Three years had passed like a soft breeze through the branches of time, rustling only gently at first before slipping away unnoticed. Within the quiet bounds of Nuoding Academy, Qian Yu had returned to his training—calm, steady, relentless. His days unfolded in a rhythm of soul cultivation and physical discipline, a routine both tranquil and resolute.
Though still only a boy in age, Qian Yu's physical strength had grown to extraordinary heights. He trained beyond the limits of most, forging his body with the same care and intensity as his soul. What had once been a strong foundation had become something bordering the monstrous—strength that defied reason. Even without harnessing his soul power, he could lift enormous weights with a single arm, shatter stone with a casual punch, and—if necessary—strike down a seasoned Soul Master as if brushing aside a curtain.
He had reached the rank of a 41st-level Soul Ancestor, yet the strength housed within his body rivaled those far above him. It was said that under the rank of Soul Douluo, few—if any—could stand against him.
And should he choose to augment his body with his soul power? Then even fewer.
Indeed, the world of the Douluo Continent was not built on insurmountable divides of power. In the original legends, a younger version of Qian Yu had been able to stand toe-to-toe with Soul Saints using mere hidden weapons. Now? Even he could hardly fathom his own limits.
Beside him stood Xuan Yi—a quiet guardian whose presence alone made even the prospect of facing a Soul Douluo less daunting. Together, they were an unshakable force.
In the years that followed, Qian Yu remained in Nuoding City, his reputation growing with each passing season. No longer was he just a student of the academy. Within the city's walls, he had become its living legend.
The Wuhun Hall bowed their heads in his presence. Even the City Lord's Mansion—formerly the seat of power—yielded with respectful deference. In quiet truth, it was Qian Yu who held sway over Nuoding City.
And so, as the city whispered his name with awe and admiration, his twelfth birthday arrived. A quiet milestone. A symbolic one.
It was time to leave.
The next chapter of his journey would unfold in Soto City, the nearest major metropolis. Nuoding, for all its warmth and familiarity, had grown too small to contain the vast momentum of his growth. And more than that—though Qian Yu had no intention of directly challenging the likes of Bibi Dong, the formidable Supreme Pontiff of the Wuhun Hall—he understood the peril of exposure.
Better not to provoke unnecessary waves in deep waters.
And besides, cultivation could be pursued anywhere. Soto City would do just fine.
It was past noon when they arrived at the gates of Soto City. The sun hung high, bathing the cobblestone roads in golden heat. Two figures walked through the city's western gate—young, striking, and unburdened by heavy luggage.
One was a boy, no more than twelve or thirteen, though already tall for his age—perhaps one-seventy in height. His white robes fluttered lightly in the breeze, catching the sunlight in subtle folds. Midnight hair fell down to his shoulders in elegant strands, and his eyes sparkled like twin constellations. He looked less like a traveler and more like a young noble who had stepped out of a painting, untouched by dust or doubt.
At his side walked a girl—taller by a narrow measure. Her black hair shimmered like silk, tied into a neat scorpion braid that trailed gracefully behind her, reaching all the way to her calves. She wore a soft pink top that hugged her figure with the innocent confidence of someone just beginning to bloom. Her waist was delicate, barely wide enough for a single hand to wrap around, and her legs—slender and firm—were wrapped in sheer white stockings that hinted at the golden proportion beneath.
Despite her youthful face, which still bore the roundness of childhood, there was a striking allure to her—the gentle curve of her hips, the lively tilt of her eyes. She was adorable, certainly, but there was something else too. Something that turned glances into stares.
The two walked side by side, Qian Yu and Xiao Wu—old friends from Nuoding, now journeying onward together. Onlookers couldn't help but stop and stare.
"They look so perfect together," murmured a passerby.
"Did you see the boy in white? He's like something out of a dream…"
"And the girl! She's so cute I can hardly stand it. If only I could talk to her…"
"You? Please. Look at you and look at them."
Their presence, youthful yet dazzling, stirred admiration wherever they went. But Qian Yu paid no mind. He turned to Xiao Wu with a calm smile. "Let's find something to eat first."
They ducked into a small tavern, ate a light meal, and then wandered the streets in search of lodging. It wasn't long before Xiao Wu's eyes lit up.
"Qian Yu-gege! Let's stay there!"
She pointed at a building nearby—three stories tall, shaped and painted like a blooming rose. The Rose Hotel. Its exterior was a deep, romantic crimson, and the whole structure seemed to exude warmth and charm.
Qian Yu followed her gaze and chuckled softly. "Do you know what kind of hotel this is?"
Xiao Wu tilted her head. "Isn't it… just a hotel?"
He smiled, eyes glinting. "Silly girl. This one's for couples."
The words had barely left his lips when her cheeks flared scarlet. She fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, voice barely above a whisper. "W-we can't stay…?"
"Of course we can." Qian Yu's tone was gentle. He reached for her hand and laced his fingers with hers. Without hesitation, they walked through the doors together.
A wave of rose fragrance greeted them—sweet, slightly heady, subtly seductive. The interior was awash in white, silver, and soft crimson hues, forming a warm, elegant atmosphere that immediately set one at ease.
Qian Yu approached the reception desk. "Do you have any rooms available?"
The clerk took one look at them and smiled knowingly. "Just one room left. A VIP suite."
Qian Yu nodded. "We'll take it."
But just as the clerk reached for the key, a sharp voice rang out behind them.
"I'm afraid that room is ours."
Qian Yu turned, his expression calm but curious.
Three people stood there—two young women and a tall, striking boy. The girls were dazzling—both tall, both seventeen or eighteen at a glance, and unmistakably twins. From their flowing dresses to their identical features, they were a matched pair in every sense.
The boy who stood ahead of them was even more arresting. Easily over six feet tall, his physique was lean and broad-shouldered, his golden hair falling in a straight, shining curtain nearly to his waist. He looked younger than the girls beside him—yet his presence eclipsed them.
And his eyes… deep blue, dual-pupiled, piercing and strange.
Qian Yu narrowed his gaze. The name rose to his thoughts unbidden, unshakable.
Evil-Eyed White Tiger, Dai Mubai.
___________________
Daily Uploads!
Unlock Bonus Chapters:
1. Reach 100 / 200 / 300 / 400 / 500 / 600 Power Stones per Chapter!
2. Visit: https://www.fanfns.top to read the unlocked bonus chapters.
3. You can read up to 2 chapters ahead of Webnovel by using the link!
Resets every Monday