DD Black White [383-384] (Patreon)

Chapter 383: The Truth of the Parallel World

The Sun Moon Empire was like a coiled venomous serpent, calmly licking its wounds, accumulating lethal venom, and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Everyone with clear eyes on the continent understood that this seemingly calm period of war preparations was merely the last suffocating pause before the storm arrived.

All the Sun Moon Empire needed was a point in time when its internal affairs were fully stabilized and its war preparations completely ready.

And according to the most conservative estimates from strategists of all sides, that point in time would not exceed two years.

Two years isn't long in a human lifespan.

But for the three Douluo kingdoms, these seven hundred-odd days and nights would be the final countdown that decided the future balance of the continent and even their own fates.

The clouds of war already hung so low they could almost be touched. As soon as the wounded behemoth that was the Sun Moon Empire finished gathering its strength, it would raise a titanic wave that would drown everything.

This was the despair brought on by a disparity in strength: even knowing the Sun Moon Empire was preparing for war, the three great empires dared not launch a preemptive strike to interrupt that buildup.

Because they, too, needed time—to train troops, craft soul tools, and arrange defenses. They also needed time.

Just organizing a defense already taxed the three empires to their limits; to say nothing of taking the initiative to attack the Sun Moon Empire—fighting away from home, they were even less a match for it.

The soul tools along the Sun Moon Empire's defensive lines were far more advanced than those of the three original Douluo nations. They did not fear an offensive from the three empires.

On the contrary, the Sun Moon Empire would prefer the three empires launch a proactive attack so that it could conserve strength and strike at leisure. After all, offense often consumes more than defense.

Given the Sun Moon Empire's soul tool technology towering over that of the three nations, the latter's armies would find it very difficult to breach the Empire's lines.

…

In the parallel-world Douluo Continent, at Heaven Dou's former Skywater City—now under the Spirit Empire—Lu Jingming led Gu Yuena and the others to a city gate whose architecture was a touch old-fashioned, yet faintly tense.

Looking up, he saw that the flag over the gate tower had been changed. The royal emblem of the Heaven Dou Empire had been replaced by a banner painted with a scepter encircled by resplendent golden angels—this was the new symbol of the Spirit Empire.

"Skywater City…"

Lu Jingming softly spoke the city's name. His gaze swept over the guards beneath the gate, far stricter than before, and the complicated expressions on the faces of passersby—reverence mixed with unease and curiosity.

He realized that the seeds he had sown were beginning to bear fruit in this era in a way that diverged drastically from the original course of history.

Because of the variables he brought—because of the survival tournament—Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue had each obtained a hundred-thousand-year spirit bone and a hundred-thousand-year stigma.

More importantly, there was the World Tree—rooted in the planet's leylines, quietly attracting and solidifying negative energy to catalyze the world's evolution. Because of its existence, the Spirit Hall's power and tempo of action had been greatly accelerated and brought forward.

Based on what they had seen along the way, about a month earlier, Bibi Dong—having inherited the Rakshasa Godhood—could no longer suppress her ambition to sweep the continent and brazenly initiated the long-prepared soul-hunting operations.

Several Title Douluo of the Spirit Hall launched a surprise raid on the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, one of the Upper Three Sects, intending to erase outright this sect famed for brutal offense.

Yet at the very moment the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect was about to be annihilated and its sect master, Thunder Douluo Yu Yuanzhen, was ready to die fighting, several unfamiliar Title Douluo of unknown identity but extraordinary strength suddenly entered the battlefield, forcibly disrupting the Spirit Hall's perfect plan and successfully rescuing the severely wounded Yu Yuanzhen and a number of the sect's core disciples.

At the same time, the assault on the fabulously wealthy Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect also encountered unexpected setbacks.

Thanks to its cooperation with the Jade Chamber, Ning Fengzhi had acquired a trove of fine soul tools, including a top-tier detection device that exposed the Spirit Hall strike force's movements.

Moreover, Sword Douluo Chen Xin had broken through to level 97. The power of his Seven Kill Sword far exceeded the Spirit Hall's expectations. Working with Bone Douluo Gu Rong's defense and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's extreme support, the Spirit Hall experts suffered heavy losses and retreated in disgrace.

Though these two failed critical operations did not cripple the Spirit Hall's foundation, they completely exposed its ambition.

Seeing this, Bibi Dong simply ceased to conceal anything. She unveiled her god-level might, declared the Spirit Hall reorganized as the Spirit Empire, and installed herself as founding empress, looking down upon the world.

On another front, Qian Renxue—disguised as Crown Prince Xue Qinghe—moved in tandem and secretly poisoned Emperor Xue Ye of the Heaven Dou Empire.

According to the original plan, she would succeed to the throne smoothly and annex the entire Heaven Dou Empire without a fight.

However, at the final moment, her true identity was somehow leaked.

Prince Xue Xing of Heaven Dou acted decisively. With Prince Xue Beng and a cohort of loyal court officials, and under the desperate protection of Thunder Douluo Yu Yuanzhen, Sword Douluo Chen Xin, Poison Douluo Dugu Bo, and those mysterious Title Douluo, they broke through the encirclement and fled south, eventually joining forces with the Star Luo Empire.

As an Angel God, Qian Renxue could have easily kept them all. But perhaps out of regard for her past relationship with her teacher, Ning Fengzhi, or perhaps because someone among the rescuers made her wary, she ultimately stayed her hand and allowed this Heaven Dou remnant to depart.

After this battle, Heaven Dou's central authority collapsed. Its territory was swiftly taken over by the Spirit Empire in a short time.

Cities like Skywater that once belonged to Heaven Dou changed flags one after another, submitting to a new master.

Worth noting, because Skywater Academy, Blazing Academy, and Godwind Academy had joined the Jade Chamber, Qian Renxue personally intervened to protect them from Bibi Dong, allowing the three elemental academies to maintain their original independent operations under the Spirit Empire and remain untouched by the flames of war.

But this move clearly touched Bibi Dong's authority. The already fragile relationship between mother and daughter cracked further. The Rakshasa God and the Angel God nearly clashed with divine power in a high-level meeting of the Spirit Empire, foreshadowing that this empire, with two gods on the throne, was far from monolithic within.

Walking the streets of Skywater City, Lu Jingming could clearly feel the agitation of a changing era.

The Spirit Empire's flags snapped in the wind. Patrolling soldiers wore new standardized armor. The air was thick with a stifled excitement and unease.

Because of his earlier interference, the situation on the continent had bolted off like an unbridled horse toward a completely unknown direction.

Star Luo had merged with the Heaven Dou remnant to resist stubbornly. The Spirit Empire had two gods presiding, yet hid internal dangers.

And those unfamiliar powerhouses who had disrupted the Spirit Empire's plans—their origin and purpose added yet another layer of fog to this chaos.

In the city center lay a complex of elegant pavilions and winding galleries—its style refined and serene, at odds with the tense military atmosphere pervading the city.

This was the headquarters of the Jade Chamber in this world.

A seemingly invisible field surrounded the compound, isolating it from outside turmoil and creating a secluded haven.

When Lu Jingming stepped within with Gu Yuena and Firefly, Shui Bing'er, Huo Wu, and Feng Xiaotian—already informed of his arrival—had gathered at the main hall to greet them.

"Mr. Lu."

Shui Bing'er stepped forward first and bowed slightly. She was still the same cool, self-possessed figure, yet there was now a steadiness and gratitude born of upheaval in her eyes.

Huo Wu and Feng Xiaotian bowed as well, respectful.

They knew well that if they had not already joined the Jade Chamber and received Lu Jingming's prior protection, there was no way that they and their families and academies could have remained aloof and untouched in the tempest stirred up by the Spirit Empire.

Even the all-powerful Empress of the Spirit Empire, Bibi Dong, had retracted her probing—at least for now—in the face of Qian Renxue's clear stance and the mystery displayed by the Jade Chamber, tacitly permitting the Pavilion's independence.

"No need for formality. Let's talk inside."

Lu Jingming nodded slightly, his gaze passing over those familiar yet more mature faces, understanding flashing in his heart.

They moved into the inner hall and took their seats.

As the acting head at this base, Shui Bing'er began to report in detail the earthshaking changes across the continent during this period.

From Bibi Dong becoming a god and launching the soul-hunting operation; to the mysterious powerhouses intervening when the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was attacked; to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect thwarting a surprise strike using advanced soul tools; and finally the upheaval in the Heaven Dou palace—Emperor Xue Ye poisoned, Qian Renxue exposed, and the Heaven Dou remnant fleeing south under the protection of several experts to join Star Luo, and so on.

Lu Jingming listened quietly, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest.

When Shui Bing'er mentioned the mysterious Title Douluo who appeared at critical moments to disrupt the Spirit Empire's plans, she frowned slightly:

"Mr. Lu, the identities of those people are very suspicious. Their martial souls are powerful, their strength extremely formidable. One in particular—soul power at level 98—seems to possess an exceedingly rare top-tier beast martial soul, resembling a divine bull yet exuding a ferocious aura. It can devour energy—truly terrifying. We investigated on many fronts but could not discover their origin."

Her description might have been enigmatic to people of this world, but to Lu Jingming and Gu Yuena, it parted the clouds.

"Resembling a divine bull, devouring energy… level 98…"

A look of understanding flashed in Gu Yuena's amethyst eyes. She glanced at Lu Jingming and said softly, "That's Xuan Zi. His Taotie Divine Bull martial soul is too distinctive."

The corner of Lu Jingming's mouth lifted in a meaningful smile.

"Exactly. It seems those who were swept into the spacetime passage before us started operating in this world ahead of us."

This explained why the Spirit Hall's seemingly sure-fire plans had repeatedly failed.

Xuan Zi—and very likely Ma Xiaotao and others who traveled with him—their strength and experience, in the Douluo Continent of ten thousand years ago, were unquestionably a formidable force.

Their intervention forcibly reversed what might otherwise have been a one-sided situation.

After all, they understood this world well. They hailed from Shrek Academy—Shrek Academy, whose ten-thousand-year legacy surely preserved records about the past.

Thus, the rescue of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the exposure of Qian Renxue's identity even without Tang San in the picture suddenly made sense.

"There's a slight difference in time flow between the two worlds."

Lu Jingming quickly reached a conclusion.

"We were only a little late, but they arrived about a month earlier than us. A month is enough to grasp the situation and choose to stand against the Spirit Empire."

Gu Yuena and the others showed understanding, while Shui Bing'er and her companions looked bewildered.

Seeing their confusion, Lu Jingming felt it was time to reveal part of the truth.

The appearance of the spacetime passage, and the earlier arrival of Xuan Zi and his group, meant the intertwining of the two worlds had begun. Continuing to conceal the truth was unnecessary and might even lead to misjudgments.

He spoke slowly, his voice calm: "Bing'er, Brother Feng, Huo Wu—the mysterious Title Douluo you mentioned: we likely know who they are."

The three immediately looked up, eyes full of curiosity and inquiry.

Lu Jingming didn't answer directly. Instead, he posed a more fundamental question: "In your view, where did our Jade Chamber come from?"

Feng Xiaotian pondered, then replied cautiously:

 "Brother Lu's methods are unfathomable. Your strength, the stigmas, and soul tools are beyond our imagination. We've always guessed you might come from some hidden realm isolated from the world, or that you received a complete ancient inheritance long lost."

Lu Jingming shook his head lightly, his gaze seeming to pierce the roof and look into the boundless stars.

"Your guesses aren't wrong, but they're not the whole truth. We don't come merely from a hidden place."

He paused, then spoke a shattering truth.

"We come from another world—a Douluo Continent on the timeline ten thousand years after yours."

"What?!"

"Ten thousand years later?!"

"Another world?!"

In an instant, the hall felt as if a fixed-installation soul cannon shell had detonated within it; exclamations rang out one after another.

Shui Bing'er's ice-blue eyes flew open wide; her usual cool composure vanished, replaced by shock and disbelief.

Huo Wu sprang to her feet, her pretty face written all over with impossibility.

Feng Xiaotian's smile froze entirely; his mind seemed to stop working.

Ten thousand years later? Another world? This was far beyond their knowledge—more shocking even than hearing that Bibi Dong had become a god.

The legends of deities at least existed in ancient texts and faith, but travel across time and worlds—that was myth within myth.

"Mr. Lu… you're saying… you're not of our world?"

Shui Bing'er's voice carried a barely noticeable tremor; she had to exert herself to keep her words coherent.

"That's right."

Lu Jingming nodded.

"Our spacetime and yours are two parallel rivers. For certain reasons, we crossed spacetime and came here. And those mysterious Title Douluo you encountered—"

He looked at Shui Bing'er.

"If I'm not mistaken, they came from the same world as us. The level-98 powerhouse with a Taotie martial soul is named Xuan Zi. In our world, he is a top expert of the continent's premier academy—Shrek Academy."

Gu Yuena added evenly:

"In other words, those who stirred the continent's storm and rescued the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect and the Heaven Dou remnant are visitors from a parallel world."

The information volume was too great. Shui Bing'er and the others felt their heads buzzing.

They needed time to digest this overturning truth.

Chapter 384: Angel God Qian Renxue

Another world? Ten thousand years later? The Lu Jingming before them, and his extraordinary companions, were actually travelers from another world.

And those suddenly appearing powerhouses were also people from another world.

"Wait—you just said… Shrek Academy?"

Huo Wu shot up from her seat, her beautiful eyes round with shock, her voice jumping an octave.

"Do you mean that Shrek Academy? The one with only a handful of teachers, shabby school buildings, and so poor-looking even when entering a soul master tournament?"

She repeated herself in disbelief, as if chewing the words to swallow them, yet still unable to digest their meaning.

"And you're saying that ten thousand years later… it's the continent's number-one academy?"

Although the last Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament had been cut short due to Lu Jingming's interference, Huo Wu certainly knew Shrek by name.

Precisely because she knew of it, she found it even harder to imagine—the academy that looked unremarkable, even run-down, could endure not only without vanishing over ten millennia, but grow into a colossus standing atop the continent?

Feng Xiaotian and Shui Bing'er finally caught up, their faces equally incredulous.

Feng Xiaotian's usual carefree smile had vanished, replaced by deep thought.

Shui Bing'er's ice-blue eyes surged with emotion. Her slender fingers unconsciously tightened on the armrest.

Ten thousand years of legacy. The continent's foremost academy.

Those few simple words contained a depth of heritage, honor, and resilience sufficient to set any soul master clan or great power dreaming—and inspire a sense of awe.

Even a force as ascendant as the present Spirit Hall had existed for only a few thousand years. Who could guarantee its glory would last ten thousand?

Yet Shrek—that seemingly unremarkable academy—had done it.

Watching the vivid play of expressions on their faces, a faint, subtle smile flickered through Lu Jingming's eyes.

He even had the mischievous thought that, if he told them that in the original timeline their statues would stand in Shrek's plaza ten thousand years later to be revered by students, the uproar would be something to see.

But remembering that today's Shrek in the far future had already been destroyed—and those statues likely… He pressed down the thought; there was no point raising it now.

"So that's why Spirit Hall's meticulous soul-hunting kept failing, why the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan could be preserved, and why the Heaven Dou Empire managed to keep a sliver of hope as it toppled."

Huo Wu murmured, trying to sort through the tangled threads until she reached a conclusion that left even her dazed.

"All of these variables… trace back to the intervention of Shrek Academy from a parallel world ten thousand years in the future?"

It sounded absurd, yet logically explained every anomaly.

Feng Xiaotian took a deep breath and forcibly pressed down the surging waves in his heart. As the relatively steadier of the three, he grasped the key point and looked sharply at Lu Jingming.

"Brother Lu, you wouldn't reveal such a sensational truth on a whim. May I ask—why tell us now?"

He believed Lu Jingming had a clear purpose.

Lu Jingming shot him an approving look. His expression settled into candor and gravity.

"The reason is simple. The barrier between our worlds has been greatly weakened by certain events. Xuan Zi and his group are only the beginning, not the end."

His gaze swept over Shui Bing'er, Huo Wu, and Feng Xiaotian. His tone was steady:

 "The overlap between the two parallel worlds will become more frequent and more profound. There's no longer any need to keep this from you. Doing so might leave you passive in the upheavals to come."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.

He knew the spacetime passage in Mingdu was stable. Though the Sun Moon Empire was currently too busy with internal consolidation and war preparations, exploring the world on the other side would be only a matter of time.

When that happened, knowledge, technology, power—and conflict—from that world would pour into this one.

"Since you chose to follow me and joined the Jade Chamber, you are acknowledged by me."

Lu Jingming said calmly, "I want you to know all this early and prepare yourselves mentally. This is not only a crisis—it's an unprecedented opportunity."

Light flashed in his eyes.

"In this tide that sweeps across two worlds, those who stand still will be eliminated. Those who can see clearly and embrace change will ride the winds and waves."

"I hope you seize this chance. Leverage the resources and trials brought by these intersecting timespaces to continually improve yourselves. In the future, Haiyuan City will need stand-alone powerhouses, pillars who can support a new order—and you have that potential."

"Haiyuan City…?"

Feng Xiaotian repeated the unfamiliar name softly, a glint of understanding in his deep eyes.

He drew a deep breath, suppressing the great shock brought by the parallel-world revelations. Reason quickly returned as he asked in a low voice:

 "Brother Lu, is this the true name of your faction?"

"Indeed."

Lu Jingming smiled, his gaze passing over the three young soul masters.

 "From the moment you chose to join the Jade Chamber, your fates became intertwined with Haiyuan City. You could say you have long been members of Haiyuan City—only today do you truly learn its name."

His words were mild, but carried a peculiar weight.

Among the three, Shui Bing'er was the first to fully regain her calm.

The surges in her ice-blue eyes settled, and she recovered her usual clarity and acuity.

As the strongest and most gifted of the three, and the one with the most leadership potential, she swiftly recalibrated her assessment of the situation.

Elysia's private guidance had not only elevated her strength, but broadened her horizons.

She nodded slightly, her voice clear and firm:

 "I understand. Mr. Lu, please rest assured: since we are protected by Haiyuan City and enjoy its resources, we will strive with all our might and not fail your expectations and cultivation."

Her thoughts turned quickly and lucidly.

Amid these tectonic shifts on the continent and god-level powerhouses stepping onto the stage, their academies and families were like tiny boats in a raging sea, their fate uncertain.

Yet reality had provided the best answer—even the deified Qian Renxue chose respect and even concessions when facing the Jade Chamber and its affiliated forces tied to Lu Jingming.

Skywater City had changed hands, but Skywater Academy and the Shui family's status remained unshaken. That alone was a silent proof.

Even gods gave him face.

That realization completely steadied her heart.

Following Lu Jingming was not only the wisest choice for now—it was the only path to a wider world.

What's more, looking back, since cooperating with the Jade Chamber, the benefits they'd received were real and transformative.

Those powerful soul tools, the rare and precious spirit bones, the stigmas that could substitute for soul beasts—these resources not only nourished their personal growth, but also transformed their family foundations.

Elders long stuck at bottlenecks had even glimpsed hope of breaking through to Title Douluo.

All of this was brought by Lu Jingming.

With such grace and such formidable strength worthy of entrusting the future—what was there to hesitate over?

 Huo Wu and Feng Xiaotian met each other's eyes and found the same resolve reflected within.

Though fiery and straightforward, Huo Wu knew how to weigh pros and cons. With great benefits and a clear future before her, she understood what to choose.

Feng Xiaotian, even more clear-headed, grasped the crux immediately.

Following someone capable of crossing spacetime and inspiring awe in deities was a tremendous opportunity in itself.

"Rest assured, Brother Lu—we will do our utmost."

The two spoke almost in unison with solemn pledges.

In that moment, they were no longer merely academy prodigies or family heirs—they were members of Haiyuan City.

Seeing the three young soul masters swiftly steady themselves, their gazes firming, Lu Jingming nodded in satisfaction.

Heroes are born of troubled times—and the stage he could provide was far broader than anyone of this era could imagine.

By sheltering them under his wing and granting them resources and protection, he hoped they would rapidly grow, amid this cross-world tide, into the pillars he needed—people who could stand on their own.

"Good."

Lu Jingming's voice held a note of encouragement.

"Remember today's choice. Haiyuan City's future needs your strength, and your names will be passed down through the ages because of Haiyuan City."

Shortly after Lu Jingming revealed the world's truth to Shui Bing'er and the others, a sacred, vast aura descended over Skywater City without warning, coming straight for the Jade Chamber, unhidden.

Those within the pavilion felt it immediately. Gu Yuena was about to rise, but Lu Jingming waved a hand with a smile: "No need. An old friend has arrived."

Before he finished, the reception hall's door was gently pushed open.

A breathtaking figure bathed in the light streaming through the window stepped in—golden hair like a waterfall, eyes like stars, exuding an ineffable nobility and majesty. It was none other than Qian Renxue, now an Angel God.

She had clearly come in a rush; even her divine regalia had not fully withdrawn. The faint, divine pressure made Shui Bing'er and the others feel a pang of awe. They quickly stood and bowed.

Qian Renxue's gaze passed over everyone and landed directly on Lu Jingming at the head seat. Complex emotions flickered in her sacred eyes—expectation and joy.

She had been waiting for his return. The network she laid in Skywater had finally brought definite news.

"Brother Lu."

Her voice was still melodious, but it carried a divine ethereality and distance now—though that distance notably softened when she faced Lu Jingming.

"You've finally returned."

Lu Jingming regarded the familiar acquaintance who now bore a transformed aura with interest, a teasing smile on his face. He didn't rise; instead, he spoke in a tone of easy familiarity:

 "My, my… three days apart and one must view you anew. After just a short separation, Brother Xue has become the exalted Angel God. I wonder what I should call you now—keep calling you Brother Xue, or perhaps Miss Xue… or should I use something more befitting your current status?"

He deliberately emphasized "Brother Xue," his eyes playful, clearly reminding her that when they first met, Qian Renxue had been the refined and courteous Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.

At his words, a faint blush flashed across Qian Renxue's fair cheeks, quickly replaced by helplessness and a hint of mock reproach.

Naturally, she heard the teasing in his tone. If anyone else dared bring up her past disguise so lightly, they would have incurred divine wrath.

But before Lu Jingming, she felt no anger—only a rare sense of ease.

In front of this man, she didn't have to keep the perfect mask of an Angel God on at all times.

"Brother Lu!"

She lightly frowned and cut off his teasing with mock annoyance.

"Call me whatever you like. You've never really cared about such empty formalities anyway."

Though she had become a god, Qian Renxue still couldn't see through Lu Jingming. Coupled with her prior goodwill, she did not adopt a lofty divine posture with him.

In her heart, Lu Jingming was one of the few before whom she could lower part of her guard and be more genuine.

Shui Bing'er, Huo Wu, and Feng Xiaotian held their breath to the side, their hearts surging.

They had witnessed a deity revealing such a… human side before Lu Jingming.

Not only did he dare tease a god—this Angel God truly didn't mind.

This further affirmed their earlier judgment: following Lu Jingming was absolutely the right choice.

Seeing the moment was right, Lu Jingming laughed and let it go. "Just a joke. Sister Xue it is. Congratulations on becoming the Angel God, transcending the mundane."

His tone became more sincere.

Yet hearing his sincere congratulations, Qian Renxue's exquisite face did not show joy. Instead, a shadow that wouldn't disperse fell over it.

A bitter arc tugged at her lips, and the sacred golden light in her eyes dimmed slightly.

"Congratulations?"

She repeated softly, with a faint tremor in her voice.

"Brother Lu… the price for this godhood… was too great."

She seemed to have found someone she could confide in. No longer maintaining the lofty posture of a deity, her tone revealed fatigue and sorrow:

 "For the Angel God's inheritance, I lost too much."

Qian Renxue's expression darkened, sadness in her eyes. The grandfather who had given her the most love and support since childhood had willingly sacrificed himself for her godhood. This was the deepest pain in her heart.

Even if she didn't want to, to oppose the ever-strengthening negative-energy entities, to check Bibi Dong, and for the Spirit Hall, she had to become the Angel God.

Only by becoming a god could she stop Bibi Dong—now the Rakshasa God—from doing evil and endangering the Douluo Continent. Only as a god could she cleanse the increasingly numerous nodes of negative energy.