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

Having corrected the issue of address, Ning Fengzhi continued:

"In our world, after learning about history from Xuanzi of Shrek Academy, we considered a way out—to go to Seagod Island and try to obtain the Seagod's legacy, hoping to cultivate a new god to fight against the Angel God and Rakshasa God of the Spirit Empire. However... the Spirit Empire acted too quickly, and before we could even take action, we were surrounded by their army, and ultimately..."

He paused, a flicker of pain crossing his eyes, before his tone shifted to one of speculation:
"I'm wondering, among those who went to our world back then, is it possible that... they obtained something on Seagod Island in our world? Perhaps... someone even obtained the Seagod's divine throne? And then, they brought that power, or the person who inherited the divine throne, back to your world?"

This guess, like a bolt of lightning, instantly pierced through some of the fog in Ning Rongrong and Oscar's minds.

"The legacy of a sea god from a parallel world?!"

Ning Rongrong gasped softly, and when she looked at Oscar again, they both saw the shock and importance in each other's eyes.

If this conjecture is true, then the Sea Abyss City may have more than one Sea God.

One is a sea god who inherited the position of sea god from a parallel world, and the other is a sea god who obtained the position of sea god through the Holy Grail.

Moreover, although those who have just inherited the divine position usually need time to grow and fully match the status of the divine position, the blessing of the divine position itself is enough to give them power far beyond the mortal realm, and they should not be underestimated.

Oscar's expression also became more serious, but a sharp glint immediately appeared in his eyes, a confidence accumulated over the long years in the realm of gods.

"Mr. Ning's guess makes a lot of sense; it is indeed a possibility."

Oscar said in a deep voice, a kind of aura that was completely different from his usual gentle and playful demeanor rising around him.

"However, even if the Sea Abyss City may possess more than one god-level warrior, even if the Annihilation Lord behind the Sun Moon Empire is rumored to be incredibly powerful..."

A smile curved his lips, a smile that belonged not only to the God of Cookery Oscar, but also to the pride of one of the Shrek Seven Devils who had created miracles with his companions.

"Rongrong and I are not pushovers."

His words were not born of blind arrogance.

In the realm of gods, although they are only second-level gods, and Ning Rongrong is a support-type Nine-Colored Goddess while Oscar is a support-type Food God, they do not appear to be good at fighting.

But how could the Shrek Seven Devils judge things by common sense?
His sixth soul skill, Copy Mirror Sausage, was not wasted after he became the God of Food. Instead, it evolved into one of his strongest trump cards under the nurturing of divine power and his deep understanding of the laws of 'copying' and 'mirror'.

In the realm of gods, he copied the Asura Blood Sword of the Asura God Tang San, a divine skill belonging to the Asura God.

Even if, due to the limitations of his divine power and divine body, he could only exert less than 60% of his power after being copied, 60% of his power was still the power of a God-King.

Once that sword strike is unleashed, even a first-level god would not be able to withstand it easily.

His confidence stems from this.

The Asura Blood Sword, combined with the Nine-Colored Goddess's ultimate amplification, forms the ultimate guarantee for this "support duo" to challenge opponents of higher levels and intimidate powerful enemies.

This is one of the key reasons why Tang San still chose to send Dai Mubai, Ning Rongrong, and others down to investigate after sensing the dramatic changes in the lower realm and even discovering the existence of something capable of destroying his divine consciousness clone.

He was well aware of the true capabilities of his partners.

Even though the Shrek Seven Devils seem to keep a low profile in the God Realm, each holding a second-level godhood, their potential, teamwork, and unique skills cannot be fully summarized by their apparent godhood levels.

That's why Oscar had the confidence to take Ning Rongrong to explore Haiyuan City, even though he knew it was not a simple place.

Ning Rongrong also calmed herself down completely. She stood up and said to Ning Hongyue, Ning Fengzhi, and the others:

"Thank you all for the information. Without further ado, let's head to Haiyuan City immediately. For now, the sect should maintain the status quo and not reveal our whereabouts."

With the decision made, two beams of divine light once again quietly rose from the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School, piercing the sky and heading towards Haiyuan City of the Star Luo Empire.

While Ning Rongrong and Oscar arrived at the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School, the God of War Dai Mubai and the God of Speed ​​Zhu Zhuqing also entered the territory of the Star Luo Empire.

Instead of heading directly to the Star Luo Imperial City, they chose towns and gathering places of Soul Masters along the way to quietly gather information with their divine sense.

The changes over tens of thousands of years far exceeded their imagination.

What made them feel the most unpredictable nature of life was the news about the change of imperial power in the Star Luo Empire.

"The Star Crown Clan...the Xu Family..."

Dai Mubai stood by the window of a restaurant, listening to the wistful conversation of several old soul masters below, his brows furrowed slightly.

He learned that several thousand years ago, the Star Luo Empire had faced a major crisis that nearly led to its annihilation.

At that time, the White Tiger lineage, which was in charge of the empire, performed poorly in the war and suffered huge losses, putting the empire in grave danger.

Ultimately, it was the Star Crown Sect that stepped forward. With its powerful support capabilities and political wisdom, it united various forces, turned the tide, stabilized the situation, and finally led the empire out of its predicament.

After the war, perhaps feeling deeply guilty and powerless, or perhaps assessing the situation, the White Tiger Emperor made a surprising decision—to abdicate and pass the throne to the meritorious leader of the Star Crown Sect, who later became the ancestor of Xu Jiawei's lineage.

The White Tiger lineage was relegated to the position of Duke, but still commanded the empire's most elite legions. However, the legitimate royal lineage henceforth belonged to the Star Crown Xu family.

"To retire gracefully and preserve one's strength... that White Tiger Emperor at the time was quite decisive and clear-headed."

Dai Mubai transmitted his voice to Zhu Zhuqing, his tone carrying a hint of admiration.

As a former prince of Xingluo, he knew all too well that the change of imperial power was often accompanied by bloody purges.

The fact that the White Tiger lineage was able to voluntarily abdicate and retain its ducal title and military power was a stroke of good fortune amidst misfortune, and it also demonstrated the wisdom of the White Tiger Emperor at the time.

A hint of understanding flashed in Zhu Zhuqing's cool eyes, and she nodded slightly:

"Knowing how to make choices is the key to longevity; this is indeed the wisest choice."

She has no obsession with power and is more able to view things objectively.

However, the subsequent news made the two deities' mood suddenly heavy.

They heard the recent battle report—a crushing defeat at Mingdou Mountain, with the Northwest Army Group almost completely wiped out, and the current White Tiger Duke Dai Hao suspected of being killed in battle or missing, while his eldest son, Dai Yueheng, who was also the heir to the White Tiger Duke, was confirmed to have died in action.

Even earlier, the second son, Dai Huabin, had also perished in the Sun Moon Empire.

The once illustrious lineage of the White Tiger Duke has dwindled to this point, with only a young son, Delori, who is said to have mediocre talent, remaining.

The once mighty White Tiger Duke's Mansion, which once dominated the empire, is now in dire straits and exists in name only.

"My Dai family has fallen to such a state."

A flash of brilliant golden light appeared in Dai Mubai's eyes, and an indescribable emotion welled up in his heart.

Even if they weren't his direct descendants, they were still of the same bloodline, a continuation of the White Tiger Martial Soul in this world. Despite being separated by ten thousand years and having no contact whatsoever, hearing of such a tragic end for a bloodline of the same origin still stirred up waves in his heart as his ancestor.

Zhu Zhuqing gently took his hand, silently conveying comfort.

"Go to the White Tiger Duke's Mansion."

Dai Mubai said in a deep voice, changing the original plan to explore Xingluo City.

He wanted to see what was happening to the last remaining bloodline, the boy who carried the last glory of the Dai family.

Star City, White Tiger Duke's Mansion.

The bustling scene of the past is long gone.

The tall gates of the mansion were tightly closed, and the white tiger relief on the gate seemed to have lost its former majesty, appearing somewhat dim.

The mansion exuded a desolate and cold atmosphere, with few servants who moved about cautiously, afraid of offending the new master who was currently in low spirits.

In the back garden, a young man dressed in a magnificent ducal robe, yet whose attire seemed out of place with his imposing appearance, sat alone on a stone bench.

Several jugs of wine were placed in front of him, most of them already empty.

He is none other than the newly appointed Duke of the White Tiger—Dairoli.

Dai Luoli has a fairly decent appearance and inherited the Dai family's signature blond hair, but his eyes lack sharpness and are instead filled with confusion, dejection and a deep sense of powerlessness.

He grabbed the wine jug and took another big gulp. The spicy liquid burned his throat, but it couldn't dispel the gloom in his heart.

"The Duke...heh, the White Tiger Duke..."

He chuckled self-deprecatingly, his voice hoarse.

"Am I worthy?"

He never imagined that this position would fall into his lap.

Ahead of him were his eldest brother, Dai Yueheng, who was exceptionally talented and on whom their father placed high hopes, and his second brother, Dai Huabin, who was eccentric but equally gifted and favored by his mistress.

He, Dai Luoli, was just an ordinary youngest son with an average talent and a weak personality. He was neglected from childhood, and his greatest wish was to live a peaceful life and hopefully become a glorious imperial officer, guarding the frontier like his father, even if he was just a squad leader.

However, fate played a cruel joke on him.

My second brother died mysteriously in the Sun Moon Empire, and my eldest brother and father fell one after another in the Mingdou Mountains.

When the devastating news arrived, he felt as if the sky had fallen and the earth had collapsed, and the world had turned gray.

Before he could even catch his breath, the emperor's decree arrived. With Xu Jiawei's forceful push and the complicated gazes of some veteran officials, he was placed on the incredibly hot seat of the White Tiger Duke.

He knew he didn't have that ability.

A Soul Master who has just broken through to the fourth ring is no more than a mid-to-low-level officer in the army. What qualifications does he have to command the former number one military family of the empire?

What right do they have to sit in this position that countless people covet and that carries the expectations of countless people?
"Father...eldest brother...what should I do?"

Dai Luoli gazed at the sky with a dreamy look in her eyes, as if trying to see Dai Hao's tall and resolute figure through the clouds.

He idolized his father and revered his elder brother, but now they were both gone, leaving behind only a huge void that he could never fill, and a crumbling mansion beset by internal and external troubles.

He is not a fool.

When he calmed down, he could also perceive many things that were not right in this war.

Why did the Sun Moon Empire's offensive, especially the later pursuit and encirclement, target the White Tiger faction's generals and soul masters so precisely?
Why did my father's loyal and powerful uncles fall one after another, as if deliberately erased by an invisible hand?
The only explanation he could think of was that the Sun Moon Empire hated the White Tiger Duke, who had fought against them for decades and caused them enormous losses, so they were willing to do anything to wipe him out.

This thought sent chills down his spine and deepened his hatred for the Sun Moon Empire to the bone.

He had no idea that Orange was behind it all.

Driven by personal vendetta and to clear away the biggest obstacle and potential opposition within the Star Luo Empire for Lu Jingming, whom she truly served, she meticulously planned a systematic purge of the core forces of the White Tiger lineage using the power of the Sun Moon Empire.

Now that she has avenged her great enemy, she can be considered to have "retired successfully," but she has left Dai Luoli with an unmanageable mess and a mystery.

Emperor Xu Jiawei of Xingluo also had mixed feelings, as he tried his best to protect Dai Luoli and even forcibly promoted him to the title of Duke.

On one hand, it was a way to feel guilty and make amends to his sworn brother Dai Hao—he ultimately used Dai Hao's loyalty to do his dirty work.

On the other hand, Deloris, with his mediocre talent, weak character, and lack of ambition, was the ideal candidate.

Retaining the title of Duke of White Tiger can appease some of the old forces and demonstrate the emperor's boundless benevolence.

An incompetent duke poses no threat to the imperial power and can at least preserve a lineage for the Dai family.

This is both a calculation and one of the few ways Xu Jiawei can find solace for his conscience.

Delori didn't understand these intricacies; he only felt heavy, lonely, and fearful.

The glory and responsibility of the Duke of White Tiger weighed heavily on his young shoulders, like a towering mountain, threatening to crush him.

As the alcohol took effect and his vision blurred, he slumped onto the cold stone table, muttering unconsciously:

"I don't want to be a duke... I don't want to... Father... take me away..."

The back garden of the White Tiger Duke's mansion was desolate and quiet, with only the rustling of the wind through the withered vines and the suppressed, alcohol-smelling sobs and murmurs of the young duke by the stone table.

Dai Luoli lay sprawled on the cold stone table, her consciousness oscillating between the numbness of alcohol and the pain of reality.

Unbeknownst to him, in the deep shadow of the ancient giant tree in the corner of the garden, a figure in black robes, almost blending into the darkness, had been standing silently for a long time.

Huo Yuhao peered through the gap in the hood at his half-brother with a complex expression.

The murderous intent, hatred, and the pleasure of revenge in his heart had long since become empty with Dai Hao's suicide. What surged up now was a trace of guilt.

He recalled his childhood in the cold, oppressive, and malicious backyard of the duke's mansion.

The only sources of warmth and protection for him and his mother were his mother, Dai Luoli, who was of low status and gentle and timid, and Dai Luoli, who was then an innocent child who would secretly slip him a piece of pastry and call him "brother".

Dai Luoli and his mother were among the few bright spots in his bleak childhood. (End of Chapter)