In outer-space with a countless number of stars that were twinkling and shining.
With a stream of asteroids that were moving through space, not coming into contact with any of the planets nearby.
Yet as they continued moving, they began twisting and warp as if space was being controlled.
Cracks could be seen forming before it then shattered.
#
In a gray-white world, where mist and fog obscured the sky, numerous mountains and hills span all around the area.
The sound of marching could be heard, as a countless number of abyssal creatures were moving through the area.
All of them of varying expressions but regardless they were carrying a swirl of mist inside of their hand.
"Why are we even bringing this to them? Did something happen?"
"Quiet! You know it's isn't our place to question or ask what is going..."
"We know but you all felt that shaking a while back... It was terrifying."Muttered one of the abyssal creatures as it shivers.
They all recall the abyssal world-shaking with cracks forming all around the mountain and hills.
The shaking went on for quite a while with them feeling suppressed to the point they could barely stand.
But then after a while, the shaking stops, with the mountain, ground, and hills mending themselves.
To the confusion of the low tier abyssal creatures on the beginning floor, they were told by the Demon Empress.
To begin collecting abyssal energy around the area before bringing it to the entrance to the next floor.
That was the only thing they were told before she turned around and left, leaving them stupefied.
But in the next moment, they got on to it, knowing what their fate will be if they delayed or didn't do it.
As the Sage King was ruthless and cruel to anyone who didn't obey the hierarchy.
There were various thoughts and reasons on why their world was shaking.
"Do you think it was because one of the Abyssal Kings was trying to break through to the next rank? And so they were taking energy from the world?"
"Or maybe it was the Sage King himself who was trying to break through to become a God-King?"
"But I thought he needed to devour that Douluo Plane to become one?"
"Hmm, that is true."
"Maybe one of the abyssal kings fought, wanting to move up?"
The low tier abyssal creatures continue to gossip with each other, all wondering just what was going on.
#
Four months have passed since the Festival that was called Festival Of The Dragons.
A slight homage to the fact there was a battle of multiple dragons that was stated to happen in space.
Another to the fact that Tang Wulin dragon form was leaked to the public from one of the fractions in the Federation.
Not only was that leak but also the fact Tenrou was building up a Kingdom that was being called Alvarez.
The Emperor being Tang Wulin, sparked many discussions throughout the world.
With various reactions, as someone was shocked, happy, angry, annoyed, and interested in this development.
During these few months of development, countless people across Douluo, Star Luo, and even the Dou Spirit Empire.
All made their way over to the empire to join or try and live a new life in this empire.
While a lot of people were shocked that the Soul Beasts were a part of the empire with some people becoming suspicious.
As they found out that Star Dou Forest was empty of all the Soul-Beast after hearing about the Alvarez influx of Soul Beast.
The Federation had become suspicious if Tang Wulin and the Soul-Beast were in a type of alliance and working together.
Or if he was simply giving them work to do and in return, they will help build up a piece of his army.
Speaking of the Alvarez army, it has been gradually getting bigger and bigger with secret intel saying.
That the army has gained over a hundred thousand Soul Masters and they're gradually growing and growing.
This was spread to the public, shocking them and also making them confused about why Tang Wulin wasn't hiding this info.
But those at the top knew exactly why.
They knew the Emperor of Alvarez was allowing them to know their growing numbers as a warning to them.
To invade would mean their destruction!
To antagonize them would be their death!
One has to remember Tang Wulin only needed an army of a thousand dragons to bring down an empire.
Imagine the damage he could do with the present army he has now!
If that information wasn't enough, the world also found out about the twelve generals of Alvarez.
They were known as the Spriggans of Alvarez, the people who were the shield of Alvarez and the highest power below the Emperor.
Some of the people who were a part of the Spriggans were famous, some were infamous and some unknown.
Yet all of them have been unique!
For example, the world found out that one of the Spriggans and generals of the empire was none other than Di Tian.
The world was sent into another uproar!
Just who was Di Tian? Was he not the Beast God and known as the strongest Soul-Beast alive?
Some people believed he was the strongest creature in the world, as it was said, he could match even the great Huo Yuhao.
A person who was considered a son of the heavens! One of the only ones but Tang San who ascended to Godhood through his effort and skills!
So for the world to find out that he joined the Alvarez Empire and became one of the generals, was too stunning.
This meant he was submitting to Tang Wulin and saw the Alvarez Empire as he knew home rather than Star Dou Forest.
Not only that but with Di Tian joining the Alvarez, the empire's power has increased by a terrifying amount.
Tang Wulin himself was all the empire needed but with the bonus of these twelve Spriggan?
There was no empire or continent that could say in confidence, that they could take on this growing empire.
And win.
Moving from the Alvarez Empire, the Star Luo and the Douluo Continent sent their delegates toward the Dou Spirit Empire.
In which they spoke with the Dou Spirit Empire about their surrender and what the other continent wanted from them.
Even though they were being controlled by the Demon Monarch, the people of both continents still wanted them to pay.
As some of their soldiers or ships were destroyed or killed by them.
Regardless, the Dou Spirit Empire could do nothing but to listen to all of Star Dou and Douluo Continent demand.
Demands that the world didn't get to hear about, to their confusion and suspicions.
Either way, the world could feel the times were changing, whether this was good or horrible.
Was yet to be known.
#
In the Alvarez Empire.
Was a row of Soul Masters who was wearing black robes that had a cloak flowing behind them.
All of them were in front of one of the barracks that was recently built, and that was stationed in front of Tenrou Academy.
All of them had varying looks as they stood under the sunlight with a gentle breeze passing by them.
Yet they all had a spark of determination in their eyes as they gazed forward. As the teacher in front of them, glance at them before shouting at them.
"Turn to the person next to you and begin your spar!"
As soon as the teacher said this, the Soul Masters pivoted their foot before facing the person next to them.
Before they began to clash.
"Not bad, so these are the ones who did the best in their classes?" Questioned Xie Xie as he stared down at the Soul Masters.
"Yes sir, they are the ones who were able to pass the final exam, with flying colors." Said a teacher of Tenrou Academy.
"Considering the person who plans their test... I am impressed they were able to pass it."Said Yue Zhengyu as he stood next to Xie Xie.
At the moment in the Academy building, only Xie Xie and Yue Zhengyu were present.
As the others were inspecting their men and having them going through their own personal training.
"Still... It's all your fault we got the last pick." Muttered Xie Xie as he glared at Yue Zhengyu.
Yue Zhengyu rolled his eyes as he already knew Xie Xie was only playing and that they already chose their squads.
They choose them based on their abilities and the way they could utilize them. Funny enough, it was Gu Yuena who further helped them choose, as she was able to accurately organize the soldiers.
Yue Zhengyu and the others had admitted, they couldn't compare to Gu Yuena in how meticulous she was.
She gave them all of the information of the present forces of Tenrou Academy and had them for the last few months.
Going through who will join their squad, while also periodically giving them new stacks of paper.
That held the names of those who came from overseas to join the Alvarez empire.
Naturally, they didn't just pick a person through the name and what they did, but they also watched their training and practice match.
Once they find someone they fancy or are interesting in, then they would put their name down, this also goes for the soul beasts as well. As Tang Wulin also had them joined in on the training, something that caused a lot of discussion in the empire for a time.
There were also those rare cases where some Soul Masters who joined would request to be put in a certain squad.
They didn't have an issue with it, as they saw no point in forcing someone to join a squad they didn't want to be in.
Not only because that person could adversely affect the whole squad but the chemical reactions between teammates.
"Alright, I am going to go get my squad." Said Xie Xie with Yue Zhengyu nodding along.
"Do you already have a training plan for them?"
"Naturally, hehe, I am sure they will enjoy it." Said Xie Xie with a faint smile causing Yue Zhengyu's lips to twitch.
As he felt something was off with Xie Xie smiled as if he was thinking about something horrifying.
'Well, good luck to all of the soldiers in his squad.'
#
"Hey, Bao'er I haven't seen you with Mu Chen in a while." Lang Yue noted as she was sitting in a shop across from her.
"Indeed, they have been needing him and all of the blacksmith in the city. As you already know, they are trying to build up the empire fast."Said Mu Bao'er with a sigh causing Lang Yue to nod her head.
"Yea, they have been calling Ziran to help with some of the designs. From what he has told me, they are trying to have everything or most of the arrangements done by the end of the year."
"Is that possible?"
"Normally? No, as it would take a countless number of years... But from what Wulin told me, it would be far easier with the Soul-Beast, Soul Tech, and Lacrimias."Said Lang Yue.
She has been asking her son about the condition of the Empire, and he would usually tell her.
Something Mu Chen would occasionally joke about being her privilege as his mother, that would make them all chuckle.
But Lang Yue could tell Tang Wulin was being a bit more protective of her and Tang Ziran, letting both of them know where to go.
If an invasion was happening again while he wasn't around. She knew she couldn't do much to reassure him, other than agreeing and noting where to go.
But at the same time, she was happy to spend time with her son, who she barely saw for the past months.
And for some reason, she had a hunch this will happen again in the next few months.
Something that Tang Wulin didn't deny but simply gave her a saddens a look that caused her heart to tremble.