Douluo Dalu: From Shinobi to Spirit Master

The square in front of the Wuhun Palace was still shrouded in light smoke and dust. The remnants of the fierce clash between two Titled Douluo lingered in the air, filling the space with tension.

"What? How can you agree to this? This is—"

Ju Douluo, pale and shaken, struggled to his feet, his voice trembling with urgency. But before he could finish, Ghost Douluo extended a hand to stop him.

"Don't." Ghost Douluo's calm voice was low, his sharp eyes gesturing toward the imposing figure ahead.

Guangling Douluo stood motionless, but his cold, one-eyed gaze was fixed on them. The subtle smirk playing at the corner of his lips carried an unmistakable menace, silencing any objections.

Ju Douluo opened and closed his mouth, as if searching for words, but in the end, he could only sigh heavily and shake his head in resignation. His expression betrayed his worry.

"Su Chen has always been steady," Ju Douluo muttered under his breath. "Why would he make such a reckless decision now? Does he really believe that old fox would hand over his soul bone?"

Bibi Dong, standing silently to the side, frowned slightly. Her piercing burgundy eyes locked onto the white-haired youth. "Do you remember what I said earlier?"

She had promised him that as long as he asked, she would provide him with resources far greater than a ten-thousand-year soul bone. Even one of thirty or fifty thousand years would not be out of reach.

Su Chen bowed respectfully and replied with a calm voice, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. However, I still wish to give it a try."

His words were unwavering, his gaze steady.

In that moment, a ripple of emotions passed through Bibi Dong's heart. Her disappointment was faint but undeniable.

She had misjudged him—or perhaps, allowed herself to believe in an illusion. His confident demeanor, mature attitude, and calm decision-making had made her expect something… different.

But his choice was not surprising. No genius could resist the allure of a reward like this.

"Very well," Bibi Dong said at last, her expression regaining its cold, regal composure. She turned slightly to face her subordinates. "Yue Guan, Gui Mei, watch over him."

"Understood, Your Majesty."

Ju Douluo hesitated, looking as if he wanted to speak, but ultimately held his tongue. There was nothing more he could say.

Around the square, murmurs began to rise among the spectators.

"This boy really intends to face a Soul Ancestor?"

"Arrogance of youth, as they say. Geniuses often overestimate their abilities, and he's no exception."

"It's not just him. Even seasoned soul masters can't resist the temptation of a ten-thousand-year soul bone. He's only six years old; what do you expect?"

Their tones were filled with regret, as if lamenting the loss of a promising seedling.

Guangling Douluo smirked and clapped his hands. "Alright then, let's not keep everyone waiting. Bring out the challenger!"

A towering figure stepped forward from the shadows. The man's presence was like a mountain, solid and unyielding. His every step seemed to reverberate through the square.

Su Chen followed, his expression calm as always.

With the help of the training method he developed together with Orochimaru, Su Chen stood out despite being only six years old. His disciplined training and unique physique set him apart. Standing at nearly 1.6 meters tall, his frame was lean but well-defined—far beyond what anyone would expect from a boy his age. Yet, in front of the hulking challenger, who towered over 2.5 meters, Su Chen seemed almost comically small.

The spectators whispered among themselves, their expressions conflicted.

"Does this boy even stand a chance?"

"This isn't just any Soul Ancest. This is someone handpicked by Guangling Douluo. He's no ordinary opponent."

In the center of the square, the two stood twenty meters apart. The tension was palpable.

The towering challenger scratched the back of his head awkwardly and sighed. "I'm not fond of fighting kids, but orders are orders. I'll do my best not to hurt you too badly. Be careful, alright?"

Before Su Chen could respond, the challenger took a deep breath.

Boom!

The opponent's soul power exploded outward like a storm, shattering his robe into fragments that scattered into the wind.

"Roar!!"

His roar was primal and ferocious, echoing across the square. His already massive muscles bulged even further, pushing his physique to monstrous proportions. Short black hair stood on end like steel needles, and a layer of dark, jagged scales spread across his body. From his forehead, a single sharp horn emerged, gleaming ominously under the moonlight.

Four soul rings—three yellow and one purple—rose around him, pulsating rhythmically. Though the combination wasn't optimal, the overwhelming aura radiating from him left no doubt: this was no ordinary Soul Ancestor.

The man exhaled deeply, his breath heavy and primal like that of a beast. Lowering his stance, he locked his dark, beast-like eyes on the white-haired boy before him.

"Martial Soul Iron Horned Rhinoceros. Level 40 Assault System Soul Ancestor. I seek your guidance." His voice was low and guttural, tinged with a dangerous calm.

The name of his martial soul rippled through the crowd like a tidal wave.

"Iron Horned Rhinoceros?!"

The audience erupted into shocked whispers.

"This... this martial soul is a nightmare to face!"

"Guangling Douluo didn't hold back at all this time. How could he pit a child against that?"

"Keep your voice down! Do you want to offend him?"

"What a pity for a prodigy like Su Chen. Full innate soul power, and now this?"

As their whispers grew louder, they painted a grim picture of what lay ahead. The Iron Horned Rhinoceros wasn't merely a beast martial soul; it was a symbol of raw, unrestrained destruction.

Rhino-type martial souls were known for their impressive defense and endurance, but the Iron Horned Rhinoceros was a breed apart. It traded those traits for one thing: devastating attack power.

Its first three soul skills were all variations of strength amplification, each one exponentially increasing its destructive capabilities. By the time a Soul Ancestor awakened its fourth ring, the martial soul underwent a terrifying transformation.

Destruction Charge.

This soul skill combined all prior amplifications into a single devastating attack. Its power was so monstrous that even opponents one rank higher had to tread carefully. Within its own level, the skill was near invincible—contact meant injury, and a direct hit spelled doom.

Ju Douluo's expression darkened. "Stop this madness immediately!"

Fury surged in his heart as he glared at Light Ling Douluo, his usually refined demeanor replaced by barely contained rage. If not for Ghost Douluo's firm grip, he might have intervened on the spot.

Bibi Dong, too, felt unease. Her jade-like hands clenched tightly within her flowing sleeves. For a moment, a flicker of doubt crossed her otherwise calm visage.

"Don't be so hasty, Ju Douluo." Guangling Douluo chuckled, his voice infuriatingly smug. "Perhaps this boy will surprise us all. After all, geniuses do love their miracles."

His gaze shifted toward Bibi Dong. "Don't you agree, Your Majesty?"

Bibi Dong's amethyst eyes narrowed slightly, her regal features betraying none of her inner thoughts. "The match isn't over. Don't rush to conclusions, Elder Guang Ling."

Though her tone was measured, her mind wrestled with conflicting emotions. She glanced at Su Chen and froze.

His eyes.

Those dark, calm eyes, steady as a mountain, gazed back at her with unshakable confidence.

Could he... really win?

Her heart, which had been tense moments ago, inexplicably steadied itself. Somewhere deep inside, an absurd idea began to take root.

Maybe, just maybe... this boy truly had the ability to overcome such impossible odds.

In the center of the square, Su Chen stood motionless as the storm of soul power raged around him. His silver hair swayed in the turbulent winds, revealing those unwavering dark eyes.

"Thank you for your advice," Su Chen said softly, his voice calm yet sharp as a blade. "In return, allow me to give you a friendly reminder."

The big man frowned, his hulking frame visibly tensing.

"Do not underestimate me. You'll regret it."

Buzz—!

A strange, oppressive fluctuation swept through the air. The gathered soul masters felt their soul power shrink slightly, an inexplicable sensation of suppression washing over them.

Even the flowers in the distance seemed to react, swaying rhythmically as if resonating with the boy's presence. Their colors grew brighter, their vitality palpable.

Under the moonlight, Su Chen's thin figure appeared almost ethereal. A faint smile curved his lips as a deep purple soul ring materialized around him, exuding an aura far more powerful than one would expect from a mere first ring.

The crowd froze in shock.

"Su Chen. Level 15 Battle Soul Master. Martial Soul: Chakra."

He clasped his hands together respectfully and bowed slightly.

"Please guide me."