When the day's business finally came to an end, Bi Ji entered the shop and calmly closed the doors.
The moment the heavy doors shut, figures appeared outside the main entrance as if summoned by an unspoken signal. Dugu Bo stood at the forefront, his posture relaxed yet commanding. Behind him followed Chen Xin, Ning Fengzhi, Gu Rong, and Ning Rongrong.
The sudden appearance caused an immediate stir inside the Seven Treasures Restaurant. Panic flashed across many faces, and several people instinctively turned toward the windows, preparing to break out—
Before they could act, two overwhelming Spirit Beast auras surged forth like a tidal wave.
The pressure descended instantly, smothering both the inside and outside of the restaurant. Breath stagnated. Souls trembled. Every powerhouse present felt their chest tighten as if an invisible hand had seized their hearts.
When the auras were swiftly restrained, ten figures were already standing neatly behind Ning Fengzhi. At their head was an imposing man with golden pupils that seemed to pierce straight through the soul.
Ning Fengzhi's heart skipped a beat.
Even with Bi Ji and the Snow Princess—two terrifying existences of the Spirit Beast clan—absent, they had still gathered ten such figures. This was no coincidence. It was proof of an unfathomably deep foundation.
After a brief exchange of glances, Gu Rong immediately understood and stepped forward with a polite smile.
"Everyone, we meet again."
One did not strike a smiling person—especially not at the entrance of the Sacrificial Shop, and especially when Boss Li himself was human.
Di Tian returned the courtesy with a slight nod.
"How have you all been recently?"
"Excellent, excellent!" Dugu Bo cut in before Gu Rong could reply, his grin practically glowing with triumph. The satisfaction in his expression was impossible to hide.
At that moment, another group approached.
"Spirit Hall's Qian Daoliu greets everyone."
Qian Daoliu arrived with Qian Renxue at his side, Golden Crocodile following closely behind. The three aligned themselves behind Zi Ji without hesitation, calmly joining the queue while exchanging greetings.
The moment Qian Daoliu's aura was perceived, even the usually arrogant Demon Emperor subconsciously restrained himself, cupping his hands in acknowledgment.
The surrounding powerhouses, who had been unsettled by the sudden Spirit Beast suppression, relaxed visibly upon seeing familiar faces. The fact that Dugu Bo and Gu Rong were acquainted with those terrifying Spirit Beasts—and that even Spirit Hall's Supreme Pontiff had stepped forward to greet them—quietly reassured everyone.
Gradually, more people began lining up.
In just a short while, the queue extended straight past the Sunset Gate, still growing without signs of stopping.
A glance was enough to make one's scalp tingle.
Every person present was at least a Spirit Douluo. Spirit Saints were simply not qualified to compete for the first wave; the Spirit Douluos released their pressure without restraint, forcing those lacking strength to withdraw in silence.
With nothing to do until the shop reopened tomorrow, the gathered powerhouses soon began chatting amongst themselves. After all, most were old acquaintances, and conversation flowed naturally.
…
"Tsk. Dugu Bo really moved fast." Hu Yan Zhen, the Heavenly Elephant of Elephant Armored Academy, clicked his tongue sourly. "Looks like the rumors are true—he really did exchange for a fourth-grade cultivation method and secret manual."
Just last month, he had been at Rank 89, while Dugu Bo was only a Rank 91 Titled Douluo. The gap between them had not been decisive; in a true fight, Dugu Bo might not even have been able to suppress him. Yet now, Dugu Bo was standing on equal footing with the High Priest himself.
The change was staggering.
"It's probably the Green Snake Principle and Green Snake Strength from the activity list," Tuoba Xi, Sect Master of the Sacred Dragon Sect, said thoughtfully. "I heard Elder Golden Crocodile can no longer defeat him."
"I heard his granddaughter even joined the shop as an employee," Hu Yan Zhen scoffed. "He didn't sell his own granddaughter for benefits, did he? How despicable."
Leaving aside the fact that Dugu Bo had exchanged for the cultivation method first—and that Dugu Yan joined the shop afterward—even if he had, who wouldn't? If such an opportunity were placed before them, who would refuse?
Tuoba Xi pretended not to hear and smoothly changed the topic.
"Why didn't you bring your grandson?"
"Why would I?" Hu Yan Zhen replied bluntly. "I don't have that many coins. Naturally, I prioritize myself. Once I break through Rank 90, we'll talk about the rest. Hmm? You brought disciples too—but not your grandson?"
The moment his grandson was mentioned, Tuoba Xi's expression stiffened.
A few days earlier, his grandson had grown too impatient while cultivating the Di Yuan Body Tempering Skill, resulting in a deviation. He was still bedridden, and Tuoba Xi had no intention of letting such an embarrassing matter spread.
He ignored the question entirely and forced another topic.
"Speaking of which, who else have you seen here?"
"From Heaven Dou, there's Xue Ye and Xue Xing. For the younger generation, they only brought Xue Beng and Xue Ke." Hu Yan Zhen scanned the crowd with narrowed eyes. "Star Luo, on the other hand, is going all out."
"Oh?" Tuoba Xi's interest was instantly piqued.
"They brought three… no, four… five juniors. And four of them are girls."
"Bah. Shameless," Tuoba Xi spat, envy flashing through his eyes as he recalled the lack of outstanding female Spirit Masters in his own sect.
…
Fire Yang, Wind Fury, and Water Luan stood near the center of the queue, constantly nodding and exchanging greetings. With powerhouses arriving one after another, even the three of them were feeling overwhelmed.
Shui Yue'er stared at the surrounding elites and their exceptional juniors, doubt creeping into her heart.
"I used to think I was a genius… but now I feel like a weakling. Sister, look at that short purple-haired girl ahead. Even now, she's cultivating the Di Yuan Body Tempering Skill. There's already a faint yellow glow—at least minor accomplishment, right?"
"More than that," Shui Bing'er said after observing carefully. "So many powerhouses are releasing pressure here. Even with elders shielding her, being able to cultivate like this means she reached minor accomplishment long ago."
Fire Wushuang nodded with interest.
"Even Feng Xiaotian can't do that yet, can he?"
"She's impressive," Feng Xiaotian admitted honestly. "I've only barely reached minor accomplishment myself. Among us, only Huo Wu has fully stabilized it."
"I had a cultivation method as a foundation," Huo Wu said solemnly. "Even so, it took time. For her to match me, her comprehension is terrifying."
"Damn it," Fire Wushuang exclaimed. "I had the Flame Manipulation Skill as support and still struggled. Where did this monster come from?"
"There are more ahead," Shui Yue'er suddenly said, pointing. "Among Star Luo's younger generation—two out of five have reached minor accomplishment!"
"…And their figures are better too," she muttered weakly, feeling as if her worldview was quietly collapsing.
"They should be disciples of the Star Luo Zhu family," Feng Xiaotian said with a grave expression. Today had truly shown him how vast the world was.
"Are you scared?" Huo Wu asked calmly. "Competition is good. Comparing comprehension is far more meaningful than comparing innate spirit power."
"Scared? Me?" Feng Xiaotian immediately straightened his back.
"Good," Huo Wu said. "Go challenge her. No spirits—pure cultivation. That way, we can see each other's achievements in the Di Yuan Body Tempering Skill and Five Viscera Visualization Method."
Without hesitation, Feng Xiaotian stepped forward and issued the challenge directly.
As the first battle began, it was like lighting a fuse.
Young elites from all parts of the queue stepped out one after another, eager to test themselves. With nothing else to do and pride burning in their hearts, none of them were willing to show weakness.
Tonight—
Let the battles begin.
_____________________
support me on patreon
https://[email protected]/mrSOMEONE01234? [replace @ with a]
For those who cannot become members, they can support with power stones
>>>>>I'm a student, and I'll try my best to keep uploading chapters regularly <<<<<
thanks for your support
[[READER TIER 1: translates stories {15$} ]] { RECOMENDED }
[[READER TIER 2: translated & original stories {20$} ]]
[[[[Please at least visit my patreon so I can have some traffic]]]]]
Also try
[[[Restaurant in Douluo Dalu (450+ch)]]] {6$}
[[[Lord's Unlimited Entries: The Baron's Awakened Heir (100+ch)]]] {7$}
[[[Swallowed Star: Ten Thousand time Growth (170+ch)]]] {6$}
[[[swallowed star : i can refine everything (100+ch)]]] {6$}
[[[Anime Crossover: I Can Trade Everything (50+ch)]]] {6$}
[[[Swallowes Star : Universe gift from start(130+ch) ]]] {6$}
[[[Infinite Hero Simulater : Age of Heroes(50+ch) ]]] {Free}
[[[Jujutsu kaisen : Eight Gates For Heavenly Restriction(196+)(COMPLETED) ]]] {6$}