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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Outside the glass dome, falling ginkgo leaves struck the windows.
Director Long walked into the testing room carrying a small silver case, from which he retrieved a pile of glass bottles filled with green liquid.
"Teacher Wu, this is today's batch of solution."
Wu Zhangkong nodded and addressed the students: "The efficacy of the Body-Forging Bone-Fortifying Solution ranges from low to high, divided into levels one through nine, each corresponding to the appropriate soul ring level for use in training."
Gu La: "…."
This was actually advice given to him by his teacher. By scientifically segmenting the formula into different grades, not only could it be sold multiple times, but it also reduced accidents caused by improper use.
Wu Zhangkong continued his explanation: "However, due to differences in soul masters' martial souls and physical strength, you can adjust accordingly by using a solution one grade higher or lower as needed."
"For example, Tang Wulin—though a one-ring soul master—has physical strength comparable to a four-ring Soul Ancestor, and his recovery ability is extraordinary."
"Therefore, he can directly skip levels and use the Level 4 solution. However, for safety, Tang Wulin, start with Level 3 to acclimate, then move on to Level 4."
"Xie Xie, Level 2. Xu Xiaoyan, Level 1. Gu Yue, Level 4. Gu La… Level 6."
"Whoa~ A monster!"
Xie Xie sucked in a breath of cold air and whispered to Tang Wulin, "Doesn't that mean Gu La's physical strength rivals a Soul Emperor? Well, it makes sense—he can handle ten-thousand-year soul rings after all."
Tang Wulin couldn't help but chuckle wryly, lowering his voice: "He can hear you."
"Huh?" Xie Xie quickly straightened up and sat properly in his seat.
Wu Zhangkong seemed to ignore Xie Xie's antics. "Collect your assigned solutions, drink them directly, and assemble on the field."
Gu La stepped forward to collect his solution, placing it in his pocket. Just as Director Long was about to intervene, Gu La pulled out an eight-level solution bottle, glowing with soul power fluctuations, and downed it in one gulp.
Director Long's eye twitched. He was certain he hadn't misseen—it was definitely the Level 8 solution, extracted from soul beast materials. Each vial cost a hundred thousand federal credits, and even purchasing qualifications were required. And this was just a single day's dose!
He had thought the Level 6 solution prepared by the academy was already a significant investment—after all, even he used solutions at this level—but Gu La seemed almost disdainful of it.
Noticing the shocked gazes of the others, Gu La's eyes flickered, and he explained: "Actually, my first martial soul fusion includes a soul beast's soul ring, so my physical strength far surpasses yours."
Wu Zhangkong recalled Gu La's one purple and two black soul rings and nodded slightly. "No wonder your physical conditioning is so superior. But soul beast soul rings cannot increase their years. Trading potential for temporary advancement—do you think it's worth it?"
By the end, Wu Zhangkong's tone grew stern, clearly disapproving of Gu La's decision.
"Uh, I didn't want to do it either—it was a last resort back then."
Gu La remained evasive, and Wu Zhangkong automatically filled in the blanks in his mind. Nodding slightly, he chose not to press further.
"To the field."
Wu Zhangkong exited the testing room, and the others followed.
The autumn wind howled, and the sea breeze swept into the field as ginkgo leaves swirled and fell.
Wu Zhangkong stood with his hands clasped behind his back in the center of the field, his white robe billowing in the salty sea breeze. His gaze swept over the group of still-childish youths before him.
"Gu La, step forward." His icy voice deepened the autumn chill, sending a bone-piercing cold through the air. "Use your first martial soul to battle Tang Wulin's team. The loser will have their training doubled this month. Prepare—one minute."
Xu Xiaoyan raised her hand. "Teacher, can we fight later tonight? Otherwise, we'll never stand a chance against Big Brother Gu La with his ten-thousand-year soul ring."
Earlier, during the strength and spiritual power tests, she had mentioned wanting to test again at night. After a moment's consideration, Wu Zhangkong agreed.
"All right. I hope your martial soul can surprise me."
And so, night fell.
As twilight enveloped the field, leaden clouds heavy with salty sea mist pressed down upon the grounds.
Gu La leaned casually against a rusted iron frame, his golden eyes flickering faintly in the dim light. From afar came Xie Xie's incessant chatter, mixed with the sound of Tang Wulin chewing dried squid.
"Hey, Gu La, you're here early." Xie Xie, somewhat intimidated by Gu La, greeted awkwardly. Tang Wulin chimed in as well.
"Finished eating, came for a stroll." Without looking up from browsing the Soul Net, Gu La replied indifferently.
Xie Xie gritted his teeth inwardly: What's so great about him? He has twin martial souls too—I'm no worse than him!
Unaware of his teammate's internal frustration, Tang Wulin quickly finished his snacks. Sighing, he wondered if breaking the next seal would make his appetite grow even more.
Soon, everyone gathered, and Wu Zhangkong announced:
"The battle begins!"
The two sides spread apart. Gu La released his Groudon martial soul, and the divine beast's overwhelming presence weighed heavily on everyone's minds. Unlike Celebi's restrained aura, Groudon's dominance was sharp and unmistakable.
Within Tang Wulin, Tang San's divine consciousness trembled violently. He "saw" the crimson figure behind the youth: scales forged from molten rock, claws that tore through the earth, and a pair of radiant golden eyes exuding divine majesty. This was no existence native to Doulu Continent!
"A god-level martial soul? And twin martial souls at that! Wulin, your teammate is no ordinary person. His martial soul isn't native to Doulu Continent—it may be linked to another plane."
Drawing from his wisdom as a God King, Tang San reached this conclusion.
Clearly, Gu La had first awakened a god-level martial soul, then been anchored by another plane, leading to the awakening of his second martial soul.
"He's truly a lucky kid."
Upon hearing "Old Tang's" words, Tang Wulin felt both surprise and mounting pressure.
Sensing his unease, Tang San reassured him: "The power of the Golden Dragon King is supreme among divine beasts, inferior to no martial soul. As long as you can harness its power, you won't lose to him."
"Mm."
Tang Wulin nodded firmly.
Gu La paid no attention to Tang Wulin—having only broken one seal, Tang Wulin posed no threat to him. Instead, he focused on Gu Yue, whose elemental manipulation abilities were the only thing that might harm him.
Xu Xiaoyan unleashed her Star Wheel Ice Staff, a thread of starlight piercing through the clouds. Her clear voice echoed across the field:
"Stars above, shining bright, forever brilliant, eternally serene."
From the tip of her ice staff burst forth a brilliance like stars, coalescing into a six-pointed star. The staff itself shimmered with stardust.
"First soul skill—Star Wheel Chains!"
As Tang Wulin marveled at the transformation of Xu Xiaoyan's martial soul, his sole thousand-year soul ring lit up, and Blue Silver Grass reinforced with golden patterns surged toward Gu La.
"Entangle!"
He and his teammates had planned this strategy—to immediately restrict Gu La's movements. Though Xu Xiaoyan claimed her soul skill had absolute certainty, considering the disparity in soul power, Tang Wulin added a control-type soul skill as backup.
The Star Wheel Chains and Blue Silver Grass, enhanced by the Golden Dragon King's bloodline, entangled Gu La.
Gu La exerted slight force, magma-like patterns crawling up his neck and onto his face. The ground beneath his feet suddenly melted into a crimson liquid, transforming the ten-meter radius into a boiling lake of lava. The rising heat distorted the starlight.
Calm and composed, a smile formed on his lips: "Indeed immobile. No wonder it's an absolutely reliable control-type martial soul."
Gu Yue's delicate hands moved swiftly, and a vortex of elemental tides gathered behind her. She knew simple elements wouldn't affect extreme attributes, but combined elements were a different story.
Xie Xie's afterimage zigzagged in a Z-pattern above the lava, his light and dark blades crossing into a deadly cross. However, he was suddenly jolted by a rising column of basalt, his grip snapping under the impact.
Concerned about accidentally killing Xie Xie, Gu La used earth power to create rocks. Facing the ensuing elemental storm, Gu La slowly raised his head, golden light tearing through the sky.
"Desolate Land."
This was Primal Groudon's Signature Ability, as well as the innate domain of his Groudon martial soul.
The weather shifted to a blazing sunny day, increasing earth and fire-type soul skills' power by fifty percent while granting immunity to water-type soul skills.
A dazzling sun hung high in the sky, tearing apart the deep night.
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