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

"Aunt Wang, did you buy your son a new soul-guided toy again?"

On the street, a woman carrying a shopping basket greeted her neighbors with a smile.

The woman, known as Aunt Wang, had a simple, honest smile on her face as she waved a small, glowing metal ball in her hand that seemed to move on its own.
"Yeah, the department store is having a promotion today. These flashing balls were something I never dared to dream of back in the Heavenly Soul Empire. Now, just ten silver soul coins are enough to make my little rascal happy for half a day. It's so much better these days."

"Who says it isn't?"

Another passerby came over and exclaimed.

“When the Heavenly Soul Royal Family was in power, taxes were heavier every year, and we couldn’t even fill our stomachs. Now that the Sun Moon Empire has come, not only have they exempted us from agricultural taxes for three years, but they’ve also given jobs to city dwellers and provided subsidies for children’s schooling. You tell me, the demise of the Heavenly Soul… doesn’t seem like such a bad thing for us ordinary people.”

"Shh, keep your voice down."

The woman who had spoken earlier quickly made a shushing gesture and looked around warily.

"What do you mean by 'dying' or 'dying'? Now it's the Sun Moon Empire. All the previous emperors are dead. We just need to live our own lives well. Who cares who's the emperor? As long as we have enough to eat and wear, he's a good emperor."

Such dialogues occur every day in every corner of the former Heavenly Soul Empire.

The Sun and Moon Empire quickly won over the hearts of the common people by offering the most direct and effective benefits.

They don't care who the rulers are; they only care whether their lives get better.

When the new rulers were able to provide them with an unprecedentedly comfortable life, the word "homeland" quickly faded from their memories.

For those once high and mighty Soul Master families and sects, the Sun Moon Empire's methods were even more direct—to win them over and to divide them.

Inside a Soul Master sect that was once affiliated with the Heavenly Soul Royal Family, the sect leader, with a beaming smile, handed an appointment letter bearing the royal crest of the Sun Moon Empire to the elders seated below.

"Everyone, the Empire has issued a formal appointment. From today onwards, our 'Gale Wind Sect' will officially become the 'Affiliated Battle Sect of the First Soul Master Corps of the Sun Moon Empire's Tian Dou Province.' Not only will we receive a large amount of rare metals and soul tool resources allocated by the Empire every year, but all core disciples within the sect will also be granted a place to study at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy."

The sect leader's voice was filled with excitement.

"metropolitan."

An elder with a fiery temper suddenly stood up, his face full of humiliation and resentment.

"Have we forgotten the kindness the Heavenly Soul Royal Family showed us? Have we forgotten how our disciples died in battle? Now we're actually going to become dogs for our enemies?"

The sect leader's smile vanished instantly, replaced by a cold indifference.

"Third Elder, watch your words."

he said coldly.

"The Heavenly Soul Empire is dead, that's a fact. Should we cling to our laughable loyalty and wait to be purged and wiped out by the Sun Moon Empire? Or should we seize the opportunity to help our Gale Wind Sect reach new heights in this new era?"

He looked around at everyone present, his voice becoming highly inflammatory:
"Those who understand the times are wise. The Sun Moon Empire represents the future of soul tools and the future of the continent. If we join them now, we will be elders and meritorious officials. If we wait until they have completely established themselves before joining them, we will be like stray dogs wagging their tails and begging for mercy. You can weigh the pros and cons yourselves."

These words plunged the hall into silence.

The third elder's face flushed red, and he finally slumped down in dejection.

He knew that the sect leader was right.

Not everyone has the right or the courage to remain defiant to the death.

For these sects struggling to survive, living, and living better, is the most important thing.

Thus, under coercion and enticement, most of the old forces chose to completely side with the Sun and Moon Empire.

Those insightful individuals who truly harbored deep-seated hatred and refused to yield were like candlelight in the night, blown into deeper darkness, hiding themselves and waiting for an opportunity that might never come.

The situation on the mainland has reached a strange balance.

The Sun Moon Empire was focused on consolidation, while the Fighting Spirit Empire trembled on the border, constantly sending envoys to the Star Luo Empire, hoping to form an alliance to jointly resist the powerful enemy.

Meanwhile, the Star Luo Empire, with an ambiguous attitude, quietly prepared for war.

Time slipped away quietly amidst this undercurrent of calm.

……

One year later, in Xingluo City.

As the only massive empire on the continent that could rival the Sun Moon Empire, Star Luo City was not directly affected by the war. Instead, due to the influx of wealthy merchants and soul masters fleeing from the Heavenly Soul and Battle Spirit kingdoms, it became even more prosperous and bustling than before.

But deep within the palace, in a secluded and heavily guarded garden, the atmosphere is completely different from the bustling outside world.

Dressed in a magnificent palace gown, having completely shed her girlish naiveté and exuding a mature charm, Xu Jiujiu stood personally at the entrance of the palace garden, waiting for a special guest.

Soon, a plain carriage without any markings slowly came to a stop at the entrance, guided by guards.

The carriage curtain was lifted by a slender hand, and a figure stepped out of the carriage.

She was a woman dressed in white. Her appearance was still beautiful, but her once bright and sunny smile had completely disappeared.

Her face was icy calm, but her once clear eyes were now as deep as an ancient well, at the bottom of which lay an unyielding sorrow and hatred.

It was none other than Vina, the former princess of the Heavenly Soul Empire.

It felt like she had aged ten years in an instant after just one year apart.

The tragedy of her country's destruction and her family's demise changed her in many ways.

"Vina..."

Seeing her former best friend in her current state, Xu Jiujiu's heart ached uncontrollably.

She hurried forward, wanting to take her hand affectionately, just like before.

However, just as her hand was about to touch Vina, Vina subconsciously and very subtly took a half-step back.

The movement was small, but it was clearly visible after a long time.

Her heart sank.

She knew that some things could never be returned to.

Vina realized her lapse in composure. Looking at her hand, which had been hovering awkwardly in mid-air for a long time, a ripple of sadness finally appeared in her eyes, and a look of sadness surfaced on her face.

"Jiu Jiu... I'm sorry."

Her voice was a little hoarse.

"Say sorry to me."

After a long while, she withdrew her hand, forced a gentle smile, took a step forward, and gently, with a hint of caution, hugged Vina.

"Welcome to Star Luo City. Come in, it's windy outside."

For a long time, he could only use the most plain words to conceal the sighs and complex emotions in his heart.

She pulled Vina along and led her into the warm, cozy room that had been prepared for her.

During that year, Vina escaped from Tiandou City under the escort of Feixiao and Jingyuan.

But those two powerful figures from another world did not stay with her for the long term.

Feixiao had already done enough. Her relationship with Vina had come to an end with the fall of the Heavenly Soul Empire.

They are not from this world after all, and cannot bear the burden of Vina's national and personal grievances forever.

After wandering the mainland for a year, witnessing the fickleness of human nature and the comfort of the people of her homeland under the new policies, Vina's desire to restore her country died completely.

She finally understood that the era belonging to the Heavenly Soul Empire had completely ended.

Inside the room, the finest calming incense burned, creating a warm and comfortable atmosphere.

But Vina seemed oblivious to all of this; the moment she entered the room, her gaze was drawn to the exquisite little bed in the corner, covered with a soft blanket.

On the bed, a baby who looked only a few months old was sleeping soundly. He had a delicately sculpted face, and his long eyelashes, like two small fans, fluttered gently with his breath.

What is most striking is his unique, soft, short hair that is as white as fresh snow.

The sight of that white hair made Vina's heart skip a beat.

A handsome and unfathomable figure flashed uncontrollably through her mind.

—Lu Jingming.

Noticing Vina's gaze, the politeness on Xu Jiujiu's face instantly melted away.

She walked to the crib, looked at her sleeping son, and her eyes were filled with maternal glow.

"Isn't it cute?"

She smiled for a long time, her voice filled with the pride and happiness of being a mother.

"This is my child, named Lu Xingtong."

Lu Xingtong.

Upon hearing this name, Vina's last shred of doubt vanished.

Looking at that small face that bore a striking resemblance to Lu Jingming, she felt a complex mix of emotions welling up inside her.

There was envy, blessings, and a touch of sadness.

She forced a genuine smile and said to Xu Jiujiu:
"It really is his child. Congratulations, Jiu Jiu, you... are very happy."

"Yes, I am very happy."

Xu Jiujiu made no attempt to hide her happiness. She gently tucked the blanket around her son before turning back to Vina, her expression becoming serious once more.

The two sat down at the tea table, and after the maid served hot tea, she quietly withdrew.

"Vina."

He looked at her for a long time, then got straight to the point and asked.

What are your plans in coming to Xingluo City?

As she asked that question, countless thoughts were flashing through her mind.

When Tianhun was destroyed, Xingluo did indeed send reinforcements.

But the reinforcements were stopped by Orange... This was a tacit agreement between the Star Luo Empire and Orange.

They stood by and did nothing.

The forces of Haiyuan City, which could easily change the course of the battle, were never used in the slightest from beginning to end.

From a friend's perspective, Xu Jiujiu felt somewhat guilty towards Vina.

But from the ruler's perspective, she had no regrets.

After a long while, he picked up his teacup, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

The Heavenly Soul Empire, the Fighting Spirit Empire, the Star Luo Empire... it's time for this old order to change.

Even without the Sun Moon Empire, the original three kingdoms of Douluo would have fought each other sooner or later for resources and hegemony.

She and Vina could never be true best friends; the interests of the nation would always separate them.

Lu Jingming's goal is to establish a completely new, unified order led by him.

Faced with this goal, everything that exists must be reshuffled and broken.

The destruction of the Heavenly Soul Empire was an inevitable part of this process.

If the Sun Moon Empire doesn't take action, sooner or later, it will be Haiyuan City that makes the move.

Politics has always been cruel.

Personal relationships are insignificant compared to the overwhelming tide of national interests.

So, Vina... she came to her, definitely not for the sake of restoring her kingdom.

Vina knew better than she did that it was an impossible dream.

She came for revenge.

She wanted to turn herself into a knife, a knife that could pierce Xu Tianran's heart.

Just as Xu Jiujiu had predicted.

Vina put down her teacup, raised her head, and calmly met the long-standing scrutiny. Her voice was clear and firm.

“Jiujiu, I’m not here to beg you to send troops. I know better than anyone that Tianhun is dead.”

"I...don't want to restore the country anymore."

As she said this, her voice trembled slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.

"A royal family that cannot even protect its own people, a surname that will only become a burden to the people in the new era, has no right to rule that land again."

She took a deep breath, and the dormant flames of hatred in her eyes finally ignited.

"I came here for only one thing—revenge."

"Xu Tianran, and the entire high-ranking officials of the Sun Moon Empire, must pay a bloody price for the death of my father, the death of hundreds of thousands of soldiers in Tiandou City, and the destruction of my Heavenly Soul Royal Family."

“My life, from the beginning of a year ago, has been solely for revenge. I hope to join the Star Luo Empire and become a knife, a gun, or any weapon in your hands, as long as I can witness the end of the Sun Moon Empire.”

Looking at the overflowing hatred in Vina's eyes, a hatred that could burn away even the soul, Xu Jiujiu felt a complex mix of emotions.

She hesitated.

Her hesitation did not stem from whether or not to accept Vina.

With her current power, placing someone in the Star Luo Empire would be a piece of cake.

What she hesitated about was whether she should personally push her friend into the abyss of revenge.

Accepting Vina was easy.

But then what? Let her become a war machine driven by hatred? Then her life would truly be nothing but hatred.

Is this a liberation for her, or another, crueler prison?
Moreover, Vina's identity is too sensitive.

She is the last bloodline of the Heavenly Soul Royal Family, a living symbol.

Using her is a double-edged sword.

While it could be used to rally the old guard of Tianhun, it could also cause unnecessary trouble and disrupt Lu Jingming's plans.

This is something she can't decide alone.

Just as Xu Jiujiu was torn between her inner thoughts and her own indecision, she was caught in a dilemma.

A calm yet magnetic male voice suddenly rang out clearly in the empty room.

"I agreed."

The sound wasn't loud, but it was like a thunderclap, exploding simultaneously in the ears of Xu Jiujiu and Vina.

Xu Jiujiu was startled at first, then a look of surprise and relief appeared on her face. She subconsciously looked in the direction from which the sound came. (End of this chapter)