FE—Chapter 116: This is the Evil Soul Master's Den, Right?
Tai Tan, once brimming with arrogance, stood before the soul engineers of Illustrious Virtue Hall, exuding an intimidating aura that sent shockwaves through the crowd. His cultivation power surged, no longer restrained, reaching a staggering height within mere breaths. With a mocking grin, he declared, "Soul engineers are made of paper. They will break if touched by the giant fist of Tai Tan…"
As he asserted his dominance, a blonde girl walked forward, her demeanor calm, a smile playing on her lips as she produced a deep black dragon scale from her possession. The sight made Tai Tan's heart skip. "How did you get it?!"
Sensing the potent breath of the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King, Di Tian, Tai Tan's pupils dilated in shock, his bravado faltering. "The reverse scale of Di Tian! It appeared in the human world!"
Although he didn't name Di Tian out loud, he couldn't tear his eyes away from the smiling Di Rachel. Surprise and disbelief painted his expression.
Years ago, when Tai Tan had merely cultivated for a hundred thousand years, he would never have imagined meeting Di Tian in person. However, after spending decades in the Star Dou Great Forest, particularly after breaking through a century of cultivation, he often felt the pressure exuded by the powerful Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King during his patrols.
His elder brother, the Sky Blue Bull Python, had also sensed the presence of even more formidable beasts lurking in the forest's core.
Yet, ever since Sea God Tang San had resurrected them, both Niu Tian and Tai Tan had experienced a shift in their understanding of power—realizing they were no longer on the same level as Di Tian and his ilk.
Tai Tan's thoughts turned dark, recalling his time as a mere Titan ape in the mixed zone a millennium ago. He abruptly humbled himself, focusing on Di Rachel and transmitting his soul power. "Little girl, who is Di Tian to you?"
"He has been raising me since I was born. What do you think?" Her confidence radiated, challenging Tai Tan's perception.
"Did Di Tian give you this dragon scale personally?"
"Otherwise?" Di Rachel shot him a quizzical look, bemused by his naivety.
Who could possess such power to take a dragon scale from Di Tian?
Tai Tan momentarily faltered, confused, lost in his thoughts.
His eyebrows twitched. "Don't speak nonsense! How could he give dragon scales to a human, unless… eh?"
Before he could finish, realization struck him like a bolt of lightning.
Tai Tan was no stranger to the transformation of soul beasts. Xiao Wu had undergone it first; she had ultimately thrived in the God Realm, and even the two brothers had shared in those blessings.
All signs indicated that Di Tian placed significant importance on them.
Looking back, the Sea God had entrusted Dong'er to their care, showcasing the immense trust he had in them—especially considering Dong'er was a noble little princess cherished by the entire God Realm.
Determined not to let Dong'er suffer or betray the Sea God's trust, Tai Tan turned to the portly figure leading a contingent of soul engineers. "Since you know we're from the Clear Sky Sect, why are you arresting us at every turn? Is this your way of treating guests?"
Jing Hongchen shot Di Rachel a glance, momentarily stunned. Who is this blonde girl? He couldn't hear Tai Tan's earlier transmission, but as he observed Di Rachel grip her golden dragon spear—its craftsmanship evident—an attribute of extreme fire radiated from her. Jing Hongchen's eyes sparkled with excitement: another talented student with exceptional potential!
After a brief silence, Tai Tan's dissatisfaction grew. "Master of Illustrious Virtue Hall, we came to Mingdu for legitimate economic trade. What do you mean by threatening to arrest us in such a grand manner?"
"Are you targeting our Clear Sky Sect?" Tai Tan insisted, the name echoing ominously in the air.
Jing Hongchen remained unfazed. If Tai Tan possessed the strength to crush him, he wouldn't waste his breath having this conversation.
Both sides were aware of the younger generation they needed to protect. Engaging in an unnecessary fight wouldn't benefit either party.
Jing Hongchen, equipped with his ninth-level defensive soul guidance device, Hongchen's Blessing, retained his composure. He pulled out a massive metal barrel, its surface glimmering with an unusual rainbow light, emerging from his storage soul guidance device. This was the ninth-level energy-gathering soul cannon, tightly secured under his arm.
Though the battle had yet to commence, preparing in advance was a quality integral to soul engineers.
With a polite yet firm smile, Jing Hongchen introduced himself, "Haha, I am Jing Hongchen, the head of Illustrious Virtue Hall."
"I must apologize for not welcoming you personally upon your arrival. I am here to appreciate the senior's style."
Tai Tan didn't respond, his eyes scanning Jing Hongchen's team with irritation and suspicion.
"Master of Illustrious Virtue Hall, you issue threats to us without cause. We pose no threat to you or your peace."
"Why are you treating us like this if our intentions are benign?" Tai Tan took a step closer, his voice more definitive as he reiterated the name of the Clear Sky Sect.
Jing Hongchen couldn't help but smile. If Tai Tan had the strength to threaten him outright, he wouldn't need this conversation—he'd simply act.
With responsibilities lying on both sides regarding their younger generations, confrontation was not the remedy they sought.
Yet, he understood his duty. "After verification, senior, there appears to be no record of entry or exit regarding the blacksmith shop owner you referenced."
"Through a temporal comparison, while you entered Mingdu City, the owner himself remained within. Therefore, it is evident that you're impersonating him."
"Senior, do you understand? You've used someone else's identity. Not only does this breach regulations of the Empire, but it also threatens the security of Mingdu."
"Security risk?" Tai Tan sneered, scoffing at the accusation. "Master of Illustrious Virtue Hall, you must be mistaken. This place..."
"Is the hideout of the evil soul master."
Confident in his position, Tai Tan knew that under the guise of eliminating evil, he could act without consequence.
He sensed the unusual, malevolent aura emanating from a significant number of opposing soul masters. If he were to launch a sudden attack, killing a few would be justified as an act of righteousness.
Jing Hongchen's response was subdued yet steady. "Senior, this is a trading zone renowned for its public security. Anyone can trade as long as they maintain decorum."
"How can you be certain we're not here to infiltrate and ultimately eliminate the evil soul masters in the area?"
Jing Hongchen asserted, setting the stage for the growing diplomatic tension. He aimed to establish that the Sun-Moon Empire would never fall to darkness. If any punishment was warranted, it would be enacted judiciously.
"If you find a soul master responsible for heinous acts outside the walls of Mingdu City, you are free to act against him. I would personally commend you for your efforts in ensuring public safety."
Tai Tan scoffed coldly, "That sounds noble, but how can anyone trust what you do behind closed doors?"
With a chuckle, Jing Hongchen persisted, "Senior, you must be aware of Tang San from ten thousand years ago. His devouring attribute—one concurrently associated with the evil soul master."
"According to ancient texts, Tang San insisted that those who shy away from trouble are simply mediocre. He often clashed with teams from other academies while dining, overtly absorbing the vitality from his opponents."
Jing Hongchen watched Tai Tan carefully, letting his words soak in.
"Senior, following your logic, shouldn't Tang San's disregard for decorum—his tendency to turn a blind eye to right and wrong—qualify as unacceptable behavior?"
Tai Tan's expression soured, realizing he couldn't simply dismiss these allegations against that esteemed figure.
Even if Jing Hongchen's claims held weight, the admiration directed toward the Sea God labeled such actions as glorious, preserved in the annals of history as exemplary.
However, equating their revered Lord Sea God with an evil soul master remained off-limits in any serious discussion.
Tai Tan had initially positioned himself as morally superior, championing the cause against evil, yet Jing Hongchen's adept maneuvering swiftly counterbalanced him.
Indignant, Tai Tan exclaimed, "Master Hongchen, even if you're not targeting the Clear Sky Sect directly, it appears you lack the resolve for this confrontation. We bear no ill will."
"All we sought was to bring the younger generation here to enjoy the sights of a big city. Not only have we yet to dine, but you also wish to arrest us? Surely this is excessive?"
Jing Hongchen's countenance became grim. He resolutely desired to extract his cherished grandson-in-law from this trouble, yet the accusation of ill intentions from the other party must be addressed.
This was the epitome of malice. Had circumstances been different, without the looming threat of connection with the Clear Sky Sect, any lesser faction's misbehavior would have been swiftly dealt with.
For him, Huo Yuhao was an irrevocable trump card—beyond reproach—and no other faction would be permitted to toy with this advantage.
Jing Hongchen lowered his voice, maintaining an air of calm authority. "Senior, if you comply and provide clarification on your purpose while registering and detailing your accounts, we will not impose further complications."
Tai Tan waved dismissively, irritation evident in his tone: "Enough, Master Hongchen. Don't entertain thoughts of arresting us anymore."
"Your current strength is but a far cry from that of a Super Douluo; thus, you're ill-equipped to negotiate with me."
As he spoke, his demeanor darkened, and an oppressive pressure radiated from him. The group of level eight soul engineers led by Jing Hongchen felt as though a mountain pressed upon them, bending their resolve.
Suddenly, a silver light burst through the skies, and a silver-white barrier descended from above.
An additional breath of Titled Douluo intermingled with the tense atmosphere.
Moments later, silver waves reminiscent of flowing rivers and bright moons surged across the space, dissipating Tai Tan's oppression effortlessly.
"While Master Hongchen might not measure up alone, might I suggest my presence alters the situation?"
From the sky, an elder in a silver-white robe glided toward them, his bald head gleaming ominously—an unmistakable symbol of power.
"I am Kong Deming, known as Silver Moon Douluo, and I'm here to learn the arts of the Clear Sky Sect."
The radiant silver in Kong Deming's hand parted, revealing a round soul guidance device, elaborately crafted and baring strange crescent-shaped engravings.
This was an eighth-level soul guidance device, the Silver Moon Barrier.
The Silver Moon Barrier possessed a precise function; it specifically countered coercive forces and demonstrated substantial shielding capabilities against such pressure.
This was why Kong Deming, despite not reaching Super Douluo, could effortlessly nullify Tai Tan's coercive force.
In the original legends, Kong Deming—the Sea Fixing Needle of the Sun Moon Empire—stood as the vanguard of all ninth-level soul engineers. He had faced and contended with the Death God Douluo, Ye Xishui, without yielding an inch.
Tai Tan narrowed his gaze, suppressing the contempt that rose again within him.
While he acknowledged that Kong Deming's cultivation lingered short of Super Douluo, the ninth-level soul guidance device he wielded projected a palpable threat.
Kong Deming grinned: "Should you desire, we can engage in a combat demonstration."
He glanced over at Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao. "But for the two juniors' sake, to spare them from unnecessary chaos, will you agree to meet with me in the air for this 'spar'?"
Kong Deming extracted a ninth-level energy-gathering soul cannon, its intricate lines resembling silver moon streamers. The enormous metal tube bore a unique texture, with vibrant strands of silver-white streamers coalescing at the cannon's mouth, sizzling like a tempest.
Jing Hongchen felt a wave of reassurance wash over him with Master Kong's arrival. He adjusted his collar, cultivating a solemn expression as he addressed Tai Tan.
"Senior, might you have any objections you wish to share with this hall master?"
"If not, you may need to depart from the Sun Moon Empire, or face consequences for 'using someone else's identity.'"
With Master Kong at his side, Jing Hongchen was assured that the risk of an unprovoked assault on the children had significantly decreased.
Despite Kong Deming's enthusiasm for a confrontation, Tai Tan's patience wore thin.
"Enough!" Tai Tan frowned, clenching his fists as he restrained his simmering emotions. "You two, there's no need to discuss leaving Mingdu. We will depart under our terms."
Jing Hongchen smiled subtly. "Thank you for your cooperation, senior."
With a concealed wink, a soul engineer adorned in a law enforcement uniform stepped forward, swiftly delivering a penalty ticket to Tai Tan.
"Using someone else's identity and disrupting the public security management of Mingdu City has resulted in your prohibition from entering Mingdu for five years! — Mingdu Soul Engineer Supervision Team."
Jing Hongchen harnessed his soul power to float the ticket toward Tai Tan.
"Senior, after five years, should you wish to return to our Sun Moon Empire, you may apply in advance for an identity crafted specifically for you. The empire will welcome your visit."
Once the matter concluded, Jing Hongchen exhaled, a weight lifted from his shoulders.
Turning his attention to Di Rachel, he noted her impact: this girl had caused Tai Tan's composure to shatter with just an ordinary black dragon scale. Surely, she held a remarkable lineage.
"Yuhao, who is this girl?" Jing Hongchen inquired, seeking clarity on her identity.
Huo Yuhao organized his thoughts, eager to share: "Master, her name is Di Rachel. She's a friend I met before entering the academy. She planned to register for our Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy this holiday."
Hearing this, Jing Hongchen beamed, slapping his thigh in delight. "Excellent, excellent!"
He was confident Di Rachel and Huo Yuhao would harmonize splendidly. This talented girl surpassed even his granddaughter and grandson-in-law.
Oh no, she can overtake Meng… He sighed contentedly, thinking of the effort his granddaughter would have to put into moving forward.
Jing Hongchen's gaze drifted back to Di Rachel's golden dragon spear, curiosity flooding his mind.
"I just observed your encounter with the Clear Sky Sect; it seemed you had no fear of him at all?"
Di Rachel laughed a sparkle in her eye. "Why would I fear him? My parents beat him like they beat their grandsons."
(End of this Chapter)