Douluo Dalu 2: Way of Heaven

"When it comes to divided attention techniques, none surpass the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's methods. However, over the years, academy seniors have also created other techniques, each with its own strengths and weaknesses."

The black-haired senior sister swayed her long tresses.

"My situation is special. I want to cultivate while also being aware of my surroundings."

An Zhen had been considering this as well.

But under such circumstances, one could only maintain minimal cultivation efficiency—unless they found ways to bolster emotional resilience against erosion.

As for creating his own method?

That was difficult.

Innovation wasn't about pulling ideas from thin air—it required foundational knowledge. An Zhen lacked that. He couldn't just will it into existence.

His plan was to collect existing divided attention techniques. If he found a suitable one, great. If not, he'd adapt them to create something tailored for himself.

"You're already a core disciple of the Spirit Department—you have the clearance. I'll search for materials tomorrow," Zhang Lexuan said, rolling onto her side.

"Then I'll trouble you, Senior Sister."

An Zhen wrapped his arms around a pair of slender yet shapely white-stockinged legs.

Some time later, the handsome youth lay curled in a warm embrace, his face buried in softness as he closed his eyes.

An Zhen...

Eyes as clear as springwater gazed tenderly at the boy in her arms.

He's an orphan too.

I'll take responsibility for you—even if you never love me.

Stay at Shrek. Let this become your home.

Pale arms gently tightened around him, carefully pulling him closer as if her warmth could shield him entirely.

...

An Zhen shared the "official version" of events—as understood by the Sea God Pavilion elders and Zhang Lexuan—with Huo Yutong and Wang Dong, omitting his intimate encounter with the senior sister.

"These inner courtyard people are insane! Why do they keep causing trouble for us freshmen?"

Wang Dong fumed, recalling their earlier run-in with Ma Xiaotao.

"Is Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan related to Senior Brother Bei Bei?"

"Mhm."

An Zhen nodded slightly—he'd mentioned this during the day. "Their ancestor, the old man who sunbathes by the freshman dorms, is the current continent's strongest—a 99-ranked Limit Douluo comparable to the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King Di Tian. The Dragon God Douluo, Mu En."

Both girls: !

"Wait—An Zhen, you're not joking, right?!"

Wang Dong was stunned. A Limit Douluo just... lounged at the dorm entrance?

"Radiant Holy Dragon. The one I replicated came from him."

Wang Dong believed it now.

The Radiant Holy Dragon—for centuries, only the legendary Dragon God Douluo had possessed it.

"Senior Brother Bei Bei's background is that impressive?!"

Huo Yutong was awed.

A 99-ranked Limit Douluo.

Such beings truly existed.

No wonder Skydream-jiejie always hides from that old man.

"Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon—one of the top three sects with ten-thousand-year legacies."

An Zhen suddenly pulled the blue-haired girl into his arms. "But our Yutong is amazing too. On just the second day of school, you subdued the young master of the Clear Sky Sect!"

"Eh?!"

The young girl blinked in confusion.

Half a second later, her starry blue eyes turned to Wang Dong.

"Heh." The flawless beauty lifted her chin proudly. "I wanted to live as an ordinary person, but I'll drop the act. Yes—this young lady is the Clear Sky Sect's heir!"

"Oh."

Huo Yutong nodded calmly.

"Hey! Yutong, can't you at least pretend to be shocked?!"

Wang Dong planted her hands on her hips. "Where's the stunned expression from earlier?"

Huo Yutong tried.

Huo Yutong gave up.

"Wang Dong, I can't do it."

The sweet girl couldn't fulfill her friend's request.

"Gahhh!"

Wang Dong exploded in frustration.

...

Daily Training

Huo Yutong engraved soul tool core arrays.

After seeing the young girl back to her dorm, a certain pink-blue-haired beauty in nothing but a white knee-length dress pounced into An Zhen's arms, her delicate lips claiming his with practiced ease.

Much later, the girl nestled against him, her dreamlike hair splayed haphazardly.

Resting her head on his chest, she gazed at his face with worried eyes. "An Zhen... I missed you so much today. That night you didn't come back terrified me."

"I promise it won't happen again."

He kissed her tender cheek, their faces brushing.

"But I feel so guilty toward Yutong. The closer we are at night, the more I avoid you by day. Only by watching you two interact can I ease my conscience a little."

Uh... That sounds weird.

"Jerk."

Her dewy eyes softened as she looped her arms around his neck. "When will you tell Yutong about us?"

Only a thin bubble stood between An Zhen and Huo Yutong—yet he hesitated.

"Yutong's insecurities stem from her past. She needs to grow, to earn recognition as a genius herself. That's when the time will be right."

Their situation mirrored Tang Ya and Bei Bei's.

An Zhen and Wang Dong shone too brightly.

Huo Yutong's relentless drive wasn't just about revenge—it was about standing beside them as equals.

Forcing the truth now might only burden her further.

She wasn't the type to rely solely on her partner—like Tang Ya, she wanted the strength to face the future together.

Damn that White Tiger Duchess!

"Fine."

After a while, Wang Dong—now sockless—cheerfully sprawled on the bed reading comics.

...

Another Freshman Dorm

The red-haired girl opened her eyes—again.

Why hasn't that guy started cultivating yet?

Knock knock knock!

Past midnight, urgent rapping sounded at the door.

A golden-haired girl in a white nightgown sprang up, bare feet padding across the carpet as she rushed to answer.

Wu Feng: ?

Who visits at this hour? And why is the young mistress so happy?

To her disbelief, a black-haired youth carried the golden-haired girl princess-style while she clung to his neck, showering him with kisses.

NPC Ning Tian—"Clingy Girlfriend Mode."

"AN ZHEN!"

Wu Feng roared, lunging forward—only to be tackled onto the bed by a very familiar figure.

Crimson eyes widened. Staring back at her was... herself?!

"Wu Feng! What are you doing—trying to ruin Ning Tian's life?!"

"I'm not!"

The scenery warped violently. Ning Tian vanished. An Zhen disappeared.

"Then why stop them?!"

"Because you love Ning Tian!"

The "NPC Wu Feng" screamed.

Wu Feng tried summoning her spirit power—but felt nothing.

"Your selfishness will kill the young mistress!"

"No!" She loved Ning Tian—how could she harm her?

Two identical red-haired girls grappled, rolling across the floor in a tangle of limbs.

(As a Nine Treasure Glazed Tile disciple, you know the elders would never accept your relationship.)

"So what?!"

(To become sect leader, Ning Tian needs a powerful male partner. If not An Zhen, would you rather she marry a stranger?)

The surroundings shifted again.

Wu Feng gasped as her doppelgänger disappeared, replaced by a tearful Ning Tian in red bridal robes boarding a wedding carriage.

Another shift.

The golden-haired bride now lay on the ground, a vivid slap mark on her cheek as a faceless black-haired man laughed cruelly.

"BASTARD!"

Wu Feng tried to charge forward—but her body gave out, collapsing helplessly.

(Congratulations. Thanks to you, Ning Tian married a talented but vile man.)

(Unhappy, powerless against sect politics, she withers daily.)

Ning Tian materialized before her—dull eyes, sallow skin, fresh bruises.

The phantom voice whispered like a demon:

"This is fake!" Wu Feng bellowed.

"Even without An Zhen, I can protect the young mistress!"

(The sect's heiress enjoys privileges—but also bears responsibilities.)

(If Ning Tian fails to lead, imagine how the next leader would use her for connections.)

(Wu Feng, you claim to love her—yet never consider her dreams. How selfish can you be?!)

"NO!!!"

"Feng-mei."

A clear voice cut through the red haze. Wu Feng froze.

The broken Ning Tian before her now held a glimmer of hope.

She's not real.

But Wu Feng could never refuse that face.

"Don't let me become this... okay?" The golden-haired girl pleaded.

"...Okay."

(An Zhen—who defeated the Dragon God Douluo's disciple at eleven—likes you. You, Ning Tian, and he could live together. She'd be happy, secure as sect leader, fulfilling her dreams while you stay by her side forever.)

(Isn't that perfect?)

(Or do you want to destroy her future?)

...

"An Zhen, is Feng-mei alright?"

The golden-haired girl in nightgowns clutched his arm anxiously.

"Just a nightmare." The true culprit shrugged.

Inner demons.

Heaven's will, scribbled freely upon mortal hearts.

An Zhen didn't expect flimsy illusions to rewrite someone's soul—but they planted seeds.

After all...

That's what demons do.

And he trusted Wu Feng's love for Ning Tian.

Love is powerful. It changes everything.

The arrogant transmigrator smiled.

"The ending will be happy." He patted Ning Tian's hand reassuringly.

(End of Chapter)