The spacious and comfortable carriage traveled along the official road back to Heaven Dou City, jolting slightly. Inside the carriage, several young Soul Masters of the Royal Fight Team, such as Osler and Dugu Yan, had already fallen into a deep sleep, sprawled out in exhaustion from days of intense training and travel, their soft snores barely audible. Ye Lingling and Li Qiuyao leaned against each other, resting with their eyes closed, their long eyelashes casting faint shadows on their fair cheeks. Qin Ming sat near the carriage door, also with his eyes slightly shut, seemingly resting or lost in thought.
Only Marco sat alone by the window, his back straight, his gaze fixed on the scenery flying past outside. His eyes were deep and unreadable, as if he were admiring the view or perhaps seeing something far beyond it—a distant future.
The trip to Suotuo City and the encounter with the Shrek Seven Devils, especially that blue-clad youth Tang San, had left a deep impression on him and brought a lingering sense of unease.
"Twin Spirits, Innate Full Spirit Power, Tang Sect Skills, Secrets of Hidden Weapons... and that yet-to-be-awakened Clear Sky Hammer..." Marco's fingers unconsciously tapped lightly on his knee. "Truly worthy of being the core character in the 'story.' Such talent and fortune are indeed astounding."
Yet, what made him wary was not merely Tang San's talent and potential.
"Vindictive, narrow-minded, thriving on obedience and destroying opposition... the path to certain death..." Marco's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. His observations over the past few days, especially Tang San's unbridled obsession and coldness during repeated challenges and Hidden Weapon ambushes after a crushing defeat, had convinced him about seventy to eighty percent of the descriptions of Tang San's character from the fanfiction. "To hold such a grudge and even harbor murderous intent over a mere sparring loss... With such a temperament, if he truly grows to wield power, it would be disastrous for those who oppose him."
He sighed softly, a trace of helplessness rising in his heart. "I really don't want to cross paths with this 'Chosen One.'" It wasn't fear but an instinctive aversion to trouble. Making an enemy of someone favored by the "plot," potentially backed by Tang Hao, and possibly destined for Godhood was undoubtedly unwise. Moreover, who could say whether those mysterious concepts like "favor of the realm" or "blessed by fate" were real or not? But it was better to believe they existed than to dismiss them.
"Tang Hao... a level ninety-five Attack System Titled Douluo, the Clear Sky Douluo..." A flicker of gravity passed through Marco's eyes as he thought of the man who might be lurking in the shadows, guarding his son. For now, this was an existence he absolutely could not confront head-on—a sword hanging over his head.
"Sea God... Asura God... Slaughter City..." His thoughts drifted toward a more distant future. If the "storyline" remained largely unchanged, then Slaughter City would be the crucial place for Tang San's transformation, the vital starting point where he would obtain the God of Slaughter Domain and embark on his God Trial. "Perhaps... I could go and see. It's not necessarily about competing with him for anything, but at the very least, I should witness it firsthand, and maybe... see if there's an opportunity to make arrangements in advance, or... seize some opportunities that weren't originally meant for him?" This thought flashed through his mind like lightning in the dark—brief yet dazzling. The trials of Slaughter City and the acquisition of the God of Slaughter Domain might also serve as important tempering and opportunities for him. After all, power itself held no inherent good or evil; what mattered was the one who wielded it.
His thoughts swirled chaotically before finally settling into calm. The path ahead was fraught with variables, but enhancing his own strength would always be the foundation for facing any challenge. His Soul Emperor realm needed stabilization, his Phoenix Domain required deeper comprehension, and the fusion of his Self-created Soul Skill and Haki still had a long way to go. As for Tang San and that so-called "destiny," he would deal with it as it came, adapting to the circumstances. At least for now, there was no irreconcilable direct conflict between them.
The carriage traveled leisurely, and after several days, it finally arrived at the still-bustling Heaven Dou City.
The towering city gates, the bustling crowds, and the familiar imperial capital atmosphere washed over him. Having been away from home for many days, surviving near-death experiences in the Star Dou Great Forest and the tumultuous events in Suotuo City, even Marco felt a faint sense of belonging upon returning here.
At the city gates, the group bid each other farewell. Qin Ming needed to return immediately to the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy to report to the three education commissioners. Osler, Dugu Yan, Shímò, Shímó, and the others were eager to return home, hastily saying their goodbyes to Marco, Ye Lingling, and Li Qiuyao before hurrying off to their respective families. The long journey, intense battles, and rigorous training had left them physically and mentally exhausted, in dire need of rest and recuperation at home.
Ye Lingling gave a slight nod to Marco and Li Qiuyao, her cool eyes carrying a subtle softness, and said softly, "I'll head back first." With that, she turned and walked in the direction of the Ye residence.
Li Qiuyao lifted her small face to look at Marco. "Brother Marco, are we going home?"
Marco ruffled her hair and smiled gently. "Mm, you go back first and let Father and Mother know I've returned safely. I have some matters to attend to and will be back later."
"Okay!" Li Qiuyao nodded obediently and skipped off toward the Li Mansion.
Watching everyone depart, Marco did not head straight home. Instead, he turned and walked toward the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy. His pace was unhurried, as if strolling through a garden, taking in the street scenes of the imperial capital.
Passing through the familiar shaded paths of the academy, bypassing the teaching areas, he headed straight for a secluded training ground at the back of the mountain. Before he even drew near, he could hear the sharp whistling sounds of swift movements and a concentrated, unyielding sharp Blade Intent.
In the training ground, a solitary figure was sweating profusely under the intense workout. Lu Zhou, bare-chested, revealed lean and well-proportioned muscle lines, his bronze skin glistening with sweat. Gripping the cross long blade named "Night" tightly in both hands, his gaze was as focused as a hawk's as he repeatedly practiced the most fundamental movements—slashing, chopping, lifting, and thrusting. His motions were not flashy, yet they carried a unique rhythm, each strike striving to maximize speed, power, and angle. The whistling blade wind left shallow marks on the ground. Clearly, during Marco's absence, he had never slackened for a moment.
Marco did not disturb him, standing quietly at the edge of the field for a while, a flicker of approval in his eyes. Only when Lu Zhou finished a set of exercises, sheathed his blade, and stood catching his breath did Marco step forward slowly, a teasing curve forming at the corner of his mouth as he spoke: "Working so hard? Still haven't found that feeling of yours?"
Lu Zhou turned at the sound, his cold eyes flashing with a faint ripple upon seeing Marco before returning to calm. He picked up a nearby cloth to wipe his sweat and answered succinctly: "No."
Marco walked over to him, appraising his increasingly sharp aura and the seemingly deeper "Night" in his hands, and chuckled, "Seems you haven't been idle this whole time—your cultivation has improved quite a bit. So, how are you settling in at the academy?"
Lu Zhou nodded, sparing with words: "Acceptable." He paused, then looked at Marco. "Suotuo City, how was it?" Though obsessed with the Way of the Blade and averse to socializing, he held a sliver of interest in Marco's journey.
Marco leaned casually against a nearby weapon rack, briefly recounting his trip to Suotuo City, especially the encounter with the Shrek Seven Devils, emphasizing Tang San's bizarre control and the External Soul Bone Eight Spider Lances.
Lu Zhou listened quietly, his grip on the blade tightening slightly when Marco described Tang San's fierce hidden weapons and berserk state. "Strong?" he asked.
"Top-tier in talent and opportunity. As for temperament..." Marco smiled without continuing, then added, "In the future, you could test his blade."
The fighting spirit in Lu Zhou's eyes intensified. He nodded, said no more, and raised "Night" once again, immersing himself in his world of blade techniques.
Marco watched his friend's focused back and smiled. This was how it was with Lu Zhou—no need for excessive words. He glanced up at the sky and said, "Alright, keep practicing. I should head back. Been away from home so long, my parents must be getting anxious."
Lu Zhou didn't turn around, merely uttering an "Mm."
Marco shook his head, turned, and left the training ground, his figure disappearing at the end of the tree-lined path. Behind him remained only the relentless, sharp ring of the blade and that pure Blade Intent, unwavering and intent on cutting through everything.