Douluo Dalu - Volume 18 - Three Spirit Bones

by Tang Jia San Shao

  Dai Mubai said:

  “Grandmaster, why won’t it work? Don’t tell me that Spirit Hall team can figure out a tactics to break the seven fusion ability in one night?”

  Grandmaster shook his head,

  “It’s not only that. Don’t forget that the opponents you’re facing tomorrow have the backing of the Spirit Hall with the most powerful Spirit Masters. Spirit Hall has countless powers, I don’t know how many Title Douluo they will have directing their energy at finding a method. Even more, it’s impossible for little San tu use the Tool Spirit Avatar again for the duration. Otherwise, it would cause unpredictable damage to his body, and very possibly influence his future.”

  “Tool Spirit Avatar and Spirit Avatar are different tunes played with equal skill, even to the extent that it’s even more powerful. But where Tool Spirit Avatar is most terrifying is that the user merges his own soul with the tool spirit, and that requires consuming the strength of the soul. When little San used it he could draw the spirit power from all of you, but the strength of the soul still had to come from him alone. With his present strength, his soul is still far from stable enough. If this kind of ability was used two days in a row, a hundred times out of a hundred it would damage his soul, reducing his memory, making him stupid, directly turning him into a retard. Therefore, you absolutely can’t use the Tool Spirit Avatar again tomorrow. The same goes for the seven fusion ability. You must remember that when your abilities are already completely grasped by your opponents, you must look to change. Only by changing can you break the opponent’s rhythm, taking the initiative into your own hands.”

  Oscar somewhat anxiously said:

  “Grandmaster, then what should we do tomorrow? Even if we can maintain our peak condition to meet the enemy head on, their spirit power is still too high compared to ours, and they also have the spirit fusion ability. Defeating them really is too difficult.”

  Part 2 (TL by Bagelson)

  Grandmaster looked towards Tang San,

  “The difficulty isn’t absolute. You begin cultivating now. I will carefully figure out the tactics here. Little San, come with me, I want to talk to you alone.”

  “Yes, Teacher.”

  Tang San’s spirit power was already somewhat recovered, and he followed Grandmaster from the room.

  The others didn’t know what Tang San and Grandmaster were going to talk about, but they all knew that in tomorrow’s match, Tang San would undoubtedly be the key.

  But they also knew that as the strongest of the Shrek Seven Devils, having changed the most, he had long ago become the opponents’ target. Could he display his true strength when facing three Spirit Kings?

  Grandmaster brought Tang San to another room.

  “Little San, you can’t use the seven fusion ability in the match tomorrow. Tell me your thoughts.”

  Grandmaster calmly said.

  Tang San nodded,

  “I understand what you mean. The seven fusion ability was already revealed today, it will definitely be their target tomorrow. With that spirit fusion ability of Xie Yue and Hu Liena’s, they can definitely block the force of our fusion ability for a while, then as long as the other five break our formation, we will undoubtedly lose. But this can also be used against them, the victory rate is fifty percent or so. The other part is breaking that pair’s spirit fusion ability, making them lose fighting strength, and afterwards focusing the strength of seven on the remaining five.”

  “Eh?”

  Grandmaster somewhat shocked looked at Tang San,

  “You have a way to break that spirit fusion ability? You must know that a spirit fusion ability isn’t a fusion ability. If it’s completed, it will have practically no gaps, and will moreover have enormous strength. As you say, when the spirit fusion ability is completed, the combined fighting strength of those two will reach the seventieth rank or so.”

  Tang San’s eyes revealed a resolute light, both fists tightening,

  “Them, leave them to me. As long as Mubai and the others give me enough time, I believe I can do it.”

  Tang San and Grandmaster stayed in the room discussing for a full four hours. Only they knew what they talked about.

  ……

  Supreme Pontiff Palace, official business hall.

  Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong sat in the main seat, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo on either side of her. In front of them stood those seven competing team members representing Spirit Hall Academy.

  Xie Yue, Yan, and Hu Liena stood furthest in front.

  “Did you understand what I said just now?”

  Bibi Dong said calmly.

  “Understood, Your Holiness Supreme Pontiff.”

  Despite being Spirit Hall’s Golden Generation, Xie Yue’s trio still answered very respectfully.

  Bibi Dong said coldly:

  “It will inevitably be impossible for Tang San to use the Tool Spirit Avatar from today again tomorrow. He has twin spirits. If he’s forced to use it again, even if he doesn’t die, he will still never become a threat to us again. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about this aspect. You only need to pay attention to their seven fusion ability. Destroy it using the method I described just now. In a fight of true strength, it’s basically impossible for them to be your opponents.”

  “Yes.”

  Ghost Douluo Gui Mei’s somewhat gloomy voice echoed from the Supreme Pontiff’s side,

  “You should know what this tournament signifies. Not only is it your chance to make a name for yourselves, it also decides where three spirit bones belong. With Spirit Hall being the organizers, if you lose, it will be impossible to regain these three spirit bones under the eye of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School’s people and those high level Spirit Masters. This is your reward, and at the same time it’s your pressure. If you lose, I will take you all to experience three years in the Disorienting Grand Canyon.”

  Hearing the words ‘Disorienting Grand Canyon’, Xue Yue and the others shivered practically simultaneously. Their gazes instantly turned even more resolute. Perhaps only ghosts could survive in that sinister place. In three years, perhaps they would really become ghosts.

  “Fine, you go rest.”

  Bibi Dong waved a hand, and Xie Yue and the others hastily left the hall from a side door.

  Raising a hand to rhythmically tap the desk in front of her, Bibi Dong’s eyes revealed a pondering light.

  Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan said:

  “Your Holiness, what’s there to worry about? Even if they held the advantage today, the scales of victory are still leaning towards our side.”

  Sighing lightly, the Supreme Pontiff said:

  “I’m not worried about the Shrek Seven Devils. Even though those seven little children are monstrously talented, they are after all still young. Their potential still hasn’t completely emerged. Apart from Tang San, the others won’t be any trouble in the future. The variable that worries me is Grandmaster. When I knew him many years ago, I have never seen the like of his intelligence and wisdom again. Even though his spirit is unable to cultivate to a higher level because of variation, this person’s intelligence is frightening. What I can think of, he can definitely think of as well. You saw that seven fusion ability of differently attributed Spirit Masters today. I at least am unable to propose that kind of formation. What worries me is that he will raise some other kind of formation tomorrow, increasing the variables.”

  A cold light flashed in Ghost Douluo’s mirage,

  “It would be better to let me go kill him. Even if the Poison Douluo is with the Shrek Academy, I still have an eighty percent chance of successfully killing him in one strike.”

  The Supreme Pontiff snorted coldly,

  “If you had that kind of certainty, Tang San wouldn’t have arrived here alive. Gui Mei, have you forgotten of teacher instructed you in those days? Even the lion must use its full strength when fighting the rabbit. Underestimating the enemy is the greatest fear of the strategist.”

  “Y
es, Your Holiness.”

  The Supreme Pontiff continued:

  “Grandmaster holds the warrant of a Spirit Hall elder, we can’t act against him. Even more, this is Spirit City. Casually killing people in Spirit City, and one of our Spirit Hall elders at that, how couldn’t the status of Spirit Hall greatly drop in the eyes of all Spirit Masters? To say nothing of Grandmaster still having a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan behind him. Even if he’s already left the clan, he is after all still a directly related member. Remember, without my express order, nobody is allowed to act against him hereafter.”

  “It’s late, you go rest. I want to consider it properly.”

  The light in her eyes dimming somewhat, Bibi Dong waved her hand.

  Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo left quietly, leaving Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong alone in the official business hall.

  Sitting there expressionlessly, the light in Bibi Dong’s eyes began to turn complicated, muttering to herself,

  “Oh, Xiao Gang, you still astonish me. Could it be that it really was teacher that broke us up back them? In our lives, perhaps we truly are destined to meet but fated to never be together. All I can do is protect your safety. As for the others, I can’t spare any attention……”

  ……

  An eventless night.

  Very early the next day, the Shrek Seven Devils already appeared at the gate of their residence, trembling with excitement.

  After breakfast, seven people stood in front of Grandmaster with lively spirits and excessive energy.

  Tang San specially ate two Dragon Zoysia leaves before cultivating last night, and by now his Mysterious Heaven Skill internal energy was already completely recovered.

  Grandmaster’s gaze swept across the seven,

  “Follow the plan in the match. Try your utmost, and if you can’t do it, put your own safety first.”

  “Yes.”

  “Then good, depart.”

  Grandmaster swung his hand to everyone.

  At this moment, a voice suddenly blocked them,

  “Wait a moment.”

  Grandmaster looked distracted, gazing in the direction of that voice,

  “Flender, you still have something to add?”

  Today, Flender’s expression was extraordinarily grave.

  Ever since the Shrek Seven Devils had let him earn enough profit to fill both pots and jars in this tournament, he’d always had a smile on his face. But right now his smile was gone.

  Walking in front of the devils, he first arranged the lapels of Dai Mubai who stood in front, afterwards turning to all seven:

  “Children. For you, this the final fight of your graduation. Honestly, to have fostered talents like you, I feel very fortunate. And also extremely proud. There is no lack of banquets under Heaven, Shrek Academy is unable to always help you grow. Your future path, is all up to you to walk by yourselves.”

  “I said before that I won’t let you graduate unless you were the final champions. That’s just a joke, no need to take it seriously. What I want to tell you right now is that, no matter the outcome, you are all my pride, and also all my children. I won’t let any one of you become casualties in the last moment of the tournament. The championship isn’t important. What’s important, is you yourselves. I don’t want a victorious result, but rather your safe return. Well, I’ve said enough.”

  Ma Hongjun said:

  “Teacher, how come your eyes are red?”

  “Ah? It’s dust.”

  Flender immediately turned around. Grandmaster was the director of the Shrek Academy team, but as dean, he had clearly seen the effort these children had made each day. Of course he knew that the great effort of the Shrek Seven Devils in this tournament wasn’t all to temper themselves, but even more to bring this great glory to Shrek Academy before graduating.

  Just like he said, each of the Shrek Seven Devils was like his own child. Before these ultimate finals, on the verge of confronting that kind of power, Flender couldn’t keep from expressing his true feelings.

  In his heart, money was admittedly important, but no amount of gold could be exchanged for these seven little monsters in front of him.

  Tang San smiled faintly,

  “Dean Flender, others would hold a pep talk for the competing students, but aren’t you making us feel discouraged? Don’t worry. We’d all hate to die. Even more, there’s still those three spirit bones to make us drool with desire.”

  Part 3 (TL by Bagelson)

  Grandmaster patted Flender’s shoulder, his ordinarily languid gaze abruptly becoming severe,

  “Let’s go.”

  Striding forward with heads high, the Shrek Seven Devils left the residence. On the street, a lot of Spirit Masters silently watched them from the sides of the road. Even though the spirit power of these children perhaps wasn’t much, with their age, challenging the Spirit Hall Academy team, all of it made these Spirit Masters waiting for the battle secretly admire them.

  In front of Supreme Pontiff Palace, Tang San suddenly discovered that with each step he climbed, his feet become incomparably firm. He had never thirsted for victory like now. He knew that, if they lost the match today, he would definitely regret it for a lifetime.

  The sunlight brought a golden radiance to Supreme Pontiff Palace. Everyone’s gazes became serious, watching the Shrek Seven Devils walk step by step over the stones, the atmosphere seemingly thickening.

  The Supreme Pontiff, Ning Fengzhi, and the three Title Douluo spectating yesterday were already seated, the three spirit bone prizes laying in a red brocade tray to the side, releasing a faint halo of light.

  The Spirit Hall Academy team stood there silently, an intense murderous spirit pressing towards the Shrek Seven Devils just like knives. Under the effect of this enormous pressure, the Shrek Seven Devils’ pace up the hill clearly slowed a bit. The match still hadn’t started, but both sides were already crossing swords.

  “The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament finals are about to begin, both sides prepare. The match will start in a quarter of an hour.”

  Both sides returned to their positions, the Shrek Seven Devils circling around Grandmaster. Tang San stretched his hand into the Wishful Hundred Treasure Purse, taking out seven rolled up dark green leaves. He ate one, and handed over one to each of the others.

  Foundation building Dragon Zoysia leaf, taking it would not only increase healing speed, provoking rapid spirit power recover, but at the same time could also make people’s mind even more focused. Eating it right now before the match was in order to maintain peak condition even longer in the fight.

  “Little San.”

  Dai Mubai looked at Tang San.

  Tang San gave him a firm nod,

  “Don’t worry. No issues on my side. For the rest, I’ll leave it to you.”

  Grandmaster took the lead to raise his right fist, and the each of the Shrek Seven Devils equally raised their hands. Eight hands piled together, at the same time as a gargantuan shout,

  “Certain victory!”

  Yes, certain victory. This was their only belief.

  On the other side, the Spirit Hall Academy team suddenly heard the shout on the Shrek Academ side, and team captain Xie Yue couldn’t help curling his lips, sneering,

  “Certain victory? We’ll let them have a look at true strength today. The gap in spirit power is an impassable gulf. Even the lowest ranked Spirit Master among us is on the same level as their captain. I want to see their basis for certain victory.”

  Sweeping an ice cold gaze across his companions, Xie Yue said coldly:

  “The Lord Supreme Pontiff is watching, the elders are also watching. We must not only gain victory in this match, but still a complete victory. Don’t give them any chances. I’ll deal with that Tang San. Who are we?”

  “Cham——pions——”

  An even more intense bellow echoed from the Spirit Hall Academy team.

  Both sides’ refusal to yield made the Spirit Masters watchi
ng below the hill feel like their blood was boiling, who hadn’t been young? Who hadn’t been hot-blooded? To them, the outcome of this match wasn’t important, what was important was to be able to see a brilliant fight.

  A quarter of an hour wasn’t long, and very soon the members of both sides walked into the plaza at the prompting of the referee. Perhaps it was in order to oppose needle with needle and spear with spear against Shrek Academy, but today the Spirit Hall Academy team had changed to fiery red uniforms embroidered with golden thread, clearly of excellent quality.

  Compared to them, Shrek Academy’s snot green, and moreover covered with countless advertising logos, uniforms were ridiculous.

  However, nobody would laugh at them. Capable of taking this step forward, capable of entering the finals of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament, nobody would sneer at their strength.

  “Prepare for the match, both sides can release spirits.”

  The cardinal referee announced as soon as both sides were in position.

  The fourteen members of both sides looked face to face. Nobody said a word, but the collision of auras made the smell of gunpowder in the air rise to the limit in an instant. At this moment, even respected powers like Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong had their gazes completely focused on this match.

  The seven Spirit Hall Academy members moved practically simultaneously, surging spirit power erupting from their bodies in a flash.

  Of Xie Yue’s trio standing furthest ahead, each had a glittering two yellow, two purple, and one black ideal spirit ring configuration. The other four behind them also had two yellow and two purple optimal allocations. The expression in each person’s eyes became extremely persistent. One of the male students standing furthest in the rear swiftly retreated a step, a glorious golden scepter in his hands. Most certainly, he possessed a support model tool spirit.

  At the same time as they released their spirits, the Shrek Seven Devils’ side simultaneously started to release theirs. The seven stood in order, Tang San and Dai Mubai furthest in front, and behind them separately stood Zhu Zhuqing, Ma Hongjun and Xiao Wu, with Ning Rongrong and Oscar in the last line, assuming a two-three-two formation.