Douluo Continent: Speaker above, Dragon God kneels to receive orders

Chapter 16 Sun and Moon Shining Together and the Covenant of Darkness

Chapter Sixteen: The Sun and Moon Shining Together and the Covenant of Darkness

The secret room on the top floor of the Federal Parliament building.

The walls are made of sound-absorbing soul-guiding silver, pieced together from one large block. If you shout inside, nothing can be heard outside. Not even an echo. Every time I go in, my ears feel blocked, like when an airplane is landing. I have to swallow hard to clear them.

Mo Runshu and Yue Mianmian stood inside. They weren't touching, but you could feel it—their breaths were intertwined, making it impossible to tell them apart. Like two ropes twisted into one, it would be difficult to separate them.

The moment they thought of it, that oppressive aura descended. Even standing by the door, my knees felt weak, and I wanted to crouch down. Tang Wulin stood in the middle, his face deathly pale. Not just that kind of pale, but the kind of paleness—have you ever seen the face of someone truly terrified? Their lips lost all color.

"Wu Lin, now that you've become my disciple, there are some things I can no longer hide from you."

Mo Runshu's voice changed. It wasn't the way he usually spoke to me. Nor was it aloof. It was just—I can't quite put my finger on it—like a teacher lecturing, but you felt like he wasn't lecturing; he was conveying something to you.

Then he began to place the spirit rings.

nine.

One by one, they rose from beneath their feet. Slowly, like bubbles rising in water.

Tang Wulin's eyes were wide open. His mouth was agape. I later asked him what he was thinking at the time, and he said he wasn't thinking about anything; his mind was blank.

There are no yellow ones. There are no purple ones.

They were all red and orange.

Five red ones. Not the red of tomatoes, not the red of apples. It's the kind of red that—if you stare at it, you'll feel a chill down your spine, like someone is holding a knife to your neck. I'd heard about this setup before, and thought it was just boasting, but seeing it with my own eyes that day made me realize even the boasters were exaggerating.

Above the red ring were four orange ones. I've never seen orange spirit rings anywhere else. How to describe that color? It doesn't seem like something from this world. It seems to contain some very, very ancient aura, so ancient that you dare not even think about it.

Five reds and four oranges.

Quasi-god level.

Mo Runshu looked at Tang Wulin's silly expression and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

"My martial soul isn't single-attribute. It's a dual martial soul: the Goddess of the Sun and Moon, and the Eternal Sigh Sword of the Goddess of Light."

The moment he finished speaking, a burst of golden light exploded. The entire room was so bright I couldn't open my eyes. I shielded my eyes with my hand and peeked through my fingers.

A cross-shaped longsword appeared in his hand. It wasn't made of iron, nor any alloy. It was just light. Light gathered together to form a sword. The hilt was engraved with patterns of the sun and moon shining together; I couldn't see them clearly, but you can't forget that aura. Once you've seen it once, you'll recognize any similar one you see.

Tang Wulin gasped. The sound was loud, a sharp, sudden hiss. Then his legs went weak, and he took a step back, grabbing the wall for support.

I later asked him how he felt in the locked room. He said it felt like a mountain was pressing down on him, and he couldn't run away; he could only bear it.

"The Golden Dragon King bloodline within you is incredibly violent." Mo Runshu flicked his wrist, drawing a cross in the air with his sword. The golden cross's afterimage lingered in the air for several seconds before dissipating. "But it can't overturn anything under my sword. From today onward, I will use this sword to help you regulate your bloodline."

Tang Wulin stared at the sword, his eyes filled with fear. "Master, this—"

"What are you afraid of? I'm here. You won't die."

Yue Mianmian answered. Her voice wasn't loud, but there was a certain quality to it—a kind of truth that made you believe what she said. She said you wouldn't die, and you really believed you wouldn't die.

The phantom of the Star Angel behind her flickered. Just a fleeting moment. Soft starlight spilled down, falling on Tang Wulin. His terrified expression slowly subsided, and his breathing became less rapid.

At that moment, a person emerged from the shadows.

Mo Yan.

He took off his mask. He always wore a mask, so I'd never seen his full face. That day was the first time I'd seen him; he looked about 70% like Mo Runshu, but more effeminate and better-looking. Mo Runshu probably wouldn't be happy to hear that, but I was telling the truth.

"Master...Master Uncle?" Tang Wulin was stunned. He had always thought that Mo Yan was Mo Runshu's disciple or guard or something. He didn't expect him to be of such a high seniority.

"What? Doesn't seem like it?" Mo Yan shrugged. An aura also erupted from him, the pressure of a four-word Battle Armor Master. But he didn't release any spirit rings, clearly holding back. "My elder brother is the Speaker of the Federation Council, and I, as his younger brother, can't be too disgraced. I am now a special advisor to the Federation Council, and also your—sparring partner."

A flash of light appeared in Mo Yan's hand, and a long black sword emerged. Purple lightning crackled across its blade, sending shivers down your spine just looking at it.

"I'm lightning-attribute. Perfect for countering your hot temper." He chuckled, a smile that wasn't exactly friendly, but not malicious either. It was the kind of smile that said, "I'm waiting to see you make a fool of yourself." "Come on, let me see just how tough the Golden Dragon King is."

"Wait, start now?" Tang Wulin's voice changed, rising a half-tone.

"In Mingdu, no one will wait for you to adapt." Mo Runshu lightly tapped the ground with his cross-shaped sword. The tap was slight, but the floor trembled. "Wu Lin, remember, your opponents are not us. They are those things that might destroy this world in the future. Draw your sword!"

"yes!"

Tang Wulin roared. His Blue Silver Grass martial soul exploded. But this time, he didn't use the binding technique; instead, he wrapped the Blue Silver Grass around his fist, like a gauntlet. His right arm blazed with golden light as the Golden Dragon King's power poured in.

boom--!

He was launched like a cannonball. The golden dragon claw, accompanied by a piercing shriek that tore through the air, viciously grabbed at Mo Yan.

Mo Yan snorted. He didn't move. He casually swung the knife in his hand.

clang--!

The sound made my ears ring. Tang Wulin's hand was split open, and blood was dripping down his finger. I saw it clearly.

"Strength is alright. Technique: zero." Mo Yan shook his head. "Too slow."

The next second, Mo Yan disappeared. I didn't even see how he moved. Then he appeared behind Tang Wulin, slapping him on the back with the back of his sword. With a snap, Tang Wulin was sent flying, crashing into the wall, bouncing back, and landing face-first on the ground.

He twisted his body forcefully in mid-air, and Blue Silver Grass shot out like a spider web, trying to block Mo Yan's path.

"Interesting." A hint of admiration flashed in Mo Yan's eyes. That admiration was genuine, not just politeness. The blade in his hand transformed into countless shadows. "Thunder Prison - Thousand Birds Slaughter—"

Countless bolts of lightning sliced ​​through the Blue Silver Grass, heading straight for Tang Wulin's face.

Tang Wulin lay prone on the ground, unable to dodge. He closed his eyes for a moment. I thought he was going to get hit.

A golden light descended from the sky, blocking his way.

With a gentle flick of his cross-shaped sword, Mo Runshu erected a sacred barrier. Mo Yan's attack struck the barrier and shattered. The lightning blades scattered in all directions, striking the walls and leaving several black marks.

"That's enough. He just walked in." Mo Runshu sheathed his sword and looked down at Tang Wulin. "What did you feel just now?"

Tang Wulin gasped for breath. Sweat and blood mingled and dripped down his chin. He lay on the ground for several seconds before he managed to get up.

"I feel it... despair. I'm nowhere near as good as my martial uncle."

"That's not right." Yue Mianmian walked up to him, squatted down, and touched his forehead with her fingertip. "You sensed the guidance of the light."

Her fingertips were icy cold, and when she touched his forehead, it felt like a small ice cube. Tang Wulin shivered.

"Although your Blue Silver Grass has mutated, it is still a plant at its core. My twin martial souls can give you the power of stars and prophecy. From today onwards, you will not only train your body, but also learn how to borrow 'stars' and 'prophecy'."

Tang Wulin looked up at her. There was something in his eyes that you couldn't quite put your finger on, but he seemed to have understood, yet he didn't quite grasp it.

Donghai City. It's quite late at night.

Gu Yue sat alone on the dormitory balcony, looking towards Mingdu. The sea breeze was cool, blowing her silver hair. She clutched a box in her hand. The box she had given to Tang Wulin. Actually, the box was empty; the real gift was a wisp of elemental core she had left inside Tang Wulin's body. Tang Wulin himself was unaware of this.

"Have you arrived yet?" she murmured to herself. Her voice was so soft that it was easily carried away by the wind.

Suddenly her heart skipped a beat. It was that feeling—like when you're walking along and suddenly your footing slips and you lose your footing.

An extremely terrifying aura erupted from the north. She sensed another one. Two. One was filled with holy light, the other with stars and thunder.

"That's..." A hint of confusion flashed in her silver eyes. It wasn't a lack of knowledge, but rather disbelief. "The aura of two god-level experts."

She stood up, went inside, and spread out a map. Her finger paused on the location of Mingdu, then traced it.

"Wu Lin, what will you encounter over there?"

There was a knock on the door.

"Gu Yue, are you asleep?" Xie Xie's voice sounded a little cautious, as if he was afraid of disturbing her.

The confusion in Gu Yue's eyes vanished instantly. She returned to her usual self: cool and composed.

"Come in."

Xie Xie pushed the door open and came in. He was taken aback when he saw her looking at the map.

"Um... Wu Lin's gone, but we can't just sit around doing nothing. Teacher Wu said we have to beat Class One in next month's promotion tournament. Are you... ready?"

"Of course." Gu Yue turned around, her silver eyes filled with unwavering determination. "Not only for the class, but also so that—when he returns, he can see a stronger version of us."

Xie Xie looked at her, his heart skipped a beat. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but then remained silent. Several seconds passed before he finally spoke.

"By the way, I just sensed a strange mental fluctuation, it seemed to be coming from Mingdu. Did you feel it too?"

Gu Yue's heart skipped a beat, but she didn't show it on her face.

"No. It's probably just your imagination. Go to sleep early, you have special training tomorrow."

Xie Xie nodded, turned, and left. The instant the door closed, the light in Gu Yue's eyes changed again. It became even deeper, like a bottomless well.

"Mingdu...it seems I need to hurry too."

She raised her hand. A ball of seven-colored light spun in her palm. Wind, fire, thunder, lightning, water, earth, and light—the seven elements—mixed together, none yielding to the other. The light shone on her face, obscuring her expression.

"Golden Dragon King... no, Wu Lin. No matter where you go, I will find you."

Mingdu. Top-floor office of the Federal Parliament Building.

In front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, Mo Runshu and Yue Mianmian stood looking down at the entire city of lights. Ming Dynasty's City Never Sleeps; all the lights were on.

"Big brother, are you really going to put that plan on him?" Mo Yan's previous carefree demeanor vanished, replaced by a serious expression. He rarely wore this look. "He's physically strong, but he's still just a child. And what about Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect—"

"Shrek and Tang Sect are rotten." Mo Runshu didn't look at him, gazing out the window. Night view, lights. "They think they're righteous sects, but they're actually closed-minded. They've even colluded with the Spirit Pagoda, trying to sideline the Federation. We need a sword. A sword that can pierce these three cancers."

Yue Mianmian tilted her head slightly, her voice low. "Don't you think he looks a lot like that person from back then?"

Mo Yan's pupils contracted slightly. "You mean—Tang San, the Thousand-Handed Douluo?"

"Bloodline cannot lie. Neither can the soul." Mo Runshu's voice deepened. "Tang Wulin is Tang San's son, with the blood of the Sea God and the Asura God flowing in his veins. Tang San was the same back then, an unknown youth who rose step by step to the altar. But he didn't choose the Federation; he chose the Spirit Hall and built his own power."

"He personally created the Tang Sect's hidden weapon system, and he also propelled Shrek Academy to the throne of the continent's number one academy. But now, both of these have become stumbling blocks for the Federation."

Mo Yan didn't reply. He remained silent for a while.

"Tang San..." he murmured the name. The emotion in his voice was complex, and I couldn't quite put my finger on it. "That Thousand-Handed Douluo, the dual godhood of Sea God and Asura God. Hasn't he already become a god?"

"So what if you become a god?" Mo Runshu sneered. That sneer wasn't mockery, but helplessness. "Gods have their troubles too. Tang San sacrificed so much to protect this continent. But the Shrek Academy and Tang Sect he built have now become tools for accumulating wealth and killing. It's time for the next generation to take over."

He turned his head and looked at Tang Wulin in the repair pod. The child's eyelashes were fluttering, as if he were dreaming. The light in Mo Runshu's eyes shifted.

"Wu Lin might be the one who can take down Shrek Academy, Tang Sect, and Spirit Pagoda."

"What about Shrek Academy—"

"Shrek has changed." Yue Mianmian shook her head. "Too conservative. Clinging to past glories. We need a new power, a power that can shatter the old order. The Federation is the future."

"So that's why you trained Wu Lin yourselves?"

"Yes." Mo Runshu nodded. "I want to turn him into a sword. A sword that can cut through the past and cleave through the future."

"But what about Harosa—"

"Harosa will understand." A flicker of pain flashed in Yue Wanwan's eyes. It was fleeting, but I noticed it. "He's my apprentice, and the most crucial link in this plan. The Nine-Colored Angel Xiao Mu will also stand by his side."

"What about Gu Yue?" Mo Yan suddenly asked. He seemed to have been waiting for this question for a long time. "That girl in Donghai City. I found out some things."

"Gu Yue..." Mo Runshu thought for a moment. He thought for about three seconds, then turned his head to look at the lights outside the window. "She's a variable. But she's also someone Wu Lin can't escape. Maybe she can help us."

"Understood." Mo Yan nodded. "So, what's the next step?"

"Tomorrow, have Wu Lin meet with those old guys in the Federation Legion." Mo Runshu's eyes changed, returning to their sharp edge. "Then call Harosa back."

"yes!"

Mo Yan is gone.

Inside the repair chamber, Tang Wulin's eyelashes trembled again.

He dreamt of a golden sea. On the other side of the sea stood a woman in a silver dress, her back to him, holding a moon in her hands. The moon's light was warm, unlike the cold light of a real moon.

"Mom..." he called out in his sleep. His voice was very soft, as if afraid of disturbing something.

The woman slowly turned her head. Her face was blurry, her features indistinct. But she smiled. That smile was warm.

"Wu Lin, go fight. For protection. And for a reunion."

A breeze blew, rippling the sea. The woman's shadow slowly faded away, like ink dripping into water.

In his dream, Tang Wulin reached out to grab something, but grasped nothing.

His finger twitched inside the repair chamber.