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

Lu Jingming was dressed in a well-tailored black casual outfit, his short white hair reflecting a soft sheen in the sunlight, and a lazy smile on his handsome face.

After he appeared, he didn't immediately pay attention to Vina, who had stood up, or even glance at her.

His gaze fell directly on the small bed in the corner, on the toddler who was slightly furrowing his brows because of the sudden presence in the room, as if he was about to wake up from a deep sleep.

He took a step and silently walked to the bedside.

He bent down gently.

His fingers were long and strong as he gently pinched his son Lu Xingtong's chubby, pink cheeks.

Perhaps sensing her father's familiar presence, Lu Xingtong's furrowed brows relaxed, she smacked her lips twice, turned over, and continued to sleep soundly, the corners of her mouth even curving upwards into a cute arc.

Looking at his son's adorable sleeping face, Lu Jingming's deep and indifferent gaze completely melted away at that moment.

This scene was serene and heartwarming.

Looking at the two figures, one big and one small, for a long time, a happy and content smile unconsciously spread across his face.

Vina stood there, stunned, staring at the scene before her, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

She saw a side of Lu Jingming that was unknown to others. He was not the ruthless and decisive Lord of Haiyuan City as rumored, nor the overlord who controlled the Xingluo Empire, but a gentle father who was immersed in the joy of family life.

This warmth, however, felt like the sharpest needle to her at that moment, piercing her already wounded heart.

Once upon a time, she also had a father who would look at her with such tenderness.

There was a time when she also had the most beautiful dreams of such an ordinary yet happy future.

But now, everything has come to nothing.

Her country is gone.

Her home was shattered.

The culprit who caused all this is now enjoying the fruits of victory.

An indescribable sense of sorrow and bitterness welled up from the depths of her heart, almost overwhelming her.

Just then, Lu Jingming slowly straightened up, finally turned his head, and his gaze fell on Vina.

“Princess Vina, I can grant your request.”

“Ah Ming.”

He hesitated for a long time, wanting to say something but then stopped.

Lu Jingming didn't speak, but simply shook his head gently at Xu Jiujiu.

He knew what Xu Jiujiu was thinking, but hatred is something that's better channeled than suppressed.

Vina is like a barrel filled with gunpowder. The more you suppress her and prevent her from seeking revenge, the more this energy will accumulate within her until one day it blows her to pieces.

Let her go, give her an outlet for her emotions, and a clear goal.

Even if this path is dangerous, at least it allows her to find meaning in living.

Moreover, Vina's flag still has its uses.

The remaining forces of the Heavenly Soul Empire need a core to unite them.

Rather than letting them scatter across the continent and become destabilizing factors, it's better to keep them firmly under our control, making them just the right pieces when we unify the continent in the future.

Several considerations flashed through Lu Jingming's mind in an instant.

He accepted Vina, taking many things into consideration.

Moreover, Vina has a pretty good relationship with Robin and March 7th.

In the complex extended family of Haiyuan City, interpersonal relationships also need to be maintained.

For the sake of those people, giving Vina a chance, so that she doesn't completely sink into despair, is also a convenient thing to do.

He turned his gaze back to Vina, saying nothing more, simply waiting quietly for her choice.

He gave her a chance, but ultimately, she had to walk her own path.

Looking into Lu Jingming's deep eyes, the complex emotions surging within Vina strangely subsided at that moment.

She knew that in front of this man, any pretense or disguise would be meaningless.

A bitter smile, more painful than a grimace, appeared on her face.

"I am no longer a princess."

She gently shook her head, her voice hoarse yet exceptionally clear.

"Brother Lu, just call me Vina."

The phrase "I am no longer a princess" signifies that she has completely let go of the past and accepted the reality of her country's destruction and her family's demise.

At this moment, she was no longer the high and mighty pearl of the Heavenly Soul Empire who needed protection.

She was simply Vina, an avenger burdened with a blood feud.

She bowed deeply and solemnly to Lu Jingming.

"Thank you, Brother Lu, for giving me this opportunity. I will never forget this kindness. If I can avenge my enemies in the future, my life will belong to you, Brother Lu."

There was no hint of bargaining or affectation in her words.

There was only the purest gratitude, and the unwavering resolve to stake everything on it.

She knew very well that, given her current situation, she had nothing but her life and that vague and ethereal banner of the Heavenly Soul Orthodoxy.

But Lu Jingming was willing to lend her a hand when she was at her most desperate.

Whatever his motives, this kindness is as heavy as Mount Tai.

"It doesn't have to be this way."

Lu Jingming spoke in a flat tone, neither accepting her pledge of allegiance nor refusing it.

"Go do what you need to do. The Star Luo Empire's intelligence system will fully cooperate with you."

"Yes."

Vina straightened up and took one last look at Xu Jiujiu, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

Then, without any further hesitation, she turned around and strode out of the warm and magnificent palace.

She didn't stay a moment longer.

Before her lay a path of revenge, fraught with mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

She was going to gather the remaining forces that were still loyal to the Heavenly Soul Empire and were hidden in various corners of the continent.

She was going to contact the members of the Body Sect who had survived the Battle of Heaven Dou City and who harbored deep hatred for the Sun Moon Empire.

She remained silent for a year, and the Sun and Moon Empire also spent a year recuperating.

She could sense that the terrifying war beast was about to open its blood-red maw once more, unable to contain itself any longer.

She must gather all the forces that can be united before that happens.

Watching Vina's lonely figure disappear into the distance at the edge of the palace garden, he finally couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

"Is this... really okay, Ah Ming?"

She turned around and leaned against Lu Jingming's chest, her voice filled with worry.

“Once she embarks on this path, there’s no turning back. I’m afraid of her…”

"Everyone has their own destiny and choices."

Lu Jingming reached out and gently wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into his embrace. He rested his chin on her forehead and softly comforted her, "You can't walk the path of life for her. Letting her live in false comfort, tormented by hatred and powerlessness every day, is the cruelest thing you can do for her."

There was a long silence.

She knew Lu Jingming was right.

But reason is one thing and emotion is another.

"I see."

She buried her face in his chest and mumbled something.

The Star Luo Empire of today is no longer the same as it was a year ago.

Lu Jingming is undoubtedly the uncrowned king of this empire.

Her father, Emperor Xu Jiawei, had almost unreservedly handed over the empire's military, political, and economic power to Lu Jingming step by step.

He himself was happy to be a lazy bum, spending his days traveling with the Empress, enjoying the company of his grandchildren, and completely relinquishing the burden of power.

As for those conservative opposition figures within the empire who couldn't see the bigger picture?

Yes, definitely.

How could those ducal and marquis families, whose lineage has lasted for thousands of years, willingly hand over power to an outsider?

But most of them are pragmatic.

After several tentative objections were ruthlessly suppressed by Lu Jingming with thunderous methods, and even the family heir was replaced by various unexpected means, they wisely chose to keep quiet.

And that small group, the most stubborn and radical opponents...

After a long while, I thought of that cold and ruthless girl—Ji Yingying.

The Bureau of Impermanence, which she heads, has now replaced the empire's original surveillance and intelligence agencies, becoming a Damocles' sword hanging over the heads of all nobles.

The most restless opponents often disappear silently from the world one night, along with all the evidence of their crimes, which are then placed on the emperor's desk.

Cut the mess with a sharp knife.

Faced with Lu Jingming's absolute power and ruthless political skills, any conspiracy or trickery appears pale and laughable.

Therefore, she knew that every decision Lu Jingming made was based on his profound considerations.

All she needed to do was support him unconditionally.

"Okay, don't think about it."

Lu Jingming gently patted her back and said with a smile.

“Vina joining us is also a good thing for us.”

"Good news?" Xu Jiujiu raised his head, somewhat puzzled.

"of course."

Lu Jingming smiled.

"Although the Heavenly Soul Empire has perished, it has been passed down for thousands of years and has a profound foundation. Those loyalists to the royal family, especially the remnants of the Body Sect, are a force to be reckoned with. Among them, there must be quite a few surviving Title Douluos."

"If this force is left unchecked, it will become a group of desperate outlaws filled with hatred, extremely difficult to control. But now, with Vina as our banner, we can legitimately incorporate them all into our ranks."

"Accepting them is also sending a signal to the entire continent."

A meaningful smile appeared on Lu Jingming's lips.

"Once everything is over, the Sun Moon Empire has been overthrown, and a new order has been established, Vina can rightfully join us with this part of the Heavenly Soul Empire's power and become a part of it. If possible, I still hope that she can have a relatively happy ending."

Listening to Lu Jingming analyze all the pros and cons and human relationships so thoroughly, the last trace of doubt in Xu Jiujiu's heart completely disappeared.

Looking at the man in front of her, she felt a sense of peace.

He's always like this; behind every seemingly casual decision lies countless layers of profound meaning and strategic planning.

"I understand."

She tiptoed and kissed his lips.

"Thank you, Ah Ming."

The silence was broken.

After a year of unsettling digestion and settling, the terrifying war behemoth of the Sun Moon Empire has finally opened its hungry eyes once more.

This time, its gaze was set on the rich but weak land in the eastern part of the continent—the Douling Empire.

Almost overnight, the shadow of war once again enveloped the entire Douluo Continent.

Tens of thousands of soul-guided airships crossed the border, blotting out the sky.

On the ground, the integrated and expanded mecha legions, antimatter legions, step-human legions, and countless soul master troops formed an unstoppable steel torrent, advancing into the heart of the Douling Empire with overwhelming force.

Panic spread like a plague throughout the Douling Empire.

The strength of the Douling Empire was already a level weaker than that of the Tianhun Empire back then.

Despite witnessing the destruction of their neighbor over the past year and feeling the fear of losing their neighbor, they worked day and night to strengthen their defenses, expand their army, and prepare for war. However, all their efforts seemed pale and powerless in the face of the Sun Moon Empire's war machine, which was so far ahead of theirs.

Battle reports from the front lines poured into the Douling Imperial Palace like snowflakes, each letter stained with the blood of defeat and despair.

"The first line of defense was completely breached within three hours."

"The important western town of Wangyue City has fallen, and the entire 30,000-strong garrison has been wiped out."

"The Sun and Moon Empire's antimatter legion... they are monsters, we simply cannot resist them."

"Defeated... defeated again... a complete rout."

The Hall of State Affairs in the Douling Imperial Palace.

The atmosphere was as oppressive as solidified lead.

Emperor Douling, an old man who had long lost his imperial majesty and was now only filled with haggardness and fear, slumped helplessly on his golden throne, listening listlessly to the heart-wrenching reports from his generals below.

"Where are the reinforcements? Where are the Star Luo Empire's reinforcements?!"

He suddenly roared at the top of his lungs, as if grasping at the last straw.

"Where are the envoys I sent? What did they say?!"

A minister in charge of foreign affairs stepped forward tremblingly, his voice shaking:
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, the Star Luo Empire... has replied that they are assembling their army, but... but it will take time..."

"Time? Time, that's what we lack most right now."

The Emperor of Battle Spirit slammed a battle report in his hand to the ground, and his whole being descended into a hysterical frenzy.

"By the time they have all assembled, my empire... will be long gone."

The hall was deathly silent; no one dared to speak.

Emperor Douling was panting heavily, his bloodshot eyes darting around frantically, like a cornered beast searching for any possible way out.

Suddenly, something occurred to him.

He turned sharply to his prime minister, his voice becoming shrill with urgency: "Xuanming Sect, immediately send someone to Xuanming Sect to ask for their help."

These words caused an uproar among the court officials.

Everyone knows that the relationship between the Douling royal family and the Xuanming Sect, located within the former Tianhun Empire, has long since reached a freezing point.

Back then, the sect leader of the Xuanming Sect dared to abduct the emperor's most beloved daughter, Princess Xue Lingxun.

This scandal caused the Douling royal family to lose face, and the emperor was furious, ordering that the Xuanming Sect be listed as a force that the empire would never welcome. (End of Chapter)