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After guiding the two youngsters and offering them some advice, Li Luochen was surprised to learn that Oscar had obtained an external spirit bone.
Li Luochen personally inspected it. Oscar's external spirit bone, the White Jade Arm Blade, was quite impressive—resilient, sharp, and equipped with a skill that could grow stronger over time.
The defining characteristic of an external spirit bone was its ability to improve alongside the soul master. Currently, Oscar's spirit bone was at a four-thousand-eight-hundred-year level, but after absorbing his next spirit ring, its power should increase further.
Originally, the plan was for Oscar's fourth spirit ring to come from an eight-thousand-year soul beast. Now, however, they could aim for a nine-thousand-year one.
The physical enhancement provided by spirit bones was significant. Though Oscar was fundamentally a food-based soul master, even with rigorous training, his body still couldn't match that of a battle-type soul master at the same level.
But now, with the external spirit bone, he should have no issues handling spirit rings below ten thousand years. As for those above ten thousand? Forget it. The soul oscillations of ten-thousand-year soul beasts were too intense. Even with the aid of Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, neither Oscar nor Ma Hongjun's average mental strength would likely be able to withstand it.
A nine-thousand-year fourth spirit ring would suffice—it would far surpass the fourth spirit rings of other Soul Ancestors, making him practically invincible at the same level.
In Li Luochen's view, the first four spirit rings were primarily for building a foundation. Title Douluo-level battles typically relied on spirit skills from ten-thousand-year or higher spirit rings, rarely using thousand-year ones unless they were utility-based or for overwhelming weaker opponents.
"Alright, let's go to the cafeteria and eat. It's already morning, and I'm feeling a bit hungry."
Li Luochen said casually. He had originally left his room intending to wander around and grab something to eat.
"Yes × 2"
Li Luochen returned to the cafeteria. The meals at Shrek Academy were quite good these days, and there was no shortage of soul beast meat. Zhao Wuji had arranged for several high-quality soul beasts to be delivered weekly from the Barak Kingdom.
Shrek Academy had become incredibly powerful, boasting two Soul Douluos and three Soul Sages. Even the royal family of the Barak Kingdom sought to maintain friendly relations with them.
Moreover, Shrek Academy was no longer an obscure little academy. Someone had deliberately spread the word that the academy had a Soul Douluo-level principal and offered elite education. If you were a genius, this was the place to be.
However, enrollment remained low. Most students who barely qualified ended up at Blue Tyrant Academy. Even a few twelve-year-olds with soul power levels of twenty-five had gone there, as it offered more resources.
Initially, Flender had considered merging with Liu Erlong's Blue Tyrant Academy. After all, Blue Tyrant had excellent resources and mimetic cultivation environments comparable to the Five Elements Academies.
But just as Flender was about to proceed, he received a letter from his "friend," Yu Xiaogang. The letter stated that Yu Xiaogang had taken on a prodigious disciple who would graduate in two years and could then transfer to Shrek Academy.
Shrek Academy didn't reject ordinary students outright, did it? His disciple, Tang San, had full innate soul power and had already obtained his second spirit ring, with his soul power now at level twenty-five. (At ten years old, Tang San should be around this level, considering he broke through level twenty at eight. Plus, he balanced blacksmithing, training, and studying.)
Upon reading the letter, Flender felt irritated. He had been ready to merge the academies and spend his days doting on his daughter and Liu Erlong. But now, this old fool had thrown a wrench into his plans.
Flender's resentment toward Yu Xiaogang ran deep. Not only had their spirit fusion technique dissolved, but reflecting on the past, Flender realized how pretentious Yu Xiaogang had been—weak yet acting superior, even stealing Liu Erlong's affection.
Yu Xiaogang had won her heart, but when his family intervened, he fled, leaving Liu Erlong to face the consequences alone. Recalling this, Flender wanted to punch him.
Still, thanks to Yu Xiaogang's cowardice, Flender and Liu Erlong had found happiness together. They now had a daughter, while Yu Xiaogang, with his mere twenty-nine levels of soul power, stood no chance against Flender's eighty-five levels as a Soul Douluo or Liu Erlong's seventy-five levels as a Soul Sage.
What could he possibly do to compete? If he dared try, Flender would expose his lecherous intentions toward his own cousin—a disgraceful act worse than that of beasts.
---
The following evening, Zhao Wuji hosted a grand banquet at a luxury hotel in Suotuo City to celebrate Li Luochen's return. Everyone present was in high spirits—except for Dai Mubai, who sat gloomily. He had squandered his chance to befriend a brilliant senior like Li Luochen.
Dai Mubai wanted to cry but had nowhere to vent his frustrations.
Over the next six months, Li Luochen stayed at Shrek Academy, refining the killing intent within him. By the third month, he had already achieved perfect control over the Killing God Domain.
For the remaining time, Li Luochen focused on writing a book. Dissatisfied with the literary standards of the Douluo Continent, he adapted a novel from his previous life.
Using 'Battle Through the Heavens' as a template, he rewrote it into a Douluo Continent version. The story followed Xiao Huohuo, a young lord with only half a level of innate soul power, who was abandoned by his fiancée from a Soul King-level family. He later fell in love with Gu Xun, the daughter of an Extreme Douluo.
Through relentless effort, Xiao Huohuo became the disciple of a titled Douluo named Yao. He defeated his ex-fiancée to restore his honor and, with his master's help, gradually ascended to become an Extreme Douluo. He earned the approval of his lover's family and married her.
Li Luo Chen spent a month writing the book and used Qian Renxue's influence to publish it. Within a month, the novel 'Douluo Cangqiong' (T/N: Instead of 'Battle Through the Heavens' it's: 'Battle Through Douluo' I guess lol) swept across the Douluo Continent.
Its memorable quotes resonated deeply with readers:
- "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. Never look down on a youth in poverty."
- "Don't care about others' opinions. Remember, you live for yourself, not for others."
- "Every day, countless people strive tirelessly toward their goals. Even when they see no hope after giving everything, they refuse to give up."
- "When loving someone, seven or eight parts is just right. Leave the remaining two or three parts for loving yourself."
- "After pain comes rebirth. Transformation requires the trials of suffering."
These words moved many soul masters, including high-level Soul Douluos and even Title Douluos, who reflected on their younger selves. Had they changed from the passionate youths they once were?
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In the Spirit Hall, within the Pope's Palace, a regal woman flipped through the pages of 'Douluo Cangqiong'. This woman was Bibi Dong. Out of boredom, she had noticed her disciple Hu Liena neglecting her training to immerse herself in the book.
At first, Bibi Dong was annoyed, but Hu Liena's explanation of the story piqued her interest. She began reading it herself and quickly became hooked.
For the past few days, aside from handling official duties, Bibi Dong had been engrossed in the novel, finding resonance between her fate and the characters' struggles.
"To love someone, seven or eight parts is just right. Leave the remaining two or three parts for loving yourself.
Yes, the past is the past. Why cling to it? Can I still love myself? I don't even love her (Qian Renxue). How can I love myself?
Don't care about others' opinions. Remember, you live for yourself, not for others.
I never thought that after living so long, I, Bibi Dong, wouldn't see as clearly as a child."
Bibi Dong knew the novel was written by Li Luochen. Since Qian Renxue had used the Spirit Hall's network to publish it, it couldn't escape her notice. This gave her a new perspective on Li Luochen.
"Young, talented, knowledgeable, courageous, handsome, and devoted to Dugu Yan. What a fine young man.
It's a pity you were born too late. If you'd been born a few years earlier… No, if you had, I definitely would've pursued you. A genius from humble origins—I doubt he (Qian Xunji) would've objected."
Bibi Dong briefly reflected before returning to her duties. Having finished the book, she resumed her work.
---
(A/N: Though romantic minds may seem irrational, they aren't entirely devoid of logic. Bibi Dong's brief reflection wasn't out of character, especially since she hadn't yet descended into madness. A little introspection wouldn't hurt.)
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