Douluo Dalu - Volume 05 - Star Dou Forest

by Tang Jia San Shao

  Zhao Wuji nodded satisfied, saying: “Good thing we didn’t waste our energy for nothing. Little Ao, your third spirit ring is exceptionally good. With your current spirit power, how many of these mushroom sausages can you make?”

  Oscar thought for a bit and said : “This mushroom sausage uses a lot more spirit power than the first two types. With my current condition, I can make at most ten in one sitting. Afterwards, my spirit power will be completely exhausted. It will have to replenish fully before I can make more again.”

  Looking at the students, Zhao Wuji said with satisfaction. “Ten sausages is enough. As your spirit power increases, this number will increase. Among the food system spirits, your sausages, from now on, can be categorized as highest grade. Good. Everyone prepare at once. Once little San wakes up from cultivation, we will immediately leave this place and return to the Academy.”

  While speaking, Zhao Wuji walked towards Tang San. Oscar has already finished absorbing his spirit ring, so he decided to let the other children first rest for a bit. He himself would protect Tang San so they can leave as fast as possible to dodge all possible trouble.

  “Teacher Zhao, I’m afraid we can’t leave yet.” At that moment, the cultivating Tang San opened his eyes. While speaking, he looked at Zhao Wuji.

  Zhao Wuji looked blankly, “Can't leave? Why? Little San, Star Dou Great Forest isn’t a playground, I’m the teacher, my word is final. Our mission has been completed. We must return to the academy as quickly as possible. Or else, if any of you get hurt, how am I going to answer to Flender when we’ve returned?”

  “But….”

  Tang San started saying urgently, but he was interrupted by Zhao Wuji,

  “No buts. Since you're awake, everyone doesn’t need to rest anymore. Tell me when we have left Star Dou Great Forest. Before the sky darkens completely, we should set out immediately.”

  “Master Zhao, can’t you wait until I finish speaking?” Tang San stood up from the ground, looking helplessly at Zhao Wuji.

  Zhao Wuji’s eyes flashed, but seemed to recall something, and the cold light in his eye faded away. In the past, if anyone defied his will, he would probably have slapped them with his giant bear paws already.

  But for Tang San, he in the end didn’t dare to. Tang San’s hidden weapons admittedly gave him some apprehension, but more importantly, actually…...

  Tang San didn’t wait for Zhao Wuji to open his mouth, and hastily said:

  “I need a spirit ring as well, it would be better to immediately find a spirit beast, instead of coming here again soon.”

  “Out of the question, didn’t you hear what I said?”

  Zhao Wuji said without hesitation. Suddenly, his body stiffened. Opening his eyes wide open at Tang San, he said:

  “What did you just say?”

  Tang San repeated what he said seriously:

  “I said: I need a spirit ring as well. After the fight with Meng Yiran just now, maybe it’s because of the pressure she gave me, my spirit power finally broke through thirtieth rank. Therefore, I need a spirit ring to advance. Master Zhao, is that possible?”

  Part 3

  Zhao Wuji stared wide eyed at Tang San.

  Oscar in the process of proudly gesticulating with the mushroom sausage relaxed his grip, the mushroom sausage dropping to the ground.

  Dai Mubai’s Evil Eye twin pupils strangely fused into one.

  The Fatty Ma Hongjun’s mouth opened wide.

  Zhu Zhuqing’s ice chill turned into shock.

  Ning Rongrong’s gentle and charming face had two dimples.

  Xiao Wu excitedly held on to Tang San’s arm.

  Each person used different actions to express their current astonishment. There was only one reason. The current Tang San, was twelve years old.

  A twelve years old Spirit Grandmaster, to common Spirit Masters, was perhaps already an inconceivable existence. But to the young boys and girls present it would not feel strange at all, because each of them was one.

  But, a twelve years old Spirit Elder, they had not even heard of.

  Even if it was the currently most powerful, already possessing thirty seventh ranked spirit power Dai Mubai was also unable to imagine it, his at Shrek Academy recently set record was already broken by this person.

  The fourteen years old Oscar became a Spirit Elder, and now, the twelve years old Tang San also entered this level.

  Breaking through thirty first rank, meant reaching another phase among Spirit Masters, meant future prospects could not be measured. Obtaining the third spirit ring, one’s strength would at once take a qualitative leap. This was also the reason why Ning Rongrong regarding Oscar breaking through thirtieth rank would mind it so much.

  Tang San, barely twelve years old Tang San, unexpectedly also entered this level, how could everyone present not also be shocked?

  The only one without such amazement was Tang San himself. Actually, when he still had not left Nuoding Academy, he was already on the twenty ninth ranked level, and maintaining this level had also already persisted for too long, longer than any of his previously cultivated ranks. Today fighting with Meng Yiran had admittedly been an opportunity, but in fact, even without this fight, Tang San still would have broken through the twenty ninth rank restrictions in a short time, entering the thirtieth ranked level.

  Zhao Wuji looked gravely at Tang San,

  “Tell me, how old are you this year, you must be precise to the month.”

  Tang San without the slightest hesitation said:

  “Twelve years and seven months.”

  Zhao Wuji nodded, gaze turning towards the others,

  “You all see. Especially those of you who have not reached the thirtieth rank. You all see it. Tang San and you are equally old, but he is right now about to enter another phase. This is the result of great effort. Twelve years old and seven months, I think, this record will forever be preserved as Shrek Academy’s record. Forever.”

  Tang San’s batch of students very possibly was Shrek Academy’s last, and although the other several were younger than Tang San, Zhao Wuji absolutely believed there was still no one who could enter the thirtieth ranked level earlier than Tang San.

  Oscar said:

  “Teacher Zhao, I don’t agree with you. Tang San able to break through thirtieth rank, this can’t be the result of effort.”

  Zhao Wuji gave him a glare,

  “Then you tell me why this is?”

  Oscar grinned, saying:

  “Since we are Shrek Students, if we say that we are monsters, then, he is a monster among monsters.”

  Hearing Oscars words, Zhao Wuji smiled, the other students also smiled. Even Zhu Zhuqing’s face wore a slight smiling expression.

  “Ge, congratulations.”

  Xiao Wu whispered next to Tang San’s ear, right now she still excitedly held on to Tang San’s right arm,

  “But, I will overtake you as soon as possible.”

  Regarding Xiao Wu’s words, Tang San did not doubt them, for these several years, although each time it was Tang San who took the lead in breaking through, the ordinarily not appearing very diligent Xiao Wu would always chase after him and in a short time reach the same level. Tang San always believed that if Xiao Wu cultivated a bit seriously, her strength would certainly surpass his.

  “Teacher Zhao, say, can we stay behind to look for a suitable spirit beast for me?”

  Tang San probing asked.

  Zhao Wuji smiled faintly,

  “Of course we can, this is what you deserve. We must not only find you a spirit beast for your third spirit ring, but must also on your behalf find a spirit beast that most suits you. Apparently, this time we must extend our time in Star Dou Great Forest for a bit.”

  Oscar had obtained a third spirit ring, Tang San broke through twenty ninth rank to enter the thirtieth rank stage, it could be said to everyone’s delight and satisfaction. After all, receiving results like this on the first day of entering Star Dou Great Forest was already s
ufficient to satisfy everyone. Even if in itself strength did not advance any for the others, after entering this forest their knowledge had still increased greatly. The relationship between everyone also pulled closer in this kind of danger.

  Zhao Wuji did not let anyone rest there, because he feared Dragon Duke would return with Serpent Grandmother to find them, although the possibility of this was very small, he still had no choice but to guard against it. That evening, he brought the seven Shrek Students to walk about ten li[ 10里 = 5 km] in one direction, and after concealing all their traces, halted like this.

  Zhao Wuji’s worries did not show any result. The night passed without incident. After resting for one night, everyone’s energy had recovered to peak condition.

  Early the next day, they continued the process of searching for Spirit Beasts. Only this time the person getting a spirit beast was Tang San, and not Oscar.

  Regarding what kind of spirit beast to pick for his third spirit ring, Grandmaster had long ago already helped Tang San plan it out well, therefore Tang San believed that finding a spirit beast for him should be even easier than finding Oscar’s. After all, in Grandmaster’s plan were several kinds of spirit beast, with some comparatively common. As long as the cultivation age was suitable it could become his spirit ring.

  But things turned out contrary to what he expected, no less than two days passed, even though Zhao Wuji led them to seriously search, they did not find a suitable spirit beast for Tang San.

  As a result of previously encountering the Serpent Grandmother Chao Tian-Xiang grandparent and grandchild pair, Zhao Wuji was somewhat wary of the consequences, adding to the danger within Star Dou Great Forest itself, making Zhao Wuji’s tactics while searching for spirit beasts somewhat conservative, without deeply penetrating Star Dou Great Forest, only bringing everyone to conduct the search in the outer parts.

  Even though they several times encountered thousand year spirit beasts on the way, those several kinds of spirit beasts did not suit Tang San. The remainder were all some hundred year spirit beasts.

  He also couldn’t blame Zhao Wuji’s conservative attitude in searching for spirit beasts, after all, he was only one teacher, while encountering low level spirit beasts everyone were naturally able to handle it, but when encountering a truly formidable spirit beast, Zhao Wuji could not be certain to protect everyone. These students all were Shrek Academy’s little monsters, among them several people were from even more remarkable backgrounds, Zhao Wuji did not dare take risks. If anyone became an issue, that was a fatal conclusion.

  Two days time passed, even though no one regarded food supply as a problem, each day within the great forest with danger lurking on every side still strained everyone’s minds, making it even easier to feel exhausted.

  However, entering within Star Dou Great Forest, also precisely because of the existence of this crisis, the coordination between the students gradually became connected on a deeper level. The four Tang San, Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu and Ma Hongjun were in charge of fighting after they encountered spirit beasts. Zhu Zhuqing was responsible for advance scouting within a certain distance. Oscar and Ning Rongrong were support. Even if they were without Zhao Wuji’s assistance, as long as it was not a thousand year spirit beast, they would be unable to bring any threat to this little group.

  The mutual understanding was a necessary capability to possess for continuously coordinated battles, this kind of dangerous environment clearly was the best tempering. Being able to enter Shrek Academy already proved these students were outstanding, monsters and geniuses, they successfully transformed pressure into power. Adding Zhao Wuji’s directions from the side, while their spirit power improvement speed did not have any change, but the imperceptible influence of fighting experience and composite strength continuously increased.

  At nightfall it was finally was time to rest. They couldn’t light a fire within Star Dou Great Forest: although the majority of spirit beasts feared flame, there were also a small share of spirit beasts that were exceedingly fond of fire, and among this little share of spirit beasts, on the whole were some deadly existences.

  Without needing Zhao Wuji’s direction, the male students were in charge of building tents, the female students were in charge of food. Of course, Oscar this fellow was an exception, immediately by Dai Mubai, Tang San and the others directed to enter the female student category.

  The tents were not large, and naturally insufficient to let everyone lie down to sleep, but for everyone to sit and cultivate was nevertheless no problem. To them, at all times maintaining peak fighting condition was more important than sleeping.

  Zhao Wuji as teacher, naturally took the work of night vigil.

  Hurriedly eating supper, Zhao Wuji let everyone enter the tents to rest, but called Tang San before him.

  “Little San, aren’t you anxious?”

  Zhao Wuji looked at the youngster before him with a smiling expression.

  Tang San shook his head, saying:

  “Searching for spirit beasts is a matter of luck. Hurrying is no use. Teacher Zhao, you be at ease, I have patience.”

  Zhao Wuji sighed lightly, saying:

  “Currently this Star Dou Great Forest has also started to become desolate. Many years ago, I still remember how this was a bustling scene. At that time, even if it was around the forest, everywhere could be seen thousand year level spirit beast existences. But now spirit beasts are much fewer. I don’t know if they all go to live inside the forest, or some other reason.”

  Tang San said:

  “Regardless of the reason, it still is us humans who caused it. Although spirit beasts are fierce, us humans are even more fierce than them. Isn’t that so?”

  Zhao Wuji stared blankly,

  “Why do you say this?”

  Tang San said:

  “Teacher once said, even though Spirit Masters are few, one spirit master from starting cultivation to maturing as a power is only several decades, that’s all. But over these several decades, one formidable Spirit Master needs at least six or more spirit rings. In other words, has to kill six or more spirit beasts. Among these would also include hundred year and thousand year, even ten thousand year levels. Spirit beast cultivation is much more difficult compared to us humans, otherwise they would also not be divided according to age. Even though they are numerous, under this kind of sustained massacre, the spirit beasts’ quantity will only continuously decrease, especially for formidable spirit beasts, even more each killed is one fewer. After many years, perhaps it will be difficult to see thousand year or higher existences.”

  Zhao Wuji somewhat pondering said:

  “Grandmaster is right. Only, which Spirit Master would think of this problem? Who doesn’t want to be able to let themselves become even more formidable? Even if Spirit Hall set restrictions, perhaps it would still be completely ineffective.”

  * * *

  [1] This seems to be a line from a poem called Parting (离别) by 9th century poet Bai Juyi (白居易).

  [2] Originally the color was (粉色) and has now changed to (粉红色) or “pink red”.

  [3] 10里 = 5 km

  Chapter 031: Forest King, Titan Giant Ape

  Part 1

  Tang San said:

  “Even more influential is aimless massacre. One Spirit Master in his life only needs nine spirit beasts at most, but, how many spirit beasts does one Spirit Master have to hunt and kill in his life? Let alone others, even us, on this journey when encountering some aggressive ten year and hundred year spirit beasts, still can’t help but act. And for those people making a living hunting spirit beasts, the numbers slaughtered are geometrically multiplied. After a long time like this, the vocation of Spirit Master will one day have no rings to use.”

  Zhao Wuji said:

  “Well, don’t say this. This isn’t something you and me are capable of controlling. At most we can only kill a bit fewer, that’s all. Little San, I’ve decided, if tomorrow we still can’t find you a spirit beast, we wil
l go a bit deeper to search the inner parts of Star Dou Great Forest. There will always be a spirit ring suitable to you. Rest assured.”

  Tang San smiled slightly, saying:

  “Teacher Zhao, this problem has actually never worried me. However, I have all along not had the opportunity to apologize to you. That time when competing against you, you all along started off leniently, yet I……”

  Zhao Wuji laughed bitterly, shaking his hand towards Tang San,

  “It’s all right, you can’t keep carrying that awkward incident, I’ve already forgotten it.”

  The two looked at each other, unable to help showing smiling expressions.

  At that moment, suddenly, the smiling expression in Zhao Wuji’s eyes faded in a flash, one hand sharply grabbing Tang San’s shoulder to pull him close, cold and severe atmosphere surging from Zhao Wuji’s body, following a deep roar, he directly summoned his spirit, Vigorous Vajra Bear and in a moment finishing Body Transformation.

  “Everyone leave the tents. Quickly.”

  Zhao Wuji roared deeply, the strong sound reaching the insides of the tents.

  After several days of cooperation, the students had long ago reached a certain rapport, lightning quick making their way out of the tents.

  “Teacher Zhao, why?”

  Dai Mubai reached Zhao Wuji’s side in one sudden big stride, puzzled asking him.

  Zhao Wuji did not answer his question,

  “Everyone get behind me. If in a moment something happens, you must not distract me. Leave immediately and speak again after first leaving Star Dou Great Forest. Mubai, when I’m not present, I’ll leave the responsibility of protecting everyone to you.”

  Whether it was Dai Mubai, Tang San or the others, no one understood what had happened that unexpectedly made the always overly confident in his strength Zhao Wuji this nervous, but at this moment, they suddenly saw a strange scene.

  In the direction Zhao Wuji was looking, two large trees suddenly slowly parted to either side, and an enormous silhouette noiselessly walked out.