Douluo: The Martial Soul Asura Armor, a Good Spirit Turning Evil

"Really? That's wonderful!"

Tang Ya's voice echoed in the forest clearing, filled with undisguised excitement.

Ye Guyi was drinking water when she heard this and spat it out.

She wiped her mouth, looked at Tang Ya, and said with a complicated expression, "...Are you serious about your emotional intelligence?"

Tang Ya then realized what was happening and quickly waved her hands, "No, no, Yuhao, don't misunderstand. I meant that if you join the Tang Clan, you'll have no ties, which is great! I didn't mean it's great that you don't have any family!"

The more you describe, the darker.

Bei Bei sighed and rubbed her forehead in exasperation. Huo Yuhao, however, didn't seem to care. Instead, he was amused by Tang Ya's flustered state and chuckled.

Taking the opportunity, Tang Ya went on and on about the benefits of the Tang Clan, from the Mysterious Heaven Skill to the Hundred Solutions to Hidden Weapons, from Shrek Academy's resources to its future prospects, her lips almost worn out from talking.

Huo Yuhao finally nodded, officially agreeing.

Tang Ya cheered and grabbed his hand, talking nonstop.

Just then, a sense of oppression suddenly filled the air.

Duanmu Yan opened his eyes.

The sixth spirit ring had been completely integrated into his body, and a deep black luster flashed and disappeared deep in his pupils.

He stood up, flicked his wrist, and the Asura Summoner lit up.

Armor fragments flew out from all directions, snapping together with a dense, rain-like sound of metal scraping against metal.

Dark red lines spread from the breastplate to the limbs, and a menacing aura emanated from between the nail seams like mist.

The moment the visor closed, its crimson eyes lit up, sweeping over everyone present.

Tang Ya's smile froze on her face.

She instinctively took half a step back, her face turning slightly pale.

She had seen Duanmu Yan like this once before.

That time, he almost killed her.

Back in the outer courtyard, Duanmu Yan discovered during a practical training session that her Blue Silver Grass martial soul harbored a dark attribute.

It's not just ordinary impurities, but the kind that can influence one's character and turn them into an evil spirit master.

Without saying a word, he went berserk, his Asura Armor radiating killing intent as he lunged forward. If it weren't for the timely intervention of the elders of the Sea God Pavilion, she probably wouldn't even be left with ashes.

From then on, Tang Ya would feel terrified every time she saw Duanmu Yan wearing armor.

Because of this, she has been extra careful when hunting soul beasts in recent years, specifically targeting those with gentle attributes, for fear of accidentally strengthening the dark attribute in her martial soul and being targeted by Duanmu Yan again.

Beibei noticed her unusual behavior and quietly stood in front of her.

Duanmu Yan's gaze lingered on Tang Ya for a moment, but he didn't say anything and turned to walk towards Ye Guyi.

"I'm gone."

Ye Guyi nodded, waved to Tang Yabeibei, and followed.

The two figures quickly disappeared into the woods.

Watching Duanmu Yan's figure disappear into the distance, Tang Ya let out a long breath and muttered softly, "...That scared me to death."

Huo Yuhao was completely bewildered.

Seeing this, Bei Bei helplessly began to explain the story of the evil soul master's meat grinder to Huo Yuhao.

……

Shrek City

When the two returned to Shrek City, it was noon.

The city gate was teeming with people, a cacophony of vendors' cries and children's playful shouts.

The streets were lined with colorful banners, and long queues formed in front of shops.

Shrek Academy's annual admissions season has arrived.

Young men and women from all over the country crowded in front of the registration point, their eyes filled with anticipation for the future.

Duanmu Yan and Ye Guyi walked through the edge of the crowd, their red inner school uniforms standing out brightly in the sunlight.

Someone recognized the Shrek badges on their chests and exclaimed in a low voice, "Seniors from the Inner Court!"

All eyes turned to them. Envy, awe, curiosity—a mix of emotions mingled into a murmur of whispers.

Duanmu Yan kept walking, his expression unchanged.

He was already used to that kind of gaze.

Ye Guyi nodded slightly to the children, her stunning beauty eliciting blushes and even louder chatter.

Passing through the outer courtyard gate and around the teaching building, you will reach the shore of Poseidon Lake.

Once inside the courtyard, the noise was immediately shut out.

Duanmu Yan's pace slowed noticeably.

Ye Guyi turned her head to look at him: "What's wrong?"

"...It's nothing." He paused, then continued, "I have to write a report when I get back, and I also have to deal with the inspection team's debriefing meeting. I also need to fill in the records of hunting evil spirit masters."

He twitched the corners of his mouth, but it wasn't exactly a smile.

"When I first joined the inner circle, they said I'd receive preferential treatment and be given special training. But after I got in, I found that I had to complete every single task and write every single report. What happened to the promised benefits?"

Ye Guyi raised an eyebrow: "Did you join the inner court for the better benefits?"

Duanmu Yan remained silent for a moment.

It's not about the treatment.

It's to become stronger, strong enough to wipe out all the evil spirit masters.

But this doesn't conflict with the fact that there are many trivial matters in the inner court.

Ye Guyi smiled at his expression and said, "Alright, I'll write the report for you."

"……Need not."

"Then you can stay up all night by yourself."

"Well, thank you for your help then."

Duanmu Yan smiled, but his steps became lighter.

Just as the two were about to head to the cafeteria, an inner court student jogged up to them.

"Senior Duanmu, Senior Ye, Dean Yan requests your presence in his office."

Duanmu Yan paused in his tracks: "Now?"

"Yes, they said it was something important." The student finished speaking and ran off, not wanting to stay even a second longer.

Ye Guyi glanced at him: "Let's take care of things first."

The two turned back, passed through the seven horizontal and eight vertical paths in the inner courtyard, and headed straight for the top floor of the Sea God Pavilion.

The door to Yan Shaozhe's dean's office was ajar, and faint voices could be heard coming from inside.

Duanmu Yan knocked twice.

"Come in."

Upon entering, one finds not only Yan Shaozhe, the dean of the Martial Soul Department, but also Qian Duoduo, the dean of the Soul Guidance Department.

The two men sat imposingly in the guest seats, their teacups already empty.

Both deans looked at them at the same time.

"Sit down." Yan Shaozhe gestured to the chair opposite him, his attitude much more amiable than usual.

Duanmu Yan and Ye Guyi exchanged a glance and sat down as instructed.

There were only a few polite words exchanged.

After exchanging a few pleasantries about "How did the mission go?" and "How was the soul ring absorption?", Yan Shaozhe got straight to the point.

"I've called you here because there's something I need to finalize beforehand." He interlaced his fingers and placed them on the table. "For the next Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament, the academy plans to include the two of you in the main lineup."

Qian Duoduo nodded and laughed, "Duanmu, you're something else. You came back and immediately received a great responsibility."

Duanmu Yan rarely showed a smile: "Dean Duo, please stop teasing me."

Qian Duoduo laughed heartily, stood up and walked over, slapping Duanmu Yan on the shoulder: "You brat, why are you being so polite with me?"

That "brat" wasn't just a polite way of saying it.

Although Duanmu Yan was an inner disciple of the Martial Soul Department, he also cultivated the Soul Guidance Department, and in just two years he reached the threshold of a sixth-level Soul Guidance Master.

With such promising talent, Qian Duoduo naturally took the lead in teaching and mentoring him personally.

The two were used to being informal with each other, and could be considered both teacher and friend.

"You've missed a lot of classes in the Soul Guidance Department, catch up on them later." Qian Duoduo lowered her voice, "While Yan Gongji is allocating resources to you, I'll squeeze as much profit as possible out of you."

Yan Shaozhe's face darkened: "I can hear you."

Ye Guyi smiled to herself from the side.

Duanmu Yan nodded: "Okay, I'll go back to the department in a couple of days."

Qian Duoduo sat back down with satisfaction, and raised an eyebrow at Yan Shaozhe.