Three months later.
Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City.
Half a month had passed since the destruction of the Spirit Empire. Three months ago, atop the summit of Heavenly Sword Mountain, Bibi Dong had perished in battle, and Qian Renxue's godhood had been severely damaged. With the empire's top-tier combat strength utterly annihilated, the remnants of the Spirit Empire crumbled.
Disappearing with Hu Liena and others, Qian Renxue vanished from the public eye. It took the Heaven Dou Empire only two months to completely quell the remaining rebellions of the Spirit Empire.
"Sister Xue, are you serious? That guy disappeared without a trace, yet we're still delivering a congratulatory gift for him?"
A petite figure, dressed in vibrant emerald-green attire, pouted. Her amber eyes sparkled like gemstones, and she moved with an ethereal grace, as if floating above the ground. A faint chill emanated from her body.
"Bing'er, mind your manners."
Beside the green-clad girl stood another woman dressed in pure white, her flowing silver hair cascading down her back. Her slender frame was flawless, and her azure eyes were clear and otherworldly, carrying an air of celestial detachment.
"Hmph! That scoundrel passed down his godhood to you and then vanished without a word."
Clenching her tiny fists, the green-clad girl huffed in frustration. The snow-haired woman could only shake her head helplessly as she gazed into the distance.
These two women were none other than Snow Empress and Ice Empress. However, they were now vastly different from before—changes that all stemmed from Chen Xiaoming.
As they walked leisurely, it wasn't long before they arrived at the entrance of Shrek Academy.
Today, Shrek Academy was bustling with excitement. Outside its vast premises, rows of guards stood in formation, interspersed with numerous powerful Soul Masters. The streets were packed with onlookers, forming a sea of people eagerly awaiting the spectacle.
And for good reason—today, Shrek Academy was hosting a grand wedding.
Tang San and Xiao Wu, Oscar and Ning Rongrong, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing—all three couples were to be wed in a joint ceremony.
Shrek Academy was where they had met, fought, and grown together. There could be no better venue for such a momentous occasion.
Inside the academy, the grounds were adorned with countless flowers, creating a breathtaking scene reminiscent of a celestial paradise. At the center of the stage, Tang San and Xiao Wu, along with the other couples, stood together, embracing their loved ones with blissful smiles.
Presiding over the ceremony was Emperor Xue Beng of Heaven Dou Empire himself, with the Emperor of Star Luo Empire also in attendance. A wedding of this scale was truly unprecedented.
Beneath the stage, a lonely figure watched with envy, his head tilted at a forty-five-degree angle as he gazed at the sky in despair.
"Heavens, what have I done to deserve this?"
Ma Hongjun, one of Shrek's Seven Devils, was in tears. His comrades were all getting married, yet he remained single.
"Don't be too moved, kid."
Beside him, Flender patted Ma Hongjun on the shoulder, attempting to comfort his clearly distressed disciple.
Ma Hongjun glanced at his teacher, hesitating for a moment before swallowing back the words he wanted to say.
Just then, he felt a sudden chill.
Turning around, he saw a mischievous green-clad girl passing by him. She glanced at him briefly before shifting her gaze away indifferently.
Snowflakes began to drift through the air, glistening like crystals. Strangely, they carried no coldness, instead painting a scene of ethereal beauty.
The Snow Empress floated gracefully forward, sending a jade box flying into Tang San's hands.
Tang San, holding Xiao Wu in his embrace, caught the box with one hand but did not open it. Instead, he looked toward Snow Empress. He had met her before, thanks to Chen Xiaoming, but he had not expected her to come.
"Thank you, Snow Empress. Today is a joyous occasion—please, have a drink with us."
"Sea God, you are too kind."
Snow Empress smiled faintly and nodded slightly, accepting the invitation.
As soon as Tang San addressed her as "Snow Empress," gasps of astonishment rippled through the crowd.
Had this been three months ago, many would not have recognized her. But after the fateful battle atop Heavenly Sword Mountain, the world knew her name. A supreme being had defeated Bibi Dong, stripped Qian Renxue of her godhood, and established a new divine legacy on that very peak.
Snow Empress and Ice Empress were among those who had inherited that divine power. Given Chen Xiaoming's nature, there was no way such news could be kept secret.
"So that's her!"
Not far away, Ma Hongjun's eyes lit up with recognition as he glanced at the green-clad woman beside Snow Empress.
The banquet continued, and at some point, Tang San approached Snow Empress.
"Have you heard any news of Teacher Chen?"
His voice was soft, but there was a trace of longing in his tone. Today was his wedding, but he had not forgotten the man who had once helped him and Xiao Wu against the Spirit Hall.
Snow Empress shook her head. "No. Ever since that day, he hasn't returned."
"Sigh… he really is the same as always."
Tang San sighed lightly. He knew Chen Xiaoming's free-spirited nature well. After the war ended, he had disappeared without a trace. Tang San had searched for him before the wedding but found nothing.
Without further words, Tang San returned to Xiao Wu's side.
Meanwhile, at another table, Ice Empress eyed a delicate pastry. Just as she was about to take it, a thick hand snatched it away first.
"Hey, I saw that first!"
Fuming, she glared at the chubby man in front of her, full of indignation.
"You saw it first, so it's yours? I saw you first, too!"
Sporting a flamboyant mohawk, Ma Hongjun grinned teasingly.
"You…!"
Ice Empress was about to explode, but recalling their surroundings, she held back. Instead, she waved a hand, sending a wave of cold air toward the pastry, instantly freezing it solid.
Ma Hongjun took a bite and immediately recoiled as the frozen pastry nearly cracked his teeth. When he looked up, he saw Ice Empress smiling playfully, a picture of innocence.
If only he knew her true age…
...
Outskirts of the Star Dou Forest.
"Ah… it's peaceful here."
The war was over, and Chen Xiaoming had returned to the place where it all began. He had no interest in attending Tang San's wedding—unlike Ma Hongjun, he wasn't foolish enough to watch others flaunt their happiness while he remained single.
"It's time to leave."
After basking in the sunlight one last time, Chen Xiaoming stretched lazily. Time had passed, and things had changed. Even the bamboo grove where he once watched lovers embrace was gone. There was little left for him here.
Taking one final look at the familiar continent, he reached forward and slashed through space itself.
A radiant light engulfed him, and in an instant, he was gone.
"Goodbye, Douluo!"
-------
Want to read ahead of schedule?
Join here for advance chapters: patreon.com / igotneonlight