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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Direct entry into the inner court!
The inner court was where Shrek Academy truly gathered its own—only those with extraordinary talent were accepted. For example, Xu Lizhi, who possessed full soul power from birth thanks to his food-based martial soul, or Ye Xinglan, who at eleven was already on the verge of mastering sword intent.
Shen Yi's interest was piqued, her surprise evident. "Big Brother, since you're so confident, I'd better take a closer look. How about letting them have a private match after the tournament?"
Wu Zhangkong didn't object. "After ten o'clock, when the stadium will be empty."
As the two chatted above, the conflict below caught the attention of the staff, who hurried over to intervene. After all, Shrek Academy was their esteemed guest.
"Fighting outside the arena is prohibited. Please, competitors, take note."
The staff's words held little weight, but they could only enforce the rules.
"After the match, we'll be waiting for you."
Yu Tianliang, having received Shen Yi's telepathic message, sneered and cast a deep glance at Tang Wulin before leading his team away.
Tang Wulin and his group also received Wu Zhangkong's instructions, watching as Yu Tianliang's team departed.
"Such arrogant bastards, acting like they're all that."
Xie Xie grumbled.
Tang Wulin glanced at Xie Xie, recalling the conflict during their enrollment. There was something he wanted to say but hesitated.
Gu La inwardly sighed in boredom. He had hoped for an immediate fight—it would've been far more interesting.
In the afternoon, the individual track competitors were stronger than those in the morning, but they still posed no challenge to Gu La, who won effortlessly.
That evening, he accompanied Tang Wulin to the Forging Association's competition. Both could easily complete thousand-refinement tasks, passing the preliminary round without any difficulty.
Grandmaster Zhen Hua would attend the finals to observe the matches. By then, it would be clear whether Gu La could catch his attention early on.
At least for now, Tang Wulin's cultivation level was too low compared to Gu La's expectations.
---
At ten o'clock in the evening.
"Ah~"
Xie Xie yawned loudly. "We've been competing all day. Isn't it unfair to fight them now?"
Wu Zhangkong didn't turn around, his icy-blue hair swaying in the breeze. "There's no such thing as absolute fairness. A little fatigue won't affect a true battle."
What he didn't say was that this fight was primarily meant to showcase the abilities of Gu La, Gu Yue, and Tang Wulin to their teacher, Master Zhuo Shi. Even if they didn't enter the inner court directly, the academy needed to recognize their potential.
Under the night sky, the Tianhai Stadium was brightly lit. The soul-guided spotlights on the dome illuminated every detail of the central arena. Yu Tianliang stood at the forefront of the Shrek team, arms crossed, with six teammates behind him—all clad in green uniforms, their Shrek badges shimmering faintly under the lights.
"Junior Sister, sorry to keep you waiting."
Wu Zhangkong's icy-blue hair fluttered in the night breeze as he gave a slight nod toward the stands. Behind him, six teenagers stood, dressed in various outfits, radiating confidence.
Shen Yi smiled faintly, her silver-gray combat attire accentuating her graceful curves. "We can't let Master waste this trip. But, Big Brother, are you sure about letting all seven of them fight together?"
Her gaze flickered toward the VIP box at the highest point of the stands, where two vast and profound presences lingered.
Gu La sensed Zhuo Shi's presence, along with another immense and imposing aura. Among the notable figures likely visiting Tianhai City recently, Grandmaster Zhen Hua was the most probable candidate. It made sense that he and Zhuo Shi would gather in one city to chat.
"Wait."
Yu Tianliang spoke up. "Teacher Shen, there's one extra person on our side. I'll step out."
As the strongest member of his team, his decision to withdraw was nothing short of blatant disregard for the Donghai Academy students.
"No need," Wu Zhangkong replied coolly. "All seven of you, fight together. Tonight, you'll learn the lesson that there's always someone stronger than you."
Suddenly, Gu La took a single step forward, shattering the tiles beneath his feet. On the Shrek side, a girl wielding a crimson longbow flinched as her martial soul—the Fiery Longbow—was suppressed.
But her martial soul was already top-tier. What kind of martial soul could suppress hers without even being summoned?
The girl leaned close to Yu Tianliang, whispering something.
Yu Tianliang's expression shifted slightly, his gaze burning as he stared at Gu La.
"Not happening."
Shen Yi didn't agree. She had a rough understanding of Gu La's strength from Wu Zhangkong.
"This match is to resolve your conflict. The losing side must apologize, and both teams must give it their all. Moreover, you're a team—you rise and fall together. And… don't underestimate your opponents."
Shen Yi glanced at Wu Zhangkong. She had suggested removing a member from the Shrek team, but her brother refused, saying Gu La needed to feel pressure.
But could a three-ring Soul Elder really take on seven opponents in a cross-tier battle?
"If you want to fight, let's fight!"
Gu La suddenly spoke, his right hand erupting in golden-red flames. A vivid phantom of a colossal beast emerged behind him, distorting the surrounding space. "All seven of you, come at me."
Arrogant!
Yu Tianliang's face turned frosty, but before he could speak, Shen Yi raised her hand to stop him. The Soul Sage lightly tapped the air, and seven soul rings shimmered like moonlight. "Both sides, take your positions! Seven from Shrek versus six from Donghai—begin!"
"Roar!"
Almost as soon as the words fell, the Golden Dragon's Roar shook the dome. Tang Wulin's body erupted in golden scales, his right arm transforming into a dragon-like appendage as he charged straight at Yu Tianliang.
The Dragon King's oppressive aura nearly incapacitated Yu Tianliang, but fortunately, Tang Wulin had only unlocked one layer of his seal. Otherwise, the roar alone would've rendered him unable to fight.
"How naive!"
Yu Tianliang was initially startled but quickly sneered. "Just a measly Blue Silver Grass soul master."
His third soul ring flared brightly. The phantom of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon soared into the sky, materializing into a solid form. Simultaneously, a rain of arrows erupted from the Shrek team, each arrow wrapped in spiraling energy currents.
Beside Gu Yue, four elemental vortices appeared—ice, fire, wind, and earth intertwining into an elemental tide.
Tang Wulin remained unfazed despite the taunts, his soul rings flashing as he unleashed Binding!
Xie Xie faced off against Ye Xinglan. He despised her arrogance, but due to his weaker foundation, he was being overwhelmed and was on the verge of defeat.
"Twinkle, twinkle, little star…"
The night was Xu Xiaoyan's domain. Starlight descended, and the guaranteed restriction of her Starlight Shackles bound Ye Xinglan tightly.
Ye Xinglan struggled fiercely but couldn't break free.
Xie Xie grinned wickedly, dual daggers in hand, charging toward Ye Xinglan with no mercy.
Light Dragon Storm! Shadow Dragon Storm!
Gu La stood with his arms crossed, unmoving. However, his first soul ring lit up, extending his gravity domain in one direction. The mastery of gravity control far surpassed the mere use of a domain.
Yu Tianliang's expression changed drastically as he felt the weight of a mountain pressing down on him. Every movement required ten times the effort, his soul power draining rapidly, and his actions slowed involuntarily.
Tang Wulin exhaled in relief. His one-ring cultivation was a weakness, but his raw physical strength allowed him to hold his own against Yu Tianliang in the first exchange of blows.
On the main platform, ripples formed in the tea cup in Zhuo Shi's hand. The red-haired elder narrowed his eyes at the battlefield. "Zhen Hua, what do you think?"
"The black-haired boy…" Grandmaster Zhen Hua leaned forward.
On the arena, Tang Wulin was struck by three soul skills and sent flying. However, he twisted mid-air, flipping upright, and faint dark gold patterns flickered between the scales on his right arm.
"What incredible strength!"
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