The modernity of Mingdu, the first capital city on the entire continent without city walls, left the people of the former Three Nations of the Douluo Continent utterly astounded.
When the delegations disembarked at Mingdu Station, Jing Hongchen and several members of the tournament committee were already waiting on the platform.
"Welcome to Mingdu."
Jing Hongchen's gaze swept over the arriving crowd. When his eyes landed on Yan Shaozhe and Elder Song, a faint expression of aversion appeared on his face — deliberately so, ensuring that both of them noticed it.
"Senior Brother!"
Both Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong greeted him with smiles, but Jing Hongchen pretended not to hear. His tone remained brisk and distant as he said,
"The Soul Master Tournament will begin in a few days. Please follow me — accommodations have already been prepared for you at the Mingdu Grand Hotel."
With that, he turned on his heel and led the group out.
Yan Shaozhe gave Jiang Shengyu a pat on the shoulder.
"Don't be disheartened. The academy will always be your home."
Suppressing his amusement, Jiang Shengyu forced a sorrowful look and nodded gravely, playing along.
Behind them, Xuedi sighed softly as she watched his performance.
What a little actor…
After everyone settled into the Mingdu Grand Hotel, staff members soon delivered the official tournament schedule to each team.
With two days remaining before the competition, Yan Shaozhe and Elder Song decided to explore Mingdu, hoping to gather as much intelligence on the Sun Moon Empire as possible.
Their actions, however, did not go unnoticed. Jing Hongchen and Kong Deming were both informed the moment the two left the hotel. Two Rank 9 Soul Engineers, equipped with concealment-type soul tools, followed them from a distance.
Though their cultivation was far inferior to Yan Shaozhe and Elder Song, the concealment devices ensured that, as long as they kept their distance, they wouldn't be detected.
Among Shrek's delegation, Beibei was the one most ignorant of the Sun Moon Empire. He had always believed Shrek City to be the most prosperous city in the world — until he saw Mingdu.
The sight of its countless high-rises and endless avenues shook that conviction to the core.
Mingdu… it's enormous. Beyond imagination.
He wanted to look for Tang Ya at the hotel, but couldn't find her anywhere — because she hadn't checked in at all.
She had gone directly to the Tang Sect's office established within the Soul Hall.
Meanwhile, Yan Shaozhe and Elder Song had arrived at the imposing Soul Hall itself.
There were no signs or banners to identify it; only the Sun and Moon emblem entwined with the Mirror Lotus marked the vast structure. From its appearance alone, one could scarcely tell what purpose the building served.
They tried asking around, but secrecy in the Sun Moon Empire was absolute. Even residents living nearby knew nothing about the Hall's true function — only that important people came and went daily.
As the two pondered how best to investigate further, a familiar voice called out.
"Dean Yan? Elder Song? What are you doing here?"
It was Tang Ya, emerging from the building. Her expression showed surprise.
Elder Song frowned the moment she saw her.
"You?"
Tang Ya's brows furrowed.
"Elder Song, whatever else I may be, I am still the Tang Sect Master. As a senior of Shrek Academy, must you really be so discourteous?"
Faced with her rebuke, Elder Song replied stiffly,
"Sect Master Tang. What a coincidence."
"Not a coincidence," Tang Ya said with a faint smile, shaking her head. "This is the Tang Sect's base of operations in the Sun Moon Empire."
"The Tang Sect's… base?"
Both Yan Shaozhe and Elder Song were stunned.
This colossal edifice, grander even than the Sea God Pavilion, belonged to the Tang Sect? How could that be?
What had the Tang Sect done to deserve such a gift? Why would the Sun Moon Empire grant them something resembling a royal palace?
Seeing their shock, Tang Ya's mood visibly brightened.
"That's right. It's a gift from the Sun Moon Empire to the Tang Sect."
Though she didn't mention Shrek Academy directly, the tone in her voice carried a faint undercurrent of mockery.
Both Yan Shaozhe and Elder Song's expressions soured.
Tang Ya, however, had no interest in continuing the conversation.
"I have matters to attend to, so I won't invite you in. And don't even think about forcing your way inside — this place is protected by several defensive Rank 9 Soul Tools. Not even Elder Xuan himself could break through."
Without waiting for their response — or caring if her words offended — Tang Ya turned and left, heading toward Mingde Hall.
Elder Song's brows furrowed deeply as she watched her go.
"The Sun Moon Empire truly is a barbaric land. She wasn't nearly this rude when she was still at the academy."
She conveniently forgot that Tang Ya's circumstances had changed.
Back then, Tang Ya had needed Shrek Academy's help — humility had been her only option.
Now, things were different.
The guards at the Soul Hall's gate were already casting unfriendly looks their way.
Unwilling to cause a scene, Yan Shaozhe and Elder Song refrained from forcing entry or attempting any infiltration.
After all, who could say whether Tang Ya's claim about Rank 9 defenses was true or not? There was no need to risk exposure just to find out.
When Tang Ya arrived at Mingde Hall, she found a lively group gathered around a bubbling hotpot.
Seated together were Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong, and Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen —
though, of course, the former pair were no longer just "siblings," but lovers.
Seeing Tang Ya approach, Huo Yuhao smiled and called out,
"Sister Tang Ya! Come join us — we'll get you a pair of chopsticks."
Tang Ya accepted them easily, sitting down beside Huo Yuhao. Watching Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong laugh and eat happily, she asked,
"Yan Shaozhe and Elder Song are wandering around Mingdu. Aren't you worried?"
Mouth full of meatballs, Jiang Qingtong shook her head, mumbling,
"Mph— no."
Jiang Shengyu swallowed, cleared his throat, and replied,
"Elder Hong and Elder Ye are keeping an eye on them. Nothing to worry about."
The Starlight Douluo, Elder Hong, and the Astral Douluo, Ye Yulin, both possessed Star-based martial souls. Each had crafted a personal soul tool of tremendous power — one specialized in single-target burst attacks, the other in wide-area bombardment.
Kong Deming himself had once remarked that when the two fought together, they could even stand against a Level 98 Super Douluo, or perhaps even an Ultimate Douluo.
With those two watching over things, Yan Shaozhe and Elder Song could stir up no real trouble.
Seeing their calm confidence, Tang Ya pressed further.
"And you're not worried they might discover what you're really doing? If they find out you've sided with the Sun Moon Empire, they might attack on the spot."
Xiao Hongchen, who was just serving Meng Hongchen a slice of meat, looked at her curiously.
"Are you here to eat, or to interrogate us?"
"Can't I do both?" Tang Ya shot back, picking up her chopsticks.
Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong exchanged amused glances, then turned to Huo Yuhao.
"Yuhao," Jiang Shengyu said, smiling, "why don't you explain it to Sect Master Tang?"
Huo Yuhao nodded slightly, then met Tang Ya's eyes.
"All the deception, all the pretending — it was for this moment. To draw the geniuses of the Three Nations to Mingdu. Now that they're all here… it no longer matters if they find out."
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