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I've recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Name: 'Douluo: Martial Soul Heavenly Flame, Flame Emperor'
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Jing Hongchen mobilized massive manpower and resources to conduct a prolonged, thorough investigation into the Mingde Hall attack. Even Huo Yuhao was repeatedly interrogated, but ultimately they found nothing—no evidence of internal intelligence leaks.
The enormous black pot of the missing humanoid soul device prototype and vast quantities of rare metals could only be firmly placed on the Body Sect's head.
To divert the low morale caused by Mingde Hall's destruction, and to restore the academy's prestige, Jing Hongchen decided to hold an exchange battle competition for Huo Yuhao—who had recently gained significant attention for his astonishing soul device talent.
The rules were simple: any Sun Moon Academy student could challenge Huo Yuhao on stage. For each victory, Huo Yuhao would receive a reward of one pound of rare metal.
The reward seemed meager, but Jing Hongchen's true intention wasn't the prize—he wanted to observe Huo Yuhao's practical combat talent.
As for Gu La? Jing Hongchen didn't even ask. He didn't believe any academy student could match Gu La. Letting him compete would simply destroy the balance.
He was even beginning to worry about the next Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament—would the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy have to settle for second place again?
Looking at these two monsters, Gu La and Huo Yuhao, he felt utterly powerless.
"Never mind. There's still almost two years. We'll deal with it later," he shook his head, temporarily setting aside his worries.
The exchange competition began. Huo Yuhao and He Caitou hung an arrogant banner reading "Shrek, Number One Under Heaven," intending to attract more challengers.
Gu La didn't attend the first day. It was only after hearing that Huo Yuhao had defeated Nana—the next generation's main team member of Sun Moon Academy—that he came to watch with interest.
Huo Yuhao's opponent this round was a youth named Ji Juechen.
This man had only Level 3 innate soul power, yet through a piece of meteorite iron that merged with his martial soul, he had self-enlightened sword intent. With unimaginable willpower, he had forcibly cultivated to the Soul Emperor level. His fighting will and sword cultivation were no less than those of geniuses with full innate soul power.
In the arena, Huo Yuhao's fist intent clashed fiercely with Ji Juechen's pure, sharp sword intent—overwhelming dominance against ultimate sharpness, leaving spectators dazzled.
Gu La's gaze lingered more on Ji Juechen. This was undoubtedly a true sword prodigy. Had his martial soul quality been higher, his future achievements would have been limitless.
Unfortunately, he faced Huo Yuhao, the protagonist blessed by fate. During the intense exchange, Huo Yuhao actually broke through again on the spot—his fist intent advanced further, gradually overshadowing Ji Juechen's sword intent.
In the end, though Ji Juechen still had soul power remaining, he gracefully admitted defeat, genuinely convinced.
Seeing this, Jing Hongchen announced the result with resignation.
Gu La shook his head slightly with regret. Though Ji Juechen's sword intent was pure, he was still far from comprehending his future unique "Sword Obsession Domain."
Gu La had hoped to observe and gain insights from this, but it seemed the opportunity was lost.
The next day, Huo Yuhao found Gu La, his expression grave: "Gu La, I need your help with something."
"Oh? What is it?"
"It's about Nana," Huo Yuhao explained. "She was previously controlled by the Holy Spirit Cult. Her family suffered greatly. She herself is seen as an evil soul master's servant. The Holy Spirit Cult has a secret outpost near Ming Du—there might be many people like her imprisoned there, or some evil rituals being performed."
"She wants to destroy it, rescue her parents' souls, but lacks the strength. That's why she came to me… I think with you there, our chances would be much higher."
Nana was a somewhat gloomy girl whose martial soul was a Spectre. She stood nearby, her eyes filled with hatred and pleading: "Those evil soul masters deserve death! I'm willing to pay any price for your help!"
Hearing this, a flicker of interest appeared in Gu La's eyes.
Though it was likely just a small outpost, even a mosquito's leg was meat. The lives of evil soul masters were good nourishment for him and his Angel Spirit.
"Naturally," Gu La agreed readily. "Evil soul masters deserve to be eliminated by all. It's time to stretch my limbs."
The trio made their plan. Using Huo Yuhao's powerful simulation soul skill, they easily infiltrated the Holy Spirit Cult outpost Nana had described.
The outpost was dark and damp, filled with a faint bloody smell and evil energy. Strange runes were carved on the walls, and muffled moans of pain could be heard from the depths.
They advanced deeply, and thanks to Nana's status as a Holy Servant, they encountered no obstruction. However, just as they approached the core area, a sinister voice suddenly rang out:
"Hmph! What little rats are these? The stench on you… truly disgusting light energy!"
An old man in dark black robes, with a withered face, emerged from the shadows. He stared greedily and evilly at Nana, especially focusing on her shadow.
He was the outpost's leader—a lower-level commander revered as a Great Holy Spirit. His cultivation was around the Soul Emperor level, and he was especially sensitive to life and light energy.
"We've been discovered!" Huo Yuhao hissed, immediately preparing for battle.
But Gu La moved faster!
"Filthy insects hiding in darkness—how dare you bark!" Gu La sneered. He didn't waste words. Golden light suddenly erupted from his body.
"Angel Attachment!"
Brilliant sacred light instantly dispelled the darkness and evil in the underground cave, burning the Great Holy Spirit who let out a pained roar.
A sword of light and flame condensed in Gu La's hand. His twin wings vibrated behind him, and like a released arrow, he charged directly at the Soul Emperor-level Great Holy Spirit.
The evil soul master tried to resist with evil techniques, but Ultimate Light and Ultimate Fire's suppression against evil soul masters was too overwhelming.
His protective soul power was torn apart like butter under a hot knife before Gu La's holy sword.
"Die!"
Gu La's eyes were icy, showing no mercy. Sword light flashed.
Thud!
The evil soul master didn't even have time to fully manifest his martial soul before Gu La decapitated him.
His head flew up, still wearing an expression of disbelief and terror. His body quickly charred and dissipated in the sacred flames.
"This…" Nana stared dumbfounded. She knew Gu La was strong, but not to this extent. Her own martial soul dared not manifest before him, afraid of being burned away.
But Gu La didn't stop. Like a tiger among sheep, he charged into the other evil soul masters who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion.
He needed no fancy soul skills—just simple, direct light-flame slashes imbued with pure sacred purification power. With each sword fall, an evil soul master was completely purified amidst screams.
Huo Yuhao reacted quickly, following closely behind. He didn't choose brute force but instead unleashed Necromancy Magic—purification halos fell one by one.
He further purified and delivered the evil soul fragments scattered after Gu La's kills, preventing them from becoming evil spirits or being absorbed by other evil entities, while also purifying the souls imprisoned by them.
Nana gritted her teeth, using her abilities to deal with stragglers and various controlled Holy Servants within the outpost.
The battle was almost a one-sided slaughter. Before Gu La—a Soul Emperor with dual Ultimate Attributes that completely suppressed evil soul masters—this Holy Spirit Cult outpost couldn't organize any effective resistance.
Moreover, their elder wasn't present, which Gu La found somewhat regrettable.
In less than an incense stick's time, all the evil soul masters in the outpost were wiped out.
They then rescued several innocent soul masters who had been imprisoned and tortured to near death, and completely destroyed the outpost.
Leaving the outpost, they saw daylight again.
Nana bowed deeply to Gu La and Huo Yuhao, tears streaming down her face: "Thank you… thank you both. For me… for avenging my parents."
Huo Yuhao comforted her.
Gu La felt a hint of satisfaction from his Angel spirit soul in his spiritual sea. Though the evil soul masters in this outpost were generally low quality, the quantity made it a decent "snack."
After this incident, Nana became utterly devoted to Huo Yuhao and Gu La. Gu La had no interest in building forces, so Huo Yuhao recommended her to the Tang Sect.
This clean, efficient purge also didn't attract excessive attention from the Holy Spirit Cult's upper echelons—they simply regarded it as an accidental exposure and elimination.
The following days were uneventful.
Gu La continued immersing himself in soul device research. Ji Juechen and his little admirer Jing Ziyang became regular visitors to Huo Yuhao's training room, often seeking sparring matches.
Gu La was content with the peace—he had no desire to be pestered by that sword-obsessed man.
In the blink of an eye, it was time for the Sun Moon Empire Academy's long holiday.
Gu La had a good memory. He murmured to himself: "If I recall correctly, during this holiday, Wang Dong will visit Huo Yuhao, inviting him back to the Hao Tian Sect… then, on the Ten-Thousand Year Icy Jade Marrow Bed, the sealed Snow Empress's origin will go berserk, causing Electrolux to burn his last divine consciousness fragment and completely dissipate…"
He raised his hand. A seed with a pitch-black surface, emitting a faint deathly aura, appeared in his palm—the Flower of the Netherworld.
"A demi-god level divine consciousness… it would be a pity to let it perish. Death attribute born from Ultimate Light is a once-in-ten-thousand-years opportunity…"
Unusual light flickered in Gu La's eyes. "Using the death energy scattered during a God of Death's divine consciousness fragment's extinction to nourish this Flower of the Netherworld… what kind of avatar would be born? Truly something to look forward to."
But then he frowned slightly: "However, the Hao Tian Sect must have Tang San's divine consciousness imprint… and those two divine officials guarding it—Niu Tian and Tai Tan…"
The two Limit Douluo-level guardians didn't concern him much. Tang San—who tested Huo Yuhao but ended up becoming the villain—was the real big boss.
"Never mind," he quickly decided. "I'll send a clone. At worst, I lose one clone and this seed."
Just as he was pondering, a knock came at his dormitory door. Huo Yuhao's excited voice came from outside: "Gu La, open up! Look who's here!"
Gu La's spiritual power swept out. Outside stood Huo Yuhao, He Caitou, and… Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao!
Gu La's expression instantly froze—he had actually forgotten that at Shrek Academy, he had a little girlfriend named Xiao Xiao.
He opened the door, looking at the gracefully standing, smiling girl, and naturally opened his arms.
Xiao Xiao's cheeks flushed slightly, but she happily threw herself into his embrace.
"Long time no see. How has academy life been?" Gu La asked with a smile, as if the previous "forgetting" had never happened.
Xiao Xiao cutely stuck out her tongue: "Without you guys, Elder Xuan has been so strict! The academy's on break, Wang Dong came to see Yuhao, and I barely got permission to take a break. How has life in the Sun Moon Empire been for you?"
"Of course good," Gu La smiled. "I never let myself suffer."
Beside them, Huo Yuhao and He Caitou's lips twitched simultaneously—you definitely don't let yourself suffer, you just make others suffer!
The two embraced intimately for a while. Wang Dong finally couldn't take it anymore and interrupted:
"Gu La, Yuhao says you've been taking good care of him at the academy. We're going to my home. Do you and Xiao Xiao want to come?"
If not for Xiao Xiao's sake, he wouldn't have invited this super-bright light bulb.
Gu La, unaware of his lack of face before Wang Dong, agreed readily.
He Caitou said he needed to focus on soul engineering research and wouldn't go. Wang Dong wasn't close to him anyway, so he didn't mind.
The four went to find their team leader teacher, Fan Yu, to request leave.
Fan Yu looked at these students who gave him the most headaches but also the most pride. He finally agreed, but emphasized a warning to Gu La. "When you're outside, absolutely do not cause trouble."
Gu La nodded sincerely: "Don't worry, teacher. I never cause trouble."
Fan Yu nodded reluctantly, not believing a single word in his heart.
Jing Hongchen had complained no end about how Shrek was "inhumane," sending what kind of "madman."
After leaving Fan Yu's office, the four equipped their flight soul devices and prepared to depart.
Gu La didn't have a ready fifth-grade flight soul device on hand, so while chatting with the others, he had his clones in the Forest Sea demi-plane work urgently.
Just before departure, he presented Xiao Xiao with an exquisite fifth-grade flight soul device as a gift. Xiao Xiao was delighted, testing it happily throughout the journey.
Along the way, Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao—who hadn't seen each other for half a year—were unusually clingy, flying hand in hand. Gu La raised his eyebrows watching them—after all, Wang Dong was still dressed as a boy now.
Xiao Xiao sighed behind them: "Their feelings really are deep. If they weren't both men, they'd make a perfect couple."
Gu La nodded, curious whether by preventing Huo Yuhao's fate connection with the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, Huo Yuhao would still suffer those painful trials.
During flight, as they passed over a mountain range, sudden violent soul device explosions and battle cries came from below.
Huo Yuhao's spiritual power swept out. His expression changed slightly—he sensed Ju Zi, who had once cared for him, seemed to be in danger.
"There's trouble below. I'll go check!" Huo Yuhao decided to descend and rescue her.
Xiao Xiao took the opportunity to show off to Gu La: "Gu La, Gu La, I've been cultivating hard in the inner court! I just broke through to Soul King too—I've caught up to you!"
Gu La didn't speak. He simply silently displayed his soul rings: Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Black, Black!
Xiao Xiao's eyes widened in shock: "Six rings?! Soul Emperor?! How did you break through so fast? The cultivation environment in the Sun Moon Empire should be worse than the inner court! And why did your ring colors change?!"
"Encountered some opportunities," Gu La evaded vaguely, then changed the topic. "Since you've broken through to Soul King, we can find time to refine this 'Ultimate Wood' essence blood. Nurturing it in your heart, by the time you reach Soul Saint level, it should help your Azure Phoenix martial soul undergo a fundamental transformation."
"Huh?" Xiao Xiao was completely lost. "How… how do I do that?"
"I'll help you," Gu La said simply.
Xiao Xiao had absolute trust in Gu La. She obediently nodded: "Okay!"
By now, they had approached the battlefield. Below, a well-equipped army was pursuing a battered soul device master squad.
Faintly, they could hear the army shouting: "Capture the Crown Prince's fiancée! Reward of a thousand gold! Enfeoffment as ten-thousand-household marquis!"
"Wow! The Crown Prince's consort!" Xiao Xiao exclaimed.
Wang Dong looked at Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao said solemnly: "Below is a friend who has helped me. I owe her a debt."
He and Wang Dong exchanged a glance, then simultaneously dove down, joining the battle.
Martial Soul Fusion Skill—The Divine Truth Among The Emptiness, Spiritual Storm!
Their entry instantly reversed the battle situation.
The enemy leader was a Soul Saint named Zhao Yang, whose martial soul was a Violent Golden Bear. He was quite formidable, but under the combined assault of Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong, with Xiao Xiao interfering from the side, he was forced into retreat.
Gu La watched the battle from the air. His gaze swept over the dead and injured soldiers, feeling slight regret.
If not for Huo Yuhao's presence, he could have harvested these freshly dead souls to nourish his "Death Avatar Du An's" believers.
Now, he could only watch them dissipate on their own.
He also contributed slightly—releasing a "Solar Nuclear Fusion Explosion." A scorching flame sword beam, like a miniature sun, fell into the enemy ranks, instantly clearing a large area.
Seeing Gu La's terrifying power, Zhao Yang tried to charge over to stop him but was tightly entangled by Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong. In the end, he died under their combined attack.
The battle ended. Ju Zi walked over, sincerely thanking Huo Yuhao, but deliberately ignoring Wang Dong, who inexplicably displeased her.
She had secretly developed feelings for Huo Yuhao, but for the sake of her revenge, she had to bury those emotions deep.
Xiao Xiao's eyes sparkled with gossip. She leaned close to Gu La's ear and whispered: "What… story happened between them?"
Gu La whispered back: "Simple—hero saves beauty. Looks like this Crown Prince's consort has taken a liking to Yuhao."
Xiao Xiao covered her mouth in shock, eyes wide: "T-too exciting!"
Ju Zi only said "take care" to Huo Yuhao before leading her remaining forces away quickly.
The four continued their journey. After a long flight, they finally arrived at the Hao Tian Fortress, nestled within a range of majestic snow-capped mountains.
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