After confirming the island where the Golden Crow resided, Xu Yang and Sword Douluo Chen Xin returned to the ship and began the journey back to the Douluo Continent. However, before leaving, Xu Yang cast a long gaze southwest—not at the Golden Crow again, but to estimate the distance between this island and the Sun Moon Continent.
From their departure point, they had traveled south for over a month, then veered southwest for another two months. The total distance covered had exceeded forty thousand nautical miles, yet the endless sea still stretched before them—no sign of civilization or human activity in sight.
Given that the Sun Moon Continent's soul tool technology far surpassed that of Douluo, and their shipbuilding expertise would naturally be more advanced as well, the fact that even they hadn't charted this sea suggested one thing:
The Sun Moon Continent was not much farther off.
Xu Yang wasn't calculating this distance out of idle curiosity—he was planning for the future. As his cultivation advanced, so too did his ambitions. Ideas that once seemed like wild fantasies began to take root in his heart again: eternal life, godhood.
The desire for immortality was ingrained deep in the bones of every Chinese soul—and Xu Yang was no exception. When he had first transmigrated, he dismissed this as an unattainable dream. After all, in the world of Douluo, ascending to godhood was nearly impossible without inheriting a divine position. Lacking a suitable inheritance meant that path was sealed.
But now?
Now, whether in terms of spiritual insight, soul power, or physical strength—he stood at the very peak of the continent. He had a real shot at stepping into the divine realm. And with that realization, the dreams he had buried long ago began to rise once more.
Rummaging through his memory, Xu Yang found that the only divine position compatible with him was the Elemental Fire God. But unfortunately, that god had left no inheritance behind in this world.
So he had only one option: forge his own godhood, like the Sea God did—by influencing the world and gathering enough faith to build a god seat from scratch.
However, the Douluo Continent already had its gods. The people's faith was directed toward the Angel God, and the Spirit Hall—that massive monolithic organization—was built around that faith. Trying to gather faith here would take far too long. He would have to wait until the fall of Spirit Hall, and who knew when that would be?
Especially now, with the original plotline already in disarray.
Bringing down the Spirit Hall—armed with the Angel God's inheritance—was no easy task.
As for waiting for Tang San to become a god?
Xu Yang didn't even consider that.
Not only had he already disrupted the story and seized the immortal herbs that were crucial to Tang San's path, making it uncertain whether Tang San could even become a god… but more importantly, he and Tang San were now on opposite sides.
They might not yet be mortal enemies, but knowing Tang San's personality, Xu Yang wouldn't be surprised if things escalated to that point.
Which meant his only viable path forward lay in the Sun Moon Continent. As long as there wasn't a god-backed organization like Spirit Hall entrenched there, Xu Yang could rise and unify the continent, gather faith, and forge his own divine path.
But all of that was still in the distant future.
Right now, what he needed most was to increase his strength. His soul power was just a hair away from reaching Rank 66. A week or two of focused cultivation would see him break through completely.
During the three-month return voyage, Xu Yang divided his time between cultivating and teaching the Great Sun Golden Body refinement method to Ning Fengzhi, his wife, Dugu Bo, and Sword Douluo Chen Xin.
The essence of this body-refining method was to use one's own attribute-infused soul power and apply the Mysterious Jade Hand to temper the skeleton—then gradually work outward, refining the internal organs, muscles, fascia, and finally the skin.
Because Xu Yang used Sun-aligned soul power, he had named it the Great Sun Golden Body. As for the others, whose soul power attributes were different, they could decide their own names.
"Sect Master, we'll reach the mainland in half a day."
Before long, the group returned to Zhenchi City's port, finally stepping back onto solid ground. That alone was enough to bring a sense of comfort. Without wasting a moment, they set off toward Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, while having their intelligence network gather news from the past six months.
Fortunately, nothing major had occurred during Ning Fengzhi's absence. The sect had remained stable, and no unforeseen incidents had arisen.
However, as they returned to the sect grounds, they were met by a very unhappy Ning Rongrong. Upon seeing them, she gave a cold snort and turned away with a huff.
Ning Fengzhi, Xu Yang, and Chen Xin exchanged awkward glances, their faces full of embarrassment.
had been gone for half a year. Anyone would worry. A little anger was understandable—especially for someone like Ning Rongrong, who had been spoiled since birth.
"Rongrong, Daddy was wrong. I promise I won't be gone this long next time."
"What?! You're saying there's going to be a next time?!"
"No, no! Of course not! Absolutely no next time!"
…
This time, Ning Rongrong was truly angry—not even Xu Yang could get through to her. Several times, he tried to comfort her, only to be met with cold shoulders and turned backs. Thankfully, Xu Yang was from modern times and had many ways to coax someone. After a few days, he finally calmed her down—but at the cost of agreeing to a few… let's say unequal terms.
"Brother! Ever since we got back from Shrek Academy, I haven't gone out even once. Take me to Tiandou City, okay?"
"Sure."
Hearing her request, Xu Yang paused his cultivation, quickly cleaned up, and headed out with her to Tiandou City. Quietly trailing behind them was Ning Haiyan, now an eighty-eighth rank Soul Douluo, whose combat strength rivaled even some Titled Douluo in the 91–92 range.
If not for the medicinal effect of the Grade Nine Purple Ganoderma being slightly inferior to the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid, he might've already broken through. Even so, he was close—within two years, he was expected to become a Titled Douluo, and had already begun trying to condense his own soul core.
"La la~!"
Ning Rongrong was all smiles as they walked through the streets of Tiandou City, practically bouncing with joy. She flitted from shop to shop, touching this and admiring that. When she saw something she liked, she bought it without hesitation—completely unconcerned about the cost.
"Brother! Pay for it!"
"Brother! I want this too!"
…
And thus, Xu Yang became a walking wallet, silently handing over coin after coin. This was one of the unequal terms he had agreed to: he was to accompany her on a shopping spree without a single complaint.
He couldn't help but remember how, in the past, every time they went out, he'd barely last an hour before complaining. This time, though—
"Let's do it right."
Xu Yang put aside all distracting thoughts and followed Ning Rongrong with a carefree smile. As they strolled through the marketplace, a striking figure appeared in the distance.
It was a tall girl in black clothing, her body curvaceous, her expression cold, wandering the streets aimlessly as if lost in thought.
"Zhuqing! Over here!"
Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up. She waved enthusiastically at the girl.
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin