"They all have souls now… If possible, I'd rather not do it," Greater Lord Rukkhadevata sighed, her eyes full of compassion.

As the first Grass God, master of life, dream, and wisdom, her nature made her averse to consuming other sentient plant beasts just to strengthen a stigmata.

"I can preserve their seeds and memories, let them become companions to the new God of Life."

Lu Jingming had expected her gentle nature to protest, so he'd already planned a compromise.

"I suppose that's all we can do."

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata sighed, accepting that Lu Jingming's solution was already generous—giving the herbs a chance to live on as divine companions.

She was kind, not foolish, so she said nothing more.

"Buer, it's been a while. Who'd have thought we'd meet again?"

Just then, the stigmata on Lu Jingming's left hand glowed with lightning.

With a flash, a purple-haired beauty in a white-and-purple kimono, holding an oil-paper umbrella, appeared beside him.

She looked at Buer with a smile—an old friend reunited.

"Baal, yes! I never thought we'd meet again like this."

Buer smiled softly.

Both had long since passed away, even been forgotten by the world, yet here they were, revived by Lu Jingming's power.

"It's thanks to Xiao Ming—he gave us new life," Raiden Makoto said gently, looking at Lu Jingming with gratitude.

Without him, she'd never be reborn or see old friends again.

She'd seen not only Buer, but also Yae Miko, and wished Ei could be here as well.

"Don't worry, Makoto, I'll do my best to grant your wishes," Lu Jingming smiled, seeing through her thoughts.

He was also curious about the legendary Shogun and wanted to witness it himself.

"You're so good to me—I don't know how to thank you. Maybe I should betroth Ei to you?" Raiden Makoto covered her mouth, laughing playfully, her eyes full of mischief.

Was she joking? Who could tell?

"I'd love to agree, but I'd probably get chopped," Lu Jingming shrugged.

That stubborn, homebody village girl—maybe she could be conquered with food instead of force?

As the three chatted and laughed, the atmosphere grew ever more harmonious.

After all, Buer and Raiden Makoto had only recently awakened; this world was still new to them.

Lu Jingming patiently introduced them to the new world, telling tales of Inazuma and Sumeru.

Though revived, they still cared deeply about their old homes.

They had much in common, so their time together was pleasant.

Raiden Makoto's Lightning Stigmata contained the powers of lightning, destruction, and time—perfectly complementing Lu Jingming's Black Abyss martial soul.

Buer's World Tree Stigmata embodied life, wisdom, and dreams—matching his White Flower martial soul.

With these two stigmata, Lu Jingming was content and didn't plan to manifest a third anytime soon.

With these two goddesses' help, he wouldn't need to worry much about condensing a god position.

They would give their all to help him—he just needed to provide resources, luck, or faith.

Resources were easy; luck he could manage; faith was harder.

After all, ever since the fall of Spirit Hall ten thousand years ago, most of the continent's faith had gone to Sea God Tang San.

But Lu Jingming wasn't worried—he hadn't even reached Soul Emperor yet, and the road to godhood was long. No need to rush.

…

Time passed quickly. Two days later—

"You want me to go to the Heavenly Soul Empire with you—what for?" Gu Yue looked at Lu Jingming in confusion.

She really couldn't figure out why he suddenly wanted her along.

She was planning to return to Star Dou Forest, having just received an urgent message from Di Tian about the Auspicious Beast.

Since the tournament ended, the S-class students had gained considerable freedom.

There was little left to learn at the academy; each had chosen their own path.

Some had gone adventuring; others stayed at St. Freya Academy; some managed Haiyuan City.

They all had their own lives now, and Lu Jingming was fine with that—they had plenty of time ahead.

"Of course it's a good thing. Don't worry about it—just come with me." Lu Jingming smiled, taking Gu Yue's hand as they set off.

"Hey—" Gu Yue protested, but though she didn't like such ambiguity, she didn't pull away. The Auspicious Beast could wait.

Soon, Lu Jingming brought Gu Yue to meet Snow Empress and Ice Empress.

Over the past two days, Ice Empress had grown used to her new body, and she and Snow Empress had enjoyed some freedom in Haiyuan City.

"The time is right. Let's go." Lu Jingming gave the order.

This time, he only brought Gu Yue, Ice Empress, and Snow Empress.

Not because he trusted Snow Empress absolutely, but because Herta could always teleport Mirror to him if needed.

Within Douluo Continent, no one could threaten him as long as Herta on his side.

If trouble arose, he could call for help—having strong friends was more useful than being strong alone.

Gu Yue activated her flying soul tool, hovering beside Lu Jingming, glancing at Snow Empress flying with Ice Empress, her expression strange.

As the Sovereign of Soul Beasts, she immediately recognized Snow Empress and Ice Empress' true identities.

She just couldn't figure out how the two great beasts of the Extreme North had fallen in with Lu Jingming.

Conversely, Snow Empress and Ice Empress didn't recognize Gu Yue.

Though they knew there was a mysterious being stronger than Di Tian in Star Dou Forest, they'd never met her, so they didn't connect Gu Yue to the legend.

…

The Sunset Forest lay northeast of Heaven dou City in the Heavenly Soul Empire, not far from Dragon City and the Extreme North.

Its northern location made it colder than Star Dou Forest.

Entering the forest, one saw temperate plants scattered over the land.

Unlike the dense, humid Star Dou Forest, Sunset Forest was fresh and pleasant, the breeze cool and invigorating.

Over ten thousand years, the forest had shrunk from its former glory.

Once it was one of the great soul beast habitats, teeming with life.

Now, its area and soul beast population had dwindled, reduced to a small gathering place.

Years of poisonous miasma had made survival hard for soul beasts, leaving the core a dead zone.

And relentless human hunting had destroyed the ecology, making high-level beasts rare.

But for the Earth Dragon Sect disciples needing a fourth soul ring, the current state was perfect.

"Sect Master, didn't they say you can get a soul ring with a stigmata now, no need to hunt beasts? Why don't we buy one?" asked a black-haired girl, full of curiosity.

"Yeah, Mom, why not? I heard you can even customize them! Do you think there are Rouge Dragon stigmata? I want one!"

A pink-haired girl echoed, her youthful curves showing as she asked eagerly.

Nan Shuishui smiled, gently patting Tian Tian and Nan Qiuqiu on the head.

A chubby black-haired girl chimed in, "Sect Master probably wants to wait and see. Stigmata are new—you never know about side effects. Better to be cautious."

"What side effects? The three great empires and Shrek Academy are all involved—it should be safe!" Nan Qiuqiu said carelessly.

"And I heard Heaven Dragon Sect bought some century-old stigmata for their ordinary disciples. Maybe we should try it too," Tian Tian suggested.

A burly, dark-skinned boy named Xu Shenshu scratched his head. "I heard Heaven Dragon Sect only gave ordinary disciples the stigmata. The core disciples like Yu Tianlong didn't use them."

"Xu Shenshu, you idiot! Who asked you to rain on our parade!" Nan Qiuqiu and Tian Tian glared at him, making him retreat in fear.

Xiao Ye and Feng Jue looked at him like he was an idiot—arguing with the bossy girls was asking for trouble.

In this Earth Dragon Sect team, led by the mischievous Nan Qiuqiu, the boys were completely dominated—and they seemed to enjoy it.

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