Douluo: Divine Dragon Pattern Staff

Thank you to our new Patrons: Hunter Hartjen, Little Demon, Ted R, Divinenature, crimson reaper, Dragonwolf, Nathan Baxter, cshami, Joshua Desouza, Mohanad Tamimi, ar4ngel, Savagesmiley, w1212m, Raingori and DTShadow! You are what makes this possible! We are up to Chapter 60: Spirit Hunting 2.0 (Part Three) on Patreon!

There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The teachers of Shrek Academy had collectively undergone a significant enhancement, with Li Luochen's grandfather, Li Yusong, breaking through to the Spirit Emperor level.

All the teachers cheered for him. Given Li Yusong's age and innate potential, it was expected that he would be stuck at the bottleneck of level 60 for a long time. No one anticipated that Whale Glue would help him break through so quickly.

"Old friends, today we've all gained a lot, and it's all thanks to Xiao Chen. Me, Old Zhao, and Old Shao have taken a huge step toward becoming Spirit Sages, saving us a great deal of time on our cultivation journey.

Let's go clean up first, then tonight we'll head to the Gathering Immortals Pavilion in Suotuo City to celebrate and enjoy ourselves. Tomorrow, we'll take Old Li to the Great Star Forest to hunt soul beasts."

"Alright! ×5"

Flender's Shrek Academy was now on an upward trajectory, and he had been thrilled these past few years. First, there was no longer any need to worry about funding—though it did put some strain on Shao Xin, who had to tirelessly produce special-effect candies. Still, this process was also a form of cultivation for Shao Xin.

Now, with the teachers' strength significantly enhanced and Li Yusong breaking through to level 60, Flender couldn't be happier.

The Next Day

After last night's celebration, Flender, Shao Xin, and Lu Qibin took Li Yusong to obtain his soul ring, while Zhao Wuji stayed behind to look after the academy.

"Uncle Zhao, how about you train with me for a few days?"

Li Luochen was just over seven years and two months old, with a cultivation level of 18. However, due to his young age and lack of combat experience, he still wasn't eligible to participate in the Great Spirit Battle Arena.

Li Luochen turned his attention to Zhao Wuji. After all, Zhao Wuji was a tanky powerhouse—his thick skin and durability made him nearly indestructible. At Li Luochen's current level, there was no way he could break through Zhao Wuji's defenses.

"Sure! Old Zhao has been itching to properly train you, you little prodigy."

'...Can you not phrase it like that? It sounds so misleading.'

Li Luochen summoned his Dragon Pattern Staff and assumed a battle stance. Against an opponent like Zhao Wuji, waiting for him to make the first move would be a mistake. The gap in their strength was already significant enough—directly charging forward with brute force was the only option. Since he wouldn't win anyway, might as well go all out.

"First Soul Skill: Godspeed."

Godspeed instantly doubled his speed and increased his strength by fifty percent. For each additional level, the amplification effect increased by one percent. Additionally, the next attack made under Godspeed would be enhanced.

Li Luochen unleashed a powerful strike aimed directly at Zhao Wuji's head. The Dragon Pattern Staff, carrying the force of a thousand jin, came crashing down. Yet Zhao Wuji remained completely unfazed.

"Vigorous Vajra Bear, Attach!"

After activating his martial soul, Zhao Wuji's entire body became covered in thick brown fur. Standing over two and a half meters tall, his muscles bulged, and his amber eyes exuded an overwhelming aura. His massive hands grew even thicker and more imposing.

*Clang—*

Li Luochen's full-force strike landed squarely on Zhao Wuji's head, but Zhao Wuji didn't budge an inch, leaving Li Luochen stunned.

"Don't lose focus. First Soul Skill: Immovable Bright King Body."

A burst of intense golden light erupted around Zhao Wuji, repelling any attacks within three meters of his body.

*Boom—* Li Luochen was instantly flung back by the golden light and fell to the ground.

"Damn, so ridiculous? No wonder it's called the Immovable Bright King. The

Vigorous Vajra Bear martial soul truly lives up to its reputation as one of the top defensive power-type Beast Martial Souls. Unless I reach the Spirit Elder level, I won't be able to break through Uncle Zhao's defense."

Li Luochen analyzed the gains and losses from this failed attack. While the effects of Godspeed were still active, he continued his assault.

Unfortunately, even though Zhao Wuji stood there with his arms crossed, appearing to have countless openings, the Vigorous Vajra Bear had no real weaknesses aside from its slow speed. Could Li Luochen, a mere Soul Master, possibly outspeed Zhao Wuji, a Spirit Emperor?

Li Luochen relentlessly attacked Zhao Wuji, specifically targeting vulnerable areas of the body. Though he was repeatedly repelled, Li Luochen felt that his staff techniques had improved somewhat.

Indeed, combat was the true test of strength. Through constant practice, Li Luochen refined his staff techniques and gradually overcame his inexperience, truly becoming a qualified Battle Soul Master.

Over the next few days, Li Luochen continued to seek out Zhao Wuji for sparring sessions. Although he ended up sore and exhausted after each session, he would return home and soak himself in medicinal baths to recover.

But Li Luochen thoroughly enjoyed the process. How could he pass up an opportunity to grow stronger? By strengthening his foundation while his cultivation was still low, he would reap benefits in the future.

Moreover, at his current level, he could spar freely with Zhao Wuji without fear of breaking through his defenses. Once his cultivation increased, sparring would require more caution, and hesitation in real combat could determine victory or defeat in an instant.

Thus, while his cultivation was still low, Li Luochen focused on building a solid foundation in combat. This way, he wouldn't fear fighting opponents above his level in the future. When he grew older, he could enter the Suotuo Great Spirit Battle Arena to hone his skills further.

Through battles with different soul masters, he would enhance both his combat abilities and his experience.

---

Seven Days Later

Principal Flender and the others returned. Their trip to the Great Star Forest had gone smoothly. They helped Li Yusong hunt a fifteen-thousand-year-old snake-type soul beast. Snakes belonged to the sub-dragon category, which could increase the toughness and dragon attributes of the Dragon Pattern Staff. The snake they hunted was a python-type, strength-oriented beast that perfectly suited Li Yusong. Now, Li Yusong was a level 61 Spirit Emperor.

Shrek Academy now boasted an all-Spirit Emperor teaching staff! During this soul-hunting trip, Flender had also experienced a sudden breakthrough, advancing to level 69. He was now just one step away from level 70.

The academy then returned to a state of calm. Li Yusong, Lu Qibin, and Zhao Wuji began training the other two senior students of Shrek Academy, who were close to becoming Spirit Elders.

Shao Xin focused on cultivating his spirit power and producing candies, while Flender took Shao Xin's candies to sell outside. Along the way, if he encountered Whale Glue, he would purchase it as well.

Although the first dose of Whale Glue had the strongest effect, subsequent doses were less potent but still beneficial. The teachers of Shrek Academy, being high-level cultivators, could continue benefiting from additional doses. Li Luochen estimated that after taking two more doses, Whale Glue would no longer have any effect on him.

It should elevate his physical condition from the early-stage Spirit Elder level to the mid-stage Spirit Elder level.

In the following period, everyone devoted themselves to intense cultivation. Li Luochen's spirit power continued to rise steadily, with each level taking just over two months to break through.

---

Five Months Later

Li Luochen was now seven years and seven months old, and his spirit power had reached the bottleneck of level 20 just the day before.

Flender prepared to personally accompany Li Luochen to hunt for a soul ring. Li Luochen's second soul ring had already been planned—a flame-attribute dragon-type soul beast.

His first soul skill, Godspeed, had already enhanced his speed and strength. For his second soul skill, Li Luochen wanted to add explosive damage to his attacks.

Over the past five months, Li Luochen had consumed millennium-level Whale Glue until it no longer provided any benefits. Originally, his second soul ring absorption limit was around 1,500 years, but now he could handle soul rings of up to 2,500 years.

------------------------------------------------------

Support my writing journey: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow