Douluo's Spirit Pearl Divine Sword

No sooner had he finished speaking than a beautiful girl in green clothes ran over. It was Ning Rongrong, who had arrived a step later than Tang San.

"Brother Jian!" Ning Rongrong excitedly threw herself into Tianlin's arms. "Why did you come?"

Seeing this, Oscar was completely heartbroken. Ning Rongrong's excitement upon seeing the young man was genuine; she truly had someone she loved. It seemed his first love had ended before it even began.

"Why am I here? Of course, I'm here to find you. You have no idea how worried I was when you suddenly ran away from home." Tianlin stroked Ning Rongrong's hair, speaking gently despite his reproach.

When the topic of running away from home came up, Ning Rongrong suddenly remembered something. She left Tianlin's embrace, turned around with her back to him, and put her hands on her hips. "Hmph, Brother Jian, why did you come looking for me? Don't you have lots of pretty senior girls with you?"

This girl is still jealous. Tianlin said helplessly, "It's all a misunderstanding. Even if all the senior girls in the entire academy were added together, they wouldn't be as important to me as you. That's why I immediately dropped everything about the team and came to find you."

Hearing this, Ning Rongrong immediately beamed with joy. The fact that Tianlin had found her so quickly was enough to prove his concern for her, which made her quite satisfied.

Actually, she was no longer angry when she saw Tianlin appear. However, girls need to be coaxed, let alone a little princess like Ning Rongrong who has been pampered since childhood.

Tang San and the others overheard the conversation between the two and realized that Tianlin was the "sword brother" that Ning Rongrong had been talking about. The reason Ning Rongrong came to Shrek Academy was not to become stronger, but simply because she ran away from home out of jealousy. The mentality of this rich young lady was indeed hard to fathom.

Since the visitor was a guest, Tang San and the others invited Tianlin into the academy. The interior of the academy was even worse than the exterior. Apart from an open space in the middle and a few sleeping rooms around it, there were no teaching facilities at all. It was hard to imagine that this was the place where the seven gods would emerge in the original story.

Of course, the key to their ascension to godhood—the top-grade immortal herb—has already been intercepted by Tianlin, so most of them probably no longer have the chance to become gods.

If there is any hope left, it is only Tang San, Ning Rongrong, and Oscar.

Tang San's talent is top-notch even without consuming immortal herbs. Even if he cannot inherit two godhoods like in the original story, it is still possible for him to achieve the inheritance of an ordinary god.

Ning Rongrong's celestial-grade elixir is still kept by Ning Fengzhi. When she returns to take it next time, her talent will surpass that of the original story.

Oscar, though lacking the immortal herb, still has a chance to become the God of Food. After all, he is the only food-type Soul Master on the continent who can become a Title Douluo. However, compared to the original story, his path to godhood may be later and more difficult.

The other four need no further explanation. Xiao Wu is a soul beast, and according to the rules of the God Realm, the difficulty for her to become a god is unimaginable, infinitely close to zero. Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing are currently just ordinary Title Douluo.

As for Ma Hongjun, without the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, let alone becoming a god, it's not impossible that he might die one day from the backlash of his own evil fire, or he might completely succumb to his desires and become an evil soul master under the influence of the evil fire.

Tianlin's purpose in coming here, besides seeing Ning Rongrong, was also to use and suppress a few people, such as Tang San. As the protagonist of the original work, his luck was too strong. Although Tianlin did not hate him or want to kill him, he could not sit idly by and watch him grow to the level of the original work. Otherwise, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School might be marginalized just like in the original work.

Although Tianlin was confident that his potential was far greater than Tang San's, he had never liked gambling.

Therefore, Tang San can be strong, but this strength must be within Tian Lin's control. Let's forget about having two godhoods like in the original story.

Tianlin had already devised a plan to limit him, and this was to carry it out.

There are a few others who need to be won over. If they are willing to follow him, he wouldn't mind giving them more of the immortal herbs.

Upon entering Shrek Academy, they saw a middle-aged man wearing glasses resting on a recliner. The Shrek Seven Devils' classes were in the evening today, so Flander had absolutely nothing to do.

"Dean Flander, hello, I am Jun Tianlin. I have long admired the name of the Golden Iron Triangle!" Tianlin stepped forward and greeted him.

Flander opened his eyes, turned his head, and said, "Oh, you must be Sword Master Jun Tianlin. You've come to see Rongrong, haven't you? The academy is simple; please make yourself at home."

He showed absolutely no intention of entertaining Tianlin, proving himself to be a stingy fellow. However, Tianlin didn't care about such a trivial matter.

"Dean, this is a letter that our sect leader asked me to give you. Please take a look." Tianlin took out a letter from his pocket.

Just like in the original novel, Ning Fengzhi gave Flander an imperial edict, telling him not to worry about Ning Rongrong's identity, to educate her as he saw fit, and to treat her the same as any other student.

Flander took the letter, read it, and nodded, saying, "I understand. You can go back and reassure Sect Leader Ning. Now that Rongrong has become my student, I will naturally fulfill my duties as a teacher."

"Then thank you very much, Dean!" Tianlin said with a smile.

Chapter 97 The Great Soul Arena

As evening fell, at Flander's invitation, Tianlin went with them to observe the evening's teaching session, which was actually a battle in the Great Soul Arena to improve their practical combat experience.

This is something Qin Ming often does with Tian Lin and the others. Over the past few years, the Royal Fighting Team has thoroughly defeated all the Soul Master and Soul Sect level teams in Tian Dou City. Therefore, Qin Ming now plans to bring the Royal Fighting Team back to the Soto Grand Soul Arena.

Tianlin arrived early only because of Rongrong; the others will arrive in a few more days.

The Great Soul Arena is a crucial arena for showcasing the value of Soul Masters. It possesses its own complete system and can be considered a unique force. Founded by the seven most prestigious Soul Master families on the continent, it is not affiliated with the two empires or the Spirit Hall, making it a third-party power. Its wealth is comparable to that of a nation. Soul Masters who achieve fame within the Great Soul Arena become shining stars throughout the country, gaining not only immense wealth but also immense prestige. Furthermore, the Great Soul Arena is a relatively fair place.

If the level of a spirit is a marker of a spirit master's strength, then spirit rings are the best way to express it. However, this does not represent a spirit master's true ability. The Great Spirit Arena tests actual combat ability, which is the true measure of strength.

Upon entering the Great Soul Arena, Soul Masters of any level are simply referred to as "Soul Masters." After their first victory, they receive a badge. Subsequent victories earn points, and as points accumulate, the badge's level increases. This badge symbolizes one's rank in the Great Soul Arena and is valid in all major cities across the continent. The higher the badge's level, the greater the benefits of Soul Master combat.

Currently, badges are ranked according to the quality of the minerals they contain. The lowest rank is the Iron Badge, also known as the Iron Soul Badge. The ranks above it are Bronze, Silver, Gold, Purple Gold, Sapphire, Ruby, and Diamond, for a total of eight ranks.

Since Tianlin joined the Soul Battle, he has basically never lost, whether in team battles or individual competitions. Therefore, his current Soul Battle Badge is exceptionally high, reaching the Gold Soul Battle level.

As for why it's called "basic," it's because he deliberately lost a few matches to Yu Tianheng and others in two-person or one-on-one battles. That was to control his score. Otherwise, if his score were too high, he wouldn't be able to find any opponents. There are still some Gold Soul Masters, but Purple Gold Soul Masters are at least Soul Emperors or higher. If Tianlin had reached that level during his Soul Master period, he would have faced opponents above level 60.

Although he wasn't afraid of one-on-one fights, Ye Lingling and the others couldn't withstand the Soul Emperor's attacks in team battles.

Upon entering the Great Soul Arena, Dai Mubai explained the rules to everyone and told them that one of the graduation standards of Shrek Academy was to reach at least the Silver Soul level.

"Silver Soul, huh? It's only level three, how easy is that!" Xiao Wu didn't take it seriously at all. She was very confident in a duel between people of the same level.

“You’re wrong to think that way. The Great Soul Arena isn’t so easy to navigate.” Dai Mubai had been involved in Soul Battles for a long time and was quite qualified to speak on the subject. “I’ve participated in fifty-six Soul Battles, and my current record is twenty-nine wins and twenty-seven losses, with two points.”

Tang San was very familiar with Dai Mubai's strength and was taken aback. "Mubai, with your strength, how is this possible?"

“Nothing is impossible. I participated in the Soul Battle at level 29, and I leveled up to level 30 before winning many matches. Later, I encountered opponents who were level 37 or 38, and I lost for a while, so my score was relatively low,” Dai Mubai said helplessly.

"That's because you're not good enough. My brother Jian also participated in the Soul Battle shortly after breaking through to Soul Master. Brother Jian, tell everyone about your achievements!" Ning Rongrong looked at Tian Lin proudly. She knew how brilliant Tian Lin's achievements were in the Heavenly Dou Great Soul Battle Arena.

Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at them.

Tianlin smiled and said, "The team battle spirit has a 35-win streak, the two-player battle spirit has a 32-win-3-loss streak, and the single-player battle spirit has a 45-win-3-loss streak. Because many of these are consecutive wins, I received extra points. My score is now around 6,000, which puts me at the gold battle spirit level!"

"Monster, you are the real monster. Most people your age would be lucky to have a bronze fighting spirit, but you are close to the purple-gold level. Your combat ability is just too strong!" Flander was stunned. He had never seen anyone so monstrous before.

If Tianlin hadn't already joined the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he would have pulled him to Shrek Academy no matter what.

In fact, all members of the Royal Fighting Team are now at the Gold Fighting Soul level. When Flander sees them soon, he will be even more surprised.

"Since we're here, why don't I join a two-on-two Soul Battle? Rongrong, do you want to come with me?" Tianlin said to Ning Rongrong with a smile.

"Wait, you're going to team up with Rongrong? You know, in a two-on-two Soul Battle, the higher-level side wins. Even though Rongrong is only in her twenties, you've already broken through to level forty, so you're likely to face two Soul Master level opponents," Dai Mubai warned.

"Of course I know that." Tianlin revealed a confident smile. "That's precisely why I'm going with Rongrong. After all, a Soul Master wouldn't be a challenge at all if I were to fight one-on-one with him."

After saying that, Tianlin took Ning Rongrong to register.

"This guy is really confident, but he might actually have the skill!" Dai Mubai recalled the scene of being suppressed by Tianlin today. Tianlin didn't even use a single soul skill, and he was still no match for him. Any other Soul Master would definitely not be able to do that.

At the registration desk, Tianlin first helped Ning Rongrong register an identity. The Soul Battle Arena allows the use of pseudonyms, and Ning Rongrong chose the same name as in the original work: Seven Treasure Glazed Tile.

The two quickly formed a new duo, the Sword Tower Duo.

When the staff saw Tianlin's gleaming golden Soul Card, they were taken aback. There was such a young person with a golden Soul Card, and it seemed he was going to help the new girl rank up. The staff shook their heads, as this method was not very effective in the Great Soul Arena.

The two-on-two soul battles will have to wait a while; first up will be the one-on-one soul battles.

On the Soul Arena, a middle-aged man in a tailcoat stood in the center. He cleared his throat and announced loudly, "Next, we will begin the first one-on-one Soul Battle of our Fourteenth Soul Arena. Our two opponents are two Great Soul Masters: Xiao Wu, a Battle Soul Master with the Beast Soul Soft Bone Rabbit, and Qing Bao, a Battle Soul Master with the Beast Soul Iron Horn Bull, who has already won two consecutive matches. Will Great Soul Master Qing Bao continue his glory and achieve a three-game winning streak, or will the newcomer Battle Soul Master Xiao Wu emerge victorious? Let's wait and see. Now, please welcome our two Great Soul Masters to the stage."

Chapter 98 Target: Ma Hongjun

"Xiao Wu is on stage!" The Shrek Seven Devils all looked towards the Soul Arena.

After getting to know each other over the past few days, they all know that although Xiao Wu's martial soul is not particularly powerful, when combined with her self-created soft skills and special techniques such as Rabbit Kicks Eagle, Xiao Wu's close combat level is definitely not weak.

The audience in the stands were few and far between, with most cheering for Xiao Wu. Only occasionally did a few people call out Qing Bao's name. There was no way around it; compared to the cute little rabbit Xiao Wu, Qing Bao, this big bull, was completely at a disadvantage in terms of appearance.

Qingbao's martial soul, Iron Horn Bull, is a decent beast martial soul, possessing both strength and defense. Its weakness is speed, making it a weaker version of the Mighty Vajra Bear.

"This big guy looks pretty strong. Third Brother, is your Xiao Wu any good?" Ma Hongjun asked in a low voice as he sat down next to Tang San.

Tang San smiled calmly, "No problem, just wait and see. Xiao Wu's soul skills are indeed more afraid of strength-type soul masters, but that only works if the opponent's soul power is far superior to hers. Soul masters of the same level pose no threat at all."

Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Wu had already taken action. Both of them were offensive-type Soul Masters, but Xiao Wu was different from Qing Bao, who focused on offense and defense. Her focus was on strength and speed.

Unlike agility-based Soul Masters, Xiao Wu's speed is achieved through a burst of speed that cannot be maintained for long. She is able to do this entirely thanks to her powerful legwork.

Xiao Wu bent her knees slightly, took a step forward, and rushed towards Qing Bao like a cannonball. With a light flick of her long leg, she kicked Qing Bao in the neck.

Qingbao initially didn't take the other party seriously because she was a young girl, but Xiaowu caught him off guard.

Having landed a successful blow, Xiao Wu fully displayed her graceful skills, first hooking her right foot precisely around Qing Bao's neck, a smile appearing on her lips as she softly uttered two words, "Goodbye!"

A flash of yellow light appeared on Xiao Wu's body as she activated the first soul skill of the Soft Bone Rabbit: Waist Bow, instantly increasing her waist strength by 119%.

With a kick, Qingbao's body flew uncontrollably out of the field.

The waist has always been one of the most important sources of power for a person. This time, the strength was more than doubled. Even Tianlin would not want to take Xiaowu's kick head-on. Qingbao, whose soul power was lower than Xiaowu's, had no chance of blocking it.

"Xiao Wu wins!" the host announced.

"This is the combat experience of a 100,000-year-old soul beast. It's truly remarkable," Tianlin thought to himself.

Xiao Wu quickly returned to the group to receive their congratulations. Several more battles followed, including one between Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing, which Tang San won easily.

Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai also easily defeated their opponents. At this moment, Ning Rongrong quietly leaned close to Tianlin's side and said, "Brother Jian, the Shrek Seven Devils are just as talented as me. They don't seem to have any sects yet. Should we consider bringing them over?"

The current Ning Rongrong is indeed much more sensible than in the original work. As the young sect leader, she often considers the sect's interests. The Shrek Seven Devils are all at least titled Douluo level, and no sect would refuse them.

Tianlin smiled and said, "My purpose in coming here is for a few of these people."

After saying that, Tianlin stepped forward and said, "Your talents and combat abilities are indeed outstanding. I have had a real treat for my eyes today."

"Compared to you, we are nothing!" Ma Hongjun shook his head, knowing Tianlin's achievements in the Soul Arena, and dared not be arrogant in front of him.

"Your name is Ma Hongjun, right? You're too modest. I didn't expect your martial soul to be the legendary Fire Phoenix. However, your flames don't seem pure. A true Fire Phoenix should be able to spew out extreme fire." Tianlin asked knowingly; his first target was Ma Hongjun.

This guy's potential can be said to be second only to Tang San among the Shrek Seven Devils, because once his martial soul is completely transformed, he is qualified to inherit the position of the first-level god, the God of Fire. He is truly blessed. If he hadn't been lazy in his cultivation in the original story, he wouldn't have only been able to inherit the position of a second-level god.

Although he frequented brothels in the early stages, it was because of the backlash from the evil fire. He couldn't just let himself be burned to death or fall into the trap of becoming an evil spirit master.

Or perhaps a more decisive approach would be to make a clean break. Putting myself in his shoes, even Tianlin himself couldn't do that. If Ma Hongjun were in Tianlin's situation, he would most likely make the same choice as Ma Hongjun: to survive, to avoid becoming an evil soul master, and to avoid becoming a eunuch, he would have no choice but to go to brothels to vent his frustrations.

After the problem of evil fire was resolved, he only loved Bai Chenxiang. In this respect, Tianlin felt inferior and thought he was more like a scumbag than Ma Hongjun.

"Yes, the dean said that my martial soul mutation is incomplete, and it has become an evil fire phoenix. If this evil fire problem is not resolved, I will be devoured by the evil fire sooner or later and die." Ma Hongjun said in a low voice. Although his martial soul is powerful, sometimes he would rather be a little weaker than not knowing when he will die.

"Well, unless we have the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, I'm afraid..." Tianlin looked regretful.

"What? You know about the Phoenix Cockscomb Sunflower?" Tang San was shocked. He never expected that in this world, besides himself, there would be someone else who knew about this immortal herb, the Phoenix Cockscomb Sunflower.

"Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, what is that? Can this thing cure Hongjun's evil fire?" Flander was extremely excited. Ma Hongjun was his direct disciple. He had searched for all sorts of methods to solve this disciple's evil fire problem, and had also consulted his close friend, the master, but all to no avail.

Tang San nodded. "If it's the Phoenix Sunflower, it might really be able to completely solve Fatty's problem of evil fire. It's a fire-attribute immortal herb that greatly replenishes pure yang, can significantly enhance the soul power of the user, and can also purify flames!"

"Really, that's great, teacher! We've finally found hope!" Ma Hongjun exclaimed excitedly. He had been troubled by the evil fire for far too long and had been dreaming of getting rid of it completely.

Flander nodded. "Yes, Hongjun, don't worry. Even if it takes all my strength, I will find the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower for you."

At this moment, Ning Rongrong suddenly chimed in, "Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, Brother Sword, don't we have one of these plants in our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's medicine garden right now?"

"What?" Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at him.

They searched high and low without finding it, only to have it come to them effortlessly. They never imagined that what they had been longing for was right under their noses, so far away yet so close at hand.