Long Jinyu raised a hand slightly. "Mm, no need for formalities. Since you have begun adapting, I will now explain the current state of the world we live in, as well as... some of the plans in my heart."
He turned around and activated the Soul Tool display on the table. A screen of light lit up, projecting a world map far more complex and detailed than the one from ten thousand years ago.
Tuoba Xi studied it intently, his brows knitting tighter and tighter as confusion filled his face. Pointing at the unfamiliar outline of a continent on the left side of the map, he hesitantly asked, "Young Master... this map... How did the continents become like this...? And this territory on the left is...?"
"Heh heh, can you feel it? The tide of the times."
Seeing Tuoba Xi looking like an eager but bewildered student thirsting for knowledge, the part of Long Jinyu's soul that loved teaching, nurtured by Mother Jin back on Blue Star, instantly burst into blazing life.
He coughed lightly, forcing a stern expression onto his face as he shoved a blank notebook and pen into Tuoba Xi's hands. His tone unconsciously took on the cadence of a teacher.
"Mm! Listen carefully and study hard! Take out your little notebook and write down proper notes! Little Dragon God Classroom is now in session! Everything I'm about to tell you is key material, and it'll be on the test!"
Tuoba Xi: "???"
Holding the pen and notebook, he looked at Long Jinyu, who had instantly entered some strange state, and was momentarily at a loss.
Long Jinyu ignored him. Somehow producing a slender teaching pointer from nowhere, he cleared his throat. "Ahem, first of all, can you sense the concentration of heaven and earth essence in this place? How does it compare to your era?"
Tuoba Xi sensed it carefully, and his expression changed again. "It is dense... More than several times denser!"
"That is one part of the answer."
Long Jinyu lightly tapped the map with his pointer. The region representing the Sun Moon Continent lit up. "Around four thousand years ago, a continent called 'Sun Moon' crossed the vast seas and collided head-on with our Douluo Continent. The world changed drastically, its laws merged, and the essence of heaven and earth surged accordingly. This place..." He tapped the glowing region. "...is the Sun Moon Continent. Upon it stands a unified nation—the Sun Moon Empire."
Watching Tuoba Xi's reaction, he dropped another piece of shocking information. "This nation's Soul Tool technology has reached unparalleled heights. The hidden weapons Tang Sect was once so proud of, things like the Godly Zhuge Crossbow, are no more than children's toys before their standard-issue Soul Tool Ray Cannons."
"What?!"
Tuoba Xi was horrified. Having personally witnessed the power of Tang Sect hidden weapons, he understood even more clearly just how terrifying those words were.
"With these weapons, they once beat the Douluo Three Kingdoms to the brink of collapse."
Long Jinyu's tone turned cold. "If the Shrek Academy headmaster of that generation had not stepped forward and gathered nearly sixty Titled Douluo-level experts from across Douluo Continent to resist together and turn the tide, Douluo Continent would likely have long since borne the name Sun Moon."
"Sixty... sixty Titled Douluo?!"
Tuoba Xi felt his mind buzzing. Ten thousand years ago, the number of Titled Douluo openly known across the entire continent had not even exceeded the number of fingers on both hands! The impact of that number was far greater than that of an unfamiliar continental outline. "Young Master... this... this is simply too much information. Your subordinate..."
"It's alright."
Long Jinyu lightly tapped the screen with his pointer, signaling for him to steady himself. "Write down the important points first. You can digest them slowly later."
"Having many Titled Douluo does not mean it is a good thing."
He continued, his voice turning icy. "The collision with the Sun Moon Continent brought not only powerful enemies, but also a cancer called Evil Soul Masters! They cultivate evil techniques using the blood, essence, and souls of living people. Their actions are endlessly cruel, and they are enemies of the entire continent. Now, they have even formed a tightly organized Holy Spirit Cult, a veritable den of demons. The most troublesome part is that of the only three Limit Douluo publicly known on the continent, two are pillars of the Holy Spirit Cult!"
Intense confusion and indignation appeared on Tuoba Xi's face. "With so many powerful experts, and such... terrifying Soul Tool technology, why do they still tolerate such vile heretics running rampant? Though there were constant conflicts ten thousand years ago, there was never anything like this... And Tang San—he destroyed Spirit Hall. Surely his Tang Sect and Shrek are now top powers. Do they simply stand by and do nothing?"
"Do something? With what?"
Long Jinyu sneered, his laughter full of contempt. "The upper ranks of the Sun Moon Empire and the Holy Spirit Cult have long been deeply entangled. They support one another, and they themselves are part of this festering sore!"
"As for Tang Sect? They clung stubbornly to the past, worshipped hidden weapons like ancestral tablets, and regarded Soul Tools as mere tricks. The age has long since crushed them beneath its wheels. Now, they have nothing but a name!"
"Shrek?"
He paused, and his tone became complicated, carrying both frustration at their failure and cold scrutiny. "Their status has risen, but they have also become useless. They established a 'Supervision Group.' It sounds impressive enough—maintaining peace, rooting out evil, punishing criminals. But do you know who charges on the front lines and uses their flesh and blood to plug the holes left by those Evil Soul Masters? Most of them are students who have not even fully matured! And what are those senior elders, who enjoy the highest offerings, doing? They call it 'guarding the academy'! Ha ha, what a fine way to guard it! Watching children go to their deaths with their own eyes—this is the 'responsibility' accumulated over ten thousand years!"
His gaze sharpened. "In today's world, those at the top drown themselves in luxury while those at the bottom struggle bitterly. Resources are monopolized by powerful clans, while commoners are treated like ants. There are even extraordinarily talented young soul masters who, just to seek a sliver of hope for their loved ones, are forced to compromise themselves and sell their own bodies! This is the ten-thousand-year 'golden age' under their rule!"
Tuoba Xi fell silent. He remembered the branch halls of Spirit Hall that had once spread across the continent. Though they had possessed their own ambitions, they had indeed given commoner soul masters hope and protection to a certain extent. It formed a cruel contrast with the scene Long Jinyu had described.
His throat moved, and at last he could not suppress a question that had weighed upon his heart. "Young Master... this subordinate dares to ask: if... if the Spirit Hall Empire had unified the continent back then, would the result have been better than it is now?"
Long Jinyu's gaze flickered as he considered it. "History has no ifs. Besides, Bibi Dong sought destruction rather than construction. Even if the Spirit Hall Empire had won, it would not have lasted long."
"But in terms of protecting commoners and cultivating soul masters, Spirit Hall truly did far better than the current powers."
"And that is also part of my plan—"
He rose to his feet. His voice was not loud, yet it carried a grand and imposing force. "Learn from Spirit Hall's strengths, cast aside its faults, and establish a more complete, more powerful, truly benevolent supreme force that can bring blessings to all living beings! Then, end this chaotic age, and afterward..."
"Unify the world!!!"
Tuoba Xi's heart shook violently. His eyes were filled with astonishment and a spark of ignited passion as he looked at Long Jinyu. Yet as a former sect master, he immediately thought of a more practical issue. "Young Master, this subordinate is deeply impressed by your ambition! But such a great undertaking has countless matters to address. Where does Young Master plan to begin? Where is our foundation now?"
Long Jinyu gave him an approving glance. "Good question. This requires a long-term plan and steady progress. My public identity at present is that of an inner courtyard student at Shrek Academy. Moreover, I am the final disciple of Shrek's strongest expert, Mu En, the master of Sea God Pavilion."
"What?"
Tuoba Xi was astonished once more. "You have already infiltrated Shrek's interior, and even hold such a core position?"
"Correct."
Strategy gleamed in Long Jinyu's eyes. "Though Shrek is riddled with flaws, its ten-thousand-year accumulation of reputation, resources, and talent remains among the best on the continent. Rather than start from scratch elsewhere and clash with it head-on, it is better to borrow its foundation and gradually reform it from within.
"Take its essence and discard its dregs. In the end, it will become an important part of our future force rather than an enemy."
Then he thought of another matter. "As for the 'Nine-Colored Dragon Valley'..."
Tuoba Xi immediately focused and listened closely.
Long Jinyu smiled faintly. "It is a banner I have prepared for all the 'companions' who will gather around me in the future, an identity to present to the outside world."
Long Jinyu's voice was calm. "It is not a sect that truly exists, but a symbol, the name of a legacy. Acting under that name gives us room to advance or retreat. Before our wings have fully grown, it will let us avoid excessive attention and encirclement from the whole world. You, Tuoba Xi, will be the first elder beneath this banner."
Tuoba Xi suddenly understood. "Young Master truly plans far ahead! Nine-Colored Dragon Valley will be our shared identity and spiritual home!"
"Exactly. Your future task is not only to increase your strength, but also to grow accustomed to and safeguard this identity. As for our true foundation..." Long Jinyu's gaze swept toward the window. "This place, Yanhuang Lingyun, is one of the central cornerstones of the plan. It stands apart from the rest of the world, possesses first-rate medical treatment and independent military strength, and is our most reliable starting point."
"This subordinate understands!"
Tuoba Xi suddenly remembered something. "Right, within the Medical Pavilion, this subordinate sensed a flame aura similar to that of Ma Hongjun among the Shrek Seven Devils from ten thousand years ago. Is that...?"
"That is his descendant."
Long Jinyu answered, a meaningful curve appearing at the corner of his lips. "Since you are one of us, I will tell you another secret. Since you mentioned the first generation of Shrek Seven Devils... Tuoba Xi, do you know their final destination?"
Tuoba Xi was stunned. "Final destination? This subordinate does not."
Long Jinyu lowered his voice, as if recounting an earth-shattering secret. "Above Douluo Continent exists a higher plane called the God Realm. Those with extraordinary talent have a chance to gain the favor of gods and inherit divine positions. Ten thousand years ago, there were still vacant divine positions in the God Realm. The strongest people of that era, the Shrek Seven Devils... all became gods!"
"They became... gods?! Gods truly exist in this world?" Tuoba Xi was utterly shocked, then remembered something. "You mentioned earlier that the Angel God's divine position had shattered..."
"Correct."
Long Jinyu confirmed it. "Had you left a few years later, you would likely have witnessed firsthand the Battle of the Three Gods that was recorded in history—"
"Tang San, who possessed both the Sea God and Asura God divine positions, fought against Rakshasa God Bibi Dong and Angel God Qian Renxue. In the end... Tang San won."
His tone turned cold, filled with undisguised disgust. "But after becoming a god, that bastard acted vilely and ignored all human decency. He used his own biological daughter as a chain to bind others. His every deed is revolting. He is utterly unworthy of godhood! In the future, I will ascend to the God Realm, kill that scoundrel, restore order to the world, and become the master of the God Realm!"
Tuoba Xi was fired up by what he heard. "Young Master is mighty! If that is the case, should we begin with his descendants? This subordinate is willing—"
"No!"
Long Jinyu immediately interrupted him, his tone stern. "Ahem... They are them, and their descendants are their descendants. How can they be confused? Grudges must be clearly distinguished. Besides..."
His voice softened slightly, carrying a trace of gentleness. "That Fire Phoenix... I would like to... protect her well."
Tuoba Xi was first stunned, then suddenly realized what he meant and blurted out, "Young Master?! You... Could it be that you have taken a liking to Ma Hongjun's descendant?! Then if you face Ma Hongjun in the God Realm someday, would he not use seniority to take advantage of you and make you call him..."
"Ha... ha ha ha—!"
Long Jinyu seemed to have heard the most absurd joke in the world. He first let out a brief snort of laughter, then could no longer hold it back and burst into loud laughter. His laughter echoed through the room, full of undisguised arrogance and mockery.
Tuoba Xi was left somewhat bewildered by the laughter. "Young Master, this is...?"
Long Jinyu stopped laughing, his gaze imperious. "I like his descendant because she herself is worthy of it. What does that dead fatty have to do with it? If Ma Hongjun ever dares use that as an excuse to put on even the slightest ancestral airs before me..."
A cold light flashed through his eyes, and his tone turned sinister. "I will use the Dragon Slaying Blade to chop him into minced meat! No, I will slash him into a bloody mist!"
Tuoba Xi was completely subdued by that unrivaled domineering presence. He said with wholehearted conviction, "This subordinate was foolish! Young Master is truly imposing!"
Long Jinyu reined in his smile and looked at Tuoba Xi's notebook. "Alright, you have heard enough of the lesson. How are your notes?"
Tuoba Xi respectfully presented the notebook with both hands. "Every word Young Master spoke was precious wisdom. This subordinate recorded them all carefully. Please review them."
Long Jinyu took it and gave it a glance, looking somewhat surprised. "Oh? Your handwriting is neat and your notes are well organized. It seems you did not neglect your studies when you were a sect master?"
Tuoba Xi bowed slightly. "Young Master flatters me. As the master of a sect, if one lacks learning and knowledge, how could one win the respect of others or handle sect affairs?"
"Ha ha, good!"
Long Jinyu nodded in satisfaction and returned the notebook to him. Then his tone shifted. "However, there is a saying: seeing is believing, hearing is not. I have said so much, but it is ultimately only my side of the story. You may not fully believe it, and you need to verify it personally."
"Your meaning is...?"
Long Jinyu took out a crystal card and a detailed map, handing them over. "This contains ten thousand Gold Soul Coins, along with the latest world map. I will give you one month to travel in all directions and experience the true face of this era for yourself. When the time comes, return and tell me your choice."
Tuoba Xi solemnly accepted them, his expression grave. This was a sign of respect, as well as a test.
Looking at him, Long Jinyu said one final thing. "Since you are the first person summoned by the Codex, I naturally will not treat you poorly."
As soon as his words fell, light flashed repeatedly in his palm. A ginseng plant wreathed in dragon aura, a torso soul bone radiating vast life force and sacred energy, and a blood-red soul ring pulsing fiercely like a miniature sun appeared out of thin air. Three powerful auras instantly filled the entire room.
"Sacred Dragon Imperial Ginseng, which purifies dragon blood and promotes Martial Soul Evolution; the 100,000-Year Sacred Heavenly Dragon Torso Bone; and a perfectly matching Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring that can be directly absorbed."
Long Jinyu spoke calmly, as if introducing ordinary objects. "Absorb them here. No one will disturb you. Once you succeed, familiarize yourself with your power."
He turned around. Just as his hand touched the doorknob, his steps paused. Without looking back, he merely tilted his face to the side and casually tossed out a sentence in a tone that seemed offhand yet understood everything.
"Oh, right. Tuoba Xi, that younger sister of yours... I will keep an eye out for her."
Tuoba Xi's entire body suddenly stiffened, and his pupils shrank to pinpoints.
Long Jinyu still did not turn around. "When I mentioned that more people with circumstances similar to yours might be summoned in the future, your attitude immediately changed... You thought of her, didn't you?"
Tuoba Xi opened his mouth, but no sound came from his throat. He could only nod hard, heavily, as stormy waves churned in his heart.
"Serve diligently, and the day will come when you and your sister reunite."
With that, Long Jinyu pushed open the door and walked out. The isolation barrier silently descended.
Inside the room, Tuoba Xi clenched his fists tightly. When he looked toward the three supreme treasures, there was no longer even a trace of hesitation in his eyes—only absolute loyalty and burning fervor. He strode forward...
Outside the door, Long Jinyu stood with his hands behind his back, a faint smile curling his lips.
Before you continue