"Truly worthy of being called the imperial capital, it is indeed prosperous." At the gates of Heaven Dou City, Xu Fengya sighed as she watched the endless stream of commoners filing into the city.
"Indeed." Ming Hongchen gave a slight nod. Compared to the Sun Moon Empire where everything was built of metal, the architectural style of this continent was clearly more primitive, yet far more natural.
He had to admit, it was much more comfortable to the eye, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy.
Our continent truly needs a Child of Nature to restore our worsening environment.
With the advancement of soul tool technology, human demand for metals had skyrocketed, which in turn led to rampant mining and exploitation of natural resources. Although the Empire had some regulations in place, it was impossible to restore the splendor of the past.
Especially for the soul beast forests. Aside from the Evil Demon Forest under the Evil Emperor's protection, few original forests remained where soul beasts could live freely.
The negative result of this was obvious: soul beast habitats shrank, their numbers dwindled, and with the shortage of soul rings, the soul master system itself began to decline. To strengthen themselves, soul masters were forced to devote greater effort to soul tool development. Yet that very advancement demanded more minerals, feeding back into the cycle of environmental destruction.
It was a vicious loop with no easy way out.
Even though the Empire had forbidden wanton slaughter of soul beasts and reckless destruction of forests, and had even pushed national reforestation projects, the rate of recovery simply couldn't keep up with the pace of human exploitation.
To stop developing soul tools altogether?
Too difficult, far too difficult!
Once that path had begun, halting it was nearly impossible.
Letting out a quiet sigh, Ming Hongchen said, "Fangya, let's go."
"Mm." Xu Fengya nodded and walked into Heaven Dou City beside him.
They found an inn to settle in and began touring the city while discreetly gathering information.
Gold soul coins were no problem. Soul tools on this continent were incredibly rare and valuable—by casually auctioning off even a simple civilian-use soul tool, they could live in luxury here for a lifetime.
If not for the fact that their overall strength was inferior to this continent's, she would have suggested her younger brother the Emperor open up sea trade routes right away.
---
Two days later, in the morning, behind Yunhai Academy.
Meng Shenshou came hurrying along the wooded mountain paths that were now nearly an untouched primeval forest. He quickly approached Yang Yunhai, who was walking toward him, and spoke first.
"Xiao Hai, two powerful visitors have arrived outside. They claim they've come specifically to meet you and the Dean."
"They're an elderly couple. The man calls himself Ming Hongchen, the woman Xu Fengya."
"That Ming Hongchen is extremely strong. Just his pressure alone left me unable to move. I feel he's at least a Soul Douluo."
'Hongchen, Xu... could it be? The Life Tide even drew people from the Sun Moon Continent? But even Qian Daoliu never mentioned the Child of Nature—how could soul masters of the Sun Moon Continent know? Unless… it was the Evil Eyed Tyrant Emperor?' Yang Yunhai's heart stirred with speculation.
"Uncle Shou, go back and entertain the guests for now. Grandfather and I will come shortly." He spoke calmly.
"Alright." Meng Shenshou nodded and quickly left.
"I've never heard of these two before," muttered Dugu Bo as he arrived beside Yang Yunhai. "Coming so openly, they shouldn't be from Spirit Hall or the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Which force needs to come under the guise of 'visiting' us?"
"Could they be free soul masters hoping to join the Academy?"
"We'll only know if we go see them." Yang Yunhai nodded slightly. "If Soul Douluo level experts request a meeting, we cannot refuse."
"Agreed." Dugu Bo inclined his head. "Let's go meet them together."
The two of them set off toward the Academic Committee's reception hall.
"Respected one, both of these people are Titled Douluo," Yao Ling's voice warned before they entered.
Yang Yunhai's expression remained calm as he transmitted this to Dugu Bo.
'So they're Titled Douluo? From where did they appear?' Dugu Bo's face grew grim, but he quickly composed himself and pushed the doors open.
'This golden-haired youth is Yang Yunhai? I cannot see through his cultivation!' Ming Hongchen's heart jolted in surprise, but he immediately stepped forward and cupped his hands with courtesy.
"Inferior one Ming Hongchen greets Senior Dugu. This is my wife, Xu Fengya."
"Junior Yang Yunhai greets the two seniors." Yang Yunhai returned the bow politely.
Dugu Bo cupped his hands slightly. "I am Dugu Bo. I wonder what guidance the two esteemed Titled Douluo bring us today?"
Ming Hongchen's expression grew solemn. He cupped his hands. "To be frank, I have heard of Senior's mastery of poison, of how you once defeated Sect Master Yu alone. Thus, I've come shamelessly to seek instruction. My martial soul is the Ice Toad, proficient in cold toxins. Yet ever since stepping into the Titled Douluo realm, my comprehension has slowed. I know that if I continue to dwell in obscurity, I may never progress. But I also refuse to join a major power like Spirit Hall and lose my freedom."
"After much deliberation, I decided to come and visit a fellow rogue cultivator like yourself."
"This is a good thing!" Dugu Bo laughed heartily. "To discuss with like-minded peers is something I too have long sought. Brother Hongchen, since you've come all this way, why not stay at my Academy for a while? That way, we may exchange ideas at any time."
"Besides, in a few days my grandson-in-law will be publishing several theoretical works. It would be most suitable to discuss them together."
"Then I must trouble you." Ming Hongchen bowed politely.
"It's nothing." Dugu Bo waved it off and turned to Meng Shenshou, instructing him to arrange independent quarters for the guests. The Academy's residences were far from his current dwelling, so there was no risk of exposing Yang Yunhai's fifth soul skill.
"Yes." Meng Shenshou nodded, then turned. "Honored guests, please follow me."
"Thank you." Ming Hongchen gave a polite bow, then left with Xu Fengya.
---
"Level 97 for the man, 95 for the woman." After their footsteps faded, Yang Yunhai spoke calmly.
At such close range, Yao Ling had been able to judge their cultivation from their spiritual fluctuations.
"Such powerful experts, surnamed Ming, with an Ice Toad martial soul—I've never heard of them." Dugu Bo frowned deeply.
'Or perhaps his surname is not Ming but Hongchen?' Yang Yunhai said, "These two may not even be from our continent. Yao Ling once told me that when my martial soul evolved into the Ancient Life Tree, it triggered a Life Tide with an incredibly vast range. Humans' short lifespans mean almost no one here knows of the Child of Nature. So I suspect that on another continent, a savage beast sensed it and chose to cooperate with humans."
"These two likely came across the ocean."
"That determined?" Dugu Bo's eyes widened. "It's already been months—so they've been drifting at sea for months!"
"Xiao Hai, did Old Yao sense whether either of them is a soul beast?" After all, a husband and wife act could just be a disguise.
"Neither," Yang Yunhai replied. "They should have split their forces. If I am the first human to awaken as Child of Nature, then the savage beast traveling with them likely went to investigate the soul beast forest. As for this couple, they must have thought the Child of Nature might have been discovered by humans, so they came to Heaven Dou to investigate."
"So perhaps it isn't just two groups, but three. Another might have gone to the Star Luo Empire." Dugu Bo said quickly.
"Quite possible." Yang Yunhai nodded. Then his eyes narrowed. "Grandfather, I suspect they never imagined the Child of Nature would be human. That's why they dared reveal their true names and martial souls so openly. Their desire to discuss poisons is likely genuine too. After all, they couldn't come all this way and leave empty-handed."
Beyond rank 95, cultivation focused increasingly on comprehension of one's martial soul. Seeking out strong soul masters with similar attributes for discussion was a proven way to broaden one's horizons.
"That's true." Dugu Bo nodded. "But they are also likely here to probe the strength of our continent's powers. If they find us far weaker, they might one day attempt to invade."
"We don't know where these two rank in strength back on their continent," Yang Yunhai mused, his gaze sharpening.
"But whatever the case, they can be of use to me."
He suddenly thought of something—the Sun Moon Continent also had a Blue Silver Emperor. By his estimation, it should be around 180,000 years old by now.
'An 180,000-year Blue Silver Emperor... perfect for my seventh soul ring.'
After all, the Ancient Life Tree had evolved from the Blue Silver Grass. Bloodlines of the same origin—absorbing a Blue Silver Emperor soul ring would be the most suitable choice.
(End of Chapter)
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