Chapter 176 – Sun

Xu Yang and Ning Fengzhi arrived beside a ruined structure halfway up the mountain. The building had been destroyed by the aftershocks of his battle with Qian Daoliu. It was originally a warehouse—rarely visited under normal circumstances.

Although the structure was ruined, the soul power fluctuations from the three Board of Education members, teachers, and students below remained strong—proof that they were safe and had not been affected by the earlier clash.

Xu Yang extended his hand. Golden-red light surged forth, and everything the light touched crumbled into dust. Then, with a shock of soul power, the debris was blasted away, revealing a hidden door below. The door was forged entirely from black iron, pitch-black in color and weighing over ten thousand jin. Without immense strength, it was impossible to open.

But this was nothing to Xu Yang. His raw physical strength alone exceeded a hundred thousand jin, not to mention his micro-perception realm and soul power.

He stepped forward and approached the hidden door. His right hand struck like a blade, plunging into the ground beside it. With a powerful pull, the iron door—thick and unyielding—was ripped clean from the earth. It was bent and twisted, exposing a dark tunnel below.

"Let's go. The three Board of Education members are just down there."

Xu Yang turned and called out to Chen Xin, then took the lead into the tunnel. As for Ning Fengzhi, once he arrived, he would easily be able to follow their soul power traces to the same destination.

The passage was long—over 700 meters in length—and seemed to cut through the very core of the mountain. No wonder those within had remained safe even amid the clash of two Limit Douluo.

At the tunnel's end, Xu Yang entered a massive underground chamber, over 800 square meters in size and nearly 50 meters tall. Soul tool lanterns were embedded along the stone walls, illuminating the space. Around the edges grew moss-like plants, using the artificial light for photosynthesis to maintain oxygen levels.

Along the walls were rows of shelves stacked with compressed food and water—prepared to support life for those in hiding.

At this moment, the three Board of Education members, twenty-three teachers, and over a hundred students were gathered on a central platform in the cave. Heads lowered, their faces were heavy with anxiety, their eyes filled with uncertainty about the future.

Especially the students. Many were descendants of dukes massacred by Qian Renxue. Once pampered, their lives had revolved around cultivation and idle pleasures. The idea of worrying about survival had never crossed their minds.

But ever since learning their clans had been wiped out—and that the culprit was none other than the daughter of the former High Priestess of Spirit Hall—their hopes for revenge had faded. They now struggled even to imagine how they could survive. Spirit Hall would never let them go.

The moment the three Board of Education members saw Xu Yang and Chen Xin, they rose from the platform and flashed forward to greet them.

"Xu Yang, Sword Douluo—how is Qian Renxue? Did you kill her?!"

Meng Shenji steadied himself and asked urgently.

"No. Qian Renxue was rescued by Qian Daoliu.

But Golden Crocodile is dead—I killed him."

Xu Yang sighed as he explained. Seeing the disappointed expressions on their faces, he quickly added:

"That said, Qian Renxue has now returned to Spirit Hall.

She has no time to deal with the Heaven Dou Empire anymore."

At his words, the three Board of Education members visibly relaxed. But their expressions soon turned grave again.

"Qian Renxue may be out of the picture for now, but with the entire royal family of the Heaven Dou Empire wiped out, the nation is leaderless. What now?"

Though they were only Board of Education members, they had dedicated their lives to nurturing talent for the empire. Naturally, they didn't want to see it fall.

"The fall of the Heaven Dou Empire is inevitable."

Xu Yang didn't sugarcoat it. He spoke bluntly, stating the harsh truth.

With the royal family destroyed, the empire now existed in name only. With Qian Renxue gone, chaos was sure to erupt.

First would be the four subordinate duchies—none of them would let this opportunity pass, especially the Kingdom of Balak, a military powerhouse. Its king, Kundela, had blood ties to the imperial family and was a strong contender for the throne.

Then there was the Star Luo Empire, which would certainly seize this opportunity to unify the continent. Spirit Hall, weakened as it was, would no longer be able to stop them—and might even support their invasion.

The three Board of Education members fell silent, uncertain of their next move.

"May I offer a suggestion?"

Just then, Ning Fengzhi entered the chamber, accompanied by Chai Sang. His face was solemn as he looked at Meng Shenji and the others.

"Sect Master Ning, please speak,"

Meng Shenji gestured respectfully.

"The Heaven Dou Empire is effectively dead.

Why not support a new ruler?

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect intends to nominate my disciple, Xu Yang, as the new emperor of a reborn empire.

Will you join us?

Don't worry—your positions will not be diminished. In fact, they may be elevated.

We won't ask you or the students to fight. Your role remains educational, and the Heaven Dou Royal Academy will become the Royal Academy of the new empire."

"And what is the name of this new empire?"

"Sun."

There was no denying it—Ning Fengzhi's eloquence and persuasion were powerful. He quickly won the support of the three Board of Education members.

The name "Sun" had been chosen by Xu Yang—not only to honor his past life, but also because the word Sun embodied his Sun Martial Soul more than any other.

Meanwhile—inside the Worship Hall.

Qian Renxue rushed forward to catch the bloodied figure of Qian Daoliu, who appeared suddenly with half of his six wings missing.

"Grandfather, are you alright?

Your injuries—were they from Xu Yang?!"

"It's nothing. Just damage to my Martial Soul.

For me, it's not a serious issue."

For soul masters below Super Douluo, damage to the Martial Soul could be catastrophic. But for Super Douluo and above—whose Martial Souls were completely fused with their bodies—such wounds were equivalent to internal injuries. A closed-door recovery period would be enough.

"Yes. I was injured by Xu Yang.

And he's still only a Soul Sage.

Yet he already has Limit Douluo–level combat power.

I don't even dare imagine how strong he'll be once he reaches Soul Douluo… or Titled Douluo.

Frankly, no soul master will be able to stop him.

Only a God might stand a chance.

That's why, Xue'er…

I want you to accept the trial of the Angel God."

When he said those words, Qian Daoliu's expression turned utterly serious. He had no doubt Qian Renxue would successfully inherit the God Position. If even she couldn't… then no one could.

"I understand."

Qian Renxue nodded solemnly, the image of Xu Yang still echoing in her mind.

"Grandfather, help me begin the trial.

I'll inherit the God Position.

And I'll defeat Xu Yang—make him submit to me."