Douluo: I’m Cultivating Immortality, and I’m Still a Titled Douluo?

Lu Yunzhou floated above the gathered Soul Masters, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below him with an air of unrivaled confidence. His voice, powerful and commanding, echoed through the open space as he began to speak.

"A cultivator is one who, through a process of self-refinement, self-transcendence, and inner development, unearths their hidden potential, striving toward unity with the heavens, immortality, boundless transformation, and ultimate mastery," he declared. "In this respect, we cultivators share some superficial similarities with you Soul Masters."

He paused briefly, then continued with a trace of disdain, "However, you Soul Masters are nowhere close to comparing with us cultivators."

As his words settled over the crowd, a wave of shock rippled through the onlookers.

"Cultivators? Immortal and omnipotent? There's no difference from a Soul Master, is there? Frankly, they may not even match up to us!"

"That's right! Soul Masters have been the backbone of the Douluo Continent for countless generations. You, a cultivator, claim that we can't compare to you? That's absurd!"

"We Soul Masters are the elite, the cream of the crop among humanity. What are cultivators compared to us?"

"For centuries, the status of Soul Master has been the highest honor on this continent. Surely this so-called 'cultivator' can't measure up to us!"

Lu Yunzhou's proclamation had stirred an undercurrent of skepticism and pride among the gathered Soul Masters.

In the crowd, the Snake Spear Douluo, Yu Long, observed with increasing apprehension. Something in Lu Yunzhou's words—and his air of confidence—felt different, genuine. Could it be possible that Lu Yunzhou truly wasn't a Soul Master but rather… a cultivator?

"A cultivator? Could they really be more powerful than us?" he wondered. "But that doesn't seem likely… Soul Masters have inherited their legacy for eons. This 'cultivator' is just a newcomer. How could they possibly surpass us?"

Despite his inner doubts, Yu Long grew more serious, watching every movement and word of Lu Yunzhou with renewed intensity.

"This talk of cultivators… how intriguing," murmured Qian Renxue, who stood nearby, recalling Lu Yunzhou's earlier displays of power with growing anticipation for what would unfold next.

As he surveyed the crowd's doubtful expressions, Lu Yunzhou's lips curled into a faint smirk, disdain flickering in his eyes. He spoke again, his voice cutting through the murmurs of doubt.

"You've all voiced your opinions, so allow me to compare our two paths, the Soul Master and the cultivator, right here and now. We shall see who is stronger, who is weaker, who is superior, and who is inferior."

With that, he infused his voice with spiritual energy, letting his words reverberate across Heaven Dou City and beyond.

"Soul Masters progress through ten ranks: from Soul Scholar at the lowest level to Titled Douluo at the peak," he explained. "Within the Titled Douluo realm are further distinctions: ordinary Titled Douluo, Pinnacle Douluo, Super Douluo, and Limit Douluo. Altogether, the path of a Soul Master consists of fourteen realms."

He then continued, "As for us cultivators… we ascend through nine primary realms."

"Namely, Qi Refinement, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Soul Transformation, Void Refinement, Integration, Great Ascension, and the final stage: the Heavenly Tribulation."

As he finished speaking, a voice from the crowd interrupted him.

"Only nine realms? Ha! Clearly, cultivators are nothing special compared to us! Soul Masters have fourteen stages, each clearly defined!"

"Exactly! Nine stages barely give anyone room to progress. Does he think that our Soul Douluo stage alone matches his highest stage, Heavenly Tribulation?"

"So just by counting stages, it's obvious that we Soul Masters are superior!" The crowd laughed dismissively.

Hearing the unbridled mockery, Lu Yunzhou's expression hardened. His voice rang out like a thunderclap, silencing the crowd.

"Silence! When I am speaking, no one interrupts!"

With a surge of spiritual energy, he unleashed a powerful pressure that swept over the crowd. Immediately, everyone felt an immense weight pressing down on them, making it hard to breathe. Under this immense spiritual suppression, they couldn't help but tremble.

"How powerful!"

Even Yu Long, the Snake Spear Douluo, clenched his teeth as he struggled to withstand the force pressing down on him.

In the crowd, two people stood unaffected by the pressure. One was Liu Erlong, which made sense given her prior assistance to Lu Yunzhou. The other, however, was "Xue Qinghe," a mysterious exception.

Lu Yunzhou withdrew his aura and looked out over the subdued crowd. He issued a chilling warning, "Anyone who dares to interrupt me again will face instant death!"

Meanwhile, watching from a concealed spot by the city gates, Bibi Dong whispered to herself in admiration, "What a domineering man."

Standing beside her, Chrysanthemum Douluo spoke up cautiously, "Your Majesty, would you like us to test him?"

But Bibi Dong shook her head. "We'll watch and see what he's capable of."

Back in the open square, Lu Yunzhou resumed speaking, explaining the essence of cultivation.

"Cultivators have only nine stages, yes, but each stage is vastly different from the one before it. Moving from one stage to the next is a fundamental transformation, both in quality and quantity."

He gestured broadly. "Let's start with Core Formation."

"At Core Formation, a cultivator can control the spiritual energy within a hundred-mile radius, bending the elements and skies to their will. Destroying an entire city is but a minor feat."

He paused, then continued, "Next is the Nascent Soul stage."

"By shattering one's core and condensing the Nascent Soul, a cultivator can extend their will for miles, altering weather patterns, calling forth clouds, and stirring snow across vast regions. At this level, one's soul can endure even if the body perishes. Those who reach this stage gain ageless lifespans and unparalleled mastery over space."

"Nascent Soul cultivators can separate their soul from their body, an act revered in Taoism as Ascension, in Buddhism as Nirvana, and among the demon clans as Shapeshifting. Those who reach this stage are often called 'Old Monsters,' for they are virtually immortal."

He went on, "Then there's Soul Transformation."

"At Soul Transformation, one's soul is linked with the void, enabling them to create entire realms of life. Such beings can cross the cosmos physically and wield the power of the heavens within their domains, transforming entire regions into their personal divine realms."

He paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in, before continuing in an even tone, "This level is known as 'Great Power,' signifying boundless might."

…

"Integration," he said with a gleam in his eye, "is where one touches the very fabric of existence. Destroying stars with a mere gesture or devouring suns and creating worlds from the void becomes trivial."

"I won't speak of the Great Ascension and Heavenly Tribulation stages," he concluded, his tone dismissive. "For people like you, these realms are beyond comprehension. You need only know that these nine realms are the nine steps leading toward true immortality—the path to become an immortal."

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