Douluo: Glory of the Unrivaled Angel

Word Count: 3,002 Words

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As night fell, at Jianmu Douluo's residence.

An ancient bronze bell hung on the redwood door. Ling Bai rhythmically rang the bell, and after a moment, he heard Jianmu Douluo's voice from inside:

"Come in, Xiao Bai."

The door was unlocked, so Ling Bai easily pushed it open. Jianmu Douluo had opened up the entire two‐story building. Spiral staircases wound upward, and antique bookshelves, filled with a dazzling array of collections, extended toward the domed ceiling. It made one feel as if one had stepped into a city library. Jianmu Douluo loved reading ancient texts, and under his influence, Ling Bai had also learned to calm his mind through reading. That was why he could accompany his Elder Sister Han Ruoruo in Shrek Academy's library for an entire morning.

"Have a seat."

Jianmu Douluo held a hefty tome half as tall as a person. Ling Bai snuck a peek at its cover; the book was titled 'Encyclopedia of Spirit Beasts (Light Attribute Volume).'

"Coming to find me so late at night, what's the matter?" Jianmu Douluo asked without even lifting his head, seemingly immersed in the book.

"Tomorrow morning, after making a trip to the Secret Technique Area of the Heaven's Treasury, I'll set off for the Extreme North to complete Shrek's surveillance assignment. I probably won't have time to return to the clan, so I'm here to bid you farewell in advance."

"In such a hurry…"

Jianmu Douluo finally raised his head. Tracing a few strokes on the tabletop with his fingers, he activated an emerald-green wooden figure that jumped out. The figure walked on its short little legs to the corner and opened a redwood cabinet, instantly revealing over a hundred tea canisters. The mingling tea fragrances filled the room with a rather magical aroma.

"Have a cup of tea with me before you go."

The little wooden figure clutched a tea canister, glanced left and right, then, dissatisfied, put it back. Jianmu Douluo asked, "Refining Heart from Blazing Volcano, Life Jade from Star Dou Forest, or Ocean's Heart from the deep sea? Oh right, since you're going to the Extreme North, it's just as well to experience the chill in advance. How about some Extreme North Cold Emerald?"

"Certainly."

Ling Bai hadn't inherited Jianmu Douluo's hobby of tea tasting; everything tasted the same to him.

The little wooden figure took out a blue-and-white cold jade tea canister, walked to the table, measured out two scoops of Extreme North Cold Emerald into porcelain cups, and poured in boiling water. Instantly, the tea fragrance filled the room. Jianmu Douluo nodded with satisfaction:

"Specially picked from the Extreme North, both in appearance and aroma, it's top-grade. When I die, you kid must not waste the teas I've painstakingly collected. Keep them well. In a hundred years when you're older, you'll also come to enjoy tea tasting. It's an awakening engraved in human bones."

Ling Bai watched the little wooden figure put the canister back into the tea cabinet and said helplessly, "It's not auspicious to keep talking about death. Maybe you'll heal your old wounds and live another hundred years."

"Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the normal states of life. What's there to avoid mentioning?"

Jianmu Douluo tucked his hands into his sleeves like a little old man, patiently waiting for the tea to steep properly. He smiled faintly, "Time gallops like a swift steed; days and months flow like falling flowers in running water. Even if I had no injuries on my body, I have already grown old..."

Ling Bai remained silent, lowering his head thoughtfully as he looked at his own reflection on the surface of the tea in his cup. As the saying goes, the older people get, the more they like to reminisce about the past. Jianmu Douluo recalled the bygone years and slowly said:

"I remember when I was six years old, our village held a unified Martial Spirit Awakening ceremony. I awakened a sapling that was completely bare—without even a single leaf. Although I had innate full spirit power, I couldn't find any direction for cultivation. What could a bare sapling do? Attack? Defense? Control? Support?

At that time, my perspective was narrow. After discussing it with my parents, we decided not to waste money attending a Primary Spirit Master Academy and just honestly become a farmer. At least with spirit power, I could plow the fields a bit faster than others. But then, a few days later, Fengya's great-grandfather passed through the village and happened to stay at our house for a night. He discovered my ability and promised to sponsor me to become a Spirit Master.

Thanks to his kindness, I attended the Imperial Spirit Master Academy of the Heavenly Soul Empire. The bare sapling absorbed the first spirit ring and grew leaves but still didn't have any offensive ability. I thought this wouldn't do; paying tuition only to be eliminated would be a huge loss. So I researched day and night to create my own spirit skills, and in the end, I really succeeded.

At eighteen, my spirit power broke through to Rank 68. I participated in the Continental Elite Spirit Master Tournament with my classmates, advancing through rounds and winning successive victories to reach the top four. That year, the team captains of the top four were me, Mu En, Long Xiaoyao, and Ye Xishui. In the semifinals, I encountered Shrek Academy led by Mu En. Shrek's overall strength far surpassed that of the Heavenly Soul Empire. We fought with all our might and lost without regrets.

Twin Dragons of Black and White, Demon Puppets Rampant, Jianmu Reaching the Heavens.

In that tournament, we made a name for ourselves for the first time. The world believed we would become the future leaders of the continent. And indeed, it turned out that way. Among the four of us, even I—the one with the lowest spirit power—reached Rank 98…

After successfully graduating from the Imperial Academy, I traveled the continent to temper my strength. I became a Titled Douluo with the title 'Jianmu' and then received the invitation of Fengya's great-grandfather to join the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. My ears were filled with stories of those two fellows entangled with Ye Xishui as I listened to gossip every day. I even bet with others that the strength of the Twin Holy Dragons of Black and White was evenly matched, wondering who would ultimately win the goddess's heart and settle the competition in matters of love…"

A ripple flashed in Ling Bai's eyes upon hearing this. Death God Douluo Ye Xishui was the lifelong tribulation of the Twin Holy Dragons of Black and White, and if one had to pick a winner, it would be Dragon Emperor Douluo Long Xiaoyao. After all, Ye Xishui passed on his bloodline, who later became the Dean of the Martial Spirit Department of Shrek Academy.

"Xiao Bai, before I go to the Body Sect to 'set off fireworks,' your teacher wants to spend the last ten years peacefully. If I could see you break through to become a Titled Douluo and successfully marry and have children with your beloved, then your teacher's life could be considered complete."

"Teacher, don't be in such a hurry to make plans…"

Ling Bai took out the purified Life Gold, and Jianmu Douluo was momentarily stunned by the overwhelming life force emanating from it.

"This item is a god-level life-attribute treasure. This foolish disciple must trouble teacher for another hundred years."

"I... I... that... huh?"

Jianmu Douluo stammered, unable to say a complete sentence. His face changed from white to red, from red to black, black tinged with purple, then bluish, greenish, rosy pink...

It was hard to imagine that Ling Bai could see emotions of being moved, joy, shock, embarrassment, regret… all at once on a single face.

Hmm, truly a richly expressive old fellow!

Jianmu Douluo came back to his senses and sighed emotionally, "Xiao Bai ah, teacher won't ask where you got such a divine treasure. With it, I'm one hundred percent certain I can heal the hidden injuries left by Du Busi a hundred years ago and further advance my spirit power to become a Limit Douluo.

Your teacher is wholeheartedly willing to protect you and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan for another hundred years. However, there's one thing that's quite embarrassing…

It's somewhat funny to say. I've already bid farewell to that old fellow Mu En, but now I'm going to live another hundred years. The day I go down below, I can't imagine how he'll curse me out."

Jianmu Douluo chuckled self-deprecatingly, imagining Mu En grabbing him by the neck and shaking him furiously. Tears glistened as he roared, 'You old scoundrel, this old man waited for you for a full hundred years!

One! Hundred! Years!'

"Hahaha."

Ling Bai couldn't help but laugh. This matter wasn't his problem, as the two old fellows could settle it privately. However, Jianmu Douluo's mention of Mu En prompted him to voice the idea he had been keeping in his heart.

"Teacher, to be honest, I've already set my sights on the 100,000-year Ultimate Fire; I only lack Ultimate Light. Do you think it's possible to exchange a drop of Life Gold for the 100,000-year light power of the Ancient Golden Tree? If Elder Mu can prolong his life, I would have no more concerns, and both we and Shrek Academy would win."

Jianmu Douluo shook his head and sighed, "You clever rascal, but it's impossible. The day you returned to the clan, Mu En also came; I saw his current physical condition. His life force is like a candle in the wind, overflowing with the aura of death. Even Gods would have difficulty saving him.

There are two reasons I can be saved. First, the Sacred Jianmu Tree perfectly matches the attributes of Life Gold, enabling me to maximize this god-level life energy to nourish myself—something Mu En's Light Holy Dragon cannot do.

Second, Mu En's injuries are much more severe than mine. Du Busi and I implanted methods in each other's bodies and then ceased fighting, but Mu En and Du Bisi truly fought like madmen. Du Bisi's internal organs were all shattered, and his Spiritual Sea was heavily damaged by 'Sovereign's Descent.' He lived as a living corpse for five years before both his body and soul perished.

Mu En was struck by the Body Sect's unique Secret Technique; his spine was broken and his flesh decayed, leaving his body like a rag doll forcibly sewn together with needle and thread. No matter how much Life Gold you give him, it's like a drop in the bucket. It's already a miracle he's lasted until now, and when the time comes, death is the only outcome."

"I see…"

Ling Bai sighed with regret. Once Elder Mu died, those old fogeys at Shrek would absolutely not agree to an exchange, and he would still need to find another way.

"Teacher, please focus on recuperating and breaking through. I'll go say goodbye to Xiao Tian."

"Go on, go on. Be careful in all aspects while carrying out your assignment."

The door creaked closed, and Jianmu Douluo instantly tightened his grip on the Life Gold in his hand. He closed the 'Encyclopedia of Spirit Beasts,' and a faint, illusory image of a towering tree appeared behind him. He murmured:

"Xiao Bai, people need face just as trees need bark. If the situation truly becomes severe and uncontrollable, teacher will throw away this face to help you snatch Shrek's Ancient Golden Tree!"

…

Deep underground beneath the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.

In the vast, dim underground space of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Ling Bai stood shoulder to shoulder with Ning Fengya. After retrieving a Secret Technique from the Heaven's Treasury, he would immediately set off for the Extreme North.

Narrowing his eyes slightly, he swept his gaze across the dark corners. He knew that many eyes were fixed on him, for the hidden guards of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan were watching his every move.

In addition to those vigilant gazes, he detected several obscure auras at the Spirit Douluo rank. These were merely the simplest guards stationed at the entrance of the Heaven's Treasury. The true defensive measures of the Heaven's Treasury didn't require manpower at all.

A careful observation of the underground space revealed extremely shallow folds forming a wall-like pattern that shielded the Heaven's Treasury behind them.

Ning Fengya's platinum-blonde hair cascaded down to her waist. Her slender figure exuded unparalleled elegance. With a gentle smile, she said:

"The Heaven's Treasury, possessing the wealth of the world.

Everyone knows that besides support, the most powerful ability of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is its unparalleled treasure appraisal. This allowed the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to rapidly accumulate an immensely vast wealth.

It's no exaggeration to say that this wealth could effortlessly raise ten legions of well-equipped Stationary Spirit Guidance Masters. Naturally, over the millennia, it has been coveted by countless Spirit Masters. Unfortunately for them, whether imperial royalty or ancient sects, including the Spirit Hall that nearly annihilated the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan ten thousand years ago, none have ever set foot into the Heaven's Treasury.

Because the Heaven's Treasury, holding the world's greatest wealth, is matched with the world's greatest gate. And this gate wasn't built overnight. Starting from the first-generation Clan Head tens of thousands of years ago, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has continually invested enormous resources to invite spatial-attribute Titled Douluo and Limit Douluo who have touched upon the power of space, to gradually create and perfect this spatial gate bit by bit.

Unless a God descends, no one on the Douluo Continent has the power to forcibly break through the spatial gate and enter the Heaven's Treasury. Outsiders can only fantasize about the wealth inside."

Ning Fengya stretched out both palms and slowly formed the seals one finger at a time, performing the secret hand seals that had been passed down orally in the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. These seals combined the spirit power and bloodline power of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda lineage in a special way; merely learning them would have no effect.

As Ning Fengya formed the hand seals, Ling Bai clearly sensed an immensely majestic, invisible fluctuation emanating from her palms, rising and falling endlessly like waves.

The invisible fluctuations gradually spread out until they touched the spatial folds. The moment the two made contact, the spatial gate rippled like a mirror made of water, sending out concentric circles. After a quarter of an hour, the ripples ceased, and the spatial gate was torn open by a pair of nine-colored giant hands exuding an ancient, desolate aura.

"Xiao Bai, you've already entered the Heaven's Treasury once before enrolling in Shrek Academy, so I won't give you many instructions. I'll just say one thing, which is also the clan motto: There's no need to deliberately choose inferior items to save face. Boldly enjoy abundance; don't be ashamed of your noble birth. Always remember, though your starting point is high, your endpoint will be even higher!"

"I understand, Aunt Ya."

Ling Bai smiled and nodded. Accepting the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's gifts and offerings was equivalent to promising future assistance; both parties received what they needed, all for the sake of this bond.

"It's good that you're so open-minded. The Heaven's Treasury will be open for you for one hour; you may choose any Secret Technique you wish."

Upon passing through the spatial gate and entering the Heaven's Treasury, he saw lamp covers hanging every ten meters along the surrounding walls, slowly emitting light that illuminated the room as brightly as day.

These were Mermaid Lamps, refined from the fish oil of the mermaid race, capable of burning for a thousand years without extinguishing.

Ling Bai strolled leisurely into the Secret Technique Area. Inside was a world unto itself. Unlike the Spirit Bone Area with its glittering spirit bones, the Secret Technique Area consisted of corridors lined with vermilion wooden doors on both sides. Some open doors revealed faint red light curtains floating within.

In fact, he had no particular Secret Technique in mind, until just now when Electrolux had granted him the entire Spectral Demiplane.

'Seven Kill Sword Technique,' authored by Sword Douluo Chen Xin, recorded the sword techniques the Seven Kill Sword Clan had honed over thousands of years through generations.

Ling Bai walked past this open wooden door and stopped at the room adjacent to the one containing the Seven Kill Sword Technique.

'Divine Bone Dragon Transformation,' authored by Bone Douluo Gu Rong, recorded all the secret techniques for cultivating, controlling, and strengthening bone dragons.

Entering the room, he found the lighting a few degrees brighter than in the corridor. The room was not spacious; in its center stood a stone platform upon which rested an ancient jade-white scroll.

Secret Technique: Divine Bone Dragon Transformation!

Opening the first page, Ling Bai saw Bone Douluo Gu Rong's scrawled handwriting:

*Tomorrow is the decisive battle at Jialing Pass. That Old Sword is worried that if he falls, the Seven Kill Sword Technique will disappear forever, so he's decided to write it down for future generations to inherit. If he wants to write, fine, but why drag me into this?

In life, I had no one; in death, I will have no one. If I die, so be it. My self-created Divine Bone Dragon Transformation is only suitable for bone dragons. Who would even like it?

So annoying, but I can't refuse him!

Fine, I'll write!

The Divine Bone Dragon Transformation is the culmination of my life's work. Future generations must remember: if you encounter an inheritor of the Seven Kill Sword Technique, beat them up, smack them hard in the face!

Prove to everyone on the Douluo Continent that my, Gu Rong's, inheritance is stronger than that Old Sword's!*