Discovery of Douluo Continent!

Sun Moon Imperial Royal Academy.

After leaving the underground research facility, Xu Tianyang looked up at the sunlight. It was still dazzlingly bright.

Sensing the extra piece of dark blue metal in his storage Soul Tool, he recalled that he had taken it before leaving—a piece of Thousand Forgings Cold Ice Stone. He planned to forge it into a Level 3 Soul Tool Longsword and give it to Xu Nianshuang, while also seeing what made Soul Tools crafted from thousand-forged metal different.

"Hm, Yiyi?!"

As he walked through the academy, a familiar little figure suddenly appeared ahead. She seemed to have noticed him long ago and simply stared at him quietly with a playful look, without saying a word.

Compared to before, Yang Yiyi seemed to have grown quite a bit—physically speaking.

"Did you break through to Soul Master?" Looking at the greatly changed Yang Yiyi, Xu Tianyang already had a guess.

"Brother Tianyang."

As he was guessing, Yang Yiyi had already jogged over to Xu Tianyang's side. She sweetly called out to him, her pretty face brimming with smiles as she drew close.

"Yiyi, have you joined Sun Moon Royal Academy already?"

"Mhm, Sister Yingying arranged my enrollment." Yang Yiyi nodded and looked happily at Xu Tianyang. "Brother Tianyang, Yiyi has already broken through to Soul Master."

As she spoke, she performed Martial Soul Release. A yellow Soul Ring rose beneath her feet and slowly pulsed at Yang Yiyi's side.

"Level twelve?" Sensing Yang Yiyi's Soul Power Level, Xu Tianyang was somewhat surprised. Normally, absorbing a Soul Ring after breaking through could only raise a Soul Master by one level. He himself could skip levels because his Soul Beasts had high cultivation and contained far more energy.

From his observations, four hundred years should have been Yang Yiyi's physical limit. She ought to have reached level eleven Soul Power after breaking through, yet she had unexpectedly reached level twelve.

"My First Soul Ring came from a hundred-year Azure Vine. Its Soul Skill is Endless Vitality, and it greatly enhances my Martial Soul's life force."

"Brother Tianyang, this Soul Skill of mine doesn't seem to have any attack power!"

Xu Tianyang understood at once. The Azure Vine was a top-tier plant-type Soul Beast with the life attribute. Yang Yiyi had devoured and absorbed both the beast and its Soul Ring together, allowing her to break through to level twelve in one go.

Even Xu Tianyang could not help sighing at the sheer tyranny of the Devouring Attribute after hearing this.

Looking at Yang Yiyi's troubled expression, Xu Tianyang's gaze flickered. At first glance, this Soul Skill seemed entirely unremarkable. It could not directly strengthen Blue Silver Grass or add any offensive means. Furthermore, Yang Yiyi's Blue Silver Grass had mutated to gain devouring power, which seemed to run contrary to the life attribute.

It truly looked like a useless Soul Skill, but in the long run, it was actually a good one.

Blue Silver Grass might be weak, but on Douluo Continent, its vitality absolutely ranked among the best. If Yang Yiyi awakened her Blue Silver Grass into a Blue Silver King or even a Blue Silver Emperor in the future, coupled with her First Soul Skill, it would practically be impossible for her to die.

As for how to awaken it, Xu Tianyang already had a plan. If the timeline worked out, Douluo Continent offered one method.

If Douluo Continent did not work, there was also a hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor on Sun Moon Continent.

Sun Moon Continent had many places where Soul Beasts gathered. The more famous ones were the Evil Demon Forest ruled by the Evil Emperor, the Paradise Jingyang Mountain Range, paradise for metal-attributed Soul Beasts, and finally the Valley of Life, ruled by plant-type Soul Beasts.

The Blue Silver Emperor of Sun Moon Continent was within the Valley of Life.

In truth, Xu Tianyang was also curious about something. If Douluo Continent and Sun Moon Continent collided and merged ahead of time, would the rule that only one Blue Silver Emperor could exist be broken?

The Blue Silver Emperor on Douluo Continent had most likely died, and Tang San had yet to awaken. Meanwhile, Sun Moon Continent had a living hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor. Following that rule, would Tang San be unable to awaken at all?

"Your Soul Skill is very good and has enormous potential. Blue Silver Grass's greatest strength is its vitality. Although your Martial Soul has mutated to possess devouring power, it ultimately cannot compare to the life force Blue Silver Grass itself possesses. You must develop it properly in the future." Xu Tianyang smiled gently and comforted her while patting her head.

"Mhm, mhm!"

After taking Yang Yiyi around the academy and helping her familiarize herself with the surroundings, the two parted ways. Xu Tianyang returned to his dormitory and began crafting the Soul Tool Longsword for Xu Nianshuang.

A few days later, Xu Yunxiao's order arrived: Sun Moon Royal Academy would undergo restructuring.

The original Soul Tool Department and Martial Soul Department were split directly into two major academies: Sun Moon Royal Soul Tool Academy and Sun Moon Royal Martial Soul Academy.

The two academies would only admit students under the age of twelve who had reached level eighteen Soul Power or become Level 1 Soul Engineers. Others would not be accepted unless they had special circumstances.

Once they reached level forty or became Level 4 Soul Engineers, they could apply to graduate. Level 4 Soul Engineers could also test into Mingde Hall for further studies.

From then on, Mingde Hall would represent the highest level of Soul Tool technology in the Sun Moon Empire. Xu Yunxiao would serve as the master of Mingde Hall, while Lin Fan would handle its administration. He had finally freed himself from all the tedious affairs.

Xu Yunxiao could not possibly allow a top-tier Soul Engineer to remain bogged down in trivial matters all day.

After the reforms, a large number of students moved out of the academy. They were transferred to several other Soul Master Academies in Mingdu to continue their studies. The once-lively academy suddenly became much emptier.

Yang Yiyi did not leave. Mu Mengyu directly took her back to train at her side, and once Yang Yiyi met the requirements, she would enroll again.

Because of this reform, Xu Tianyang and his group became the youngest batch of students in the academy, instantly becoming famous throughout the school. However, these were merely small interludes in their lives.

Before long, everyone adapted to life at the new academy. Xu Tianyang spent his days cultivating and fooling around with Xu Nianshuang, Zui Hongchen, Huang Xiuwen, and the others, living quite comfortably.

Heaven Dou Empire.

On a remote coast, a strange black object surfaced from the distant sea. As it looked toward the shoreline ahead, a faint red glimmer flashed.

"Reporting to the commander: a massive coastline has been discovered thirty degrees northeast. No signs of life have been found. Preliminary judgment indicates an eighty-two percent chance that it is not an island. Whether it is Douluo Continent cannot yet be confirmed."

Further out at sea, a hundred-meter-long warship gradually emerged from the previously empty surface of the ocean.

The entire vessel was covered in an unknown metal, with Soul Tool Cannon barrels mounted along both sides. On the deck stood forty or fifty soldiers clad in heavy armor, their presence radiating a grim, killing intent.

At that moment, a voice full of surprise rang out from inside the warship.

"Damn it, those cursed pirates couldn't even lead us properly. If they weren't still useful, I'd have skinned them alive!"

Rapid footsteps sounded. An elderly man of around fifty strode over in fury. He was not particularly tall, yet he gave off a fierce and savage impression. His entire body was covered in deep purple dragon-patterned armor. Three deep claw marks crossed his right eye, and his tiger-like eyes carried an overwhelming pressure.

Arriving before the soldier who had just reported, the old man looked at the image displayed on the detector in the soldier's hands. A trace of surprise crossed his brow, but he quickly composed himself. "Dispatch a squad to land and investigate."

"Yes!"

Orders were issued in an orderly fashion. A ten-man squad boarded a speedboat and sped toward the distant land.

"I hope this is the real thing. Sailing on the sea is truly unbearable."

The old man watched the departing boat, his heart filled with anticipation. This was not the first land they had discovered, but everything before had been islands of varying sizes. This was the first time they had found such an enormous coastline. His instincts told him that this was the destination of their journey.

"Reporting to the commander: after exploration by the advance squad, the coastline's geological conditions have been confirmed as part of a continental plate. Preliminary judgment is that Douluo Continent lies ahead."

Hearing the information transmitted to his ear, the old man's lips slowly curved into a smile before turning into excited laughter.

"Ha ha ha! At last, at last, this old man has found it! Soldiers, we have not failed Your Majesty's expectations. When we return home, the empire will remember us. We are all heroes!"

"Long live! Long live! Long live!" Hearing the old man's words, the emotions in the soldiers' hearts erupted. They dropped to one knee and pressed their right fists forcefully against their left chests as they roared.

The old man was Li Zhong, formerly the deputy commander of the Evil Lord Soul Tool Group. A month ago, Xu Yunxiao had ordered him to lead a fleet in searching for the route to Douluo Continent.

He had thought that, with those pirates leading the way, the mission would be easily completed. Who would have thought that the group had gotten them lost? They encountered many large islands along the way, none of which were their destination. They had drifted around the sea for a full month before reaching Douluo Continent.

"Jiang Yan, take the sea chart and return to the empire by the original route. Your Majesty is still waiting for our news. I'll remain on Douluo Continent to gather intelligence. I'll leave behind a contact point here to facilitate communication." Looking at the coastline in the distance, Li Zhong's hands gripping the railing trembled slightly, but he continued issuing orders in a steady manner.

After stepping onto land, Li Zhong led the more than fifty people who remained behind and watched the distant target recede until it vanished completely.

"Alright. Our next task is to find somewhere to settle down and gather as much intelligence about Douluo Continent as possible." Li Zhong looked solemnly at the people behind him. They had already changed out of their armor and into clothing prepared in the empire that matched Douluo Continent's style.

These people generally had Soul Power above level forty—not low, but not particularly high either.

"Stay sharp from now on. This is unfamiliar territory, so do not expose yourselves carelessly. Soul Tools here are underdeveloped, perhaps even nonexistent. The Soul Tools in our hands cannot be exposed easily."

"Of course, if you encounter danger, then beat the hell out of them. Don't disgrace the empire."

"Now, follow this old man. We'll find a foothold first."

"Yes!"

"It has succeeded already?"

Inside a massive room, soft Soul Tool lighting shone down, revealing numerous large Soul Tools placed throughout the chamber.

Xu Tianyang examined the several new devices before him, then looked toward Lin Fan, Zui Hongchen, Xuan Hongchen, and the others.

"Hehe, rest assured, Your Highness. After gathering and analyzing enormous amounts of data, we have accurately classified Soul Masters' physical and Spiritual Power Intensity. The accuracy rate has absolutely reached ninety-nine percent." Xuan Hongchen was a plump old man with perpetually narrowed eyes. He was Zui Hongchen's grandfather, as well as a Soul Engineer whose rank was no lower than Lin Fan's.

The Soul Tool Body Tester that Xu Tianyang had proposed as a child could finally be officially put into use.

The difficult part of this Soul Tool Body Tester had not been building it, but rather determining how to classify Soul Masters' physical qualities by level.

Could assault-type Soul Masters and support-type Soul Masters of the same level have their Physical Strength measured by the same standard?

Among assault-type Soul Masters, there were also Beast Martial Souls and Weapon Martial Souls. Between the two, Beast Martial Souls were naturally stronger.

After years of data collection and integration, they had finally developed a relatively standard set of data.

"Want to give it a try?" Lin Fan nodded and curiously looked at Xu Tianyang beside him. He was extremely curious about Xu Tianyang's Physical Strength. Xu Tianyang had broken the record, becoming the first to achieve a thousand-year Second Soul Ring. When Lin Fan had first learned of it, if not for Xu Tianyang's identity, he would have wanted to slice him up for research.

"I'm rather curious about my own strength too." Xu Tianyang nodded with great interest. This was the first new type of Soul Tool he had proposed, and now that it was officially being used, he naturally wanted to test it himself.

As he spoke, Xu Tianyang walked up to one of the cylindrical instruments. The device was two and a half meters tall. Behind it stood a blue crystal pillar, while a circular platform sat at the front.

Xu Tianyang stepped onto the circular platform. Xuan Hongchen rubbed his hands excitedly and stepped forward, pressing his palm into a hand-shaped indentation. He reminded him, "Your Highness, relax your body and don't be nervous. The examination is beginning."

Zui Hongchen stood excitedly to the side, holding a small notebook and preparing to record the data at any moment.

As Soul Power flowed into the device, a fan-shaped white light illuminated at the top of the Soul Tool Body Tester. It scanned Xu Tianyang's body carefully from top to bottom.

Ten seconds later, an electronic mechanical voice sounded. "Height: 1.57 meters. Weight: 50 kilograms. Physical Strength: level forty-four. Soul Power Fluctuation: level twenty-six. Bone Age: one hundred and six months..."

Hearing this data, Lin Fan and the other two stared at Xu Tianyang in shock, their faces filled with disbelief.

"Gulp!" Zui Hongchen swallowed and muttered rapidly, "Monster... what a monster... How did our boss turn out to be such a monster..."

"Ha ha ha, Tianyang, you've truly exceeded this old man's expectations." Lin Fan recovered and lightly scratched his chin, staring at Xu Tianyang with blazing eyes.

What a pity!

Xu Tianyang shuddered instinctively. Lin Fan's gaze gave him a chilling feeling.

These damned research maniacs.

"Your Highness's data will likely remain in the empire's records for a very long time." Xuan Hongchen smiled with narrowed eyes at Xu Tianyang. He had always heard that Xu Tianyang possessed extraordinary talent, but today he finally gained a direct understanding of it.

Still, being a genius was good. As the empire's Crown Prince, there was no fear of him being too talented—only fear that he was not talented enough.

Afterward, Zui Hongchen went up to test himself as well. His data was not as monstrous as Xu Tianyang's, but it was respectable: level twenty-two Soul Power, with Physical Strength roughly five levels above his rank. The Three-legged Golden Toad was not particularly skilled in physical strength, but the data still matched that of a standard top-tier Martial Soul.

"Next, let's try this one that tests Spiritual Power." Xu Tianyang entered another machine that was even larger and more complex.

The results came out quickly. His Spiritual Power Intensity was level fifty-two, even more exaggerated than his physical strength. This meant that as long as Xu Tianyang's body could keep up, he could attain a ten-thousand-year Third Soul Ring.

Even Lin Fan was deeply shaken by that conclusion. What kind of monster had they produced?

Xu Tianyang did not seek the highest possible cultivation age for his Third Soul Ring. Spiritual-type Soul Beasts were already rare, and ever since he awakened his Martial Soul, Xu Yunxiao had continually dispatched people to search the continent for information on them.

Several Soul Beasts suited him very well. Though they were only between seven thousand and nine thousand years old, he was already quite satisfied.

After experiencing the Body Tester, Xu Tianyang nodded in satisfaction. This thing was a success and could be promoted throughout the continent. In the future, Soul Masters would be able to better plan the cultivation ages of their Soul Rings.

As Xu Tianyang walked out of the teaching building, he encountered someone unexpected at the entrance to his dormitory.

"Uncle Feng, why are you here?"

"Douluo Continent has been found..."

Upon hearing this, Xu Tianyang's pupils suddenly contracted as he looked at Feng Tianxiang, and his heartbeat began to accelerate wildly.