Douluo: I achieve godhood through System

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At the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Wang Li and Dugu Yan arrived in the morning and left again that afternoon.

They had simply returned to report in, allowing them to wait for the competition to begin with peace of mind.

After returning, Wang Li couldn't help but think to himself: 

"Shrek Academy has finally arrived in Heaven Dou City. Tang San and Xiao Wu are here as well. This is the perfect opportunity to pay them a visit." 

"Besides, this seemingly useless skull ability of mine might actually come in handy. Just what secrets does the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record contain?" 

"However, if Tang San remains wary of me, it won't be easy to uncover the things he keeps hidden deep inside. I'll need to find the right opportunity—one where he can't resist—so I have enough time to dig deeper, bit by bit."

"I can't confront him directly, so I'll have to act indirectly. Let me think… let me think… During the Spirit Master Tournament, the Canghui Academy incident from back then—perhaps I can use that."

"Tang San, Xiao Wu, Teacher Qin Ming asked me to check in on you two, so here I am."

Wang Li used to think that his skull skill, Illusion Dream, which allowed him to view, fabricate, and obscure memories, was a useless ability. After all, it required his spiritual power to be significantly stronger than his opponent's, and it neither enhanced his attack power nor allowed him to win against stronger enemies.

But now, it seemed to have some utility. After consuming the Autumn Water Dew, obtaining a spirit ring with mental attributes, and a skull bone with spiritual properties, his spiritual power was definitely higher than Tang San's.

In other words, as long as there were no external disturbances, he could carefully sift through Tang San's memories.

If he used force, though, there were two risks: one, Wang Li feared that Tang Hao might suddenly appear; and two, the teachers from Shrek Academy—Yu Xiaogang, Flender, and Liu Erlong—could unleash their martial soul fusion technique.

For the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record, causing such chaos wasn't worth it. After all, he had his own advantages too.

Instead, he decided to be patient, find an opportunity, and silently take the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record without leaving any trace behind.

This record was the key to Tang San's ascension to godhood. While Yu Xiaogang had helped Tang San to some extent, it wasn't anything extraordinary. Thus, Wang Li found himself increasingly interested in the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record.

Moreover, the record contained knowledge about poisons, which could prove helpful to Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan. For that reason, Wang Li couldn't let it slip by.

The next day, Wang Li said to Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan: 

"Grandfather, Sister Yan, some of my old classmates from the junior spirit master academy are in Heaven Dou City. I'll go meet them and return later."

Dugu Yan already knew about this. She had overheard Qin Ming mention it the day before, so she didn't stop him. Instead, she smiled and said: 

"Go ahead, but come back soon. If they're truly close friends, feel free to invite them over to the house."

Wang Li's expression turned odd at her suggestion. He wasn't sure if Tang San would come, but Xiao Wu definitely wouldn't. After all, a 100,000-year transformed spirit beast walking into the presence of a titled Douluo? That would be beyond foolish.

Shaking his head, he replied: 

"I'm afraid they won't dare come."

Dugu Bo, thinking Wang Li was worried about his own reputation, snorted coldly and said: 

"Do you think I'd harm your friends? If they want to come, they're welcome. If not, it's no loss to me. I'm not someone just anyone can meet."

Wang Li didn't bother explaining. What they were discussing was completely unrelated to what he had in mind. Without saying more, he left the house alone.

As for Heaven Dou City, Wang Li had already explored every corner with Dugu Yan before. The current Shrek Academy was formerly the Blue Tyrant Academy, so he had no trouble finding its location.

Before long, he arrived at Shrek Academy.

Wang Li looked up at the plaque overhead, which read "Shrek Academy," and felt a wave of speechlessness wash over him. 

"That Flender really is stingy," he thought. "This rough and shoddy design… no wonder the future uniforms are going to be dung-green with ads plastered all over them."

Shaking his head, Wang Li walked forward. A gatekeeper spotted him and approached to ask: 

"Hello, who are you looking for? It's not the enrollment period right now, but if you're here to enroll, I can take you to the admissions office."

Wang Li smiled faintly and replied: 

"My name is Wang Li. I'm here to see someone—Tang San and Xiao Wu. Could you notify them for me? Also, let them know that I was introduced by Teacher Qin Ming, who graduated from this academy."

Hearing this, the gatekeeper quickly assessed the tall, handsome young man dressed in sturdy attire. He didn't seem like someone here to fool around. Not only did he know Tang San and Xiao Wu by name, but he also mentioned Qin Ming, a name the gatekeeper was quite familiar with.

Qin Ming had visited several times before. Naturally, the gatekeeper remembered him well, especially since he was a Heaven Dou-level teacher from the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.

The gatekeeper's demeanor immediately turned warm and welcoming: 

"Please come in, please come in. I'll take you to the reception room first and inform the academy leadership."

Wang Li nodded and followed the gatekeeper into the academy. Though Shrek Academy, formerly Blue Tyrant Academy, was considered a second-tier institution, it was still a senior spirit master academy with a sizable campus and relatively complete facilities.

Upon reaching the reception room, someone brought Wang Li a cup of hot tea. As he sipped the tea, he waited patiently.

Not long after, just outside the reception room, Flender strode over briskly with Liu Erlong and Zhao Wuji in tow. Flender turned to Zhao Wuji and said: 

"Old Zhao, you've met this Wang Li before, haven't you? Take a good look and confirm. Qin Ming mentioned he's the future grandson-in-law of His Excellency the Jade Phosphor Douluo. We absolutely cannot offend him."

Liu Erlong chimed in: 

"It's not just that. Before you all came to Heaven Dou City, Wang Li was already making a name for himself. Even the Platinum Bishop of the Spirit Hall, Salas, couldn't resist trying to coerce him."

"Fortunately, the Heaven Dou Crown Prince intervened, later joining forces with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to file a formal complaint against the Spirit Hall. In the end, the Spirit Hall sent a titled Douluo to reprimand Salas. That incident caused quite a stir back then."

Hearing this, Flender grew even more cautious. At the same time, his shrewd businessman's mind began to calculate whether this encounter could lead to any benefits for the academy.

The moment they entered the reception room and saw Wang Li seated there, Flender's face broke into a beaming smile. With a warm and enthusiastic tone, he said: 

"Welcome, welcome, Wang Li! We've heard so much about your accomplishments. A true genius with limitless potential! I'm Flender, the headmaster of Shrek Academy. This is Liu Erlong, our vice-headmaster, and this is Zhao Wuji, one of our teachers."

Wang Li stood up, his gaze sweeping over the three of them. 

Flender: a cunning businessman. 

Liu Erlong: a romantic but sharp-witted beauty. 

Zhao Wuji: a hot-headed brute. 

He smiled politely and said: 

"Headmaster Flender, Vice-Headmaster Liu Erlong, Teacher Zhao Wuji, I apologize for the sudden visit. Yesterday, I heard from Teacher Qin Ming that Shrek Academy had relocated to Heaven Dou City."

"My classmates from the junior spirit master academy, Tang San and Xiao Wu, have also come to Heaven Dou. Teacher Qin mentioned I should stop by and exchange insights on cultivation techniques and martial soul experiences with them, so here I am."

Flender was overjoyed to hear this. Qin Ming, a Shrek alumnus, was proving to be a reliable connection, always thinking of ways to benefit the academy.

Growing even more enthusiastic, Flender responded: 

"Tang San, Xiao Wu, and the other five students are training in the forest behind the academy. Let's head over together! Qin Ming was right—exchanging cultivation and martial soul experiences will help everyone improve."

Liu Erlong, though hot-tempered, had a keen and delicate side as well. She subtly tried to gauge Wang Li's spiritual and soul power levels.

However, to her astonishment, she couldn't sense anything at all. A mysterious force seemed to block her attempts, leaving her deeply unsettled.

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As for Zhao Wuji, ever since he had provoked Tang San and been beaten by Tang Hao, he dared not offend any junior with such a powerful and intimidating background. In some ways, Du Gongbo's reputation in the spirit master community was even more fearsome.

Accompanied by Flender, Liu Erlong, and Zhao Wuji, Wang Li followed them toward the forest behind Shrek Academy.

Along the way, Flender rambled on about the academy's founding journey—how difficult it was, how arduous and challenging it had been, yet they had still managed to cultivate outstanding students like Qin Ming.

Wang Li smiled politely throughout the conversation but was inwardly skeptical. Given their enrollment standards, theoretically, everyone should have succeeded, yet only Qin Ming seemed worth bragging about.

Flender's rhetoric felt misguided. Though practical experience was undoubtedly important, theory also held its own weight, and Shrek's curriculum left much to be desired.

Wang Li couldn't help but wonder whether the many students who had perished during the soul hunting expeditions hadn't actually been killed by spirit beasts, but rather due to Zhao Wuji's lack of precision in assessing the age of spirit beasts. This led to the tragic deaths of students when absorbing soul rings. Having someone like him as a teacher was a disaster for the students.

Before long, they arrived at the forest behind the academy.

Two figures were engaged in combat: Dai Mubai and Tang San. Both were at the Soul Grandmaster rank, each with two yellow and two purple soul rings.

Wang Li wasn't particularly surprised to see Dai Mubai at this level, but seeing Tang San also at the Soul Grandmaster rank was a bit of a shock.

He observed closely and furrowed his brow. Tang San's martial soul was no longer just the Blue Silver Grass. It now clearly resembled the legs of a spider, each leg covered with barbed spines.

Moreover...

There was an unsettling, evil aura emanating from him—much like the detestable Evil-Eye Tyrant Spider found deep within the Soul Beast Forest.

Flender chuckled and said, 

"Wang Li, I heard that under the guidance of His Excellency the Jade Phosphor Douluo, you became a Soul Grandmaster at the age of twelve."

"But our academy's little monsters aren't bad either. Especially Tang San—he successfully broke through to level 40 at almost fourteen years old."

"He's now also a Soul Grandmaster, and his strength is considerable."

Wang Li simply replied with a calm expression: 

"Of course. Back in the junior soul master academy, Tang San and Xiao Wu were our academy's brightest talents."

At the same time, sensing Flender, Liu Erlong, and Zhao Wuji approaching, Wang Li noticed a somewhat unfamiliar young man among them.

Yu Xiaogang paused the battle between Tang San and Dai Mubai, then walked over with the group.

The Shrek Seven Monsters saw Wang Li from a distance and felt a sense of familiarity. As they drew closer, they finally recognized him.

Tang San and Xiao Wu both exclaimed in surprise: 

"Wang Li!"

"It's me…" Wang Li smiled, his gaze falling on Tang San. As he got closer, the dark aura surrounding Tang San intensified, making him uncomfortable.

Looking at Xiao Wu, a flash of insight crossed Wang Li's eyes. He didn't see a human but instead, a rabbit. His gaze shifted, and he quickly contained his thoughts. The ten-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone would be useful for Du Gongyan in the future.

Xiao Wu's abilities—Charm, Teleportation, Invincible Golden Body, and Intangibility—made her extremely tough to deal with and perfect for survival.

Although, in comparison, what suited Du Gongyan better would be the Heavenly Blue Bull Python, "Da Ming."

Yu Xiaogang's face drastically changed when Tang San and Xiao Wu called out Wang Li's name. It was difficult for him to reconcile the current confident and powerful young man with the unremarkable Wang Li he remembered from the past.

He hesitated and asked, 

"Are you really Wang Li?" 

Wang Li turned toward the voice, flashing a smile. He then spoke loudly, 

"Of course, it's me, Master. It's only been six or seven years, and you don't recognize me? Back in the junior soul master academy, you saw my Martial Soul Hall certificate and even pointed me in the direction of the administrative office." 

Yu Xiaogang was fully convinced now. He stared blankly for a moment, reflecting on how Wang Li, whom he had once thought wouldn't amount to much, had become a Soul Grandmaster at twelve and had completely outclassed his own disciples. 

He looked at Flender, his voice turning cold and hard, 

"What's going on here? I was training, and suddenly you bring someone over!" 

Flender explained, 

"It's Qin Ming. He's Wang Li's teacher and asked him to visit Shrek Academy whenever he had the time, to exchange cultivation and Martial Soul experiences with Tang San and Xiao Wu. I thought about it and decided to come along." 

Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath, his mind in turmoil. On one hand, there was his own theory, and on the other, there was Tang San's future. After much hesitation, he finally forced a strained smile, 

"Wang Li, thank you for coming. I'm Tang San's teacher, and I also oversee Xiao Wu and the others' training. Before you begin exchanging ideas, could I know your soul power level?" 

Wang Li heard this but didn't directly answer, 

"That's not something I can disclose. If Shrek Academy participates in the Soul Master Tournament, you'll find out once we pass the preliminary and advancing rounds, and reach the finals." 

Everyone froze in surprise. 

Wang Li continued, 

"The Tiandou team is guaranteed to make it to the finals. We'll compete with the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation for the championship." 

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned. 

Dai Mubai, the most uncomfortable of them all, came from the Star Luo Empire. He said in a deep voice, 

"It seems the Star Luo team is also quite strong. Their captain and vice-captain can use a Martial Soul Fusion skill. They're likely strong contenders for the championship as well." 

Wang Li waved his hand dismissively, smiling lightly, 

"Two Soul Grandmasters using a Martial Soul Fusion skill can only reach the level of a Soul King. It's not that difficult to deal with. Our real opponents are the three Soul Kings from the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation." 

Everyone was taken aback. To casually dismiss a fusion skill as "only comparable to a Soul King" left them wondering if Wang Li was arrogant or simply confident. 

Among them, Zhu Zhuqing's eyes widened, her heart racing. The Dark Devil White Tiger, a Martial Soul used by her older sister, Zhu Zhu Yun, and Dai Mubai's elder brother, Davis, was mentioned as though it was nothing. She stared at Wang Li and asked, 

"Could it be that you're…" 

At this moment, Wang Li put a finger to his lips, gesturing for silence. He smiled and said, 

"Don't say it. Tang San and Xiao Wu are my friends. You're their friends, so I'll reveal this little bit to you." 

Zhu Zhuqing covered her mouth, her chest rising and falling rapidly, clearly unsettled. 

Wang Li no longer paid attention to her. Instead, he turned to look at Tang San and Xiao Wu. I treat you both as friends, yet you keep a wary distance from me. This doesn't seem quite fair... 

(End of chapter)