Douluo: My Clone Is Groudon

"It's not entirely accurate to say that. Once a soul master becomes a Titled Douluo and condenses their soul core, the speed at which they recover soul power increases significantly."

"There's a saying: 'Quantitative change leads to qualitative change.' The accumulation of hundreds of ordinary attacks can still result in terrifying destruction."

Leng Yaozhu corrected Gu La, though Gu La naturally understood this principle—it was all part of giving his teacher an opportunity to guide him.

Moreover, he had already downplayed the effects of his soul skills. A divine martial soul paired with near-divine soul rings could produce soul skills beyond mortal comprehension.

For example, the growth potential of his three soul skills far surpassed that of ordinary ten-thousand-year soul rings.

The Golden Ancient Tree perfectly aligned with Celebi's Forest Dominion. As a subordinate to the origin of plant life, if cultivated properly, it might even surpass A Yin and become the Ancient Tree of Life ahead of schedule.

"There's one more thing."

Leng Yaozhu said, "I've sent people to investigate, and there may be a way to replace the first three soul rings of your primary martial soul."

"Teacher, please tell me."

Gu La's eyes lit up as he activated the Forest Dominion alongside his first soul skill, summoning a golden branch. A crystal-clear fruit containing the warm, radiant soul power of the Golden Ancient Tree grew at its tip. He diligently plucked it and offered it to Leng Yaozhu.

Leng Yaozhu chuckled softly, her delicate hand accepting the fruit. Her soul power transformed into threads at her fingertips, slicing the fruit in half, and she handed one piece back to him.

"You came from the Dou Ling Continent—you should have heard of the Hao Tian Sect. They possess a secret technique that allows them to explode soul rings to unleash tremendous power. If used repeatedly, it can completely destroy the soul rings."

"But the soul rings don't vanish entirely. They cannot be re-fused, and the user will suffer backlash."

"If you can learn this technique, the healing abilities of your second martial soul shouldn't struggle to withstand the backlash."

"When the time comes, you can enter the deeper levels of the Spirit Pagoda and apply for funding. You could hybridize a spirit soul containing the bloodlines of both the Mighty Golden Bear and the Earth Demon Bear. Though the Flame Lord has average compatibility with them, it would require extra effort. If successful, the hybrid spirit soul could replace the soul rings without altering the soul skills."

"Are you referring to the Great Sumeru Hammer Technique of the Hao Tian Sect?" Gu La adjusted his posture, his eyes gleaming faintly. "I've seen fragments of it in ancient texts. Do you know this secret technique, Teacher?"

Leng Yaozhu's response doused Gu La with cold water: "No, I don't. But this technique is already outdated. There are records of it in Shrek Academy's inner library. Your junior sister plans to attend Shrek Academy—you can go along and borrow the materials for a price when the time comes."

"Thank you, Teacher, for taking such care of me," Gu La said sincerely, truly appreciating the benefits of having a teacher. Whether in terms of resources or knowledge, it far surpassed what he could achieve on his own.

Leng Yaozhu smiled. "There are many research projects within the Spirit Pagoda; this is just a minor one. However, it will require significant resources, possibly even soul bones—you'll need to figure out how to secure those yourself."

As she spoke, she placed the sliced fruit into her mouth, where the golden juice coalesced into honey-like droplets on her lips.

"Teacher, I will work hard."

Gu La nodded earnestly. Fusing spirit souls and assimilating soul rings relied heavily on luck—this steady and reliable method suited him far better.

Leng Yaozhu gave a slight nod. She could easily provide all the resources Gu La needed until he reached Limit Douluo, but that wouldn't benefit his growth. Motivation was key to effort.

The two then shifted to casual conversation, deepening their understanding of each other as the mecha flew back to the Donghai Spirit Pagoda.

Through the porthole, Gu La gazed at the surging waves below. The East Sea resembled shattered blue glass scattered into countless pieces, with sunlight refracting into tiny golden sparks between the waves.

Suddenly, Leng Yaozhu's Phoenix Mech tilted sharply into a dive. Instinctively, Gu La grabbed the armrest of his seat, only to hear light laughter from the pilot's seat.

"Afraid of heights?"

The feathered ornament dangling from Leng Yaozhu's silver hair swayed gently as she expertly maneuvered the mecha into a graceful spiral. "Disciples of the Spirit Pagoda must get used to these heights."

Gu La was speechless. His teacher, who was hundreds of years old, still enjoyed teasing him like a child.

Leng Yaozhu cracked a joke before landing the mecha. She instructed Gu La to complete his formal induction into the Spirit Pagoda, then disappeared at the end of the spiral staircase.

After Gu La finished the procedures and officially became a member of the Spirit Pagoda, Leng Yaozhu returned with a young girl by her side.

The girl, dressed in silver-patterned attire similar to Leng Yaozhu's, had an unremarkable appearance—black hair, black eyes—but possessed an air of detachment and aloofness uncommon among ordinary people. A flicker of emotion passed through her eyes when she looked at Gu La.

Because Leng Yaozhu had just mentioned that Gu La's talent surpassed hers, this infuriated someone who considered herself the embodiment of the Dragon God. Even with her essence sealed, she couldn't fathom being compared to mere mortals.

"Let me introduce you," Leng Yaozhu's phoenix feather accessory moved without wind. "This is Gu Yue, your junior sister. Gu La, you're the senior brother. You're a year older, so look after Gu Yue."

"Teacher, rest assured—I'll take good care of my junior sister."

Gu La deliberately emphasized the word "care," harboring no goodwill toward the culprit responsible for his exile to this foreign world. Oh, he'd "take care" of her, all right!

Sensing Gu La's hostility, Gu Yue didn't hold back.

"Teacher." Gu Yue's voice was like icy spring water colliding with jade, creating a stark contrast with her plain appearance. "You said someone could surpass me in talent. I challenge him."

Gu La glanced at their teacher.

Leng Yaozhu sighed slightly, troubled that her two disciples were already brimming with animosity upon their first meeting.

"Yue'er, your senior brother is already a three-ring Soul Elder."

The implication was clear—Gu Yue wasn't a match for him.

After all, the Silver Dragon King, unfamiliar with human norms after transforming into human form, had modeled herself after Tang Wu Lin and sealed too much of her power. At nine years old, she barely managed to reach fifteen levels of soul power.

Even after realizing her mistake and accelerating her cultivation, she had only just broken through to level twenty.

Gu Yue persisted: "Level doesn't determine everything."

Her stubbornness reminded Leng Yaozhu of herself. With a tender smile tinged with indulgence, she sighed:

"All right, but the duel must take place in the virtual arena. Gu La, mind your limits."

Gu La flashed a bright, toothy grin: "Teacher, don't worry—I'll go easy on my junior sister."

This statement was like pouring oil onto a fire. Gu Yue, who initially only intended to teach her "senior brother" a lesson and gain more of her teacher's favor, now became deadly serious.

The trio headed to the virtual arena, a semi-real, semi-virtual simulation environment akin to the Ascension Platform.

Gu La and Gu Yue entered the virtual pods, their consciousness uploaded. When they reappeared, they stood on a spacious arena.

Gu La remained indifferent, completely disregarding Gu Yue as he introduced himself according to the rules:

"Gu Yue, martial soul: Elementalist. Level 21, control-type Soul Grandmaster."

The staff of the Spirit Pagoda were drawn to this unexpected duel, casting curious glances during their breaks.

Two purple soul rings rose beneath the girl's feet, and suddenly, the entire arena was blanketed in a flurry of snowflakes.

"Gu La, martial soul: Celebi. Level 35, control-type Soul Elder."

Gu La no longer concealed the true name of his martial soul. Under Leng Yaozhu's exasperated gaze, he unleashed his newly acquired spirit soul-powered second martial soul.

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