Xu Zihuang naturally saw through the hypocritical intentions hidden behind Feng Tianyao's dignified appearance, but he paid them no mind.
He only wanted information about Dragon Valley; everything else had nothing to do with him.
As for Hua Ancheng, who remained unconscious, Xu Zihuang simply ignored him. A dragon soaring through the sky would hardly notice the ants beneath its feet. If Hua Ancheng had the ability, he was welcome to come seek revenge. Xu Zihuang would accept that karma.
On the other side, though Feng Tianyao outwardly appeared calm and composed, chatting and laughing with Xu Zihuang, in reality, he was deeply wary, even fearful, of him.
In the earlier battle between Xu Zihuang and Hua Xiongyan, he had basically not intervened. Xu Zihuang had single-handedly annihilated nearly all of Dragon Wolf Territory's top combat power and, across several clashes, slain Hua Xiongyan, a long-established Title Douluo-level powerhouse, right there.
Feng Tianyao knew that if Xu Zihuang wished, he could kill him at any moment. So he kept his position very clear and humble.
Perhaps even if Xu Zihuang demanded that his daughter serve him tonight, he would only respond with gratitude and a smiling face.
In fact, if Xu Zihuang really made such a request, it would be an enormous blessing for the Feng family of Qingfeng Territory.
Feng Tianyao had actually considered this possibility, but Wang Qiu'er's presence had temporarily made him abandon the idea.
Although Wang Qiu'er treated Xu Zihuang with cold indifference, the unusual emotions that occasionally flickered in her eyes made it clear that the relationship between the two was absolutely out of the ordinary.
Under Feng Tianyao's guidance, Xu Zihuang and Wang Qiu'er each used their own methods to fly toward Qingfeng Territory in the north.
With the spiritual-attribute soul core at his brow and his profound soul power foundation, merely flying through the air consumed almost no soul power from Xu Zihuang.
Wang Qiu'er, as before, traveled by stepping on golden flames.
Back when she had not yet taken human form, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's true body usually moved in exactly this way. As an auspicious beast emperor nurtured by heaven and earth, with noble status and born to stand above countless soul beasts, she had never touched the ground in her true form.
Each time Wang Qiu'er leaped on the golden flames, her figure glided forward effortlessly and gracefully. In terms of speed, she was in no way inferior to the air-flight of Xu Zihuang and Feng Tianyao.
The more Xu Zihuang and Wang Qiu'er displayed such abilities, the more unfathomably profound Feng Tianyao found them to be.
During the journey, he did not forget to candidly inquire about Xu Zihuang and Wang Qiu'er's origins.
After observing them for this period, he had gained some understanding of Xu Zihuang's personality. Beating around the bush or probing indirectly would only annoy him, so it was better to be straightforward.
"Friend Xu, are you truly from another sea region, as Hua Xiongyan claimed?"
"We come from the Douluo Continent," Xu Zihuang replied calmly.
Feng Tianyao raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"The Douluo Continent? Could it be that in other sea regions there also exist vast continents like our Star Sea Continent?"
Wang Qiu'er let out a disdainful snort.
"Our Douluo Continent is much larger than your Star Sea Continent."
Whether it was the ancient soul master sects passed down on the original Douluo Continent side or the intelligent high-level soul beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest, both held an extremely strong sense of belonging to the Douluo Continent.
Regarding the comparison of the two continents' sizes, Di Tian had once told Wang Qiu'er: the area of the original Douluo Continent was more than twice that of the Star Sea Continent.
Feng Tianyao was momentarily stunned, then sighed softly, "It seems I am truly ignorant."
Xu Zihuang glanced sideways at Wang Qiu'er beside him. Sensing his deep gaze, Wang Qiu'er turned her head away coldly, as if throwing a tantrum.
Unbeknownst to her, this very reaction was a sign that she was beginning to be firmly held in Xu Zihuang's grasp. If it were anyone else, she would never show such a tsundere side.
Feng Tianyao smiled faintly.
"Seeing Friend Xu and Miss Wang, I can't help but recall my own youth. Back then, my wife and I often bickered just like you two, yet in the end, we came together and gave birth to Lingwei."
Xu Zihuang smiled without speaking, his heart completely undisturbed. In the environment he grew up in, what he lacked least were beautiful, noble young ladies.
Back when he was still the only son of the most powerful prince in the Sun Moon Empire, many great families had tried every means to send girls of similar age to his side during his childhood. He had actually felt nothing but revulsion toward such things.
Xu Zihuang admitted that Wang Qiu'er and Tang Wutong were stunningly beautiful, but their appearance alone was not enough to stir those kinds of thoughts in him.
Just as it was Ning Tian's years of constant companionship, accompanying him through nearly half his youth, that had truly moved him.
Meanwhile, Wang Qiu'er, hearing Feng Tianyao's words, visibly trembled. Her delicate earlobes turned slightly red. But since she had turned her head away, no one could see her expression.
Seeing this, Feng Tianyao tactfully changed the subject and began to carefully explain the situation on the Star Sea Continent.
Ruling the Star Sea Continent were nine great soul master families, dividing the land into nine territories of varying sizes. By analogy, it was similar to the seven great sects on the original Douluo Continent ten thousand years ago, each holding its own domain.
The Northern Alliance had four great soul master families, while the Southern Alliance, including Qingfeng Territory's Feng family and Dragon Wolf Territory's Hua family, had five in total.
However, in both the Northern and Southern Alliances, only three families possessed Title Douluo-level powerhouses. In other words, across the entire Star Sea Continent, there were only six Title Douluo in total.
For Xu Zihuang to say he could flatten this continent was no exaggeration at all.
Previously, the most powerful family in the Southern Alliance had undoubtedly been Dragon Wolf Territory's Hua family, but after Hua Xiongyan's death, it was basically inevitable that Qingfeng Territory's Feng family would take their place. This was also the main reason for Feng Tianyao's delight.
With Hua Xiongyan and Dragon Wolf Territory's top combat forces completely wiped out, not only could Qingfeng Territory seize the opportunity to annex Dragon Wolf Territory and grow stronger, but they could even become the leader of the Southern Alliance.
Worth mentioning was that the strongest family in the Northern Alliance was Heaven Fox Territory's Su family.
The Star Sea Continent's area was less than half that of the original Douluo Continent. When divided in detail, each large territory on the Star Sea Continent was roughly the size of one province in the three great empires of the original Douluo Continent.
Compared to the Douluo Continent, the Star Sea Continent appeared far more primitive. Along the way, forests, lakes, mountain ranges, and the like continuously appeared. The air was so clear that one's gaze could reach into the distance. Occasionally, passing cities, one could see that their scale was far smaller than that on the Douluo Continent side.
However, almost every city on the Star Sea Continent was built with thick, sturdy walls. This was to adapt to the contentious situation here. After all, between territories controlled by the great soul master families, conflicts of interest frequently arose. Small-scale clashes and wars were commonplace.
Before nightfall, Feng Tianyao finally led Xu Zihuang and Wang Qiu'er into Qingfeng City, where the Feng family of Qingfeng Territory resided.
As expected of the most prosperous city in Qingfeng Territory, its scale was nearly comparable to a main city on the Douluo Continent side. A conservative estimate placed the population inside the city at over three million.
From the layout of the buildings within the city, one could see the strict and orderly class hierarchy on the Star Sea Continent. The outer areas had mostly low houses, rarely exceeding twenty meters in height. This was where commoners lived.
The small area closer to the inner city was mostly inhabited by blood-qi warriors who could arouse the bloodline power within their bodies.
At the very center of the city, built against a towering mountain and surrounded by high walls with strictly guarded entrances, stood the highland, where only soul masters were qualified to reside.
And at the very heart of the highland rose a majestic castle; this was the seat of the Feng family of Qingfeng Territory. Squads of well-equipped soldiers patrolled the walls. Though their numbers were not large, each was a formidable blood-qi warrior. Moreover, a considerable number of soul masters stood guard in watchtowers or hidden positions.
The moment Xu Zihuang's group approached, a squad composed entirely of flying-type soul masters surrounded them from all directions.
Upon seeing that the leader was Feng Tianyao, the squad captain immediately led his subordinates in a respectful bow.
"Lord!"
"Friend Xu and Miss Wang are honored guests of our Qingfeng Territory. Pass down the order to prepare a banquet tonight to welcome and wash the dust from these two distinguished guests," Feng Tianyao commanded them with an air of authority, completely different from the humble demeanor he had shown before Xu Zihuang and Wang Qiu'er.
"Friend Xu, Miss Wang, this way please."
After giving the instructions, Feng Tianyao personally led Xu Zihuang and Wang Qiu'er toward the depths of the castle with a smile.
Only after watching the three figures disappear did the members of the soul master squad belatedly realize that Xu Zihuang and Wang Qiu'er had also been flying through the air. Their expressions changed drastically as they cried out in disbelief.
"Flying through the air… Soul Saint?!"
Because of its special geographic location, the Star Sea Continent maintained a constant year-round temperature. The four seasons were pleasant.
In a spacious and elegant open-air courtyard, various rare flowers unique to the Star Sea Continent bloomed in profusion, filling the air with refreshing fragrance. Wisps of serene moonlight poured down from the night sky, adding a touch of tranquility and beauty.
Moreover, the view here was excellent; one could look down upon the entire night scene of Qingfeng City.
At the center of the courtyard, Xu Zihuang, Wang Qiu'er, and Feng Tianyao sat facing each other at a stone table, while Feng Tianyao's only daughter, Feng Lingwei, attended beside them.
It seemed Feng Lingwei had been informed of certain things in advance. All the arrogance and haughtiness in her beautiful eyes had vanished without a trace. With her head lowered, she poured fragrant tea for Xu Zihuang and Wang Qiu'er, her gaze frequently lingering on Xu Zihuang.
Xu Zihuang did not touch the teacup on the table. Looking at Feng Tianyao opposite him, he said calmly, "Lord Feng, I think there is no need to hold the banquet. I will speak directly: the reason I came to the Star Sea Continent this time is to find a secret realm within a spatial rift. This spatial secret realm is related to the dragon clan. I wonder if Lord Feng knows any of the hidden details."
Feng Tianyao's gaze suddenly sharpened. Memories of certain ancestral secrets flashed through his mind.
After a moment of silence, he waved his right hand, signaling Feng Lingwei to withdraw first.
Feng Tianyao had originally arranged for his daughter to personally serve Xu Zihuang and Wang Qiu'er with certain intentions in mind. But in the current situation, it was clearly unsuitable for her to remain.
Feng Lingwei did not dare disobey her father and obediently left the courtyard.
Hearing Xu Zihuang mention a spatial secret realm related to the dragon clan, Wang Qiu'er, who had shown no interest before, suddenly looked toward him in a daze.
A gentle night breeze blew through, causing the flowers and plants around the courtyard to rustle softly.
Feng Tianyao gazed deeply toward the north, then spoke gravely, "Friend Xu, I do know some things, but I cannot be one hundred percent certain. Several thousand years ago, a secret was passed down in my family: it is suspected that Heaven Fox Territory's Su family in the Northern Alliance possesses a true dragon soul bone inheritance. If such a dragon-related spatial rift truly exists on our Star Sea Continent, then Heaven Fox Territory's Su family may know something about it."
"Lord Feng, I have no interest in the disputes on your Star Sea Continent," Xu Zihuang said, meeting Feng Tianyao's gaze.
"But if I truly gain something from this, I will also give you corresponding compensation."
How could Feng Tianyao miss the warning in Xu Zihuang's words? He immediately replied seriously, "Rest assured, Friend. I would never do such a thing."
"Moreover, Friend has already given us Qingfeng Territory the best possible return in advance, hasn't he?" At this point, a knowing smile appeared on Feng Tianyao's face.
Dealing with intelligent people was always easy; there was no need to spell everything out.
"In that case, Lord Feng, I will make a trip first. As for my companion here, I will trouble you to look after her for the time being." Xu Zihuang nodded with a slight smile. Without waiting for Wang Qiu'er or Feng Tianyao to respond, as his seven soul rings, five black, one red, one gold rose around him, his figure vanished from the spot.
"You—?!" Wang Qiu'er immediately felt a surge of anger. Breathing heavily, she stood up abruptly.
This jerk just left her behind like that?!
But hearing the way Xu Zihuang had referred to her, her expression became complicated again.
Companion, huh…
Having felt up close the power of Xu Zihuang using his Golden Pupils martial soul to control space, Feng Tianyao's expression grew even graver.
Though he was a Title Douluo-level powerhouse, when it came to mastery of spatial power, he felt far inferior.
Such talent was truly astonishing. Even that person from Heaven Fox Territory was probably nowhere near as good as Xu Zihuang, who was only at the Soul Saint level.
Fortunately, he had made the right choice earlier and had not chosen to become enemies with Xu Zihuang.
Suppressing his myriad thoughts, Feng Tianyao spoke politely to Wang Qiu'er, "Miss Wang, while Friend Xu is away, why not let my daughter arrange a guest room for you to rest first?"
"No need. I'll wait for him here," Wang Qiu'er replied coldly, stubbornly gritting her silver teeth.
"As you wish." Feng Tianyao kept his smile and rose to leave, leaving the space to Wang Qiu'er.
In the quiet night on this unknown continent, alone once more, the unease in Wang Qiu'er's heart surged up again.
In this moment, she finally realized just how strongly she depended on Xu Zihuang. Her gaze lost focus as she murmured.
"Fated nemesis… or fated destiny…"
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Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
"Don't forget there are chapters available on Patreon."
"From Douluo to Godhood by Defy 30 Advance chapters."
"Douluo: Far North Invincibledo 30 Advance chapters."
"Douluo Peerless: Living as an Evil Soul Master 40 Advance chapters."
"Douluo Dalu 2:Peerless Tang Sect Dawn of Sun and Moon 40 Advance chapters."
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