Douluo, my clone Groudon

Chapter 411 Shrek Team Members

When Gula arrived at the designated open space in the center of Poseidon Island, the people sent by Yan Shaozhe had already assembled the seven team members.

They were gathered together, talking excitedly with a touch of trepidation.

"I never imagined we'd be representing Shrek Academy in this competition!"

The tall and slender Zhou Sichen said excitedly, "I just don't know who the academy will send to be our captain."

With his red hair and fiery temper, Wu Feng crossed his arms and snorted, "No matter who it is, Ning Tian is definitely more suitable to be the captain."

She has always been Ning Tian's most steadfast supporter.

Ning Tian, ​​with his dashing and heroic demeanor, gently shook his head and rebuked, "Wu Feng, don't talk nonsense. Since the academy chose the seven of us to participate, they must have had their own considerations and arrangements. We must trust the academy's decision."

These seven people were all students in the same class as Gula and Huo Yuhao. Back then, there were many geniuses. They were the best of the best who survived the selection process and were quite familiar with each other.

Besides Ning Tian, ​​Wu Feng, and Zhou Sichen, there are also the Lan sisters, Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo, who possess hair as their martial soul and can use the martial soul fusion skill "Heavenly Net"; Cao Jinxuan, who controls the strange time-attribute martial soul "Time-Fleeting Bell"; and Xie Huanyue, a defensive battle soul master whose martial soul is a pika elephant.

When Gula appeared at the edge of the clearing, the seven people immediately fell silent, all turning their gazes to him.

"So it's you guys." Gula glanced around and recognized these faces as "old classmates".

Although we didn't have much contact after being separated into different classes, we were still in the same class and had met quite a few times.

"Gula!"

The seven people exclaimed in surprise almost simultaneously.

They were all inner court students, and last night they naturally witnessed Gula's awe-inspiring seven-ring Soul Saint cultivation and terrifying four black and three red Soul Ring configuration at the Sea God's Edge.

Wu Feng, the most straightforward of them all, was the first to ask, his tone tinged with doubt and a hint of barely perceptible provocation: "Gula? You... shouldn't you have joined the Tang Clan team with your girlfriend Xiao Xiao?"

Gula remained calm and said indifferently, "I did not join the Tang Sect. Neither the Tang Sect's so-called unique skills nor their soul tool technology are of any value to me to learn. The academy sent me to serve as your captain."

His gaze swept over the seven people, his tone remaining calm yet carrying an undeniable power: "What? Not welcome?"

Ning Tian reacted the fastest, immediately stepping forward with a perfectly timed smile: "Welcome, of course you're welcome! It's an honor for all of us to have Gula as our captain. Let's all give our captain a round of applause!"

Immediately, a series of enthusiastic applause erupted, filled with a mix of complex emotions.

Gula slightly raised his hand, and the applause immediately stopped.

"Alright, let's skip the formalities."

He got straight to the point, "Since we all know each other, I won't waste any more words. This year's competition has special rules, allowing sects to participate, so the competition will be unprecedentedly fierce. The Sun Moon Empire will definitely deploy a large force as well."

He paused, then dropped an even more shocking piece of news: "As for the academy's key support... on the Tang Sect team, Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and He Caitou are all six-ring Soul Emperors, with He Caitou being an eighth-level Soul Master. Huo Yuhao is a seventh-level Soul Master, and he and Wang Dong'er possess four Martial Soul Fusion Skills."

"Four Martial Soul Fusion Techniques?!"

"Three Soul Emperors?!"

"An eighth-level Soul Master?!"

Everyone gasped, their faces turning pale.

They knew Gula was ridiculously strong, but they never expected the Tang Sect team to be just as terrifying. Their lineup was simply unbelievably luxurious.

With admiration for Gula in her eyes, Lan Susu tried her best to boost morale: "But...but Captain, you're a seven-ring Soul Saint! You still have three hundred-thousand-year Soul Rings. We'll definitely win in the end!"

Gula nodded, not denying it: "Winning is naturally our goal. But the competition includes team events and individual elimination rounds, which are held alternately. You can't just watch me perform the whole time without making any contributions."

His gaze fell on Zhou Sichen: "Zhou Sichen, you are currently level 49. Next, we will go to the Star Dou Great Forest, partly to help Huo Yuhao obtain a spirit ring, and partly to hone our teamwork. Try to break through to level 50 during this mission."

Zhou Sichen scratched his head, feeling immense pressure: "I...I'll try my best."

His innate soul power was only level seven, which made his cultivation speed rather slow in the inner academy, where geniuses gathered. Besides him, the Lan sisters had the lowest soul power in the group, at level forty-eight.

Gula continued, "There's another question. Do you have any interest in or resistance to using soul tools?"

Without waiting for anyone's reply, he said directly:
"I've been researching soul tools for the past two years and have made quite a few finished products. You can borrow them temporarily, and you won't have to pay for any damage during the competition. If we win the championship, these soul tools will be yours."

Since they were all practice pieces from his research process, they would only take up space in his storage soul tool anyway, so he might as well make the most of them.

"Wow! Captain, you're so generous!" Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo exclaimed simultaneously, their eyes shining.

Ning Tian was equally shocked. One soul tool per person? Based on their current level, they should be able to equip themselves with at least four sets of level six soul tools and three sets of level five soul tools.

These combined are worth at least two to three million gold soul coins, almost equivalent to a mediocre ten-thousand-year soul bone.

Even if she came from the incredibly wealthy Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, she wouldn't dare to casually give away such a generous gift.

As for whether he can win the championship?
With her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda providing a terrifying 60% boost in all aspects, plus the monster-level Soul Saint Gula, Ning Tian never had any doubts.

Without saying a word, Gula started taking things out of his storage soul tool.

All sorts of soul tools were piled up like garbage, their lights flashing and their energy fluctuations varied, dazzling the eyes.

"Each person will receive a brand-new flying soul tool, guaranteed to be better than the ones issued by the academy."

"Invincible shields are too expensive to configure. Each person needs three level-six soul power shields, two of which are passively triggered and one is actively activated."

He looked around and began to assign tasks: "Four of you seven are control-type Soul Masters: Zhou Sichen, Cao Jinxuan, Lan Susu, and Lan Luoluo. Your attack power is slightly weaker. Each of you will be equipped with two high-speed Soul Guidance Ray Guns to supplement damage and conduct long-range harassment."

"Wu Feng, you are a melee attacker. Here are a pair of level 6 melee soul-guided gauntlets and a propulsion soul-guided device for your feet to enhance your explosive power and agility."

"Xie Huanyue, your Pipi Elephant Martial Soul is a combination of offense and defense, and its size can also change, so it's not suitable for too many external soul tools. Just bring a level 6 soul tool paralysis ray to supplement control, and a level 6 soul tool shield to withstand damage in critical moments."

Finally, he looked at the Level 5 Soul Master badge on Ning Tian's chest: "Since you are a Soul Master, take a look at what you lack and pick it from here. These are all my practice pieces, it would be a waste to leave them here."

Looking at the pile of priceless soul tools on the ground, and then at Gula who seemed to think, "This is nothing," everyone hesitated and was at a loss for what to do.

This gift is too generous, and many of them are indeed not yet used to using soul tools.

Gula narrowed his eyes, his tone instantly taking on an undeniable air of pressure: "What? None of you're going to make a move? Do I have to 'invite' you to take it?"

His word "please" was full of meaning, and the seven people instantly shuddered, as if they could see the scene of a hundred thousand years of soul skills coming down. They dared not hesitate any longer and hurriedly stepped forward to choose the soul tools that suited them.

Ning Tian stopped refusing and didn't even mention buying it with money—that would have been too embarrassing for the other team members who came from ordinary backgrounds.

Over the next two days, Gula began his "special training"—the main content of which was that he would fight all seven of them alone. It was ostensibly to cultivate teamwork and combat skills, but Gula showed no mercy at all, especially giving "special attention" to Zhou Sichen, who was about to break through. Various attacks were often aimed directly at him, forcing him to unleash his potential, and his soul power did indeed improve a lot.

The seven people struggled to survive under Gula's "ravages," suffering terribly, but none of them dared to complain.

After all, the captain was so generous; they could only complain about the strict training.

Even the Lan sisters, Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo, who initially harbored some ulterior motives due to Gula's strength and handsome appearance, had their girlish ripples completely crushed after these two days of grueling training. All that remained was their awe of their powerful captain and their determination to train relentlessly.

On the morning of the third day, Cai Meier, the vice dean of the Martial Soul Department, brought Huo Yuhao and Wang Donger to them.

Cai Meier looked at the seven people before her, who, though somewhat tired, had sharp eyes and a refreshed spirit, and nodded in satisfaction.
"Very good, entrusting the team to you was definitely the right decision." She didn't give Gula a chance to be modest and said directly, "Let's go, let's set off for the Star Dou Great Forest."

Four more people followed behind the group, one of whom had an exquisitely crafted soul-guided prosthetic leg. He had a gentle smile and introduced himself:

"Hello juniors, I am Mo Xuan. My spirit halo is needed to obtain my sixth spirit ring, and I will be working with you this time."

Then there are Zhang Lexuan and Han Ruoruo, who are the deputy leaders, and Li Yongle, a level 60 agility-attack type soul master who also needs soul rings.

After everyone got to know each other, they prepared to set off.

Because Shrek Academy has been vigorously promoting soul tools in recent years, most of the inner court students with sufficient financial resources are equipped with flying soul tools.

Cai Meier had originally borrowed some for Ning Tian and the other seven, but when she saw that they all had brand-new, high-quality flying soul tools, she was stunned.

After learning the reason, she looked at Gula and couldn't help but say, "I didn't realize you were so rich."

Huo Yuhao, standing to the side, looked at the familiar Sun Moon Empire-style patterns on those soul tools and vaguely guessed where the raw materials for Gula's "practice works" came from. His lips twitched slightly, and he chose to remain silent.

He was envious, but he didn't say it.

After flying for a while and taking several breaks, the group finally arrived at the outer edge of the Star Dou Great Forest.

After landing and resting, the team, led by Vice Dean Cai Meier, Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan from the Inner Court, and several experienced senior students such as Han Ruoruo and Li Yongle, cautiously entered the forest and chose a relatively safe place in the inner area to camp overnight.

The task of starting the fire and cooking fell unsurprisingly to Huo Yuhao. He skillfully prepared the ingredients, mainly various kinds of fish, ready to showcase his amazing fish-grilling skills.

The grilled fish is ready, and its aroma fills the air.

Following seniority and etiquette, Huo Yuhao first handed the best-roasted pieces to senior students such as Cai Meier, Zhang Lexuan, Han Ruoruo, and Li Yongle, then to Gula and the others, and finally to Wang Donger.

When he was grilling fish for Wang Dong'er, he was exceptionally gentle, and he took the opportunity to whisper something that only the two of them could hear, which made Wang Dong'er blush slightly.

Huo Yuhao's grilling skills were indeed superb. The precise control of his Spirit Eye Martial Soul, coupled with his million-year-old Soul Skill Spiritual Detection, allowed him to have an ultimate grasp of the heat and the condition of the fish, making each grilled fish crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with just the right seasoning, winning unanimous praise from everyone.

As night deepened, the camp arranged for a rotating watch. For the first watch, Cai Meier specially arranged for Zhang Lexuan and Gula to be together.

Cai Meier's intention was clear: Zhang Lexuan was the recognized senior sister of the inner academy, with high prestige and strong strength, and would definitely enter the Sea God Pavilion in the future.

Gula has unlimited potential and unfathomable strength, making him a pillar of the academy's future.

This opportunity for the two to get to know each other will greatly benefit the management and unity of the future academy.

Everyone else went into their tents to rest, while the campfire in the center of the camp crackled and reflected on the two men's faces.

Zhang Lexuan looked at Gula sitting opposite her, understood the vice dean's intention, and broke the silence first, her tone carrying a hint of teasing:
"Junior Brother Gula, your performance at the Sea God's Fate Tournament that day was quite amazing. I heard that afterwards a large group of female students privately inquired about you. You really stole the hearts of quite a few people."

Upon hearing this, Gula showed no smugness on his face, but instead said quite matter-of-factly:
"Them? They're nothing but vulgar lust for my handsome looks and powerful abilities. This kind of superficial attraction comes quickly and goes quickly."

"In comparison, I value more the kind of feelings that have been refined over time and nurtured by companionship and shared experiences."

His words were pointed, referring to him, Xiao Xiao, and a group of girlfriends.

Zhang Lexuan was slightly taken aback, then chuckled softly and didn't continue the topic.

Her gaze fell upon the leaping campfire, her eyes gradually becoming unfocused as she drifted into her own memories.

She remembered many things. She remembered being rescued by Dragon God Douluo Mu En and brought back to Shrek Academy, where she was raised as Bei Bei's "child bride".

She silently accepted the arrangement, striving to become excellent, and waiting for that day.

But as Beibei grew up, she was naturally drawn to the quirky and clever Tang Ya…

Even though Moon made it clear before her death that she was free to choose and break free from this constraint, how could she so easily overcome the hurdle in her heart, that long-standing habit and vague expectation?
Gula keenly sensed Zhang Lexuan's low spirits and deep-seated melancholy, but he did not offer any words of inquiry or comfort.

Everyone has their own story and obsessions, which are difficult for outsiders to truly understand, let alone interfere with.

He sat there quietly, and with a thought, the self-made level eight melee soul tool "Sky-Piercing Spear" appeared in his hand.

He laid it flat on his knees, his powerful mental energy enveloping the spear like an invisible stream, preventing any leakage of energy or sound.

Then, he began to slowly pour his soul power and willpower into the simulated core array inside the spear, which contained a trace of the Cloud Nether Spear Intent.

This is not destruction, but a form of confrontation and learning.

He carefully sensed, analyzed, and guided that domineering and unparalleled gun intent with his mental energy, trying to persist within it for longer, to understand its operating rules and the laws it contained, so as to hone his will and improve his control over "intent".

This process was extremely mentally taxing and required a high degree of concentration. Gula was completely immersed in it, as if he had forgotten the passage of time and Zhang Lexuan's presence.

Until late at night, when all was quiet except for the burning campfire and the occasional chirping of insects in the distance...

"Russling, rustling... rustling, rustling..."

A faint, yet unusually dense, sound drifted from the distant dark forest.

The sound started out faint, but quickly became clearer, as if countless feet were crawling and rubbing on the fallen leaves and bushes, approaching from afar and heading towards their camp.

Gula suddenly opened his eyes, and the Sky-Piercing Spear on his knee vanished instantly.

His sharp gaze instantly turned towards the direction from which the sound came, and his mental energy surged forward like a tide to investigate.

Almost at the same time, Zhang Lexuan also snapped out of her reverie, abruptly stood up, and the lazy look on her face vanished, replaced by extreme seriousness and vigilance.

She also sensed the unusual noise.

The two exchanged a glance, both seeing the same judgment in each other's eyes—something was wrong! A large number of creatures were approaching!

(End of this chapter)