Douluo: Two brothers in douluo (completed)

The two burly guards' eyes twitched uncontrollably upon hearing Li Si's words.

This left Li Si somewhat confused. "What's wrong? Did I say something odd?"

Guard 1: "Young man, our Sect Master often teaches us to treat others with kindness. As soul masters, we must contribute to the Douluo Continent's greater good."

Guard 2: "But do you know? Just today alone…"

Guard 1: "…you're the fifth person to claim to be the Sect Master's friend."

Guard 2: "In the less than a month we've been guarding this gate, a total of 265 people have come forward claiming to be the Sect Master's friend."

Guard 1: "And 57 have claimed to be his confidantes."

The duo spoke in sync, their tones calm and measured. Clearly, they were used to this sort of thing.

Guard 2: "Young man, we're very busy."

Li Si: "…"

Guard 1: "We understand. You probably admire our Sect Master, right?"

Li Si: "…"

Guard 2: "Focus on your cultivation and join our Holy Spirit Sect one day. Shine brightly for the Douluo Continent!"

Guard 1: "Indeed. To eliminate evil and cleanse the continent of its blight—we would willingly sacrifice ourselves. Even death only brings us closer to our god. We fear nothing!"

Li Si: "…"

He was utterly dumbfounded.

"Goodness gracious, this Holy Spirit Sect is something else!"

Eliminate evil? "You're literally the biggest evil on the continent!"

Well, maybe not yet.

To be fair, what they said made a kind of twisted sense. If they died fighting evil, it was just a return to the Reaper's embrace. How could they fear death when it was their ultimate devotion?

Li Si (thinking): "This level of fanaticism is bound to cause problems down the line."

The zealous doctrine was unsettling—either they sent others to meet the Reaper or offered themselves. Being fervent believers, they would never fear meeting their god.

Li Si (bowing slightly): "Your faith is truly admirable, brothers."

"But I really am your Sect Master's friend. Please send word to him. If I'm lying, you can deal with me however you see fit."

The guards exchanged glances.

Their earlier remarks weren't lies—most of the supposed "friends" were just admirers of the Sect Master, and their only recourse was to give a stern verbal warning. Normally, this deterred most people.

But this young man—handsome, composed, and confident—seemed genuinely sincere.

Guard 1: "Very well. Please wait here."

One of them walked to a nearby pavilion and exchanged a few words with a small-framed individual. Moments later, the figure activated their martial soul, revealing five soul rings, and soared into the sky.

This was a member of the Min Clan, renowned for their speed and flight abilities. It wouldn't take long for the message to reach the mountaintop.

Li Si's gaze lingered for a moment.

"Looks like Lin Fan really has integrated the four subsidiary clans."

The two guards were likely members of the Defense Clan or Strength Clan. Li Si's guess was spot on—they were from the Defense Clan, responsible for both construction and defense.

The pavilion hadn't always been there; the guards had built it for their own use while stationed at the gate.

As for why a member of the Min Clan was resting inside? Well, someone had to stand guard while the others patrolled. Besides, they were all part of the Holy Spirit Sect now—there were no boundaries between clans anymore.

Li Si could have bypassed the guards entirely by flying to the mountaintop. However, barging in unannounced might have caused unnecessary trouble before reuniting with Lin Fan, so he chose to wait.

At the mountaintop, Lin Fan (as Dai Mubai) felt an increasingly familiar yet puzzling sensation, as if something was drawing near.

He couldn't pinpoint the reason, but the feeling left him uneasy.

A member of the Min Clan arrived to report.

Min Clan Member: "Sect Master, there's a blue-haired young man at the foot of the mountain claiming to be your friend. He says he's an old acquaintance…"

Lin Fan frowned.

"My friend? Do I even have a blue-haired friend?"

He could think of a few women, but their hair was more of an aqua-blue hue. A blue-haired young man, though? That didn't ring any bells.

The possibility of it being Li Si never crossed his mind. "Li Si's in the Douluo Continent (novel) world. How could he appear here?"

Still puzzled, Lin Fan maintained his composure and nodded.

Lin Fan: "I'll check it out. You may return to your duties."

Min Clan Member: "Understood, Sect Master!"

After dismissing the messenger, Lin Fan stepped into the air and flew toward the mountain base.

Moments later, Lin Fan and Li Si came face to face.

Their gazes locked.

How many years had it been? Neither could remember, but they recognized each other immediately.

Lin Fan (startled): "You?! How are you here?"

Li Si (smirking): "You miserable bastard! Do you know how hard I've been looking for you?!"

Li Si's expression turned sharp as he activated the Golden Saint Dragon King's bloodline, his body instantly transforming.

Seven brilliant golden soul rings rose rapidly from his feet.

Li Si: "Do you even know what I've been through all these years?!"

The memories of his struggles—barely surviving Tang Hao's wrath, going hungry—flooded his mind.

Li Si (thinking): "And here you are, living it up with everything handed to you!"

Seeing Li Si's dragon transformation, Lin Fan's pupils contracted.

"When did he get this ability? Could it be from the Dragon God's inheritance?"

Lin Fan didn't back down. Instead, his body gleamed as he transformed into a golden figure.

The two Defense Clan guards were dumbfounded.

Guard 1 (murmuring): "He… really does know the Sect Master?"

Guard 2: "But why does their interaction feel so… off?"

They noticed the young man's astonishing strength—already at the Soul Sage level—and his radiant golden "yellow" soul rings.

Guard 1: "Why are his yellow soul rings glowing gold?!"

Li Si (gritting his teeth): "Golden Body Technique!"

(Chapter End)

Notes-Read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X