Douluo: Manifesting the Black Abyss and White Flower at the Start

On a sun-drenched beach, the fine sand glittered, and waves lapped rhythmically at the shore. Lu Jingming sat quietly on a beach chair, gently stroking the sleeping little fox in his arms.

Its pink fur was soft and smooth, rising and falling with his touch; its little head occasionally nuzzled his palm, purring softly.

Lu Jingming looked up to see a group of lively girls playing on the beach.

They wore brightly colored swimsuits, sweating freely under the sun.

Among them, March Seven wore a pink-and-white suit, the perfect cut showing off her long, fair legs, her trademark leg ring adding playfulness.

She leaped and hit the ball, her laughter ringing across the sand.

Firefly, Robin, Castorice, and even the usually-cool Gu Yue were among them; even she looked charming in a swimsuit.

Lu Jingming could sense the power of reality gathering from across time and space. He knew the simulated universe login devices deployed via the imaginary channel were taking effect.

He'd spent much effort to gain enough reality power, even generously opening up Honkai energy to that world's simulated universe.

After all, without sufficient benefits, mere simulated battles could never achieve his goals in a world where the simulated universe was not yet widespread.

Suddenly, a loud thud broke Lu Jingming's thoughts.

He instinctively reached out, catching a fast-flying volleyball.

It still spun wildly, smoke rising from friction.

Lu Jingming's mouth twitched—did March Seven and the others want to kill him with this volleyball?

"Xiao Ming, over here!" March Seven waved, calling loudly.

Her pink cheeks were flushed from exercise, damp hair clinging to her face, full of youthful energy.

Lu Jingming lightly tossed the special volleyball back like a cannonball, its speed rattling the air as it shot toward March Seven.

"Wow! Are you trying to kill me?!" March Seven shrieked, hiding behind Jinhsi.

Jinhsi's silver hair was tied in twin tails; her swimsuit and sarong made her look elegant as ever.

She lifted a finger; a golden glow flashed, slowing the volleyball instantly so it gently landed in her hand.

"Xiao Ming, don't scare little March 7th." Jinhsispoke gently, like a spring breeze.

"Jinhsi, you've misunderstood me—March 7th is just timid, it's not like she couldn't catch it." Lu Jingming spread his hands, smiling innocently, a playful glint in his eyes.

"Hey! Who are you calling timid? Be careful or I'll punch you!" March Seven puffed up her cheeks, pretending to threaten him—adorably fierce, like a kitten.

"Oh? Can you beat me?" Lu Jingming teased, eyes amused.

March Seven was speechless; Lu Jingming wasn't at all gentlemanly—if provoked, he'd really teach her a lesson, and… thinking of the last time she'd angered him, she subconsciously covered her backside.

That night, she'd had to sleep on her stomach.

"All right, all right. Xiao Ming, you have things to do, right? Leave Miko with me." Robin stepped over gracefully.

She carefully took the little fox, moving gently so as not to disturb its sleep.

She looked up, smiling, gently ushering Lu Jingming away—though nobody minded him being there, it was hard to relax with him watching.

"I do have to leave Haiyuan City for a while. I'll leave Miko to you, Robin." Lu Jingming was indeed about to go.

"You have to call me Sister Robin!" Robin frowned, embarrassed by his casual tone.

"Okay, Robin." Lu Jingming smiled mischievously, making Robin roll her eyes.

He waved goodbye and strode away, his figure stretching in the sun, disappearing at the end of the beach as the girls' laughter drifted on the sea breeze.

…

Star Luo City.

This ancient, towering city had stood as the capital of the Star Luo Empire for millennia, a monument to history and glory.

Its walls soared a hundred meters high and thick, built of steel-hard material, almost impossible for soul masters to damage.

The city stretched across more than a thousand square kilometers, with crisscrossing streets and dense buildings.

Even the city gates were wide enough for sixteen carriages to pass abreast.

The city had 8 million permanent residents, surging to 20 million during peak festivals.

Compared to it, Haiyuan City, though leading in soul tool technology, was much smaller.

Lu Jingming and Changli stood before the city gates. After a simple check, they entered the ancient city.

It wasn't wartime, so entry wasn't difficult even for the capital.

This time, Jingliu did not accompany him—his companion was Changli.

Though not as invincible as Jingliu, Changli's soul power had reached level 98.

Her martial soul—Vermillion Bird—was the southern divine beast, a pure-blooded phoenix wielding the ultimate southern fire, far superior to Ma Xiaotao's impure evil fire phoenix.

Even if Ma Xiaotao's martial soul later evolved, she would still fall short.

As one of those who had accompanied Lu Jingming from the beginning, Changli enjoyed his full trust—she could use any resource, even Honkai energy or rare treasures, freely and without reporting in advance.

Lu Jingming's purpose in coming to Star Luo City was clear—to discuss business with the royal family.

Jingliu was unmatched in battle, but on the negotiating table, it was the detail-oriented, eloquent Changli who excelled.

Lu Jingming's own advantage was his personal connections.

His relationship with Xu Jiujiu was a valuable bargaining chip.

The next All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament was just a year away.

Traditionally, it would be held in Star Luo City.

Lu Jingming wanted to persuade the royal family to transfer hosting rights to Haiyuan City, to attract people and resources and build its reputation.

But he knew this would be as hard as reaching the heavens.

Even if he and Xu Jiujiu were family, or even lovers, it was still impossible.

The four great empires vied fiercely for tournament hosting for many reasons:

The tournament was a talent selection platform—empires hoped to recruit gifted young soul masters.

Hosting boosted national prestige and unity.

The performance of teams revealed rival nations' strength.

The economic benefits were huge—tickets, hotels, food, and entertainment all boomed.

The tournament's popularity further cemented soul masters as the backbone of society.

With so many reasons, the four empires never gave an inch on hosting rights, and had not for millennia.