douluo dalu: Excalibur

Chapter 4: The Challenge and the Unbelievable Revelation

The days passed swiftly in Nuoding Junior Academy, with students settling into their routines. Tang San, under the guidance of Yu Xiaogang, had gained his first spirit ring—a 400-year-old Datura Snake—boosting his confidence. With the teachings of the so-called Grandmaster and the knowledge of his twin spirits, Tang San began believing he stood at the pinnacle of talent within the academy.

As news of Xiao Ren's terrifying talent spread, jealousy and disbelief brewed among the students. How could someone be so overwhelmingly powerful at such a young age? Tang San, influenced by his growing confidence and Yu Xiaogang's encouragement to test his abilities, made a bold decision.

One morning, as Xiao Ren was quietly meditating in the academy's training ground, Tang San stepped forward.

"Xiao Ren," Tang San called out, his voice calm yet firm. "I wish to challenge you to a friendly duel."

The surrounding students immediately perked up. A duel? Between the two most talented students in the academy? Excitement and curiosity filled the air as more students gathered to watch.

Xiao Ren slowly opened his eyes, glancing at Tang San with an expression of indifference. "Are you sure?" he asked simply.

Tang San nodded. "I want to see the difference between us. You're the strongest in the academy, and I want to learn from this experience."

Yu Xiaogang stood behind Tang San with a confident smile. He believed in Tang San's twin spirits and hidden potential. Even though he acknowledged Xiao Ren's strength, he reasoned that talent alone wouldn't dictate the outcome of a battle.

Seeing no reason to refuse, Xiao Ren stood up. "Very well," he said.

They stepped into the sparring arena, and the students formed a circle around them. The instructor in charge hesitated but eventually agreed to oversee the match.

"Begin!" the instructor announced.

Tang San wasted no time. With his mastery over Blue Silver Grass, he quickly sent vines shooting toward Xiao Ren, aiming to restrain him. His control was precise, and his spirit power was solid for his level.

However, Xiao Ren remained unimpressed.

A golden aura erupted from his body as he casually lifted his hand. With a single wave of his Excalibur martial spirit, a sharp burst of holy energy cut through the approaching vines, disintegrating them instantly.

The watching students gasped.

Tang San frowned but quickly adapted, using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track to move unpredictably while sending hidden weapons flying toward Xiao Ren. Yet, before they could even reach him, a translucent golden barrier formed around Xiao Ren, nullifying the attack effortlessly.

"It's useless," Xiao Ren said calmly.

Then, he released his spirit rings.

A yellow and a deep purple ring emerged from beneath him, surrounding his body with divine energy.

The entire crowd fell into dead silence.

"A thousand-year-old second spirit ring!?" one student shouted in disbelief.

Yu Xiaogang's face paled. "Impossible! No one at his level should be able to withstand absorbing a thousand-year spirit ring!"

Even Tang San was momentarily frozen in shock, his instincts screaming at him that he had underestimated his opponent.

Before he could react, Xiao Ren activated Holy Strike.

A blinding golden light enveloped Excalibur as he swung it downward in a single, decisive motion. The energy wave shot forward at incredible speed, slamming into Tang San before he could dodge.

Boom!

Tang San was sent flying across the training ground, crashing into the ground with a groan. As he struggled to get up, he felt an overwhelming weakness wash over him.

Debuff Applied: -20% to all attributes for three minutes.

His entire body felt sluggish, and his strength had diminished drastically. It was as if all his training had been stripped away in an instant.

The crowd stood in stunned silence, watching Tang San kneel on the ground, panting heavily, while Xiao Ren stood tall, completely unfazed.

Yu Xiaogang rushed to Tang San's side. "Tang San! Are you okay?" he asked anxiously.

Tang San nodded weakly but couldn't hide his shock.

Xiao Ren turned away, already losing interest. "You still have a long way to go."

Without another word, he left the training ground, while the students stared at his retreating figure in awe and fear. The gap between him and his peers was insurmountable.

Tang San clenched his fists. For the first time, he truly understood—there was always someone stronger in this world, and right now, Xiao Ren was someone he could not hope to match.

Yu Xiaogang, however, refused to accept this reality. "A thousand-year-old second spirit ring… There must be a secret! No one should be able to do that! I'll uncover the truth!"

Yet, deep inside, he couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness.

Xiao Ren had shattered all common sense.

That night, as the academy remained silent under the cover of darkness, a figure moved stealthily through the shadows. His eyes gleamed with cold fury as he approached Xiao Ren's residence.

It was Tang Hao.

Seeing his son humiliated and defeated so easily, his pride as a father and a former Clear Sky Douluo burned with anger. He had to teach this boy a lesson.

Just as he prepared to unleash a devastating attack, a towering figure materialized before him, his massive sword gleaming under the moonlight.

Cloud Strife.

Without a single word, Cloud struck.

A single swing of his Buster Sword unleashed an overwhelming force, catching Tang Hao off guard. The Clear Sky Douluo barely had time to react before—

Splat!

Blood sprayed into the night as a chilling scream echoed through the academy grounds.

Tang Hao stumbled backward, eyes wide in horror as he collapsed onto one knee.

His left leg was gone.

Pain and shock consumed him as he clutched his severed limb, his cultivation plummeting from Level 95 to Level 85 in an instant. He had never imagined such power—he had never even seen it coming.

Cloud stood before him, unfazed, his sword still gleaming with fresh blood. His voice was as cold as ice.

"Leave."

Yu Xiaogang, who had witnessed the entire battle from a distance, was paralyzed with fear. Seeing Tang Hao—a once-feared Title Douluo—so easily defeated shattered his confidence entirely.

Tang Hao's breathing was ragged as he bit back his pain, but he knew—he had made a grave mistake.

With no choice but to flee, he disappeared into the night, leaving behind his shattered pride and a terrifying realization.

Xiao Ren was not someone he or his son could afford to provoke.

After the battle, Xiao Ren checked his System Status:

Name: Xiao Ren

Cultivation Level: Spirit Grandmaster (Level 23)

Martial Spirit: Excalibur

Spirit Rings:

1st: 500-year Yellow

2nd: 1,000-year Purple

Abilities: Holy Strike, Observation Haki, Armament Haki, Conqueror's Haki, Marine Six Styles

Summons: Cloud Strife (Level 97 Title Douluo)

A small smirk appeared on his face. This was only the beginning.