Douluo Dalu 3 - Qiang Ming's Journey

A few days had passed since the ball, and Qiang Ming had settled into the cruise's rhythm with the grace of someone who commanded his own time. Most of his nights were still dedicated to cultivation, as they had been for years. Even now, he sat cross-legged in his cabin, immersed in the serene circulation of his soul power. He was closer than ever to breaking through to Rank 50—and with that, acquiring his fifth soul ring.

But there was a lingering dilemma.

His Abyss Soul Hammer had already reached the ten-thousand-year threshold. It had given him four strong rings, each one aligned almost perfectly with the Blackstone Abyss Hammer. Yet, it had reached its limit. He would need a new Spirit Soul to take on the fifth ring.

Qiang Ming sighed inwardly.

'Will the Pagoda branches in Star Luo even have something worthwhile?' he thought.

A ten-thousand-year Spirit Soul might be enough for most cultivators, but not for him. Jin Shi had spoiled him—after having absorbed the will of a hundred-thousand-year-old Three Eyed Golden Lion, he could never look at ordinary beasts the same way.

Right on cue, Jin Shi's dry, gravelly voice echoed in his mind.

'I like you, kid—but let's not get ahead of ourselves. Had I not owed your master a favor larger than life, I wouldn't have agreed to become your Spirit Soul. Expecting another hundred-thousand-year soul beast to join you willingly? That's not ambition, that's delusion.'

Qiang Ming let out a breath, both annoyed and amused.

'So you're saying the odds aren't in my favor?'

'I'm saying you'd have to find one first, then survive the encounter, and finally convince it to give up its body, cultivation, and independence... and just become your pet power battery. Good luck with that.'

Qiang Ming's lips twitched in reluctant agreement. Jin Shi had a point. Still, he didn't like admitting it.

'So, back to the Ascension Platform it is...' he grumbled to himself. 'Should probably start building up some passive income while I'm at it. Can't depend on the clan forever. Maybe I should start buying real estate? Land is always valuable.'

Lost in his own mildly capitalist ambitions, he stood and stretched. The soft hum of the ship soothed his ears, and a calm breeze filtered through the open balcony door.

He stepped outside.

The sky above was pristine, stars scattered across it like jewels. The moon was bright, casting silvery light over the sea's endless expanse. Qiang Ming leaned against the railing, golden-purple hair catching the moonlight like silk. His gaze lifted upward, thoughtful.

Beyond this sky…

His Master had once told him that the Douluo Plane wasn't alone in the universe. There were other worlds, even alien beings. Apparently, during the time of the Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao, some kind of entity from beyond the stars had made contact—or at least a brief brush—with him. The records were fragmented. Some dismissed them as fantasy. But Tian Jue Dui believed them.

And if Tian Jue Dui believed it, Qiang Ming had learned to take it seriously.

The stars sparkled above. Curious, Qiang Ming focused his attention below instead.

He activated his Third Eye.

Immediately, the sea became clearer, like a second sky beneath his feet. Schools of fish flickered past, aquatic soul beasts of various strengths moving gracefully through the water. He spotted sleek sharks, ancient turtles, and even a massive whale deeper down.

Then he blinked. Something caught his attention—a shape struggling in the water, surrounded by pressure. His pupils sharpened.

Tang Wulin.

He was quite a distance from the ship, fully submerged and fighting to stay above water. His soul power was sealed. So was his bloodline. He was struggling—no, being tested.

Qiang Ming's gaze narrowed. His mental power swept the surroundings, until—

There.

A man in a chef's outfit stood calmly on the outer deck, not far from Wulin's location. He exuded an overwhelming aura, though kept it expertly subdued. Even so, Ming's instincts screamed.

There was only one person that figure could be.

'The Body Sect's Master… Mu Ye.'

The realization made everything clear.

This wasn't an attack. It was training. Brutal, yes—but also a gift. Much like his own sudden "kidnapping," this was a deliberate act by a teacher intent on forging a better disciple.

Mu Ye and Tian Jue Dui were of the same breed, it seemed—monsters who raised monsters.

Qiang Ming let out a quiet exhale. He turned away from the sea, no longer concerned. Wulin would survive. That Dragon Bloodline of his was absurdly powerful, and his body was practically sculpted for abuse.

In fact, Qiang Ming was almost jealous.

'Looks like I'll be watching your progress too now, Wulin' he mused. 'Let's see what you become under pressure.'

From that night onward, Qiang Ming added a new ritual to his evenings. After cultivation, after stargazing, he would open his Third Eye and peer into the ocean below—sometimes watching sharks hunt, sometimes observing battles far beneath the surface, and occasionally tracking the grueling saga of Tang Wulin's aquatic training.

For the first time in a while, he was starting to feel like a spectator again.

But he knew better than anyone: every quiet night was just a calm before the next storm.