Douluo Continent: My Martial Soul is the Black Dragon, I am the Lord of the Gods

Chapter 198 The Freedom I Desire

……

"That's true, but..." Yu Xiaogang's gaze swept over everyone present.

Do you think you'll still be able to get together like this five years from now?

“This…” Oscar was stunned. His relaxed smile froze on his face. He opened his mouth, but couldn’t say anything.

“If you participate in the Soul Master Competition five years from now, with your strength and talent, winning the championship wouldn’t be difficult. However, five years is a long time with too many variables,” Yu Xiaogang said.

"Although you may not be able to achieve great results now given your age and ability, as long as you perform normally, you will be able to achieve good results among the many participating teams. This is also a good opportunity for you to gain experience."

……

"The Soul Master Competition? You guys?"

Xiao Wu and her two companions, who had just returned from the meeting, went to Xuan Ming and told him what had happened at the meeting.

Upon hearing this news, Xuanming felt a strange urge to laugh.

"Hey! What do you mean! Are we that weak?" Ning Rongrong immediately looked indignant, her eyebrows furrowed, and she glared angrily at Xuan Ming.

"I am now the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and I'm already at level thirty-seven!"

"Zhu Qing has reached level 38!"

"We'll definitely reach level 40 in six months!"

“That’s right, we’re not weak,” Xiao Wu echoed.

Zhu Zhuqing didn't say anything, but judging from her expression, she was somewhat unconvinced.

Although they cannot compare to Xuanming, they are definitely not weaker than others!

“You are indeed not weak, but what about the others?” Xuanming asked.

"The Soul Master Competition is a team competition. There are quite a few people stronger than you. With your abilities, you may have no problem getting through the preliminaries, but what about the finals?"

"You guys aren't planning on a one-round trip, are you?"

"Uh... this..." Ning Rongrong was speechless for a moment, and her originally aggressive aura weakened instantly.

“If it’s just like Xiao Wu, going out to have some fun, then it doesn’t matter. She doesn’t care about winning or losing anyway,” Xuan Ming said.

"But you two are different, especially you."

Xuanming's gaze fell on Ning Rongrong.

As the young sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, Ning Rongrong would inevitably attract a lot of attention if she participated in such a competition. If she were to be eliminated in the first round, it would be a significant blow to the reputation of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.

"You'd better discuss this with your family," Xuanming said.

"This is no casual game."

Ning Rongrong nodded, "I will discuss it with Dad."

"As for your question," Xuanming said, looking at Zhu Zhuqing.

"Come here with me."

Zhu Zhuqing was slightly taken aback, nodded, and followed Xuan Ming.

Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu exchanged a glance, just as they were about to quietly follow and eavesdrop, a dark, empty hole suddenly appeared in front of them. Xuan Ming and Zhu Zhuqing vanished instantly, leaving Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu staring at each other in bewilderment.

"Sneaking around..." Xiao Wu pouted.

Ning Rongrong's eyes were a little unnatural. She stared at Xiao Wu for a while before suddenly asking, "Xiao Wu, you wouldn't... have feelings for him too, would you?"

Xiao Wu was slightly taken aback, her ears burning a little. She quickly waved her hand in denial, saying, "Who's interested in him? Don't talk nonsense."

"Really no fun?" Ning Rongrong asked skeptically, her eyes filled with a hint of inquiry.

When they first met, she felt that Xiao Wu's attitude towards Xuan Ming was strange, as she always paid attention to him intentionally or unintentionally. However, at that time, the distance between Xiao Wu and Xuan Ming was still very obvious, so she didn't think much of it.

However, after Xuanming suddenly disappeared for several months and returned to Soto City, Xiaowu's attitude towards him changed significantly. The distance between them disappeared, and she always found opportunities to spend time with Xuanming.

She felt that the change was because Xiao Wu learned about Xuan Ming's past experiences and developed sympathy and curiosity towards him.

But as they spent more and more time together, especially after arriving in Tiandou City, Xiao Wu's attitude towards Xuan Ming became increasingly strange. Just like Zhu Zhuqing, her eyes always held a hint of tenderness and dependence when she looked at Xuan Ming!
Although Xuanming had never thought about it in that direction, the progress of these two's strategy was increasing by leaps and bounds!

"My relationship with him... is rather special, it's hard to say," Xiao Wu said.

"Special?" Ning Rongrong raised an eyebrow.

How special?

Xiao Wu thought for a moment, "In a sense... we live and die together, right?"

Ning Rongrong was taken aback. "Are you confessing your feelings?"

They even came up with the phrase "sharing life and death"!

"Oh dear, it's not what you think." Xiao Wu blushed and quickly covered Ning Rongrong's mouth.

Ning Rongrong pulled Xiao Wu's hand away. "What about Tang San?"

“He’s a good friend,” Xiao Wu said. “We’ve practically grown up together, haven’t I told you before?”

"Friends?" Ning Rongrong raised an eyebrow slightly, a meaningful smile playing on her lips.

"They're probably not just ordinary friends, are they?"

Tang San's feelings for Xiao Wu are definitely extraordinary!
Xiao Wu just didn't notice, and she didn't think about it in that way.

But she could tell!

"What's wrong?" Xiao Wu asked, puzzled.

"It's nothing." Ning Rongrong shook her head gently, not intending to say anything more.

"By the way, Xuanming gave gifts to both me and Zhuqing this time. What about you?"

"What did he give you? I don't see much change in your soul power level. Could it be that he didn't give you something to increase your soul power?"

Xiao Wu's talent is the kind that's extremely exaggerated!
Xuanming also said that there are differences even among those with innate full soul power. Some people are innately at level ten because they can only reach level ten, while others are innately at level ten because they can only reach level ten at most.

Xiao Wu belongs to the latter category.

This girl is just too playful, and like her, she rarely puts in the effort to cultivate. Otherwise, she would definitely have a much higher level of cultivation than she has now.

"I..." Xiao Wu's expression was somewhat unnatural.

Ning Rongrong's expression changed slightly. "Could it be... that there isn't one?"

Xiao Wu shook her head. "Yes."

"What gift?" Ning Rongrong asked curiously.

"It's a secret." Xiao Wu turned her back and walked towards the outer forest of the academy.

Ning Rongrong watched Xiao Wu's departing figure, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Hmph, a secret, huh? I'll dig out your little secret sooner or later."

……

Meanwhile, Xuanming led Zhu Zhuqing to a forest far from the campus.

The trees are lush, with intertwined branches and leaves. Sunlight filters through the gaps in the leaves, creating dappled patterns of light and shadow.

“Your situation is also somewhat complicated.” Xuanming leaned against the tree.

“At first, I planned to use my position in the Great Soul Arena to help you resolve this matter, but as you know, I’ve fallen out with the seven major families.”

"And now that you've fallen out with Dai Mubai, your own strength is insufficient to fight against your sister and the Star Luo Royal Family."

"I..." Zhu Zhuqing opened her mouth, about to say something, when Xuan Ming raised his hand to interrupt her.

"Do you remember when we first met, I asked you a question?"

Why should I help you? Give me a reason, and what can you offer me?

That night, I asked you again, and your answer was everything.

Xuanming paused, looking into Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, "Although I gave that thing to you, to be honest, I don't like this answer."

"You said you loathe the cage of Xingluo, and you yearn for freedom."

"But in order to escape the cage of Xingluo, you chose to sell everything you had and lock yourself in another cage."

Is this the freedom you crave?

Zhu Zhuqing remained calm as she slowly stepped forward to stand in front of Xuan Ming. She tilted her head back and looked directly into his eyes. "No one can truly be free from constraints. Everyone is trapped in their own cage, whether big or small, bright or dark. But at least for now, this cage is one I chose myself!"

“But I rescued you from another cage, not to lock you in mine,” Xuanming said.

"You said you wanted freedom, so I gave you the ability to fly, but do you still choose to remain a caged bird?"

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes trembled slightly, and she bit her lower lip tightly, "But this cage is more than just a cage to me."

"What is it?" Xuanming asked.

Zhu Zhuqing raised her head and looked into Xuanming's eyes, "It's home, the home I chose."

Xuanming was slightly taken aback; he hadn't expected to hear such an answer from Zhu Zhuqing.

“Xuanming, I know you’ve always been thinking of me and want me to be truly free, even though I don’t understand why you’re so good to me.” Zhu Zhuqing bit her lip.

"But the freedom I want is not to wander the world alone. For me, it's about having something that gives me peace of mind, something I'm willing to give everything for. That's the freedom I want, the home I want!"

"..."

　To answer a few questions, firstly, regarding the spirit ring issue, people have been asking why we keep focusing on the spirit rings of the two rabbits. Here's the explanation: why would anyone think that those ferocious beasts that have cultivated for hundreds of thousands of years would so easily abandon their pride and freedom to willingly sacrifice themselves for a human? And why would anyone think they would take such a risk?

　　Secondly, regarding the female lead, it depends on how the plot develops and what everyone wants to see.

　　Finally, thank you all for reading.

　　[Note: There are too many rabid people in the comments section. I won't reply to comments anymore, otherwise I'll get chased and bitten, which is annoying.]

　　
　
(End of this chapter)