Chapter 27: Soul Power Breakthrough
As he increased the pressure he was releasing, Zhi Lin could no longer hide his look of shock, and continued to intensify the output.
When it reached level 45, Zu Zong began to struggle. He quietly activated the fourth layer of the Nine Yang Divine Art. As his soul power circulated, the Blue Silver Emperor vine in his right hand extended to wrap around himself, which made him feel somewhat better.
Zhi Lin (shocked): What kind of little monster is this?
Level 46.
Level 47.
Level 48.
When the pressure grew to level 49, Zu Zong was truly struggling. Sweat broke out on his forehead, and he had to rely on the Blue Silver Emperor for support just to stand. Still, he did not give up. Four months ago, he had already broken through to level 37, but then hit a bottleneck. Maybe this was the perfect chance to break through.
Seeing that Zu Zong was finally at his limit, Zhi Lin the Soul Douluo smiled and said seriously, "If you can't hold on any longer, I can remove the pressure right now."
Can't do it? To be told by a woman that you can't do it—in front of a woman, no less—even if she was a female rabbit, was an enormous humiliation for a man. Zu Zong gritted his teeth and said, "A man can say anything, but never say he can't do it in front of a woman! Continue."
"Uh!" Zhi Lin the Soul Douluo was left speechless by Zu Zong's response. What is this kid even saying? Young people these days really are precocious!
"Alright!" Zhi Lin the Soul Douluo replied, increasing the pressure to level 50 as he spoke.
Zu Zong's body trembled, and he dropped to one knee. The growing pressure swept over him like a mountain and a tidal wave, forcing him to support himself on the ground as the floor beneath his feet cracked inch by inch.
Blue-violet light flared brilliantly. All of the Blue Silver Emperor vines swayed in the air on their own, and with every movement, a special feeling was generated.
Zu Zong's soul power—level 38, breakthrough achieved!
As the source of the pressure, Zhi Lin felt this most clearly. The little monster in his eyes had broken through: a level 38 Soul Elder before the age of thirteen.
At the same time, a long-missed system prompt sounded in Zu Zong's mind.
[Ding, congratulations to the host for raising soul power to level 38. One steal opportunity awarded.]
[Ding, host's personal panel has been updated. Opening personal panel automatically.]
[Host: Zu Zong
Gender: Male
Age: 12 years, five months
Martial Soul: Ultimate Flame Blue Silver Emperor (awakened) / Sharingan
Innate Soul Power: Level 10
Soul Power Level: 38
Base Strength: 1080 (average adult male: 10)
System Inventory: Kunai ×100, Shuriken ×100, Clothing ×5
Overall Evaluation: Young Expert
Remaining Steal Opportunities: 8
Hatred Points: 131,400
Steal Worlds: Douluo Continent, Naruto, Battle Through the Heavens, Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber
Domain: Blue Silver Domain (second form)
Personal Achievement: Soul Master
]
Retracting the Blue Silver Emperor vines, Zu Zong smiled, but it was obvious he was exhausted, his steps unsteady. Hiding behind a pillar, Xiao Wu, seeing Zu Zong's unsteady steps, rushed out to support him, completely forgetting her earlier fear.
With Xiao Wu's support, Zu Zong clasped his fists respectfully and said, "Thank you, Dean, for your help!"
Zhi Lin the Soul Douluo waved his hand and sat back down, saying seriously, "No need to thank me—this is a chance you earned yourself."
Then he asked, "I'm very curious, what's so remarkable about your martial soul that its quality actually surpasses my Sky Azure Vine? An ordinary Blue Silver Grass couldn't possibly achieve this."
Zu Zong's eyes narrowed slightly. So he's finally getting to the point? Of course, he couldn't just reveal that his martial soul was the Blue Silver Emperor. Even though few people knew the truth about Tang Hao's battle with Spirit Hall over twelve years ago, there was always the risk of being discovered by someone with ulterior motives, bringing unnecessary trouble.
Thinking this, Zu Zong put on a serious face and replied, "Everyone in our village has Blue Silver Grass as their martial soul. When I awakened my martial soul, it mutated and gained fire attributes. At first, I didn't notice, but after obtaining my first soul ring, I found out."
As he spoke, Zu Zong released his first soul skill.
"First Soul Skill: Poison Dragon Bind."
Three soul rings flashed around Zu Zong, and the first yellow ring lit up. A Blue Silver Emperor vine as thick as an arm shot out from Zu Zong's hand. The black scales covering the Blue Silver Emperor's vine glowed red, as if they were pieces of heated iron. The moment it touched the floor, it immediately burned a large hole.
A gasp swept through the air—what a high temperature!
Zhi Lin the Soul Douluo's brow finally relaxed a little. He said, "I see. As we all know, plant-type soul masters are usually countered by soul masters with fire attributes. But your mutated Blue Silver Grass not only comes with extremely strong fire-type attacks, it directly overcomes this weakness. It's the first plant-type martial soul that actually counters other plant-type martial souls. Calling it a top-tier martial soul isn't an exaggeration at all!"
Everyone who heard Zhi Lin's explanation immediately understood.
Meng Shenji burst out laughing. "See? Didn't my precious granddaughter tell you the truth? What did I say—Nuoding City has produced two true geniuses."
The others could only smile wryly. Even the strictest among them, Zhi Lin the Soul Douluo, had acknowledged Zu Zong; what more could they say?
"Precious daughter?" Zu Zong showed a puzzled look, and Xiao Wu was the same. When had they ever met this Soul Douluo's precious daughter?
"Heh, hahaha," this time it was Bai Baolin who laughed. "Isn't your Nuoding Academy's dean named Franklin? Old Meng's precious granddaughter was stolen away by him." (Author's note: I made this up, don't blame me.)
Zu Zong silently gave Franklin a thumbs-up in his heart. What a master!
Zu Zong had met Franklin's wife a few times—they didn't have much of a relationship. Xiao Wu, however, got along well with her, and she really was quite pretty.
For the dean to have landed her, despite being in his thirties but looking like he's in his forties or fifties, that's some skill.
The first time they met, Zu Zong had even thought she was Franklin's daughter! Who would have thought? Franklin was just over thirty back then; now, after almost six years, he's in his early forties, and his wife is only a little younger than him.
When Bai Baoshan brought up Franklin, Meng Shenji's face twitched and he lost his composure, exclaiming angrily, "Hmph! That Franklin, sneaky as a ghost, somehow managed to run off with my only precious granddaughter. Next time I see him, I'll definitely teach him a lesson!"
Zu Zong thought to himself, 'No wonder this academy, which usually only accepts nobles, would invite Xiao Wu and me, offering free board and lodging and even giving out Gold Soul Coins. Turns out it's all thanks to the dean's wife's recommendation. Looks like I'm riding on Xiao Wu's coattails.'
Qing Jiao: Does your face hurt now? Who was it earlier that said Xiao Wu was just an extra?
Zu Zong: Damn it.
Zhi Lin, noticing that Meng Shenji's old habit had flared up again at the mention of his precious granddaughter, decided to change the topic. He looked at Xiao Wu and said, "Hmm! Exceptional talent, and her soul power seems to be over level thirty, but she appears to be a bit shy. I wonder what surprises this young lady will bring us."
(End of chapter)
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