Douluo Dalu: From Shinobi to Spirit Master

The moon hung high in the sky, its silver light illuminating the vast expanse. The stars shone brightly, with not a single cloud in sight. The once-heavy fog surrounding the Spirit Hall had thinned, allowing the faint glow of thousands of household lanterns to twinkle from Spirit City below.

"Show it here," Bibi Dong said with a faint smile on her delicate face, her jade finger pointing toward the boy. "I'm looking forward to your performance."

The high-ranking members of the Spirit Hall stood in scattered groups, their gazes shifting between the graceful and noble figure of the Pope and the white-haired boy. Curiosity and a hint of intrigue glimmered in their eyes.

It was rare for someone to attract such attention from the Pope. When she first emerged, it was only expected that a few would observe the situation closely. But when Bibi Dong, the revered leader of Spirit Hall, was visibly invested in the boy's abilities, it was clear that something extraordinary was afoot.

The outstanding display Su Chen had shown earlier in the hall had left an impression. Those who had dismissed Ju Douluo's words with mocking laughter now found themselves questioning their assumptions.

Guangling Douluo, his sharp eyes flicking over to the white-haired youth, suddenly stood. His demeanor shifted; the previously angry, twisted expression had been replaced by a calm, confident smile, his usual handsomeness returning with a certain charm.

"It's hard to truly convince others with a mere demonstration," Guangling Douluo said smoothly, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "How about I add a little prize?"

A ripple of excitement spread through the crowd. It was no surprise that this was part of his plan, but the scale of his offer was bound to turn heads.

"Oh?" Bibi Dong arched an elegant eyebrow, her expression unreadable. "What kind of prize does Guangling Douluo have in mind?"

In an instant, a fluctuation of soul power filled the air. Guangling Douluo's hand flicked, and a dark red crystal materialized within his grasp.

Ju Douluo's eyes narrowed, his expression suddenly tense. "Soul bone?" he muttered, his voice filled with disbelief.

"Soul bone?" Su Chen's heart skipped a beat, and he couldn't help but glance at the object in Guangling's hand.

The soul bone was a deep, rich red, its surface smooth and translucent, emanating a faint yet intense heat. It was as if the very essence of a fiery spirit had been captured within its crystalline form. Su Chen, despite his low soul power, could still sense the overwhelming aura of power emanating from it. This was a treasure, a rare artifact that could elevate any soul master.

As his senses sharpened, Su Chen felt an almost familiar energy lingering within. The sensation was strange, yet undeniable. If this truly was the treasure he suspected it to be, it was something he could not let slip away.

"Hiss," someone in the crowd gasped, their voice trembling with awe. "Judging by its color and aura, that soul bone has to be at least nine thousand years old. Could it be a ten thousand year soul bone?"

"Isn't that the right leg bone?" Another voice added. "Guangling Douluo is really generous to offer a ten thousand year soul bone as a prize."

The crowd murmured in disbelief. Ten thousand year soul bones were precious beyond measure. For a Title Douluo, such a prize could elevate them to unimaginable heights. Yet here was Guangling Douluo, offering it up so casually, as though it were a mere trinket.

Even Bibi Dong couldn't hide her surprise, but her gaze remained calm as she fixed her eyes on Guangling Douluo. "What are you asking for this prize, Guangling Douluo?"

"How about this?" Guangling Douluo's smile was mischievous as he placed the soul bone gently on the stone platform before them. "If this boy can last one stick of incense under a soul ancestor's attack, then the soul bone is his."

The proposal was simple, yet it carried immense weight. One stick of incense—a fleeting moment in time—yet under the relentless assault of a soul elder, that would be cruel to a six year old child.

The crowd held its breath. A challenge like this would determine not only Su Chen's strength but also his worth. If he could endure, he would earn the soul bone. If not, the prize would be forfeited, and all the talk would amount to nothing more than a farce.

Su Chen's gaze hardened, but there was no sign of fear. His mind sharpened as he measured the stakes.

"How about it?" Guangling Douluo's voice broke through the silence. His gaze now locked onto Su Chen, filled with both amusement and a touch of malice. "Can you withstand a soul ancestor's attack for just one stick of incense?"

Ju Douluo, who had been silently observing, finally could no longer hold his temper. He stepped forward, placing himself between Su Chen and the challenge. "You're shameless! To pit a soul ancestor against a soul master like this—do you think it's fair?"

The air was thick with murmurs, and the audience shifted their gazes from one to another. After a tense silence, their eyes fell back on Guangling Douluo, their expressions filled with disbelief.

No wonder he dared to offer up a ten-thousand-year soul bone. Wasn't this taking shamelessness to a whole new level?

"Didn't you say this child possesses a thousand-year soul ring?" Guangling Douluo sneered, his voice oozing with mockery. "It just so happens that one of my subordinates, whose talent is mediocre at best, only has a thousand-year soul ring as his fourth. And we're talking about just one stick of incense. Surely someone who can boast a first-ring thousand-year soul should have no issue, right? After all..."

Guangling's expression darkened in an instant. His pleasant smile vanished, replaced by a chilling gaze that cut through the air. The oppressive wave of soul power surged outward like a tidal wave, crashing directly into Ju Douluo!

"Who do you think you are, speaking to me like that!?" Guangling Douluo's voice thundered.

Boom!

Ju Douluo was caught completely off guard. His face turned pale, and he spat a mouthful of blood, his breath faltering. His body staggered back, barely staying upright. If not for the timely intervention of Ghost Douluo, who quickly released his soul power to cushion the blow, Yue Guan might have collapsed right there on the spot.

"Insolent!" Ghost Douluo's voice roared as his own soul power swelled to match Guangling Douluo's.

The two waves of soul power collided, and the ground beneath them cracked under the force of their struggle. The pressure pushed the air out of the room, causing a ripple of unease among the onlookers. The intensity of their exchange was almost unbearable, yet the confrontation slowly began to subside.

Su Chen stood unmoving, unaffected by the overwhelming soul power, shielded by his companions.

So this is the true might of a high-ranking Titled Douluo? Su Chen thought, his expression turning serious. I can't afford to underestimate him.

Behind Bibi Dong, a dark and sinister aura emanated from the shadowy spider that loomed behind her. Her pink hair danced wildly in the wind as she locked her gaze on Guangling Douluo.

"Are you looking for a fight, Elder Guangling?" Her voice was cold, her words slicing through the tension like a blade.

The air around them crackled as their forces collided once again. The ground beneath them groaned under the pressure, cracks spiderwebbing across the stone floor. But when the forces neared their breaking point, they both hesitated, unwilling to escalate the conflict further.

The onlookers breathed a collective sigh of relief, wiping sweat from their brows. They had no idea how a confrontation between these two powerhouses would end.

"I apologize, Your Holiness. I simply had to correct a younger generation who seems to have forgotten their place," Guangling Douluo spoke, his voice now tinged with a hint of caution. His single visible eye betrayed a fleeting moment of apprehension.

So she's this strong now?

A mix of respect and a trace of fear flashed across his face.

"I'll make sure this never happens again," he added, his voice subdued.

Bibi Dong gave him a frosty stare, her words laced with icy authority. "I trust you will," she said, before shifting her gaze to Su Chen. "And as for this child, he will not compete with your soul ancestor."

Su Chen could practically hear the disdain in her tone.

So this old fool has no good intentions... she thought.

Guangling Douluo's face twisted with displeasure, but he tried to mask it with a forced smile. "But Your Holiness, don't you think we should hear the opinion of the person involved?" He glanced at Su Chen, his voice almost silky as he addressed the boy.

"Tell me, young one, are you willing to accept the challenge?" His eyes gleamed, knowing full well that Su Chen had been eyeing the soul bone ever since it was revealed.

Even a Titled Douluo could hardly remain unmoved by the allure of a ten-thousand-year soul bone. But a child? It was almost cruel to dangle such a prize in front of him.

Su Chen's gaze remained steady as he looked at the soul bone in Guangling Douluo's hand. The temptation was strong, but he kept his voice firm.

"Of course, I'm willing."