Douluo: The Unrivaled Demon Lord

Chapter 171 Mingdu and Mingde Hall, Persuading and Broadening the Mirror of the Mortal World

The nights in Mingdu are magnificent.

The lights of thousands of homes in the city reflected on the sky, and the various colored halos flowed like rivers, like a curtain falling from the depths of the starry sky, which was extremely moving.

Led by Ming Yining, Shu Yan took a brief tour of Mingdu City and finally stopped in front of the Sun and Moon Palace.

"Master, the palace is heavily guarded. With my cultivation level, I would definitely be discovered if I broke in. If you have other plans, you'd better be careful..."

Ming Yining spoke up.

"I know, don't worry. If I really want to leave, there's no one in this world who can stop me."

Shu Yan said calmly.

His spiritual power poured out like a vast ocean, easily breaking through all the defenses within the Sun and Moon Imperial Palace. The entire situation within the palace was clearly presented to him, including how many powerful figures were hidden in the shadows and what terrifying methods they possessed...

"Let's go explore other places... Hmm, I have a tough task for you later. If you can complete it, I'll consider giving you a reward..."

Shu Yan turned his head to look at Ming Yining, then said with a light laugh.

"What mission? Just tell me, Master."

Ming Yining's eyes lit up. It wasn't that she particularly wanted Shu Yan's reward. After all, she had the backing of the Ming family and the Hongchen family, two of the most powerful families in the Sun Moon Empire. She had no shortage of cultivation resources. Even extremely precious soul bones were something she could obtain by spending some time and effort if she asked...

What she valued was her relationship with Shu Yan. As the saying goes, "Even a seventh-rank official has to serve at the prime minister's gate, and no dog barks at the gate of a noble family." Even if she were to become a servant, she would want to be Shu Yan's most valued and trusted servant...

In this way, she can gain more attention from Shu Yan. After Shu Yan becomes a god, she might be able to follow suit and achieve great things. Even if she doesn't become a god, becoming the first Limit Douluo in the history of the Sun Moon Empire shouldn't be too difficult, right?
She had her own little schemes, but Shu Yan was too lazy to say anything. This wasn't necessarily a bad thing, since Ming Yining had a soul contract left by Xie Ji, and her loyalty could be absolutely guaranteed. Under these circumstances, Shu Yan could turn a blind eye to other things.

"It's simple. You go shopping with Xie Ji and the others. I have important matters to attend to and I really can't get away."

Shu Yan said very seriously.

Ming Yining was taken aback at first. She initially doubted whether she had misheard, but after repeatedly confirming, she was certain that she had not misheard.

"Go shopping? Is that really considered a difficult task?"

Ming Yining's little brain went blank for a moment.

"Sigh, you don't understand the suffering of men..."

Shu Yan sighed softly, then patted Ming Yining on the shoulder…

As I said before, ever since the number of people in his harem has increased, Shu Yan's fear of shopping has also gradually grown... For him, it's truly a tremendous torment...

……

The next day, Shu Yan disappeared from Ming Yining's manor early in the morning. When he reappeared, he was on a cluster of tall buildings.

"The Sun and Moon Royal Soul Master Academy is indeed quite large."

Shu Yan murmured a sigh, then transformed into a tiny stream of light and entered the academy.

The advanced Soul Guidance Technology has given everything at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Guidance Academy a futuristic feel, a style completely opposite to the pure, unpolluted natural style of Shrek Academy, and more in line with Shu Yan's aesthetic...

It must be said that the Sun Moon Empire has a better aesthetic sense in the field of architecture than the original Douluo Three Kingdoms. Of course, both sides have their strengths and weaknesses in this regard, and it is difficult to make a specific judgment.

After landing in the test zone, Shu Yan walked towards Mingde Hall, located in the core area of ​​the test zone, as if no one else was around.

Those layers of review and protection couldn't stop him at all. In less than fifteen minutes, Shu Yan arrived at the door of a unique office.

After a gentle knock on the door, a voice quickly came from inside.

Shu Yan smiled slightly, then opened the door and went straight in.

Inside the office, the square-shaped warrior, Jing Hongchen, didn't even look up as he studied a rather peculiar soul tool in his hand. He didn't care at all who the newcomer was. Only after hearing the footsteps stop did he speak and ask:
"What is it? Didn't I say that unless Shrek Academy attacks, you shouldn't bother me? What, do you not take my words seriously?"

Shu Yan chuckled softly, then said:

"Master of the Red Dust Hall, it's been a while, are you so unwelcoming to my arrival?"

Upon hearing Shu Yan's voice, Jing Hongchen froze, then abruptly raised his head, rubbing his eyes in disbelief. After confirming that the person was indeed Shu Yan, his expression changed drastically, and he said:
"How did you get in?"

Shu Yan shrugged, then said:
"The security at your Mingde Hall is so-so. I just walked in openly and honestly."

"The security at Mingde Hall is so-so!"

Jing Hongchen was so angry that she stood up abruptly from her chair.

What kind of place is Mingde Hall? It is a research sanctuary that gathers the most elite geniuses and strong people in the entire Sun Moon Empire. It is the best breeding ground for the development of soul tools and the highest representative of soul tool technology in the Sun Moon Empire. The security here can be said to be no less than that of the Sea God Pavilion of Shrek Academy. Ordinary super Douluo can't even sneak in silently. Do they really think that so many level nine soul tools are just sitting around doing nothing?

But now, the fact that Shu Yan could appear in front of him so easily proves that Mingde Hall's defenses are nothing to Shu Yan. This alone is enough to give Jing Hongchen a headache.

"Alright, Master Hongchen, I just came to the Sun Moon Empire for a stroll. Once I arrived in Mingdu, I thought I'd come and see you, my old friend... Why are you so excited? I'm not going to do anything to your Mingde Hall. Otherwise, just these few level-nine fixed-position soul-guided cannon shells I have here would be enough to set off a grand fireworks display of lives..."

Upon hearing Shu Yan's words, Jing Hongchen's lips twitched. He sighed softly and then slumped back into his specially made chair.

"Fine, fine, even on my own turf, I can't do anything to you... It's really funny, but you've come all the way to my Sun Moon Empire, not just to stroll around Mingdu, right?"

“Master, you are wise. I have broken through to the Soul Douluo level. I came to the Sun Moon Empire this time to obtain my eighth Soul Ring.”

Upon hearing that Shu Yan had broken through to the Soul Douluo level, Jing Hongchen's lips twitched violently once again.

"You... you're a complete monster. In all my years of dominating the Soul Master world, I've never seen such a monstrous talent as you... Compared to you, my two grandsons and granddaughters are just average..."

Jing Hongchen spoke as if to himself, then suddenly changed the subject and asked:
"You're planning to go to the Demon Forest to obtain your eighth spirit ring?"

Shu Yan found a chair and lazily sat down, acting as if he were one of them. "I've acquired my eighth spirit ring. Also, I conveniently destroyed the Holy Spirit Cult's headquarters. The Vice Leader, Evil Phoenix Douluo, and the Chief Elder, Dragon Emperor Douluo, are both dead. Now, the Holy Spirit Cult's headquarters is nothing but ruins..."

"What did you say!?"

Jing Hongchen slammed his hand on the table. This time, he didn't just stand up; he jumped up.

"Calm down, calm down, Master of the Red Dust Hall, perk up, don't embarrass yourself..."

Shu Yan raised his hand and made a downward pressing motion.

"No, Shu Yan, are you sure you're not kidding me? The Evil Phoenix Douluo and the Dragon Emperor of the Holy Spirit Cult really fell at your hands?"

Jing Hongchen's eyes were bloodshot as she stared intently at Shu Yan, as if she wanted to bore a hole through him with her gaze.

"Master of the Red Dust Hall, I'm not one to make such pointless jokes... To tell you the truth, my eighth spirit ring is none other than the Evil Emperor, the ruler of the Demon Forest. I've made a special pact with it. If you don't believe me, I can summon the Evil Emperor right now so you can meet him..."

Jing Hongchen's facial muscles twitched uncontrollably, but after hesitating for a moment upon hearing Shu Yan's words, he still shook his head.

"This... there's really no need for that, but I still find it hard to imagine how a teenager like you could accomplish all this... You make me feel like I've been living like a pig all these years... Sigh, is the difference between people really that great?"

Jing Hongchen posed a profound question at the end.

After saying that, he slumped back into his chair, his eyes lifeless, looking like a salted fish that had lost its dreams...

Shu Yan examined the furnishings on the table for a moment, then suddenly spoke:
"Master of the Red Dust Hall, you hold an extraordinary position in the Sun Moon Empire. I believe you should know best what kind of person the current Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire is... War is inevitable, but you should know that with a true god on the side of the original Douluo Continent, the Sun Moon Empire has no chance of winning... Because even if you exhaust your resources to develop soul tools, you will never be able to develop soul tool technology to another level before I become a god, let alone contend with me..."

"The world needs the unity of resources and manpower, but in essence, the most fundamental thing is still the word 'unity'."

"However, rather than waiting for an empire to complete unification, I think it would be better for me to do it... As times change, the imperial system will undoubtedly become outdated and be eliminated, while the integration of resources will allow human development to proceed at an unimaginable pace..."

"The wheels of history need someone to push them forward, and I am undoubtedly the most suitable person to be that pusher... Master of the Red Dust Hall, you are a smart man, you should understand what I mean..."

Jing Hongchen lit a cigar with trembling hands. As the smoke swirled around him, his hand trembled even more violently…

"Do you intend to reshuffle the power structure on the mainland with yourself at the core?"

After a long silence, Jing Hongchen finally asked in a trembling voice.

"You could say that my plan is to establish a new continental core, with myself at the core and other super powers capable of influencing the continent's格局 (geju, a term encompassing overall situation, overall structure, and overall power). This system could perhaps be called a federation… Hall Master Hongchen, think it over carefully. The reason I chose you is because of the Hongchen family and Mingde Hall behind you. With you two, soul-guided technology can develop rapidly after this new power is born. Moreover, this is the best opportunity for the Hongchen family to soar to new heights. Hall Master Hongchen, you should seriously consider this…"

Jing Hongchen took a deep breath, and neither of them spoke again. The room remained silent for a very long time, so long that Shu Yan thought Jing Hongchen wouldn't give him an answer that day. Finally, he spoke:

"I can agree to your request, but you also need to agree to one thing for me."

Jing Hongchen looked intently at Shu Yan.

"Please speak, Master Hongchen."

Shu Yan also sat up a little straighter.

"This matter is very simple. If you marry my granddaughter Meng Hongchen, I, the head of this hall, will promise to support you in the future, along with the Mingde Hall and the Hongchen family, and even the Ming family, to build a new order and world."

Shu Yan chuckled upon hearing this:

"Shouldn't the Master of the Red Dust Hall have asked your granddaughter for her opinion before making this decision?"

Jing Hongchen smiled slightly, then said:
“I know my granddaughter well. You are the perfect partner she has always dreamed of. Give you some time and I think you will get along very well.”

"Hehe... Master of the Red Dust Hall, let me make one thing clear beforehand: I have quite a few women around me. Even if your granddaughter is willing to be with me, I will not give up other women for her."

"I understand that... Meng... she's always been a sensible child..."

Jing Hongchen closed his eyes briefly before speaking.

Shu Yan's expression was somewhat strange, but he didn't say anything more...

He wasn't particularly surprised that Jing Hongchen made this decision, but his request... well, it suited him perfectly.

……

Over the next few days, a bewildered Meng Hongchen was sent to Shu Yan's side by Jing Hongchen.

Looking at the slightly blushing, shy girl in front of him, Shu Yan didn't know what to say to Jing Hongchen for a moment.

Old Deng, you've broadened your path!

And as it turns out, what Jing Hongchen said was indeed true.

Meng Hongchen already viewed him through a lens of half idol and half rival, and given her own attraction to good looks and Shu Yan's undeniably handsome appearance, she wasn't averse to interacting with him... As for the specifics of the collaboration between Shu Yan and Jing Hongchen, neither she nor Xiao Hongchen, who had just been given a dressing-down by Shu Yan a couple of days ago, knew...

With Meng Hongchen and Ye Guyi by his side, Shu Yan's life in Mingdu was quite enjoyable...

While cultivating a relationship with Meng Hongchen, Shu Yan would occasionally glance at his brother-in-law Xiao Hongchen, who was furious but couldn't do anything about it, and sometimes tease Ye Guyi, who outwardly refused but secretly enjoyed it. Shu Yan was extremely satisfied.

While Shu Yan was enjoying life, the Holy Spirit Cult had completely fallen into madness and an abyss.

Overnight, many of the sect's powerful members were wiped out, including the vice leader, the chief elder, and numerous other elders. This was undoubtedly a devastating blow to the once-dominant Holy Spirit Sect.

Inside the Demon Forest, Ye Xishui knelt on the ground, and in her arms lay an old, withered, and unrecognizable corpse…

Ye Xishui gently stroked the corpse's cheek, her eyes almost blank, but a closer look would reveal that beneath that blankness lay an endless ocean of resentment and pain...

……

(End of this chapter)