Douluo Dalu: From Shinobi to Spirit Master

In the bright underground base, a silver-haired boy stood amidst the softly humming machinery, a flicker of nostalgia crossing his expression.

What does a six-year-old like me have to do with wild thoughts like those? Su Chen shook his head, banishing irrelevant musings from his mind.

He pushed open the door to the experimental area, his eyes immediately drawn to the familiar sight of measuring cups, alcohol lamps, and culture vessels. The occasional bubbling of a green liquid brought a sense of both familiarity and strangeness.

"It's been a while," Su Chen murmured, his fingers brushing over the equipment. Finally, he stopped before the central test bench, pulling out two items from his soul guide: a preserved section of a Linwu Silkworm's body and a ten-thousand-year-old soul bone brimming with natural energy.

The former was renowned for its potential as a powerful medicinal ingredient, capable of enhancing the absorption and utilization of soul power. The latter required no introduction—it was a treasure of immense value and priority for research.

His eyes gleamed as chakra surged within him, and his pupils turned jade-like, revealing the Byakugan's signature sight.

"Let's see what secrets you're hiding," Su Chen muttered as he examined the soul bone with precision.

Elsewhere, in a secluded valley, the cries of children and the roars of wild beasts intertwined in a grim symphony.

Perched atop the tallest tree, Ghost Douluo sat cross-legged, his mental power spreading across the entire valley. His indifferent gaze swept across the struggling figures below.

In this valley, children who had awakened above level five faced a trial of survival. Some fought with desperate courage against soul beasts, others cowered in fear, and a few attempted teamwork, relying on one another for a chance at survival.

Ghost Douluo, however, remained unmoved. This was no place for mercy. Unless a child's life hung by a thread, he would not interfere. Those deemed "failures" were rescued, only to be sent to positions of low significance in the Spirit Hall, devoid of true prospects.

But those who survived—those who could slay the soul beasts placed here by the Spirit Hall—were marked for greatness.

"This group is decent, though not as monstrous as Su Chen," Ghost Douluo mused, his gaze locking onto a specific direction.

There, Xie Yue, Yan, Hu Liena, and Zhang Ping were locked in a desperate battle against an unending tide of beasts. Blood soaked their bodies, and exhaustion threatened to overtake them. Despite being the strongest among them, even Xie Yue wavered under the strain.

What caught Ghost Douluo's attention, however, was Hu Liena. Despite the overwhelming circumstances, she retained enough clarity to issue commands, guiding her team with remarkable composure.

"This little girl has potential," Ghost Douluo noted, a trace of approval in his otherwise detached voice. Still, a sigh escaped his lips as he recalled Su Chen.

That boy has raised the bar to an almost unreasonable level. These children would've been hailed as prodigies in years past.

This year, however, Ghost Douluo alone oversaw the trial, Chrysanthemum Douluo having other duties.

"Keep going, brats. The path to becoming an elite of the Spirit Hall is long and paved with blood."

Pain and exhaustion consumed Hu Liena as the relentless tide of beasts bore down on her and her teammates. Her once-beautiful pink hair was matted with blood, and her face—smudged with grime and gore—betrayed no sign of the delicate girl she once was.

Even as her body screamed for rest, her mind clung to the memory of a certain figure.

She had asked about Su Chen's whereabouts before the trial began, but Ghost Douluo's reply had left her speechless.

"Su Chen? What's he doing here? That kid could clear this entire valley without batting an eye. He's beyond this stage."

Hu Liena had initially thought the beasts were weak, but the first near-death experience among her peers shattered that illusion.

This was no simple trial. It was a crucible meant to forge warriors worthy of the Spirit Hall.

Until they were surrounded by beasts and forced into desperation, and exhausted themselves and only managed to kill a ten-year soul beast.

It was then they truly understood Ghost Douluo's words.

Hu Liena had no special feelings for Su Chen, but her curiosity was undeniable. Why is he so powerful?

Her heart brimmed with questions she longed to ask. But now, standing on the precipice of life and death, the gap between them loomed like an unscalable wall.

"No!"

A sudden burst of soul power erupted from her small frame, sending ripples of pink light across the battlefield. The phantom of a demon fox shimmered behind her, its ethereal presence exuding an overwhelming aura of charm.

The encircling beasts froze, their movements halted as their eyes glowed pink. Their ferocious roars faded into subdued murmurs, as if entranced by the presence of a deity.

"Huff... huff..." Hu Liena gasped, her face pale as paper, but a faint smile graced her lips.

Now... the gap shouldn't be so vast... right?

That thought lingered before her vision blurred, and she collapsed.

"Nana!" Zhang Ping darted forward, catching her before she hit the ground.

"This is Hu Liena's soul power—we need to move!" Xie Yue's voice cut through the chaos. His face, pale and drenched in sweat, betrayed his own exhaustion, but his tone was resolute.

Now was their only chance.

With Yan staggering behind him, Xie Yue supported Zhang Ping as they carried Hu Liena away, fleeing the tide of beasts while they remained entranced.

Ghost Douluo, perched high in the central tree of the valley, narrowed his eyes. "She actually broke through. This little girl has an exceptional talent for charm."

His voice carried a tinge of admiration. The group's performance had already earned them the right to leave the valley, but he had chosen to observe a bit longer, curious about their potential.

"Perhaps Her Holiness will take her in as a disciple... assuming Su Chen doesn't overshadow her again," Ghost Douluo mused with a wry chuckle.

______

Meanwhile, Su Chen stood before Bibi Dong, completely unaware of Hu Liena's breakthrough or Ghost Douluo's thoughts.

"Level 20? So quickly?" Bibi Dong's wine-red eyes gleamed with surprise, her usually composed demeanor slightly shaken.

It had only been a few days, yet this silver-haired boy had already reached such a milestone. The last time she had seen talent like this was from... him.

But Su Chen was different. His soul power hadn't just climbed; it had leaped, increasing by five levels in less than a month.

Bibi Dong's voice softened, tinged with curiosity. "How did you achieve this?"

Su Chen scratched his head, an awkward smile playing on his lips. "Honestly, I was surprised too. The natural energy... it reacted with my chakra in ways I didn't expect. I was worried about losing control, but somehow it stabilized—and then, my soul power surged."

He briefly explained the experiment, glossing over the finer details.

Bibi Dong nodded thoughtfully. "Your growth is astonishing, but remember—great power demands even greater discipline."

Her tone was neither harsh nor patronizing. It carried the weight of authority and guidance, embodying the master-subordinate dynamic between them.

Placing a hand on his shoulder, she continued, "Your next task will take you to the Star Dou Great Forest. Elder Ju will accompany you to ensure your safety and oversee your progress."

"Yes, Your Holiness." Su Chen bowed respectfully, his silver hair catching the light like liquid moonlight.

Bibi Dong watched him leave, her gaze lingering for a moment. She didn't say it aloud, but she knew this boy's future was destined to reshape the Spirit Hall.