Douluo: My Clone Is Groudon

Huge welcome and thank you to our new Patron: Dark Libra!

I've also recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Douluo: AFKing to Become a God

------------------------------------------------------

"Bang!"

Yu Tianliang slammed his fist into the alloy railing with tremendous force, causing ripples of soul power to spread across the arena's protective barrier.

The white light from the dome reflected off his rigid back as he stared at the deep trenches carved by the gravity field on the ground. The metallic taste of blood rose in his throat—it wasn't just the pain of his martial soul's backlash, but the bitter sting of his pride being crushed.

"Seven-on-one..." He muttered the phrase through gritted teeth, a trickle of crimson seeping between them. If they had unleashed Shrek Academy's secret combination technique right from the start, it would have torn apart any defense below the Soul Emperor level.

But that damn Gu La… His gravity swamp had completely disrupted their rhythm.

Losing this match—and to a group of people four years younger than him—was something Yu Tianliang simply couldn't accept.

With a grim expression and without saying a word, Yu Tianliang walked off the stage.

Ye Xinglan's Star God Sword still hummed faintly. The girl knelt on one knee at the edge of the platform, strands of her high ponytail clinging to her sweat-soaked neck.

She gazed at the spiderweb-like cracks on the sword's surface—this was the first time the Star God Sword had been damaged by a non-weapon-type martial soul.

What truly suffocated her was the moment when Gu La's rock-heavy sword descended. The gravity field had transformed into countless sword shadows, each carrying the intent to split mountains and sever rivers.

It was because she refused to admit defeat and attempted to match those sword shadows that her Star God Sword had been damaged.

"Sword Intent Enlightenment..." She murmured, recalling the records from her family—the ultimate realm sought by all swordsmen.

Her unwillingness burned in her sharp, resolute eyes, now tinged with red as she glared directly at Gu La: "Why? You don't have a sword-type martial soul, yet you can master sword intent!"

Ye Xinglan had honed her basic sword techniques to perfection, standing just one step away from achieving sword intent. This alone was enough for her to be admitted into Shrek Academy's inner court, the source of her pride. But after witnessing how Gu La had integrated sword intent into his gravity domain, she realized how small she truly was beneath the vast sky.

Gu La watched the young girl struggling to accept reality, her eyes brimming with tears. He showed no sympathy, casually slipping one hand into his pocket while shaping a rock sword with the other.

"Is sword intent really that hard to grasp?"

A yellowish glow swirled around Gu La's fingertips, the earth element shifting fluidly in his palm like liquid. "This is spear intent."

Before the words faded, the weapon transformed into a nine-ringed saber. Even before its blade moved, the roar of tigers and dragons reverberated. "Saber intent."

Finally, it solidified into an eight-sided plum blossom silver hammer. The hammerhead quivered slightly, stirring up wind and thunder, as if mountains were collapsing and floods were bursting forth.

"Whether it's spear intent or saber intent, I can easily grasp them. I don't feel any difficulty."

Since his clone and he were one, the latter's comprehension naturally became his own—no flaw in logic there.

Ye Xinglan clenched her teeth, her chest tightening with anger at Gu La's blatant showboating. The proud young girl finally revealed a hint of vulnerability, struggling to maintain her composure but unable to stop the tears welling up inside her.

"What a rush!"

Xie Xie, showing no mercy, leaned close to Tang Wulin and whispered, barely containing his excitement as he watched Ye Xinglan on the verge of tears. He was practically ready to jump up and cheer.

Beside him, Xu Xiaoyan tugged lightly on his sleeve, but the boy's face remained animated. He hadn't forgotten how Ye Xinglan publicly mocked Tang Wulin's Blue Silver Grass as a "weed martial soul" three days ago.

Tang Wulin scratched his head, feeling a mix of satisfaction and guilt over the situation.

"Boy, stop bullying that young lady."

Zhuo Shi's figure rose in the stands, his crimson robe fluttering without wind.

As his gaze swept over the ever-changing weapons in Gu La's hands, a storm of astonishment flickered in his eyes.

This boy's understanding of weaponry reminded him of Yun Ming, the Pavilion Master of the Sea God's Pavilion. Yet, the elder spoke with a chuckle: "Enough showing off, brat?"

Ye Xinglan was, after all, a student of Shrek Academy. If Gu La weren't destined to join Shrek in the future, Zhuo Shi wouldn't have stood by and let him bully her.

"I just wanted to teach her humility."

"Heh." Gu La grinned and dispersed his soul power, letting the rock weapon crumble into sand and slip through his fingers. "I was just avenging Wulin. Why are you stopping me, Teacher?"

Tang Wulin, caught in the crossfire, opened his mouth but quickly realized Gu La was simply having fun.

Zhuo Shi wasn't fooled by Gu La's antics, but he didn't press further.

"Just a small matter, yet you made such a fuss."

He conveniently forgot how childish he and his rival Feng Wuyu could sometimes be.

He lectured Yu Tianliang and the others: "Losing once isn't the end. You can always win it back later. Stop embarrassing yourselves. Go home and think about where you went wrong..."

Zhen Hua and his bodyguard, Mu Ye—the current leader of the Body Sect—emerged together. Neither spoke, watching as Zhuo Shi reprimanded the students.

The night dew on the metal railings hadn't yet evaporated. Zhen Hua, draped in a dark golden robe, absentmindedly rubbed the cloud patterns on his sleeve as he gazed at Gu La in the distance.

"His blood energy is condensed, and his soul power is stable."

Mu Ye calculated silently, his bronze neck tilting slightly as he crossed his arms. The muscles under his combat suit cast mountain-like shadows in the morning light.

"But why isn't it a body martial soul...?"

Gu La recognized the two and promptly left Ye Xinglan to greet them: "Greetings, Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua, Senior Mu Ye."

As the youth bowed, a sharp, needle-like pain suddenly shot through the back of his neck. It felt as though a ferocious beast had locked onto him, tightening the hairs on his nape.

Mu Ye's gaze lingered on the protruding third vertebra of Gu La's spine, scanning every inch from top to bottom. The more he looked, the more regretful he felt.

Why wasn't it a body martial soul?

"Oh? You know us?"

Mu Ye spoke first, startling Zhen Hua for a moment before he settled into silence, observing Mu Ye take the lead.

Gu La inwardly grumbled: 'Does Mu Ye have his eyes on my bloodline?'

After some thought, he acknowledged that the Body Sect's secret techniques had their merits. They were among the most knowledgeable when it came to blood energy. If not for the instability of body martial soul inheritance, the Body Sect would undoubtedly be the strongest sect in the world.

"I've heard of both seniors by chance."

Gu La lied smoothly, deciding to go with the flow.

Mu Ye nodded, thinking to himself: 'What a sincere child.'

He stopped asking questions, knowing better than to rush things. With Gu La already under Leng Yaozhu's tutelage, pushing too hard would only create trouble.

Zhen Hua and Mu Ye had worked together for many years, and Zhen Hua understood Mu Ye's temperament well. Taking advantage of the moment, he added: "Your teacher sent word through someone, hoping I'd guide you in forging. I'll be attending tomorrow's finals."

"Understood. I'll give it my all."

Gu La appropriately displayed a hint of joy and excitement, readily agreeing.

Zhen Hua gave a slight nod, curious about what Gu La could achieve. But as a senior, he couldn't appear overly eager to demand an on-the-spot demonstration—that would be far too embarrassing.

Seeing Zhen Hua's actions, Zhuo Shi pondered for a moment. He called Tang Wulin over, his gray-red eyebrows twitching as he placed his calloused hand on the boy's shoulder. Lowering his voice, he said: "Foolish boy, do you know who that is? He's the only Divine Craftsman of this era, the president of the Forging Association. Hurry up and listen in."

Tang Wulin gasped, his eyes lighting up like a fanboy as he eagerly approached Zhen Hua to ask about forging knowledge.

------------------------------------------------------

40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow

There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)