Douluo Dalu: From Shinobi to Spirit Master

The Natural energy, unlike chakra extracted from cells, was an ethereal force floating amidst heaven and earth. Mountains, plants, soil, and even the smallest insects could be imbued with it.

This was a vast, chaotic, and almost boundless source of energy—a force so overwhelming it could challenge the gods themselves.

And tied closely to natural energy was a profound power, one that bridged the mortal and divine: Sage Mode.

In this state, the potency of ninjutsu and physical techniques could increase exponentially, far beyond their original limits. It was a force feared even by those who had ascended to the realm of the Six Paths.

In Su Chen's mind, Sage Mode was not just a tool but a cornerstone of power. Yet, despite decades spent mastering the sage arts of the three great sage lands in his past life, his arrival in Douluo Continent had presented an unforeseen challenge.

Here, he couldn't sense natural energy at all.

Even with his partial awakening of the sage body, granting him an innate affinity for natural energy, there wasn't the faintest trace of it in this world.

At one point, he speculated that the spiritual energy absorbed here might align with natural energy. But after rigorous testing, he dismissed the notion. Spiritual energy lacked the destructive volatility of natural energy, which could petrify the unwary.

For years, he had explored lush forests, desolate wetlands, and every conceivable environment, only to return empty-handed.

Until today.

Holding the soul bone in his palm, Su Chen felt a vague, unmistakable familiarity that sent a surge of excitement through him.

Sage Mode.

His fiery gaze locked onto the crystal. His heart raced uncontrollably as thoughts of possibilities swirled in his mind.

The Sage Technique Wind Style: Rasenshuriken, capable of annihilating targets down to their cellular structure.

The Sage Technique Wood Style: True Several Thousand Hands, whose devastating power could reshape the battlefield.

These legendary techniques, once thought sealed in his past life, suddenly seemed attainable again.

"Hey, kid, why do you look like you've struck gold?"

Yue Guan's voice snapped Su Chen out of his thoughts. The elder's curious gaze scrutinized the boy, his tone laced with intrigue.

"Ah, it's nothing. Just… it's my first time seeing a ten-thousand-year soul bone. It's a bit overwhelming."

Su Chen coughed lightly and stored the soul bone into his storage soul guide, offering a nonchalant explanation.

"Hmm?" Yue Guan arched an eyebrow. The boy's words were plausible, but something about his reaction stirred an odd sense of déjà vu.

Before Yue Guan could press further, a soft voice interjected.

"Enough."

Bibi Dong approached gracefully, her presence commanding. She offered Su Chen a gentle smile, then bent slightly to help him to his feet.

"You're still young, Su Chen. There's no need to bow every time you see me."

Yue Guan froze mid-bow, his spine bent at a perfect ninety-degree angle. He glanced at Su Chen, who had just received such leniency, and felt a pang of jealousy stab through his chest.

Damn it. Had this boy already become His Holiness's new favorite?

"Su Chen, you truly are my lucky star."

Bibi Dong's wine-red eyes glimmered as she reached out, her fingers gently brushing against Su Chen's cheek. 

Bibi Dong's wine-red eyes glimmered as she reached out, her fingers gently brushing against Su Chen's cheek. A faint blush adorned her flawless face, making her already stunning features even more breathtaking.

Su Chen stiffened at the unexpected contact. From his vantage point, the curves outlined by her ceremonial robes left little to the imagination.

Wait—what was she doing?

Without a second thought, Su Chen leaped back, the instant body technique carrying him out of her reach. He exhaled in relief, only for his body to freeze again.

The next moment, the cool, smooth sensation returned to his cheek. This time, her fingers playfully pinched it.

Su Chen stared at her in disbelief. Bibi Dong's eyes sparkled with amusement, her smile teasing as if to say, Did you really think you could escape?

What the hell, woman?! Where's your sense of personal boundaries?!

"Y-Your Holiness, please respect yourself!"

The boy's voice cracked as he arched his hands in a gesture of polite protest, retreating another step.

Bibi Dong chuckled softly, her laugh like the chiming of silver bells.

"Why, are you shy, our Spirit Hall's number 1 genius?"

Su Chen could only helplessly hold his forehead in resignation.

Raising Bibi Dong's favorability had been part of his strategy. After all, without that, there would have been no reason to risk offending an enemy that was beyond his ability to fight at this moment.

The promise—his ultimate goal—was now in hand. His favorability had risen. But... something didn't sit right. It felt... excessive. Far beyond the level expected of a mere partner.

What had gone wrong?

Su Chen glanced at the Pope, his eyes reflecting a flicker of realization. A deep sigh escaped him.

"Alright, I won't tease you anymore. Elders, let's return. There's still business to finish."

The Pope rose, regaining her regal composure. With a nod to the elders—still stunned by the turn of events—she motioned to leave for the Pope's Palace.

"Oh, little one," she added, turning back with a playful smile, "after this, come by. I have something to tell you."

The elders exchanged odd looks, clearly bewildered. They'd never seen the Pope so lighthearted, so at ease.

"Could it be...?" one of them hesitated.

"Forget it, forget it," another murmured, unwilling to voice the thought that lingered in their minds.

Back in the Pope's Palace, Bibi Dong leaned back in her throne, a dark gleam in her eyes. Su Chen's reluctance, his visible resistance, had left an impression on her.

"How intriguing," she mused, a wisp of a smile curling her lips. "I haven't felt this way in years."

Her thoughts lingered on the young man who had so openly rejected her—though she didn't want to admit it, she found it... amusing.

However, there was more than just amusement in her eyes. A certain loneliness flickered beneath, an old wound that never healed.

Bibi Dong had not arrived at this point without sacrifice. The threat of death loomed over her every step, and the Angel Douluo, who had once been a close ally, had long since abandoned her. Qian Daoliu's relentless ambition to replace her only deepened the wounds.

Even Guangling Douluo had dismissed her as nothing more than a puppet—one who had been forced into her position, serving no real purpose but to bend to his will.

She, the Pope of Spirit Hall, was reduced to a mere tool in their hands.

Still, the façade had to be maintained. For her to show weakness was unthinkable.

The dark truth was, Bibi Dong had lived in constant fear of Qian Daoliu's wrath. She wanted to survive. More than that, she wanted to obliterate the Angel lineage, to tear it down with her own hands, to erase all traces of her torment.

Yet her own flesh and blood stood against her. Qian Daoliu's son, who had been raised as her enemy, remained indifferent to her. And even the one she had loved—her closest confidant—was now distant, traveling with another, betraying her.

Each reminder of these betrayals gnawed at her soul.

But even in the depths of despair, one emotion burned fiercely in her heart: revenge. It was the only thing that kept her from sinking into darkness.

Then, Su Chen entered the stage.

His astounding talent ignited a flicker of hope, rekindling her dream of revenge.

And even more—his unexpected reaction to her, his resistance, intrigued her. It was a feeling she hadn't experienced in years. The once-sterile and lonely world of Bibi Dong had found a new source of amusement.

"What a curious little fellow," she whispered, watching as her elders reported back.