Douluo Continent: Starting with the Tiger Emperor Template

Chapter 90: A Soul Core with the Power of Curses! Unlock Projection Spells!

When Jing Hongchen returned to the academy, he saw Ji Juechen standing alone at the door of his office, and his brows furrowed.

Where is Lu Renren?

Ji Juechen said, "I've already returned to the academy."

"Back at the academy?" Jing Hongchen was taken aback. "When?"

"Just now."

Without saying a word, Jing Hongchen rushed to Lu Ren's cultivation room.

Standing in front of the cultivation room, he closed his eyes and sensed for a moment.

Indeed, Lu Ren's presence could be felt behind the door.

The aura was steady and deep, indicating that the person was in a state of cultivation, and it was even more restrained and solid than before.

He was silent for a moment, then smiled.

It seems that this kid not only wasn't injured, but also gained something.

Jing Hongchen didn't knock on the door; she simply turned and left.

When he returned to his office, two figures were standing side by side.

The boy on the left had delicate features, while the girl on the right had long silver ponytails and her light blue eyes lit up the moment she saw Jing Hongchen.

It was Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen who had been in seclusion for a full month before finally emerging.

The soul power emanating from the two of them was significantly stronger than before they entered the pass.

This means that they have all reached the level of a quasi-Soul King at level 50, and only need to obtain their fifth Soul Ring to officially enter the Soul King realm.

"well!"

Jing Hongchen said "good" twice.

Since Lu Ren came to the academy, he has said "good" more times than in all the previous years combined.

"You are all the future of the Hongchen family. Lu Ren has just reached level 50. After he comes out of seclusion, you can go to Jingyang Mountain together and get your fifth spirit ring."

"Yes, Grandpa," the two replied in unison.

The moment they bowed in greeting, both Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen felt a surge of emotions within them.

That guy's level 50?

Xiao Hongchen's lips twitched several times as he forcibly suppressed the urge to unleash a torrent of sarcastic remarks.

He spent a month in seclusion, pushing himself from level 49 to level 50, feeling he had given it his all.

As a result, Lu Ren was only level 44 a month ago, but now he has jumped directly to level 50.

Rising six levels in a month made Xiao Hongchen feel that all his efforts had been in vain!

Is this even human?

Comparing yourself to others is truly infuriating!

Meng Hongchen stood next to her brother, lowered her head slightly, and unconsciously curled up the corners of her mouth.

She has now broken through to the Soul King level. Although she is still far from catching up with him, at least she has not fallen further behind.

Jing Hongchen gave them a few more words of encouragement to keep up their efforts, then waved for them to leave.

After the brother and sister left the hall, he did not get up and go back to his office. Instead, he sat in the hall master's chair and closed his eyes to rest.

Not long after, a figure quietly appeared in the center of the hall.

The newcomer was a middle-aged man with an ordinary, unremarkable face—the kind of person you'd never notice in a crowd.

But his steps were extremely light, each step landing on the carpet without making a sound. This was an eight-ring Soul Douluo, an eighth-level Soul Master, and one of Jing Hongchen's subordinates.

"Master."

"Hmm." Jing Hongchen opened her eyes and her first question was, "Has Lu Ren been injured these past few days?"

Clearly, this person was the level eight Soul Master that Jing Hongchen had sent out to secretly protect Lu Ren.

The middle-aged man's expression suddenly became extremely strange.

"Injured? If he could get injured, that would be a miracle." His lips twitched several times. "Not to mention—he created this whole mess in Mingdu all by himself."

He reported the events of the past few days to Jing Hongchen one by one, from Lu Ren's destruction of eight branch altars of the Holy Spirit Cult on the first night, to the real reason for the city-wide riots in Xishui Alliance, and then to how Pingfan Alliance and Aodu Chamber of Commerce reached some kind of agreement with Lu Ren.

He spoke slowly, repeatedly confirming everything to ensure there was no exaggeration or omission.

Jing Hongchen sat in the chair, completely dumbfounded.

Has Lu Ren thrown the entire Ming Dynasty into chaos?

The reason why the Xi Shui Alliance has been searching everywhere like crazy these past few days is because Lu Renlian destroyed eight of their strongholds.

Even the two major powers, the Ordinary Alliance and the Audu Chamber of Commerce, reached some kind of agreement with him—how did he manage to do it so easily all by himself?

Before he could process all this information, the middle-aged man added, "Master, there's something even more important. We discovered traces of evil spirit masters' activities at the Xishui Alliance's stronghold. Almost all of the core members of the Xishui Alliance are evil spirit masters."

Evil Soul Master?

Jing Hongchen's pupils suddenly contracted. How could an evil soul master have appeared in Mingdu's underground forces?

This is not a good sign.

"Finally, and most importantly," the middle-aged man took a deep breath, "when Taotie Douluo appeared in front of Lu Ren, he not only escaped unscathed, but also used his own abilities to hold off Taotie Douluo for a full seven minutes, forcing that level 98 Super Douluo to lose his composure in public and flee in defeat."

"Master, if I may be so frank, does a genius of this caliber really need my protection?"

Jing Hongchen: "The hall remained quiet for a long time."

Jing Hongchen leaned back in her chair, her expression rapidly shifting between blankness, shock, doubt, and ecstasy—

The final image is a highly complex expression.

"I understand everything. You did a good job." Jing Hongchen's voice was unusually slightly trembling. "Go and inform Lin Jiayi first, and tell him to treat Lu Ren with the best possible care, absolutely the best! Don't be perfunctory!"

The middle-aged man accepted the order and left.

Jing Hongchen sat alone in the chair, raised her hand, and pressed her temple with her thumb.

This guy's performance left him completely speechless.

But this also strengthened Jing Hongchen's resolve on certain issues.

We must do everything we can to establish a connection with Lu Ren, or at the very least, show him goodwill and cultivate a good relationship with this exceptionally talented genius!

As Lu Ren sat cross-legged in the center of the cultivation room, his hands forming a mudra, his eyes closed and his mind focused, he prepared to begin attempting to condense a soul core with the attribute of curse power.

The Sea God Pavilion at Shrek Academy held another meeting.

Only a few days have passed since the last Poseidon Pavilion meeting.

The name that connects the two meetings is the same: Lu Ren.

This situation is extremely rare in the entire history of Shrek.

But Shrek did it anyway.

It is easy to imagine the immense pressure that Lu Ren's appearance brought to this top academy on the continent.

Inside the Sea God Pavilion, everything was the same as at the last meeting.

The same long table, the same chairs, the same senior officials.

But the atmosphere was more than twice as heavy as last time.

The air was thick with a sense of impending doom, and even the usually jovial young elders kept their lips tightly pressed together, remaining silent.

Moon was still lying on the old recliner at the head of the table, his eyes slightly closed, as if he were asleep.

But everyone could see that he was in worse shape than last time.

His already aged face looked even more ashen, and his breathing was lighter and slower than before.

He personally went on a long journey and suppressed Poison Undying high above Mingdu. That seemingly casual flash of golden light consumed his already dwindling life force.

Elder Song broke the silence first: "Speak, Xuanzi, what is the purpose of your proposal to convene a meeting of the Sea God Pavilion?"

Xuanzi nodded and slowly stood up. His movements were much slower than usual, and his hunched figure seemed to have shrunk even more.

He wasn't carrying a wine jug as usual, nor was he gnawing on a chicken leg; his cloudy old eyes were bloodshot.

Xuanzi remained silent for a long time, as if organizing his thoughts or gathering the courage to speak. Finally, he said, "As you all probably already know about this incident, this is not the first time I've run into trouble."

When Xuanzi spoke, every word seemed to be forced out from the depths of his throat, making Xuanzi feel utterly ashamed.

"I have brought shame to Shrek Academy because of that little bastard Lu Ren."

He took a deep breath, as if making an extremely difficult decision: "Therefore, I have decided to resign from my position as Vice-Head of the Shrek Academy's Supervisory Committee and withdraw from the Sea God Pavilion, becoming merely a freelancer at the academy."

These words shocked everyone present.

Xuanzi's status at Shrek Academy is second only to Moon, who is sitting on the recliner!

Not to mention that he is an absolute elder of the academy, a level 98 Super Douluo, whose cultivation level is only one level lower than Mu En's.

If Elder Mu passes away, then he will be the first in line to succeed the Sea God Pavilion Master.

The head of the Shrek Academy's inspection team is Elder Mu, so there is only one deputy head, Xuanzi.

Not to mention that in the past fifty years, all the most outstanding disciples of the inner court who have represented the academy in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament have been trained by Xuanzi.

His sudden announcement to resign from all positions was bound to shock the entire Poseidon Pavilion meeting.

"You stay."

Moon's voice came from the recliner, still old and calm, revealing no emotion.

Xuanzi trembled: "Elder Mu, please don't try to persuade me anymore—"

The thought of his "flying excrement" performance high above Mingdu made Xuanzi's old face turn a deep purplish-red.

He had lived for two hundred years and had never been so humiliated!

"I said you stay, are you deaf?"

Moon spoke again, his tone becoming more forceful.

Xuanzi swallowed back all the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

He could talk back to anyone, but he didn't dare to even breathe loudly in front of Old Master Mu.

Mu En turned his head slightly, his dim yellow eyes glancing sideways at Xuan Zi from the recliner.

"If you want to leave, you can. Just pass on your Gluttonous Divine Ox Martial Soul along with your bloodline. After that, it's up to you whether you stay or leave."

Upon hearing this, the previously tense and almost frozen atmosphere instantly cracked open.

Several senior officials couldn't help but let out suppressed chuckles.

At Xuanzi's age, I wonder if he still has the ability to leave behind descendants?

Even if they did, who would want to have children with an old man who drinks and eats chicken legs all day and is so slovenly that he doesn't even change his clothes?

Xuanzi's face turned from liver-colored to eggplant-purple. He originally wanted to refute, but after his confrontation with Lu Ren, he lowered his head and dared not look at anyone.

"Alright, let's leave this matter of Xuanzi behind." Mu En withdrew his gaze, his voice regaining the calm authority he usually displayed when presiding over important matters. "Now, let's talk about serious business."

Everyone present straightened their backs at the same time.

When Moon says we're talking about serious matters, he really means we're talking about serious matters.

"First, we have confirmed that Lu Ren possesses the ability to make his words come true."

The elders nodded in agreement, their expressions more or less solemn.

They naturally trusted Elder Mu's words completely.

But Moon's next words made the previously calm elders gasp in shock.

"He was even able to influence Xuanzi by risking severe punishment himself, using his words to make them lawful."

"What?!"

A young Grand Secretary exclaimed in surprise.

Lu Ren and the others all knew that even if a fifteen-year-old boy had extraordinary talent, he was still just a junior.

His mental power could actually affect Xuanzi, who was a level 98 Super Douluo?

Xuanzi immediately spoke up to explain: "That little beast is very cunning. He didn't say anything about hurting me. He knew that with his cultivation level, saying such things would cause him to explode and die first. So he just induced a physiological reaction in my body—"

Moon continued, his tone remaining calm: "That's what makes him cunning, and besides, La—"

Thinking of the words he was about to say, Mu En hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not utter such filthy words: "Hmm—that behavior is actually beneficial to the human body, equivalent to expelling toxins from the body. That's why Lu Ren was able to influence Xuan Zi with this. Because his words and commands do not contradict the natural needs of the human body, the backlash is minimal, but the effect is the most significant."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over each of the elders present: "This is the question we'll be discussing next: if our students encounter Lu Ren in the competition, how should we deal with his ability to make his words law?"

No one answered.

Because everyone had mentally reenacted that scene.

In the final, under the spotlight, Lu Ren stood on the opposite side, opened his mouth and casually said, "Kneel down," and the Shrek Seven Devils all knelt down.

Or, to put it more bluntly, shout out that word and the Shrek Seven Devils collectively lose control of their bladders in front of the entire mainland audience.

The scene was so beautiful that no one dared to think any further.

"Then he'll just say 'Kneel down,' and with that one word, Shrek Academy will be utterly disgraced across the entire continent. The glory passed down from ten thousand years ago will be severed in our generation."

Moon's voice was very calm, but it was not hard to tell that his emotions were fluctuating.

Clearly, Lu Ren's ability to make his words come true also frightened Mu En.

"Elder Mu, do you have a solution?" Xuanzi asked cautiously.

Mu En was silent for a moment: "From now on, I hope that the Soul Guidance Department and the Martial Soul Department can achieve full cooperation. Put aside your petty thoughts."

Upon hearing this, the elders in charge of the Martial Soul Department and the Soul Guidance Department all looked somewhat uneasy.

The conflict between the Martial Soul Department and the Soul Guidance Department at Shrek Academy has a long history. The Martial Soul Department looks down on the Soul Guidance Department as "playing with lumps of iron," while the Soul Guidance Department considers the Martial Soul Department to be "old-fashioned and stuck in the past."

Although both factions are officially affiliated with Shrek Academy, their rivalry behind the scenes has never ceased.

But now, Moon has delivered the final verdict in a single sentence.

"We have to admit that the next era belongs to soul tools and soul masters. We must follow the future development. If we can ensure that every participating student has a soul tool with a mental defense of level six or above before the competition, it may be able to effectively prevent Lu Ren's words from becoming law."

The elder in charge of the Soul Guidance Department nodded, deciding not to settle old scores with the Martial Soul Department at this critical juncture.

"Secondly," Moon continued, "how the participating students deal with Lu Ren's domain problem. There's a saying that goes, the best way to deal with a domain is to also use the power of a domain."

Xuanzi's eyes lit up: "You mean—"

Mu En's gaze swept over the assembled elders, finally settling on Xuan Zi: "I remember that ten thousand years ago, Tang San's ancestors used a seven-in-one martial soul fusion technique formation. After so many years of improvement, we have been able to form it into an effective domain."

"You will personally guide the participating children to use this seven-in-one combined domain to fight against Lu Ren's domain."

"Xuanzi, when it comes to teaching students, no one in the entire Shrek Academy is more suitable than you."

Xuanzi remained silent for a long time, then slowly nodded: "Yes, Elder Mu, I will definitely teach you diligently."

"Don't go out recklessly anymore. Stay here and guard Shrek Academy properly, and teach your students well." Moon closed his eyes again, his voice lowered, as if the spirit he had been holding on to had finally relaxed after finishing his business, revealing the exhaustion hidden beneath.

Xuanzi didn't refute, but simply nodded again: "No problem."

This time, he answered without complaint.

After all, Xuanzi believed that he had caused enough trouble that he was too ashamed to mention it again.

The only thing we can do now is to pour all our skills into this cohort of students.

For Shrek Academy, and to ensure that Mu's efforts were not in vain.

It is also for the glory of Shrek Academy!

In the blink of an eye, seven days have passed.

The chaotic situation in Mingdu was completely quelled within just seven days.

The person who took action was Xu Tianran, the crown prince of the Sun Moon Empire. He intervened in the investigation with swift and decisive action, uprooting several gangs that were causing trouble in the chaos. At the same time, he announced a ceasefire between the Xishui Alliance, the Pingfan Alliance, and the Aodu Chamber of Commerce, with the royal family mediating the conflict.

The series of precise and ruthless measures not only deterred forces with malicious intent to cause trouble but also stabilized the confidence of ordinary people.

Many high-ranking figures who were originally observing and hesitating about which side to take, secretly admired Xu Tianran after witnessing his skill and strengthened their resolve to support the crown prince.

The mess Lu Ren stirred up actually became an opportunity for Xu Tianran to showcase his abilities.

Of course, this is also Xu Tianran's own ability; being able to find opportunities in chaos is a basic quality of an excellent senior executive.

During these seven days, Xu Tianran also used the royal family's connections to find the possessor of the Divine Attribute Martial Soul for the Holy Spirit Cult.

Some have.

The trail led all the way to the gates of the Ordinary Alliance.

Shangguan Weier had already made thorough preparations. She had fabricated a large number of seemingly plausible clues in advance, leading the investigation down a completely wrong path. She also unified the narrative within the alliance, strictly forbidding anyone from revealing a single word about Ye Guyi and Lu Ren.

When the investigators sent by the royal family stepped into the headquarters of the Ordinary Alliance, they were greeted only by Shangguan Weier's smile, which was both holy and alluring, and her impeccable answers.

Investigators were unable to extract any useful information from the Ordinary Alliance.

But Shangguan Wei'er's heart skipped a beat.

The information that Lu Ren shared with her was true.

Behind the Xi Shui Alliance is indeed Crown Prince Xu Tianran!

This discovery plunged her into despair.

She knew all too well what it meant that a strong contender for the next emperor was colluding with the largest evil spirit master organization in Mingdu.

This also strengthened her resolve: she must cling to Lu Ren's coattails from now on. If he could even get inside information of this level, this young man's power was far greater than she had initially imagined.

As for Lu Ren, the instigator of this series of upheavals in Mingdu, everything outside is no longer relevant to him.

Lu Ren has already gained enough benefits from this chaos.

The Holy Spirit Cult's magical power, Ye Guyi's joining, the support of the Ordinary Alliance and the Aodu Chamber of Commerce, and the goodwill of the Body Sect—

At this moment, in Lu Ren's private training room.

Lu Ren felt the soul core slowly rotating in his dantian.

It is only the size of a small ball, yet it contains unimaginable and terrifying energy.

Every strand of mantra power that flows through the meridians is automatically absorbed and compressed by this core, then purified again, and then released.

Its every pulse was perfectly synchronized with his breathing, heartbeat, and even mental fluctuations.

The core has emerged—that is to say—

Become!

Unexpectedly, Lu Ren actually accomplished this feat.

A soul core with the attribute of curse power!

"Ha ha ha ha!"

"I did it! I did it!"

"I did it!!!"

Laughter echoed repeatedly in the closed training room, making the walls vibrate.

To condense a soul core with the cultivation of a level 50 Soul King is an unprecedented feat in the entire history of Douluo Continent.

In this era, the Soul Core is a threshold that only titled Douluo-level powerhouses begin to dabble in!

Even ten thousand years from now, that would be a soul core that only a Soul Saint could forge!

But Lu Ren managed to condense this impossible core at level 50 by relying on his outstanding abilities and the unique perspective brought about by the fusion of curse power and soul power!

The instant the soul core was completed, a cold, mechanical voice sounded in my mind:

[The host's mental strength level has been detected to have broken through to the late stage of the Spirit Abyss Realm.]

[Reward Spell: Projection Spell.]

Lu Ren's lips slowly parted into a smile.

Projection spell, got it!