Douluo Dalu - Volume 08 - Emperor Team

by Tang Jia San Shao

  Ning Rongrong said somewhat impatiently.

  Tang San smiled faintly, his right hand wiping across Twenty Four moonlit Bridges, taking out an unusual looking thing.

  That was a cylindrical thing made entirely out of metal, its surface appearing silvery. It seemed to somewhat resemble the sleeve dart, but compared to the sleeve dart it was even bigger and thicker.

  Tang San in order for everyone to see and understand clearly, pulled up the sleeve over his left arm, giving a pull with both hands, half opening the cylindrical object on one side, giving it the appearance of two half cylinders. Everyone saw that the inside of the thing was lined with soft cloth.

  Tang San fastened it around his left lower arm, the cylindrical thing’s length just enough to completely cover his lower arm. He first adjusted it a moment, then afterwards swung out his arm. The cylinder adhered to his arm, without the slightest amount of swaying, appearing tightly fitted.

  At this, even Xiao Wu couldn’t help her curiosity,

  “Little San, what is this thing? Is it more powerful than the sleeve dart?”

  Tang San smiling shook his head, saying:

  “To be precise, it could be considered a kind of useful tool. I call it a Flying God Claw[ (飞天神爪)]. Watch closely when I operate it.”

  He pulled at the front of the top of the Flying God Claw, pulling out five rings and fastening them to the five fingers of his left hand, immediately following, he tightened his fist. With a sharp and clear sonorous sound, a metal cone suddenly shot out, just far enough to move farther than his palm. Immediately afterward, the metal cone’s front end suddenly burst open, changing into a metal claw. The claw had five fingers, glinting with cold light in the sunshine, especially the tips of the claws gave a feeling like they were five cold stars.

  Tang San picked up a rock from the ground to the side,

  “I used several an alloy of several metals for the Flying God Claw, creating it after hard work and numerous revisions. It’s extremely hard in itself, sufficient to pierce metal and pass through stone. This metal claw is its key feature, after the claw has opened, as long as it’s touched just a little, the springs and gears I placed inside will move, causing the metal claw to immediately tighten.”

  While speaking, he placed the rock in the metal claw. With just a whoosh sound, under everyone’s dumbstruck gazes, the metal claw easily pierced into the rock like piercing tofu. The whole claw entered almost halfway.

  Tang San explained in detail:

  “After the metal claw has been fastened, there are five different operations it can use. First, holding the fist closed but extending the forefinger, then, the metal claw will once again spring open, recovering to its previous appearance. Second, if the middle finger is extended, then the metal claw will cut down with all its power, its strength is enormous, approximately able to pierce a thick steel plate. As for the other three kinds of functions, there are other corresponding effects.”

  While speaking he extended his middle finger, with a cracking sound a cloud of dust rose, that ordinary piece of rock had unexpectedly been directly crushed.

  Seeing this scene, the other six Shrek Seven Devils couldn’t help but swallow. They really couldn’t imagine how such a strong steel claw had been made. In fact, what Tang San called ‘hard work and numerous revisions’ wasn't a bit exaggerated. After the metal had been successfully formed, even the forging hammer wasn’t able to alter its form. Tang San had wasted vast amounts of spirit power, relying on his other spirit, the little hammer, to succeed.

  In the forging process, Tang San also discovered some special subtleties of that little hammer. As the metal and that seemingly not very large little hammer touched, unexpectedly it would cause a kind of unusual effect: regardless of which metal, on contact with the little hammer it would soften. Using it to create hidden weapons was practically like a tiger growing wings[ Idiom: Something strong redoubling its power.]. Unfortunately, it really consumed too much spirit power and physical strength, under the consumption Tang San constantly had to meditate to recover, this was also a major reason why he was able to advance his spirit power to the thirty third rank in this time.

  Dai Mubai’s heart twitched, saying:

  “What’s really the use of this metal claw? If it’s only like this, it seems I’d be better off with my tiger claws.”

  Let alone piercing rock, with his current strength, even piercing gold and snapping jade was no problem for his tiger claws.

  Tang San calmly smiled, saying:

  “Of course it’s not limited to this, otherwise it wouldn’t be called Flying God Claw. Its principal use is to help us ‘fly’. Even though it’s not true flight, as a tool it’s still very useful, watch, this is its third function.”

  While speaking, Tang San first once again sprang open the metal claw, and afterwards raised his left arm facing a large tree approximately twenty meters away. His thumb sharply extended, and with a whoosh sound, the steel claw attached on top of the arm guard shot out like a bolt of lightning, bringing a long brilliant light under the sunshine, in an eyeblink it had already flown over, with a cracking sound, it directly grabbed into the tree trunk.

  Everyone clearly saw that attached to the back of the steel claw was a fine like linen metal rope.

  Immediately afterward, Tang San’s ring finger stretched out, lightly pushing off the ground with his toes, his body followed the line like an arrow, under the pull of that steel rope in an eyeblink he had leapt over onto that large tree. Toes lightly touching the tree, relying on the pull of the Flying God Claw, he moved horizontally around the tree trunk.

  Forefinger shooting out, releasing the steel claw, Tang San rose and landed back before everyone.

  “In certain terrains, the Flying God Claw is able to display very good effects. At the same time, it can also be used to grab people. The length of the steel wire is thirty meters, its pulling force is approximately three hundred jin[ 300斤 = 150kg]. As long as our body weight doesn’t surpass three hundred jin, we can rely on it to climb up high.”

  The internal composition of each Flying God Claw was extraordinarily complex, as it was formed from a large amount of gears and springs. Of course, to Tang San, this wasn’t any meticulous work. The true meticulousness was still those eighteen iron balls resting in Twenty Four Moonlit Bridges.

  Little finger extending, the iron claw withdrew into the arm guard, Tang San flicked his wrist, the five fingers separating from the iron rings, the iron rings automatically returning to the cover of the arm guard. It now appeared like a very ordinary steel arm guard.

  Ma Hongjun muttered:

  “This is simply an essential tool for leaping onto roofs and vaulting walls, slipping through doors and levering locks!”

  Tang San snapped:

  “What are you calling ‘sneaking through doors and levering locks’. Fatty, you pay attention to your weight. If some day you surpass three hundred jin, it will practically be useless for you. Also, when everyone assembles it, you must take care to remove the sleeve dart. Mubai, when you use your spirit your muscles change somewhat, therefore your Flying God Claw includes some elastic ropes. Like this it won’t be damaged because of your muscles swelling.”

  Apart from Tang San the other Shrek Six Devils at this moment displayed their mutual rapport. Making the same motion, towards Tang San, they stretched out their right hands.

  Although this Flying God Claw wouldn’t appear to have much in the way of attack power, everyone were astute, anyone would be able to think a number of effects just by looking at this thing. Regarding concrete uses, that still required getting to know it.

  Tang San pulled out six Flying God Claws and handed them over to everyone. Each one was custom made. Because everyone were still young, in order to deal with the size of the arm changing as they grew older, the openings of the Flying God Claws were connected with elastic rope.

  While fiddling with the Flying God Claw in his hand, Dai Mubai couldn’t help saying:


  “Little San, I really don’t know how your brain is made. Unexpectedly it’s even able to think up this kind of thing.”

  Tang San revealed a wry smile and thought to himself that how could he be able to baselessly imagine things like these, this was all the crystallisation of many years of Tang Sect’s effort. He had merely grasped how to create them, that’s all.

  Time passed quickly, in the blink of an eye the two months of rest and preparation had already gone by. Shrek Academy’s land was originally bought by Flender, it also wasn’t any kind of expensive thing. The teachers didn’t object to Grandmaster’s proposal. In a moment the agreed upon time had arrived. At Flender’s command, everyone packed up their things, preparing to set out, leaving for Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.

  This day had moderate wind and beautiful sun, no clouds as far as the eye could see.

  Standing at the Academy gate, Flender gazed up appearing somewhat defeated at the board engraved with Shrek Academy’s sign, for a moment all sorts of feelings welled up in his heart. Twenty years. Living here for twenty years, this place had constantly bit by bit flowed into his heart. An acrid feeling appeared at his nose.

  Zhao Wuji put his arms around Flender’s shoulders,

  “Don’t look. Let’s go. It’s not like we won’t return. If worst comes to worst, afterwards we brothers will accompany you back to retire.”

  Flender glared at him,

  “You’re saying I’m old?”

  Zhao Wuji smiled wryly:

  “Not old. Yes, we’re both just fifty, that’s all, still not regarded as too old. However all of us are also regarded as out of the ordinary. Unexpectedly not one of us is married.”

  Flender snorted,

  “That’s because your requirements are too high. How are women Spirit Masters so easy to find. Don’t you know women Spirit Masters make up just one tenth of all Spirit Masters?

  “You then? Aren’t your requirements high? How come you’re also unmarried?”

  Zhao Wuji somewhat unreconciled said.

  “Me? I……”

  Flender looked distracted a moment, somewhat speechless. As he looked up towards Grandmaster, he discovered Grandmaster was also looking at him. The two’s eyes showed something painful, practically simultaneously shaking their heads.

  “Let’s go.”

  Flender put his thoughts in order, passing down the order to set off. The party of ten stepped forward, departing Shrek.

  Heaven Dou Empire imperial capital Heaven Dou City, at the heart of northeastern Heaven Dou Empire, it was the core of all of Tian Dou’s political power, also one of the two largest cities on the Continent. On Douluo Continent, only Star Lou Empire’s imperial capital could match it.

  Although the two great Empires’ subordinate Kingdoms and Duchies weren’t too accepting of control, they were still part of the Empires. With Heaven Dou City at its heart, what Heaven Dou Empire directly controlled were the three neighboring great military districts, with a total force of more than a million, a profound strength.

  In some sense, Heaven Dou Empire didn’t have to force restrictions on the subordinate Kingdoms with their own reasoning, whether it was Heaven Dou or Star Luo, the subordinate Kingdoms and Duchies of both great Empires were for the most part on the border, if fighting broke out, it would certainly be these Kingdoms and Duchies that bore the brunt.

  Of course, this was also for lack of a better option. Which monarch wouldn’t wish to use imperial power to rule everything.

  But right now the Continent basically didn’t permit circumstances for unification to appear.

  Chapter 056: Rank Surpassing Challenge

  Part 1 (TL Jax)[ this chapter is very dangerous to men. please be advised. PG-N16 rating.]

  Presently in the Continent[ monarchy haven’t completely ruled its subordinate countries as said in previous chapter..], besides the internal factors of the two empires, most significant was the clandestine interference from the several Spirit Master clans and Spirit Hall. Theoretically, in a single large and unified empire, how could these be allowed to exist to influence the ruling power?

  The Shrek Academy party wanted to go to Heaven Dou City, but they needed to first leave Balak Kingdom, afterwards pass through the entire Silvers Kingdom[ (西尔维斯王国)] to the the north of Balak Kingdom, to finally enter Heaven Dou Empire’s imperial city boundaries. Further to the east, it would be entirely Heaven Dou Empire’s imperial city lands. The entire journey would be very far, spanning more than two thousand kilometers[ Next level cross country]. Thus can be seen, how enormous the Heaven Dou Empire’s territory was.

  In the Shrek Seven Devils, Dai Mubai, Tang San, Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong had their own spirit storage devices, similarly, the teachers had ones too. Thus, as they journeyed, they didn’t have to experience any frustrations of baggage. Before leaving, they bought food and prepared water in their spirit tools. Even if they couldn’t resupply during the journey, this food and water would last them about ten days.

  “Okay, you little monsters. You have all rested for two months already, from now on it’s full speed ahead. Everyone must follow my speed, if not, heh heh.”

  Flender seemed to have returned to what he was previously, a devious light was emitted from his eyes. With one hand grabbing Grandmaster’s arm, leaving behind those words, he already shot forward.

  Flender naturally didn’t use his full strength to run. With Zhao Wuji in front of the academy teachers, they spread out on both sides as they followed him.

  Shrek Seven Devils looked on and unhesitantly ran. They were already undaunted by burdened running. Normal running was nothing to them. Without even needing to use spirit power to assist them, even Oscar and Ning Rongrong could keep up to Flender’s current speed.

  Grandmaster was being carried by Flender using spirit power, thus he did not even need to waste any energy. Grandmaster suspiciously commented,

  “Flender, what is the meaning in this training? Their current body foundations are already very strong now.”

  Flanders grinned, saying:

  "Is there really no meaning in this training? Xiao Gang, these methods are not something you can use. Furthermore, even if this training had no meaning, rushing a little bit faster, wasting less time on the road, we can cut down on meals and stay in fewer hotels. This way, we should be able to save some money. Previously we agreed to use the previously won three thousand gold coins on this third stage of training. We should save as what we can.”

  “You… You really are the same as always.”

  Grandmaster was momentarily speechless. In contrast to Flender, he never saw money as something of importance, always holding the ideal[ “千金散尽还复来” - Part of a poem by 8th century poet Li Bai (李白). He had a positive outlook in life, thinking that he’s talent had been recognized, he said that whatever he spent could eventually be earnt back.] that the money he used could eventually be earnt back. In any case he was always a Spirit Grandmaster, and would always have Spirit Hall’s stipend.

  Flender, somewhat deviously, only winked at Grandmaster, suddenly he sped up. Accelerating ahead like an arrow as it left a bow.

  Zhao Wuji, undoubtedly being the most familiar with Flender, helplessly looked at the Sweet Pea Spirit Master Shao Xin beside him and grabbed his arm.

  “Flender that guy. Even if you want to save money, you don’t have to torture our old bones.”

  The auxiliary system Spirit Master obviously couldn’t keep up with them, thus Zhao Wuji could only carry Shao Xin and increase his speed.

  With Flender’s increase in speed, the Shrek Seven Devils behind started to be unable to keep up. In the end, using only physical strength to run definitely couldn’t match his speed when he was being assisted by spirit power. Furthermore, Flender was an agility attack system Spirit Master, and even a Spirit Emperor level agility attack system Spirit Master at that.

  In a hurry to keep up, Shrek Seven Devils could only increase their speed accordingly.
As a result, Ning Rongrong and Oscar could no longer continue by their own strength. Oscar was carried by Dai Mubai while Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu took turns carrying Ning Rongrong. The seven of them, like always did not leaving anyone behind. They gave it their all and rushed ahead to catch up.

  The Shrek Seven Devils had no qualms in using their spirit power for short periods, but how could their spirit power compete with their teachers. Flender’s controlled speed was already their maximum speed. Within less than two hours, the Shrek Seven Devils’ spirit power was practically consumed.

  Flender saw that everyone behind him couldn’t keep up and thus finally slowed down a little. Running with a normal speed, he gave the Shrek Seven Devils time to eat the large sausage and recuperate a bit. Of course, Flender himself wouldn’t eat Oscar’s large sausage, a few sweet peas would be a lot more effective than the sausage. After all, that Sweet Pea Spirit Master Shao Xin’s level was far above what Oscar could compare to.

  Using this method of running, within a day, Shrek Seven Devils were as tired as when they had experienced Grandmaster’s Devil training again. Within just this day, they had already run close to four hundred kilometers, completing about a fifth of the journey.

  Fortunately, Flender wasn’t as stingy as he proclaimed. He didn’t make everyone camp outside, but rather, settled for the night in a small town along the way.

  The so called small town, was actually just a relatively big village. The inn that the Shrek Academy party stayed in was actually the only inn in town. Even if it was a little shabby, it could still be said to be relatively clean.

  Flender once again fully demonstrated his stinginess, altogether asking for only three rooms. The teachers would only use one room, the male students used one room and the female students used one room.

  “I’m so worn out.”

  Oscar immediately lay on the bed, still gasping for breath, with a face of euphoria. Everyone had ran for a day and was finally able to rest. No one really bothered about how simple or crude the place was.