Douluo Continent: The Rock King Emperor, Contending for Supremacy

Chapter 8 An Accidental Encounter with Ning Rongrong

Zhong Li didn't immediately go looking for Shrek Academy or Tang San's group. Shrek Academy was there anyway, it wasn't going anywhere. He first took Ying and strolled around Soto City.

When Ying was in Inazuma, she was always a recluse, able to stay in her own sanctuary for hundreds of years without ever leaving; but Zhongli was different. Outsiders only knew him as Morax, the invincible Rock King Emperor on the battlefield of demons; but he also had many other identities, and even served as a guest elder of the "Hall of Rebirth".

Zhong Li enjoys all the hobbies of the gentlemen of Liyue Harbor: walking birds, listening to music, eating delicious food, and watching storytelling. In fact, he's a master of them all. To put it simply, he's the most experienced bird walker in Liyue Harbor's thousands of years of history.

Of course, strolling through the streets of Douluo Continent is a completely different experience from that of Liyue. The scenery, customs, and entertainment here are entirely different from anywhere else in Liyue, or even across the entire country; it's perhaps a little closer to other kingdoms on Teyvat. He heard a bard singing, recounting the story of a legendary ancient hero who protected human cities from a beast tide, united human Soul Masters, used the power of light to expel evil spirits, established an ancient faith, and ultimately became a god before quietly departing this world. Zhong Li listened with great interest.

"Are these stories true? I never imagined that there would be such legendary figures in the Douluo Continent."

After leaving, a thoughtful look appeared in his violet eyes as he asked a question.

"Perhaps it is true. Or perhaps some of them are true stories. The epics and stories sung by poets are often not purely fictional; there are often real-life prototypes behind them. It's just that sometimes they don't happen to one person."

Zhong Li said with great interest.

Having heard so many stories on the continent of Teyvat, he naturally felt this most deeply. For example, some of the ancient demon gods of Liyue, such as Maxius the Hearth and Guizhong the Dust Demon, had long since lost their faith, and their specific deeds were no longer recorded in history. However, fragments of their stories survived in legends. And most of these fragments ultimately manifested in the body of Morax, the Geo Archon.

Perhaps this can be considered a kind of faith being passed down.

For example, the story the bard just sang reminded him of the original work, of the first Angel God who existed in the background story and created the Spirit Hall. However, that being was different from the later Sea God Tang San; he didn't leave much of a trace of his existence. Even in the Spirit Hall, the power he left behind, he was forgotten by most people, with only the Hall of Worship still watching over his presence.

Zhong Li couldn't help but feel a little fortunate. What if he had arrived in the Douluo Continent ten thousand years in the future? Then all the epics and legends he heard would probably revolve around that blue-haired scoundrel. Everything would be tied to him, just like in Liyue. If that were the case, his experience of wandering the mortal world would be rather unpleasant.

Hmm. Is it really necessary for me to prevent this from happening on this continent?

"Okay, okay! Go for it! Beat him to a pulp!"

"Young Master White Tiger! Awesome!"

The cacophony of sounds constantly filled her ears, as if she were immersed in a frenzied ocean. Ying frowned slightly; she was indeed a little unaccustomed to such a place.

Inside this huge circular arena, it was packed with people; from the outside, it looked somewhat like the ancient dueling arena of Fontainebleau, while the atmosphere was more like the popular arena in Natta.

Inside the arena, there are more than one circular arena where Soul Masters are battling it out, and commentators are passionately explaining the situation on the arena.

"Quick, watch him stand the dragon-patterned staff upright! He's going to fight with it upright!"

"Kalim skillfully delivered a soul skill, perfectly complementing Averro's attack! A decisive blow! Graceful as a startled swan, lithe as a swimming dragon!"

"Ah, Evil-Eyed White Tiger, don't kill me! Ahhhhh!"

Zhongli and Ying watched as a blond youth on the competition stage achieved a three-game winning streak. He sheathed his sharp claws and steel-needle-like hair, turned to face the audience, and elegantly placed his hands in front of him in a gesture of respect. The youth was handsome, with unusual double pupils, and a hint of smugness on his face.

"Huh, Zhong Li?"

A surprised voice suddenly rang out behind Zhong Li, and Zhong Li turned around.

"Rongrong, it's been a long time."

A gentle smile appeared on Zhong Li's face as he spoke.

The girl in the light blue dress rushed forward excitedly and gave Zhong Li a big hug. Zhong Li hadn't expected that after two years apart, this young lady would be so enthusiastic upon seeing him.

What he didn't notice was that not far away, a bearded boy's face suddenly stiffened, and then a deep gloom flashed in his peach blossom eyes, his fingers digging deep into his flesh.

It took Ning Rongrong quite a while to finally release Zhong Li, her face still showing some excitement at seeing an old friend.

"You rascal, why did you leave Tiandou City and come to this little place like Soto City?"

Ning Rongrong seemed to realize her lapse in composure, her pretty face flushed slightly, and then she asked.

When Ning Rongrong secretly slipped out of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's residence, she also happened to run into Zhongli, who was leaving the palace, so she naturally knew about this prince's "character".

"Just traveling incognito. But you, I heard you've left the sect and gone to Shrek Academy. What do you think of the academy?"

Zhong Li smiled faintly and asked.

"Hmm, this place is completely different from the sect. At first, I found it very difficult to adapt to Shrek Academy and had many conflicts with everyone. However, I later realized that not everywhere is the same as the sect."

A hint of sadness flashed across Ning Rongrong's face, but it quickly returned to its bright expression as she spoke.

"I see. In that case, please remember to introduce the friends you make here to us."

Zhong Li smiled subtly and said.

Ying merely glanced indifferently at the gloomy-faced boy in the distance, whose brows even hinted at murderous intent, before withdrawing her gaze.

While Dai Mubai was resting after leaving the Soul Arena, the young man discreetly entered Dai Mubai's VIP lounge, his eyes filled with coldness.

"Brother Li, are you here to try Soul Battle too? I've discovered that Soul Battle actually helps us progress faster than regular cultivation in the sect. The academy doesn't have much else to offer these days, so they bring us here to Battle Soul every day. It's a win-win situation—we can increase our strength and earn money at the same time."

Ning Rongrong was still excitedly talking.

"I'm just here to take a look; I won't try the combat mode yet. Sometimes I prefer being an observer rather than participating myself."

Zhong Li politely declined.

He really wasn't interested in this kind of soul battle between low-level soul masters; back when he was the Rock King Emperor, he had experienced countless life-and-death duels between demon gods.

"Kid, you come to the Soul Arena and all you do is look around, but you don't dare to actually go in? Generally speaking, that's not something a man should say!"

A somewhat shrill voice suddenly came from behind Zhong Li.

(End of this chapter)