Douluo Unrivaled: The Beginning Materializes the Black Abyss and White Flowers

Chapter 378 The Troublemaker Vita

"Moreover, because of the impact of the Holy Grail War, the spatial structure around Mingdu is already extremely fragile. Once this space-time tunnel is formed, its stability far exceeds expectations, and I'm afraid... it will be difficult to close it in a short period of time."

Hei Ta continued to explain the science to Lu Jingming.

"What will be the consequences?"

Lu Jingming stared intently at the chaotic passage in the distance, which was constantly swallowing up figures and ruins, his brows furrowed.

"The consequences? They'll be quite interesting!"

Black Tower's tone was full of anticipation.

"It's possible that nothing will happen, and the passage will eventually stabilize on its own or slowly close. But it's also possible that the two worlds will gradually draw closer together, or even... begin to merge, because of this stable passage."

"Think about it, there are also parallel universes in the two worlds. I really want to know if they can coexist, or if they will follow some kind of law and eventually tend to become one? This is an unprecedented research topic."

She was completely unconcerned about the potential changes that the merging of the two worlds might bring; a purely scientific mindset took precedence.

"...Alright, I knew there would be a surprise with the Masked Fool around."

Lu Jingming shook his head helplessly.

Although the sudden stunt by the fireworks disrupted his plans, he did not feel panicked or angry.

Even if the two worlds do begin to merge, so what? He is confident that he possesses the power to suppress all chaos.

His own strength is growing at an unbelievable speed, and with Mirror Stream, Yellow Springs, and Black Tower by his side, what does he have to fear?
Everything is still under control.

"But fireworks, right..."

Lu Jingming squinted and looked towards the passageway.

"Don't let me catch you, or I'll give you a good spanking."

At the same time, high in the sky, Xingxiao and Feixiao, who were locked in fierce combat, were abruptly stopped by this sudden and earth-shattering change. They retreated and looked down at the huge energy vortex and chaotic passage that had replaced Mingdu with astonishment and uncertainty.

Protected by the power of the illusion, Xu Tianran watched the chaotic black hole that was devouring everything from afar, his face turning as black as the bottom of a pot.

The channel, which was gradually stabilizing but still exuded a terrifying suction force, was clearly not something that could be easily eliminated by human power.

This means that Mingdu—the heart of the Sun and Moon Empire—has been completely and utterly erased from the map, with no possibility of even rebuilding it.

The capital of the Sun and Moon Empire must be relocated.

"Haha, surprise! A new adventure has begun! Have fun, everyone!"

Hanabi stood at the edge of the energy turbulence, excitedly waving at the enormous chaotic passage. Her figure swayed in the raging gravitational winds, as if she were about to be sucked in at any moment, heading to a new world to continue her mischievous deeds.

Just then, a glint flashed in Vita's eyes.

That stable passage to a parallel world, which she secretly observed and provided with coordinates for, and which was personally opened by Hanabi, was a godsend for her—a chance to escape Lu Jingming's control and find endless fun in a new world.

She immediately and silently lowered her energy resistance, preparing to be drawn into the channel by the suction force and fly away.

But just as she shifted slightly, about to transform into a streak of light—

"Tsk, they're such a worry."

Lu Jingming, who had been secretly watching her, immediately sneered.

He knew, of course, that Vita and Hanabi knew each other and were both entertainers. He simply couldn't believe that Vita hadn't provided precise coordinates and technical support behind Hanabi's commotion using the Eye of Heaven.

Almost at the same time Lu Jingming finished speaking, Ishtar, who had been lazily observing from the side, as if she had expected it, lightly and casually raised a finger.

In an instant, the space and time around Vita seemed to be separated from this chaotic spacetime by a higher rule, falling into an absolute and complete state of stagnation.

The smile of triumph that had just appeared on Vita's face, a smile that had not yet fully unfolded, froze instantly.

The cunning glint in her eyes dimmed, and even her thoughts seemed to have been put on pause.

The Stardustrs who were also preparing to start were forcibly frozen in place by an invisible force, maintaining a posture as if they were about to rush out, unable to move.

Vita, who tried to escape in the chaos, was ultimately unable to get away and was subdued in an instant. Her plan was once again ruthlessly thwarted.

Lu Jingming turned his gaze to Vita, who was completely imprisoned by Istaru's power and could not even change her expression.

The power of time was freezing this amused man firmly in place.

He waved gently in acknowledgment.

Istaru nodded slightly, a glint of light flashing in her golden eyes. The oppressive aura surrounding Vita subtly dissipated, at least restoring her ability to think and speak. However, her body remained as if encased in amber, unable to move an inch.

"Miss Vita."

Lu Jingming walked slowly to her, a seemingly gentle smile on his face.

"How about we make a deal?"

Vita's all-seeing, insightful eyes shifted slightly. Although her body was restrained, her mind became more active than ever before.

'A trade? In a situation where I'm at a complete disadvantage, my life hanging in the balance, at his mercy?'

She was puzzled, but showed no sign of it on her face. She simply conveyed her doubts with her eyes, wanting to see what this handsome young man was up to.

"You see, you seem very interested in that opened spacetime portal, and you really want to go to a parallel world through it, right?"

Lu Jingming spoke casually, pointing to the spacetime tunnel in the distance that was still slowly rotating and emitting a suction force.

"but me."

He changed the subject, his gaze falling with interest on the green mech standing quietly to the side, its sleek lines exuding power—the Starduer.

"I'm very interested in your beautiful car."

A knowing glint flashed in Vita's eyes, and an uncontrollable smile, a mixture of mockery and curiosity, crept onto her lips.

It turns out that the one who took a liking to her was the Star Chaser.

'That's...interesting.'

"How is it?" Lu Jingming asked casually, as if discussing a trivial matter.

"You hand over the sovereignty and control of the Stardust to me. In return, I will not only take you through this passage to that parallel world, but I will also temporarily grant you complete freedom so that you can... have as much fun as you want in the new world."

He emphasized "temporarily" and "have fun to the fullest," implying that this freedom was not indefinite, but still tempting enough.

Vita narrowed her eyes slightly, looking at Lu Jingming as if she were examining her prey, and tentatively opened her mouth, her voice carrying her unique intonation.

“Brother, you should know very well that this Star Descender is not a physical object. Its existence is a manifestation of my concept, an illusion that exists because of me. Once I die, or if I have a thought, it will disappear. Even if you obtain so-called sovereignty, it is nothing but a mirage, meaningless.”

She paused, then added, "I don't think someone as knowledgeable as you would not understand this."

Lu Jingming is surrounded by several Servants, so he should have some understanding of the nature of Servants.

"Ha ha……"

Lu Jingming chuckled softly, his laughter carrying a sense of calm and confidence.

"You don't need to worry about that, Miss Vita. Since I proposed this deal, I naturally have my own plans and confidence."

For him, who wields real power, solidifying concepts into existence and sublimating the illusory into the real is not an insurmountable challenge.

Even if this Star Descender was initially just a fantasy projection based on Vita's power, as long as its concept is complete and clear enough, he has the ability to separate it from its dependent state, give it an independent foundation, and make it an objective and real creation.

Once the reality is realized, the ownership of the Stardust will no longer be subject to Vita's birth, death, or will.

Lu Jingming's seemingly casual yet incredibly confident words stirred something within Vita.

For the first time, she truly began to re-examine the man before her; he seemed shrouded in a mist that even her all-seeing eyes could not fully penetrate.

"interesting……"

Vita muttered to herself, and the binding force around her suddenly receded like a tide—not because Istaru had actively released it, but because she had used some hidden tricks to break free of the restraints.

She moved her wrists, which had regained their freedom, crossed her arms, and for the first time looked at Lu Jingming with an almost equal and inquisitive gaze, as if she wanted to see him through inside and out.

"Brother, you really are...constantly exceeding my expectations."

Her tone had lost some of its previous playfulness and gained more genuine interest.

"A man with a secret always piques people's curiosity."

"Oh?"

Lu Jingming raised an eyebrow, a half-smile appearing on his face, and asked in return with a hint of mockery.

"I wonder if Miss Vita has ever heard the saying? Having excessive curiosity about a man is often... the first step to falling in love."

The moment those words, half-joking and half-warning, were uttered, they instantly struck a nerve with some people.

Gu Yuena, standing behind Lu Jingming, narrowed her amethyst-like eyes instantly, her icy gaze falling on Vita as if it were a physical presence, and a faint dragon's might began to permeate the air.

Not only Gu Yuena, but Liu Ying, who had been silently guarding Lu Jingming's side, also turned her attention to Vita.

Even Xia Die, who always wore a gentle smile and seemed to embrace everything, had a barely perceptible ripple in her tranquil eyes. She took a small half-step forward, subtly closing the distance between herself and Lu Jingming.

The three women, each with a distinct style but all closely connected to Lu Jingming, all focused their gazes on Vita at this moment, instantly filling the air with a subtle and tense atmosphere, akin to territorial vigilance.

Vita took in the reactions of Liuying, Xiadie, and Guyuena, a sly glint flashing in her purplish-red eyes.

Far from showing any fear, she seemed to have discovered something extremely interesting, and her smile grew even brighter and more playful.

She lightly licked her lips, her gaze shifting between Lu Jingming and the three women guarding their food, her tone becoming even more ambiguous:

"Hey buddy, you're really something else."

For someone like her who enjoys life, a calm surface is the most boring; the more turbulent the undercurrents and the more jealousy simmers, the more the best fun can be created.

Seeing the three of them looking like they were facing a formidable enemy, she not only did not restrain herself, but seemed to have been aroused by some kind of wicked sense of humor, and her amused mentality completely took over.

"Hey buddy, the people around you... seem to care about you a lot."

Vita deliberately dragged out her words, her voice carrying a sticky, almost seductive quality.

Instead of retreating, she took a small, light step forward, closing the distance between herself and Lu Jingming. This action instantly made the three pairs of eyes opposite her even sharper.

She raised her slender hand, seemingly just casually trying to brush away non-existent dust from Lu Jingming's shoulder, her fingertips tracing an ambiguous arc in the air, almost touching his collar.

This seemingly unintentional action is actually full of provocative meaning, with every detail stimulating the nerves of the onlookers.

"It seems that it won't be easy to discuss the details of the transaction with you privately, bro."

She tilted her head slightly, a few strands of her long gray hair falling down. Her gaze, as fluid as water, swept across Lu Jingming's face before she glanced innocently at Gu Yuena, whose face was icy cold, Liu Ying, whose breathing was becoming unsteady, and Xia Die, whose smile had become somewhat stiff.

"Sisters, there's no need to be so nervous~ I'm just having a serious chat with your husband."

She deliberately emphasized "your family" and "serious matters," her tone almost overflowing with teasing and innuendo.

Gu Yuena snorted coldly, and a faint silver dragon-shaped phantom appeared around her. The elements in the air began to stir restlessly. She suppressed the urge to directly blast the demoness away, and only squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth: "Stay away from him."

Although Firefly didn't speak, the transformation device in her elytra was already trembling slightly, as if she was about to transform into Sam and ignite the Star Sea in the next second.

Her eyes were fixed on Vita's fingers, which were about to touch Lu Jingming, and her breathing became rapid.

Xia Die's gentle smile was almost impossible to maintain. She took a light breath, her voice still soft but carrying an undeniable air: "Miss Vita, please have some self-respect. A-Ming doesn't like overly frivolous behavior."

Faced with the almost tangible hostility from the three women, Vita laughed even more heartily, as if she was enjoying the feeling of dancing on the edge of a knife.

Far from being deterred, she intensified her actions, leaning almost half her body against Lu Jingming and whispering in his ear in a warm voice that only the two of them could hear:
"Hey bro, look how much they care about you! It's so enviable, but..."

She changed the subject, her tone becoming seductive.

"Instead of being protected like this, wouldn't you like to experience a more...exciting adventure? Like, going to that parallel world with me and shaking off these little tails?"

Her words and actions, every single cell in her body, were an illustration of what it means to add fuel to the fire.

(End of this chapter)