Chapter 68: Return to Heaven Dou
The day Zhu Zhuyun told Davis that her soul power had surpassed his was the day he finally woke up.
Strength ruled all—how could he, a man, allow a woman to outstrip him in cultivation?
Especially one younger than him by a year.
To Davis, it was utter humiliation. He was not just the Crown Prince of Star Luo; he was also the most gifted soul master of the Dai family.
From that day on, he committed himself completely to cultivation.
But disappointment came again and again.
Every time he approached a breakthrough, he heard the news—Zhu Zhuyun had already advanced ahead of him.
Until yesterday, when he finally reached level forty-four. Rumor had it Zhu Zhuyun had not yet broken through, and so, unable to contain his exhilaration, he'd rushed straight to her mansion.
"Brother Dai," Zhu Zhuyun's voice was calm, her eyes sharp.
"My elder sister broke through long ago. She's already level forty-five. She just didn't want to hurt your pride."
The one who spoke was Zhu Zhuqing, who had been silently eating moments ago. Her tone was cold and cutting.
Davis froze, disbelief flooding him like thunder.
He spent nearly all his time cultivating—save for eating and sleeping.
As Crown Prince, he was also responsible for banquets and state affairs, but he had begged his father to relieve him of those duties temporarily so he could focus solely on training.
The emperor of Star Luo, his father, understood his motives clearly and, pleased by his son's dedication, fully supported him.
After all, in this world, strength determined everything.
The Dai family's reign would remain secure only through power.
Yet, despite his best efforts, he was still an entire level behind.
Davis turned toward Zhu Zhuyun, searching her face for denial, for something.
Zhu Zhuyun sighed, gently reproaching her sister with a glance. "Brother Dai, don't blame Zhuqing. She's still upset about Dai Mubai running away without responsibility.
As for me, I only broke through recently. But remember—true cultivation requires steadiness and patience. If we cannot one day become Title Douluo, how will we ever stand against Spirit Hall?
Brother Dai, you are the hope of the entire Star Luo Empire. You must stay focused. The royal family needs another Title Douluo."
The purple light in Davis's eyes flickered, his heart softening.
So she avoided him not from apathy—but from concern.
"Zhuyun, I understand now," he said after a moment, smiling. "Father said the same thing—that I should cherish these best years of cultivation.
I promise, until our wedding, I'll devote myself only to training. I won't disturb you again."
He turned gracefully and left the room.
Zhu Zhuqing bit into a large piece of meat, unimpressed. "Sister, you've been level forty-five for months."
Zhu Zhuyun chuckled. "He's the Crown Prince. We must give him some face. After chasing me for two years and failing, if I took away all his hope, he'd collapse completely."
"You're too manipulative," Zhu Zhuqing muttered, disdain in her tone. "Always playing mind games."
"Watch your manners. The Crown Prince is admirable—his talent exceptional and his effort commendable. It's just that we sisters are… somewhat beyond comparison. But unless he's pushed, how will he grow?"
A smile touched Zhuyun's lips, her eyes glimmering with ambition.
Ever since the battle in Soto City, both sisters had felt transformed, as though their martial souls had reawakened.
They could now cultivate for longer each day, though their need for energy had risen sharply.
Still, the rapid progression of their soul power made them ecstatic—they believed themselves blessed with extraordinary talent.
"Zhuqing," Zhuyun suddenly said, "Dai Mubai has already gone to Soto City. When you turn twelve, the family will stage a little drama for you, and then you'll go too. Everything will be in your hands then."
"I understand," Zhu Zhuqing replied softly. "I won't waste Father's efforts."
Her rapid growth had filled her with confidence.
I will become a Title Douluo too, she thought coldly. Neither the Dai family nor Dugu Feng will surpass me. I'll defeat him.
Outside the Sunset Forest, a carriage rolled along.
Inside, Dugu Feng sat quietly, holding two pearls—one gold-red, the other vivid green.
Though the two appeared fused together, each radiated its own light—red and green glimmering in opposition.
Yet faint strands of red energy drifted from the inner core and were slowly absorbed into the green one.
"The Fierce Sun Serpent's core holds enormous energy… and after half a month of refining, I've only scratched the surface."
After obtaining the Killing God Domain, Dugu Feng had returned briefly to the City of Slaughter to meet the King once more.
Then he'd procured a carriage and driver, setting off toward Heaven Dou City.
During the journey, through the resonance of his Dan Pearls, he could sense the Zhu sisters' progress—they hadn't been lazy.
That brought him relief. With the growth of the Jade Dragon Serpents and the sisters, his Dan Pearls' condensation would surely accelerate.
Meanwhile, the inner core he held—sharing origin with his Dan Pearls—was being absorbed bit by bit, the energy merging steadily into his cultivation.
All these factors filled Dugu Feng with renewed motivation and confidence.
By the time the carriage reached the outskirts of Sunset Forest, his heart was light.
He stepped out, breathing the fresh air. After years of constant vigilance in the City of Slaughter, he could finally relax.
Choosing a direction, he dashed swiftly into the forest depths.
Beyond the twin pools of Ice and Fire lay a mountainous region; elsewhere, the terrain spread in gentle hills and sprawling woods.
Dugu Feng was familiar with the area. He soon arrived at a stone forest not far from where he had once absorbed his first spirit ring.
There, a large rock shifted aside, revealing a narrow cave.
Without hesitation, Dugu Feng descended.
The slanted tunnel stretched five or six meters high, sloping downward until it opened into a subterranean chamber.
A man with crimson hair stood waiting, eyes glimmering with excitement.
"Young Master, it really is you! You've finally returned! The Patriarch has been worried sick—come, quickly, he's waiting!"
This was Old Nine—the soul master of the Nine-Heaven Centipede martial soul—one of the Dugu Family's hidden powerhouses.
He lived beneath the surface, guarding secret tunnels that stretched from these forests directly to the Dugu estate.
"Lead the way, Old Nine," Dugu Feng said softly, following him underground.
Soon, Old Nine's son—Little Nine—joined them. Despite the name, he was over thirty and already a Soul King.
Old Nine himself was a Soul Sage.
Within the family, aside from his father, Dugu Shuo, they had two other Soul Sages—Old Snake and Old Nine—while Old Scorpion, though still a Soul Emperor, was close to breaking through.
When Dugu Feng had last traveled north, Old Scorpion had reached level sixty-eight, full of confidence that he would soon ascend.
The Dugu Family's strength was formidable.
If the problem of their toxins could be solved, their power would surge even higher.
And Dugu Feng already had plans for that.
When he'd told the King of Slaughter that his goal was to make the Dugu Family the most powerful clan on the continent, it hadn't been an empty boast.
(END CHAPTER)
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