Douluo: AFK to Become a God

She Long and Ci Xue could not defeat Chenxin, and Qian Renxue must not be harmed—if she was, they would suffer fates worse than death.

But Chenxin too was caught. With Chu Chengzhou still in the midst of absorbing his ring, he couldn't risk recklessness.

The atmosphere grew tense.

Meanwhile, Chu Chengzhou, though focused on refining the Titan Giant Ape's ring, shifted a sliver of attention outward. A trace of his spiritual power spread, sensing the situation.

Even while absorbing a ring, a soul master was not blind to the outside world. With two Title Douluo flaring their auras nearby, only the dead could miss it.

"Qian Renxue?"

Extending his sense, Chu Chengzhou was startled.

That angelic beauty—he had glimpsed her once back when he was still a Shrek student, in a town outside Star Dou Forest. Impossible to forget.

So this was what had happened: by coincidence, Chenxin had recognized the Angel Clan heiress and was ready to strike. Not impossible.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was already at odds with Spirit Hall, and Chenxin bore the grudge of his father's death at Qian Daoliu's hands. Presented with this chance, he would not pass it by.

If not for Chu Chengzhou's absorption keeping him cautious, Chenxin might have attacked already.

Thinking quickly, Chu Chengzhou suppressed his aura and sent a mental transmission to Qian Renxue: Leave, quickly!

Whether or not he coveted the angel maiden, she must not fall here. The consequences of her death would be disastrous.

Spirit Hall's strength was beyond doubt. Since Tang Chen's disappearance, it had stood as the unchallenged overlord of the soul master world.

Only the two great empires' armies kept balance. Without them, no coalition of sects or clans could resist Spirit Hall.

So why had Spirit Hall not already unified the continent? Three reasons:

First, soul masters were few. To rule, one needed vast armies of common soldiers.

Second, many of Spirit Hall's soul masters were still sons and daughters of the two empires. A war of conquest would turn them against their homeland.

Third, their hopes rested on Qian Renxue. With her innate level 20 soul power, the Angel Clan's prodigy, destined to inherit the seraph's godhood—once she ascended, the continent would be theirs effortlessly.

By conquering in the name of divine mandate, they could minimize losses.

War was no game. Even if stronger, Spirit Hall could not avoid grievous sacrifice. Even worship elders might fall.

So they waited—for Qian Renxue's apotheosis.

In the original path, Spirit Hall founded its empire only after her cover in Heaven Dou failed. But if Qian Renxue died here, that patience would end. Spirit Hall would launch its unification war at once.

And Qian Daoliu, who had already lost a son decades ago, would not stay calm if his only granddaughter perished. He might not know who struck the killing blow, but he would not care. Every power with Title Douluo would be hunted and annihilated until his rage was spent.

Therefore—Qian Renxue could not be allowed to die.

Leave?

Her pupils shrank at the sudden, familiar voice in her mind. She turned in shock toward the youth absorbing his ring.

As Xue Qinghe, she and Chu Chengzhou were "brothers," close in courtly courtesy. But now, in her true form, they should have no connection. Had he recognized her?

Impossible!

Even Chenxin and Gu Rong could not pierce her disguise. How could Chu Chengzhou?

But this was no time for doubts. She sent a quick transmission to her guards, spread her wings, and shot into the distance.

She Long gripped his snake spear tighter, tense as he warned: "Sword Douluo, our mistress is the Grand Worship's own granddaughter. And that boy beside you still needs your protection. Don't act rashly."

Chenxin's face darkened. He looked from the fleeing Qian Renxue to Chu Chengzhou, then back to the guards.

"Leave."

He understood. If he chased, they would strike at Chu Chengzhou. If he spared them, killing them lost meaning.

And Spirit Hall had no shortage of Title Douluo. Even weaklings like these, if slain, would bring vengeance down on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.

He could only pretend this meeting never happened.

She Long and Ci Xue withdrew at once. On their way out, they even circled back, crippled the fleeing Radiant Flame Winged Tiger, and carried it off.

Chu Chengzhou, sensing Qian Renxue's safe escape, exhaled in relief. The continent's balance must hold—for now. Better to be the one riding the waves than the one drowning in them.

Half an hour later, his aura surged. Chu Chengzhou broke through—Soul Emperor at level 63.

Status Panel

Host: Chu Chengzhou

Soul Power: Level 63 Soul Emperor

Martial Spirit: True Spirit Banner

Rings: Black (10,000), Black (10,000), Black (10,000), Black (57,160), Black (29,050), Black (80,900)

Skills

1st: Spirit Summon: Sky Azure Tree

2nd: Spirit Summon: Radiant Lion

3rd: Spirit Summon: Fire Phoenix

4th: Spirit Summon: Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear

5th: Spirit Summon: Blackwater Turtle

6th: Spirit Summon: Titan Giant Ape

Techniques

Nine-Breath Qi Meditation (Gold)

Indestructible Body (Gold)

Eternal Thought (Gold)

Sun-Piercing Divine Arrow (Red)

Earth-Striding Divine Light (Red)

Absolute Control (Red)

Illusory Realm (Red)

Creation Hammer (Red)

Instant Blossom (Red)

Hang-Up Slots

Illusory Realm (Red)

Earth-Striding Divine Light (Red)

Nine-Breath Qi Meditation (Gold)

Sun-Piercing Divine Arrow (Red)

Fourth Ring (Black)

Martial Spirit: True Spirit Banner (Top-Tier)

(Empty)

As expected, with an eighty-thousand-year Titan Giant Ape ring, his level leapt straight to 63. His physique now rivaled many Contras. Only his spiritual power still lagged far behind Title Douluo.

The hang-up panel had expanded by one slot, but efficiency remained—one day of hang-up gained eighty years of ring age. The quickest to upgrade was the Sun-Piercing Divine Arrow; within weeks it would reach gold-grade mastery.

Without hesitation, he placed the Titan Giant Ape into the new slot. Once upgraded to a hundred thousand years, he would have the confidence to confront the Star Luo Empire itself.

Chu Chengzhou: Hehehe—

Closing the panel, he glanced at the ape's corpse.

Damn it. Will I ever be lucky?

Perhaps all his fortune had been devoured by the hang-up system. Without the ironclad law that ten-thousand-year beasts always dropped a soul bone, he might have thought himself cursed never to touch one.

"How is it?"

Chenxin asked as Chu Chengzhou awoke.

"Not bad. I'd say I've barely reached the threshold of a Title Douluo."

Chu Chengzhou answered with feigned modesty.

Truthfully, both Xiong Da at fifty-seven thousand years and Da Hei at over eighty thousand had the power to smash weak Title Douluo.

Yes—Da Hei was the name he gave his Titan Giant Ape summon.

"Tsk, you really are a monster."

Chenxin smacked his lips, sighing inwardly.

He actually believed Chu Chengzhou's words.

After all, every spirit summon Chu Chengzhou had displayed showed power surpassing even wild soul beasts of the same age. If this Titan Giant Ape's summon was no weaker than its wild counterpart, then just by virtue of its eighty-thousand-year cultivation, it already stood at Title Douluo level.

Of course, Chenxin's impression was influenced by Chu Chengzhou concealing the true ages of his rings. Still, Chenxin wasn't wrong—his summons really were stronger than beasts of equivalent years.

The power of a summon was measured in two parts: the beast's own cultivation, and the bonus provided by its summoner. If the summon's age far exceeded the soul master's level, the bonus was minimal; but if the summon's age was beneath him, the added power became very noticeable.

It was much like soul skills: same year, but in the hands of a stronger soul master, the effect was greater.

—

Three days later, in Heaven Dou City.

Near noon, a carriage departed the Chu estate, heading toward the Heaven Dou Grand Hotel.

The night before, Chu Chengzhou had received an invitation. His "good elder brother" Xue Qinghe had arranged a banquet there at midday to host his dear "little brother."

The angel young lady was treating—of course he would attend.

He had no fear this was a trap. Qian Renxue couldn't afford to ruin years of careful plotting. In the capital itself, she dared not cause a scene. If she wanted to take him by force, she wouldn't need the guise of a banquet—she'd simply kidnap him outright.

Before long, the carriage arrived.

"Master Chu, His Highness bade me wait here to receive you. Please follow me."

A servant greeted him before he even stepped through the doors.

"Mm."

Chu Chengzhou nodded lightly, following the man upstairs to a luxurious private room.

"Brother Qinghe, it's been so long!"

Chu Chengzhou spread his arms wide, striding forward as if to embrace him warmly.

Qian Renxue twitched at the corner of her mouth, slipping away discreetly. In the past she might have accepted, but now that she suspected he had seen through her identity, such closeness was intolerable.

"Haha, that's why I invited you, my good brother! But it grows late—come, sit."

She called for food and wine, then dismissed the attendants. Only the two of them remained.

"You're not curious at all?"

Seeing Chu Chengzhou calmly eating without questioning her, Qian Renxue could not resist asking.

There was no way he didn't know her secret. Otherwise why warn her in the forest?

"Curious about what?"

He asked blandly.

Her brows lifted. Was he feigning ignorance, or truly so shameless?

Before she could probe further, he added with a smile, "Brother Qinghe, I haven't yet congratulated you on reaching the realm of a seven-ring Soul Sage!"

He emphasized the words.

Though her angel skull's disguise revealed only a forty-first level Soul Ancestor, Chu Chengzhou knew better. In Star Dou Forest she had already been a seventy-level quasi-Soul Sage. Returning, she must now have broken through.

Why keep pretending? To keep calling each other brother and brother was plastic and dull. Better to speak frankly.

"Since when did you know?"

Her face grew solemn.

"It was destiny's guidance," Chu Chengzhou answered, deadpan nonsense. He certainly couldn't say he'd read it in the novel.

"What do you want? If it's within my ability, I'll do it."

She had no patience for his excuses. Years of infiltration could not be wasted.

"Good question. But before that, could you show me your true face, Brother Qinghe? Aside from that day in Star Dou, I've only seen you once before—and that face I could never forget."

His smile was meaningful.

Qian Renxue fell silent. She knew well his frivolous ways, his "grand ambitions."

If he weren't such a notorious flirt, she might not have been unwilling. But to be tied to a man like this? Dangerous.

"If so, then let us change the place."

Chu Chengzhou's spiritual power surged, activating his Illusory Realm technique, pulling her consciousness into a dreamscape.

Though strong, she had only just entered seven rings. Even with her near-hundred-thousand-year angel skull, her spiritual power was insufficient to resist.

Her vision shifted; she stood now in a fragrant, flowery world.

"One glance topples cities, another topples nations. The ancients spoke true."

Chu Chengzhou gazed at her peerless face, sighing in admiration.

Within the illusion, her disguise vanished. What appeared was Qian Renxue's true angelic beauty.

Her brows arched. Hmph—at least his taste was sound, and his flattery skilled. Still, where was this place? Why had her mask and disguise failed?

Golden hair brushed her shoulders—her cover was gone.

"My dear Brother Qinghe, may I know your true name now?"

Chu Chengzhou took her jade hand and kissed it.

Her eyes flew wide. I treated you as a brother, and you…

"This is a hand-kiss," Chu Chengzhou explained serenely, "a noble courtesy, not impropriety."

Tang Yuehua: Is that really how I taught you?

"Pah!"

She yanked her hand back, cheeks burning, unwilling to let him escalate to cheek or lip kisses.

"My name is Qian Renxue. Chu Chengzhou, there can never be anything between us. Don't waste your time."

Her voice was sharp.

She knew why he had stayed silent—clearly, he coveted her. But she would never share a man, and he would never abandon his harem.

"Oh? Why not? In all the continent, who else has both my talent and my looks?"

He arched a brow, abandoning Yuehua's polished etiquette in favor of shameless pursuit.

"As the Angel Clan's sole heir, I cannot marry out."

Her tone was firm.

"No matter. I'm understanding. The children can take your surname instead."

He waved it off.

"You—you're shameless!"

Her fury spiked. Was that what I meant?!

"Shameless? My little angel, surely you don't want Emperor Xue Ye to know your true identity?"

Chu Chengzhou's smile widened.

"You wouldn't dare!"

Now she was truly enraged. Decades of careful scheming—she would not allow them to be ruined.

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