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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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Inside a majestic divine hall, a figure clad in azure-golden divine armor sat upon the throne, his blue hair flowing with an aura of overwhelming majesty.
"Huh...? Where am I?"
Tang San gazed around with a hint of confusion, taking in the sights before him.
In the center of the grand hall, dozens of scantily clad, enchanting dancers swayed gracefully to the rhythm of numerous musicians' accompaniment.
Gazing at the alluring figures of the dancers and feeling the vast, indescribably powerful energy within himself, Tang San couldn't help but feel intoxicated.
Just then, a voice echoed from outside the hall: "Great Lan Hao God, the criminal Chu Chengzhou has been brought!"
(T/N: Lan Hao means 'Blue-Clear' for Blue Silver Grass and Clear Sky Hammer. His title in the original series was 'Lan Hao King' which was bestowed on him by Xue Beng)
"Great Lan Hao God? Oh... that's right. After a century of arduous cultivation, I have ascended to godhood. I am the Lan Hao God!"
At first, Tang San was momentarily stunned, but he quickly pieced it together.
"Criminal Chu Chengzhou? Bring him forth!"
Waving his hand, Tang San commanded.
Tang San vaguely remembered that back when he was weak, this Chu Chengzhou had once ruined something important for him.
As for what exactly it was, the great Lan Hao God had forgotten—but that didn't stop the great Lan Hao God from labeling him as a criminal after ascending to godhood.
Soon, the massive doors of the divine hall opened. A towering and imposing divine general escorted Chu Chengzhou, whose chest bore a large character for "prisoner," into the hall.
At this point, seeing that the great Lan Hao God was about to interrogate the criminal, the musicians stopped playing, and the dancers ceased their sensual movements. They stood still, bowing respectfully, preparing to withdraw.
Seeing this, Tang San frowned slightly and said, "Continue the music, continue the dance!"
After a century of arduous cultivation to ascend at level 100, shouldn't I enjoy this moment fully? No music? That simply wouldn't do!
Instantly, a melodious tune resumed, and the seductive dancers began their graceful movements once more.
"Great Lan Hao God, the criminal Chu Chengzhou has been brought!"
The mighty divine general knelt on one knee, his face filled with reverence as he addressed Tang San.
"Mm."
Tang San nodded, quite satisfied with the general's attitude.
Especially those reverent eyes—Tang San didn't doubt for a second that if he gave the order, even if it meant charging into a sea of blades or a raging inferno, the general would carry it out without hesitation.
He then turned his gaze toward Chu Chengzhou.
"Bold Chu Chengzhou, do you realize you are courting death?"
Seeing that the man he had labeled a criminal dared not kneel, Tang San's anger flared, and he bellowed fiercely.
"Great Lan Hao God, may I ask why I am courting death?"
Chu Chengzhou retorted defiantly.
"Huh?"
Hearing this, Tang San furrowed his brows.
That's right, why was Chu Chengzhou courting death?
Damn it, why can't I remember anything?!
Suddenly, Tang San had an idea and declared, "Which foot did you step into my divine hall with first?"
"I think... my right foot?"
Chu Chengzhou replied uncertainly.
"Bold! Stepping into my divine hall with your right foot is a grave disrespect—you are courting death!"
Tang San roared.
"Great Lan Hao God, I remembered incorrectly earlier. I stepped in with my left foot!"
"Bold! Stepping in with your left foot is also disrespectful to me!"
Chu Chengzhou: "..."
"Seize this disrespectful criminal and take him away to be executed on a chosen day!"
A cruel smile spread across Tang San's face as he issued the command to the divine general in the hall.
"Yes, Great Lan Hao God!"
The divine general accepted the order and immediately moved to apprehend Chu Chengzhou.
But just then, an enormous dark-golden bear appeared behind Chu Chengzhou. A flash of dark gold radiance erupted, and a terrifying claw capable of destroying the world descended.
"Hmph, so you truly are courting death. Such a puny Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear dares to act so arrogantly before me!"
Before Tang San could finish his disdainful words, he suddenly felt the vast, indescribably powerful energy within him vanish completely, leaving him feeling like an ordinary mortal devoid of soul power.
Facing the cataclysmic claw descending upon him, Tang San's face was filled with despair and terror.
The next moment, the destructive claw struck, and the entire world seemed to fall into oblivion. The majestic hall, the mighty deity—all shattered like a dreamlike illusion.
"No!"
In reality, Tang San, who had been lying in bed with a pale face, jolted upright, shaken by the memory of that apocalyptic claw.
After examining his familiar surroundings, Tang San let out a deep sigh and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
So everything earlier—it was all just a dream!
Suddenly, Tang San frowned and carefully assessed his injuries.
Before losing consciousness, he vividly remembered nearly being bisected by Chu Chengzhou's summoned Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear.
"Phew... Good, the wounds have healed."
Pulling aside his clothes, he saw that the wound on his waist had closed, leaving only a faint pink line. Tang San breathed a sigh of relief.
Although his strength hadn't fully recovered yet, and his head throbbed slightly from repeatedly using his head-type soul bone skill in a short period, as long as he avoided intense battles, there was no need to worry about the wound reopening.
Over time, once the newly healed flesh strengthened, the injury would be completely mended.
Subsequently, Tang San got up, dressed, and exited the room.
"Huh? Tang San, you're awake?"
Hearing the sound of the door opening, the members of Tian Dou Imperial Academy eating breakfast in the suite looked over.
"It seems I've arrived just in time for the meal! Teacher Qin Ming, don't worry—I still have the strength to fight. I'll participate in today's team battle against the Spirit Hall team."
Tang San spoke solemnly to the team leader, Qin Ming.
In Tang San's view, the Spirit Hall team's strength wasn't particularly impressive. Although he couldn't engage in fierce battles for now, throwing out a few soul bone skills should suffice to deal with the three Soul Kings of the Spirit Hall team.
Upon hearing this, including Qin Ming, the members of Tian Dou Imperial Academy exchanged strange looks.
"Tang San, you've been unconscious for almost a day. It's already morning on the second day."
Qin Ming awkwardly replied.
"It's already morning on the second day? Then yesterday afternoon's team battle..."
Tang San's eyes widened, a bad feeling rising in his heart.
No wonder you're not eating rice but rather soy milk and buns.
"Cough... Well, victory and defeat are common in war. You're still young, so don't take it too hard! Come, eat something. Afterward, we'll go watch the match."
Patting Tang San on the shoulder, Qin Ming consoled him.
Tang San: "..."
Though Qin Ming hadn't explicitly stated it, Tang San could guess most of what had happened.
Being part of the same team, he was well aware of Yu Tianheng and the others' capabilities. Without him, Tian Dou Imperial Academy was no match for the Spirit Hall team. Not only would they lose, but likely suffer a crushing defeat.
Indeed, the reality matched Tang San's expectations.
Without Tang San, the strongest member of Tian Dou Imperial Academy was Yu Tianheng, a Soul Ancestor. Add to that the absence of another member, and naturally, they were thoroughly trounced by the Spirit Hall team.
In fact, Hu Liena of the Spirit Hall team hadn't even needed to fight. Just the other six members alone were more than Tian Dou Imperial Academy could handle.
Even the weakest member of the Spirit Hall team had a soul power level exceeding 45, qualifying as a Soul Ancestor.
Of the six members Tian Dou Imperial Academy fielded, within two minutes of the match starting, the only one still standing on the battlefield was Ye Lengleng, who had been well-protected by her teammates.
Meanwhile, after breakfast, Liu Erlong called the Lan Ba Academy team over.
Liu Erlong scanned the seven energetic figures before him, nodded approvingly, and said, "Victory is within sight. Keep it up!"
"Victory is certain!"
The group responded with spirited unity.
"Let's move out!"
With a wave of his hand, Liu Erlong led the way alongside Flender and Zhao Wuji, guiding the team toward the arena in front of the Pope's Hall.
Basking in the bright sunlight, the members of Lan Ba Academy strode confidently up the steps leading to the Pope's Mountain, where the Pope's Hall stood.
By now, the seven golden chairs in front of the Pope's Hall were occupied by Bibi Dong, Ning Fengzhi, and five Titled Douluos.
On the square below, the seven members of the Spirit Hall team stood silently, their expressions heavy as they watched the approaching Lan Ba Academy team climbing the mountain.
They had all witnessed yesterday's duel between Chu Chengzhou and Tang San of Tian Dou Imperial Academy.
Forget about the victorious Chu Chengzhou—even the defeated Tang San was someone they had to look up to.
Xie Yue, the captain of the Spirit Hall team, was well aware that their victory in yesterday's team battle was largely due to Tang San's injury-induced coma and inability to participate. Otherwise, with Tang San's endless array of powerful soul bone skills, even though their team held an overall advantage in strength, victory wouldn't have been guaranteed.
Soon, Lan Ba Academy reached the square in front of the Pope's Hall.
"The final match of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament will begin shortly. Both teams, please prepare. In fifteen minutes, the match will officially start!"
The red-robed bishop of the Spirit Hall serving as the referee announced.
Compared to yesterday, the audience outside the arena now included Tian Dou Imperial Academy.
Normally, eliminated teams weren't allowed to watch the final round. However, perhaps because Tian Dou Imperial Academy finished third or to facilitate post-match actions, the Spirit Hall permitted them to spectate.
"Tang San, who do you think will win?"
Glancing at the Lan Ba and Spirit Hall teams, Yu Tianheng turned to Tang San and asked.
"Lan Ba Academy, Chu Chengzhou is very strong."
Tang San answered without hesitation.
His reasoning was twofold: First, Chu Chengzhou's strength was undeniable—his summoned Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear alone was more than the Spirit Hall team could handle. Second, if he himself had lost to Chu Chengzhou, and the Spirit Hall team won, wouldn't that imply he, Tang San, was inferior to the so-called "Golden Generation" of the Spirit Hall?
Although Chu Chengzhou had severely injured him yesterday, that grudge paled compared to his mother's death at the hands of the Spirit Hall. Such minor grievances were negligible.
Since the championship wasn't his anyway, between Lan Ba Academy and the Spirit Hall team, Tang San undoubtedly preferred to see Lan Ba Academy win.
The fifteen-minute preparation time passed quickly. Soon, under the referee's instructions, both teams entered the arena.
The fourteen members of the two teams stared at each other, exchanging no words. However, with the collision of their auras, the air grew thick with tension.
"The match will begin shortly. Both teams, release your martial souls."
Once both teams were in position, the red-robed bishop acting as referee immediately announced.
The next moment, a surge of soul power erupted from the seven members of the Spirit Hall team.
At the forefront, Hu Liena and two others each displayed five soul rings arranged in the optimal configuration: two yellow, two purple, and one black.
Behind them, the other four members of the Spirit Hall team all had a two-yellow, two-purple configuration, with soul power levels exceeding 45.
One male student at the back quickly retreated a step, summoning a brilliant golden staff—a clear indication that he was a support-type Soul Ancestor.
Simultaneously, as the Spirit Hall team released their martial souls, the Lan Ba Academy side began their own weapon manifestation.
The seven members lined up in order: Xiao Wu at the front, followed by Zhu Zhuqing, Ma Hongjun, and Tai Long, with the support members Chu Chengzhou, Ning Rongrong, and Oscar forming the last row. Their formation took on a 1-3-3 shape.
Among the seven, one had five soul rings, while the others had four. However, the most eye-catching figure wasn't Xiao Wu at the front but Chu Chengzhou, who positioned himself among the support members.
After all, Chu Chengzhou's performance in yesterday's individual elimination match against Tang San had been breathtaking, far surpassing the expected level of participants in the soul master tournament.
"The match begins!"
Once both teams had released their martial souls, the referee declared the start of the championship match and quickly retreated, leaving the battlefield to the two teams.
The instant the match began, Chu Chengzhou's four soul rings lit up consecutively. Amidst surging soul power, the summoned spirits Xiao Qing (Sky Azure Tree), Xiao Bai (Light Lion), Xiao Hong (Fire Phoenix), and Big Bear (Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear) materialized.
"Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Turns, one for strength, two for speed, three for soul, four for attack!"
Ning Rongrong's Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda shimmered, and several streams of colorful light shot out, entering the bodies of Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, Ma Hongjun, and Tai Long.
Instantly, Xiao Wu's strength, speed, and soul power increased by 50%. Zhu Zhuqing's speed and attack attributes surged by 50%, Ma Hongjun's soul power and attack rose by 50%, and Tai Long's strength attribute soared by 50%.
It wasn't that Ning Rongrong didn't want to max out her buffs—it was just that not all buffs were necessary for her teammates, and fully buffing everyone would drain her as a Soul Ancestor.
Moreover, although she could boost Xiao Wu, a Soul King, without discount, cross-tier amplification significantly increased soul power consumption.
Lan Ba Academy moved swiftly, but the Spirit Hall team wasn't slow either.
Glancing at Chu Chengzhou across the field, Hu Liena emitted a faint red glow. Her five soul rings flashed in sequence—first the black fifth ring, then the fourth, third, second, and first. With each ring's activation, the red light around her intensified.
Next, Xie Yue beside Hu Liena moved. Grasping his crimson crescent blade tightly, he stepped forward, colliding with Hu Liena.
Simultaneously, two streaks of golden light shot out from the rear, swiftly merging into Xie Yue and Hu Liena.
It was the Spirit Hall team's support soul master, providing enhancement skills to both.
In an instant, as Xie Yue and Hu Liena collided, a red barrier suddenly appeared, enveloping their bodies.
The next second, the dense red light rapidly expanded, covering more than half the arena.
"Spirit Fusion Technique?!"
Aside from Chu Chengzhou, who already knew about it, the members of Lan Ba Academy all widened their eyes in shock.
There were few examples of spirit fusion techniques appearing on the continent. Across the entire soul master world, most soul masters went their entire lives without ever witnessing one.
However, during this tournament, they had already seen two instances: the icy blizzard of the Sky Water Team and the Netherworld White Tiger of the Star Luo Royal Academy.
What's more, they were the only team to encounter and defeat opponents wielding spirit fusion techniques.
Still, the members of Lan Ba Academy never expected to face another spirit fusion technique in the final championship match.
Could it be that their team was destined to clash with teams possessing spirit fusion techniques? Whenever they faced other opponents, everyone kept their trump cards hidden, but against them, they pulled out all the stops?
Should they call it bad luck? Or should they consider it a compliment, a sign that their opponents recognized they wouldn't stand a chance without using their ultimate moves?
Amidst the flickering red light, Hu Liena and Xie Yue's figures disappeared, replaced by a gender-indeterminate figure wielding blood-red dual blades, with flowing crimson hair and a masked face.
The next moment, the combined figure of Xie Yue and Hu Liena began to move gracefully.
Two crescent blades, enlarged by nearly double, shimmered at the tips of their outstretched arms like streaks of flowing light. As the surging red light intensified, the fused figure vanished into the dense red mist, engulfing the entire Lan Ba Academy team.
Since the red mist covered more than half the arena and neither team was positioned at the edges, everyone was caught within its influence.
Aside from Hu Liena, a spirit-type soul master, the Spirit Hall team lacked true control-type soul masters. Yet their control abilities were unprecedentedly strong, thanks to the spirit fusion technique: Charm Demon.
The defining feature of this spirit fusion technique was control. Within Charm Demon's range, all senses were reduced by 50%, soul power suppressed by 50%, and all movements slowed by 50%.
Moreover, the dense red mist carried a mix of malevolent and hallucinatory energy. Beyond these debuffs, the most crucial aspect was that only Xie Yue and Hu Liena could see clearly within the mist.
Spirit fusion techniques inherently amplified soul masters' strength. For a two-person fusion, the power increase ranged from one to two ranks, coupled with the ability to heavily suppress opponents. Thus, this final championship match relied heavily on the Spirit Hall team's ultimate trump card: Charm Demon.
In direct confrontation, Charm Demon might not be a match for Chu Chengzhou's summoned Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear and could even be instantly killed by a single swipe. But the Spirit Hall team didn't necessarily need to defeat Big Bear to win.
Charm Demon's strength rivaled a Level 70 soul master. Though not a match for Big Bear, the mist obscured vision, allowing them to target Chu Chengzhou, the summoner, with ease.
This strategy had been devised by the Spirit Hall team after witnessing Big Bear's strength during yesterday's individual elimination match.
Within the red mist, the members of Lan Ba Academy distinctly felt their bodies grow heavier, their perception dulled, and even simple movements became difficult, as if obstructed by an invisible barrier.
But no one panicked. The instant the red mist began to spread, Xiao Wu and the other three rushed to Chu Chengzhou's side—to protect their support member and stay close to the team's powerhouse.
As for Ning Rongrong and Oscar, their demeanor was even more relaxed.
Ning Rongrong had already applied buffs to her teammates and was now waiting for the match's outcome. Meanwhile, Oscar continuously crafted Golden Wing Flight Sausages.
Given the relatively short duration of the match, the stamina and soul power recovery effects of the Recovery Big Sausage were unnecessary. Xiao Qing's healing innate skill surpassed its effects, and Xiao Bai's dispelling innate skill replaced the antidote sausage. With female opponents present, the Aphrodisiac Sausage was best avoided to prevent social embarrassment. Thus, he focused on crafting flight sausages to provide aerial mobility.
As for safety? With the Great Demon King present, who could harm Lan Ba Academy's support members in the soul master tournament?
Indeed, a second after the red mist enveloped most of the arena, seven emerald beams shot out from Xiao Qing, forming protective barriers around everyone.
"Don't panic, Oscar. Distribute the flight sausages. Ascend above the mist."
With golden light glowing in his eyes, Chu Chengzhou transmitted a message to the team.
Perhaps for others, the red mist of Charm Demon rendered visibility impossible, but Chu Chengzhou was different.
After consuming the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, he had developed a Sun Wukong-esque Fiery Golden Gaze, capable of seeing through all phenomena. Naturally, the red mist couldn't obscure his vision.
Even without the fiery golden gaze, the mist couldn't completely blind him. While Charm Demon's mist suppressed senses, it wasn't absolute. With his powerful spiritual power, he could roughly discern the positions of friend and foe on the battlefield.
Moreover, if anyone besides Chu Chengzhou himself was least affected by the mist, it was undoubtedly Xiao Qing.
Xiao Qing, being a plant-type summon, lacked eyes altogether. Since it didn't rely on sight, the mist's vision-blocking effect was ineffective.
Of course, Xiao Qing relied on its sensory abilities as "eyes." With its senses suppressed by 50%, its effectiveness was somewhat diminished.
However, since the Lan Ba Academy team was gathered near Xiao Qing, even with its senses halved, it could still apply healing and shielding skills to Xiao Wu and the others.
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