Chapter 50: A Cruel Test

That night, 

Li Luochen was about to go to bed and begin his practice when a voice suddenly echoed in his ears.

"Li Luochen, come out and head to the southeast corner outside your academy. I will be waiting for you there."

The cold voice startled Li Luochen, sending a chill through his body. 

Anyone capable of transmitting sound like this had to be a Titled Douluo. His first thought was that a Titled Douluo had come to kill him. His spirit rings were too conspicuous, bound to attract envy from certain sects.

With Shrek Academy's strongest current fighter being only a Soul Emperor, how could they stand against a Titled Douluo? Whoever this was had likely planned it for some time. Dean Flender, who was a Soul Douluo, wasn't there, and Dugu Bo had left days ago. 

This was when Shrek Academy was at its most vulnerable, and Li Luochen had no choice but to comply.

Does a Titled Douluo even need a reason to kill someone? He was too weak. He had only just begun to establish his foundation, yet death seemed imminent.

Leaving a note on his desk, Li Luochen swiftly made his way to the southeast area outside the academy.

Soon, Li Luochen arrived and spoke harshly.

"You're a Titled Douluo, attacking a junior like me? It seems the sect behind you can't tolerate me. Which despicable sect could it be?"

Assuming his chances of survival were slim, Li Luochen voiced his anger. "Since I'm about to be assassinated, what need is there for pleasantries? Hah!"

Hidden in the shadows, Qianjun Douluo chuckled to himself. "What is this kid thinking? Ah, he must believe that some soul master family wants to eliminate a young genius before he becomes a threat."

"Fine," Qianjun thought. "I'll play along."

He pulled out a black robe from his soul guide, donned it, and stepped forward, pretending to be the assassin.

Li Luochen watched as a tall man in a black robe appeared, confirming his suspicions.

"You must be a Titled Douluo with a weapon spirit, right? Judging by your stature, you're probably from the Haotian Sect."

Li Luochen suspected that the Haotian Sect, fearing he might challenge their position as the world's top weapon spirit master, had sent someone to eliminate him early.

"Haha, what need is there for the dying to know so much?" Qianjun Douluo responded, disguising his voice to sound old.

"It figures," Li Luochen sneered. "The so-called glorious Haotian Sect—reduced to a cowardly group of backstabbers. Without Tang Chen, you don't even have the courage to face the Spirit Hall. To think you'd stoop so low as to assassinate me, a junior! Hah, your so-called 'great sect' is nothing more than a bunch of cowards."

His words were sharp, and Qianjun Douluo was momentarily taken aback. "How can this kid be so bold? He seems to know more than expected. Let's see if I can extract more information."

"Hmph, the Haotian Sect doesn't need advice from the likes of you. It's a pity that you're too talented for your own good, standing in our way."

Qianjun Douluo's tone remained cold.

"I wonder which elder you are," Li Luochen mused. "Surely not Xiaotian Douluo; he would at least have some pride."

Realizing his survival chances were slim, Li Luochen quietly activated his Tyrant Dragon's spine and dragon wings. He planned to use all his strength to amplify his first soul skill, Lightning Speed, and strike the Titled Douluo in front of him. Using the recoil, he hoped to escape toward the Martial Spirit Hall in Soto City. He doubted the Haotian Sect would dare commit murder there.

"Oh? You seem knowledgeable," Qianjun Douluo commented, intrigued. "Then guess which elder I am."

Qianjun Douluo was somewhat taken aback. Could the Haotian Sect be hiding something? Aside from Tang Xiao breaking through to Titled Douluo, the others were still Soul Douluos. Could they have made breakthroughs in recent years?

"The fourth soul skill, Tyrant Dragon Battle Body! The first soul skill, Speed Amplification!"

Li Luochen activated his two amplifying soul skills, strengthening the Tyrant Dragon's spine.

His fourth soul skill boosted attack power by 200%, strength by 200%, defense by 300%, and the Tyrant Dragon's spine's power by 300%.

The first soul skill, Super Speed, instantly increased his speed by 100% and strength by 50%. At level 44, his speed amplification was 134%, and with the fourth soul skill, his speed now increased by 234%.

"Second soul skill, Blazing Fire Explosion!"

Li Luochen swung his stick with explosive force, aiming for the man in the black robe. The Panlong Stick, now weighing six thousand kilograms, amplified its power by 584%. The attack carried the weight of dozens of tons—enough to make even a Soul Saint wary.

"Huh?" Qianjun Douluo hadn't expected such a powerful strike. He quickly summoned a soul barrier to block the attack.

"Hiss… That strength rivals a full-force blow from a Soul Saint. And he's just a Soul Master?" Qianjun Douluo thought, impressed. "This kid must have had some fortunate encounter."

Repelling the attack, Qianjun Douluo noticed that Li Luochen had used the recoil to launch himself toward Soto City.

"Impressive! He planned to use the recoil from my soul power to escape!" Qianjun thought. "And those wings… external soul bones. This boy is exceptional."

With a stomp, Qianjun Douluo instantly appeared before Li Luochen, binding him with his soul power.

Despair filled Li Luochen. "It's over… Goodbye, Yanzi."

"Haha, you were so bold just now, kid. Your plan was well-thought-out, but my level 96 soul power is too much for you."

The voice, now energetic and middle-aged, startled Li Luochen. He opened his eyes to see.

"You are…?"