Heaven Dou City

"What are you thinking about?" Xiao Wu saw that he hadn't spoken for a long time and reached out to wave a hand in front of him.

"Nothing," Nezha pulled back his thoughts, "I just think that Master is quite interesting."

"Interesting?" Xiao Wu rolled her eyes, "I think he's out of his mind. We clearly have such a bad relationship with his disciple, yet he still ran over to recommend an academy. If that's not crazy, what is?"

"That's why I said we should consider it," Nezha smiled and picked up a wild fruit to take a bite.

A few days later, early morning.

The sunlight had just begun to filter through the canopy, and a thin mist still drifted over the Lake of Life.

Nezha and Xiao Wu stood by the lake, facing Da Ming and Er Ming.

"Are you really leaving?" Er Ming squatted on the ground, his massive head drooping, his bell-sized eyes filled with reluctance.

"If we don't leave now, the enrollment period for Heaven Dou Royal Academy will pass," Xiao Wu felt a bit down, though she didn't show it, "We'll come back during the holidays."

Da Ming was silent for a moment before speaking in a low voice, "Once you are out there, be careful in everything. Heaven Dou City is not like Notting City; there will certainly be Title Douluo there."

"Don't worry," Nezha nodded, "We know our limits."

Er Ming suddenly stood up and thundered into the woods. A moment later, he ran back clutching a large handful of wild fruits—red, yellow, green, every color imaginable—and shoved them all into Xiao Wu's storage Soul Tool.

"Eat them on the road."

Xiao Wu looked at the colorful pile of wild fruit, feeling somewhat helpless. She raised her hand and gave the large head Er Ming had leaned toward her a firm pat.

"Dummy, how am I supposed to finish all of these?"

Er Ming chuckled foolishly.

Da Ming didn't say anything more, merely touching Xiao Wu's shoulder lightly with the tip of his tail before nodding at Nezha.

The two turned and walked along the path by the lake toward the edge of the forest.

After walking a long way, Nezha looked back. Er Ming was still squatting in the same spot watching them, while Da Ming coiled beside him, his tail slapping the surface of the lake rhythmically.

Xiao Wu did not look back.

She was afraid that if she did, she wouldn't be able to bear leaving.

Once they exited the Star Dou Forest, the number of carriages on the main road gradually increased.

The two caught a ride with a passing merchant caravan, and after several days of bumpy travel, they arrived at Heaven Dou City.

However, Nezha and Xiao Wu did not go directly to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy outside the city; instead, they entered the city first.

The walls of Heaven Dou City were a hundred meters high, built entirely from the hardest granite. The battlements were lined up neatly, with an arrow tower standing at regular intervals.

Both on and off the walls, the patrolling soldiers were clad in full armor and held long spears; one could tell how elite they were just from the murderous aura they exuded.

Xiao Wu looked up at the massive city gate, the towering outline of the walls reflected in her pink eyes.

"So tall," she murmured.

Having spent six years in Notting City, Xiao Wu had thought Notting City was quite large. But compared to the Heaven Dou City before her, Notting City was practically a small village.

"It is the heart of the Heaven Dou Empire, after all," Nezha stood beside her and also looked up at the walls, "Let's go, let's go inside and see."

The two paid the entry fee and passed through the gate, where the roar of the crowd and the scent of daily life rushed to meet them.

The main street was wide enough for eight carriages to run side-by-side. Shops lined both sides—restaurants, clothiers, Soul Tool shops, and pharmacies—with signs larger and flashier than the last.

The street was a sea of people: peddlers carrying poles and shouting their wares, nobles in fine silks waving folding fans, Soul Masters with Soul Tools hanging from their waists, and merchant caravans leading pack beasts.

"Make way, make way! Fresh Soul Beast meat, just arrived!"

"The best candied haws in Heaven Dou City! Three copper soul coins a skewer!"

"Young brother, come take a look at my Soul Tools! Authentic Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect production, ten times the refund for any fake!"

Xiao Wu didn't have enough eyes to take it all in.

One moment she was running to the candied haw stall on the left to sniff, the next she was darting into a fabric shop on the right to touch the goods; everything was novel to her.

"Nezha, look at this! This hairpin is so pretty!"

"This one, this one! This pastry looks so strange, it even has patterns on it!"

"Wow, look over there, someone is doing acrobatics! And a Soul Beast performance!"

Nezha followed behind her, looking helpless.

This girl had spent tens of thousands of years in the Star Dou Forest; everything she saw out here looked like her first time in a city.

Although they had wandered around Notting City many times over the past few years, Notting City didn't even amount to a fraction of Heaven Dou City.

Fortunately, it was still early, so he didn't bother rushing her and let Xiao Wu wander to her heart's content.

The two strolled along until they finally reached their destination: a bustling restaurant.

The restaurant facade was three stories high, with carved beams and painted rafters, and several gold-and-silver-inlaid carriages were parked at the entrance.

Xiao Wu looked up at the gilded plaque that read "Drunken Immortal Pavilion," then glanced at the two attendants standing at the door, whispering, "That big shot is actually quite wealthy."

Nezha and Xiao Wu pushed the door open and went inside. An attendant immediately greeted them, and after they gave their names, the attendant bowed and led the way: "This way, please. The young master has been waiting for quite some time."

The attendant led them to the third floor, stopped in front of a carved wooden door, knocked twice, pushed it open, and bowed as he retreated.

The private room was large and decorated with elegant, unique taste.

By the window sat a sandalwood round table with several delicate pastries and a teapot emitting steam.

Sitting inside was a young man in white, in his early twenties, with a gentle temperament. He held a cup of tea and looked over when he heard the door open.

It was none other than Qian Renxue in disguise, also known as the Heaven Dou Empire's Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe.

Nezha recognized the other party instantly, but he didn't show it on his face, instead cupping his hands in a salute: "This must be Young Master Xue, right? We were delayed on the road, sorry to keep you waiting."

Xue Qinghe set down his teacup, stepped forward with a smile, and returned the salute: "You must be Nezha and Xiao Wu? Truly young talents. I only just arrived myself, please, no need for formalities."

The two sat down opposite Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue poured tea for them personally with calm, elegant movements, saying as she poured: "I heard that Notting City produced two geniuses with Innate Full Soul Power. Seeing you today, the rumors are well-deserved."

Nezha picked up his teacup and took a sip, his expression showing just the right amount of humility: "Young Master Xue is too kind, it was merely good luck."

"Luck is also a part of one's strength."

Qian Renxue smiled slightly and turned her gaze to Xiao Wu: "Miss Xiao Wu, this is the new Cloud Mist tea offered from the south. Try it and see if it suits your taste."

Xiao Wu picked up her cup and took a large gulp, smacking her lips: "It's pretty good, but the cup is too small."

Qian Renxue was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter: "Miss Xiao Wu is truly a straightforward person."

Nezha rolled his eyes internally, but maintained a polite smile on his face: "Xiao Wu has a blunt personality, Young Master Xue, please don't mind her."