Douluo Continent: Starting from the Fusion of My Martial Soul with Xiao Xiao

The Soul-Guided Train traveled smoothly on the tracks, while the fields and forests outside the window rushed past.

Xiao Xiao lay on the small table, poking Xue Yuheng's face with her fingers out of boredom, and sighed with puffed-out cheeks: "I have to sit here for two whole days, I'm so bored."

Xue Yuheng put down the half-read soul tool notebook in his hand, looked up at her, and said, "Who was it that confidently said they wanted to take the fastest direct route?"

"I didn't expect to sit for so long." Xiao Xiao turned around and shook his arm, acting coquettishly. "The carriage is so small, I can't even run a few steps. I'm about to grow mushrooms."

If we had known, we would have walked there slowly and spent a few days playing in the forest along the way.

She possesses a divine-level martial soul, and her physical attributes far surpass those of other soul masters of the same level. She could ride a soul-guided train for two days or even run continuously for half a month without getting tired.

But being naturally active, I simply couldn't stand being stuck in a cramped train carriage with nothing to do.

Xue Yuheng looked into her bright eyes and smiled helplessly: "Okay, whatever you say. We'll get off at the next stop and drive around the Star Dou Great Forest to Star Luo City. We can take our time and explore. It'll take ten days."

"Really?!" Xiao Xiao jumped up, threw herself into his arms, and kissed him on the cheek. "Xiao Xue, you're the best!"

The two immediately got off the train at the next border station. Xue Yuheng carried two large backpacks full of luggage and snacks, while Xiao Xiao skipped and hopped ahead empty-handed, like a little bird that had just flown out of its cage.

The air at the edge of the Starry Sky Forest was exceptionally fresh, carrying the scent of grass, trees, and earth. Unknown wildflowers bloomed along the roadside, and butterflies danced among them.

Xiao Xiao would pick a yellow dandelion and blow it into the air, then squat by the stream watching the little fish swim around, never stopping for a moment.

When they reached a hillside covered in wild strawberries, Xiao Xiao's eyes lit up, and she immediately rolled up her trousers and ran down: "Xiao Xue! There are strawberries!"

Xue Yuheng followed her and watched her squat on the ground, carefully picking bright red wild strawberries, not caring that her fingertips were covered in dew.

He also squatted down to help Xiao Xiao pick the large strawberries growing behind the thorn bushes.

In no time, she had picked a whole handful. Xiao Xiao picked the biggest and reddest one, wiped it, and held it to Xue Yuheng's lips: "You try it first, the one I picked is definitely the sweetest."

Xue Yuheng took a bite, and the sweet and sour juice burst in his mouth. He nodded: "Mmm, very sweet."

Xiao Xiao then happily started eating, not caring that there was red juice on the corners of her mouth.

They rested by a stream at noon. Xue Yuheng gathered firewood to start a fire, and then went to the stream to catch a few crucian carp.

While he was processing the fish, Xiao Xiao sat on a large rock next to him, swinging her legs and humming an off-key song, occasionally throwing a small stone into the water, creating ripples.

The grilled fish was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Xue Yuheng carefully removed all the bones, tore the fish meat into small pieces, placed them on a large leaf, and handed them to Xiao Xiao. Xiao Xiao's mouth was covered in oil from eating, so Xue Yuheng took out a handkerchief and patiently wiped her mouth clean.

In the evening, we found a sheltered grassy area to pitch our tent.

While Xue Yuheng was setting up the tent, Xiao Xiao picked wildflowers nearby and wove two crooked wreaths. She wore one on her own head and forced the other onto Xue Yuheng's head.

"Is it pretty?" She tilted her little face up, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Xue Yuheng touched the flower wreath on her head and said with a smile, "It's beautiful. Our Xiaoxiao made the most beautiful one."

That night, the two sat outside the tent gazing at the stars. The forest sky was cloudless, filled with countless stars, and the distant chirping of insects and the occasional low cry of a spirit beast made the scene exceptionally quiet.

Xiao Xiao leaned on Xue Yuheng's shoulder and whispered, "Xiao Xue, this is so nice. We don't have to cultivate every day, and we don't have to deal with those adults. It's just the two of us."

Moon Shadow Squad: We're used to it.

"Mmm." Xue Yuheng gently put his arm around her shoulder. "After we've finished everything, let's find a beautiful place with clear waters and green mountains, and watch the stars like this every day."

"It's a deal!"

And so, with these stops and starts, ten days passed in the blink of an eye.

That morning, the two climbed over the last small hill and could see the outline of Xingluo City in the distance. The tall, bluish-gray city walls stretched for miles, gleaming faintly with golden light under the rising sun.

"Wow! We're finally here!" Xiao Xiao excitedly grabbed Xue Yuheng's hand and ran down the slope.

Once in the city, the two first checked into a hotel near the city center.

As soon as they put down their luggage, Xiao Xiao grabbed him and ran outside: "Xiao Xue, Xiao Xue, let's go to the night market! I heard that the night market in Xingluo City is the most fun in the whole continent, with lots and lots of delicious food and fun things to do!"

"It's only three in the afternoon." Xue Yuheng looked at the bright sun outside the window.

"Oh, let's go shopping during the day first, and then we can go to the night market later." Xiao Xiao pulled him out of the hotel without further ado.

Xingluo City truly lived up to its reputation. The streets were wide and clean, lined with shops on both sides, and the sounds of vendors hawking their wares rose and fell.

The streets were bustling with people, including Soul Masters dressed in tight-fitting clothes, women carrying vegetable baskets, and children chasing and playing, creating a lively and bustling scene.

Xiao Xiao, like a curious child, dragged Xue Yuheng from one end of the street to the other. They would buy a dough figurine, watch a shadow puppet show, and then stop at a stall selling trinkets to pick and choose.

Xue Yuheng followed behind her, taking care of paying and carrying things, always with a gentle smile on his face.

Before we knew it, it was getting dark. The red lanterns on both sides of the street lit up one after another, and the warm yellow light enveloped the whole city in a cozy atmosphere.

The night market has officially started, and it's ten times more lively than during the day.

Just as the two reached the middle of the night market, a large crowd suddenly gathered in front of them, and a dispute broke out.

"What do you mean it doesn't count? I clearly hit the target with all ten shots!" A clear female voice rang out, filled with obvious anger.

"Young lady, you've stepped on the line. That's the rule." The stall owner's voice carried a hint of roguishness. "Stepping on the line doesn't count. Let's try again."

"I didn't cross the line at all! Everyone saw it!"

Xiao Xiao immediately perked up, grabbed Xue Yuheng's arm, and squeezed into the crowd: "Xiao Xue, let's go see what's going on!"

Squeezing inside, I found it was a shooting booth. The booth was filled with toys of all sizes, the most eye-catching being a huge white bear, taller than a person, in the corner—it was fluffy and incredibly cute.

A little girl dressed in pink was standing in front of the stall, her face flushed with anger.

She had her hair in a high ponytail, delicate features, and an air of nobility about her. She was accompanied by two guards in plain clothes, and it was clear that she was not from an ordinary family.

Just then, a strange movement suddenly came from Xue Yuheng's spiritual sea.

The wordless book opened automatically, and a pale golden light screen appeared on its panel:

Name: Xu Jiujiu

Talent: Grade C (Level 3)

Bone age: 12

Rating: 33

Cultivation level: 3 rings

Martial Soul: Star Crown (Deduction Completed)

Best Martial Soul Evolution Direction: God-level Martial Soul - Crown of Divine Radiance

Xue Yuheng's heart stirred.

Star Crown Martial Soul, the exclusive martial soul of the Star Luo Empire's royal family.

It seems that this little girl is Princess Xu Jiujiu of the Star Luo Empire.

"I saw it clearly just now, you stepped on the yellow line." The stall owner crossed his arms and looked like a scoundrel. "Either spend another ten copper soul coins to play again, or leave and don't delay my business."

People around were also talking about it: "I didn't see clearly whether she stepped on the line or not." "This boss is too greedy. That big bear looks worth a lot of money."

"That young lady doesn't look like she's short of money, why would she try to cheat me?"

Xu Jiujiu clenched her fists in anger. She had just returned from hunting her third spirit ring in the Star Dou Great Forest yesterday, and today she secretly slipped out to stroll through the night market. She saw this big bear and thought it was cute, so she tried shooting it.

She had practiced marksmanship with royal guards since she was a child, and hitting the target ten times in a row was no problem for her. She never expected that the boss would cheat her.

Just as she was about to erupt and order the guards to confront them, a clear voice suddenly rang out from the side: "Boss, this is so unreasonable! They clearly didn't cross the line."

Everyone turned to look, and it was Xiao Xiao who was speaking.

She held Xue Yuheng's hand and looked at the stall owner with indignation: "We saw it clearly from behind just now, her feet were always outside the yellow line."

"Where did this little brat come from? Mind your own business." The stall owner glared at her.

"What do you mean by meddlesome? You're dishonest in business, and you won't even let people talk about it?" Xiao Xiao said indignantly, tugging at Xue Yuheng's arm. "Xiao Xue, you're such a good shot, why don't you go and show him! Let him know what it really means to hit the bullseye every time!"

Xue Yuheng smiled helplessly, stepped forward and said to the stall owner, "Boss, I'll take a turn. If I hit all ten shots without stepping on the line, you can give that big bear to this little girl, how about it?"

The stall owner sized him up, noticing his young age and assuming he was a novice, and immediately nodded: "Alright! If you can hit the target ten times out of ten, Big Bear is yours! If not, ten copper soul coins, no refund!"

Xue Yuheng picked up the air gun on the table and weighed it in his hand. He had played many shooting games in his previous life, and with the dynamic vision and hand-eye coordination of a Soul Master, this kind of childish game was nothing to him.

He stood behind the yellow line, steadily raising his gun.

"Bang, bang, bang..." Ten gunshots rang out almost in quick succession.

Everyone's eyes widened.

On the target, ten bullet holes were neatly stacked on the same point, without the slightest deviation.

The entire room fell silent instantly.

The stall owner's face turned pale instantly, and he opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word for a long time.

"How was it? I didn't cross the line, did I?" Xue Yuheng put down her gun and looked at him calmly.

The people around immediately started shouting, "Boss, a bet's a bet! Give the bear to them!" "That's right, stop trying to renege!"

The stall owner had no choice but to reluctantly lift the life-sized polar bear down.

Xu Jiujiu's eyes lit up, and she immediately ran over to take the polar bear, hugging it and nuzzling it.

She looked up at Xue Yuheng, a grateful smile on her face: "Thank you! If it weren't for you, I definitely wouldn't have gotten this big bear today."

"You're welcome," Xue Yuheng smiled. "It was nothing."

"My name is Xu Jiujiu." The little girl extended her hand generously. "You must be from out of town. I've never seen you before in Xingluo City."

"My name is Xue Yuheng, and this is Xiao Xiao." Xue Yuheng shook hands with her. "We're from the Douling Empire, here in Xingluo City on some business."

"The Douling Empire?" Xu Jiujiu's eyes lit up. "I heard that the Crown Prince of the Douling Empire is exceptionally powerful, and he utterly humiliated the people of the Sun Moon Empire in the Heavenly Battle Tournament!"

Xue Yuheng smiled, not admitting her identity: "Yes, we've heard about it too."

"I know Xingluo City best!" Xu Jiujiu said enthusiastically, hugging the teddy bear. "If there's anything you don't know, just ask me!"

This is my jade pendant. If you encounter any trouble, just take this to the palace and find me.

She took off a white jade pendant with a star crown pattern from her neck and handed it to Xue Yuheng.

Xue Yuheng took the jade pendant and nodded: "Okay, thank you."

After chatting for a few more minutes, the guards urged her to return to the palace.

Before leaving, she waved goodbye with reluctance, saying, "After you've finished your business, I'll take you to the most fun place in Xingluo City!"

Watching Xu Jiujiu skip away with the teddy bear in her arms, Xiao Xiao smiled and said, "That little girl is quite cute."

"Um."

Xiao Xiao took the initiative to praise someone as cute, but Xue Yuheng wouldn't agree with her at that moment.

Isn't that just asking for death?

Xue Yuheng put the jade pendant into her soul guide ring, but her mind was still on the information displayed by the wordless heavenly book.

The divine-level martial soul, the Crown of Divine Glory, revealed that Xu Jiujiu's talent was even greater than he had imagined.

The two strolled around for a while longer, bought some local specialties, and then returned to the hotel to rest.

The next morning, the two changed into neat clothes and set off for the White Tiger Duke's mansion.

The Duke's mansion is located in the western suburbs of Xingluo City. The further you go, the fewer pedestrians there are, and the more magnificent the mansions on both sides become.

After walking for about half an hour, a magnificent mansion came into view. The gate, made of ebony, was ten meters high and inscribed with the five characters "White Tiger Duke's Mansion". Two white jade lions, each taller than a person, stood at the entrance, looking majestic.

Four guards in black armor stood at the entrance, their backs ramrod straight, their eyes sharp as eagles.

Xue Yuheng led Xiao Xiao to the door, where guards immediately stepped forward to stop them: "Halt! Who dares to trespass into the Duke's mansion?"

Xue Yuheng took out a jade pendant engraved with the mark of the Qian King and handed it over: "Xue Yuheng, the Qian King of the Douling Empire, and his fiancée Xiao Xiao, have come to visit Your Excellency the Duke."

The guard took the jade pendant and carefully checked it. His expression changed drastically, and he quickly bowed, saying, "So it's His Highness Prince Qian! My apologies! Please wait a moment, I'll go and inform him!"

Not long after, the door opened from the inside.

A young man dressed in a silver outfit strode out. He was tall and straight, with the ruggedness of a soldier in his brows. It was Dai Yueheng.

Upon seeing Xue Yuheng and Xiao Xiao, Dai Yueheng smiled broadly and strode forward, cupping his hands in greeting: "Your Highness Prince Qian, Miss Xiao Xiao, how have you been?"

After the Heavenly Dou Tournament, I thought I wouldn't see you again until Shrek Academy recruits students.

"I never expected you to come to Xingluo City in person! You're truly rare guests!"