Huge welcome and thank you to our new Patron: Alex poirier!
I've also recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Douluo: AFKing to Become a God
------------------------------------------------------
On Arena Three of the Spirit Dueling Arena, the ground was paved with hard granite, and totems symbolizing spirits stood at the four corners. Bright lights illuminated the entrances of two passageways.
At one end, Yu Tianheng had already led the six other members of the Tian Dou Imperial Academy squad into position, standing solemnly.
They wore matching uniforms of the Tian Dou Imperial Academy, their presence eye-catching under the bright lights.
"The Netherworld Fox Team? What kind of martial souls do you think they'll have? I've heard that the Great Dueling Arena in Spirit City has all sorts of strange and unusual martial souls…"
Oslo crossed his arms, his gaze filled with interest as he stared at the dark entrance of the opposing passageway.
"Who cares? We'll find out soon enough."
Shi Mo cracked his wrist joints, grinning with a mix of ease and disdain.
Yu Tianheng stood tall like a pine tree, his chestnut hair shimmering faintly under the lights.
Though he appeared calm, a trace of curiosity and investigation flickered deep within his sharp eyes.
His goal was to make a name for the Tian Dou Imperial Academy here, and every opponent deserved careful observation.
"No matter who they are or what martial souls they wield, we'll give it our all."
As they spoke, the light at the entrance of the opposing passageway dimmed slightly, and three figures emerged slowly, stepping onto the platform.
The arena fell silent for a moment, followed by murmurs of curiosity.
"Hey, is this a mistake?"
Yu Feng turned to the host. "Did they take the wrong passageway? Just three people?"
The host shook his head. "No, contestant. The Netherworld Fox Team really only has three members. They didn't make a mistake."
"Really just three people? Three versus seven? Is there even any point in fighting? This is so boring!"
Shi Mo's loud voice carried clear notes of dissatisfaction and contempt.
Oslo's playful smile froze momentarily before turning into outright disdain. "Hah! I thought they were some strong team. Turns out they're just a ragtag bunch of weaklings?"
To him, such a lopsided number difference was nothing more than a waste of time and soul power.
"Maybe they're hastily assembled, or their martial souls are unique but they lack numbers?"
Shi Mo frowned, his tone steady but tinged with disappointment brought on by the unexpected surprise.
However, while the rest of the Tian Dou Imperial Academy squad looked down on their opponents, Yu Tianheng, standing at the forefront, widened his eyes dramatically upon seeing the three figures—especially the one leading them in the middle.
Crack… Crack…
His hands clenched into fists so tightly that the veins on the back of his hands bulged, emitting faint cracking sounds. His expression shifted from initial curiosity to shock, then erupted into a seething rage.
That dazzling golden hair, those heterochromatic gold-blue eyes exuding laziness and arrogance, that upright figure, and the absolute confidence that radiated naturally from every movement…
Even if reduced to ashes, he would recognize him!
This was the man who, at the gates of the Tian Dou Imperial Academy, effortlessly crushed all his pride, took away the woman he loved, and left him with an indelible sense of humiliation!
For a moment, Yu Tianheng's handsome face, which should have been brimming with pride and vigor, twisted slightly from extreme anger and shame.
His jaw clenched tightly, hatred burning within him as he forced each syllable through gritted teeth:
"Dai! Cheng! Feng!"
His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached the ears of his teammates behind him.
"Dai Chengfeng?"
"Who? Boss, did you say… Dai… Dai Chengfeng?!"
"Is that person over there really Dai Chengfeng?! The Fourth Prince of Star Luo Empire?!"
The disdain and boredom of Yu Feng, Shi Mo, Oslo, and the others instantly turned to astonishment, followed by a subtle yet noticeable seriousness in their eyes.
A name carries weight, just as a tree casts a shadow…
The name Dai Chengfeng was no stranger to the Tian Dou Imperial Academy, especially not to their team!
They had all heard about how he had instantly defeated their captain and taken Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling with him. It had been quite the scandal.
But none of them expected to encounter him here, on the Great Dueling Arena of Spirit City, in such an almost impossible scenario—and with only three people challenging their fully-staffed Tian Dou Royal squad!
---
On the other side.
Dai Chengfeng naturally spotted Yu Tianheng immediately. However, compared to the blazing fury in Yu Tianheng's eyes, Dai Chengfeng merely raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk of amusement appearing on his handsome face.
"Hmph," he chuckled softly. "Yu Tianheng? I didn't expect it to be you, my 'old acquaintance.'"
"Old acquaintance?"
The two words drifted lightly into Yu Tianheng's ears. He paused briefly, then repeated them through gritted teeth.
He couldn't believe that the person he saw as his greatest rival, the one he trained day and night to avenge…
Wasn't even considered an enemy in the other's eyes?
"Fine, fine, fine! So this is what you call an old acquaintance!"
Yu Tianheng's chest heaved violently as he took several deep breaths, his demeanor resembling that of a predator ready to strike.
"You know him?"
At this moment, Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing curiously glanced at Dai Chengfeng, then at Yu Tianheng across from them.
"Know him…"
Dai Chengfeng nodded, completely unfazed by Yu Tianheng's anger, speaking as casually as if introducing an insignificant passerby.
"But there's no need to worry about him—he's just a former opponent who lost to me."
"Is that so…"
Hu Liena's enchanting fox-like eyes darted between Yu Tianheng and Dai Chengfeng before her lips curled into a knowing smile.
"That puts my mind at ease. I was worried I wouldn't be able to go all out."
Dai Chengfeng smiled and ignored Yu Tianheng, beginning to strategize: "Our goal today is to refine our teamwork. Once the match starts, I'll handle the frontal suppression, Zhuqing…"
Dai Chengfeng's gaze turned to the black-clad girl whose aura resembled that of a dark elf. "Your speed is your advantage. Your task is to identify and eliminate their support soul masters!"
"Remember—one strike and retreat. No lingering."
Zhu Zhuqing's gaze instantly locked onto the seemingly least offensive members of the opposing team. A flicker of battle intent ignited in her cold eyes as she gave an almost imperceptible nod.
"Nana," Dai Chengfeng then turned to Hu Liena.
The chestnut-haired girl immediately dropped her teasing demeanor, her eyes shining with determination. "Yes!"
"Your core mission is to support Zhuqing. Use your soul skills to disrupt Oslo, who seems fast, and the Shi brothers responsible for protecting the rear line. Create opportunities for Zhuqing to deliver decisive blows."
"At the same time, keep an eye on my position. You'll need to provide crowd control at critical moments."
"Understood!" Hu Liena replied crisply.
Dai Chengfeng nodded. Though the two girls might bicker in daily life, in the face of his combat orders, they seemed like the most reliable teammates.
Just as Dai Chengfeng finished laying out the tactics, the host in the center of the platform scanned both sides.
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)