Chapter 141: Look at That Magnanimity

Zhao Ling wasn't lying—his soul power had indeed increased at an astonishing rate this year.

Not only had he broken through to the rank of Titled Douluo, but with all the various rewards granted by the system, his soul power had skyrocketed all the way to level 94.

And that wasn't even the end of it. The system had also helped him complete his set of soul bones, with both his soul rings and bones receiving a massive boost in age.

Most insane of all, he had obtained the Intermediate Barbaric Battle Body—granting a sixfold boost to his physical attributes.

As a result, he couldn't even accurately estimate his current strength, nor did he have many chances to fight others.

Today's duel with Bone Douluo was actually the first real combat he'd engaged in since advancing to Titled Douluo.

But unexpectedly, a single punch had slammed Bone Douluo into a wall, breaking both of his arms and several ribs.

Good thing—really—good thing he didn't kill him with that punch. Otherwise, his relationship with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would have become incredibly strained.

If that had happened, how would he ever cozy up to that adorable Ning Rongrong in the future?

When Zhao Ling apologized, Bone Douluo just gave a sheepish smile.

"Demon Supressing Douluo jests. It was I, Gu, who overestimated myself and insisted on fighting you. You defeated me barehanded—I hardly have the right to blame you for not holding back."

Sword Douluo also gave Zhao Ling a firm nod.

"Demon Supressing Douluo, your strength is truly unfathomable. I, Chen Xin, am in awe. But I must ask—what exactly is your martial soul? And what is your current soul power level? For you to overpower Lao Gu with a single punch… it's simply monstrous."

Seeing Sword Douluo's eager, childlike curiosity, Zhao Ling thought for a moment, then responded.

"I can tell you—but I ask that you all keep this strictly confidential. If any of you leak information about my true strength, I'll hold everyone present equally accountable."

With that, he released his martial soul—the Demon Supressing Tower. Two purple rings, four black rings, and three red rings floated up—nine rings in total. The ferocious aura burst out instantly, making everyone feel like the sky itself was collapsing.

The room was plunged into a deathly silence. After a long pause, the always-gentle Chen Xin exploded with a curse: "What the f*ck." Bone Douluo coughed up several mouthfuls of blood.

They were shaken to their core. Neither of them even had a single 100,000-year soul ring.

And this guy had three of them?! His weakest ring was a thousand-year ring, and from the third ring onward, they were all ten-thousand-year or higher!

What kind of freak was this?! Why had they never heard of such a figure on the Douluo Continent before? Someone like this should have been world-famous from childhood.

Compared to this monster, those so-called Twin Stars of the Clear Sky Clan were a joke. And they claimed to be era-defining geniuses? What a laugh. This Demon Supressing Douluo was the real deal.

Sword Douluo thought all this, but then reasoned that perhaps Demon Supressing Douluo only looked young and was actually much older. So he probed again:

"Demon Supressing Douluo, may I ask your age? I mean no offense—just curious."

Zhao Ling didn't hide it. He straightforwardly told everyone: he was 31.

Chen Xin's entire mindset collapsed. Bone Douluo sprayed out a final mouthful of blood and fainted on the spot.

Damn! Was this level of monstrosity really necessary? 31 years old and already a level 94 Titled Douluo? How could such a freak even exist?

With someone like this around, all the so-called geniuses of his generation—and even those of the previous one—would feel utterly ashamed by comparison.

Truly, comparisons are deadly. Bone Douluo, just before losing consciousness, thought to himself: what kind of idiot was I to think I could challenge this monster? I must've been completely brain-dead.

Watching their reactions, Zhao Ling couldn't help but feel speechless. I'm already 31 and only now became a Titled Douluo—why are they so shocked?

If these guys knew about the five Douluo novels, with each successive protagonist becoming a Titled Douluo younger and even reaching godhood, they'd probably be ashamed enough to bash their heads against a wall.

Seeing his two Clan Guardians mentally devastated and spiritually defeated, the current Clan Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan hurriedly cupped his fists toward Emperor Xue Ye.

"Your Majesty, I won't take up more of your time. Bone Douluo is severely injured—I must take him down for proper healing."

Emperor Xue Ye immediately nodded cheerfully, giving permission.

Watching the Seven Treasure Clan depart, Emperor Xue Ye and Prince Xue Xing were utterly delighted.

They had never imagined that the royal family's newly hired protector was a terrifying monster—a 31-year-old level 94 Titled Douluo.

A pure 24-karat freak who had taken out Bone Douluo with a single punch. With someone like this guarding his eldest son, what danger could possibly touch him?

But then, Emperor Xue Ye started to worry. This Demon Supressing Douluo's strength far exceeded expectations. Now he wondered if the original salary offered—five million gold soul coins per year—was far too low.

What if Demon Supressing Douluo grew even more powerful in the future, and he was still only being paid five million per year? Wouldn't that be insulting?

After some thought, Emperor Xue Ye tentatively proposed:

"Demon Supressing Douluo, I had no idea your strength was so terrifying. What if we raise your annual salary from five million to ten million gold soul coins—would that be acceptable to you?"

"Uh…" Zhao Ling hadn't expected Emperor Xue Ye to want to increase his salary again.

Though Zhao Ling wouldn't mind a bump in pay, he recalled that he had only agreed to protect Xue Qinghe three times. After those three instances, he wouldn't intervene anymore.

And the five million was still guaranteed every year—he already felt a bit guilty about that. So after some thought, he politely refused.

"No need. Five million a year is already more than generous. I'm not some greedy man—money is just a number once you have enough.

If Your Majesty truly feels indebted, I'd prefer that the extra five million each year be used for public welfare—helping improve people's lives. That way, I'll have earned some virtue as well."

Hearing Zhao Ling's refusal, Emperor Xue Ye felt even more guilty. How could he have initially offered only five million to someone so powerful?

Now he wanted to double it, but Demon Supressing Douluo not only declined righteously, he even asked that the surplus go to benefit the people. Emperor Xue Ye was deeply moved.

For as long as he could remember, Titled Douluo experts had always acted lofty and above the law.

Even as emperor, he couldn't always restrain them—let alone protect the lives of commoners.

If an ordinary citizen offended a Titled Douluo, it was practically a death sentence.

But this Demon Supressing Douluo—he was different. He'd personally requested the money be used for the people.

Now that's what you call magnanimity. That's real nobility. Emperor Xue Ye gave Zhao Ling a silent, heartfelt thumbs-up.