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

……

Yu Xiaogang walked up to Tang San and said earnestly, "I, Yu Xiaogang, have dedicated my life to the research of martial soul theory. My greatest wish is to prove my theory and cultivate disciples who are capable of changing the world."

You've proven your talent and potential. But now, you've hit a bottleneck! Your hidden weapons are undoubtedly exquisite, but against the organized Soul Tool Legion of the Spirit Empire, the power of an individual is ultimately limited! You need greater knowledge, you need a broader platform!

"Xu Hong's appearance is a godsend!" Yu Xiaogang's voice was filled with almost fanatical excitement. "His knowledge of soul tools is the gateway to a new world! If you can master it and combine it with your Tang Sect's unique skills and the Haotian Sect's heritage, you will surely create an unprecedented path!"
At that time, you will not only become the savior of the Heaven Dou Empire, but may even become a great figure who leads the entire Soul Master world to change!

Seeing Tang San's still hesitant expression, he softened his tone, a hint of melancholy in his voice: "As for our master-disciple relationship... it won't change because of this. I will still be your teacher, your theoretical guide. And Xu Hong can become your mentor in the field of soul tools."

This is not betrayal, but rather... a necessary sacrifice and choice made for a greater purpose.

Tang San was deeply shocked by Yu Xiaogang's impassioned yet calculating words.

He understood his teacher's meaning—he wanted him to use the guise of "becoming an apprentice" to actually "steal technology and recruit outside help."

From the perspective of imperial interests, this is undoubtedly a brilliant move. If successful, the Heavenly Dou Empire might truly gain a chance to regroup.

but……

Tang San couldn't help but recall Xu Hong's appreciative and sincere eyes, and the way he explained the principles of soul tools without reservation.

The old man genuinely valued his talent and wanted to take him on as his apprentice.

To exploit this sincerity to achieve political goals?

This clashed violently with his deeply held "Tang Clan principles"—repaying kindness and revenge, and prioritizing integrity.

In his previous life, he chose the most extreme way to rebel because he could not tolerate the hypocrisy and oppression of the inner sect of the Tang Clan.

In this life, must he play the role of a hypocritical opportunist for the sake of the so-called "greater good"?
"Teacher..." Tang San's voice was a little hoarse, "Is doing this... against morality?"

Yu Xiaogang frowned, his tone turning cold and hard again: "Morality? Xiao San, you're too naive! Between nations, there are only interests, not eternal morality! The Martial Soul Empire has never given up its desire to destroy us. If we still cling to these illusory things, we will only bring about our own destruction! Those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles!"

He stared intently into Tang San's eyes: "This is an order, and also a responsibility that the empire must bear! Do you understand?"

Tang San looked into Yu Xiaogang's unwavering eyes and felt the heavy weight of responsibility pressing down on him. He thought of the Heaven Dou Empire's current predicament, the expectant gaze of Emperor Xue Ye, and the hope for the revival of the Clear Sky Sect…

Personal likes, dislikes, and principles seem truly insignificant in the face of so-called "national righteousness."

He slowly lowered his head, clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms, and finally answered in an almost inaudible voice:

"...Disciple understands."

……

Yuexuan.

Xuanming and Tang Yuehua had just finished a somewhat heavy conversation. Tang Yuehua watched Xuanming's departing figure, her eyes filled with complex worries, but ultimately she said nothing more.

Just then, a familiar aura approached from afar. Xuan Ming paused, turned around, and saw Liu Erlong standing in the courtyard outside Yuexuan, looking at him calmly.

She changed into a simple and neat outfit, and the haggardness and death on her face faded a lot. Although there was still a trace of fatigue and hardship between her brows, her eyes regained focus and were no longer empty.

"Is it all done?" Xuanming asked.

"Hmm." Liu Erlong nodded, her tone flat. "There's nothing to deal with. I didn't have many friends to begin with. I told Flander and went to see Yu Luomian, which was my last bit of blood obligation. As for the others... my presence or absence makes no difference to them."

Her voice carried a sense of detachment from worldly affairs, as well as a hint of desolation that was not easily detected.

Over the years, she has isolated herself for too long, almost cutting off all contact with the outside world.

"You said you'd give me a place to stay, a future. But where is that place? And what is that future?"

Xuanming looked at her, not answering immediately, but instead gesturing for her to follow. The two walked side by side on the quiet, tree-lined path outside the Moon Pavilion.

“There are a few options, it depends on your preference,” Xuanming said. “First, Poseidon Island. The environment there is nice, secluded from the world, and relatively peaceful. Poseidon and I have some connections, so if you go there, you won’t need to go through any tests to settle in. It’s a change of scenery, a chance to live a quiet life.”

Liu Erlong listened silently without expressing his opinion.

“The second one is the Spirit Empire,” Xuanming continued. “However, it’s very busy and chaotic there right now. Bibi Dong is implementing various new policies, and everyone from top to bottom is extremely busy. There are also many internal conflicts. If you go there, you will most likely get caught up in it, and with your personality, you might not be able to stand that kind of atmosphere.”

Liu Erlong frowned slightly. She had never had a good impression of the Spirit Empire, let alone going there to "work".

“The last one is the Sun and Moon Continent,” Xuanming said, revealing the third option. “A completely different world, far from here. No one there knows you or your past, so you can start over completely. With your current Soul Douluo cultivation, you can protect yourself there and do whatever you want.”

After saying that, he stopped and looked at Liu Erlong: "Three places, three ways of life. Choose one."

Liu Erlong fell silent. The peace of Seagod Island, the turmoil of the Spirit Empire, the rebirth of the Sun Moon Continent... these three choices seemed to correspond to three completely different directions that her life might take.

Looking back on her life, she realized she had always lived for others, trapped in one place, wasting her life for a fleeting, unreal relationship and a shattered fantasy.

Now, I finally have the opportunity to completely break free from the past.

After a long silence, she raised her head, a resolute glint in her eyes: "Sun and Moon Continent."

Xuanming didn't seem surprised, and simply asked, "Have you thought it through? There are no acquaintances over there, you'll have to rely on yourself for everything."

Liu Erlong's lips curled into a smile that was both wild and relieved: "Acquaintances? I'm already tired of places where acquaintances are. Relying on myself? I've lived half my life, do you think I'm afraid of that?"

"What, are you afraid I'll embarrass you if I go?"

Xuanming glanced at her: "Whatever. Just don't die out there and cause me trouble."

Liu Erlong was momentarily speechless at his words, but then she laughed. This was the same brat she knew who could drive anyone crazy with his words.

"when are we leaving?"

“Anytime,” Xuanming said.

"I can take you there right now."

Liu Erlong was slightly taken aback, somewhat not quite understanding: "Now?"

Before she could ask any further questions, Xuanming had already reached out and gently placed his hand on her shoulder.

The next instant, Liu Erlong felt the surrounding space suddenly distort and blur, and an indescribable feeling of weightlessness came over him, as if his entire soul had been pulled out of his body.

This experience was extremely brief, yet it felt as long as eternity.

When she could see her surroundings again, she realized that she was no longer on the familiar tree-lined path outside the Moon Pavilion in Tiandou City.

She was suspended high in the air, with a magnificent city below her that was beyond imagination!
The city's architectural style is completely different from that of Douluo Continent, making extensive use of metal and crystal materials. The towering towers emit various colors of energy light, and uniquely designed soul-guided vehicles shuttle through the streets. The entire city is filled with a sense of futurism and magnificent mechanical beauty.

What shocked her even more was that the elemental energy in the air was subtly different from that in Douluo Continent, seemingly more active and leaning more towards a certain... energy?

"Where...where is this?" Liu Erlong stared wide-eyed at Xuan Ming beside her in disbelief.

"Sun and Moon Continent, Sun and Moon Imperial City," Xuanming said calmly.

Liu Erlong gasped.

Sun and Moon Continent! She had indeed heard of this overseas land from Ning Rongrong and the others, and knew that it was extremely far from Douluo Continent, so far that it would take several months to reach it by traveling on a specially made long-distance soul-guided giant ship!

But Xuanming... actually carried her across this endless sea in an instant?

What incredible power this is!
She already knew Xuanming was incredibly strong, unbelievably strong, but this method of directly tearing through space and instantly traversing continents completely exceeded her understanding of "power"! This was simply... a miracle! (End of Chapter)