Douluo Continent: Tonight, a Fairy Tale Descends

A slightly mocking voice echoed in her mind; it was Tianmeng Ice Silkworm.

Xiao Wu wasn't in the mood to beat around the bush, so she replied directly in her mind, "My cultivation hasn't improved at all. You know why, right?"

Tianmeng Bingcan's voice sounded completely unsurprised, but rather carried a sense of "you've finally figured it out."

"Well... the reason is simple. You haven't been in contact with human society for too long."

"That's impossible!" Xiao Wu immediately retorted, her tone somewhat sharp.

"I make sure I go to the small town on the edge of the forest every now and then! According to the rules of human transformation, I absorb human scent!"

That was the thing she hated most, yet had to do. Every time she went, she felt like she had been thrown into murky water, feeling extremely uncomfortable, and she would run back after a short while.

"You call that contact?" Tianmeng Ice Silkworm scoffed, her tone filled with undisguised disdain.

“Every time I go, it feels like I'm doing something illegal. I just wander around the outskirts of town for a little while, take a couple of breaths, and then rush back. What good is going there only once every few months?”

It paused, its voice becoming more serious: "For a transformed soul beast to grow quickly, it must truly integrate into human society, stay there for a long time, and feel their rhythm of life, their emotions, and the changes in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth that they generate during cultivation. Your approach is like scratching an itch through a boot, with negligible effect. Before, when the soul power level was low, it wasn't very noticeable, but now that it has reached level 30, this bottleneck has become apparent."

Xiao Wu fell silent. She recalled that every time she returned from a human town, although she felt unwell, her cultivation speed did seem to be slightly faster. However, her deep-seated aversion to humans made her deliberately ignore this and try to shorten her stay as much as possible.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Tianmeng Bingcan switched to a seductive tone: "Besides, Little Wu, you're not the same as before. With your brother here, what are you afraid of?"

"The disguise soul skill I gave you is the culmination of a million years of spiritual power! Unless a god-level expert comes in person, even a level 99 Limit Douluo standing in front of you will not be able to see through your soul beast nature! You can walk around human cities without any problems!"

These words were like a bolt of lightning, shattering some of Xiao Wu's stubbornness.

Yes, she's no longer that little rabbit who had to be careful and afraid of being exposed and hunted down. She has the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm, and this soul skill that's enough to deceive everyone.

Staying in the Lake of Life offered safety, but her cultivation stagnated, and revenge seemed a distant dream. The image of her mother's sacrifice flashed through her mind, and that deep-seated hatred burned in her heart once more.

She must become stronger! She must become stronger even faster!

Sensing her wavering, Tianmeng Ice Silkworm pressed her advantage, saying, "So listen to me, don't hesitate any longer. Leave here and go to the human world! Find a Soul Master Academy and study and cultivate openly and honestly. There you'll find systematic guidance, opponents to fight against, and everything you need! Only there can your potential be fully unleashed!"

Xiao Wu stood still, looking at the shimmering Lake of Life, at the Nine-Colored Deer lying quietly not far away, and at the location where Daming and Erming were guarding the entrance to the core area.

This is where she grew up, her home, where her closest friends and safest haven are.

but……

She took a deep breath, and the last trace of hesitation in her eyes was replaced by determination.

A few days later, Xiao Wu found the Nine-Colored Deer.

“My Lord Beast,” she said softly, but her tone was unusually resolute, “I am preparing to leave the forest and go to the human world.”

Chapter 225 Restraint

The nine-colored deer raised its head, its clear eyes looking at her. There was no surprise, only a gentle inquiry: "Have you thought it through?"

"Mmm." Xiao Wu nodded emphatically.

"My cultivation has reached a bottleneck, and I must go to the human world to break through. Moreover... I am confident that I can remain undetected."

The nine-colored deer looked at her quietly for a moment, then nodded slightly: "Since it's your decision, then go. Be careful."

There was no excessive pleading, only pure trust and blessings.

This warmed Xiao Wu's heart, yet also brought a touch of bittersweetness.

She then went to say goodbye to Daming and Erming.

"Sister Xiaowu, are you really leaving?" Erming's voice was muffled, and his huge hand was pacing nervously on the ground.

The Azure Bull Python, Daming, said in a deep voice, "The human world is dangerous; please be careful."

"I know."

Xiao Wu looked at her two childhood friends and tried to put on a relaxed smile.

"Don't worry, I'm really capable now! And I'll come back to see you often!"

Having bid farewell to her companions at the Lake of Life, Xiao Wu embarked alone on her journey to leave the Star Dou Great Forest.

When she finally stepped out of the forest and onto the dirt road leading to the human town, the sun shone down on her without any obstruction, bringing a dry warmth that was completely different from that in the forest.

She glanced back at the vast, dark green forest, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

Just then, Tianmeng Bingcan's urgent and seductive voice rang in her mind again:

"Little Wu! Don't rush to find any Soul Master Academy! Listen to your brother, let's go somewhere first!"

"Where to?" Xiao Wu stopped and asked herself.

"The far north!" Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's voice rang out excitedly, "Go and obtain your second martial soul and its first soul ring!"

Xiao Wu was taken aback: "Now? Didn't you say later..."

"Wait for what later!" Tianmeng Ice Silkworm interrupted her.

"Don't miss this opportunity! Think about it, you only have one martial soul right now. Although the spirit rings are of high quality, your methods are ultimately limited. If you can add spirit rings to your second martial soul sooner, you'll have an additional combat system! Your strength will skyrocket! Then when you go to the Soul Master Academy, won't you be able to walk around like a whirlwind? Acquiring resources and gaining status will be much easier!"

It kept nagging, "I know the far north like the back of my hand! I'm from there! I know where to find the best stuff! I guarantee I'll find you the perfect ice-attribute soul beast, giving your second martial soul a head start!"

Xiao Wu stood there, looking at the road leading to the human town, and imagined the future described by Tianmeng Ice Silkworm, a future with powerful dual martial souls.

The future depicted by the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm is indeed enticing. Having an additional martial soul means having more security and more possibilities.

She hesitated for a moment.

Going to a human academy is a long-term plan, but before that, if she can make a qualitative leap in her strength, it will undoubtedly give her more confidence and more choices in the unfamiliar human world.

“Okay.” Xiao Wu made her decision, her eyes sharpening. “Then let’s go to the far north first.”

She changed direction, no longer looking at human towns, but following the directions given by the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm, and began her journey towards the bitterly cold lands in the north of the continent.

……

The Star Luo Empire, Imperial Palace.

Dai Tianfeng sat behind his desk, holding a brief report on the soul power cultivation of eligible young men from various families.

A servant stood respectfully below, reporting, "Your Majesty, the second young lady of the Zhu family, Zhu Zhuqing, has reached the age to enter the intermediate Soul Master Academy for further studies."

Dai Tianfeng's gaze lingered on Zhu Zhuqing's name for a moment, his face expressionless, his fingertips tapping lightly on the smooth tabletop.

The attendant waited a while, and seeing that Dai Tianfeng did not speak, he cautiously inquired, "Your Majesty, regarding the arrangements for Miss Zhu Si, is there anything we should do...?"

Since Dai Mubai joined Shrek Academy in the Kingdom of Barak, he has re-established contact with certain forces in Star Luo City who are loyal to him, or at least those who are taking a wait-and-see attitude, through Huo An.

Although the message was limited, it at least let Dai Tianfeng know that his son had no intention of completely breaking away from Xingluo's chessboard.

Dai Tianfeng pondered, his gaze seemingly looking beyond the briefing before him to a more distant place.

The next Continental Elite Tournament of Advanced Soul Master Academies.

Davis, Dai Mubai.

This was the stage he set up for his two sons to ultimately determine the winner.

The heir to the Star Luo Empire must defeat the other side with absolute strength under the watchful eyes of the masses in order to gain their respect and demonstrate the martial spirit of Star Luo.

On Davis's side, his cooperation with Zhu Zhuyun had already reached a tacit understanding, and the power of the Netherworld White Tiger was increasing day by day.

But what about Dai Mubai?

Even with his exceptional talent, he alone cannot unleash the Netherworld White Tiger without the cooperation of the Netherworld Cat, significantly diminishing his intimidation in team matches.

He had almost no chance of winning against Davis and Zhu Zhuyun's complete Martial Soul Fusion Technique.

This did not meet Dai Tianfeng's expectations. What he wanted to see was a closely contested match, or even a thrilling duel where one side could unleash their full potential in dire straits, rather than a one-sided crushing defeat.

That would be detrimental to Davis's growth and to the reputation of the Star Luo Empire.

Thinking of this, Dai Tianfeng stopped tapping his fingers on the table.

He looked at the attendant, his voice steady and devoid of emotion: "Tell the Zhu family to send Zhu Zhuqing to the Heaven Dou Empire, find Dai Mubai, and cultivate with him."

Dai Tianfeng paused for a moment, then continued, "Dai Mubai needs her for the next Soul Master Competition. The Netherworld White Tiger cannot be absent."

His words were concise, yet carried an undeniable determination.

This is an order, not to benefit anyone, but to maintain the balance in this battle for the throne, so that the Star Luo royal family can ultimately choose a truly powerful heir.

Whether Zhu Zhuqing is willing or not, and whether Dai Mubai welcomes her or not, is not within his consideration.

As citizens of the Star Luo Empire, they enjoy the conveniences that come with their status, but they also naturally have to bear the corresponding responsibilities and constraints.

"Yes, Your Majesty." The attendant respectfully accepted the order and withdrew from the study.

Dai Tianfeng picked up the briefing again, but his gaze seemed unfocused on it.

Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, it's up to you two to seize this opportunity.

……

The Zhu residence, Zhu Zhuqing's courtyard.

Inside the room, Zhu Zhuqing had just finished her afternoon soul power cultivation and was wiping the fine beads of sweat from her forehead with a clean towel.

She has a tall and straight posture. Although she is still young, her years of hard work have given her a cool and calm demeanor that is rare among her peers.

Over the years, she has shed her childishness and her appearance has become more refined, yet it is also as if she is covered with a thin layer of ice that is not easy to melt.

Chapter 226 Responsibilities

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the courtyard, and a maid's voice rang out: "Fourth Miss, the Master requests your presence in the front hall."

Zhu Zhuqing paused slightly while wiping.

Her father was looking for her?

A hint of doubt crossed her mind. Normally, her father rarely summoned her alone unless it was a family meeting or an important holiday.

She put down the towel, straightened her slightly wrinkled dress from cultivation, and her face returned to its usual indifference as she replied, "Understood."

……

Zhu Zhuqing followed the maid through the familiar courtyard corridors and headed towards the front hall of the main house.

She walked slowly, but her mind was racing, trying to figure out why her father had suddenly summoned her.

Nothing particularly noteworthy seems to have happened recently.