Douluo: AFK to Become a God

The next morning, a carriage departed from the Chu residence.

It traveled all the way to the busiest district in the center of Heaven Dou City, finally stopping in front of a building.

Stepping out of the carriage, Chu Chengzhou looked up at the structure.

It was a five-story building, considered quite tall even in the bustling Heaven Dou City.

The first impression it gave was one of elegance. Its architectural style was slightly archaic, and a plaque with only two simple characters hung above: Moon Pavilion.

Men and women came and went, though not many. Those who entered were clearly well-dressed and carried an air of refinement.

After observing for a moment, Chu Chengzhou walked toward the entrance.

Just as he approached the door, two handsome young men in blue garments raised their arms to block his path.

The youth on the left stepped forward, speaking hesitantly, "Young master, you are not a student of Moon Pavilion, are you? Do you have a visiting card?"

Although Chu Chengzhou was impeccably dressed and undeniably handsome, the cold aura radiating from him left an impression of hostility—an aura resembling that of an evil spirit master.

With many aristocratic youths within Moon Pavilion, if something happened because they failed to stop a suspicious guest, they would be blamed.

"I am here to see your mistress."

Glancing at him, Chu Chengzhou spoke calmly.

"May we have your name, young master? We will go report it first," said the youth on the right.

"My name is Chu Chengzhou. Go."

He nodded. He was here to ask for help, and since his motives were not entirely pure, it was not the time to act arrogant.

"Please wait a moment."

The young man bowed slightly and went inside to deliver the message.

Inside Moon Pavilion, Second Floor

Graceful music drifted through the spacious, elegant hall. Tang Yuehua, dressed in a silver palace gown, was demonstrating harp techniques to her students.

A middle-aged man in purple approached, but upon seeing her playing, he stopped and waited quietly.

When the piece ended and applause filled the hall, Tang Yuehua turned to him.

"Manager Ode, what is it?" she asked softly.

"Madam, a young man named Chu Chengzhou is outside, asking to see you," Ode replied with a bow.

"Chu Chengzhou? Why not invite him in?"

Tang Yuehua frowned, slightly displeased.

If she remembered correctly, aside from disheveled individuals, Moon Pavilion had no rule to block guests.

She had met Chu Chengzhou before. He was elegant and outstanding. Even if the attendants did not know him, they should not have stopped him.

Without waiting for Ode's response, Tang Yuehua stood and went downstairs to greet him.

Although they were not close, and her nephew Tang San had once been heavily injured by Chu Chengzhou in the tournament, that was only a match. Injuries were inevitable in competition and should not be taken to heart.

Moreover, she understood the current situation of the Clear Sky Sect. Talents like Chu Chengzhou were worth befriending.

He was closely connected to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and was said to be Ning Fengzhi's future son-in-law—an ally to the Clear Sky Sect against Spirit Hall.

Ode followed in silence, embarrassed by her dissatisfaction.

Outside Moon Pavilion

After a few minutes, Chu Chengzhou saw Tang Yuehua emerge, wearing her silver palace gown, accompanied by the purple-robed man and two maids.

"Madam!"

The two blue-clad attendants quickly saluted.

"A rare guest! Chu, what brings you to your Auntie's Moon Pavilion today?" Tang Yuehua smiled warmly, walking toward him.

Since her nephew Tang San was of similar age to Chu Chengzhou, and she was the same generation as Ning Fengzhi, she naturally spoke as an elder.

"Auntie? In my eyes, Sister Yuehua, you should be called sister, not aunt," Chu Chengzhou replied.

If she were an aunt, wouldn't that put him in the same generation as Tang San?

"Hehe, sweet talker!"

Hearing "sister," Tang Yuehua covered her mouth and chuckled. Women liked to be called younger.

But then she noticed the cold aura around him.

During the tournament, she had seen him before. How had his demeanor changed so drastically in half a year?

If he was once a refined young man, now he resembled a slaughterer, his aura like that of an evil spirit master.

"I recently went to a certain place. My state isn't good. I heard you have a domain that can purify the heart. I hope you can help me."

He didn't explain further, but he knew she would understand.

After all, when Tang Hao had acquired the Killing God Domain, he had likely suffered similar aftereffects, cured under her noble domain.

At his words, Tang Yuehua's pupils shrank in shock.

What place could leave him like this? Aside from the City of Slaughter, she couldn't think of another.

Her brother Tang Hao had also gone there, but when he emerged, he was nearly thirty and close to level 70.

Chu Chengzhou? She didn't know his exact age, but he was clearly under twenty, and half a year ago he was only a fourth-ring Spirit Ancestor. Now he was likely just a fifth-ring Spirit King.

In merely half a year, with at most Spirit King-level strength, he had walked out of the City of Slaughter, obtaining the Killing God Domain?

She didn't know that he had only spent less than a month there; otherwise, she would have been even more stunned.

"It seems Sister Yuehua knows where I went. Will you help me?"

He smiled.

"You call me sister; how could I refuse? Follow me."

After recovering from her shock, Tang Yuehua rolled her eyes at him and led him inside.

'So elegant!'

Following her, Chu Chengzhou couldn't help but admire her graceful curves under the silver gown.

Of course, she wasn't a married woman—she was still a maiden, just older.

As for the rumors that Emperor Xue Ye kept Moon Pavilion safe because of some secret affair with her, that was nonsense.

Although she was a cultivation failure, she was still the princess of the Clear Sky Sect. Even if the sect was hidden, she didn't need such means to survive.

Soon, Tang Yuehua brought him to the fourth floor.

Seeing that she did not take him to the fifth floor, Chu Chengzhou felt a trace of disappointment.

Moon Pavilion had five floors; the top was her private area. Not taking him there meant she still saw him as an outsider.

Well, he was overthinking. It was only their second meeting. Even welcoming him outside was already an exception.

"Little Brother Chu, sit. Tea!"

After seating him, she ordered tea.

Once the maids withdrew, Tang Yuehua asked, "How long since you left the City of Slaughter?"

"About half a month. I can control my killing intent, but I can't suppress the aura."

He answered honestly.

"Hehe, if you can control the killing intent, your control is good. The coldness is not just an aura problem.

It's the massive killing intent inside affecting your temperament. Control alone can't hide that."

She shook her head with a smile.

"Please teach me, Sister Yuehua!"

He cupped his hands earnestly.

Nodding, she released a gentle wave. A platinum domain spread out, making the elegant hall feel even purer and more serene.

If his Killing God Domain was filled with killing intent, her Noble Domain was elegant and soothing, as if it could heal all sorrows.

For the first time in a long while, Chu Chengzhou felt warmth—not physical warmth, but warmth of the heart, melting away his inner coldness.

After quietly savoring it, he opened his eyes.

"Sister Yuehua, your Noble Domain is extraordinary!" he praised.

"Sigh, the domain is both my blessing and my curse. What use is a domain if I can't even become a spirit master?"

Despite his compliment, she sighed helplessly.

If possible, she would rather not have it. The world revered strength; compared to a weak woman with a domain, she longed to be a true powerhouse.

After the Clear Sky Sect's closure, this desire only grew.

"Oh? Sister Yuehua, could you explain?" he asked, pretending to be curious.

"It's fine to tell you. You must know my background.

When I awakened my martial soul, instead of the Clear Sky Hammer, it mutated abnormally. Though it came with a domain, my spirit power was capped at level 9."

Soft platinum light flashed, and a platinum ring appeared in her hand.

"From what I know, martial souls born with domains are extremely powerful, like the Six-Winged Angel of Spirit Hall.

Since yours has a domain, it can't be trash. Something unknown must have limited your cultivation," Chu said.

In his view, mutated martial souls usually evolved for the better. The so-called "malignant" mutations often came from the user's weak talent, not the martial soul itself.

Perhaps her martial soul was originally superior to the Clear Sky Hammer but degraded into a defective version due to insufficient talent, trapping her at level 9.

After all, martial souls with innate domains were of god-level quality, like the Six-Winged Angel or Sea God martial souls.

Even Tang San's Blue Silver Domain wasn't truly "awakened" by his bloodline; it required sacrifices from the Blue Silver King and countless blue silver grass.

"Little Brother Chu, do you know?"

Tang Yuehua looked at him in slight surprise.

"Know what?"

He was puzzled.

"At the time, my grandfather said the same thing! But what's the use of knowing? It still didn't solve the problem."

As she spoke, Tang Yuehua's face showed a trace of resentment.

The meaning was clear: you're just stating the obvious.

Chu Chengzhou: "..."

"Ahem, well then, Sister Yuehua, with your Noble Domain, I feel I'll recover completely before long."

He cleared his throat, changing the subject.

"No, that's only your illusion. My Noble Domain alone is not enough. Next, you also need to learn various noble etiquettes and music."

Tang Yuehua shook her head, speaking seriously.

In the past, though Chu Chengzhou was worth befriending, she hadn't insisted.

Spirit Hall's power was immense, and an ordinary Titled Douluo couldn't help her much.

But a genius youth who had survived the brutal City of Slaughter was different.

Even with little knowledge of the city, she knew that anyone who walked out was a true powerhouse, if not now, then in the future—just like her brother Tang Hao.

Moreover, Chu Chengzhou's talent and strength surpassed her brother's at the same age, since his age and spirit level were much lower when achieving similar feats.

Therefore, Tang Yuehua hoped he would owe her a great favor, to one day help the Clear Sky Sect resist Spirit Hall.

Since he was the prospective son-in-law of Ning Fengzhi, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect opposed Spirit Hall, this was entirely possible.

"Etiquette and music? Sister Yuehua, I can learn music to cultivate my temperament, but etiquette—forget it."

Chu Chengzhou frowned slightly at the idea of noble etiquette.

"No, Little Brother Chu, etiquette is crucial. It refines your character and helps you integrate better into the Empire."

Tang Yuehua shook her head firmly.

"Why should I integrate into the Empire, rather than the Empire adapting to me?"

He blinked.

Why should he adjust for Heaven Dou Empire? One day when he achieved Titled Douluo, all their experts combined wouldn't match him.

Tang Yuehua: "..."

Indeed, men were all reckless—her grandfather, her brother, and now Chu Chengzhou.

"Little Brother Chu, I once heard someone say the weak adapt to the world, but the world adapts to the strong. I believe I have the potential to become strong."

Chu Chengzhou continued.

"Little Brother Chu, will you learn the noble etiquette or not?!"

Tang Yuehua's face was expressionless.

"I'll learn, of course! If Sister Yuehua is willing to teach, I'll definitely learn!"

He agreed without hesitation.

Strong spiritual power wouldn't make one smarter, but it greatly improved learning efficiency. With his Absolute Control technique, mimicking movements was easy. Noble etiquette and music shouldn't be difficult.

Seven Months Later

Morning, third floor of Moon Pavilion.

Elegant and melodious music echoed in the performance hall.

On the central stage, Chu Chengzhou and Tang Yuehua sat opposite each other, smiling as they played the harp together.

After half a year, his cold aura had completely faded.

No, it was better than before. If he once seemed a bit overbearing, now he perfectly fit the saying:

—A gentleman as graceful as jade, unmatched in the world.

When the song ended, applause filled the hall.

"Little Brother Chu, you've done well. You can graduate!"

Tang Yuehua smiled.

"Sister Yuehua flatters me. I still have much to learn."

Chu Chengzhou replied with a smile.

"Humility is good, but don't overdo it."

She shook her head.

She wasn't exaggerating. His comprehension far exceeded ordinary people. In just over half a year, studying only half a day each day, he had made great progress in etiquette and music.

Though not yet her equal, he had surpassed many students who had studied at Moon Pavilion for three years.

Thus, she performed with him to teach the other students.

"Sister Yuehua, I have urgent matters to attend to and won't be able to come to Moon Pavilion soon."

He apologized slightly.

"It's fine. I said you've already graduated. But my Moon Pavilion will always welcome you."

She waved her hand.

"As long as Sister Yuehua doesn't mind."

He nodded.

After chatting for a while, Chu Chengzhou bid farewell, left Moon Pavilion, and took a carriage to the northern gate of Heaven Dou City.

At the gate, he dismissed the carriage and servants, summoned Xiao Hong, and flew toward the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

During the past months, although he studied etiquette and music every morning, he hadn't neglected cultivation.

Since consuming the Eight-Petal Ice Grass and Fiery Apricot, his cultivation speed had surpassed normal innate full spirit power. Combined with the golden Nine Breaths Meditation technique, even at the Spirit King stage, where leveling required more energy, his progress remained rapid.

Seven months ago, when he left the City of Slaughter, he was level 55. Now, just yesterday, he broke through to level 60, a quasi-Spirit Emperor.

However, the five-level increase did not dramatically enhance his personal combat power.

Aside from spirit summons, his strongest combat technique was archery, with illusions being secondary.

With the Nine Heavens Mystic Bow and Flowing Gold Piercing Arrows, his Sun-Piercing Divine Arrow technique could threaten even Spirit Douluo.

Yet its upper limit relied on soul-forged weapons; his spirit level remained at five rings, limiting its improvement.

On the other hand, his spirit summons had improved significantly.

After months of passive upgrading, his fourth spirit ring had reached over fifty-six thousand years.

Now Xiong Da's strength equaled that of a fifty-six-thousand-year-old Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear.

Such a beast could tear apart weaker Titled Douluo like She Long even under their Martial Soul True Body.

Additionally, over these months, his body cultivation technique Indestructible Golden Body and his mental technique Eternal Thought both evolved into golden-grade.

Today, he headed to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect because he had arranged with Chen Xin to depart in the afternoon for Star Dou Forest to obtain his sixth spirit ring.

While he could hunt alone—with Xiong Da's current power, few beasts under 100,000 years could beat it—going solo was inconvenient and risky.

To avoid encountering multiple powerful enemies during his ring fusion, Chu Chengzhou planned to have Chen Xin accompany him.

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