Would Becoming a Limit Douluo Be Enough?

Inside the carriage.

Tang Hao's gaze rested heavily on Li Xun, his expression complicated. The thought that Li Xun's future wife was a member of the Qian family left him deeply conflicted.

The Qian family of Spirit Hall had been his mortal enemies all his life. The blood feud between them was impossible to forget, and he could not help feeling angry. Yet one day, Li Xun and Tang San would both become gods, and Ah Yin could be brought back to life. On one side lay hatred carved into his bones; on the other, the hope of regaining the one he had lost. Worse, their futures would be bound together, making them family in a roundabout way.

He wanted revenge, but he also longed for Ah Yin to return. The two desires pulled him in opposite directions, leaving his thoughts so tangled that he no longer knew what to feel.

[As the music ended, the Heavenly Screen shifted back to a room in Li Manor.

Li Qingyang let out a slow breath, raised his head, and rose from his seat with a soft sigh.

Beside him, Li Yingxue looked up from her phone with a smile in her eyes. "Now that you've heard both songs, how do you feel?"

"Honestly? A little envious." Li Qingyang scratched the back of his head, sounding wistful. "You'd never guess how deeply Dad loves Mom from the way he acts. Ever since I can remember, I've hardly seen him troubled by anything."

Li Yingxue smiled. "That's because my brother puts on an act in front of you children. He wants you to see him as a dignified father. The moment you're all away at school, he goes straight to your mother and clings to her. Besides, you were born in a peaceful new age. You don't need to know about that painful past."

"Come on. I know plenty."

Li Qingyang pursed his lips in protest. "I've talked with Wutong about all sorts of things that'll happen in the future. That's why I decided to become a Soul Master as powerful as my master, Tang San."

Li Yingxue raised an eyebrow. "If you want to be a powerful Soul Master, why not make becoming a god your goal?"

Li Qingyang folded his hands behind his head and leaned back against his arms, looking perfectly at ease.

"Becoming a god isn't nearly that easy," he said. "My dream is to reach the level of a Limit Douluo. That would be enough for me."

"A Limit Douluo would satisfy you?" Li Yingxue rubbed the top of his head, exasperated. "Your father is the Asura God King. You ought to aim for First-Level God at least. Even Second-Level God wouldn't be bad."

"I'll figure out the future when it comes." Li Qingyang waved a hand, unwilling to dwell on it.

Li Yingxue nodded. "All right. Stay for dinner, then."

Li Qingyang quickly shook his head. "I can't. I need to go home. There are some things I want to talk through with Mom and Dad."

No sooner had he spoken than a dark figure appeared silently behind him. In the next instant, a pair of arms wrapped firmly around him.

Shui Yuerou, who looked about thirty, held Li Qingyang close and nuzzled him affectionately, her eyes curving with delight. "Oh, Qingyang's here! Why didn't you tell Grandma you were coming? Why didn't that little girl Mu Shuang come with you?"

The affection made Li Qingyang, who considered himself a grown man, squirm. He pulled free and hurried half a step back. "Grandma, I was just passing by and stopped in. I've got to get home. Mom and Dad are waiting for me."

Li Hu stepped forward with a smile and rubbed Li Qingyang's head with his broad palm.

"What's the rush? Stay here tonight," he said kindly. "You haven't spent time with your grandparents in ages. Don't worry about Li Xun and Xiao Xue. We'll give them a call and let them know..."

"I really can't. I have something to do today." Li Qingyang backed away again. "Grandpa, Grandma, Aunt Yingxue, I'm off."

"I told you to call me your sister!"

By the time Li Yingxue shouted it, Li Qingyang had already dashed out of Li Manor, leaving her behind with her fist raised.]

[First-Level God or Second-Level God? I'm so jealous I can't stand it.]

[Guys, I'm grilling my father right now. Why isn't he a god? Didn't he work hard enough when he was young?]

[Hahaha! Now that's some powerful filial piety!]

[We've gone off topic. Weren't we supposed to discuss the songs?]

In the magnificent palace hall of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Xue Ye sat solemnly on the throne atop the dais. Civil and military officials stood in two rows below him. Two rows of seats had been placed near the front of the hall: Ning Fengzhi, sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, sat on one side, while Crown Prince Xue Qinghe sat quietly on the other.

The hall was silent. Everyone was privately considering the futures the Heavenly Screen had revealed.

Xue Ye swept his gaze over the assembled court. "My lords, how should the Heaven Dou Empire treat Asura God Li Xun and Sea God Tang San?"

The officials exchanged looks. They all understood what was at stake. The future shown by the Heavenly Screen had already shaken the entire continent. Asura God Li Xun wielded Asura God Power and was unmatched in battle; Sea God Tang San ruled the seas and held an exalted position. Both stood at Douluo's pinnacle, beyond the reach of every worldly power.

Either god alone could reshape the continent, and the two were close, bound firmly together. For the Heaven Dou Empire, whose considerable strength paled beside the might of the Divine Realm, they represented an opportunity that came once in a thousand years—and powers the empire could never afford to offend.

After a brief silence, a senior civil official stepped forward and bowed. "Your Majesty! In this old minister's view, Heaven Dou must spare no effort to earn their goodwill! Gods such as these can remake the world with a wave of the hand and settle grievances as they please. Winning their favor would secure Heaven Dou for generations. We must never give them the slightest cause for enmity."

Many officials voiced their agreement, and calls of support rose across the hall.

An old general frowned slightly. "Your Majesty, befriending them is certainly wise. But the two gods possess unimaginable power and stand beyond worldly customs. We may find it difficult to approach them. Rather than risk displeasing them with blatant flattery, we should attend to our duties and treat them sincerely—friendly, but never obsequious. That would be the best course."

Opinions flew back and forth through the hall.

At last, Xue Ye raised a hand to quiet the debate and turned respectfully to Ning Fengzhi. "Sect Master Ning, you see the larger picture and are renowned for your wisdom. What are your thoughts?"

Ning Fengzhi inclined his head and rose. His calm, gentle voice carried through the hall.

"The Heavenly Screen has already shown that both will attend Heaven Dou Academy in the future. There is no need to act hastily. We can watch how events unfold. Once they enroll, we can offer whatever support lies within our power. An alliance would be ideal, of course, but even if that proves impossible, their goodwill would be a tremendous gain."

Qian Renxue, disguised as Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, spoke at the right moment, her expression gracious. "Father, I believe my teacher is quite right. Once they enroll, I would be glad to meet them personally and seek their friendship."

And I'll have a chance to see my future husband. She kept that thought to herself.

Xue Ye smiled in approval. "Excellent. When the time comes, Qinghe, you shall represent the imperial family and reach out to them."

"As you command, Father." Xue Qinghe bowed.

Prince Xue Xing could no longer sit still. How could he let the crown prince claim such an extraordinary chance to befriend future gods all for himself? He hurried forward. "Brother, I'll go with him when the time comes!"

Xue Ye considered his brother's request, then slowly nodded. "Very well. You may accompany Qinghe."