Douluo: The Glory of the Peerless Angel

Shrek Square at dawn.

The entire Soul Hunting Team was present, totaling eight people: Team Leader Teacher Song, Commander-in-Chief Zhang Lexuan, Ling Bai, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong'er, Li Yongyue, Mo Xuan, and... Ling Qiuxi!

Ignoring Wang Dong'er's perpetually expressionless face, Ling Bai approached Ling Qiuxi and asked with amusement, "Didn't you drop out of school?"

"Yan Shaozhe said that Shrek's glory needs someone to inherit it, and asked me to think about it for a few more days. I can come to the Soul Hunting Team and get Soul Rings with the Inner Academy to experience the excellent atmosphere of the academy."

"It's foolish not to take advantage of a good deal, so here I am."

Ling Qiuxi's voice was clear and cold. She raised her snow-white chin and looked up at the sky at a 45-degree angle, her expression cool and aloof, but she was actually secretly observing Ling Bai out of the corner of her eye.

All of the above are just excuses. She participated in the Soul Hunting Operation for only one reason: Ling Bai was also there.

Ling Qiuxi stayed at a hotel in Shrek City these past few days. She thought Ling Bai would confront her because of their similar appearances, but she didn't see him at all. It seemed that Ling Bai had completely ignored her.

Today, Ling Qiuxi specially wore a white outfit, with a black dragon reverse scale pendant hanging in front of her high and firm chest. The contrast between black and white was striking, making her identity obvious.

She wanted to see Ling Bai's shocked yet delighted expression, and then the two of them would leave Shrek Academy together and live a carefree and happy life from then on.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Elder Song said, "Everyone here is an elite disciple of the inner court, with rich experience. I won't say anything more. According to the rules of the Soul Hunting Operation, each team member should introduce their name, martial soul, and cultivation level to facilitate your cooperation in the Star Dou Great Forest."

She nodded to Zhang Lexuan, whose voice was clear and bright: "Zhang Lexuan, Martial Soul Moon, Level 86 Power Attack Type Battle Soul Douluo, responsible for leading and commanding the team, has no need for Soul Rings."

After saying that, Zhang Lexuan turned her gaze to Ling Bai, indicating that it was his turn next.

Although Ling Bai is already a graduate, his strength is undoubtedly the strongest among the students present, easily surpassing Zhang Lexuan. If he were still a Shrek Academy disciple, the command this time might not have belonged to anyone else.

"Ling Bai, Martial Soul: Six-Winged Angel, Level 80 Soul Power, requires a 100,000-year-old Light or Fire attribute Soul Beast."

Ling Bai paused for a second and added, "If you all obtain the desired soul rings, the Soul Hunting Operation will end early. I have other targets that are not within the Star Dou Great Forest."

After the two finished their introductions, Old Song interjected, "I'm just accompanying them on this mission. Le Xuan is the commander-in-chief, and Xiao Ling is strong and steady. He will be the deputy commander. Everyone must obey their orders and must not act on their own."

"Continue, Huo Yuhao, come on."

Upon hearing that Elder Song had mentioned him, Huo Yuhao quickly said, "My name is Huo Yuhao, my soul power is level 50, and I have twin martial souls: the Spirit Eye and the Ultimate Ice Jade Scorpion. I need the fifth soul ring for the Spirit Eye and the second to fifth soul rings for the Ice Jade Scorpion. Ideally, they should all be from soul beasts that are 30,000 to 50,000 years old."

With the Soul Master Competition about to begin, Huo Yuhao urgently needs to enhance his strength, and adding a soul ring to his second martial soul, the Ice Jade Scorpion, is the simplest and fastest way.

Soul beasts aged 30,000 to 50,000 years are qualified to serve as the seventh soul ring for soul masters, and this is also the choice of the vast majority of twin martial souls in history. After all, soul beasts of this level that are compatible with one's own martial soul attributes are already very rare.

Unless one has the ability to open their third eye, no soul master would be confident enough to absorb a bunch of 100,000-year soul rings in the future.

Over the years, Shrek Academy has provided Huo Yuhao with a large amount of cultivation resources. In addition, with the secret assistance of absorbing the Haotian Sect's Ten-Thousand-Year Frost Jade Marrow Bed and the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm, about 50,000 years is Huo Yuhao's current limit.

Ling Bai's target was a 100,000-year-old soul beast, and Huo Yuhao alone possessed five soul rings. The other students felt immense pressure, but only the Snow Empress in Ling Bai's spiritual sea murmured softly:

"That's fine, it'll save us from causing trouble for the soul beasts in the far north."

"I'd rather die than see my fellow Daoist die; the Snow Emperor only cares about the far north."

Wang Dong'er, who had transformed back into women's clothing at the Sea God's Fate Blind Date Event and revealed her unparalleled beauty, continued: "Wang Dong'er's martial soul is the Goddess of Light Butterfly, and she is a level 61 Power Attack-type Battle Soul Emperor. She and Huo Yuhao can use the Martial Soul Fusion Skill to cooperate with him in this Soul Hunting Operation. She has no need for Soul Rings."

"Li Yongyue, level 60, requires a sixth spirit ring, spirit Moon Blade. I will receive a natural boost when Senior Sister uses her spirit."

"Hello everyone, my name is Mo Xuan, level 60, a ranged all-around support Soul King. My melee ability is relatively poor, so I'll probably have to trouble you all to take care of me in the Star Dou Great Forest."

"Ling Qiuxi, Golden Dragon, Level 60."

Everyone's eyes couldn't help but repeatedly weigh between Ling Bai and Ling Qiuxi, including Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong'er, who didn't have a friendly relationship with Ling Bai, secretly speculating about their relationship.

This is understandable; anyone who sees the two of them would feel that they must be related by blood.

"Level 80, Level 60, God-level Martial Soul Six-Winged Angel, Ancestor of Power Golden Dragon..."

If they are siblings, their parents are clearly descendants of angels and golden dragons, and Ling Bai and Ling Qiuxi inherited their parents' martial souls respectively.

Upon realizing this, everyone was astonished. What terrifying parents they were!

Ling Qiuxi noticed the probing gazes coming from all around her. Her golden eyes instantly transformed into the vertical pupils of a dragon, locking onto Huo Yuhao with unwavering focus, exuding a dangerous aura that seemed ready to devour anyone who dared to harm her.

Wang Dong'er was immediately displeased upon seeing this. She stepped forward, blocking Huo Yuhao with half of her body, and glared back with her big pink and blue eyes without giving an inch. Before the team had even set off, there were already signs of them falling apart.

Zhang Lexuan stepped between the two women to prevent the situation from escalating. Ling Qiuxi was currently Yan Shaozhe's main target for winning over, so she couldn't be hit or scolded. She could only change the subject:

"Now that everyone has finished their introductions, I'll briefly outline the formations we'll use after entering the Star Dou Great Forest."

I led the way, with Ling Qiuxi and Wang Dong'er guarding the left and right flanks respectively. Yuhao and Moxuan were in the center, with Yongyue following beside them, ready to support all sides at any time. Ling Bai was responsible for covering the rear.

"Unless absolutely necessary, Elder Song won't intervene. Everything depends on the seven of us working together. If there are no problems, we'll depart immediately!"

All of them were students of Shrek Academy's inner court, with even the lowest-ranking soul power being level 50, so they acted decisively and efficiently. Leaving Shrek City, they headed straight for the Star Dou Great Forest, following the formation arranged by Zhang Lexuan.

"What kind of look was that just now? She looked like she wanted to devour you! Ling Qiuxi is just as annoying as Ling Bai," Wang Dong'er whispered to Huo Yuhao. "They're definitely siblings!"

Huo Yuhao smiled wryly. It was the first time he had met Ling Qiuxi. Who knew what he had done to offend her? It couldn't be because he was ugly!

"Wang Dong'er, Huo Yuhao..."

Ling Qiuxi, positioned on the left wing, first turned her head to look at Ling Bai, who was hanging far behind her, a gentle smile flashing in her eyes, before she glared fiercely at Huo Yuhao.

She had met Wu Feng and Wang Dong'er in the Star Dou Great Forest. Although she didn't like them, the only one she could truly despise was Huo Yuhao, because he had once tried to seize control of the Star Dou Great Forest's destiny, so Ling Qiuxi naturally wouldn't give him the slightest bit of kindness.

Arriving at the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest before noon, Shrek and his group saw a blood-red sign that read "Danger of Soul Beasts, No Entry".

"Rest where you are, eat something, and get yourself back to your best condition," Zhang Lexuan said.

"I'll cook," Huo Yuhao volunteered.

"Alright, Yuhao, cook. Everyone else, don't just sit around." Zhang Lexuan began assigning tasks. "Wang Dong'er and Li Yongyue, chop wood and make a pot. Ling Bai and I will catch fish, and Ling Qiuxi and Mo Xuan will prepare some game. Everyone, have a good meal. Be careful when you enter the Star Dou Great Forest."

The Soul Masters were incredibly efficient. In a short while, Ling Bai and Zhang Lexuan had skewered twenty large fish, and Li Yongyue had used his Moon Blade to carve out a large pot and eight sets of tableware.

Ling Qiuxi returned in glory carrying a wild bull, followed by Mo Xuan with a dislocated jaw. He was completely dumbfounded. He had never seen such a violent woman before. Even without her martial spirit possessing her, she knocked down a 1,000-kilogram wild bull with a single punch. Mo Xuan suddenly felt incredibly weak.

Huo Yuhao's grilling skills need no introduction. The Soul Hunter team took out their dry rations and sat down to the side. The tempting aroma of the grilled fish wafted for miles, making everyone's mouths water. Looking at the dry rations in their hands, they found it hard to swallow.

The elders are given priority. The first fish belongs to Elder Song of the Sea God Pavilion, followed by Zhang Lexuan, Ling Bai, and so on...

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, no one was foolish enough to target them maliciously, but an unexpected event suddenly occurred. When Huo Yuhao asked Wang Dong'er to hand the grilled fish to Ling Qiuxi, Ling Qiuxi only said two words, "I won't eat it," and silently started gnawing on dry rations. This infuriated Wang Dong'er, and she almost started a full-blown fight on the spot.

"Why aren't you eating?"

Seeing Ling Qiuxi eating dry rations alone, Ling Bai sat down beside her, puzzled. In his memory, she really liked grilled meat and grilled fish, and always complained that she couldn't get enough. Could a soul beast that had turned into a human really change the recipe?!

"I find him disgusting, and his grilled fish is disgusting too."

Ling Qiuxi stared at Ling Bai with her beautiful eyes: "Why aren't you cooking?"

"We have professional chefs; we don't need me."

Putting everything else aside and focusing solely on culinary skills, Huo Yuhao surpasses Ling Bai, possessing the innate chef's physique.

"But I think yours tastes better."

"Yeah?"

Ling Bai laughed. Who doesn't like blatant favoritism?

"Of course," Ling Qiuxi said earnestly, "I want to eat your barbecue, right now."

"Okay, I'll grant your wish."

Without saying a word, Ling Bai got up and started cutting the ox.

As Ling Bai roasted meat, Ling Qiuxi's eyelashes trembled slightly. A gentle breeze stirred her long golden hair, and a glint of light, like stardust, emanated from the corners of her eyes. Her stunningly beautiful face was truly picturesque.

"Eat up, eat up, you gluttonous girl."

"You're the one who's a real glutton!"

Ling Qiuxi retorted, then happily devoured the freshly cooked beef, turning into a glutton, eating one skewer after another without stopping.

Ling Bai must have recognized her, but so what? She was just a part of Ling Bai's destiny anyway, so let's just continue as we are, without saying a word.

Eating alone was out of the question, so Ling Bai grilled some more meat skewers and ribs and shared them out. Grilled fish and meat, paired with delicious fish soup, made everyone smile as they ate.

After their rest period, the Soul Hunting Team set off again, officially entering the Star Dou Great Forest, the number one gathering place for soul beasts on the continent.

The group hunted ten-thousand-year-old soul beasts and needed to rush to the mixed zone and even the core zone. After entering the outer zone, the group ran like the wind under Zhang Lexuan's leadership.

The outer area is mainly inhabited by ten-year and hundred-year soul beasts. The Soul Hunting Team had no intention of cautiously exploring and simply moved forward at full speed.

Zhang Lexuan shone with a layer of shimmering white light. Wherever she passed, the bushes on the ground were cut open, and her powerful aura as a Soul Douluo made low-level Soul Beasts dare not approach her even slightly.

The mental detection system covers the entire area, displaying every detail within a 500-meter diameter range, including surrounding trees, terrain, and various distance data, all appearing in everyone's mind.

After traveling for an hour and resting for a quarter of an hour to recover their soul power, the sky gradually darkened. Judging from the cultivation levels of the soul beasts appearing around them, they had already passed the outer area and entered the depths of the mixed area.

Deep within the mixed zone, ancient soul beasts stood in abundance, causing the group to slow their pace. Ling Bai paused slightly as the Spider King sensed and issued a warning. Immediately afterward, danger signals appeared in everyone's minds simultaneously.

Zhang Lexuan raised her hand to stop, and guided by her mental detection, looked in one direction.

It was a small lion-type spirit beast, 1.5 meters long and 70 centimeters tall at the shoulder, with an exceptionally bright purple mane and a large tail held high.

The purple lion was incredibly fast, leaving a long trail of afterimages in the blink of an eye, covering a hundred meters in just a single breath.

Zhang Lexuan recognized the lion's species: "Purple Shadow Lion, cultivation level around 20,000 years. Li Yongyue, do you want it?"

Upon hearing the words "Purple Shadow Lion," Li Yongyue's eyes lit up instantly. A 20,000-year-old Purple Shadow Lion was absolutely top-tier to him!

The Purple Shadow Lion is a rare speed-type lion-type soul beast. Its speed brings attack cutting power that few soul beasts of the same level can match. It is exactly the soul beast he craves, and it perfectly matches his martial soul Moon Blade.

"Senior Sister, I want it! I want it!"

Li Yongyue nodded excitedly. It was normal for a Soul Master to not encounter a Soul Beast they liked for a month, but he never expected that today would be such a great start!

"Don't rush," Ling Bai interrupted. "The Purple Shadow Lion is running away; it's being chased by a soul beast."

"What?"

Upon hearing this, Mo Xuan and Li Yongyue were immediately taken aback. First, they were surprised by the strength of the Purple Shadow Lion's bloodline, as a Purple Shadow Lion with ten thousand years of cultivation would be chased by a soul beast. Second, they were surprised by Ling Bai's terrifying perception, which was even farther than Huo Yuhao's shared mental detection.

Sure enough, the next second, four targets entered the shared range of mental detection.

The four agile mantises are covered in hard exoskeletons, as if they were wearing an indestructible suit of armor. Their two sharp scythes are like two ice blades, gleaming coldly, cutting through anything that stands in their way.

"Iceblade Mantis!"

This time, it was Huo Yuhao's turn to exclaim in surprise.

Mantis spirit beasts are renowned for their attack power and agility, with the Ice Blade Mantis being the most outstanding among them. Its twin scythes emit an extremely cold aura, forcing enemies to stay away. Besides its astonishing attack power, the Ice Blade Mantis also possesses formidable defense; its exoskeleton is as hard as iron, making it difficult for ordinary spirit skills to penetrate.

"The four Ice Blade Mantises all have a cultivation level of approximately 35,000 years; they're probably four brothers!" Huo Yuhao analyzed urgently. "It's said that Tang San's ancestor absorbed the three brothers of the Thousand-Jin Ant King; these four Ice Blade Mantis brothers are destined to be with me today!"

(End of this chapter)