Word Count: 2,769 Words
******
The blazing sun hung high, its rays pouring down from the distant sky, dispersing the thin mist lingering over the Spirit Dueling Arena and illuminating the two opposing figures.
"I've looked forward to this battle for two years."
Xiao Hongchen gazed at Ling Bai and spoke with a steady, powerful voice, "During the finals back then, my ambitions soared to the skies. I had no concept of what a true opponent meant.
It was you who shattered my pride, piece by piece. From that, I learned there are always stronger people, heavens beyond heavens. I returned and forged myself anew, adopting the mindset of a humble apprentice.
Shrek has chosen you to suppress me, and I consider it an honor. Yet, deep in my heart, I believe this fight should be purer."
He raised a single finger, slowly turning in place to point at each of the Inner Courtyard students surrounding the arena. The Sun Moon Empire had endured nine consecutive defeats, and the sharp, venomous mockery rained down relentlessly; Xiao Hongchen had long been suppressing a bellyful of anger.
Ling Bai offered a faint, unperturbed smile. "You know full well the relationship between the Sun Moon Imperial Academy and Shrek Academy. You can't demand purity when it suits you and speak of interests when it doesn't; the world doesn't bend to such whims.
What you must do is conquer."
"Good, then I'll start with you!"
Xiao Hongchen let out a bold laugh. He vowed to subdue these Shrek Inner Courtyard students one by one. Six spirit rings, two yellow, two purple, two black, rose around him in a brilliant display. His first and third spirit rings ignited, and with a sweeping motion of his hands, he unleashed over a hundred metal spheres. From these cores, thick metal cannon barrels sprouted rapidly.
The Three Legged Golden Toad, a descendant of divine beasts, was renowned as a master of metal. Xiao Hongchen wielded this talent with masterful precision. A staggering total of two hundred fifty-six Spirit Cannons, all Class 6 Spirit Guidance Devices, emerged. At his chest gleamed a crimson cannon the size of a bowl's mouth that radiated a blinding light. This was the Thunderous Fury Cannon, a peak Class 8 Spirit Guidance Device crafted personally by Illustrious Virtue Hall Master Jing Hongchen!
Two hundred fifty-six Spirit Cannons emerged simultaneously, and the oppressive feeling of technology and firepower enveloped the entire arena. The brows of Shrek's Inner Courtyard students furrowed instinctively.
"The Sun Moon Empire is not simple..."
A sigh drifted from the spectator stands. It was well-known that the Sun Moon Continent's Martial Spirit inheritance was weak. Apart from the Hongchen siblings, most Sun Moon Imperial Academy exchange students would rank in the middle or lower tiers of Shrek's Inner Courtyard. Yet, through their dual cultivation as Spirit Masters and Spirit Guidance Masters, these exchange students could rival peers wielding formidable Martial Spirits like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon or Mystic Deep Turtle!
Not a single Shrek Spirit Emperor could claim assured victory against a prodigy like Xiao Hongchen, with a top-level Martial Spirit and genius-level Spirit Guidance mastery. Only someone invincible among peers like Ling Bai could suppress him!
A sharp clang of metal resounded through the air. Apart from the Thunderous Fury Cannon, the remaining two hundred fifty-five cannon barrels automatically adjusted, their muzzles locking onto Ling Bai in the distance.
Fire!
The sheer number of Class 6 Spirit Cannons unleashing their barrage wove an endless net of destructive firepower. Xiao Hongchen gritted his teeth, the sound grating in his jaw. He had tasted defeat once before, a bitter memory he refused to relive. He would not lose again!
The Three Legged Golden Toad's firepower rivaled that of an entire Spirit Guidance Master regiment. This single volley could rend the earth itself! Yet Ling Bai stood unmoved. His response was a subtle curl of his lips and a slight tilt of his chin.
Gold. The boundless sky shimmered with a pure, radiant gold. Countless angels with burning wings appeared, stretching from the farthest reaches of the world to this very spot. Sacred light bathed everything in its glow, and wherever the holy hymn resounded, the surrounding world resonated in harmony!
Angelic Domain, Hymn of Praise!
The raging storm dissolved, stirring dust to drift in all directions. In an instant, the eruption of the Angelic Domain pulverized the Class 6 Spirit Cannon shells into mere powder. Metal fragments danced through the air, and the Spirit Dueling Arena resembled a forest scorched by wildfire.
Two, four, six…
Six resplendent angelic wings unfurled as Ling Bai soared into the sky. Xiao Hongchen couldn't believe what he was seeing. He had marked Ling Bai as his lifelong rival and, upon returning to the Sun Moon Imperial Academy, had devoured every piece of information on the Seraphim. The six-winged form, wasn't that a power only unlocked by a Seraphim upon breaking through to Titled Douluo!
This defied all logic!
"Drip, drip…"
The sound of falling water snapped Xiao Hongchen back to reality. The Angelic Domain harbored Ultimate Fire, a force the Class 6 Spirit Cannons could not withstand. Starting from their barrels, they slowly melted into searing molten iron!
Ling Bai gave Xiao Hongchen no chance to remain stunned. His right leg made a stomping motion in the air. Behind him, the majestic silhouette of a colossal dragon materialized, and a golden halo burst outward in a sudden surge.
The brilliant sun poured down endless light and heat. As the golden halo expanded, the illumination above Shrek City converged toward Ling Bai at a breathtaking pace.
Radiant Thunder Hell Dragon's Right Leg Bone Skill, Glorious Light Convergence!
Glorious Light Convergence was an auxiliary-type spirit skill. It instantly absorbed a massive amount of light element, amplifying all light-attribute spirit skills of the Seraphim. The Radiant Thunder Hell Dragon was a 300,000-year Great Beast, so the auxiliary spirit skill it provided was naturally of the highest caliber.
The area covered by Glorious Light Convergence was so vast that the citizens of Shrek City instinctively looked up, only to see a blurry golden silhouette.
"Sister Ruoruo, look up there!"
Wu Ming pointed to the sky. In truth, her reminder wasn't needed; Han Ruoruo had already noticed the anomaly. Low-altitude clouds swirled in a vortex, dipping toward the ground as if majestic dragons were peering down from within.
At the deepest, most unreachable reaches of the cloud canopy, countless bolts of thunder and lightning converged. Deafening roars of thunder exploded across the horizon without cease.
Ling Bai stood like a deity among the clouds, looking down upon the mortal world. The sky churned with wind and storm, boundless lightning forming a spiraling vortex. At the moment when all the myriad lightning dragon heads fully unfurled, his eyes grew ever brighter. The crowd had never witnessed such mesmerizing pupils, their depths seeming to bloom with golden fireworks!
Radiant Thunder Hell Dragon's Right Leg Bone's Second Spirit Skill, Radiant Thunder Dazzles the World!
This was the Radiant Thunder Hell Dragon's most formidable innate spirit skill, harnessing its dragon bloodline to summon world-shattering thunder of dual light and lightning attributes, capable of annihilating all in its path!
Xiao Hongchen sensed the looming threat, but retreat was no longer an option. With a roar, he unleashed his power. His second, fourth, and sixth spirit rings flared simultaneously. Countless specks of light materialized in the air, surging toward the Class 8 Thunderous Fury Cannon like rivers flowing into the sea. The metal barrel radiated a blinding crimson glow, intensifying the crackling thunder around it.
Beneath the golden lightning, Ling Bai's handsome, stone-carved, indifferent face could faintly be seen. Wind and thunder dragon roars, and a sky-breaking colossal sound surged from the dome above, overwhelming the clamor of the Spirit Dueling Arena.
In fact, from the moment Radiant Thunder Dazzles the World was unleashed, all other noises ceased abruptly. All eyes were focused on the six-winged angel in the sky.
That lofty figure, with unmatched grace and presence, stood so high and unattainable that it stirred feelings of inadequacy in all who watched. Lightning illuminated a myriad of expressions. Shrek's Inner Courtyard students erupted in fervor, chanting 'Seraphim' in unison. Yet the loudest voice belonged neither to Han Ruoruo nor Ma Xiaotao but, surprisingly, to Dugu Lin. She clutched her heart, her gaze fixed on Ling Bai as if beholding a savior!
The deepest impact, however, struck Bei Bei. He had chosen the path of the Blue Lightning Radiant Tyrant Dragon, and the 300,000-year Radiant Thunder Hell Dragon represented the ultimate pinnacle he could witness with his own eyes!
On the Sun Moon exchange student side, Meng Hongchen, now conscious, stared blankly at Ling Bai, who resembled a thunder god descending to earth. Two years had passed, yet her brother's efforts seemed not to close the gap but to widen it further. This was merely a spirit bone skill; Ling Bai hadn't even unleashed his spirit rings.
Elders emerged from the Sea God Pavilion one by one, gazing up at the Radiant Thunder Hell Dragon, now a tangible presence. A nostalgic smile touched their lips. Once, this had been the signature spirit bone skill of their Sea God Pavilion Master, Dragon God Douluo Mu En!
Xiao Hongchen roared with defiance. A muffled crack like bones snapping echoed from deep within him as if a beast had shattered its cage. A storm erupted in its wake. The peak Class 8 Spirit Guidance Device, the Thunderous Fury Cannon, fired!
Amidst a sky of thunder not its own, the Thunderous Fury Cannon soared, its crimson electric radiance blazing brilliantly!
Defying the heavens, fighting for dignity!
Radiant Thunder Dazzles the World detonated. Ling Bai's golden hair whipped in the fierce wind, yet his figure remained poised in midair. An impassioned dragon roar echoed through the clouds. A vast, profound thunder vortex spun rapidly in the sky, electric flashes crackling and winds howling.
Amplified by Glorious Light Convergence, Radiant Thunder Dazzles the World seemed to illuminate the entire world. The crimson light pillar formed by the Thunderous Fury Cannon could not harm it in the slightest; the impact merely added another brilliance to the descending divine lightning.
The aftershocks dissipated. Xiao Hongchen collapsed limply to the ground, his body twitching continuously. He was charred black all over with smoke still rising from him. If one hadn't known who it was beforehand, it would have been absolutely difficult to recognize him.
"Brother!!!"
Meng Hongchen rushed over and knelt before Xiao Hongchen, tears welling in her eyes. "Brother, don't die... If you die, who will I bicker with?"
"Meng, I'm fine…"
Xiao Hongchen coughed out a puff of black smoke and slowly opened his eyes. He even scrambled to his feet without her help. This startled Meng Hongchen. Radiant Thunder Dazzles the World had directly washed over the Spirit Dueling Arena ground several times; how could Xiao Hongchen be completely unharmed, as if nothing had happened!
"Brother, are you really okay? This isn't just a last flare before death, is it?"
Too lazy to bother with his sister, Xiao Hongchen stared intently at Ling Bai, who had landed on the ground. His fingers quietly dug into his palm, and with trembling lips, he said, "Thanks."
Radiant Thunder Dazzles the World had destroyed his trigger-type defensive Spirit Guidance Device, yet he had only suffered some superficial injuries that would heal in two or three days of rest. This was because the Angelic Domain had formed a final light shield to protect him.
"No need."
Ling Bai shook his head and turned away. He felt nothing particular toward Xiao Hongchen; protecting him stemmed solely from the latter's special status. If he were severely injured, word would eventually reach the Sun Moon Imperial Academy, and Ning Tian and Wu Feng would likely have difficulty moving an inch then. Therefore, he had stopped at the right point; good for him, good for me, good for everyone.
A bitter smile touched Xiao Hongchen's lips as he gazed at Ling Bai's departing back. He thought he had grown, that he was qualified to break his inner demon, that his boat had already passed ten thousand mountains. In reality, it was just one mountain range connecting to another beyond.
Two years had passed, and Ling Bai's strength had transcended the limits of cultivation ranks. He could easily and effortlessly handle the peak Class 8 Spirit Guidance Device Thunderous Fury Cannon, showing an unstoppable momentum as he advanced toward becoming a powerhouse of the continent. They were clearly people from two different worlds. Xiao Hongchen could barely see Ling Bai's back anymore.
"Brother, let me help you back to rest," Meng Hongchen said softly, her eyes downcast.
"No, I'll walk myself."
Xiao Hongchen walked very slowly, the undisguised jeers of the Inner Courtyard students ringing in his ears.
"Xiao Hongchen, the Sun Moon clown!"
"Ling Bai is a Seraphim, a God-level Martial Spirit!"
"Do you even know how strong Ling Bai is? Before the Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament, he was already the number one person in the Inner Courtyard below Spirit Saint!"
"Overestimating himself, daring to challenge Ling Bai!"
"Hurry up and scram back to the Sun Moon Empire!"
"You all!!!"
Meng Hongchen clenched her fists, her chest heaving violently. In her eyes, most of these Inner Courtyard students were merely borrowing the tiger's might. Xiao Hongchen might not be a match for Ling Bai, but he could beat them until they couldn't tell north from south!
The Hongchen siblings returned to their team, enduring the booing from all directions. The Sun Moon exchange students hung their heads, their eyes as lost and uncertain as newborn children.
Xiao Hongchen scanned his companions, then suddenly barked out:
"Raise your heads!"
Everyone shuddered, lifting their heads in a daze. One student said weakly:
"Captain, the gap between us and Shrek Academy's Spirit Masters is too great. At the same rank, we're completely no match for them…"
"And then? You want to return to the Sun Moon Empire?" Xiao Hongchen retorted.
"I… I didn't mean that…"
The student's gaze flickered evasively.
"If you want to go back, I won't stop you. The following words I will only say to those who want to stay."
Xiao Hongchen took a deep breath. "Yes, I lost. We were utterly defeated. But failure is never frightening.
We are all dual cultivators of Spirit Masters and Spirit Guidance Masters. We came here precisely because Shrek Academy is better at nurturing Spirit Masters than the Sun Moon Empire. We must learn all the knowledge here to grow, and not disappoint the expectations of our homeland.
Remember the people who defeated us today, remember the people who booed and cursed us today. We still have more than two years. We will beat them back one by one, conquering our opponents with strength!"
He stood on the ground like a middle finger raised at Shrek, the defiant stance of a stubborn figure refusing to yield to oppression.
Xiao Hongchen extended a hand. Immediately, a soft, warm hand rested on his. Meng Hongchen said firmly, "I'm not going back! I must defeat that Jade Phosphor Serpent…
And by the way, have a sweet romance with Ling Bai. The stronger he is, the more I yearn to be by his side!"
"I want to beat Bei Bei!"
"I want to knock out three of Xu Sanshi's teeth!"
"I want to snatch Jiang Nannan away, she's so pretty!"
"And me…"
One hand after another, all different in size and color, stacked together. A fierce fire ignited in the hearts of these young people.
Yan Shaozhe's face seemed to be covered by a layer of gloom as he listened to these voices. The development of events seemed to differ from what he had imagined. The ten consecutive defeats not only failed to break the psychological defense of the Sun Moon exchange students but instead ignited their fighting spirit, giving them goals to strive for.
If this group of people were to return to the Sun Moon Empire, their future would surely be limitless.
Wu Ming watched the Sun Moon exchange students encouraging each other below from the spectator stands and clicked her tongue. "Sister Ruoruo, I suddenly feel like these fellows aren't so detestable anymore."
Han Ruoruo nodded slightly. "Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Imperial Academy are enemies due to their positions, but they are indeed very outstanding talents.
Shrek tried to bury them, but forgot that they are seeds.
I hope our exchange students can also be this spirited and upward-looking in the Sun Moon Imperial Academy."