An Epic for the Ages

After checking the effects of his Soul Skill, Yan Zu noticed Xiao Wu standing beneath an ancient tree nearby. Her face was a little pale, and both hands were clutching the hem of her clothes.

"Xiao Wu, what's wrong?" Yan Zu got up and walked over.

"I..." Xiao Wu bit her lower lip, her eyes flickering. "Little Brother A-Zu, I can feel my Soul Power overflowing. I might be about to break through. But... but the way I break through is a little unusual. I need... I need some quiet time alone. I can't be disturbed."

She looked up, pleading with her big eyes. "Could you... stand guard for me, but not come close? Just... just stay ten meters away and watch over me."

Yan Zu understood. Through his connection to the Auspicious Beast Same-Heart Talisman, he had long since sensed the restless Soul Beast essence within Xiao Wu-that was the sign of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast forming a Soul Ring on its own after taking human form.

But he showed nothing on his face and only nodded gently. "All right. Go ahead. I'll stand guard."

"Mm!" Relieved, Xiao Wu turned and hurried into the bushes at the side, soon disappearing among the trees.

Yan Zu remained where he was and lightly activated his Illusion-Breaking Spirit Eyes. Through the gaps in the leaves, he "saw" what happened-

The Soul Power around Xiao Wu surged violently! Pink light shot into the sky, forming the phantom image of a Phantom Jade Rabbit behind her!

The phantom was more solid than before. The pale golden markings at the tips of its ears spread across its body, and lively moonlight flickered in its eyes.

Beside her First Soul Ring, a second Soul Ring slowly took shape-

It was pale purple, with a silvery rim like moonlight. Age: 1,600 years.

Half an hour later, Xiao Wu came bouncing back, unable to hide the excitement on her face:

"Little Brother A-Zu! I broke through! Level twenty-one! And I got my second Soul Skill, Moon Shadow Instant Step! I can use Teleportation over short distances, up to twenty meters, and leave behind a moonlit afterimage to confuse enemies!"

She threw herself at him and hugged his arm, then tilted her face up. A barely perceptible flicker of unease passed through her eyes. "Um... the way I broke through just now..."

"Everyone has their own secrets."

Yan Zu gently ruffled her hair, interrupting her explanation.

"Tell me when you're ready. For now, we should head back. Father and Mother are waiting."

Xiao Wu froze for a moment, then broke into a radiant smile and hugged his arm tightly. "Little Brother A-Zu, you're the best!"

Half a month after returning from Soul Hunting, at Rongbao Studio in Nuoding City.

Shopkeeper Chen accepted the new manuscript Yan Zu handed him with trembling hands. The four large characters on the cover made his breathing quicken-The Song of Roland.

"Mr. Wen Yansheng, this... this is?"

"My new work, following Star Dou Night Tales." Yan Zu's voice came from beneath his hood, carrying a slightly husky, magnetic quality.

"If Star Dou Night Tales is a collection of wisdom tales for children, then The Song of Roland is a fable about civilization for adults."

Shopkeeper Chen opened the book. After reading only the opening piece, The Knight's Oath, he could no longer tear his eyes away:

"I, Roland, swear here before the Star Dou Great Forest-

I shall protect the weak and never look down on them for being commoners;

I shall uphold my contracts and never abandon a promise for profit;

I shall pursue wisdom and never grow complacent because of martial might;

My sword is wielded for protection, my shield raised for civilization."

How was this merely a story? It was clearly an entirely new spiritual creed!

As a merchant, Shopkeeper Chen keenly perceived the terrifying value it contained

-those noble lords might mock Star Dou Night Tales as childish, but faced with The Song of Roland's profound exploration of "chivalry," "noble responsibility," and "the passing down of civilization," they absolutely would not be able to remain calm.

"Sir, this book... this book is bound to become a classic!"

Shopkeeper Chen was so excited that his words tumbled over one another.

"I'll report to the sect master at once and gather the finest paper and the best block carvers!"

Yan Zu nodded slightly. "Print three thousand copies for the first run, priced at one Gold Soul Coin each. Remember, the target isn't commoners, but Soul Masters, nobles, and... those who long for change."

A month later, The Song of Roland swept through the upper ranks of Heaven Dou Empire society like a cultural hurricane.

Heaven Dou City, the crown prince's residence.

Qian Renxue (Xue Qinghe) closed the book in her hands, a strange light flashing through her golden eyes.

She had just finished the most central chapter of The Song of Roland-The Song of Carolingian. It told of how the knight Roland, in order to protect civilization's flame, stayed behind alone and died fighting in a canyon. Before his death, he entrusted the "holy sword" that symbolized wisdom to a companion rather than his own son.

"Interesting..." she murmured. "Heaven's mandate and the kingly way, inheritance and responsibility... What exactly is this Wen Yansheng trying to say?"

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Rongrong's bedroom.

Eight-year-old Ning Rongrong hugged a hardcover copy of The Song of Roland and wept, tears streaming down her face like rain on pear blossoms.

She had just reached the part where Roland's unicorn companion sacrificed itself to save its master. The sacred Beast Martial Soul and its loyal protection reminded her of the "ideal world" depicted in the book.

"Daddy, I want to meet Wen Yansheng! I want to become his disciple!"

Ning Rongrong tugged at Ning Fengzhi's sleeve and refused to let go. "He writes much better than those teachers who only know how to talk about fighting and killing!"

Ning Fengzhi smiled wryly, but his resolve to invest in "Wen Yansheng" only grew stronger.

Over the past month, The Song of Roland had not only brought in handsome profits, but more importantly, it had given the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect the high ground in the cultural sphere.

Many nobles who had previously been neutral had developed a favorable impression of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect because of the book.

"Rongrong, Mr. Wen Yansheng lives in seclusion and rarely goes out. Even Daddy has never met him."

Ning Fengzhi soothed her. "But... Daddy heard that he seems to have some connection to Nuoding Academy. When you're a little older, Daddy will send you to study there, all right?"

"Really?" Ning Rongrong's tears gave way to a smile. "Then I want to grow up quickly!"

Nuoding Academy, the training ground on the mountain behind the academy.

Tang San sat cross-legged on a bluestone slab, the Soul Power around him surging fiercely. At his feet, two Soul Rings rotated slowly-the first was yellow, and the second was also yellow, but darker, with an age of about six hundred years.

He had finally broken through level twenty. With Yu Xiaogang's help, he had hunted and killed a six-hundred-year-old Ghost Vine and gained his second Soul Skill, Parasite.

"Teacher, can I defeat Yan Zu now?" Tang San opened his eyes and looked at Yu Xiaogang, whose face was weary beside him.

Yu Xiaogang fell silent for a moment, then shook his head. "From what I've observed, Yan Zu's Soul Power has reached at least level fifteen, and his practical combat ability... far surpasses others at his level. Little San, don't always think about comparing yourself to others. Your path..."

"My path is to surpass everyone." Tang San interrupted his teacher, a trace of obsession flashing in his eyes. "Including Yan Zu."

He stood, and a mechanism clicked softly inside his sleeve. Over the past year, he had devoted all his effort outside cultivation to making Hidden Weapons.

The Godly Zhuge Crossbow's designs were seventy percent complete, and he could now skillfully craft Hidden Weapons such as the Silent Sleeve Arrow and Sand Shooting Shadow.

He looked toward the academy's main building, as though he could see through its walls to the figure who was always so calm and composed.

"Yan Zu, just you wait."

In Dorm Seven, Xiao Wu was excitedly showing Yan Zu the Wind God Legs moves she had just learned. Combined with Moon Shadow Instant Step, her speed was unbelievable.

"Little Brother A-Zu, what do you think of my Strong Grass in the Wind?" The girl leaped and flipped around the cramped dormitory, her legs leaving overlapping shadows.

Yan Zu smiled and applauded. "Very good. But when you exert force, you need to tighten your waist and abdomen a little more. Otherwise, changing direction in midair will be sluggish."

He stepped forward and gently placed a hand against Xiao Wu's waist, guiding her as she adjusted her posture. They were very close. Xiao Wu could smell the faint, fresh scent of plants on him, and her face reddened slightly, but she did not move away.

Outside the window, Tang San happened to be passing by.

He saw the blush on Xiao Wu's face and the undisguised dependence and delight in her eyes as she looked at Yan Zu. His fists clenched once more.

His nails dug into his palms, drawing blood.

Yet he felt no pain.

Only an icy premonition called "loss" grew wildly in the depths of his heart.

The night grew late.

Yan Zu lay on his bed and sank his consciousness into his spiritual world.

The phantom image of the Xuanyuan Sword floated in the center. Golden patterns had spread across a third of its blade, and its unsealing progress had reached nine percent.

The Qilin Little Jade had grown a size larger than a year ago. Auspicious clouds curled around her, and the range of her Vitality Domain had expanded to twenty-five meters.

"Not enough..." Yan Zu murmured. "I need greater change, more recognition..."

He opened his eyes and took out the Seed of Civilization: Hundred Grains Compendium he had obtained from signing in. In the moonlight, the techniques for cultivating hybrid rice and methods for genetically improving cold-resistant wheat were like a scroll unfolding toward the future.

"Food is the people's heaven..." Yan Zu said softly. "If the commoners of Douluo Continent no longer had to go hungry, how immense would the Vow Power gathered be?"

Later, he could first plant trial crops in Mother's courtyard. Once there were results, promoting them more widely would meet with much less resistance.