The gears of time never stop for the joys and sorrows of individuals.
The scent of blood in the Star Dou Great Forest had long been washed away by the monsoons and heavy rains.
In the span of a year, the map of the Douluo Continent had been completely reshaped.
A towering complex of buildings rose from the center of the continent—the "Douluo Supreme Council Alliance."
Sunlight reflected off the glazed tiles, creating dazzling spots of light.
This hall, representing the highest power on the continent, was jointly established by Spirit Hall, the Heaven Dou Empire, the Star Luo Empire, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, and the far-off Sea God Island.
The once-arrogant number one Sect in the world, the Clear Sky Sect, was uprooted on that rainy night when it attempted to provoke the authority of the Supreme Council.
Not even a complete Sect entrance stone tablet was left. Li Yifei was the only one who participated in the siege.
He didn't even use a Spirit Ability; relying solely on the dimensional strike of the Law of Space, he plunged the entire Clear Sky Sect residence into eternal nothingness.
Having witnessed such thunderous methods, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, which had been waiting on the sidelines, submitted their letter of surrender overnight.
Yu Yuanzhen personally presented the clan's core secret manual, seeking only to preserve the Family's Legacy.
Other kingdoms and duchies, large and small, scrambled to join, fearing they would become sacrifices for the Supreme Council to establish its prestige if they were a step too late.
The implementation of the decrees went exceptionally smoothly.
Interestingly, even the high-level Spirit Beasts deep within the Star Dou Great Forest bowed their proud heads under this new order.
An undisclosed agreement turned high-level Spirit Beasts into protected endangered species, making indiscriminate hunting a thing of the past.
As for the price, the Spirit Beast clan needed to regularly provide Spirit Bones from natural deaths and cooperate with certain non-destructive research on spirit tools.
In today's continent, the boundary between ordinary people and Spirit Masters was clearly defined by a written code of laws.
Privileges were explicitly stated, and obligations were equally clear in black and white.
In the face of natural or man-made disasters, Spirit Masters must stand at the forefront.
Of course, much of this was formalism for the lower classes; in the event of a real disaster, those strictly trained Special Response Units were far more useful than a ragtag bunch.
The common people at the bottom instead had more to look forward to.
Free Spirit Awakening at age six; once talent was discovered, not only was tuition waived, but there was also a substantial monthly subsidy.
Even if one could never condense spirit power in their lifetime, the booming Spirit Tool Research Centers opened their doors to everyone.
Four-wheeled vehicles driven by miniature spirit power Formations ran through the streets, and occasionally, Airships transporting goods glided across the sky.
As long as an ordinary person was smart enough, they could still shine on the spirit tool assembly lines.
Everyone had a bright future. Except for the old aristocrats who had been swept into the trash heap of history.
The top floor of the Supreme Council building.
The wind blew across the wide terrace, bringing a touch of high-altitude chill.
Li Yifei leaned against the white marble carved railing, his palm gently covering Qian Renxue's slightly bulging abdomen.
The wonderful rhythm of life being nurtured was transmitted through his palm.
It was a strange feeling; even though he already possessed the power to destroy life, facing this weak new life, he still felt an indescribable sense of awe.
"I heard from the subordinates a couple of days ago that you and Bibi Dong have arranged the fallback plans?" Li Yifei's voice was gentle, his fingers playfully circling on her smooth skin.
"Our child takes over Spirit Hall, and her child takes the throne of the Heaven Dou Empire?"
A blush rose to Qian Renxue's fair cheeks, and she reproachfully slapped away his mischievous hand.
"Don't touch me like that. What do you mean her child and my child? Aren't they all your seed?" She gave Li Yifei a huffy look, her charming appearance bearing no trace of the coldness of the former Angel God successor.
Having shed her divine halo, the current Qian Renxue looked more like a small woman immersed in happiness.
Her dazzling golden hair draped softly over her shoulders, and the fullness of pregnancy added a touch of mature charm to her.
Li Yifei rubbed his chin, looking thoughtful.
"I'm calculating the dates. The time you two found out you were pregnant was only a few days apart. Do you think it was that time in the back hall of the Supreme Pontiff Palace, when the three of us were studying the 'Law of Life' together..."
"Shut up!"
Qian Renxue was so ashamed that even her neck turned red, and she covered Li Yifei's mouth with her hand.
"How can you say such shameless words! How would I know which time it was!"
She stomped her foot, lifted her wide skirt, and fled back indoors like a frightened rabbit.
Before leaving, she didn't forget to give Li Yifei a fierce glare, but there was no blame in that look, only an inseparable coquettishness.
Li Yifei watched her back and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
It's lonely at the top? That's because there aren't enough warm people around you.
"Bullying Xiao Xue again?"
A wave of fragrant wind hit him, and a charming, sweet voice sounded in his ear.
Zhu Zhuyun walked onto the terrace with a cat-like gait, her body swaying.
She didn't put on any airs of the Star Luo Empress, leaning directly against his back and wrapping her arms around Li Yifei's neck.
A startling softness pressed tightly against his back.
"Clearly, we've done plenty of ridiculous things, and even Nana has observed several times, yet she just can't stand hearing the truth." Li Yifei spread his hands, acting innocent.
"Girls are thin-skinned. Some things are fine no matter how much you toss and turn behind closed doors, but talking about them out loud is embarrassing." Zhu Zhuyun's fingers slid down Li Yifei's lapel, drawing circles on his firm chest.
The warmth of her fingertips transmitted through the fabric, accompanied by clear teasing.
Li Yifei turned his head, looking at that incomparably beautiful face.
"What? The political affairs of Star Luo aren't enough to keep you busy, and you still have the energy to provoke me?"
"Unfortunately, not today." Zhu Zhuyun blinked, her eyes full of craftiness. "I'll have to owe you for now."
She stood on her tiptoes and pressed her red lips against Li Yifei's cheek, leaving a passionate kiss.
Li Yifei was a bit surprised. This Hell Civet always had an insatiable nature; why the change today?
"Did something happen?"
Zhu Zhuyun leaned into Li Yifei's arms, finding a comfortable angle to nestle.
"I'm here today to submit my resignation."
"Resignation?" Li Yifei was even more surprised. "You've only been in the position of the Star Luo Empire's Empress for a few months, and you're already tired of it?"
"It's not that I'm tired of it." Zhu Zhuyun toyed with a lock of Li Yifei's hair, her tone lazy. "Mainly... I'm also expecting."
Li Yifei froze for half a second, then a smile spread through his eyes.
"No wonder. Then you should take good care of yourself. The job of Empress is taxing and not suitable for a pregnant woman."
"Exactly. Just reviewing those long and stinking memorials every day is annoying enough. It seriously affects the progress of my spirit power Cultivation." Zhu Zhuyun grumbled dissatisfiedly.
"You haven't slacked on the Gene Primal Energy Method, have you?" Li Yifei asked casually.
"How would I dare? If I don't improve my physical fitness, wouldn't I be broken into pieces by a beast like you?" Zhu Zhuyun pinched him huffily.