Arrival in Heaven Dou, First Glimpse of Prosperity

After leaving Qingshi Town, Ling Yun continued north. The journey ahead was much more peaceful. Perhaps because he was nearing the central region of the Heaven Dou Empire, where security was relatively better, he did not encounter bandit troubles like the Black Wind Stockade again.

He crossed mountains and rivers, weathered and travel-worn, yet his spirits grew increasingly vigorous. The Chaos Dragon God Martial Soul was tempered well through the long journey, becoming more compatible with his body. The life energy of the Nine-Heart Begonia Emperor also became ever purer, and his understanding of the Spirit Eye Nourishing Technique deepened further. His Spiritual Sense covered a wider area, and his perceptions became sharper.

Occasionally, he entered cities along the way to rest, participating in several soul battles at the Great Soul Arena to earn travel expenses while observing the styles of Soul Masters from different regions. He still used the alias "Dragon Emperor," maintaining his undefeated record. Though the sensation he caused was not as great as it had been in Suotuo City, he gradually gained some renown.

One month later, an incomparably grand and enormous city finally appeared on the horizon.

Heaven Dou City! The capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, and one of the most prosperous cities on Douluo Continent!

From afar, its walls towered into the clouds and stretched on for countless miles, like a colossal dragon crouching upon the earth. The city gates bustled with traffic and pedestrians. Magnificent carriages and rare Soul Beast mounts could be seen everywhere, displaying the splendor and grandeur of the imperial capital.

After paying the entry tax, Ling Yun stepped into Heaven Dou City. The sight before him moved even a transmigrator accustomed to modern cities.

The broad streets could accommodate more than a dozen carriages abreast. Shops stood densely on both sides, their architectural styles varied and exquisitely crafted. Crowds surged through the streets: nobles in lavish attire, powerful Soul Masters, and merchants from all over came and went without pause. The air was filled with the mingled scents of spices, food, and flowers, noisy yet brimming with life.

Compared to Suotuo City, Heaven Dou City was practically another world. This was the true central stage of the continent!

Ling Yun did not rush to seek out the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Instead, he first found a relatively quiet inn, washed away the dust of travel, and changed into a clean set of clothes.

Afterward, he left the inn and strolled through the streets of Heaven Dou City. He appeared to be wandering casually, but in truth, his Spiritual Sense quietly spread out as he gathered all sorts of information.

He heard rumors about the imperial family, Spirit Hall, the Upper Three Sects—the Clear Sky Sect had gone into seclusion, while the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect remained active—and the Lower Four Sects. He also heard preliminary news about the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.

Naturally, he also paid attention to information regarding the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was located atop Glazed Mountain west of Heaven Dou City. The sect was wealthy enough to rival a nation, and its sect master, Ning Fengzhi, was a wise rank seventy-nine Soul Sage. His daughter, Ning Rongrong, was said to be attending Shrek Academy as well—though she had not yet enrolled when Ling Yun left. The sect was guarded by two Titled Douluo, Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong, both extraordinarily powerful.

If he wanted to make contact with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and obtain their support and resources, he needed a suitable opportunity. Going directly to their door to recommend himself was not the best option.

Lost in thought, Ling Yun arrived at a bustling plaza. At its center stood a tall fighting platform where Soul Masters were currently battling. Spectators packed the area, shouting encouragement. This was a common civilian Soul Fighting Arena in Heaven Dou City. Though its standard could not compare to that of the Great Soul Arena, it still drew quite a crowd.

Ling Yun stood at the edge of the crowd and casually watched the battle on the platform. The two fighters were both Soul Elders, evenly matched as they traded blows. Soul skills collided and lights flashed, drawing wave after wave of cheers from the audience.

After watching for a while, Ling Yun lost interest. A battle of this level was child's play to him. Just as he was about to leave, his gaze was drawn to a distinctive figure beside the platform.

It was a girl in a wheelchair, seemingly even younger than him. She wore a simple, elegant white dress, and her face was stunningly beautiful, though it bore a sickly pallor, as if she were fragile glazed crystal. She sat quietly there, watching the battle on the platform with calm, unruffled eyes that seemed utterly out of place amid the fervent atmosphere around her.

What caught Ling Yun's attention most was the exceedingly concealed yet exceptionally pure and powerful fluctuation of spiritual power he sensed from the girl in the wheelchair. That spiritual power was even stronger than A Qing's, and it carried an icy quality.

Interesting... Ling Yun's gaze narrowed slightly. This girl was anything but ordinary.

Perhaps sensing Ling Yun's gaze, the girl in the wheelchair slowly turned her head. Her clear eyes, which seemed capable of seeing through one's heart, met Ling Yun's.

Their eyes met.

A trace of surprise flashed through the girl's eyes. She seemingly had not expected anyone to detect her abnormality.

Ling Yun gave her a slight nod in greeting, then turned and merged into the crowd. Heaven Dou City was full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers; encountering unusual individuals was nothing strange. His foremost task was still to find an opportunity to approach the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

The girl in the wheelchair watched the direction in which Ling Yun had departed, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. She murmured, "What a strange person... His Soul Power fluctuations clearly aren't strong, yet he gives off an unfathomable feeling... His eyes seemed able to see through everything..."

She lightly tapped the armrest of her wheelchair and instructed the old servant standing behind her like a shadow, "Investigate that person from earlier."

"Yes, Miss." The old servant bowed in response, and his figure quietly vanished.

Ling Yun did not know that his inadvertent glance had already caught the attention of an important figure. The waters of Heaven Dou City ran far deeper than he had imagined.

And his arrival would surely stir even greater waves in those deep waters.