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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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Time passed without notice, and soon it was the early hours of the morning.
On the swing in the courtyard, two people were whispering quietly.
Suddenly, an unexpected change occurred.
Turning his head, Chu Chengzhou saw that the Crimson Flame Spear martial soul hovering in front of Su Nan had suddenly erupted in dazzling crimson flames.
Following this, amidst those crimson flames, a majestic shadow resembling the king of all birds emerged.
Chirp!
Accompanied by the cry of a phoenix, the shadow burst into roaring Phoenix Flames, illuminating the entire yard.
Gradually, the phoenix shadow dissipated, revealing a long spear adorned with patterns resembling phoenix feathers. The spearhead seemed reminiscent of a phoenix's breath, glowing in a fiery golden color.
'Top-tier offensive martial soul?'
Seeing this, Chu Chengzhou raised his eyebrows and smiled.
He could sense that after consuming the immortal herb, Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, his grandfather Su Nan's originally barely high-quality Crimson Flame Spear had transformed into a top-tier offensive-type weapon spirit.
Of course, there were still differences among top-tier martial souls.
Chu Chengzhou estimated that this fiery golden spear, adorned with many phoenix features, was still inferior to the legendary number one weapon spirit, the Hao Tian Hammer.
"Grandpa, congratulations!"
Chu Chengzhou stepped forward to congratulate him with a smile.
He could see that his grandfather's gains were not limited to the transformation of his martial soul; his original soul power level of 47 had also risen to 50, reaching quasi-Soul King status.
"Little Chengzhou, what exactly is this Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower? Why has my soul power increased so much, and even my martial soul evolved?"
Su Nan was utterly shocked at this moment.
The world wasn't devoid of herbs that could boost soul power levels—he had heard of many before. However, such enhancements through external substances often came with significant drawbacks, like damaging one's foundation or lifespan.
But he could clearly feel that not only had his foundation and lifespan not been harmed, but his cultivation potential had significantly improved, and he even felt younger.
Most importantly, even his martial soul had evolved!
A mere herb could evolve a martial soul?
What kind of mystical object was this Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower—is it something from legend?
"Grandpa, you don't need to know what it is—just know it's good stuff!"
Chu Chengzhou chuckled and didn't elaborate further.
Hearing this, Su Nan gave Chu Chengzhou a deep look, then nodded.
As one of Nuoding City's 'big shots,' he wasn't foolish. He understood the principle of accumulating wealth quietly. If he blabbed about such a treasure, trouble would surely follow.
More than half an hour later, Grandma Li Wan had also refined the medicinal properties of the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid.
Similar to Su Nan, after consuming the immortal-grade herb, her Green Jade Orchid martial soul, due to its high compatibility with the herb, had transformed into a top-tier auxiliary martial soul. Moreover, her original Level 38 Soul Master rank had advanced to a Level 40 quasi-Soul Ancestor.
---
The next day, near noon.
In the room, Xiao Wu was teasing Chu Chengzhou by tickling his nose with her scorpion braid.
Feeling the itch, Chu Chengzhou woke up from his deep sleep.
Opening his eyes, Xiao Wu's smiling face came into view.
"Lazy pig, wake up... mmph..."
Before Xiao Wu could finish speaking, Chu Chengzhou pulled her into his arms, rolled over, and kissed her deeply.
Last night... no, it should be early this morning, within his illusion, another girl's soul underwent a transformation, becoming a true woman.
Dressed in a fairy-like crystal princess gown and tempting white silk stockings—the childhood bride he had nurtured for so long, he had finally claimed her halfway.
After a long while, they parted lips.
"Shall we relive that experience again?"
Licking the corner of his mouth, Chu Chengzhou hinted suggestively.
"Mmm~"
Blushing, Xiao Wu shyly nodded, then pouted.
"Not that kind of reliving~"
With that, Chu Chengzhou released his spiritual energy, pulling Xiao Wu's consciousness into the illusion.
Since that night when Grandpa Su Nan and Grandma Li Wan consumed the immortal herbs, ascending their soul power by ten whole levels and transforming their martial souls into top-tier Phoenix Spear and Jade Orchid, respectively, the two elders spent three days consolidating their soul power. Afterwards, Chu Chengzhou took them to the Star Dou Forest to hunt for souls.
The process went smoothly. With Chu Chengzhou's strength, arranging a soul ring over 13,000 years old for his grandparents was as easy as pie. Adding an extra thousand years beyond the optimal ratio, combined with part of the hidden soul power from refining the herbs, Su Nan directly ascended to a Level 52 Soul King, and Li Wan reached a Level 43 Soul Ancestor.
The elders differed from Chu Chengzhou and Xiao Wu. Although they also had ultimate techniques for body tempering, their capacity to handle soul rings was far below that of Chu Chengzhou and Xiao Wu at the same level.
On one hand, their age led to a decline in bodily functions, and on the other, their earlier soul ring configurations were much lower compared to the two.
Take Su Nan, for instance. His configuration (yellow-yellow-yellow-purple) was nowhere near optimal, let alone comparable to Chu Chengzhou and Xiao Wu.
Though Li Wan achieved a yellow-yellow-purple configuration, it was only in terms of color. The actual years were far from their limits—one ring at 200 years, the second at 400 years, and the third just over 1,000 years. Combined, these amounted to only about 1,600 years, less than even some third-rank Soul Masters' third soul rings.
Without the accumulation of previous soul rings, and needing to compensate for past deficiencies, the limit of soul rings the elders could handle naturally became much lower.
After teaching the Nine Breaths Qi Absorption Technique to the elders, Chu Chengzhou left Nuoding City with Xiao Wu.
As for other techniques, Chu Chengzhou didn't teach them. The elders needed methods to cultivate soul power, physique, and spirit power. Currently, the techniques for physical and spiritual cultivation hadn't been upgraded yet!
Taking a half-month leave, Chu Chengzhou returned to Lan Ba Academy.
Upon entering the academy, they happened to meet Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, who had already returned.
Seeing them, Ning Rongrong hurried over: "You're finally back! Hmm? Xiao Wu, you look so beautiful!"
Blinking, Ning Rongrong scrutinized Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu's appearance was no longer the cute style of a scorpion braid and pink princess dress. Instead, she wore a single ponytail, a crystal princess dress, and crystal shoes, resembling Xiao Wu's outfit five years after the Soul Master Competition in the original story.
"Really? Beautiful, right? My brother dressed me up!"
Hearing the compliment from her little sister, Xiao Wu happily twirled around.
"Not bad, not bad! It seems Brother Chu's taste has improved! Xiao Wu, come clean—are you being nourished by love?"
Chuckling mischievously, Ning Rongrong pinched Xiao Wu playfully.
"Pfft! Who's being nourished by love? You naughty little witch, stop harassing me! If you want to harass someone, go bother Zhu Zhuqing!"
Blushing slightly, Xiao Wu slapped away Ning Rongrong's mischievous hands and glanced at Zhu Zhuqing.
Nourishment from love? There was none, of course—it was all within the illusion, not real.
"Huh, Zhu Zhuqing, your soul power..."
Suddenly, Xiao Wu looked astonished at Zhu Zhuqing.
"My soul power has reached Level 37 Soul Elder!"
Zhu Zhuqing said gratefully, glancing at Chu Chengzhou.
Before consuming the Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone, her soul power was only at Level 28 Soul Grandmaster!
After adding the third soul ring, her soul power jumped to Level 37 Soul Master, saving her several years of cultivation time based on her previous pace.
"Hehe~, thanks to Brother Chu's immortal herb, after adding my third soul ring, my soul power also directly reached Level 36 Soul Master. It scared my two grandfathers quite a bit!"
Glancing at Chu Chengzhou, Ning Rongrong chuckled.
It wasn't just Chen Xin and Gu Rong who were startled—even she herself was surprised.
"So much? I remember before you two ate the immortal herbs, you were only 27th and Level 28 Soul Grandmasters!"
Xiao Wu couldn't help but gasp, covering her mouth in astonishment.
Including the increase from adding the third soul ring, the two girls had advanced a whopping nine levels in soul power?
"Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, how many years are your third soul rings?"
Chu Chengzhou asked.
"I added a 1,900-year-old Bi Guang Tree soul ring. The effect of my third soul skill is soul power amplification—I can now boost 40% of your strength, speed, and soul power!"
Ning Rongrong proudly tilted her head.
"I have a 2,000-year-old Shadow Leopard soul ring, gaining a single-target attack soul skill."
Zhu Zhuqing also revealed details about her third soul ring.
"Both around 2,000 years? Seems like my Body Tempering Fist has some effect!"
Chu Chengzhou nodded satisfactorily.
Although ordinary soul masters' third soul ring limits were around 1,700 years, close to 2,000, this so-called limit referred to powerful beast martial souls of quasi-Soul Masters, like Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
For supportive Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda or agile Shadow Cat spirits, especially considering women generally having slightly weaker physiques than men, adding a 1,500-year-old third soul ring was already considered excellent.
Of course, a 1,500-year-old soul ring versus a 2,000-year-old one didn't make a huge difference.
Without qualitative changes like from 90 to 100 years or 900 to 1,000 years, a few hundred more years in a soul ring merely meant a slightly higher soul power boost upon advancement and marginally better soul skills. Benefits existed, but before the snowball grew larger, they weren't too significant.
Late at night, unable to sleep and deprived of 'love nourishment' for half a month, Ning Rongrong came knocking again.
"Rongrong, tonight you can't sleep because you're thinking of me again?"
Closing the door, Chu Chengzhou teased.
"Tsk~, who would think of you, you big jerk?!"
Rolling her eyes, Ning Rongrong feigned denial.
Suddenly recalling something, Ning Rongrong said earnestly: "After my dad ate the Nine Treasure Purple Zoysia you gave him, his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul turned into an Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Thank you!"
"Is that so? Then how will you thank me, Rongrong?"
Licking the corner of his mouth, someone began to demand favors.
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong blushed slightly, closed her eyes shyly, presenting herself for the taking.
Seeing this, Chu Chengzhou stepped forward, wrapped his arms around the girl's waist, and lifted her gently.
In the illusion.
Underneath the starry sky, a pure white auspicious cloud floated above an endless sea of clouds.
Atop the cloud, the youth tilled the soil while the maiden sang.
Suddenly, the young man's expression changed abruptly, freezing in place.
Noticing the youth's abnormality, the maiden couldn't help but look suspicious.
"What's wrong?"
Ning Rongrong, flushed, asked Chu Chengzhou.
"Xiao Wu is here!"
"Eh, Xiao Wu is here?!"
Instantly, Ning Rongrong's face turned pale with panic.
Ning Rongrong: It's over, I'm going to get caught!
Although nothing happened between them in reality, and their clothes were neatly arranged, it was still the dead of night. She would find it hard to explain to her little sister why she was in Chu Chengzhou's room.
"Don't make a sound for now, follow my lead!"
Saying this, Chu Chengzhou dispelled the illusion.
"Brother, are you inside?"
Hearing Xiao Wu's voice outside the door, Chu Chengzhou immediately spread his spiritual energy to envelop Ning Rongrong, then pointed under the bed, whispering: "Rongrong, hurry, hide under the bed!"
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong hesitated.
If Xiao Wu caught her now, although difficult to explain, she still had a chance. But if discovered hiding under the bed, there would be no explanation.
However, aside from hiding under the bed, there didn't seem to be any other places to hide. Biting her lip, Ning Rongrong crawled underneath.
"Coming!"
Scanning the area to ensure nothing was amiss, Chu Chengzhou quickly got out of bed and opened the door.
"Brother, were you doing something inappropriate in your room? Why did it take so long to open the door?"
Inspecting Chu Chengzhou's dormitory and probing with her spiritual awareness, Xiao Wu looked suspicious.
She had heard from Ning Rongrong that some boys were quite 'evil'—without a girlfriend, they liked to stay in their rooms and do things themselves.
"Inappropriate? No, I was cultivating just now!"
Chu Chengzhou felt a bit guilty but outwardly remained calm, pulling Xiao Wu into the room.
"Really?"
Blinking, Xiao Wu was skeptical.
"Why are you looking for me so late?"
Pulling Xiao Wu closer, Chu Chengzhou spoke softly.
"Brother~"
"Hmm?"
"Love me~"
Arching her head, Xiao Wu whispered faintly.
When a girl actively seeks affection, how could he possibly refuse?
Immediately, Chu Chengzhou scooped Xiao Wu up and walked toward the bed, releasing his spiritual energy to pull her consciousness into the illusion.
Meanwhile, in the illusion engaging Xiao Wu in foreplay, Chu Chengzhou split off a portion of his consciousness to speak in reality: "Rongrong, it's safe, come out!"
At this moment, Chu Chengzhou realized that creating the illusion technique using cheats was indeed a brilliant decision!
Crawling out from under the bed, Ning Rongrong cast a somewhat guilty glance at her little sister whose consciousness was still in the illusion, glared fiercely at Chu Chengzhou, and fled the room in haste.
Chu Chengzhou: "…"
Clicking his tongue, Chu Chengzhou felt a bit regretful.
Perhaps it was due to insufficient strength or the low level of the illusion technique—he currently couldn't create two illusions simultaneously. Otherwise, it might have been possible to handle both girls together?
Pfft! I, Chu Chengzhou, am a gentleman. How could I think like that? This is really inappropriate!
Deciding this, Chu Chengzhou focused all his attention back into the illusion.
---
The next morning.
Chu Chengzhou, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong were training their bodies in the forest mimetic training field within the academy.
Lan Ba Academy had stricter rules than Shrek's—students needed to study various courses in the morning, with the afternoon reserved for free training.
However, exceptions always existed. For talented students, special treatment could be given. As long as they weren't slacking off, they could apply for free training.
At this moment, a student unexpectedly ran over, saying that Principal Liu Erlong wanted to see Chu Chengzhou and Ning Rongrong.
No questions asked—when the principal summoned, one had to comply.
When Chu Chengzhou and Ning Rongrong arrived at Liu Erlong's office, they found not only Liu Erlong, Flender, and Zhao Wuji present, but also two other figures.
One appeared dignified, aged around thirty to forty, elegant and gentle, leaning on a cane.
The other was an elderly man with white hair and beard, but a baby-like delicate face, exuding an extremely profound aura.
'Isn't that my father-in-law and Sword Douluo?'
Although he hadn't met them before, Chu Chengzhou immediately guessed their identities.
"Dad, Sword Grandpa!"
True enough, Ning Rongrong sweetly called out upon seeing the two.
"Greetings, Sect Leader Ning, Sword Douluo!"
Chu Chengzhou promptly bowed.
Instantly, Chen Xin's eyes narrowed slightly, unreservedly scanning Chu Chengzhou with a piercing gaze, making him feel a bit uneasy.
Though he knew Chen Xin wouldn't harm him—otherwise, Ning Rongrong wouldn't be present—facing a titled Douluo still made him feel immense pressure.
"Friend, no need for formalities. Principal Liu, may we borrow your premises?"
Waving his hand, Ning Fengzhi addressed Liu Erlong and the others.
"Of course, no problem!"
Realizing Ning Fengzhi wanted to discuss private matters with Chu Chengzhou, Liu Erlong immediately nodded, stood up, and left the office with Flender and Zhao Wuji.
Trusting Ning Fengzhi, Liu Erlong wasn't worried—after all, the leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Sect wouldn't harm a junior like Chu Chengzhou.
Moreover, with Sword Douluo Chen Xin accompanying Ning Fengzhi, even if they intended to make things difficult for her student, she was powerless to stop them.
"Sect Leader Ning, may I ask why you've summoned me?"
Knowing the man was a cunning fox, Chu Chengzhou cut to the chase.
"Friend… hmm, nephew, may I address you as such?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled.
"Uncle Ning, you're Rongrong's father, so of course you can!"
Chu Chengzhou immediately seized the opportunity, addressing him as 'uncle.'
Previously 'Sect Leader Ning,' now 'Uncle Ning,' future father-in-law—no issues!
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin couldn't help but twitch their lips.
Calling you 'nephew,' and you call me 'uncle'? Young people nowadays are indeed interesting (and shameless)!
"Nephew, please sit!
Previously, you helped Rongrong evolve her martial soul into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and later assisted me in evolving mine into the Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Such great kindness cannot go unacknowledged. If there's anything you need, feel free to mention it!"
Ning Fengzhi took the initiative, gesturing for Chu Chengzhou to sit, then expressed his gratitude sincerely.
"Uncle Ning, Rongrong is my classmate. Please don't dwell on it."
Waving his hand, Chu Chengzhou casually dismissed it.
Currently, he truly didn't need anything. Even if he did, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Sect likely couldn't provide it.
Moreover, asking for conditions outright would be beneath him.
Hmm, I don't need anything else. Just promise to give me your beloved daughter someday!
Seeing this, Ning Fengzhi raised his eyebrows, his gaze growing increasingly satisfied.
"If that's the case, nephew, feel free to ask if you encounter difficulties in the future."
Recognizing the young man's tact, Ning Fengzhi committed to remembering this favor and promised accordingly.
"Thank you, Uncle Ning!"
Chu Chengzhou nodded with a smile.
"Nephew, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Sect is one of the three major sects on the continent, protected by two Douluos. What do you think of our sect?"
Unsurprisingly, Ning Fengzhi's old habit kicked in—upon seeing a genius, he thought of recruiting them into his sect.
"I understand your meaning, Uncle Ning, but I currently have no plans to join a sect.
However, rest assured, Rongrong and I are classmates and friends. If I ever consider joining a faction, I'll prioritize the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Sect."
Pretending to hesitate, Chu Chengzhou declined.
"What a pity!"
Seeing Chu Chengzhou reject the offer, Ning Fengzhi looked regretful.
He had observed the changes in his beloved daughter after consuming the Kirin Tulip—her level increased significantly without side effects, her martial soul underwent transformative evolution, and her cultivation talent showed clear improvement.
If Chu Chengzhou could give his beloved daughter such treasures, he must have consumed similar ones himself, perhaps even better ones.
After all, it wouldn't make sense to give good things to others without keeping some for oneself, right?
Thus, in Ning Fengzhi's eyes, Chu Chengzhou was a super genius destined to become a titled Douluo.
Even though Ning Fengzhi's intelligence was outdated, assuming Chu Chengzhou was an 18-year-old youth rather than the actual 14-year-old.
However, Ning Fengzhi quickly composed himself.
Though he couldn't recruit Chu Chengzhou into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Sect, with this connection, they might still become allies in the future.
Moreover...
Ning Fengzhi subtly glanced at his beloved daughter beside him.
He wondered whether his dear daughter had unrequited feelings or if the young man before him was thinking of juggling two relationships?
Born into nobility, Ning Fengzhi himself was once (and still is) a notorious flirt in Tian Dou City. He didn't mind men having multiple wives.
However, when such matters involved his beloved daughter, this old father couldn't tolerate it.
Unless Chu Chengzhou became a superpower on the continent, one of the top few, he absolutely wouldn't agree.
"By the way, nephew, I'm very interested in the spirit-refined armor you craft. Would you consider selling us the forging method? Name your price—I won't haggle."
Five million gold spirit coins per set of spirit-refined armor was unaffordable even for someone as wealthy as Ning Fengzhi.
But if it was the forging secret, no matter how expensive, Ning Fengzhi was willing to buy.
After all, a single set of armor could benefit only one person, whereas possessing the forging secret would allow the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Sect to produce them independently. Even if Chu Chengzhou demanded an outrageous sum like 100 million gold spirit coins, Ning Fengzhi could still bear it.
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