Douluo Dalu - Volume 05 - Star Dou Forest

by Tang Jia San Shao

  “Tang San, surely you also understand, if it is without my approval, it will be impossible for you to absorb this Man Faced Demon Spider’s spirit ring.”

  Meng Shu spoke indifferently. Although his tone didn’t vary much, the vaguely revealed killing intent still greatly increased the pressure on Tang San.

  Tang San said:

  “If it is like that, this Man Faced Demon Spider’s spirit ring truly will have been wasted.”

  Meng Shu said:

  “To us, such a good spirit ring, even if it’s wasted, we still wouldn’t easily give it to an outsider to absorb, in this Spirit Master realm, this in itself is already a kind of unwritten rule. If you join my clan, I will not only let you absorb this spirit ring, but can still protect you. How about it?”

  With the Dragon Duke’s position, twice inviting Tang San in succession, could already be considered good natured, he and Serpent Grandmother really were taken with Tang San’s talent. After all this child was now still young, his future prospects would basically be immeasurable.

  Tang San suddenly spoke up:

  “Having me join your family still isn’t impossible. But, you must promise me one thing.”

  Meng Shu’s brows creased,

  “What conditions are you qualified to put to us right now?”

  Chao Tian-Xiang again touched her husband once, scrambling to say:

  “What condition, say it.”

  In Tang San’s eyes showed a sad expression,

  “Previously we came across a formidable spirit beast, it snatched my companion. If the two seniors are able to help me retrieve my companion, I promise to join your clan. If my friend is dead, then I ask the two seniors to help me take revenge.”

  “Only killing a spirit beast?”

  Meng Shu somewhat surprised looked at Tang San.

  Chao Tian-Xiang’s mind was a bit more careful than her husband’s,

  “Was Zhao Wuji not together with you? Don’t tell me that he also was unable to stop that spirit beast?”

  Tang San nodded.

  Meng Shu snorted disdainfully,

  “Zhao Wuji being unable to defeat it doesn’t mean I also won’t be able to. Let alone us together, in this Star Dou Great Forest, are there any kinds of spirit beasts able to contend with us? Tang San, what kind of spirit beast was that?”

  Tang San eagerly said:

  “It’s a Titan Giant Ape. It’s roughly over the ten thousand year level.”

  Meng Shu was the highest level Spirit Master he had ever met, if he agreed to act in saving Xiao Wu, then naturally it would be much easier than him saving Xiao Wu. How could Tang San agree to let an opportunity like this slip by.

  But, when the Unrivalled Dragon Serpent husband and wife heard the three words ‘Titan Giant Ape’, the two simultaneously stiffened at once.

  The strong disdain in Meng Shu’s eyes faded away. With a somewhat awkward expression, Chao Tian-Xiang frowned even greater, shaking her head with a sigh, her words making Tang San extremely disappointed,

  “That’s impossible for us.”

  “With the two seniors’ strength, don’t tell me it’s still impossible to deal with that Titan Giant Ape?”

  Tang San eagerly said.

  Meng Shu snapped:

  “What do you understand, the Titan Giant Ape is a different kind of ancient, great strength, let alone us, even a Title Douluo wouldn’t dare speak of obtaining victory. Furthermore, according to what I know, in this Star Dou Great Forest there is only one Titan Giant Ape. Its cultivation age can’t be as simple as ten thousand years, until this day it has at least surpassed sixty thousand years cultivation. It’s truly the overlord of this forest. Moreover, the Titan Giant Ape still has an even more terrifying elder brother. Unless it was the Title Douluo of both Great Empires assembled here, otherwise, who would dare speak of killing them?”

  Chao Tian-Xiang said towards Meng Shu,

  “Old codger, we must also leave immediately. Didn’t expect a Titan Giant Ape to appear in the outskirts now. This could not be a good omen. However, it would appear its mood isn’t bad, without even massacring Spirit Masters. Otherwise, Tang San this kid also could not stand alive before us.”

  The Unrivalled Dragon Serpent clearly understood this Star Dou Great Forest even more than Zhao Wuji, Tang San also knew with his status it was basically impossible to cheat them. But, Meng Shu’s words also made him approach despair.

  His estimation of the Titan Giant Ape was very high, but hearing what Meng Shu knew, his estimation was still insufficient. That Titan Giant Ape compared to his imagination was even more formidable. Furthermore unexpectedly still had a compared to it still more difficult to deal with brother, requiring all the Title Douluo to have the capability to kill them. How this couldn’t be equivalent to giving Xiao Wu a death sentence, right now Tang San didn’t understand why such a formidable spirit beast would unexpectedly appear in the outskirts of Star Dou Great Forest.

  Regarding him being unable to deal with the Titan Giant Ape, Dragon Duke Meng Shu seemed somewhat resentful,

  “Kid, don’t you blame the Titan Giant Ape to make fun of me. I don’t have the time to waste with you. If you join my family, I will help you absorb this spirit ring. Otherwise, you can only pick the second option, leave behind one arm as compensation for my granddaughter and you can leave.”

  Tang San sobered from his despondency, raising his head towards the Unrivalled Dragon Serpent husband and wife, he deeply knew, the difference between him and the other side was really too far, even without speaking of the other side’s seniority. But at this very moment, in his heart stubbornness had already risen, he was also unwilling to compromise at this point.

  Slowly raising the Zhuge Soul Crossbow,

  “Since you can’t help me accomplish my wish of returning Xiao Wu, I naturally also can’t join your clan. If you want my arm, you come and take it.”

  Although his spirit power hadn’t recovered, Tang San had already regained a bit of physical strength. At least launching a mechanism type hidden weapon was no problem.

  Meng Shu didn’t expect a minor Spirit Grandmaster to dare disobey him, the Dragon head Cane in his hand stomped on the ground, issuing a rumble like an earthquake, if Tang San wasn’t leaning his back against a tree, perhaps he would directly have collapsed from the powerful spirit power.

  “Since you want to die, I will let you accomplish it.”

  Meng Shu’s eyes were filled with killing intent, since such a talented youngster couldn’t be useful to him, then, it also wasn’t necessary for him to stay in this world.

  At the moment Dragon Duke prepared to launch his attack, suddenly, a deep hoarse voice echoed,

  “Senior Dragon Duke, do not be too strict.”

  A line of silhouettes quickly arrived, in the lead, was precisely Motionless Bright King Zhao Wuji, behind Zhao Wuji, the Shrek students swiftly arrived, each and every one appeared somewhat tired. In order to look for Tang San’s trail, they had all along not rested.

  Previously the Man Faced Demon Spider’s strict cry which had drawn the pursuing Unrivalled Dragon Serpent husband and wife in the vicinity, also gave them a direction. But because they were too far away, the couldn’t directly find it. Dragon Duke’s cane striking the ground finally once again showed them the way, and Zhao Wuji brought the group to swiftly rush over.

  Seeing his comrades arrive, Tang San’s mind immediately relaxed somewhat, body in a moment almost falling. Fortunately Dai Mubai swiftly reached his side and supported him, just enough to keep him from falling.

  In the fight with the Titan Giant Ape Tang San’s injuries had not been light, although he had eaten a Recovery Sausage, he still had not healed completely, adding the consumption of the rushed journey, as well as the battle of wits and bravery when dealing with the Man Faced Demon Spider, one could say his spirit power and physical strength were completely drained. If he wasn’t for the support of his willpower, he might have collapsed long ago.

&nbs
p; Oscar also hastily ran over, directly handing Tang San two fresh sausages to eat.

  The Recovery Sausages’ warmth diffusing in chest and stomach, Tang San immediately felt much more comfortable. Along with Oscar advancing to the Spirit Elder realm, the effect of his Recovery Sausage also improved somewhat, although with two in his stomach spirit power recovery did not stack, regarding physical strength recovery the support would nevertheless be much greater than with one.

  On seeing Zhao Wuji appear, Dragon Duke Meng Shu’s facial expression did not alter at all, the Unrivalled Dragon Serpent husband and wife pair were both there, naturally would not fear Zhao Wuji alone.

  Seeing the Dragon Head Cane in Meng Shu’s hand, Zhao Wuji was also secretly grumbling, especially those eight spirit rings, had a great shocking effect to him. Before he already used Spirit Avatar once, right now he only had fifty percent of his peak condition. Let alone Meng Shu, even if it was just Serpent Grandmother Xhao Tian-Xiang he still wouldn’t be able to handle her.

  “This must be senior Dragon Duke, it is an honor to junior generation Zhao Wuji to meet you.”

  What is called ‘an outstretched hand will not strike a smiling face’, Meng Shu glanced at Zhao Wuji,

  “Motionless Bright King, there is no need to stand on ceremony. Do you not teach your disciple, nobody bullies our Meng family? Not content with the Phoenix Tail Crest Serpent, your disciple also killed my granddaughter’s prey the Man Faced Demon Spider, shouldn’t you give me an explanation?”

  Zhao Wuji said:

  “Senior, I see there has been a misunderstanding. Furthermore, although I am these children’s teacher, Tang San can’t be considered my disciple, his master is someone else, I dare not take credit.”

  “Eh?”

  Meng Shu looked blank a moment, in his heart secretly trembling. Thinking to himself, ‘that youngster called Tang San’s strength is this astonishing, then wouldn’t his master be…...’

  Zhao Wuji was somewhat shrewd, immediately saw the hesitant expression on Meng Shu’s face, quickly saying:

  “Dragon Duke senior, is it possible to speak a step away?”

  Meng Shu’s brows knitted minutely, but still nodded once, right now he held the overwhelming advantage, naturally he wouldn’t fear any plot of Zhao Wuji’s. The Dragon Head Cane poked the ground, already carried him twenty metres distant.

  Zhao Wuji hurriedly followed, saying something to Dragon Duke in a low voice.

  Just in the beginning Meng Shu’s face displayed an extremely astonished expression, gradually, his complexion looked somewhat unsightly.

  Zhao Wuji’s expression on the contrary was very serene and polite, in a moment, the two had already finished their conversation.

  Meng Shu walked back to his wife and granddaughter, saying several sentences to Serpent Grandmother in a low voice, Serpent Grandmother showed an equally astonished expression, as the old husband and wife pair’s gazes once again shifted to Tang San they already became somewhat different. But all this, naturally also fell into Tang San’s eyes.

  Part 3

  What did teacher Zhao say to them? Did he tell them he was Grandmaster’s disciple? But, although Grandmaster was very knowledgeable about spirits, his own power wasn’t outstanding, seemingly insufficient to cow the Unrivalled Dragon Serpent.

  As expected, Meng Shu said:

  “So he’s Grandmaster’s disciple. Didn’t expect that Grandmaster’s theory finally has a chance to come true. Today on account of Grandmaster, I will let you go once. However, remember kid, if something similar happens again, I won’t care who your master is. We’re leaving.”

  Finished speaking, he turned about to leave.

  “Grandpa.”

  Meng Yiran looked at her grandpa and grandma about to leave, immediately worried.

  “Grandpa, twice he robbed my spirit beasts, will you let this be?”

  Meng Shu somewhat helplessly looked at his granddaughter, saying:

  “Then what do you still want? Grandpa is so old, we can’t have the old take unfair advantage of the young. Better let it be.”

  Meng Yiran obstinately looked at her grandpa,

  “No, I can’t let it be like this. If I can’t have it, then I absolutely can’t let him have it. Since you’re unwilling to act on my behalf, then I’ll do it myself. Tang San, if you are a man, have another contest with me.”

  Tang San frowned,

  “You still want to compete with me? Have you forgotten you lost to me once already?”

  Oscar’s sausage was indeed special, in a short time, Tang San’s spirit power already recovered to three tenths, his physical strength had returned even more substantially, his complexion already became much better looking. Meng Yiran nodded firmly,

  “Yes, I must fight you again. Don’t think because you won last time you can beat me again. I also won’t take advantage of your currently lacking spirit power. We’ll fight in another way. You’ve twice robbed me of spirit beasts, so this contest’s contents should be my decision.

  Tang San drew a deep breath. Feeling his internal condition had already greatly improved, he unhurriedly strolled forward,

  “What is the bet?”

  If it was only Meng Yiran, he had enormous certainty, although his spirit power was lacking, he could still use hidden weapons to contend against her. The Godly Zhuge Crossbow in his hand was already a top notch mechanism, although he knew right now after his compromise with the Unrivalled Dragon Serpent he couldn’t kill Meng Yiran, he could still rely on hidden weapons in many ways to be able to take away Meng Yiran’s ability to fight.

  Meng Yiran hatefully glared at Tang San, saying:

  “If I win, you can’t absorb this Man Faced Demon Spider’s spirit ring. If you win, it naturally is yours.”

  Regarding the Man Faced Demon Spider’s spirit ring, Tang San could be said to be determined to win. Just by obtaining it, he would be able to extremely quickly recover his physical strength to search for Xiao Wu.

  “Fine, what do we compete in?”

  The Unrivalled Dragon Serpent husband and wife were not currently in any hurry to leave, standing to the side without interrupting, supporting their granddaughter. The two husband and wife occasionally muttered a few sentences with unknown contents.

  On the Shrek Academy side, Zhao Wuji wrinkled his brows, he had not thought this time Meng Yiran would be a new branch grown out of the knot[ Idiom “a new branch grows out of the knot”: side issues keep arising.]. In order to have Dragon Duke let Tang San off, he had already told Meng Shu some secrets, otherwise, with the Unrivalled Dragon Serpent’s tyranny, how would they leave so easily?

  Meng Yiran was just about to speak, when previously at Tang San’s side, Oscar rushed to speak:

  “Wait a minute, this is unjust.”

  Everyone looked at Oscar, Oscar wandered up to Tang San’s side, speaking frankly with assurance,

  “This Man Faced Demon Spider was clearly killed by Tang San. Even if you previously injured it, it still could only considered be one person killing half. Right now also only Tang San is able to absorb this spirit ring. This bet of yours clearly isn’t fair.”

  A baleful air flickered in Meng Yiran’s eyes,

  “Then what do you want?”

  Oscar smiled darkly, saying:

  “It’s not what I want. If you lose, you naturally can’t obstruct Tang San absorbing this spirit ring. Simultaneously, shouldn’t you also pay a bit? What we ask isn’t much, at that time, you only need to kiss Tang San once.”

  “Little Ao.”

  Zhao Wuji groaned, he didn’t want the Unrivalled Dragon Serpent to be infuriated once again.

  But what surprised Zhao Wuji was, Dragon Duke Meng Shu suddenly spoke up:

  “Good. It’s decided. Young people must always have a bit of passion.”

  While speaking, on this Dragon Duke’s face for the first time revealed a smiling expression, and at his side Serpent Grandmother’s face faintly blushed.

 
Oscar had no idea that this proposal of his made the Unrivalled Dragon Serpent before them recall a scene from their youth. At that time, when Dragon Duke Meng Shu first met Serpent Grandmother Chao Tian-Xiang, it was with a bet he gained Chao Tian-Xiang’s company. At last in the end walking together they admittedly still had all kinds of fortune. But originally making that bet played a crucial part. At that time, the conditions Meng Shu proposed were unexpectedly exactly the same as what Oscar said now.

  In Dragon Duke and Serpent Grandmother’s eyes, although Tang San’s appearance was a bit common, far from being able to compare with Dai Mubai, both his talent and what Zhao Wuji just now told Meng Shu, made them look extremely favorably on this child. Regarding their granddaughter’s future, this old husband and wife had already planned ahead properly. They also wanted to see, under these kinds of conditions, whether Tang San was able to once again best their granddaughter.

  Regarding grandpa’s decision Meng Yiran couldn’t help but be somewhat astonished, but she didn’t refuse, since she had absolute confidence in the method of fighting she was about to propose.

  Tang San was only impatient to obtain the spirit ring and not concerned with other matters, anyway this bet wasn’t of any harm to him. Raising his hand towards Meng Yiran he made an inviting gesture.

  Resolutely glaring at Tang San, Meng Yiran just raised her right hand, on her flawless wrist a suet white jade[ Literally “Sheep Fat White Jade”, a kind of pure white jade.] ring twinkling with faint gloss, in a flash of light, a long cloth bag had already appeared in her hand. Clearly, that ring was also a spirit tool.

  The cloth bag’s length was about two chi[ 2尺 = ⅔ m] or so, its width approximately half a chi. Meng Yiran separated her hands, the cloth was already split into two halves, and when she turned around the cloth, everyone clearly saw that on the cloth strip hung a many identical in shape and size short blades.

  The short blades lacked hand guards, to Tang San’s professional gaze, those were clearly throwing knives. Only these throwing knives in Meng Yiran’s hands were somewhat simple and crude, apart from two blood grooves, they didn’t have any special characteristics. The knife handles were about three cun[ 3寸 = 10cm] long, the blades five cun. The material was pretty good, flickering with faint light.