I've also recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Douluo: Seven Kill Shock the World
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After inviting the two guests to sit on the stone chairs in the courtyard, Chu Chengzhou fetched a pot of water.
Placing his hand on the pot, he infused it with fire-attribute soul power. In an instant, the cool water turned into boiling water. Taking some tea leaves from his storage-type soul tool, he brewed a pot of hot tea for Ning Fengzhi and the others.
"Please!"
Chu Chengzhou gestured politely to the two.
"Tsk, tsk~ Brother Chu, your control over your soul power is impressive!"
After observing his actions, Qian Renxue recognized the extraordinary level of Chu Chengzhou's mastery over his soul power.
"Brother Qinghe flatters me!"
Chu Chengzhou smiled, not taking it too seriously.
"Boy, do you know that you're in deep trouble?"
Blowing on the hot tea, Ning Fengzhi chuckled as he spoke.
"In deep trouble? Uncle Ning, how can you still laugh if I'm really in such dire straits?"
Chu Chengzhou rolled his eyes.
However, he had already guessed what the "deep trouble" might be. As expected, it was likely related to the Star Luo Empire's plans after he had "stolen" their crown prince's fiancée.
"Brother, you've kept the Star Luo crown prince's fiancée in Tian Dou. Their emperor is extremely displeased. Our spies in the Star Luo Empire have reported that they've already dispatched assassins to deal with you. Though we don't know who exactly is coming, you'll need to be careful moving forward."
Qian Renxue spoke with a serious expression.
Originally, Emperor Dai Yutian planned to send someone to eliminate Chu Chengzhou after the Soul Master Tournament and pin the blame on the Spirit Hall. But this recent incident threw a wrench into those plans.
The empire's future princess consort had been taken away—how could they tolerate such humiliation?
Others might be able to endure it, but Emperor Dai Yutian absolutely could not.
How dare this insignificant Chu Chengzhou slap the empire in the face? His continued existence was nothing short of a grave offense!
What was this if not courting death?
"So, the real Star Luo assassins are coming?"
Chu Chengzhou raised an eyebrow.
"More or less."
Ning Fengzhi nodded.
"Father-in-law, you only have Rongrong as your daughter, and I'm your only son-in-law. You must protect me!
And doesn't the Star Luo Empire's repeated attempts to harm me show disrespect toward you? How can you tolerate this?"
With that, Chu Chengzhou grabbed Ning Fengzhi's sleeve, feigning fear.
Ning Fengzhi: "..."
Qian Renxue: "..."
"Let go, boy, stop trying to claim relations with me!"
Ning Fengzhi pulled his sleeve back, his face full of disdain.
"Cough~ Brother Chu, there's no need to be overly worried. Since the last assassination attempt on Lan Ba Academy, Father Emperor has ordered royal experts to tighten security in Tian Dou City. The assassins definitely won't dare cause trouble within the city limits. As long as you stay inside the city, your safety is guaranteed."
Clearing his throat, Qian Renxue reassured him.
"Oh, that's good. I thought the Star Luo Empire would send a Titled Douluo to break into the academy and kill me on the spot!"
Chu Chengzhou acted as if he finally understood, wearing an exaggerated expression of realization.
Looking at him, one could almost see the words "Is that all?" written on his face.
"Your little life isn't worth the Star Luo Empire sacrificing a Titled Douluo for!"
Ning Fengzhi rolled his eyes again.
"Huh? Uncle Ning, does the Star Luo Empire even have Titled Douluos?"
Chu Chengzhou paused, quickly asking.
Aside from Elder Dugu Bo, the two great empires didn't publicly boast any Titled Douluos.
"They do—and more than one!"
Before Ning Fengzhi could answer, Qian Renxue interjected: "Over twenty years ago, the previous emperor of the Star Luo Empire advanced to become a Titled Douluo and then abdicated. His title: White Tiger. Over the past twenty years, there hasn't been any news of this White Tiger Elder's death. Given the lifespan of Titled Douluos, this White Tiger Elder is undoubtedly still alive.
Additionally, the Star Luo Empire has gained two new ducal families in the past forty years.
Brother Chu, you might not know this, but not all existing ducal families in the Star Luo Empire necessarily have Titled Douluos. However, newly promoted ducal families are guaranteed to have one.
This is because of the Star Luo Empire's military merit-based nobility system. Marquis is the highest rank unless someone in the family advances to become a Titled Douluo and pledges allegiance to the Star Luo Empire, allowing them to be granted the title of duke.
Of course, if the Titled Douluo of a ducal family dies and no new Titled Douluo emerges, the family's title will be downgraded to marquis after three generations, as a gesture of gratitude for past service."
"So, the Star Luo Empire has three Titled Douluos?"
Blinking, Chu Chengzhou asked.
Qian Renxue shook her head gravely: "Not just three. Though I hate to admit it, I'll be straightforward with you, Brother Chu—the Star Luo Empire's strength surpasses that of our own empire, especially in terms of high-level experts.
The disparity in national power means that the Star Luo Empire faces far fewer issues with talented soul masters leaving their borders compared to us. Over time, the number of high-level soul masters within the Star Luo Empire far exceeds ours.
Moreover, the Star Luo royal family, the White Tiger Dai clan, is one of the strongest soul master families on the continent. Combined with their Spirit Fusion Technique, the Netherworld White Tiger, the number of experts in the Star Luo Empire capable of reaching Titled Douluo levels far exceeds what most people imagine.
Also, while everyone considers the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family the strongest beast spirit family based purely on spirit strength, that's true.
But when comparing overall family strength, in my opinion, the White Tiger Dai clan ruling the Star Luo Empire is the strongest beast spirit family on the continent.
If the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family were to face off against the White Tiger Dai clan, the latter would undoubtedly emerge victorious.
In past wars between our empire and the Star Luo Empire, even with the support of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, our empire often found itself at a disadvantage. The primary reason is that the Star Luo royal family has several Netherworld White Tigers whose strength rivals that of Titled Douluos."
From the perspective of Xue Qinghe, the crown prince of Tian Dou, Qian Renxue felt the immense pressure on her shoulders.
As age-old rivals, the powerful Star Luo Empire constantly plotted to annex Tian Dou's territory. Add to that the ever-looming threat of the Spirit Hall, which was even stronger than the Star Luo Empire, and despite the steadfast alliance with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, the outlook wasn't optimistic.
Thankfully, the Star Luo Empire and the Spirit Hall weren't on good terms either; otherwise, the Tian Dou Empire would have long been doomed.
"Father-in-law, since the Star Luo Empire is so formidable, you'll have to handle this. After all, you only have me as your son-in-law."
Chu Chengzhou said cheekily.
"There are plenty of young talents on the continent vying to marry Rongrong—you're not irreplaceable."
Ning Fengzhi took a sip of tea, glanced at Chu Chengzhou, and spoke indifferently.
Chu Chengzhou: "..."
"Fine, I'll play it safe for now. But remember, thirty years east of the river, thirty years west—don't look down on the youth in poverty!"
Chu Chengzhou declared emphatically.
Though the effects of his True Spirit Flag's seventh-ring soul skill were uncertain, he'd soon have at least eight summoning beasts with over ten thousand years of cultivation, all fearless in battle. Just ask—the Star Luo Empire should be trembling in fear!
To put it bluntly, once he achieved the nine-ring Titled Douluo rank, he'd have the power to crush the Star Luo Empire.
"Good lad, I have high hopes for you!"
Ning Fengzhi patted Chu Chengzhou's shoulder with a proud smile.
"Brother Chu, rest assured. The Star Luo Empire coveting our Tian Dou territory isn't a new development—they're our eternal enemies. Once you reach greater heights, the entire empire will rally behind you!"
Qian Renxue added with a smile.
Who would benefit most from a war between Tian Dou and Star Luo?
Needless to say, it would be the Spirit Hall, which harbored ambitions of unifying the continent and spreading its angelic light across the land.
Once war broke out, Tian Dou's army would inevitably expand, and high-ranking generals would inevitably suffer casualties.
At that point, she, as the crown princess, could maneuver strategically, promoting trusted agents secretly cultivated by the Spirit Hall to key positions, thereby consolidating military power in her hands.
With military authority secured and her position as crown princess solidified, once Emperor Xue Ye passed away, she could ascend the throne immediately.
A new emperor brings new ministers. After cleaning house in the imperial court and military, wouldn't the Tian Dou Empire obediently follow her lead and adopt the surname "Qian"?
It was a perfect plan!
All that remained was to see if Chu Chengzhou, the "uniquely talented" genius youth, could stir up the winds of change between the two empires.
After chatting for a while and informing Chu Chengzhou of the situation, Ning Fengzhi called over his precious daughter Rongrong to give her some instructions. He didn't stay long, leaving the courtyard with Qian Renxue.
After the two left, Zhu Zhuqing approached with a panicked expression, tightly gripping Chu Chengzhou's hand and revealing her worry.
"Relax, Zhuqing. You must trust your man!"
Chu Chengzhou understood the big cat's concerns and quickly reassured her.
He had anticipated the Star Luo Empire's reaction.
During the Soul Master Tournament, as long as he stuck close to Ning Fengzhi, his safety wouldn't be an issue.
Forget about whether the Star Luo Empire had anyone capable of defeating Chen Xin or Bone Elder—it wasn't worth such a powerful expert lowering themselves to act as an assassin.
After the tournament ended, he could safely hole up in Tian Dou City for a year or two. By the time Big Brother Bear reached over fifty thousand years of cultivation, even ordinary Titled Douluos would fall before him. Why fear mere Star Luo assassins?
Better yet, he could invite Chen Xin or Bone Elder out for a fishing trip, ambush the assassins, and wipe them out. After such a lesson, the Star Luo Empire would likely swallow their pride and accept defeat.
Perhaps Emperor Dai Yutian's personality was domineering, unwilling to endure humiliation, but if the cost of assassinating him became too high, even he would have no choice but to swallow his pride and let things be.
After all, powerful experts were valuable assets. And at the end of the day, he had only "stolen" the nominal fiancée of a useless crown prince. It wasn't as though the Star Luo Empire would risk everything for this matter.
Unlike the preliminaries, which had multiple arenas operating simultaneously, the advancement tournament had only one venue—the large training ground used by the Royal Knights.
The fifteen teams participating in the advancement tournament would undergo fourteen rounds of round-robin matches, one round per day, with one team resting each day and seven matches held daily.
The large training ground had been renovated, with a circular arena marked in the center, one hundred meters in diameter. Compared to the preliminary arenas, this space was much larger, naturally allowing participants to better showcase their abilities.
To the north of the training ground, a temporary VIP section had been set up facing south. This area served as both the VIP seating and the judges' platform.
The number of VIPs attending wasn't as high as during the preliminaries, with fewer nobles from the Tian Dou Empire present.
Glancing around, the first row of the VIP section was still occupied by Emperor Xue Ye, Ning Fengzhi, and Platinum Bishop Salas. Behind them, aside from Xue Qinghe, the crown prince of Tian Dou, all the other seats were filled with high-ranking military officers and senior members of the Tian Dou Spirit Hall.
Surrounding the outer perimeter of the training ground, ten thousand armored Royal Knights formed an impenetrable barrier.
The front-row knights stood on the ground, while the rear rows sat atop their mounts, forming a massive circle. This tight defense was watertight.
Between the knights' encirclement and the competition arena, the fifteen participating teams had already arrived on-site, even those resting today.
Even if they weren't competing, they needed to observe their opponents' strength.
The rules of the advancement tournament were simple: each team would send seven members onto the field. Each participant could fight until defeated, and winners would face the next opponent until one team's seven members were all eliminated.
In other words, if a participant's individual strength was overwhelmingly superior, it wasn't impossible for one person to single-handedly defeat an entire opposing team.
The draw results had been announced the previous evening. Liu Erlong, who had drawn for the team, hadn't had much luck—Lan Ba Academy wasn't resting during the first round.
Their opponent was Balak Kingdom's direct advanced soul master academy: Balak Academy, and they were scheduled for the first match of the day's seven bouts.
Arriving at the training ground, Liu Erlong gathered the team and scanned the ten members before speaking: "For the first match of the advancement tournament, I want to start with a bang. Chu kid, you go out there and take down all their opponents."
Being in the first round and the first match, Liu Erlong felt it necessary to showcase Lan Ba Academy's overwhelming strength and set a positive tone.
Upon hearing this, Chu Chengzhou hesitated for a moment before nodding.
One versus seven? Easy!
Not long after, Emperor Xue Ye stood up from the VIP section and announced through a soul tool: "The Tian Dou Division's advancement tournament officially begins today. Over the next fourteen days, I hope all academy teams will fully display their strength and demonstrate the flair of soul masters! Let the advancement tournament begin!"
As soon as Emperor Xue Ye finished speaking, the ten thousand Royal Knights surrounding the training ground raised their lances, and a thunderous cheer erupted in unison: "Long live, long live, long live!"
Next, each academy submitted their lineup lists for the match.
There was a rule in the advancement tournament: each academy had to submit their lineup list before the match began, and once the order was set, it couldn't be changed to prevent deliberately arranging soul and attribute counters against opponents.
Not long after, the referee stepped onto the field and announced: "First round, first match—Lan Ba Academy versus Balak Academy. Please send your first team member onto the field."
"Go, Chu kid!"
Liu Erlong patted Chu Chengzhou's shoulder, pointing dramatically at the arena like a middle school anime protagonist.
Chu Chengzhou: "..."
I'm not Pikachu!
The first participant from Lan Ba Academy was their captain, Chu Chengzhou, but Balak Academy's approach was different.
As the first-place finisher in the Tian Dou Division preliminaries, Lan Ba Academy naturally received special attention from the other participating academies. While they might not know every detail, they had at least some intelligence—especially regarding Chu Chengzhou, who had displayed incredible strength during the preliminaries.
Putting themselves in the opponents' shoes, if they could humiliate their rivals, most would seize the opportunity, especially in the opening match of the advancement tournament.
However, while losing the match was acceptable, being completely dominated by one person in a seven-on-one scenario would be unacceptable—it would tarnish the reputation of a kingdom's direct academy.
Thus, Balak Academy's team leader submitted their lineup in ascending order of strength.
Even if Chu Chengzhou's strength was extraordinary, he was still only a Soul Ancestor. After several consecutive battles, his soul power would surely run low. At that point, sending in their strongest fighter would surely end Lan Ba Academy's dream of a one-man sweep.
Seeing that Balak Academy's first participant was only a Soul Elder, Chu Chengzhou smirked.
A war of attrition? Your calculations sound nice, but do you really have the strength to drain me?
"Match begins!"
At the referee's command, Chu Chengzhou materialized his True Spirit Flag weapon, and the first soul ring of his disguised soul power lit up. As soul power surged, a massive Azure Sky Tree summon appeared beside him.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
The next second, the sharp sound of air splitting echoed as over a dozen dark green, resilient vines shot directly toward the opponent.
"Hah! Third soul skill, Blazing Flame Surge!"
The Balak Academy participant summoned their Flame Weasel martial soul, and as their soul rings lit up, scorching flames met the incoming vines.
In theory, a Soul Elder's thousand-year third offensive soul skill shouldn't be weaker than a Soul Ancestor's hundred-year first soul skill. Moreover, fire countered wood, so theoretically, Little Qing's vines should have been incinerated instantly.
Unfortunately for them, reality proved otherwise. Little Qing's vines showed only slight blackening before piercing through the flames, binding the opponent tightly. As the vines tightened, less than three seconds into the match, Balak Academy's first participant was hanging from a tree.
A mere Soul Elder's thousand-year fire-type offensive soul skill managing to burn through ten-thousand-year plant-type soul beast vines? You must be dreaming!
"Next!"
After letting the opponent hang for three seconds to complete the ritual, Chu Chengzhou instructed Little Qing to toss the opponent out of bounds and waved his flag provocatively at Balak Academy's team.
Seeing this, Balak Academy's team leader grimaced and sent their second Soul Venerable onto the field.
"Wait!"
At this moment, a Red-Robed Bishop from the Tian Dou Spirit Hall in the second row of the VIP section stood up and shouted.
"Huh?"
Chu Chengzhou raised an eyebrow and turned to look.
"The participant from Lan Ba Academy, please recall your summoning beast. Wait until Balak Academy's second participant is on the field and the referee announces the match's start before summoning your beast again.
Otherwise, releasing your soul skill early would be unfair to Balak Academy's newly entered participant."
The Red-Robed Bishop spoke with clear malice.
Dreaming of sweeping the advancement tournament alone? Not on my watch! The Spirit Hall won't allow such an arrogant non-Spirit Hall soul master to shine.
Chu Chengzhou: "..."
So, according to you, I'd have to summon my beast seven times to take down Balak Academy?
Still, the Spirit Hall bishop did have a point. Releasing soul skills before the opponent was on the field was indeed somewhat unfair.
Clicking his tongue, Chu Chengzhou recalled Little Qing and even dismissed his True Spirit Flag weapon.
"Match... Participant from Lan Ba Academy, please release your martial soul."
After Balak Academy's second participant entered the field, just as the referee was about to announce the match's start, he noticed Chu Chengzhou dismissing his martial soul and couldn't help but remind him.
"It's fine. I don't need a martial soul to deal with him."
Chu Chengzhou waved dismissively.
Referee: "..."
Cannon fodder opponent: "..."
Giving Chu Chengzhou a deep look, the referee announced: "Match begins!"
Instantly, Chu Chengzhou activated his Illusion Mastery. A surge of powerful spiritual energy silently descended upon the opponent's consciousness.
Immediately, the unknown cannon fodder opponent from Balak Academy fell into an illusion.
"Drag him off, next!"
Chu Chengzhou waved at Balak Academy's team again.
Referee: "???"
The referee wasn't particularly strong, only at the initial Soul Emperor level, and hadn't detected the movement on the field right away.
After shouting a couple of times and realizing that Balak Academy's participant hadn't reacted at all, he ordered the nearby Tian Dou Royal Knights maintaining order to remove the opponent from the field.
"Please send Balak Academy's third participant onto the field... Match begins!"
"Next!"
"Please send Balak Academy's fourth participant onto the field... Match begins!"
"Next!"
"Please..."
After swiftly dealing with five Soul Elders and one Soul Ancestor, Chu Chengzhou had shouted "next" six times. Now, only one member of Balak Academy remained.
"Sigh~ Loki, do your best!"
Balak Academy's team leader, his face dark, sighed deeply and patted their captain, Loki, on the shoulder.
Their earlier plan for attrition warfare had utterly collapsed. Anyone with eyes could see that Balak Academy, representing the Balak Kingdom, had lost everything—even their dignity. They became the first team in this year's advancement tournament to be completely swept by a single opponent.
At this moment, Balak Academy's team leader felt bitter. Being swept in the opening match of the advancement tournament, he didn't know how he'd explain this to King Kundra upon returning.
Balak Academy's team captain, Loki, said nothing but nodded slightly and walked onto the field with an expressionless face.
Soundtrack: Snowflakes falling, northern winds howling...
"Match begins!"
"Brother, wait!"
As soon as the referee finished speaking, Loki suddenly raised his hand and shouted loudly.
"What is it?"
Chu Chengzhou, who was about to unleash his Illusion Mastery to deal with the opponent, raised an eyebrow.
"Brother, I hope you continue to shine as brightly in the upcoming matches as you have today!"
As he spoke, Loki's eyes revealed a pleading look.
Winning was impossible, and Chu Chengzhou certainly wouldn't intentionally lose to him.
Since that was the case, shared suffering was better than suffering alone. If other academy teams also suffered the same fate as Balak Academy—being swept seven-to-zero—then Balak Academy wouldn't stand out as much.
Viewed another way, if the famous elemental academies of the Tian Dou Empire were also shaved bald by Chu Chengzhou, then rounding things off, wouldn't Balak Academy's strength be considered equivalent to those elemental academies?
Chu Chengzhou: "..."
Sharing the misery together? This young man's thinking is quite commendable and deserves encouragement!
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