Chapter 570: The True Travelers' Alliance

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Hawk returned to the Douluo Continent, and naturally, Tang Luoya and Feng Ming returned as well. However, instead of accompanying Hawk to Spirit City, they went back to the original territory of the Travelers' Alliance in the newly established Tian Dou Federation. 

The Tian Dou Federation had already been reclaimed by the Tian Dou Empire. Surprisingly, the Travelers' Alliance wasn't eradicated. Instead, it was preserved because Feng Ming's father, knowing his limitations, surrendered to the Tian Dou Empire's army in advance. Acting as a guide, he helped the army launch a successful attack, safeguarding his family and sect's foundation. 

What shocked Feng Ming even more was the influx of new faces in the Travelers' Alliance—all of them, like him, were transmigrators. Counting carefully, there were about fifty of them. 

Goodness, that's enough to form a class! 

At last, the Travelers' Alliance lived up to its name. 

These transmigrators had learned about the Alliance eight years earlier but had been observing from the sidelines, choosing not to reveal their identities. That changed when: 

The Tian Dou Federation collapsed, and the Tian Dou Empire began major reforms within its borders. They even declared all land within their territory state property. Those who resisted, whether officials or small clans, were executed. 

In an ordinary feudal society, such drastic measures would have caused widespread discontent. But on the extraordinary Douluo Continent, with its soul masters, things were different. Furthermore, the current Empress, Qian Renxue, was revealed to be the daughter of Spirit Hall's Pope, Bibi Dong. The ties between Spirit Hall and the Tian Dou Empire grew ever closer. With no shortage of soul masters, the Empire wasn't concerned about stubborn minor clans. 

After repeated upheavals, the once-comfortable lives of many transmigrators fell apart. Bankrupt and unable to compete with the Tian Dou Empire or Spirit Hall, they had no choice but to turn to the Travelers' Alliance for a chance to rebuild their lives. 

To their surprise, they discovered a significant number of fellow transmigrators. Some even recognized old acquaintances from their past lives, leading to heartfelt reunions. 

Feng Ming also noticed that these transmigrators generally had decent talent for cultivating martial souls—some even impressive enough to potentially reach the Titled Douluo level in their lifetimes. However, most of them had neither read Douluo Dalu nor even heard of it. 

This might explain why they fared poorly. Their understanding of martial souls was likely no different from that of the locals. 

Feng Ming didn't mind, though. After all, even in his previous life, many people weren't interested in novels. Some hadn't even heard of the Four Great Classical Novels, let alone an online novel. 

"Everyone, calm down," Feng Ming addressed the crowd. "Since you've decided to join us, we will take responsibility for you. At the very least, we'll help you regain your former standard of living." 

He reassured them, but added, "However, the Travelers' Alliance is still in its early stages, with limited manpower and resources. Everyone will have to endure some hardship for the time being." 

Most of the transmigrators felt that his words sounded strangely familiar but didn't question it further. A few sharp-minded ones, however, asked, "The Travelers' Alliance has been around for years. How is it still short on manpower and resources?" 

"Haha, well, think about it," Feng Ming replied with a laugh. "If the Tian Dou Empire's reforms hadn't disrupted your lives, would you be here now?" 

He continued, "Besides, there's something important I need to tell you: gods do exist in this world." 

Although most transmigrators hadn't read Douluo Dalu, the fact that they had transmigrated into another world was undeniable proof to them of the soul's existence. 

Moreover, this world had the mystical martial souls. 

So, the existence of gods wasn't entirely far-fetched. 

Those few who had read the novel, however, noticed the crimson marks on the foreheads of Feng Ming and Tang Luoya... 

"I, along with Tang Luoya, visited Sea God Island, where we were granted trials by the Sea God. One of our companions even inherited the Sea God's legacy and is destined to become the next Sea God," Feng Ming declared, his eyes shining with fervor. "Our future is bright, but before that, we need your effort and dedication." 

"Sea God?" someone asked, puzzled. 

"Yes, the Sea God..." Feng Ming began, but then froze, realizing something was off. Wait, this isn't Sea God Island. Why am I calling him 'Sea God' so naturally? Have I developed a habit? This won't do! 

Recovering quickly, he explained, "The Sea God was once human. Anyone who reaches Rank 100 in soul power can become a god." 

This sparked a flurry of discussions below. 

"Soul master cultivation?" 

"Rank 100? Isn't that like scoring 100 on an exam?" 

"Reaching Rank 100 makes you a god?" 

"Do gods need believers?" 

"Is the Sea God like Mazu or the Dragon King?" 

"Going to Sea God Island to reap benefits sounds great, but without a Red Rank trial, you can't leave the island. The Sea God's blessings aren't so easily obtained." 

"..." 

"Silence!" 

Tang Luoya finally stepped forward, releasing his martial soul. A massive Haotian Hammer slammed into the ground, silencing the crowd. Its dazzling configuration of seven spirit rings—purple, purple, purple, black, black, black, black—was utterly breathtaking. 

Currently, the only publicly known place on the continent that can extend the lifespan of spirit rings is Spirit Hall. As for Tang San, he possesses a Spirit Beast Illusion Realm. 

When this was revealed, the transmigrators thought the continent would plunge into chaos, giving them an opportunity to exploit the situation. 

But unexpectedly, only two major events occurred: the Tian Dou Federation was reclaimed by the Tian Dou Empire, and the Sun Moon Empire established a maritime trade route with the Douluo Continent. 

"Everyone has seen it now—this is the benefit of inheriting a god's legacy. As long as you pass the trials, you can receive rewards that enhance the lifespan of your spirit rings," Feng Ming continued his promotion while arranging for his family members to conduct more detailed registration of the transmigrators for better management in the future. 

After dealing with these matters, Feng Ming began reflecting on his habit of calling the Sea God "Lord Sea God." There's definitely something wrong with this! 

Respecting the strong is natural, but why would he still think of the Sea God so reverently after leaving Sea God Island? No matter how great or powerful the Sea God was, conquering the seas had nothing to do with him. Poseidon wasn't his ancestor, and as a modern transmigrator, there was no reason for him to hold such admiration. 

"Tang Lao Ya, what do you think?" 

"I'm Tang Luoya!" Tang Luoya's face darkened, but after thinking for a moment, he replied, "It's probably related to the power of faith." 

"The power of faith... faith..." Feng Ming suddenly understood. "I didn't expect that someone like you, who usually isn't very sharp, could pinpoint the key issue." 

Tang Luoya's face darkened further, and he snorted, "That Bo Saixi kept talking about faith in Lord Sea God around us all the time. It was hard not to notice. Also, my brain is sharp—I just don't like thinking too much because it's tiring." 

"Yes, yes, you're very sharp," Feng Ming said dismissively. Still, he knew that soul masters, with their enhanced physiques, likely had more developed brains than ordinary people. It's just that most soul masters didn't enjoy thinking and preferred to solve problems with brute force. Tang Luoya, a Haotian Sect descendant, was especially inclined this way. 

Three days later, Hawk returned. Seeing the large group of transmigrators, he was surprised but, after learning their background from Feng Ming, he said with a hint of sarcasm, "So they only came to join us because they had no other choice." 

"Shush! If it weren't for my Feng family's help, you, as the Alliance Leader, would have nothing but empty promises. Don't criticize others," Feng Ming retorted. 

"At least I was chosen by the Sea God," Hawk defended himself. 

"That's just because your martial soul meets the Sea God's selection criteria. By the way, did you manage to get any information on the Heart of the Sea God from Tang San?" Feng Ming asked, concerned. "If he doesn't cooperate, you'll have to give up using the Deep Sea Demon Whale King as your ninth spirit ring. You'll have to wait until you reach Rank 99, then kill it to use its Whale Pearl to repair the Sea God's Trident's Heart of the Sea. Speaking of which, where is your Sea God's Trident?" 

Ever since Hawk had pulled out the Sea God's Trident, he had kept it by his side at all times, even while sleeping. But now, it was nowhere to be seen. 

"I couldn't obtain the Heart of the Sea God, so I left the Trident with Tang San for research..." Hawk explained the situation, which made Feng Ming frown. 

"You trust him that much?" Feng Ming asked, his tone skeptical. 

"What choice do I have? I suspect that even if I become a god, I won't be his match. It's better to show some generosity. Besides, the Sea God's faith has already influenced us to some extent," Hawk said with a serious expression. "The blessings of a god aren't so easily earned, especially when the previous god hasn't yet died." 

Feng Ming sighed. "So what about these fifty or so transmigrators? I've already hinted at taking them to Sea God Island for the trials." 

"Did you explicitly say that?" Hawk raised an eyebrow. 

"No, I didn't say it outright," Feng Ming admitted, realizing there was some leeway in his earlier statements. However, he also knew that these transmigrators were talented, and if not managed properly, they could pose a threat in the future. 

"Then it's fine. Although there are some issues with the Sea God's legacy, I will inevitably break through to Rank 100. Tang San has already outlined a path for me," Hawk said confidently. "Once the research on the Sea God's Trident is complete, he'll return it to me along with a manual on how to fuse a divine weapon with a martial soul—the 'Martial Soul and Divine Weapon Resonance Integration Method.' At that point, the Trident will truly belong to me." 

"That sounds too good to be true," Feng Ming said, skeptical. "Isn't he just using you as a test subject?" 

"I don't care. It's still better than feeling compelled to worship the previous Sea God," Hawk replied, his tone heavy. "If becoming a god means losing my free will, then I'd rather not become one." 

(End of Chapter)