Douluo Continent: A Thousand Miles of Cultivation

Ning Huahua was often absent, and Ning Rongrong often hosted the team's debriefing meetings. While she didn't exactly subdue the unruly teammates, this girl genuinely practiced criticism and self-criticism.

Perhaps it was due to her family upbringing, but she subtly became the core of the team when Ning Huahua was absent. Under her influence, no one thought of running away; after all, they couldn't let this young lady outshine them, could they?

It's important to understand that because of Ning Huahua's arrival, the training intensity for these children has become inhuman. Not only are there no holidays, but soul refining is their only rest. Even Dai Mubai, the strongest among the battle soul masters, is complaining endlessly. Yet this pampered young lady from a major sect has managed to reach this level, which can only be described as a miracle.

Ning Rongrong is like a strategist, who, though lacking exceptional combat prowess, possesses enough wisdom and ability to manage everything.

...

The third day of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament officially began, with ten of the twenty-eight teams entering the arena.

As a once-in-a-few-years event, and given that the Soul Masters participating in the competition are sought after by various parties, the number of VIPs watching the competition in the VIP stands today is almost the same as that at the opening ceremony on the first day.

The imperial high command was present, and Emperor Xue Ye was still seated in the center of the first row, except that today there were four people beside him instead of the two he was with.

Besides Ning Fengzhi, the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, and the Platinum Bishop Salas, there were two other people. One of them was Chen Xin, one of the two titled Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.

The other person was rather strange. Not only did many of the imperial high-ranking officials in the VIP seats have their eyes on him, but even the audience in the more distant seats on both sides noticed his presence because of his unusual appearance.

This man was extremely tall, occupying three large seats in the VIP section by himself. Sitting there, he resembled a mountain of flesh, with dark skin, large eyes like copper bells, and a peculiar glow seemingly emanating from his dark skin.

"Huyan Zhen? What brings the sect leader of the Elephant Armor Sect here?"

Upon entering, Ning Rongrong subconsciously looked at her father and naturally noticed the strange old man with a distinctive appearance.

Dai Mubai, standing to the side, exclaimed in surprise, "The sect leader of the Elephant Armor Sect? It can't be that high and mighty!"

Oscar didn't know much about these things, so he asked, "Boss Dai, what's up? Is it some big shot coming to watch the game?"

Dai Mubai explained, "Little Ao, important people are all very busy, especially people like the sect leaders of the seven major sects. Sect Leader Ning might be here because the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is nearby."

Even though it involves my own team's matches, I don't usually have the time to watch them, especially the first few matches.

Frowning, Ning Rongrong said seriously, "This proves that we are strong enough to attract the special attention of important figures!"

Xiao Wu was puzzled by Ning Rongrong's attitude: "Rongrong, what's wrong with you? Why are you so serious?"

Xiao Wu's attempt to distract them failed, and Ning Rongrong remained serious: "This means our level of attention has increased unprecedentedly!"

"What's wrong with that? Isn't it fine?"

Instead of directly answering Xiao Wu's question, Ning Rongrong turned to Zhu Zhuqing and asked, "Zhuqing, when is it most advantageous to attack the opponent?"

Zhu Zhuqing, who hadn't said much, replied calmly, "Hidden in the shadows, before the enemy discovers us."

Listening to the children's analysis, Qin Ming nodded slightly. In these matters, even they, the teachers, might not be as capable as Ning Rongrong. "Let's go, it's your turn. Hmm? Minister Yin? Who is that?"

Following Qin Ming's gaze, everyone looked at the rarely seen, busy man, who was supporting a woman with long, disheveled white hair. The woman wore a light gray eye patch and had two deep marks on her cheeks, but they did not resemble wounds; instead, they were like winding rivers.

Her thin, slightly hunched body, dressed in a gray cloth outfit, made her look quite颓废 (颓废 is a difficult word to translate directly, but it implies a state of listlessness, decadence, or dispirit).

The chubby boy, oblivious to the gravity of the situation, commented, "A blind woman? She's a relative of Minister Yin, here to see the elite competition? But how can a blind woman watch the competition?"

Dai Mubai said urgently, "Fatty, shut up! How can you talk nonsense in this situation? Do you think others can't hear you?!"

On the high platform, Chen Xin, who was sitting next to Ning Fengzhi in the VIP section, seemed to have noticed it as well, and said to Ning Fengzhi, "Fengzhi, look!"

Following Chen Xin's gaze, Ning Fengzhi also looked in that direction. "Who is she?! Uncle Jian!"

Under Ning Fengzhi's shocked gaze, Chen Xin rushed towards the woman without regard for anything else, attracting the attention of all the important figures in the Great Soul Arena. The originally noisy environment instantly quieted down.

Salas, who was standing to the side, stood up abruptly and glared angrily at Ning Fengzhi: "Sect Leader Ning, I expect you to give an explanation!"

At that moment, a violent surge of soul power erupted, its exceptionally powerful and icy aura, accompanied by a crimson gale, swept across the entire Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena.

Those who recognized it exclaimed in unison, "Domain!"

At this moment, the white-haired woman was no longer as hunched and dejected as before. A gust of wind swept around her, and a sky-blue longsword with blood-red patterns suddenly appeared in the woman's right hand. Eight soul rings surrounded her body, some yellow, some purple, some black.

Despite her short stature, she remained fearless in the face of Chen Xin, the Title Douluo wielding the Seven Kill Sword, and her aura was even stronger.

The strong wind blew off her gray blindfold, revealing her somewhat soft face. Her pupils were blood red, and the murderous intent in her eyes was unrestrained. A terrifying aura emanated from her body.

This situation was unexpected by everyone. Even the Ice and Snow Emperors, who were basically ineffective with the Royal Fighting Team 2 and could be considered invisible, all took off their sunglasses.

Hyotei asked in confusion, "Who is that woman? Does she also have a killing domain?"

The powerful figures and the low-level Soul Masters all activated their Martial Souls, either for themselves or for others, to resist the overwhelming pressure of the God of Slaughter's Domain.

Despite the struggle, Ning Rongrong voiced the question on everyone's mind, "Wind Sword Martial Soul? When did the Wind Sword Sect produce another Soul Douluo?! Who exactly is she?!"

"Girl from the Wind Sword Sect, your sword actually makes this old man wary! You! You've actually left the City of Slaughter!"

Chen Xin's words of astonishment resonated with the hearts of all the important figures in the Great Soul Arena. Could he really make a Sword Douluo wary? Just because of the Wind Sword Martial Soul? Isn't that sect more adept at combined attack formations?

At this moment, Ning Fengzhi arrived beside Chen Xin and said with a solemn expression, "Feng Jingyi, I want to know why you are here?! Minister Yin, shouldn't you also give an explanation?!"

Hearing her father's question, Ning Rongrong, sitting in the audience, finally understood. "Wind Sword Martial Soul! It really is her! She's the seventh person who disappeared many years ago! One of only two Soul Kings! The one who single-handedly took on the entire Tianshui team! And now she's returned with the cultivation of an eight-ring Soul Douluo! How is this possible?!"

Beside Feng Jingyi, Yin Jin, who had almost been blown away by the strong wind and had saved several unlucky people, rubbed his forehead. He didn't dare to refute Ning Fengzhi's question, which seemed like the villain was accusing him first. Both sides' reactions were too great, and neither could say anything to the other. Important people need to save face, so of course they would act this way.

"Xiao Feng, don't do this. If you cause trouble, Brother Shui will be angry when he gets back." Yin Jin first gently comforted Feng Jingyi, and then explained to Ning Fengzhi, "Sect Master Ning, she just came to watch the competition, she didn't mean anything by it."

Upon hearing Yin Jin's words, Feng Jingyi's gaze softened, her aura receded, and she put away her soul rings and martial soul, reverting to her previous hunched and dejected state, sitting silently on the stands.

Yin Jin also subconsciously glanced at Xue Qinghe standing next to Ning Fengzhi. The latter was staring blankly at Feng Jingyi, seemingly lost in thought. He hadn't just said those words carelessly, nor were they meant only for Feng Jingyi.

Qian Shui's presence in Tian Dou City is already common knowledge. Although he's not here now and we don't know where he went, it's even more important to mention it to make important figures hesitate to act rashly, otherwise they'll all be in danger.

"Miss Feng, you're finally back! Sect Master Bailong has been missing you terribly!"

Facing Feng Jingyi, who possesses the Killing God Domain and has eight rings, Salas understood very well what this meant and smoothly confronted Ning Fengzhi head-on.

All that could be heard was Feng Jingyi, her expression somber, her eyes tightly shut, seemingly in pain, saying:

"Feng Jingyi is no longer worthy of appearing. There is only one in this world—the Wind Witch."

Chapter 235 Re-entering the City of Slaughter

Their first encounter at the Martial Soul Academy was a love at first sight that would last a lifetime.

This was Yin Jin's assessment of Qian Renxue when she brought Feng Jingyi before him.

This girl was once the epitome of beauty and elegance, outgoing and radiant – these were the words used to describe her.

But she fell in love with a man who was unattainable and whose eyes were only for her.

Their love never even began, let alone ended.

Now, Feng Jingyi looks like a destitute beggar, hunched over and emaciated.

However, there are many more tragic things in this world, and if the people involved can't solve them, what can an outsider like myself do?

Yin Jin, who couldn't get into her room that day, suffered from insomnia. It's always so hard to judge whether things are good or bad. The misery of these years has brought her formidable strength, which seems like a good thing to outsiders.

It's like a rich man spending a million gold coins to keep a mistress; she might even help take care of the main character during her pregnancy.

Then I recalled the dazzling soul power of Qian Shui and Qian Renxue, how they managed to carry out the grand plan so brilliantly despite the contradictions.

He could only lament the unfairness of fate; he couldn't think of anyone to blame, just as he couldn't force Feng Jingyi, and Feng Jingyi couldn't force Qian Shui.

In the end, there are losers in love.

Even Qian Shui must have gone through many hardships to have the strength to stand by Qian Renxue's side.

Having personally experienced the immense suffering of their initial cultivation journey to its current initial success, Yin Jin understands that the pain and trials they face in order to reach the pinnacle of cultivation like Qian Shui are far beyond their comprehension.

Feng Jingyi's current strength was still brought back by Qian Renxue, the quasi-new Angel Douluo who hardly cultivated. He really didn't know what the battle would be like.

……

Nearly ten years have passed, and standing before the City of Slaughter once again, Qian Shui's feelings are even more complicated.

At that time, he was lonely, mentally broken, and reckless. The boundaries between gods and demons, good and evil had become blurred, and one wrong step would lead to the abyss.

"Thinking back on it, I'm still a little scared. I went in empty-handed, and with a thousand Soul Masters plus Dugu Bo and Yu Luomian chasing after me, I really wouldn't have been able to escape."

Holding his wife's hand, their fingers intertwined, Qian Shui was filled with emotion. He turned around and hugged Qian Renxue tightly, just like they had done years ago.

"Thanks to you, Xiaoxue, without your risking your life to save me, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Leaning against him, Qian Renxue felt incredibly at ease and said in a deep voice, "What do you mean by sacrificing my life? It was just a shattered martial soul."

Qian Shui gently pinched her nose and said reproachfully, "You make it sound so easy. Your martial soul is special, and if it shatters, it could very well affect your lifespan. No matter what your grandfather and I think, even your ancestral god would cry!"

"I don't care about her! She unified the mainland back then, which saved us so much trouble. We don't need to worry about this anymore!"

Listening to the little angel's proud and aloof manner, Qian Shui couldn't help but smile, as if she had returned to her adorable childhood self.

"That doesn't sound like something you would say, it sounds like something I would say~"

"We are one, you are me..."

"You know what, it's true."

After a deep kiss, Qian Shui released Qian Renxue, saying, "Wait for me."

"Ah."

The Killing Capital in the Northeast Wilderness of the Heavenly Dou Empire has always been a special place. It is like a place where filth gathers, and all kinds of evil and heretics gather here.

Upon returning to this blue-purple world, Qian Shui was not emotionally affected as she had been the first time, but an invisible sense of perception permeated this independent plane.

Soon, he found the King of Slaughter, who sat high in the dark and spacious room, in an exceptionally large chair.

The chair was extremely luxurious, inlaid with blue and purple crystals arranged in the shape of a drum tower. Apart from that, everything in the room was dark red.

The King of Slaughter was tall yet slender, with one hand supporting his chin and his eyes tightly closed. The first time Qian Shui saw him, the surging power made her tremble. But now, she saw only a utterly decaying body, possessed by another soul.

Qian Shui's spiritual perception did not hide, and was immediately sensed by the King of Slaughter. He instantly opened his eyes, revealing blood-red pupils, and looked directly in the direction from which Qian Shui had sensed the source.

In an instant, the crimson soul power and the invisible soul power collided violently. With one step, Qian Shui had already arrived at the room where the King of Slaughter was.

"The Demon Singer? It's you!"

"I don't miss this name at all, I even hate it. I'd rather stay in this killing city!"

Let me reintroduce myself: My name is Qian Shui, Martial Soul Primordial Spirit! Level 99 Peerless Douluo! Title: 'Immortal'!

Faced with Qian Shui, who seemed completely out of place in the atmosphere of the City of Slaughter, the King of Slaughter's expression darkened. Qian Shui's attitude was not good, and he even directly summoned his martial soul and soul ring.

What brings you here?

"I'll kill you! Blood Red Nine-Headed Bat King!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a flash of black light appeared, and a thick mist of blood, emitting a nauseating odor, quickly enveloped the entire room. The figure that was so close at hand disappeared from sight.