The Xuanming Sect Said the Xiaoyao Pavilion Was Nothing but a Bunch of Opportunistic Merchants

"But I didn't die. I became an unloved Ninth Prince here. Still, I had a golden finger, because I knew the stories of every major figure here, and it all came from a book called Peerless Tang Sect," Xu Yanli said calmly.

"You came from another book called Divine Throne." Xu Yanli looked Electrolux straight in the eye.

Electrolux paused, a trace of melancholy crossing his face, but he quickly recovered. "A book... My entire life was actually a book?"

Xu Yanli smiled at him. "Maybe that person only recorded part of it and even altered your fate. But I'm here now, so everything here is real. Your Excellency, would you be interested in changing the book with me?"

Electrolux's hands clenched, though they were too illusory for anyone to tell.

"How did I die?" Electrolux asked, his gaze deep. "In that book."

"Your soul scattered. The disciple you took in on this plane once promised to revive you, but in the end, he forgot. No one remembered you anymore." Xu Yanli smiled, a faint trace of mockery on his face.

Electrolux closed his eyes, then slowly opened them again. How could he, Electrolux, be willing to bow to fate?

"I'll join you. But what do you need me to do?" Electrolux asked seriously.

Xu Yanli stepped forward and bowed. "Your Excellency, I'd like to ask you for one thing. I want you to take me as your disciple."

Electrolux's breath caught for an instant. "You should know I hate..."

Xu Yanli smiled. "I swear upon my Martial Soul and soul: if you're willing to help me, teach me, and join me in turning this world upside down, then in the future I'll venture across the myriad heavens and worlds. Even if I have to cross every world and search through every span of time, I'll find your other souls and your origin, and pull you back from death."

"I'll prove through my actions that even someone as calculating as me will pursue the light at any cost. We have ambition, but we also have lines we won't cross." Xu Yanli stared at him, speaking each word distinctly.

Xu Yanli let out a breath inwardly. He just didn't know if those words had worked. He wanted Electrolux to teach him sincerely, not...

Electrolux kept his eyes shut.

Xu Yanli could tell his emotions were unsettled.

After who knew how long, Electrolux suddenly burst into laughter. "With the sun and moon in my hand, I pluck the stars from the sky; there's no one like me beneath the heavens! Ha ha ha..."

He soon came back to himself and chuckled. "Good."

"I'll take you as my disciple. After all these years, though I don't remember everything clearly, some people schemed against me, and some tried to kill me. But I've never seen anyone as foolish as you. You laid your heart bare from the start, spilled all your secrets, and even swore upon your foundation that you'd revive me." Electrolux patted Xu Yanli on the shoulder.

"You're the first. For the sake of your sincerity, this old man's remnant soul will stay by your side. Starting tomorrow, I'll formally teach you Necromancy." Electrolux smiled.

Xu Yanli lifted his head to look at Electrolux, a faint smile on his lips. He'd done it.

"But I'll make one thing clear: when I train a disciple, I train them to the point of death. If you can't take it, you can leave anytime." Electrolux smiled.

"Rest assured, Your Excellency. The one thing I'm not afraid of is hardship." Xu Yanli scratched his neck and smiled easily.

"Good. The people outside will probably come looking for you soon. But I'll remember what you said." Electrolux smiled as his body slowly drew back into the small gray-gold orb.

Xu Yanli slowly withdrew from his Sea of Consciousness and looked outside. It was already getting dark.

He knew that what he'd just said had been a risk, but the rewards were worth it. Taking all the time Huo Yuhao had to earn Electrolux's trust simply wasn't an option for him right now.

Besides, what did it matter if he revealed that he was a transmigrator?

Electrolux had no way to leave his Sea of Consciousness right now. He even needed the seed of life within it to heal his soul.

"Awake? Sometimes you need to let your nerves relax. You can't keep yourself wound so tight every day." Kong Deming's sincere words interrupted his thoughts.

"Teacher, I'm fine. I was just tired and needed some rest." Xu Yanli smiled.

"Here. We've received another report from the Heaven Dou Empire." Kong Deming spoke softly.

"Let me see." Xu Yanli calmly took the paper his teacher handed him.

"The Body Sect has appeared. That's great news." Xu Yanli's mind began turning.

Still, getting the Body Sect to submit wouldn't be easy.

Especially since those simple-minded, brawny fellows were so hostile toward Soul Tools.

Xu Yanli knew he had no advantage right now. But given Du Busi's temperament, he might still join him. After all, Xu Yanli could offer him a chance to become a god, and the Body Sect needed a way forward.

How could a princess's bargaining chip compare to a future god?

Xu Yanli slowly crumpled the paper and tossed it into his Storage Soul Tool. Then he said calmly, "Let's hurry to the Heaven Dou Empire. By the way, has there been any movement from the Holy Church? Who's coming?"

"The Crown Prince said it's that Dragon Emperor Douluo," Kong Deming said, rubbing his brow.

Xu Yanli: ???

What? For a little matter like this, did they really need to send a Limit Douluo? Was that necessary?

"Dragon Emperor Douluo Long Xiaoyao?" Xu Yanli asked again, unable to believe it.

"Yes." Kong Deming sounded somewhat helpless.

Xu Yanli paused, then smiled and waved for everyone to keep moving.

His expression seemed to say, let's not discuss this for now.

Another three days or so passed. Huo Yuhao grilled fish a few more times, earning both shock and delight from Gu Yuena.

Xu Yanli refused to believe it and tried grilling twice himself, but all he managed was a pile of charcoal fish.

Xu Yanli rubbed his brow and finally gave up.

Two days later, they finally arrived at the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Dragon Emperor Douluo Long Xiaoyao stood waiting outside the city, wearing a mask.

"So you're Prince Xiaoyao?" Long Xiaoyao's voice drifted over.

"That's right." Xu Yanli smiled calmly.

"What do you need me to do?" Long Xiaoyao asked, perfectly composed.