I have added this story to my Patreon. You can support me and read the 50 latest and advanced chapters there. It also fed and motivate me to write more chapters!
Free Members will get 10 Chapters Ahead of the schedule on Patreon!!!
Link: Patreon.com/AVRKingsTL
—------------------—
...Yu Xiaogang walked up to Tang San and said earnestly, "My entire life, I, Yu Xiaogang, have dedicated myself to Spirit theory research. My greatest wish is to prove my theories and cultivate Disciples capable of changing the World.
You have already proven your talent and potential. But now, you've hit a Bottleneck! While your Hidden Weapons are exquisite, in the face of the Spirit Empire's organized spirit tool legions, individual power is ultimately limited! You need more powerful knowledge, a broader platform!"
"Xu Hong's appearance is a godsend opportunity!" Yu Xiaogang's voice carried a near-fanatical excitement. "His spirit tool knowledge is a gateway to a new World! If you can master it and combine it with your Tang Sect unique skills and the Clear Sky Sect's Legacy, you will undoubtedly forge an unprecedented Dao!
By then, you will not only become the savior of the Heaven Dou Empire, but perhaps even a great man who leads the reform of the entire Spirit Master's world!"
He saw Tang San's continued hesitation and softened his tone, with a hint of undetectable disappointment: "As for the bond between us, master and Disciple... it will not change because of this. I will still be your teacher, your theoretical guide. And Xu Hong can become your mentor in the spirit tool Domain.
This is not betrayal, but... a necessary sacrifice and choice made for a greater goal."
Listening to Yu Xiaogang's impassioned yet deeply calculated words, Tang San's heart was stirred with tumultuous waves.
He understood his teacher's meaning—this was to have him
From the perspective of the Empire's interests, this was undoubtedly a brilliant move. If successful, the Heaven Dou Empire might truly gain a moment to breathe.
However... Tang San couldn't help but recall Xu Hong's eyes, full of appreciation and sincerity, and how he explained the principles of spirit tools without reservation.
That old man genuinely valued his talent and wanted to take him as a Disciple.
To exploit this sincerity for political gain?
This clashed violently with the
In his previous life, he rebelled in the most extreme way precisely because he couldn't tolerate the hypocrisy and suppression within the Tang Sect's Inner Sect.
In this life, was he to play the role of a hypocritical opportunist for the sake of the so-called
"Teacher..." Tang San's voice was a little dry, "Doing this, wouldn't it... violate Dao Righteousness?"
Yu Xiaogang frowned, his tone hardening again: "Dao Righteousness? Little San, you are too naive! Between nations, there is only interest, no eternal Dao Righteousness! The Spirit Empire's desire to destroy us is unyielding; if we cling to these illusory things, we will only bring about our own destruction! One who achieves great things does not bother with minor details!"
He stared intently into Tang San's eyes: "This is an order, and a responsibility that must be borne for the Empire! Do you understand?"
Tang San looked at Yu Xiaogang's unquestioning eyes and felt the mountain-like
He slowly lowered his head, clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms, and finally, answered in a voice barely audible:
"...Disciple, understands."
...Moon Pavilion.
Xuan Ming and Tang Yuehua had just finished a somewhat heavy conversation. Tang Yuehua watched Xuan Ming's departing back, her eyes filled with complex worry, but in the end, she said nothing more.
Just then, a familiar aura approached from afar. Xuan Ming paused, turned around, and saw Liu Erlong standing in the courtyard outside the Moon Pavilion, looking at him calmly.
She had changed into a simple, neat outfit. The exhaustion and lifelessness on her face had faded considerably. Although there was still a hint of fatigue and hardship between her brows, her eyes had regained focus and were no longer empty.
"Are you done dealing with things?" Xuan Ming asked.
"Yes." Liu Erlong nodded, her tone flat. "There's nothing much to deal with. I didn't have many friends to begin with. I told Flender, and then I went to see Yu Luomian once, which was my last bloodline obligation. As for everyone else... my presence or absence makes no difference to them."
Her voice carried a sense of detachment from worldly affairs, and a hint of imperceptible desolation.
For years, she had isolated herself for too long, almost completely cutting off contact with the outside World.
"You said you would give me a place to settle, a future. Where is this place? And what is this future?"
Xuan Ming looked at her, but didn't answer immediately. Instead, he raised a hand, signaling her to follow. The two walked side-by-side along the quiet, tree-lined path outside the Moon Pavilion.
"There are a few choices, depending on what you prefer," Xuan Ming said.
"First, Sea God Island. The environment there is good, it's isolated from the World, and relatively stable. Bo Saixi and I have some acquaintance, so if you go, you can stay without any assessment. It's a change of scenery, living a quiet life."
Liu Erlong listened silently, without expressing an opinion.
"Second, the Spirit Empire." Xuan Ming continued, "But it's very busy and chaotic over there right now. Bibi Dong is implementing various new policies, and everyone from top to bottom is swamped, with quite a few internal conflicts. If you go, you'll likely get caught up in it, and with your personality, you might not be able to stand that atmosphere."
Liu Erlong frowned slightly. She already had no good impression of the Spirit Empire, let alone going there to "work."
"The last one is the Sun Moon Continent." Xuan Ming presented the third option. "A completely different World, far from here. No one there knows you, or your past, so you can start completely anew. With your current Spirit Douluo cultivation, you'll be safe there, and you can do whatever you want."
After speaking, he stopped and looked at Liu Erlong: "Three places, three ways of life. Choose one."
Liu Erlong fell silent. The tranquility of Sea God Island, the turmoil of the Spirit Empire, the new beginning on the Sun Moon Continent... these three choices seemed to correspond to three completely different directions her life could take.
She recalled her half-life, always seemingly living for others, for an illusory relationship, for a shattered fantasy, trapped in one place, consuming herself.
Now, she finally had the chance to completely break free from the past.
After a long while, she looked up, a hint of determination flashing in her eyes: "Sun Moon Continent."
Xuan Ming seemed unsurprised, merely asking, "Have you thought it through? There are no acquaintances there; everything will depend on yourself."
The corner of Liu Erlong's mouth curved into an arc, a mix of wildness and relief: "Acquaintances? I'm already tired of places with acquaintances. Rely on myself? I've lived half my life; am I afraid of that?"
"What, are you afraid I'll embarrass you there?"
Xuan Ming glanced at her: "Suit yourself. Just don't die out there and cause me trouble."
Liu Erlong was momentarily choked by his words, but then she laughed. This was the annoying brat she was familiar with, who always managed to infuriate people with his words.
"When are we leaving?"
"Anytime," Xuan Ming said.
"I can send you over now."
Liu Erlong was slightly startled, not quite reacting: "Now?"
Before she could ask further, Xuan Ming had already extended his hand and lightly placed it on her shoulder.
The next instant, Liu Erlong felt the surrounding space suddenly twist and blur. An indescribable sense of weightlessness came over her, as if her entire Soul had been pulled from her body.
This experience was extremely brief, yet it felt as long as eternity.
When she could see her surroundings clearly again, she found herself no longer on the familiar tree-lined path outside the Moon Pavilion in Heaven Dou City.
She was suspended high in the air, beneath her an unimaginably magnificent giant city!
The city's architectural style was completely different from that of the Douluo Continent, making extensive use of metal and crystal Materials. The tops of towering spires emitted various colored energy lights, and uniquely shaped spirit tool vehicles shuttled through the streets. The entire city exuded a sense of futurism and grand mechanical beauty.
Even more shocking to her was that the attributes of the Origin Qi permeating the air also had subtle differences from the Douluo Continent; it seemed more active, and more inclined towards a certain... energetic feel?
"This... where is this?" Liu Erlong's eyes widened, looking incredulously at Xuan Ming beside her.
"Sun Moon Continent, Sun Moon Imperial City," Xuan Ming said calmly.
Liu Erlong gasped.
Sun Moon Continent! She had indeed heard of this overseas land from Ning Rongrong and the others, knowing it was incredibly far from the Douluo Continent, so far that it required months of travel on specially made long-range spirit tool battleships to reach!
But Xuan Ming... had actually brought her across this endless sea in an instant?
What kind of incredible power was this?!
She already knew Xuan Ming was incredibly strong, but this method of directly tearing space and instantly crossing continents had completely exceeded her understanding.