Douluo: Starting by Building Guns - Chapter 24

Flender and Zhao Wuji exchanged a glance. Both saw deep apprehension in the other's eyes.

Soul Masters at the Soul Saint level or above were indeed extremely sensitive to danger, but that sensitivity had a range determined by their mental power.

For the two of them, they could sense a source of danger at most three hundred meters away, and the farther it was, the fuzzier it became.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have failed to notice that Swift Shadow Leopard until it had approached to within about sixty meters.

For something as small and fast as a projectile, their range of perception was at most about thirty meters.

That meant they had less than 0.1 seconds to react after sensing danger.

Faced with such a short reaction time, Flender and Zhao Wuji really wanted to shout: they couldn't do it!

After swallowing nervously, Flender turned to Shen Feng.

"Xiao Feng, how much would a formidable weapon like this cost to make? Could it be mass-produced like that little handgun?"

Shen Feng smiled faintly. He knew exactly what Flender meant.

If firearms capable of threatening Soul Saints were too cheap to make, then once they spread, they would be a devastating blow to Soul Masters across the Douluo Continent.

Shen Feng himself might even become the enemy of the entire Soul Master World. As long as he was alive, other Soul Masters would never be able to rest easy.

If the two kingdoms learned the secret of these formidable weapons, the way wars were fought across the Douluo Continent would change completely.

Even Spirit Hall, which controlled half the Soul Masters on the continent, might be overthrown by ordinary people armed with guns.

To natives of the Douluo Continent like Flender and Zhao Wuji, a world dominated by ordinary people would be a terrifying place, practically an apocalypse.

For thousands of years, Soul Masters had ruled the Douluo Continent, and they were used to being above everyone else.

Then one day, a terrifyingly powerful weapon appeared—easy to use and cheap to make. An ordinary person only needed to lightly pull the trigger to erase the strength a Soul Master had spent decades painstakingly cultivating.

It was a horror that Soul Masters like them could neither accept nor even imagine. In an extreme case, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say their faith would shatter.

Shen Feng shook his head and smiled. "Dean, Teacher Zhao, there's no need to worry too much. This formidable weapon isn't like the firearms from before."

"Although these firearms function much like the old ones, they're fundamentally Soul Tools that can only be activated with Soul Power."

"Besides, they're extremely expensive to make. The materials alone for the gun in Oscar's hands cost nearly ten thousand Gold Soul Coins. Labor and ammunition cost extra, so mass production is out of the question."

Shen Feng was only a Soul Grandmaster, and his own faction hadn't truly developed yet. Of course he wasn't foolish enough to challenge the entire order of the Douluo Continent.

As soon as he'd thought of that, Shen Feng had begun concealing the true power of firearms.

First, he made them as expensive as possible, replacing ordinary alloy steel with costly metals that had roughly the same properties.

He also replaced the mechanical firing pin with a mechanism activated by Soul Power.

To make them fit Soul Masters' understanding of Soul Tools even better, Shen Feng had even deliberately adjusted how much Soul Power they consumed when firing.

The more powerful the firearm, the more Soul Power it wasted when used.

Of course, those were only the firearms he sold to outsiders. His own people needed to spend only a trace of Soul Power to ignite the propellant.

As long as he controlled the formula for the bullet propellant, Shen Feng had no reason to worry about firearms flooding the Douluo Continent for decades.

And decades from now, Shen Feng might already have become a god. Who would care about little toys like firearms then?

After hearing Shen Feng's explanation, Flender and Zhao Wuji visibly relaxed.

Flender considered the matter with a serious expression. "So they're Soul Tools. No wonder they're so powerful."

"But Xiao Ao is only a Soul Grandmaster, and he can activate one to threaten a Soul Saint. That's an extraordinary Soul Tool."

"Unless absolutely necessary, it's best not to let weapons like these spread. Otherwise, someone might grow envious and cause you serious trouble."

Shen Feng nodded. "Don't worry, Dean. These firearms are difficult to make and are for our own use. We won't sell them."

Flender nodded. "As long as you know what you're doing. Come on, let's go see how Mubai is doing."

Flender led the way into the forest. As Zhao Wuji passed Shen Feng, he patted him on the shoulder.

"Kid, you're impressive. You've got incredible cultivation talent, and you're good at developing Soul Tools, too."

"If I joined your Soul Hunting Guild, could you make a custom Soul Tool for me as well?"

"It doesn't need to be too powerful. Something about as good as Xiao Ao's would do."

Shen Feng paused. "Teacher Zhao, are you serious?"

Zhao Wuji nodded. "When I, Zhao, give my word, I mean it."

"Shrek Academy is great, but it's far too peaceful. With you and Xiao Ao, you two interesting kids, gone, it's been terribly boring."

"Besides, your dad has invited me several times already. I came here with Fu Laoda this time partly to see what the Soul Hunting Guild was like."

"It wasn't until I smelled that scent of blood on you that day that I understood what I really needed."

"Living on the edge, battling heaven and earth, fearing nothing—that's the life I, Zhao, have always wanted."

Shen Feng chuckled. "The Hand Cannon is my dad's Soul Tool, a short- to medium-range explosive weapon he absolutely loves."

"If you join us, the Soul Hunting Guild vice president's position and the Hand Cannon, that formidable Soul Tool, are both yours."

The corners of Zhao Wuji's mouth lifted slightly. "You really are a good kid. You and your father understand me."

"But we'll have to talk about it later. We're in the middle of a Soul Hunting trip, so we'd better consider Fu Laoda's feelings."

Shen Feng nodded. "Yes, President Zhao. You decide."

Ma Hongjun came over just then. "Um, um, could you take me in, too?"

"I don't ask for much. Just give me any little trinket you don't want."

Shen Feng paused, then smiled at Ma Hongjun. "The Soul Hunting Guild is home to independent Soul Masters across the world. On behalf of the guild, I welcome you aboard."

By the time Shen Feng and the others finished their quiet conversation and caught up, Dai Mubai was sitting cross-legged under Flender's watch, already eagerly absorbing his Soul Ring.

When Shen Feng arrived, Flender turned and asked, "Xiao Feng, do you think Swift Shadow Leopard is really a suitable choice for Mubai's third Soul Ring?"

Shen Feng paused. Shouldn't you be discussing something like that with our President Zhao? Was it really appropriate to ask a kid like me?

Still, since Flender had asked, Shen Feng didn't mind sharing his thoughts.

He shrugged. "I once heard someone say, 'The world had no roads to begin with; the more people walked, the more roads appeared.'"

"Absorbing Soul Rings is much the same. Following the paths our predecessors discovered is certainly easier, but who can say for sure that the paths they took were right? Who can say that the path you choose won't lead to a more distant future?"

"Different paths naturally offer different sights along the way."

"Whether you follow the rules or defy them, pursue one ultimate attribute to the end or develop evenly without weaknesses..."

"In my view, all the Soul Masters in this world, regardless of their school, their type, or their beliefs, will eventually reach the same destination by different paths. Their ultimate goal will be the same: to reach level one hundred and become gods."

"Beneath the gods, all are ants. Even a level ninety-nine Titled Douluo is nothing more than a somewhat stronger ant."

"With that in mind, what's the point of debating whether one Soul Ring is suitable or not?"

To be honest, whether a Soul Ring was suitable certainly mattered.

Only a Soul Ring that matched a Soul Master better could make the path ahead smoother.

But there was no point in discussing Dai Mubai's situation with Shen Feng.

Whether Dai Mubai became strong or weak, he was destined to be someone Shen Feng couldn't get along with. Paying too much attention to him would only distract Shen Feng.

"The world had no roads to begin with; the more people walked, the more roads appeared. Only new paths might surpass those of our predecessors. Beneath the gods, all are ants?"

Flender murmured the words under his breath. After pondering them for a long while, he shook his head with a bitter smile.

"That conclusion is so open-minded. I'm just an ordinary man, so of course I can't understand it. If Xiao Gang were here, perhaps he'd understand what you're thinking."

Shen Feng furrowed his brows. Comparing me to Yu Xiaogang again? Who did he think he was?

Only Flender treated him like he was precious.

Oh, wait. There were also Bibi Dong, Liu Erlong, Tang San, Tang Hao, Xue Ye, and Xue Beng.

Damn, was that guy some kind of poison? A cult recruiter?

It seemed like a lot of people in the original story praised him.

Sure enough, it was best to stay away from that bastard. Cults were dangerous.

"Xiao Feng, what path are you taking? I'm curious," Zhao Wuji asked.

Shen Feng thought for a moment. "The balanced path. I prefer a balanced approach."

"Balance means having no weaknesses. You won't be so extreme in battle, and you'll be better at staying alive."

"You'll also have more flexibility when facing an enemy, adapting to their weaknesses as they arise."

"But although the balanced path has its advantages, it also has one very obvious flaw!"

Zhao Wuji asked in surprise, "A flaw? What flaw?"

Shen Feng glanced at Dai Mubai. "It's not very friendly to people who aren't too bright."

"They tend to use their own weaknesses to attack their opponent's strengths."

The sky gradually darkened. Nearly three hours had passed since Dai Mubai began absorbing his Soul Ring.

The vegetation in the Star Dou Forest was so lush that the forest darkened at a visible pace as soon as the sun dipped westward.

Nocturnal Soul Beasts began to stir nearby, and rustling sounds came from all around.

The ceaseless chorus of insects interfered with everyone's senses.

Flender and Zhao Wuji had long since narrowed their perception to a thirty-meter radius, carefully monitoring everything nearby to keep any Soul Beasts from suddenly barging in.

Another half hour passed, and a fierce surge of Soul Power suddenly rose from Dai Mubai.

Flender's face lit up. "Mubai succeeded."

Letting out a long breath, Dai Mubai slowly opened his eyes. In an instant, a bright glow of Soul Power erupted from him.

Three Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet. Along with his original two Yellow Soul Rings, a brilliant purple ring shone especially brightly.

They revolved slowly around him as waves of powerful (ordinary) Soul Power rippled outward.

A Soul Elder with three Soul Rings, level thirty-one—he, Dai Mubai, had finally broken through.

Flender smiled at him. "Congratulations, Mubai."

After gaining his third Soul Ring, Dai Mubai had undergone a tremendous change.

His body, which had grown increasingly burly, seemed to have become more slender. He now combined strength with agility, and his whole frame looked more balanced.

When his deep-blue eyes, with their four pupils, saw Shen Feng and Oscar nearby, a cold glint suddenly flashed in them.

Zhao Wuji's hearty laughter rang out just then. "Xiao Bai, you're the first student in your year to reach the Soul Elder level. How does it feel?"

"Would you like to show us your Third Soul Skill?"

Dai Mubai looked proud, his gaze fixed on Shen Feng. "Teacher Zhao, Soul Skills are techniques Soul Masters use in battle. What can we learn from watching someone demonstrate one alone?"

"So I need an opponent!"

Zhao Wuji frowned slightly. He looked at Dai Mubai, then glanced at Shen Feng, who seemed quite interested, and smiled as he stepped between them.

"Haha, you're right. Then I'll be your opponent."

"Don't worry, I'll hold back."

After living together for three years, Zhao Wuji knew exactly how terrifying Shen Feng's true strength was. That thousand-year second Soul Ring alone was more than a hothead like Dai Mubai could handle.

To put it self-deprecatingly, even Zhao Wuji could do nothing but defend with all his might against Shen Feng's near-teleporting speed and wait for his Soul Power to run out.

He couldn't catch him. There was simply no way.

He was genuinely worried that Dai Mubai might anger Shen Feng, who might then go all out and beat him to a pulp.

Getting beaten was a minor concern. The real trouble would be if it crushed Dai Mubai's confidence.

He was a genius with innate level-nine Soul Power, after all. Zhao Wuji couldn't bear to see him lose heart over one challenge.

But Dai Mubai wasn't the sort to listen to advice, was he?

Unless someone gave him a thorough beating, he'd remain a clueless hothead who didn't know how vast the heavens were.

"Shen Feng, are you afraid? Do you not even have the courage to accept a challenge from a defeated opponent?"

"Mubai!" Flender barked, trying to stop Dai Mubai from provoking him any further.