NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 22: Chapter 22
"What? Senior Liu Erlong died at the hands of the Spirit Hall?" Yin Xiaoya blurts out, his mind still stuck on the timeline of the original story.
Flender's brow furrows. "What Spirit Hall? It's the Martial Soul Hall."
Yin Xiaoya freezes, then offers a sheepish grin. My bad. Old habits. I keep calling it Spirit Hall because that's what it was called in the Douluo novels I used to read.
Through their conversation, Yin Xiaoya pieces together the puzzle. The Martial Soul Hall in this world mirrors the Spirit Hall of Tang San's Douluo, the most powerful organization on the continent with virtually the same goals and methods.
The key difference? Bibi Dong isn't a member. Also, the Pope isn't Qian Xunji, the lecherous angel from the original timeline, but a new face entirely. Yin Xiaoya doesn't know who this pope is.
When he presses Flender about the source of the Golden Iron Triangle's feud with the Martial Soul Hall, Flender clams up, refusing to elaborate.
As for Bibi Dong, she isn't the cold, calculating Pope of his memories. This Bibi Dong, after Liu Erlong's death, became Yu Xiaogang's student and, unlike her counterpart, wears her heart on her sleeve. She is bold with her love for Yu Xiaogang and actively pursues him, determined to pull him from the depths of his grief. Flender, in a surprising turn, has been helping her, supporting their unconventional romance.
Their relationship, defying the taboo of teacher and student, has blossomed into a deep bond, though they haven't officially tied the knot. Yu Xiaogang apparently wishes to fulfill a promise he made to Liu Erlong before marrying Bibi Dong, wanting to do so without any lingering regrets.
Flender's voice cracks as he recounts this, wiping away tears. "My silly brother... life's never been easy for him. Born into a famous family, cursed with a mutated martial soul. Found love, only to discover it was his cousin. Finally found happiness with Erlong, only to lose her..."
"..."
Yin Xiaoya is at a loss for words. Misery seems to follow Yu Xiaogang across realities. The Yu Xiaogang of Tang San's world endured NTR, dallied with his sister, and was ultimately betrayed and killed by his apprentice-turned-villain. A truly tragic figure.
And here, the story is flipped on its head, but the level of suffering remains the same. Yin Xiaoya can't shake the feeling that Bibi Dong might spring some kind of surprise on Yu Xiaogang down the line.
"We've arrived." Flender's words break Yin Xiaoya from his thoughts.
He finds himself at the summit of a mountain behind Shrek Academy. A secluded courtyard, a gnarled old tree, and a small, meticulously kept stone mound mark the spot. It's clear someone visits often to tidy the area. A stele stands before the mound, inscribed with: "The Tomb of My Beloved Wife, Liu Erlong."
Yin Xiaoya notices a festive table in a small pavilion, complete with unlit red candles, empty plates and bowls, and a pair of wine glasses for newlyweds.
"This is..." Yin Xiaoya says.
"They were married here, with me as their witness." Flender's voice is raw with emotion as he shuffles toward the tombstone. "Xiaogang always said that once everything was settled, he wanted to marry Bibi Dong properly, and have me stand by his side again. But Erlong... I can't let go. I swore I would avenge you."
Yin Xiaoya waits in silence, allowing Flender his moment.
"Erlong, I've brought someone to see you. I don't know if it'll work, but Xiaogang and I see a glimmer of hope in him. Yin Xiaoya, come over here."
Yin Xiaoya nods, approaching the tomb and bowing deeply. "Senior Liu Erlong, I apologize for the disturbance."
"Now, tell me why you wanted to come here." Flender demands.
"Before that, I need to confirm something. Senior Erlong's remains are indeed interred here, correct?"
"Of course. Where else would she be? What are you getting at?"
"I intend to use a power uniquely suited to this world to attempt a miracle. I will burn my very life!"
Yin Xiaoya raises his right hand, clutching a grey-white object resembling an eyeball. He straightens his index and middle fingers, extending his arms and drawing a circle before pressing a button on the edge of the "eyeball." A strange pattern of eyes appears before them.
If he had to pick one Kamen Rider series most compatible with Douluo World, it would undoubtedly be Kamen Rider Ghost, fueled by the power of souls. The soul power that drove Martial Souls was similar to the spirit power of the spirit knight. Both come from the soul. Therefore, the power of Ghost can be 100% replaced by soul power.
As the power source for Kamen Rider Ghost, the Eyecon not only burns the power of the soul to provide the rider with strength but also becomes the host of the soul's consciousness. When needed, the soul within can manifest as a "Parka Ghost" and possess the user, granting them its abilities. Under certain conditions, the Eyecon can even summon a Ghost Warrior in Damashii form to fight.
In this world of Douluo, unlocking Kamen Rider Ghost's belt and the most basic Ore Eyecon requires a specific soul beast's power. However, Heroic Eyecons require the spirit of a hero. Although soul beast spirits were acceptable, it wouldn't be the Heroic Eyecon, but the Beast Eyecon.
Therefore, if Yin Xiaoya wanted the Heroic Eyecon, he must integrate the souls of the dead into the Eyecon. In this world, a person's soul exists as a Martial Soul. As if on cue, they both see an illusory crimson dragon through the eye pattern.
"This... this is the Fire Dragon, Liu Erlong's martial soul! Impossible! This can't be!" Flender cries.
His eyes darting around, Flender realizes the image disappears when he breaks his line of sight with the Eyecon.
"Dean Flender, the realms of the living and the dead are separate. Under normal circumstances, the living cannot contact the souls of the departed. But this Eyecon allows us to see," Yin Xiaoya explains.
Flender steps back into position, and sees the familiar martial soul hovering quietly above the tombstone. The crimson dragon is only four or five meters long and appears still.
"It really is... Erlong's martial soul?" Flender asks.
Yin Xiaoya nods. "If Senior Erlong is buried here, then that dragon is undoubtedly her Martial Soul."
Tears stream down Flender's face. "This is the miracle you spoke of? Thank you! Thank you so much! I'll go get Xiaogang."
Flender summons his Martial Soul, wings sprouting from his back, ready to take flight, but Yin Xiaoya stops him.
"Wait, Dean Flender. You mustn't bring Master here yet."
"Why not? He's been grieving Erlong for years."
"I understand, but that's precisely why we can't let Master know right now. What do you think Bibi Dong would feel?"
"She wouldn't mind. It's just a glimpse of her Martial Soul. Bibi Dong wouldn't say a thing. She tends to this cemetery more diligently than Xiaogang himself. She respects Erlong immensely. I was hoping she could come over and pay her respects, too."
Yin Xiaoya sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You misunderstand. The miracle I mentioned isn't complete. That dragon isn't just Senior Erlong's Martial Soul; her consciousness is fused with it. That's Senior Erlong herself."
"What? She's... Erlong?" Flender retracts his wings. "What's going on?"
"I called you because I need your help to awaken her. She's been asleep for a long time, and only those close to her can rouse her. If we were just looking at the Martial Soul, there wouldn't be a problem bringing Master. But if Senior Erlong's consciousness returns, do you think Grandmaster and Bibi Dong can remain calm? That's why I could only call you. As a member of the Golden Iron Triangle, you were closest to Senior Erlong."
Flender is overwhelmed with shock. "You... you mean Erlong can regain consciousness and speak to me?"
Yin Xiaoya nods. "Find a way to wake her. Only you can do it."
All methods of unlocking powers required consent, except when dealing with a masterless soul ring. If Liu Erlong remained asleep, it was impossible to know whether she would agree. She must be awakened before attempting to communicate with her. Yu Xiaogang would be the best candidate to wake her, but things would become complicated. Therefore, Yin Xiaoya only called Flender.
"Alright, alright. I'll try," Flender says.
He moves closer, calling out Liu Erlong's name through the Eyecon's pattern, but the Fire Dragon remains unresponsive. Frustrated, Flender paces in a circle.
"Is there something special between you two? Something you can say? Maybe it'll work." Yin Xiaoya suggests.
"Something only between us..." Flender pauses, then his eyes widen. "Yes! A phrase, unsaid for ten years!"
Flender stands still, soul power rising within him, summoning his Soul Rings. Yin Xiaoya stares in disbelief. Flender has NINE Soul Rings. Is Flender a Titled Douluo in this world?
Just as Yin Xiaoya is caught off guard by Flender's hidden strength, Flender opens his eyes, a golden light flashing within.
"Sister Erlong, do you remember the Golden Holy Dragon, the fusion skill we three had? Wake up! Sun and moon shine and turn golden!"
Flender shouts the slogan they used when performing their Martial Soul fusion skill, channeling his soul power through the Eyecon's pattern toward the Fire Dragon.
As the light fades, Flender retracts his Soul Rings, staring intently at the Fire Dragon. After a long moment, just as they're about to give up, the Fire Dragon's eyelids twitch. Slowly, her eyes open.
"Fu...boss?" she croaks.
***
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