Chapter 156: The Battle of the Ultimate Douluo
Neptune and Xiao bai had just entered Heaven Dou City when they quickly noticed the numerous hidden gazes directed at them. After all, their attire, appearance, and overall demeanor were quite striking standing out like cranes among chickens. It was no surprise that they attracted attention.
"Looks like I won't have to go looking for them," Neptune suddenly said with a smile. "I believe the people we're here to find will soon come to us on their own. In the meantime, let's take a stroll around."
Xiao bai nodded. Coming all the way to the mainland, it would be a shame not to enjoy themselves to the fullest.
With that, the two began wandering around Heaven Dou City.
After about three to four hours, a squad of guards approached them.
"And you are?" Neptune asked knowingly.
"Greetings, Your Eminence."
The captain of the guards saluted first before speaking, "Honored guests, His Majesty the Emperor requests your presence."
Neptune and Xiao bai exchanged glances before nodding. Smiling, Neptune said, "Then let's go."
They boarded a carriage and were taken directly to the imperial palace to meet the emperor.
Upon arrival, just as they stepped down from the carriage, a middle aged man in luxurious attire approached them.
"The two of you, His Majesty has been expecting you for some time."
Clearly, they knew that Neptune was aware of their intentions, so they got straight to the point.
They entered the palace, passed through layers of security, and finally stood before the Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire.
"We have come here to reclaim the treasured artifact of Sea God Island. We hope His Majesty will be willing to part with it," Neptune stated directly, wasting no words.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Xue Ye showed a troubled expression and said, "Originally, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud belonged to Sea God Island, so I should naturally return it. However, unfortunately, it is no longer in my possession."
As soon as these words were spoken, Neptune remained silent, but Xiao bai's expression changed dramatically. Just as she was about to react, Neptune raised his hand to stop her.
"Oh? Then may I ask where the Heart of the Sea God is now?" Neptune asked calmly.
"The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud has already been gifted to the Medicine King of White Cloud City," Emperor Xue Ye said without hesitation, revealing its whereabouts. At the same time, he sighed in relief thankfully, he had the foresight to give it away beforehand. Not only had he repaid a life saving favor, but he also avoided being forced to hand over the treasure. It was a win win situation.
"The Medicine King of White Cloud City..."
Neptune furrowed his brows slightly, sensing that this would be troublesome.
"In that case, we'll take our leave."
Since the artifact was no longer here, Neptune immediately turned with Xiao bai and left.
"Safe travels."
Emperor Xue Ye watched them depart with a smile, sensing that an interesting show was about to unfold.
Anything related to the gods was, without a doubt, immensely valuable.
And since the Medicine King had obtained such a treasure, it was unlikely he would give it up easily. A fierce battle between these two was inevitable.
However, this had nothing to do with him anymore. The artifact was no longer in his hands, so no matter who ended up with it, no one could blame him.
…
Upon leaving the palace, Xiao bai hesitantly asked, "Are we heading to White Cloud City now to find this Medicine King and reclaim the Heart of the Sea God? That person's strength… seems formidable."
Having watched the question and answer videos, Xiao bai knew exactly who Emperor Xue Ye was referring to. She was also aware of how difficult that so called Medicine King would be to deal with. He was simply too terrifying the way he used poison was almost supernatural, and his Plague God Physique alone was enough to make her scalp tingle with fear.
"As an Ultimate Douluo like us, if a fight does break out, the outcome is uncertain," Neptune reassured her. "Besides, we may not need to fight at all. We'll first try reasoning with him and see if we can retrieve the Heart of the Sea God through peaceful means. After all, that artifact is a legacy of the Sea God. He is not a recognized successor of the Sea God, so the artifact is useless to him. Resorting to violence would be the last option."
"I hope it doesn't come to that," Xiao bai said, her face slightly pale.
She knew they weren't just facing one Ultimate Douluo but two. And one of them was infamous for slaughtering hundred thousand year soul beasts as easily as chopping vegetables.
Just recalling the scene from the question and answer videos the man walking across the sea, sword in hand, effortlessly slaying one terrifying sea beast after another made Xiao bai uncomfortable. After all, she was a sea soul beast herself.
That man's nine hundred thousand year soul rings had all come from sea soul beasts. Which sea soul beast wouldn't be terrified?
"Don't worry. The human world is different from the soul beast world it values rules more. Especially at our level, we are rare existences who stand at the pinnacle. Battles to the death only happen as a last resort," Neptune reassured her.
Xiao bai, being a soul beast, was highly intelligent, but she had never lived among humans. She still carried the brutal mindset of the soul beast world, where conflicts were settled through sheer strength. Clearly, she had a lot to learn.
White Cloud City was quite far from Heaven Dou City. In the past, it had been just a small, remote town, but with an Ultimate Douluo establishing a prosperous city there, it had gradually developed into a thriving hub. Many had sensed business opportunities and began investing in the area, boosting the local economy.
In a way, White Cloud City was beginning to take shape as a nation within a nation.
From a distance, towering city walls came into view.
The three characters "White Cloud City" engraved on the central gate exuded an intense sharpness, even from afar.
Clearly, the person who carved those words was no ordinary individual.
Xiao bai speculated that the city's ruler must have carved them personally. The closer they got, the more they felt the invisible pressure emanating from the characters. There was no soul power fluctuation, yet the words themselves carried an indescribable sharpness, as if looking at them for too long would leave one wounded.
White Cloud City had four gates, and the two of them approached the southern gate. The ground beneath their feet was paved with solid bluestone slabs, and curious passersby, like them, gazed upon the flourishing city ahead.
As they got closer, they finally arrived at the city gate.
Up close, they could see that White Cloud City's walls and gates were even more imposing than those of Heaven Dou City, and the gate guards were all soul masters.
After paying the entrance fee, the two entered the city.
Meanwhile, in the main city of the Body Sect, preparations were also underway.
A grand performance was about to take place one meant for everyone to see.
With his current strength, aside from the gods, the only person he could fight was himself.
And so, he would put on a show, a spectacular duel against himself.
After all, ordinary soul masters were far too weak for him.
The only worthy opponent he had was himself.
(End of chapter)
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