A week later, deep within the core region of the Great Star Dou Forest, a one-sided battle was unfolding.
"Ninth Soul Skill, Dragon Breaker Slash!"
Holding a massive dragon-patterned greatsword, a towering golden figure surrounded by nine soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black—activated his ninth soul ring. Accompanied by roaring dragon cries, he unleashed a golden dragon-shaped blade of energy over a hundred meters long toward a crimson giant wielding a hammer.
"Hmph... A mere speck of light dares to challenge the sun and moon? Great Sumeru Hammer, explode!"
Tang Hao, in his True Body state, sneered disdainfully. Activating the ultimate technique of the Hao Tian Sect—the Great Sumeru Hammer—he channeled the power of all nine soul rings into his blood-red hammer and brought it crashing down with overwhelming force.
The Great Sumeru Hammer, the Hao Tian Sect's inherited ultimate technique, could condense all of one's soul rings into a single entity, infusing them entirely into the Hao Tian Hammer. This transformed the attack into purest destruction, exponentially amplifying one's strength.
Its most devastating aspect was its final form: Ring Explosion. Each of the user's soul rings could be detonated once, releasing their full power in an explosive burst far surpassing the user's normal capabilities. The higher the quality of the soul ring, the greater the effect; conversely, lower-quality rings yielded weaker results.
However, while the Ring Explosion was immensely powerful, it came with significant side effects. But for Tang Hao, this opponent—a third-rate Title Douluo barely stronger than weaklings—didn't warrant such a technique. Even without detonating his rings, the standard Great Sumeru Hammer was more than sufficient.
Boom—
With a deafening explosion, the crimson hammer effortlessly shattered the golden dragon-shaped blade of energy. Unrelenting, the hammer continued forward, smashing into the towering golden figure.
Boom—
Crack crack crack—
Amidst the impact, sounds like shattering glass echoed through the air. Fine cracks spread across the golden figure's body.
"Tang Hao, Spirit Hall will never forgive you!"
In just one strike, not only had his ninth soul skill been obliterated, but even his True Body was on the verge of collapse. Long Yu, the sixteenth elder of Spirit Hall, knew his end had come. Filled with resentment and hatred, he roared furiously.
A week earlier, numerous corpses of high-level spirit beasts had appeared in the Great Star Dou Forest. Spirit Hall dispatched eight Title Douluos—including three Offering Elders—along with sixteen elite squads to investigate.
Given the vastness of the Great Star Dou Forest, the eight didn't stay together. Each led two elite squads in search of the culprit.
Long Yu's luck wasn't bad. Minutes earlier, he had sensed a surge of soul power fluctuations in the distance and immediately rushed there with his two elite squads.
Upon arrival, he witnessed a towering figure wielding a colossal hammer extracting a radiant right-arm soul bone from the headless corpse of an eighty-thousand-year-old Diamond Explosion Ape.
Good news: the culprit had been found, and they had even dropped a high-quality soul bone.
Bad news: the culprit was none other than Tang Hao, the Hao Tian Douluo who had killed Spirit Hall's former pope.
As the number-one wanted criminal of Spirit Hall, Long Yu, as the sixteenth elder, naturally recognized him.
Moreover, a Hao Tian Hammer soul master possessing a hundred-thousand-year ninth soul ring—aside from the long-missing "Invincible on Land"—there was only one such person on the continent: Tang Hao.
Upon realizing the culprit was Tang Hao, Long Yu's first reaction was to abandon his two elite squads and flee. After all, with his strength as a Level 93 powerhouse-type Title Douluo, even with the support of two elite squads, he was far from a match for Tang Hao.
That was what he thought, and that was what he did.
Unfortunately, he still underestimated Tang Hao's strength. Within two minutes, the two elite squads left behind were effortlessly crushed—one hammer per squad—and before Long Yu could flee far, Tang Hao caught up to him.
Long Yu had thought he could at least exchange a few blows with Tang Hao. He never imagined that after activating his True Body, Tang Hao's single hammer strike would obliterate his offensive ninth soul skill and nearly shatter his True Body.
"You're Spirit Hall's lapdogs? Hahaha, die!"
Hearing Long Yu's resentful roar, Tang Hao laughed heartily and swung his hammer again.
Initially, Tang Hao hadn't known these people were from Spirit Hall. He simply intended to silence any witnesses to his massacre of high-level spirit beasts in the Great Star Dou Forest. To his surprise, they turned out to be members of his old enemy, Spirit Hall!
No need to hesitate—die, die, die! Everyone dies!
Boom—
The crimson hammer descended once more, accompanied by a thunderous roar. Long Yu's already fractured True Body was instantly obliterated. Before he could suffer the backlash of his shattered True Body, the relentless hammer reduced him to a bloody pulp.
"Hmph... Poor wretch."
Seeing no soul bone emanations from the bloody pulp in the crater, Tang Hao sneered dismissively and dismissed his True Body.
Soul bones were rare—not every Title Douluo possessed one, especially those from Spirit Hall.
There was no other reason. Most of Spirit Hall's Title Douluos were geniuses of humble origins. Even if they had decent talent, they lacked the strength to obtain precious soul bones when young. By the time they grew strong enough, ordinary soul bones no longer interested them.
For this reason, if a ranking of all Title Douluos' net worth were made, many from Spirit Hall would undoubtedly rank near the bottom.
Of course, if they did possess soul bones, the quality would likely be quite high.
Without lingering further, Tang Hao left the Great Star Dou Forest.
The fact that the Spirit Hall elder he had killed appeared here with several attendants above Level 60 suggested that Spirit Hall had already noticed the abnormalities in the Great Star Dou Forest.
Spirit Hall had many experts, and the arriving Title Douluos wouldn't be limited to just one. As the saying goes, "Two fists can't fight four hands." Moreover, Tang Hao had already collected three high-quality soul bones over the past few days—enough to rapidly advance his son Tang San to a Soul King. Thus, Tang Hao decided to stop.
Though arrogant and undeniably powerful, Tang Hao understood that unless he reached the same level as his grandfather Tang Chen, directly confronting Spirit Hall would leave him at a disadvantage.
Not long after Tang Hao departed, a white-robed, silver-haired youth with a profound aura arrived at the scene with over a dozen others.
Gazing at the bloody pulp at the bottom of the crater, Guang Ling Douluo fell silent.
If his senses weren't mistaken, the bloody pulp in the crater was indeed one of Spirit Hall's sixteen elders?
Time passed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, more than two months had gone by.
One morning, inside Lan Ba Academy's simulated forest training grounds, Xiao Wu, who had been meditating, suddenly experienced a surge in her soul power.
"Xiao Wu, you've broken through?"
Sensing the disturbance nearby, Chu Chengzhou exited his meditation state and turned to ask Xiao Wu.
"Mm-hmm, Brother, I've reached level 50!"
Xiao Wu nodded cheerfully.
"Not bad, my little Xiao Wu is amazing! With the Soul Master Tournament starting in a week, let me take you to the Sunset Forest to obtain your fifth soul ring!"
After praising her, Chu Chengzhou smiled and suggested.
As soon as the words left his mouth, Xiao Wu's smile vanished, and she froze in place.
Obtain a fifth soul ring?
Xiao Wu didn't need to hunt spirit beasts for soul rings—she could create her own.
And soul masters capable of creating their own soul rings... How should she refuse? Xiao Wu couldn't help but feel agitated.
"Xiao Wu, let's go ask Principal Er Long for leave now. If our luck holds, a week should be enough to find a suitable soul ring for you."
Ignoring Xiao Wu's strange expression, Chu Chengzhou exchanged brief greetings with Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing before pulling Xiao Wu toward Principal Liu Erlong's office.
After raising this little rabbit for so many years, it was time to have a heart-to-heart talk.
Half an hour later, Chu Chengzhou and a visibly unhappy Xiao Wu left Lan Ba Academy.
Chu Chengzhou's strength was well-known to Liu Erlong. She trusted them completely to hunt for soul rings in the Sunset Forest. Plus, since Chu Chengzhou intentionally declined accompaniment, she neither followed nor arranged for Flender or Zhao Wuji to accompany them.
"Xiao Wu, what's wrong? You seem upset..."
Seeing Xiao Wu's gloomy expression, Chu Chengzhou pretended to be curious and asked.
"Brother, the Soul Master Tournament is about to start. Can we delay the soul hunting until later?"
After some thought, Xiao Wu suggested.
If possible, Xiao Wu didn't want Chu Chengzhou to know about her identity as a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast in human form. It wasn't that she feared he'd covet her hundred-thousand-year soul ring or soul bones—it was the fear that upon learning her true nature, he might reject their taboo relationship.
After all, soul masters and spirit beasts were natural enemies. In the eyes of society, human soul masters and transformed spirit beasts shouldn't be together.
What Xiao Wu didn't realize was that for many people, including Chu Chengzhou, bunny girls were far more appealing than regular girls.
Chu Chengzhou: Respectfully paying homage to predecessors like Tang Big Hammer, Xiao Huo Huo, Ning Cai Chen, Xu Han Wen, Luo Shi Yi, and others! (T/N: All of them had either half-human or non-human spouses)
"No need. Nothing is more important than my dear Xiao Wu! Even if we miss the first few days of the tournament, with Zhu Zhuqing and the others' strength, our chances of winning are still very high."
Smiling, Chu Chengzhou flicked Xiao Wu's nose playfully.
Xiao Wu: "..."
After leaving Tian Dou City, the two boarded the summoned Phoenix Xiao Hong and flew toward the Sunset Forest.
Midway, as the distance to the Sunset Forest dwindled, Xiao Wu—who had been internally conflicted for a long time—took a deep breath and resolved to face the truth.
Whether she ducked or faced it, her identity couldn't remain hidden much longer. It was time to confess.
After all, as the saying goes: "Confess and be lenient; resist and be punished!"
"Brother, I want to confess something..."
Holding her concerns, Xiao Wu spoke solemnly.
'Finally, it's here!'
As soon as the words left Xiao Wu's mouth, Chu Chengzhou knew exactly what she intended to say.
"Brother, I'm sorry. Actually, I..."
"Stop!"
Interrupting her before she could continue, Chu Chengzhou cut her off.
"???
Xiao Wu looked at him in confusion.
Meeting her puzzled gaze, Chu Chengzhou smiled, pulled her into his arms, and said, "I only know that you're the girl I picked up and raised as my future bride. No matter where you come from, you're my destined wife!
Go ahead now, tell me your origin. Let's see if it can scare me."
Hearing these words, Xiao Wu was deeply moved.
"Brother, do you know anything about hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts?"
Collecting herself, Xiao Wu asked.
"Hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts? I've heard they're extremely rare on the continent and incredibly powerful. What's most remarkable is the rumor that they can transform into human form.
Xiao Wu, don't tell me you're a transformed hundred-thousand-year spirit beast?!"
Eyes wide, Chu Chengzhou feigned shock.
Xiao Wu trembled slightly, then nodded, clinging tightly to Chu Chengzhou.
"So you're really a bunny? No wonder you don't eat rabbit meat."
Stroking the rabbit ears atop Xiao Wu's head, Chu Chengzhou acted as if he had just realized.
For the sake of his little bunny, he had even given up eating braised rabbit heads—a sacrifice not to be taken lightly!
"Brother, you're not bothered that I'm a bunny?"
Seeing Chu Chengzhou focus on the wrong point, Xiao Wu tilted her head and asked curiously.
"Bunnies are so cute—how could anyone dislike bunnies? Besides, my Xiao Wu is beautiful."
Chu Chengzhou chuckled, tapping Xiao Wu's forehead gently.
"Mm-hmm, bunnies are so cute. You better not dislike bunnies."
Nuzzling against Chu Chengzhou's chest, Xiao Wu spoke earnestly.
"That's a given—I adore Xiao Wu the most!"
At this moment, sweet words flowed freely from Chu Chengzhou's lips.
Suddenly, Xiao Wu's expression turned serious, and without hesitation, she pinched Chu Chengzhou's waist.
"Ouch, Xiao Wu, why did you pinch me?"
Chu Chengzhou was bewildered. Why would the little bunny pinch him out of nowhere?
"Hmph, Brother, confess honestly—are you already aware that I'm a bunny?"
Hands on hips, Xiao Wu glared at him, her tone accusatory.
Though Xiao Wu often seemed naive, she had moments of sharp intelligence.
Any normal person, upon learning their sister and girlfriend was a transformed hundred-thousand-year spirit beast, would be utterly shocked—regardless of whether they accepted it or not. Yet Chu Chengzhou's reaction was unnaturally calm.
Xiao Wu strongly suspected that Chu Chengzhou had known about her identity as a transformed hundred-thousand-year Soft Bone Rabbit all along.
"Uh..., well... Xiao Wu, don't worry about these minor details. What matters is that you're my destined wife!"
Chu Chengzhou laughed awkwardly.
"Hmph! Brother, if you ever dare abandon me, you're dead!"
Snorting coldly, Xiao Wu issued a warning before resting her head on his shoulder.
"Don't be silly—I'd never abandon Xiao Wu."
"Then stop flirting with Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing."
Chu Chengzhou: "..."
Over two hours later, the summoned Phoenix Xiao Hong flew beyond Tian Dou City's borders, landing in a desolate, uninhabited mountain forest.
"There's no one around. Xiao Wu, you can start forming your soul ring—I'll keep watch."
After scanning the area with his spiritual sense and confirming no one was nearby, Chu Chengzhou sent Xiao Hong to patrol from the sky, then turned to Xiao Wu.
"Mm-hmm!"
Xiao Wu nodded.
Spreading a blanket on the ground, Xiao Wu sat cross-legged, her hands forming elegant gestures. Her right palm rested upward on her thigh, while her left hand was held vertically in front of her chest. She began chanting a series of strange sounds.
As the chant echoed, Xiao Wu's eyes gradually turned red. Four soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, black—quietly emerged, pulsating rhythmically around her body.
Simultaneously, a massive, pink-and-white rabbit silhouette gradually materialized behind her.
A faint red glow began spreading from Xiao Wu's body, growing increasingly intense over time, resembling blood as it filled the air.
Time slowly passed. Within the intense red glow, a layer of black light began to emerge. The black light condensed into countless star-like specks, forming a black ring.
The black ring descended, encircling Xiao Wu. Initially, it struggled to harmonize with the four existing rings, but as the red glow intensified, the black ring stabilized. Clearly, it was a ten-thousand-year soul ring.
Though the soul ring had formed, Xiao Wu didn't stop. The newly-formed fifth soul ring was only at the beginning of the ten-thousand-year range—far from her limit.
Visibly, the color of Xiao Wu's fifth soul ring began to deepen.
After a while, Xiao Wu's face suddenly twisted in pain.
As a transformed hundred-thousand-year spirit beast, Xiao Wu could create soul rings up to her maximum tolerance. For other soul masters, attaching a soul ring at their limit was akin to dancing on the edge of a knife.
What was the limit? One year beyond the maximum, and they'd explode. Any rational soul master would avoid pushing their limits.
But Xiao Wu was different. She could safely push her soul ring to the extreme. When forming her own soul rings, it was similar to receiving a god-bestowed soul ring. Though the year count could only increase, not decrease, she could carefully gauge her precise limit through incremental adjustments.
Knowing the benefits of high-year soul rings, Xiao Wu naturally aimed to maximize her fifth soul ring's year count.
"Xiao Wu, that's enough. Don't push yourself too hard."
Estimating that Xiao Wu's fifth soul ring was around twenty-six thousand years, Chu Chengzhou spoke up.
Without reaching critical thresholds—ten to a hundred years, a hundred to a thousand years, a thousand to ten thousand years, or ten thousand to a hundred thousand years—the difference of a few decades or centuries in soul ring year count was negligible.
Moreover, with her fifth soul ring already at twenty-six thousand years, there was no need to endure unnecessary suffering for a mere few decades or centuries.
Xiao Wu ignored Chu Chengzhou's words. Though playful and mischievous at times, she knew when to give her all.
Strengthening her foundation was worth enduring some hardship. Wasn't perseverance and effort part of life?
Besides, this perseverance wouldn't last long.
Minutes passed. The immense pressure of a high-year soul ring caused fine, blood-tinged sweat to bead on Xiao Wu's skin. Finally, her true limit had arrived.
Realizing her fifth soul ring's year count had reached her maximum tolerance, Xiao Wu stopped increasing it and focused on absorbing the energy from the soul ring. More accurately, she absorbed the latent energy of her original hundred-thousand-year Soft Bone Rabbit form.
As the sun set and the moon rose, night fell over the desolate mountain forest.
Suddenly, Chu Chengzhou, standing guard nearby, saw Xiao Wu's aura surge. Her soul power level broke through Level 50, officially advancing her to a Level 52 Soul King.
Seeing Xiao Wu officially become a Soul King, Chu Chengzhou waved his banner, activating his first soul ring. The Sky Azure Tree summon, Xiao Qing, materialized.
A vibrant green light brimming with life surged from Xiao Qing and entered Xiao Wu's body.
Instantly, Xiao Wu felt warmth envelop her. The countless tiny injuries caused by forming a high-year soul ring vanished without a trace.
"Brother, you're the best!"
Healed, Xiao Wu leapt up and ran into Chu Chengzhou's arms.
"Hm, look how messy you are. There's a stream over there—go wash up!"
After holding the little bunny for a moment, Chu Chengzhou snorted, tapped her head, and teased her.
"Hehe~"
Giggling, Xiao Wu didn't mind. She kissed Chu Chengzhou's cheek and ran toward the nearby stream.
After a while, she returned, having washed up and changed into a clean dress.
Forming a soul ring and advancing to a Soul King had caused Xiao Wu's body to develop noticeably. Though she was barely fourteen by human standards, her five soul rings made her appear like an eighteen-year-old beauty.
Watching the stunning girl in a white crystal princess dress before him, Chu Chengzhou couldn't help but stare momentarily. The matured Xiao Wu was far more alluring than before!
"Brother, come comb my hair for me!"
Noticing Chu Chengzhou's dazed expression, Xiao Wu shook her still-damp hair and pouted adorably.
Smiling, Chu Chengzhou moved behind her, took out the meaningful sandalwood comb, and infused it with threads of fire-element soul power. Carefully, he began combing Xiao Wu's hair.
"Xiao Wu~"
"Hmm?"
"We've both grown up!"
Inhaling the faint fragrance of her hair, Chu Chengzhou murmured.
"What do you mean?"
Xiao Wu turned her head, puzzled.
"Oscar's father became a father at fourteen."
Chu Chengzhou's voice carried a hint of melancholy.
Instantly, Xiao Wu's face flushed red.
Would the experiences from the illusion finally unfold in reality? How embarrassing!
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