Douluo: The Celestial Book

All rights reserved to the respective authors.

"Dialogue": Represented in double quotes for conversations between characters.

'Thoughts': Represented in single quotation marks, indicating the characters' internal reflections.

[Diary]: Represented in square brackets, used for messages intended for the heroines or entries written by Tenshin.

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The soft light of dawn tinted the horizon, bathing Holy Spirit Village in a warm, ethereal glow. Seated atop a grassy hill, Tenshin felt the gentle morning breeze caress his face as his silvery-blue eyes swept over the sprawling landscape. Although the view was vast, his mind wasn't on what lay before him. The past two months had been a whirlwind of training, cultivation, and experiments. Ever since he resolved not to rely solely on the knowledge from the canon timeline and to forge his own path, he had pushed himself relentlessly.

With a deep, resolute sigh, he rose from the grass. In his hand, he gripped an improvised spear hewn from wood. As he descended the hill toward the village entrance, each step stirred memories of the past months.

Flashback:

Day 8, Month 1

That morning, a silver-haired boy sprinted through the quiet village streets. It was Tenshin, absorbed in his rigorous physical training routine—a regimen based on the training of fictional heroes from his previous life, combined with his past experiences practicing various martial arts and parkour. Sweat trickled down his forehead as he completed his ninth lap around the village, nearing his daily goal of ten laps. Fatigue crept in, yet his determination didn't falter.

After his tenth lap, he climbed the steep slope of a nearby hill. Reaching the summit, the fresh wind greeted him like a reward. He paused for five minutes—drinking water, catching his breath, and gazing at the distant horizon as the breeze offered gentle relief and satisfaction.

In the last eight days, he had committed fully to physical conditioning each morning and cultivation practices every afternoon. His routine—daily runs to build endurance, coupled with push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and more to enhance balance and mobility—not only strengthened his body but also his will and discipline. Then he started writing in the diary:

[Today, as I reflected on my training, an idea started to take shape in my mind: Could physical conditioning influence the absorption of soul rings in a way no one has considered? Everyone knows that when one breaks through a bottleneck, both body and mind grow stronger. But what if I could prepare the body beforehand? This thought forced me to question the very fundamentals of soul ring absorption.]

[My theory is simple: the critical factor for absorbing rings up to 9,999 years in age lies in the compatibility between one's martial soul, the attributes of the spiritual beast, and the cultivator's physical fitness. Yet, when a ring exceeds 10,000 years, the beast's lingering consciousness and resentment seep into it. Absorbing such an ancient ring demands all the previously mentioned factors, plus exceptional mental power and a strong will to overcome it.]

[Thus, if I intensify both my physical and mental preparation from the outset, perhaps I can exceed conventional limits—absorbing rings beyond the optimal age—with success. Though this theory is still in its infancy, it has a high probability of being correct.]

Flashback End

Resuming his walk toward the village entrance, Tenshin passed by several villagers. Children waved and called out their good wishes, urging him to return by the year-end break. Their supportive gestures, combined with his deep sense of belonging in this humble yet welcoming community, bolstered his resolve.

Flashback: 

Day 13, Month 1

That morning, he immersed himself in training once more, adjusting his posture and refining his technique with his makeshift spear. Every scratch on the wood bore witness to a hardship overcome; every mark, a lesson learned. Standing atop the hill, he leaned forward, planting his feet firmly into the earth.

His thrusts were methodical—deliberate. Though his sweeps lacked grace, they carried strength. His arms trembled after each series, and beads of sweat traced down his forehead. It was the third consecutive day of relentless practice, and despite his efforts, he knew he was only at the beginning.

Pausing his exercises, he sat on the grass and retrieved his diary. With a steady breath, he began to write:

[During today's spear training, I reflected on the foundational stances drawn from both real-life techniques and their fictional portrayals. Drawing on lessons from my previous life, I analyzed the styles of three warriors who embody distinct spear philosophies.

Karna, from Fate, employs a balanced middle guard—his spear an extension of his body, wielded with seamless precision. His stance prioritizes both offense and defense, allowing for fluid transitions.

Scáthach, by contrast, utilizes a dynamic forward thrust stance. Her movements are unpredictable, focused on speed and evasion, embodying an aggressive yet elusive approach.

Then there's Zhongli, from Genshin Impact, whose spear style resembles that of a high-guard practitioner. He wields his weapon with commanding presence, relying on precision and strength to dictate the battlefield's flow.

My goal now is to integrate these elements—Karna's refined balance, Scáthach's nimble fluidity, and Zhongli's commanding presence—into my own evolving spear style.]

A light smile formed on his lips as he closed the diary and returned to training. His movements, though still tense, carried newfound confidence—hesitation no longer burdened his strikes.

Since the tenth day, spear training had become an integral part of his routine. At first, he had grappled with the question of how to enhance the offensive power of his still-limited martial soul. Despite hours of contemplation, no immediate solution presented itself. Instead, he reached a conclusion: until he unlocked greater strength, he would need a weapon.

The choice between a sword and a spear had been a calculated one. While a sword offered versatility, the spear's superior reach provided a strategic advantage, especially for someone still honing their combat prowess.

But before he could wield a spear effectively, he needed to master its fundamentals. He had compiled a list, drilling each technique into muscle memory:

Stabbing techniques – precise, lethal thrusts aimed at an opponent's weak points.

Thrusting techniques – generating power from the legs and core to drive the spear forward.

Strangling techniques – using the shaft to control or entangle an enemy's weapon.

Lifting techniques – maneuvering the spear to disrupt balance or create openings.

Parrying techniques – deflecting incoming attacks with minimal movement.

Chopping techniques – delivering sharp, downward strikes for decisive impact.

Sweeping techniques – using momentum to strike multiple foes or unbalance an opponent.

Flowery movements – feints and flourishes designed to confuse and mislead.

Collapsing techniques – sudden shifts in stance or grip to adapt mid-combat.

Intercepting techniques – meeting an opponent's strike head-on with perfect timing.

Only after internalizing these foundations could he truly claim mastery over the spear. Until then, each practice session would be another step toward forging his own path—one that blended discipline, creativity, and unwavering determination.

Day 23, Month 1

In Tenshin's house, he sat on the floor with his eyes closed. A moment later, he opened them, his expression a strange mix of satisfaction and disappointment.

With a sigh, he stood up and walked to his door, gazing directly at the empty street outside. Just then, someone appeared—it was Tang San, on his usual path to the hill where he practiced daily.

"It's a pity. I only sensed that someone was coming this way," Tenshin thought. It was the fifteenth day of his attempts to sense the presences around him. He picked up his diary and began to write:

[After days of trial and error, I've finally started to sense the presences around me—100 meters, to be exact. This is the fruit of the past two weeks spent developing a sensory technique. Unfortunately, all I've managed to achieve is a low-range, faint perception.]

[I can't even distinguish between different types of life. For now, all I can do is continue developing this... let's call it a "seed" of an ability, until it becomes a fully-fledged skill. This seed seems to be a consequence of the Celestial Library being located within my Spiritual Sea. I can see the Library, but I can't leave it to explore my Spiritual Sea. It keeps my Spiritual Sea in a semi-open state. If I can nurture this "seed" and increase my mental power, I might be able to fully open my Spiritual Sea.]

After finishing his note, Tenshin headed to his training area on a hill in the opposite direction of where Tang San had gone. The place bore marks of destruction and training, evidence of his relentless practice. However, the most striking features were the numerous craters scattered in several corners.

These craters were the consequences of his soul energy spiraling out of control when he got overly excited and spent an entire afternoon trying to create a Rasengan—an attempt that hadn't ended as he'd hoped.

"Just remembering that makes me feel embarrassed..." Tenshin thought, feeling a twinge of discomfort.

Day 31, Month 1

As the first light of dawn painted Holy Spirit Village, Tenshin sat in the lotus position on the hill that had become his training field. With a determined expression, he began channeling his spiritual energy into a small sphere cradled delicately between his palms. It looked similar to a Rasengan, but this time, no... He had learned from his previous experience and wouldn't attempt that again so soon.

The sphere of soul power grew larger with each passing second.

"Concentrate... refine... focus... compress..." he repeated this mantra, maintaining his focus for several agonizing minutes. Gradually, the sphere shrank to its original size, its color deepening to a rich, mysterious blue. At that moment, Tenshin opened his eyes and looked at the sphere between his hands. His eyes sparkled with hope, happiness, excitement, and, well-hidden in their depths, a bit of pride.

Yet, just a moment later, the sphere wavered and destabilized. In a split-second decision, Tenshin mentally propelled the unstable mass away; it burst midair in a dazzling, yet fleeting, explosion that sent ripples of scattered energy several meters outward.

A deep, resigned sigh escaped him as he retrieved his well-worn diary and jotted his reflections in hurried strokes:

[Seventh day of attempting to compress spiritual energy:

Result: Failure.

The energy destabilized rapidly as if it had no inherent contr—. How did I not foresee this flaw? My control over spiritual energy remains, at best, above average; only because of my strong mental power. So before I can hope to compress soul energy, I must increase my control over it.]

[Perhaps I can draw inspiration from an anime... Let's try Naruto's chakra control methods—the leaf exercise, tree walking, water walking. Now that I think about it... to create the Rasengan, which is considered the pinnacle of form manipulation and demands exceptional precision, I need first-class control.]

[Honestly, since the awakening of my martial soul—or rather, since the reorganization of my mind, where I relived each of my memories from my two lives—I feel more immature... Not only that, but upon reflection, I've also acquired habits I didn't have before...]

In that moment, Tenshin realized that something had changed in him after that event.

'I... will let things proceed for now. Whatever caused this change isn't something I can understand yet,' he thought, deciding to set it aside for the moment and refocus on his training. After all, it could merely be the effect of merging his personality before regaining his memories with the one from his past life.

Putting the thought aside and sealing his martial soul, Tenshin reached for a leaf from a nearby tree. He placed it against his forehead and concentrated his soul power there. For a brief moment, the leaf clung to his skin—but within a minute, it slipped away, fluttering softly to the ground.

Breathing heavily, with beads of sweat glistening on his brow, Tenshin reflected:

"This exercise is far more arduous than it seemed in the anime… My body aches with every effort. Perhaps chakra, composed of both mental and physical energy, has a better coexistence with the body'

As the morning unfolded, Tenshin resumed the leaf exercise with renewed resolve and determination.

Day 10, Month 2

Late in the morning, Tenshin could be seen sitting in a chair with a concentrated expression. A moment later, he opened his eyes, and a smile began to form on his face. If anyone stood before him and looked at him, they would notice that his presence felt almost nonexistent. In that instant, he summoned the Celestial Book and began to write:

[Finally, after weeks of effort, I've found a way to suppress my presence. With this, I can learn—without authorization (not that anyone cares about that small detail)—the techniques of Tang San and Tang Hao.]

The scene shifted to a barren house with a forge at the back. Surrounding the area, at a slight distance from the forge, were various bushes and trees.

"Clang, clang, clang"—the loud hammering sound echoed. At the forge, Tang San was tirelessly swinging his hammer, striking iron blocks with precise movements. Not far from him sat Tang Hao on a small stool, basking in the sun, occasionally glancing at the forging table.

Tang Hao, with his keen senses, opened his eyes and glanced at a tree where a bird had just landed. After a brief look, he closed his eyes and continued to rest. It was the beginning of spring, the perfect time for birds to return to their nests and begin breeding, so their presence was nothing out of the ordinary.

Hidden in a bush just a few meters from the tree, Tenshin was sweating, his body trembling slightly. A moment later, he let out a silent sigh of relief.

'He almost sensed me…' he thought, feeling the tension gradually ease. 'He probably didn't detect me because Tang Hao wasn't trying. Logically, no one in the village should know his identity, and I'm suppressing not just my soul power, but my very presence.'

Carefully moving to a better vantage point, Tenshin continued to observe.

'Is this the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer technique? Using the legs to carry the force from the waist, the waist to carry the back, and the back to carry the arms—borrowing power to exert force... It's quite subtle.'

Thanks to his memories from his past life, his martial arts training, and his knowledge of biology, Tenshin could naturally see the intricacies of Tang San's hammer-swinging technique. 'However, it seems Tang San has only just begun learning it, and his movements are still unrefined.'

Tenshin recalled that Tang Hao only taught Tang San the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique after discovering his Clear Sky Hammer martial soul.

'In the future, I should try to get my own private blacksmith shop. Blacksmithing is extremely physically demanding, especially when using the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique. It's excellent for building arm strength, as well as back and waist stability, which would be beneficial for me.' He knew that using a spear required strong arms and a stable core.

'Tang San was able to defeat Feng Xiaotian the first time he displayed the Clear Sky Hammer at the Soul Master Tournament, and it was due to his years of experience in blacksmithing. After all, practice makes perfect.' With this thought, Tenshin continued watching intently, absorbing every detail.

Day 20, Month 2

Later at night, as fatigue weighed down his limbs, Tenshin collapsed onto the ground after practicing the Disordered Wind Hammer. In the silent darkness—punctuated only by his racing heartbeat—he recorded his reflections in his diary:

[Today, I spent the afternoon at Tang Hao's forge. Though I hold little admiration for the man himself, his mastery of the hammer is undeniable. Each strike flows seamlessly into the next, the heated metal responding with a rhythm that borders on musical. After ten days of careful observation and practice, I am beginning to understand the essence of the Disordered Splitting Wind Hammer technique.]

[I attempted to replicate his movements, but my execution remains flawed. My posture is stiff, and my strikes lack consistency. This technique is not merely about raw power—it demands precise control, seamless coordination, and a firm foundation in the lower body to channel force efficiently. The legs drive the waist, the waist guides the back, and the back directs the arms—each movement borrowing from the last to amplify power. For now, though I have no intention of wielding a hammer, I will internalize this principle and later refine it for use with a spear or sword.]

From his metaknowledge, Tenshin understood that this technique, originally designed to purify metal by expelling impurities, could be adapted for combat. In the hands of a true Clear Sky Clan disciple, it evolved into the "Disorderly Wind Splitting Dance." Created by Tang San in the canonical timeline, this variant fused forging principles with dynamic movement, allowing the user to unleash layered, compounding force in battle. When wielded with a heavy weapon—such as the legendary Clear Sky Hammer—it generated a gravitational effect, dramatically amplifying its destructive potential.

Flashback End

Nearing the village entrance, Tenshin resumed writing:

[After these two months, I think I'm ready for Nuoding Academy. It will be just another step; the true challenge lies in my ability to apply what I have learned.]

Ahead, the figure of Grandpa Jack conversed with Tang San near the main gate. The journey to Nuoding City was on the horizon, signaling a shift as Tenshin prepared to leave the familiar grounds of Holy Spirit Village behind. The light of dawn stretched across the sky, a silent observer to the subtle changes unfolding among those touched by the "Mysterious Diary."

In the quiet solitude of her room, one of the heroines held the diary close, feeling its warmth seep into her hands. The lessons contained within resonated with her deeply, reflecting the constant battle between her obligations and her desire for personal freedom.

Not far away, another figure studied the diary's insights with a thoughtful expression. Her natural brilliance and fragile vulnerability stirred within her, sensing the potential for transformation and the call to break free from the rigid expectations of her past, yearning to unlock a strength she had yet to fully embrace.

Elsewhere, a third heroine carefully examined the fragmented entries, her sharp intellect guiding her as she pieced together Tenshin's reflections. The words pushed her to refine her methods, seeking to harmonize practical innovation with her own deeply held values, striving for a balance that could define her path forward.

In a quiet corner, another one reflected on the diary's content with a mix of recognition and challenge. The fragments she read acted as a mirror to her past contradictions, while sparking within her a desire for change. Each word became both a reminder of her struggles and a spark for redemption, urging her to rise above her former self and embrace a future built on self-improvement.

In that still moment, as the village stirred with the gentle sounds of dawn, all felt a profound connection to Tenshin's journey. The diary had become more than a mere collection of reflections—it was a living testament to discipline, growth, and the intertwined fates of those who dared to push beyond their limits. Even as Tenshin moved toward new challenges at Nuoding Academy, the heroines shared in his resolve and hope, drawing strength from every lesson he had left behind.