Douluo: Starting with an Engagement to Zhu Zhuqing

Chapter 71: The Tiandou Empire

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black.

The best soul ring configuration.

Eight soul rings quietly spun around Elder Five, radiating a terrifying and destructive aura that spread across the sky. Particularly the four black soul rings, their depth incomprehensible.

The people inside the Wuhuan were trembling in fear, gazing up at the sky in terror.

Ferdinand, not showing the slightest sign of weakness, let out a soft grunt, and eight soul rings appeared around him as well.

It was also the best soul ring configuration.

The two of them simultaneously flew into the air, colliding with each other at an unmatched speed.

Boom—

The two of them exchanged a powerful blow, sending each other flying.

The massive sound of the impact reverberated across the land, the previously fiery red sky swept clean by the aftershock, revealing a clear blue sky.

The people on the ground were no better off; just the residual shockwave from their blow sent everyone tumbling to the ground with startled cries.

The two of them, rushing away, were suddenly stunned by the aftershock, lifting them into the air. As they were about to fall, they barely managed to stabilize their bodies.

Dai Yao turned around to look and saw two beams of light clashing in the sky.

Then, a giant red tiger appeared in the sky, breathing out roaring flames. On the ground, a massive war elephant emerged, raising thick, earth-shattering walls of dirt.

Black soul rings flashed incessantly as powerful soul skills spread across the sky.

Flames raged, the earth crumbled, and the roars of the tiger and elephant echoed like the apocalypse.

"Is this the battle of a Soul Douluo?!"

Looking at the scene behind him, Dai Yao was profoundly shocked.

"I must become a Title Douluo!" he swore inwardly, a strong desire for power rising within him.

One day, he would seek justice for himself.

Helping Zhu Zhuqing to her feet, the residual shockwaves from the battle made them both look disheveled. Without time to appreciate the ongoing battle behind them, they saw the gates of Wuhuan opening, with soldiers rushing out. Dai Yao decisively said:

"Let's go!"

...

On the road outside Tiandou Imperial City,

A carriage moved slowly along.

The curtains were drawn open, and looking out, the surrounding trees were dense, with a towering pagoda visible in the distance.

A boy pointed at the pagoda and asked the coachman, "What's that?"

"Oh, that? That's the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's residence, the second-best sect in the world."

The boy nodded, his expression indicating that he understood.

The boy was Dai Yao.

After the earth-shattering battle, Dai Yao had successfully escaped the pursuit.

With the help of the Spirit Hall, he had made his way all the way to the Tiandou Empire.

More than ten days had passed since leaving Wuhuan.

During these ten days, the two of them no longer felt the same urgency as before. They leisurely traveled, enjoying a much more relaxed time.

Leaving the Star Luo Empire behind, Dai Yao was finally able to leave behind the nine years of repressed time.

Looking at the approaching imperial city walls, Dai Yao's excitement grew.

"Tiandou Imperial City, here I come!"

...

Entering Tiandou Imperial City, the first thing Dai Yao noticed was the languid atmosphere in the air.

Completely different from the strict and solemn atmosphere of the Star Luo Empire, the Tiandou Empire had an innate sense of romance and freedom, not as war-hungry as Star Luo.

Once off the carriage, Dai Yao's first destination was the Spirit Hall of Tiandou.

The Spirit Hall was easy to find, as its towering structure could be seen as soon as one entered the imperial city.

Arriving at the Spirit Hall, Dai Yao presented Ferdinand's letter of introduction, and he was soon able to meet the Platinum Bishop Salas.

Salas had narrow shoulders and was sharp like a spear, a stark contrast to the plump Ferdinand.

Upon learning that the two were introduced by Ferdinand, Salas did not treat them with disdain due to their age and treated them with the utmost courtesy.

The two of them sat on a couch, sipping tea while they waited. Salas sat in the main seat, opening Ferdinand's letter.

After reading just a few lines, Salas' calm eyes suddenly widened, and he turned his stunned gaze toward Dai Yao. He looked at him several times before confirming the information in the letter.

After a long pause, Salas put the letter down and smiled.

"So it's His Highness, the Fourth Prince of Star Luo. Ferdinand mentioned your plans in the letter. I will prepare what you need immediately."

He tidied up the letter and placed it in a drawer, walking toward Dai Yao while speaking.

"Whatever academy you wish to attend, I can arrange it for you."

"However, I suggest you go directly to Soul City and join our Spirit Hall's battle team."

"Thank you for your kind offer, Bishop, but I've just arrived in Tiandou, and I don't plan on leaving just yet," Dai Yao cupped his hands and replied.

"Very well," Salas smiled and shook his head.

...

At Oakland Academy,

Escorted by the Spirit Hall, Dai Yao and Zhu Zhuqing arrived at their first choice of academy, Oakland.

However, Oakland was quite lively at this moment.

A large crowd had gathered in front of the dozens-of-meters-wide gates, all gathered around a notice posted at the entrance.

"The Tiandou Royal Academy battle team is challenging us?"

"The Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament just ended, and we lost terribly! We didn't even make it to the elimination round!"

"It's not the Tiandou Royal Academy battle team, but the newly formed royal academy battle team."

"A new team?"

"Yes, the Royal Academy has long prepared its members, waiting for the tournament to end before forming the new team."

"Why are they challenging us, then?" a new student asked, puzzled.

"You don't get it, do you? It's tradition. After every new Tiandou Royal Academy battle team is formed, they challenge other academies to hone their team and select the best members," an older student explained.

"And we, Oakland Academy, are their first target!"

"I'll support our academy's battle team! Maybe the new team will win, even though we lost to them in the continental tournament?" a new student mused.

The older student sneered, secretly thinking that the new student didn't understand the reality:

"The Tiandou Royal battle team is not something we can handle. It's not just a challenge, it's the royal family trying to show off the power of their battle team and establish their authority under the guise of a challenge."

"So we really have no chance of winning?" the new student's belief wavered.

"Not a chance. The best we can hope for is to lose with some dignity," the older student angrily said, his tone filled with despair toward the Tiandou Royal Battle Team.

"And I've heard that this new Tiandou Royal Battle Team has disciples from the top three sects, as well as relatives of the Poison Douluo, all with top-tier martial souls. How can we ordinary academies compete with them?"

Suddenly, in the middle of the crowd, a group of royal guards appeared, their armor glinting in the light, and the crowd grew quiet.

A noble-looking man sneered at the students of Oakland Academy, shaking his head in disdain.

"Fighting against you trash is a waste of our royal battle team's time. Move aside, I'm looking for your headmaster!"

These words immediately sparked anger in the surrounding students, but under the overwhelming authority of the royal academy, they dared not speak up.

"Hmph, a bunch of cowards, still standing in my way. Don't you know to move when I'm coming through?"

The noble representative of the royal academy acted arrogantly, disregarding the crowd entirely.

(End of Chapter)