Gou Sheng's Departure and Tang San's Challenge

"Why? Don't you like me, Dad?" Gou Sheng whimpered and trembled, unable to hide his grievance.

"You're a dog, and I'm a human. Humans and dogs are different species. How could I possibly be your dad? Stupid dog!" Lu Chen was getting exasperated. Why could this dog not understand?

"Hmm? Seems like that's true." Gou Sheng thought about it for a moment and realized that it did seem to be the case.

"Then where's my dad?"

"I remember Old Wang ate dog meat several times when you were little. He said dog meat was good for the kidneys. Those dogs seemed to be your parents and siblings, and I think you even gnawed on some of their bones." Lu Chen answered honestly. Nothing was more heartless than that. Hmph, that was what you got for calling me Dad.

"Old Wang? That hateful bastard! He actually ate my parents and siblings, then gave me some to eat after he was done!"

"Exactly, he really is awful. So what are you going to do?" Lu Chen guided him patiently. Old Li had worn that hat for so many years, and Lu Chen was going to uphold justice.

"Dad, I'm going to bite him to death." Gou Sheng put on a vicious expression.

"Don't call me Dad!!"

Lu Chen flew into a rage, immediately grabbing the dog by the neck and locking its throat as he shook it back and forth.

"But you were the one who gave me intelligence."

"That makes me your benefactor, not your dad." Lu Chen sighed and began explaining some basic common sense to Gou Sheng.

"So that's how it is. I understand now. Thank you, Brother Chen. I'll repay you someday."

"No need to repay me. I only modified you today because I suddenly felt like it and thought it would be fun.

"You're now a dog capable of cultivating a martial soul. The road ahead is yours to walk alone.

"The human world is no longer suitable for you. If those powerful soul masters discover that a dog actually has a martial soul, there's a good chance they'll capture you for research. Young dog, take care of yourself!"

"I understand, Brother Chen. Then I'll leave now." After thinking briefly, Gou Sheng made his decision.

It felt that Lu Chen was right. Before it had grown strong enough, it truly should not continue wandering around the human world.

Lu Chen had already told it that human kingdoms and empires all kept soul beast forests. Those places were more suitable for Gou Sheng at present. As for the Star Dou Forest, Lu Chen suggested that it go only after completing its first evolution—after evolving into Gabumon.

And so, a dog that had awakened a martial soul left Holy Soul Village and embarked on the path of cultivating Soul Power.

Many years later, tales of Dog Douluo spread throughout Douluo Continent, and its legendary story was endlessly discussed.

Because of Dog Douluo's appearance, the soul master world conducted extensive research into whether animals could also cultivate Soul Power like Dog Douluo.

Those were matters for later and need not be mentioned for now.

By now, Lu Chen had used all six Infinite Gems. Every one of them was extraordinarily powerful. After all, each Infinite Gem had reached the Single Universe-level. Saying they were not awesome would be a lie.

"The Law of Power, the Law of Time, the Law of Space, the Law of Soul, the Law of Mind, and the Law of Reality are all supreme laws of the universe. If I master these laws, then as long as I want to, could I snap my fingers like Thanos and wipe out half the life in the universe—or even all of it?"

Lu Chen shook his head. Even if he really could, he would not do such a thing. It was far too insane.

"Why hasn't Tang San come looking for me yet? Has he gotten addicted to blacksmithing?"

Lu Chen looked up at the sky and found that it was already getting late. The sun would set in another hour or two.

"No, I need to go find him. I'm definitely going to be the big brother." Leaving the grove, Lu Chen headed toward Tang San's house.

One step, two steps, devilish steps. Lu Chen quickly arrived outside Tang San's door. Before he even went inside, he heard intense hammering.

"Damn, he's still blacksmithing. Little San really didn't take my words to heart. Did he think I was joking? Did he think I was still the same as before?"

Annoyed, Lu Chen pushed the door open and walked in, only to discover that Tang Hao was the one hammering iron.

"Blacksmith, where's Little San?" Lu Chen asked directly.

"Go find him yourself." Tang Hao struck the iron twice, picked up the ale beside him and took two swigs, then continued hammering.

"Tch, I'll find him myself." Lu Chen rolled his eyes at Tang Hao. Wasn't he just looking for someone? With the Mind Gem's perception fully unleashed, forget finding a person—even if you asked me to find a fish in the ocean, I could find it for you.

"Little San is waiting for you in the grove you two often visit. He said he wants to challenge you," Tang Hao said blandly.

"Blacksmith, watch your wording. What do you mean, the grove Little San and I often visit? Are you trying to make people misunderstand?" Lu Chen glared at Tang Hao before leaving.

"???" Tang Hao was utterly baffled. "Did I say anything wrong? Don't they often go to the grove?"

In the grove, Tang San had been waiting for some time already. He was considering how he should defeat Lu Chen later.

After awakening his martial soul today, Lu Chen's performance had been remarkably impressive.

At the forging table in his house, Lu Chen had effortlessly swung that hammer dozens of times in succession. Even Tang San, who cultivated the Mysterious Heaven Skill, found it quite strenuous to achieve that.

"It seems Lu Chen's strength increased significantly after awakening his martial soul. At least for now, he should be stronger than me. I can't confront him head-on later. I need to choose the safest approach."

Tang San looked at the ground, where there were quite a few broken stones. He picked up several and hid them inside his sleeves.

These broken stones could serve perfectly as hidden weapons.

His Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record contained the poison-immune Mysterious Jade Hand, the movement technique Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, the eye-training method Purple Demon Eye, the inner cultivation method Mysterious Heaven Skill, as well as methods for crafting and throwing hidden weapons.

With these techniques, even without hidden weapons, Tang San could defeat Lu Chen with these broken stones alone.

"With these stones, Lu Chen won't dare approach me rashly. Even if he does come closer, I can use Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track to widen the distance. I'll pick up stones and throw them as I go, until Lu Chen admits defeat."

"Wouldn't that be too shameless? Probably not. If we're talking about shamelessness, Lu Chen would definitely take the crown." Tang San muttered to himself as he picked up a few more broken stones and slipped them into his sleeves.

Before long, Lu Chen arrived in the grove. He looked at Tang San, and Tang San looked back at him.

"You're here?" Lu Chen said.

"I'm here. I've been here for a while."

"You shouldn't have come."

"Huh? Didn't you call me here, Lu Chen? Didn't you want to fight me? Didn't you want to be my big brother?" Tang San was confused, unsure what Lu Chen was up to again.

"Be your big brother? Hmph, I haven't been a big brother for many years. Today, I'm going to be your father."

"Father? What does that mean? Lu Chen, are you taking advantage of me again?" Black lines immediately appeared across Tang San's forehead.