The joy on Long Xiaoyao's face didn't last long. His brows furrowed tightly — and before he could even voice his doubts, Xu Tiannan spoke first, sneering coldly.
"Do you take the Dragon Emperor for a three-year-old child? You think the evil attribute within a Martial Soul can be 'controlled' just because you say so?"
"If it could be controlled so easily, there would've been no Evil Soul Masters left in this world long ago. We wouldn't need you to tell us how to fix it."
Xu Tiannan's voice was full of disdain as he struck directly at the weakest point in Wei Xuan's argument.
Long Xiaoyao's expression darkened. Though displeased with Xu Tiannan's interruption, he couldn't deny that the man had a point. His sharp eyes turned toward Wei Xuan, half-narrowed, dangerous.
"What you describe is nothing more than a theory," he said slowly. "In my eyes, its feasibility is close to zero — or rather, impossible. Is that your great solution?"
By the end, his tone had hardened, and the pressure of an Ultimate Douluo descended like a mountain.
Wei Xuan staggered under the invisible weight, his knees nearly buckling. His legs trembled violently, his face pale as he struggled to stand upright, circulating his Soul Power desperately to resist.
"Enough! You've gone too far!" Jing Hongchen barked angrily, preparing to fight even at the cost of his life.
"Hall Master Hongchen," Wei Xuan called out quickly, shaking his head, stopping him before he could act.
"You'd best stay still," Long Xiaoyao said darkly. "Or I'll send you on your way right now." His mood had soured completely.
Moments ago, he had glimpsed hope. Now, it felt like mockery — as if this boy had been toying with him all along.
Jing Hongchen glared daggers at him but forced himself to stay calm, suppressing the urge to attack.
Wei Xuan, though pale, remained composed. His eyes, colder now, met Long Xiaoyao's without flinching.
"I said it could be done," he replied firmly. "That means it can be done. Others may fail — but I will not."
For an instant, as Wei Xuan's dark, starlit gaze locked onto him, Long Xiaoyao felt something strange — an inexplicable ripple of fear, faint but undeniable.
He blinked and instinctively averted his gaze.
A chill crept up his spine. Afraid? Of an eight-year-old child? The realization left him both shocked and unsettled.
That momentary loss of composure made him reevaluate Wei Xuan entirely. This was no ordinary boy.
"You know what happens if you lie to me?" Long Xiaoyao said coldly, his killing intent rising once more.
Wei Xuan merely smiled — calm, almost amused.
"At worst, I die," he said softly. "But I'm certain I won't be the one to experience that outcome."
Long Xiaoyao studied him in silence. Even when speaking of death, the boy's tone was unshaken, his expression tranquil. It was unnerving.
Perhaps… he really could do it.
"Fine," Long Xiaoyao said at last. "I'll give you a chance. I'll bring you an Evil Soul Master. If you can control the corruption within him — you live. Fail, and I'll make you wish for death. Do you accept?"
Though skepticism lingered, a flicker of curiosity pushed him to try. What if the impossible proved true?
Xu Tiannan's face darkened instantly.
"Dragon Emperor, he's mine!" he snapped. "I must kill him. Don't interfere!"
Long Xiaoyao turned his head, eyes glacial.
"I'm not interfering," he said evenly. "I just want him to help me with something. If he fails, I'll kill him myself. But if he succeeds…"
He trailed off, frowning slightly, uncertain what he'd do then.
Xu Tiannan seized the pause. "If he succeeds, you'll still protect him?" he demanded sharply. "Don't forget why we came here! You think he'll forgive us afterward? Even if he says nothing, he'll never forget."
"If he lives, he'll become Emperor of the Sun Moon Empire. And when that happens, what do you think he'll do to the Holy Spirit Cult?"
His voice dripped with venom and frustration. He was beginning to regret not killing Wei Xuan the moment he'd had the chance. Now things were spiraling beyond control.
Long Xiaoyao frowned deeply, thoughtful, his gaze flicking to Wei Xuan from time to time.
Wei Xuan said nothing. He stood still, quietly gathering his spiritual strength, preparing for whatever might come.
Xu Tiannan pressed on. "If you take him away, then our agreement is over," he said sharply. "Every promise I made to your Cult — revoked."
"I swore that once I ascend the throne, I'd make the Holy Spirit Cult the national religion. But if you side with him, all of that disappears. Tell me, what can he offer you in return? Nothing but false hope."
He leaned forward slightly, voice heavy with urgency. "Will you really throw away a powerful ally for a fantasy that can never come true?"
Long Xiaoyao hesitated. Xu Tiannan's words weren't wrong.
"Senior," Xu Tiannan continued, tone almost pleading now, "I don't mean to threaten you — but you must understand. Between him and me, you can only choose one. If you take him for your experiment, no matter the result, our pact is finished. From this moment on, I, Xu Tiannan, sever all ties with the Holy Spirit Cult."
The ultimatum hung heavy in the air.
Long Xiaoyao's eyes narrowed to slits, his gaze like twin blades fixed on Xu Tiannan.
Xu Tiannan's body trembled slightly under the pressure, as though a great beast were staring him down.
Under normal circumstances, he would have softened his tone immediately — but now, he stood firm, staring back without flinching, making his position clear.
Long Xiaoyao regarded him silently for a long time, then straightened slowly, his expression unreadable.
He was rarely indecisive. When he chose a path, he followed it without hesitation. Yet now, faced with this boy and this choice, he found himself wavering.
Jing Hongchen, listening from the side, felt his heart pounding. At last, he understood who this man was — and why he'd joined forces with Xu Tiannan.
"So," he murmured quietly, "you're the legendary Dragon Emperor Douluo — Long Xiaoyao."
Long Xiaoyao gave a distracted nod, lost in thought.
He weighed both sides carefully. Xu Tiannan's reasoning was sound — Wei Xuan's idea was unproven, almost fantastical. He wanted to believe, but reason told him not to.
Still…
If there was even a chance that what the boy said was true, could he afford not to try?
And so, for the first time in many years, the Dragon Emperor hesitated.
(End of Chapter)