Only by Taking Control of Spirit Hall Can Soul Beasts Have a Chance to Rise! (End of Volume)

After Tang San retrieved the crossbow bolts, he agreed to give everyone a Godly Zhuge Crossbow, but they all declined, saying they wanted to pay for them.

Tang San could only nod. "Alright, then. Since everyone is interested in mechanical hidden weapons, I'll try to arm each of you properly in the future. After all, one more weapon means one more layer of security."

Everyone was clearly very interested in hidden weapons. Of course, that had a lot to do with the results Tang San had achieved using them. After all, they were deadly weapons capable of killing a Man Faced Demon Spider. Not to mention the students—even Zhao Wuji was tempted.

They finally left the Star Dou Great Forest. Outside the forest's boundaries, although the fresh air was gone, everyone felt as though a layer of pressure had been lifted from their shoulders, and they all relaxed considerably.

After resting for two days in the small town they had passed through earlier, Gu Chen and the others returned to Shrek Academy outside Suotuo City following another two days of travel.

But before they could cheer, waves of Soul Power fluctuations suddenly came from within Shrek Academy, causing everyone's expressions to change drastically.

The group hurried into Shrek Academy and saw that, aside from the Grandmaster, who had only recently arrived and was merely level twenty-nine, all the teachers, including Flender, had risen into the air.

At the same time, not far away, two elderly men wearing Spirit Hall badges and clerical robes held Coiled Dragon Staffs in their hands.

Most terrifyingly, both had nine spirit rings behind them!

And they were the optimal Spirit Ring Configurations!

Behind the two old men, dozens of Spirit Hall experts hovered in the air, each with six or seven spirit rings behind them. They were all powerful Soul Emperors and Soul Sages.

When had Shrek's people ever seen such a scene? Ma Hongjun in particular went weak in the legs and collapsed onto the ground.

Zhao Wuji gestured for them to keep quiet. Then, his Great Strength Vajra Bear Martial Soul Possession activated, seven spirit rings floating behind him. Zhao Wuji rose into the air and joined the teachers of Shrek Academy.

"Your Excellencies, what has Shrek done to deserve the honor of your visit?" Cold sweat poured down Flender's back. Others might not know who they were, but he knew their identities very well.

Thousand Jun Douluo and Demon Subduing Douluo were two of the strongest Title Douluos in Spirit Hall. They were also twin brothers.

There were quite a few powerful brothers on Douluo Continent, such as the Evil-Eyed White Tiger brothers Dai Mubai and Dai Weisi. However, it was rare for both brothers to cultivate to the rank of Title Douluo. After all, reaching that realm required not only exceptional talent and a high-quality Martial Soul, but also fortuitous encounters and extraordinary diligence. Only then was there a chance for both brothers to reach the Title Douluo realm.

But Thousand Jun Douluo and Demon Subduing Douluo went beyond even that. Not only had they both reached level ninety-six, but compared with the brothers Tang Hao and Tang Xiao, their spiritual power was also as though it were one, incredibly condensed.

This was because they had cultivated together since childhood and were rarely separated, like conjoined twins. Their minds were connected, and once they acted in battle, their coordination was far more than simple addition.

Individually, they could be considered near the bottom among the several offerings of the Elder Hall. Yet, at over one hundred and twenty years old, their century-long tacit understanding granted them an extremely high status within Spirit Hall. Even Tang Hao would not be able to defeat them easily when they worked together.

"It seems your Shrek has two extraordinarily talented youngsters. Purple, purple, black, and purple, black, black—such Spirit Ring Configurations have never been seen before. Are you sure a rundown academy like yours can teach them properly? Why not let them join our Spirit Hall? With Spirit Hall's resources, they will certainly become peerless powerhouses in the future." Thousand Jun Douluo was the one speaking.

Ever since Gu Chen and Gu Yuena had caught the attention of that elderly Spirit Hall man in the private room at the Soul Fighting Arena, the old man had reported the matter up through the ranks. It had ultimately alarmed the Pope, who sent Thousand Jun Douluo and Demon Subduing Douluo.

At that moment, the old man was flying behind the two of them. He was a Soul Sage among the Spirit Hall experts.

Damn it! They actually set their sights on Gu Chen and Gu Yuena!

Flender cursed inwardly, but before Title Douluos, he could only force a smile. "Your Excellencies, Shrek's students can naturally be taught well by us. We need not trouble you over this."

At that moment, Demon Subduing Douluo clearly showed a trace of impatience. Powerful Soul Power burst forth, and the pressure of a Title Douluo made blood seep from the corners of every Shrek teacher's mouth.

"Do you not understand what I mean? Bring those two out. Spirit Hall will cultivate them!" Demon Subduing Douluo shouted.

Flender had not seen Zhao Wuji join the group behind him and assumed Gu Chen and the others had not returned. He merely said, "Gu Chen and Gu Yuena are currently in the Star Dou Great Forest helping one of our students obtain a spirit ring. They have yet to return. How about we wait and discuss this later?"

Seeing that he could not stop them, Flender could only employ the art of stalling, trying to keep his students behind.

"Cut the nonsense!" Demon Subduing Douluo roared. "If you refuse to bring them out, I'll kill all of you today and destroy this so-called Shrek Academy!"

"Ding!"

"Detected the host's current situation. A plot choice has been specially activated:

A. Tang San is the protagonist of Douluo Continent. Following him will surely grant you a godhood. Join Shrek.

Assistance: Arthur Legacy (from the Level Three mythological plane 'Honor of Kings'), M24 Sniper Rifle ×1 (from the Level Two technological plane Earth), 1,000 M24 Sniper Rifle bullets, System Mall Function unlocked, 1,000 System Points.

B. Only by joining Spirit Hall can soul beasts have a chance to rise. Join Spirit Hall.

Assistance: Yuan Ge Legacy (from the Level Three mythological plane 'Honor of Kings'), Scorpion Pistol ×1 (from the Level Two technological plane Earth), Scorpion Pistol Suppressor, Scorpion Pistol bullets ×1,000, System Lottery Function unlocked, 1,000 System Points.

C. Leave Shrek, reject Spirit Hall, and become a traveler who upholds justice.

Assistance: Li Bai Legacy (from the Level Three mythological plane 'Honor of Kings'), Xuanyuan Sword (from the Level Four mythological plane Heavenly Court), System Enhancement Function unlocked, 1,000 System Points."

"Why are the rewards for this choice so generous?!" Gu Chen asked in surprise.

"Ding!"

"This choice will determine the host's future path in life and constitutes a choice of fate. Therefore, the assistance is exceptionally generous."

Gu Chen nodded. Although the assistance for option C was tempting—it even included an item from a Level Four plane!

However, he had already made up his mind.

I choose B, Gu Chen thought.

"Ding!"

"Choice successful. Yuan Ge Legacy, Scorpion Pistol, Scorpion Pistol Suppressor, Scorpion Pistol bullets, and System Points have been deposited into the System Backpack. Please check them."

"System Function: Lottery Function unlocked!"

Gu Chen came out, holding Gu Yuena's small hand.

He had planned to join Spirit Hall anyway. He simply had not expected Title Douluos to come personally to recruit him. But since things had come to this, joining Spirit Hall this way might not be so bad.

"Your Excellencies, we are willing to join Spirit Hall. Please spare my academy and my teachers," Gu Chen said to the two Title Douluos in the sky.

"Your Excellencies, these two are Gu Chen and Gu Yuena." The elderly Soul Sage flew forward and spoke into the ears of the two Title Douluos.

Thousand Jun Douluo nodded. Looking at Gu Chen and Gu Yuena, he could not help but feel eager to recruit such talent, and a faint smile appeared on his face. "You are willing to join Spirit Hall?"

Gu Chen nodded. "As long as you do not harm my teachers and classmates, I am willing to join."

Flender's heart turned ice-cold. The monstrous talents he had worked so hard to recruit were leaving just like that.

Demon Subduing Douluo said, "I only said that because they refused to recognize their place. Since you are willing to join, we will not make things difficult for them."

Gu Chen gave a slight bow. With his current strength, he could not be too arrogant before Title Douluos. Keeping a low profile was still important. "Your Excellencies, before we leave, I have some words I would like to say to my teachers and companions. Would that be acceptable?"

Thousand Jun Douluo said, "That is no problem. I will give you one hour. After one hour, we will take you to Spirit City."

With that, Thousand Jun Douluo and Demon Subduing Douluo left with the Spirit Hall experts.

Flender looked worriedly at Gu Chen. "Gu Chen, I'm sorry. We were too weak to keep you here."

Gu Chen shook his head slightly. "It is not your fault. We are only leaving temporarily. We will have a chance to meet again in the future."

Flender sighed and shook his head. He seemed to have aged decades in an instant as he walked back to the dean's office.

The other teachers looked at Gu Yuena and Gu Chen, sighed as well, and left.

"Brother Chen, are you really leaving?" Tang San's eyes were full of reluctance. He had not expected that after finally reuniting, they would have to part again.

Plop...

A crystal-clear tear fell to the ground. Tang San wiped his eyes. Am I... crying? With memories from two lifetimes, I'm clearly not like those children. But why...

Gu Yuena looked at Gu Chen with unusual calmness. Using the Sound Transmission into Strings technique she had learned from him earlier, she transmitted her voice, "With our strength, we could clearly drive off these Spirit Hall experts. We clearly do not need to join Spirit Hall."

Gu Chen shook his head. "It is not only because of them. I had planned to do this myself."

"Can you tell me why you want to take me away from Shrek?" Confusion shone in Gu Yuena's crystal-like purple eyes.

Gu Chen grinned. Looking at Tang San and the others' reluctant gazes, then at Gu Yuena before him, he answered, "Only by taking control of Spirit Hall can soul beasts have a chance to rise!"

Take control of Spirit Hall?

Gu Yuena's heart seemed to stir slightly. It felt so familiar...

Gu Chen extended his hand to Gu Yuena, a radiant smile on his face. Under the sunlight, it was exceptionally dazzling. "Na'er, let's work hard together!"

Gu Yuena froze for a moment, then revealed a breathtaking smile. With one smile, she could topple a city!

She stretched out her left hand and clasped Gu Chen's. "Alright~"

An hour passed. Gu Chen and Gu Yuena had packed their things, and Thousand Jun Douluo and Demon Subduing Douluo descended once more.

"Let's go," Thousand Jun Douluo said.

Gu Chen nodded and took Gu Yuena's hand, preparing to follow them.

Behind them, Tang San and the others had come to see them off.

"Wait!" Tang San suddenly called out. Under Gu Chen and Gu Yuena's puzzled gazes, he hurried forward and swept his right hand across his waist. Two brand-new Godly Zhuge Crossbows appeared in his hands.

These two Godly Zhuge Crossbows were the last of his remaining stock.

Tang San solemnly handed the Godly Zhuge Crossbows to Gu Chen. "Brother Chen, Sister Na'er, take care!"

Gu Chen paused, then a smile appeared on his face. He accepted the Godly Zhuge Crossbows and placed them into the System Backpack, nodding at Tang San. "I hope that the next time I see you, you will have become stronger."

Then, Gu Chen looked at Xiao Wu. "Little rabbit, protect yourself."

Gu Chen had not expected Title Douluos to come recruit him this time. However, when he recalled how Xiao Wu's identity would be exposed after the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Competition, he had used the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures of the Star Dou Great Forest while Xiao Wu was condensing her spirit ring to make her a protective talisman. It could conceal her aura and prevent Title Douluos from discovering that she was a Hundred Thousand Year Soft Bone Rabbit.

That was also why Thousand Jun Douluo and Demon Subduing Douluo had failed to discover Xiao Wu's identity despite being present.

Xiao Wu's eyes were filled with tears as she nodded firmly at Gu Chen.

"Let's go." Gu Chen turned back and spoke to Thousand Jun Douluo and Demon Subduing Douluo.

"Mm." After the two Title Douluos brought Gu Chen and Gu Yuena aboard Spirit Hall's exclusive carriage, they had the coachman set off.

As the carriage jolted along, Gu Chen watched the image of Shrek Academy grow smaller and smaller outside the window. Goodbye, Shrek.

Spirit Hall, here I come!

(End of Volume!)

This chapter has 3,600 words.

Today marks the end of the first volume. At the request of some readers, I sped up the plot a little so the protagonist could enter Spirit Hall sooner. Starting tomorrow will be Volume Two: Journey of Martial Souls