Douluo: Starting by Forging a Gun

Click, click, click—

Shen Feng loaded gunpowder into the shell casings, while Shen Rui used his fingers to press in the bullets like a machine. The father and son worked like an assembly line, and one by one, the golden bullets took shape amidst the soft clicking sounds.

Flender watched the father and son's seamless cooperation with curiosity, asking with some confusion, "Excuse me, may I ask, is what you are making a Soul Tool?"

Having never seen a bullet before, Flender mistook them for some kind of Soul Tool.

Shen Rui held up a bullet that had just been pressed into shape. "Is this what you're asking about, Senior?"

"This thing is called a bullet. It's not a Soul Tool, and it doesn't require Soul Power to assist in its use."

"If you really had to categorize it, it should be considered a type of arrow. It uses a mechanical device similar to a bow or crossbow to launch it, thereby causing damage to distant targets."

"Xiao Feng, you should have brought the gun with you. Take it out and let Senior have a look."

Shen Rui was very generous, as he was certain that Flender would never be able to figure out the firing mechanism of a firearm.

Shen Feng nodded and took a black pistol about ten centimeters long from his backpack, handing it to Flender.

"Senior, this thing is called a pistol. It is a device specifically designed to fire bullets."

Flender took the pistol with a curious expression, turning it over and over for a long time. He only managed to figure out the function of the trigger, assuming it was some kind of firing mechanism similar to a hand crossbow.

Opening the carriage window, Flender held the pistol, aimed the muzzle outside, and pulled the trigger hard, but nothing happened.

Frowning slightly, an unconvinced Flender pulled the trigger several more times, but still, nothing occurred.

Shen Feng chuckled. "Senior, that's not how you use it. There's no bullet loaded, so no matter how many times you pull the trigger, it's all in vain."

Flender paused, then laughed awkwardly. "I was just testing it, just testing it."

"I'm just very curious how something so small, without a bowstring, can fire a short bolt like a hand crossbow."

"And since this thing has neither a tip nor a blade, why is it called a gun?"

Shen Feng smiled slightly. "Would you like me to demonstrate it for you, Senior?"

Flender examined the pistol in his hand once more before curiously handing it back to Shen Feng.

"Here, I really am curious about how this little gadget is used."

"You said earlier that you wanted to use this for self-defense, so its power must be quite significant."

Shen Feng smiled mysteriously. "Of course, I certainly won't let you down, Senior."

Taking the pistol, Shen Feng skillfully ejected the magazine, pressed in the bullets, reinserted the magazine, and chambered a round—all in one fluid motion.

After a moment's thought, Shen Feng took a tube-like object about ten centimeters long from his backpack and carefully attached it to the muzzle of the pistol.

He then leaned out of the carriage window, scanned the surroundings for a target, and raised the gun to aim.

Puff—

With a faint sound, a bird flying about twenty meters away from the carriage fell to the ground.

Seeing this, Flender's pupils contracted sharply. "So... so fast."

"Such a sharp weapon is many times faster than a crossbow bolt; even I could only barely catch a glimpse of a residual image."

"If used for an ambush, even I might be caught off guard if I were careless."

As he spoke, Flender seemed to think of something. He reached out and grabbed Shen Feng's shoulder, his expression very excited. "Xiao Feng, I wonder what the value of such a weapon is? Is it difficult to make?"

"If there are any extras, I would like, I would like to purchase two."

"Of course, I don't need one myself, but we have two Food-type Spirit Masters at Shrek Academy, and I want to buy two for them to use for self-defense."

It is well known that the weakest in combat on the Douluo Continent are Support-type Spirit Masters, and among all Support-type Spirit Masters, Food-type Spirit Masters are the hardest to cultivate and the weakest in strength.

As soon as Flender mentioned the two Food-type Spirit Masters at Shrek Academy, Shen Feng immediately thought of Shao Xin and Oscar.

In the original work, Shao Xin's Spirit was a sugar bean, and he was one of the few Food-type Spirit Sages on the continent, though he had not yet reached level seventy at this time.

Oscar was Shao Xin's disciple, the first Food-type Spirit Master with Innate Full Soul Power recorded on the continent. In the original work, he even broke through level one hundred and inherited the position of the second-tier god, the God of Food.

However, Food-type cultivation is truly too difficult. Although Oscar had Innate Full Soul Power, his actual cultivation speed was probably not even as fast as a level 7-8 Battle Spirit Master.

That Flender would think of purchasing these for the two of them for self-defense upon seeing the firearm was something Shen Feng had not expected—or rather, he had never thought that Flender could have such a benevolent side.

Given the stingy nature of Flender in the original work, the fact that he could offer to buy guns to help them defend themselves without hesitation showed that, in his heart, the safety of those close to him was far more precious than wealth or other worldly possessions.

If everyone at Shrek Academy was like Flender, prioritizing those close to them in all things, then Shen Feng wouldn't mind truly joining Shrek Academy.

After all, the annoying people from the original work hadn't arrived at Shrek Academy yet, and he still had enough time to carry out some reforms at the academy.

Thinking of this, Shen Feng smiled calmly. "Dean Flender, I am also a student of the academy, it would be too formal to talk about buying."

"After we finish our Spirit hunting and return to the academy, I will make one for everyone to play with."

Hearing this, Flender was clearly stunned, then burst into hearty laughter. "Right, right, you are also a student of our academy; we are family, no need to speak of two families."

"Then Xiao Feng, I'll leave this matter to you when we get back."

"But even brothers must settle accounts clearly. Whatever the cost in Gold Soul Coins, it shall be paid. We teachers cannot take advantage of you students; in fact, this is also a school rule of our academy."

Shen Feng waved his hand dismissively. "This little gadget is extremely simple to make, and even including the materials, it's not worth much money at all."

"Never mind Gold Soul Coins; the cost to make one probably wouldn't even be a single Silver Soul Coin."

"However, it would be difficult for me to provide ammunition for everyone. After all, these bullets are single-use consumables; once the projectile is fired, it cannot be recovered."

"If I were to mass-produce them, it would inevitably waste my cultivation time, so..."

Flender waved his hands repeatedly and said, "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. You only need to provide enough bullets for two people."

"As for the others, they are all Battle Spirit Masters and are capable of protecting themselves."

"Besides, the power of these little gadgets of yours doesn't seem to be that great. At most, they are fast and the projectiles are small, making them hard to defend against."

"Even if used by surprise, they would at most pose a significant threat to Spirit Masters below level 50. As for Spirit Masters with five rings or more, their reaction speed wouldn't even give you a chance to aim."

Shen Feng shook his head slightly without offering much explanation. After all, it is futile to explain anything to someone who has never seen a barrage of firepower.

To say nothing else, a simple machine gun spray would be enough to give Flender, an agility-attack system Spirit Saint, a hard time.

After the small interlude regarding the pistol, the group didn't say much else along the way, merely chatting idly inside the carriage.

At noon three days later, Shen Feng and his party arrived directly at the edge of the Star Dou Forest by carriage.

Just as he stepped off the carriage, Shen Feng vaguely felt waves of fresh scent blowing from afar. It was the fragrance of plants, refreshing and invigorating, making one feel completely at ease.

Like an oxygen bar in the forest, he took a deep breath, and all thirty-six thousand pores on his body opened up. That feeling was indescribably comfortable.

Shen Feng gazed into the distance; over ten miles away lay a green ocean.

That boundless, surging green was so shocking to behold, and it was precisely from there that the pleasant, fresh aura originated.

Shen Rui took out some Gold Soul Coins to pay the remaining balance to the coachman, then walked slowly to Shen Feng's side.

"How is it? Shocking, right? When I first came here, I was just as shocked as you are."

"In the blink of an eye, more than ten years have passed. Having seen more scenery, I don't feel as much joy in this kind of lush green view anymore."

Shen Feng looked up at his old man, feeling deep down that this "lush green" he spoke of didn't sound very innocent.

But since the concept of a "green hat" didn't exist on the Douluo Continent, Shen Feng had no choice but to believe that Shen Rui was indeed talking about the scenery.

Ling Na walked up and patted Shen Rui on the shoulder: "Stop being sentimental. While it's still early, let's hurry inside and start searching."

Flender also walked over at this moment, pondering slightly: "When I came to the Star Dou Forest last year to obtain my seventh spirit ring, I accidentally encountered a gathering place for lightning-attribute spirit beasts, about three days' journey from here."

"There might be a suitable spirit beast for Xiao Feng there. Should we go take a look first?"

Shen Rui smiled mysteriously and shook his head gently: "I know that place. Ling Na's fifth spirit ring was obtained there."

"However, we aren't going there this time. Two years ago, when I was hired to help someone hunt for spirits, I accidentally discovered a Purple Thunder Sword Bamboo that was about 800 years old."

Ling Na was startled: "Purple Thunder Sword Bamboo? Big Feng, you found a Purple Thunder Sword Bamboo?"

Shen Rui laughed heartily: "It was luck, I found it by accident."

"At the time, I thought if Xiao Feng could awaken your martial spirit when he grew up, then this Purple Thunder Sword Bamboo would be the most suitable second spirit ring for him."

"Who would have thought that Xiao Feng's innate conditions would be so good that he could absorb this spirit beast for his first spirit ring."

Shen Feng frowned slightly: "Mom, Dad, what is this Purple Thunder Sword Bamboo? And what does it have to do with that Thunder Sword Bamboo?"

Ling Na took a deep breath and said: "Thunder Sword Bamboo is a plant-type spirit beast that favors lightning elements. They usually grow in high mountain areas with frequent thunderstorms so they can receive the baptism of lightning during stormy days."

"Although this often leads to the Thunder Sword Bamboo being destroyed by lightning, those that survive become even tougher. Not only will their cultivation age increase considerably, but their vitality will also far exceed other plant-type spirit beasts."

"The Purple Thunder Sword Bamboo is the king among Thunder Sword Bamboos. It is usually only when a massive thunderstorm destroys ninety percent of the Thunder Sword Bamboo population at once that the survivors have a slim chance of evolving into a Purple Thunder Sword Bamboo."

"You could say that the Purple Thunder Sword Bamboo is an absolute king born by stepping on the corpses of its entire clan."

"Xiao Feng, this is a rare opportunity. This 800-year-old Purple Thunder Sword Bamboo is absolutely no weaker than a thousand-year spirit ring of other types. You must succeed in absorbing it."

Shen Feng nodded solemnly: "Okay Mom, I will give it my all."

Shen Rui smiled slightly and patted Shen Feng on the head: "No need to be nervous, just do your best."

"I discovered this Purple Thunder Sword Bamboo two years ago. Although the place where it grows is very hidden, it's been two years, so it's not certain whether it has been hunted by others. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."

Ling Na glared fiercely at Shen Rui: "Don't talk nonsense. That Purple Thunder Sword Bamboo belongs to Xiao Feng; it must still be there."

Shen Rui chuckled: "Yes, yes, the Madam is right. Can we set off now?"

"Let's go, lead the way."

Stepping into the Star Dou Forest, everything in sight was tall trees. The dense foliage blocked the sunlight from the sky completely, leaving no gaps. Underfoot, there were many low shrubs, and it was almost impossible to find a path to pass through.

Ling Na held her Thunder Blade to clear the way in front, while Shen Rui and Flender stayed on the sides and rear to provide support at any time. Shen Feng, the youngest, was in the safest position in the center of the three.

A small triangular formation was the group's greatest reliance while walking through the Star Dou Forest.

Having come to a primeval forest like the Star Dou Forest for the first time, Shen Feng was curious about everything. He kept looking left and right, even imagining whether a spirit beast would suddenly rush out from the dense bushes.

After all, he had been on the Douluo Continent for six years, and the most he had ever seen was chunks of spirit beast meat. As for wild spirit beasts or spirit rings, he had never seen them before.

Seeing Shen Feng in such a state, Shen Rui frowned slightly: "Xiao Feng, don't be careless. The Star Dou Forest is not the hill behind Shuiyun Village."

"The wild spirit beasts here are extremely aggressive and harbor deep hatred for humans who hunt them to increase their strength. Whenever they encounter humans, these spirit beasts will attempt to tail them, and once they see an opportunity, they will attack without hesitation."

"The most terrifying thing is that the spirit beasts are fighting on their home turf and are far more agile in the forest than visiting human Spirit Masters. Many Spirit Masters have lost their lives because they were careless and were attacked by the elusive spirit beasts in the forest."

"Although we three are here to protect you this time as we enter the Star Dou Forest, I do not want you to develop the bad habit of relying on others."

"After all, everyone only has one life. If you entrust your safety to others, there will inevitably be a day in the future when you will regret it."

Ling Na listened to Shen Rui reprimanding Shen Feng behind her, but she didn't turn her head, continuing to vigilantly clear the path ahead for the group.

Because she was a soul master herself, she knew that Shen Rui was right.

Some things could be attempted because the cost was low; they could let their children mess around and allow failure to teach them how to grow.

However, some things could not be attempted because the cost was simply too great for them to bear.

In such situations, it was necessary for the older generation to use their past experiences to tirelessly warn their descendants, guarding them against taking the wrong path.

Shen Feng shrank his neck, knowing he was in the wrong, he didn't talk back to Shen Rui. He stuck out his tongue, disengaged the safety on the pistol in his hand, and began to focus his full attention on the surroundings.

Flender watched this family without a word, unable to help but nod in approval.

If the parents were sensible and the children were understanding, then future interactions and education would be much simpler.

At the very least, he wouldn't have to worry about them leaving immediately after arriving at Shrek Academy and encountering the school history and rules he had fabricated; there would at least be room for him to explain and a chance for a turnaround.

What kind of bad intentions could he, Flender, possibly have? Fabricating those school histories and rules was merely to deter these talented students and make them easier to manage.

After this interlude, the group of four continued forward in silence, and soon they heard a large amount of rustling coming from behind the bushes not far ahead.

Ling Na raised her right hand, and the group immediately stopped moving. She made a gesture, and Shen Rui nodded slightly, slipping into the nearby bushes like an agile wildcat without making a single sound.

Before long, Shen Rui emerged from the bushes ahead.

"Up ahead is a Qianjun Ant nest covering several dozen meters. Although these things aren't high in age, there are too many of them. Getting entangled with them is a hassle, so we should take a detour."

Ling Na nodded: "Qianjun Ants are small, low in age, and are pack-dwelling soul beasts. There's no benefit to killing them, so we can bypass them."

Under normal circumstances, when soul masters venture out to hunt soul beasts, besides obtaining soul rings, they will also hunt other soul beasts of higher value along the way.