Douluo: Glory of the Unrivaled Angel

Word Count: 2,839 Words

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Shrek Academy, Sea God Island.

For ten thousand years, Sea God Island had been nourished by the light of the Ancient Golden Tree. The island flourished with rich vegetation, enjoyed the beauty of spring all year round, was shrouded in a thin mist, and exuded an ethereal, immortal aura.

Yet at this moment, this place, regarded by countless people on the Douluo Continent as a sacred land for Spirit Masters, had fallen into deep mourning.

Inside the Sea God Pavilion, Elder Mu lay quietly on a reclining chair, his eyes closed. A year and a half had passed, and his vitality had reached its end. His white hair had completely fallen out, and his chest only rose and fell faintly.

Anyone arriving would never guess that this frail old man, seemingly with only a single breath left, was actually a Limit Douluo, the Sea God Pavilion Master, the Dragon God Douluo who had dominated the continent for more than two centuries.

Taotie Douluo Elder Xuan stood at Elder Mu's side. His clouded eyes brimmed with sorrow. Yan Shaozhe, Qian Duoduo, Xian Lin'er, Cai Mei'er, and the other elders all wore faces of deep grief. Elder Mu was the pillar that held up Shrek Academy. As long as he still drew breath, everyone felt they had something to rely on.

When this pillar finally fell, would Shrek still be able to maintain its position as the continent's number one academy? Would it still be able to guard its ten thousand years of glory?

No one dared to say.

Outside the Sea God Pavilion, the Inner Courtyard students sat cross-legged before the doors. At the very front sat a woman of about twenty-five, her long, smooth black hair cascading to her waist. Her stunningly beautiful face was flawless, and her gentle, serene temperament seemed to carry a natural affinity.

She was the Inner Courtyard's Big Senior Sister, Zhang Lexuan.

Behind Zhang Lexuan sat two more women: the Golden Fairy, Han Ruoruo, and the Evil Fire Phoenix, Ma Xiaotao.

Han Ruoruo's prestige among the Inner Courtyard students was second only to Zhang Lexuan's, and her status was considered that of the Second Senior Sister. Since Ma Xiaotao's Phoenix flames had evolved into Ultimate Fire, her combat power had soared. As an Ultimate Fire Spirit Saint with a 100,000-year Martial Spirit Avatar and a 100,000-year spirit bone, her raw strength already surpassed Han Ruoruo's and was nearly on par with Zhang Lexuan, who also possessed a 100,000-year spirit ring.

Zhang Lexuan and Han Ruoruo were both considering becoming Inner Courtyard teachers, while Ma Xiaotao was almost certain to inherit the position of the next Big Senior Sister of the Inner Courtyard.

All the Inner Courtyard students sat behind the three women. In the third row were Wu Ming, Gu Fan, Hua Yao, and other outstanding students. The students' seating reflected their cultivation ranks. In the last two rows sat those who had recently entered the Inner Courtyard—Spirit Kings and Spirit Ancestors such as Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, Ning Tian, and Wu Feng.

They had not gone out on surveillance assignments, having stayed to send Elder Mu off on his final journey.

Elder Mu opened his eyes. Those eyes, previously dimmed to the extreme, became exceptionally clear at this moment, turning a deep blue like the endless depths of the sea.

At this sight, the various elders grew even more sorrowful.

It was a final burst of life before death. Elder Mu would not make it through the day.

"Xuan Zi, push me outside."

Elder Mu said softly. "Let me give you all a few final instructions and say a few words to the children as well."

"Yes, Elder Mu."

Elder Xuan, his eyes red, personally lifted Elder Mu's reclining chair and carried him out of the Sea God Pavilion.

The Inner Courtyard students rose to their feet with a rustle. They bowed deeply at ninety degrees, offering their respects to Elder Mu. Zhang Lexuan, Bei Bei, and Elder Mu's two closed-door disciples, Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong, were already overcome with tears, sharing the deepest bonds with him.

"Perfect timing. He's back as well."

Elder Mu smiled faintly as he looked up at the sky. The others subconsciously raised their heads, curious about who the 'he' Elder Mu mentioned was.

In the next instant, a dazzling golden figure descended upon the Sea God Pavilion. Golden wings shimmered with halos as a sacred aura swept out, bathing everyone's faces in radiant light.

A tall, upright young man stood there. His golden hair cascaded over his shoulders, complementing a face so handsome it seemed unreal. His gaze was exceptionally calm, so calm that it was devoid of all warmth, as if nothing in the world could leave an imprint on it. It was a kind of absolute pride, yet it felt so natural.

"My Adoptive Father is even more handsome... he's making it impossible for others to live..."

Yao Haoxuan mumbled under his breath, earning him a hard jab in his soft side from Gongyang Mo and Chen Zifeng on either side of him. Could you just keep quiet for once on such a solemn occasion?

Ning Tian gazed at Ling Bai's profile, her sapphire-blue eyes shimmering. The Seraphim descended from the sky, sunlight refracting off the angelic wings in dazzling halos. The Ling Bai in her heart was always so brilliant.

Wu Feng's expression trembled slightly, her heart pounding faster in her chest with no sign of slowing down.

Ling Luochen lowered her eyes, her long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings. Her hand unconsciously clenched, then she let out a soft sigh and slowly relaxed her grip.

Dugu Lin arched her delicate brows. Sensing the fluctuations in spirit power emanating from him, a meaningful smile bloomed on her charming and alluring face.

Ripples flickered across Han Ruoruo's beautiful eyes, as deep and dark as a tranquil lake, before she quickly returned to composure. She stepped aside, gesturing for Ling Bai to join her and Ma Xiaotao.

From the corner of her eye, Ma Xiaotao secretly admired the young man beside her. She noticed that he had grown taller, more striking, and his spirit power was even more formidable than before. His entire being radiated a sense of breaking free from shackles, a confidence that placed all things within his grasp. That vibrant energy tugged at her heartstrings without pause.

The flame she had hidden deep in her heart for a full year suddenly erupted. If not for being surrounded by Inner Courtyard students, she would have rushed to her lover and wrapped him in her arms to soothe the ache of longing.

Ling Bai's return after so long brought out a myriad of reactions among the Inner Courtyard students: surprise, joy, excitement, adoration, and of course, the hidden hatred of two particular youths.

But despite the kingly momentum of his return, today was not his stage.

Elder Mu's gaze shifted to the Inner Courtyard students. It moved slowly from Zhang Lexuan at the very front toward the back, lingering on each face for a moment. He paused the longest on Ling Bai, his gaze holding an indescribably complex emotion.

After looking over each student, Elder Mu revealed a faint smile, and a trace of red appeared on his previously bloodless, emaciated face.

"Children..."

"Great-Grandfather!"

Elder Mu had only uttered the word when Bei Bei fell to his knees with a thud. Elder Mu was his only blood relative in this world. As his most beloved was about to depart, the taut string in his heart finally snapped.

The others instinctively turned their heads, unwilling to witness the sorrow of a hero bidding farewell to his grandson. The more emotional Jiang Nannan and Xiao Xiao were already weeping, unable to hold back their tears. Even the elders' eyes glistened.

Elder Mu looked kindly at Bei Bei. "Silly child, what are you crying for? Your Great-Grandfather has lived on the Douluo Continent for more than two hundred years, far longer than most Spirit Masters. Now, I am simply watching over you all in a different way. Don't cry. Stand up and listen to what I have to say."

"O-okay... okay..."

Bei Bei refused Xu Sanshi and He Caitou's support, trembling as he straightened up.

"That's more like it. That's the backbone of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon."

Elder Mu laughed heartily, his voice as gentle as a spring breeze.

"In my lifetime, I have done some good deeds and made plenty of mistakes due to personal matters of the heart. Yet, watching over you children, batch after batch, as you grow, has been my greatest pride.

Today, my journey as a Spirit Master draws to a close. I hope you will send me off with joy. But before I go, I must leave you with a few words. Xuan Zi."

Elder Xuan quickly squatted beside Elder Mu, his messy beard quivering with the intensity of his emotions.

Elder Mu sighed softly. "Xuan Zi, you are no longer young. Do not let your emotions sway your state of mind so easily. Your loss of cultivation at the hands of the Death Abyss Douluo was partly due to the strange abilities of Evil Spirit Masters, but more crucially, you have never stepped out of that shadow all these years.

Xuan Zi, a person cannot spend their entire life trapped in pain. When it's time to look ahead, you must look ahead. After I'm gone, you will take over as Sea God Pavilion Master. With you in charge, everything will remain as it was with me."

"Yes... Elder Mu..."

Elder Xuan nodded repeatedly, agreeing to everything on the spot.

"Shaozhe, Duoduo, Lin'er, Mei'er."

Elder Mu called out the names of the four Deans. All four knelt on both knees, listening to their teacher's final instructions.

"Shaozhe, I'll start with you."

Elder Mu said solemnly. "How many times have I told you not to get bogged down in petty gains, to keep your vision long-term? Yet over these years, I haven't seen real progress from you.

I'm giving you five years to change. Five years from now, go meditate on the first floor of the Sea God Pavilion. If you cannot pass the assessment I left behind, you will step down as Dean.

Mei'er, if Shaozhe steps down as Dean of the Martial Spirit Department, you will take his place. Also, Lexuan will be promoted to Vice Dean of the Martial Spirit Department and enter the Sea God Pavilion. Xiaotao will serve as Deputy Director of the Outer Courtyard to temper her disposition. After three years, the Sea God Pavilion will hold a meeting and a vote. If half approve, she can enter the Sea God Pavilion as well."

No one objected. Everyone affirmed they would follow his instructions.

"Duoduo, Lin'er, the integration of Spirit Masters and Spirit Guidance Devices is the trend of our times. Shrek Academy must place greater importance on the Spirit Guidance Department. From now on, fifty percent of the Academy's income will be allocated to it. The future of Shrek rests in your hands."

Xian Lin'er nodded repeatedly. At her side, Qian Duoduo supported her as he agreed respectfully.

"Bei Bei, come here. Your Great-Grandfather will help stabilize your bloodline. From now on, you must walk the path of the Blue Lightning Radiant Tyrant Dragon well."

Bei Bei approached Elder Mu. An emaciated hand pressed gently atop his head. A flash of golden light swept past, and he let out a muffled grunt before collapsing to the ground. Golden lightning coursed over his body as Elder Mu's power tempered his bloodline.

All color faded from Elder Mu's face, which turned pale once more. He seemed to want to raise his hand but no longer had the strength. His voice grew weak. "Yuhao, Wang Dong."

The two knelt together, tears streaming down in heavy drops.

Elder Mu smiled. "Children, don't be sad. To live is to face death; it's inevitable and not worth such deep sorrow.

Yuhao, the cultivation speed of your Ice Jade Scorpion Martial Spirit is slower than others. Remember not to lose heart. Do not be impatient or greedy for quick results. Haste will only lead you astray.

In three months, you will go to the Sun Moon Imperial Spirit Guidance Academy to study. This exchange period of less than three years will be extremely important for you.

Wang Dong, your talent is no less than Yuhao's. But whenever I observe you closely, your body is shrouded in mist. Still, what I can be certain of is that your future is limitless. Keep walking your path with determination..."

As he finished speaking, a dazzling golden light erupted. Elder Mu slowly floated up from his reclining chair. Nine incomparably powerful spirit rings—yellow, yellow, purple, black, black, black, red, red, red—spread out in succession as a resonant dragon's roar echoed through the air.

The Sea God Pavilion was instantly transformed into a brilliant sea of gold. A massive pillar of golden light shot straight into the sky, casting all of Shrek City in its radiant color.

Bathed in the purest power of light, Elder Mu's hunched body straightened beneath everyone's gaze. His aged face rapidly regained the vigor of his youth.

A golden Domain of Light descended with a thunderous crash. It was as if only pure gold remained in this world, and no other color existed.

While everyone was immersed in this miraculous scene, Ling Bai suddenly noticed that a youthful Elder Mu had appeared a meter in front of him. The domain prevented any third party from hearing their conversation.

"Heaven really has no eyes. My abilities would have been much more suitable for you to inherit, but that Jiren fellow got there first."

A moment passed, and Elder Mu spoke again, half-joking, half-serious, "Rank 67. Your spirit power is dense and profound, your mental state is whole and vibrant, and your bearing is steady. It seems you didn't waste these last year and a half.

Ling Bai, do you remember the reward I promised you before you entered the Star Dou Forest?"

Before Ling Bai could answer, Elder Mu took out a spirit bone glowing with brilliant golden light. Thunder and lightning seemed to flash within it, the rumbling thunder faintly revealing the illusory figure of a great dragon.

"The Radiant Thunder Hell Dragon right leg spirit bone. This is your reward."

'300,000 years...'

Ling Bai's mind flashed back to the Inner Courtyard's Treasure Appreciation Gathering. He had pooled together sixty million spirit gold coins to buy the Radiant Glory, condensed from the flesh and essence of the Radiant Thunder Hell Dragon. Now, the information about the Radiant Thunder Hell Dragon surfaced in his memory.

The Radiant Thunder Hell Dragon was a genuine dragon spirit beast with a cultivation of 300,000 years. Its bloodline was a perfect blend of the purest Light Holy Dragon and Ancient Thunder Dragon, combining both light and lightning attributes. This was the source of Elder Mu's ninth spirit ring.

No wonder Elder Mu had set the trial period at exactly one and a half years. He had decided long ago to give this spirit bone to Ling Bai after his passing.

"Elder Mu, this is too precious..."

To Ling Bai's surprise, Elder Mu agreed with a slight nod. "This is the oldest spirit bone I possess. Both emotionally and logically, I truly shouldn't be giving it to you.

I foresaw that Shrek Academy would face the danger of destruction within ten years. When I decided to give you the Radiant Thunder Hell Dragon spirit bone, my original plan was to use it to ask you to promise me to save Shrek in its time of crisis, or to help Yuhao, Wang Dong, and the others grow...

I thought about it for a year and a half, and in the end, I gave up on that idea.

'Slaying gods and vanquishing evil, all taboos broken.' You are a child of great ambition. Neither I nor Shrek should restrict your life.

But a promised reward will not be changed. This spirit bone still belongs to you.

Treat it as the encouragement and support of a predecessor to a successor.

But there is one thing you must promise me."

"Please speak, Elder Mu."

"No matter what, do not bring harm to the Douluo Continent. This is our shared home."

At the very end of his life, Elder Mu had let go of Shrek Academy and chosen the entire Douluo Continent.

"I promise."

Ling Bai answered with all solemnity. This was his bottom line as well.

"Good child."

Elder Mu smiled, personally placing the Radiant Thunder Hell Dragon right leg bone in Ling Bai's hand. His gaze drifted into the distance, his eyes as clear as water.

"It's truly been so long since I felt what it's like to stand tall and straight...

Heaven always torments people enough before letting them be unafraid of death.

Right and wrong, all turn to illusion.

Ancestors of Shrek, Mu En—comes!"

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Title: 300,000-Year Radiant Thunder Hell Dragon Right Leg Bone, Predecessor and Successor, Elder Mu's Passing

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