Douluo: AFK to Become a God

Afternoon, halfway to Star Dou Great Forest.

"You brat, how did you reach level 60 so quickly?"

In midair, on the back of the fire phoenix spirit Xiao Hong, Chenxin couldn't help but ask Chu Chengzhou in surprise.

He clearly remembered that during the Soul Master Tournament, Chu Chengzhou was only a four-ring Soul Sect. After the tournament, he had just advanced to five rings, Soul King. Now, in just over a year, his soul power had broken through to level 60, nearly Soul Emperor. Wasn't this too fast?Back then Chenxin was also a genius with full innate soul power, yet it took him over four years to go from level 50 to 60. Compared to Chu Chengzhou's one year, the difference was immense.

"I'm a genius, after all~"

Chu Chengzhou smiled "modestly."

Though he had once been a nobody with only half a level of innate soul power, now, purely in terms of cultivation speed, even without the hidden medicinal effects of the immortal herbs in his body, he was probably only second to Qian Renxue, who was born with level 20 innate power.

If those medicinal boosts were counted, even without the Nine-Breath Qi Meditation Method, his speed could match Qian Renxue's—and not the lazy, half-hearted one, but a diligent, focused Qian Renxue.

And with the Nine-Breath Qi Meditation, when it came to speed, he claimed second in the world—no one could claim first.

Advancing one rank in just over a year? Child's play!

Compared with the original tale where Qian Renxue needed only five or six years to rise from Soul Sage to Angel God, he was still far behind.

"Tsk~ you brat aren't normal, and neither is Rongrong!"

Clicking his tongue, Chenxin muttered.

It wasn't just Chu Chengzhou's speed. His precious granddaughter Ning Rongrong's cultivation was also abnormal.

He remembered clearly—during the Tournament, she was a level 44 Soul Sect. Yet two months ago, she returned home saying she had already reached five rings, Soul King.

From level 44 to 50 in ten months, even breaking through the bottleneck at 49, and all by pure cultivation—not through absorbing soul bones. Who would believe it?

And though Chenxin was over ninety, his eyes were sharp. His granddaughter's fifth ring was clearly not just a little over ten thousand years. Judging by its depth of color, it looked as strong as his own twenty-thousand-year sixth ring.

If this weren't his granddaughter and future grandson-in-law, he would have tied them up and interrogated them thoroughly.

"By the way, brat, what kind of sixth soul ring do you want?"

Chenxin asked seriously.

"Any soul beast under a hundred thousand years with time, space, earth, or wind attributes."

Chu Chengzhou answered without hesitation.

He had no soul bones, and even with the strength of his body-refining art, the Indestructible Golden Body, he doubted he could yet bear a hundred-thousand-year sixth ring.

After all, his five current rings were already very high in years, with even the fourth exceeding fifty thousand.

But below a hundred thousand, most rings shouldn't be a problem.

Now that his Indestructible Golden Body had reached golden grade, its effects were far stronger.

As for attributes, time and space needed no explanation—space reigns supreme, time is sovereign. In any world, they were the strongest.

Earth and wind, however, were preparation.

Xiao Qing the Sky Azure Tree spirit was wood, Xiao Hong the Fire Phoenix spirit was fire, Xiong Da the Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear spirit was metal, and Turtle Two the Mystic Water Turtle was water.

With earth, he could complete the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, earth. Perfectly fused, the power of his Sun-Shooting Arrows would skyrocket.

With wind, plus earth later, he could complete the four symbols: earth, water, fire, wind—also with great potential.

Perhaps five elements fused into one, and the four symbols into chaos, could form the foundation of godhood?In the original, there were three paths to godhood:

One, by divine trials, inheriting a god's throne, like Qian Renxue.

Two, by gathering faith, like Sea God Poseidon.

Three, by pure accumulation—though none had succeeded yet, until later when the world evolved.

But surely there were more ways—such as mastering laws. Gods controlled laws, so comprehending them could also grant godhood.

And to avoid conflicts with existing gods, he thought it best not to choose laws already bound to divine thrones, especially those of the Five Supreme God Kings.

Still, perhaps they wouldn't be hostile—maybe they'd even take disciples.

But he knew of no god ruling the Five Elements Law, nor one of Chaos.

These were paths straight to heaven. The fusion of the four symbols into Chaos might even allow ascension to God King.

"What, anything under a hundred thousand years?"

Chenxin was shocked. He knew Chu Chengzhou's body and spirit were far beyond peers, but wasn't this too exaggerated?

Even he, a Title Douluo, had a ninth ring just over ninety thousand years—not that he couldn't bear a hundred thousand, but they were impossible to find.

Normally, to endure ninety thousand years, one had to be at least a level 90 quasi-Title Douluo, or an 80+ Contra with a beast spirit.

"Of course not beasts like Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bears. But ordinary ones, I can handle.

It doesn't have to be ninety-thousand exactly. Species matters. If the beast is innately strong, lower years are fine."

Chu Chengzhou shrugged.

Because among power beasts, species differences were huge.

A pureblood dragon, a Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear, or a Dark Evil God Tiger could crush others of the same age.

In fact, in the original, a sixty-thousand-year Dark Evil God Tiger was strong enough to force even hundred-thousand-year Da Ming and Er Ming to retreat.

But his True Spirit Banner martial soul hadn't evolved yet. Its summons were capped below god-level. Even with such a ring, the spirit would be weaker than the real thing.

"Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear is strong, and Star Dou still has them. Few beasts can match it at the same age. Want another one?"

Chenxin suggested.

"..."

Chu Chengzhou was speechless.

Sure, he had thought of nine such bears before.

Yes, with all those rings, his summoning would be stronger now.

But the weakness was clear.

A flying soul master could just dodge their Terrorclaw skill, and all five would be useless.

Besides, his other spirits weren't weak forever. As their years grew, they would evolve.

Like Blue Silver Grass becoming Blue Silver Emperor at a hundred thousand years.

And compared to Xiong Da, was Xiao Hong weaker?In brute force, yes, Xiong Da wins. But against flying foes, nine bears were worthless compared to one Xiao Hong.

Too much specialization wasn't good. Not all fights could be solved with brute force.

Most importantly, when reaching godhood, each law was unique. Nine identical summons would be restricted.

Meanwhile, in Heaven Dou Palace.

Inside a hall, Emperor Xue Ye was reviewing government affairs.

Outside, a guard announced: "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince requests an audience!"

"Enter!"

Without raising his head, Emperor Xue Ye continued reading memorials.

Emperor Xue Ye didn't even lift his head, his face still solemn as he studied the memorial in his hands, pondering which course of action to take.

Before long, Xue Qinghe entered the hall, holding a thick stack of memorials already reviewed, with proposed responses written out, though none had been officially finalized.

"Your son greets Father! Father, this batch of memorials has been processed."

Qian Renxue bowed to Emperor Xue Ye.

As the crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, and one involved in governance, Xue Qinghe's authority was neither too small nor too great. For example, she could only provide recommendations on ministers' memorials, while the final decision was always left to Emperor Xue Ye.

"Place them here."

Glancing at his eldest son, Emperor Xue Ye nodded slightly, pointing to the desk before returning his attention to the memorial in hand.

"Father, my soul power has recently broken through. I request leave for a few days to make a trip to Sunset Forest."

Putting down the memorial, Qian Renxue spoke.

"Oh? Qinghe, your soul power has reached level 40?"

Emperor Xue Ye asked with some delight.

"Yes, Father."

Qian Renxue nodded.

Of course, the reason Xue Qinghe could claim a breakthrough at level 40 was that in truth her cultivation had already surpassed level 70.

Having advanced again, Qian Renxue would not waste time. She would head to Star Dou Great Forest with two protectors to obtain her seventh soul ring and become Soul Sage.

Outwardly, however, she was simply going to Sunset Forest to obtain her fourth ring and become Soul Ancestor.

"Good! Remember to bring more guards when hunting a soul beast in Sunset Forest."

Emperor Xue Ye nodded with satisfaction.

Although his eldest son had consumed many resources and only broke through level 40 at the age of 25, making him seem mediocre compared to true geniuses, this level was already enough for a crown prince. At best, his future achievements might reach six or seven rings.

After all, unless the martial spirit mutated, no member of the royal family with the Swan spirit had broken through level 80 in over a hundred years.

But the royal family did not rely on strength to rule, and a king's personal power was not paramount. Breaking through level 40 by age 25 was sufficient. More important was whether one could be a competent emperor.

Still, being a high-level soul master had its benefits.

For one, their bodies were always better than those of low-level soul masters. Only with good health could one manage the burdens of governance.

Look at Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—over sixty years old, yet appearing in his thirties or forties. Reports even said he still frequented the imperial auction house for fox-tail girls.

By contrast, though Emperor Xue Ye was less than ten years older, years of exhausting work and lower cultivation had aged him beyond even Ning Fengzhi's father's generation.

The main reasons were overwork, sleepless nights, and his weaker cultivation compared to Ning Fengzhi.

"Yes, Father."

Qian Renxue bowed and withdrew.

Returning to the Eastern Palace, she took a few trusted guards, left Heaven Dou Palace, and secretly met with She Long and Ci Xue.

After dismissing her overt guards, she changed back into her female attire and, with her two protectors, set out for Star Dou Great Forest.

A week later, in the morning, at the core of Star Dou Great Forest.

High above the forest, Chu Chengzhou and Chenxin sat astride Xiao Hong, watching the soul beasts below.

"Kid, that sixty-thousand-year black dragon we just saw was pretty good. Why didn't you want it?"

Chenxin asked curiously.

In Douluo Continent, dragon-type beasts were among the strongest. Though that black dragon's bloodline wasn't pure, it was extraordinary, its strength no less than an ordinary ninety-thousand-year beast. Some weaker Title Douluo couldn't defeat it.

To Chenxin, that black dragon was more than worthy to be Chu Chengzhou's sixth ring. Yet Chu Chengzhou dismissed it.

"That dragon wasn't weak, but the attribute doesn't suit me."

Chu Chengzhou shook his head.

He already had five rings. He could still obtain four more, but only four.

For the heavenly path he envisioned, two had to be earth and wind, while the remaining two must be time and space.

But the black dragon's attribute was darkness. Compared with time and space, it was lacking.

And beyond their superiority, time-space fusion itself was a path to heaven.

Chenxin raised his brows—young people truly were demanding.

"Roar——!"

Suddenly, a beast's roar echoed from far ahead.

"Grandpa Jian, can you sense what it is?"

Noticing the unusual force in the roar, Chu Chengzhou turned to Chenxin.

Though adept at spiritual power, his range was still inferior to this 96th-level Title Douluo. He could only vaguely sense a fight.

"There are two beasts fighting there, both strong—at least top-level eight-ring strength.

The exact species isn't clear yet, but one is metal attribute, and the other…"

Chenxin focused, then smiled at Chu Chengzhou.

"Earth or wind?"

Chu Chengzhou asked quickly.

Since Chenxin put it that way, it had to be one of the two he needed.

"Earth."

Chenxin answered directly.

"Then let's go. If it suits, I'll take it."

At once, Chu Chengzhou directed Xiao Hong toward the roar.

"Boom, boom, boom——"

Soon, violent crashes reached their ears, and a fierce battle appeared in sight.

In the forest below, two massive beasts clashed—or rather, one was beating the other down.

The one being pummeled was over twenty meters long, shaped like a tyrannosaurus, with thick hind legs, short forelimbs, and a maw full of sharp fangs. Its body gleamed like steel armor under the sun—the Steel Armored Tyrannosaurus.

The one doing the beating resembled a giant ape, twelve meters tall, muscles bulging like granite, with eyes glowing yellow like crystals—the Titan Giant Ape.

"Titan Giant Ape?"

Chu Chengzhou was surprised. If not for its smaller size and weaker aura, he would have mistaken it for Er Ming, Xiao Wu's little brother.

"Tsk~ About eighty thousand years. Crushing a near hundred-thousand-year Steel Armored Tyrannosaurus."

Chenxin estimated.

Despite its dragon name, the Steel Armored Tyrannosaurus was just a hybrid, not a pure dragon. Even with nearly a hundred thousand years, it was still being crushed.

"Boom, boom, boom——"

The Titan Giant Ape slammed its massive fists onto the dinosaur's head, then grabbed its jaw, swinging it like a hammer and smashing it into the ground with force that shook the forest.

Trees collapsed, the earth trembled like an earthquake, flowers and grass destroyed.

All the while, the ape shook its hips, its huge eyes gleaming with excitement. Clearly, it was a domineering bully, reveling in beating the weak.

Titan Giant Ape: Look at the size of my fists!

"Kid, can you handle this Titan Giant Ape's ring?"

Chenxin asked.

"No problem. My sixth soul ring will be it!"

Chu Chengzhou answered decisively.

An eighty-thousand-year Titan Giant Ape was perfect.

Earth attribute, powerful, nearly a hundred thousand. Once he advanced to Soul Emperor, in just eight months of "hang-up" cultivation, its spirit could reach a hundred thousand years.

At that point, his Titan Giant Ape spirit could rival even the enshrined elders of Spirit Hall. Ordinary Title Douluo wouldn't be its match.

Though it would be like a small horse pulling a huge cart—too much power for his level—he would still become one of the continent's strongest in no time.

He couldn't help but wonder: when his Titan Giant Ape reached a hundred thousand years, standing beside Er Ming, would Xiao Wu be able to tell them apart?

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