Heavenly Thief System: Starting in Douluo

Chapter 39: The Protagonist Who Judges Character by the Moon

"Wow! Xiao Zong, that was so satisfying! Let's do it again tomorrow! I want to team up with you for a two-on-two spirit battle!"

No need to guess—who else could be this battle-crazed except that hundred-thousand-year-old rabbit?

"Alright, alright, I got it," Zu Zong replied helplessly.

After entering the Soto City Great Spirit Arena, the three of them signed up for spirit battles right away.

Because Ye Lingling was a support-type spirit master, aside from entering the solo competition, Zu Zong also teamed up with her under the duo name "Blue Ling Duo."

In the solo battle, Zu Zong's opponent was a rank-35 Soul Elder with a black bear beast spirit and spirit rings of white, yellow, yellow.

As expected, Zu Zong exchanged a few moves with him and then used his first spirit skill.

Without even relying on fire poison or high temperatures, he easily wrapped the bear Soul Elder up like a giant rice dumpling.

During the restraint, the bear Soul Elder tried to break free with brute force, relying on his beast spirit's strength.

But everyone had forgotten that not only was his level lower than Zu Zong's, Zu Zong's spirit was the Blue Silver Emperor—one of the strongest plant-type spirits.

It was incomparably tough, enhanced by the Black Scaled Venom Python's defensive scales, strength, speed, and tenacity.

How could some random bear-type spirit break out of that?

Naturally, Zu Zong claimed victory in that match.

In the duo battle, the "Blue Ling Duo" faced an unfamiliar opponent not mentioned in the original work—the "Knight Duo."

Both members of the Knight Duo were strong, each at level 38.

The elder brother wielded a giant axe, with three yellow rings.

The younger had a refined iron shield as his spirit, with rings of white, yellow, yellow.

A pure offense-and-defense combo, they were notoriously difficult to deal with and had racked up seven consecutive wins before.

Clearly, the Knight Duo had seen Zu Zong's earlier fight.

As soon as they stepped onto the stage, their expressions grew serious.

Zu Zong had shown overwhelming strength, subduing a power-type spirit master of the same rank with just his first skill.

Their strategy was clear—play it safe and avoid clashing with Zu Zong.

Instead, they targeted Ye Lingling, the support-type.

But how could Zu Zong not see through that?

This time, he didn't take the usual reactive approach—he went on the offensive.

His first skill not only protected Ye Lingling but also blocked the Knight Duo's attack path.

Even when the axe spirit master chopped through the scaled Blue Silver Emperor vines, new ones swarmed in to take their place.

Eventually, the shield spirit master activated his third spirit skill—Golden Bell Shield—forming a massive energy barrier around them.

That finally halted Zu Zong's Poison Dragon Bind.

Zu Zong didn't hold back any longer—this was the perfect time to test his second spirit skill: Blue Silver Blade.

A thousand-year skill was a thousand-year skill.

Even though the shield's defense technique was close to a thousand-year level, the Blue Silver Blade pierced through it.

The Knight Duo lost the match.

As for Xiao Wu, she also wanted to join the duo battles, but without a partner, she had to settle for solo.

Luckily, she had a favorable matchup.

After dozens of exchanges, she relied on her unique third spirit skill—Teleportation—to pull off a win.

After the matches, the three walked out of the arena and strolled along the streets of Soto City, heading toward the Rose Hotel.

Along the way, Ye Lingling kept glancing at Zu Zong, clearly wanting to say something.

With his sharp instincts, Zu Zong noticed and turned to ask, "Lingling, is something wrong?"

"I…"

Zu Zong smiled and said, "We're classmates and teammates on the same squad. For the next few years, we'll be trusting each other with our lives. There's no need to be so reserved."

Xiao Wu, though a bit thick-headed, truly saw Ye Lingling as a good friend.

She chimed in warmly, "Lingling, just say it! Don't be shy with Xiao Zong. If you're too embarrassed to ask him for help, just tell me—Xiao Wu will speak for you!"

As she spoke, she patted her not-yet-developed chest.

Then, she exchanged a look with Zu Zong.

Only, the difference was: Xiao Wu's eyes clearly said, 'You're going to agree whether you want to or not.'

Zu Zong, on the other hand, was rolling his eyes hard.

[Zu Zong (eye-roll)]: Who even are you to decide that for me?

[Xiao Wu (bashful)]: I… I'm your girlfriend.

[Zu Zong (feigning displeasure)]: Who would like a dumb old rabbit like you?

[Xiao Wu (angry)]: I don't care! Are you agreeing or not?

[Zu Zong (grinning slyly)]: What if Ye Lingling asked me to marry her—should I say yes then?

[Xiao Wu (face pale)]:"…"

Ye Lingling took a deep breath, then nodded.

She looked at Zu Zong seriously and said, "Zu Zong, today during the spirit battle, I saw that you didn't use your martial spirit, but instead relied on powerful hand-to-hand techniques and impressive soul power control."

"I'm a support-type spirit master. I have no offensive power… I was wondering if I could…"

As she spoke, Ye Lingling lowered her head and gently pinched the corners of her skirt.

She looked completely different from her usual cool demeanor—more like a little girl who had done something wrong.

Hearing this, Xiao Wu gave Ye Lingling's soft shoulder a big, hearty slap and grinned.

"Hehe, Lingling, is that all? If you wanted to learn, you should've said so earlier!"

Then she leaned in close to Ye Lingling's ear and whispered, "Let me tell you a secret! Xiao Zong doesn't just know body techniques. He also knows knife arts, hidden weapons, and all sorts of throwing techniques!"

"And the craziest part? He can pretty much copy any fighting style he sees just once!"

"With his help, you'll become a support-type spirit master who can attack in no time!"

[Zu Zong (deadpan)]: You call that a secret? I heard the whole thing!

Hearing Xiao Wu's words, Ye Lingling looked surprised.

She turned to her and asked, "Then… did Zu Zong not teach you?"

She had watched Xiao Wu fight—her style was all wild and unrestrained, clearly not showing any signs of Zu Zong's techniques.

So she suspected Zu Zong's skills might be some kind of secret art.

Ye Lingling's question made Xiao Wu's laughter freeze on her face.

She couldn't possibly admit she was just too lazy to learn!

So she stammered, "I-I already have soft-body techniques! Yeah! That's right! I don't need to learn anything else!"

Zu Zong didn't expose Xiao Wu's painfully obvious lie.

Instead, he looked at Ye Lingling and said seriously, "I can teach you. But it's going to be tough. Can you handle that?"

"Mm!"

Not long after, the three of them finally arrived at the entrance of the Rose Hotel.

Suddenly, Zu Zong sensed something following them.

Earlier it had been too faint to notice, so he didn't care. There was no hostility, after all.

But just now, he clearly felt a burst of soul power from the stalker.

There was no killing intent—but the aggressive enthusiasm was very obvious.

Watching Xiao Wu and Ye Lingling head into their room, Zu Zong turned and walked back out the hotel doors.

He stepped into a nearby alleyway and said calmly, "You've been following me long enough. Come on out."

As soon as he finished speaking, a black shadow shot straight at him.

The speed was incredible—its target: Zu Zong's crotch.

Startled, Zu Zong flipped back just in time to dodge the attack.

"Damn! You trying to make me go extinct or what?!"

But his words didn't stop the attacker.

The strikes came faster and more precisely.

This time, Zu Zong got a good look.

The attacker was a woman.

And not just any woman—one with a rather explosive personality.

He'd seen her earlier that day.

Putting away his kunai, Zu Zong asked, "You're… Zhu Zhuqing?"

(End of chapter)

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