Douluo Dalu: From Shinobi to Spirit Master

Ka-cha—

A sharp, grating sound echoed as their collision shattered the ground beneath them. Cracks radiated outward, soul power surged, and a cloud of dust enveloped the battlefield.

Green and black energies intertwined in a fierce stalemate. The massive shadow of the black rhinoceros loomed behind Wu Da, roaring in fury, but its charge was halted, unable to advance even an inch further.

"Impossible!!"

Wu Da's heart pounded like a drum as disbelief overwhelmed him. He stared at the silver-haired boy before him—a youth no taller than his waist—whose scarlet eyes gleamed ominously. Su Chen gripped the rhinoceros horn with one hand, his grip so unyielding that even with Wu Da's full strength and the power of his soul ring, the horn remained locked in place.

"Didn't I warn you?"

Buzz—

Su Chen's voice was soft, but his tone carried an unshakable confidence. In his other hand, a blue energy sphere began to condense, spinning rapidly.

"Don't underestimate me."

Gasps erupted among the onlookers.

"The Soul Ancestor… stopped by a Soul Master?"

"And it's not just any martial spirit—it's the Iron-Horned Rhinoceros, famous for raw power and unstoppable charges!"

"Is this… is this for real?"

Elders, who had been locked in their own battle moments ago, now found themselves frozen in shock. Even those who were unsure whether to aid Bibi Dong or Guangling Douluo couldn't tear their eyes away from the scene.

Guangling Douluo's expression contorted. A foreboding chill ran down his spine. Bibi Dong's icy gaze hadn't left the boy since the clash began.

"Blocked…? By a mere Soul Master?!"

This wasn't just surprising—it was impossible! His thoughts spiraled as he struggled to comprehend the scene unfolding before him.

The silver-haired youth stood unwavering, his petite figure radiating a strength that belied his size. The monstrous rhinoceros shadow, several times larger than Su Chen, was stopped dead in its tracks.

"Wu Da! What are you doing?!"

Guangling Douluo's voice cracked, veins bulging on his neck. His bloodshot eyes burned with desperation.

Clang!

A pair of razor-sharp spider legs pierced the ground, inches from Guanging Douluo's vital points. Floating midair, Bibi Dong's crimson eyes glowed with fury, her expression as cold as the abyss.

"Enough, Guangling."

Her voice cut through the chaos like a blade.

Yue Guan and Gui Mei appeared beside her, their martial spirits—Chrysanthemum and Ghost Shadow—emerging to block the other elders, whose faces had turned grim.

Yet, despite the Pope's commanding presence, Guangling Douluo's focus remained fixed on the battlefield.

"Let her have her moment of arrogance," he muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing. "As long as that brat dies, nothing else matters."

With bated breath, he watched Wu Da make his move.

Finally, the Iron-Horned Rhinoceros surged forward.

Only—

Boom!

A brilliant flash of blue light exploded as Su Chen's attack landed like a meteor. Wu Da's enormous body was sent hurtling through the air, spinning uncontrollably. He crashed through two stone fences before skidding to a halt, leaving a deep trench in the ground.

When the dust settled, Wu Da lay unconscious, his martial spirit dissipated. His battered body sprawled in the ravine, lifeless like a broken puppet.

Silence.

An oppressive, deathly silence enveloped the square. The air was so still that even the faintest breaths sounded deafening.

One move.

It had taken just one move.

The Iron-Horned Rhinoceros—renowned for its indomitable power and relentless charges—had been utterly defeated in a single clash.

No strategy, no tricks. Just pure, overwhelming strength.

High-ranking spectators felt their hearts stop as they stared in disbelief.

Under the pale moonlight, Su Chen stood tall, unscathed. His silver hair fluttered in the breeze, and his calm demeanor made the impossible feat seem effortless.

"So this… is the power of a thousand-year first soul ring?" someone murmured in awe.

"This boy is terrifying," another whispered.

"If he survives, not even a Title Douluo will be his limit in the future."

"This must be divine providence for the Spirit Hall!"

In that moment, they all knew. Within the next decade, the name Su Chen would shake the entire continent.

"Take him!"

Bibi Dong's scepter struck the ground, and a squad of Spirit Hall enforcers surrounded Guangling Douluo.

"Arrest Guang Ling immediately!"

Her voice was frosty and unyielding. With a wave of her hand, green energy manifested, binding the Douluo in place.

Though immobilized, Guanging Douluo glared at Su Chen with venomous intent.

"Your Holiness, these are the Five Elders…"

The captain of the enforcers hesitated. Guang Ling Douluo's influence in Spirit Hall was not insignificant. Though the Pope's orders were absolute, they dared not act recklessly.

"Are you deaf?!"

Bibi Dong's tone grew sharper, her crimson eyes narrowing. "Attempting to murder Spirit Hall's future and attacking the Pope—are these crimes not sufficient?"

The captain swallowed hard, nodding before signaling his subordinates to move.

Guangling Douluo closed his eyes, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. "Even if you've won this round, Bibi Dong… the game is far from over."

Bibi Dong's exquisite face was as cold as frost. Behind her, the shadow of a massive spider loomed ominously, its many legs shifting ever so slightly, exuding an oppressive aura. The mere gaze of the Death Spider Emperor caused the law enforcement captain's forehead to bead with sweat. He hastily bowed low and rushed to carry out her orders, dragging Guangling Douluo away.

Guangling didn't resist. He moved without a word, his single eye fixed intently on Su Chen, a complex mix of emotions swirling within. Was it anger? Regret? Or perhaps… intrigue?

Watching Guangling disappear from view, Bibi Dong felt the tension in her heart release like a bowstring let loose. For the first time in what felt like forever, an unrestrained joy surged within her. Her gaze fell on the silver-haired boy standing amidst the moonlight, his figure slender yet unyielding.

This child truly is my lucky star!

With Guangling subdued, the Elder Hall would no longer dare to challenge her authority so easily. And to think this had all been accomplished by one youth. She thought back to Ju Douluo's words—what once seemed an exaggeration now felt like an understatement.

How could I have underestimated him?

Her ruby eyes gleamed as she murmured softly to herself, her voice carrying a trace of warmth. "You've done me such a great service, Su Chen. How should I reward you?"

Su Chen, standing in the clearing, exhaled deeply. The light around him dimmed as the Eight Gates Dunjia and Dragon Armor dissipated. He swayed slightly but caught himself, a hand rubbing his temple to fend off the dizziness.

"Still too much strain," he muttered under his breath. "This body's too weak, too fragile. My soul power reserves…it's insufficient. A proper laboratory is a must. I need to better integrate ninjutsu and soul power."

Even though he appeared victorious, Su Chen alone knew the precariousness of his situation. The power he had unleashed—comparable to a Soul Ancestor—lasted no more than thirty seconds. Had it gone on even a second longer, the Eight Gates Technique would have drained him completely.

Wu Da's defeat wasn't a certainty but rather a result of the man's overconfidence and lack of preparation. Still, Su Chen couldn't help but be thankful for the favorable matchup.

"Kid, are you alright?"

Yue Guan's elegant figure appeared beside him like a gust of wind. Without waiting for permission, Ju Douluo placed a hand on Su Chen's shoulder, sending a gentle stream of soul power into him to check his condition.

Su Chen tried to protest, his face slightly embarrassed, but his body betrayed him. He was too drained to resist. After a moment, Yue Guan sighed in relief and grinned.

"No major injuries—just soul power exhaustion. You'll be fine after a few days' rest. Not bad, kid!" He patted Su Chen's shoulder with unabashed enthusiasm. "But tell me, you little rascal. Did you already know you could win? Is that why you were so calm back there?"

Su Chen shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Not to win, just not to lose."

His words were understated, but their weight was undeniable.

The truth was simple: Wu Da was strong, but his Iron-Horned Rhinoceros martial spirit had weaknesses that Su Chen exploited. Moreover, the opponent had underestimated him, a mistake that sealed his fate.

Yue Guan chuckled heartily, clearly delighted by Su Chen's modesty. "No wonder Guangling's face was as ugly as a boiled crab! Oh, that reminds me—here."

He reached into his spatial ring and retrieved a shimmering red crystal. "This is yours. The spoils of war, courtesy of Guangling Douluo."

Su Chen's gaze locked onto the item instantly. In Yue Guan's hand lay the Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone, glimmering with a faint crimson light that seemed to pulse like a heartbeat.

Even Yue Guan, despite his vast experience, couldn't hide the envy in his eyes. "Tch, losing a prized subordinate and a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone… Guang Ling must be crying himself to sleep tonight!"

Ghost Douluo, standing nearby, sighed. "Mind your words. No matter what, he's still one of the five elders."

"Pfft, let him hear! After tonight, who knows how long he'll stay an elder," Yue Guan quipped, waving a hand dismissively.

But Su Chen's attention was entirely on the soul bone. The moment his fingers closed around it, he felt an indescribable energy coursing through him.

This feeling… Could it be?

His heart raced as a realization dawned. Beneath the dense soul power within the soul bone, there was something else—something ancient, something primal.

Nature energy!

A spark ignited in his eyes.

This was no ordinary Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone. It carried within it the remnants of nature energy, a resource that could bridge the gap between his worlds of ninjutsu and soul power.

Perhaps… this is the key to everything.