I've also recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Douluo: Seven Kill Shock the World
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"Big Brother Chu, thank you so much for this!"
Oscar spoke with heartfelt gratitude.
"Stop being so sentimental! Alright, I still need to cultivate. You two go cool off somewhere and don't disturb my cultivation."
Waving his hand, Chu Chengzhou began to shoo them away.
The changes in the two after consuming the immortal herbs were well within his expectations—nothing surprising there.
Ma Hongjun: ". . ."
Oscar: ". . ."
Both gave Chu Chengzhou a middle finger before turning to leave.
"Oh, Fatty, I have something to tell you."
Suddenly, Chu Chengzhou called Ma Hongjun back.
"Big Brother Chu, just say it! If there's anything you need me to do, I'll definitely handle it perfectly!"
Ma Hongjun immediately patted his chest in assurance.
"Very good! Fatty, Dai Mubai always looked down on your phoenix. But now that your martial soul has evolved, once you advance to the Soul Elder stage, challenge him a few times. Let him know what it means to 'look at someone with new eyes after three days!'"
Patting Ma Hongjun's shoulder, Chu Chengzhou smiled.
Even though some of Ma Hongjun's soul power was hidden, he would still be no match for Dai Mubai, who was currently at Level 38. However, Dai Mubai wouldn't be able to do much against Ma Hongjun either.
Because Ma Hongjun's Magma Fire Phoenix was not only a powerful offensive martial soul but also a flying-type one.
As long as his third soul ring included a flight skill, during battles, Ma Hongjun could fly into the air, continuously spewing flames from a distance while carefully avoiding Dai Mubai's second soul skill, the White Tiger Roaring Light Wave. This would essentially place him in an unbeatable position.
Being unable to deal with a former classmate he used to mock and look down upon—and knowing that over time, the gap between them would only narrow, even reversing entirely—was undoubtedly a bitter pill to swallow.
Upon hearing this, Ma Hongjun paused, studying Chu Chengzhou for a moment. Then, realization dawned on his face. "No problem! Big Brother Chu, I'll make sure Dai Mubai sees my strength!"
"Mm, go ahead!"
Satisfied, Chu Chengzhou nodded and returned to his room.
"Fatty, what do you think Big Brother Chu meant by that?"
Oscar couldn't help but ask Ma Hongjun.
"What do you mean?"
Ma Hongjun smirked lecherously. "Little Ao, you should've noticed by now. Big Brother Chu doesn't get along with Dai Mubai."
"Mm."
Oscar nodded. There was no need to say it—he could see it clearly too.
"But you definitely didn't notice that Big Brother Chu has his eyes on Zhu Zhuqing!"
Looking around to ensure no one was nearby, Ma Hongjun whispered.
"Really? Fake or real?"
Oscar's eyes widened.
"How could it be fake? Little Ao, if it were you, wouldn't you be angry if someone stole your love?"
"It'd definitely be infuriating."
"Besides Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, have you seen Big Brother Chu guiding anyone else's cultivation?"
"No, I haven't."
"With Zhu Zhuqing's fiery figure, what man wouldn't like her?"
"I guess not."
"So there you have it! Big Brother Chu doesn't get along with Dai Mubai, and Zhu Zhuqing has such a hot body. Plus, she's technically Dai Mubai's fiancée. If you were Big Brother Chu, wouldn't you have thoughts?"
Ma Hongjun said with a lecherous grin.
Instantly, Oscar had an epiphany.
So this was why Big Brother Chu wanted Fatty to do this—it was all to strike at his rival!
But as for Chu Chengzhou preparing to use Ma Hongjun to undermine Dai Mubai, Oscar had no objections. In fact, he was quite pleased about it.
Though Dai Mubai entered Shrek Academy earlier than Chu Chengzhou, and they became classmates sooner, their relationship with him wasn't particularly close—in fact, it was rather strained.
There was no other reason; it was because their spirit skills—the lewd sausage and Ma Hongjun's evil fire—were things Dai Mubai, a proud noble, looked down upon.
Chu Chengzhou, on the other hand, was different. Though he didn't mingle much with them—spending most of his time cultivating or chasing girls—he had helped them significantly.
When guiding Oscar to create sausages, he eliminated the need to recite those embarrassing spirit skill incantations. He also took them to the Great Spirit Arena to make money, and now he'd given them precious immortal herbs. Such a leader was surely thousands of times better than that Dai Mubai!
---
Three days later.
Early that morning, Chu Chengzhou and Xiao Wu set off on the summoned Fire Phoenix Xiao Hong, heading back to Nuoding City to visit their grandparents.
Meanwhile, Ma Hongjun and Zhu Zhuqing, whose soul power levels were stuck at Level 30, were taken by Flender to the Sunset Forest to acquire their third soul rings.
As for Ning Rongrong, she requested leave from Liu Erlong and returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Before leaving, Chu Chengzhou gave Ning Rongrong the Nine Treasure Purple Zoysia, instructing her to bring it back as a gift for her future father-in-law.
"Brother, we've been out for more than a year now. Do you think Grandma and Grandpa miss us?"
High up in the sky, riding toward Nuoding City, Xiao Wu nestled in Chu Chengzhou's arms on Xiao Hong's broad back and asked.
"They definitely miss us!"
Rubbing Xiao Wu's shoulders, Chu Chengzhou replied.
"Of course! I'm much closer to Grandma than you are."
Recalling her kind grandmother, Xiao Wu couldn't help but smile.
"Tsk~, don't kid yourself. Grandma is only close to you because you're my child bride."
Chu Chengzhou couldn't resist teasing her.
"Nonsense! That's not true at all!"
Pinching Chu Chengzhou's soft flesh at his waist, then giving him a 180-degree twist, Xiao Wu huffed angrily.
"Alright, alright, whatever you say goes. Just let go."
"Hmph~, you're so thick-skinned, how could pinching hurt you?"
"Then pinch away. Whatever you do to me, I'll take it as a sign of deep affection."
A cheesy pick-up line escaped Chu Chengzhou's lips.
"Disgusting!"
A blush quickly spread across her cheeks. Embarrassed, Xiao Wu punched Chu Chengzhou directly.
"Don't mess around! We're flying in the air—if we fall, it's game over!"
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The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Inside the main hall of the sect, Ning Fengzhi was busy handling sect affairs.
Suddenly, a disciple hurried into the hall.
"What is it?"
Without looking up, Ning Fengzhi asked.
"Sect Master, the young lady has returned."
The disciple who entered reported.
"Oh? So the little troublemaker has returned?"
Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi paused, putting down his work and looking up at the disciple with surprise.
"The young lady hasn't arrived at the sect yet. She just left Lan Ba Academy not long ago."
"Does anyone know why this little troublemaker came back?"
Ning Fengzhi asked, puzzled.
After all, his beloved daughter had supposedly run away from home. Why would she return without having fun outside?
"This subordinate doesn't know, but the young lady seemed cheerful when she left Lan Ba Academy. She likely wasn't mistreated."
"Mistreated? Hah, it's already good if that troublemaker doesn't bully others. Who dares to bully her?"
Ning Fengzhi sneered. His little princess was the young lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—an unruly existence. Who dared to mistreat her?
He had secretly arranged many guards outside the academy and written to Flender for assistance. Ning Fengzhi didn't believe anyone would dare to bully his precious daughter.
However, this particular old father had clearly forgotten that bullying wasn't limited to physical dominance.
His beloved daughter had nearly been eaten alive without his knowledge!
An hour later, a graceful figure walked into the hall.
"Hey, isn't this our runaway troublemaker? Have you finally come back?"
Looking at his daughter, who had grown taller after half a year, Ning Fengzhi teased with a smile.
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong's previously joyful expression instantly vanished.
"Hmph, I didn't come back to see you! I came back to see Sword Grandpa and Bone Grandpa!"
Glaring at her father's teasing expression, Ning Rongrong grew irritated and coldly snorted, stubbornly insisting.
"Haha, my girl, it's your father's fault. You've been gone for half a year, and I've missed you dearly!"
Smiling, Ning Fengzhi stood up and strode forward to hug his precious daughter.
But Ning Rongrong nimbly turned and avoided him.
"Miss me? I think you were glad I wasn't home!"
Ning Rongrong pouted, clearly still upset about her father's earlier teasing.
"How could that be? My girl, you must have misunderstood your father. You're my little princess—I treasure you more than anything!"
Ning Fengzhi chuckled, ruffling his daughter's head.
"I don't believe you unless you give me a gift!"
Her big eyes darting mischievously, Ning Rongrong said slyly.
"Alright, alright, just a gift? Go ahead and name it, and I'll definitely get it for you!"
Ning Fengzhi thumped his chest confidently.
"What if you can't get it?"
Seeing her usually shrewd father fall into her trap, Ning Rongrong inwardly laughed, pretending disbelief.
"Uh, my girl, don't make things difficult for your father. As long as you've seen it, I'll definitely get it for you!"
After hesitating for a moment, Ning Fengzhi limited the scope of the gift.
Otherwise, if this troublemaker demanded a ten-thousand-year soul bone, where would he find one?
"Really?"
"Absolutely true!"
Ning Fengzhi smiled and nodded.
"Then I want a Beautiful Silk Tulip!"
Ning Rongrong declared without hesitation.
She didn't believe her father actually had an immortal herb!
"Beautiful Silk Tulip? What is that? A tulip?"
Ning Fengzhi was confused.
"So ignorant!"
Ning Rongrong rolled her eyes smugly.
Though she hadn't known what Beautiful Silk Tulip was before, that didn't stop her from showing off to her father using the information gap.
"Ignorant? What ignorance?"
At this moment, a robust voice echoed from outside the hall.
Turning their heads, Ning Rongrong saw two elders enter.
One had an ancient appearance, white hair and beard, but a baby-like face. The other had a square face, a sturdy build, and an unusually tall frame. Both exuded profound auras and immense strength.
"Sword Grandpa, Bone Grandpa! I've missed you so much!"
Spotting them, Ning Rongrong sweetly called out and ran forward to embrace her doting grandfathers.
"My darling, my little treasure, you've finally returned! Sword Grandpa has missed you so much!"
Chen Xin embraced his precious granddaughter, speaking softly.
Rongrong looked up: "Really?"
"Of course it's true! Don't believe me? Ask your Bone Grandpa."
Chen Xin's expression turned serious as he hastily replied.
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong blinked her clear, big eyes and looked at her Bone Grandpa.
"Rongrong, your Sword Grandpa is right, but the one who misses you the most is your Bone Grandpa!"
Stroking his chin, Gu Rong chuckled and nodded, though he didn't forget to elevate himself.
"Nonsense! It's obvious I miss Rongrong more."
Chen Xin completely disregarded Gu Rong, directly countering him.
"You're the one talking nonsense, Rongrong. Don't listen to him. Your Bone Grandpa loves you the most.
You've been away for so long, and your Bone Grandpa has missed you dearly!"
Gu Rong shoved Chen Xin's arm aside and pulled his precious granddaughter into his own embrace.
Watching his old rival dote on their granddaughter, Chen Xin unusually refrained from mocking.
Hmph, for the sake of my precious granddaughter, this Douluo will let you, old bones, off the hook this time!
"By the way, Rongrong, what did you mean earlier about ignorance?"
Chen Xin asked Ning Rongrong.
"Of course it's Papa who's ignorant! He promised me a gift, saying he'd get me anything I've seen. I asked for a Beautiful Silk Tulip, and he didn't even recognize it!"
Ning Rongrong stuck out her tongue, playfully saying.
"Beautiful Silk Tulip?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Xin and Gu Rong exchanged glances.
They knew what tulips were, but this Beautiful Silk Tulip? They had no idea.
"Rongrong, tell your father what this Beautiful Silk Tulip is, and I'll immediately send someone to buy it for you!"
Ning Fengzhi spoke up.
This sect master might not know what Beautiful Silk Tulip was, but he had money—loads of it. With his financial prowess, he was confident he could buy whatever special tulip it was!
"Hmph~, Papa, you definitely can't buy it!"
Ning Rongrong raised her head proudly.
"Why not?"
"Because the world's only Beautiful Silk Tulip has already been eaten by me!"
Ning Rongrong declared proudly.
Instantly, Ning Fengzhi's expression turned awkward.
Clearly, his financial prowess still had its limits.
"Hahaha"
Seeing Ning Fengzhi's embarrassed expression, Chen Xin and Gu Rong couldn't help but laugh.
"Sword Grandpa, Bone Grandpa, guess what my current soul power level is now?"
Ning Rongrong turned to the two elders.
"Soul power level? When you left home, you were a Level 26 Soul Grandmaster. After half a year, could it be that you've reached Level 28?"
Examining his precious granddaughter, Chen Xin guessed.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda martial soul was somewhat special. Without releasing the martial soul or showing soul power fluctuations, even titled Douluo couldn't see through the soul power of a Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda spirit master.
"And you, Bone Grandpa?"
Ning Rongrong smiled and looked at Gu Rong.
"I guess Rongrong is at Level 29!"
Gu Rong stated confidently.
When Rongrong left home, she was at Level 26, but not at the beginning stage. Normally, after half a year, she should be at Level 28. However, since the girl was boasting now, it definitely wasn't that simple. Most likely, she had reached Level 29.
"Hmph, let me tell you. I've already reached Level 30! And most importantly—"
Puffing out her chest, Ning Rongrong proudly declared.
Chen Xin, Gu Rong: "Level 30?"
Ning Fengzhi: "Most importantly, what?"
The three almost spoke at the same time, though Chen Xin and Gu Rong were surprised, while Ning Fengzhi was curious.
"Ding ding ding ding~, take a good look at my martial soul!"
A dazzling nine-colored light blossomed as Ning Rongrong raised her Nine-Treasure Glazed Pagoda.
"Just a Seven-Treasure Glazed Pagod—uh, nine-layered, nine-colored, Nine-Treasure Glazed Pagoda?!"
Initially somewhat dismissive, Ning Fengzhi's eyes widened upon seeing the nine-layered, nine-colored Nine-Treasure Glazed Pagoda in Ning Rongrong's hands.
Unbelieving, thinking his eyes might be playing tricks on him, Ning Fengzhi rubbed his eyes and looked again.
But what met his eyes was still the nine-layered, nine-colored Nine-Treasure Glazed Pagoda!
Once certain, Ning Fengzhi was overwhelmed with excitement.
Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that his lifelong dream had already been realized in his beloved daughter. This happiness truly came too suddenly!
It wasn't just Ning Fengzhi who was excited. Chen Xin and Gu Rong were equally thrilled. Staring at the pagoda in Ning Rongrong's palm, they were momentarily speechless.
They understood very well what the Nine-Treasure Glazed Pagoda meant.
The martial soul's evolution could boost a spirit master's talent. The Seven-Treasure Glazed Pagoda evolving into the Nine-Treasure Glazed Pagoda meant that their precious granddaughter, who was already born with an innate Level 9 soul power, would now have talent surpassing full innate soul power.
And full innate soul power meant that, barring untimely death or martial soul restrictions, one was destined to become a titled Douluo—there had never been an exception.
In other words, their precious granddaughter would no longer be restricted to Level 79 as a Soul Sage but could reach the nine-ring titled Douluo realm!
"Papa, Sword Grandpa, Bone Grandpa, aren't I amazing?!"
As the brilliance faded and Ning Rongrong retracted her martial soul, she proudly declared.
"Rongrong, quickly tell your father why your martial soul became the Nine-Treasure Glazed Pagoda!"
Forcing himself to calm down, Ning Fengzhi eagerly questioned.
"It's because—I ate the world's only Beautiful Silk Tulip!"
Ning Rongrong giggled.
Instantly, the three exchanged glances.
"What exactly is this Beautiful Silk Tulip?"
At this moment, Ning Fengzhi was extremely curious about the Beautiful Silk Tulip.
"Beautiful Silk Tulip is just Beautiful Silk Tulip. It was given to me by Senior Chu."
Ning Rongrong blushed slightly.
That scoundrel Chu had said that the Beautiful Silk Tulip was an early betrothal gift!
"Senior Chu? Is that your classmate, Chu Chengzhou?"
Seeing his precious daughter's expression, Ning Fengzhi immediately sensed trouble and quickly asked.
Based on the intelligence he had gathered, this classmate of his daughter, Chu Chengzhou, already had a girlfriend.
The young lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect absolutely couldn't be a third party.
Thinking this way, Ning Fengzhi raised his guard.
"Huh? How did you know, Papa?"
Ning Rongrong was suspicious.
"My little treasure, your whereabouts have always been under your father's watch!"
Gu Rong chuckled.
"Hmph, Papa's the worst!"
Realizing that her movements during her runaway period had been under her father's control, Ning Rongrong was displeased.
"Haha, my little princess, how could your father rest easy knowing you were out alone?"
Chen Xin chuckled, patting Ning Rongrong's head.
"Even so, it's unacceptable. But this time, I won't hold it against you! I've come back for important matters!"
Unsatisfied, Ning Rongrong rolled her eyes at her father and then spoke seriously.
"Oh? Important matters?"
"Mm-hmm, besides telling Papa and the two grandfathers about my martial soul's evolution and adding my third soul ring, the most important thing is this!"
As she spoke, silver radiance flashed around Ning Rongrong, and the Silver Cloud Armor materialized abruptly.
"!!!"
Seeing Ning Rongrong, who had been dressed like a princess just a moment ago, transform into a valiant female warrior in the blink of an eye, the abrupt change in style shocked Ning Fengzhi and the others so much that their eyes nearly popped out.
"Rongrong, where did you get this spirit-guided armor?"
Lightly tapping the Silver Cloud Armor, Ning Fengzhi curiously asked.
"Papa, this isn't any spirit-guided armor. It's called the Silver Cloud Armor, and it was also given to me by Senior Chu!"
Shaking her head, Ning Rongrong proudly declared.
Her demeanor resembled that of a love-struck girl showing off her beloved to her elders.
"That Chu Chengzhou again?"
Ning Fengzhi raised his eyebrows, his guard rising further.
"Rongrong, you said this isn't spirit-guided armor?"
Carefully examining the Silver Cloud Armor, Chen Xin asked Ning Rongrong.
"Mm-hmm, my Silver Cloud Armor is actually quite similar to ordinary armor—it's just made of different materials and has a unique design."
"Different materials? Fengzhi, can you tell what metal it's made of?"
Clicking his tongue, Chen Xin turned to ask Ning Fengzhi.
Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "I can't tell, but none of the mines under our sect have this.
After all, there's no visible spirit-guided array on this armor. Even rare-metal armor shouldn't be wearable in the blink of an eye."
"Papa, you're wrong again! My Silver Cloud Armor is made of a rare metal called Cloud Titanium. I got the material from the Seven Treasures Chamber in Suotuo City!"
Ning Rongrong smiled.
Once again, the usually shrewd father suffered another blow. The mischievous little cotton jacket in his heart was secretly delighted.
"What? Cloud Titanium?!"
Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi's eyes widened.
The mining industry was undoubtedly one of the most crucial economic pillars under the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Plus, due to the limitations of his martial soul, Ning Fengzhi's soul power advancement had long stagnated. With plenty of free time, he was very familiar with the sect's industries and had some understanding of the rare metal Cloud Titanium.
However, if he remembered correctly, although Cloud Titanium was lightweight and sturdy, making it excellent material for armor, it didn't have the characteristic of instant wearability.
Could Cloud Titanium alone forge such an extraordinary-looking armor before his eyes?
Ning Fengzhi: Impossible, absolutely impossible!
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