The primeval forest of Douluo Dalu was a battlefield awash with tension, the air thick with the scent of blood and the hum of soul power. Zhu Hao, the golden-furred pig bear, stood at the heart of the chaos, his round body a deceptive mask for the fierce power within.
Surrounded by a team of soul hunters, their formation tightening like a noose, Zhu Hao faced the bald leader's lunging panther claws. The hunter's smug grin promised victory, but Zhu Hao's eyes glinted with sly defiance. "Think you've got Lord Pig cornered? Think again!"
"Spider Web!" Zhu Hao roared, his mouth unleashing a shimmering golden web laced with venomous green light. The five-meter-wide net surged forward, enveloping the bald man mid-pounce. He had no time to react.
"Argh!" he screamed as the corrosive poison seared his skin, smoke rising from his body as he thrashed in agony.
"Big Brother!" the scar-faced second-in-command cried, his voice laced with shock. The other hunters froze, stunned by Zhu Hao's cunning. He'd played weak, luring them into overconfidence—a classic case of pretending to be a pig to devour a tiger.
No time to waste. "Double Scythe!" Zhu Hao activated his next divine ability. His bear claws extended, morphing into gleaming, pitch-black scythes that shimmered with deadly intent.
Chi la! One scythe hooked the bald man's neck, slicing clean through. A fountain of blood sprayed as his head soared, tumbling through the air before hitting the ground with a sickening thud.
"Killed one person, Energy +5, Experience +5."
No pause to check the Light of the Pig God notification. Zhu Hao's other scythe slashed downward, severing the chain binding his thigh.
With a powerful kick, he launched himself into the air, his golden body spinning like a deadly top. The twin scythes formed a lethal arc, aimed straight at the scar-faced man.
"Ah!" Scarface screamed, raising his arms in a desperate block. Chi chi chi! Blood sprayed as both arms were cleaved off, followed by his head, which sailed into the sky. Zhu Hao landed, his scythes dripping crimson, the forest floor stained with the aftermath of his fury.
"One killed, Energy +5, Experience +4."
The sound of blood dripping—pata, pata—echoed like a death knell. The remaining hunters stood paralyzed, their faces pale, eyes wide with terror. Zhu Hao's small, golden form was no longer cute but a harbinger of doom. The atmosphere froze, no one daring to move.
Old Fifth, his bowstring trembling, held an arrow aimed at Zhu Hao, his hands shaking so violently he could barely keep it steady. Indecision tormented him—release the arrow or retreat?
Whoosh! His trembling hands betrayed him, and the arrow flew. "No!" the hunters gasped, the fragile stalemate shattered. Zhu Hao's scythe flashed, deflecting the arrow with a dang.
"Run!" someone screamed, and the team scattered like roaches, their courage gone with their leaders' heads.
"Spider Web!" Zhu Hao spat two more venomous webs, snaring the two fastest runners. Chi la! His scythes followed, cutting them down in an instant.
"One killed, Energy +2, Experience +1."
"One killed, Energy +2, Experience +1, Divine Ability: Storm Bow."
"Lord Soul Beast, spare us!" the trapped hunters wailed, collapsing to their knees, heedless of the poison burning their skin. Zhu Hao's eyes were cold. Mercy? They'd hunted him for his soul ring. Chi chi! Two swift slashes ended their pleas.
"One killed, Energy +2, Experience +1."
"One killed, Energy +2, Experience +1."
One hunter remained, sprinting thirty meters away in a blind panic. Zhu Hao's eyes narrowed, his body a golden blur as he chased. The man, a mere Soul Scholar with no soul ring, turned and saw Zhu Hao blocking his path. "No, Grandpa Bear, please spare me!" he cried, dropping to his knees, kowtowing until his forehead bled. The bang bang of his head against the ground was almost rhythmic.
"You wanted to kill Lord Pig," Zhu Hao said, his voice icy. "There's a price for that." Chi! A scythe flashed, and the man's head rolled, his final scream cut short.
"One killed, Energy +1, Experience +0.1, Divine Ability: Ink Soul Spear."
Zhu Hao exhaled, his body shrinking back to its chubby, golden self as he deactivated his divine abilities. Plopping onto the ground, he summoned the Light of the Pig God to check his haul:
Light of the Pig God
Name: Zhu Hao
Race: Little Pig Bear
Level: 1 (Energy 0/10, Experience 0/10)
Energy: 19.1053
Experience: 13.2021
Divine Abilities: Boundless Strength, Spider Web, Twin Scythes (Energy 0/10, Experience 0/10)
Backpack: Black Chicken Beak, Storm Bow, Ink Soul Spear (Energy 0/1, Experience 0/1)
"What a haul!" Zhu Hao's chubby face split into a grin. The energy and experience were massive, but he frowned at the diminishing experience gains. "Killing the same type—humans or beasts—drops the experience? That's gonna slow my leveling." He shrugged. "Whatever. Time to cash in!"
"Level up!" he commanded. A vibrant green light enveloped him, warm and invigorating, like soaking in a spring of pure life. His muscles strengthened, his bones gleamed like jade, and his golden fur shimmered with a tougher, glossier sheen.
His blood roared like a mighty river, pulsing with power. "Lord Pig's on the path to sainthood!" he crowed, feeling his strength multiply tenfold. He was now a match for a 100-year soul beast, capable of crushing a Soul Grandmaster like the bald man with a single blow.
Light of the Pig God
Name: Zhu Hao
Race: Little Pig Bear
Level: 2 (Energy 0/100, Experience 0/100)
Energy: 7.1053
Experience: 1.2021
Divine Abilities: Boundless Strength, Spider Web, Twin Scythes (Energy 0/10, Experience 0/10)
Backpack: Black Chicken Beak, Storm Bow, Ink Soul Spear (Energy 0/1, Experience 0/1)
With experience to spare, Zhu Hao eyed his backpack. Black Chicken Beak didn't appeal—too weird. But Storm Bow and Ink Soul Spear? Those screamed potential. "Let's grab 'em!" he decided, unlocking both.
Light of the Pig God
Name: Zhu Hao
Race: Little Pig Bear
Level: 2 (Energy 0/100, Experience 0/100)
Energy: 7.1053
Experience: 1.2021
Divine Abilities: Boundless Strength, Spider Web, Twin Scythes, Storm Bow, Ink Soul Spear (Energy 0/10, Experience 0/10)
Backpack: Black Chicken Beak (Energy 0/1, Experience 0/1)
"Ink Soul Spear!" Zhu Hao summoned the new ability. A sleek, black spear materialized in his paw, its form flickering between solid and ethereal, its tip radiating a chilling aura. "Lengthen!" The spear stretched.
"Thicken!" It grew stout. "Thin!" It slimmed down.
Zhu Hao laughed, waving it experimentally. "Long, short, thick, thin—perfect for Lord Pig's arsenal!" With a thought, the spear dissipated, ready to be summoned again.
He tested Storm Bow next, conjuring a sleek bow that crackled with wind energy. A single pull sent a gust through the trees, leaves swirling in its wake. "Oh, yeah," Zhu Hao grinned. "This'll blow 'em away."
The forest was quiet now, the bodies of the soul hunters scattered around him. Zhu Hao's heart raced with exhilaration, but a nagging thought lingered.
The hunters had mistaken him for a 100-year soul beast, but his power was growing far beyond that.
What other dangers lurked in Douluo Dalu? And how would he navigate this world as a pig bear with a penchant for slaying both beasts and men?
For now, he'd revel in his victory. "Lord Pig's just getting started," he muttered, his eyes scanning the trees for his next challenge. Somewhere out there, more soul beasts—and maybe more hunters—awaited. And Zhu Hao was ready to show them all who ruled this forest.
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Will Zhu Hao's growing power draw even deadlier foes? Or will Lord Pig carve his legend across Douluo Dalu?