Douluo, my clone Groudon

Chapter 402 "Compensation"

Gula sat in meditation deep within the Jingyang Mountains for three more days, completely transforming the massive amount of divine power fed back by the angelic soul into his own stable cultivation.

When he opened his eyes again, his soul power level had stabilized at level seventy-two.

Within the Sea of ​​Spirit, the aura of the Sun Angel's soul was even more vast and boundless, reaching a terrifying age of 190,000 years, just one step away from becoming a true 200,000-year-old ferocious beast soul.

He stood up, and his immense spiritual power spread outwards like mercury spilling onto the ground.

After breaking through to the Soul Saint realm, his control over the Forest Authority of the Celebi Martial Soul greatly increased. At this moment, the trees and flowers of the entire Jingyang Mountain Range seemed to have become his eyes and ears, and every detail appeared as soon as he thought of it.

He quickly found Huo Yuhao and his two companions, who were slowly moving towards the outer edge of the mountain range. They were all clearly seriously injured, moving slowly and supporting each other.

Gula spread his wings of light, instantly transforming into a stream of light, and landed in front of the three people in a few breaths.

"Gula, I'm so glad you're alright." Huo Yuhao, supported by Ju Zi, was overjoyed to see that Gula was safe and sound.

But his keen spiritual eyes instantly detected something amiss—the soul power emanating from Gula's body seemed to be much stronger than before.

He became secretly wary and couldn't help but ask, "Your soul power...?"

"Oh, that?" Gula said casually, as if discussing a trivial matter. "You heard the explosion earlier, right?"

Huo Yuhao and the other two nodded immediately, still feeling lingering fear.

Orange added, "We didn't just hear it, the earth shook, we thought you..." She didn't finish her sentence.

Gula nodded: "I was besieged by evil soul masters, four titled Douluo, one of whom was a level 98 Super Douluo."

He paused, looking at the three men's faces, which turned deathly pale, and continued, "But they don't know that this was my original purpose. I used more than a hundred 'Evil Busters' to kill three of them and refine their original divine power. Now, I've just broken through to Soul Emperor and am not far from Soul Saint."

He deliberately obscured his level, only saying that he had broken through to the Soul Emperor realm, and attributed the surge in strength to refining the power of an evil soul master, taking this opportunity to reveal his "true" strength.

The future of Mingdu will only become more and more dangerous, and it needs a reasonable and sufficiently strong overt power to deal with it.

Huo Yuhao's mouth dropped open in astonishment; this completely challenged his understanding: "Killing an evil soul master can increase soul power? Nearly twenty levels higher?! Won't this... weaken his foundation?"

Gula shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance befitting someone with an ultimate attribute: "This might be a problem for other angelic martial souls. But I have dual ultimate attributes, and my soul power has already undergone extreme compression and tempering, making it incredibly solid and preventing any floating phenomenon."

Huo Yuhao was taken aback, then realized he had asked a stupid question.

As the owner of the ultimate ice, he was all too familiar with the natural purification and compression effects of ultimate attributes on soul power; however, the extent of this enhancement was truly astonishing.

He then thought of another question: "Then...where did your spirit rings come from?" With such a rapid increase in spirit power, how did you manage to obtain spirit rings?
Gula had already prepared his explanation: "I have a teacher who captured the soul beast for me. The powerful aura you sensed earlier was from his battle with Zhongli Wu, the leader of the Holy Spirit Cult."

Huo Yuhao suddenly realized: "So that's how it is. No wonder you didn't agree when Elder Mu wanted to take you as his disciple."

He recalled Moon's instructions and sighs before he left, and now it seemed that they all had an answer.

Gula nodded and said nothing more.

He won't stay in this time and space forever, nor will he bind himself to Shrek's ship.

With a wave of his hand, the pure power of light transformed into vibrant life energy, enveloping the three of them, primarily to heal Huo Yuhao, who was the most severely injured.

This was an additional ability that the angel soul gained after breaking through 100,000 years. The effect was remarkable, and the injuries of the three people improved at a speed visible to the naked eye. Huo Yuhao, with the foundation of the life gold in his body, recovered even faster.

“Let’s go back to Mingdu,” Gula said.

The four released their flying soul tools and flew towards Mingdu.

Back at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, Gula and Huo Yuhao parted ways and went straight to Jing Hongchen's office, pushing the door open without even knocking.

Seeing Gula arrive uninvited, Jing Hongchen frowned, put down the documents in his hand, and asked seriously, "Gula, what do you want with me?"

Gula pulled over a chair and sat down, getting straight to the point with a clearly accusing tone:
“Dean Hongchen, the security situation at your Sun Moon Academy… or rather, your Sun Moon Empire, seems to be rather poor.”

Jing Hongchen frowned even more deeply: "What do you mean?"

"What do I mean?" Gula sneered. "I just went out to test a soul tool and collect some samples, and what happened? Four Title Douluos came and surrounded me."

"Among them is a level 98 Super Douluo, Zhongli Wu. Moreover, they are all evil soul masters. Dean Hongchen, your country is truly full of hidden talents, it's very dangerous."

Faced with Gula's sarcastic remarks, Jing Hongchen's first reaction was disbelief, and he retorted, "Nonsense! Where would so many Title Douluo evil soul masters come from!"

Gula seemed to have anticipated his words, and with a slight movement of his soul power, he revealed an aura that belonged to the Soul Emperor level.

At the same time, with a wave of his hand, three severely damaged and dimly lit level-nine defensive soul tools, as well as several soul bones exuding a strong aura of blood and resentment, were thrown onto Jing Hongchen's luxurious desk with a few clatters.

The resentment entwined on the soul bone was almost tangible, clearly indicating that the original owner had forcibly increased the drop rate by cruelly killing soul beasts, a typical characteristic of evil soul masters.

Feeling the incredibly solid Soul Emperor-level soul power fluctuations of Gula, and looking at the three broken but still extraordinary level-nine soul tool fragments on the table, as well as the several soul bones brimming with resentment, Jing Hongchen's expression finally changed, and he was already seven or eight parts convinced.

He looked up in shock: "You...you really...have a level 98 Super Douluo? How did you survive?!"

At the same time, he was horrified. Had the Holy Spirit Cult become so powerful?!
Gula shook his head, interrupting his questioning: "How I survived is none of your business, Dean. But I felt like I was being watched, and then I was ambushed by top-tier evil soul masters, plus these three level-nine defensive soul tools from your Sun Moon Empire..."

"This matter is definitely related to your Sun Moon Empire! You must give me an explanation!"

Jing Hongchen instantly realized that Gula was trying to extort money from him.

He had done his research and knew that Angelic Martial Souls could gain benefits from killing Evil Soul Masters. He estimated that Gula had made a huge profit, but it was also true that he had lost so many "Evil Busters".

But looking at the identical marks on the soul tools, he still couldn't understand what kind of attack could destroy three level-nine defensive soul tools simultaneously and allow Gula to return safely. This made him even more wary of the power that might be behind Gula.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his shock and calculations, knowing that this matter wouldn't end well without some bloodshed today.

He said in a deep voice, "Just tell me, what do you want?"

Gula was blunt and made an exorbitant demand: "First, I helped the Sun Moon Empire eliminate three evil Soul Master Title Douluos, which is equivalent to saving countless innocent civilians who might have been harmed. My contribution is immense. Give me 30,000 catties of rare metals, and the quality must be at least medium. Don't try to fool me with inferior goods."

"Secondly, I helped you severely injure the deputy leader of the Holy Spirit Cult who was hiding in the shadows, a level 98 Super Douluo, which greatly weakened this evil force."

"I want to enter Mingde Hall to study, and I need to have access to the complete design blueprints and manufacturing methods for all soul tools below level nine within Mingde Hall."

He had long coveted the Sun Moon Empire's soul tool technology. The Federation would impose a technological blockade on high-powered soul tools in the future, so he figured he might as well seize this rare opportunity and learn as much as he could.

"impossible!"

Jing Hongchen flatly refused, her face turning ashen. "The academy is not something I can decide on my own. The royal family is the true master of the academy! I have no right to allocate so many resources to you!"

"At most... at most you can be allowed to enter Mingde Hall to study, but only up to a portion of the core technology of level seven soul tools can be observed and learned by you. Moreover, you must guarantee that you will never pass it on to anyone else."

Although he didn't think Gula could learn much advanced and complex knowledge about soul tools in a short time, he would never take the risk.

He paused, his tone hardening: "Don't try to threaten me with those bombs again. You've been through a major war; your 'Evil Buster' is probably all used up. I won't be threatened by you anymore."

Upon hearing this, Gula sneered, completely disbelieving Jing Hongchen's act of loyalty to the royal family. He simply didn't have enough leverage.

He pushed the nearly ten ancient soul bones, shrouded in resentment, forward: "Since the dean says he can't make the decision, let's try another way. I'll 'buy' them with these soul bones."

"50,000 catties of rare metals of medium or higher quality. And the privileges to study at Mingde Hall cannot be compromised; I need to see all blueprints below level nine."

He leaned forward slightly, his tone carrying a hint of cold threat: "Otherwise, wouldn't Dean Hongchen like to personally test why the Holy Spirit Sect Leader abandoned three level-nine defensive soul tools and his subordinates' soul bones, fleeing in such a sorry state?"

Jing Hongchen felt a chill run down his spine, once again trying to guess Gula's unfathomable trump card.

At the same time, he was indeed very tempted by the high-quality, ten-thousand-year-old soul bones on the table.

Although these spirit bones are filled with resentment, Mingdetang has the technology to purify or utilize them. Their value is roughly equivalent to 60-70% of the total value of the metal that Gula demands.

He quickly calculated: this meant he needed to persuade the royal family to cover the remaining portion, and he might also be able to profit from the difference...

Moreover, Gula is too cunning and treacherous. He can even scheme to kill a Title Douluo, a demonic soul master. It's better not to completely break ties with him over such "public" things, lest he find some leverage against you. Although it's not fatal, it's disgusting enough.

“Sigh,” Jing Hongchen sighed as if she had made a difficult decision, “I can try to persuade His Majesty and the Crown Prince, but I can’t guarantee that it will work.”

Gula nodded in satisfaction: "Dean, please go ahead and speak to His Highness the Crown Prince... He will agree."

A glint flashed in Jing Hongchen's eyes, and he immediately caught the key information.

It's the Crown Prince! Is the Crown Prince colluding with the evil spirit master?!
As a high-ranking member of the Sun Moon Empire, he had experienced the royal family's usurpation of power, which was a tacit rebellion tacitly approved by most of the high-ranking members of the Sun Moon Empire due to their dissatisfaction with the emperor's weak policies.

Jing Hongchen knew that the current emperor had used the power of evil spirit masters when he usurped the throne, and then destroyed them afterward. He never expected that the crown prince would follow the same old path.

He cursed inwardly, wondering why he had to know such crucial information; now he couldn't pretend to be ignorant anymore.

"Never mind," Jing Hongchen thought helplessly, "Let the Crown Prince deal with the trouble he caused himself."

After figuring things out, Jing Hongchen first went to the palace to report the situation to the ailing emperor, mainly highlighting Gula's "achievements" and potential threats. After receiving the emperor's vague instruction to "handle it at his discretion," she then went to the Crown Prince's residence.

The emperor is now just waiting to die. Moreover, the princes had already competed for the throne under his supervision, and Xu Tianran was crippled as a result. He simply doesn't have the energy to cultivate a new crown prince and wait for the new prince to take control of the government and win over the nobles.

Even if Xu Tianran colluded with evil spirit masters, the emperor could only trust that he could control this force.

At the Crown Prince's residence, Xu Tianran's face darkened considerably after hearing Jing Hongchen's purpose, especially Gula's blatant extortionate demands.

He knew perfectly well that Gula was using the mysterious Super Douluo behind him to threaten him.

But does he have a solution? Even the Holy Spirit Cult he relies on has suffered heavy losses at the hands of Gula and his backers, so he has no means to deal with it for the time being.

Fifty thousand catties of medium-quality rare metal! Enough to arm half of an elite Soul Guidance Legion. How could he be willing to give it away to his enemy for nothing!
Conflict, anger, frustration... all sorts of emotions churned within Xu Tianran.

Ultimately, practical considerations prevailed over acting impulsively. He couldn't afford to create any further trouble at this point, so he had no choice but to swallow his pride and bear the consequences.

"...Okay. I agree."

Xu Tianran practically spat out those words through gritted teeth, "But tell him this is the last time. Also, tell him to watch his mouth; the royal family cannot be insulted!"

Jing Hongchen sighed inwardly. If the Crown Prince had chosen to fight to the death instead of continuing to plot in the shadows, he would have thought more highly of the Crown Prince. He bowed and said, "Yes, Your Highness. I understand."

After leaving the Crown Prince's residence, Jing Hongchen immediately began to handle the relevant procedures and fulfilled Gula's requests one by one.

Inside the Crown Prince's study, Xu Tianran's face was ashen, and he crushed the teacup in his hand.

"Gula... just you wait... taking advantage of me isn't so easy!"

Furthermore, he must find out exactly how Gula knew that it was him who contacted the evil spirit master.

Recalling Gula's arrogant statement of "killing the prince" when he blew up the laboratory, Xu Tianran felt a chill.

He immediately ordered his trusted confidants to conduct a thorough investigation in secret, but no matter how he investigated, he was destined to get no answers and the matter would eventually come to nothing. However, this thorn was deeply embedded in his heart.

(End of this chapter)