"Barely Becoming a Titled Douluo, and the Counterattack System Arrives

"Soul Elder… and I have to reach level 35 within a year?" Zhu Zhuqing was stunned, her expression showing hesitation and a hint of insecurity.

Raising four levels in a year was certainly challenging, but only a bit challenging.

"Why, does it seem too difficult? If you can't do it, you can give up." Lin Fan said calmly, not pressuring her at all.

Lin Fan wasn't just speaking casually, nor was he trying to make things hard for Zhu Zhuqing. He knew very well that reaching level 35 in a year was entirely achievable with hard work.

After all, back when Lin Fan advanced from Soul Elder to Soul Sect, it had taken him three years, averaging over three levels per year.

And that was with his innate soul power being merely level six. Zhu Zhuqing, however, had an innate level seven soul power, better than his.

Upon hearing Lin Fan's words, Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head, biting her lip nervously, fidgeting with her fingers, lacking confidence.

"If you can't even accomplish this, how will you prove yourself to your family, defeat your elder sister, or take control of your fate?" Lin Fan said coldly when she remained silent.

"If you think it's too difficult, you can leave now. Later, when you're discarded by your clan—either ending up as a cripple, or worse, used merely as a breeding machine—you'll have no one to blame but yourself." He deliberately provoked her again.

"I can do it! I definitely can meet your expectations, Your Grace!" Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing's mind flashed with memories of how her family had treated her coldly. Her expression hardened with determination, and her voice firmed.

"Good. Now, take these Soul Beads. One year from now, if I meet you in Heaven Dou City and your soul power still hasn't reached level 35, I won't take you as my disciple."

"Swallow them one by one, to absorb the soul power. These three will bring you directly to level 30." Lin Fan handed her the Soul Beads. "Don't worry—they have no side effects."

"Thank you, Your Grace." Zhu Zhuqing accepted them, then asked softly, "Are you leaving?"

"Yes. I've had enough fun here. It's time to head to Heaven Dou City to take care of some matters," Lin Fan replied honestly, hiding nothing.

"Then… a year from now, will we meet again in Heaven, Dou City?" Zhu Zhuqing asked, still uncertain.

"Of course. This place was never suitable for establishing an academy. If Yu Xiaogang wants to lead you to participate in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament, he'll need to find an advanced academy officially registered with the Empire. Heading to Heaven Dou City to find such an academy will be their only choice."

"In about a year, they'll leave this place. And after I'm gone, just follow the training regimen I described in the plaza. If you train diligently, reaching level 35 won't be a problem."

"Alright then, you can go now. I need to finish packing and leave." Lin Fan politely dismissed her.

"Goodbye, Your Grace!" Zhu Zhuqing bowed respectfully, then left the wooden cabin without disturbing him any further.

By noon, after finishing packing, Lin Fan left Shrek Academy.

But before he got far, Tang Hao suddenly appeared to block his path.

"Lin Fan, you aren't planning to report us to the Spirit Hall, are you?" Tang Hao asked coldly, getting straight to the point.

Lin Fan shook his head and sighed, replying, "Tang Hao, you may be powerful, but you live such a pitiful life. You could've returned to the Clear Sky Clan, yet you insist on wandering the world with Tang San, hiding like a rat in the shadows, always keeping your nerves on edge."

"Tell me… is it worth it?"

"Hmph. My business doesn't need your judgment. Don't act like you know everything about me. I'll ask you just one thing—why are you leaving Shrek Academy? As long as you aren't going to rat us out, I won't make things difficult for you." Tang Hao's tone remained cold, releasing the pressure of his Clear Sky Hammer as a subtle threat.

Patting Tang Hao's shoulder, Lin Fan simply smiled, "Oh, Tang Hao… I've seen the Blue Silver Emperor with my own eyes. I've even been to the Clear Sky Clan. Too bad you only have eyes for the Blue Silver Emperor and remain blind to everything else."

"Well then, we'll meet again in Heaven, Dou City."

With that, Lin Fan summoned his martial soul and flew away.

"…When did A-Yin meet him? Why don't I know anything about this?" Tang Hao stood there, stunned.

He couldn't fathom how Lin Fan had even visited his home.

Shortly afterward, Tang Hao sought out Yu Xiaogang and brought him to a secluded forest.

"Clear Sky Douluo… I didn't expect to see you here," Yu Xiaogang said, surprised.

He had thought Tang Hao had gone off somewhere, especially since Tang Hao had even tossed him the Pope's Decree.

"I appreciate everything you've done for Little San these past years. I have just one question for you," Tang Hao's tone softened.

"You flatter me, Your Grace. Ask away." Yu Xiaogang nodded.

"That Lin Fan—what exactly is his background?" Tang Hao asked directly.

"Lin Fan? No one knows who he is. I only know that he's extremely mysterious, as if he knows everything. He seems to possess some kind of prophetic ability. He once stayed at Spirit City for a while—that's when I met him," Yu Xiaogang replied thoughtfully.

"But you don't need to worry too much. He doesn't belong to the Spirit Hall, nor any other sect or clan."

"You've met Lin Fan already, then?" Yu Xiaogang casually asked.

"He just left the Academy. He said he was heading to Heaven Dou City—and that we'll meet again there." Tang Hao answered calmly.

"What?! He left already?" Yu Xiaogang was stunned.

He had assumed Lin Fan must have had some purpose for coming here. To just leave with seemingly nothing gained didn't fit his style.

"Wasn't he here to befriend Little San?" Yu Xiaogang frowned, once again overthinking.

"…But do you believe someone could have prophetic abilities?" Tang Hao asked, half in disbelief.

"I didn't want to believe it either—but honestly, he's too strange. In just forty years, he rose from a mere six levels of innate soul power to a Titled Douluo. Others can't even reach Soul Douluo at that time," Yu Xiaogang shook his head, still unable to comprehend it.

In reality, Lin Fan had no prophetic powers at all. He simply relied on his foreknowledge of the original story.

Using that advantage, he had roamed various factions, disguising himself as a mystical prophet who could divine fate, securing countless cultivation resources.

Of course, to the natives of the Douluo Continent, his foresight appeared no different from true prophecy.

Before the system arrived, Lin Fan's only goal had been to become a Titled Douluo and live freely.

But with the system's arrival, his ambitions had changed—to ascend as a god, enter the Divine Realm, and attain eternal life.

…

Heaven Dou City—also known as the Imperial Capital of the Heaven Dou Empire—was one of the three largest cities on the continent and the seat of the Heaven Dou Empire's royal palace.

Compared to Soto City, it was at least twice as large and far more prosperous, teeming with spirit masters and boasting over a hundred soul master academies of all sizes.

Half a month later, Lin Fan finally arrived at Heaven Dou City.

After stocking up on necessities in the city and resting well at an inn, he headed out the next day toward the Sunset Forest.

The Sunset Forest, one of the continent's two great forests, lay just a hundred miles east of Heaven Dou City.

"Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, here I come!"

"Dugu Bo… you'd better be sensible."

Looking at the lush and dense forest ahead, Lin Fan stepped in without hesitation.

PS: The recommendation phase has concluded. This book is finally about to launch on the shelves!

If it performs well, and my day job isn't too busy, I'll update with three chapters a day, each 2,000 words, totaling 6,000 words per day.

The main site is Chuangshi, but readers on Qidian shouldn't worry—it will launch there too after 50,000 words.

The plot is entering a new stage now. The book will officially launch at midnight tonight.

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