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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"Thank you for your esteemed consideration, Your Holiness, but regarding joining the Spirit Hall, I must consult with my elders. I hope Your Holiness understands."
With a slight bow, Chu Chengzhou politely declined.
Joining the Spirit Hall and becoming a direct disciple of the Pope might seem like a great opportunity to outsiders, even an overwhelmingly advantageous one. However, in Chu Chengzhou's eyes, it held little allure.
Unlike other fantasy worlds, soul masters on the Douluo Continent didn't place much emphasis on lineage or mentorship. On their path to growth, having a teacher wasn't strictly necessary.
A teacher's role primarily involved gifting valuable items like soul bones and providing a powerful backing. With his father-in-law Ning Fengzhi around, he already had sufficient support.
Given the current strength of the various factions on the continent, as long as the Spirit Hall didn't deploy its Elder Hall members with full force to eliminate him, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect could protect him well enough.
As for soul bones, unless they were over ten thousand years old, they weren't significantly different from ordinary soul bones that could be purchased with gold spirit coins. And even this was only relevant for now.
In the future, once his soul power level increased, his AFK effiency upgraded, and his overall strength skyrocketed, he wouldn't even look at ordinary ten-thousand-year soul bones unless their skill effects were extraordinary.
Hearing this, Bibi Dong's expression darkened momentarily, but she quickly regained her composure, nodded, and continued, "Very well, this matter cannot be taken lightly. You may step down for now."
Bibi Dong naturally understood Chu Chengzhou's refusal. In her eyes, this young man was simply ungrateful.
However, since Chu Chengzhou showed no interest in joining the Spirit Hall, the matter was dropped. A single talented soul master wasn't worth dwelling on.
I, Bibi Dong, am on the verge of ascending to godhood. If you refuse to become my disciple, then so be it—I don't need you either!
After Chu Chengzhou returned to his team's lineup, Bibi Dong's gaze swept across the three teams on the square, lingering on Tang San for an extra second before nodding toward Gui Mei at her side.
Receiving Bibi Dong's signal, Gui Mei fixed his sharp gaze on Tang San in the square and rasped, "This concludes the finals of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament! Now, there is one more matter I ask all present to witness.
Tang San, surrender yourself!"
The moment these words left his mouth, the crowd erupted in astonishment, their gazes turning toward Tang San.
What was going on? It seemed the Spirit Hall intended to take action against Tang San of the Tian Dou Royal Academy?
"Your Holiness, may I ask what this is about?"
In the Tian Dou Royal Academy's rest area, team leader Qin Ming's expression changed, and he hurriedly asked.
Tang San was his student. If he were detained by the Spirit Hall without clear reason, he wouldn't be able to justify it upon returning.
"Indeed, may I ask why Your Holiness is targeting a student of our Tian Dou Royal Academy?"
At this time, Xue Qinghe, representing the Tian Dou Empire on the judging panel, also spoke up.
"Elder Gui, explain this matter," Bibi Dong calmly instructed.
"Yes, Your Holiness!"
Gui Mei bowed slightly and declared solemnly, "Perhaps many here are unaware, but the Spirit Hall has confirmed that Tang San is the son of Tang Hao, the Hao Tian Douluo.
Over a decade ago, Tang Hao conspired with the Blue Silver Emperor that transformed to human form, deliberately killing the previous Pope of our Spirit Hall.
Six months ago, an extremely heinous incident occurred in the Great Star Dou Forest.
To obtain soul bones, Tang Hao ruthlessly slaughtered high-level spirit beasts within the forest. According to preliminary statistics from the Spirit Hall, at least three thousand high-level spirit beasts aged over fifty thousand years were massacred by Tang Hao. Such actions are simply unforgivable!
Furthermore, after this atrocious event, the Spirit Hall dispatched numerous personnel to investigate the situation in the Great Star Dou Forest. As a result, Long Dao Douluo from the Elder Hall and many elite soul masters above level 60 were tragically killed by Tang Hao.
For these reasons, the Spirit Hall will not tolerate Tang Hao continuing to roam free!"
These words immediately sparked murmurs among the crowd.
"Hiss~ No wonder Tang San has so many soul bones!"
"Tang Hao's massacre of high-level spirit beasts in the Great Star Dou Forest is akin to uprooting the foundation of the soul master world!"
"Heaven defies such acts—truly unforgivable!"
Setting aside past grievances and whether Tang Hao truly killed the Spirit Hall's Long Dao Douluo, the mere fact that Tang Hao had slaughtered high-level spirit beasts in the Great Star Dou Forest would inevitably invite severe condemnation from all factions on the continent.
Otherwise, if all Titled Douluos followed suit, where would future soul masters obtain high-level soul rings to advance?
Of course, condemnation was necessary—and severe—but as for retaliation... cough cough, that was better left alone.
Years ago, Tang Hao had defeated the previous Pope of the Spirit Hall. After over a decade, his strength had undoubtedly grown even further.
Across the entire continent, only a handful of individuals could match Tang Hao. It was best not to send one's own experts to their deaths unnecessarily. This matter could be left to the "busybody" Spirit Hall to handle.
"Your Holiness, isn't there some misunderstanding here?"
Ning Fengzhi turned to Bibi Dong.
The notion of the Three Great Sects being united was superficial at best—nice to hear but not to be taken seriously.
However, as the saying goes, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend." After the disappearance of Tang Chen, the "Unrivaled on Land" from the Hao Tian Sect, and with the Spirit Hall dominating the continent, the three great sects had formed a fragile alliance to counter the Spirit Hall's pressure.
When the Hao Tian Sect was forced into seclusion by the Spirit Hall, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Tyrant Dragon Family hadn't planned to intervene. However, the Spirit Hall justified blocking them by accusing Tang Hao of conspiring with a transformed spirit beast to kill Pope Qian Xunji.
The natural enmity between soul masters and spirit beasts made this accusation both righteous and just, leaving the two sects unable to assist the Hao Tian Sect.
Now, the Spirit Hall was repeating the same tactic, pinning another black mark on Tang Hao and apparently intending to use Tang San as bait to lure out Tang Hao and eliminate this threat. This was something Ning Fengzhi didn't want to see.
Although Tang Hao wasn't part of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, if he fell, the Spirit Hall would have one less thorn in its side. Who knew when the idle Spirit Hall might set its sights on the vast resources of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect?
For Ning Fengzhi and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect behind him, Tang Hao, who could irritate the Spirit Hall, was very much worth keeping around.
"A misunderstanding? Lord Ning, please mind your words! Tang Hao is not only a wanted criminal of the Spirit Hall and a traitor to humanity but also a sinner intent on severing the roots of the soul master world!"
Bibi Dong coldly glared at Ning Fengzhi, showing no respect for the head of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
"Your Holiness, Tang Hao is Tang Hao, and Tang San is Tang San. He is innocent."
After a moment of contemplation, Ning Fengzhi spoke again.
In Ning Fengzhi's view, Tang Hao's reputation was already tarnished. There was no need to defend him; saving Tang San was sufficient.
After all, with Tang Hao's strength, even if he couldn't defeat the Spirit Hall, he likely wouldn't face mortal danger.
"Hmph, Tang San is the offspring of a human traitor and a transformed spirit beast. Once he grows stronger, he will undoubtedly become a threat to the soul master world and must be eliminated!
Lord Ning, your Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is an ancient and prestigious force. I trust your sect has records of the 'Darkest Era.' I hope you will prioritize the future of human civilization!"
Bibi Dong spoke with a grave expression.
The "Darkest Era" Bibi Dong referred to was a dark period from long ago, nearly destroying human civilization entirely.
At that time, before the establishment of the Spirit Hall, human soul masters had just driven spirit beasts into forests and claimed dominance over the continent. During this era, a powerful soul master mated with a transformed spirit beast, producing a hybrid offspring.
The natural enmity between soul masters and spirit beasts meant this hybrid descendant was utterly rejected by the human soul master world.
Moreover, this soul master's independent nature had offended many factions during his growth. Once the news leaked, fueled by hatred or desire for hundred-thousand-year soul rings and soul bones, numerous soul masters pursued him for slaughter.
After a prolonged escape, the soul master made a final stand and perished, but his transformed spirit beast wife and hybrid offspring fled back to the Great Star Dou Forest.
Decades later, a massive super beast tide swept across half the continent. The mastermind behind this calamity was none other than the hybrid offspring who harbored resentment toward humanity, along with numerous transformed super spirit beasts.
Under his protection, many hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts who lacked confidence in surviving heavenly tribulations transformed into human form, becoming rare and powerful beings.
Breaking through from a hundred thousand to two hundred thousand years required surviving a heavenly tribulation, but success was exceedingly rare—only one in ten survived.
However, once a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast chose to transform, they became akin to a genius soul master born with full innate soul power. Moreover, due to their retraining process, their actual potential often surpassed that of ordinary Innate Full Soul Power geniuses.
Unless they perished mid-journey, they were guaranteed to reach Titled Douluo status. Furthermore, transformed spirit beasts had an upper limit of at least a high-level Titled Douluo.
Several decades later, most of the continent was ruled by transformed spirit beasts. Humans under their dominion were reduced to prey, hunted for blood essence. Human civilization teetered on the brink of collapse.
Fortunately, just as human civilization was about to perish, a peerless prodigy rose to become a Level 99 Limit Douluo. They lured the hybrid offspring, who had also reached Limit Douluo status, along with numerous transformed spirit beast experts to the central continent. Harnessing the faith of all beings, they sacrificed themself, using their holy sword—a weapon nearing legendary status—to seal away his enemies.
(T/N: Presumably referring to the Angel God, the original text in Chinese doesn't mention a gender and some sentences have been deliberately written that way to avoid any mention of a gender.)
This near-extinction period of human civilization was known as the Darkest Era.
If Tang San were allowed to grow, who could guarantee he wouldn't follow in the footsteps of the culprit of the Darkest Era?
Of course, the hybrid offspring of the Darkest Era caused such chaos because humanity's soul master world was still weak, with few true experts.
In the present era, any hundred-thousand-year spirit beast daring to appear in the human world would simply become a walking soul ring and soul bone package.
After the Darkest Era, there had been occasional instances of hybrid offspring on the continent.
However, as times progressed and humanity's overall strength grew, even if hybrid offspring sought revenge, they couldn't stir up significant trouble.
Rumors even suggested that the bloodline origin of the continent's reputed strongest beast-type martial soul, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, was a transformed hundred-thousand-year Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Otherwise, why couldn't the White Tiger Dai family of the Star Luo Imperial Clan create a "Tiger Transformation" secret technique?
After hearing Bibi Dong's "justice," Ning Fengzhi was startled and subsequently fell silent.
Having thoroughly studied his sect's ancient texts, Ning Fengzhi was familiar with the "Darkest Era."
Though the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect didn't exist during that time, the ancestors of the Ning family had passed down fragments of knowledge. From these scraps, Ning Fengzhi understood the hardships of human civilization during that era and why such a dark age emerged.
With such a heavy mantle of "righteousness" placed upon him, what choice did he have?
Was he supposed to make the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect the continent's public enemy for the sake of a single outsider? Impossible!
Of course, Ning Fengzhi also understood that Bibi Dong's words weren't about human righteousness but purely to smear Tang Hao, his son, and the Hao Tian Sect behind them.
Sure enough, as the saying goes: "The mouth of a green bamboo snake and the sting of a wasp—both are dangerous, but the most venomous of all is a woman's heart." This woman was truly treacherous!
Meanwhile, on the square in front of the Pope's Hall.
"Hurry up, hurry up! Soon, Titled Douluos will fight here. Get out of here quickly!"
Chu Chengzhou transmitted a message to the Lan Ba team and Hu Liena.
If nothing unexpected happened, the next act would feature Tang San's "heaven-defying father" making a grand entrance.
Whether Tang Hao would fall in Spirit City today, Chu Chengzhou didn't know. But one thing was certain: an intense battle was about to unfold.
The aftershocks of a Titled Douluo clash weren't something their frail bodies could withstand—it was best to stay far away.
Yes, hiding behind his father-in-law Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin was a good idea.
With Chen Xin, a top-tier expert, protecting them, safety was guaranteed. Plus, they could enjoy the spectacle.
Upon receiving Chu Chengzhou's message, the Lan Ba team was startled and quickly followed him toward Chen Xin.
Similarly, Hu Liena didn't hesitate, leading the Spirit Hall team back to her teacher, Bibi Dong.
Soon, only the Tian Dou Imperial team remained on the square.
Seeing the reactions of the two teams, Bibi Dong was slightly surprised.
She had originally planned to remind her disciple Hu Liena to lead her teammates away to avoid being caught in the crossfire. To her surprise, there was no need for her to intervene.
"Elder Gui, why are you still standing there? Capture Tang San!"
Once her disciples were safely by her side, Bibi Dong glanced at Gui Mei and pointed directly at Tang San.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Instantly, a ghostly shadow flickered around Gui Mei. Nine soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black—manifested, and he leapt forward. His overwhelming aura surged toward Tang San, intending to subdue him.
"Hmph, a mere wisp of a ghost dares harm my son? Begone!"
Just then, a deep voice suddenly rang out, exploding in the air like thunder. Though not loud, the contained authority made everyone's bodies tremble involuntarily.
Hearing this voice, Tang San, struggling against Gui Mei's oppressive aura, revealed a look of joy in his eyes.
Tang San: My heaven-defying father is here. Who dares lay a finger on me? Ghost Douluo of the Spirit Hall, you've signed your death warrant!
Meanwhile, Bibi Dong's expression turned grave.
Accompanied by a whistling sound, a black shadow rapidly approached from the distant sky, landing squarely on Gui Mei, who was attempting to capture Tang San.
Boom—
A deafening explosion erupted. Gui Mei, mid-air, was struck heavily, spitting out a mouthful of blood before being violently flung backward like a cannonball.
Wiping the blood from his lips, Gui Mei, nearly paralyzed from the impact, looked up at the sky with lingering fear.
There, silently floating in mid-air as if he belonged there, stood a black-robed figure.
It was a middle-aged man, appearing to be in his fifties, tall and imposing. Even standing motionless in mid-air, he exuded an aura of boundless dominance.
At the same time, the black shadow that had struck Gui Mei flew back, landing in the man's right hand.
At this moment, everyone clearly saw that the returning black shadow was a massive black hammer.
"Tang Hao!"
Bibi Dong shouted sharply, her eyes locked onto Tang Hao in the sky.
Tang Hao faced her coldly, fearless, and in the blink of an eye, appeared before Tang San.
With a wave of his hand, Tang Hao used soul power to send the other members of the Tian Dou Imperial team far away.
If it were others, Tang Hao wouldn't care about their lives or deaths. But since they were his good son's teammates, he couldn't let them get caught in the crossfire.
Moreover, Yu Tianheng of the Tian Dou Imperial team was a direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family, and Dugu Yan had a Titled Douluo-level grandfather. Furthermore, Dugu Bo was present.
By this time, Gui Mei, who had retreated to Bibi Dong's side, along with Yue Guan and Ling Yuan, had fully unleashed their martial souls. The formidable auras and soul power of three Titled Douluos surged toward Tang Hao.
Yet, in the face of these three overwhelming pressures—mountain-like terrors to ordinary soul masters—Tang Hao stood unperturbed, as if a gentle breeze brushed past him. His eyes gleamed fiercely as he stared at Bibi Dong: "Heh, seeking revenge for your teacher, Bibi Dong? Do you really think the fourteen of you can stop me, Tang Hao?"
Hearing this, a mocking smile appeared on Bibi Dong's lips. She waved her delicate hand, and a sharp whistle sounded.
Immediately, the gates of the Pope's Hall behind her opened, and ten figures, each radiating nine soul rings, walked out.
Though none of these ten figures possessed a red hundred-thousand-year soul ring, and a few of their fifth soul rings weren't black and at ten-thousand-year-old, it didn't change the fact that these ten figures were all Titled Douluos—the continent's most powerful.
"Thirteen... no, fourteen Titled Douluos?!"
Seeing the ten Elder Hall members of the Spirit Hall emerge, Tang Hao's pupils contracted slightly. He realized the Spirit Hall had been prepared for this.
Including Ju, Gui, Ling Yuan, and Bibi Dong herself, there were fourteen Titled Douluos in total.
Even combining all the Titled Douluos from other factions on the continent wouldn't reach fourteen. Clearly, the Spirit Hall's strength was terrifying.
But Tang Hao showed no fear. One by one, soul rings slowly rose from beneath his feet. The ascent wasn't fast, but with each soul ring's appearance, Tang Hao's aura grew stronger.
When the hundred-thousand-year Ninth soul ring appeared, Tang Hao's aura reached its peak.
Ignoring numbers, apart from Bibi Dong, who hadn't yet released her martial soul and soul rings, Tang Hao's aura alone surpassed that of the thirteen Titled Douluo Elders of the Spirit Hall.
With his hammer in hand, he owned the world. Tang Hao coldly stared at Bibi Dong and declared proudly: "Fourteen Titled Douluos—Spirit Hall indeed lives up to its reputation! But even if there are fourteen of you, so what? I, Tang Hao, fear nothing!
Little San, watch closely. Let me show you why the Hao Tian Hammer is the world's number one martial soul!"
With a mighty roar, Tang Hao's seventh soul ring lit up. Amidst surging soul power, a black, hundred-meter-tall giant wielding a colossal hammer materialized, towering like a celestial being.
Simultaneously, the nine soul rings glowing on Tang Hao's body—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, red—flashed brightly before merging into the hundred-meter hammer in the hands of his Hao Tian True Body.
When the final hundred-thousand-year ninth soul ring merged into the Hao Tian Hammer, crimson patterns emerged, and the massive Hao Tian True Body and mountain-sized hammer turned a deep blood red.
At this moment, Tang Hao not only released his True Body but also activated the Hao Tian Sect's ultimate inheritance technique: Great Sumeru Hammer.
Of course, this wasn't explosive ring detonation—that was an advanced application of the Great Sumeru Hammer. For now, he merely infused the soul rings' power into his martial soul, enhancing the hammer's might.
"Spirit Hall, how impressive you are, hahaha... Today, Tang Hao will repay you with blood for blood!"
Amidst laughter filled with boundless hatred, Tang Hao moved. The hundred-meter super hammer in the hands of his Hao Tian True Body descended, smashing directly toward Bibi Dong, the Pope of the Spirit Hall.
With no lingering ailments and his soul power breaking through to Level 96, Tang Hao was supremely confident!
And why shouldn't he be? He possessed a hundred-thousand-year ninth soul ring, a complete set of soul bones, and wielded the world's number one martial soul. With his Level 96 soul power, his strength rivaled that of a Level 97 Titled Douluo without a hundred-thousand-year soul ring, and in normal conditions, he could even match a Level 98 Super Douluo.
Add the Great Sumeru Hammer to the mix, and even ordinary Level 98 Super Douluos would avoid him. Unless a Limit Douluo appeared, what was there to fear?
In an instant, the air in the Pope Mountain, and even throughout the entire Spirit City, became distorted. Every soul master whose soul power hadn't reached Titled Douluo level found themselves completely immobilized.
Those who had never directly faced the might of a Titled Douluo couldn't truly understand why they were respectfully called "Majesty."
Why were Titled Douluos revered as "Majesties" on the continent?
It was because a Titled Douluo's sheer strength alone granted them a status equal to that of an emperor.
Even deploying a hundred-thousand-strong elite army—if there were no equally skilled opponents to restrain them—wouldn't be enough to kill a Titled Douluo. Instead, the Titled Douluo would cut down generals, seize banners, and rout the entire army.
However, among Titled Douluos, there were varying degrees of strength. Some were truly formidable, while others were mediocre, even capable of being defeated by exceptional eight-ring Soul Douluo.
Such "subpar Majesties" were often found in the Spirit Hall, with Snake Spear Douluo She Long being the most typical example.
"Bold move! Capture him for me!"
Bibi Dong pointed her gem-encrusted scepter and commanded the assembled Douluos.
With enough muscle at her disposal, thirteen against one gave her the advantage. Bibi Dong naturally didn't plan to engage personally.
More importantly, she didn't want her martial soul-empowered form exposed to the public eye.
Everyone knew the current Pope of the Spirit Hall was a stunning beauty of the continent, but how many knew that her martial soul-empowered form resembled a grotesque demon from hell?
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