Douluo Dalu 2: You are an Evil Soul Master, but also a good person ?

Xu Cheng lowered his hand, and Xiao Hongchen's gaze instantly shifted away.

Lowering, a quick glance.

Putting it down, looking away.

Lowering again, another quick glance.

Putting it down…

Damn, is he some kind of concept god?!

Xu Cheng couldn't help but curse internally.

It seemed that every time he got close to Meng Hongchen, this guy would suddenly appear out of nowhere, acting all casual and surprised—

"Oh wow, what a coincidence! You guys are here too?"

But after all, she was the delicate flower of her family. If it were anyone else, Xiao Hongchen wouldn't just be sneaking glances; he'd probably be aiming at them with the infrared targeting system of a soul-guided cannon…

In Xiao Hongchen's own words, full of grief and indignation—"She's only fifteen! You damn beast!"

Xu Cheng chuckled and turned to another girl.

"Tang Ya, are you joining too?"

As time passed, the once eleven-year-old little girl had now grown into a beautiful fifteen-year-old young lady, like a budding flower. On the Douluo Continent, where people matured early, she was no exception.

She stood at 1.75 meters, tall and graceful, with an absolutely stunning face. Her silky ponytail and her elegantly raised, swan-like chin all showed that she had fully blossomed…

If Beibei saw her now, could he even hold himself back?

Three Years Ago

Shortly after the conflict with the Fourth Prince ended, the new school year began.

Just before registration closed, this girl arrived at the academy at the last moment, acting as if she didn't care.

Xu Cheng had a serious talk with her.

"Are you living for Tang San, or are you living for yourself?"

"Do you want to restore the former glory of the Tang Sect, or do you want to cut ties and build your own Tang Sect from scratch?"

But Tang Ya nearly collapsed: "I'm an evil soul master! My strength can only grow through killing. How am I supposed to build my own Tang Sect?"

Xu Cheng's response was simple:

"Killing isn't the goal; it's just a means. What matters is what you aim to achieve. Do you want to control your own destiny, or let others manipulate you?"

Anyway, the "surgery" was… successful.

"I'm going, of course! Why wouldn't I?" Tang Ya lifted her chin and glared at Xu Cheng. "And you're so confident you don't have to take part?"

"What do you mean?"

Xu Cheng was momentarily confused.

"Elder Cheng specifically told me to remind you—you must take this assessment, or it will affect your graduation…" Nana interjected.

"Graduation? I—"

Xu Cheng's mouth hung open.

He glanced at Nana, who stood at 1.8 meters tall, with tanned skin and a wild, explosive physique. Even among all the beautiful women around him, she had a unique appeal. His lips twitched.

"What does Teacher mean by this?"

Ever since Xu Cheng became Elder Cheng's disciple, Nana had gradually come into the old man's sight. She was fiercely loyal to Xu Cheng, and because of her tragic past, Elder Cheng had taken her in like his own child—almost recognizing her as his goddaughter.

That's why Xu Cheng often found himself confused, listening to Nana relay instructions from Elder Cheng…

"Elder Cheng says that real combat is the best way to identify weaknesses. Shrek Academy won't be easy. Even with you around, the Sun Moon Empire will be a tough battle, and there's no guarantee of victory."

Nana spoke seriously.

"Besides, this time, it's not just the Sun Moon Imperial Academy. Mingdu Soul Tool Academy is participating in the exchange competition too…"

"Mingdu Soul Tool Academy? You mean… Xu Tianzhen?"

Xu Cheng's lips twitched.

That little devil is coming?

Nana nodded slowly.

Xu Cheng shook his head helplessly.

So that's the real point here.

As for Shrek Academy?

The reason Teacher is worried is because my status as the holy son of the Holy Spirit Cult hasn't been fully revealed yet…

Two years ago, I summoned seven Titled Douluo to help Qing Yi break through to Titled Douluo and advance to a Rank Nine Soul Engineer. After that, Huo Qing gradually took full control of the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion, becoming its only vice commander.

That was true power in my hands.

Back then, I had considered heading to the Mingdou Mountains to meet that "cheat-like" evil soul master.

But on second thought, I decided not to interfere with the world's course.

I had faith in Elder Xuan to handle things properly…

He sighed.

Since it was a teacher's request, it was out of genuine concern.

In the past three years, my research abilities had skyrocketed under Elder Cheng's guidance, but in the eyes of these big shots, my combat experience was lacking. (I had declined many tests and had barely fought in the past three years.)

If that's the case, then let's take the exam.

Xu Cheng nodded.

"Interesting! If you're participating, then I'll join too!" Xiao Hongchen said excitedly.

"Then I'm in too!" Meng Hongchen raised her hand.

"If all of you are joining, then what about me?!" Juzi pouted.

"As the secretary, you have your own responsibilities. Besides, you're only in your fourth year—your strength isn't quite there yet…" Xu Cheng coughed twice.

"…Fine. If I'd known, I would've joined the military back then," Juzi muttered.

"What did you say?"

"I said… I'm so happy…"

Xu Cheng looked at Juzi, who had deflated like a balloon.

This girl had great talent. In the original story, she had reached Rank Seven as a soul engineer later on, and that was without much training—her strength had skyrocketed effortlessly.

But she was too busy with official duties.

Three years ago, after I took the Fourth Prince's arm and disbanded the Royal Investigation Squad, many factions openly and secretly pledged their allegiance.

Now, I'm no longer just a powerless prince—I control a significant force.

Even some military divisions on the border have expressed goodwill.

Managing such a vast influence naturally meant handling endless affairs.

So I appointed Juzi as my secretary, leaving her to deal with all the tedious tasks…

These were my future subordinates, my most trustworthy "companions."

Xu Cheng looked around.

As a prince, and someone highly likely to become emperor in the future, the idea of "companions" was extravagant.

But having planned ahead for so many years, and with his deep understanding of various characters from Douluo, he had full confidence.

"Let's go. Time for the assessment…"

Dou Ling Empire—Xuanming City

This city originally belonged to the Heaven Dou Empire, but after its collapse, the Sun Moon Empire rose to power, and the land split into two countries. Xuanming City became part of the Dou Ling Empire.

Its name came from the reclusive sect Xuanming Sect.

In a rundown neighborhood of the city, inside a small home—

A purple-haired girl knelt beside a bed, her beautiful eyes red from crying.

"Cough… Nannan, I'll be fine. Go back to Shrek Academy. I can take care of myself…"

The frail woman on the bed, despite her haggard appearance, still held traces of former beauty. She gently cupped her daughter's face and forced a smile.

"Mom, you're all I have…" Jiang Nannan held her mother's hands tightly, unwilling to accept reality.

The local alchemists were helpless. Some had mentioned a Xuanming Divine Pill from the Xuanming Sect, which could supposedly cure any illness—but it cost nearly a million gold soul coins.

Her teacher had only sighed.

Shrek Academy had few students from poor backgrounds, and there were no financial aid programs in the Sun Moon Empire. A million gold soul coins? Impossible.

So she turned to Xuanming Sect for help.

They agreed—for a price.

And that price…

Was her.

Jiang Nannan clenched her fists.

She had made up her mind.

For her mother, she would sacrifice anything.

"I'll be back soon, Mom…"

She wiped her tears and walked out.

The Other Side.

The steward, his face filled with a lecherous grin, pulled on Xu Sanshi's arm.

The path they followed was lined with pink lanterns, a testament to the overwhelming influence the Xuanming Sect wielded in the region.

At last, they arrived at a secluded dwelling.

The steward pushed Xu Sanshi into the small house.

"Go on, Second Young Master! I've handpicked the perfect girl for you. I've had my eye on her for quite some time, and guess what? She's even one of your fellow students at Shrek Academy…"

Xu Sanshi felt his blood rush.

His breathing grew heavy.

Without hesitation, he strode into the inner room.

But…

Upon entering, Xu Sanshi found the room completely empty. He stood there, dumbfounded.

"Where is she?"

Author's Note:Logically speaking, this event should have occurred when they were around eleven or twelve years old. However, in Chapter 442 of the original novel, their exact ages are specified—Xu Sanshi was fifteen, and this happened in his third year at the academy. Looks like Tang Jia San Shao made a continuity error.

Given that, I'll write this as if they were around fourteen to make the timeline more cohesive.

(End of Chapter)