Douluo: From Internal Martial Arts to the Law of Heaven and Earth

Chapter 50 Joining a Major Force: The Advantages and Necessity of Having Subordinates to the "First Prince"

As dawn broke, a soft glow spread, illuminating the fishy, ​​musty smell.

After emerging from the tent and quickly washing up, Tang Shan skillfully found an open space. Taking a deep breath and slowly exhaling, his mind gradually cleared, and his heart naturally calmed down.

His martial spirit quietly activated, his body rapidly expanding, and his soul power surged autonomously within him, awakening his still somewhat languid form. Amidst the crackling sounds of his bones, Tang Shan's figure grew increasingly agile, radiating a vibrant vitality in the morning sunlight.

The blood and qi flowed vigorously through the body, nourishing the limbs and bones, allowing the whole body to gradually stretch out.

Tang Shan quietly sensed every detail of his body before activating the soul ring beneath his feet.

It was a wondrous feeling, as if his control and understanding of his body had reached a whole new level, allowing him complete and effortless manipulation of every tissue and part of his body. The subtle, yin-like strength could fortify bones and temper internal organs. The effects of this subtle strength echoed in his mind as Tang Shan slowly extended his palm, his movements deliberate, as if he were pushing a giant millstone. Streams of yin-like strength flowed through his body, penetrating deep into his bones, extracting impurities, and then expelling them through metabolism.

The so-called "bone strengthening" is not simply about increasing the hardness and strength of bones, but about achieving a balance of strength and flexibility: being as tough as steel and as graceful as a soft hand.

An invisible force surged within his body, seeping deep into his bones, subtly tempering and refining him, bringing a slight tingling sensation and a faint stinging pain. This was Tang Shan's feeling when he used hidden force to temper his bones. Fortunately, his years of cultivation had already honed his willpower to far exceed that of ordinary people, and these subtle sensations could not stir up any ripples in his heart, only creating a few imperceptible ripples.

The energy continuously extracts impurities, and the blood and qi continuously nourish the bones. In this cycle, the bones become increasingly hard and flexible. The surging blood and qi flow through the body, and heat continuously accumulates under the skin. If someone were to touch Tangshan's skin at this moment, they would be surprised to find that his body temperature is far above that of an ordinary person.

Tang Shan's punches and kicks were not swift, but rather carried a slow and leisurely ease, yet his face was tense, as if he were carrying a heavy burden while practicing cultivation.

call!

With a long breath, Tangshan ended his daily morning exercise routine.

At some point, Su Yuntao had silently taken up a post to the side, his movements as if a fine horse were truly galloping beneath him. Tang Shan did not approach to disturb him, but nodded slightly as he watched him gaze at the horizon, before turning back to his previous encampment.

Su Haichao had just relit the campfire and put the iron pot on to boil water when he saw Shanzi return and asked, "Shanzi, will you be cultivating in Tiandou City for the next few years?"

He fiddled with the coarse grains in his hand, processed them briefly, and threw them into the pot. He patted the crumbs off his clothes and looked solemnly at Tang Shan.

"That's probably true." Tang Shan nodded. "After all, we don't have the abundant resources of a major sect. If we want to go further, we have to go to more developed regions to obtain what we need for cultivation."

This statement did not fully express the meaning.

With his innate martial soul and years of dedicated research, Tang Shan is confident in becoming a Titled Douluo, and even reaching Super Douluo wouldn't be difficult. However, to touch upon the Limit Douluo realm or even become a god, his current accumulation is far from enough. Therefore, he must step onto a larger stage and leverage more resources to achieve his goal.

Even setting aside long-term plans, Tang Shan does indeed need to rely on a powerful force in the short term. After all, he's about to break through to level 20, and at this rate of cultivation, he'll probably need to hunt ten-thousand-year-old soul beasts within five or six years. At that point, Su Haichao's Soul Master level strength alone will be absolutely insufficient. Let alone a ten-thousand-year-old soul ring, even his second soul ring would be a considerable challenge for Su Haichao. Last time, he hunted soul beasts that were fourteen or five hundred years old, so it's reasonable for him to absorb soul beasts that are three or four thousand years old this time. However, for a Soul Master to deal with a four or five thousand-year-old soul beast, he would inevitably be taking a huge risk, a point that Tang Shan firmly disagrees with.

Moreover, setting aside the difficulty of hunting soul beasts that are four or five thousand years old, finding a suitable power-type soul beast is a huge challenge, which must require a powerful force to support it.

"Then why is the target the Heaven Dou Prince? Why not the Spirit Hall?" Su Haichao finally asked the question he had been holding back for so long. Putting everything else aside, just based on Tang Shan's status as a "master's disciple," he believed that going to the Spirit Hall would definitely bring him good treatment. In addition, he was already a member of the Spirit Hall; with such a direct lineage, the Spirit Hall should be the best choice.

"With the new pope just taking office, the power transition is underway, and internal struggles are at their most complex," Tang Shan explained slowly. "A soul master with innate full soul power entering at this time might become a victim of the power struggles among the higher-ups. After all, I'm not a genius with innate full soul power in the traditional sense of a beast or weapon spirit, but rather someone with full soul power innately, so my cultivation value is questionable."

Those power struggles at the top might be temporarily restrained for the sake of true geniuses, after all, there's the Hall of Offerings above to keep them in check, but for me, a Soul Master with a true martial spirit, it's hard to say.

He still had a concern he hadn't mentioned. It was indeed inappropriate to reveal the "master" identity he had painstakingly cultivated over the years directly, as it would attract too much attention. However, creating the identity of a "master's disciple" to acquire resources was the best choice.

As for the Spirit Hall, Tang Shan knew Bibi Dong's personality to some extent. She was a woman who, even after becoming a god, still couldn't forget Yu Xiaogang until her fall. This deep-seated obsession made Tang Shan seriously suspect that if he stepped into the Spirit Hall, he would probably disappear into thin air, and the "master" who appeared in the Spirit Hall afterwards would definitely be Yu Xiaogang himself.

To avoid such a tragedy, Tangshan decisively chose to stay away from the Spirit Hall.

"Then why didn't the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School choose it either?" After hearing his explanation, Su Haichao felt that it made sense and stopped trying to persuade him.

He wasn't a mindless fanatic of the Spirit Hall; it was just a job, and there was no need for him to feel such a deep sense of belonging. Now, he was more curious as to why Tang Shan had also abandoned the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.

"Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School..." Tang Shan muttered to himself. He naturally wouldn't say that he was too lazy to train a certain witch, nor did he want to be "taught a lesson" by two Title Douluo because of a conflict with her. Moreover, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was destined to perish in the future if he didn't intervene.

After some thought, he came up with a suitable reason: "It's not about abandoning the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, but rather the Heavenly Dou Prince, or rather the Heavenly Dou Empire, that's a better choice."

"What do you mean?" Su Haichao asked, increasingly puzzled.

"The situation on the mainland may seem complicated, but in reality there are only six core forces: three sects, two kingdoms, and one hall," Tang Shan analyzed clearly. "Let's start with the Spirit Hall. It's the only one that's powerful, basically acting as a neutral referee. It doesn't really clash with the three upper sects. Although it's a mediator between the two great empires, their relationship is just so-so. I've already explained why it didn't join before, so I won't go into details here."

Of the two empires, the Star Luo Empire is clearly stronger. Coupled with its cruel system of eliminating princes and its powerful martial spirit inheritance, if one were to join, one would likely not receive much preferential treatment in terms of resources.

As for the Heaven Dou Empire, its own Soul Master foundation is relatively weak, requiring the assistance of various noble clans and duchies. Its royal martial souls are also unremarkable, making it a natural choice for Soul Master geniuses. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is essentially bound to the Heaven Dou Empire. If any geniuses emerge from the royal family, they will certainly spare no effort in nurturing them. After all, only by relying on the vast territory of the empire can they gather geniuses like Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo who have the potential to become Title Douluos. Therefore, maintaining a good relationship with the Heaven Dou Empire is essential.

Joining the royal family would be like getting two birds with one stone: access to the resources of the empire and the power of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School; whereas joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School would only grant access to one family's resources. Why hesitate?

“From this perspective, the Heavenly Dou Royal Family is indeed a good choice.” Su Haichao paused, then added, “But Shanzi, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School may not be willing to fully support you, after all, you are ultimately a member of the Heavenly Dou Royal Family, not their own disciple.”

"It's alright. As long as we can get some resources from them, that's a victory." After answering Su Haichao's questions, Tang Shan ate a simple breakfast and returned to the carriage, lost in thought.

He harbored even greater ambitions. He knew that even if a titled Douluo only reached the Soul Emperor stage, their strength would be astonishing.

At that time, it will inevitably attract the attention of major forces. Without a strong backer, it is absolutely not advisable. As for wanting to keep a low profile and cultivate in secret, putting everything else aside, just finding the soul ring is enough to give people a headache.

Even if he reveals his identity as a disciple of a master or even a master himself, it may not be feasible at that time, and may even arouse more unease among the major forces.

After all, he is famous, skilled in martial arts, and possesses astonishing talent that is visible to the naked eye. It is inevitable that the top forces would suspect that he also wants to get a share of the pie in Douluo Continent.

Therefore, Tangshan's choice must be to directly join a powerful force, and among them, there is no one more suitable than Xue Qinghe, the "First Prince" of the Tiandou Empire.

Once you join her ranks, you'll feel incredibly safe.

Putting everything else aside, the two Title Douluo beside her are the best bodyguards you could ask for.

Moreover, the other party will become Ning Fengzhi's student in the future, thus completely eliminating the threat from the two major forces.

And let's not forget that "Crown Prince of Tiandou" Xue Qinghe also has another identity: the granddaughter of Qian Daoliu, the master of the Hall of Offering.

As long as she speaks up, the Spirit Hall will at most give him a symbolic crackdown; they won't actually kill him like they did with Tang San when he participated in the Soul Master Competition. As for the possibility that the love-struck Pope might want to kill him, don't underestimate Qian Daoliu. In Tang Shan's view, as long as he occupies a sufficiently important place in Xue Qinghe's heart, it will be enough for Qian Daoliu to keep a close eye on her until Bibi Dong becomes a god.

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Chapter 51 Arrival at Iron Wall City, Qian Renxue: Kill Yu Xiaogang

駕！

A carriage moved slowly along the official road, the soft sound of hooves breaking the tranquility of the early morning.

"Dad, why do I feel like there aren't many pedestrians around?"

Su Yuntao looked at the relatively empty official road with some curiosity.

"That's because Iron Arm City is a shield in front of Heavenly Dou City. The city is mainly inhabited by the military, and most of the civilians are military dependents."

Su Haichao provided an explanation.

"Is there a lot of military experts in the Great Soul Arena in that city?"

Su Yuntao's keen insight grasped the key point, leaving Tang Shan, who was sitting to the side, somewhat helpless.

"Brother, once we reach the Spirit Hall in Heaven Dou City, it won't be too late for you to travel the continent. There will be plenty of large spirit arenas for you to participate in then, so a few more won't make a difference."

Tangshan couldn't help but speak up.

“You’re wrong, Shanzi. If you miss one match today, and another tomorrow, how many matches will you miss in a year? That’s a huge loss of combat experience, and that’s absolutely unacceptable. Just like if you skip your morning workout, over time, isn’t that a form of laziness?”

Tang Shan was speechless, feeling somewhat devastated, after being contradicted by his own words.

Ever since Su Yuntao broke up with Sisi, he seems to have changed completely, spending all his time either cultivating or thinking about fighting.

Clearly, he was completely unaware that he, too, was immersed in spiritual practice all day long.

"arrive."

Su Haichao's voice rang out. The group subconsciously looked up and saw a tall city wall come into view. The wall was thirty zhang high and stretched as far as the eye could see, like a huge barrier that kept all external threats out.

"This is Iron Arm City. Legend has it that the Star Luo Empire almost destroyed the Heaven Dou Empire back then, but their army was blocked outside this Iron Wall City, and they couldn't break through it no matter what methods they tried."

Looking at the thick city walls, Su Haichao couldn't help but sigh.

Looking from the carriage, the uneven marks on the gray city wall vaguely reveal the ferocity of that war.

Tang Shan also curiously looked at the magnificent city wall, secretly marveling at the power of the Soul Master.

Such a magnificent city, even with the aid of technology in my previous life, would have required an unimaginable amount of manpower and resources to build. But in the Douluo Continent, perhaps only a single Title Douluo is needed to create such a project in a short time.

There weren't many people entering the city, and it was soon Tangshan's group's turn. After paying a simple entrance fee, the soldiers on both sides let them pass.

As Tangshan passed through the city gate, he was shocked to discover that the gate was an astonishingly thick one meter. The tunnel inside the city wall that led into the city was more than ten meters long.

In other words, the wall is at least ten meters thick.

No wonder the Star Luo Empire couldn't break through this Iron Wall City back then. With such formidable defenses, unless a Limit Douluo personally intervenes to breach the city, this Iron Wall City is a city of despair for the Star Luo Empire.

The city's streets are very wide, generally wide enough for four carriages to travel side by side. This is clearly one of the important reasons why Ironwall City is a major military stronghold; wide roads allow for the rapid relocation of large armies.

Where should we go first?

Tangshan looked towards the Suhai Tide.

"Just like before, find a place to stay first, and then go to the Soul Arena."

Su Haichao was prepared; he had bought a rough map of Iron Wall City in another city beforehand. Now that he had entered the city, he headed straight for the inn.

……

Ta-da!

A neatly arranged procession slowly approached from afar, with tall horses clad in armor and soldiers on horseback wearing full heavy armor. The sharp weapons in their hands gleamed with a chilling light, each piece a masterpiece.

The entire team was well-disciplined and exuded a fierce aura, resembling an inseparable whole.

They surrounded a carriage in the center and moved quickly toward Ironwall City at a considerable pace.

Inside the carriage located in the center of the procession, the air was filled with the delicate fragrance of sandalwood, and the carpet of soul beast hides underfoot highlighted the carriage's luxury.

The tables and chairs inside the vehicle are made from the trunks of the thousand-year-old plant-type soul beast, the lush forest tree. Staying in such an environment for a long time can calm the mind of a soul master and improve their cultivation speed. Even if you are not a soul master, you can prolong your life.

"Uncles, I need to contact Grandpa. Please let me know immediately if there are any developments."

Sitting on the soft couch, Xue Qinghe spoke to the coachman, his voice clear and cold, yet carrying an undeniable air of authority.

"Young Master, rest assured, Porcupine and I will be very careful and will never let anyone disturb your communication with the Grand Elder."

Xue Qinghe said no more and took a necklace off his neck. The necklace was very inconspicuous, the rope was transparent and it was usually hard to be noticed. The most eye-catching thing was the pendant on it.

Its entire body is pale gold, vaguely resembling a human figure, making it impossible to distinguish between male and female. However, the three pairs of wings on its back are particularly dazzling, swirling with fine golden light.

Xue Qinghe removed the disguise of the soul bone, instantly revealing a stunningly beautiful face.

Xue Qinghe, no, she should be called Qian Renxue now. She subconsciously stroked her smooth skin, raised her hand to tuck a strand of golden hair behind her ear, her fingertips entwining the hair, her eyes slightly dazed.

Her blue eyes, like clear sapphires, reflected the vast blue sky outside the window; her long golden hair fell naturally over her shoulders, not messy, but exuding a natural and harmonious beauty.

Her pale pink lips were delicate and luscious, as if glistening liquid flowed within them. Even dressed in princely attire, her stunning beauty could not be concealed; instead, it added a touch of heroic brilliance.

After a long while, she came to her senses and cleared her throat. Her clear, melodious voice still carried an unyielding indifference, like icicles in the dead of winter.

The soul power within her body surged slowly, converging along her meridians into her palm, emitting a faint golden light. The golden light gradually condensed on her hand, which resembled a work of art, growing brighter and brighter, illuminating the corners of the carriage.

boom!

A golden flame suddenly ignited in her palm, radiating a sacred and pure aura of light, without emitting any heat, but instead giving people a gentle feeling.

The flickering firelight accentuated her unparalleled beauty, giving her an air of inviolable sanctity.

Qian Renxue gently placed the angel pendant into the flames. Faintly, the three pairs of wings on the back of the blurry human figure on the pendant began to flap gently, and the pendant itself shimmered with a lustrous sheen, echoing the flames in her palm.

She wasn't in a hurry; she simply waited quietly, her expression calm and composed.

Suddenly, the blurry humanoid pendant flashed with golden light, instantly absorbing all of her own golden light and the flames in her palm. After the light dissipated, the pendant returned to its previous pale golden appearance, with nothing else extraordinary about it.

A gentle, affectionate voice came from the golden figure: "Xiaoxue, what do you need from your grandpa? Don't you want to be the Heavenly Prince anymore? If you don't, you can come back anytime."

"It's alright, Grandpa, everything is going smoothly." Qian Renxue's voice softened a bit, but it still carried a hint of coldness. "Emperor Xueye sent me, Xueshan, Xuelinsen, and me to different important towns in the Tiandou Empire to observe the people's conditions as a test. I am on my way to Iron Wall City now."

She exchanged a few pleasantries with Qian Daoliu and inquired about the well-being of the other worshippers. After confirming that they were all in good health, she abruptly changed the subject, her tone turning cold and filled with undisguised anger.

"Grandpa, what exactly is going on with that 'master' strategy? Is that woman out of her mind to come up with such an outrageous plan!"

The moment the words left his mouth, the temperature inside the carriage plummeted, and the subtle fragrance of sandalwood was somewhat diluted by an invisible aura of hostility.

A cold glint flashed in her azure eyes, faintly revealing a murderous aura, clearly indicating that she was not in a particularly pleasant mood.

Hey!

Standing before the angel statue, Qian Daoliu sighed silently. As expected, things were developing along the trajectory he had anticipated, but for Qian Renxue's path to godhood, he still wanted to try his best.

"Xiaoxue, don't you think that master has had too much influence on you?" Qian Daoliu said slowly, his tone somewhat probing. "I don't want you to be too deeply influenced by him, as it won't be good for you when you take the Divine Trial in the future."

Qian Renxue was silent for a moment, then her clear, cold voice came from the pendant, carrying an undeniable firmness: "Grandpa, it's normal for him to have an influence on me. After all, my first three soul rings were all thousand-year soul rings without undergoing divine trials. Such an achievement is unprecedented, if not unparalleled."

"His theories are profound and have provided such significant assistance to my spiritual practice. It is only natural that I admire him. What is there to worry about?"

She paused, her tone becoming even more resolute: "As for the divine test—the master has provided such great help to my cultivation. If he were in danger and I chose to stand by and do nothing, I think that would have a greater impact on my path to godhood."

Across from him, Qian Daoliu fell into a long silence, with only the faint sound of airflow remaining in the carriage.

"Moreover, it was thanks to the master's theories that Grandpa Qianjun and Grandpa Jiangmo broke through their bottlenecks."

Qian Renxue continued, "If Bibi Dong's plan is allowed to proceed, not to mention the impact on me, Grandfather, do you think that letting the two grandfathers stand idly by will affect their cultivation?"

“Alright, I will stop Bibi Dong’s plan. We old men will listen to you, Xiaoxue, and stand on the Master’s side.”