Chapter 79: Returning to Tian Dou, Reunion

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Half an hour later, Dai Tianxing had adjusted his condition. He had just awakened his domain—an unexpected bonus. Without the soul bone Li Luochen gave him, he likely wouldn't have been able to endure. 

Thus, he was filled with gratitude toward Li Luochen. His attachment to his brother and mother was strong—he needed to see them to feel at ease. He had already spent seven years in the City of Slaughter; so much time had passed that everything must have changed. 

Li Luochen had given him hope to reunite with his family. Even if he pledged loyalty afterward, it didn't matter—but before that, he needed to obtain his eighth soul ring and achieve Soul Douluo strength to safely leave the Star Luo Empire. 

After all, he was still technically a criminal. Damn that crown prince and empress! (A/N: The crown prince was Dai Mubai's father, making Dai Tianxing Dai Mubai's cousin. However, Dai Tianxing despises their faction.) 

Though Dai Tianxing was eager to return home, his strength wasn't sufficient yet. He needed to obtain his eighth soul ring to gain the confidence to go back. 

"Since you're feeling better, let's go. Our next destination is Tian Dou City," Li Luochen announced their next stop.

Lin Chengkun had nothing to say—he was originally from the Tian Dou Empire and had visited Tian Dou City before, so it wasn't an issue. Dai Tianxing, on the other hand, was from the Star Luo Empire but held little regard for the Tian Dou Empire. The Tian Dou royal family was weak, and its political power was fragmented—it was far weaker than the Star Luo Empire. 

Dai Tianxing himself was an example. Even though the crown prince wasn't the emperor, he still had the power to betray Dai Tianxing. No one would plead for mercy, even though Dai Tianxing was exceptionally talented. The Star Luo Empire was highly centralized—when the emperor wasn't present, the crown prince held absolute authority. 

Moreover, the emperor's empress always came from the Zhu family of the Star Luo Empire's Nether Cat lineage. The Zhu family was the largest ducal house in the Star Luo Empire. The crown prince's faction was incredibly powerful, and the Dai and Zhu families complemented each other in ruling the empire. 

Additionally, the Star Luo Empire had more Title Douluos than the Tian Dou Empire. The Star Luo Empire's grand elder was a level ninety-six Super Douluo, and the retired emperor was level ninety-three. There was also a Title Douluo from the Xing Guan Sect (T/N: The Star Crown Sect, took over the Star Luo Empire in Douluo 2) serving as an elder, and even the late Sea Serpent elder had been part of the Star Luo Empire's support system. (Author added lore) 

Furthermore, the retired emperor's empress was a Soul Douluo-level Nether Cat, and their Spirit Fusion Technique was stronger than that of a level ninety-five Super Douluo. Additionally, the Hao Tian Sect subtly supported the Star Luo Empire. 

As for the Tian Dou side… Hmph. While they had plenty of Soul Douluos, their only publicly acknowledged Title Douluo elder was Dugu Bo, the Poison Douluo. However, the three commanders of the Tian Dou Royal Knights possessed a Spirit Fusion Technique, and all three were Soul Douluo-level powerhouses. In this aspect, the Tian Dou Empire could barely hold its own. 

Emperor Xueye did have some merit. According to information Li Luochen obtained from Dugu Bo, Emperor Xueye had reached level eighty-six in soul power. The Xue family's hereditary swan spirit possessed light attributes and was extremely formidable in combat. 

This was why Emperor Xueye could resist poison for so long. His deep soul power allowed him to resist toxins, and due to his solid cultivation, neither the Snake Spear nor Porcupinefish Douluo could assassinate him. 

Moreover, according to Dugu Bo, the Tian Dou Empire once had a Title Douluo elder, but he had passed away due to severe injuries sustained in his youth. Thus, Dugu Bo now held a highly respected position. 

However, none of this concerned Li Luochen. The Tian Dou Empire's legacy had already been severed, and Qian Renxue had already begun undermining its foundations. Even if she failed, the Tian Dou Empire would inevitably split apart. Furthermore, the nobility of the Tian Dou Empire lived in decadence—it was truly disgusting. 

No wonder the Spirit Hall commanded the support of so many commoner soul masters and the majority of soul masters overall. Wasn't it because your empire was useless? You deserved it! If not for Tang San's intervention, both empires would have collapsed long ago. 

Setting aside these unpleasant matters, Li Luochen led Dai Tianxing and Lin Chengkun toward Tian Dou City. It had been a year and a half since he last saw Dugu Yan, and he missed her dearly. 

Since Li Luochen and Dugu Yan shared a 100% Spirit Fusion Technique, he could sense her state, just as she could sense his. 

On several occasions when Li Luochen was gravely injured, Dugu Yan had sensed it. Despite enduring immense pain, Li Luochen gritted his teeth and persevered. Knowing their connection hadn't been severed, and sensing Li Luochen regaining his strength, Dugu Yan finally felt reassured. 

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A few days later, Tian Dou City 

After a year and a half, Li Luochen finally returned to Tian Dou City. However, the people around him kept their distance, as those who got too close could feel a chilling sensation. 

Li Luochen hadn't suppressed his killing intent—it flowed outward tangibly. He hadn't fully mastered controlling his killing intent yet, so he chose not to suppress it, instead relaxing completely to help regain control. 

Currently, however, it seemed ineffective. The killing intent radiating from Li Luochen made those around him shiver uncontrollably. 

Li Luochen paid no mind to the passersby—his destination was the Dugu residence. Upon arriving, he knocked on the door. 

The door opened, and Manager Wang, seeing Li Luochen, was astonished. 

"Who is it? The Dugu residence doesn't entertain guests. Young Master Luochen has returned? Young Master Luochen is back! Miss, Miss, Young Master Luochen is here!" 

Manager Wang's shouts woke Dugu Yan from her meditation. Hearing that Li Luochen had returned, tears immediately streamed down her face. 

Just a few days earlier, she had sensed the connection between them sever momentarily, causing her great anxiety. Fortunately, it reconnected shortly after, allowing her to breathe a sigh of relief. (During the acquisition of the God of Slaughter Domain, they were in a special space where perception was blocked.) 

Dugu Yan rushed out and, seeing Li Luochen standing at the entrance, felt a surge of joy. She immediately threw herself into his arms. 

Feeling the warmth of his body and his familiar scent, Dugu Yan suddenly noticed something was off. Li Luochen's aura was icy, and the stench of blood on him was overwhelming. She could sense that he had killed countless people. 

Li Luochen's current demeanor was entirely different from before. The old Li Luochen was full of whimsical ideas, somewhat mischievous, and slightly naughty, but overall, he exuded a sunny disposition.

Now, Li Luochen was cold and aloof, his killing intent leaking outward, and his body reeked of blood. His once lazy and radiant gaze had turned indifferent and detached, as if he no longer cared about the value of life.

Seeing Dugu Yan rush into his arms, Li Luochen tightened his control over his killing intent. He didn't want it to harm her. Wrapping his arms around her waist, the warmth emanating from Dugu Yan's body brought a comforting sensation to his heart. 

In the inhumane environment of the City of Slaughter, every day was filled with the stench of blood and suffocating killing intent. Now, feeling Dugu Yan's warmth, Li Luochen felt a wave of relief, and his killing intent naturally receded slightly. 

The two embraced, while behind them, Lin Chengkun and Dai Tianxing exchanged awkward glances. Sensing the situation, they followed Manager Wang to the living room. Along the way, they learned that this household belonged to a Title Douluo—a level ninety-five Super Douluo—and dared not act out of line. 

After all, a Super Douluo could crush them with a single slap. Thus, they obediently followed Manager Wang to the living room and waited patiently.

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