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 black spikes struck the ground, exploding into pools of dark venom. The alloy arena surface corroded slightly, leaving shallow marks.
Gu La flapped his wings, and the breeze stirred by his emerald light-wings carried spores, weaving a shimmering net amidst the rain of toxic thorns.
Aromatherapy.
The strange fragrance neutralized the poison. With a light tap of his toes on the pockmarked metal stage, Gu La scattered plant seeds as he landed. Tender shoots pierced through cracks in the alloy, blooming into pale yellow buds even in the toxic-soaked ground.
Two-Headed Man-Eating Flowers.
A rare offensive plant from the primeval jungle, Gu La had collected many such seeds through channels in the Spirit Pagoda. Each battle was an opportunity to cultivate his botanical garden.
With a light flick of his fingers, he linked the Leech Seed with the two-headed carnivorous plant.
Ci Lin's swollen body suddenly froze, vines densely sprouting across his form. The wriggling venomous thorns abruptly went limp, as if drained of strength.
To his horror, Ci Lin realized his soul power was being siphoned into the two-headed carnivorous plant. The once knee-high plant shot up to three meters in a single breath, its massive blossoms opening to reveal tightly interwoven green thorns.
Gasps erupted from the audience—Ci Lin's back was now covered in violet-blue flowers, swaying in the wind and releasing hypnotic pollen.
As the pollen took effect, the two-headed carnivorous plant uprooted itself. Its thick roots, resembling legs, swayed left and right, moving with surprising speed despite its size—a trait uncommon for plant-type spirit beasts.
Ci Lin managed to dodge once using his combat experience, but his movements grew sluggish after evading three times.
The yellow-red carnivorous plant's two "heads" adapted quickly to the fight, biting down on Ci Lin's shoulders. Green thorns pierced his flesh, draining his vitality and soul power.
"Do you like the feeling of being sucked dry?"
Gu La snapped his fingers, and the vines coiled around Ci Lin suddenly bore fruit. These fruits contained Ci Lin's own soul power and vitality—they could explode all at once or be used to slowly drain him.
A black soul ring flashed briefly as the two-headed carnivorous plant was absorbed into the soul ring space, adding another soldier to his botanical army.
Ci Lin collapsed on the ground, his venomous thorns broken off at the base, too weak to even stand.
The referee's soul-guided counter emitted a shrill beep, its display showing the outcome of the match.
The electronic announcement rang out just then: "Winner, Gu La. Match duration: forty-nine seconds."
The coral indicator lights along the edges of the floating arena dimmed one by one, and the emerald glow of Celebi gradually faded. Gu La shook his head. When would he finally cultivate a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast? He wouldn't have to worry about soul rings anymore.
The referee stepped onto the stage, examined Ci Lin briefly, and confirmed that he was merely weakened. He instructed Gu La to wait below for his next match.
The initial rounds of the tournament proceeded at a brisk pace, but participants were given time to rest between matches. About twenty minutes later, Gu La returned to the stage to face his second opponent.
After four consecutive victories, Gu La smoothly advanced to the top thirty-two. He would have to wait for the other matches to conclude before his next bout.
Back in the team battle area, Xu Xiaoyan sat alone under the stands, watching the three competitors on stage with hopeful eyes.
Seeing Gu La return, her starry eyes lit up, and she waved enthusiastically. "Big Brother Gu La, you're back! I haven't been needed here. I'll come cheer for you tomorrow, okay?"
"Sure."
Gu La didn't refuse. After all, the cheers of a crowd couldn't compare to the sweet sound of an adorable girl's support.
Gu La's straightforward agreement caused Xu Xiaoyan to blush, lowering her head with a giggle.
Turning his head, Gu La's gaze turned inquisitive.
Xu Xiaoyan quickly straightened up, putting on an elegant and charming smile. But Gu La couldn't shake the feeling that her eyes sparkled with mischief, like a playful sprite.
Shaking his head, Gu La glanced at the Yearning Heartbroken Red in his soul ring space. Could this thing have aphrodisiac properties? Or had his body matured naturally?
He circulated his soul power but found his blood boiling hotter than ever. Even using ice-attribute techniques did nothing to cool him down. A thought flashed through his mind, and he contacted his clone:
"What are you doing!?"
Groudon's consciousness roared back, "Don't… contact me! Hoopa is trying to take control. Help… me bear some of the strain!"
Gu La was speechless. How had his clone gotten tangled up with Hoopa Unbound? Was this part of some movie plot or something?
Chaotic thoughts streamed in from the clone, but Gu La maintained control. Switching to his Celebi martial soul, he continuously released Aromatherapy.
"Snap out of it! It's just Hoopa Unbound—you've already undergone Primal Reversion. Beat it up!"
The ongoing matches bored Gu La, so he shifted his consciousness to his clone, observing the battle in another world.
In the deep night of a city, six colossal figures floated in the sky within glowing rings, exuding godly might.
Groudon was among them. Unlike the other five deities who were easily controlled, Groudon's resistance to Hoopa's control was stronger due to his completed permanent Primal Reversion. He held his ground near the portal exit.
Hoopa Unbound, demonic and malevolent, smirked cruelly at Groudon. His six floating arms swayed, channeling energy toward Groudon, determined to subjugate him.
On the other side, a black Rayquaza loomed majestically, holding its own against five opponents without faltering, unleashing a cataclysmic battle within the city.
Gu La's arrival bolstered Groudon's soul presence, strengthening his resistance to the evil force. Groudon instantly regained clarity, locking his gaze onto Hoopa Unbound in the sky.
"Precipice Blades!"
This was the most humiliating moment Groudon had faced since his transmigration—and now his main body in another world knew about it. What a disgrace!
A flicker of surprise crossed Hoopa Unbound's mischievous eyes, followed by unyielding determination.
"Hah!"
Hoopa Unbound was no slouch in combat either. Manipulating Ghost-type energy, he unleashed six consecutive purple-black Shadow Balls.
"Beat him up!"
Gu La lent his strength to Groudon. Though he wasn't as powerful as a deity, Celebi's presence enhanced Groudon's special defense and resistance significantly.
Teleport!
Groudon's massive figure vanished in an instant, reappearing in the sky behind Hoopa Unbound. Opening his mouth, he gathered molten energy.
Fire-type ultimate move, Eruption!
A startled shout echoed from somewhere in the sky: "Groudon is flying!!!"
Groudon inwardly scoffed at the reaction. Did they really think it was surprising for the God of the Earth to fly?
The searing flames engulfed Hoopa Unbound, blasting him into the ground. A deep trench was carved into the earth, melting countless stone structures and burying Hoopa beneath molten rock.
Groudon knew that Hoopa Unbound could traverse space, but since Groudon himself couldn't be controlled, it meant that one of Hoopa's golden rings had been effectively negated.
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