I've also recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Douluo: AFKing to Become a God
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(T/N: Alt. title: Borrowing Power to Intimidate)
"Don't worry, it'll be quick."
Gu La lowered his eyes to conceal the cunning glint in them, his slender fingers gently rubbing the silver-white communicator embedded on his wrist.
When he looked up again, his amber eyes were filled with the innocence of a youth. He waved the device in his hand toward Manager Tang. "I need to send a message to my elders to let them know I'm safe."
Gu La walked out onto the balcony. The corridor lights shimmered across his emerald-gold hair as he leaned against an ornate pillar and dialed an encrypted channel.
With a soft "beep" signaling the connection, mental energy enveloped him like a thin veil. His clear voice suddenly took on a plaintive, nasal tone. "Teacher, someone is bullying your disciple…"
Boom—
Before his words even faded, a crimson vortex erupted in the skies above Donghai City. A fiery phoenix phantom wreathed in heaven-consuming flames tore through the air. Amidst the blazing red clouds, Leng Yaozhu hovered midair, her dark golden phoenix wings unfurling behind her like divine halos.
When her gaze fell upon the unharmed handsome youth leaning on the balcony, the surging torrents of fiery gold gradually subsided.
The temperature in the reception room shot up abruptly. The teacup in Tang Long's hand cracked with a web of fractures. Ice-blue scales instantly covered his face, and nine soul rings flared into existence around his body as his martial soul manifested. However, his three dragon-type spirit souls trembled under the oppressive might of Phoenix Douluo's restrained aura.
He shattered the tempered glass and leapt into the air, staring at Leng Yaozhu's fiery phoenix wings. Though he had suspicions, he couldn't quite believe it—why would she come to this remote city of Donghai?
The dragon tail fin behind him swayed anxiously. "Forgive me for not realizing the arrival of Lady Phoenix Douluo. Tang Sect's seventh External Affairs Department executive, Tang Long, offers his apologies."
Gu La leaned against the railing and chuckled softly. At some point, he had pinned the Spirit Pagoda emblem to his chest. "Allow me to introduce you. This is my teacher from the Spirit Pagoda. Since my family perished, she is now my only family."
"Manager Tang just mentioned wanting to acquire Arceus outright. As a disciple, I thought it proper to seek my teacher's approval."
Upon hearing this, Leng Yaozhu immediately understood why Gu La had summoned her—it was all about having her back him up. She rolled her eyes inwardly but still nodded gently with a kind smile.
"What does the Tang Sect want with my disciple?"
Turning to Tang Long, Leng Yaozhu's voice grew icy. She didn't mind supporting her disciple, but for a Titled Douluo to bully a child was simply unacceptable.
Amidst the burning phoenix fire, beads of cold sweat dripped down Tang Long's forehead and evaporated into mist under the intense heat. His soul power flowed awkwardly as he forced a strained smile. "This is all a misunderstanding. Had we known that Young Master Gu was a disciple of Lady Phoenix Douluo…"
"'Young Master Gu?"
Leng Yaozhu raised an eyebrow in confusion.
At the perfect moment, Gu La chimed in with an explanation. "Teacher, I developed a certain medicine and founded a company to dabble in it."
"To dabble?"
Leng Yaozhu didn't believe for a second that the Tang Sect would approach Gu La without reason. It must mean that the medicine he developed was extremely important.
But wasn't the Tang Sect renowned for its expertise in weapons and medicine research? Why would they take interest in something Gu La had created?
Leng Yaozhu couldn't make sense of it.
"Teacher, let's go inside and talk."
Leng Yaozhu descended onto the balcony and shot Gu La a sharp glare—he was definitely hiding something from her.
As she turned, her fiery red skirt brushed against Gu La's wrist. Her telepathic voice carried a hint of reproach. "You little rascal, using your teacher as a weapon so skillfully."
Gu La gave an awkward laugh and handed over the testing report for the Body-Forging Bone-Fortifying Ointment.
Unique crimson soul power flowed across the paper. Leng Yaozhu's expression shifted from casual to serious as she examined it.
"All-natural plant ingredients. Increases physical conditioning by 137% for Soul Elders, and the concentrated version boosts Soul Emperors by over 80%. Even Titled Douluo see a 20% increase, with further room for improvement…"
When she saw the clinical trial data, her fingers unconsciously tightened around the report. "While its efficiency is slightly lower than consuming soul beast meat, its universal applicability and low cost are key advantages."
Leng Yaozhu glanced sidelong at Gu La. How many more surprises did he have in store for her?
If this report was accurate, it would drive any faction mad with desire.
Seeing her fingertips tremble slightly, Gu La immediately flashed an innocent, harmless smile. "If Teacher is willing to invest, I'll gladly offer the improved formula."
Leng Yaozhu saw right through Gu La's ploy. He was simply worried about someone stealing his results. The great families of the Spirit Pagoda had risen this way, and as her disciple, Gu La could be considered a legitimate heir.
"Tell me the truth."
Gu La confessed honestly. "I plan to sell it to the Spirit Pagoda, the Tang Sect, Shrek Academy, the Federation, the Dou Ling Empire, and the Star Luo Empire—everybody."
Leng Yaozhu: "…."
Even as a Limit Douluo, she was left speechless. She'd seen greedy people before, but never anyone as greedy as Gu La.
She scolded him half-heartedly. "Fine, but not the Dou Ling Empire or the Star Luo Empire—the Federation won't allow it. Still, you can hint for the Federation to buy it outright at a high price."
"That works too." Gu La accepted it easily. Eventually, the Tang Sect, being arms dealers, would spread it to the other two continents anyway. Waiting a bit longer wouldn't hurt, and it would still expand his influence.
Leng Yaozhu couldn't fathom Gu La's mindset. "Are you really going to sell it? Passing down this formula alone would be enough to establish a formidable soul master family within the Spirit Pagoda."
Gu La nodded without hesitation or regret. "Sell it. It'll save trouble if no one covets it."
Leng Yaozhu nodded slightly, satisfied with Gu La's pragmatism. After all, while she was a Limit Douluo, she couldn't protect him at all times. Converting the formula into resources was far safer.
Glancing at Tang Long, who had retreated far away to avoid interrupting their conversation, Leng Yaozhu suddenly paused. "Come to think of it, the Tang Sect might have resources suitable for your second martial soul. Perhaps they can provide a second spirit soul."
It wasn't a secret among the major factions that the Tang Sect had reliable methods for cultivating immortal herbs. Otherwise, a sect operating in the shadows wouldn't be able to stand alongside openly powerful organizations like Shrek Academy or the Spirit Pagoda. Their challenges in passing down traditions were entirely different.
Gu La's eyes flickered. While he wasn't particularly interested in intelligent spirit souls, he couldn't deny the immense potency of immortal herbs.
On the Doulu Continent, such herbs were treasures capable of reversing fate.
Relying on the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, every generation of the Tang Sect ensured the emergence of at least one Limit Douluo—this was the foundation of their strength.
Would they be willing to trade?
Gu La quietly calculated his bargaining chips, preparing to focus during negotiations.
Through telepathy, teacher and disciple finalized the resources to be sold. First priority was securing the materials needed for Gu La's Four-Character Battle Armor. Considering he could forge metals himself, part of the share could be exchanged for unique resources from various factions, such as access to small worlds.
Finally, Gu La hesitated and asked, "Teacher, regarding the internal affairs of the Spirit Pagoda…"
Assuming Gu La's heavy wariness stemmed from losing his entire family, Leng Yaozhu felt pity and reassured him. "Leave it to me. My disciple, Gu La, isn't someone who can be easily manipulated."
"Teacher, you're amazing."
Gu La offered his praise and handed her a vial of high-quality concentrate.
Leng Yaozhu gazed at the translucent porcelain bottle, where green light swirled within the liquid, and suddenly chuckled. Pulling the young man closer by the shoulder, she said, "Get ready to drop jaws, my little fox."
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