Under the magnificent and towering city walls, warm and fragmented golden sunlight poured down, adding a trace of golden halo to the originally cold walls.
Heaven Dou City enjoyed an advantageous location, situated near both the Star Dou Great Forest and the Sunset Forest. For tens of thousands of years, the Heaven Dou Empire had established its capital here, allowing Heaven Dou City to develop into one of the top super metropolises on the continent, holding a transcendent status across the land.
However, like several other major cities, this place was a paradise for nobles and the wealthy. For the lower classes who possessed neither cultivation nor gold soul coins, it resembled more a hell filled with oppression and suffering.
Shen Hanyu naturally could not feel any of this. After paying the entry fee, under the openly envious gazes of the gate-guarding soldiers, Shen Hanyu pulled the Snow Emperor and walked into the city.
…
Due to regional differences, this place was quite distinct from Element City.
Although Element City could already be considered a first-rate major city, in front of Heaven Dou City, it still fell slightly short. Whether in terms of urban history or various infrastructure comparisons, Element City appeared somewhat dim in contrast.
The Snow Emperor surveyed the continuous flow of people coming and going around them. Most of these people were dressed gorgeously; even the least well-off were clean and tidy. Small stalls lined both sides of the streets, and all kinds of shops were present in abundance, far more bustling and prosperous than Element City.
"It's quite different from Element City," the Snow Emperor said softly.
Shen Hanyu smiled and replied:
"Element City doesn't have so many rules, but this place is different. This is the capital of a nation, representing the face of an entire country. The filth and dirt on the surface have been buried underground, so what is presented on the surface is naturally only endless intoxicating prosperity."
The Snow Emperor took a box of small pastries from Shen Hanyu's hand, gently took a small bite, and said:
"Compared to soul beasts, you humans are far too hypocritical."
Shen Hanyu shrugged and said softly:
"Order is built upon endless piles of dry bones and slaughter. The human world is actually no different from the soul beast world; only the way it is expressed differs."
Hearing this, the Snow Emperor gave Shen Hanyu a light glance and said no more.
Shen Hanyu continued pulling the Snow Emperor forward, but his spiritual sea was extremely lively.
The sleeping Shuang Ying was awakened by the noise. Still drowsy, she looked at the scene before her in confusion and scratched her head.
Hai Xi was nimbly darting about in the air, while the Ice Emperor behind her wore a face full of anger as she chased after her, not forgetting to viciously threaten:
"Stinky fish, who are you calling cruel and unreasonable? If you have the guts, stop right there and fight me fair and square…"
Hai Xi looked at the furious Ice Emperor, playfully stuck out her tongue, and said in a soft, delicate voice:
"The Snow Emperor and Ice Emperor sisters are both so fierce. What if you end up alone forever? Unlike me, so delicate and frail, Big Brother Tianmeng and Brother Yu have always taken such good care of me…"
Green·Tea·Supreme·Level
Flames of rage surged in the Ice Emperor's eyes, but within the spiritual sea, she could never catch the exceptionally fast Hai Xi no matter what. The Snow Emperor rarely checked what happened here due to Hai Xi's explosive personality, so in the end, the one who always suffered was only the Ice Emperor.
Tianmeng was trembling as he hid in a concealed corner. Just as he was about to breathe a sigh of relief after hearing the Ice Emperor's roars and Hai Xi's teasing laughter, someone grabbed his tail and flung him flying.
"Ahhh—"
Tianmeng's miserable scream echoed throughout the entire spiritual sea. Hai Xi dodged the flying Tianmeng, covered her mouth, and giggled delicately:
"Sister is so violent. No wonder you've always been single."
Flames burst from the Ice Emperor's eyes. If it weren't for the bone-chilling cold aura she emanated, she might have had to change her name to "Fire Emperor" sooner or later.
Shen Hanyu watched the farce playing out in his spiritual sea and found it somewhat amusing. Then he simply cut off his perception of the spiritual sea—let them play as they wished~
…
In Heaven Dou City, there was an area of luxurious estates.
This was where the high-ranking ministers and military commanders of the Heaven Dou Empire resided, as well as the powerhouses recruited by the empire. It was less than two kilometers from the imperial palace. Shen Hanyu even suspected the proximity was for the emperor's convenience in case of needing rescue or escape.
Dugu Bo's residence was located nearby. This old poisoner had refused a spacious and luxurious manor and instead requested an old-style courtyard lush with flowers and plants. It could only be said that this was very much in character for Dugu Bo; he truly wouldn't live anywhere without flowers and plants.
Moreover, in front of all the resplendent golden manors, this place stood out far too obviously, after all, whose front gate here was completely covered in various climbing plants?
Shen Hanyu sensed that among the flowers and plants were quite a few venomous snakes, presumably tamed by Dugu Bo to serve as watchdogs.
While other nobles used soul masters and soldiers as guards, at Dugu Bo's place, he directly arranged venomous snake species over a hundred years old to guard the house, quite a unique flavor indeed.
The Snow Emperor slightly furrowed her brows. To be honest, she didn't particularly like snake-type soul beasts, especially those with low intelligence; looking at them made her somewhat uncomfortable.
In the spiritual sea, Shuang Ying was innocently implicated, but in reality, the Snow Emperor was still very friendly toward her. After all, ever since Shuang Ying came to Shen Hanyu, aside from sleeping, her only hobby was listening to everyone gossip.
Shen Hanyu stepped forward and knocked on the door. Almost immediately, a kindly and gentle-looking old man hurried over to open it. Seeing that the visitors were two young people, he showed no trace of displeasure and spoke warmly:
"May I ask what business the two esteemed guests have?"
Shen Hanyu smiled and said:
"Uncle, we are friends of Mr. Dugu. Having come to Heaven Dou City this time, we specially came to pay our respects."
The old man smiled, quickly opened the gate fully, and said:
"The old master is currently in the courtyard enjoying tea. Please follow this old servant inside."
Not many people in Heaven Dou City knew Dugu Bo's address; aside from the emperor, only Prince Xuexing and the Crown Prince knew. Beyond that, only the two top sects stationed here were aware.
Following the old man inside, the flowerbeds along the small path were planted with all kinds of flowers and plants, including many precious herbs and poisons. Shen Hanyu even spotted a multicolored venomous snake on a not-very-tall ornamental tree.
"A five-hundred-year Rainbow Devouring Poison, one of those rare things, and this old poisoner actually managed to get one. He really is loaded."
The Snow Emperor also noticed the beautiful little snake and said softly:
"It has a horn on its head and the potential to transform into a dragon. If it could devour sufficiently powerful dragon bloodline, it might evolve into the already near-extinct descendant of the dragon race, the Rainbow Dragon."
Shen Hanyu couldn't help but look at the little creature a few more times. The little guy also noticed Shen Hanyu's gaze and bared its two tiny venomous fangs in warning…
After turning a corner, Shen Hanyu immediately spotted the green-robed old man with an exceptionally good complexion, leisurely sipping tea.
After not seeing him for some time, Dugu Bo's hair had turned black again. His previously somewhat aged face had become radiant and glowing, as if he had entered a second spring.
Dugu Bo sensed the footsteps, slightly raised his eyes, then abruptly stood up and said in some surprise:
"How is it you, kid…"
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