Douluo Dalu: Immortal Dragon Clan

Seeing his grandson Xiao Hongchen's expression of being unable to live without Jin Tianming, Jing Hongchen was so angry that his temples throbbed. His right hand subconsciously reached for the soul tool at his waist, wishing he could draw his weapon on the spot and pin this good-for-nothing brat to the ground and teach him a lesson.

But he ultimately managed to suppress the impulse.

Today is the first day of the Soul Master Competition. The arena is packed with representatives and spectators from various forces. As the leader of the Sun Moon Team, Jing Hongchen, whose grandson is shameless, has to uphold the dignity of the Sun Moon Empire. He can't possibly stage a scene of "grandfather and grandson killing each other" in front of everyone.

He took a deep breath, glared fiercely at Xiao Hongchen, and warned in a low voice, "Behave yourself! If you dare to talk nonsense again, I'll skin you alive when we get back!"

Xiao Hongchen: "..."

However, neither of them noticed that a seemingly lazy yet extremely penetrating gaze was falling on them.

It was Mo Yan from the Shrek team.

She leaned against Dugu Luo, her eyes, which had been half-closed, opened slightly, her gaze sweeping over the crowd and landing precisely on the Sun and Moon team's rest area.

When she saw that the seat that should have belonged to Jin Tianming was empty, a hint of surprise flashed in her usually weary eyes. Her lazy expression faded a little, and she became more serious.

She remained silent for a moment, then slowly withdrew her gaze, her fingertips unconsciously stroking Dugu Luo's sleeve.

Dugu Luo, who was standing nearby, keenly noticed the change in Lord Mo Yan's mood and asked cautiously, "Lord Mo Yan, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"It's nothing." Mo Yan yawned, his tone still languid, as if the solemnity just now was just an illusion, but the deep meaning in his eyes had not disappeared. "I just feel that the upcoming Soul Master competition may be a bit troublesome."

Although Dugu Luo was puzzled, seeing that Mo Yan didn't intend to say anything more, she obediently shut her mouth and silently guarded her side.

Soon, Princess Xingluo's long speech ended amidst applause from the audience.

Her speech was passionate and inspiring, expressing both a welcome to all the teams and emphasizing the fairness and impartiality of the competition, which won a standing ovation.

As she stepped off the stage, the host's voice, amplified by the soul-guided loudspeaker, resounded throughout the arena: "Now, I declare the Continental Elite Tournament of Advanced Soul Master Academies officially open!"

Cheers and applause instantly filled the stadium, creating an extremely enthusiastic atmosphere.

After a long while, they returned to the Star Luo team's exclusive rest area and sat down next to Wen Yu.

Wen Yu was holding a delicate jade toothpick, carefully picking up a piece of cut fruit, and offering it to Tian Shuqiu's lips.

Tian Shuqiu was like a child dependent on her mother, obediently opening her mouth and letting Wen Yu feed her. Her clear eyes were full of innocence, and she looked well-behaved and harmless.

After watching for a long time, I felt a mix of emotions – if I hadn’t known that Tian Shuqiu was powerful, who would have thought that such a seemingly harmless little girl was even more terrifying than me?
She hesitated for a moment, then leaned close to Wen Yu's ear and whispered, "Wen Yu, Jin Tianming from the Sun and Moon team, I looked around just now and I don't think I saw him. Did he not come to participate?"

"I know." Wen Yu nodded, gently feeding Tian Shuqiu another piece of fruit, her tone calm and even.

Seeing that Wen Yu only gave a simple response and did not intend to say more, Xu Jiujiu's doubts deepened, and he couldn't help but ask, "Do you know why he didn't come? Did something happen, or does the Sun and Moon Team have other arrangements?"

"I don't know." Wen Yu shook her head gently, placed the toothpick in the fruit plate beside her, turned to look at Xu Jiujiu, her eyes filled with a hint of reassurance, "Your Highness, you're a little anxious."

The competition has just begun, and everything is still uncertain. There's no need to disrupt your rhythm because of one person's absence.

Wen Yu naturally knew perfectly well why Xu Jiujiu was in such a hurry.

Jin Tianming's absence may disrupt the balance between the various teams and even affect the Star Luo Empire's plans.

But what's the use of being anxious? Some things can't be changed by being impatient.

Moreover, she knew better than anyone the real reason Jin Tianming left, but since it involved his true identity, she could never easily reveal it.

Upon hearing this, Xu Jiujiu's face showed a hint of helplessness. He could only nod silently, forcing himself to shift his attention to the competition. In another corner of the arena, the rest area of ​​the Heavenly Soul Royal Team was particularly eye-catching.

This team, temporarily replaced by the Heavenly Soul Empire's royal family, is full of talent—Lei Ze, the young master of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School, as well as Ning Tian and Wu Feng, two core disciples, are all on the team; there is also Princess Vina of the Heavenly Soul Royal Family, a powerful figure known for her physique and strength; and several top disciples of the Body Sect, led by Long Aotian.

The Star Luo Empire's openness to the Soul Master Competition this time has reached an unimaginable level, and the other two countries and major forces have all chosen to tacitly approve of it.

It's clear to everyone that the major powers are unusually united this time, with their sights set on the Sun Moon Empire team.

"Xiao Ze, have you been acting strangely lately?" Wu Feng looked at Lei Ze, who was silent beside him, with a worried expression. Ning Tian nodded in agreement, "Yes, Xiao Ze, you've been quiet these past few days. You weren't like this before. Is something on your mind?"

Upon hearing this, Lei Ze slowly shook his head, his voice low: "I'm fine, it's just that I'm a little nervous because it's my first time participating in such a large-scale competition."

At this moment, he was completely different from the cowardly and timid man he used to be.

He exuded an indescribable aura, a blend of reckless courage and desperate madness, making him impossible to fathom.

Wu Feng was an impatient person. Seeing that Lei Ze was unwilling to say more, he was about to ask more questions, but Ning Tian quietly pulled his arm.

Ning Tian shook his head at her, signaling her not to rush.

Since Lei Ze doesn't want to talk about it, pressing him for details will be useless and might even backfire.

Looking at his young master's tightly closed lips, Wu Feng finally resisted the urge to ask further questions and reluctantly sat down, his eyes still fixed on Lei Ze, full of worry.

Ning Tian spoke softly and sincerely: "Xiao Ze, we are now comrades fighting side by side. You can tell us anything that's on your mind."

It's better for us to work together to find a solution than for you to bear it all alone.

Lei Ze nodded, his eyes softening slightly: "I understand, thank you."

Seeing that he was still unwilling to talk more, Ning Tian did not press him further and instead discussed the upcoming match strategy with Wu Feng.

However, she did not realize that Razer's gaze had already passed through the crowd and was fixed on the empty spot in the Sun and Moon team's rest area.

His eyes held none of the weakness of the past; instead, they burned with a fierce rage that seemed to materialize into flames!

"I should have been the first dragon soul to die!" Lei Ze roared inwardly, his nails digging deep into his palms, drawing blood without him noticing. "How dare someone rush ahead of me to pledge loyalty to the main body? This is simply unforgivable!"

He has always been cowardly and has nothing to offer. The only thing he can do to prove his worth in dying quickly to the original body is to complete the mission with his life and become the first dragon soul to sacrifice for the original body.

But now, other dragon souls have gotten ahead of him. How can he accept this?

Razer felt like he was about to split open; the anger and resentment in his chest were almost consuming him.

He secretly vowed in his heart: if he were to be matched with Jin Tianming in the next match, he would never let that guy off the hook! He would make sure the other party knew who the most loyal dragon soul to the original body was!

Jin Tianming: 6...

Just then, the referee's voice rang out again, breaking the undercurrent of tension between the teams: "Next, we announce the two sides for the first match—Shrek Academy Team versus an unknown academy team! Members of both teams, please proceed to the center of the arena immediately!"

As expected, the organizers of Star Luo did not let the Shrek team off the hook, and made them appear on stage in the first match, while their opponent was an unknown academy.

A commotion erupted in the arena as everyone's eyes were focused on the Shrek team's rest area, eager to see how they would handle this tough start.

...(End of chapter)