ALL NOVEL Chapter 24: Visit
The serene atmosphere of the Red Thunder Dragon Family's residence was shattered by a flurry of arrivals. One after another, the heads of the four most powerful sects on the Douluo Continent descended upon the unassuming compound, each bearing gifts and congratulations for the family's recent double promotion to Title Douluo. However, beneath the surface of camaraderie and well wishes, a more sinister current thrummed.
First to arrive was Yu Yuanzhen, the formidable Sect Master of the Blue Tyrant Dragon Sect. A seasoned Title Douluo himself, currently at level 96, Yu Yuanzhen had long held a keen interest in the Red Thunder Dragon Family. Whispers of their prodigious potential and the unique Thunder-based martial arts they practiced captivated him. News of their two members reaching the coveted Title Douluo status within a short timeframe only intensified his curiosity. An intricate web of marriage alliances bound the two families together, with Yu Yuanzhen himself having a personal stake in their well-being as his own mother hailed from the Red Thunder Dragons. However, the recent advancements placed them on a more equal footing, a change that both intrigued and unsettled him.
"Congratulations, Red Thunder Dragon Family," Yu Yuanzhen boomed in a voice laced with a carefully measured mix of admiration and appraisal. "The simultaneous elevation of two of your members to Title Douluo within such a compressed timeframe speaks volumes of your family's extraordinary talent and unwavering dedication."
Han Jisoo, the patriarch of the Red Thunder Dragon Family, greeted Yu Yuanzhen with a practiced warmth. "Thank you for coming, Sect Master Yu. Your presence truly honors us."
As they engaged in cordial conversation, Yu Yuanzhen's eyes darted across the room, meticulously scrutinizing the family members. His attention fell upon the two newly minted Title Douluo – the Red Thunder Dragon Douluo and the Emerald Poison Dragon Douluo. The very names resonated with a potent power, sending a tremor of intrigue through his seasoned warrior's intuition. Their dragon-themed titles, particularly the Emerald Poison Dragon Douluo, held an extra layer of significance for Yu Yuanzhen. Familiarity with the poison families was a lesson brutally learned during his early days as a Soul Master, a time when even as a Contra, still a step below Title Douluo, venturing near a poison master invited potential devastation. Now, with this new Title Douluo in the Red Thunder Dragon Family, what horrors might their mastery of poisons hold? Though his Title Douluo status granted him immense power, Yu Yuanzhen couldn't help but sense a formidable aura emanating from the two figures. Yet, a disconcerting truth lurked beneath the surface. The family had only officially announced their levels to be 92 and 93, respectively. This disparity sent a jolt through Yu Yuanzhen. On the Douluo Continent, there were no known techniques to mask one's true power. Skill and soul power were laid bare for all to sense. This discrepancy could only mean one thing – the Red Thunder Dragon Douluo and the Emerald Poison Dragon Douluo were closer to his own level of 96, perhaps even surpassing it.
News travelled fast in the insular world of Soul Masters. The arrival of Yu Yuanzhen was just the first ripple in the stagnant pond of the Red Thunder Dragon Family residence. Soon after, Tang Halon, the stern-faced second elder of the Haotian Sect, arrived, his expression betraying a mixture of genuine joy and a hint of skepticism. He offered his congratulations for the family's achievements, but his eyes lingered on Title doulou a, the two newly minted Title Douluo. He then took his seat
Following Tang Halon's Arrival, a figure with a sharper, more calculating edge arrived. Ning Fengzhi, the shrewd Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda Sect, arrived with a retinue of attendants, their uniforms adorned with the iconic seven-storied pagoda emblem. Unlike Yu Yuanzhen and Tang Halon, Ning Fengzhi's motives were purely strategic. The Red Thunder Dragon Family's mastery of Thunder-based martial arts was a coveted asset, a potential tool that could be leveraged to strengthen his own sect. His voice, dripping with saccharine flattery, congratulated the family on their achievements but held a veiled undercurrent of ambition.
"Your family has achieved a remarkable feat, Red Thunder Dragon Family," Ning Fengzhi declared, his smile seemingly genuine but hiding a cunning glint in his eyes. "I am certain that your future holds triumphs beyond imagination."
The final visitor arrived with a chilling presence, an aura that spoke of immense power and ruthless pragmatism. The Spirit Hall, once led by the formidable a newly appointed elder – the Ghost Douluo, Guimei, known for his deadly precision and control over shadows. Cloaked in an obsidian robe that seemed to meld with the darkness around him, Guimei stepped into the Red Thunder Dragon Family's residence without fanfare, yet his very presence sent shivers through even the strongest of souls as his marital soul is related to death. Behind him, a small contingent of elite Spirit Hall warriors trailed, their expressions as cold and emotionless as their master's. Guimei's reputation was not built on raw power alone; it was the cold efficiency with which he executed the will of the Spirit Hall that made him a terrifying figure.
Han Jisoo greeted him with the same practiced warmth he had shown to the others, but there was no mistaking the tension in the air. The Spirit Hall had always been a dominant force on the Douluo Continent, with their reach extending into every corner of the soul master world. Their presence at this gathering spoke volumes about the recognition the Red Thunder Dragon Family had earned. Yet, the Spirit Hall's motives were always layered in shadows, and their every move was scrutinized for hidden agendas. Han Jisoo's eyes flickered with guarded caution as he extended a hand in welcome.
"Welcome, Lord Guimei. We are honored by the Spirit Hall's presence," Han Jisoo said with a polite nod, though he was acutely aware of the weight of those words. The Spirit Hall's "honor" could often be a double-edged sword.
Guimei's expression remained unreadable as he glanced around the room, his sharp, ghostly eyes settling briefly on the newly ascended Red Thunder Dragon Douluo and Emerald Poison Dragon Douluo. "The Spirit Hall acknowledges greatness where it is due," Guimei's voice was as cold and hollow as the shadows that clung to him. "Two Title Douluo ascensions in such a short span... remarkable."
Though his words carried a tone of praise, there was an unmistakable hint of calculation. The Spirit Hall had always sought to consolidate power, either through alliances or more nefarious means. Guimei's gaze, lingering on the two new Title Douluo, was not one of admiration—it was one of assessment, as though he were weighing their worth against the Spirit Hall's broader objectives.
As the room filled with the most powerful sect leaders of the Douluo Continent, the undercurrent of tension became palpable. While the surface was decorated with pleasantries, well-wishes, and diplomatic smiles, there was no denying that this gathering was more than just a celebration. It was a stage, where the unspoken language of power and politics was being played out in real-time. Each sect leader had their own motives, their own desires to further their respective sect's standing in the ever-shifting power dynamics of the continent. And the Red Thunder Dragon Family, with its newfound strength, was now a key player in that game.
Yu Yuanzhen's mind raced as he continued to engage in conversation with Han Jisoo. The implications of this rapid rise in power were enormous. If the Red Thunder Dragon Family truly possessed two Title Douluo near his own level of power, it would not just shift the balance within the dragon-related sects—it could upset the entire equilibrium of power across the Douluo Continent. And with the looming presence of the Spirit Hall now firmly inserted into the equation, the stakes were higher than ever. He glanced again at the two new Title Douluo, particularly the Emerald Poison Dragon Douluo. There was something unnerving about the way they carried themselves, a calm confidence that suggested they were aware of just how much their advancement had tilted the scales.
Meanwhile, Ning Fengzhi, ever the strategist, kept his distance but observed everything with a calculating eye. His mind was already working through various scenarios. The Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda Sect prided itself on its support capabilities, boosting the strength of its allies to unprecedented levels. If they could forge a strong alliance with the Red Thunder Dragon Family, their combined power could dwarf the other sects, perhaps even rivaling the Spirit Hall. But Ning Fengzhi knew better than to rush into anything. The Red Thunder Dragons were formidable, but they were also a potential threat if their ambitions grew too large.
. But even he could not ignore the unsettling speed at which the Red Thunder Dragons had risen. Still, his loyalty remained firm—for now. His gaze softened slightly as he watched the Red Thunder Dragon Douluo and Emerald Poison Dragon Douluo. There was pride in his eyes, but also the faintest flicker of concern. The world of soul masters was not kind to those who ascended too quickly without solidifying their foundations.
Guimei, on the other hand, was less concerned with alliances and more focused on evaluating the Red Thunder Dragon Family as either potential assets or future adversaries. The Spirit Hall did not tolerate threats, and if the Red Thunder Dragons' ambitions were seen to conflict with their own, Guimei had no doubt that decisive action would be taken. The Spirit Hall had crushed sects before, and they would do it again if necessary. But for now, Guimei was content to wait and watch. The game had just begun, and the pieces were still moving.
As the gathering continued, the atmosphere grew thicker with unspoken intentions. The Red Thunder Dragon Family stood at a crossroads. Their newfound power had earned them both respect and attention, but it also placed them squarely in the sights of those who coveted what they had achieved. The road ahead was uncertain, fraught with potential alliances, betrayals, and conflicts. But one thing was clear—the Red Thunder Dragon Family's rise had set off ripples that would be felt across the entire Douluo Continent.
And as the leaders of the most powerful sects gathered under one roof, each carrying their own ambitions and agendas, a storm was brewing just beyond the horizon. A storm that would test the strength, unity, and resolve of the Red Thunder Dragon Family, and perhaps determine the fate of the Douluo Continent itself.