Sun Moon Empire, Mingdu.
The sun was just rising.
Xu Xiaoyun, dressed in a traditional crossed-collar robe, strolled alone down the wide cobblestone street. On both sides stood buildings that stretched endlessly into the distance—most were over five stories tall, with some even exceeding ten.
Walking through the continent's greatest city, ripples slowly appeared in the usually calm depths of Xu Xiaoyun's eyes. His expression grew complicated.
In sheer size alone, the combined capitals of the three original nations of the Douluo Continent didn't even amount to half of Mingdu. Only when you added Shrek City could you barely make a comparison. In terms of prosperity—there was no contest.
Along the way, Xu Xiaoyun had already seen several civilian-use soul tools. No matter how much he wanted to stick to his traditionalist stance, he couldn't lie to himself and claim a heating soul tool wasn't more convenient and warmer than stoking a fire…"Over four thousand years have passed, and in the end, the status of traditional soul masters still couldn't withstand the impact of soul tools. Like it or not, new things must be accepted."Glancing around at his surroundings, Xu Xiaoyun felt a weight settle in his heart. He worried for the future of traditional soul masters.
Now that even Titled Douluo-level soul engineers had emerged, it meant that at the highest tier of combat, soul masters no longer held an undisputed advantage. Given time, perhaps even the soul master's very role would be phased out.Perhaps... the Xu family had also reached the point where change was unavoidable."Come take a look, come and try! Grilled meat, fragrant grilled meat—our family shop's been here for over a hundred years!""Freshly steamed buns—only three copper soul coins each! Come try them!"Voices of vendors hawking breakfast echoed from all directions. A rich aroma of beef drifted past his nose, making Xu Xiaoyun swallow reflexively. He turned without hesitation and walked straight into a grilled meat shop."Well, since I'm here—I might as well eat first.""Waiter, bring me your best grilled meats—I want to try them all! Lamb, beef, whatever you've got. However it tastes best, that's how I want it. Don't worry about the cost!"He sat at an empty table, pulled out a gold soul coin card, and gave a bold wave of his sleeve—his aura exuding pure generosity.
As one of the top medicinal pill producers, the Xuanming Sect had no shortage of wealth. Xu Xiaoyun could confidently say: he had no concept of money."Right away! Would you like some malt wine with that? We've got a regular customer—about your age, I'd say—who always enjoys having a drink with his meat."The waiter jotted down his order and offered the thoughtful suggestion.
Xu Xiaoyun pondered for a moment before shaking his head."Drinking first thing in the morning isn't ideal. These old bones can't take it. Just bring me some juice instead.""Got it. May I have your name, sir?""Just call me Grandpa Xu," Xu Xiaoyun replied with a smile. "I'm getting on in years—don't come here often."He spoke cheerfully, like a wealthy, laid-back old man. Not a trace of his strength showed.
Suddenly, his smile froze slightly, though it quickly returned to normal. He glanced toward the entrance, where a tall, silver-haired elder was walking in. A heavy look flickered through his half-closed eyes.
The silver-haired man had hair combed immaculately, his face ruddy like a baby's, long eyebrows drooping gently at either side of his cheeks. He radiated a natural aura of dignity, with a faint, ever-present smile.Even a Super Douluo would feel a prickle of discomfort being stared at by someone of Xu Xiaoyun's level—but this man seemed completely unfazed. Instead, he strolled over cheerfully and said:"Not many good seats left today. You don't mind if I share your table, do you?"Without waiting for a reply, he sat down unceremoniously.
Xu Xiaoyun glanced at the surrounding plenty of empty tables, but didn't seem annoyed. He turned and said to the waiter:"Double everything I ordered earlier. And cancel the juice—bring several jugs of malt wine instead. Bring lots. Don't try to save an old man any money."The waiter clearly recognized the silver-haired elder. Instead of responding directly, he gave him a questioning look."Grandpa Long, what do you think…?"The silver-haired elder—Dragon Douluo Long Xiaoyao—waved with a smile."Someone's offered to treat us, so let's let him. This Grandpa Xu looks like a man of wealth. It's a rare treat for him to visit—be sure to take good care of him."The waiter hadn't expected them to know each other but didn't ask further. He turned to pass the order to the grill master and told him to bring out his best.
Watching the waiter leave, Long Xiaoyao smiled and said:"This shop's grilled meat is some of the best in all of Mingdu—richly aromatic, tender and juicy. You've got a good eye for spots."Xu Xiaoyun gave a satisfied hum through his nose and looked slightly proud. He nudged his lips forward:"Naturally. I've tasted the best of the best my whole life. I've dined in the royal kitchens of all three empires. Just from the scent, I can tell the meat here's high quality.""Not to brag, but when it comes to fine cuisine—even you, Long Xiaoyao, can't beat me."Long Xiaoyao didn't refute the claim. Instead, he gave a big thumbs up and nodded enthusiastically:"I'll give you that. I still remember back in our academy days—your seafood dishes made everyone's mouth water.""Young Master Xu of the Xuanming Sect—not only the number one defense-type prodigy of his time, but also a top-tier chef. Handsome, rich, and skilled—you sure were popular with the ladies."
The Sun Moon Empire, Mingdu, as the sun rose.
Xu Xiaoyun, dressed in a cross-collared long robe, walked alone down the wide stone-paved street. On both sides stretched rows of buildings so vast they seemed endless; most rose over five stories, with some soaring beyond ten.
As he walked through the grandest city on the continent, a complex expression slowly surfaced in Xu Xiaoyun's otherwise calm eyes.
In terms of area alone, the combined size of the capitals of the three original Douluo continent nations didn't even match half of Mingdu. Even adding Shrek City barely brought them on par. And in terms of prosperity—there was simply no comparison.
Along the way, Xu Xiaoyun had already spotted some civilian-use soul devices. No matter how much he wanted to resist, he couldn't in good conscience claim that traditional heating methods were more convenient or warmer than soul-powered heaters…
"After over four thousand years, traditional soul masters still couldn't withstand the tide of soul technology? We can't afford to reject new things."
He looked around, heart heavy, deeply worried about the future of traditional soul masters.
Top-tier soul engineers now included even Limit Douluo-level powerhouses. That meant that soul masters no longer held a definitive advantage at the pinnacle of power. Give it enough time, and it was possible soul masters might be entirely replaced.
Perhaps…the Xu family too had reached the point where it could no longer avoid change.
"Come have a look, try our roast meat—fragrant, sizzling, from a century-old shop!"
"Freshly steamed buns, just out of the pot—three copper soul coins apiece, come try!"
…
The calls of breakfast vendors rang in his ears, the scent of beef teased his nose. Xu Xiaoyun swallowed unconsciously and turned, striding directly into the roast meat shop.
Since I'm here, might as well eat first.
"Waiter! Bring me your best roast meats to try—lamb, beef, all of it. However it's best prepared, bring it that way. Don't worry about the cost!"
He took a seat at an empty table, pulled out a golden soul coin card, and waved his sleeve with great flair.
The Xu family of the Profound Nether Sect was rich from alchemy. Xu Xiaoyun could proudly say—he had no concept of money.
"Right away, sir! Would you like some wheat ale to go with that? We've got a regular here—an old gentleman about your age—who loves pairing it with his meat."
The server noted down his order and offered kindly.
Xu Xiaoyun thought for a moment, then shook his head. "It's too early in the day for alcohol. These old bones of mine can't take it. Just bring some juice, that'll do."
"Got it. And how should we address you, sir?"
"Just call me Grandpa Xu," Xu Xiaoyun replied cheerfully. "I'm an old man now, rare to come out like this."
He smiled warmly, like a wealthy, down-to-earth elder, not showing even a hint of formidable strength.
But then, his smile froze for a moment—before returning to normal—as he turned to glance at an incoming silver-haired elder. His previously half-closed eyes now gleamed with a flicker of solemnity.
That silver-haired old man's hair was meticulously combed, his face rosy like a baby's, and long eyebrows trailed down both sides of his face, giving off a stately air. He wore a faint smile.
Even a Super Douluo would feel a chill down their spine being stared at by someone like Xu Xiaoyun, one of the continent's peak powerhouses. But the silver-haired man seemed unaffected—instead, he smiled and said as he approached Xu:
"Got here late today, no good seats left. Mind if I share your table?"
Without waiting for a reply, he helped himself to the seat opposite.
Xu Xiaoyun glanced at the many empty tables nearby but didn't seem annoyed. Instead, he turned and said to the server:
"Make the same order I just placed, double it. And cancel the juice—bring some wheat ale instead. Plenty of it. Don't try to save this old man money!"
The server clearly recognized the silver-haired elder and didn't answer Xu directly. Instead, he turned to the elder with a questioning look: "Grandpa Long, what do you think…?"
The man known as Grandpa Long waved with a smile. "Hey, someone's offering to treat—I won't turn that down! This Grandpa Xu is loaded and rarely visits. You'd best serve him well."
The server, sensing their familiarity, wisely said nothing more and left to inform the cook to bring out their finest.
As the server walked away, the silver-haired elder smiled, "This place has some of the best roast meat in Mingdu—rich aroma, tender and juicy. You've got a good nose for quality."
Xu Xiaoyun snorted proudly. "Of course. I've eaten the best of the best in my life—palaces and royal kitchens of all three empires, I've sampled them all. I can tell by the smell alone that this place is excellent."
"Not to brag, but when it comes to food, even you, Long Xiaoyao, can't match me."
The silver-haired man—none other than Dragon Emperor Douluo, Long Xiaoyao—didn't argue. Instead, he gave a thumbs up and cheerfully agreed:
"That's true. I still remember back when we were at the academy—your seafood dishes made everyone drool.
The eldest son of the Profound Nether Sect wasn't just the top defensive talent, but also a top chef. And you were handsome and rich to boot. No wonder the girls loved you."
Xu Xiaoyun cast a sideways glance at Long Xiaoyao, eyes flickering with slight surprise. "You still remember stories from over two hundred years ago? That's rare."
"What do you mean? I've always loved meat, and your grilling skills are unmatched in my life—how could I forget?" Long Xiaoyao said with mock anger.
Xu Xiaoyun stared at him in silence for a moment.
Then, both men burst into hearty laughter at the same time—aged, yes, but still full of energy and passion, as youthful as ever.
The server quietly returned with a basket of ale and left without a word. When elderly folks reminisce, it's best not to interrupt.
Clink—
Each grabbed a bottle, opened it themselves, and instead of cups, simply knocked the bottles together and took deep gulps.
After a round of drinks, the atmosphere grew even more relaxed.
As always, it was Long Xiaoyao who spoke first. "Last night, I sensed a trace of your aura near the Demonic Forest. What were you doing there?"
Xu Xiaoyun replied gruffly, "What else? Catching soul beasts. You think I was looking to pick a fight with the Evil Emperor for kicks? Or to mess with your old flame? I'm not suicidal."
"Fair enough."
Long Xiaoyao laughed awkwardly, realizing how dumb his question had been. He changed the subject:
"The Demonic Forest is mostly home to spiritual-type soul beasts. When did the Profound Nether Sect start raising a genius in need of spiritual rings—so much so that their ancestor had to personally go fetch one?"
The Holy Spirit Sect's headquarters was located in the Demonic Forest. Last night, while walking the forest, Long Xiaoyao had faintly detected his old friend's aura and had grown immediately alert.
At the Limit Douluo level, one could blend into nature itself and sense those who posed a threat. In this era, few could still pose a danger to him—Xu Xiaoyun was one of them.
It wasn't that Long Xiaoyao feared Xu would report his presence. He simply worried that his old friend might go "justice mode" again and throw his life away in a reckless pursuit of righteousness.
Xu Xiaoyun didn't answer right away. Instead, he opened another bottle and took a few large gulps before sighing deeply, his expression sorrowful:
"It's my poor great-grandson. His mother died not long ago, and when he awakened his martial soul, it underwent an unexpected variation. Truly, fate has not been kind.
His mother was my youngest disciple. She met with an accident in the Star Dou Forest—I must bear responsibility. Still, the mutated spiritual-type martial soul isn't weak, and naturally, I want the best soul ring for him."
Long Xiaoyao, though childless, nodded in sympathy. Then he asked with a puzzled look:
"With your cultivation, how did a junior end up in trouble? Was it a fierce beast? The Red King couldn't match you. Was it the Bear Lord? Myriad Beast King? Or Ditian?"
Xu Xiaoyun glanced at Long Xiaoyao and smiled faintly. "What, Dragon Emperor—are you planning to avenge me?"
Long Xiaoyao laughed. "Now that's a cold thing to say. We were once comrades-in-arms—fought together against Shrek, hunted rings in the Star Dou.
There are few old friends left in this world. Mu En is one, but I don't have the face to see him. That just leaves you, someone I can talk to freely.
If the culprit wasn't Ditian, and you want to settle accounts, I'll go with you."
He added seriously:
"If it was Ditian, it's not that I wouldn't help—it's that I can't. My martial soul is completely suppressed by his. Even if we went together, we'd just be throwing our lives away. But…I don't think it was him."
Xu Xiaoyun nodded and sneered, "Of course it wasn't Ditian. It was just a gluttonous old fool who messed things up. But that guy's protected by Mu En, so I can't kill him—even though I want to. Now that Mu En's dead, he's the new Sea God Pavilion Master, isn't he?"
Long Xiaoyao's face changed. "You mean…Xuanzi?"
"That's right. My disciple led a group of inner-court students to the Star Dou to hunt soul rings. They encountered a hundred-thousand-year soul beast. But at that moment, their instructor—that guy—was nowhere to be found because he was off indulging his appetite.
By the time he arrived, eight out of twelve students were dead.
Heh. Every time I think of it, rage fills me. I want nothing more than to slap that old bastard to death!"
Xu Xiaoyun's voice was low, but filled with fury. Then he locked eyes with Long Xiaoyao and said seriously:
"Since I ran into you today, I've got two things to ask you. Interested?"
"Go ahead."
"First… I want to ask: is that old bastard Xuanzi a mole your Holy Spirit Sect planted in Shrek?"
Long Xiaoyao: "...(⊙_⊙)?"