On the surface, the Four Kingdoms and that one duchy were all subject to the rule of the Heaven Dou Empire.
But in reality, these five nations had long since become states within a state. Aside from the necessary tributes, they were completely autonomous in every other regard.
If the Heaven Dou royal family had not held a powerful military force, internal unrest might have erupted long ago.
The Star Luo Empire had a similar situation. However, Yun Feng, who knew the original story well, knew that the Star Luo Empire was only putting on an act, since Spirit Hall served as a balancing force there.
Still, no one could say when the situation across the entire continent might suddenly change.
There were two most important cities within the Balak Kingdom. One was Barak City, the capital where King Kundera of Balak resided. It was the political and economic center of the entire Balak Kingdom.
The other was Suotuo City, located in the heart of the most fertile Lima Plain within the Balak Kingdom, known as Balak's granary.
Both cities were guarded by heavy troops and were the kingdom's highest priorities.
Suotuo City was a large city. This could be seen from the fact that its Spirit Hall was configured as a third-tier Spirit Hall Main Hall.
It was just past noon, and the blazing sun burned like fire.
Looking at the magnificent city before him, Yun Feng could not help but sigh.
Architecture could always reflect a region's culture and historical heritage.
No matter where it was! However, Yun Feng did not linger over it for long. After taking a few casual glances and passing the guards' inspection, he entered the city.
The sun shone through thin clouds onto the stone-paved roads, illuminating the bustling streets packed with people and carriages.
The houses on either side were all built from blue bricks and gray tiles, standing closely together in orderly rows.
Small shops selling armor and weapons lined both sides, filling the air with an oily, fishy stench.
Not far away, neon lights flickered outside a tavern, while drunken men loudly recited poetry and sang songs at its entrance.
The moment they entered the main street, they caught the scent of fresh flowers and meat. The flowers displayed by the roadside gave the place a lively, festive air.
A sausage vendor nearby stoked his charcoal fire, producing a crackling sound. He grilled meat over an arched iron grate with an iron ladle, and the fragrance stirred everyone's appetite.
"Zhu Qing, do you want some sausage?"
By now, Zhu Zhuqing had become thoroughly familiar with Yun Feng. She no longer responded to him with the cold expression she had put on when they first met.
Instead, she gave a sweet laugh.
"We can give it a try. I haven't had any in many years either!"
Yun Feng nodded. He and Zhu Zhuqing walked over to the vendor, bought two sausages, then began strolling through the streets.
After traveling for so long, both of them needed to relax.
They wandered the streets and darted through alleyways, eating and drinking all along the way.
Soon, evening arrived.
Lanterns lit up within the alleys as doors opened one after another.
Some women dressed in gauzy silk stood at the alley entrances, soliciting passing customers.
The atmosphere was several degrees more suggestive than it had been during the day.
When Yun Feng saw this, he was just about to pull Zhu Zhuqing away.
But he discovered that Zhu Zhuqing was staring fixedly at two people in the distance.
Yun Feng followed her gaze and saw two men, one tall and one short.
Faintly, he could hear their conversation.
"Fatty, you should be secretly celebrating. Today, I'll broaden your horizons. From now on, stop bragging in my ear about that phoenix in your little nest!"
"Boss Dai, you're treating, so everything you say is right!"
After hearing that, how could Yun Feng not understand why Zhu Zhuqing had suddenly stopped moving?
So she had seen Dai Mubai! Under Yun Feng and Zhu Zhuqing's watchful eyes, Dai Mubai and the others walked straight into the Place of Smoke and Willows.
Attended by a group of girls, they disappeared from the two's sight.
Zhu Zhuqing, who had temporarily forgotten her fate, now fell silent again and stood blankly where she was for a long while.
Only then did she force herself to remain calm and smile at Yun Feng.
"It's getting late. Let's find somewhere to stay."
After saying that, she took one deep look at the place where Dai Mubai had disappeared before turning away.
Seeing this, Yun Feng shook his head regretfully.
Even when given such a good opportunity, he was still useless!
He had such a beautiful fiancée, yet he had not taken her with him back then. Now he was chasing after that rouge and vulgar powder instead.
He had truly thrown away a watermelon to pick up sesame seeds! But none of that had anything to do with him.
After leaving the area with Zhu Zhuqing, the two casually found an inn and settled in.
Yun Feng wanted to say something to Zhu Zhuqing during that time, but she refused.
"Don't worry, I'm fine. I just want some peace and quiet. Go sleep first!"
Yun Feng did not press the matter. Instead, he returned to his room and began that day's cultivation.
He practiced the Ghost Fiend Calamity Blood Method, Rakshasa Three Profound Transformations, Raging Thunder Fist, and Soul Control Great Method, running through all of them once.
In a short time, four forms of torment descended upon Tang San, Tang Hao, and Yu Xiaogang.
For a moment, all three of them were numb. Wasn't it usually just one or two? What was going on today?!
Bloodlust, exhaustion, swelling, and mental listlessness.
With four debuffs stacked on him, even Tang Hao felt sickened as he looked at Zhao Wuji's bewildered expression.
Tang Hao was incomparably embarrassed. He had just declared that he would beat Zhao Wuji up, but when he threw his punch, it was weak and powerless.
It did not even break through Zhao Wuji's defenses.
Zhao Wuji even began to wonder whether this so-called Clear Sky Douluo was a fraud.
"A small punishment as a warning, a small punishment as a warning. Don't treat my son like that again, or my fists won't be this light next time!"
After saying that, Tang Hao forced himself through his weakness and quickly left the area.
Flender pushed up the lenses of his glasses, equally unable to make sense of it.
After a while, he said directly to Zhao Wuji, "Your luck is truly good. It seems Clear Sky Douluo's temperament has become gentler over the years. Otherwise, you definitely wouldn't have escaped a severe beating!"
Zhao Wuji nodded. After all, Tang Hao's initial aura had not been fake.
Little did he know that Tang Hao was simply unable to act! If he had not left quickly, he feared that he would attack Zhao Wuji and drain him dry. His craving for blood had reached its peak.
Early the next morning, Yun Feng and Zhu Zhuqing left the inn, exited Suotuo City through the South Gate, and headed toward their destination.
"Zhu Qing, now that you've seen what kind of person Dai Mubai is, why do you still want to go to Shrek Academy?"
After thinking for a moment, Zhu Zhuqing answered directly:
"If I don't go to Shrek, I don't know where else I can go."
"After all, I'm from the Star Luo Empire. Setting aside whether an academy of the Heaven Dou Empire would accept me, if the royal family discovered me, I definitely wouldn't get away with it easily."
"As for Spirit Hall, it isn't that I haven't considered it, but it isn't very realistic!"
After hearing this, Yun Feng's doubts were resolved. At last, he understood why Dai Mubai had chosen to join such a small academy in the original story.
Because this small academy did not have too many ties with other factions.
It would not create any repercussions.
It was not because he was out of his mind and unwilling to go somewhere with better conditions.
Please keep reading, brothers! Today is the most important day, everyone!
Whether this can get recommended depends on your latest reading support.
Tofu is bowing to you!
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