Douluo: The Peerless Sun and Moon Mechanical God

Evening, at the main gate of the college.

Lin Qing stood beside the metal plaque of the Royal Soul Master Academy, carved with the inscription "Sun and Moon," waiting for Meng Hongchen to return.

Knowing how much Meng Hongchen valued tonight, he simply returned to his dormitory and changed into casual clothes. The campus youth transformed into a handsome urban style, attracting the attention of female students passing by, who couldn't help but take a second look and whisper among themselves as they walked away.

After waiting for about an hour and a half, Lin Qing remained patient. For a boy waiting for a girl is like anticipating an unopened gift; you never know what surprise will pop out of the box when you open the package.

Besides, he was also a little tempted by Miss Meng...

purse!

"tread--"

The sound of footsteps splashing through the puddles came lightly from behind.

"I'm late!"

Lin Qing looked over in response and saw Meng Hongchen standing gracefully, her light makeup suited her well, her cheeks had shallow dimples, and her long white hair hung down her shoulders, adorned with a blue bow hair accessory.

She wore a pure white dress, clean and simple, with almost no extra decorations. The hem of the dress just passed her knees and fluttered gently in the evening breeze.

Her waist was perfectly cinched, outlining the girl's exquisite figure. A pale silver anklet adorned her round, jade-like left ankle, adding a touch of allure and charm. She was like a cake decorated with cream, her beauty seemingly blossoming into a stunningly beautiful woman in an instant.

Knowing she had taken up too much time, Meng Hongchen stuck out her tongue, clasped her hands together in front of her small chest, and said apologetically, "Sorry to have kept you waiting."

"It's okay, I just arrived too."

Lin Qing paused for a moment and answered softly, making good use of Chapter 3 of "Don't Lose Because You Can't Express Yourself" that she had read that afternoon, adding, "You look beautiful tonight."

"Really? (｡>∀<｡) Thank you for the compliment!!!"

Upon hearing this, Meng Hongchen's slight unease about being late, as well as the anxiety of feeling that her carefully dressed-up outfit was still not perfect after an hour, suddenly vanished.

"Miss Meng, please lead the way."

"Okay, let's go!"

Upon hearing the affectionate address "Miss Meng," the white-haired, blue-eyed girl pricked up her ears like a rabbit, showing considerable delight, and hopped and skipped ahead to lead the way.

The steel jungle of the imperial capital was illuminated by soul-guided lights, and the streetlights on the side of the street were like two long dragons of light, one after another, spreading orange-yellow light on the road. Qingmeng walked side by side through the streets and alleys, her pace neither fast nor slow.

Meng Hongchen deliberately walked to Lin Qing's right, perfectly showcasing her carefully coordinated look. Lin Qing glanced at the girl beside him. As dusk approached, the wisps of smoke blurred her beautiful silhouette, while the warm streetlights cast a soft golden glow on her long white hair.

The two started chatting casually. Lin Qing asked Meng Hongchen what she wanted to eat that night, and the latter smiled mysteriously and said that high-end restaurants were just for naive out-of-towners.

Tonight, I'll show him the vibrant atmosphere deep within the alleys of Mingdu, where the authentic local cuisine is what the locals have been eating since childhood.

As a clueless foreigner, Lin Qing naturally went along with the host's lead. He remembered that the bowl of noodles he had on his first night in Mingdu was indeed authentic, and he was happy to entrust his taste buds to the local guide in front of him.

"Lin Qing, are you getting used to life in the Sun Moon Empire? Is the academic pressure at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy high?" Meng Hongchen asked with concern.

"Everything is fine," Lin Qing said. "However, the average cultivation level of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy is much higher than I expected. As far as I know, it should surpass that of Shrek Academy's outer academy."

"It's normal, everyone's taken drugs to get here," Meng Hongchen said dismissively.

"The idea of ​​everyone taking medicine to cultivate is unheard of in the three great empires. The Douluo Soul Master world has always regarded medicine as a monstrous flood," Lin Qing said with emotion.

"This is the difference in thinking between countries." Meng Hongchen blinked her beautiful icy blue eyes. "The Soul Masters of the Sun Moon Empire believe that taking drugs is not about being impatient for quick success, but rather that they have reached the limit of their lives and do not want to accept their fate."

Take Tang Gang, whom you've met, as an example. Gu Zhu is characterized by its resilience, but its attack power is negligible. In the context of Douluo Three Kingdoms, it would be like a drop in the ocean. Even if it had some talent for guiding souls, it would be forever buried due to its innate soul power.

However, he was born in the Sun Moon Empire. While taking medicine couldn't break through to the Title Douluo level, reaching the fourth-ring Soul Master level was effortless for him. Tang Gang could continue to strive for Soul King and Soul Emperor in the future.

Lin Qing sighed softly. The Sun Moon Empire's policies were far ahead of Douluo's. While the noble lords of Douluo were still restricting the awakening of martial souls among the common people, the Sun Moon Empire had already reached the point where the entire population was mobilized for war.

If a martial soul awakens and its innate soul power is not at level zero, the state will allocate funds for its cultivation and even provide free medicine to upgrade its soul power.

With a soul tool in hand, even a group of Great Soul Masters whose cultivation level is capped at 29 can form a formidable army.

It is undeniable that drug use has certain side effects, but in the Douluo Continent, the strong are respected and Soul Masters represent the elite, so who would be willing to give that up?

These numerous low-level Soul Masters undoubtedly form the solid foundation of the Sun Moon Empire's combat power. Now, the Sun Moon Empire is a hidden dragon in the abyss, growing stronger day by day, preparing for war and waiting for the right opportunity to attack.

"By the way, do you and your brother take medicine?" Lin Qing asked, her curiosity piqued.

"I ate it." Meng Hongchen told frankly, "There are many kinds of medicine, we only eat the high-grade ones that don't affect the foundation of our soul power... Heh, just thinking about it makes me angry!"

So you guys in Douluo Three Kingdoms also have elixirs, and they're much more effective than ours!

Grandpa once spent a fortune to acquire a Mystic Water Pill for research. After Mingde Hall took a sample and analyzed it, they found that it contained the essence blood of dozens of water-attribute soul beasts. The cost of just one pill was equivalent to a whole basketful of ours. However, the production process seemed closely related to the Xuanming Turtle's innate abilities, and we couldn't replicate it!

The girl grew angrier as she spoke, her cheeks puffing up like inflated balloons. Seeing this, Lin Qing felt an irresistible urge to poke the puffed-up Dream Red Dust, to deflate the tender, white Dream Pufferfish.

Along the way, the two started chatting, rambling about everything under the sun.

Most of the time, Lin Qing chose to listen attentively as Meng Hongchen talked about Douluo Continent and the Three Kingdoms, complained about the Sun Moon Empire, and belittled his foolish older brother, recounting his childhood anecdotes with great enthusiasm...

When talking about her first battle against her brother who had been poisoned, Miss Meng proudly gave a thumbs-up. However, as she discussed how her brother gradually developed resistance to the poison, her lips drooped and her face fell with disappointment.

Later, it was discovered that as long as it was fed into his mouth, the poison of the ice toad would still take effect, and Meng Hongchen cheered up again.

Every smile and frown was lively and vivid, like the bright sunshine of a clear spring day. Lin Qing's understanding of Meng Hongchen began to take shape, and he would occasionally take the time to add a few words of agreement, "How can you, Xiao Gong, compare to Meng!"

The two walked through the bustling main street and turned into an inconspicuous alley, an old area similar to the old town of Xingluo City. Shops were neatly arranged, and the aroma of various foods collided and mixed in the narrow space, making passers-by's mouths water.

"Ta-da! This is it!"

Meng Hongchen stretched out her slender, jade-like finger and excitedly pointed to a Soul Guiding Lamp plaque.

Lin Qing followed the fingertip and saw the six large characters "Authentic Mingdu Braised Pork" dazzlingly bright under the illumination of the soul guide lamp. Next to it stood a soul guide sign listing the restaurant's signature dishes: Fried Liver, Braised Pork, Steamed Buns, Ash Sauce, Vinegar-Braised Fish...

Meng Hongchen raised her delicate chin: "Don't underestimate it. The most authentic delicacies in Mingdu are hidden in these treasure shops."

The two lifted the heavy curtain, and a wave of heat carrying a fragrant aroma rushed out. It was lunchtime, and the restaurant was bustling with people. The dozens of wooden tables were almost full, forming a large, dark, crowded space.

The stove is located on the left side of the entrance, with two large pots bubbling away, the dark red broth constantly boiling, holding all sorts of ingredients, the steam rising and filling the air with a fresh and fragrant aroma.

The master chef behind the stove wore an apron around his waist and worked with great speed and dexterity. He scooped up a bowl of braised pork, cut a few pieces of baked flatbread, sprinkled on some minced garlic and cilantro, and then poured a large spoonful of broth over it. His movements were fluid and seamless.

Meng Hongchen pulled Lin Qing through the crowded aisles, finding an empty table in a corner. Without needing to look at the menu, she waved towards the counter, her voice clear and crisp:

"Boss, two bowls of fried liver, two bowls of braised pork, two steamers of buns, and one bowl of lye sauce last!"

"Okay!"

A response came from behind the counter.

A moment later, their dinner was served, and Meng Hongchen introduced it with a flourish:

"Stir-fried liver must be made with fresh liver. The liver, intestines, fried tofu, sesame paste, fermented bean curd, cilantro, chives, a spoonful of soul-stirring old broth, three times thickened with cornstarch and two times with garlic are all essential steps."

Braised pork is known for its affordability and generous portions. The baked buns are soaked in the broth, and the dish includes all the essential ingredients, such as heart, intestines, and lungs. It is made with high-quality ingredients and has a perfectly balanced salty and savory flavor.

The steamed buns must have five layers, three pleats, a thin skin, a generous filling, and eighteen pleats—absolutely perfect! You must try them!

Where did that retroflex ending come from...?

Lin Qing looked around and finally confirmed that it was the white-haired girl in front of him. He then picked up a spoon and scooped a spoonful of fried liver from the center. Two thin slices of pork liver floated in the thick soup, and the sauce was thickened and glistening, making it look very tempting.

Just as she was about to put it in her mouth, Meng Hongchen corrected her, her face clearly showing that this was not the proper way to eat it.

"The freshly cooked fried liver is very hot, and it will easily fall apart if you slurp it with a spoon, so you have to slurp it in circles and drink the top layer. Eat it along the edge and drink it slowly down. You must not let the sauce fall apart and enjoy that sticky texture!"

My grandpa loves this the most. He'd have a piece of liver, a piece of sausage, and a little wine on the side—it's so authentic!

"This young girl is quite a foodie, despite her young age!"

A loud and clear praise suddenly rang out from the table next to the two men. The tall old man had a smile on his face, his silver hair was neatly combed, and traces of his youthful handsomeness could still be vaguely discerned on his aged face.

"I'm a native of Mingdu!"

Meng Hongchen readily accepted the praise.

The old man laughed and said, "My sweetheart loves this dish. We've tried braised pork in every major city we've visited on our travels across the continent."

The first meal I ate with her on the day we arrived in Mingdu was at this old restaurant. She knew I couldn't live without meat, but she insisted on taking me here for a meal of offal, and I had no choice but to comply.

"Has the old man ever drunk the special lime juice of Mingdu?" Meng Hongchen asked.

"I've had it, and it left a deep impression." The old man leaned back subconsciously. "In my opinion, the young man across from you probably doesn't have one; he must have a bowl."

As soon as he finished speaking, the grand finale arrived: a waiter brought over a bowl of gray liquid and, with great tact, placed it in front of Lin Qing.

"You should try it."

"Yes, this thing can't be found anywhere outside of Mingdu."

Meng Hongchen turned around and met Lin Qing's suspicious gaze. The old man also spoke up, earnestly advising her, because those who came before had been rained on, so they must tear apart the umbrellas of those who came after.

"I... just a little bit."

Unable to resist the girl's gaze, which was half pleading and half expectant, Lin Qing hardened her heart, lowered her head and took a small sip. Then, she froze instantly, her face turning ashen from thirty years of constipation.

The taste was like a 45-degree day, and I licked the armpit of a burly, bearded man on the street.

The first thing that hits your taste buds is the sharp acidity of aged vinegar, a complex acid from fermented beans, mixed with a slightly sour smell similar to pickled cabbage. It has a thick, sticky texture that becomes more mellow with each sip, making you break out in a sweat in a second!

Looking at Lin Qing, who seemed to have seen a ghost, Meng Hongchen and the old man exchanged a laugh, a sly glint in their eyes.

The two complete strangers reached a tacit understanding without saying a word. Every Mingdu resident was keen to take their friends to drink ash juice and enjoy their wonderful facial expressions, as if they had just eaten a lump of ash juice during a thesis defense.

"Boss, pack up a portion of lime juice."

When Lin Qing realized she had been tricked, her first action wasn't to accuse Miss Meng of being inhuman, but rather to decisively take a bowl of food with her.

Sharing happiness is worse than enjoying it alone. I'll take it home tonight and let Ye Guyi try it, to purify the cerebellum of the holy angel, Huang Bu La Ji.

"This young man has a good temperament; he's more emotionally stable than I was back then," the old man joked. "The young lady didn't misjudge him."

Meng Hongchen's eyes lit up immediately: "Grandpa, do you think we're a good match?"

"A perfect match, a match made in heaven."

Upon hearing this, Meng Hongchen laughed even more heartily, leaning her elbow on the table and gazing at Lin Qing with her eyes crinkling: "Hehe, I think we're both incredibly good-looking, a match made in heaven."

"That's right."

The old man was unusually accommodating, echoing the budding romance in Meng Hongchen's heart, while silently reminiscing about his lost youth.

Once upon a time, he traveled the world with his brother and his sweetheart, boldly expressing his love to the girl he admired, which later led to a lifelong entanglement of love and hate among three powerful figures.

Now he is old, so old he is about to die, and can only enviously peek at the happiness that belongs to the young.

At this moment, the experienced old man could clearly see that the white-haired girl's chest was burning fiercely, while the boy opposite her maintained a certain distance.

The girl's feelings were as bright as light in an instant, while the boy's understanding was like a fog, only becoming clear afterward.

The three strangers had finished their conversation there. The shop was too crowded and not a good place to discuss the Soul Guidance Armor, so Qingmeng decided to go outside and talk in detail later.

Before leaving, Lin Qing solemnly stored the ash into his storage soul tool, separating it from important items. He insisted that Miss Angel should not refuse to share the hardships with him.

Watching the young couple walk out of the shop, the old man shouted:

"Another serving of fried liver, a bowl of braised pork, and a bowl of lye sauce, please."

"Oh, why does Grandpa Long want lime juice today? My father told me that you hate this stuff the most!" the boss joked.

"You young man, you don't understand. This is the taste of reminiscing about youth..."