Douluo Continent: The Rock King Emperor, Contending for Supremacy

Chapter 85 The Grand Finale: Gong Jin'ou

Chapter 85 The Grand Finale: Gong Jin'ou

"kill!"

As the flames of the Governor's Mansion in Wuhun City ignited, it was as if the fires of rebellion had been set ablaze. The entire city erupted in chaos, filled with the sounds of battle. Gunfire, cannon fire, and the blood of immortal disciples and rebels flowed through Wuhun City.

The gates of the Governor's Mansion collapsed with a deafening roar from the explosion of a fixed-position soul-guided cannon. The rebels, their eyes bloodshot, stormed into the mansion, and the Governor of Wuhun City and the Immortal Clan's lieutenant both perished on the spot. But the fall of Wuhun City was not the end of the disaster; rather, it was the beginning of a massive rebellion that would sweep across the entire Tianli Empire!

Within a month of the upheaval in Wuhun City, the Seven Stars of Tianli declared their independence from the Tianli Dynasty. Only Tian Shu Star, remaining in Tianli City, remained steadfast and led its troops to quell the rebellion. Ma Hongjun, who had long since become a follower of the Rock God, watched as the continent descended into madness and bloodshed. He transformed into a fire phoenix and soared into the sky, crying out in anguish.

"Why? Why is this happening?! Why did you betray the Emperor? Why are you so ungrateful? Have you all forgotten who brought you the glorious Tianli Era? Only two thousand years have passed!"

Time may indeed fade many things. Two thousand years have passed, and people have gradually forgotten the Emperor's kindness and his greatness. Only ambition and rebellious desires continue to fester. Even though the Emperor's kindness is far from being repaid, the cowardly humans, armed with soul-guided technology, are like the immortal disciples who once spurred and guided them forward, spewing flames of hatred.

In an instant, countless immortal communes were leveled and destroyed. The blood of the immortal disciples was not spilled on the battlefield against the extraterrestrial enemies, but rather on the soul-guided machines they guarded and the fields. Immortals unleashed soul-guided lasers at the immortals, and in the "immortal abodes" of major cities, the former peace was utterly shattered. Mortals, piloting soul-guided weapons, stormed in, unleashing a ruthless slaughter upon the immortal children!

"No, why, why are you doing this to us! What did we do wrong!"

A jade swan, its body stained with blood, struggled to dodge the soul-guided light bullets fired by humans in the sky, letting out a trembling, mournful cry.

"Why do you ask me why? Back then, when your iron hooves trampled our human lands and slaughtered Star Luo City and Southern Dipper City, our ancestors also asked why! Did you ever stop?"

A human piloting a soul-guided machine gun roared to the sky, his eyes filled with insane hatred.

"How dare you lay such a cruel hand on us over something that happened two thousand years ago! War inevitably involves sacrifice and bloodshed. Our ancestors followed the glory of the Rock King and were forced to lay down their weapons to save you humans! You ungrateful humans!"

A laser pierced the belly of the emerald swan, uttering its final curse, before it plummeted onto this land once untouched and unpolluted by mortals. The paradise of immortals had now become a purgatory, a battlefield of blood and fire!

Zhongli's initial worries have ultimately come true. Overly advanced and sophisticated technology has caused humanity to completely lose control, plunging them into utter madness.

Even the powerful demonic followers, possessing strength comparable to the gods of the past, were unable to suppress the human army at this time, and countless immortal warriors suffered heavy casualties. After all, the immortal disciples of this era were no longer as brave as their predecessors, and many had long been immersed in the pleasures of the mortal world, only knowing how to listen to music and walk birds in their caves and markets, no longer honing their combat skills.

Over the past two thousand years, the hundreds of thousands of immortal disciples of yesteryear have multiplied to millions, a number comparable to the number of spirit beasts at their peak in ancient times. Yet, the outcome has been so tragic. Hundreds of thousands of immortal disciples conquered the entire continent, while millions are on the verge of losing their domain!

"Please, please, spare us! I'm not a soul beast! My ancestors were humans from the City of Slaughter!"

"Why are you so ruthless? I also have human blood flowing through my veins! Aren't we all family?"

Among the immortal disciples, there were also traitors and scoundrels whose will had wavered. They wept and wailed, kneeling on the ground, begging for mercy from the humans they had once looked down upon. In the end, all that awaited them was the soul-guided light blasts and the swords of the rebel army.

"The movement to expel immortals has spread throughout the entire Douluo Continent. The human race has completely gone mad. Emperor, aren't you going to take action?"

Di Tian knelt on one knee before Zhong Li, his eyes bloodshot, and asked, "Humanity's soul-guiding technology is truly too advanced now, and this rebellion seems to have been aided by some other force. This former Beast God, now an elder of the immortal clan, is no match for human power. He can only watch helplessly as his people are killed and slaughtered!"

"Someone has already arrived."

Zhong Li sighed softly and said.

"Lord Rock King! Where are you?"

A defiant roar rang out. The next moment, the heavy palace gates collapsed with a crash.

A figure adorned in dazzling gold entered the inner palace, striding with the power of a dragon and dragging a long, gleaming golden staff.

"I am Ouyang Sun; the Golden Monkey wields his mighty cudgel, clearing the jade sky of ten thousand miles of dust. I have come here today to avenge my human race, the heroes and villains of the past two thousand years!"

A man named Ouyang Sun waved his long staff and recited aloud.

Zhong Li's gaze sharpened slightly. He sensed not only his own power emanating from this young man, but also the aura of more than one ancient demon god.

"So, they gave you all the remaining power they had?"

Zhong Li sighed softly and asked.

"It wasn't just given to me. Hell sank for two thousand years, then welcomed the Heavenly King Qian Hongquan. The immortals fled to the edge of the setting sun, and Tian Shu Star came to become a traitor. The inheritance and power of the ancient demon gods were once bestowed upon the Heavenly King, and now they have been passed on to me. As long as the immortals do not perish and Tian Li does not perish, even if I fall, there will always be another lawless 'Monkey King' who will rise up!"

Ouyang Sun swung his long staff with an air of heroic grandeur, causing Zhong Li to pause slightly in surprise. In a daze, he seemed to see one figure after another from the past.

Centuries ago, a rebel emerged from among humanity, a descendant of the Spirit Hall, inheriting the holy radiance of the Angel God. It was Tian Shu Star who, with the help of his Piercing Rainbow Spear, finally suppressed and killed him within Jialing Pass.

The Ouyang Sun before him was even more powerful than the "Heavenly King" Qian Hongquan of the past, standing before him with unparalleled fighting spirit. The power of Aosai, the will of the Dream Demon God, as well as the Eight Dragons, the Chi, and even the "Heavenly King" who died in battle—all had converged on him.

"Humans, you have won."

The Emperor did not raise the incomparably sharp spear that had pierced through countless demons and gods, but instead stepped down the stairs and let out a soft sigh.

"Your Majesty!"

Di Tian stared at Zhong Li's retreating figure, his eyes red, and let out a mournful cry.

How could the invincible Emperor possibly admit defeat to weak and cowardly humans?

"Humanity, I return everything to you. My covenant with you is now over. Now, prepare for your final test. Prove to me your resilience, your will, and your ability and courage to survive independently among the myriad civilizations of the universe."

"Zhongli said leisurely. Then, under Ouyang Sun's slightly stunned gaze, the emperor before him turned into a golden light and disappeared in front of him.

Zhongli left Douluo Star and arrived at the highest point of the God Realm, atop a massive soul-guiding device. This device looked somewhat like a signal tower, or perhaps some kind of radar targeting the depths of space.

Zhongli's amber eyes were calm; his jade-like fingers danced lightly across a keypad, inputting one code symbol after another. After a complete code was entered, the Emperor paused slightly, glanced deeply at Douluo Star in the distance, and then pressed a red button.

At this moment, all he could do was believe that the children of this world, just like the people of Liyue Harbor who trusted him back then, were able to withstand the towering waves of Oser.

"Buzzing"

The entire signal station shook violently. The gods of the past, sensing the signal rushing into the universe, all paled.

The coordinates of Douluo Continent were broadcast throughout the universe as the button was pressed, announcing its existence. If the universe is usually like a dark forest, then the Douluo Starfield at this moment is like a dazzling incandescent light bulb being turned on.

At this moment, all sufficiently advanced civilizations and worlds—including the Abundant Land, the Immortal Ship, the Interstellar Peace Company, the Abyss Plane, and the Dragon Horse Galaxy—"saw" the existence of the Douluo World and cast gazes upon it with either friendliness or hostility.

"Hahahaha, Douluo Continent, God Realm, I'm coming back! Xue Li, no, I should call you Morax!"

Standing atop a bio-spaceship made of flesh and blood, Tang San, his form twisted beyond recognition, stared intently in the direction of the signal, his blood-red eyes fixed on his hideous face. A triumphant, maniacal smile spread across his grotesque features. He had become one of the vanguard warriors of the Bountiful Empire. He would destroy the Tianli Dynasty, destroy the Douluo Continent, to avenge everything he had lost!

On another "beast" spaceship, a woman in flowing robes, like a fairy from the universe, gazed in the direction from which the signal came, her clear eyes filled with tears.

"Mora.x"

After the Tianli Empire and the rule of the Immortal Clan were overthrown, the human world did not achieve unification. On the contrary, the entire Douluo World was plunged into endless war and strife. Little did they know that true annihilation awaited them.

People will never forget the day when all sorts of bizarre creatures and flesh tore through the atmosphere of Douluo Star, raining down like raindrops. The entire Douluo Continent was instantly transformed into a sea of ​​fire, and hundreds of millions of people died in an instant.

The surviving humans later called that day "Dark Day".

The "Fertile People" descended upon this world; but they brought not abundance, but only endless slaughter and plunder.

The humans of the Douluo Continent, only now awakening in a panic, ceased their internal strife and formed a united front, attempting to resist the merciless killing machines of the Abundant People. However, the vast disparity in technology and the immense differences in individual strength caused the humans of the Douluo Continent to suffer repeated defeats, teetering on the brink of extinction. Some, in order to survive, surrendered to the Abundant People and became their slaves, while others continued to resist, struggling amidst blood and ruins. Every inch of their land was bought with blood.

"Lord Rock, where are you? We humans beg for your salvation."

An old man, still sporting a long braid, staggered across the ruins of Tianli City, tears streaming down his face, calling out to the starry sky. He was once the star of Tian Shu, who had always upheld his loyalty to the Tianli Empire and never yielded to the rebels.

"Lord Rock King, please come back! We beg you to lead us and rebuild the glorious Tianli Era!"

Ma Hongjun knelt on the land now occupied by the Fengrao people, arms outstretched, shouting in a hoarse voice filled with endless sorrow. He missed the glorious Tianli era, missed the deep palace of Tianli where Prince Yan had once lingered! Prince Yan, where are you? Your servant misses you!

"Stand up! Don't kneel!"

On the distant battlefield, Ouyang Sun, covered in blood, remained as arrogant and unruly as ever. Seeing this scene, he roared at Ma Hongjun like a child who had made a mistake but refused to turn back. His body was pierced in several places by the weapons of the Fengrao people, and blood was flowing out continuously, but he still leaned on his golden staff and never fell.

"Hahahaha. So what if Morax is back? The day he returns will be the day of my revenge!"

Tang San's trident was now covered in blood and grime, and it emitted a loud laugh filled with unbridled joy and resentment.

"And now, what about now?"

Just then, a calm voice suddenly rang out from the sky. Ma Hongjun, the former King of Slaughter, was stunned; their tear-streaked faces first showed blankness, then revealed boundless ecstasy.

"puff!"

A golden, gleaming rock spear pierced through Tang San in an instant, pinning him to the ground. A towering figure slowly approached from afar, causing the ferocious Fengrao people to stop their weapons.

"Your Majesty!" "Your Majesty!"

Throughout the entire Douluo Continent, countless cries of anguish and wails resounded. The people's emperor, the emperor of all living beings, had finally returned.

However, Zhongli's gaze was focused on another figure.

"I knew it. One day, we'll meet again. Would you really raise a weapon against me?"

Zhong Li looked at a beautiful voice and spoke softly. The figure in question already had tears welling in its eyes.

"Morax. Only you, only you, can stop all of this. Now, bring the peace and happiness you desire to this world of blood and fire. I know you can do it."

The figure's voice trembled slightly as he spoke.

"You mean that people of abundant resources are also capable of communication?"

Although he had anticipated this, Zhong Li still looked into Gui Zhong's eyes and asked. This was the key to breaking the deadlock that he had painstakingly pondered.

Abundant resources, inexhaustible and unbreakable by force. But, in this dark universe, is peace and light truly impossible to exist? Over the long years, he had long since understood the ultimate answer. War has never been the final solution; it only brings endless slaughter and hatred. The true path to peace lies in stopping war.

Only through harmony can chaos be quelled, and only through peace can a nation be established.

The Celestial Race and the Abundant Realm should not fight each other. Perhaps, the best answer in this cold and cruel universe is for the two races to live in harmony and for all races to coexist.

"Morax, it was the technology of the Bountiful People that allowed me to be resurrected, and that enabled us to meet again! How could there be civilizations or races in this world that cannot communicate? All wars, all killings, ultimately stem from prejudice and misunderstanding. The reason the Bountiful People venture into the universe is because their home planets are too desolate, lacking sufficient resources for survival, and plagued by frequent natural disasters. That's why they yearn for the beautiful world outside."

Gui Zhong, tears streaming down her face, spoke. Everyone fell silent for a moment. No one had expected the truth to be like this.

Is there any point in continuing this war? All eyes turned to the Emperor in the sky.

"Let me shoulder all of this. I, Morax, am willing to establish an eternal peace pact with the people of Douluo Continent, with Liyue, and with the abundant people."

Behind Zhongli, a divine throne resembling a mountain rose up, its countless ancient runes shining brightly. At this moment, in the distant universe, powerful wills connected with and communicated with Zhongli. Finally, they nodded to each other, a hint of mutual appreciation and emotion flashing in their eyes.

Perhaps, if things had been done sooner, so much blood wouldn't have needed to be shed in Teyvat or on the soil of Douluo Continent.

"Today, in the name of Morax, the Douluo Continent, the Liyue Kingdom, and the people of Plenty pledge an eternal peace pact, vowing never to wage war against each other again! Douluo Star and Liyue shall henceforth be unified, establishing the 'Immortal Continent Empire,' forever maintaining friendly relations with Plenty, jointly creating a harmonious and prosperous era for the universe. Anyone who violates this pact shall be punished by heaven and destroyed by earth!"

The Rock King Emperor planted the Rainbow-Piercing Spear into the land of Douluo Continent, proclaiming in a loud voice that shook the universe. His voice, transmitted through the divine realm's space radio, spread throughout the boundless cosmos.

"Your Majesty, where are you going?"

Seeing Zhong Li turn around as if to leave, Ma Hongjun raised his hand and let out a mournful cry.

"Your Majesty! We want you to stay! We still need your guidance, and we still want you to be the Emperor of Tianli, the Emperor of Douluo Continent!"

"I know some people will hate you, some people will not understand you. But so what? No matter how many people Feng Rao killed in Douluo Continent; no matter how many ley lines and rare metals Feng Rao took away; no matter how much life energy Feng Rao took away, if you don't stay, if this newly born Immortal Continent Empire loses its emperor, then what is the meaning of all this!"

Ma Hongjun knelt on the ground and let out a hoarse roar, as if he were going hysterical.

"Indeed. Without Prince Yan, there would be no New Immortal Continent. Prince Yan, please stay!"

Tian Shu Xing knelt on the ground, kowtowed three times, and said.

"Lord Yan, please stay!"

"Lord Yan, we cannot lose you!"

"Lord Yan"

Hearing countless voices around him, and feeling the expectant, emotionally charged gazes of Ma Hongjun, Tian Shuxing, Qian Renxue, Ying, and Ouyang Sun, finally, Zhong Li's gaze met Gui Zhong's.

"Go."

Gui Zhong said softly.

Zhongli nodded gently, then lightly accepted the three-tiered, jeweled crown with a vermilion base, delivered by the "artifact beast" of the Abundant People, which floated towards him. He turned and walked towards the coronation platform, which shone brightly under the lights of the Abundant People's warship. Behind him, a song that seemed to echo through millennia, like waves crashing against Liyue Harbor, drifted forth.

"Gong Jin'ou,

Cheng Yanyou,

People and things rejoice in the ducks and algae.

I like my fellow countrymen.

The Lantern Festival was disrupted.

Jin Hee-ho,

Liyue Sky Protection

Tianheng is high,

"Clouds come in torrents"

(End of the book)

(End of this chapter)