The carriage they rode in was the definition of understated luxury. The interior was spacious, lined with colored velvet, and the cushions were so plush they felt like they might swallow a passenger whole. There were no flashy carvings or excessive gold; its wealth was conveyed through the quality of the materials and the flawless craftsmanship. It was the kind of luxury that didn't need to shout to be heard. Lian Yang found his attention drawn away from the HUD at the edge of his vision, momentarily forgetting the streams of data to admire the scenery inside the carriage. Opposite him, Jingliu sat with a perfectly straight back, her eyes closed in light meditation, while beside her, Bronya Rand reviewed a crystal tablet with intense concentration. The combination of beauty, competence, and quiet power within the carriage was a captivating sight.
He gave a mental shake to clear his head, forcing himself to look out the window. A lush, rural landscape stretched before him. The dirt road they traveled was wide and relatively smooth, a clear sign that this was a major trade route to the capital.
Bronya's calm voice broke the comfortable silence. "We will arrive in three days." She didn't look up from her tablet. "All preparations on our end are complete. Do you have any additional instructions?"
Lian Yang smiled faintly. "None. Everything is going according to plan. Just enjoy the journey. Think of it as a short vacation."
"A productive vacation," Bronya corrected with a slight smile on her lips, before returning her focus to her work.
Jingliu opened her eyes, her pale blue irises clear and deep. "The air outside is quite clean." Her comment was as flat as ever. "This route is quite safe."
Hearing that, Lian Yang looked back at the medieval scenery outside. This world was truly stuck in a pre-industrial era. All power stemmed from individuals—from Martial Souls and Spirit Power. Even the might of an empire felt fragile before a Titled Douluo.
Lian Yang thought about his position in the original story's timeline. Tang San had likely just left his village. Even if he could bind men, Lian Yang would never bind Tang San.
A slightly offended smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, thinking of the protagonist of Douluo Dalu. With him in this world, there was no way that man could develop smoothly, not when there were no more women to be afflicted with the poison of love.
However, there was one girl who was hard to find. He had already spread the roots of Yggdrasil to the borders of the Star Dou Forest and the Haven Dou Empire. Lian Yang could only hope his preparations were enough to catch that little rabbit.
In the midst of his reverie, the carriage came to a sudden halt, followed by a rough shout from outside. "Hand over all your valuables!"
Lian Yang sighed. Bandits. How cliché. Was it because the carriage didn't look extravagant?
Before anyone could react, Jingliu let out a faint sigh. Outside, a series of sharp hissing sounds were heard, followed by complete silence. A few seconds later, their coachman calmly started the carriage again.
Lian Yang glanced at Jingliu with admiration. That was the power of a Sword Master of the Luofu—terrifying efficiency.
---
Three days later, the main gates of Haven Dou City loomed before them. Their carriage didn't have to queue and was immediately directed to a special lane after the coachman showed a token. Entering the city, Lian Yang felt a drastic change in scale; the main streets were paved with stone, and magnificent buildings lined the left and right. With the eyes of a modern man, he scanned the environment, seeing an organized layout but also rampant inefficiency, like the lack of a centralized sanitation system. As their carriage turned, his eyes caught the logo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan on several high-end shops, a sign of the clan's influence seeping deep into the city's economic veins. Finally, the carriage stopped before a grand gate adorned with colorful glazed tiles, the main entrance to the clan's complex, which radiated wealth and majesty.
When the carriage door opened, a small but influential welcoming committee was already waiting.
Though they tried to hide it, they were clearly quite taken with Jingliu's and Bronya's appearances. As for himself, Lian Yang had no idea.
A middle-aged man stepped forward, smiling warmly. His elegant robes and calm demeanor exuded an aura of wisdom. When he spoke, his voice was friendly and full of respect.
"Moon Sword Douluo, welcome to the residence of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Your presence is a great honor for us." Without a doubt, it was the Sect Master, Ning Fengzhi.
His gaze then shifted with sincere curiosity towards Bronya and Lian Yang.
However, before Jingliu could reply, the man to the Sect Master's right stepped forward. Dressed all in white, with a cold expression now filled with fervor, his entire aura seemed to merge with a sword. "It is an honor to welcome you back." He bowed his head slightly. It was Chen Xin, the Sword Douluo, showing surprising respect. "The enlightenment I gained from our last battle... was invaluable."
"Look at this old Sword Bone." A witty voice interjected from Ning Fengzhi's other side. The figure who spoke seemed slightly blurry, shrouded in a thin shadow despite the sunlight. Gu Rong, the Bone Douluo, grinned. "Ever since he was defeated, he's become much more polite. Maybe you should have hit him harder, Moon Sword Douluo."
Chen Xin ignored the jibe, his eyes remaining fixed on Jingliu. Jingliu merely glanced at him. "A breakthrough comes from understanding, not from the fight itself." Her profound words made Chen Xin ponder.
Ning Fengzhi smiled, mediating with smooth diplomacy. "Your presence always brings a wind of enlightenment. Please forgive their behavior." He then looked at Bronya and Lian Yang. "And who might your two companions be?"
Jingliu introduced them with the same efficiency. "This is Bronya Rand, my partner."
That statement—especially the word partner—made Ning Fengzhi and the two legendary Douluos raise an eyebrow. It was a significant declaration of status.
Bronya stepped forward slightly and bowed her head politely. "It is an honor to meet you all. We have heard much of your great reputation." Her voice was calm and professional.
Jingliu then placed a slender hand on Lian Yang's shoulder. "And this is my disciple, Lian Yang."
Lian Yang felt the Sword Douluo's sharp gaze shift to him. The respectful expression on the man's face collapsed instantly, replaced by pure shock that quickly mingled with a hint of bitterness and unconcealable confusion. Lian Yang could read the question in his eyes: Why a mere child, and not a sword master like myself?
He remained calm, looking at Ning Fengzhi and bowing slightly. "A pleasure to meet you, Sect Master Ning and Your Excellencies."
Before Ning Fengzhi could reply, the one person who seemed bored with all the formalities stepped forward. A little girl in a lavish dress and a cute, haughty expression. Ning Rongrong. "A disciple? But you're just a kid!" she exclaimed, her curiosity overpowering her manners. "Are you really strong?"
"Rongrong!" Ning Fengzhi gently chided. "This is my daughter, Ning Rongrong. I dote on her, she can be thoughtless at times, but she is a good child."
Lian Yang looked at the girl and smiled faintly. "Strength isn't always measured by age."
Ning Rongrong wrinkled her nose, looking unimpressed. "Hmph, nonsense. If you're strong, you have to prove it!"
Ning Fengzhi, ever the master diplomat, quickly took charge. "It is an honor to meet you all." He then glanced at his daughter. "So that our young guests are not bored, how about my daughter, Rongrong, shows Young Master Lian around?"
Hearing that, Ning Rongrong's eyes immediately lit up. Being given an important task excited her. Without further ado, she leaped forward and grabbed Lian Yang's hand. "Come on! I'll show you the coolest places! It's much better than listening to them talk about boring stuff!"
Lian Yang was slightly taken aback. He looked back, seeking guidance. Jingliu gave him a small nod.
Bronya leaned in and whispered softly, "Try not to look like you're being kidnapped." A faint, amused smile played on her lips.
Lian Yang rolled his eyes internally but nodded, then allowed himself to be pulled away.
Seeing his guests taken care of, Ning Fengzhi refocused on Jingliu and Bronya. "This way," he invited warmly. "The guest pavilion awaits."
As Lian Yang was dragged off by an enthusiastic princess, the group split, each heading towards their own destiny within the magnificent clan complex.
---
Ning Rongrong's grip was enthusiastic and a little possessive. As she pulled Lian Yang along, she felt how delicate and small the boy's hand was, almost like a precious porcelain doll.
A pleasant feeling of superiority washed over her; she was the princess in her castle, and this mysterious boy was her guest. He's actually cute, she thought, glancing at Lian Yang from head to toe with an appraising look. Like a living doll. And his clothes... they're so strange. Not like the finest silk or brocade, but the material feels very nice and the cut is neat. Simple but elegant.
"Come on, hurry up!" she called out, her voice full of impatient excitement. "There's so much to see!"
With the zeal of a proud guide, Ning Rongrong began her tour. She didn't just walk, but almost bounced, pulling Lian Yang along a path made of polished stone.
"Look! That's the Sword Hall!" She pointed to a large pavilion with a grand, curved roof. "Grandpa Sword trains there."
They passed an outdoor training ground where some of the older clan disciples were practicing with wooden swords. Their movements were swift and precise, but Lian Yang only gave them a passing glance, his attention more focused on the scale and splendor of the surrounding architecture.
"You're not impressed?" Ning Rongrong pouted, her guest not showing the awe she expected. "They are disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Grandpa Sword sometimes trains them personally."
"The buildings are more interesting," Lian Yang replied honestly, his eyes tracing the details of a dragon carving on a support pillar.
Ning Rongrong blinked, not understanding. Who cared about pillars when there were sword experts nearby? She huffed and pulled him along more forcefully. "That's nothing!"
She led him to an incredibly beautiful garden, filled with rare flowers whose colors were brighter than jewels. In the center of the garden, a clear, artificial lake reflected the blue sky.
"And over there," she said, pointing to a nine-story tower shimmering in the distance, made of glazed tiles that reflected the sunlight. "It's modeled after our Seven Treasure Pagoda. It's the best place to cultivate. Of course, only core members are allowed inside."
She paused, then looked at Lian Yang with her chin held high. "Father said I will definitely awaken the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda! It's the strongest support-type Martial Soul in the whole world! Do you know what that means? It means I'm going to be very important!"
Lian Yang just replied with a small nod.
After she was satisfied with her showing off and boasting, she finally stopped under a shady willow tree and looked at Lian Yang with a probing gaze. "Alright, enough about me. Now it's your turn. You're the disciple of that scary woman, the one who beat Grandpa Sword. Your master must be very strong, so you must be strong too, right? Have you awakened your Martial Soul yet? Is it a sword like Grandpa Sword's?"
Lian Yang just nodded calmly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "My master is indeed very strong. And yes, I have awakened my Martial Soul."
The short answer clearly didn't satisfy Ning Rongrong. She leaned forward, her large eyes shining with unbearable curiosity. "Well? What is it? A sword? Or something else? Show me! Now!"
A mysterious smile played on Lian Yang's lips. He made no grand gesture or summoned a spirit ring, but simply raised his index finger slowly. From its tip, a soft blue point of light appeared, pulsing like a heartbeat. Ning Rongrong held her breath as the point blossomed, blooming like a flower. Lines of light formed a pair of intricate wings, patterned like electronic circuits, and in an instant, a hologram of an exquisitely beautiful butterfly took shape. It hovered in the air, its wings shimmering with flowing data-light, leaving a trail of twinkling blue particles. The butterfly flew in graceful circles between the two of them, so real that Ning Rongrong unconsciously reached out to touch it, but just before her finger made contact, the butterfly shattered into a thousand luminous shards of data and vanished without a sound.
Ning Rongrong was agape. Her eyes sparkled with wonder, her mouth slightly open.
"Wow! What... what was that?"
"It's an innate ability of my Martial Soul, nothing special." Lian Yang smiled, amused at how easily the little girl was distracted.
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in warm hues of orange and purple, a servant approached with a respectful bow. "Young Miss, Young Master, the Sect Master invites you for dinner."
Ning Rongrong was deeply disappointed. Time flew by so fast when she was having fun. She sighed, then looked at Lian Yang again, her gaze now completely different.
She walked him back to the magnificent guest pavilion where Jingliu and Bronya were staying. Her pace was slower this time, no longer as enthusiastic as before.
As they were about to part, Ning Rongrong looked at Lian Yang with a gaze that was a mixture of a princess's command and a new, genuine curiosity.
"Tomorrow," she said, her tone slightly imperious. "You have to show me that trick again. And you have to explain what it is! Promise?"
Lian Yang just smiled and gave a small nod before turning and entering the pavilion, leaving Ning Rongrong standing there, her thoughts no longer solely occupied by her own Martial Soul awakening, but also by the mysterious Lian Yang.