Xu Xuandong and Hall Master Kong Deming stood facing each other in the center of the quiet, high-tech sanctuary.
Without a word of warning, Kong Deming released his full aura.
The oppressive, suffocating pressure of a Rank 94 Transcendent Douluo exploded inward, bearing down on Xuandong like the weight of a falling mountain.
Xuandong’s six-year-old body physically crumbled under the sheer weight of the aura.
His bones creaked, his muscles trembled, and his knees buckled violently, hovering mere inches from the cold obsidian floor.
Yet, he gritted his teeth, locking his legs and stubbornly refusing to kneel.
Mentally, he was completely unfazed; he had faced far worse agony during his late-night gaming sessions on the Steam Deck, where dying in Baldur’s Gate 3 felt like his soul was being ripped to pieces.
Kong Deming’s sharp eyes flashed with genuine surprise.
Seeing the young prince withstand the pressure, the old Hall Master increased his aura, driving the crushing force even higher.
Xuandong resisted with all his might, his knuckles turning white as he fought to stay upright.
Suddenly, a searing heat surged through his meridians.
His bloodline boiled violently, and a tyrannical, majestic dragon aura unleashed from his body, radiating an ancient heat that pushed back against the suffocating pressure.
Kong Deming’s eyes narrowed.
“Twin Martial Souls!” he muttered, dropping his aura instantly.
Before the old man could process the revelation, a radiant, holy aura washed over the room as Ye Guan materialized from thin air.
“I didn’t expect someone of your standing to bully a junior, Hall Master Kong,” Ye Guan said smoothly, his golden light dimming as he stepped beside Xuandong.
Kong Deming cupped his hands, turning to the young prince with a rare, apologetic bow.
“Forgive me, Crown Prince.
Senior Ye told me you would surprise me, and knowing the old man, he must have full confidence in your ability.” Xuandong looked at Kong Deming, his inner gamer radar buzzing instantly.
He knew the old man was testing him.
Instead of throwing a tantrum or acting like a spoiled brat, Xuandong clapped his hands together, smoothed out his fine silks, and offered a perfectly executed imperial bow.
“Junior Xu Xuandong greets Senior Kong,” Xuandong said, his tone perfectly steady, poised, and majestic.
For the first time ever, the Crown Prince acted like an actual prince.
Ye Guan’s jaw almost hit the floor, staring at the boy in complete speechlessness.
“It is completely fine, Senior,” Xuandong continued with a light, polished smile.
“It was my fault for provoking you first, but I had to keep up my acting.
I hope Senior can forgive me.” Xuandong was deliberately formal and polite to Kong Deming.
He needed the Hall Master’s help.
Unlike Ye Guan, whose survival was intricately tied to the Imperial family’s fate against their common enemies so causal ineraction are acceptable, Kong Deming was an outsider—a neutral titan who would never throw the backing of the Illustrious Virtue Hall behind a prince who acted like a fool.
Kong Deming stroked his long white beard, looking at the boy with newfound depth.
“Your Highness hid himself far too well.
Even I could not see through your.” Internally, Xuandong smirked.
While I don’t have a divine weapon or a grandmaster hiding in a ring to mask my aura, my passive connection to nature from my Druid class allows my aura to merge seamlessly with the environment.
Aloud, Xuandong reached into his spatial ring.
“I brought a gift today.
I hope Senior will like it.” He handed over a dark, blood-red mineral.
Kong Deming’s eyes widened instantly.
He snatched the Bloodstone from Xuandong’s hand, his fingers trembling slightly.
“Where did you get this?!” “From an Evil Soul Master who tried to hunt me,” Xuandong lied smoothly, not missing a beat.
Kong Deming stared at the rare stone, his heart thumping.
Xuandong knew the Bloodstone was an essential catalyst for creating high-tier Flesh-Fusing Metal—which was precisely why the legendary Soul Engineer was so excited.
Kong Deming carefully stored the stone away, then reached into his robes and pulled out a heavy, handwritten manual.
“Consider this a return gift, Your Highness.” Xuandong took the book and glanced at the title: Insights into Twin Martial Souls.
His eyes lit up with delight.
With the notes of a Rank 94 Transcendent Douluo and Grade 9 Soul Engineer, his future dual-cultivation path would be infinitely smoother.
Kong Deming looked at the young prince, his tone turning serious.
“You and Senior Ye did not come here today just to give me a gift.
What is your goal?” Xuandong’s smile widened.
“Correct.” He reached into his sleeve and pulled out a bound scroll containing the specialized spirit cultivation technique he had refine.
“I want this to become the Sun Moon Empire’s standard cultivation technique,” Xuandong stated calmly.
“The first volume will be distributed entirely for free to every commoner child who awakens innate soul power.
The second volume will be reserved for the nobility.
The third volume will be kept exclusively for the core members of the empire.” Kong Deming unrolled the scroll, scanning the intricate meridian routes and energy loops.
His breath caught in his throat, and his eyes widened in sheer disbelief.
“Where…
where did you get this?!” Xuandong smirked, keeping his lips firmly sealed.
Kong Deming stared at Xuandong, falling into a dead, heavy silence.
For several long seconds, the only sound in the sanctuary was the soft hum of nearby spirit arrays.
Finally, Kong Deming exhaled a slow breath.
“You want me to use the Illustrious Virtue Hall to keep your uncle, Prince Xu Gongfeng, in check.” Xuandong didn’t beat around the bush.
“Yup!” he replied, popping the ‘P’ casually.
Kong Deming looked down at the scroll, his sharp mind analyzing the massive geopolitical shift this single document would cause.
“You want this technique to strengthen the overall power of the empire,” Kong Deming mused aloud.
“The first part allows all commoners with soul power to cultivate faster and become stronger.
The second part is given to the nobles so they still feel superior, preventing them from trying to suppress the spread of the commoner version.
The third part ensures that the absolute geniuses remain loyal to the core of the empire.” Kong Deming raised his eyes, staring deeply into the six-year-old prince.
“With such a sudden rise in our empire’s overall strength, the Three Great Douluo Empires across the mountain range will inevitably grow wary and begin placing massive pressure on our borders.
Furthermore…
by providing a universal technique for all commoners, whoever releases it will become the undisputed pioneer of the masses.” Kong Deming paused, frowning slightly.
“Why didn’t you release this yourself or hand it to your father?
It would have brought unprecedented fame to the throne.” Xuandong shook his head casually.
“My father is already loved by the masses.
If I release it under my name right now, I will just become an immediate, high-priority target for my uncle to eliminate.” Kong Deming’s eyes glinted with deep comprehension.
“So you want the neutral faction—the Illustrious Virtue Hall—to spread it.
That way, even if the fame belongs to someone, it isn’t the Emperor or his brother.” The old man stroked his beard again, a sudden, sharp realization dawning on him.
“And that ridiculous joke show you pulled in the dining hall and courtyard recently…
where you paraded around with a common courtesan woman sharing the exact same name as Xu Gongfeng’s wife…
You did that deliberately to tarnish both the Emperor’s dignified image and Xu Gongfeng’s prestige!
So that when the neutral faction rises with this technique, the court will be stuck in a balanced, three-way tug of war!” Kong Deming leaned forward, his voice dropping.
“By destabilizing the internal court and actively provoking foreign enemies to pressure our borders…
aren’t you afraid of accidentally starting a war?” Xuandong’s smirk faded, replaced by a cold, sharp glint in his eyes.
“It’s actually the exact opposite, Senior.
I am doing this to stop a war from starting in the first place.” Kong Deming’s eyes widened in utter shock.
“You’re planning to completely strike Xu Gongfeng’s faction…
and it is by no means a small one.” Xuandong smirked, holding his head high.
“I’m glad we could come to an agreement, Senior.” Kong Deming scoffed, crossing his arms.
“Who said I agreed?” “Can you really refuse?” Xuandong countered smoothly, a knowing glint in his eyes.
Kong Deming let out a low growl, shaking his head in sheer frustration.
“You and Xu Gongfeng…
you two are cut from the very same cloth!
Both of you are absolute madmen.” Frustrated, the old Hall Master turned his head toward Ye Guan, his eyes narrowing.
“Ye Guan, what on earth do you even see in this boy?” Ye Guan smiled softly, looking down at the young crown prince with genuine respect.
“He resembles the late Emperor—his grandfather—the most.
He possesses his father’s kindness, but carries his uncle’s absolute ruthlessness.” Kong Deming fell silent.
He turned his gaze back to Xuandong, staring deeply into the boy’s eyes as if searching his very soul.
“Tell me, Your Highness…
why do you fight?” Xuandong looked straight back at him without a single trace of hesitation.
“To live.” Kong Deming blinked, genuinely surprised.
He had expected a grand speech about glory, power, or the imperial throne.
Seeing the old man’s stunned silence, Xuandong offered a faint, worldly smile.
“The greatest goals aren’t the grandest ones, Senior.
They are simply the ones truest to oneself.” Kong Deming stroked his beard, his expression turning deeply complex.
“And if you actually succeed?
If you gain the throne, what will you do then?” “Conquer the entire continent,” Xuandong replied calmly.
Kong Deming’s eyes widened once more.
“Did you not just say you only fight to live?
Why actively plunge the empire into a massive continental war then?” “Because if we don’t conquer them, they will eventually destroy us,” Xuandong stated coldly.
“It is either us or them.” Kong Deming watched the boy carefully.
“Right now, your reputation is thoroughly in the mud, and with the moves you are making, it will only worsen in the future.
How do you plan to deal with the public’s hatred and scorn?” Xuandong chuckled, a dangerous smile touching his lips.
“Strength.
People naturally despise the weak and blindly adore the strong.
As long as I become a Limit Douluo, the world won’t care about my past—they will practically beg me to take the throne.” Kong Deming stared at him for a long moment, then narrowed his eyes as a sudden realization hit him.
“I watched you act earlier.
You weren’t acting at all.
This ‘foolish, shameless’ identity…
it’s actually your real self, isn’t it?” “Yes,” Xuandong smirked instantly, owning it without an ounce of hesitation.
“Why?” Kong Deming pressed, his tone laced with genuine perplexity.
“Why act so foolishly?
People will look down on you, they will loathe you, and yet you see absolutely nothing wrong with it.
How can you be so comfortable with that?” Xuandong stood tall, looking Kong Deming dead in the eyes.
“Why should I change who I am just to satisfy others?” Xuandong asked softly.
“I am myself.
Senior Kong, you are yourself.
Senior Ye is himself.
If we constantly shape ourselves into what others accept, rejecting our true nature just to fit their mold…
are we even ourselves anymore?” Xuandong smiled comfortably, his gaze clear and unshakeable.
“You ask me how I see nothing wrong with it?
It’s simple.
The only person whose acceptance I ever need is my own.
And even if the whole world thinks I’m wrong…
I then don’t want to be right.” Kong Deming’s eyes widened, his sharp, weathered gaze locking deeply onto Xu Xuandong.
Looking into the six-year-old Crown Prince’s strangely clear, star-filled eyes, the grand Hall Master felt the heavy gears of memory grind backward decades into the past, pulling him into a solemn, candlelit chamber filled with the faint scent of sandalwood and old He was again, kneeling alongside Ye Guan and two sworn brothers upon the cold obsidian floor of the imperial sanctum.
Before them sat the late Emperor, draped in golden robes, his face lined with the exhaustion of a fading life.
“Rise,” the sovereign whispered, his voice heavy with mortality.
“I speak to you not as your Emperor, but as the men who bled alongside me.
My time draws close, and the throne lacks a complete heir.
My eldest possesses a good heart, yet he is far too soft.
Xu Gongfeng holds immense talent, but his heart burns with a dangerous, unchecked ambition.
I must leave the throne to my eldest, while Xu Gongfeng enters the Worship Hall to serve as a pillar of the realm.
I can only pray my son finds the strength to restrain his brother’s darker impulses and preserve our empire.” The Emperor leaned forward, his golden eyes fixing on Kong Deming with a final, desperate plea.
“My ultimate request rests with Dong’er.
The boy is lost, drifting, and utterly clueless.
I beg you to guide him, so a spark awakens within him—if he shows true talent—.
Support him with everything you have.” The memory shattered.
Kong Deming returned to the present, his pulse hammering.
The hollow, vacant child of the Emperor’s dying worries was gone.
In his place stood Xu Xuandong, watching the grand Hall Master with a sharp, mischievous glint—a prince who finally possessed the spark his father had prayed for.
Kong Deming flipped through the dense pages of the manual, his sharp mind analyzing the revolutionary meridian circuits.
He looked up at Xuandong, a calculating glint in his eyes.
“This technique is brilliant, but reading between the lines, it feels…
incomplete.
There is a far better, more refined version of this, isn’t there?” Xuandong smirked, showing no shame whatsoever.
“Of course.
I haven’t finished creating it yet.” Kong Deming’s eyes widened in sheer disbelief.
He shot a swift, questioning glance toward Ye Guan, only to see the legendary elder offer a calm, solemn nod of confirmation.
Turning his gaze back to the six-year-old, Kong Deming’s voice trembled slightly.
“How…
how did you accomplish this?
Creating an entirely original, high-tier cultivation method from scratch is something even I have never managed to achieve!” Instead of answering verbally, Xuandong raised his right hand.
A surge of radiant energy erupted from his palm as his Martial Soul manifested, accompanied by a single, brilliantly bright yellow soul ring floating around his feet.
Kong Deming scanned the boy’s soul power aura, his breath hitching instantly.
“Rank 19…” “My Martial Soul has a unique domain passive—it allows me to simulate a custom environment within my mind for hyper-efficient training,” Xuandong explained casually.
“The catch is, my first soul ability doesn’t allow me to directly use my Martial Soul or soul ring in combat.
Because I lacked offensive abilities, I had no choice but to invent my own techniques from scratch.” Kong Deming stared at Xuandong, his eyes gleaming with such intense, fiery passion that he looked like a starving predator eyeing a piece of prime meat to be devoured.
Xuandong involuntarily took a half-step back, gulping loudly as a chill ran down his spine.
“Senior…
just to be clear, I am strictly into women.” Kong Deming completely ignored the shameless comment, leaning forward with burning curiosity.
“Can you demonstrate it?
Activate your Martial Soul’s domain right now.” Xuandong sighed and channeled his inner energy.
The single yellow ring flashed brightly as Baldur’s Gate 3 launches on his screen.
Instantly, both Kong Deming and Ye Guan felt the sudden, massive drain on Xuandong’s soul power reserves.
The ambient energy around the boy was being devoured at an alarming rate.
“That is the main downside,” Xuandong admitted, canceling the activation before his tank hit empty.
“It eats through my soul power like crazy.” Kong Deming and Ye Guan both nodded in silent understanding.
After all, a mental simulation space that allowed a cultivator to experiment, train, and pioneer new techniques without any physical side effects or danger was practically a divine gift.
It made complete sense that it came with such severe restrictions.
The silence in the sanctuary stretched thin as Kong Deming and Ye Guan exchanged a long, heavy look.
No words passed between the two old titans, but decades of shared history and mutual understanding echoed in that single glance.
The weight of the late Emperor’s dying wish, combined with the terrifying brilliance, cold pragmatism, and unyielding resolve of the six-year-old before them, sealed their decision.
Without a single word, the Rank 94 Transcendent Douluo and the Rank 96 Super Douluo sank down, kneeling in unison before the young Crown Prince to swear their absolute loyalty.
Xuandong’s jaw dropped slightly, genuine surprise flashing across his face.
He had expected to strike a cold, transactional deal for political leverage; he had never anticipated full, unconditional allegiance.
They were two of the most powerful beings in the Sun Moon Empire—they easily could have kept their distance, supported him from the shadows, and guarded their own neutral factions.
“Wait, why are you two kneeling?
Get up, quickly!” Xuandong blurted out, taking a step back.
Ye Guan rose first, a warm, nostalgic smile softening his sharp features.
“Your Highness, your grandfather’s final request to us was to watch over you.
He asked us to guide you, but more importantly, if we ever found you truly worthy—if that lost spark within you ever ignited—we were to support you with everything we possessed.” He looked down at the boy with profound respect.
“Today, you proved you carry both his heart for the people and the steel required to rule.” Kong Deming dusted off his grandmaster robes as he stood up, stroking his white beard.
“Besides, I am leaving your personal guidance entirely under Ye Guan’s care.
The old man already has a grandson, so he has far more experience dealing with troublesome youths.” Xuandong narrowed his eyes, a dry smirk returning to his face as he looked at the grand Hall Master.
“You’re just using that as an excuse so you can spend all your time locked away in your workshop researching high-tier Soul Tools and Flesh-Fusing Metal, aren’t you?” Ye Guan burst into a boisterous laugh, slapping his knee.
“Hah!
Caught red-handed!
The old badger hasn’t changed a bit!” Kong Deming coughed softly into his fist, entirely unfazed by the callout, though a light glint of awkwardness flashed in his eyes.
To clear the air, he quickly shifted the topic.
“Ahem.
Moving past that…
Your Highness, what is the actual name of your secondary Martial Soul?” Before Xuandong could even open his mouth, Ye Guan interjected smoothly, “Ah, it’s called ‘Dark Age Technology.’ A strange name, but fittingly ancient.” Kong Deming stroked his beard thoughtfully and nodded.
“Dark Age Technology…
pragmatic.
Direct.
It carries a heavy, mysterious weight.” Xuandong’s eyes sparkled with mischievous delight.
He cleared his throat, puffed out his chest, and raised a finger to the heavens.
“Wrong!
That was just the boring placeholder name,” Xuandong declared with absolute pride.
“Its true, official, grand title is the Boundless Celestial Supreme Heavenly Desolate Nine Earth Suppressing Purple Dragon Emperor Profound Mysterious Primordial Yin Yang Divine Handheld Console!” Silence descended upon the room once more.
Kong Deming and Ye Guan both blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Kong Deming stood completely frozen, his hand still hooked in his long white beard.
He stared at the six-year-old child, feeling a sudden, crushing wave of deep physical exhaustion wash over his soul.
For the first time in decades, the grand Hall Master of the Illustrious Virtue Hall felt a profound, agonizing pang of instant regret about his life choices.