Chapter 49: Qian Jun's Test

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That Night

Li Luochen was about to climb into bed to begin his cultivation when a voice suddenly echoed in his ears.

"Li Luochen, come out. Head to the southeast corner outside your academy. I'm waiting for you there."

The cold, stern voice sent a chill down Li Luochen's spine. Whoever could transmit their voice like this had to be a Title Douluo. His first thought was that a Title Douluo had come to kill him—his soul rings were far too eye-catching and would inevitably draw envy from certain factions.

Currently, Shrek Academy's strongest member was only a Spirit Emperor. How could they possibly stand up to a Title Douluo? The opponent likely came prepared, having observed them for days. Principal Flender, a Spirit Douluo, was absent, and Du Gu Bo had left just a few days prior.

This was the most vulnerable moment for Shrek Academy. With no other choice, Li Luochen decided to go.

Did a Title Douluo need a reason to kill someone? It seemed he was still too weak. He had only just established his foundation, and now his end had arrived.

Li Luochen left a note on his desk and headed toward the southeast corner outside Shrek Academy.

Soon, Li Luochen arrived and shouted angrily:

"Honorable elder, a Title Douluo of your stature would stoop to targeting someone like me? It seems the sect behind you cannot tolerate my existence. What kind of despicable sect would resort to such underhanded tactics?"

Li Luochen assumed his chances of survival were slim, so he lashed out with biting words: 'You're going to assassinate me, and you expect me to be polite? Pfft—'

From the shadows, Qian Jun Douluo's lips twitched. 'Where did this kid get such an idea? Oh—he must think some spirit master clan can't tolerate a genius like him and wants to eliminate him before another faction recruits him.

'Hmph, very well. If that's what he thinks, then I'll play along.'

Jun Douluo pulled a black robe from his spirit tool and draped it over himself, pretending to be an assassin. Then, he stepped forward.

Li Luochen saw a tall figure emerge, clad in the black robe. Looking at the man, Li Luochen formed a guess.

"Honorable elder, you must be a Title Douluo specializing in weapon-type martial souls. Judging by your imposing stature, you're likely one of the elders of the Hao Tian Sect."

Li Luochen guessed that the Hao Tian Sect had learned of a prodigious weapon-type soul master's emergence and feared he might threaten their position as the top weapon martial soul sect, prompting them to eliminate him preemptively.

"Hmph, why waste words on a dead man?" Jun Douluo played along, altering his voice to sound old and raspy.

"So it's true—the mighty Hao Tian Sect, once proud bearers of the Hao Tian Hammer, reduced to nothing but stray dogs without their backbone, Tang Chen. Without him, you lack even the courage to face the Spirit Hall.

And now you've sunk so low as to assassinate me? Hahahaha! So this is the cowardice of the so-called greatest sect. Afraid to fight the strong, you send assassins after the weak. Is this the extent of your greatness?

No wonder you abandoned Tang Hao, who possessed a Hundred-thousand-year soul ring, and cast aside the four single-attribute clans who served your sect loyally. Truly, a pathetic sect."

Li Luochen's sharp words left Jiang Jun momentarily stunned. 'How does this kid come up with these ideas? He seems to know something. Let me probe further.'

"Hmph, the Hao Tian Sect needs no lessons from outsiders. Unfortunately for you, your brilliance obstructs our path. Your words are but the final cries of a dying man."

Jun Douluo spoke coldly.

"Hmph, I don't know which elder you are, but I doubt you're Xiao Tian Douluo. He still has some pride, doesn't he?"

Li Luochen knew he faced near-certain death, but he wasn't giving up without a fight. Silently, he activated his Tyrant Dragon Spine and Dragon Wings. He planned to unleash his full power—augmenting his first soul skill, Divine Speed, with the effects of his fourth soul skill, Tyrant Dragon War Form. He would strike the Title Douluo with everything he had.

Using the recoil from the Title Douluo's counterattack, he would make a desperate dash toward the main Spirit Hall in Soto City. He didn't believe the Hao Tian Sect would dare kill him there.

"Oh? You seem to know quite a bit. Then tell me, which elder do you think I am?"

Jun Douluo was startled internally. 'Could the Hao Tian Sect have secrets I don't know about? When they sealed themselves away, only Tang Xiao broke through to become a Title Douluo. The sect leader, Tang Zhen, died of anger, and Tang Hao was exiled.'

'The five elders were all Spirit Douluo-level. Could they have broken through to Title Douluo in recent years? I'll need to send Third Brother (Qing Luan Douluo) to investigate later.'

"Fourth Soul Skill: Tyrant Dragon War Form! First Soul Skill: Divine Speed! Tyrant Dragon Spine Strength Amplification!"

Li Luochen unleashed two augmentative soul skills, amplifying the strength of his Tyrant Dragon Spine.

His fourth soul skill doubled his attack power, quadrupled his strength, and tripled his defense. The external soul bone, Tyrant Dragon Spine, amplified his strength by an additional 300%.

His first soul skill, Divine Speed, instantly increased his speed by 100% and his strength by 50%. For every level gained, the amplification effect increased by 1%. At level 44, his speed boost reached 134%, and combined with the doubling effect of his fourth soul skill, his total speed increase soared to 234%.

"Second Soul Skill: Blazing Fire Explosion Strike!"

Li Luochen unleashed a devastating blow with his staff, smashing it toward the black-robed figure.

His Coiling Dragon Staff now weighed six thousand kilograms, and with a strength amplification of 584%, his power was truly extraordinary—an embodiment of extreme force.

This strike carried the force of several dozen tons. Even a Spirit Sage wouldn't dare block it head-on. (A/N: Let's elevate the stakes here—it's a cultivation world, after all.)

{T/N: Brother, you've elevated it too much lol.}

Hmm? Qian Jun hadn't expected the boy to launch an immediate attack. He raised a hand, forming a spirit energy barrier to block the strike.

'Hiss—his strength is incredible, rivaling a Spirit Sage's all out attack. And he's only a Spirit Ancestor! Moreover, his fourth soul ring is Ten-thousand-years. Clearly, this child has encountered something extraordinary. His fourth soul skill's amplification must be incredibly potent.;

'I suspect he obtained a soul bone from this ten-thousand-year soul beast, with a skill that amplifies strength. This kid may possess ultimate power—even Tang Chen, the prodigy of the Hao Tian Sect, didn't have such strength at the Spirit Ancestor level.'

Jiang Jun released a burst of spirit energy, repelling Li Luochen's attack.

Li Luochen had been waiting for this exact moment. Instantly, he activated his external soul bone, Dragon Wings, and took off at full speed toward Suotuo City.

Jun Douluo was momentarily surprised by this maneuver, then chuckled inwardly: 'This child… his combat instincts are remarkable. That first strike was a feint. His real goal was to use the recoil from my spirit energy to propel himself away. And those wings—they're an external soul bone. What luck this kid has! His combat strength far surpasses others at his level, and his composure and adaptability are exceptional. Haha, I'm very pleased with this disciple!'

Qian Jun Douluo stomped hard on the ground, instantly appearing before Li Luochen. With a surge of spirit energy, he bound Li Luochen in place.

At this moment, Li Luochen's heart sank. 'I'm done for. Goodbye, Yanzi.'

"Hohoho, weren't you quite the talker just moments ago? That little scheme of yours was clever, but if I weren't at level 96, you might have actually escaped."

Suddenly, a stern, confident voice replaced the previous raspy tone. It belonged to a middle-aged man, full of vigor.

Li Luochen opened his eyes and looked up.

"You are..."

{T/N: I've used Jiang Jun's name and title interchangeably this chapter, mainly cause writing 'Jiang Jun' or 'Qian Jun' 36 times was getting too repetitive.}

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