Douluo Dalu: 1st Cycle: Dancing Panda

Karni and Siduo entered the Tang Sect. It was time for Karni to say hi to his very first teacher in this world.

They entered the Science Division and found Mo Qing busy in his own little Research Station. After the AR Glasses were completed, Mo Qing moved on to new horizons. Back to his specialty: research into Spatial Technology.

The Space Division within Tang Sect was humongous. It split into two further groups. Research of means of travel: Space Travel Division; and research of concepts of space that were then often used on the research of travel: Conceptual Space Division. Spaces within Space and Parallel Spaces, to squeezing of Space and more. The Conceptual Space Division was small yet powerful, as Space research often required the most qualified of Designers. Ones who understood some laws of Infinity of Mecha Engineering and the 4th Dimension.

Mo Qing sensed someone intruding on his private workshop. He turned around and was pleasantly surprised. "Karni! You're back!"

Karni bowed. "Karni greets his teacher."

"Oh, you know that I don't care about such stuff." He quickly straightened Karni' shoulders. "I sense that you've improved. Your Spiritual Power… Are you in the Spirit Abyss Realm?" Mo Qing looked shocked.

As a Mecha Mechanic, who has reached the 9th rank, Mo Qing was naturally in the Spirit Abyss Realm as well. It was impossible to become a 9-Star Mecha Craftsman without a suitable spiritual cultivation base.

Karni confirmed. "Yes. I should be around 8000 points of Spiritual Power. Based on feeling."

"No wonder. No wonder." Mo Qing laughed. "If that is true, you have surpassed me. Last I tested I was at 7500 points of Spiritual Power."

Mo Qing's Martial Soul was the Black Bear, just like his niece's. Mo Qing was an oddity in the world of Designers. His Martial Soul alone should have made him a Blacksmith, but Mo Qing was always passionate about research. In fact, what made his insight increase was him getting the Gravity skill on his Martial Soul and starting to sense the intricacies of Space in it.

"I'm guessing you did not just cultivate, right? You didn't forget to practice your designing skills just so you could grow your cultivation, right?" Mo Qing stared deep into Karni's eyes. He was quite the hellish teacher. He always had been.

"Of course. I'm a Soul King now, my second Martial Soul finally has a Spirit Soul, and it awakened, my first Spirit Soul evolved, and in regard to designing…" Karni pulled out the weapon from his storage ring. The Guardian Greatsword showed itself.

"Oho. It's different than your last blueprints." Siduo was the first to comment. The last one she saw was the one he created before he went to visit the Bamboo Oasis. Which was a long time ago now.

"And it's a 6-Star Weapon." Mo Qing looked proud.

"Actually, I've been a 6-Star Designer for more than half a year now." Karni chuckled.

"Which is also how long you didn't contact me." Siduo grumbled.

Karni scratched his head. "Sorry. 3 months of that was that valley, and the other 3 months are due to us returning."

Siduo smiled, completely unbothered compared to her previous grumble. "I know."

Karni rolled his eyes. "Anyway, I made this on the way back. I added my fifth Soul Ring to it and…"

"For some reason removed the connecting functionality?" Siduo looked closer now and was baffled. "How does your Martial Soul connect then?"

"My Martial Soul is exactly the reason. As long as it is held in, that's enough. It affects the whole Soul Tool. Because of that, I just need the deeper adaptation function. It does not need the connecting functionality. My Martial Soul does all the work."

 Karni pulled it out and stuck it into the Guardian Greatsword. It lit up and worked all the same.

"I found out some stuff about my Martial Soul that are quite unique. Also changed the name. It's now the Cosmic Instrument."

Siduo looked over the Martial Soul trying to figure out how it functions. At the same time, she chuckled. "Staff of Predictions was a bit wordy anyway."

She then fell silent. "You don't think we can replicate this effect for the Mecha Augmentation Project?"

Karni shook his head. "No. It seems to be a unique thing belonging to my Martial Soul."

Siduo fell into thought. She looked him up and down. "Quite a few things make sense all of a sudden."

Karni was confused. "They do?"

"Don't worry about it." Siduo waved it off and Karni understood. He had long found out that while Siduo knew him well, she was clearly missing some pieces. He had just given another one to her.

"Well, this is how I switched it up. It allowed more freedom for my own weapon, but we should not make it the standard. The old system should be improved instead."

Mo Qing could not help but smile as he listened to their discussion. They've grown up so well. They were project leaders of their respective fields, yet they still constantly cooperated on every level.

The only other time he had felt this proud was when his niece became a fellow teacher in Star Luo Academy. Mo Qing valued those close to him immensely. He might have a decently large family, but he had no children of his own. He treasured those he raised that much more because of that.

He looked closer at the Greatsword Karni had created. It worked surprisingly similar to Battle Armour, except that the core of connection was with Soul Rings. What an interesting alternative way of connecting one's Martial… Soul…

Mo Qing turned around. His thoughts running miles an hour. He stepped to his blueprints. His current research. His eyes shined as he had an epiphany. "Karni, how do you plan on developing your weapon? Is the next step fusing two Martial Souls in it?"

Karni was surprised. "How did you know? Yeah, I was going to focus on that while telling the rest in the project that they should increase the amount of Soul Rings Soul Tools can handle and the efficiency. I was going to focus on a private Twin Martial Soul project for me and Siduo, since we're both Twin Martial Soul Masters."

"Follow that path. Follow it to completion."

"Teacher Mo, you'll have to explain more than that." Siduo complained. They both knew Mo Qing well. They could tell he had a plan forming.

Mo Qing looked excited. "Karni, remember those thoughts you once had about joining Battle Armour and Mechas together? My most recent project has become just that. You gave me inspiration. But while I've figured some things out, I am—was—a bit stuck. I think you figuring out that fusion is key."

Karni was greatly confused. He did not see how this would allow for connection with Mecha.

"I've been developing technology that would serve similarly as a Martial Soul in a Mecha. The technology still isn't fully developed and I'm still researching on how to store the mecha within the Battle Armour, but, but, but, but that doesn't matter."

Karni was surprised. Mo Qing really did see something. He had never seen his teacher so excited and all over the place.

Mo Qing took a breath. "Karni. My device imitates a Martial Soul, the current theory is that it will be easier to do if one's Spirit Soul inhabits it, like a few Red Mecha Masters have done throughout history. And if it imitates a Martial Soul…"

Karni finally realised it. "My research into fusing two Martial Soul inside the Soul Tool should have a similar principle to combining both Martial Soul and a Mecha to the Battle Armour."

"Yes! Yes! Develop it fully. After you do, we can see what is compatible and what not. We'll be in contact constantly from now on."

"Er, teacher, there might be a problem with that." Siduo started. "We're going to Star Luo Academy for the next three years."

"You are?" Mo Qing frowned, but then composed himself, not even questioning their reasons for going there. "It doesn't matter. My research will take about that long anyway. And while you're there, you do your research as well. You will have to figure out the odd kinks anyway."

He took a breather and looked at them with focus. "Do send me blueprints whenever you achieve a breakthrough."

"Of course, teacher." Karni smiled. To think his musings, form years ago might actually slowly become reality, and that his teacher would be so obsessed with the idea. He now had further motivation to complete the Guardian.

"Ah, but before we leave." Karni finally remembered. "We were going to use the facilities to finish our Battle Armours in the next two months. Before we leave for Star Luo City Academy."

"Of course! I'll support you. If you need anything, just say. The sooner you complete your Battle Armour, the sooner you can start on your new project!"

"No need for help." Siduo said. "We both have metal stored up from a friend. We only need to finish all the pieces."

"Oh, and teacher?" Karni called out, remembering something he almost forgot. "You should get in contact with the Sea God Pavilion's Master. You'll understand as soon as you do."

… … …

Next on the list was visiting the orphanage. They had to inform Tie Kexin that Karni was back as well as the fact that they'll be leaving for Star Luo City.

Going through the streets of Shrek City was comfortable for Karni, he was a bit sad that he was living it so soon already, but he would also be returning to a place just as familiar to him. Home.

He had lived a much longer time in Star Luo City than he did in Shrek. Of course he would enjoy the return. It really was going to be the best place to calm down and refocus.

Not to mention he was going with Siduo. He held her arm in his and squeezed. She looked at him with that wonderful smile. They were treating everything as a date, even if they were on official business.

When he focused back on the road, Karni spotted someone he did not expect to see—not outside the academy anyway. Li Tai and Yu Tian. The Sword and the Shield. The Dragon in the Clouds duo.

But what was that? The two were holding hands.

Siduo noticed Karni's stares. "You've missed a lot in a year. It is that time for teenagers after all. Falling in love."

"You're saying the two aren't the only ones?"

Siduo chuckled. "There are a few more couples that have formed. A few that are still forming. It's been the only fun part of the past year. Especially cause I was the class president and everyone in the council around me were pairing up while you were away. Ah, they noticed us."

Li Tai and Yu Tian walked toward them. They looked cheerful and waved at them. "Karni! You're back." Li Tai started.

"You two can also finally be back together!" Yu Tian added.

Siduo leaned onto Karni's shoulder. "Yep. My fluffy guy has returned."

"You do realise how wrong that sounds?" Karni complained.

Li Tai and Yu Tian were cheerful one second, then confused the next. That did sound weird. "Anyway, what are you guys doing here?"

"We're taking care of some things before we go back to Star Luo City." Siduo answered.

"You're going back?" The two looked shocked. "But we only have to go back after we graduate outer court." Li Tai said.

Yu Tian realised. "You guys are finalising your Battle Armours already?"

The two nodded. "But we have some business to take care of close by. With the Tie Family." Karni said.

"Oh? Yeah, I heard from Siduo that you two established some business here. In that case, we won't bother you. You two enjoy your date!"

"Enjoy your date as well!" Siduo said back.

The Sword and the Shield smiled. "We will, thanks."

Karni and Siduo soon reached the Orphanage. But Karni was a bit lost when they entered. The place looked quite different. They seemed to have renovated it. It looked bigger.

He followed Siduo to a side section and it was here that he figured out why exactly the renovations started. A portion of the orphanage had changed into a large workshop. The family business seemed to have really grown while Karni was away. Though he was a bit worried when everything grew so big. Weren't they doing child labour now?

The two entered and Karni's fears were confirmed. A lot of the children seemed to be working here now.

Siduo recognised that look. "Don't worry. We're paying them fairly. A lot of the profits they get to keep. A lot of it goes to the orphanage. If not for a lot of money, it wouldn't be renovating."

"Indeed. We didn't force any of them to work here. And we offer many benefits and classes surrounding it all." A voice from behind. Karni turned. It was Shishi who spoke. "Hello Karni, we haven't seen each other in a while. How was your trip to the Star Luo Continent?"

Karni bowed and greeted the headmaster of the Orphanage. "It went great. I gained a lot while I was there."

"I can sense it yes. You have quite a different aura from when you were last here. Come on in. Tie Kexin is looking for you."

The two followed Shishi inside. But Karni noticed that the renovations of both the new workshop as well as the orphanage building were quite… odd. They built hanging roofs at the top of the orphanage, instead of just building farther up, for example.

Shishi noticed Karni's silent questions. "The ancestors who built the orphanage also created the array that hides it. That array also has a variety of other functions and secrets, some of which even I do not know. But they guarantee that the people inside the orphanage wouldn't die even if the most terrible disaster struck our city. However, we have renovated the orphanage many times, and we are at the edge of the array. To stay inside, this is our only option for renovation. We have to move sideways and think outside the box inside the array."

"Thanks for explaining." Karni nodded along and clasped his hands in thanks. Shishi did not need to explain that. The array seemed to be more of an inner secret than a widely known fact. The fact she was telling him this showed how highly she thought of Karni and Siduo. Siduo was clearly already in the loop. She was not surprised.

They reached Tie Kexin's office. Who, interestingly enough, had a small blackboard on her door. It was full of decoration made by the kids, but in the middle were big red words—also clearly written by the kids—that read: THE BOSS.

Between "the" and "boss" was also a gap big enough that other smaller words fit in. And oh boy were there many words. Best, ultimate, amazing, cute, best—yes "best" was written twice—and many more. It was clear that the kids adored her.

They entered the door and were greeted with Tie Kexin doing paperwork and sipping coffee. She looked just like a regular office worker.

She noticed the two and immediately brightened. "Karni! You returned! Siduo did say she was going to Skysea City to pick you up."

"Sister Kexin, I am back. How's it been?"

"It's been great!. Everything is going smoothly; the kids are great. The three disciples of yours have become de facto leaders among them. Hao He has bloomed especially beautifully. He has also become quite a talented Mecha Pilot."

"The youngest is the most talented? Then again, his Martial Soul was the most mysterious of them all."

"Indeed." Shishi said beside him. "I am personally educating him, since you were not available."

Karni scratched his head. "I suppose I did sort of fail them as the teacher. I taught them the basics then left for Star Luo Continent. And now I'm going to Star Luo City again... to teach other kids."

"Indeed." Shishi nodded. "How about you make up for that?"

Karni was confused. "How?"

"Take one of them with you to Star Luo City. Teach that one properly. Oh, though that won't count toward the bet you made with Yun Ming."

Karni thought about it and nodded, not questioning how Shishi knew about the bet. He knew she had close ties with the Sea God Pavilion. "I suppose I do owe them that much. I'm guessing you want me to teach Qin Ming?"

Shishi nodded. "Yes. He is the most talented designer between them, but his cultivation is lacking a bit, and the kid has low ambitions. He is taking the Shrek Exam next year, but as he is now, I'm not fully sure he would pass. If he cannot pass, he cannot keep working within the orphanage."

Karni looked weirdly. "Isn't it that no one can return to the orphanage after they leave anyway?"

Shishi sighed. "It was so, but you two singlehandedly made us change the rule. As long as it's with Shrek students, it's fine. As for the others, due to your help and building a connection with the Tie Family, those who can't make it have quite a few ties they can work with now."

"I suppose I shan't apologise for that." Karni smiled.

Shishi's brows twitched. "Come find me after you talk with Kexin. I'll take you to your disciples."

"Very well." Karni bowed once more and turned to Tie Kexin. "Sister Kexin, I know we just met again, but we'll be leaving soon."

"Oh? Where? Both of you?"

Siduo stepped forward. "Yes. We're planning to go to Star Luo City. To fulfil our promise and become teachers for three years."

"Oh, yeah, I heard that the Star Luo Academy has a contract like that in place. Well, that's okay, is it not? You can help our business from there with ease." Tie Kexin smiled, not looking worried at all.

"The business here has become stable enough that we don't have to worry about failing for a while. We've also received the first batch of children from the Orphanage this year and they've started working for us back in Star Luo City, well, those aren't children anymore, but still. That place is still our headquarters, don't forget that. Especially with the situation here, we cannot last without the orphanage here. Or without you. So, you two do not worry. Just keep on bringing in new designs and higher quality. Where you choose to bring them in does not matter."

Karni was relieved, while Siduo just smiled at him. It seemed like she expected that. They said goodbye to Tie Kexin and went toward Karni's disciples. "You couldn't have at least told me that it wouldn't be a problem?"

"Kiki. Kikiiii… Don't you get it? I enjoy seeing all of your different faces. And I want to know all sides of you. How could I miss out on the opportunity."

Karni rolled his eyes. "How would you feel if I did it to you?"

"Hm. I'd be annoyed, but I'd accept it. You deserve to admire all of me as well after all." Siduo raised her head proudly.

Karni couldn't help but laugh. It felt like she was on a honeymoon now that he came back. Nothing could get her down these past couple of days. And her being happy made Karni even happier.

They reached one of the workshops. Siduo guided Karni here because she was familiar with the renovations.

The two entered a fairly large room, one filled with a ton of Soul Tool parts and Blueprints. In it were only three people. Hao He, Xu An and Qin Ming. They were all focused and seemed to almost work in a formation. Just as Karni prepared them back then Xu An seemed to be supporting the two from behind with her music, guiding the purpose of the creation. Hao He was sitting in the middle, surprisingly, the kid floated through careful breathing and breathing alone. He was keeping everyone completely connected. Finally, Qin Ming was the one designing the blueprints directly with his chalk, sometimes he looked away to analyse a Soul Tool, then turned to design blueprints again.

Karni watched and could not help but feel proud. The simple cohesive environment he taught them turned out to be perfected by the three. He did not disturb them. He waited for them to finish.

Shishi approached from this side. "Amazing, are they not?"

Karni nodded, simply looking at them.

"Karni, I have a personal request of you. It's about Hao He."

"Do say."

"The kid is a hidden talent. A once in a hundred-year talent. I wish to personally nurture him, but the kid is quite stubborn and thinks that he can only have one teacher."

Karni chuckled. "That won't be a problem. I'll tell him after they finish."

"Thank you." Shishi immediately relaxed. Karni was not the type to be strict about this. Of course the academy wanted to nurture a talent like that. There were two rings floating around the boy. He was only 8 now!

After about three hours, Qin Ming completed the blueprint. The music started, as did the mysterious breathing. Qin Ming turned to Hao He. "Little He, please bring this to the manufacturing department."

Hao He nodded, clearly used to this and turned to go, only to notice Karni, Siduo and Shishi standing and watching them. "Teacher! You're back. Headmaster and Senior Sister too!" He quickly bowed.

The other two now noticed Karni as well, and quickly greeted him.

Karni looked questioningly at Shishi. "How come he's delivering to others? Is there no automated system?"

"It's faster this way, as when he gets to the others, he helps as well. His Martial Soul is unique. He can connect people's breathing and movements just by using his Martial Soul close by, while he could only do it with Qin Ming and Xu An at the start, he can now do it with anybody without trouble."

"And I am constantly cultivating when I'm doing that as well." Hao He said proudly in front of his teacher that he hasn't seen in a year.

"Indeed. You should train this well. Unfortunately, I cannot help you much there, as I have no knowledge on such skills. My Martial Soul specialises in very different aspects. I have asked the Headmaster to teach you. Are you okay with that?"

Hao He looked a bit confused at first. He was hesitant but nodded. "If teacher says so then of course, I have no complaints."

"Thank you." Shishi said to Karni.

"No problem. Alright then Hao He, don't keep the others waiting. Work hard." Karni sent the kid away.

Now he turned to Xu An and Qin Ming. "Hello, you two, long time no see. Xu An, that is some decent music you played. You've improved a lot. Qin Ming, I see you're already a 3-Star Designer, close to 4-Star if I saw that correctly? Impressive."

"Thank you, teacher." Both of them bowed. Though only Xu An spoke.

"But teacher, my music is only decent?" Xu An made a pouting face.

Karni's eyebrow twitched. So, she became like that in the last year huh. "Yes. Only decent. There is still a lot to improve."

Shishi decided to jump in. She knew the character of Xu An. The girl was talented, but being talented and having Karni as her teacher also being a Sound Type had made her bit spoiled and arrogant.

"We are here for Qin Ming, who is attempting the Shrek Exam this year." She interrupted, before the conversation would go sideways, then looked to Karni to continue.

Karni nodded. "I am to move to Star Luo City for three years, but this means I will be unable to teach you for far longer than before. Since it is quite unfair to you, especially to Qin Ming, who will not get another chance to attempt the Shrek Exam after this, I have decided that you are coming with me so I can personally train you."

Qin Ming's eyes shined. He quickly wrote on a tablet. "It would be an honour."

Karni smiled. "I am to train you for the next year, after that it will be difficult to keep contact, so you will have to study hard in Shrek until I return."

The kid could not help but smile. He quickly wrote "thank you" on the board. Karni basically gave him a promise that he will get him in Shrek Academy.

"Teacher, what about me?"

Karni could not help but be surprised. "What about you?"

"Yeah, I'm also taking the exam this year."

""You are?"" Shishi and Karni said at the same time. The two then looked at each other, then back at Xu An.

"Yes I am! Shrek does not have a limit on age below 15! And I am more than talented enough. I want to show that I am strong enough to get into Shrek this year. This lady does not need to wait." She pointed to herself passionately while rambling on.

"So, he is worthy of training when he's still stuck at the Soul Grandmaster realm, but I am not? I am already a Soul Elder! I have my entry practically guarantee-"

"Enough." Karni said calmly. It sounded normal, but the girl quietened down immediately. Her body started shaking all of a sudden. The Sound was all around her. It was deep, it was challenging. It obsessed her. Then it all vanished.

"You can't even hold on with this? You'd fail in the first test if it was the same as mine. What Spiritual Power do you have?"

"200. In the Spirit Connection Realm. I'm the farthest between my peers. Qin Ming has 400, but he is three years older than me!"

"You have a harp. A spiritual support Martial Soul. Spiritual Power is your very foundation. When I was ten, I reached the Spirit Sea Realm."

The girl paused. Every few words, Karni's voice thundered. Harp. Spiritual. Foundation. Spirit. Sea. Realm.

"There are also others more qualified than you. What makes you think you can gain their spots?"

"Because I have higher potential!" The girl almost shouted. "I am a Soul Elder."

Karni nodded. "You are. That is impressive, but you neglected your Spiritual Power in turn. If you were in Sea Spirit Realm and a Spirit Grandmaster, you would have been at least twice as powerful. When it comes to Soul Masters like us, it is more important that we can use our skills effectively and in great variety. Only Spiritual Power allows us to do that."

Shishi started berating the girl from the side as well. "Xu An, you are talented, but you're taking things a bit too far. What you are showing is not confidence, but arrogance. Belittling others to raise yourself is not the way of Shrek. You will go neither with Karni, nor will you take the exam. In fact, you are to stay in closed door cultivation for the next year to think long and hard about what you said. I will personally make sure to fix that attitude."

The girl shrunk back. Genuine fear in her now, but also indignation. Karni found this… interesting. She was arrogant, but she wanted to prove herself. She wanted to show her talent. Prove others they were wrong about her.

"Headmaster, how about this?" Karni spoke only to Shishi. Xu An tried to listen in with what she understood about Sound, but was pushed back with next to no effort.

"Are you sure?" Shishi asked.

Karni nodded. "I will take responsibility. If she fails, it will act as a lesson instead."

Shishi thought it through, and agreed after a bit of contemplation. "Fine. Xu An."

The girl sniffed a bit. "Yes?"

"I will give you an option. You may go with Karni under two conditions."

She sniffed again, but sun was starting to shine through the clouds. She was eagerly waiting to hear the conditions.

"First, if you go with Karni now, this will be the only chance you will get to try out Shrek Exams. It does not matter if you won't be ready by the end of the year. As soon as you go, your fate is sealed. Succeed in a year, or forever lose your chance to enter Shrek. Second. The only way I will let you attempt the exam will be if you reach the Spirit Sea Realm in a year. If you don't you also do not get any other chance." She stared into Xu An's soul.

"Your other option is to do what I said at first. Cultivate for a year with my guidance. Closed door cultivation, which means no fun for you, no early exam. You will get your chance in four years."

Shishi raised her head. "Choose."

The girl sweated. Qin Ming was looking at her from the side with mixed feelings. The two never truly got along, but they were comrades, nonetheless.

The girl ground her teeth before looking up with determination at Karni. She practically screamed, more convincing herself than the others. "I will take on the challenge! I want to learn from teacher Val!"

Shishi nodded. "That's that then. You two will go with Karni in two months. Prepare by then."

Karni looked at his two students. "From now on, refer to me as Teacher Karni. I'm not one for honorifics."

The two bowed. "Yes Teacher Karni." Xu An said.

With that done. Only one thing remained.

… … …

Karni was cackling in a side room. A girl was cackling maniacally next to him. Of course it was Siduo. They were cackling with pale faces. A sign that the armour had fused with their blood.

What were they cackling at?

They were completed.

Two months of work. Preparing the design and double checking it is suitable for a good transition to Two-Words as soon as possible.

The metals took some time to refine due to the high quality of Tang Wulin's forging.

But they were completed.

Flow. Karni's name for his One-Word Battle Armour. The constant flow that guided him in music. The golden flow that brought him here. Flow of the future that always pressured him. The Flow-Seeing Rattlesnake, Hope. It was the immediate thing he thought of.

Tiger. Siduo's name for her One-Word Battle Armour. One would think it was from her White Tiger, but it was not the main reason. It was from her fusion, the Hell White Tiger. Tigers were also big cats, so it also included her Hell Cat by proxy. It was the most suitable name.

"IT'S ALIVE!" Karni shouted while shaking his hands in the air.

"Not really. That starts at the Three-Word level."

"Just… let me have this!" Karni yelled in a high-pitched voice much to Siduo's amusement.