Heaven Dou Departure, First Glimpse of Prosperity

Chapter 20: Heaven Dou Departure, First Glimpse of Prosperity

The summons at the Pope's Palace ended, and Ling Feng did not waste a moment. Bibi Dong's orders were the highest directive: infiltrate the Heaven Dou Empire, get close to "Xue Qinghe," and monitor Tang San. This was the core step of his plan to defy fate and change his destiny!

He returned to his residence and packed simply—a few changes of clothes, a large number of Gold Soul Coin cards (generous "pocket money" brought by his status as the Pope's adopted son and the Son of Judgment), some basic healing and antidote potions, as well as the tempered Tungsten Steel spearhead and several spare pieces of Tungsten Steel. Most importantly, he carefully concealed the map to the Ice and Fire Immortal Grass (though most of the immortal herbs had already been picked clean) and the snake-shaped token Dugu Bo had given him.

Ghost Leopard Douluo appeared beside him like a ghost and tossed him an inconspicuous black ring. "Take it. Bind it with blood. There are ten cubic meters of space inside, enough to store some miscellaneous items. Consider it... compensation for you nearly getting stabbed to death this time." His tone remained icy, but his actions showed concern. A Space Soul Tool! This was a rare treasure!

Ling Feng was delighted and immediately bound it with blood. As his consciousness sank into it, a gray space ten cubic meters in size appeared within his perception. Without hesitation, he stuffed most of his luggage inside, leaving only a light little bundle to avoid drawing attention.

"Thank you, Elder!" Ling Feng said sincerely. With this thing, everything would be much more convenient.

"Enough nonsense." Ghost Leopard Douluo waved a hand. "Heaven Dou City is not like Spirit Hall. It's a mixed bag of dragons and snakes. On the surface, you're an aristocratic youth going there for 'further study.' In secret, you're the Pope's hidden blade. Remember: keep a low profile and act only after careful planning. If you cause trouble... clean up your own mess. If you can't, then this old man will step in." He was reminding Ling Feng that he needed to be even more cautious once he reached Heaven Dou.

"This disciple understands." Ling Feng nodded.

The two did not alert anyone and quietly left Spirit City under cover of night. Ghost Leopard Douluo melted into the shadows and vanished, yet Ling Feng could sense a faint, chilling presence following him from an extremely distant place. Secret protection from a Titled Douluo—this treatment was truly one of a kind.

Ling Feng did not choose to ride in Spirit Hall's luxurious carriage. That would have been too conspicuous. He bought a Horned Scale Horse with excellent endurance and set out on the official road to the Heaven Dou Empire like an ordinary wandering soul master.

He traveled eastward. Once he left the core region under Spirit Hall's influence, the landscape of the continent gradually changed. Spirit Hall's authority was everywhere, but the towns and villages under the two great empires also displayed their own prosperity and worldly bustle. Ling Feng was in no hurry to travel. As he familiarized himself with his greatly increased strength and honed the Spear of Ice Flame Judgment in secluded places, he also observed the customs along the way and gathered all kinds of information. The situation in the Heaven Dou Empire, the factions among the nobility, public opinion among the people... all of it was background he needed to understand.

Half a month later, a majestic giant city so imposing it took one's breath away appeared at the end of the horizon.

Heaven Dou City!

From afar, its city walls towered into the clouds and stretched for countless miles, like a massive dragon coiled across the earth. The gate towers stood tall, banners fluttered in the wind, and the city exuded the majestic grandeur of a great empire. At the gates, carriages and horses flowed endlessly, pedestrians packed the roads, and people in all manner of clothing and with all kinds of accents gathered together. The clamor was deafening, and its prosperity far surpassed Spirit City!

This was the imperial capital of the Heaven Dou Empire! One of the most prosperous cities on the continent! It was also the stage where Tang San would rise, Shrek would become famous, and... Qian Renxue, as Xue Qinghe, had lurked and operated for many years!

Leading his Horned Scale Horse, Ling Feng slowly approached the enormous city gates with the crowd. He restrained his aura and wore ordinary black fitted clothes, looking like nothing more than a young soul master who had just set out to train. Yet deep within those profound eyes burned flames that were both icy and scorching.

Heaven Dou City, I'm here.

Xue Qinghe? Tang San?

The tracks of your destinies... are about to be rewritten!

He raised his head and looked toward the resplendent imperial palace at the center of the city, symbol of the empire's highest authority. A meaningful curve formed at the corner of his lips. For the first step, it was time to pay a visit to that "kind and virtuous" Crown Prince. And while he was at it... see what that "young master" looked like while playing the part of Xue Qinghe.

Ling Feng followed the crowd through Heaven Dou City's enormous arched gate. The roaring clamor, mingled scents, rows of shops, and endless streams of carriages and horses... the overwhelming aura of prosperity swallowed him in an instant.