Douluo: Unlocking the Great Secrets of the Human Body, Becoming a Heavenly Demon

"We... have no problem with that either." Tang Wulin's gaze was resolute. He felt they could not kick someone while they were down at a time like this. Without Bai Xu and the Ice Staff Youth, they would not have received this immense surge of spiritual power from the heavens.

Faint white light began to emerge from the three spirit beast corpses, slowly drifting onto Bai Xu, the Ice Staff Youth, Tang Wulin, and the others. The spiritual power halos around them swelled dramatically.

The Ice Staff Youth spoke. "My sister and I are leaving the Spirit Ascension Platform. We gained quite a lot this time. My name is Xu Xiaoyu, and my sister is Xu Xiaoyan. What's your name? I'd like to be friends with you."

"Bai Xu, from Spirit Transfer Academy."

The two shook hands and chatted. Fighting side by side felt good.

"I've heard of you, the Spirit Pagoda's top genius. I'm from the Xu Family of Eastsea City. I'll come find you for a spar when I have the chance. See you again."

"See you!"

Bai Xu waved as he watched Xu Xiaoyu leave, then turned toward Tang Wulin and the others with a smile. "This is already our second meeting, so there's no need for introductions. Are you going to continue exploring?"

Tang Wulin froze, asking in surprise, "You still want to go deeper in your current condition?"

"Mm, I do. Those spirit beasts chased me down this time, and it was lucky that I ran into you. Otherwise, it would have been difficult for me to kill them in return. Thank you."

"It's nothing. We received a huge reward too."

"If there's nothing else, I'll be going first. Low-level spirit beasts will gather here soon. Good luck!" Bai Xu called out before vanishing into the forest.

Watching Bai Xu's departing back, Xie Xie sighed. "That guy's pretty friendly. He was actually willing to split such a huge amount of spiritual power with us. That Xu Xiaoyu wanted to steal our spiritual power at first."

Gu Yue explained, "His teacher is Leng Jiuming. Like Teacher Wu, he came from Shrek Academy. I heard Leng Jiuming's ideals clashed with Shrek's traditional philosophy, so he never entered the inner court."

"Huh? His ideals didn't match?" Tang Wulin was somewhat surprised. Could that really be a reason?

Gu Yue nodded and continued, "Leng Jiuming doesn't understand the meaning of the Shrek Seven Devils. In his eyes, there can only be one true powerhouse. So-called teamwork is nothing more than children's play before the strongest beings in the world, not fit for the grand stage."

"Wow, he doesn't even think much of the Shrek Seven Devils. That's incredible!" Xie Xie was impressed despite not really understanding why.

Tang Wulin said, "Stop standing around. We need to work hard. Right now, even the Shrek Seven Devils are far beyond our reach."

By nightfall, Bai Xu was finally unable to withstand the spirit beasts' encirclement. Countless Hundred-Year Soul Beasts trapped him to death atop a mountain peak, forcing him to leave the Spirit Ascension Platform.

This trip to the Spirit Ascension Platform had increased his soul spirit's age by two thousand years, and the power of his soul skills had also risen greatly. His Third Soul Skill, Mental Domination (allowing him to mentally invade Soul Masters or spirit beasts with lower spiritual power and thereby control their bodies), had played a major role in the latter half of the battle.

Bai Xu awoke from the machine to find Leng Jiuming waiting in the room. He said, "I watched the recording of your Spirit Ascension Platform trial. Very good. Although relying on others midway through was somewhat imperfect, I can still give you a high score."

Leng Jiuming was very gratified. This child knew how to adapt and would not blindly follow everything he said. Several Thousand-Year Soul Beasts were not something a Soul Elder who had just reached Rank 30 could handle. If Bai Xu had insisted on resisting alone, the Man Faced Demon Spider would have caught up with him the moment he stopped, leaving him no time to gather strength and unleash a Metal Element Attack.

This child has grown up. No, he's had the bearing of an adult for a long time.

Leng Jiuming cleared his throat. Just as he was about to arrange tomorrow's trip to the Small Fishing Village Outside Eastsea City in the Outer Sea, his Soul Guidance Communication began to chime.

A virtual screen appeared, and a message popped up: Spirit Transmitter Leng, due to my important duties, I am unable to personally guide my disciple Gu Yue. Please guide her for a time before she goes to Shrek City. Deputy Tower Master of the Spirit Pagoda, Leng Yaozhu.

Leng Jiuming's brow filled with confusion and resentment. "She wants to get something for nothing? She's giving me no resources at all and expects me to teach her disciple. So what if she's a Limit Douluo?"

He patted Bai Xu and asked, "Do you think I should guide her?"

Bai Xu hesitated. "Well... this concerns your future promotion and salary raise, Teacher. You should probably at least put on a show. Otherwise, you might end up staying here for the rest of your life."

"Teacher Leng."

A cool voice made Bai Xu and Leng Jiuming both freeze. Gu Yue had apparently been waiting outside the Spirit Ascension Platform workshop of the Spirit Pagoda all along!

"Y-you... why are you here?" Leng Jiuming was dumbfounded. He hurriedly composed himself and said, "Ahem. You came at just the right time. Tomorrow, I'll be taking my student Bai Xu to the Small Fishing Village in the Outer Sea outside Eastsea City to settle an Evil Soul Master murder case. Since Her Excellency Heavenly Phoenix asked me to guide you, get ready. You'll come with us tomorrow."

"Okay, Teacher."

Bai Xu's eyebrows twitched wildly as doubts filled his heart. Why isn't the Silver Dragon King staying with the Golden Dragon King? Why did she come here? Could the soul attack that day have caught her attention?

Though he was suspicious and confused, Bai Xu could not reveal the slightest flaw on the surface. He said cheerfully, "Welcome, new classmate."

"That's right, welcome, new classmate. It's getting late. Go back and pack up. We'll leave early tomorrow morning!" With that, Leng Jiuming vanished from the spot.

As for Heavenly Phoenix Douluo, he could only pray that Gu Yue would not repeat those words to her. Otherwise, he might be forced into early retirement.

Bai Xu calmly walked past Gu Yue, preparing to go home and rest. Yet just as he was about to step out of the Spirit Pagoda, that cool voice came again. "Bai Xu, I have a question for you."

Bai Xu's mouth twitched slightly. He turned around with a hint of confusion on his face, pretending to be utterly puzzled. "What is it?"

"About your first Martial Soul, I want to know what is special about your Mental Attack. My head has still been faintly hurting since last time. I wanted to ask if there's anything you can do about it?" Gu Yue truly treated Bai Xu like a nine-year-old child, probing him indirectly.

Bai Xu's acting was flawless. In an exceptionally innocent and puzzled tone, he replied, "There's nothing special about my Sky Eye Martial Soul, and I can only use the most basic Mental Attack. As for your headache, you should ask Teacher Leng. Maybe he has a solution."

Gu Yue did not get the answer she wanted. After a long pause, she simply replied, "Okay," and the two went their separate ways home.

The next day

Bai Xu and Gu Yue had long been waiting outside the Spirit Pagoda, yet Leng Jiuming was nowhere to be seen. The two gradually began to talk.

"Aren't you studying at Eastsea Academy? Why did you come to seek guidance from Teacher Leng?" Bai Xu asked.

"Eastsea Academy is on break." Gu Yue remained as cool and detached as ever, gazing into the distance down the street.

"Oh."

The atmosphere was awkward. The two were not familiar with each other and could not even be considered friends. After exchanging a few brief words, they fell silent.

Gu Yue was somewhat puzzled. Bai Xu possessed two Martial Souls: one was the Sky Eye, while the other was Gold Element Control. Logically speaking, neither should be capable of strengthening the body.

Yet Bai Xu gave her the feeling of a vast ocean. He was usually quiet and calm, but beneath the sea lay boundless power. Once something stirred that body, he would immediately erupt with unimaginable strength.

This was different from Tang Wulin. If Gu Yue were to sense Tang Wulin, she would describe him as having blood and vitality like a dragon, immense strength, and ferocity and brutality buried deep within his bloodline.

Bai Xu, on the other hand, appeared calm as still water. Yet if he truly stirred up towering waves, they would become a devastating natural disaster.

And that power did not belong to a Soul Master.

"Sorry, the meeting ran long. The higher-ups have already decided to hand me the authority to execute this Evil Soul Master. Come on, I'll take you to see something!" Leng Jiuming suddenly appeared with a beaming smile. Escaping that tedious meeting seemed to have put him in an excellent mood.

He added mischievously, "By the way, that Evil Soul Master is only six years old! A child who was judged to possess an Evil Spirit immediately after awakening his Martial Soul."

Gu Yue and Bai Xu were both greatly shocked.

What did it mean to be judged as possessing an Evil Spirit? They could only raise their cultivation by slaughtering living beings in the future. They posed an enormous threat to ordinary people and Soul Masters alike. Being judged to possess an Evil Spirit was equivalent to receiving a death sentence.

Seeing the confusion and incomprehension on Gu Yue and Bai Xu's faces, Leng Jiuming explained, "When it comes to Evil Soul Masters, even a six-year-old child cannot be spared!

According to the report submitted by the Spirit Transmitter over there, that child killed three nearby fishermen the instant he awakened. Evil Spirits can fight above their level. Someone who had only just awakened was already able to make Soul Grand Masters above Rank 20 feel a measure of fear. We will never allow such a person to remain alive in this world."

"You must not pity him because of his appearance. That would only harm others and yourselves. This is also a test for you. Understand?"

Gu Yue and Bai Xu nodded in response. Bai Xu did not feel much sympathy, only curiosity. Gu Yue was equally unconcerned; all she could think about was the Golden Dragon King, or the strange spiritual power within Bai Xu.

The three took a Soul Guidance Train to Eastsea Dock, then boarded a ship for the Outer Sea.

Soul Guidance technology in the modern human world was highly advanced. Humanity had occupied nearly 99 percent of the continent's resources, but when it came to the ocean, people still retained a sense of fear.

The sea spirit beasts were simply too numerous, and there was no shortage of top-tier powerhouses among them. It was said that a cruise ship carrying a Titled Douluo had once been attacked on its route to the Star Luo Empire, and no one survived.

However, the living space of sea spirit beasts had also been compressed. Due to humanity's year-round activity in the coastal regions and the presence of powerful experts, some sea spirit beasts with even a little intelligence had long moved into the deep sea. The coastal ecosystem had already been destroyed and was no longer suitable for habitation.

The Small Fishing Village was located on an isolated island in the Outer Sea. The people there made their living by fishing year-round and supplied fresh seafood ingredients to certain high-end restaurants in Eastsea City. Most of the island's residents were Soul Master Initiates with poor talent, unable to obtain even their first soul ring in their entire lives. Their Village Chief was the only powerful person there who possessed a soul ring.

Because of the island's inconvenient transportation and the clan-based traditions that had been upheld for thousands of years, the place remained unenlightened. Its residents were unwilling to use Soul Guidance technology, and the entire village still followed the Village Chief as it had in the past, stubbornly clinging to outdated ways.

When Leng Jiuming and his group stepped onto the island, the person who came to receive them was not the Spirit Transmitter stationed here to conduct Martial Soul awakenings, but an old man leaning on a cane.

Seeing such distinguished visitors, the old man swayed as he staggered over, dropped to his knees, and cried out, "Lord Spirit Messenger, you've finally come! Something terrible has happened!"

When Leng Jiuming saw that the Spirit Transmitter was absent and heard the old man's cries, he immediately sensed that something was wrong. His expression changed slightly. "What happened? Speak truthfully, quickly!"

"My lord, last night, the imprisoned Evil Soul Master was taken away. Lord Zhang Xiao, who remained here on guard, was also killed. We are useless, my lord!"

The old man cried bitterly. Though he appeared to take the blame upon himself, he was actually playing the victim and speaking with hidden meaning. Hearing this, Bai Xu immediately felt that this trip had become extremely troublesome.

"Old man, who took away the Evil Soul Master? Who killed the Spirit Transmitter of my Spirit Pagoda? Tell me everything at once!" Leng Jiuming snapped angrily, grabbing the old man by the collar and lifting him up.

"My lord, we don't know! The scene is still there. Please go take a look quickly."

With a grim expression, Leng Jiuming set the old man down. "Lead the way!" He then turned and warned, "You two, don't run around. Stay behind me."

The group followed the old man toward the village on the island.

From afar, black smoke could still be seen rising from the village. Only when they approached did they discover that part of it had been destroyed. The fire had already been extinguished by the villagers, but judging from the remnants at the scene, a fierce battle had clearly taken place here.

The villagers had covered the Spirit Transmitter's body with a white cloth. Leng Jiuming approached and pulled it aside. The swollen skin was covered in blue spots, and there was a tiny wound on the abdomen. He had died from poison.

"This poison doesn't seem like it came from an Evil Soul Master?" Leng Jiuming was puzzled. The case had suddenly become riddled with questions.

Bai Xu and Gu Yue stepped forward voluntarily and saw the horrifying corpse as well. Gu Yue turned her head away, unwilling to look any longer, while Bai Xu asked, "Teacher, are there any clues?"

Leng Jiuming shook his head.

"These blue spots..." Bai Xu felt they looked familiar. He crouched down, pulled away the white cloth covering the corpse, and carefully observed the symptoms of poisoning.

It felt very familiar. Closing his eyes, he recalled what he had read and finally remembered some knowledge from the Illustrated Guide to Sea Spirit Beasts. "Teacher, I've read about this in a book. It seems only the poison of a Blue Ringed Jellyfish can cause symptoms like these."

Gu Yue asked doubtfully, "Blue Ringed Jellyfish? Isn't that a sea spirit beast? Are you saying the Spirit Transmitter was killed by a sea spirit beast? That's impossible. He never went into the sea, and Blue Ringed Jellyfish are rare spirit beasts. The chance of one appearing in these waters is very low."

Bai Xu became increasingly certain. After considering it repeatedly, he said, "Even if that isn't the case, the killer may have used Blue Ringed Jellyfish venom. These symptoms closely match what the book described: a swollen corpse, blue spots across the skin, and a tiny wound. He was probably stung by a jellyfish."

The Village Chief chimed in, "Lord Soul Master, a group of Blue Ringed Jellyfish has indeed appeared in the Outer Sea recently."

Leng Jiuming frowned tightly, growing more confused. "You just said the battle here happened last night, and the Spirit Transmitter also died last night. Yet he was indeed poisoned to death by a Blue Ringed Jellyfish. Could a Blue Ringed Jellyfish climb onto land? Speak! What are you hiding?!"

Leng Jiuming's Soul Power erupted, his imposing aura surging skyward. The Village Chief, standing close to him, was directly blasted away by the shockwave. With those old bones, no one knew how much longer he had left to live.

Watching the Village Chief's bewildered movements and instinctively evasive gaze, Bai Xu looked back at the villagers peeking from inside their homes. As though resigning himself to fate, the old man leaned on his cane, trembling as if on the verge of death, and said, "My lord, I'll confess everything."