Ju Douluo Meets Lin Yongming
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A few days later, early one morning, Coroll knocked on the door of Lin Yongming's hotel room.
"Senior Coroll, is something the matter?" Lin Yongming asked, puzzled. Since their last conversation, Coroll hadn't actively sought him out, only silently following him from the shadows.
"Lin Yongming, Bishop Salas sent me a message last night. The envoy sent by His Holiness the Pope has arrived. He wants you to come with me to the Holy Hall to meet the elder," Coroll stated directly, getting straight to the point.
"An elder-level figure!" Lin Yongming exclaimed, visibly surprised.
"That's right. A Title Douluo, and likely one of His Holiness's trusted aides. It seems the Pope is taking your situation very seriously," Coroll explained. He only knew what Bishop Salas had told him and wasn't sure which elder had arrived in Heaven Dou City.
"Senior Coroll, I understand. Since it's an elder summoning me, I naturally must go. However, I haven't washed up yet. Could you wait a moment?" Lin Yongming smiled faintly.
"No rush. As long as we're there before noon, it's fine. The elder only arrived late last night," Coroll nodded and then left Lin Yongming's door.
After closing the door, Lin Yongming's expression turned troubled. He wasn't sure how to explain the situation with his fourth spirit ring.
"Xiao Ming, what's wrong?" Blue Silver Emperor emerged from the bathroom and noticed Lin Yongming's worried expression.
"Coroll said that the Pope has sent an elder, likely to investigate my fourth spirit ring," Lin Yongming sighed and sat on the couch. "I'm trying to figure out a reasonable excuse to downplay the situation."
"Is the elder from the Spirit Hall a Title Douluo?" Blue Silver Emperor asked as she sat beside him.
"Most likely. The matter of the immortal herb must never be revealed. Possessing such a treasure would only bring trouble. But I can't avoid meeting them, so I'm stuck trying to come up with a plausible explanation," Lin Yongming said helplessly.
"This is indeed a difficult situation. A simple excuse probably won't fool them. Since the Pope has sent someone, they'll want a clear answer," Blue Silver Emperor comforted him.
"If all else fails, I might have to reveal my external spirit bone, the Purple Lightning Thunder Wings. With some embellishment, it might be enough to deceive them," Lin Yongming suggested, seeking Blue Silver Emperor's opinion.
"I think that could work. After your ice and fire tempering, the Purple Lightning Thunder Wings have fully integrated with your body. Even if they wanted to take it, they couldn't. Killing you would only render the spirit bone useless. Given your talent, they'll likely value you even more and focus on nurturing you," Blue Silver Emperor shared her thoughts.
After the ice and fire tempering, the Purple Lightning Thunder Wings had completely fused with Lin Yongming. Not only that, the 3,000-year-old spirit bone had now grown to a 9,000-year level. By the time Lin Yongming reached the Soul King level, the wings would likely advance to a 10,000-year spirit bone.
Spirit bones and their hosts grow together. As the Purple Lightning Thunder Wings developed, they also enhanced Lin Yongming's physical constitution. Using the wings as an excuse, Lin Yongming believed the Spirit Hall would accept that he could withstand the soul power impact of a 10,000-year spirit ring at the Soul Ancestor level.
As for the mental shock of a 10,000-year spirit ring, Lin Yongming's explanation was simple: his innate blindness had forced him to rely on his spiritual power from a young age, allowing it to grow stronger over time.
"What I'm worried about is that they might take me back to Spirit City. What about you, A'yin? I can't bear to be separated from you," Lin Yongming said, taking Blue Silver Emperor's hand.
"How could that happen? Even if we go to Spirit City, I'll stay by your side. Wherever you are is my home," Blue Silver Emperor replied tenderly.
"A'yin... you're so good to me," Lin Yongming nodded. "But I thought you didn't want to go to Spirit City?"
"I didn't, but now that I'm with you, even if Spirit City is a dragon's den or a tiger's lair, I'll follow you," Blue Silver Emperor said with deep affection.
"A'yin!" Lin Yongming gently embraced her, holding her tightly.
"Hmph! Don't get the wrong idea. I'm just worried you'll be swayed by the Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden," Blue Silver Emperor said stubbornly.
"I don't even have eyes. How could I be swayed?" Lin Yongming was taken aback.
"I don't care. If you're going to Spirit City, I'm going too," Blue Silver Emperor declared proudly.
"Alright," Lin Yongming agreed.
"Good. Now that we've settled on a plan, go wash up. I'll accompany you to meet the elder," Blue Silver Emperor gently pushed Lin Yongming.
"You don't have to come. It's just the first meeting. Nothing should happen," Lin Yongming said, releasing her.
"No way. What if they try to take you away?" Blue Silver Emperor protested.
"Fine, let's go together," Lin Yongming relented, knowing how determined Blue Silver Emperor could be. Despite her gentle appearance, she was strong-willed.
After washing up, Lin Yongming had breakfast near the hotel. By around 10 AM, they headed to the Heaven Dou Holy Hall.
They arrived at the Holy Hall around 11 AM.
"Greetings, Senior Coroll. Bishop Salas has instructed that you proceed directly to the main hall upon your return," said Shi Liang, the registration member at the entrance.
"Understood," Coroll nodded. "Lin Yongming, let's go in. The elder is likely waiting in the main hall."
"Alright," Lin Yongming and Blue Silver Emperor followed Coroll into the main hall.
"Coroll pays his respects to the Bishop!" Coroll announced as they reached the main hall entrance.
"Enter."
Coroll glanced back at Lin Yongming and nodded before pushing open the heavy doors.
Lin Yongming entered the main hall for the second time. It was as spacious as before, but this time, the person seated at the head wasn't Bishop Salas. Instead, it was a man clad in dark golden armor, his eyes closed calmly. Bishop Salas and his four assistants stood around him.
"Your subordinate pays his respects to Elder Ju!" Coroll quickly recognized the man as he reached the center of the hall.
As a member of the Judgment Division, Coroll knew that his superiors were Elder Ju and Elder Gui, who reported directly to the Pope and, above them, the Grand Elder.
"Reporting to the elder, I have brought Lin Yongming," Coroll announced.
"Lin Yongming pays his respects to the elder and Bishop Salas," Lin Yongming bowed slightly but did not kneel like Coroll.
Blue Silver Emperor gave a polite nod but remained silent.
"Lin Yongming, why don't you kneel before Elder Ju?" Bishop Salas asked anxiously.
"Let it be," Elder Ju waved his hand, adjusting his gloves.
"Lin Yongming, though this is our first meeting, I've heard about you in Spirit City. At such a young age, you've already accomplished two great deeds, earning His Holiness's favor and the Yellow Record Medal. I don't care much for formalities, especially not from a genius like you. Even Old Gui has spoken highly of you. Not kneeling is no big deal," Elder Ju said as he stood up.
However, the moment Elder Ju spoke, Lin Yongming felt a chill run down his spine. Elder Ju's voice was neither male nor female, carrying a hint of coquettishness.
"Is that voice male or female..." Blue Silver Emperor was equally stunned.
"The elder flatters me. I still have much to learn," Lin Yongming replied humbly.
"However..." Elder Ju's figure flashed, appearing less than two meters in front of Lin Yongming.
In an instant, Lin Yongming felt a powerful pressure emanating from Elder Ju, directed solely at him.
"Let me test how far you've come," Elder Ju said, his pressure intensifying like a ravenous beast enveloping Lin Yongming.
"Yes, elder," Lin Yongming responded, enduring the pressure.
"Xiao Ming!" Blue Silver Emperor called out anxiously.
"A'yin, I'm fine. Step back a bit. The elder is just testing my strength," Lin Yongming reassured her.
"Oh? Still able to speak? It seems I'm not pressing hard enough," Elder Ju said, increasing the pressure.
Elder Ju was testing Lin Yongming, not unleashing his full power immediately. As a Level 94 Title Douluo, his full pressure would have crushed Lin Yongming instantly.
The pressure escalated from Soul Ancestor to Soul King, then to Soul Emperor levels, feeling like a turbulent sea.
Lin Yongming's face turned red, and sweat dripped from his forehead as the pressure grew.
"To withstand Soul King-level pressure without releasing your spirit rings is impressive. It seems your potential is even greater," Elder Ju remarked.
"Elder... I can still hold on," Lin Yongming said through gritted teeth.
"Boom!" The pressure surged to Soul Emperor level.
Lin Yongming finally released his spirit power, summoning his spirit rings—one yellow, two purple, and one black—along with his Thunder Blade to support himself.
"A black 10,000-year spirit ring! Impressive. Your physique is extraordinary. There must be more to you," Elder Ju said, increasing the pressure to Soul Sage level.
The overwhelming pressure forced Lin Yongming to his knees, drenched in sweat.
"Not bad. To withstand Soul Sage-level pressure at Level 71 is remarkable," Elder Ju said, about to withdraw his pressure when he noticed a change in Lin Yongming.
A ball of lightning appeared on Lin Yongming's back, from which a pair of wings emerged, crackling with electricity.
"Hmm? An external spirit bone!" Elder Ju exclaimed, stepping closer.
"An external spirit bone!" Bishop Salas and the others were equally shocked.
"What incredible luck!" they murmured in awe.
With the Purple Lightning Thunder Wings, Lin Yongming slowly rose under Elder Ju's Soul Douluo-level pressure.
Lin Yongming had planned to reveal the wings to explain his ability to absorb a 10,000-year spirit ring at the Soul Ancestor level.
The wings flapped, creating a gust of wind in the hall.
"Enough. The external spirit bone must be your final card. Very impressive," Elder Ju chuckled and withdrew his pressure.
"Thank you for your recognition, Elder Ju," Lin Yongming said, relieved.
"Your external spirit bone has fully fused with you, hasn't it?" Elder Ju asked.
"Yes. I obtained it when I acquired my third spirit ring. After years of nurturing, it fully integrated with me two months ago," Lin Yongming explained.
"That explains how you could absorb a 10,000-year spirit ring at Level 40. The external spirit bone enhanced your physique to Soul King level, allowing you to withstand the soul power impact. But how did you overcome the mental shock? The spirit bone shouldn't enhance your spiritual power," Elder Ju pressed.
"Elder Ju, your insight is as sharp as ever," Lin Yongming flattered before explaining. "I'm not entirely sure how I withstood the mental shock, but I believe it's because I've been blind since birth. I've relied on my spiritual power to perceive my surroundings, which has grown stronger over time. Unlike soul power, spiritual power isn't as noticeable, so mine might be stronger than my physical power."
"Is that so? How far can you sense now?" Elder Ju asked.
"About 400 meters in radius," Lin Yongming replied confidently.
"400 meters? That's close to Soul Emperor-level spiritual power. Very well, I'll accept your explanation for now," Elder Ju said.
"But I have one more question. Who is she? Our records don't mention her, meaning she's not from the Spirit Hall. She's only a few years older than the Holy Maiden but already a Level 56 Soul King. Yet her spirit is just an ordinary Blue Silver Grass," Elder Ju turned his attention to Blue Silver Emperor.
Lin Yongming's heart tightened.
"Elder Ju, although A'yin hasn't officially joined the Spirit Hall, as my partner, she is part of the Spirit Hall by association," Lin Yongming explained.
"If she's your partner and you're a member of the Spirit Hall, then she is indeed part of us," Elder Ju nodded.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 178 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 60 power stones I will publish the next chapter.