The new story release: Douluo: Dragon King's Legend – Throne of the Void.
The golden-red sun slowly rose from the east, casting its brilliance upon the shimmering waves of the sea. The sea breeze, tinged with a faint fishy scent, blew against the face—damp and chilly in this late autumn season.
Waves crashed against the rocky cliffs again and again. As the mist over the sea gradually dispersed, an island abruptly revealed itself.
This island was located in the western seas of the Sun Moon Empire, far from the empire's mainland, but not so deep into the ocean as to be beyond reach. Because of this, the island was not plagued by the powerful sea soul beasts that lurked in the deep seas, and thus it was incorporated into the vast territory of the Sun Moon Empire, placed under its direct jurisdiction.
The island itself was not particularly large. Unlike typical islands, however, this one was surrounded by a strong wall built of bluish-gray marble, nearly fifty meters high.
Years of waves had left their marks upon the wall, yet it stood firm and unmoving, as though time itself could not shake it.
Atop the wall, massive cannons with a dark metallic sheen were positioned within crenellations. Rows of disciplined, sturdy soldiers patrolled in shifts, their deep-blue standard armor glinting with strange halos beneath the sunlight.
This island was a naval military base established by the Sun Moon Empire to defend against sea soul beasts causing havoc in the western seas. Bases like this were not uncommon in the western and southern seas of the empire. After all, even with the advancements of soul tool technology, humanity was far from conquering the vast, unknown ocean.
It was well known that the powerful soul beasts of the deep seas far surpassed those on land—both in number and in strength.
Within the walls, there were no bustling streets, nor the lively clamor of towns. Only rows of low, stone-built houses stood quietly. Here and there, small groups of soldiers rested along the roads, or collected supplies at makeshift depots.
The only structure resembling the core of a town was the tall castle standing in the center of the island. The entire fortress was bluish-gray, and even under the sunlight, it gave off an oppressive feeling.
Compared with the common one- or two-story stone houses, this five-story castle towered high above, like a crane standing among chickens.
In front of the castle, a flower garden provided the island's only hint of color. Rare flowers of various hues gave off a pleasant fragrance, diluting the fishy smell carried by the sea breeze.
By the garden stood a young man in a luxurious robe of purple and gold. He closed his eyes as he leaned toward a deep purple exotic ink orchid, inhaling lightly with his tall, straight nose.
The youth looked quite young, with a touch of immaturity still lingering between his brows. His black, shoulder-length hair brushed lightly against his neck, but among it, several purple strands shone faintly, adding an oddly sinister air.
His features were exquisitely refined, his skin as fair as jade—he did not look like someone raised by the sea, but rather a noble son born into wealth and privilege.
Indeed, that was the case. His name was Xu Zihuang, son of a prince of the Sun Moon Empire—his status far surpassing that of ordinary nobles. But three years ago, during the Sun Moon Empire's coup within the imperial palace, his father, once a high-ranking prince, met a tragic fate: he perished while desperately trying to rescue the previous emperor. His family was ruined.
Perhaps to appease the fearful aristocracy, or because it was unwise for the newly enthroned emperor to further bloodshed, Xu Zihuang—only five years old at the time—was spared. Instead, he was exiled to this lonely island at sea.
"Your Highness, the wind outside is strong. Please take care of your health."
A calm, steady voice came from behind him. Xu Zihuang slowly opened his eyes and turned his head, his deep violet pupils calm and indifferent.
Before him stood a tall, broad-shouldered middle-aged man in deep-blue armor. His aura was imposing, yet Xu Zihuang's lips curved into a faint, self-mocking smile.
Prince? An exiled prince?
The middle-aged man was nearly two meters tall, his skin tanned and his frame that of a hardened soldier. Yet before Xu Zihuang, he lowered his head respectfully, not daring to meet his gaze directly.
The scene of a fallen noble being humiliated by his own men did not occur here. The dignity of the imperial family was inviolable. Even if Xu Zihuang was an exiled prince's son, he still represented the Sun Moon imperial line.
If he could be insulted casually, what value would the imperial family's authority have left?
Xu Zihuang brushed aside the strands of hair the sea breeze had tousled across his forehead. Then, stepping toward the middle-aged man, he narrowed his eyes slightly, studying his expression.
"Captain Haixiao, for you to come see me at this time… you must have something to say."
Haixiao nodded, his rigid face twitching faintly.
"This afternoon, a ship from the mainland will arrive. Onboard are one hundred young noblewomen selected from across the empire, all with outstanding beauty and talent. His Highness the Crown Prince hopes that Your Highness will choose ten among them, to carry on the purest bloodline of the imperial clan—the Zihuang Heaven-Extinguishing Dragon."
He paused briefly before adding, "Of course, if Your Highness wishes to keep all one hundred, His Highness the Crown Prince will not object."
"Hmph." Xu Zihuang sneered inwardly, though his eyes grew icy cold.
"Xu Tianran… how thoughtful of you."
At last, he understood why Xu Tianran had spared his life back then.
Xu Zihuang was finally beginning to understand.
Though the imperial family of the Sun Moon Empire was numerous, those who inherited the truly top-level martial souls were exceedingly rare. Xu Zihuang was one of the few exceptions.
When he had awakened his martial soul, he not only possessed the extremely rare innate full soul power, but also inherited the Zihuang Heaven-Extinguishing Dragon, one of the most supreme beast martial souls. The purity of his bloodline was unmatched, not seen in nearly a thousand years of the Sun Moon Empire's imperial heritage.
The emotions in his eyes quickly calmed. Without another word, Xu Zihuang turned and walked into the castle.
"When the ship arrives, inform me, Captain Haixiao. After all, I don't have the right to refuse, do I?"
Now that he had grasped Xu Tianran's true intent, the tension he had carried for years seemed to ease somewhat.
At the very least, he was safe for the time being.
If, by fortune, he survived long enough, he would likely never be allowed to leave this island for the rest of his life. In that case, indulgence might be the only freedom he could claim.
Fortunately, the Sun Moon Empire's current soul tool technology had not yet advanced to the point of extracting a man's seed and preserving its vitality for extended periods. This fact gave him at least the illusion of choice.
Most importantly, it bought him several more years of life. He would not reach the age where he could sire offspring for another three or four years.
That time span would serve as his final reprieve.
He knew all too well the cruel and ruthless nature of his cousin Xu Tianran. Once he had fulfilled his purpose and left descendants, his life would have no further value. And when that happened, death would surely follow.
Walking through the spacious and extravagant corridors of the castle, Xu Zihuang sighed quietly to himself.
"The beginning itself is already hell difficulty…"