NOVEL NEXT Chapter 87: AFTERMATH
It had been a week since the Federation officially named the event "The Rune Incident."
On this very day, according to Titled Douluo and God-rank experts, an extraordinary proclamation echoed from the heavens—one that would forever change the balance of power.
The message was clear:
The pathway to godhood for spirit beasts had been opened.
The entire Federation was shaken to its core.
For centuries, spirit beasts had been at a disadvantage, shackled by an immutable truth—unlike humans, they could never ascend beyond the mortal realm. Their only options had been slaughter or submission, offering their power to humanity as spirit rings or spirit souls.
But now, everything had changed.
As the Federation scrambled to gather information, they reached out to spirit beast territories, seeking the truth behind this revelation. What they uncovered was nothing short of staggering.
A special phenomenon—an object known as a Rune—manifested in spirit beasts that surpassed one hundred thousand years of cultivation. This mysterious entity was the key to their ascension.
The realization sent ripples of fear and greed throughout humanity.
If spirit beasts could become gods, what did that mean for the balance of power? Would they rise to dominate the world? Or could their newfound divinity be exploited?
If spirit beasts had Runes… then perhaps Runes could be taken.
Driven by desperation, rogue factions within the Federation authorized reckless assaults on spirit beast territories, aiming to seize these Runes by force. Elite squads, warships, and cutting-edge technology were deployed in a covert yet brutal campaign, seeking to extract the secrets of their newfound godhood.
Their ambitions were swiftly crushed.
Without warning, a massive blue and black dragon descended upon the battlefield. Witnesses described its presence as divine, overwhelming—beyond comprehension. It did not simply attack.
It erased its enemies from existence.
Warships, elite squads, and entire fleets were obliterated in an instant, reduced to cosmic dust.
To the Federation's horror, God-rank experts soon confirmed the truth.This was no ordinary spirit beast.
It was a Rank Two God, with a proper godhood tablet.
The failed assault had not only resulted in devastating losses but had also shattered diplomatic relations with the spirit beasts. What had once been a fragile truce now hung by a thread, threatening to spiral into full-scale war.
---
FEDERATION GRAND COUNCIL HALL
The atmosphere inside the Grand Council Hall was suffocating.
At the head of the chamber stood the Federation President, a woman with piercing silver eyes and an unreadable expression. Around the vast, circular table sat the most powerful figures in the Federation—Grand Marshal Xu Tian, Elder Mu, and dozens of high-ranking officials, military commanders, and scientific experts.
Above them, a massive holographic display flickered, showcasing the wreckage of the Federation's warships. Once symbols of humanity's military might, they were now nothing more than floating debris—monuments to their disastrous failure.
The President's gaze was like a blade. "Idiots."
Her voice was quiet, but the weight behind it made the room feel colder.
"Do you realize what you've done? We had a fragile truce, and now, they see us as enemies. Even Shrek Academy, the Tang Sect, and the Spirit Pagoda are demanding answers."
She took a breath, her eyes narrowing further. "You should all remember the reason that peace between our races even existed in the first place."
A heavy silence fell over the room. Everyone knew.
The spirit beasts still held the secret to a terrifying weapon—one that, long ago, had granted them control over soul masters.
For centuries, humanity had tried to unravel its mystery, but all efforts had failed. The spirit beasts had never used it again, choosing instead to abide by the truce.
Now, after this reckless attack, that restraint might vanish.
Grand Marshal Xu Tian, a hardened war veteran, exhaled heavily. "Madam President, the attack wasn't sanctioned by the central government. It was rogue factions—"
"Rogue factions under the Federation!" she snapped, slamming her hand on the table. "To them, there is no difference. The spirit beasts won't care whether it was an official order or not. To them, we attacked. And we failed."
The truth was undeniable.
She turned to the elderly figure seated at the far end of the chamber.
"Elder Mu. Tell us what you know."
---
Elder Mu, a renowned Titled Douluo, adjusted the holographic display. The wreckage vanished, replaced by an ancient-looking stone with a flame symbol in its center. Alongside it, complex energy readings and analytical data filled the air, showcasing various spirit beasts that had awakened their Runes.
His deep voice carried across the hall.
"Our analysis confirms that Runes manifest in spirit beasts that have cultivated for at least one hundred thousand years and survive heavenly tribulation. However, they are not merely power sources. They are an intrinsic part of the spirit beast's very soul."
The display shifted again, revealing different spirit beasts with varying abilities. Some had elemental Runes—fire, ice, lightning—while others wielded enhancements that defied traditional understanding.
"These Runes are not limited to elemental attributes," Elder Mu continued. "Some enhance bloodlines, strengthening a spirit beast's lineage beyond its natural evolution. Others grant passive enhancements—superior regeneration, heightened perception, or even conceptual abilities that defy logic."
He pointed to one particular scan.
"A spirit beast with a Regeneration Rune might recover from fatal wounds within seconds. One with a Bloodline Rune could awaken ancestral abilities lost to time.
Also these rune can grow in power. As the spirit beast gain experience and grow, the rune will grow it. "
The room stirred at the implications.
The President's eyes gleamed with cold calculation. "And these Runes… evolve? How do they evolve to godhood as per the heavenly announcement?"
Elder Mu nodded.
"Each time a spirit beast undergoes a heavenly tribulation—once every one hundred thousand years—the Rune also evolves along with bodies of spirit beasts. That means a spirit beast that survives multiple tribulations will develop a Rune that continuously refines its abilities."
He paused, then delivered the final blow.
"After ten tribulations, the Rune will reach a divine state. At that point, the spirit beast will transcend mortality… and ascend to godhood."
A chill ran through the room.
A high-ranking military officer leaned forward, frowning. "What happens if a spirit beast with a Rune is killed? Can the Rune be extracted?"
Elder Mu's expression darkened.
"No. We have conclusive evidence that Runes are soul-bound. If the spirit beast dies, the Rune shatters, dispersing into pure energy. Any attempt to forcibly remove a Rune results in instantaneous destruction—for both the spirit beast and the attacker."
Several officials paled, their greed evaporating.
Grand Marshal Xu Tian exhaled sharply. "Then every plan to extract and weaponize them is worthless."
A military general clenched his fists. "Then we have no choice. If spirit beasts are becoming gods, they will eventually overpower us. If we let them ascend unchecked, humanity will—"
"Enough!"
The President's voice cut through the tension like a blade.
"We already saw what happened to those who attacked them. A Rank Two God personally intervened. What makes you think we can challenge them now? We don't even know the identity of that divine ranked dragon also if they have more Rank Two Gods. Or, God forbid… a Rank One God."
She scanned the room, her tone final.
"A war against them would cripple the Federation. And don't forget—Shrek Academy, the Tang Sect, and the Spirit Pagoda would side with them. You should all know history of Shreak Academy, Tang Sect, Spirit Pagoda and Spirit beasts."
Silence.
No one could refute her words.
Suddenly Elder My said," It's not like we don't have a way out."
Everybody turned to look at him.
XxxxX
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