Douluo: Glory of the Unrivaled Angel

Word Count: 2,898 Words

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Inner Courtyard Spirit Dueling Arena

High above in the sky, a beam of golden light streaked swiftly like a meteor, closely followed by a golden-red figure.

"Stop! Ling Bai, you stop right there for this lady!"

Watching Ling Bai ahead, sometimes fighting, sometimes fleeing, as cunning as a fox, Wu Ming shouted at the top of her lungs, unleashing her full spirit power. The golden-red Golden Crow Primordial Fire outlined a pair of magnificent wings, and wherever she passed, the air rippled with distorted wave-like patterns.

Ling Bai unfurled his angelic wings to maintain a gliding posture. Five-colored light rings of red, orange, yellow, green, and blue enveloped his body. Turning his head, he teased, "Senior Sister Wu, didn't you just break through to rank 70 spirit power the day before yesterday? Why does it feel like your speed hasn't improved at all?"

Ling Bai swung his Angel Sword backward and unleashed two Evil-Banishing Slashes as he spoke. Wu Ming sidestepped to avoid the attack, but the forced decrease in speed caused the distance between them to grow farther and farther, making her so angry that she nearly gritted her silver teeth to pieces.

Ling Bai was too fast.

The reputation of the Seraphim as the number one aerial Martial Spirit was no exaggeration. Coupled with Gongyang Mo's Rainbow Dragon providing full support, even with a twenty-rank gap in spirit power, Wu Ming couldn't touch a single hair on Ling Bai's head.

"Sister Ruoruo, help me tie him up!"

Unable to take down Ling Bai one-on-one, Wu Ming, exasperated, began seeking help.

"Alright."

Han Ruoruo nodded, a hint of amusement flashing in her eyes. Seven spirit rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black—rose around her. From her fingertip, she shot out a golden light. That golden light seemed like an infinitely extendable golden thread, resembling a golden spirit snake soaring into the sky, brushing past Wu Ming as it pursued Ling Bai.

The Dazzling Golden Rope, a top-level control-type Tool Martial Spirit. Han Ruoruo was also the number one control-type Spirit Master in the Inner Courtyard.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

While Ling Bai single-handedly held back the quasi–Spirit Saint Wu Ming and the Spirit Saint Han Ruoruo, the battle below was equally intense. Huge pink lotuses blossomed one after another in a vibrant and breathtakingly beautiful manner. Yet it was these beautiful lotuses that forced the Ice Element Ling Luochen, the Lightning Leopard Xi Xi, and Ape Yao Haoxuan to retreat step by step.

In the midst of the sea of flowers stood a delicate woman. Six spirit rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black—flashed in succession. Lotus seeds sprouted, stems extended, and grew into a pink ocean. The floral fragrance permeated the air, refreshing and delightful.

Lotus Fairy Hua Yao, with spirit power as high as Rank 69, ranked fourth among the many Inner Courtyard students. The top three were Zhang Lexuan, Han Ruoruo, and Wu Ming. With her strength, she could naturally handle the three Spirit King–rank Shrek Seven Monsters—Ling Luochen, Xi Xi, and Yao Haoxuan—with ease.

Not far away, Sky Blue Sparrow Gu Fan was single-handedly resisting Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng, the two Spirit Emperors. Although somewhat at a disadvantage, this Rank 68 Inner Courtyard's number one agility-type Spirit Master could clearly hold on for a while longer.

Suddenly, Ma Xiaotao and Dai Yueheng exchanged a glance. The former flapped her phoenix wings vigorously, withdrawing from the battle and charging straight toward Hua Yao, leaving Dai Yueheng alone to tangle with Gu Fan.

Gu Fan's pupils suddenly contracted. Ma Xiaotao's spirit power had already reached rank 67, not much inferior to Hua Yao's. If she were to team up with Ling Luochen and the others, there was no doubt that Hua Yao would be defeated!

Due to certain feelings he held for Hua Yao, Gu Fan instantly became anxious. His fifth black spirit ring flared brightly. The Sky Blue Sparrow folded its wings and transformed into a needle-like blue light that pierced through the White Tiger Intense Light Wave. Gu Fan chose to urgently return to support Hua Yao.

Dai Yueheng did not stop him but instead looked up at the two golden and one red beams of light in the sky. At this moment, Ling Bai was leading Wu Ming and the Dazzling Golden Rope toward Hua Yao's position!

"Now!"

Ling Bai's clear voice fell into everyone's ears.

"Red, orange, yellow, green, blue—five-colored rainbow lights, shine together!"

The auxiliary-type Gongyang Mo was the first to release his spirit skills. Five differently colored light rings infused into the bodies of the other six. The Rainbow Dragon was the continent's number one auxiliary-type Beast Martial Spirit, comparable in status to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda among Tool Spirits. Gongyang Mo's five spirit skills respectively increased strength, recovery, speed, spirit power, and attributes by 60%. With the infusion of the five light rings, the aura of the six people surged tremendously!

"Eh?"

Hua Yao, who had initially been relaxed and cheerful, suddenly found that everyone was charging toward her. For a moment, she couldn't help but be slightly stunned. It wasn't until Ling Luochen, Xi Xi, and Yao Haoxuan tore through several lotuses that she reacted. She realized this was a carefully designed trap to catch them all in one go, exploiting Wu Ming's impulsive anger and Gu Fan's secret feelings!

She wanted to open her mouth to warn the two that they had fallen into a trap, but it was already too late!

"Ten Thousand Blades Radiant Glory!"

"White Tiger Meteor Shower!"

"Phoenix Meteor Shower!"

"Ice Sky Fury!"

"Lightning Cage!"

"Thunderous Roar!"

Light blades, meteors, flames, hailstones, lightning, and sound waves—six assault-type Spirit Masters simultaneously unleashed their most powerful area-of-effect spirit skills. The sky was instantly filled with dazzling spirit skill light. Wu Ming and the other two had almost no chance to resist effectively and were rescued from the battlefield by Elder Xuan at the critical moment.

"Hahaha! Five months, a full five months! We've finally taken our revenge!"

The seven people were overjoyed, hugging each other while tears streamed down their faces, feeling as if they had finally seen rain after a long drought.

Gongyang Mo wiped away his tears. Men do not shed tears unless they are deeply grieved

Do you know how the Shrek Seven Monsters spent these past five months?

Getting beaten every day, shouting to the sky daily that they were pigs, enduring both physical and mental torment!

Although Zhang Lexuan didn't participate in the battle and there was suspicion that Han Ruoruo held back, the seven had only managed to deal with Wu Ming, Hua Yao, and Gu Fan, but it was still a historic breakthrough!

"Damn it, who came up with such an inhumane trapping plan?!"

Gu Fan covered his face, not daring to look directly at Hua Yao. He had always thought he hid his feelings for her quite well, but it turned out that everyone already knew!

"Who do you think it could be?"

Wu Ming gave him a sidelong glance and sneered, "Ma Xiaotao is all boobs and no brains, Dai Yueheng is straightforward, Ling Luochen is aloof and cold, Xi Xi is simple-minded, Gongyang Mo is indifferent to worldly affairs, Yao Haoxuan is just a goofball. That leaves only that guy with eight hundred tricks up his sleeve!"

Ling Bai suddenly felt an inexplicable chill, as if someone was badmouthing him.

With Wu Ming and the others defeated, Zhang Lexuan stepped forward with light, graceful steps. She applauded to encourage the Shrek Seven Monsters and said, "After five months of training, your teamwork is finally somewhat presentable. But you're still too young. Let your Big Senior Sister give you a lesson."

Her tone was calm and serene like a deep pool, but the meaning in her words was extremely arrogant. She intended to single-handedly challenge the current Shrek Seven Monsters!

However, no one showed any signs of anger; instead, the strings in their hearts instantly tightened. The reason was simple: she was the Big Senior Sister of the Inner Courtyard, Zhang Lexuan!

"Silver Moon in the Sky!"

Zhang Lexuan's Martial Spirit was the Moon. Under the moonlight, her skin became crystalline and fair. Two yellow, two purple, three black, one red—eight spirit rings rose behind her simultaneously. When that enchanting blood-red spirit ring appeared, the terrifying oppressive force originating from a 100,000-year spirit beast caused the Shrek Seven Monsters' movements to become sluggish.

Zhang Lexuan clearly had no intention of holding back. The pitch-black seventh spirit ring ignited, and the silver moon transformed into a golden full moon. The moonlight replaced the sun's scorching brilliance!

Seventh Spirit Skill, Martial Spirit Avatar!

"Big Senior Sister, spare us!"

"Please don't hit the face!"

"Wait, who touched my ass!"

Miserable screams echoed one after another. Rank 70 spirit power was recognized in the Spirit Master world as a major threshold. A 7-ringed Spirit Saint releasing the Martial Spirit Avatar would typically crush a group of Spirit Kings and Spirit Emperors because the Martial Spirit Avatar represented another realm for Spirit Masters, touching upon the true essence of the Martial Spirit.

A quarter of an hour later, the Shrek Seven Monsters were utterly defeated, once again educated by their Big Senior Sister.

With the battle over, Elder Xuan took a bite of his chicken leg and said leisurely, "Not bad. At least you show some teamwork now, unlike five months ago when you fought individually like scattered sand.

"Next week is Shrek Academy's holiday. I won't arrange any training for the remaining days. Those who need to prepare to go home, go ahead and prepare. Those who are taking a break, enjoy your break. As for that kid executing his first surveillance assignment, handle it yourself."

"Hooray, vacation!"

Gongyang Mo raised both fists, his face beaming as if it were the New Year. With Spirit Dueling Arena points, surveillance assignments, and daily courses, Inner Courtyard students were actually more exhausted than Outer Courtyard students. The holiday was a chance for their bodies and minds to take a breather.

"Of course, if anyone forgets all the tactics during this one-month holiday, I guarantee they'll have an especially miserable time when they return."

After adding this, Elder Xuan took a big swig of fine wine, his body swaying drunkenly as he left the Spirit Dueling Arena. The Shrek Seven Monsters each bid farewell to their five senior brothers and sisters, thanking them for their hard work as sparring partners over the past five months.

With a gentle flap of his angelic wings, Ling Bai landed beside Han Ruoruo and asked softly:

"Elder Sister, are you alright?"

He had clearly seen Han Ruoruo's seventh spirit ring burst with light the moment the six large area-of-effect spirit skills descended, but for some reason, she hadn't used her Dazzling Golden Rope Avatar.

"I'm fine. It's just that my spirit power fluctuated a bit." Han Ruoruo smiled and said, "I've... broken through to Rank 80!"

"Rank 80!"

Wu Ming's eyes lit up upon hearing this. She hugged Han Ruoruo's arm and exclaimed, "Sister Ruoruo, you're about to become the academy's second Spirit Douluo after Big Senior Sister. You absolutely must treat us to dinner tonight!"

"All right, all right, my treat!"

Han Ruoruo helplessly yet dotingly poked Wu Ming's tilted head, then turned to Ling Bai and said,

"Ming'er told me this morning that Chu Qingtian successfully broke through to Rank 50 last night. Little Junior Brother, you reached Rank 50 a month ago, right? Why don't the four of us form a spirit hunting team and head into Star Dou Forest tomorrow to get our spirit rings?"

"Sure!"

Shrek Academy relaxed the requirements for the freshmen's first surveillance assignment, allowing completion during the holiday. Ling Bai had originally planned to return to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to find some experts to accompany him in hunting spirit beasts, then proceed to execute the assignment. Now that he could cling to Han Ruoruo's thigh, he couldn't find a reason to refuse.

"Leaping from Spirit Ancestor to Spirit King in one year.

What, are you aiming to become a God?!"

Wu Ming glared at Ling Bai angrily, vividly demonstrating what it was like to lose one's cool out of envy!

Han Ruoruo laughed and said, "Ming'er, you really shouldn't say that. Little Junior Brother is a twelve-year-old Spirit King, far surpassing the seven Shrek ancestors at the same age. In the future, he might very well become a new-generation God. By then, Shrek Plaza might have to erect another statue."

Ling Bai fell into deep thought. Shrek Academy erecting a statue of the Seraphim, hmm...

Big sis, don't be too absurd!

...

The next morning, Ling Bai, Han Ruoruo, Wu Ming, and Chu Qingtian changed into form-fitting outfits and flew across Sea God Lake, leaving Shrek Academy and heading straight for Star Dou Forest.

As they passed through the Outer Courtyard, several Outer Courtyard female students saw Ling Bai, their faces instantly flushing red, their heads nearly buried in their chests.

"Little Junior Brother, your charm knows no bounds~"

Han Ruoruo deliberately elongated her tone to tease.

Wu Ming snorted and said, "Outer Courtyard girls are young and easily embarrassed after all. Sister Ruoruo, you don't know how open those Inner Courtyard women talk in private."

She put on a lovestruck expression and said in a high-pitched voice:

"I don't even dare to imagine~ If I could lie in the same bed as Ling Bai every day, what a cheerful girl I would be!

I want to hug him every night, touch his abs, count his eyelashes, leave hickeys on his collarbone, and kiss him until his lips swell like sausages...

Eek!!!

Those twenty or thirty-year-old hags, have they no shame!"

Alright, alright, playing the teasing game, are we?

Ling Bai felt his brain shrink. Wu Ming's bombshell was a bit too much for him to handle. And to think, he hadn't even noticed that there were such lecherous senior sisters among the Inner Courtyard students!

Now that he thought about it carefully, it seemed there were indeed a few senior sisters who liked to look at him with smiles of unclear meaning.

"Hahaha!"

Han Ruoruo laughed so hard she couldn't straighten up. Chu Qingtian gave Ling Bai a knowing wink, patting his shoulder and earnestly advising him to give in to the various senior sisters.

"Speaking of which, Ming'er, there's no shortage of talented and good-looking guys in the Inner Courtyard, yet you've been single all these years. What kind of guy do you actually like?" Han Ruoruo asked curiously.

"Me?"

 Wu Ming raised her small chin proudly and said:

"Sister Ruoruo, I'm the mighty Inner Courtyard Active Volcano! The man who conquers me in the future must either be smarter than me or stronger than me. Where is such a person in the Inner Courtyard now!"

Wu Ming had an extremely competitive personality and shared the common mate selection views of the Spirit Master world. Appearance was just a bonus for her; the most important factor was still strength. However, in Shrek's Inner Courtyard, where females outnumbered males, and with Wu Ming's explosive temper, male students had always avoided her like the plague.

"Qingtian, why are your ears perking up?" Ling Bai suddenly noticed.

"What? I... I'm not! Ling-ge, don't talk nonsense!" Chu Qingtian flusteredly replied.

Like hell I believe you!

The four of them advanced very quickly. In just half a day, they arrived at the primeval forest not far from the Outer Region of Star Dou Forest, seeing that blood-red warning sign: "Star Dou Forest ahead, spirit beasts abound."

As the leader of the four-person team, Han Ruoruo commanded, "Everyone rest here and eat something. Adjust your condition to the best state. In half an hour, we'll enter Star Dou."

After a simple task assignment, Wu Ming took the initiative to start a fire and cook. According to her, every fire-element Spirit Master was a natural chef in the making. Chu Qingtian chopped wood and crafted a pot, while Ling Bai and Han Ruoruo were responsible for hunting.

In no time, Ling Bai and Han Ruoruo returned from hunting, carrying five or six chickens and a robust black bull, with a few fish skewered on branches.

Chu Qingtian also came back carrying firewood. While chopping trees to make a pot, he accidentally found some bright red fruits. He handed them to Ling Bai and Han Ruoruo, and when the two walked away, he quietly approached Wu Ming, who was cooking. From his bosom, he took out the largest, juiciest fruit and offered it to her like a treasure.

"Senior Sister, I specially saved this fruit for you!"

"Okay, just put it there for now."

Wu 'Miss Clueless' Ming paid no heed and focused entirely on controlling the flame's temperature. Chu Qingtian retreated under a tree with a dejected face and started drawing circles on the ground.

After a period of eager anticipation, Wu Ming finished roasting the beef, took chicken wings and Extreme North Moonlight Rice from her Storage Spirit Guidance Device, and cooked a big pot of rice for everyone.

Wu Ming gave her culinary creation a catchy and memorable name.

"Fragrant Wing Rice!"

Neither a high score nor a low score seemed appropriate, so Ling Bai gave it a middling score!