The scene shifts to Zhao Ling.
After spending some time perfecting the Eighteen Realms Void Domain within his body, Zhao Ling returned to the mortal realm of Douluo.
Upon his return, he discovered that his strength had increased once again—this time, significantly so.
It seemed that the expansion and refinement of the Eighteen Realms Void Domain within his dantian were directly linked to the growth of his power.
After carefully comparing his current strength to what it was before, Zhao Ling realized he had become about three times stronger.
Moreover, in the future, the Eighteen Realms Void Domain within his dantian would continue to expand and evolve on its own.
What level it would eventually reach, Zhao Ling had no idea.
Nevertheless, he felt as if he were a god of creation within that domain inside his dantian.
Even more surprising, the insights he gained within the Eighteen Realms Void Domain could be applied here in the Douluo mortal realm as well.
After stepping out of the room prepared for him by Dong'er, Zhao Ling made his way toward Dong'er's Pope's Hall.
However, on the way, he unexpectedly encountered a young boy, around six years old.
As soon as the boy saw Zhao Ling, he ran up and latched onto Zhao Ling's leg, bawling loudly.
"Daddy! Daddy, why did you take so long to come out of seclusion?! It's been five years—five whole years! Do you know what I've been through?
Please, please send big sister back already, or your good son will be no more...!"
"Five years? What do you mean, five years?"
Zhao Ling was momentarily stunned. He had only spent half a day in the Douluo Divine Realm and then more time perfecting the Eighteen Realms Void Domain.
By his reckoning, only a few days had passed at most. So how had five years suddenly gone by?
And who was this little brat calling him daddy? What nonsense was this?
Zhao Ling took a closer look at the child. Indeed, the boy bore some resemblance to both himself and Dong'er.
Uncertain whether this was really his so-called son, Zhao Ling asked, "Little brat, are you Ping'an, that rascal?"
The boy rolled his eyes like he was looking at a fool and replied in exasperation,
"Daddy, did you come out of seclusion dumb or something? You can't even recognize your own good son?
I'm six years old now. Shouldn't you have lifted the flight restriction you placed on me?"
What the hell?!
Zhao Ling mentally envisioned a stampede of alpacas. He couldn't believe it—he had spent a full five years refining the Eighteen Realms Void Domain?
This had to be a joke! Five years gone just like that? His beloved ladies must have been worried sick.
Not to brag, but even though his women usually acted like they couldn't care less about him—treating him like a ball being kicked back and forth among themselves—if he didn't return to the residence for even ten days or half a month, they would panic like headless chickens, convinced he'd been lured away by some wildflower.
Back when he made that trip to the Star Luo Empire to try courting the sisters Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing, he was only gone a little over a month.
When he returned, his women ganged up on him and gave him such a thorough "welcoming" that it still made him shudder at the memory.
And now he had been gone for five years! Zhao Ling could hardly imagine how severely he would be "handled" when he got back.
Before he could fully process the fact that five years had passed, a crisp and melodious voice like that of a yellow oriole rang out not far away.
"Little brother, what did you just say? I didn't quite hear. Did you just say you want Father to send me away?"
Following the sound, Zhao Ling looked up to see a girl of about thirteen or fourteen walking over. She wore an exquisitely embroidered sea-blue palace dress.
Her flowing blue hair and a face that bore a striking resemblance—six or seven tenths—to Xi'er's made it immediately clear: this was his eldest daughter, Zhao Mengyan.
In five years, his daughter had grown tall, now about 1.7 meters. Her skin was as fair as jade. Clearly, she had been living quite well in Spirit City.
Her apricot eyes narrowed slightly, exuding a dangerous glint. The brat Zhao Ping'an trembled violently, then quickly shook his head like a rattle drum and tried to placate her.
"Sister, I-I didn't mean anything by it! I was just saying… you've been in Spirit City for five years now…
Xi'er Mama must miss you terribly. Don't you miss her too?"
"Hmph! What business is it of yours whether I miss Mama or not? You'd better stop talking about sending me away.
Or else, every time I see you, I'll beat you up. And I won't go easy."
Zhao Mengyan clenched her fist in a rather domineering fashion, scaring the boy stiff.
After warning her little brother, Zhao Mengyan turned to Zhao Ling, her eyes curving into a smile.
"Daddy, you're finally out of seclusion. Yan'er missed you so much…"
With that, she briskly walked forward, clearly wanting to throw herself into his arms.
But just before she reached him, she suddenly stopped, puffing her cheeks in frustration.
She remembered what Mama and Dong'er Mama had taught her—that she was growing up and should understand the principle of maintaining appropriate distance between a grown daughter and her father.
No matter how much she missed him, she couldn't rush into his arms like a child anymore.
Zhao Ling noticed and nodded with satisfaction. It seemed his daughter now understood the importance of modesty. Very good.
He gently raised his hand and softly ruffled her hair, smiling warmly.
"Good girl. In five years, your strength has reached Level 82. Father is proud of you."
"Mm…" Zhao Mengyan nodded, her previously sulky expression turning into a sweet smile.
"Daddy, why did your seclusion take so long this time?
Five whole years… Mama must be so worried she's crying her eyes out."
"It's fine. Once we return to Sea God Island, I'll explain everything to your mother.
I'll go see your Dong'er Mama first. Once I've seen her, I'll take you back to Sea God Island."
As Zhao Ling gently stroked her head, Zhao Mengyan closed her eyes in comfort and replied sweetly, "Okay."
Then Zhao Ling took both his daughter and son to meet Bibi Dong.
The moment Bibi Dong saw Zhao Ling come out of seclusion, she jumped up from the Pope's throne and threw herself into his arms, scolding him indignantly.
"You stinky husband! Why did your seclusion take so long this time?
Five years! I thought something had happened to you! Do you know how worried Dong'er was?"
Holding the ever-maturing yet eternally youthful Bibi Dong in his arms, Zhao Ling gently kissed her on the forehead.
"Silly girl, what could possibly happen to me?
I just spent a bit more time perfecting the Eighteen Realms Void Domain inside me."
Bibi Dong looked up at him curiously. "Then… hubby, did you manage to create that new Divine Realm you mentioned?"
She had never heard of someone establishing a new Divine Realm before. If her husband had truly done it, that would be nothing short of incredible.