Douluo: My Clone Is Groudon

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"Big Sister Zhu!"

Bai Chenxiang grabbed Zhu Zhuqing's wrist, reluctant to let go. "Take care of yourself. If you have time, you must come visit me in Tian Dou City."

After days of fleeing together, the two girls, who were close in age, had formed a bond. Parting now was inevitably bittersweet.

"Chenxiang, take care too."

Zhu Zhuqing smiled softly as she gently removed Bai Chenxiang's hand and stepped over to Gu La's side.

Gu La waited patiently for their farewell. After being caught off guard by one surprise after another, he'd used his ability to peer into the future—scanning ahead half a month—to ensure no new mishaps would occur.

Relieved but also wary, he silently vowed not to meddle with the future so recklessly again. Even someone as seemingly invincible as him could face unforeseen consequences if they weren't careful.

Yang Jingyun's mood was complicated, though mostly relaxed. He gave a respectful bow. "Thank you for your help, Sir. The Breaking Clan repays all debts. Please accept these gifts as our gratitude."

He took out a spatial soul tool containing a thousand jin of medicinal herbs used to make the bone-strengthening ointment. While this wasn't much for a large family, it was enough for an individual to cultivate for seven or eight years.

Moreover, the bone-strengthening ointment had become a hard currency on the continent, even recognized by Title Douluo. Otherwise, why would the Star Luo nobility send a squad of Soul Ancestors just to chase down a few fugitives?

After tossing the soul tool to Gu La, Yang Jingyun and his companions turned and disappeared into the night of the Great Star Dou Forest, taking Bai Chenxiang with them. Their parting words echoed faintly in the distance.

"Until we meet again."

Gu La caught the soul tool without hesitation. As a pragmatist, he saw no reason to reject such a generous gift.

Once the outsiders had left, Xiao Wu immediately pulled Zhu Zhuqing aside to chat. If anyone was happy about Zhu Zhuqing staying, it was her—after all, having another female companion meant more opportunities for private conversations.

"My name is Xiao Wu, 'Wu' as in dancing. What's your martial soul, Zhuqing?"

Xiao Wu's friendly nature put Zhu Zhuqing at ease, and she didn't feel as reserved around Xiao Wu as she had around Yang Jingyun and the others.

Eager to build a good relationship, Zhu Zhuqing summoned her martial soul. A flexible cat tail appeared behind her back, and a pair of black cat ears sprouted atop her head.

"My martial soul is the ancestral martial soul of the Zhu family—the Netherworld Spirit Cat."

Tang San's eyes narrowed. Having not yet studied the cultural customs of the Star Luo Empire under Yu Xiaogang, he hadn't understood the brutal rules governing their society, which was why he had remained silent until now.

But upon hearing "Netherworld Spirit Cat," he became familiar with the context. Yu Xiaogang had explained fusion martial soul techniques, using himself as an example, and mentioned the Spirit Beast Fusion Technique known as the Netherworld White Tiger.

"Fifteen levels of soul power—you must have awakened your martial soul about a year ago, right?"

The unspoken implication lingered—he couldn't believe that a noble-born daughter of a prestigious family only had fifteen levels of soul power.

Zhu Zhuqing flushed slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"I started with a natural soul power of level seven, and I've been working very hard to cultivate. But I also have to balance physical training and etiquette lessons. My current level of fifteen was achieved after fusing a five-hundred-year first soul ring, breaking through to level thirteen, and then cultivating for four months."

Before Tang San could press further, Gu La interjected to ease the tension.

"That's enough, Xiao San. Don't scare our new friend. We can learn more later. The Great Star Dou Forest isn't safe—we should leave tonight."

Gu La didn't rush to get closer to Zhu Zhuqing. In a casual tone, he asked, "You don't mind if I call you Zhuqing, do you?"

Zhu Zhuqing shook her head.

"My name is Gu La. You can call me Big Brother like the others. There's no need to worry—I just need an agility-type soul master to assist me with some martial soul research. You can refuse if you want; I won't force you."

Zhu Zhuqing maintained her composure, though a flicker of surprise passed through her eyes.

In today's world of Douluo, where theories about martial souls had surged in popularity thanks to Oak's papers, she wasn't surprised that Gu La was researching martial souls. What did surprise her, however, was how young his voice sounded.

Gu La smiled faintly. When outsiders were present, he always used his psychic abilities to alter his voice. Combined with his mastery of wave-guidance techniques to fine-tune his body, he could summon one soul ring at a time, easily creating the illusion of being a youthful adult soul master.

"There's no need to be surprised. I'm actually only a few months older than you. The voice you heard earlier was just a disguise."

Zhu Zhuqing's pupils widened, her cat ears twitched, and her tail swished restlessly, mirroring her unsettled emotions.

"But… how is that possible? I saw purple soul rings on you, and even a black ten-thousand-year soul ring…"

The young girl was momentarily stunned.

Gu La shrugged nonchalantly. "It's nothing special. I have a bit of talent in cultivation, paired with effort and extensive research into martial souls. Achieving a thousand-year first ring and a ten-thousand-year second ring are minor accomplishments, really."

Xiao Wu pouted, feeling slighted. Hadn't Gu La ever been this gentle with her? Was Zhu Zhuqing prettier than her?

Without any guidance, she instinctively learned to feel jealous, glaring silently at Gu La.

Unfortunately for her, Gu La didn't have time to deal with her sulking at the moment.

No matter how incredulous Zhu Zhuqing felt, she gradually accepted reality in the face of undeniable evidence. Her bright eyes sparkled as she asked, "Big Brother Gu, can you teach me how to grow stronger?"

"It's a small matter. Even if you hadn't asked, I would've helped you anyway."

Gu La extended a finger and sketched a tiny universe in the air.

"I've just happened to develop some insights into nurturing soul masters."

Though Gu La's words were modest, Zhu Zhuqing took them seriously. She nodded earnestly. "I'll dedicate myself fully to the training and cooperate with your research."

"Good. I believe you can do it."

Gu La retrieved an unused Ultra Ball. "Here's a gift for you—a portable mimicry cultivation sphere. It will generate an environment suited to your martial soul. Give it a try."

Zhu Zhuqing understood the literal meaning of his words but still found herself skeptical. Could such a miraculous soul tool really exist?

She lightly touched the high-grade ball, and a red light enveloped her as she entered it.

Gu La raised the high-grade ball triumphantly, waving it in the air.

'I've caught a cat girl!'

Alas, with two third wheels nearby—Tang San and Xiao Wu—Gu La had to maintain some semblance of dignity and authority as the older brother figure. He refrained from shouting his excitement aloud.

He opened Zhu Zhuqing's information panel and carefully reviewed it, formulating a preliminary training plan.

Unknown Pokémon: Please name it.

Attributes: Ghost, Dark (semi-recessive, incomplete state)

Potential: Quasi-Elite Four

IVs: 95

Nature: Serious (no changes)

Evaluation: A high-speed Pokémon specializing in ambush techniques. Its bloodline is stable and specialized, suspected to possess a fusion evolution form. Its evolved form is a pseudo-legendary Pokémon, achievable by completing its bloodline with rare materials and Legendary Exchange Coupons. Recommended to capture as a main team Pokémon.

Reward: Random advanced Ghost-type TM.

Unlocked: Congratulations, you've obtained the TM 'Shadow Claw'.

Gu La's eyebrows rose slightly. Shadow Claw was a move Groudon had already mastered long ago, but since Groudon lacked the Ghost attribute, it couldn't benefit from the 1.5x STAB.

Even though Shadow Claw had a 1/8 chance to critically hit, dealing 1.5x damage, Gu La rarely used it. After all, weren't there other high-damage moves that were far more satisfying?

However, Shadow Claw was well-suited to Zhu Zhuqing's high-frequency attack style. Pairing it with the Sniper ability and a Scope Lens to boost critical hit rates would exponentially increase her damage output, allowing her to easily surpass offensive-type soul masters at the same level.

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