Douluo: My Clone Is Groudon

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"Heavenly-Refinement requires imprinting laws into the metal and triggering elemental thunderstorms. The amount of metal needed for a four-word battle armor is no small feat."

"I look forward to the day you succeed. If you encounter any problems in the future, feel free to contact me at any time."

Zhen Hua didn't say that Gu La's goal was unrealistic. Every talented blacksmith aimed for heavenly-refinement.

"You two already have cultivation teachers. Would you like to become my disciples and learn forging?"

Zhen Hua got straight to the point. At just over ten years old, one of them could consistently perform spirit refinement, while the other was on the verge of mastering it. They were the most talented soul masters he had ever seen in blacksmithing. For Zhen Hua, who desperately wanted to train a new Divine Craftsman, they were ideal disciples.

Gu La didn't hesitate. He had already discussed this with Leng Yaozhu and decided to study forging under Zhen Hua. "Disciple greets Master."

Tang Wulin followed suit a moment later, bowing deeply.

"Good, good, good. Accepting you both ensures that my lifelong skills will be passed down. I hope that one day you'll master heavenly-refinement and inherit the title of Divine Craftsman."

Zhen Hua spoke earnestly. Heavenly-refinement took a toll on the body. Forging the celestial metals required for a set of four-word battle armor would leave him needing years of recovery. He was already preparing for retirement. Before then, he had to groom new pillars for the Blacksmith Association.

Gu La and Tang Wulin nodded solemnly.

Zhen Hua continued, "I won't stay in Tianhai City for long. Time is of the essence. If you have no pressing matters these next couple of days, come practice forging with me."

"Yes."

---

Three days later, at the Tianhai Grand Stadium.

Gu La floated ten meters into the air atop floating willow leaves. Just as his opponent's Ice Frost Dragon martial soul was about to spread its wings, countless razor-sharp willow blades converged into a jade-green cage.

Amidst the roaring cheers from the audience, thousands of willow leaves turned into sharp blades, slicing deep gashes into the Ice Frost Dragon's body.

The captain of the Tianhai Academy team collapsed on the arena floor, and chants of Gu La's name echoed through the stands.

In the sea of green, the willow blades gathered together, lifting Gu La aloft. His face held a thoughtful expression.

"Winning in a match… is this also a way to gather faith? It might not be obvious, but it should accumulate some fortune and improve cultivation efficiency."

Gu La jotted down this topic, intending to write a paper and add more pressure to the competitors in the upcoming soul master tournament.

"Senior Brother, congratulations on your victory."

Tang Wulin watched enviously as Gu La descended from the stage.

After becoming Zhen Hua's disciple, all their free time was spent studying forging at the Blacksmith Association. Due to his earlier start and higher blacksmith rank, Gu La became Tang Wulin's senior brother.

"If you're congratulating me, don't expect a free meal," Gu La teased, deliberately slowing his steps as the roaring cheers washed over his back.

Tang Wulin looked awkward, realizing his ulterior motive had been exposed. He knew Senior Brother Gu La wasn't short on money, yet he still hoped to enjoy a lavish feast.

Xie Xie turned to Wu Zhangkong nearby. "Teacher Wu, with our excellent results, shouldn't we have a celebratory banquet?"

Wu Zhangkong replied succinctly, "Yes."

Tang Wulin smoothly shifted from embarrassment to hunger, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Then let's hurry up. We still need to catch the train early tomorrow."

That night, the celebratory banquet was held on the top floor of a revolving restaurant. Though called a celebration, it was essentially a recruitment event hosted by the Tianhai Alliance. Few people like Tang Wulin and his group were actually there to eat.

Tang Wulin stared at the five-figure-priced deep-sea dragonfish sashimi on the menu, swallowing hard. The crystal chandelier illuminated the fish, making it look like a work of art.

When Tang Wulin reached for it the fifth time, Xu Xiaoyan turned away, unable to bear watching. "Captain, the alliance steward has glanced this way three times already. Show some restraint…"

Reluctantly, Tang Wulin slowed his movements, eating elegantly yet quickly.

"Tianhai City truly spares no expense."

Xie Xie swirled his champagne glass, slicing bluefin tuna with his Light Dragon Dagger. "Even the utensils are equipped with soul-guided preservation technology. One meal here could cover over a dozen of our usual meals."

Tang Wulin nodded repeatedly, stuffing his mouth full and swallowing rapidly.

Gu La also had a hearty appetite, but he could draw energy from the earth, allowing him to wander the banquet and savor the flavors of Tianhai City's finest cuisine.

Of course, as the individual tournament champion, Gu La couldn't remain low-profile. As he moved among the dishes, he inevitably received numerous invitations to join various factions.

Unfortunately, Gu La showed no interest. Shrek Academy at least had a Golden Ancient Tree connected to the plane's core—something other factions lacked.

Seeing Gu La reject the invitations, the Tianhai Alliance turned their attention to others. Negotiating terms and discussing benefits became part of the dining conversation.

---

The next morning.

The soul-guided train station gleamed with cold light. Gu La leaned against the waiting area platform, his spirit-refined hammer transformed into a pendant resting against his collarbone.

Considering the possibility of an attack on the soul-guided train, Gu La had arranged to board a different train from Tang Wulin, using the opportunity to explore the sights of Tianhai City.

Joining him on the alternate schedule was Gu Yue. Ripples appeared in the air as she stepped out of a spatial rift.

Gu La studied her. "Junior Sister, I stayed behind because I have important matters to attend to. Why did you stay?"

Gu Yue remained expressionless, her pale purple eyes devoid of human warmth. She ignored his term of address and stated flatly, "After eliminating all possibilities, only you remain."

"Not long ago, Tang Wulin was attacked on the commercial street. The attacker possessed strange space-time abilities, but hasn't acted again in over a month. After ruling out other possibilities, the purpose seems to have been to warn me."

"Who exactly are you?"

As Gu Yue finished speaking, a surge of violet light erupted from her eyes. The surrounding space locked down, and the other passengers left the platform under mental suggestion. The soul-guided surveillance cameras emitted crackling static.

"Hmm?"

Gu La tilted his head, his Sword Soul guarding his mind and repelling the mental force attempting to influence him.

A soft exclamation came from the shadows. The Myriad Demon King prepared to act again, his demonic tree roots snaking toward Gu La's ankles.

Gu La glanced toward the hidden figure. Activating his identity as the Child of Nature and the Forest Authority, his overwhelming suppression of plants was utterly merciless.

The Myriad Demon King felt his bloodline freeze. His painstakingly cultivated strength seemed beyond his control, and the oppressive aura made him incapable of resisting—more thoroughly than when facing his lord, the Silver Dragon King.

"The presence of a god? No… it's the power of nature. You are…" Though less perceptive than the Immortal Herbs, the Myriad Demon King recognized Gu La's identity. Watching the tear in space behind Gu La, he tried to stop it but found himself immobilized.

Golden claws tore open space, a massive claw lunging toward Gu La.

The young man's eyes blazed like flowing fire as he casually grabbed the incoming claw. To the shock of Bear King, he slammed the Dark Golden Claw Bear King onto the platform, creating a massive crater.

Gu La released his grip, shaking his wrist. His eyes glowed with the golden pupils of a divine beast, exuding overwhelming pressure across the entire platform.

"Do you want to talk business, or shall we fight first?"

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