Douluo Continent: Little Huo Niang Taken Away by Di Tian

Xu He never imagined that he would one day return to the Sun Moon Empire.

During his time as an exchange student in the Sun Moon Empire, he would always come to the observatory at the highest point of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy.

Leaning on the railing, gazing into the distance, the setting sun molten gold.

He could clearly see the towering glazed pagoda of the Sun and Moon Palace, its spire reflecting a cold yet magnificent red light in the afterglow of the setting sun.

The majestic complex of buildings stretched endlessly, like a lurking golden beast, exuding a suffocating pressure.

So beautiful.

Xu He sighed softly to himself. This kind of beauty carried a deep-seated familiarity, yet it was separated by an insurmountable barrier of alienation.

Standing in the inner palace gardens gazing at the setting sun evokes a sense of awe in a subject; but standing here, overlooking this steel fortress painstakingly built by the ancestors of the sun and moon, evokes a complex and chilling resonance.

I can never go back to it.

A bitter taste crept onto his lips. The once carefree crown prince, the little boy chasing butterflies in the imperial garden, was ultimately swallowed up by the tide of time.

Xu He had a happy childhood. As the tenth child and only son of his father, Emperor Xu Li, he was made crown prince at birth.

Even after he awakened the cigar-themed martial spirit, which seemed somewhat comical to others, his nobility remained undiminished.

His cigar-themed martial spirit was inherited from his maternal grandfather; it was a common food-type martial spirit.

"Xu He, peace. This is Father Emperor's wish. He hopes for peace in the Sun Moon Empire."

The Emperor's voice was gentle yet firm, like a brand, deeply engraved in the young Xu He's heart.

Those days were like being soaked in honey.

Xu He's unmarried sisters were gentle and charming, chattering around him; and his uncle Xu Mu, the man who always had a warm smile, was the warmest support in his childhood.

Before the earth-shattering palace coup, Xu Mu and his sisters only had pure respect and love for him.

The afternoon I remember was perfectly sunny.

Xu Mu, dressed in a moon-white casual suit, held Xu He's hand with one hand and steadily carried Xu He's younger sister with the other, walking with composure.

"Xiao He, Xiao Ping, tell your uncle, what happy things have happened lately?"

Xu Mu's voice was gentle and warm as he looked at the children with a smile.

Although the smile didn't reach his eyes, in Xu He's eyes at that time, his uncle was still the gentlest person in the world.

"Father recently took us to visit Mingde Hall! Hall Master Jing introduced us to many soul tools!" Xu He excitedly shook his head.

"There's a storage brooch shaped like a flower petal that's really pretty. I told my father I wanted one, and he had Master Jing make one for me. It'll arrive in a few days!" Xu Ping added happily from the side, his little face flushed.

"Master Jing is an excellent level nine soul master. I remember his grandchildren are about the same age as you." Xu Mu patted Xu He's head, his tone filled with the loving kindness of an elder.

Xu He and Xu Ping were unaware of the fleeting hint of gloom in their uncle's words.

A gentle breeze swept through the garden, bringing with it the fragrance of flowers.

"Your Majesty." Xu Mu suddenly stopped smiling and bowed to the middle-aged man walking towards him.

"Amu, we are brothers, no need for formalities." Emperor Xu Li took his daughter from Xu Mu's arms.

"I really envy my brother for having such a well-behaved daughter," Xu Mu's eyes flickered for a moment before he laughed, "My Tianzhen is so naughty, this little girl actually climbs trees and steals birds' nests every day..."

"It's a good thing for a child to be energetic," Xu Li said calmly.

"Amu, we will succeed. We will let the sun and moon be illuminated by the sun, and the sun will purify all darkness." Xu Li turned her head to look at Xu Mu, her smile so bright it was almost blinding.

Back in his princely residence, in the elegantly decorated yet desolate study, Xu Mu's mask finally shattered.

He abruptly swept the teacup off the table, the sound of shattering porcelain particularly jarring in the empty room.

"Xu Li, you hypocrite! Do you think you're the sun? Even the sun has shadows it can't reach!"

He roared at the void, his eyes slightly red, a mixture of madness and resentment that had been suppressed for too long.

Xu Mu recovered, panting heavily, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead. It seemed the plan needed to be sped up…

Xu Li wanted to eliminate the Holy Spirit Cult, and this was the perfect opportunity.

"Xu Li, your life is mine; your throne is mine; your country is mine too."

……

The coup d'état at the Sun and Moon Palace, which shocked the entire continent, completely changed Xu He's life.

On the streets of Mingdu.

As He Caitou walked through the bustling crowd, his nose was filled with a variety of complex smells—the smoky aroma of roasted sweet potatoes, the sweet scent of cosmetics, and the faint smell of coal smoke emanating from the blacksmith's shop by the roadside.

He looked around at the rows of shops, at the various strange and wonderful soul-guided trinkets displayed in the shop windows, and at the street vendors shouting their wares.

What a peaceful, ordinary scene...

All of this seemed so ordinary, yet so precious.

It's as if this proves that whether under the rule of Emperor Xu Li or under the current control of Uncle Xu Mu, the gears of the Sun and Moon Continent are still turning smoothly.

The people here are still struggling to make a living, and they still have their own joys and sorrows.

He Caitou watched a young couple walk by. The man was holding the woman's hand, and the two were talking in hushed tones. The woman covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her eyes and brows radiating happiness.

"That's great."

He Caitou couldn't help but sigh.

He once thought that Xu Mu's usurpation of the throne would inevitably be accompanied by bloodshed and a reign of terror.

But as he walked the streets of Mingdu, he realized that the grand political games and thrilling power struggles seemed to be kept outside the high palace walls.

The local atmosphere and everyday life here make it a haven for ordinary people.

"My hometown, you are still beautiful."

He Caitou moved his stiff neck and a warm smile appeared on his lips.

He turned and walked towards the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, his steps light and firm.

Kill Xu Mu, kill Xu Tianran.

and then?

Can I really govern this country well?

He Caitou paused slightly, his brows furrowing involuntarily.

He was just a craftsman, a researcher who pursued the ultimate soul tool.

Asking him to manipulate power and balance the various factions is more difficult than asking him to dismantle ten combat mechs with his bare hands.

But he had no way out.

He has to do it.

Xu He's life ended on the day of the coup at the Sun and Moon Palace.

He Caitou clenched his fist, his nails digging deep into his palm, causing a slight stinging sensation.

Behind him, the setting sun in Mingdu slowly descended, casting his shadow long, very long.