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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Gu La was well-prepared for the sudden voice but still feigned a startled reaction, his eyes narrowing with caution.
The mist from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well surged under the tremors of soul power, while multicolored miasma flowed like living creatures.
Suddenly, six dazzling pillars of light pierced through the dense, colorful fog. Each one carried primal energy powerful enough to tear apart space itself.
Within the light columns, the ethereal forms of immortal herbs gradually solidified into six humanoid figures. The crimson-haired maiden at the forefront caused the surrounding rocks to melt into boiling magma with every step she took. The cinnabar markings burning on her brow illuminated the five equally terrifying auras behind her.
Her expression was furious as mountain-like pressure bore down on Gu La and Zang Xin.
"Humans, you have overstepped your bounds."
The maiden's voice caused the spiritual energy of the entire valley to tremble. Gu La felt the air around him heat up. If it weren't for the nearby plants, the area would have likely burst into flames already.
It wasn't until Zang Xin waved his hand that the soul power dots in the air wove together into a barrier, neutralizing the overwhelming pressure.
"Lady Blazing Flame should remember the agreement made with our ancestors," Zang Xin's tone was as calm as a deep pool. "If someone passes your trials, they can take an immortal herb without adhering to the time restrictions."
"Ridiculous!"
The burly man formed from the Earth Dragon Gourd suddenly roared, causing the entire valley to quake. Dense dragon might manifested as a yellow dragon tattoo across his body.
"This little brat? Worth interrupting our cultivation?"
Zang Xin ignored the shortsighted beast spirits. They were nothing more than "herbs" cultivated by the Tang Sect…
Without a word, he stepped back, leaving the stage to Gu La.
Gu La calmly observed the plant beast spirits. Among soul beasts, the rank suppression of plant-type soul beasts was even stronger than the bloodline suppression of ordinary soul beasts. Top-tier plant-type soul beasts could command myriad beings, such as the Myriad Demon King or the Beautiful Silk Tulip (Damask Tulip from Soul Land III).
He took half a step forward, and a jade-green aura erupted from his crown.
The shadow of the Golden Ancient Tree stretched out its branches behind him, each leaf flowing with golden veins. The grass and trees within a hundred miles suddenly swayed without wind, bowing their branches toward the youth.
Behind him, the shadow of Celebi spread its wings, emitting a divine presence like the rumble of spring thunder. All the soul power attacks from the Infernal Delicate Apricot and Earth Dragon Gourd froze mid-air—not blocked, but gently dissolved by a higher-order force.
The pupils of the six ferocious beasts contracted simultaneously. The Infernal Delicate Apricot staggered backward, the flames burning at the tips of her hair transforming into docile sparks, swaying like subjects before their sovereign.
"The Child of Nature…"
She trembled as ancient memories surfaced, the once-blurred images now vivid in her mind.
Zang Xin's astonishment was no less than that of the ferocious beasts.
Gazing at Gu La's profile illuminated by golden light, he suddenly understood why the master and disciple had insisted on obtaining a chance to claim an immortal herb.
"Having the Golden Ancient Tree spirit recognize him as its master—a divine-level plant martial soul, indeed."
Zang Xin didn't know what the "Child of Nature" truly meant, assuming it was just another term for a divine plant martial soul. He chuckled and shook his head, feeling no great regret. "I underestimated them. No wonder he's been so confident all along. I'll be laughed at by Old Cao when I return."
As he gazed at the spirit soul resembling the Golden Ancient Tree on Sea God Island, he thought, 'If this kid were to enroll at Shrek Academy, the place would explode with excitement.'
At the thought of that scene, Zang Xin couldn't help but smile.
Gu La paid no mind to Zang Xin's musings. By bringing him to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, it was already too late for regrets.
"Now, can we properly discuss which immortal herb I'll take?"
"Please proceed."
The youth transformed from the Beautiful Silk Tulip stepped forward respectfully, while the other ferocious beasts also reined in their hostility, unable to maintain their aggression.
It wasn't that they were fickle; rather, the Child of Nature held immense significance for plant-type soul beasts. Following such an existence would not only allow them to evade the shackles of heavenly tribulation but also ensure that even if their host perished, they could be reborn alongside the Seed of Life, breaking through the limits of their lifespan under eternal protection.
Gu La got straight to the point. "Introduce yourselves. I only have one slot, so I can only take one immortal herb."
Zang Xin hesitated to speak. The ordinary immortal herbs promised by the Tang Sect paled in comparison to these ten-thousand-year-old ferocious beasts. But seeing the subtle yet sharp competition among the beasts, he ultimately averted his gaze in silence, sighing inwardly.
"A genius like this… Why isn't he a disciple of the Tang Sect? The Leng family truly lucked out."
The Beautiful Silk Tulip spoke first: "I am the King of Immortal Herbs, the Beautiful Silk Tulip. With 198,000 years of cultivation, I stand on the brink of breakthrough. If I become a soul ring, I will undoubtedly reach the 200,000-year realm, capable of forming an orange spirit soul. Not only do I naturally resonate with plant martial souls, but my Heavenly Fragrance can also counteract all poisons. Two thousand years ago, my ancestor ascended to the godly realm alongside Sea God Tang San."
The crimson-haired maiden's body erupted with scorching waves. "I am Infernal Delicate Apricot, the supreme fire power among my kind. I can bestow upon my master the pinnacle of fire, amplifying all attributes and awakening mastery over fire elements. It was through my predecessor and Little Ice's predecessor that Tang San refined his golden body."
The blue-clad maiden's body swirled with ice crystals. "I am Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, existing in harmony and opposition with Little Fire. If both of us are fused simultaneously, we can reconstruct the Ice-Fire Body. My predecessor once ascended alongside Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao, witnessing eternity."
The armor-clad youth clasped his fists firmly. "I am Black Jade Divine Bamboo, Mo Mo, with 160,000 years of cultivation perfectly compatible with my master. Upon fusion, your martial soul will embody both hardness and softness, with vines transforming into spears and swords, multiplying your combat strength."
The golden-eyed youth's brow glowed brightly. "I am Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, Xiao Qiu, with 110,000 years of cultivation specializing in the spiritual domain. Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao once used my ancestor's essence to cultivate the Purple Extreme Demon Eyes. I can elevate your spiritual cultivation to new heights."
The yellow-robed giant's voice shook the earth. "I am Earth Dragon Gourd, Gua Gua, a 190,000-year earth-type spirit soul capable of forming an orange spirit soul. Upon fusion, your mastery over the earth will undergo a qualitative transformation, with every movement carrying the might of an earth dragon's upheaval."
Gu La's silence was deafening.
Instead of stating who he wanted to take, he asked, "Who gave you your names?"
The Beautiful Silk Tulip replied, "Master, we named ourselves based on our true forms. Do you find them displeasing?"
They lacked human notions of shame, believing that naming themselves after their true forms was symbolic, practical, and easy to remember.
Gu La shook his head slightly. "It doesn't matter. Names are just titles. You may call yourselves whatever pleases you."
He wore a conflicted expression. "You're all quite suitable for me, but unfortunately, I can't take all of you. Let me think for a moment."
Upon hearing this, the crimson-haired Infernal Delicate Apricot's eyes flickered. They possessed unique sensory abilities and telepathic communication techniques.
Gu La made no effort to conceal the three extreme attributes of earth, fire, and wood emanating from him. Individually, any one of these attributes already met their requirements.
To have them all concentrated in one person—moreover, the Child of Nature—was a choice that wouldn't result in their demise even if he didn't ascend to godhood.
Besides, with three ultimate attributes, if he doesn't become a god, who else could?
The ferocious beasts exchanged rapid, covert communications, their eyes gradually turning hostile as they glared at Zang Xin.
They were well aware of being cultivated by the Tang Sect, but plant-type soul beasts weren't adept at combat. Without cooperating with the Tang Sect, even a Limit Douluo equipped with Four-Character Battle Armor could annihilate them and turn them into spirit souls.
But over the millennia, they hadn't been idle.
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