I've also recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Douluo: AFKing to Become a God
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After traversing the deep corridor lined with gleaming guillotine blades, Tang Wulin and the others entered the circular examination hall.
At the rectangular Xuan Iron table, Cai Yue'er, the Silver Moon Douluo, tapped her emaciated fingers against the surface. To her left, an elderly man in red robes sat with his eyes closed, conserving energy, while to her right, a middle-aged man in black robes adorned with golden patterns recorded something using a soul-guided device.
"Fourth trial: Specialty showcase."
Cai Yue'er's cloudy eyes swept over the group, her sharp features making her seem unpleasant. "Each person has three minutes to fully demonstrate their strengths."
"Martial souls, soul skills, spiritual power, combat techniques… anything goes."
"I'll go first."
Xie Xie stepped forward half a step, two dragon-patterned daggers leaping from his palms. Gu La could sense that Xie Xie's breathing was slightly faster than usual—though he didn't say it aloud, facing Shrek Academy's trials still made him nervous.
The Light Dragon Dagger gleamed like molten gold, while the Shadow Dragon Dagger was as dark as light-devouring shadows.
As he flipped his wrists, waves of light and darkness wove dazzling patterns in the air. "Twin martial souls, but they share a single set of soul rings. However, I can use both simultaneously to deliver attacks with opposing attributes."
Under Gu La's subtle influence, Xie Xie didn't rigidly display his soul skills but instead explained his strengths and weaknesses as he demonstrated.
Cai Yue'er's weathered face twitched. Without consulting the others, she evaluated, "A peculiar pair of light-and-dark dual weapon-type martial souls. Poor control, sluggish elemental manipulation, and superficial combat techniques filled with predictable patterns. Eight points."
Xie Xie felt dissatisfied but didn't dare show it, retreating sullenly.
Xu Xiaoyan bit her lip and stepped forward, an icy crystal forming at the tip of her star-wheel ice staff.
"Martial soul: Star-Wheel Ice Staff. It exhibits absolute control during the night."
"Absolute control…" Cai Yue'er's pupils contracted slightly, but she sneered, "Only effective under the moon and starlight? Useless. Seven points."
Xu Xiaoyan turned and stuck out her tongue secretly before obediently standing next to Gu Yue.
Tang Wulin took a deep breath and stepped forward, releasing his Blue Silver Grass vines, which had mutated under the influence of the Golden Dragon King's bloodline, now adorned with golden patterns.
"Mutated Blue Silver Grass? That's not enough for Zhuo Shi to take you as a disciple. Don't hold back—show your true abilities. Attack me."
Cai Yue'er's words startled the other two examiners, who focused intently on Tang Wulin, eager to see what made him special.
Tang Wulin swung his right arm, and a dragon's roar echoed through the room. The Golden Dragon Claw tore through the air with golden radiance.
Cai Yue'er initially paid no mind, but to her surprise, the destructive essence of the Golden Dragon Claw was extremely high, tearing spider-web cracks into a soul power barrier equivalent to a Soul King's defense!
BANG!
Fragments of the barrier flew everywhere. Instinctively, Cai Yue'er flicked her sleeve in retaliation. Tang Wulin slammed into the wall like a broken kite, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, but his right hand, covered in golden scales, remained tightly clenched.
Cai Yue'er frowned at the torn sleeve. "An immensely powerful dragon bloodline. Ten points."
"Captain!"
The others rushed forward to check on him. Fortunately, Tang Wulin's tough constitution meant the blood he spat wasn't indicative of serious injury—it wasn't even a minor wound.
Even so, everyone was furious, glaring at Cai Yue'er with clear dissatisfaction.
Cai Yue'er realized she had overstepped, but admitting fault or apologizing was out of the question. Her position represented Shrek Academy—how could she possibly be wrong?
"He's not dead. Continue the trial."
Tang Wulin waved his hand to indicate he was fine and returned to the lineup to continue the examination.
Gu Yue gracefully stepped forward, causing the elements in the examination hall to erupt. A fiery bird of flames formed on her left shoulder, green cyclones of wind wrapped around her fingertips, snow lotuses bloomed beneath her feet, and jagged rocks materialized in front of her.
"Martial soul: Elementalist."
The four elements resonated harmoniously like a symphony, converging into a chaotic orb in her palm.
"Control of the four elements, the Heart of Elements!"
The red-robed elder who had kept his eyes closed suddenly opened them wide. Cai Yue'er rose directly to her feet, her withered hair moving without wind. "Gu Yue, enter the inner court and become my disciple. All trials will be waived!"
Gu Yue dispelled her control over the four elements, her expression indifferent. "No need. The outer court is sufficient for me."
Cai Yue'er furrowed her brows at first, then relaxed them. "It doesn't matter. You can still become my disciple and continue studying in the outer court."
"She already has a teacher."
Gu La stepped forward half a step, shielding Gu Yue, his vertical golden pupils glowing dangerously.
Having read the original work, he had always disliked Cai Yue'er. Despite her advanced age, she acted like a spoiled child, doing whatever pleased her.
Like Zhou Yi, the only reason she hadn't been dealt with was because Shrek Academy protected her. Otherwise, she would have been eliminated long ago.
"I'm asking Gu Yue!"
Cai Yue'er unleashed her 96th-level pressure like a tsunami. Gu Yue's hair whipped wildly, but her body remained completely still amidst the storm of soul power.
"No."
Cai Yue'er acted as if she hadn't heard, continuing stubbornly, "With your talent, entering the inner court would save you a lot of time and allow you to craft two-word battle armor sooner. Are you refusing?"
Gu Yue simply chose not to respond.
She held no regard for Cai Yue'er's status—it was meaningless to reviving the spirit beast race. As for her strength, it was inferior even to the weakest ferocious beast under her command.
Seeing Gu Yue's silence, Cai Yue'er summoned a crescent-shaped moon shadow behind her. "Do you understand what you're rejecting? Inner court discipleship, direct tutelage from the Silver Moon Douluo—these—"
"Is the examiner a demi-god?"
Gu La snorted, Groudon's presence instantly enveloping him.
The Desolate Land Ability created a blazing sun, its radiant sphere possessing an innate suppression that pushed back the overwhelming aura of a Super Douluo. "Or are you planning to forcibly snatch away a disciple of the Spirit Pagoda's vice-tower master?"
The entire examination hall fell deathly silent.
"You're Leng Yaozhu's disciples?" one examiner suddenly realized.
Upon hearing the familiar name, Cai Yue'er snapped angrily, "Disrespectful brat!" The moon wheel abruptly contracted into a pale crescent blade, her voice squeezed through gritted teeth: "Are you threatening Shrek Academy?"
"Just stating facts. Or interpret it however you wish." Gu La ignited a pale flame on his fingertip, idly manipulating its color. The heat distorting the air caused both male examiners to blanch simultaneously.
Cai Yue'er, enraged, retracted her pressure. "Fine, fine, fine. Fourth and fifth trials—you all receive zero points. Let's see how you pass the trials."
By this point, right or wrong no longer mattered. Someone had dared to defy her openly. Her dignity and Shrek Academy's honor could not be tarnished!
"Are you sure?"
Gu La tilted his head, examining the other two examiners. He extinguished the flame on his fingertip, fiddling with his nails as if casually remarking, "Then I'll just inform my teacher that a certain old hag is targeting her. From now on, all spirit souls purchased for the students she oversees will cost double."
He raised his head, feigning fear. "Don't drag Shrek Academy into this—I'd be scared."
His mocking tone dripped with sarcasm. Dealing with Cai Yue'er didn't even require him to lift a finger.
Raising prices for all of Shrek Academy's students would escalate tensions between the two factions. But targeting Cai Yue'er alone would inevitably lead to mutual concessions.
In the end, whoever ended up losing face or being labeled as bullying the weak wouldn't be Gu La.
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