The異種 (Yizhong) were divided into different batches and entered the vortex gate one by one, returning to the lands that truly belonged to them.
The last to fly into the vortex gate was Ladon.
Before stepping into the vortex gate, Ladon turned back and let out a cry, looking at Tang Sui who was suspended in mid-air.
Tang Sui's expression remained unchanged. Amidst the bewildered gazes of the crowd, her not-very-loud voice swept past the puzzled people and entered Ladon's ears:
"I still have some things to attend to here, I'll be there later."
Upon hearing this, Ladon flapped his wings, stirring up a massive cloud of black smoke, and plunged into the vortex gate, returning to the inner world that belonged solely to them.
After seeing off the last异种, Tang Sui's gaze fell upon the nervous council members and she flew closer to them.
From this day on, the dense fog that had engulfed the world gradually dissipated under the prolonged exposure of sunlight, revealing the ruined walls and broken remains that had been ravaged by the异种s.
Except for those present who were chosen to witness, no one else knew what Tang Sui had discussed with them after the cameras were turned off, nor what kind of rule-bound restraints she had established.
The reconstruction after the disaster was put on the agenda, and people established the day the disaster ended as "Disaster Day."
The video recording this disaster was sealed into top-secret archives. It was said that anyone who watched this video would no longer have the desire to overstep the boundaries and research the world window.
Tang Sui, who followed the异种s into the inner world, stayed there for a long time.
The division of territories among the overlord-level异种s, and the paths to their strengthening, were all orchestrated by Tang Sui.
This was because she discovered that the mist spreading in the inner world contained a special kind of energy.
It was of great benefit to the异种s, aiding them in developing deeper intellect.
This method of cultivation was similar to the way soul beasts cultivated in the Douluo world. Perhaps one day, their bodies and powers, which grew immense with time, would directly break through the confinement of this dimension and cross into another.
Besides this, they followed their instinctive survival competition methods and the succession of territory owners. She did not intervene in the slightest. It was only when she sensed that the world was beginning to reject her, an outsider who shared the mist energy resources with the异种s, that she handed over the boundary gate connecting the inner and outer worlds to a clan of Titan apes that had cultivated extremely high intelligence, from among the powerful异种 clans.
The day Tang Sui left, a pillar of golden light descended from the sky, which shimmered with blue light.
The gate of return had been opened, carrying an impatient intent of expulsion.
"It's time to leave." Tang Sui patted the black fallen leaves on her skirt and gazed at the familiar golden pillar with a look of remembrance.
"Hoo hoo—!"
A strong gust of wind suddenly arose, mixed with sparks that ignited the white mist. The rugged mountainous terrain was caught off guard by the arrival of a giant beast with a body like volcanic rock. Sudan Novel Network.
"Woo—"
A long cry echoed from the mist. The colossal creature, its body towering like a mountain, stretched out its limbs and stood silently.
"Gurgle—"
A shadow monster, shaped like a mire but possessing life and extremely high intelligence, emerged from the dark soil, its slender form rising like a scarecrow in a field to drive away birds pecking at seeds. Bubbles of water occasionally rose from its body, which was akin to black slime.
The Merfolk异种 that inhabited the deep sea, the spiritual monster异种 that merged with the mountains...
Amidst this suffocating aura, as vast as the deep sea, that caused the mind and spirit to tremble and become disoriented, Tang Sui only paused for a moment, completely unaffected. Instead, a smile of relief appeared on her face.
"You have all become very strong."
One by one, the异种s who firmly held the position of lords in this most primitive and brutal survival competition arrived.
They came silently, revealing their forms openly, surrounding the tiny figure that was not even as tall as a tree, and bowed respectfully, bestowing upon her the highest form of etiquette passed down through each of their clans.
Tang Sui paused.
In her vision, black and gold masses of light rose from them, from every sentient异种 in this world, spreading out into a vast river of light, converging towards her.
—King.
The soul-voices of all the异种s reached her heart.
"This is... the power of faith." Tang Sui stared blankly at the masses of light pouring into her body.
Unlike ordinary golden faith, its color appeared turbid, yet it was more pure.
She didn't even need to convert the energy. As these lights of faith flew into her body, they had already become a part of her strength.
Kind and natural.
"Boom—!"
A blinding light suddenly erupted. The golden pillar of light intensified, with an impatient demeanor, engulfing Tang Sui and kicking her out of this world.
"Buzz buzz—!"
Douluo World, above the core forbidden area of Sea God Island, the dark gray vortex suspended in mid-air trembled.
Poseidon, the Great Enshriner, looked up as if sensing something. A black crack tore open in the center of the dark gray vortex. Even the Shrek Eight Monsters, who were still struggling to climb the steps, noticed the change.
Ma Hongjun, who had already climbed to over level sixty, was slumped on the steps. Upon feeling the vibration in the air, he sat up as if he had a spring, and shouted towards his companions who had already reached levels seventy or eighty, or even over one hundred:
"You guys, look at that vortex!"
In fact, they had stopped climbing without Ma Hongjun's prompt. Some were cultivating, some turned their heads and looked up.
Bai Chenxiang, who had climbed over thirty steps through relentless effort and desperate struggle, upgrading her assessment from Yellow to Purple, wiped the sweat rolling down her forehead, her face flushed crimson, and looked at the sky above the steps that were only three steps away from her.
"Boom boom—!"
Powerful fluctuations of energy reverberated outwards.
The ring-shaped sea near the forbidden area of Sea God Island also began to stir.
Poseidon watched with a solemn expression as the dark gray vortex continuously produced waves of power. When a corner of a bean-green skirt appeared in the torn black opening, everyone's spirits were lifted. They watched as a familiar figure with closed eyes and one hand raised in front of her, as if shielding herself from something, slowly flew out of the crack.
Tang San's heart trembled violently. His lips quivered, and he did the same as Xiao Wu, who had already climbed to level one hundred and thirty:
He ran down the steps from a high place.
"Ah, am I going to fall!?"
Bai Chenxiang, who was closest to Tang Sui, made a gesture of feigned support with some fumbling, just in case.
But her worries were unnecessary.
This was because Tang Sui landed gently from mid-air.
Tang Sui, who also felt herself landing on solid ground, opened her eyes and met Bai Chenxiang's reddened eyes.
"Sui Sui!"
A soft body suddenly pressed against her from behind. Her shoulder felt heavy, and a long-lost aura enveloped her.
"Thank goodness, thank goodness you're alright..." Xiao Wu's voice trembled slightly. Without turning around, Tang Sui knew that her Sister Xiao Wu's eyes must be as red as her own本体 (benti - main body/true form) right now.
Tang Sui placed her hand on Xiao Wu's arm and gave a "mm" sound. She met Bai Chenxiang's bewildered gaze and a genuine smile naturally curved her lips.
"You worried. I'm back."
[Welcome back.]
The mechanical voice of the system sounded softly, carrying a hint of shallow joy.