Douluo: My Clone Is Groudon

Gu La could no longer hear the subsequent explanations. Through the protective glass, he stared intently at the spirit soul.

Magma had crystallized into clusters on its surface, and each breath it took sent sparks flying. When its bear paw unconsciously swatted at the restraining field, the floor trembled with a rumbling akin to molten lava churning.

"Well done. Awaken the spirit soul and prepare for the fusion."

For the sake of this spirit soul, Gu La had exhausted all the rewards from handing over the formula for his *Body Strengthening Bone Ointment* to the Spirit Pagoda. Even with a laboratory at his disposal, he would now need to earn money to sustain it—or take on tasks within the pagoda.

As the moment of fusion approached, thinking about the cost incurred, Gu La couldn't help but hold his breath, fearing that even the slightest misstep might lead to failure.

Researcher Yang immediately began awakening the spirit soul. The Earth Fiend Bear, like most bear-type soul beasts, had a temper upon waking. It required a gentle approach to minimize resistance and increase the chances of successful fusion.

When the awakening procedure began, the lab suddenly dimmed. Thirty-six soul-guided runes lit up on the ceiling, intertwining to form a star map that imprisoned the ferocious beast.

As the first wave of awakening energy penetrated the restraining field, Gu La heard the roar of the earth itself. Even through the protective chamber, the ground trembled. Since the spirit soul needed spiritual energy to stabilize its bloodline, the Earth Fiend Bear was currently equivalent to a soul beast within the Spirit Ascension Platform—possessing real combat power.

When the bear rose to its full height, the lab's temperature instantly exceeded the warning threshold. The emergency cooling system sprayed white mist, which evaporated into clouds before even reaching the protective chamber.

Gu La stepped forward, and the phantom of Groudon appeared behind him. The presence of this divine beast caused the boiling magma to solidify instantly.

The bear's roar caught in its throat, turning into a submissive whimper. As the chamber opened and Gu La placed his palm on the spirit soul's forehead, the flowing magma suddenly became docile, climbing up his arm. The spirit soul transformed into a streak of light and entered Gu La's body.

"It's a success!"

Researcher Yang's voice trembled. On the monitoring screen, the previously erratic soul power of the Earth Fiend Bear spirit soul was stabilizing at an astonishing rate, gradually becoming indistinguishable from an ordinary spirit soul.

He couldn't help but think that Supervisor Gu's martial soul must be extraordinary to have such a profound impact on a top-tier soul beast like the Earth Fiend Bear. Unfortunately, martial souls were too personal to study…

Gu La was unaware of his researcher's regret, feeling only the pulsation in his palm. It wasn't just the spirit's breathing—he could sense the resonance of three soul rings gradually forming.

He hadn't yet reached the breakthrough threshold and technically shouldn't have been able to fuse with a spirit soul.

But the Spirit Pagoda had methods to allow him to contract with the spirit soul prematurely, nurturing it within his body. This established a link with his soul rings, allowing them to fully merge with the spirit soul during his Level 40 breakthrough.

However, sensing the activation of his soul rings, Gu La realized he didn't need to wait until level forty.

Closing his eyes, the unique pale blue soul power of the Xuan Tian Technique surged along his Ren and Du meridians. To his surprise, the divine essence of Groudon had condensed into a miniature magma vortex at the Shanzhong acupoint.

The once-violent soul power of the Earth Fiend Bear melted into the vortex like snowflakes thrown into a furnace—this was the absolute suppression of a god-level martial soul over an ordinary spirit soul!

Moreover, with Groudon as his clone, Gu La's control over his martial soul was exceptionally strong, almost as if it were another ethereal body of his own.

Under the dominance of the Groudon martial soul, the Earth Fiend Bear spirit fused seamlessly without incident, quickly forming a connection with the soul rings.

The phantom of the Earth Fiend Bear let out a long roar, slamming its paw against the third soul ring. The originally pitch-black ring began to shatter, fine black patterns emerging along its edges.

As the last trace of purple faded from the first soul ring, the three rings linked together, their internal energy diverting. The spirit soul's age increased rapidly, and the first soul ring turned completely black. All three black soul rings were now at the initial stage of ten-thousand-year rings.

"Mission accomplished!"

Gu La stood up, the changes in his three soul rings naturally manifesting in his mind.

"The gravity control multiplier remains unchanged—still doubling gravity per level—but the range has doubled, increasing by two meters in diameter per level. Control has also improved."

"The Magma Immortality Body gained a semi-elemental state, sacrificing half of its physical damage immunity for greater strength."

"The Earth Power remained almost unchanged, which makes sense since the soul ring years were used to enhance the spirit. Fortunately, it can still be replenished at the Spirit Ascension Platform."

Gu La calculated mentally, then nodded to Leng Yaozhu.

"Teacher, the spirit soul has perfectly fused and stabilized."

Leng Yaozhu smiled and nodded. "Good. Let's talk more after we leave."

Gu La followed Leng Yaozhu out of the lab, while Gu Yue stayed behind to study artificial spirit soul technology.

In the top-floor office, Gu La detailed the changes in his soul skills to Leng Yaozhu.

"For now, there seem to be no issues," Leng Yaozhu said. "In the future, unless absolutely necessary, avoid using the Earth Fiend Bear spirit in battle."

"I understand." Gu La nodded earnestly.

"Mm. You'll soon head to Shrek Academy. With your talents, you'll surely gain admission easily. Take the opportunity to meet other prodigies of your generation. Just… don't get deceived by Shrek."

Leng Yaozhu was well aware of Shrek Academy's status and reputation—two thousand years of glory weren't something to scoff at. Many young people were easily swayed, much to the Federation's frustration.

"I understand, Teacher. My style doesn't align with Shrek's. I'm attending for the Golden Tree on Sea God Island."

Gu La spoke honestly. He coveted the Golden Tree deeply. For thousands of years, the academy elders had sacrificed themselves to it, accumulating vast amounts of energy. If unleashed all at once, it could surpass even Yun Ming's power.

After all, Shrek Academy would eventually be destroyed, and all that energy would go to waste. It might as well boost Gu La's strength.

Additionally, he needed to find a way to obtain the Seed of Life.

Leng Yaozhu chuckled and shook her head, her snow-white, slender legs forming an alluring curve. "You, my boy, try not to be so blunt when you're at Shrek. Some people there are quite petty."

Gu La understood, nodding solemnly.

Leng Yaozhu knew Gu La had his own ideas and didn't need much guidance, but as a first-time teacher, she couldn't help but give detailed instructions.

"Your spirit originates from the Ancient Gold Tree. You should definitely visit it. If you receive some blessings, your spirit's future is promising. Perhaps you'll even break through the ten-thousand-year bottleneck directly."

"But the Golden Tree is located in the inner court, which requires several years of study in the outer court. Some of Shrek's trials are… unique. Try to look out for your junior sister."

Initially, Gu La and Gu Yue had kept their distance, and Leng Yaozhu hadn't interfered. Now that their relationship had improved, she hoped the two disciples could support each other. If they ended up together, that would be ideal.

Gu La's expression turned strange. Was she trying to play matchmaker?

Not being a local, Gu La hadn't thought about entanglements here. But it seemed that some things were beyond one's control, regardless of willpower.

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