
It seemed... they were discussing something important?
Without hesitation, Chen Yi transformed into a nearly invisible streak of light and landed silently outside the Elder Hall.
Inside the hall, the atmosphere was solemn yet tinged with a sense of relief.
Bibi Dong stood at the center of the main hall, reporting something to Qian Daoliu, who sat in the seat of honor.
She wore a magnificent deep-purple robe. Her face remained stunningly beautiful, but it now carried a calmer aura than before. Her presence was deep and vast, with faint divine light drifting around her—clearly indicating that she was progressing at an extremely rapid pace in the Rakshasa God's trials, and the day she would become a god was not far off.
"...That concludes the final summary of operations to eliminate the remaining old noble families and hostile forces across the mainland."
"A total of 137 forces, large and small, have been purged. Over 2,400 ringleaders and key figures were captured or killed, and countless resources were seized. Hidden dangers have been almost entirely eliminated. The remaining fugitives are being jointly pursued by local Spirit Hall branches and garrison troops and are no longer a concern."
After listening to the report, Qian Daoliu smiled with satisfaction.
"This cleansing operation involved many intertwined issues and was extremely complex. The Spider Empress has worked diligently and made tremendous contributions."
Bibi Dong's methods and efficiency were truly terrifying. In just one year, using ruthless means, she had nearly completely eradicated the old noble forces that had deep roots in the former Heaven Dou Empire and Star Luo Empire.
Her approach had been brutal, but the results were immediate, removing the greatest obstacles to postwar reconstruction and the restoration of order. All that remained now was final polishing and reconciliation measures.
"It is my duty," Bibi Dong replied calmly, her expression barely changing upon hearing Qian Daoliu's praise.
Qian Daoliu did not mind. He smiled lightly and shifted his gaze to the other side.
"The rapid restoration of order across the continent and the stabilization of public sentiment this time owe much to the contributions of Immortal Douluo, Old Ye, and the members of the Nine-Hearted Begonia Clan."
"If the Ye Clan had not conducted large-scale treatment of the wounded after the war and established free clinics across the continent to comfort the countless civilians still in shock, it would have been difficult to suppress the unrest so quickly using military force alone."
Upon hearing this, Ye Ci'en and Ye Lingling immediately stood up and returned the greeting. Ye Ci'en said, "Grand Worship, you flatter us. Saving lives and healing the injured is the duty of healers. The Douluo Continent has suffered a great calamity. We have merely done our best with what little power we possess. We would never dare claim any credit."
Ye Lingling added quietly, "It is an honor for Lingling to be able to do something for the people of the continent."
Chu Shanhe laughed heartily and declared in a loud voice, "Elder Ye, there is no need for modesty! Everyone has witnessed your contributions."
"While our Spirit Hall and Body Sect fought on the front lines, your Nine-Hearted Begonia Clan provided support from the rear, treating the wounded and maintaining morale. The coordination was excellent! Without everyone's cooperation, none of this would have been possible!"
Indeed, during that year, with absolute military backing from the Spirit Hall and Body Sect, the Nine-Hearted Begonia Clan had relied on their unparalleled healing abilities and excellent reputation to travel through war-torn towns and villages, treating countless injured and comforting countless people gripped by fear.
Their presence had greatly alleviated the bloodshed and panic caused by the armed purges and laid a valuable foundation of popular support for postwar reconstruction.
It was no exaggeration to say they had made enormous contributions to the smooth transition on the mainland.
The atmosphere in the hall was harmonious. Satisfaction with the current situation and anticipation for the future showed on everyone's faces.
The situation on the mainland was extremely favorable. Under the absolute authority of the Body Sect and Spirit Hall, any dissent seemed insignificant.
The remaining elements attempting to incite public opinion and create chaos had almost all been ruthlessly rooted out and sent to the Slaughter City, where they were sentenced to life imprisonment.
However, just as the atmosphere was reaching its peak, a slightly worried voice quietly rang out.
"I really don't know... how Xiao Yi is doing. It's been a whole year since he disappeared, and there's been no news at all..."
The speaker was Mu Xi. She had finally been recognized as one of the Body Sect's Title Douluo. Her bearing had become even more elegant, yet at this moment, the space between her brows could not hide her deep longing for her son.
The moment these words were spoken, the previously harmonious hall fell into sudden silence.
Chen Yi and Qian Renxue—one the Sect Master of the Body Sect, the other the Pope of the Spirit Hall—were both pillars of the current Spirit Master world.
They had ventured deep into the Demon Realm and vanished without a trace for a year. It would be a lie to say no one was worried.
Thinking of this, concern and solemnity naturally appeared in everyone's eyes.
"Hmm... Since I know him well, if he's thousands of miles away from home with no one to look after him, he'll probably... grow quite plump and healthy!"
Just then, an obviously teasing voice suddenly rang out from one side of the hall, breaking the brief silence.
That voice was extremely familiar!
Everyone in the hall turned toward the sound in surprise.
Beside one of the massive pillars supporting the dome on the side of the main hall stood a figure in a purple robe, arms crossed, wearing a calm smile as he gazed at the people inside.
Who else could it be but Chen Yi?!
"Son!"
"Xiao Yi!"
After a moment of shock, a massive wave of joy surged like a volcanic eruption. Everyone instinctively crowded around Chen Yi.
In the blink of an eye, Chen Yi was surrounded by an excited crowd.
…