"Kid Chu, something go wrong?"
Seeing Chu Chengzhou successfully advance to a Four-Ring Soul Ancestor, but with a less-than-happy expression, Dugu Bo asked from the side.
"Uh~ it's nothing."
Hearing that, Chu Chengzhou composed himself and waved it off.
Though the upgrade's cheat effect didn't live up to expectations, it wasn't something he could change—he could only passively accept it. Still, something was better than nothing.
"That's good. Let me take a look at your Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear summon beast?"
Nodding, Dugu Bo asked with curiosity.
Chu Chengzhou's True Spirit Banner Martial Soul was a bit special—its soul skill effect was to summon the soul beast he hunted when upgrading. And a ten-thousand-year Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear had terrifying combat power. Dugu Bo was curious to see if the bear retained its ridiculous strength as a summoned beast.
Excluding soul beasts not suited for combat, a ten-thousand-year-old soul beast typically matched a Five-Ring Soul King with a good martial soul.
But those with strong bloodlines were exceptions. A ten-thousand-year-old Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear, aside from being a bit slow, could rival an early-stage Seven-Ring Power Attack Soul Sage.
If the summon still retained its original strength, Chu Chengzhou's power would be insane.
As a Titled Douluo, Dugu Bo had seen Soul Masters fight above their level—but a Four-Ring Soul Ancestor pulling out Seven-Ring Soul Sage strength? That was new.
Chu Chengzhou didn't refuse. As soul power surged, his fourth soul ring lit up and the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear summon—Big Bear—materialized.
Big Bear, summoned without size suppression, stood over five meters tall. Its cold, cruel eyes glinted as dark-golden fur covered its massive frame. Its arms were particularly thick, and its wide, muscular shoulders looked like castle walls.
But the most eye-catching feature? The massive dark-golden claws at the end of its arms. The right was slightly larger than the left, but even the smaller left claw's longest talon stretched over five feet—just one claw was nearly as big as Chu Chengzhou himself.
"Big Bear, show your signature soul skill for the elder!"
Chu Chengzhou patted Big Bear's thick leg and gave the command.
Like Xiao Qing, Xiao Bai, and Xiao Hong, "Big Bear" was the name he gave to this summon.
"ROAR——"
Big Bear roared in response. Dark-golden light surged from its massive right claw, and then it slashed toward a tree that would've taken three men to encircle.
A razor-sharp, terrifying golden claw shadow shot forward.
Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear's innate soul skill: Dark Gold Dreadclaw.
"Sss——"
Like tearing a sheet of paper, the claw shadow effortlessly sliced through the tree and slammed into the ground behind it.
"BOOM——"
The impact sent dirt, rocks, and wood flying as five narrow but bottomless claw marks gouged the earth.
Big Bear's Dark Gold Dreadclaw had two attack modes: active and passive.
The active form, like now, released a powerful ranged claw shadow.
The passive form worked more like an attack-boosting soul skill, enhancing the claw's power and adding strong armor-piercing effects.
While the passive mode lacked range and explosive power, it made up for it in duration. Perfect for prolonged fights when soul power was tight.
"Not bad! Truly worthy of the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear!"
Dugu Bo praised as he eyed the deep claw marks.
The destruction area wasn't wide, but the attack strength? Definitely Soul Sage level.
As he spoke, the tree that had been slashed—though still standing—finally gave way, crashing down and flattening bushes and wildflowers.
Blue Silver Grass: tf was that~!
"Big Bear, Berserk, then give me another claw!"
Another command from Chu Chengzhou.
Big Bear's body surged with dark-golden light. Its aura exploded upward.
Innate soul skill: Berserk. A self-enhancing skill that boosts attack and defense by 150%, reduces pain from injuries, and has no major side effects—aside from lowering rationality when activated.
"BOOM——"
Another terrifying claw shadow flew out, landing near the previous marks—this one even bigger.
"Tsk~ Kid Chu, with this Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear summon, you've got enough strength to match a typical Soul Sage!"
Dugu Bo smacked his lips and turned to Chu Chengzhou in admiration.
"You're thinking too highly of me, senior. Just summoning Big Bear and letting him use three soul skills already burned more than half my soul power."
Feeling the dwindling energy inside him, Chu Chengzhou smiled bitterly.
Big Bear was strong—but the summoner holding the leash was the weak link.
A mage is limited only by their mana. And Big Bear's power? Limited by how much soul power Chu Chengzhou had.
The drain was huge—even more than Xiao Bai the Radiant Lion or Xiao Hong the Phoenix. Still, Big Bear was now his trump card, no less important than his illusion techniques or his armor-piercing titanium arrow style.
All three were deadly enough to threaten ordinary Seven-Ring Soul Sages.
Dugu Bo just laughed and shook his head. "So what? Once your soul power level increases, that problem solves itself."
As long as you could end the battle quickly, the drain wouldn't matter.
Lack of strength was the real problem—run out of power and you're toast no matter how much energy you have.
"You're right."
Chu Chengzhou nodded.
Just a little Four-Ring Soul Ancestor pulling off Soul Sage-level attacks? What more could he want?
He was already very satisfied with Big Bear's strength.
Of course, he still had regrets—he hadn't gotten a soul bone. Let alone an even rarer external soul bone.
But soul bones had low drop rates—reportedly 1 in 1,000—and external soul bones were even rarer. Since he hadn't been hunting soul beasts nonstop, it made sense.
External soul bones were often seen as a sign of genius Soul Masters—like Bibi Dong's six-winged purple light wings, Hu Liena's fox tail, or Tang San's Eight Spider Lances.
But that was a misconception. Most external soul bones ended up with ordinary Soul Masters.
Because while genius Soul Masters were rare, the average ones were many. And hunters who specialized in killing soul beasts? Their chances of getting one were way higher than someone like Chu Chengzhou.
With their mission in the Star Dou Forest completed, Chu Chengzhou summoned Xiao Hong the Phoenix and flew off with Dugu Bo—bringing along Hu Liena, who had woken once mid-journey but got knocked out again by Dugu Bo.
Sure, the forest at night was dangerous, but with a Titled Douluo around and this not being the core zone where high-level beasts roamed, night travel wasn't too risky.
In the whistling night wind, Hu Liena slowly opened her confused eyes.
In front of her were still the same old man and boy—but now, the boy's soul rings had changed from the two yellow and one purple she'd seen before… to two yellow and two purple.
Yes, two yellow and two purple.
When the summon appeared in the outside world, Chu Chengzhou—thanks to a special technique—could disguise the color and number of his soul rings. But he couldn't retract his martial soul.
After all, soul skills required a martial soul to activate.
Since the martial soul couldn't be hidden, there was no need to conceal the rings—just change their color.
Just over an hour earlier, Dugu Bo had watched Chu Chengzhou's fourth soul ring shift from a ten-thousand-year black to a 4-5 thousand-year purple.
At that moment, Dugu Bo finally understood why Chu's Phoenix summon could fly so fast.
It wasn't some low-thousand-year summon—it had a much higher age.
Still, Dugu Bo didn't quite get it. Even if Chu disguised the third ring's age, it couldn't possibly boost speed that much.
Unless his third soul ring was also ten-thousand years old!
But that's impossible.
A ten-thousand-year third ring? Absolutely impossible!
Even a ten-thousand-year fourth ring was already outrageous—there was no way the third could be.
Dugu Bo preferred to believe it was due to some soul skill mutation from a martial soul variation.
"Hey, you advanced? And your fourth soul ring is a Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear?"
Noticing the new purple ring and the bear emblem on his banner martial soul, Hu Liena asked curiously.
"You guess?"
Chu Chengzhou flashed a cheeky smile.
Hu Liena: "."
"Would you consider joining the Spirit Hall?"
Taking a deep breath, ignoring his annoying smirk, Hu Liena asked seriously.
The boy didn't look very old, yet he had already reached the Four-Ring Soul Ancestor level—and his actual strength far exceeded his level.
As the current Pope Bibi Dong's disciple and a key figure among the younger generation of Spirit Hall, Hu Liena definitely wanted to recruit him.
If nothing else, if this guy entered the Soul Master Tournament, Spirit Hall might not win.
She and her brother Xie Yue had a fusion technique up their sleeves—but still, she wasn't confident.
That creepy black-room technique of his was too busted. If they faced him in the tournament, he'd probably lock her away before she and her brother could even activate their fusion.
And if his summon really retained its full strength, she'd be facing a 4-5 thousand-year-old Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear in the ring.
That was way too much.
Even with her advantage in soul power level and the fusion technique, she couldn't guarantee victory.
"You want to recruit me?"
Chu Chengzhou smiled.
Spirit Hall? The potential of a faction always hinged on the character of its leader.
And with someone like Bibi Dong at the helm? Chu didn't see much of a future.
But while he had no interest in joining Spirit Hall… taking it over someday?
That, he was interested in.
And it didn't seem too hard. If he could poach the Hall's heir into his pond, the rest would follow.
That way, even if he didn't end up taking over the Spirit Hall in the future, it would still be in the hands of his girl and his kid.
Douluo Continent, also nicknamed Love Continent, wasn't called that for nothing—especially when it came to the Spirit Hall. The current boss, the future boss, and the major villains of this antagonistic faction were all hopeless romantics.
It was like they'd been struck by some IQ-reducing aura—Bibi Dong, who was willing to sacrifice everything for her first love, even to the point of destroying the world; Qian Renxue, who repeatedly spared her beloved enemy despite the threat he posed; and Hu Liena, who, even knowing it was impossible, still betrayed her teacher more than once for the one she loved.
Hu Liena being naïve was one thing. But Bibi Dong, ruler of Spirit Hall, and Qian Renxue—recognized even by an old fox like Ning Fengzhi as a capable heir to the Empire—were both ruthless and decisive types. Yet even they turned into mush-headed fools in love. Totally irrational!
Of course, having love-brained leaders was bad news for Spirit Hall, but for their enemies and those watching from the sidelines? It was an absolute blessing—like getting a decades-long head start.
"As far as I know, there aren't any powerful spirit master clans that inherit a banner as their martial spirit. So, you probably don't come from one, right? Why not join Spirit Hall?"
Hu Liena asked sincerely.
No matter the world, talent was always the most important resource. And in the Douluo Continent, where talent practically determined everything, that held even truer.
After thinking for a moment, Chu Chengzhou said, "What benefits can Spirit Hall offer me?"
"Benefits?"
Hu Liena was stunned.
Normally, spirit masters joined factions in exchange for high-level masters helping them hunt spirit beasts. But this boy had managed to get Dugu Bo, a titled Douluo, to escort him to the Star Dou Forest. Clearly, he didn't need help in that area.
As for other perks, they were pretty optional.
Mimicry cultivation fields? Any decent advanced spirit master academy had those.
Money? Spirit masters didn't need much. As long as they could cover daily expenses, they were fine. Once powerful, people and factions would throw gold spirit coins at them.
Soul bones? Even Spirit Hall wouldn't just hand them out. You had to earn them.
"What, you've got nothing to offer, and you expect me to work for Spirit Hall? Even capitalist overlords aren't this stingy!"
Seeing Hu Liena rendered speechless, Chu Chengzhou rolled his eyes.
He couldn't help but give Hu Liena a mental thumbs-down. Couldn't even spin a dream or offer a bit of motivational soup? What good are you?
But hey, she's a cute girl~ Expectations can't be too high. As long as she's pretty, it's fine.
And in the original story, Hu Liena even had a fox tail. Wonder if she has one now? Would it feel nice to pet?
Thinking this, Chu Chengzhou couldn't help glancing at her curvy rear.
A fox-tailed girl? That actually sounds pretty great.
"Don't even think about it! I'm not that kind of girl!"
Noticing the teen's gaze land on her backside, Hu Liena quickly pulled her small cloak tighter to cover her curves.
"You're overthinking it. I was just looking."
Chu Chengzhou waved it off casually.
"Hmph~!"
Hu Liena scoffed with a look of contempt.
Just looking? Please, I know full well what 'just looking' really means!
She didn't have many hobbies, but she'd read plenty of romantic novels!
That afternoon, outside the south gate of Heaven Dou City, the Fire Phoenix Summon carrying Chu Chengzhou and Hu Liena descended.
To avoid trouble on the road, Chu Chengzhou had brought her straight to the city.
As for Dugu Bo, he'd already gotten off earlier to head to the Sunset Forest.
"Alright, Miss Prisoner, you're free now."
Retracting the Fire Phoenix, Chu Chengzhou said to Hu Liena.
With her as a hostage, he could've blackmailed Spirit Hall—maybe even demanded a rare soul bone from Bibi Dong, who'd probably cave out of love for her student.
But doing that would completely offend Spirit Hall. And Spirit Hall's power wasn't something he could challenge yet, so he had to release the hostage unconditionally.
The moment she heard she was free, Hu Liena turned to leave. But after a few steps, she stopped.
"Hey, can you at least tell me your name?"
She turned to face Chu Chengzhou.
She wanted to know partly because losing to someone who looked younger than her didn't sit well with her pride as a self-proclaimed genius.
And also because he wasn't from a spirit master clan, making him the perfect target for Spirit Hall's recruitment.
Why was Spirit Hall the spirit master world's top power? Not just because of the angelic bloodline—they also recruited a ton of talented spirit masters and regular ones too, making up over half the continent's population.
Hearing this, Chu Chengzhou raised an eyebrow: "What, so you can get my name and come for revenge later?"
Hu Liena's face darkened. What kind of weird logic is that?
"Yeah! I do want revenge. So, got the guts to give me your name?"
She snapped.
"If you're planning revenge, why would I tell you?"
Chu Chengzhou stroked his chin.
"Hmph! Fine, don't then!"
She snorted and turned away.
But just a few steps later, the world spun—and she suddenly found herself in a fragrant, flowery space.
Illusion chamber?
She recognized it immediately.
Though it wasn't dark like the typical "black room" illusion, the principle was the same—just a different setting.
Before she could react, her vision darkened. She felt warmth on her forehead, and heard a voice in her ear:
"My name is Chu Chengzhou. See you at the Spirit Master Tournament."
In the next instant, the illusion shattered. Chu Chengzhou used his movement skill and vanished into Heaven Dou City like the wind.
Chu Chengzhou: Kissed and ran!
Didn't go for the lips though—didn't want to be too forward with his girl. And it was in an illusion anyway, so let's just call it ransom for the hostage.
Wait… was I just kissed?
Hu Liena slowly touched her forehead, dazed.
"Chu Chengzhou, huh?! Damn it, he took advantage of me!"
A while later, staring at the south gate of Heaven Dou City, Hu Liena shouted, furious and flustered.
On the way back to the academy, Chu Chengzhou put thoughts of Hu Liena aside for now, turning his attention to the hint of golden soul power on his fingertips.
Thanks to his True Spirit Banner Martial Spirit, which allowed free conversion of soul power into summoning-type elements, he could now convert his soul power into gold-element energy after obtaining his fourth summon: the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear.
Fire represented heat and explosion; gold meant sharpness and durability. He wasn't sure yet whether the fire-based or gold-based skills would be stronger.
But one thing was certain—gold-element soul power would significantly enhance his archery techniques.
Based on the theory of five-element interactions, fire restrains metal. Meaning, his Flame Sun Bow—forged from flame-aligned rare metal Flame Sun Iron—might be obsolete?
No. I need to forge a bow that boosts all elements—or I'll just keep running into this problem!
After thinking it through, he shook his head.
Gold-element arrows had powerful offensive potential. But compared to time or space attributes, they still fell short.
With time acceleration, arrows moved so fast they were nearly impossible to dodge. Space-based ones could bypass distance entirely—if your opponent couldn't sense spatial fluctuations, it was a guaranteed hit. Either way, both outclassed plain gold-element arrows.
Even better—what if he could combine multiple attributes?
Imagine arrows that were sharp and durable, accelerated by time, and warped through space. That would blow pure time or space arrows out of the water.
There were indeed metals that could amplify all elemental soul power—Bluprogen, for example, even boosted non-elemental soul power. But its amplification rate was far lower than single-element boosters like Flame Sun Iron.
However, Chu Chengzhou knew of a certain alloy that not only amplified all elemental powers but did so impressively well.
It wasn't natural, but created by skilled smiths in future generations: Spirit Gold.
He also knew that Spirit Gold was forged from Fine Gold and Magic Silver, combined in a specific ratio.
Though he didn't know the exact formula, with only two components and enough skill, he could eventually figure it out through experimentation.
Fused-forging wasn't the same as one of the major forging stages like Thousand-Forging or Spirit Forging.
It wasn't a higher tier, just a special method that fused two or more metals into an alloy.
Unfortunately, his current black-grade forging technique didn't include fusion forging skills. If he wanted to figure it out himself, it'd take forever.
Guess I'll wait and see if red-grade forging techniques unlock it.
For now, he'd just make do with a strong bow that boosted gold-element soul power.
T/N: For up to 20 chapters ahead on all my translations, become a p@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle