You could never imagine just how fanatical the people of the Douluo Continent were in their reverence for Sea God Tang San, how close that devotion came to obsession and madness.
Even the wildest celebrity-worship craze on Earth in Tang Wulin's previous life would have been nothing beside it.
In the Dragon Kingdom of his previous life, even Qin Shi Huang's unification of the six kingdoms, his standardization of writing and carriage axle widths-an epic achievement that shook antiquity and dazzled the present-remained unknown to some children and unclear to some elders. Not everyone knew the whole story.
But the Douluo Continent was entirely different.
Sea God Tang San had ascended to the Divine Realm over twenty thousand years ago. Across those vast ages, seas had become mulberry fields, yet his legends still echoed through every corner of the continent, rooted deep in people's hearts. They stirred even greater longing than the legends of Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao and were passed down from generation to generation.
Many people believed the ancient Tang Sect had declined simply because it clung to convention and refused to move forward.
That was not the truth.
The true root of the Tang Sect's decline was its lack of a supreme powerhouse to stand guard.
Throughout history, almost every successive sect master of the Tang Sect had inherited the blue silver grass martial soul. Everyone knew how obsessively the Tang Sect clung to the blue silver bloodline, determined to reproduce the miracle of the past.
All because one of Sea God Tang San's two martial souls had been the supreme Blue Silver Emperor, and he had attained the exalted position of Sea God through that very martial soul.
Every generation of Tang Sect ancestors had harbored the same obsession: if they could nurture another Blue Silver Emperor, they could once again touch the threshold of godhood and restore the Tang Sect to its peak.
But countless years slipped away. Generation after generation of blue silver grass Soul Masters searched desperately, yet none ever set foot in that domain. Obsession shackled their progress, rigidity trapped them outside the changing times, and the Tang Sect was left behind by the years, sinking gradually into decline.
Only when Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao rebuilt the Tang Sect, tearing apart its stale, antiquated rules and shattering the chains of its obsession with the blue silver inheritance, did the sect truly find new life and endure to the present.
Never underestimate the maddened hunger of the Douluo Continent's scholars and researchers to explore truth, limits, and unknown powers.
As a science enthusiast in his previous life, he understood that better than most. To verify a formula or work through a theory, he had once gone three days and nights without sleep or rest.
But beside the truly mad researchers of the Douluo Continent, his former dedication was nothing.
An utterly insane yet dazzling figure flashed through Tang Wulin's mind.
He finally remembered the woman who had overturned everything anyone thought they knew-Ling Zichen.
The most obsessive and brilliant soul guidance technology genius in the Tang Sect's history, a legendary researcher the world called a scientific madwoman.
Others spent their entire lives trying to follow their martial souls and the laws of heaven. Ling Zichen insisted on defying heaven, using a mortal body and supreme technology to contend with gods.
What earthshaking feat had she accomplished?
She had forcibly fused Eternal Heaven, a Level Twelve god-slaying Fixed Soul Cannon Shell, completely into her own body!
She had housed god-slaying might within mortal flesh, turning herself into a unique living weapon capable of killing gods.
During the war against the abyss, she had transformed her own body into a cannon, unleashed supreme divine might, and met the Abyssal Sage King head-on, forcing her mortal flesh to stand shoulder to shoulder with a god.
And that was still far from her limit.
Everyone marveled at her madness, and everyone was shaken by her defiance of heaven. Through specialized technology and the bloodline origins intimately connected to her, she had achieved the ultimate mechanical ascension.
She had broken free of the shackles of a mortal's hundred-year lifespan and crossed ten thousand years, living through the rises and falls of the Douluo Continent for over ten millennia.
Even Titled Douluos and Limit Douluos lived for only a few hundred years. Ordinary Soul Masters could never escape the cycle of life and death.
Yet she, a pure human who could not cultivate normally and relied on neither a martial soul nor bloodline talent, had achieved an unprecedented miracle through her own obsession with research alone.
Tang Wulin was left with boundless admiration, silently exclaiming, That's fucking incredible!
In his previous life, he had considered himself devoted enough to science to forget food and sleep in pursuit of truth. But compared with Ling Zichen, he was nothing.
The world never lacked madmen willing to stake everything on truth, on the limits of possibility, and on unknown power.
It was precisely the thought of scientific maniacs like Ling Zichen, who would disregard everything for their research, that made Tang Wulin resolve to guard his secrets.
He still remembered how, after he broke through the first bloodline seal, his two teachers, Mu Chen and Mu Ye, had repeatedly warned him never to reveal the abnormalities in his bloodline. Once that information leaked, he would never know peace again.
Besides, his secrets would never withstand a thorough investigation. An ordinary Titled Douluo might fail to notice anything, but a Limit Douluo or even a Quasi-God needed only to raise a hand and release soul power to examine his body closely. They would discover the absurdly powerful force inside him.
Tang Wulin was not worried about exposing his golden dragon king bloodline. A strand of divine sense left by his father remained in his Sea of Consciousness, and his bloodline contained divinity. Powerhouses who had yet to attain godhood could not see through an origin imbued with a god's aura.
But although he could conceal his divine bloodline, hiding his second martial soul would be much harder.
Blue silver grass first, the Clear Sky Hammer second, paired with his long azure hair and eyes as clear and luminous as sapphires.
If someone with an agenda connected all those clues, they would inevitably be shocked and wonder, Could this child be an offspring Sea God Tang San left in the lower realm?
Once that suspicion spread, every faction on the continent would fix its gaze on him. Major sects and research institutions would swarm over, probing and questioning him endlessly. By then, his peaceful life at Eastsea Academy would vanish like a bubble.
Never assume that the Douluo Continent's obsessive, crazed top researchers and veteran powerhouses would fail to make that connection.
Their greatest talent was chasing shadows and piecing together the faintest traces.
And they did not need conclusive evidence. A plausible guess, a reason powerful enough to stir their desires, would be enough to make them act regardless of the consequences.
Godhood was the ultimate, extravagant hope pursued by every living being on this continent.
Countless powerhouses on the Douluo Continent were trapped below that realm, stalled at the Quasi-God level.
One example was Sky-reaching Douluo Yun Ming, universally acknowledged as the strongest man alive.
He had swept across Douluo Star without an equal, all but assured of defeating anyone of his generation in single combat. He stood at the very pinnacle of the continent's fighting strength, yet even he could not withstand the erosion of time.
As the saying went, time was a blade that cut down heaven's chosen, leaving sighs for fallen brilliance along the road to immortality.
Even a monstrous talent seen once in a thousand years, a prodigy without equal across the ages, could not escape time's grinding wear. After a hundred or a thousand years, they too would become a handful of yellow earth, scattered between heaven and earth.
Those supreme Quasi-Gods had spent countless years prostrate before the threshold of godhood. Their obsession with becoming gods was no less intense than the crazed yearning for immortality of the sovereigns in the forbidden zones of life in Shrouding the Heavens.
They endured, lay low, researched, and struggled through their entire lives, all for that single chance to transcend mortality and ascend to godhood.
But why had they, with their overwhelming power and immense ambition, never fully erupted and plundered the world's opportunities at will?
It was not because they accepted mediocrity, nor because they were content with the status quo.
It was because an ever-present sword hung above their heads-the Abyss Plane.
The abyss beyond their world watched like a hungry tiger, constantly coveting Douluo Star's origin and vitality. The balance between the two planes firmly suppressed every top powerhouse's selfishness and desire.
Everyone understood that if they splintered internally and the powerful exhausted themselves fighting one another, the Douluo Continent would destroy itself without even requiring a full-scale abyssal invasion.
Precisely because that balance was maintained with an iron grip, those ancient Quasi-God monsters, with no road to godhood and no hope of immortality, redirected all their obsession toward anything connected to "gods."
Ahem, that had strayed rather far.
Before they knew it, the blazing sun had passed its noon peak, and its light was gradually softening.
Tang Wulin, Mu Xi, and Ouyang Zixin exchanged smiles and headed together toward a restaurant beside the academy. There happened to be a small, highly regarded place near Eastsea Academy, and its food was excellent.
The three sat down to eat. Throughout the meal, Mu Xi and Ouyang Zixin did most of the talking, chatting softly about academy affairs, Soul Master cultivation, and amusing martial soul stories.
Beside them, Tang Wulin devoted himself entirely to eating, digging in with hearty mouthfuls and obvious relish.
Delicious! Delicious! So delicious!
The enormous appetite brought on by his golden dragon bloodline left him no time to join their conversation. He simply buried himself in a frenzy of eating, taking one mouthful after another without stopping.
At first, Mu Xi and Ouyang Zixin chatted leisurely. But in the blink of an eye, both their gazes became fixed on Tang Wulin's side of the table.
Empty plates were piling up at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Five plates, ten, fifteen, twenty... They rose in dizzying layers.
Both girls froze, their mouths rounding wide enough to fit an egg, shock written all over their faces.
Mu Xi abruptly came back to her senses and remembered a secret her father had specifically mentioned to her.
An extraordinarily domineering, ancient, and unusual bloodline flowed within Tang Wulin. Because of it, his entire physique had undergone beneficial changes in every respect.
At last, she recalled its name-the golden dragon bloodline!
It belonged to the Golden Dragon, known as the foremost of all dragons and the ancestor of strength!
There were countless dragons in the world, but only the Golden Dragon commanded the ultimate physique and ultimate strength. Its bloodline was among the greatest in the Dragon Clan.
So that's why!
Everything suddenly became clear to Mu Xi.
No wonder Tang Wulin's physical abilities far surpassed ordinary Soul Masters at his level. His recovery, explosive power, and bodily toughness were all outrageously unreasonable.
No wonder his appetite was exaggerated to such an unbelievable degree.
The golden dragon bloodline drove his body toward the ultimate evolution, consuming vast amounts of energy every moment. An ordinary person's three meals were no more than a cup of water thrown at a blazing cartload of firewood to him.
Others consumed soul power when they cultivated. His cultivation, his bodily functions, and the nourishment of his bloodline constantly drained his body's energy at a frantic rate. Naturally, he needed endless food to fill that deficit.
Ouyang Zixin, who knew nothing of the circumstances, continued staring blankly at the towering stacks of empty plates, her lovely eyes wide and her face full of shock.
How was this a little first-year junior?
His appetite was probably several times more terrifying than that of many upper-year Soul Masters with power attack system beast martial souls.
Tang Wulin himself remained utterly oblivious. He continued eating with his mouth full of delicious food, muttering nonstop, "So good... This is so good!"
He kept his head down and devoured everything, unable to stop.
Mu Xi and Ouyang Zixin's laughter and conversation gradually faded, until they fell completely silent. Tang Wulin swallowed his final piece of grilled meat and let out a satisfied burp. "Finally, I'm full."
Mu Xi and Ouyang Zixin stared at him. Mu Xi already knew that Tang Wulin possessed the golden dragon bloodline, so once her initial astonishment faded, she quickly returned to normal. But this was Ouyang Zixin's first time seeing someone with such a staggering appetite. She finally understood how perfectly the nickname "East Sea Big Eater" suited him.
Under their two unwavering gazes, Tang Wulin's cheeks warmed slightly. He scratched his head awkwardly. "Sorry, seniors. My manners were a little lacking just now. I've always been especially devoted to good food, and this place tastes amazing."
It turned out that Mu Xi had brought them to the academy's newly opened all-you-can-eat barbecue restaurant. For just five hundred Federation Credits, they could eat as much as they wanted. The ingredients were only ordinary beef, but Tang Wulin still found them richly flavorful and ate to his heart's content.
Mu Xi could not help bursting into laughter. "Wulin, look at the plates stacked beside the table. There are almost a hundred! Keep eating like this, and you'll eat the owner right into a loss."
At her words, Ouyang Zixin smiled as well.
With two beautiful girls beside him, a full stomach, and leisurely hours slipping by, Tang Wulin sighed inwardly. Now this is a comfortable life.
Noticing his slightly dazed expression, Mu Xi gave a little huff and teased him. "What, are you mesmerized? Are you planning to make a move on me, or have you taken a liking to Zixin?"
Tang Wulin quickly snapped back to his senses and waved his hands. "No, no! I was just dazzled by how beautiful you both are."
Mu Xi lifted her chin and smiled confidently. "Of course you were. Zixin and I are firmly among the top names on Eastsea Academy's Campus Beauty Ranking."
Mu Xi's eyes shifted, and a sly smile curled her lips.
Tang Wulin's heart tightened. He suddenly had a bad feeling.
Then Mu Xi asked with a smile, "Wulin, if Zixin and I both pursued you, which one would you choose?"
Tang Wulin froze, while Mu Xi suddenly recalled a conversation she had once had with her father, Mu Chen.
When Mu Chen spoke of Tang Wulin, he was full of praise. "Mu Xi, you and Wulin are only a few years apart. For Titled Douluos, whose lifespans can easily stretch over several hundred years, that little age gap means nothing."
"Leaving aside the mysterious golden dragon bloodline inside him, his forging talent alone guarantees he'll become a Saint Craftsman at the very least. He might even reach the rank of God Craftsman. Across ten thousand years of history, no one his age has ever rivaled Tang Wulin in forging."
"Besides, the Golden Dragon is the foremost of all dragons, the ancestor of strength, and commands ultimate strength. Over the past ten thousand years, the lineage of Soul Masters with ultimate attributes has all but disappeared from the Douluo Continent. Even Shrek Academy hasn't seen one in a long time. Now a boy possessing ultimate strength has appeared out of nowhere. Do you think Shrek will fight tooth and nail over him?"
"He also has a renowned teacher in the mecha world: Mu Ye, the sect master of the Body Sect himself, a Level Nine Mecha Master with a red god-grade mecha. Even I can't compare with his standing."
At the end, Mu Chen laughed heartily. "If you and Wulin end up together someday, I'll be happy from the bottom of my heart. That's what they call keeping the rich waters from flowing into someone else's fields!"
The memory ended there. Remembering how red-faced she had been, stammering for ages without managing a single answer, Mu Xi felt her cheeks warm again.
As soon as Mu Xi's teasing words fell, Ouyang Zixin's cheeks burned. "Xi!" she protested in a soft, embarrassed voice. "What nonsense are you saying? He's still so young! How can you joke about something like that?"
Mu Xi remained unconcerned and countered with a beaming smile. "Oh, Zixin, it's precisely because he's young that we should keep an eye on him early. Just look at my junior disciple-handsome and extraordinarily talented. In Soul Master cultivation, he took first-year Class Five, the weakest class in the entire academy, all the way to a comeback victory over the top-ranked Class One. And his talent in forging doesn't lose to mine in the slightest. Of course we have to hold on tight to a treasure of a junior like him!"
Her blunt teasing left Ouyang Zixin completely speechless. Her fair face turned so red it looked ready to drip blood, and she was too embarrassed to lift her head.
Beside them, Tang Wulin lowered his head and considered the matter seriously for a moment, silently arriving at a bold conclusion. "Only children choose. I want both!"
But the moment he said it, two soft gusts came at him from either side, and two little fists landed on the left and right sides of his head.
With Tang Wulin's formidable physique and golden dragon bloodline, the girls' blows felt like mere tickles, neither painful nor bothersome. But he knew how to play along. He immediately clutched his head with exaggerated gestures, furrowing his brows as though in terrible pain.
Mu Xi did not know whether to laugh or cry. She shot him an exasperated look. "Wulin, stop pretending. Others might not know how tough your body is, but you think I don't? That little bit of force is no different from tickling you."
Tang Wulin sheepishly lowered his hands and grinned. "I just wanted to let you both vent properly."
Amid their laughter and playful squabbling, the three finished their meal, stood up together, and prepared to return to Eastsea Academy.
Seeing them about to leave, the restaurant owner hurried over at a jog. He returned all the money Mu Xi had paid and bowed solemnly to Tang Wulin, his face bitter as he begged for mercy. "Little brother, please, I'm begging you-never come back to my restaurant!"
The owner had quietly watched Tang Wulin throughout his meal. At first, when he ate ten or twenty plates of grilled meat, the owner could still grit his teeth and hold himself together, barely accepting the expense. But as the empty plates surged to fifty, sixty, and finally a full ninety-four, his composure shattered completely, and the corners of his mouth twitched uncontrollably.
His restaurant served inexpensive all-you-can-eat barbecue using ordinary beef, so its costs were not particularly high. But even the most economical ingredients could not withstand such unrestrained, frenzied consumption. Tang Wulin had eaten as much in one meal as dozens of adults combined. If compared with children his age, even a hundred eating together would not have consumed as much as he had alone.
Seeing the owner's utterly hopeless expression, Mu Xi and Ouyang Zixin could no longer hold back and burst into hearty laughter.
With that, Tang Wulin's title of East Sea Big Eater had been thoroughly verified before their own eyes. He had truly earned every word of it.
Smiling, Ouyang Zixin raised a hand and gently ruffled Tang Wulin's hair, her eyes curving as she teased him. "Junior, you're famous now! A true East Sea Big Eater. You really took a knife to the owner's wallet today!"
The three left the barbecue restaurant laughing. Warm, gentle afternoon sunlight fell over the greenery lining the academy paths. A light breeze brushed past, dispersing their post-meal sluggishness and leaving them wonderfully at ease.
Mu Xi casually put away the returned Federation Credits and looked at Tang Wulin beside her, holding back her laughter. "You really are a little demon king. One meal, and you scared the owner into waiving the bill. In all my years at Eastsea Academy, this is the first time I've seen anything like it."
Ouyang Zixin walked slowly alongside them, her eyes smiling and her voice gentle. "No wonder everyone at the academy calls you the East Sea Big Eater. Now that I've seen it myself, I know the rumors weren't exaggerated at all. Any other buffet would probably be eaten into bankruptcy and closure."
Tang Wulin rubbed the back of his head and smiled somewhat sheepishly. "I can't help it. My constitution is unusual, and I burn through too much energy. Besides, the barbecue there really was delicious. I just couldn't stop myself."
The awakened golden dragon king bloodline within him absorbed energy every moment. Ordinary meals could not replenish his physical expenditure. Having finally eaten his fill without restraint today, he felt warm all over, his meridians wonderfully at ease.
"I know your constitution is unusual." Mu Xi rolled her eyes at him, her tone carrying a hint of affection. "I'll have to keep an eye on you at meals from now on. With the way you eat, an ordinary family really couldn't afford to raise you. Only Zixin and I would be willing to take you out for extra food."
Ouyang Zixin nodded gently, her eyes full of warmth. "If you want something delicious in the future, we can bring you again when we have time. We'll just have to come quietly, so we don't frighten the owner again."
They laughed, chatted, and teased one another all along the way.
Academy students passing by could not help turning to look at the three walking side by side.
Mu Xi and Ouyang Zixin were already widely recognized as Eastsea Academy's two campus beauties. With their lovely features and outstanding presence, they drew attention wherever they went. Now Tang Wulin, handsome and composed, walked beside them. The sight of the three together was exceptionally pleasing, drawing quiet envy from many onlookers.
Quite a few passing students murmured among themselves, wondering how many extraordinary secrets were hidden within this first-year junior who repeatedly created miracles and had now firmly earned his title as a big eater.
Listening to the scattered whispers around him, Tang Wulin felt completely at peace.
With gentle, kind seniors beside him and easy, comfortable days to enjoy, without conflict or prying eyes, he treasured the peace and warmth of this moment all the more.
Soon, still laughing and chatting, the three walked slowly through Eastsea Academy's gates, and their lively afternoon quietly drew to a close.
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