Soul Land: Raiden Shogun Is My Martial Soul

Chapter 219: Lovers Finally Unite, Bibi Dong Wants to See the Blond Kid Again [4k]

Time flowed on as the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament progressed steadily, yet none of it seemed to concern Kong.

"Don't ask me to cook. I can do anything—except cook."

Over the span of half a month, despite Kong's skills as a top chef, he still failed to teach Raiden Shogun and Ei how to cook. This both frustrated and amused him. After all, their inability to cook was practically written into their character settings!

If these two ever managed to learn to cook, it would truly be miraculous.

Eventually, after half a month of fruitless effort, Raiden Shogun and Ei gave up on cooking altogether. Since they rarely ventured outside their domain, no one would ever know they couldn't cook!

"Time flies so fast. Half a month has passed just like that, and the preliminaries are already halfway over," Kong murmured to himself with a sigh.

Aside from the opening ceremony on the first day—where he had to make a symbolic appearance—Kong felt no obligation to attend the matches.

Of course, the other members of the Emperor Dou First Team were different. Except for Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling, who also chose not to spectate, the others actively observed potential opponents at the venue.

The preliminaries were just a warm-up, and many teams might hold back their full strength. Even if a dark horse appeared, there was nothing to fear. With Kong and Dugu Yan on their team, an upset was nearly impossible.

If opponents strong enough to challenge Kong and Dugu Yan appeared, the other Soul Masters wouldn't stand a chance anyway.

For ordinary people and low-level Soul Masters, the matches were exciting. However, for true experts, they were nothing more than child's play.

"Kong, today Godwind Academy is up against the Emperor Dou Second Team. Aren't you going to watch?"

"It's pointless. Tang San getting beaten up is inevitable, and the audience won't enjoy it. Neither will I. These matches are boring."

Kong was only interested in battles between Title Douluos. Watching preliminaries felt like a waste of time to him. Besides, neither his "Wife Shogun" nor "Shadow Treasure" cared for such events, so why bother?

"Well... Tang San seems to have potential, but not much. Who knows how far he'll lead the Emperor Dou Second Team," Dugu Yan mused after a brief pause.

Tang San's strength was decent for a Soul Ancestor, but his weaknesses were glaring.

"If nothing unexpected happens, the Emperor Dou Second Team might surprisingly qualify for the ranking matches," Kong said absentmindedly.

Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling were taken aback by this statement, staring at Kong in confusion.

What did he mean by "if nothing unexpected happens, they might surprisingly qualify"? The phrasing seemed contradictory.

Tang San, as the "protagonist" of this era, was practically guaranteed to advance. Despite his flaws, his strength was solid, even if his teammates were problematic.

"The Emperor Dou Second Team will likely secure fifth place in the preliminaries, earning them a spot in the ranking matches. As for their performance there, it's hard to predict."

If Tang San went all out in the ranking matches and pulled off consecutive one-versus-seven or one-versus-six victories, claiming the championship wasn't impossible.

In Heaven Dou City, only the top five teams from the preliminaries would qualify for the ranking matches. Following the classic narrative trend, Tang San—currently underestimated and criticized for his flaws—would redeem himself spectacularly in one-on-one duels during the ranking matches.

"What a bizarre narrative mechanism!" Kong silently mocked. He kept this thought to himself, but deep down, he swore that once he ascended to godhood, he'd find a way to beat up the "plot consciousness" of this world.

"Kong, why are you so sure the second team will qualify?" Dugu Yan asked skeptically. The Emperor Dou Second Team didn't seem strong enough to make it.

"Why?" Kong smirked. "Intuition. If you don't believe me, let's wait and see."

He was confident in his prediction.

"How about we make a bet? If—"

"No bets!"

"???"

Dugu Yan was stunned. She hadn't even mentioned the stakes, yet Kong refused outright.

So frustrating! He was always so hard to deal with!

Half a month ago, she had finally mustered the courage to visit him at night, only for him to vanish from his room before she even arrived. Her newfound determination had been extinguished once again.

Meanwhile, Ye Lingling remained silent. After returning to the Ye family recently, she had made up her mind. As a support-type Soul Master, she needed a strong battle-type partner to protect her. Her choice was Kong. However, she hadn't expressed her feelings directly.

Kong was different from others. He wasn't single, nor was he unattached. Behind him stood the third-ranked sect in the world, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, making it impossible for him to marry into the Ye family—a fact that had troubled Ye Lingling.

But she refused to give up. If marriage wasn't an option, so be it. If their child inherited Kong's martial spirit, they'd take his surname. If the child inherited the Nine-Hearted Begonia spirit, they'd take hers. It wasn't a big deal.

Initially, the Ye family had opposed the idea. But once Ye Lingling revealed Kong's background, their objections vanished.

It was a workable compromise.

The Nine-Hearted Begonia martial spirit was a rare lineage with only two holders alive at any given time on the continent. Although the Ye family had inherited the Nine-Hearted Begonia spirit for generations, not all members possessed it.

This rarity was one of the reasons Ye Lingling often joined Dugu Yan in her antics. Only in Kong's presence did she remove her veil, though he seemed oblivious to her feelings.

Or was he?

The kindness of a beautiful woman is hard to bear.

Kong had his reasons. Even managing Ei was a challenge. With Qian Renxue lurking in the background, how could he afford to entangle himself with more women?

Such was Kong's dilemma.

Having a powerful wife meant even casual flirtations required careful consideration.

Dugu Yan lowered her head, seemingly deep in thought. After a moment, she bit her lip, as though making a decision, and said, "Kong, is there really no room in your heart for anyone else?"

"You know how I feel about you. I know you do."

"I don't care how many women you have. I just want to be with you. Is that really impossible?"

The dormitory lounge fell silent. Kong looked at Dugu Yan, momentarily at a loss for words.

Dugu Yan had a bold and straightforward personality—passionate and decisive. In many ways, their relationship was akin to childhood sweethearts, growing up together without reservations.

He had always been aware of her feelings but had chosen to avoid them. Or perhaps it wasn't avoidance; he had once confessed that he already had someone he loved and had even introduced her to Ei.

"Yan, I..."

"Have you never liked me? Not even a little?" she interrupted, her voice trembling. Her gaze, filled with a mix of sorrow, hope, and determination, was piercing.

Does He Not Like Dugu Yan?

This question made Kong hesitate.

Someone so devoted, who thought only of him, and who had both exceptional beauty and talent—one of the very best on the Douluo Continent. How could he not like her? How could he not feel moved?

"Sister Yan, I can't deny my heart. I like you—not just a little."

Hearts are made of flesh, after all. How could he remain indifferent?

"I knew it!"

Dugu Yan broke into a smile through her tears. Hearing his answer, the nervousness in her heart was replaced with immense joy.

"Can we be together?"

"Aren't we already together?"

"This isn't what I meant, and you know it!"

"I mean exactly what you think I mean."

Sitting silently nearby, Ye Lingling blinked at the scene before her. Kong, my good friend, are you two trying to kill me here?

This sudden dose of sweetness caught her completely off guard. She had thought for sure that Dugu Yan's confession would fail. Who would've expected Kong to accept it?

She truly admired Dugu Yan's courage.

"Congratulations to you both—lovers finally united!"

Ye Lingling offered her heartfelt congratulations. Her best friend's success gave her hope for herself as well. At that moment, she was genuinely happy for them.

Hearing Ye Lingling's voice, Kong and Dugu Yan were startled, only now remembering there was an "outsider" present.

Dugu Yan's face turned red, but luckily Ye Lingling wasn't a true outsider—she was someone Dugu Yan had confided in before.

"Hmm?"

Noticing Kong glancing out the window every now and then, Dugu Yan felt puzzled. "Kong, what's wrong? The weather is great today."

"Huh?"

Snapped out of his thoughts, Kong realized the clear skies outside showed no signs of change. Good, he thought, this means Wife Shogun isn't angry.

"It's nothing. Just checking the weather."

"By the way, thank you, Lingling!"

"It's nothing. You and Sister Yan have been through so much over the years—it's only right that you've finally ended up together. My blessings come from the heart!"

Switch to Spirit City, in the Hall of the Pope.

"Pope Your Majesty, temporarily changing the finals' venue—won't this damage the reputation of the Spirit Hall? After all, the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament finals have always been held near the border between the two kingdoms."

The Hall of the Pope was bustling with activity. Even high-ranking red-robed cardinals could only stand at the back without any say in the matter.

"As the hosts of this tournament, does the Spirit Hall not even have the authority to change the finals' venue?"

Bibi Dong's expression turned icy as she spoke sharply.

Every time she made a decision, these old fogeys jumped out to oppose her. If it weren't a critical time when she still needed manpower, she would've dealt with them long ago.

"I support moving the finals to Spirit City!"

Just as one elder was about to protest further, a voice rang out within the Hall of the Pope. A figure appeared shortly thereafter.

Recognizing him, many present couldn't help but widen their eyes in shock.

"Greetings, Grand Worshipper!"

"Greetings, Grand Worshipper!"

With Qian Daoliu supporting the change, no one dared oppose the proposal anymore. It passed immediately.

Bibi Dong said nothing more, though her expression darkened. As long as Qian Daoliu lived, her authority in the Spirit Hall could never reach its peak.

After all, the Spirit Hall was founded by the Qian family.

The reason Bibi Dong decided to change the finals' venue to Spirit City wasn't just logistical. She wanted to meet the "blond brat"... cough, no—Kong!

She didn't approve of him as a son-in-law, believing that Kong had deceived Qian Renxue—just as Yu Xiaogang had once deceived her.

Yu Xiaogang, I will destroy everything you hold dear!

Qian Daoliu, on the other hand, had his own reasons for agreeing to the venue change. He supported Qian Renxue and Kong's relationship.

Whether or not Qian Renxue became a god, having a husband like Kong would ensure her children inherited exceptional talent.

This was one of the reasons Qian Daoliu supported the move.

After the meeting, only Qian Daoliu and Bibi Dong remained in the Hall of the Pope. The two locked eyes for a moment before Qian Daoliu broke the silence.

"I approve of that boy. You cannot touch him."

"Grand Worshipper, I have no idea what you're talking about!"

A flash of killing intent flickered in Bibi Dong's eyes, but she quickly suppressed it.

If Kong truly deceived Qian Renxue like Yu Xiaogang had deceived her, then even if Qian Renxue hated her for the rest of her life, she would personally kill him!

For a moment, she understood how Qian Xunji had felt all those years ago…

Though Qian Xunji hadn't gone as far as killing Yu Xiaogang outright, he had still expelled him from the Spirit Hall.

"Bibi Dong, stop pretending. I'm not blind. That boy has talent, strength, and good looks. Qian Renxue's taste is far better than yours ever was."

Qian Daoliu spoke bluntly. As long as Bibi Dong hadn't become a god, she would never be his match within Spirit City.

Hearing this, Bibi Dong fumed. Was this old man mocking her poor judgment in the past?

The worst part was, she couldn't refute it.

She had been blind to fall for Yu Xiaogang's lies.

"Old man, I will not allow her to walk my path!"

Bibi Dong shouted angrily.

Qian Daoliu: "…"

Glancing at the somewhat unhinged Bibi Dong, Qian Daoliu shook his head, sighed, and disappeared from the Hall of the Pope.

No matter what, Qian Xunji was still his son and Qian Renxue's father. Hearing Bibi Dong call him "old man" stung deeply, though he had no way to respond.

In truth, Qian Daoliu had failed to restrain Qian Xunji back then—his greatest regret.

After Qian Daoliu left, Bibi Dong sat quietly for a long time, slowly regaining her composure. She muttered to herself:

"I hope so."

"Xue'er, I hope your judgment is better than mine. Don't repeat my mistakes."

"If he deceives you, I only hope you won't hate me…"

Bibi Dong couldn't be indifferent to Qian Renxue. In the past, her infatuation with her "white moonlight," Yu Xiaogang, had blinded her to everything else.

Now that she knew the truth, Bibi Dong felt lost. Everything she had clung to over the years was a mistake, while the man she had killed—Qian Xunji—had been right all along. But it was too late to go back…

(End of Chapter)

🌟 Unlock the World of Stories with Early Access on Patreon! 🌟

Hello, beloved readers and supporters!

I am thrilled to offer you an exclusive opportunity to dive deeper into our captivating stories before anyone else. By joining the Patreon community, you'll unlock a treasure trove of benefits, including:

📚 Early Access to 20 Chapters: Be the first to explore new chapters, experiencing the twists and turns of our tales well ahead of regular readers. Your journey through our stories doesn't have to wait!

💬 Connect with the Community: Join a vibrant, like-minded group of readers who share your passion. Engage in exciting discussions, share theories, and make new friends who love the stories as much as you do.

👏 Support the Creator: Your patronage directly contributes to the ongoing creation and improvement of the content you love. Be a vital part of the creative journey!

Patreon.com/anish_44

https://ko-fi.com/anish_44