Douluo Continent: The Underworld Emperor Halosa Lets Three Fly

Chapter 128 Your life is not long.

A hint of amusement flashed in Harosa's grey eyes. Although he greatly admired Ji Bochang's expertise in soul-guided technology, it didn't mean he would forgive this audacious traitor.

Gratitude is a virtue, but if the recipient of that gratitude is not oneself, then it becomes an unforgivable sin.

"I remember," Harosa's voice was like ice scraping against metal, "when you first followed me, you were just an eighth-level Soul Master." He slowly circled Deng Fengqiao, each step making the kneeling Soul Master's heart race. "So many years have passed, and you've received the complete instruction of a tenth-level Soul Master. Have you made any progress?"

Deng Fengqiao shuddered, immediately understanding Harosa's unspoken message—this was an assessment of whether he had mastered the technology sufficient to replace Ji Bochang. On the surface, Ji Bochang's life seemed to hinge on his next answer; but in reality, Deng Fengqiao knew very well that this was the ultimate test of his own worth. If his answer failed to satisfy Hades, he would face the same fate as Ji Bochang.

"Reporting to...Reporting to Your Excellency," Deng Fengqiao said, his forehead pressed against the dirt, his voice hoarse with tension, "I am now...a half-step level ten Soul Master. Apart from a few core techniques that Ji Bochang has kept hidden away, he has taught me everything else... Once I...once I master them, I will surely be able to..." He swallowed hard, "and create my own level ten Soul Guidance technique, breaking through the final bottleneck."

Become a true Level 10 Soul Master!

Harosa's gray eyes narrowed slightly; this time, he was genuinely surprised. To leap from level eight to near-level ten in thirty years—such talent would be considered extraordinary in any era. He had kept Deng Fengqiao on the job simply because of his reliability; he never expected that this casually picked-up pawn would turn out to be an unpolished gem.

"Oh?" Harosa's voice rose at the end, carrying a hint of scrutiny. "Such progress in just thirty years?" He gathered a wisp of gray divine power at his fingertips and gently touched Deng Fengqiao's nape. The latter immediately trembled violently as if struck by lightning—this was the most direct way to test ability.

"Pfft, what do I know about Soul Guidance Master levels?" Harosa thought to himself with a self-deprecating laugh, but remained outwardly calm. He couldn't actually judge Deng Fengqiao's Soul Guidance level, but by sensing the other's soul strength and spiritual purity with his divine power, he could make a fairly accurate guess.

"Get up." Harosa suddenly turned around, his wide black robe sleeves drawing a sharp arc in the air. "Go and gather the immortal herbs; don't keep everyone waiting."

Deng Fengqiao scrambled to his feet, his back already soaked in cold sweat. Harosa's reaction was far too calm, as if it were something as mundane as hearing "the weather is nice today." This unusual calm only made him more uneasy, like the deathly stillness before a storm.

When the two returned with dozens of radiant immortal herbs and rare treasures, the Soul Masters who had been waiting for a long time immediately stirred. The Qiluo Tulip emitted a seven-colored glow, the Wangchuanqiu Dew reflected the moonlight, and the Liehuo Apricot was like a dancing flame. Each one was a priceless treasure that Soul Masters from the outside world would fight tooth and nail for.

Among the crowd, Ji Bochang's gaze remained fixed on Deng Fengqiao. Seeing his disciple's composed demeanor and unhurried manner, a hint of contempt flashed in his eyes. "It seems this so-called deity is nothing more than this, unable to even detect the disloyalty of those around him." He chuckled inwardly, his apprehension towards Harosa lessening somewhat. This contempt quietly took root in his heart.

Thinking of the tenth-level soul guidance technology he had painstakingly researched over the years, and the prototypes of those powerful weapons that could threaten the gods (although they were not yet complete), Ji Bochang's awe of the gods quietly crumbled under the weight of his immense arrogance and contempt for Harosa's "incompetence," replaced by an almost arrogant confidence and a trace of pity.

"The pathetic and pathetic power wielders, technology is the true future!" His tense nerves completely relaxed, and a barely perceptible, mocking smile even appeared on his lips.

God... is that all? Nothing special.

"Deng Fengqiao," Harosa's voice broke the crowd's excitement, "Let's begin the distribution as I just said."

"Yes, sir!" Deng Fengqiao took a deep breath, suppressing all his surging emotions, and tried his best to appear calm and professional. He took out the list that had been prepared in advance and began to distribute the immortal herbs and rare treasures in his hands one by one according to each person's martial soul attribute, cultivation status and potential.

"Yuan Feng, Fiery Apricot Blossom! This celestial treasure contains ultimate fire element and boundless vitality, perfectly complementing the fierce and domineering nature of your Xuan Iron Divine Hammer Martial Soul. It can also stimulate the latent power of your rebirth essence within you, helping you break through to a higher realm!"

"Yuanhua, the fragrant tulip! This flower harmonizes yin and yang, strengthens the foundation, replenishes what you lost in your early years, and prolongs your life!"

"Deng Fengqiao, I've been waiting with bated breath! With focused concentration and penetrating insight into the essence, I'll help you break through the mental barriers and comprehend the ultimate principles of the soul!"

"Ji Bochang, the Eight-Cornered Mystic Ice Grass! This grass contains extreme cold and pure soul power, which aligns perfectly with your expertise in precise energy manipulation. It can help you stabilize your mind and deepen your research on the Soul Guidance Core!"

"Deng Zhan."

"..."

The distribution process proceeded smoothly, with Deng Fengqiao demonstrating exceptional professionalism and fairness (at least under Harosa's watchful eye, he dared not be unfair). Each person whose name was called trembled with excitement, receiving the jade box—a gift that could change their destiny—with almost reverent hands, their gratitude and awe towards Harosa reaching their peak.

When the last batch of rare and precious materials was distributed, everyone held tightly to their share of the opportunity, their eyes fixed intently on Harosa, as if gazing upon a god who had bestowed new life upon them.

Harosa nodded in satisfaction, a symbolic encouraging smile on his face: "Very good. Although my reputation may not be the best, I have always been fair in rewarding and punishing. Since you serve me, I will naturally not treat you unfairly. Cultivate diligently, study hard, this vast divine realm has boundless potential, and it is enough to support many more divine positions in the future!" He painted an enticing picture, stirring everyone's emotions.

Godhood? Becoming a god is the ultimate goal for all soul masters.

However, just as everyone was immersed in the ecstasy of obtaining the immortal herb and the future vision, and thought that the "reward" segment had come to a perfect end, the smile on Harosa's face quickly receded like the tide, and was replaced by a chilling and sinister look!

"Since we agreed on clear rewards and punishments—" Harosa's voice suddenly turned cold, like the Arctic wind sweeping through the herb garden, instantly freezing everyone's smiles, "then, the rewards are finished, and next—is the punishment."

boom!

The relaxed and joyful atmosphere shattered instantly, like fragile glass! An invisible, chilling pressure suddenly descended!

Everyone felt their hearts clench, and a chill ran from the soles of their feet to the top of their heads! They instinctively held their breath, their eyes darting between their companions and Harosa with suspicion and uncertainty.

Who? Who will be punished?

Most people looked bewildered and fearful, believing themselves to have been diligent and without fault. Therefore, most were simply watching the spectacle. Only Deng Fengqiao and Ji Bochang felt as if an invisible hand had gripped their hearts tightly!

Deng Fengqiao's face instantly turned deathly pale, the blood that had just congealed on his forehead seemed about to burst again, and his body trembled uncontrollably. He kept his head tightly down, not daring to look at anyone, his heart churning with turmoil: "It's here—it's finally here—"

"Old Ji is finished."

Ji Bochang was struck dumb! One second he was still immersed in obtaining the immortal herb and his contempt for Harosa's "incompetence," but the next second he was stunned by the sudden word "punishment"! He held the jade box containing the octagonal ice grass, his knuckles turned white from the force, and his body was as stiff as a stone sculpture.

"Punishment? What punishment? Could it be—could it be that he knows?! No! Impossible! That good-for-nothing Deng Fengqiao wouldn't have the guts to tell the whole story! He's bluffing me! He must be bluffing me!" Immense fear, like a cold, venomous snake, instantly coiled around his heart, tearing his newly risen contempt and confidence to shreds!

He could even clearly hear the rush of blood to his head and the chattering of his teeth. "Stay calm, Ji Bochang! Stay calm! Don't panic! He might not know—"

In the suffocating silence, Harosa's gaze, like two cold searchlights, slowly swept across the crowd and finally landed on Yuan Feng!

"Blacksmith Association, Yuan Feng!" Harosa's voice carried an unquestionable authority.

Yuan Feng was stunned. His hands, which were holding Lie Huoxing, trembled slightly. He looked up, his face full of bewilderment, and asked, "M-Master?"

Yuan Hua was instantly filled with hatred. What happened to his son?

Harosa said sternly, "You have failed to meet my requirements and elevate your strength to the quasi-god level within thirty years! You have neglected your cultivation and indulged in the trivial path of forging! This is dereliction of duty!"

Yuan Feng: "???" (He had absolutely no recollection of making this request!)

There's also a forging path? Isn't that what you need my son and I to do?

Everyone: "???" (Is this supposed to be a reason for punishment?)

Harosa continued to announce the "punishment": "Your forging privileges are hereby revoked! You are not allowed to engage in any forging activities until you reach the quasi-god level! If you dare to disobey again—humph, you will be expelled from the God Realm!" He snorted coldly, with a hint of "severe" warning.

The entire room fell silent!

Yuan Feng was completely dumbfounded, clutching the precious immortal herb, his face blank with a look of utter disbelief, as if asking, "Who am I? Where am I? What did I do wrong?" Yuan Hua was equally stunned. The other soul masters exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes filled with unbelievable absurdity.

This—this is what you call punishment?!

Isn't this just a forced vacation?! A paid (herbal) vacation at that! And forging is forbidden? It might be a bit tough for a forging fanatic like Yuan Feng, but it's hardly a "punishment" at all!

What's more, he was also given a Blazing Fire Fragrance that could help him break through to the Quasi-God level!

Ji Bochang's heartstrings, which had been stretched to the limit, suddenly relaxed the moment he heard the name "Yuan Feng"! The huge difference made his vision even go black for a moment, and a feeling of exhaustion from surviving a disaster instantly swept over his body!

"Yuan Feng? Not me?! That's great! That's great! He really is a good-for-nothing." He felt cold sweat instantly soak through his clothes on his back, and his hands holding the jade box fell limply to his sides. He breathed in the air, which was filled with the scent of medicine, greedily, his heart filled with relief and lingering fear.

"I was scared to death! It turns out it was just using Yuan Feng to set some rules. What a scare! It seems this Hades is indeed a brute who only understands power and not human nature!" The contempt that had just been suppressed by fear quietly resurfaced.

Only Deng Fengqiao, far from relaxing, trembled even more violently! He knew Harosa all too well! This was definitely just the beginning! The calm before the storm! The appetizer of a cat playing with a mouse! Ji Bochang's momentary relaxation followed by a scornful expression, in Deng Fengqiao's eyes, was utterly infuriatingly foolish!

You're underestimating God!

really!

Just as everyone was secretly grumbling and even wanting to laugh at the "all bark and no bite" punishment, and Ji Bochang had completely relaxed, with a barely perceptible contemptuous smile returning to the corner of his mouth, Harosa's gaze, like the most precise death ray, coldly and without warning locked onto Ji Bochang, who had just breathed a sigh of relief in the crowd!

That gaze no longer held any mockery; it was now filled with pure, soul-chilling killing intent!

"As for you, Ji Bochang," Harosa's voice was as cold as the depths of hell, each word carrying the weight of a judgment, "Your heart is impure, you are disloyal and unfilial, you intend to rebel against the divine realm, you collude with outsiders, and you plot treason—"

Boom!

Like a thunderclap from a clear sky! Everyone was stunned by this sudden and highly targeted accusation! The atmosphere that had just relaxed instantly froze again, even colder and more chilling than before!

The color drained from Ji Bochang's face instantly! His body, which had just relaxed, stiffened again! He felt a chill run from his tailbone to the top of his head, his mind going completely blank! "He knows! He really knows! Deng Fengqiao! It must be that traitor Deng Fengqiao!"

Harosa's voice, like a final death knell, echoed clearly over the desolate herb garden:

"Such heinous crimes deserve death! Now, I, the Divine Ruler, hereby bestow divine punishment upon you—death!"

The word "execution" struck everyone's heart like two heavy hammers!

"What?!"

"Professor Ji?!"

"impossible!"

Exclamations erupted! Everyone stared in disbelief at Ji Bochang, then at Harosa in horror. The reversal had come too quickly, too violently! One second he was a meritorious official receiving rewards, the next he was a traitor sentenced to death?!

The moment Li Bochang heard the word "execution," his mind went blank. Then, an extreme fear and madness of being completely exposed and having nowhere to turn instantly devoured all his reason!

"No! I can't die! My research isn't finished! Technology hasn't triumphed over divine authority! Her Majesty Ari hasn't been rescued yet!"

"Harosa! You want to kill me? Not so easy!" Ji Bochang roared furiously, like the final howl of a trapped beast!

He slammed the jade box containing the Eight-Cornered Mystic Ice Grass into the ground! At the same time, his Soul Guidance Robe shone brightly! Dozens of dazzling streams of light shot out from various parts of his body like a peacock spreading its tail!

hum!hum!hum!hum!

In an instant, more than twenty soul tools of various shapes and sizes, radiating powerful energy fluctuations, appeared around his body! The vast majority of them were incredibly powerful level nine soul tools—high-energy shockwave cutting blades, super-energy-concentrating soul-guided ray cannons, and more.

The space restriction generator, the mental interference storm device, and even three other devices that exuded a heart-palpitating pressure far exceeding that of a level nine soul tool—those were his trump cards, prototypes of level ten soul tools that were not yet fully mature!

A honeycomb-shaped device that ejects thousands of miniature flying shuttles with spatial tearing properties!

A prism-like object instantly condensed into a high-energy particle stream powerful enough to pierce through divine metal!

The last item was a dark purple metal sphere that was constantly spinning and radiating destructive energy!

Ji Bochang's eyes were bloodshot, and he looked like a madman! He no longer considered any plan or consequences; only one thought occupied his mind: to fight to the death! To take Harolossa down with him! Or—to create chaos, perhaps there was still a glimmer of hope!

His withered fingers moved frantically in the void, and his powerful mental energy instantly connected with all the soul tools!

"Die!!"

With his hysterical roar, all the soul tools were activated to their limits at the same time!

Rumble, rumble, rumble—!!!

The blinding light instantly engulfed everything! A violent energy storm erupted from Ji Bochang like a tsunami!

The scorching high-energy rays, the sharp spatial cutting blades, the invisible mental shock, the destructive particle streams, and the terrifying energy unleashed by the three prototype level 10 soul tools intertwined to form a destructive web of death, with its target being Harosa, who sat enthroned on the throne!

This strike embodies all of Ji Bochang's lifelong learning and madness! Its power is enough to instantly annihilate several Title Douluos, and even force ordinary god-level powerhouses to temporarily avoid its edge!

The immortal herbs in the herb garden swayed violently amidst the raging energy turbulence, their fragile petals withering away one by one! Yuan Hua and his son, along with the other soul masters, were terrified by this sudden and terrifying attack, and fled backward in panic!

Deng Fengqiao was so frightened that he collapsed to the ground, his face ashen!

He really hadn't expected a level 10 Soul Master to be so powerful when unleashing their full power.

However, faced with this soul-guided storm powerful enough to tear space apart and destroy everything, Harosa didn't even lift his eyelids. He simply looked at the dazzling yet deadly light of destruction as if he were watching a spectacular fireworks display.

A cold and cruel smile curved at the corners of his lips.

"Your life is short, Ji Bochang."