Douluo : People are writing diaries in Douluo

Su Ming recalled that in later years, a girl named Xiao Xiao could have absorbed a 2,000-year Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear's right paw bone. However, the ferocity of the bear proved too overwhelming, and she ultimately couldn't handle it, allowing Huo Yuhao to take it instead.

As expected, Ghost Douluo soon finished absorbing the Darkshadow Basilisk's soul bone, while Zhu Zhuqing took slightly longer due to the intense resentment lingering in the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear's right paw bone. Fortunately, with Su Ming's assistance, Zhu Zhuqing successfully absorbed the bone after an hour, raising her soul power to level 52 and gaining the bear's innate soul skill—Dark Gold Dreadclaw!

Zhu Zhuqing was thrilled; this soul bone skill, combined with her fifth soul skill and her defense-piercing abilities, meant she could likely even challenge a Soul Sage.

This expedition had proven immensely fruitful.

By now, it was already midday, and Su Ming hadn't yet gathered any updates on the tournament through his wood clone. Just then, a mental message arrived from the "old monster."

"Hey, little monster, when are you getting back? We already know who your next opponent is. Though I doubt it'll be an issue, I figured I'd let you know—it's the Star Luo Royal Team!"

"This team is connected to your little girlfriend, right? Will she be able to compete?"

Through the wood clone, Su Ming responded, "Old monster, all went smoothly. We'll be back in Spirit City by evening, and we'll definitely make it in time for tomorrow's match."

Su Ming hadn't expected to face the Star Luo Royal Team so soon, but this was perfect—it would give him a chance to finally gauge Zhu Zhuyun's true intentions toward Zhu Zhuqing. Was she acting out of hidden motives, or was her behavior truly as it seemed?

"What's the matter?" Zhu Zhuqing noticed Su Ming standing still for a while.

He opened his eyes and said, "We need to hurry back. The old monster informed me that our opponent tomorrow is the Star Luo Royal Team—you'll be facing your sister."

"This time, it seems you two will finally have a reckoning," Su Ming added, watching Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing was momentarily stunned; she hadn't anticipated facing the Star Luo Royal Team so soon. However, upon reflection, it made sense. The finals consisted of 33 teams, with matches every other day and one team randomly advancing each round.

In past tournaments, there was one match per day, but this year, Spirit Hall had changed the rules, claiming the extra time would allow victorious teams more recovery time.

It was already midday on the third day of the finals, meaning this was likely the round of 17. The day after tomorrow would be the round of nine, so their timing was just right. She wondered if Thunder Academy had advanced as well.

"Su Ming, how did the matches for Tianshui, Blazing Fire, and Thunder Academy turn out?" Zhu Zhuqing asked, curious.

Shaking his head, Su Ming replied, "I didn't ask about that. We'll get an update from the old monster when we return."

By early evening, guided by Ghost Douluo, they arrived in Spirit City just before dinner.

To save time, they had only snacked on dry rations stored in their soul containers throughout the day, so they were famished. Hearing they'd soon arrive, Dugu Bo had the hotel prepare a large meal, ensuring Su Ming, Zhu Zhuqing, and the others could eat while catching up.

"Old monster, we're back! Where's the food? We're starving," Su Ming called out as he arrived at the hotel and located Dugu Bo through his wood clone.

"Haha! I had it prepared ages ago. You two seem to have had a successful trip, returning in just two days. You didn't just pick any random soul ring, did you?" Dugu Bo teased.

Su Ming dismissed the joke with a wave as he grabbed a drumstick and took a few bites. "Do I look like that type? I'd rather go without than settle for a mismatched soul ring. If we didn't find the right one, I'd wait until after the tournament."

Meanwhile, Xiao Wu pulled Zhu Zhuqing to the table and whispered, "Zhuqing, how's your fifth soul ring?"

Nearby, Ning Rongrong, Dugu Yan, and the others watched with curious eyes.

Seeing their eagerness, Zhu Zhuqing explained, smiling, "My fifth soul ring is from a Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear. According to Su Ming, these beasts can even threaten Titled Douluos once they reach the 10,000-year mark."

As Zhu Zhuqing recounted the encounters they'd had in the Death Valley, the others were astonished. This type of soul beast was unheard of.

Xiao Wu, meanwhile, pondered quietly. The Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear was a soul beast she vaguely recalled hearing about in her childhood from Da Ming and Er Ming. When she last visited, Da Ming had speculated that her mother's death might be connected to the Bear King of the core region.

That Bear King was actually the leader of the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bears.

She hadn't realized just how powerful the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear was. Based on Su Ming's words, Da Ming and Er Ming were no match for it, even at the same level. To avenge her mother, she might need to ascend to godhood.

It was estimated that the Bear King of the Star Dou Forest had cultivated for over 300,000 years—a strength that even a level 99 Ultimate Douluo would find challenging.

When the others learned Zhu Zhuqing had obtained an external soul bone, everyone, including Dugu Bo and Xiao Wu, looked on with envy.

Among Su Ming's companions, Zhu Zhuqing seemed to be progressing fastest, being the first to gain a soul bone—an external one, at that!

Only Su Ming's trusted friends were present—Dugu Bo, Xiao Wu, and a few others—so Zhu Zhuqing spoke openly.

As for the Heaven Dou Royal Academy members, Dugu Bo hadn't informed them of their return. He knew the stakes well; these friends were Su Ming's people, while the Heaven Dou group was loyal to the academy.

Yu Feng: Gee, I guess love really is fickle.

"Ahem, alright, enough staring. Zhuqing was just lucky. Besides, don't forget that the tournament's champions get three soul bones as rewards. When we win, you'll get first pick if there's one that suits you," Su Ming said.

Everyone but Xiao Wu lit up at this prospect—who wouldn't want a soul bone?

Xiao Wu, still below level 70, couldn't absorb a soul bone yet, as she wasn't fully human in her current form.

Watching everyone enjoy themselves, Dugu Bo could hardly hide his smile.