Papal Palace – Wrath of the Pope
In the vast Papal Palace of Martial Soul City, the marble cracked under the slam of Bibi Dong's scepter.
"Exposed already? You useless fools!"
The shuddering wave of spirit power blasted through the chamber, hurling Yueguan and Ghost several steps back. The two Title Douluos staggered, coughing blood, pain etched across their bodies.
Hu Liena, dressed in her elegant silver robes, immediately stepped forward. Her voice was sweet but determined. "Teacher, please. Sword Douluo and Poison Douluo appeared together. It cannot all be blamed on the two Elders."
Her bright golden eyes glimmered faintly. She had heard of Lu Yuan too many times, whispered about as a monstrous prodigy. Even as part of the Golden Generation of Spirit Hall, Hu Liena wondered—was this boy truly as terrifying as rumored? Her ambition flickered, her desire to see—no, to measure—him burning silently inside.
Bibi Dong's harsh gaze shifted to her disciple, then away. With a curt snort, she slammed the scepter back into the marble. "Hmph. Get out of my sight."
"Yes, Your Holiness!" Yueguan and Ghost bowed stiffly, their bodies still trembling, and fled before her wrath could shift again.
Left alone with her thoughts, Bibi Dong's perfect lips curled upward slightly. "Even Dugu Bo… even the Unrivaled Dragon and Snake would move for him. Very good. Very, very good."
Her eyes glowed cold. "It seems, Lu Yuan… fate itself insists on putting you in my path."
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect
Within the grand chamber of the Qibao Liuli Sect, Ning Fengzhi sat in his carved chair, issuing steady commands with Gu Rong standing by.
"Carry out the arrangements exactly as I said. We must monitor Martial Soul Hall's movements day and night. The moment new intelligence arises, I want it reported immediately."
"Yes, Sect Leader!" the disciples from both the inner and outer halls responded.
As they left, Ning Fengzhi turned to Gu Rong sharply. "Has there been any word from Uncle Jian recently?"
Gu Rong folded his arms. "There has. And the news is alarming. Martial Soul Hall dispatched not one, but two Title Douluos against Lu Yuan."
Ning Fengzhi's expression tightened almost imperceptibly. His cultured tone finally snapped. "Martial Soul Hall! Truly, they dare strike so brazenly, for him?!"
Lu Yuan—this boy was not merely talented. He was the jewel the entire sect had been waiting for, the one whose brilliance eclipsed even their greatest disciples. That Martial Soul Hall had already placed eyes on him, to seize him alive no less, enraged Ning Fengzhi beyond measure.
"Is Xiaoyuan unharmed?" he asked darkly.
Gu Rong snorted. "Of course he's fine. If that brat had fallen, do you think I'd be standing here calmly? I'd already have stormed Martial Soul Hall myself!"
Ning Fengzhi finally relaxed, tension slipping slightly from his shoulders.
"Oh, and one more thing," Gu Rong added. "Sword Douluo reports that even Prince Xue Qinghe sent forces this time. Two Contras, no less."
"The prince?" Ning Fengzhi furrowed his brow. Why would Xue Qinghe intervene for Lu Yuan? What is the relationship between those two?
It made no sense… but one thing was certain. The entire continent was becoming entangled with this boy.
Ning Fengzhi's voice firmed. "Very well. Our outer disciples will remain eyes and ears. Martial Soul Hall will not give up so easily. Their interest in Lu Yuan cannot be allowed to advance unchecked."
Star Luo City – Ripples
Half a month later, a luxurious carriage finally rolled away from Star Luo City.
With its departure, the entire capital city let out a collective sigh of relief. For two weeks, their homes had sat under the shadow of a deity's battlefield—Sword Douluo, Poison Douluo, Ghost Douluo, Chrysanthemum Douluo, Dugu Bo, the Dragon and Snake couple… more Title Douluos than Star Luo City had seen in centuries, all clashing above their heads.
Now, quiet. Peace returned.
And then new gossip spread like wildfire:
The marriage between Third Prince Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing of the Zhu family had been dissolved.
The empire buzzed. Some shook their heads. Some smiled. Most whispered. Few truly pitied Dai Mubai—his reputation was already shredded long ago. But most laughed quietly in their tea at the results: Zhu Zhuqing had walked away free, and inevitably, she was now bound to Lu Yuan.
Lu Yuan himself had not given the matter much thought. He only knew that after a sip of wine, Kitty was smiling brighter than before. That was the only thing that mattered.
As for the how or why? He cared little.
Across from him in the carriage, Chen Xin sat upright, glaring openly at the sight of Lu Yuan leaning comfortably against not one, but two girls' shoulders.
"You little bastard…" Sword Douluo muttered with cold sharpness. "Can you not rub it in front of a senior's face?"
Lu Yuan blinked lazily, then smirked. "You jealous old man? Don't like it? Then fight me for it."
Chen Xin's hand twitched against his hilt. Damn child dares mock me now…
For the first time in decades, Sword Douluo sincerely despised acting as a bodyguard.
Shrek Academy – Dragoness With a Jar
Meanwhile, back in the relatively peaceful Shrek Academy… chaos brewed anew.
Ton, ton, ton… haaah!
The sound of heavy drinking echoed inside a secluded dorm room. Liu Erlong sat against the wall, two enormous wine jars cradled in her arms, her fiery hair falling wildly around her flushed face.
Her eyes were sharp, fierce, and… clouded by equal parts rage and wine.
Twice she had fought Lu Yuan. Twice she was flattened. Her proud soul screamed at the humiliation.
She had replayed the losses again and again in her head. And every single time… he was drinking.
That was it.
The secret! It was the wine!
Her lips peeled back in a feral grin as she drank straight from the jar. "Ha! So that's how it is! Lu Yuan—you drunken little punk—you only beat me with booze boosting you. Then fine! I'll drink you under the table and smash you in a fight! Let's see who wins then!"
The liquor ran down her chin as she raised the jar higher, draining it in a defiant gulp.
Teachers' Nightmare
Flander peeked through the cracked door, his eyes widening. Liu Erlong swayed like seaweed with every sip, murmurings turning sharper.
"Damn brat… next time… slap you to the ground… again and again!"
Flander backed out carefully. "Xiao Gang, what's happening to Erlong lately?"
Yu Xiaogang pinched his nose bitterly. "I don't know. I really don't. She wasn't like this before. Drinking every day, muttering about Lu Yuan…" His scholarly face was wrinkled in defeat.
The worst—after she drank, she wanted to spar.
That wouldn't be horrible—if she didn't mistake sparring for full-force dueling. The last session ended with half the teaching building in pieces and Dai Mubai laid up with splints.
The whole student body now scurried like mice whenever Liu Erlong appeared with a jar in hand.
"She's possessed…" Flander whispered.
Yu Xiaogang barked back, "Then you persuade her next time!"
"Me?!" Flander nearly coughed blood.
"The last time I tried," Yu Xiaogang continued grimly, "she accused me of peeking at her, then slammed me into the courtyard until Zao Wou-ki dragged me out unconscious!"
Zao Wou-ki crossed the hall as though summoned, only to be grabbed by the collar.
"Boss F! There you are! Spar with me!" Liu Erlong shouted, her eyes blazing red with fire—and alcohol.
Zao Wou-ki's face fell flat. "Sister Erlong, that's Flander."
But her grip on his shoulder tightened like steel hooks. There was no escape. Not today.
Zao Wou-ki sighed miserably. I miss Soto City… lying back on my recliner, days quiet and peaceful. And now? Every other day I'm this Tyrannosaurus's moving sandbag.
Flander grinned quickly. "Zao Wou-ki! Be a man, help your brother out this time."
Zao Wou-ki closed his eyes in despair. Two rules of sparring Liu Erlong: one, don't hurt her; two, no fighting near the classrooms or half the academy explodes.
And then—a resigned murmur escaped his lips. "Ugh… fine."
From above, the night filled with the sound of Liu Erlong's drunken curses, thunderous roars… and the poor cries of Shrek teachers caught in the storm.
--
Unlock 50 exclusive advanced chapters for just $10 – don't miss out! Check the synopsis/description for the link! 🚀
Loved this fic? 🔥 Then you'll absolutely binge my other hits — "Douluo Dalu: Ten Thousand Years Early System!" & "Douluo Dalu: My Harem System is Bugged!" — don't miss out!