Douluo Dalu: Sun Gauntlet

🌟 Greetings, esteemed Spirit Masters! 🌟

In honor of my birthday on March 6th, I am hosting an epic giveaway and offering some incredible discounts! Let's embark on this soul-stirring adventure together:

🌀 Giveaways:

- 10 Quantum Spark: Unlock 15 chapters in advance for all my fanfics!

- 7 Astral Bolt: Unlock 35 chapters in advance for all my fanfics!

- 4 Cosmic Tempest: Unlock 65 chapters in advance for all my fanfics!

- 2 Supernova Charge: Unlock 85 chapters in advance for all my fanfics, plus exclusive access to my latest work before it's available to the public for several months!

💸 Discounts:

- 🔥 40% off for 1 month

- 🎇 35% off for 1 year

💥 Conditions:

We need at least 100 Spirit Masters to join this journey! If we don't reach that number, I'll adjust the number of winners accordingly. Don't miss out on this soul-enhancing experience!

🔔 Note: This grand giveaway is exclusively for my loyal PAtreon Spirit Masters! The last webnovel giveaway had some winners who didn't respond, so I'm keeping this one within our clan. BUT, even if you're a free member, you're welcome to join the clan and participate in the excitement! Also the discount will be available only for that day.

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Prepare your spirit rings and get ready to enhance your soul power with these fantastic perks! 🎂✨

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The p@treon chapters are ready till Astral Bolt tier, i.e 35 chapters, I will try to make more as soon as possible.

Also let's try to get this fanfic to the rankings.

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As they neared the dormitory, Huo Wu seemed a little anxious.

"I really want to go back and take a shower," she muttered.

Her skirt wasn't too thick, so it had dried quickly after leaving the training area. However, after sweating so much, she felt sticky all over and longed for a proper bath.

Quan Yi pointed toward the entrance ahead. "We'll split up here."

"Where are you going?" Huo Wu asked.

"I still have training to do. I'm heading to the playground."

Huo Wu rolled her eyes playfully. "Can I come watch?"

Quan Yi raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you just say you wanted to take a bath?"

Huo Wu grinned. "I can shower later. I'm more curious about how you train."

"Uh…" Quan Yi hesitated before stating, "I usually train shirtless. You're a young girl—wouldn't it be inappropriate for you to watch?"

Huo Wu waved her hand dismissively. "It's fine. We're both soul masters, aren't we? Besides, I've already seen you soaked before—it's basically the same thing."

Quan Yi tried another approach. "I usually train for more than two hours. Are you sure you have the patience for that?"

It was only then that Huo Wu realized he was tactfully rejecting her. Her expression immediately shifted, and she pouted slightly. "Do you think I'm annoying?"

Uh-oh.

Quan Yi froze as he met Huo Wu's watery, aggrieved eyes. He felt a little helpless and quickly relented.

"I promise, I promise," he said hurriedly.

Huo Wu's expression instantly brightened. A triumphant smile curved her lips. "Hehe, that's better! Let's go!"

She playfully patted Quan Yi's shoulder before skipping ahead with a lighthearted bounce in her step.

'Sigh~, such a terrifying skill at such a young age. If she's like this now, what will she be like when she grows up?'

Realizing he had been completely outmaneuvered, Quan Yi could only sigh in defeat.

At the Playground

Quan Yi led Huo Wu to the training ground, which was just as deserted as before.

Seeing the empty space, Huo Wu frowned in confusion. "I didn't even know there was a place like this near the dormitory."

Quan Yi blinked. "Isn't it written in the academy guide?"

Huo Wu crossed her arms. "That guide is way too thick. Who would actually read the whole thing? I only skimmed the first part."

"There's a lot of useful information in there," Quan Yi replied matter-of-factly. "Reading it carefully would help you a lot."

Huo Wu looked at him in disbelief. "Wait… you're not saying you actually read through the entire thing, are you?"

Quan Yi nodded. "Of course. It includes the history of the academy, introductions to the teachers… it's pretty interesting."

Huo Wu was speechless.

Before she could process his words, Quan Yi saw that it was time to begin training. Without another word, he stepped under the horizontal bar and took off his shirt.

It was the first time Huo Wu had seen his bare upper body up close.

Her gaze was immediately drawn to his muscles.

She was momentarily stunned.

Quan Yi's physique wasn't bulky like a traditional warrior's, nor was it lean like an ordinary teenager's. His body carried a unique balance—smooth, well-defined muscles that exuded a raw, natural beauty. It was unlike anything she had expected.

It didn't even look like a boy's body.

Quan Yi, noticing her gaze, felt slightly uncomfortable.

"Ahem, I'm starting now," he reminded her.

Snapped out of her daze, Huo Wu's cheeks instantly turned red. She quickly shifted her focus to his movements, pretending nothing had happened.

Quan Yi adjusted his stance under the horizontal bar, taking a moment to loosen up his body. Then, without hesitation, he began his training.

His movements were precise and fluid—each action seamlessly connecting to the next.

Huo Wu watched in fascination.

She had never seen this kind of exercise before.

There was a rhythm to it, a natural flow that made it clear this wasn't just ordinary physical training.

As Quan Yi became fully immersed in his routine, his focus sharpened. He paid no attention to Huo Wu—only by maintaining absolute concentration could he ensure that he wouldn't injure himself while pushing his limits.

As Huo Wu watched Quan Yi train, she suddenly felt a dangerous aura emanating from him. His expression was more serious than she had ever seen before.

Like a ferocious beast preparing to strike, his presence made her unconsciously hold her breath.

Quan Yi executed forty burpees and forty pull-ups with effortless precision, his movements fluid and controlled. Meanwhile, Huo Wu silently observed him, her gaze fixed on his every motion.

With his upper body bare, she could clearly see the way his muscles tensed and shifted with each exercise. This visual understanding helped her grasp the purpose behind each movement.

The first exercise seemed to be for full-body conditioning.

The second, though simple, targeted the back and arm strength.

After observing for a while, Huo Wu decided to try it herself. Without saying a word, she walked over to the horizontal bar and started her own training.

Fortunately, her skirt wasn't too short, so although it was slightly inconvenient, she didn't have to worry too much.

At first, she thought it wouldn't be too difficult—after all, she was a Level 13 soul master and possessed a beast-type Martial Soul. Her physical fitness was already above average.

However, after just thirty burpees, her entire body felt like it was on fire. The intensity was overwhelming.

By the time she reached forty, her breathing had become erratic, yet she refused to stop. Gritting her teeth, she moved on to pull-ups, determined to keep pace with Quan Yi.

Pull-ups required exceptional arm strength, making them even harder than burpees—especially for a beginner.

For the first time, Huo Wu truly felt the weight of her own body. As she struggled to lift herself, her arms trembled uncontrollably, her face contorting in effort.

Even though she was exhausted, she refused to give up. She forced herself through all forty repetitions.

As soon as her feet touched the ground, her legs nearly gave out beneath her. She gasped for breath, her chest rising and falling as she desperately tried to regulate her breathing.

She had never expected such a simple exercise to drain her so completely.

When she turned to look at Quan Yi, she was stunned to see how relaxed he was, as if the workout had barely affected him.

Her heart filled with admiration.

This level of endurance wasn't something that could be achieved overnight—it was the result of relentless, day-after-day training.

No wonder Quan Yi was so strong.

And because of this, Huo Wu respected him even more.

After resting for a short while, she steadied herself and prepared to continue.

She wasn't entirely sure why she was pushing herself so hard, but she had a feeling that if she backed down now, the distance between her and Quan Yi would only grow.

She didn't want to lose him as a friend.

Now that she had started, she had to see it through to the end.

Quan Yi soon noticed that Huo Wu was following his routine.

To him, her movements weren't quite standard, and as exhaustion set in, they began to falter even more.

Yet, instead of stopping her, he simply observed in silence before stepping aside to continue his own training.

On a scorching summer day, the two of them trained alone on the playground.

Grueling as it was, having a companion made the experience feel youthful and full of passion.

Two hours passed, and Quan Yi had completed his workout.

Huo Wu, however, was still struggling to keep up.

She was on her eighth set—only ten pull-ups left.

Her soul power was nearly depleted, and her body had reached its absolute limit.

At this point, she was practically hanging from the bar, her hands weak and barely able to hold on.

She swayed precariously, on the verge of collapsing.

"Come on, Huo Wu! Just ten more!"

Quan Yi clapped his hands loudly, his voice filled with urgency and encouragement.

He had never shouted like this before—never lost his composure so completely.

But in this moment, he didn't care.

He just wanted to support the girl who was giving her all to surpass her limits.

Huo Wu, who had nearly lost consciousness, suddenly felt a surge of energy at the sound of his voice.

Her dazed eyes reignited with determination, a fierce fire burning within them.

She wanted to burn away all obstacles in her path.

"Ten, nine, eight…!"

At this stage, only her sheer willpower was keeping her going.

When the body reaches its limit, only the spirit can push it further.

This wasn't just a test of physical endurance—it was a battle of the mind.

"Five, four… Come on, push through! Just three more!"

Quan Yi's palms had turned red from clapping so hard, but he didn't stop.

His voice echoed in Huo Wu's mind.

She had never seen this side of him before—so passionate, so wild.

It surprised her.

And, oddly enough, it made her want to laugh.

But more than anything, it made her want to win.

Fueled by his encouragement, she mustered the last of her strength.

"Three… two… one!"

The moment she finished her final pull-up, she let out a shaky breath of relief.

And then, her body went completely limp.

She had pushed herself past her limit.

Her fingers slipped from the bar, and she began to fall.

But Quan Yi had already anticipated this.

The second she let go, he moved.

In one swift motion, he caught her securely in his arms.

Looking down at her unconscious face, he sighed softly.

Gently, he wiped the sweat from her brow.