Douluo: Martial Soul of Lightning

Lin Jie leaned comfortably against Liu Erlong. A faint, orchid-like fragrance drifted into his nose—soft, clean, and slightly intoxicating. He inched closer and took a deep breath.

"Big Sister Erlong… did you switch perfumes again? You smell really nice today."

Liu Erlong lightly flicked a finger against Lin Jie's forehead and said with a playful tone, "Get lost. Who said anything about perfume? I've never used any. This is just my natural scent." Then she chuckled and added with mock suspicion, "Say, Lin Jie… what's going on between you and Zhuqing?"

Lin Jie shrugged. "Me and Zhuqing? That's... a little complicated."

His eyes drifted over to Liu Erlong's exquisite features. She was at the peak of a woman's maturity, exuding a natural allure that made it hard to look away. Noticing the odd look she gave him, Lin Jie smirked, "Big Sister Erlong… don't tell me you're jealous?"

"Jealous? Please." Liu Erlong snorted and rolled her eyes. "You're just a brat."

"I'm not that little," Lin Jie said, half-teasing, half-suggestive.

They bantered for a while longer before Lin Jie's tone turned serious.

"By the way, Sister Erlong… what about you and Yu Xiaogang? Is there still anything between you two?"

Liu Erlong's gaze softened slightly. "Yu Xiaogang…? There's still a bit of regret, I suppose. But over the years, having you by my side helped me let go—bit by bit. Maybe soon, I'll be able to completely move on."

Lin Jie rested both hands gently on her shoulders and said solemnly,

"Then you can rest easy, Sister Erlong. From now on, I'll take care of you—for life."

Exactly what he meant by "for life," only Lin Jie knew.

Liu Erlong laughed softly, her smile radiant. "Then you'd better keep your word, Lin Jie. Take care of your big sister for life."

The night passed quietly. At dawn, the group resumed their journey in search of spirit beasts.

Since they had started by scouting the outer edges of Sunset Forest, they spent two full days without finding a suitable spirit beast for either Ning Rongrong or Xiao Wu. So they gradually pushed deeper into the forest's inner regions.

As they ventured inward, the spirit beasts they encountered grew much older and stronger—many were already over a thousand years old, and they even came across several ten-thousand-year spirit beasts. Whenever that happened, either Flender intervened or they gave the area a wide berth.

On the third day, they finally found a suitable spirit beast for Ning Rongrong—a Scalearmor Beast that was just over five thousand years old. Initially, Yu Xiaogang felt the age of the beast was too high for an auxiliary-type Spirit Master like her. But Lin Jie argued logically and firmly, and with Ning Rongrong trusting his judgment, she went ahead with the absorption.

To everyone's surprise, it went extremely smoothly. The Spirit Ability she gained provided a 60% defense boost. Now, only Xiao Wu was left without her fourth Spirit Ring.

Just as they were about to begin the next search for Xiao Wu's spirit beast, a series of violent explosions suddenly echoed from deeper in the forest. The ground trembled faintly with the impact.

"Everyone, regroup immediately!" Flender shouted.

Zhao Wuji, Flender, and Liu Erlong all wore grim expressions.

The energy waves coming from ahead were far beyond their own level. They were Spirit Sages—Spirit Masters at the seventieth rank and above—but what they were sensing now could only belong to a Spirit Douluo, or even worse… a Titled Douluo.

Lin Jie and the others had also heard the explosions and quickly gathered together.

"Dean Flender! It sounds like there's a fight up ahead!"

"Yeah, Dean, what should we do? Should we go take a look?"

"That kind of energy is way too strong," Flender said seriously. "For everyone's safety, we withdraw immediately. Move—now!"

With Zhao Wuji covering the rear and Flender at the front, the group began to retreat in an orderly manner toward the outer forest.

Not far from them, a green-robed, white-gray-haired man was venting his fury. Several powerful spirit beasts lay lifeless or twitching nearby—clearly victims of his rage.

This man was none other than the infamous Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo.

Half a month ago, Dugu Bo had left Sunset Forest to visit his granddaughter at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. There, she told him that her academy's team had lost to a group from a place called Shrek Academy during a tournament in Suotuo City. Curious—especially knowing the strength of his granddaughter's team—Dugu Bo decided to observe Shrek Academy himself. What he saw impressed him.

He stayed at the academy for half a month to accompany his granddaughter. Then, he returned to Sunset Forest.

What he found upon returning was enough to make any Titled Douluo explode.

His herb garden had been ransacked.

The entire medicinal field was in chaos. Rare herbs had been plucked. Vines torn. Leaves scattered.

He had set up layers of poison fog to protect it—ordinary people couldn't even get near. The powerful Spirit Masters he knew wouldn't touch it out of respect—and fear of his poisons.

That left only one explanation: spirit beasts.

Whether or not that was true didn't matter. What mattered was that Dugu Bo was furious. And his anger had been unleashed on the nearby spirit beasts—several ten-thousand-year creatures now lay dead or barely breathing near his feet.

Suddenly, Dugu Bo's expression changed.

"Hm? Someone's nearby."

It was faint, but he could sense it.

He turned, leaving behind the trembling beasts, and shot like lightning toward the direction of Flender's group.

"He's coming!" Flender shouted as he felt the approaching power surge.

"Quick! Wuji, Erlong—protect the children!"

They didn't need to be told. Liu Erlong and Zhao Wuji had already stepped in front of the students, forming a defensive line.

In the next moment, a figure appeared—like a spear thrown from the heavens.

The man was thin, tall, with wild green hair and beard, and eyes that glowed like emerald gemstones. His entire body radiated a poisonous aura. There was something unreal about him—as if he were a mirage.

His face was stiff, almost mask-like, with sunken cheeks and messy hair. As he hovered in the air for a moment, he slowly descended, eyes fixed coldly on the group.

"So… it's you people."

"It's him. Dugu Bo…" Flender muttered, his heart sinking.

Everyone recognized him.

They had seen him once before at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. There was no mistaking his presence.

Dugu Bo was a wild card—neither good nor evil. He did whatever he pleased. Solitary by nature, his Martial Soul was poison-based, making him one of the most difficult and terrifying Titled Douluo to deal with.

He was the first notable Spirit Master in history to cultivate the Jade Phosphor Serpent Martial Soul, and was hailed as the Number One Poison Master in the continent. His reputation ranked near the top even among other Titled Douluo.

Most Spirit Masters avoided him. Those who didn't—feared him.

He didn't respond well to threats or persuasion. He held grudges, killed without hesitation, and was infamous for eliminating anyone who posed a threat. Rumors said he even had long-standing conflicts with Spirit Hall.

Seeing Dugu Bo now, Lin Jie stiffened.

Of all people… it just had to be him.

He had been the one who looted Dugu Bo's herb garden just over half a month ago.

If Dugu Bo found out the truth...

Would he tear him limb from limb on the spot?

PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin