Douluo Continent: Starting with the Tiger Emperor Template

Chapter 93 Zhang Peng's Greed

Xiao Hongchen frowned at the outsiders' involvement: "Do we need a guide? Besides, this time we're testing Mingdetang's new soul tool. If we let outsiders in like this, and the technology is leaked, can you take responsibility for that?"

His doubts are not without merit.

The soul tool technology of Mingde Hall is the core secret of the entire Sun Moon Empire, and the leakage of any experimental product could cause incalculable losses.

Allowing an unidentified outsider to join the team is indeed against the rules and regulations.

Lu Ren glanced at him and said in a flat tone, "She's one of us."

"If you're unhappy about this, you can report it to your grandfather right now."

"this----"

Xiao Hongchen's lips twitched violently. She wanted to refute, but then she realized that her own grandfather had long regarded Lu Ren as his precious treasure.

Let alone bringing an outsider, as long as it doesn't involve important rare metals, if Lu Ren wanted to empty his family's treasure trove, Jing Hongchen would probably only ask with a pained expression, "Is it enough?"

He hesitated for a long time, but in the end, he swallowed the rest of his words back down.

Upon hearing Lu Ren admit that "she is one of us," Ye Guyi immediately straightened her back, her long golden hair swaying gently over her shoulders with the movement.

She slightly raised her chin and gave Meng Hongchen a triumphant look, as if she were a victor.

See that? He said I'm one of our own.

Meng Hongchen's face remained frosty, but she did not retaliate.

She simply withdrew her gaze, suppressing the surging emotions within her.

As the apple of the eye of a wealthy family, her upbringing and refinement prevented her from losing her composure in public.

But she quietly quickened her pace, shortening the distance between herself and Lu Ren even further.

At the back of the line, Keke took in the whole scene and couldn't help but lean close to Ju Zi's ear and whisper, "This... something feels off."

Orange sighed softly.

"It feels like there's a rivalry or jealousy between them."

Keke's eyes sparkled, her gossip-loving spirit burning brightly.

"Could it be that both of these beautiful girls are in love with Lu Ren? One has blonde hair, and the other has silver hair. Isn't that a perfect gold and silver combination? Tsk tsk tsk, this is like a love triangle from an idol drama!"

"Well—we don't know the situation, let's just watch and see what happens." Orange's tone carried a hint of helplessness.

"Yeah, I guess I'll stay out of it." Coco nodded with a grin, then suddenly turned her head and looked at Orange with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Speaking of which, wouldn't it be even more lively if you joined in? A three-way standoff!"

"Are you trying to die?!"

Orange couldn't resist giving Keke a hard pinch on the waist, and whispered, "Have you forgotten my goal? I swore that I would marry the best chef on the continent in this lifetime, so that I can satisfy my insatiable stomach!"

Keke chuckled, clutching her stomach, "Your goal has really put Zimu through a lot of trouble. His talent is already considered very good among his peers, but even so, he not only has to learn about soul tools, but also has to work hard in cultivation, and even find time to learn how to cook."

"To be honest, he's really good to you, why can't you appreciate it?"

Upon hearing this, Orange's tone was full of disdain and disdain: "Come on, his skills are too weak. I don't want to find a man who makes me feel insecure. Can't I just say I don't like handsome guys?"

"I'm not as infatuated as you. If you like it, you can have it."

"You're the one who's a lovesick fool!" Keke slapped her, embarrassed and annoyed.

The two men's laughter and banter came from the back of the line, adding a touch of relaxation to the tense atmosphere.

Lu Ren walked at the front of the group, raised his hand to rub his temples, and let out a long sigh.

To be honest, he would rather fight Xuanzi again, or enjoy the battle, than deal with the relationships between these women.

Xuanzi could at least punch him, so what caused the conflict between Meng Hongchen and Ye Guyi?

Are there any conflicts between them?

Lu Ren glanced at Meng Hongchen, then at Ye Guyi, and sighed again.

Forget it, I should just focus on getting on the road and help them get their fifth spirit ring. I should also try my luck and see if I can encounter a 100,000-year-old spirit beast with a mental attribute.

Meanwhile, several kilometers behind the column.

A black figure silently appeared.

Zhang Peng stood in the shade of the roadside trees, his hunched figure completely hidden by the thick trunks.

His cloudy old eyes peered through the gaps in the branches and leaves, observing Lu Ren, who was walking at the very front of the group, from afar.

"This kid, judging by appearances alone, isn't bad."

Zhang Peng muttered to himself, his voice so low that only he could hear it.

"His soul power is abundant, his foundation is solid, his aura is restrained, and his steps are steady and natural. No wonder Jing Hongchen took a liking to him. I really hope he is not a soul master with some kind of sacred attribute martial soul. It would be a pity to kill such a good seedling."

He withdrew his gaze, preparing to continue his stealthy tracking.

Suddenly, he abruptly turned his head and looked in another direction.

At the edge of his mental perception, an extremely subtle aura was also following this group nearby.

The aura was concealed with exquisite skill; if Zhang Peng hadn't been a master in this field himself, he probably wouldn't have been able to detect it at all.

"Wait, are there other people following them besides me?"

Zhang Peng narrowed his eyes, his mental energy spreading out like a spider web, probing towards the direction of that hidden aura.

Then he saw it clearly.

In that direction stood a middle-aged man, dressed in a magnificent robe, with a ruddy complexion, his hands behind his back, gazing intently at the group of young men and women ahead.

This is—Mirror of the Mortal World?!

Zhang Peng's pupils suddenly contracted.

The head of Mingde Hall, a level nine Soul Master, symbolizes the absolute authority of the Sun Moon Empire in the field of Soul Guidance Devices!

He actually came to personally serve as the team's bodyguard?

Why is that?

Unless, Jing Hongchen places extreme importance on the safety of this team.

Or rather, he valued a particular person in the team to an extreme degree.

Just as Zhang Peng's thoughts were churning, Jing Hongchen seemed to have sensed something.

"Who?!"

A loud shout rang out like a thunderclap.

Jing Hongchen's soul power suddenly erupted, and the overwhelming pressure of a ninth-level soul master crushed towards Zhang Peng's location like a landslide and a tsunami.

The branches and leaves of the roadside trees swayed wildly under this oppressive force, and countless leaves fell to the ground.

Zhang Peng instantly withdrew his mental energy, and with a flicker, disappeared into the shadows.

When Jing Hongchen appeared where Zhang Peng had just been standing, the place was already empty.

Jing Hongchen frowned deeply. He stood with his hands behind his back, scanning the surrounding area within a hundred feet again and again with his spiritual power, but he could no longer detect anything unusual.

"This person's cultivation is above mine." His voice was deep, and a dark current of surprise and uncertainty surged in his eyes. "His aura is somewhat sinister, and I can't even track him down."

This cast a shadow over his heart.

A level nine Soul Master is already among the strongest on the continent. Anyone who can completely conceal their tracks from him and make it impossible for him to catch up must be at least a Super Douluo level.

Why would such a powerful individual need to track a team composed of trainees?

"Could it be that someone really wants to harm my grandchildren?"

Jing Hongchen's expression darkened.

Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen are his most beloved grandchildren and the hope of the entire Hongchen family.

Anyone who dares to mess with them is challenging the bottom line of the entire Mingde Hall!

"It seems I made the right decision to come this time."

He snorted coldly, and his figure disappeared back into the shadows.

There was still a long way to go from Mingdu to the Jingyang Mountains, and he wouldn't allow any accidents to happen to his grandchildren or Lu Ren.

The journey to Jingyang Mountain Range is quite long; if you try to walk, you might not arrive until dark.

Therefore, Keke took the lead in suggesting the use of a flying soul tool, and everyone nodded in agreement.

"Let's fly there then; walking is definitely too slow."

Lu Ren nodded in agreement, speaking as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Upon hearing this, everyone's gaze turned to the same person.

-

Lu Ren.

This guy, I never saw him use a soul tool from beginning to end.

Although Ji Juechen was a sword fanatic, he was still the chief disciple of the Soul Guidance Department, and he was more skilled than anyone else in using flying soul tools.

Needless to say, Jing Ziyan is the uncrowned queen of level six soul guidance, carrying more soul guidance devices than clothes.

Ye Guyi also received systematic soul master training when she was in the Ordinary Alliance, and flying soul tools were a basic skill for her.

As for Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen, the direct descendants of the Mingde Hall Master, it would be a joke if they didn't know how to use a flying soul tool.

Even Ju Zi and Ke Ke brought Mingdetang's newly developed soul guide device for field testing, so their technical level is naturally beyond question.

Only Lu Ren.

Since enrolling in school, no one has ever seen him touch any soul tool.

Even his defensive invincible shield was just kept in his pocket as a decoration and he never activated it.

"—Do you use a flying soul tool?" Coco couldn't help but ask the question everyone wanted to ask, but as soon as the words left her mouth, she realized she had asked a pointless question. "No, you're a member of the actual control soul tool system, how could you not have one—"

As she spoke, a pair of folding wings unfolded behind her.

The metal wing bones gleamed with a cold luster in the morning light, and the wing surface was composed of countless tiny soul guidance arrays, which lit up with a pale blue light when infused with soul power.

She touched the ground with her toes, and two blue trails of flame shot out from behind her broken wings, propelling her body lightly into the air.

"I'm going first!" Keke's laughter came from mid-air.

Xiao Hongchen snorted, and his broken wings also unfurled, following closely behind.

Ju Zi and Jing Ziyan also took to the air. Ye Guyi glanced at Lu Ren, hesitated for a moment, then activated her flying soul tool and followed.

Only Ji Juechen and Meng Hongchen did not follow immediately.

Ji Juechen silently looked at Lu Ren. He had been by Lu Ren's side the longest and knew the guy's temperament better than anyone. Lu Ren never used a soul tool, not even once.

It was as if soul tools were his sworn enemy.

Meng Hongchen remained where she was, her large, light blue eyes filled with worry.

"What are you going to do?" Ji Juechen asked succinctly.

"Do you need me to give you a flying soul tool? I brought a spare." Meng Hongchen's tone was clearly worried.

Her flying soul tool was custom-made for her by Jing Hongchen, and its performance far exceeded that of standard equipment. However, she also brought an extra one as a backup, just in case something unexpected happened on the way.

"It's okay, I can fly." Lu Ren raised his hand and gently rubbed Meng Hongchen's head. The girl's silver hair was as smooth as silk and fluffy under the warmth of his palm.

His movements were natural and affectionate, carrying a kind of doting affection that made one's heart race.

"You catch up with the group first, or I'll leave you behind."

Meng Hongchen blushed slightly at his actions. She sniffed and retorted in a clearly weak voice, "I wouldn't."

"Are you just bragging?"

Ji Juechen watched this scene expressionlessly.

"How can you fly without a soul tool?"

"No need, you can leave." Lu Ren smiled, raised his foot as if to kick him, "When you fly over, remember to solidify the techniques I taught you yesterday, work harder, and maybe you'll master your domain."

Ji Juechen nodded seriously: "Oh."

He stopped asking questions. Since Lu Ren said it could fly, then it definitely could fly.

This young man never does anything he's not confident about; this is an unbreakable conclusion that Ji Juechen has drawn from countless battles fought side by side.

Ji Juechen activated his flight soul tool and soared into the sky.

Meng Hongchen glanced at Lu Ren, hesitated for a second, then spread her icy blue wings and followed.

After flying a distance, she couldn't help but look back, just in time to see Lu Ren waving at her, indicating that she shouldn't worry.

After watching everyone ascend into the sky, Lu Ren slowly raised the corners of his mouth in a mysterious smile.

He can certainly fly without a flying soul tool.

Rather, it's more accurate to say that he had wanted to try it for a long time.

His gaze swept over his feet, then he suddenly exerted force.

Soul power and spell power were simultaneously poured into the lower limbs, and the two completely different energies merged and compressed in the muscle fibers.

The ground beneath his feet exploded into a ring of air the moment he exerted his strength, swirling up gravel and dead leaves that flew in all directions.

He shot into the sky like a cannonball, instantly catching up with the ascending crowd.

But this is only the first step.

The inertia of ascent will eventually run out, and he has no flying soul tool to provide continuous thrust. Anyone else would have started falling by now.

But Lu Ren is no one else.

He used the principle of striking the air with his spell to stabilize his body high in the air, and then activated the Crimson Blood Manipulation Technique!

Soul power transformed into bright red blood, which condensed at the heels into two blood-red footrests that were just big enough to accommodate the soles of the feet.

Then, Lu Ren placed both feet on the pedals, bent his knees slightly, and then pushed off suddenly.

The crimson pedal exploded into a bloody mist from the reaction force of his push, while he himself dashed forward like a red meteor.

This is the Crimson Blood Technique.

With blood, anything is possible.

An absolutely versatile technique, capable of being used to ascend to heaven and descend to earth, it can accomplish anything with blood.

After each sprint, new blood would gather at the spot where his feet landed, and then he would push off again and sprint once more.

The cycle repeats itself, and instead of decreasing, the speed increases.

Because each time he stomped, the force was greater than the last, and each time the blood-red pedal he condensed was harder than the last.

With the support of the Soul Core, the precision of the Crimson Blood Manipulation Technique reached an unprecedented level. Blood was more obedient in his hands than any alloy; he could shape it into whatever form he wanted and compress it to whatever hardness he desired.

In addition, his incredible physical strength gives him explosive power that far surpasses that of agility-type soul masters of the same level.

With these two advantages, the speed can only be described in four words: ridiculously fast.

High above, Keke flew down, looking around, and asked, "Why hasn't Lu Ren caught up yet?!"

Before she could finish speaking, a red figure swept past her, causing the airflow to deviate slightly from her flight path.

Not only her, but also Ju Zi, Jing Ziyan, and Xiao Hongchen, everyone reacted in the same way.

First, a red light flashed past them, then the air currents pushed them off balance, and finally a figure trailing a blood-red tail of flames suddenly stopped in front of them.

A large blood platform materialized beneath Lu Ren's feet, and he stood firmly on it, hovering in the air.

He turned around, looked at his dumbfounded teammates behind him, and wore his usual ambiguous smile.

Everyone: "???"

What the hell is this?

Everyone could clearly see that there was no flying soul tool behind him.

Not to mention a soul tool, there wasn't even a trace of the release of a martial soul.

Yet he stood there high in the air, his feet resting on something that looked like congealed blood, his posture relaxed—

"What's wrong? Why are you all looking at me so surprised?"

Lu Ren smiled, his tone carrying a hint of mischievousness, as if he already knew the answer.

No one answered him.

Because everyone's brain is still processing the information they just received.

Without using a flight soul tool, he dashed freely through the air.

Furthermore, it is faster than their flying soul tools and can stand steadily at high altitudes.

A thought flashed through everyone's minds simultaneously.

This guy is a complete freak.

Meanwhile, at a distance behind the ranks.

Two figures, each hidden in different shadows, witnessed everything that had just happened.

Zhang Peng stood in the canopy of an ancient tree, his black robe blending seamlessly with the branches and leaves.

His cloudy old eyes were wide open, and his eyebrows almost flew off his forehead.

"Just now—he used his soul power to transform into blood?"

His voice was hoarse, with an unbelievable tremor.

As the owner of the Scorpion Tiger Martial Soul, Zhang Peng's perception of blood is arguably the best on the entire continent.

His martial soul was born needing to devour animal blood to evolve. The texture of the blood and the energy it contained were like pages of a book filled with words, completely transparent to him.

That's why he knew better than anyone what Lu Ren had just done.

-

"And it's real blood!"

Zhang Peng's voice rose a few decibels.

"And it's not an illusion, nor is it mimicry; it's genuine blood containing life force!"

"Furthermore, he possesses the ability to directly convert soul power into blood!"

"How is this possible? The conversion between soul power and blood... this has completely exceeded the scope of soul skills, this is—"

He didn't continue, because he couldn't find the right words to describe this ability.

"Not only that, he can manipulate blood to this extent! He can even help him ascend! He can condense blood clots in mid-air to use as a springboard!!!"

"In all my years, I've never seen anyone manipulate blood to this extent!"

Looking at the solid, blood-red platform beneath Lu Ren's feet, Zhang Peng's Adam's apple bobbed.

An uncontrollable greed welled up from the bottom of my heart.

If he could possess Lu Ren's ability—

No, what if he could absorb Lu Ren's blood?