The sky was cloudless that day, the breeze gentle and the sunshine warm.
Ten days remained before Ren Tao's "Million-Year Soul Bone Appraisal" gathering-the fifteen-day deadline he had set for the leaders of the three great empires to assemble.
Ren Tao rose from the water, his whole body shrouded in a faint haze. Golden light and purple qi swirled around him, gathering behind his back into the shapes of strange creatures and giving off cries that sounded like both whale calls and dragon roars.
The golden threads binding his hair had become a golden crown. Several blood-red gems studded its openwork rim, and the crown's crest rose high behind his head, further accentuating his sharp, arching brows and imperious gaze. Faint flashes of lightning now flickered in his once-gentle blue-gray eyes.
He had taken another step toward the perfect goal of "Super Evolution."
After entering the Second Stage, the so-called "Devour" had become as easy as eating and drinking. Over the past few days, he had gathered several materials simply by eating and drinking while conducting inspections everywhere-or rather, wandering around.
The good news was that the effects of the Second Stage of evolution had become even more pronounced. His accumulated reserves were finally bearing fruit, and he felt that his body held endless potential to uncover. His heart, too, brimmed with strength.
The bad news was that he was becoming less and less human. With his current appearance, nobody would doubt him if he claimed to be a Demon King.
Ren Tao was a little worried. Don't tell me that by the end, I won't even know what I am anymore? Evolving into an entirely new species, losing himself completely within sequences of biological genes, and becoming a solitary existence in the universe-that would be terrifying.
"Wow!"
E Laosi, who had been dozing in the sunshine with his head lowered, suddenly had little stars sparkling in his enormous crocodile eyes. "Boss really is the boss. Even your appearance is so... uh, wild and unbridled!"
"If you don't know how to use idioms, don't use them."
Ren Tao snorted. "You should say I'm like a jade tree standing in the wind, with a divine bearing and noble bones, a cut above the rest, transcending the mortal dust. Those would be accurate descriptions!"
"Yes, yes, yes! Whatever you say is right, boss!"
E Laosi scrambled up from the ground and turned back into human form in the same motion. "Boss, are we going to the casino again today? We can have barbecue at a street stall tonight, then go to that whatever-house and listen to some songs?"
"You've fallen into decadence!"
Ren Tao lectured him earnestly. "We're only here to experience the prosperity of human society. Don't lose yourself in these glittering appearances."
Besides, I don't have that much money for you to squander.
Ren Tao swallowed those words and changed the subject. "Let's talk business. Did you finish the task I gave you yesterday?"
E Laosi looked immensely pleased with himself. "Sure did! I grabbed several teachers and got to the bottom of the human school system. Teaching and all that is secondary. What matters most is providing food and lodging, arranging employment... and scholarships!"
"Did you release all the teachers? You didn't hurt them, did you?"
"Of course. Boss, if you ask me, we should just grab Dai Delong and Wei Xili too and interrogate them properly about the military strength of the Star Luo Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire."
Ren Tao smiled without answering.
"I reckon there's bound to be a big battle when the leaders of the three empires arrive."
After fooling around for a while, E Laosi finally showed a trace of concern. "Should we plan an escape route in advance?"
"No need!"
Ren Tao had already put on his shoes and socks and was heading outside. Their task today was to inspect the docks and learn about human maritime shipping.
Mainly because Ren Tao himself knew nothing about it either and needed to study it properly.
"Then should we get Sister Shui and the others to come help? I asked around. There are at least twenty-odd Titled Douluo among the three empires. If they all rush us at once, you might not be afraid, boss, but wouldn't it still be a hassle?"
"You do have a point, but did we come here to fight?"
Ren Tao finally found E Laosi's endless chatter a little unbearable. He turned around, ready to give him a proper lesson.
"Didn't we?"
"But do fights have to be fought with fists? Must we resort to force to solve problems? Laosi, this is the greatest difference between humans and soul beasts. I hope this incident will help you understand that clearly!"
"What do you plan to do, boss?"
"I haven't worked out the details yet. That depends on how they play their cards. But one thing is certain: in any battle, attacking the heart is best, and attacking the city is inferior. A true master always seizes the initiative, subdues the enemy without fighting, and places himself beyond defeat. That is our real goal."
E Laosi fell silent. His boss's reasoning was too profound, well beyond his understanding.
But Ren Tao did not know that, however carefully he planned, reality always held unforeseen surprises. To some extent, the words he spoke today would also become an embarrassing stain on his past.
Of course, that was a story for later.
At present, Dai Delong and Wei Xili were walking toward the Pleasant Sea Villa beneath the blazing autumn sun.
A full four days had passed since they sent messages to the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires. Having just received replies today, they immediately came to find Ren Tao, ready for a second round of negotiations.
"Whatever happens, don't act rashly. We must keep him here."
Dai Delong wiped the sweat from his forehead and cautioned Wei Xili, "Even if those above issue more strict orders, Vast Sea City's troops can't stop a Titled Douluo. The two of us probably couldn't even beat that servant!"
"As if you need to tell me! I understand! The Heaven Dou Empire has already dispatched a large force led by Titled Douluo. They'll reach Vast Sea City in five days at the latest, and troops from other provinces are being mobilized as reinforcements too. Once we get through these next few days, someone else will take over."
At this point, Wei Xili seemed to think of something and spoke slowly. "But the stakes this time are enormous. Although the Heaven Dou Empire's position remains unclear, Spirit Hall will certainly commit its full strength. Vast Sea City may well become a battlefield."
"Understood!"
Dai Delong gave Wei Xili a knowing look. "Withdraw before the current sweeps you away, and preserve yourself through good judgment. That's the way to survive. Neither of us has had an easy time living this long."
Neither continued, but each understood the other's stance perfectly.
As they spoke, they arrived at the entrance to Ren Tao's residence. They steadied their breathing and began knocking gently.
"Ding, ding, ding!"
"Thump, thump, thump!"
The knocking grew louder, sounding again and again. Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye, yet not even a servant came to answer.
"This is bad!"
Dai Delong and Wei Xili's hearts jolted. Although they had planted informants around the Pleasant Sea Villa early on, they dared not let them get too close, lest Mr. Ren notice and silence them. But from a distance, who could possibly keep watch over a Titled Douluo?
The two pushed open the door and entered, only to find the courtyard over the water utterly empty. Not a soul remained.
Only a letter lay beneath a paperweight on the wooden table where they had spoken last time, with several large words written on it:
"To Brother Dai and Brother Wei, to be opened personally!"
Dai Delong opened the envelope and read aloud:
"I already know why you two have come.
There can only be three reasons. First, to present the terms of the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires and complete the transaction before the Spirit Hall Empire makes its move. Second, to keep me here while awaiting the arrival of those in charge from your two countries. Third, to discover the soul bone's true location and, if possible, use every means available to seize it."
Reading this far, Dai Delong and Wei Xili exchanged looks. Beyond their shock, their eyes held even more helplessness.
Mr. Ren was so perceptive and accommodating that he had slipped away in advance, sparing them a difficult position. But how they would explain themselves when their superiors demanded answers was another headache.
"I will not conduct a separate transaction with the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires. It is not that I am unwilling, but that I cannot.
Because what I want is world peace!"
What a grand claim!
Dai Delong paused again at this point. World peace? You're the one stirring up conflict! Vast Sea City is about to become a battlefield-peace, my ass!
"I'll be out wandering for the next few days and will return within the agreed time. If you two are willing to cover my gambling expenses and tea bills, you may seek clues at the Prosperity Casino and the Moon-Gazing Tower in the east of the city.
By my reckoning, the day the Heaven Dou Empire's army reaches the city gates is not far off. I advise you both to stay away from the battlefield and not place yourselves in danger.
I have left something for you that may help you extricate yourselves.
May we never meet again!"
"This... he even wants us to cover his gambling expenses and tea bills? Is Mr. Ren making a joke of us?"
Wei Xili's narrow, upturned eyes nearly bulged into goldfish eyes. For a moment, he could find no words to describe his feelings and was left speechless.
"He said he left something for us. Hurry and look for it!"
Dai Delong turned the letter and envelope over several times but found nothing. Unable to hold back, he ran toward Ren Tao's room, determined to find the item even if he had to turn the place upside down and dig three feet into the ground.
Wei Xili did not move. "Why are you looking there?" he asked mildly. "Mr. Ren is an extraordinary man who plays his way through the mortal world. Haven't you figured out his style yet?"
"What do you mean?"
For the first time, Dai Delong felt his intelligence utterly crushed by his "old companion," Wei Xili. "You know where it is?"
Wei Xili nodded. "If my guess is wrong, you can still come back and rummage through every chest and cupboard!"
The two hurried to the hotel's front desk. Sure enough, Ren Tao had left something in safekeeping there.
But the clerk would only hand it over after they paid fifteen days' room charges.
"Just as I thought. Hehehe, hahaha!"
Wei Xili's triumphant laugh sounded like a donkey's bray. "Brother Dai, you lost. Pay up!"
After paying the expensive room charges-three Gold Soul Coins a day, forty-five Gold Soul Coins in total-they finally received the items Mr. Ren had left behind.
They were three crystal beads similar to the soul bone bead provided earlier, apparently sealed using the same method. This time, however, the shining strands of light within them joined together, faintly forming a map woven from golden threads.
"This..."
Dai Delong held the crystal beads. "How should we divide three of them?"
Wei Xili smiled. "Isn't three exactly right? Why ask when you know the answer? But you just paid fifteen days' rent, didn't you?"
"You mean they'll come back?"
"No, I mean you only needed to pay for five days!"
"No. This is my respect for Mr. Ren. Carrying out his instructions without cutting corners may seem foolish, but it lets you survive until the very end. Brother Wei, you may seem clever, but you still have too little experience with officialdom! Hahaha!"
Dai Delong had finally won a round back and felt thoroughly pleased.
The setup is almost complete.
The fighting comes next.
I've thought about this carefully. Xue Beng of the Heaven Dou Empire was just a wastrel. It's actually rather unlikely that he would suddenly become a man of great talent and vision; most of it was acting! Besides, Ning Fengzhi had always supported Xue Qinghe before and had done plenty to push Xue Beng aside. There was no way their relationship could be entirely harmonious.
As for Yu Xiaogang, Ning Fengzhi really lifted a rock only to smash his own foot. After Yu Xiaogang gained power, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect withdrew from the inner circle of power. Hating him would only be human nature.
The original novel handled these aspects far too idealistically.
Before you continue