Douluo Continent: My Martial Soul is the Black Dragon, I am the Lord of the Gods

……

"So, he is neither asleep nor out of control," Gu Yuena concluded, her tone carrying a speculation that she herself was not entirely certain of.

"He may be... redefining the concept of 'Dragon God' at the most fundamental level, or rather, creating a... entirely new supreme law that belongs only to him."

This process takes time and requires absolute focus, so he shut down all perception of the outside world and immersed himself in it.

The Goddess of Life suddenly realized: "So, he is not asleep, but undergoing a profound... reconstruction of the laws?"

“That’s one way to understand it.” Gu Yuena looked at the nine-colored dragon cocoon with heartache in her eyes. “The power of the Dragon God is too immense. Even with his divine status, it would take him an extremely long time to fully digest it. Moreover… I sense that he doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to wake up.”

"Not in a hurry to wake up?" The God of Kindness frowned slightly.

A bitter smile appeared on Gu Yuena's lips: "He... is very tired. Perhaps, this state of being immersed in the ocean of laws, without having to think about the disturbances of the outside world, is actually a kind of... rest for him."

The goddess of life and the goddess of kindness fell silent once again.

They understood.

Xuanming was not in trouble, but was undergoing an unprecedented ultimate transformation, turning the supreme power of the Dragon God into his own.

This process takes time, a lot of time.

Xuanming himself seemed happy to immerse himself in it, temporarily escaping all responsibilities and conflicts.

"I see..." The Goddess of Life sighed softly, "You've worked hard, guarding this place all this time."

Gu Yuena shook her head, her gaze still fixed on the dragon cocoon: "I should stay with him."

If it weren't for saving her, Xuanming wouldn't have needed to bear the power of the Dragon God at all.

Now, he is forced to undergo this long "digestion," and all she can do is offer this insignificant companionship.

The God of Kindness looked up at the nine-colored dragon cocoon, his platinum eyes gleaming: "Now that we know the reason, we are relieved. However, the expansion plan of the divine realm..."

Gu Yuena said calmly, "He'll wake up naturally once he's finished digesting. There's no rush."

The goddess of life and the goddess of goodness nodded. They knew that urging a supreme god-king undergoing such a crucial transformation would be pointless and even dangerous.

“We will inform the other god-kings of the situation,” the Goddess of Life said softly. “You should also take care to rest and not overexert yourself.”

Gu Yuena gave a soft "hmm" and didn't say anything more.

The Goddess of Life and the God of Kindness exchanged a glance, their figures slowly dissipating as they left the forbidden land.

The border fell silent once more.

Gu Yuena remained seated, gazing up at the nine-colored cocoon of light that seemed to float eternally.

A gentle breeze blew by, ruffling her hair.

She knew that this wait might last a very, very long time.

But this time, she will wait.

Until he completes his transformation, until he... is willing to wake up.

……

Douluo Continent, Wuhun City, Pope's Palace.

A chilling atmosphere once again enveloped Wuhun City, more intense than ever before.

After Bibi Dong regained power, without even issuing any formal edicts, the phantom of the Asura Demon Sword was already hanging high above the capital, its chilling killing intent sweeping across every corner of the empire as if it were a tangible thing.

Then, a purge that was far more precise and ruthless than that of a few years ago spread rapidly like a plague.

The names on the list were not based on evidence of crimes, but on "ideologies." Those nobles, leaders of Soul Master sects, and even some officials who had been most active, spread the most rumors, attempted to sow discord among the gods, and tried to restore the privileges of the old era during Qian Renxue's reign were all taken away from their homes, banquets, and the Hall of Soul Masters by an invisible force within a few days.

There was no trial, no announcement.

Only the figures that vanished silently, and the still-drying dark red bloodstains that quietly spilled in front of their mansions.

The judgment of the Asura God requires no legal procedures of mortals. Qian Renxue stood on the terrace of the Angel Temple, watching the faint stench of blood rising throughout the city, her face pale, her jade hands clenched tightly. In the end, she could not stand idly by and went to the side hall where Bibi Dong handled state affairs.

"enough!"

A figure bathed in golden holy light burst into the hall; it was Qian Renxue.

"You have killed too many people! If this continues, the empire will be filled with fear and instability! What we need is not endless killing, but appeasement and guidance!"

Bibi Dong slowly raised her eyes, and her icy gaze sent a chill down Qian Renxue's spine.

"Appease? Guide?" Bibi Dong's voice carried a hint of sarcasm. "Qian Renxue, are you trying to teach me how to govern a country?"

She stood up and walked down the steps one by one. Her powerful divine might caused the angelic holy light surrounding Qian Renxue to sway slightly.

"You thought your previous appeasement was kindness? That was nothing but indulgence! It was weakness!" Bibi Dong's voice suddenly turned stern. "Look at the result of your indulgence! Those scum who should have been completely crushed are starting to stir again! Those commoners who have just learned to respect the law are starting to doubt the will of the empire!"

"What I am doing now is not killing." Bibi Dong stopped in front of Qian Renxue, inches away, but her voice was as cold as the wind from the deepest hell. "I am eliminating the virus, I am cutting away the rotten flesh! I am using blood to recast the majesty of the imperial laws!"

Qian Renxue's face turned pale, and she gritted her teeth, saying, "But killing can't solve everything! The greed in people's hearts can never be eradicated!"

"Can't kill them all?" Bibi Dong's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Then kill them until they're terrified! Kill them until they remember to their very bones what they should and shouldn't think! Kill them until the concept of equality becomes an instinct in their blood!"

Her gaze swept over Qian Renxue, carrying an undisguised warning: "As for you, my dear daughter. If you don't want the whole continent to laugh at you, if you don't want the world to think that the gods of the Martial Soul Empire are fighting amongst themselves, if you don't want me to nail your Heavenly Angel Temple gate to me with the Asura Demon Sword in front of billions of living beings..."

Bibi Dong's voice was low, yet carried an undeniable threat: "Shut up now and go back to your angel temple. Otherwise, I don't mind letting the world see how utterly vulnerable the so-called 'merciful' angels are in the face of the 'cruel' Asuras."

Qian Renxue trembled and stared at Bibi Dong in disbelief.

She knew that Bibi Dong was capable of such a thing.

This woman is capable of anything to carry out her will.

In the end, she could only silently leave the side hall, filled with humiliation and helplessness.

Soon after, Poseidon's figure also appeared in Wuhun City. She did not go directly to see Bibi Dong, but walked quietly on the somewhat empty streets, feeling the lingering chill and fear in the air.

She sighed inwardly at Bibi Dong's methods, but did not voice her opposition.

Some things simply have to be done.

Just like the sea god, who rules the ocean and bestows blessings, he can also unleash towering waves to destroy anything that dares to blaspheme his divine power.

God's mercy is never about unlimited indulgence.

An empire that cannot even maintain the most basic legal authority, and whose people dare to openly speculate or even try to sow discord among the supreme rulers for personal gain, is already rotten to the core and is not far from disintegration.

Especially with two deities openly in charge, to still harbor such delusions is not just audacious, but a complete loss of reverence for divine authority and order.

Poseidon didn't quite understand either. Based on her understanding of Qian Renxue, the other party was not an indecisive person. Why would she appear so...naive and untimely "kindness" in this matter?
After dealing with a batch of urgent matters, Bibi Dong looked up at Poseidon, seemingly seeing through her doubts, and said calmly, "She feels that Xuanming has killed enough people and shed enough blood to shock the world. So, it's her turn to bestow favors and balance things out."

Poseidon frowned slightly.

Bibi Dong sneered and continued, "But she forgot that the dead and the living are two different kinds of people. The living will never truly understand the fear of death. They will only remember the 'blessings' of the angels and gods, and take these blessings for granted, and then want more."

"The so-called favors she bestowed were not comforting to those who had long forgotten the pain, but rather an encouragement. It encouraged them to continue testing the limits and to push their luck."

"Dignity is not maintained by the number of people killed, but by making the living forever remember the price of disobedience. Qian Renxue... she has the wrong target."

"Her self-righteous balance was actually tearing down the dam that Xuanming had built with blood, and letting the flood of greed run rampant."

Poseidon remained silent. Bibi Dong's words, though cruel, hit the nail on the head.

The way to rule is to use both kindness and severity, but severity must always take precedence over kindness; otherwise, kindness will become a breeding ground for ambition.

Qian Renxue wanted to be a "benevolent ruler," but she chose the wrong era and used the wrong methods.

At this critical juncture of breaking with the old and establishing the new, what is needed is not appeasement, but an iron fist.

Only a thorough purge can clear the way for the consolidation of the new order. (End of Chapter)