Douluo: AFK to Become a God

"Thank you for Your Holiness's favor, but as for joining Spirit Hall, I still need to discuss it with my elders back home. I hope Your Holiness will understand."

Chu Chengzhou bowed slightly, giving a tactful refusal.

Joining Spirit Hall and becoming the Pope's direct disciple would seem like an enormous benefit to outsiders — and indeed, it was — but to Chu Chengzhou, it didn't hold much real appeal.

Unlike many other fantasy worlds, Douluo Dalu's spirit masters didn't place much importance on formal master-disciple lineages. On the path of growth, having a teacher wasn't a necessity.

A teacher's role was mostly to bestow spirit bones and treasures, and to act as a backer.

But with his father-in-law Ning Fengzhi around, he didn't lack a powerful backer.

Judging by the current balance of power on the continent, as long as Spirit Hall didn't dispatch their worship elders and go all out to kill him, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan could protect him just fine.

And as for spirit bones — to him, if it wasn't a spirit bone over 100,000 years old, it was no different from an ordinary one he could buy with gold spirit coins, and that was only for now.

Once his spirit power rose and his "plug-in" leveled up, with much more efficient auto-training, unless a spirit bone had an exceptional ability, even a 100,000-year one might not interest him.

Hearing this, Bibi Dong's expression darkened but quickly returned to normal. She nodded and said calmly, "Very well. This matter indeed shouldn't be rushed. You may step back for now~"

Of course, Bibi Dong could tell that Chu Chengzhou was politely refusing. In her eyes, this young man simply didn't know what was good for him.

But since he had no intention of joining Spirit Hall, that was that — just a genius spirit master, nothing more.

Soon I, Bibi Dong, will become a god — you don't want to be my disciple? Hah! I wouldn't take you even if you begged!

Once Chu Chengzhou returned to his team, Bibi Dong's gaze swept across the three teams on the plaza. Her eyes lingered an extra second on Tang San before she gave Ghost Douluo a slight nod.

Receiving her signal, Ghost Douluo's sharp gaze locked on Tang San. In his raspy voice, he declared, "The finals of this All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament have now come to a perfect conclusion! Next, there is one more matter that I ask all present to witness.

Tang San, surrender yourself!"

As soon as he spoke, everyone turned to look at Tang San in shock.

What was going on? Judging by Spirit Hall's attitude, they were going after Tang San from Heaven Dou Imperial Academy?

"Your Holiness, may I ask what is the meaning of this?"

In Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's rest area, the leading teacher Qin Ming's expression changed. He hurriedly asked.

Tang San was his student — if Spirit Hall detained him without a clear reason, how could he possibly explain that when he got back?

"That's right, may I ask Your Holiness why you would trouble a student from our Heaven Dou Imperial Academy?"

From the judges' seats, Xue Qinghe, representing the Heaven Dou Empire, also spoke up.

"Elder Ghost, explain it to them."

Bibi Dong said calmly to Ghost Douluo.

"Yes, Your Holiness!"

Ghost Douluo bowed and then spoke righteously: "Perhaps some of you don't know, but Spirit Hall has already discovered that Tang San is the son of Tang Hao, the Clear Sky Douluo.

Over ten years ago, Tang Hao colluded with the shape-shifting spirit beast, the Blue Silver Emperor, and deliberately murdered our former Pope.

And just half a year ago, in Star Dou Great Forest, there was an extremely heinous incident.

To obtain spirit bones, Tang Hao recklessly slaughtered countless high-level spirit beasts in the forest. According to Spirit Hall's preliminary estimate, at least 3,000 spirit beasts over 50,000 years old were butchered by Tang Hao. Such actions are absolutely intolerable!

Moreover, after this atrocity, our Spirit Hall sent numerous people to investigate in Star Dou Forest, but our Elder Hall's Dragon Blade Douluo and many elite spirit masters above rank 60 were slaughtered by Tang Hao.

For all these reasons, our Spirit Hall will never allow Tang Hao to remain free!"

At these words, the entire audience erupted in whispers.

"Pssh~ So that's why Tang San has so many spirit bones!"

"Tang Hao's wanton slaughter in Star Dou Great Forest is like cutting off the roots of the spirit master world!"

"Intolerable, absolutely intolerable!"

Putting aside the grievances from over ten years ago — whether Tang Hao really killed that Dragon Blade Douluo or not — just the mass slaughter of high-level spirit beasts would draw harsh condemnation from all forces across the continent.

Otherwise, if every Title Douluo copied that, where would younger spirit masters get their high-level spirit rings in the future?

Of course, condemnation was one thing — actually crusading against him? Well… better not.

Back then, Tang Hao could hammer the previous Pope to death. Now, after so many years, he must have grown even stronger.

Across the entire continent, there were probably only a handful of people who could beat Tang Hao. No need for their own experts to go get themselves killed — better to leave this for the "righteous" Spirit Hall to handle.

"Your Holiness, might there be some misunderstanding in all this?"

Ning Fengzhi turned to Bibi Dong and asked.

That "unity of the three upper clans" had always been just for show — nice words for the records.

But as the saying goes, "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." Ever since the Clear Sky Clan's "invincible on land" Tang Chen disappeared, and Spirit Hall rose to dominance, the three upper clans had been more like plastic allies in facing Spirit Hall's pressure together.

Back when Spirit Hall forced the Clear Sky Clan into seclusion, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan hadn't intended to stand idly by. But Spirit Hall had used the charge that Tang Hao colluded with a shape-shifting spirit beast to kill Pope Qian Xunji as a reason to block them.

Spirit masters naturally stood opposed to spirit beasts — with such a righteous excuse, the two clans had no choice but to stand down.

Now Spirit Hall was doing the same again, slapping a "traitor" label on Tang Hao and apparently planning to use Tang San as bait to lure him out and eliminate him. Ning Fengzhi didn't like the looks of this at all.

Though Tang Hao wasn't from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, if Tang Hao fell, Spirit Hall would lose one major thorn in its side — and once full, who knew if Spirit Hall might turn its greedy eyes to his own clan's vast fortune next?

To Ning Fengzhi and his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Tang Hao was very necessary to keep Spirit Hall in check.

"Misunderstanding? Clan Master Ning, please have some respect! Tang Hao is not only Spirit Hall's wanted criminal and a traitor to humanity but a sinner intent on severing the roots of the spirit master world!"

Bibi Dong looked at Ning Fengzhi coldly, giving him no face at all.

"Your Holiness, Tang Hao is Tang Hao, Tang San is Tang San. He is innocent."

After a moment's thought, Ning Fengzhi spoke again.

In his view, Tang Hao's reputation was already beyond saving — he didn't need to defend him. If he could protect Tang San, that would be enough.

After all, with Tang Hao's strength, even if he couldn't beat Spirit Hall, his life shouldn't be at risk.

"Hmph~ Tang San is the offspring of a human traitor and a shape-shifting spirit beast. If allowed to grow, he will surely become a future threat to the spirit master world and must be eliminated!

Clan Master Ning, your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has a long heritage. I'm sure your clan also has records of the 'Darkest Era.' This Pope hopes you will place the survival of human civilization above all else!"

Bibi Dong's expression turned solemn.

The "Darkest Era" she mentioned was a period long ago that had nearly wiped out human civilization.

At that time, Spirit Hall did not yet exist. Just after spirit masters defeated spirit beasts and drove them into forests to become the continent's rulers, a powerful spirit master coupled with a shape-shifting spirit beast, giving birth to a half-human, half-beast offspring.

Spirit masters and spirit beasts naturally stood on opposing sides. Such a hybrid was intolerable to the spirit master world.

Moreover, that spirit master was arrogant and reckless, offending many forces. When word spread, many spirit masters, whether out of hatred or the lure of a 100,000-year spirit ring and spirit bone, hunted him down.

After a long escape, the spirit master died holding off pursuers, but his beast wife and hybrid child fled back to Star Dou Forest.

Decades later, a massive beast tide swept through half the continent. The masterminds behind it were not only numerous shape-shifting spirit beasts but that very same hybrid offspring who now loathed humanity.

Over the following decades, countless 100,000-year spirit beasts, lacking the confidence to endure their heavenly tribulation, chose to transform into humans under the hybrid's protection, becoming rare and powerful spirit masters.

It was known that for a 100,000-year spirit beast to reach 200,000 years, they must survive a heavenly tribulation — but the odds of success were slim.

Yet once a spirit beast chose to transform, they essentially became spirit masters with innate full spirit power — and since they were "re-cultivating," their real talent was often stronger than ordinary spirit masters.

If they survived, they'd reach Title Douluo for sure — and a shape-shifting spirit beast's potential was at least a high-level Title Douluo.

Within decades, over half the continent was ruled by these shape-shifting beasts. The human commoners under their rule became blood sacrifices that the spirit beasts could hunt at will — human civilization was on the brink of extinction.

Fortunately, just as everything seemed lost, an unrivaled genius rose up, achieving rank 99 and rallying the people's faith to sacrifice himself. With a divine sword martial spirit that was just one step short of becoming a true divine weapon, he sealed away the hybrid and the powerful beasts.

That dark age, which nearly ended human civilization, came to be known as the "Darkest Era."

If Tang San wasn't eliminated, who could guarantee he wouldn't become a threat like that ancient hybrid?

Of course, that hybrid caused such devastation only because the human spirit master world back then was weak and lacked true powerhouses.

In this era, any 100,000-year spirit beast that dared show up in the human world would simply become a walking spirit ring and spirit bone bundle.

After the Darkest Era, there were indeed other hybrid offspring — but as the times changed and human spirit masters grew stronger, any who tried to make trouble couldn't stir up any real waves.

Rumors even said that the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, the so-called number one beast martial spirit, originated from a shape-shifting 100,000-year Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Otherwise, why could the Star Luo Empire's White Tiger family never develop a "tiger transformation" secret technique, while the Yu Clan could?

Hearing Bibi Dong's talk of "righteousness," Ning Fengzhi's heart tightened — then fell silent.

Ning Fengzhi had studied his clan's records thoroughly and knew of the "Darkest Era."

Though the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan hadn't yet existed at that time, the Ning family ancestors did — and even from the few words that had survived, he knew how dire that period had been and why such a dark age had come to pass.

With such a lofty hat of "righteousness" slammed down on him, what could he do?Was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan really supposed to become the entire continent's enemy for the sake of one outsider? Impossible!

Of course, Ning Fengzhi knew very well that Bibi Dong's talk of "righteousness for humanity" was not about any grand moral cause — it was purely a pretext to slander Tang Hao and his son, and by extension, the Clear Sky Clan behind them.

Sure enough — "A bamboo snake's bite, a hornet's sting, both are venomous, but nothing is more poisonous than a woman's heart." This woman was truly vicious!

Meanwhile, on the plaza in front of the Pope's Hall—

"Hurry up, let's go! There's gonna be a fight between Title Douluos soon — get out of here!"

Chu Chengzhou sent a voice transmission to the members of the Blue Tyrant Team and Hu Liena.

Unless something unexpected happened, the next scene would be Tang San's overpowered father making his dazzling entrance.

Whether Tang Hao would fall in Spirit City today, Chu Chengzhou didn't know. But what he did know was that a fierce battle was about to erupt here.

The shockwaves from a battle between Title Douluo-level powerhouses were not something they, with their puny arms and legs, could withstand. It was best to stay far away.

Hmm, hiding behind his father-in-law Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin wasn't a bad idea either.

With a powerhouse like Chen Xin protecting them, they'd be safe for sure — and could enjoy the show too.

Receiving Chu Chengzhou's message, the members of the Blue Tyrant Team were shocked and immediately ran with him toward Chen Xin.

Likewise, Hu Liena didn't hesitate and led the Spirit Hall Team toward her teacher Bibi Dong.

Very quickly, only the Royal Fight Team remained on the plaza.

Bibi Dong naturally noticed how the two teams reacted, and she was slightly surprised.

She'd been about to remind her disciple Hu Liena to get her teammates away from the upcoming clash to avoid getting caught up in it — but clearly, there was no need for her to say anything.

"Elder Ghost, what are you standing there for? Take down that Tang San!"

Once her disciples were by her side, Bibi Dong shot a glance at Ghost Douluo, then raised her hand and pointed directly at Tang San.

"Yes, Your Holiness!"

At once, Ghost Douluo's shadow flickered. Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black — nine spirit rings materialized around him. He leapt forward, and his immense pressure bore down on Tang San, ready to capture him.

"Hmph — just a brat like you dares to hurt my son? Get lost!"

Right then, a deep voice suddenly rang out, exploding in the air like thunder. It wasn't loud, but the sheer dominance it carried made everyone's body instinctively tremble.

Hearing that voice, Tang San, who was barely resisting Ghost Douluo's pressure, showed a look of joy.

Tang San: My overpowered dad is here — who dares touch a hair on my head? Ghost Douluo of Spirit Hall? You're courting death!

In front of the Pope's Hall, Bibi Dong's face instantly turned serious.

With a loud roar, a dark figure shot through the air and crashed straight into Ghost Douluo.

"Boom—!"

A violent explosion sounded. Ghost Douluo, struck mid-air, coughed up blood and was blasted away like a cannonball.

Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Ghost Douluo, who had almost been crippled, looked up in lingering fear.

There, floating silently in midair as if he naturally belonged there, was a tall man in a black robe.

It was a middle-aged man, appearing to be in his fifties. He was big and broad, and even standing there calmly in midair, he radiated an aura of overwhelming dominance.

At the same time, the dark figure that had struck Ghost Douluo flew back and landed in the man's right hand.

Everyone saw it clearly now — that dark figure was a massive black hammer.

"Tang Hao!"

Bibi Dong shouted, her eyes locked on Tang Hao in midair.

Tang Hao faced her coldly, fearless. With a flash, he appeared right in front of Tang San.

With a wave of his hand, Tang Hao used his spirit power to send the rest of the Royal Fight Team far away.

If it were others, Tang Hao wouldn't bother about their lives. But since they were his beloved son's teammates, he couldn't let them get caught up in this.

Besides, Yu Tianheng was a direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and Dugu Yan had a grandfather who was a Title Douluo. Dugu Bo was here too.

Meanwhile, Ghost Douluo, who had retreated to Bibi Dong's side, along with Yue Guan and Ling Yuan, unleashed their spirit power at full strength. The terrifying aura of three Title Douluos crashed toward Tang Hao.

But in the face of this pressure — which would feel like a mountain to an ordinary Spirit Master — Tang Hao stood as if in a breeze, upright and unmoved. His eyes flashed with a piercing light as he stared straight at Bibi Dong. "Heh — trying to avenge your teacher, huh? Bibi Dong, you really think you lot can keep me, Tang Hao, here?"

Bibi Dong's lips curled into a mocking smile. She raised her hand and a shrill whistle echoed out.

Moments later, the doors behind her in the Pope's Hall swung open, and ten figures stepped out, each surrounded by nine spirit rings.

Though none of these ten had the bright red ten-thousand-year spirit ring — and some even had a fifth spirit ring that wasn't black — it didn't matter. Every one of them was a Title Douluo.

"Thirteen... no, fourteen Title Douluos?!"

Seeing the ten elders of Spirit Hall emerge, Tang Hao's pupils shrank. He realized that Spirit Hall had come fully prepared.

Including Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, Ling Yuan, and Bibi Dong herself, that made fourteen Title Douluos.

Even if you combined all the other forces on the continent, they probably wouldn't have fourteen Title Douluos total. Spirit Hall's strength was truly terrifying.

But Tang Hao showed no fear at all. One by one, spirit rings rose beneath his feet — slowly, but with each one, his aura grew stronger.

When his ninth ten-thousand-year spirit ring appeared, Tang Hao's aura reached its peak.

In fact, aside from Bibi Dong — who hadn't yet released her martial spirit or rings — Tang Hao alone suppressed the combined pressure of Spirit Hall's thirteen Title Douluo elders.

With his giant hammer in hand, Tang Hao looked coldly at Bibi Dong, declaring proudly: "Fourteen Title Douluos. Spirit Hall truly lives up to its name! But so what if you're fourteen? I, Tang Hao, fear nothing!

Little San, watch closely — your father will show you why the Clear Sky Hammer is the number one tool martial spirit in the world!"

With that, Tang Hao let out a mighty shout. His seventh spirit ring lit up, and a torrent of spirit power surged forth. A black figure, holding a hammer hundreds of meters long and like a towering giant, appeared behind him.

At the same time, Tang Hao's yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, red nine spirit rings all shone brightly before merging into the giant hammer held by his true Clear Sky form.

When that final ten-thousand-year ninth spirit ring merged with the hammer, crimson patterns appeared. The massive spirit body and its mountain-sized hammer instantly turned blood-red.

In this moment, Tang Hao had not only unleashed his true martial spirit body but also activated the Clear Sky Clan's strongest secret art: the Great Sumeru Hammer.

Of course, this wasn't the Ring Detonation yet — that was the Great Sumeru Hammer's ultimate move. Right now, he was just infusing the spirit rings' power into his hammer to boost its might.

"Spirit Hall! Oh, Spirit Hall — today, I, Tang Hao, will make you pay in blood!"

Amid wild laughter filled with endless hatred, Tang Hao moved. The giant hammer held by his true form crashed down toward Bibi Dong, the Pope of Spirit Hall.

Now fully healed and with his spirit power at rank 96, Tang Hao was brimming with confidence!

And he had every right to be confident. After all, he was a man with a ten-thousand-year ninth spirit ring and a full set of spirit bones. With the number one tool spirit in the world, his power at rank 96 could rival that of a rank 97 Title Douluo with no ten-thousand-year ring.

Add the Great Sumeru Hammer — once he detonated his rings, even ordinary rank 98 peak Douluos would flee from him. Unless a Transcendent Douluo appeared, what was there to fear?

In an instant, the air over the Pope's Hill — and even the entire Spirit City — twisted and warped. Every Spirit Master below the Title Douluo level found themselves completely frozen in place.

For those who had never faced the might of a Title Douluo before, they could now truly understand why Title Douluos were addressed as "Your Majesty."

Why were Title Douluos called "Your Majesty" on the continent?

Because a Title Douluo's sheer strength alone granted them a status equivalent to that of an emperor.

Even if an army of ten thousand elite soldiers were dispatched, they couldn't possibly kill a Title Douluo without an equal-level opponent. Instead, they'd be routed as the Douluo crushed their ranks.

Of course, among Title Douluos, there were strong and weak ones. The strong were truly powerful, while the weak ones — well, they could be defeated by outstanding Spirit Douluos with eight rings.

These "watered-down Majesties" mostly came from Spirit Hall. The most typical example was Snake Spear Douluo She Long.

"Bold! Take him down!"

Bibi Dong pointed her jewel-encrusted scepter and shouted an order at the gathered Douluos.

With enough enforcers at hand — thirteen against one — the advantage was hers, so Bibi Dong had no intention of acting personally.

Of course, the main reason was that she didn't want her martial spirit avatar's form to be so easily exposed to everyone present.

The world knew that the Pope of Spirit Hall was a peerless beauty — but how many knew that when she released her spirit body, she looked like a terrifying demon from hell?

T/N: For up to 30 chapters ahead on most of my translations, become a p@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle