Douluo: My Clone Is Groudon

The setting sun bathed the training grounds in a golden-red glow. Gu La leaned against the trunk of a ginkgo tree, wiping the light sweat from his forehead. The green rock powder on his fingers fell away with a faint vibration.

He flipped his hand and retrieved a jade box. Inside were six neatly arranged energy cubes, glowing with an emerald sheen. A fresh, grassy fragrance instantly filled the air.

"Today's training ends here. Come over and take a break."

Before his words had even faded, three blurred figures suddenly converged. Xiao Wu's scorpion braid arced gracefully through the air, and in the blink of an eye, she was already holding her exclusive pink energy cube, cheeks puffed out like a greedy little squirrel.

Behind her, the air rippled faintly as Zhu Zhuqing emerged from the shadows. Her sleek black outfit accentuated her lithe curves as she glided cat-like to Gu La's side. With delicate fingers, she plucked a purple cube and popped it into her mouth.

"Earlier... was there someone under the tree?"

Ma Hongjun's startled exclamation sent a few birds fluttering into the sky. Dai Mubai's tiger-like pupils contracted sharply. He distinctly remembered that just fifteen minutes ago, when he passed by that ginkgo tree, only a few withered leaves clung to its silvery-gray trunk.

Dai Mubai's expression turned puzzled. For some reason, he felt the beautiful girl before him seemed vaguely familiar.

Flender's gaze grew complex. As a Soul Sage, he could see through Zhu Zhuqing's soul skill. From Yu Xiaogang, he had learned Zhu Zhuqing's identity. Watching her close rapport with Gu La, he couldn't help but imagine how Dai Mubai would react when he eventually discovered the truth.

"Young people need space to interact. Get to know each other."

Flender pulled Yu Xiaogang away to discuss the next phase of teaching—not everything could be left to Gu La. As principal, he couldn't afford to lose face.

Dai Mubai swallowed hard and stepped forward with a bright smile: "We'll all be classmates from now on. Let me introduce myself."

"My name is Dai Mubai. My martial soul is the White Tiger. I'm a level 29 Power Attack battle soul master."

Zhu Zhuqing's gaze turned icy.

Unaware of her reaction, Dai Mubai pointed to Ma Hongjun beside him: "This fatty here is Ma Hongjun. His martial soul is the Evil Fire Phoenix, and he's a level 17 Power Attack battle soul master."

"This pretty boy is Oscar. His martial soul is Sausage, and he's a level 22 Food-based soul master."

Oscar's peach-blossom eyes shot a glare at Dai Mubai before breaking into a friendly smile. He greeted Gu La and the others: "Just call me Xiao Ao, like everyone else."

Having seen Xiao Wu's soul rings, he assumed they were all older than him. Being an auxiliary soul master, he didn't dare act arrogantly.

Gu La nodded. "I'm Gu La. My martial soul is the Lava Behemoth. I'm a level 30 battle soul master."

Though Dai Mubai had mentally prepared himself, he still sucked in a sharp breath. Even with the catalytic effects of a ten-thousand-year soul ring accelerating development, Gu La appeared younger than Dai Mubai. To think he had already broken through to level thirty was astonishing.

Tang San stepped forward next: "I'm Tang San. My martial soul is Blue Silver Grass. I'm a level 29 Healing-type soul master."

Ma Hongjun couldn't believe his ears and blurted out: "Level 29? How can Blue Silver Grass advance so quickly!?"

Tang San gave Ma Hongjun a cool glance. Training daily with thousand-year-old spirit herbs, reaching level 29 was actually slower than he'd hoped.

If not for deliberately slowing down to avoid affecting their foundations, they could have reached level forty.

Gu La remained silent. In his view, this was the natural pace for someone with full innate soul power. The current iteration of the Douluo Continent was still lagging behind, with inefficient utilization of the continent's resources.

Xiao Wu swallowed the last energy cube and took a sip of purified water from the Lake of Life.

"I'm Xiao Wu. My martial soul is the Soft Boned Rabbit. I'm a level 29 battle soul master."

"Zhu Zhuqing. My martial soul is the Netherworld Spirit Cat. I'm a level 23 Agility-Attack type soul master."

Dai Mubai's eyes widened as lightning flashed through his mind: "You're Zhu Zhuqing!? What are you doing here!?"

Unable to suppress his curiosity, he took a step forward but felt no resonance from her martial soul.

"Stay away from me."

Zhu Zhuqing's gaze turned frosty, piercing and cold. If Dai Mubai dared to come closer, she would strike.

Dai Mubai's eyes narrowed as he sensed her hostility.

He gritted his teeth, glanced at Gu La and the others, and ultimately refrained from speaking rudely. Softening his tone, he said: "Have you read the latest Star Luo newspaper? The rules at home have changed. We no longer need to compete with my eldest brother and the others."

A flicker of surprise passed through Zhu Zhuqing's eyes. She spent all her time training and had no interest in external affairs, let alone news from the Star Luo Empire.

Upon hearing about the imperial family changing the rules, Zhu Zhuqing initially felt joy, followed by a surge of indignation. How dare they casually alter her fate with a single decree? She wanted to take control of her own destiny!

Thanks to Gu La's rigorous training, Zhu Zhuqing had not only grown much stronger but also made significant progress in mental fortitude. Regulating her emotions, she stared coldly at Dai Mubai.

Xiao Wu stepped forward to defend Zhu Zhuqing: "Hey, don't try to bully Zhuqing! If you want a fight, Big Sister Xiao Wu is always ready!"

"You!"

Anger flashed across Dai Mubai's face. He had never been known for his patience.

Especially after three years of being unmonitored outside, burdened by fears of the future, his inner rage had been steadily building, ready to explode at the slightest provocation.

Thinking of Xiao Wu's purple soul ring, he took a deep breath and coldly said: "I won't argue with you."

"Tch, coward." Xiao Wu sneered, her disdainful gaze cutting through him.

"You!" Dai Mubai's eyes bulged in fury, his anger overwhelming his restraint. He was about to release his martial soul—he wouldn't show mercy, regardless of her thousand-year second ring. The gap in martial soul quality was insurmountable.

Oscar hurriedly stepped in to mediate: "Big Brother Dai, calm down. We're all classmates here; there's no need for conflict."

"Big Sister Xiao Wu, I apologize on behalf of Mubai."

Oscar bowed his head in apology. He wasn't sure what would happen if a fight broke out—whether Gu La would intervene or not.

If it came to blows, the three of them together would only end up getting beaten.

Dai Mubai stood behind Oscar, letting him block his way. 

He wasn't stupid. Whether in terms of strength or numbers, his side was at a disadvantage. He decided to back down and take the offered exit.

At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing spoke: "I'll fight you."

The black-clad girl's face was cold, not even sparing Dai Mubai a glance. "If you lose, we'll have nothing more to do with each other. Don't ever try to bother me again."

"You bothering me? Hmph!"

Dai Mubai sneered. He was the third prince of the Star Luo Empire! What woman hadn't he seen?

"Fine, I accept."

Dai Mubai quickly agreed, fearing others might stop him.

To his surprise, Xiao Wu showed no intention of intervening. Instead, she waved her arm and grinned mischievously: "Zhuqing, go for it! Beat him to a pulp!"

"Cough, cough. We're all classmates here. There's no need for this."

Gu La feigned a dry cough, secretly delighted to see Zhu Zhuqing sever ties with Dai Mubai. Smiling, he said: "I'll be the referee. The match will continue until one side concedes. If there are no objections, let's begin."

"White Tiger, activate!"

Dai Mubai released his martial soul. The authoritative roar of the tiger reverberated through the forest, its penetrating force seeming to pierce straight into one's will.

His eyes gleamed: "It's not too late to concede now."

Zhu Zhuqing completed her martial soul fusion soundlessly, even faster than Dai Mubai by a hair's breadth. Unfortunately, Dai Mubai, lost in admiration for the might of his White Tiger martial soul, failed to notice.

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