Chapter 228: Mingdu
The passengers in the flying soul tool were left somewhat red-faced by Du Qianjue's words, including Lang Ya and Long Aotian. The glory of the martial soul was deeply ingrained in the traditional soul masters of the Douluo Continent's three countries, who inherently looked down on soul engineers and soul tools. They had never considered that soul tools were merely tools. The use of a tool entirely depends on the person using it.
"Young Sect Master, I have learned much!" Lang Ya was the first to bow in respect. "Thank you for your teachings, Young Sect Master!" the others followed, bowing to Du Qianjue. "Good, it's important that you understand," Du Qianjue nodded, a trace of satisfaction in his tone. "The Sect Master and I never intended for you to abandon your martial souls and focus solely on soul tools like the soul engineers of the Sun Moon Empire, neglecting your own strength."
"You are different from them. They turn to soul tools because their martial souls are not strong. But what if you, who already have powerful martial souls, also learn to use soul tools? Wouldn't that be like adding wings to a tiger?" "I've always said, you don't need to learn how to make them, but you must learn how to use them!" Seeing that his words had given them food for thought, Du Qianjue decided not to elaborate further. Concepts like these needed to be understood individually.
Despite efforts by Du Busi and Jin Peng over the years to get the entire Ontology Sect to accept soul tools, the results hadn't been very encouraging. Although they learned, it was often with the mindset of completing a task, without truly embracing soul tools in their hearts. They remained proud of their martial souls and looked down on soul tools. It was hard to change the mindset of the old guard, but the young people before Du Qianjue were different. They were energetic, flexible, and more receptive to new ideas.
Du Qianjue had no intention of succeeding as the next sect master of the Ontology Sect. He simply wanted to become a god, defeat Tang San, and then roam freely with Xue Linglong. Sooner or later, the leadership of the Ontology Sect would fall to Long Aotian. Du Qianjue was evaluating him. If Long Aotian could show flexibility in his thinking, understand how to adapt, and lead the Ontology Sect to keep up with the times, Du Qianjue would feel confident enough to ascend to godhood and leave the Douluo Continent with Du Busi.
If Long Aotian proved inflexible, Du Qianjue would rather choose someone less talented but more adaptable to succeed him. Visionaries like Mu En were rare. The landscape below rapidly receded as they left the borders of the Heavenly Soul Empire and entered the territory of the Sun Moon Empire. Du Qianjue didn't even bother with border formalities; they flew past so quickly that the border guards didn't even see their taillights.
Considering the timing of the Soul Fighting Contest, many strong competitors were headed to Mingdu. The border soldiers of the Heavenly Soul Empire and the Sun Moon Empire turned a blind eye and let Du Qianjue pass without incident. His speed was too great; powered by a near-Limit Douluo level of soul power, the ninth-level flying soul tool approached speeds of Mach 3, slowed only because he was carrying passengers. The bystanders could only see a streak of light crossing the sky.
Lang Ya shook his head helplessly. Although he was a Titled Douluo, he knew that if he were to operate the flying soul tool, he couldn't match Du Qianjue's speed. Upon entering the territory of the Sun Moon Empire, the cities appeared as if they were from a different era. Even though Du Qianjue had visited the Sun Moon Empire several times, he was still amazed. It was like stepping from a feudal era directly into the modern age, with ancient wooden buildings replaced by skyscrapers made of steel and concrete.
"Is this the Sun Moon Empire?" Xiao Xiao leaned against the film, staring at the strange buildings and the cities, murmuring in awe. "It's my first time here." "You get used to it after a while. I've been here a few times. The architectural style here is quite different from that of the Douluo Continent's three countries," Wei na explained with a smile. After Xiao Xiao joined the team, Du Qianjue introduced her, and Long Aotian and Wei na learned that the Ontology Sect had such a twin-spirit genius. Being twin-spirit users themselves, Wei na and Xiao Xiao felt a special kinship.
Facing Xiao Xiao's curiosity, Wei na enthusiastically shared more information. "Moreover, their widespread use of soul tools is not something the three countries of Douluo can compare with," Du Qianjue added. "Their soul tools have penetrated every city and village. With devices like the soul-powered milk bottle, even ordinary people can use some soul tools simply by having soul masters infuse them with soul power regularly."
"Soul tools have truly become a part of daily life for the citizens of the Sun Moon Empire." The convenience of soul tools goes without saying. For ordinary people and lower-level soul masters, soul tools not only enrich their lives but also enhance their capabilities. Lower-level soul masters have a hard time against even lower-level soul engineers, with the gap only widening as their cultivation progresses to levels currently unreachable by soul tools.
"I'll also propose the widespread adoption of soul tools to my father. They really do offer significant benefits to civilians and lower-level soul masters," Wei na said earnestly. But Du Qianjue didn't engage further on the topic. What was the point of such suggestions now? The ambitions of the Sun Moon Empire were nearly unmasked; Du Qianjue was certain that after this tournament, the Empire would launch a war.
There was no need for the Heavenly Soul Imperial family to promote soul tools because, after conquering the Heavenly Soul Empire, the Sun Moon Empire would be only too happy to help the former citizens of the Heavenly Soul Empire, now subjects of the Sun Moon Empire, to adopt soul tools. It was a transparent strategy by 'Emperor War God' Juzi. However, this time, the Sun Moon Empire's efforts to unify the continent might face significant obstacles. Du Qianjue had sold many high-grade soul tools to the royal families of both the Heavenly Soul and Star Luo empires, and he believed that both had likely already formed their own soul engineer legions by now.
But that was none of Du Qianjue's concern; he had no interest in getting involved in these matters. As time passed slowly, they arrived at their destination. The capital of the Sun Moon Empire: Mingdu. This city, lacking physical walls yet considered impregnable, became the number one city on the Douluo Continent after the destruction of Shrek City.
(End of Chapter)