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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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The bronze walls of Shrek City were already bathed in the glow of dawn. A hundred meters away, on the bluestone plaza, Leng Yaozhu was using her soul power to help the youth regulate his meridians. A pale golden aura enveloped the master and disciple, making them appear as though a loving mother was tending to her child at first glance.
Their interaction would make outsiders comment on the deep bond between teacher and student. However, in Zang Xin's eyes—who knew Gu La's "identity"—the scene before him looked peculiar no matter how he looked at it.
'Deities… are they really just humans who are a bit stronger?'
He flicked his sleeve and turned around. As the glass doors opened and closed, his voice faintly echoed through the air as he instructed his subordinates: "Send the Body-Forging Ointment formula to all branches. Begin production immediately."
When Leng Yaozhu withdrew her soul power from examining Gu La, she gently supported him with a soft burst of energy.
"There's a limit to how much you can push yourself," she said, tapping her disciple lightly on the forehead with her finger. The faint golden ring left a red mark on the youth's brow. She gazed into his clear black pupils and, with a sigh, finally released her grip. "Enough. We'll talk more when we return to the pagoda."
Leng Yaozhu confirmed that Gu La was fine and let go of him. Turning back, she noticed Zang Xin had vanished. After bidding farewell to Tang Long and the others, she took Gu La and hurried back to Donghai City.
A streak of light pierced through the clouds, and a golden figure solidified high in the sky. Qiangu Dongfeng appeared, his dark cloak billowing in the fierce winds.
"Little Leng, you won't even spare a cup of tea for an old friend?"
His smiling voice, carried by soul power, penetrated the clouds. "I heard that your two new disciples possess extraordinary talent. Perhaps I, as their uncle, could offer some guidance…"
He had spies stationed near the Tang Sect and, upon learning that Leng Yaozhu had appeared there, couldn't resist showing up to meet her.
"The Pagoda Master is extremely busy. There's no need to trouble yourself."
Leng Yaozhu made no effort to hide her impatience. Flames erupted around her body, and she bypassed him, continuing to fly toward the horizon.
Qiangu Dongfeng's smile stiffened slightly as he watched her figure disappear amidst the fiery clouds. His gaze lingered on Gu La, who had been in close contact with Leng Yaozhu.
From his ambition to emulate the Spirit Hall and control the Federation using the Spirit Pagoda alone, it was clear that Qiangu Dongfeng was a man with a strong desire for control.
Knowing that Leng Yaozhu had feelings for Yun Ming, he dared to collude with evil soul masters to kill Yun Ming and destroy Shrek Academy. Just the sight of Gu La having slight physical contact with her made him deeply uncomfortable.
Not even her disciples should be allowed near her.
A cold glint flashed in his eyes as Qiangu Dongfeng vanished without a trace. The chilly wind rustled softly, but Shrek City remained bustling and lively as ever.
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Donghai City, Spirit Pagoda
Leng Yaozhu examined Gu La's body. "Tell me, how did someone of your strength end up in such a sorry state? Did someone from the Tang Sect deliberately make things difficult for you?"
"No, Elder Zang kept his word. It's just that I was greedy—I wasn't satisfied with ordinary immortal herbs."
Gu La knew he needed to reassure Leng Yaozhu while also laying the groundwork for the future. He opened his soul ring space. "Qi Luo, come out and greet my teacher."
A lush green spatial rift opened, and Qi Luo transformed into a purple-robed youth, kneeling halfway on the ground. "Greetings, Master."
He wasn't surprised that Gu La, whose strength hadn't fully recovered, had a teacher. He was only slightly astonished by Leng Yaozhu's strength—if they didn't unleash the dragon souls, they wouldn't stand a chance against a Limit Douluo.
"Human, becoming the Master's teacher is the greatest honor of your life."
Even knowing he might be reprimanded by Gu La, Qi Luo couldn't help but say this.
"Show some respect to my teacher." Gu La indeed scolded him, and Qi Luo obediently lowered his head, allowing Gu La to withdraw him back into his soul space.
Qi Luo hadn't concealed his aura, so Leng Yaozhu could see through his true nature. Her face filled with disbelief. "A plant-type ferocious beast? And one evolved from an immortal herb? How could Zang Xin be so generous? No, wait—how did you manage to make a ferocious beast acknowledge you as its master!?"
Gu La shrugged. "Maybe it's because of my charm. Otherwise, wouldn't I have wasted three months for nothing?"
Around Gu La's fingertips, Qi Luo's vines—which could crush a Titled Douluo—were now as gentle as silk.
"Qi Luo is the king of immortal herbs and can transform into an orange spirit soul. He will become my second spirit soul. Unfortunately, he isn't skilled in combat—his cultivation level is just a bit higher."
Gu La feigned regret, and Leng Yaozhu tapped her jade-like finger on his forehead, chiding him playfully. "Don't get too greedy. Many Limit Douluo don't even have ferocious beast spirit souls. What you have is enough to take you to level ninety-nine."
"Hehe."
Gu La smoothly glossed over the topic.
Bringing out one immortal herb ferocious beast was easy to explain, but he had taken seven. Unable to justify it, he decided to keep it hidden from Leng Yaozhu.
As for the use of the immortal herbs, Gu La had already planned their initial applications.
The Infernal Delicate Apricot and Earth Dragon Gourd would be absorbed by his Groudon martial soul. The former, along with the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, would aid him in strengthening his body. The Ink Jade Divine Bamboo would enhance Celebi's "toughness," while the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew would boost his psychic abilities.
Qi Luo wouldn't go to waste either—he would provide two soul rings. In fact, since the abilities of immortal herbs were relatively singular, Gu La would only ask them to provide one or two soul rings at most. What mattered more was their enhancement to his martial soul.
For example, Qi Luo could suppress myriad beings, while Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew had a special effect on training the eyes—it might even help him break through to the Spiritual Domain, forming his own independent spiritual realm.
With the soul as the source and spiritual awareness as the boundary, he could create his own world. Within the limits of his mental strength, he could fuse any number and level of spirit souls, theoretically up to nine.
Only by breaking through to the Spiritual Domain could Gu La fuse so many ferocious beast spirit souls.
Leng Yaozhu couldn't bring herself to discipline her disciple harshly. With a helpless wave of her hand, she said, "Fine, just be mindful of your limits. I'll help you sell the Body-Forging Bone-Fortifying Ointment formula. Rest well recently, and don't wander off."
"Thank you, Teacher."
Gu La readily agreed. Having someone help him was exactly what he wanted.
After leaving the upper floors, Gu La returned to his workshop.
Blindness didn't affect his forging; in fact, it helped him better sense the resonance of metals. He had a premonition that before his eyes recovered, he would likely fully master spirit-level forging.
Taking a piece of metal, the underground forging room reverberated with a unique metallic rhythm.
Each strike of the heavy iron hammer sent ripples of pale golden energy through the air. When the eighty-first blow landed on the blazing spirit copper ingot, the entire piece of metal suddenly emitted a whale-like vibration. Fine golden veins grew within, forming crystalline structures.
A month passed like this, and the end-of-term exam arrived.
"Huh? The academy still has exams?"
Gu La had completely forgotten about this. Leaning on a metal cane and wearing brown tinted glasses, he exuded the demeanor of an old-school nobleman.
Wu Zhangkong explained, "The academy invests vast resources, so naturally, we need to see results. A practical combat assessment is the best kind of exam."
"Your task is to endure for one hour in the Spirit Ascension Platform during its chaotic phase."
"Whoever fails to meet the goal will stay behind during the holidays for remedial classes."
"Ahh, no way!"
Xie Xie put on a mask of despair. He glanced at his teammates—whether it was Gu La, Gu Yue, Tang Wulin, or Zhang Yangzi—they all had advantages over him. If anyone was going to be left behind for extra classes, it would most likely be him.
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