I've also recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Douluo: Seven Kill Shock the World
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A month later, Chu Chengzhou and his group returned to Lan Ba Academy, weary from their journey.
Soul hunting required a certain amount of luck—this was no exaggeration.
Though four members of the group needed fourth soul rings this time, since they went together, the time spent hunting wasn't much different than if they had gone individually.
They spent a full month searching in the Sunset Forest before Zhu Zhuqing, the last to advance, finally found a suitable spirit beast.
Oscar absorbed a soul ring from a crimson fire python over four thousand years old. After advancing, his soul power level reached 41, becoming a Soul Elder. His fourth soul skill was Desire Flaming Sausage.
Dai Mubai absorbed a soul ring from a golden tiger around 4,500 years old. After advancing, his soul power also reached Level 41. His fourth soul skill, White Tiger Meteor Shower, remained consistent with the original storyline.
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, having trained in the body-strengthening techniques of Immortal Golden Body taught by Chu Chengzhou, possessed physical attributes far superior to those of ordinary soul masters at their level. As a result, the fourth soul rings they obtained exceeded the limits typically tolerated by ordinary soul masters.
Ning Rongrong absorbed a soul ring from a diamond explosion bear over six thousand years old. After advancing, her soul power directly reached Level 42, barely surpassing Oscar and Dai Mubai by one level.
Compared to other martial souls, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda shared similarities with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda. Its first seven soul skills were relatively fixed, with only minor variations.
Unlike the original storyline, Ning Rongrong's fourth soul ring came not from a defensive scale beast but from an offensive diamond explosion bear. Consequently, her fourth soul skill provided an attack boost rather than a defense boost.
As for Zhu Zhuqing, her situation was similar to Dai Mubai's. Families with long-standing traditions of soul mastery had already mapped out which soul rings granted specific skills. Thus, Zhu Zhuqing didn't seek another spirit beast and instead chose a ghost tiger—one of the optimal combinations—as her fourth soul ring target.
Because her Netherworld Spirit Cat was a beast-type martial soul, Zhu Zhuqing's physical attributes surpassed even Ning Rongrong's. She absorbed a soul ring from a ghost tiger around seven thousand years old. After advancing, her soul power also reached Level 42. Her fourth soul skill, like in the original storyline, allowed her to create a shadow clone that could use soul skills—Netherworld Shadow Clone.
Unfortunately, though her soul ring's age increased somewhat, it wasn't enough to trigger a qualitative leap.
Of course, while there was no qualitative leap, the higher soul ring still brought changes, primarily reducing the soul power consumption when using soul skills.
Additionally, absorbing a higher-year soul ring not only raised her soul power level after advancing but also enhanced her physical attributes more significantly.
With this, among the seven main members of Lan Ba Academy's team participating in the Soul Master Tournament, only Ma Hongjun remained below the Soul Ancestor rank.
However, Ma Hongjun wasn't far behind. During the soul hunting period, his soul power level increased by one, reaching Level 38 as a Soul Elder. Though he lagged behind the others, his level was still higher than the academy's substitutes.
As a formal advanced soul master academy, Lan Ba Academy naturally had more participants than just Chu Chengzhou and the six others—they were the main team, supported by four substitutes.
The substitutes existed to ensure the main team could compete even if unforeseen circumstances prevented them from participating.
As in the original storyline, the substitutes were still Tai Long, Jiang Zhu, Huang Yuan, and Jing Ling.
It's worth noting that Tai Long, in the original storyline, was a loyal follower of Tang San.
More accurately, the entire Strength Clan, to which Tai Long belonged, were loyal followers of both Tang Hao and Tang San.
---
Meanwhile, in the ancient forest filled with Blue Silver Grass.
The vibrant life force of the Blue Silver Domain radiated outward, and countless tiny blue specks of light from the surrounding Blue Silver Grass converged into Tang San's body. Sitting cross-legged on the ground, Tang San's right leg emitted a brilliant blue glow as he activated the hundred-thousand-year soul bone skill: Wildfire Cannot Destroy the Grass, It Grows Again With the Spring Wind, focusing all his efforts on healing his father, Tang Hao.
After a long while, the radiant blue light filled with life energy gradually faded. At the same time, Tang San sensed that the injuries his father had accumulated over more than ten years had been completely healed.
The next moment, Tang San felt a terrifying surge of power emanating from his father, Tang Hao.
Even though this aura wasn't directed at him, and Tang Hao consciously suppressed it, Tang San still couldn't withstand its intensity. He was forced to retreat several steps in succession.
"This is... Father's breakthrough!"
Retreating to a distance of a hundred meters, Tang San noticed his father's presence continuing to rise. Overjoyed, he realized that after recovering from his injuries, his father's strength had reached new heights.
It made sense. His father was the youngest Title Douluo on the continent, possessing extraordinary talent. Now, having broken through his previous limits, it was natural for his strength to improve further.
As day turned to night, Tang Hao's aura surged dramatically. Rising to his feet, he let out a long roar toward the heavens.
In an instant, under the overwhelming pressure of his aura, the fragile Blue Silver Grass surrounding him shattered into countless fragments, swirling into the air.
Blue Silver Grass: F*ck your mother~!
After a long while, the roar ceased, and Tang San hurried over from afar, asking anxiously, "Father, how are you feeling?"
"Hahaha, Xiao San, I'm fine—better than ever!"
Looking up and laughing heartily, Tang Hao's face was filled with excitement.
His old wounds were completely gone, and his soul power level had increased by one, advancing him to a Level 96 Title Douluo. How could he not feel great?
Back when he first became a Title Douluo, he had easily defeated three other Title Douluos, including the Level 95 Qian Xunji. Now, as a Level 96 Title Douluo, where in the vast continent could he not go?
At this moment, Tang Hao's confidence soared. With the inherited ultimate technique, Great Sumeru Hammer, in his hands, unless faced with the demigod-level Qian Daoliu, who could stop him?
Even against a peak Level 98 Title Douluo, Tang Hao was confident that even if he couldn't win, his opponent wouldn't be able to hold him back!
"Father, now that your injuries are healed, can I participate in the Soul Master Tournament? Auntie said it's a grand event for the soul world of the continent."
Tang San looked at Tang Hao with eager eyes.
Although he had once been an assassin from the Tang Sect in his past life, Tang San wasn't lacking in patience or tolerance for solitude.
But he was no longer an assassin. In this life, he wanted to live more vibrantly. The continent was vast, and he wanted to explore it.
For six years, he lived in the remote Holy Spirit Village, never seeing the outside world. Later, after moving to Yue Xuan in Tian Dou City, although the city was prosperous, he learned from his aunt that the enemy who killed his mother—the Spirit Hall—was extremely powerful. To avoid exposure, he stayed secluded, rarely stepping out of Yue Xuan unless necessary.
Having been on Douluo Continent for over a decade, the world he had seen was limited to what he encountered on his journey from Holy Spirit Village to Tian Dou City to visit his aunt and the sights along the way during his soul hunting trips.
But now, everything was different. Not only had his father recovered from his injuries, but his strength had also improved. Tang San felt he now had enough backing to venture out and see the world.
"Xiao San, it's my fault!"
Seeing the longing in his son's eyes, Tang Hao felt a pang in his heart. He pulled Tang San into a tight embrace.
His son, Tang San, the child of the legendary Hao Tian Douluo, grandson of the once-unrivaled Hao Tian Sect, born with full innate soul power and twin martial souls, possessed such an illustrious background and extraordinary talent. Yet for so many years, he had never experienced the outside world, living in isolation, forever focused solely on cultivation...
Spirit Hall—it was all because of Spirit Hall. Everything stemmed from that accursed Spirit Hall!
After a long silence, Tang Hao released Tang San, turned to gaze at the starry sky, and waved his hand decisively. "Xiao San, go ahead and participate in the Soul Master Tournament! Trample Spirit Hall underfoot, starting with the tournament! It's time for the decaying Spirit Hall to fear the name of 'Hao Tian' once more!"
Listening to his father's bold words and gazing at his towering figure, Tang San felt an immense wave of admiration welling up inside him.
"Father, Auntie said that to participate in the Soul Master Tournament, I need to join an advanced soul master academy. Which academy should I attend?"
Tang San asked his father.
Hearing this, Tang Hao fell silent.
If it had been over a decade ago, he wouldn't have hesitated, immediately suggesting the Star Luo Imperial Academy.
Among the three great sects of the continent, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family was neutral, the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Sect supported the Tian Dou Empire, and the Hao Tian Sect supported the Star Luo Empire. Both sides were allies, so Hao Tian disciples naturally attended the Star Luo Imperial Academy for the tournament.
But times had changed. When the Hao Tian Sect was forced into seclusion by Spirit Hall, their ally, the Star Luo Empire, hadn't betrayed them but hadn't provided meaningful support either.
What good was an unreliable ally in critical moments? Such an alliance was meaningless!
After some thought, Tang Hao said, "Discuss this with your aunt. She'll arrange it."
"Yes, Father!"
Tang San nodded.
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Yue Xuan.
"Xiao San, you're..."
Dressed in silver palace attire, Tang Yuehua was utterly astonished.
If not for the familiar Hao Tian Hammer martial soul, she would hardly believe that the handsome blue-haired youth before her was her nephew, Tang San.
However, in Tang Yuehua's view, her second brother was strikingly handsome in his youth, and her sister-in-law, Ah Yin, was also a great beauty. With such excellent genes, it was only natural that her nephew Tang San had grown into a graceful young man.
"Auntie, I've awakened Mother's bloodline. My Blue Silver Grass martial soul has transformed."
Tang San explained.
"So that's how it is!"
Tang Yuehua suddenly understood. She had wondered—how could her nephew's martial soul possibly be ordinary Blue Silver Grass?
After all, Blue Silver Grass was famously considered a useless martial soul on the continent. How could such a weak martial soul pair with the continent's number one weapon-type martial soul, the Hao Tian Hammer?
Weak martial soul, plain appearance—all of this was due to her nephew's unawakened bloodline.
However, Tang Yuehua couldn't help but sigh inwardly, tenderly patting Tang San's head.
If their grandfather were still alive, how could her brother and sister-in-law have been driven to such a state by Spirit Hall? How could the Hao Tian Sect have been forced into seclusion?
"Auntie, I heard the Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament is about to begin. I want to experience it."
Tang San looked at Tang Yuehua with eager eyes.
"This..."
Tang Yuehua hesitated.
The Soul Master Tournament was jointly organized by Spirit Hall and the two empires. If her nephew participated, wouldn't he expose himself to Spirit Hall's attention?
Once discovered, would Spirit Hall, which lost its former pope, simply let things be?
"Father already allowed me to participate."
Seeing his aunt hesitate, Tang San quickly added.
"Hmm? Your father allowed you to participate?"
Tang Yuehua looked at Tang San suspiciously.
"Yes, Father's injuries are healed."
Tang San nodded.
After pondering for a moment, Tang Yuehua said, "Xiao San, since your father allows you to participate, then go ahead and join the Soul Master Tournament! As for the qualification, Auntie will arrange it for you."
For Tang Yuehua, securing a spot for her nephew in the Soul Master Tournament was simple.
Although her martial soul had undergone malignant mutation, preventing her from becoming a true soul master, fate had blessed her with domain powers that most Title Douluo couldn't master.
Relying on her innate domain, Noble Domain, she became the mistress of Yue Xuan, the imperial etiquette academy of Tian Dou Empire. Moreover, influential noble families were aware of her origins.
After all, before the Hao Tian Sect went into seclusion, she was the young miss of the sect, and many on the continent knew her identity.
With these connections, getting her nephew Tang San into Tian Dou Imperial Academy wasn't difficult at all.
Tang Yuehua didn't plan to pull strings for Tang San at Tian Dou Imperial Academy—her influence might not carry as much weight anymore—but she believed that with Tang San's strength, he could undoubtedly secure a main roster spot on the Imperial Battle Team.
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Meanwhile, deep within the core region of the Great Star Dou Forest.
A towering figure wielding a giant hammer stirred up a storm of slaughter in the uninhabited forest.
"Die!"
With a thunderous shout, the ultimate technique Great Sumeru Hammer activated, channeling the power of nine soul rings. Tang Hao swung his hammer, instantly obliterating the skull of an eighty-thousand-year-old Earth Demon Bear.
Soon, a pitch-black soul ring materialized. Tang Hao extended his spiritual power to inspect the bear's corpse.
"Hmph"
Finding nothing he desired, Tang Hao snorted coldly and moved on to search for another high-level soul beast over fifty thousand years old.
Tang Hao was well aware of the general level of participants in the Soul Master Tournament. Having participated himself in the past, he knew that with his son Tang San's current newly-minted four-ring strength, if his teammates weren't strong enough, they likely wouldn't be able to defeat the Spirit Hall team and claim victory.
This wasn't due to Tang San's lack of cultivation talent but rather his age disadvantage—he was still over a decade away from the tournament's upper age limit.
In Tang Hao's eyes, if his son Tang San participated, he must win and trample the Spirit Hall team underfoot! Only then could he uphold the honor of the "Hao Tian" name.
The problem was, there were only three months left until the tournament. How could he safely and effectively boost his son Tang San's strength in such a short time without side effects?
The first thing Tang Hao thought of was soul bones—and not just any soul bones, but high-year ones.
After all, his son's cultivation talent was extraordinary, with the potential to become a superpower like his grandfather. Absorbing low-year soul bones would be a waste of his potential.
Soul bones? He didn't have extras on him, but soul bones came from soul beasts, and the Great Star Dou Forest was teeming with them.
A drop rate of one in a thousand or even lower? He had the strength! Slaughter thousands of high-level soul beasts over fifty thousand years old, and a set of high-year soul bones would surely appear!
As for slaughtering too many soul beasts and provoking super soul beasts far stronger than ordinary Title Douluo?
Hmph! If they come, they won't leave!
In the past, Tang Hao wouldn't have dared to do this.
It wasn't about morality. If he dared to act this way, both he and the Hao Tian Sect would be attacked by the entire soul master community.
Otherwise, if a strong soul master slaughtered high-year soul beasts in the Great Star Dou Forest unchecked, where would advanced soul masters go to obtain high-year soul rings in the future?
But times had changed. The Hao Tian Sect had long gone into seclusion, and he had already been expelled from the sect.
On the surface, he was no longer part of the Hao Tian Sect. Whatever he did had nothing to do with them.
As for himself, he already had Spirit Hall, the dominant force of the soul master world, as his sworn enemy. With so many enemies already, he didn't care if slaughtering soul beasts in the Great Star Dou Forest attracted even more foes.
Moreover, over half of the continent's soul masters belonged to Spirit Hall. The decline of high-level soul beasts in the Great Star Dou Forest would hit Spirit Hall the hardest.
Anything Spirit Hall didn't want to see happen was precisely what Tang Hao intended to do!
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Half a month later.
Spirit City, Pope's Hall.
"Your Holiness, numerous corpses of high-year soul beasts over fifty thousand years old have appeared in the Great Star Dou Forest, including some nearing ninety thousand years. It appears a Title Douluo has been indiscriminately slaughtering soul beasts."
Light and Shadow Hall Master Omaba reported gravely to Bibi Dong.
A month ago, the previous Light and Shadow Hall Master had advanced to Title Douluo status and joined Spirit Hall's elder council. Red-robed Cardinal Omaba, promoted to a Soul Douluo, was appointed as the new Light and Shadow Hall Master due to his hard work and decent strength.
Spirit Hall had many high-level soul masters. At any given time, advanced soul masters affiliated with Spirit Hall were hunting soul beasts in the Great Star Dou Forest for advancement.
After half a month, the news of a Title Douluo rampaging through the Great Star Dou Forest finally surfaced.
Of course, only the corpses of high-level soul beasts had been discovered. The culprit remained unknown, let alone captured.
Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong immediately furrowed her brows.
Like soul masters, the strength distribution of soul beasts followed a pyramid structure. The higher the year count, the fewer the numbers, and vice versa.
There were soul masters who made a living by hunting soul beasts, but their strength was generally mediocre, and they mostly targeted soul beasts under ten thousand years old.
Hunting soul beasts under ten thousand years old wasn't an issue. Even hunting soul beasts with moderately high years wasn't problematic, as the number of soul beasts around ten thousand years old far exceeded the number of human soul masters.
But a Title Douluo-level powerhouse indiscriminately slaughtering high-year soul beasts? That was unacceptable.
Greed knew no bounds. If left unchecked, the Great Star Dou Forest might soon struggle to find high-year soul beasts.
Moreover, just as there were superpowerful figures in the soul master world, the same applied to the soul beast realm. Those with ages far exceeding a hundred thousand years were called ferocious beasts.
Excessive killing could provoke these hidden ferocious beasts to launch large-scale beast tides.
Scattered soul beasts were targets for soul masters to hunt for soul rings and soul bones, but a beast tide led by ferocious beasts wasn't just about ultra-high-year soul rings and soul bones—it was a disaster for the soul master world!
Most importantly, the major power closest to the Great Star Dou Forest was Spirit Hall.
No matter who was responsible, the ferocious beasts would pin the blame squarely on Spirit Hall.
There was no helping it—after all, over half of the continent's soul masters belonged to Spirit Hall.
As the Pope of Spirit Hall, the public face of leadership, Bibi Dong didn't want to wake up one day to find Spirit City submerged in a beast tide.
"Can we confirm which Title Douluo is responsible?"
Bibi Dong asked sternly.
The number of Title Douluos on the continent wasn't large. Excluding Spirit Hall's elders, the pool was even smaller. If the crime scene left clear battle traces, identifying the culprit wouldn't be too difficult.
Even if not, it would still narrow down the suspects.
"The culprit's strength is formidable. Aside from critical hits to vital areas, the bodies of the slaughtered soul beasts remain largely intact, with few battle traces. We cannot determine which Title Douluo is responsible."
Omaba shook his head.
The hammer-wielding Title Douluo's strength was immense, and his strikes were clean, leaving no discernible battle traces.
"Hmph! The absence of battle traces is the best proof!"
Bibi Dong snorted coldly, her mind narrowing down a few suspects.
Strictly speaking, a hundred-thousand-year soul beast corresponded to a Level 91 Title Douluo.
But level and strength were different concepts and couldn't be conflated.
Generally, an ordinary Level 91 Title Douluo who could defeat a ninety-thousand-year soul beast was already considered competent.
To effortlessly kill a ninety-thousand-year soul beast, one's strength had to be at least Level 95 or higher.
Aside from the elders of the Worship Hall, there were only a handful of Title Douluos on the continent capable of such feats.
"Summon the hall knights! Notify the elders—I, the Pope, will convene an elder meeting!"
Without hesitation, Bibi Dong ordered the knights guarding the hall.
Soon, aside from the elusive Grand Elder Qian Daoliu, over twenty Title Douluo elders currently in Spirit City gathered in the Elder Hall.
An hour later, five elders of the Offering Hall—Light Feather Douluo, Thousand Jun Douluo, Demonic Suppression Douluo—and five Title Douluo-level elders from the Elder Hall, totaling eight Title Douluos, led sixteen elite squads composed entirely of members with soul power levels above 60, heading toward the Great Star Dou Forest to investigate the massacre of high-level soul beasts.
To obtain soul bones, a Title Douluo defied the world by recklessly slaughtering high-level soul beasts in the Great Star Dou Forest. This act threatened the future of all advanced soul masters on the continent. As the dominant force in the soul master world, Spirit Hall absolutely could not tolerate such despicable behavior to continue.
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