(These two chapters are here to make the characters' feelings feel less abrupt. There'll only be two; they'll wrap up tonight, and a third update will come later this evening—a major chapter that pushes the plot forward.)
Ten years ago, the Yuanen Family.
"Father, I've reached the Soul Douluo level. I'd like to go out and see the world."
Yuan'en Tiandang knelt before his father, Yuanen Zhentian, the head of the Yuanen Clan.
At the age of twenty, Yuan'en Tiandang had just broken through to the Soul Douluo level, becoming the next young clan leader of the Yuanen Clan.
"Good, good, good."
"Flowers grown in a greenhouse can never become towering trees."
"Now that you've reached the Eight-Ring Soul Douluo level, it's time for you to go out and make your way in the world."
Yuanen Zhentian looked at his son, who stood half a head taller than he did, and the more he looked, the more pleased he was.
"The Douluo Continent is nothing like our clan. Out there, Shrek Academy, the Tang Sect, the Spirit Pagoda, and the recently established War God Temple are all powerful organizations."
"Remember, don't become arrogant or complacent. There will always be someone better than you, and even I have opponents I can't defeat."
"Yes, Father. I'll remember."
Yuanen Zhentian continued to give him advice, then finally said:
"Go. First, visit the ancestral hall and inform our ancestors. Pray that they keep you safe."
Yuan'en Tiandang bowed farewell to his father and headed to the Yuanen Clan's ancestral hall.
The hall's exterior was simple and elegant, giving it a dignified air. Inside, however, it was richly decorated and lavishly adorned.
At the front stood a huge, tiered altar table, its rows of spirit tablets arranged in the shape of a pyramid.
At the very top was the tablet of their ancestor, Xiong Xiaoling. Beside it sat a small, hand-carved wooden monkey.
The monkey was no taller than the spirit tablet. It was posed beating its chest with both hands, looking rather cute and a little foolish.
Yuan'en Tiandang respectfully offered a stick of incense.
He performed the full ritual of three bows and nine kowtows, then said, "Your descendant Tiandang reports to the ancestors: I have now turned twenty and attained the Soul Douluo level. I must go out to train. I humbly ask you to bless me with a safe and successful journey."
After speaking, Yuan'en Tiandang respectfully kowtowed several more times, then replenished the incense.
I'm coming, outside world.
"That was Tiandang, wasn't it?"
"Yes. That boy is incredible. Reaching the Soul Douluo level at twenty—only a few of the first clan leaders in our history ever managed that."
"Indeed. Once Tiandang returns, our clan will surely rise to new heights."
The Yuanen Clan members saw Yuanen Tiangang leaving the ancestral hall and began discussing him among themselves.
"..."
Yuan'en Tiandang used his Eight-Ring Soul Douluo cultivation to fly swiftly through the air.
Along the way, he saw the towering Spirit Pagoda and the vast Shrek City. The towering Golden Ancient Tree also left him in awe.
The Tang Sect's many ingenious Soul Tools amazed him as well. As a Soul Master from a reclusive clan, he found them fascinating.
Father said the War God Temple was the weakest of the Douluo Federation's four great powers, and also the least restrictive. Perhaps I should go take a look at Ming City.
Yuan'en Tiandang made up his mind and flew toward Ming City.
Ming City had once been the capital of the Sun Moon Empire. After ten thousand years of development, it had become a city that stopped Shrek Inner Court students on their way to Devil Island for training.
In a way, it had gone backward the more it developed.
Still, it had once been a capital, and its foundations remained. Ming City was among the top five cities on the Douluo Continent.
Yuan'en Tiandang didn't disguise himself. He simply concealed his cultivation before entering Ming City.
After asking around, he learned that the War God Temple was located in the Ming City Mountains west of the city, not within the city itself.
Oh, well. Since I'm already here, I might as well look around this former capital.
Yuan'en Tiandang wandered from place to place in Ming City, and before long, he had gone from the bustling district to a more secluded area.
"Yehui, come with us. You were born for this."
"Join us. With your talent, you'll surely reach the Titled Douluo level. And if you serve our esteemed leader well, becoming a Super Douluo will be within your grasp."
As Yuan'en Tiandang wandered, he suddenly spotted three men surrounding a beautiful woman. She was naturally lovely, and her waist-length purple hair made her even more alluring.
"What if I refuse?" The woman's tone was icy as she turned to leave.
"Refuse? You don't get to decide that."
The three men revealed their Martial Souls at the same time, displaying Eight-Ring cultivation. The woman, however, had only just broken through to the Soul Douluo level.
"With skin as fine as yours, why not let us brothers have a taste first?"
"Kehehehe."
The men finished speaking and grinned lecherously as they closed in around her.
This was Yuan'en Tiandang's first time traveling outside the clan since he was born. How could he tolerate such behavior? He shouted, "You ruffians! How dare you bully a woman in broad daylight!"
As he spoke, his Titan Giant Ape Martial Soul appeared, and he rushed forward to help the woman named Yehui.
"Who are you, kid?"
The leader eyed him warily, but when he saw the Martial Soul of the man who had arrived, he burst out laughing.
"A Great Strength Demon Ape Martial Soul, and you dare play the hero here?"
"Brothers, let's show this kid who runs this road."
The leader charged at Yehui, while the other two surrounded Yuan'en Tiandang, intending to take him down quickly before joining the attack on Yehui.
Yehui glanced at the man who had jumped in to help. She didn't thank him; she simply summoned her Fallen Angel Martial Soul and fought the leader.
The leader had an Earth Demon Bear Martial Soul and wore Two-Word Battle Armor. He was evenly matched against the top-tier Fallen Angel Martial Soul.
As the fight went on, the Earth Demon Bear Soul Master began to struggle. He shouted, "What are you two doing? Why haven't you dealt with him yet?"
There was no reply.
The man sensed something was wrong and turned around. His other two companions were already lying on the ground.
"What happened to you?"
The man was momentarily distracted. Yehui seized her chance and slashed him with the Magic Sword.
"This one's tough! Run for it!"
The man immediately retreated. Following the principle of letting others die in his place, he abandoned his companions and fled in a panic.
"What about them?"
Yuan'en Tiandang walked over to the woman and pointed at the two men lying on the ground.
Yehui frowned slightly. "I don't like killing people."
With that, she left without looking back.
Yuan'en Tiandang thought this woman was rather strange. She was also the first beautiful woman he'd ever met in person, so he hurried after her to ask.
"What's your name? I'm Tiandang. Why were those people after you?"
"Hey, I'm from a family in the remote mountains to the east. Where's your home?"
"Are you hungry? I'm new here. What's good to eat around here?"
"..."
Yuan'en Tiandang chattered the whole way. Eventually, the woman couldn't take it anymore and said irritably, "My name is Yehui. Thank you for saving me just now. I'm going home."
Why had she suddenly changed her attitude? She was so strange.
Yuan'en Tiandang watched Yehui's retreating figure as she headed west, feeling dazed and a little aggrieved.
Never mind. I should get ready and go see the War God Temple.
Yuan'en Tiandang quickly put the incident out of his mind, found a hotel, and settled in for the night. He would head to the Ming City Mountains tomorrow.