Chapter 1181: The Decree

Douluo Dalu 5: Rebirth Of Tang San

Behind Tang San, his Law Homunculus flared, casting out two beams of white light that swept over the two Demon Emperors beside him. In the next instant, their figures vanished.

Two more Emperors gone. Only three remained: the Undying Demon Emperor, the Sword Saint Demon Emperor, and the Rainbowglaze Nymph Emperor.

The Undying Demon Emperor's voice was heavy. "What more do you want?"

Tang San shook his head lightly. "It is enough. Soon, we will leave this plane. But before that, I must make certain things clear."

He paused for a moment, then proclaimed in a formal tone, "As the master of the Ancestral Court, I hereby issue a decree."

Hearing his words, the three remaining Emperors grew solemn. An unseen force swept across the Daemon Continent itself. Such was the power of one who had Conquered the Heavens: Their word became law, their will set the rules.

"From this day forth, demons and nymphs shall live in peace with humanity. No slaughter shall be permitted."

Golden light rippled across the Ancestral Court, expanding outward in a glowing ring that spread far into the distance.

Tang San descended slowly with Xiao Wu, coming to stand before the Undying Demon Emperor.

The Undying Demon Emperor's face was grim. He could distinctly feel it now: Tang San and Xiao Wu were no longer beings this plane could restrain. Why had the plane's suppression vanished? Because it feared them. That crimson sword-light had not only annihilated the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor, but also made the entire plane itself taste the fear of death. And so, no matter what the two did now, Planet Falan could not even resist them, let alone put up a fight.

Tang San looked at him directly now. "Planet Falan is rich in resources. Today, I slew the Emperors and ascended the throne. I imagine you are furious. But I want you to understand one thing. My actions were not only for humanity, but also for your demon and nymph clans."

The Undying Demon Emperor narrowed his eyes. He knew Tang San had no need to lie at this point.

"What do you mean?"

Tang San said, "The Celestial Fox clan commanded fortune. It gathered immense destiny to the Daemon Continent, raising its resources and birthing many Emperors. But because of this, misfortune spread across the rest of the world, causing tremendous imbalance in the plane. When the cataclysm caused by that imbalance inevitably erupted, it would have destroyed everything. Today, by killing the Emperors and erasing the Celestial Fox clan, I have greatly eased that imbalance.

"But the shifts of fortune are already partly fixed, and so, in the future, a great calamity may still fall upon this land. When we are gone, I ask you to harmonize fortune as best you can. And I ask you to guide demons and nymphs alike toward peace with humanity. I will leave humanity a talisman, a safeguard, to help the Daemon Continent when that calamity comes."

The Undying Demon Emperor understood the gravity of this matter. He asked in a low tone, "Can you tell when the calamity will come?"

Tang San shook his head. Light flared in his hand, and the Book of All Laws appeared. "I cannot tell you exactly. But this book can glimpse its shadow, so I can tell you that it will come. Beyond replication, this book has the power of prophecy, as well as Edicts, words made into natural laws. I will leave it in human hands. When calamity approaches, it will give warning."

The Undying Demon Emperor was silent for a moment, then asked suddenly, "After you leave… will you return?"

Tang San's gaze turned thoughtful. "If Planet Falan remains as it is, I think not. But if it evolves, if it one day becomes a divine realm, then perhaps it will become an ally of ours. Long ago, when I crossed my tribulation to reach the tenth order, I promised the planar ruler that one day our descendants would come to help this world evolve. That is why I tell you to foster goodwill toward humanity. Only humanity's creativity can lead Planet Falan into divinity."

The Undying Demon Emperor gave a bitter laugh. "I almost wish to leave with you now, to abandon all this chaos. Could I?"

Tang San smiled and shook his head. "The Ancestral Court has suffered too great a change. Without a pillar to anchor it, the Daemon Continent would fall into ruin even before the next calamity. Only you have the power to stabilize it. And with your power of rebirth, your lifespan is far from exhausted. I glimpsed the threads of fate. Within three hundred years, the one I spoke of will appear. You can wait for that long. If that person successfully leads Planet Falan to evolve, then we shall meet again. And when that day comes, you too will be among the founding gods of the Falan Divine Realm."

The Undying Demon Emperor's eyes gleamed. "For humanity to have someone like you…"

Tang San sighed softly. "Even gods have their troubles. Otherwise, I would never have come here. There is a saying: When misfortune reaches its extreme, fortune follows. There's also another: After great joy, sorrow comes. In this vast universe, even we God Kings are but specks of dust."

But then, his eyes grew bright. "But if we can grasp even the faintest chance at life, even if the laws of the cosmos are against us, then we must seize it. This rebirth has been a trial for me and my wife, but it has also given us clarity. There are many tasks before us, missions we must fulfill."

The Undying Demon Emperor's heart trembled. Tang San spoke of things beyond his reach.

Tang San fixed his gaze on him once more. "Protect this plane. Guard it until it becomes a divine realm. When that day comes, I will return. Planet Falan's rise will be crucial for us all; perhaps it will even become the key to our true eternity."

The Undying Demon Emperor inclined his head. "Very well. Then I will wait three hundred years."

Tang San laid a hand on his shoulder. The Demon Emperor did not move. Golden light flowed from Tang San into him, and he felt a mysterious new bond tying him to the Ancestral Court and the entire continent itself.

Tang San had passed the authority of Conquering the Heavens to him!

"We will go now. After we speak with humanity, we will leave this world and return to our own. Take care, Your Majesties. Take care, Brother Xu."

He bowed slightly to the remaining Emperors, including Xu An'yu, who still stood dazed.

They hurriedly saluted in return.

Light flashed. Tang San and Xiao Wu rose skyward, vanishing into the heavens.

Sunlight bathed the land. The Ancestral Court seemed to return to normal. Yet the Celestial Fox Sacred Mountain was gone, and so were many Emperors. Only three Emperors and one Crown Prince remained.

The Rainbowglaze Nymph Emperor's throat was dry. It looked at the Undying Demon Emperor with a wry smile. "What do we do now?"

The Undying Demon Emperor said heavily, "We do as he said. What he has seen is a world we cannot yet touch. Since he lights the way, let us follow the light."

"Yes!" The Rainbowglaze Nymph Emperor, the Sword Saint Demon Emperor, and Xu An'yu all bowed deeply.

Then, all of them lifted their gaze eastward. They knew it well—the human lands lay there, in the east.

the poing team's Thoughts

Penguin's Choice™ #8: SSS-Class Revival Hunter

Reason #1: SSS-Class

Reason #2: Revival

Reason #3:....you see where I'm going with this. Sometimes you just gotta hit a hard reset on life. Well, maybe more than sometimes. A bunch of times. Daily or so.