Chapter 136: Targeting the Sun-Moon Empire
The trio soared high in the sky. The Soul Empire and the Sun-Moon Empire shared a border, and with their speed, they quickly reached the boundary line between the two nations. From here, one could clearly see the disparity between the two countries.
The Soul Empire's forces stationed at the border primarily used tents, wooden huts, and stone houses, and relied on open fires for cooking. On the Sun-Moon Empire side, the scene dramatically changed. Rows of detachable metal sheet houses sprang up, and numerous soul guide troops were orderly positioned along the border, interspersed with numerous regular human troops.
However, the majority were still soul guide troops. Cooking was done using soul devices, and even the regular troops were equipped with various soul devices, including ones that resembled baby bottles. The contrast between the two sides was like a medieval country facing off against one from World War II.
"Uncle, seeing all this below us, what are your thoughts?" Du Qianjue stopped above the border, with Snow Empress and Du Qiujue pausing beside him.
Hearing Du Qianjue's question, Du Qiujue was momentarily silent. Seeing that Du Qiujue didn't speak, Du Qianjue continued, "It's the gap, the gap in technology. Soul devices are precisely what allows the Sun-Moon Empire to widen the gap with the three Soul Empires."
"Soul devices are ultimately external tools," Du Qiujue somewhat dismissively said.
"True, soul devices are external tools, but that's for the powerful," Du Qianjue nodded, not entirely dismissing Du Qiujue's comment.
"But Uncle, think about it, even if soul devices are used, do they really impact a soul master?"
"Even with Snow here, I'm not afraid to speak openly with you. The biggest difference between us humans and soul beasts is that we humans use tools, while soul beasts do not. Despite the differences in population sizes, the real gap comes from our human intelligence."
Snow Empress, though resigned, still nodded. Today's soul beasts are indeed inferior to humans, which is a fact, and Du Qianjue wasn't wrong. The most terrifying aspect of humans for soul beasts, besides the incessant emergence of powerful humans, is their ability to innovate and use various tools—something soul beasts cannot learn.
"What exactly are you trying to say?" Du Qiujue could see that Du Qianjue was leading up to something.
"The three Soul Empires have no future; they will eventually be overthrown," Du Qianjue looked directly into Du Qiujue's eyes, speaking almost word by word.
"Compared to the stubborn and decayed tri-empire system, the Sun-Moon Empire has seized the future. Soul devices are undoubtedly the direction of future development, and that's something the tri-empire system cannot withstand."
Du Qiujue's emotions were complex. He looked back toward the Soul Empire's lands and sighed deeply.
"But this is my country, the place that raised me."
"A country is not just a name or a piece of land; it is its people, its heritage," Du Qianjue followed Du Qiujue's gaze into the distance.
"Whether or not the Sun-Moon Empire unifies the continent, the name of the Soul will not vanish, and ordinary people will only live better lives."
"Perhaps," Du Qiujue smiled slightly, "but I will not allow the Sun-Moon Empire to attack my country in my lifetime."
Du Qianjue nodded slightly, no longer trying to convince Du Qiujue. It wasn't necessary.
Du Qiujue had understood what he was trying to say, but he had his own convictions, something not easily swayed by a few words.
"How easily can the great currents be changed?" Du Qianjue thought silently. All decay is buried by the river of history, and the decline of the three Soul Empires, even that celestial Tang cannot stop.
And neither can Du Qiujue.
But it was exactly because of such a Du Qiujue that he was even more admirable.
Du Qianjue could only let nature take its course. If not for Du Qiujue, Du Qianjue would truly be indifferent to the tribal conflicts of a few nations on Douluo Continent. How many people died or which country was annihilated had nothing to do with him.
He saw himself as a demon from beyond, and how could a demon possibly care about their survival? As long as nothing hindered his plans to topple Tang, they could fight however they wished.
But, unfortunately for Du Qiujue...
If it really came down to it, he might have to forcibly suppress the conflicts between the empires temporarily, delaying the Sun-Moon Empire's war efforts until after he defeated Tang and ascended to the top of the gods. Then, he could simply drag Du Qiujue up to the heavens.
That way, he couldn't interfere.
This plan was feasible; it was actionable.
Du Qianjue looked at the back of Du Qiujue's neck. Du Qiujue used to often grab him by the back of his neck. Once he became a god, he would definitely let Du Qiujue experience what it felt like to be gripped by the fate of the neck!
What goes around comes around.
Lost in various thoughts, the trio had already caught a glimpse of Mingdu in the distance.
Looking at the distant steel forest, Du Qianjue's gaze was somewhat vacant. The style of the Sun-Moon Empire was too similar to Earth from his previous life. Although he had no desire to reminisce about life on Earth, having lived there for over twenty years, the scenery did stir emotions.
Snow Empress noticed Du Qianjue's emotional fluctuations and gently held his hand, her concerned gaze questioning.
"I'm fine," Du Qianjue smiled and shook his head lightly.
"Let's get started; I can't wait to lift a few boxes of big flowers back home to play with!"
Du Qianjue smiled sinisterly, the seven soul rings under his feet rising slowly, hovering around his body.
Golden, red, red, red, red, black, gold!
The fifth-ranked Great Earth Bull soul ring emitted a crimson glow, and the yin-yang complementary soul cores in his body began to run wildly, instantly converting his soul power into a thick yellowish-brown.
"Control over earth attributes!"
Du Qianjue stretched out his right hand, the yellowish-brown soul power swirling in his palm, and the ground before him began to churn gradually. The soil turned over and eventually formed a hidden passageway.
And the passageway continued to extend in the direction of Mingde Hall!
"Let's go, move out!" Du Qianjue laughed and was the first to jump down the passageway.
Snow Empress followed closely, and Du Qiujue covered their retreat.
After all three had jumped down, the soil at the entrance of the passageway automatically sealed the entrance completely, leaving no trace of the passageway ever existing.
The passageway was straight and sloped slightly downward.
According to Du Qianjue's estimate, the underground armories of Mingde Hall and the imperial family were at least about two hundred meters deep.
So, the passageway had to be deep enough!
The soil in front was automatically parted by the control of earth attributes, shifting to the sides and integrating into the surroundings to reinforce the strength of the passageway, ensuring it wouldn't collapse.
Additionally, Du Qianjue also used his control over earth to fortify the passageway further, making it reusable!
(End of Chapter)