Volume One, Chapter Five: Promotion to Title Douluo? Isn't That a Death Wish?

On the other side, the original indignation of Soul Fighter Chen Yong instantly surged to an unparalleled height. Stimulated by Fang Yuan's words, his resolve to confront the challenge was unprecedented.

“Am I not worthy of having such a lowly creature make a move against me? No! Even if I die today, I must push myself to the limit! I will fight!”

At this moment, Soul Fighter Chen Yong truly understood what it meant to be pushed to the brink and then revived. It was an exquisite feeling, one he had never experienced since becoming a Soul Fighter.

Chen Yong had been stuck at the threshold of the Half-Step Douluo realm, lacking only a sliver of enlightenment. Now, spurred on by Fang Yuan, he lacked nothing. He was finally able to break free from the Half-Step Douluo and ascend to become a true Title Douluo.

Chen Yong howled to the heavens, golden light shielding his body. Above the Star Dou Forest, dark clouds gathered once more, thunder and lightning clashing—the ascension ceremony quietly began.

“Look, everyone! Lord Chen Yong’s aura is rising continuously. He has already reached the level of a Title Douluo!”

“That’s right! Lord Chen Yong is about to ascend to a Title Douluo! We’re saved!”

“Hmph! I refuse to believe that Fang Yuan could have slain three Title Douluos in a row. Lord Chen Yong will definitely tear him apart limb by limb.”

The Soul Masters of the Martial Soul Hall looked on with renewed hope. To them, a Title Douluo was an insurmountable mountain, a symbol of ultimate strength.

While everyone was immersed in the joy of Chen Yong’s imminent ascension, Fang Yuan was even more ecstatic!

He hadn’t expected that a casual remark of his would spur Chen Yong, a Half-Step Douluo, to ascend directly to Title Douluo. With Chen Yong’s ascension, things just got explosive—Fang Yuan’s target was now a Title Douluo!

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Tang San’s face was ashen. Now, he was caught between two fires. On the Martial Soul Hall’s side, he had just offended everyone with his weak and feeble bluffing. Even if he regretted it now, it was too late. The newly ascended Title Douluo Chen Yong wouldn’t spare him.

On Fang Yuan’s side, he no longer indulged this master. To put it nicely, Tang San and Fang Yuan were still master and servant. To put it harshly, as long as Fang Yuan wished, Tang San had to kneel and lick his toes!

“No, I still have a chance! The Holy Maiden of the Martial Soul Hall, Hu Liena, cares about me. If I quickly admit my faults now, with Hu Liena’s authority, I doubt Chen Yong would dare to harm me!” Tang San raved madly, repeatedly wavering between the two sides like a buffoon.

Just as Tang San was about to kneel and beg for mercy in front of everyone, the previously silent Fang Yuan spoke coldly: “Ascend to Title Douluo? Interesting. Even if Chen Yong ascends to Title Douluo, what of it? I will still crush him!”

“Hmph! Fang Yuan, don’t pretend you’re still strong. You’ve slaughtered two Title Douluos of our Martial Soul Hall consecutively. You must be at your end! I refuse to believe you can kill Lord Chen Yong too!” Hu Liena’s eyes blazed with fury. If it weren’t for Fang Yuan’s interference, this soul hunting operation would have been a complete success long ago. All these troubles were because of Fang Yuan!

As for Tang San, he must have been coerced by Fang Yuan and only acted that way out of self-preservation. Hu Liena did not believe Tang San was such a fickle fence-sitter; he certainly had his own difficulties.

With this thought, Hu Liena glanced at Tang San. The swirling affairs of the City of Killers flickered in her eyes. She had made up her mind—no matter what happened today, she must protect Tang San.

“An insignificant Soul Emperor, yet your tone is so arrogant. Fine, when Chen Yong ascends to Title Douluo, I will show you what true divine terror is!” Fang Yuan stood with his hands behind his back. Although no soul energy radiated from him, all the Soul Masters present felt an immense pressure, as if one more step forward from him could crush them like ants.

Hu Liena and the others never imagined that Fang Yuan was now merely a facade of strength. In truth, even a Soul Master’s first soul skill could end Fang Yuan’s life. Yet none dared attempt it—after all, anyone capable of instantly killing a Title Douluo would not recklessly provoke others.

Time dragged on, the atmosphere thick with tension. Fang Yuan waited for Chen Yong to complete his ascension to establish his authority. Tang San wavered uncertainly, unsure if Fang Yuan was truly at his end; rash rebellion would only deepen hatred. Hu Liena and her party representing the Martial Soul Hall awaited Chen Yong’s ascension to wash away their previous disgrace.

At last, a streak of violet lightning flashed across the sky, striking Chen Yong. The heavens and earth trembled at this moment. An unprecedentedly powerful aura erupted from Chen Yong. His eyes gleamed golden, like radiant stars, stirring the soul at a mere glance. Around him, eight soul rings circled, emanating a chilling spiritual energy.

His form blurred before everyone’s eyes, then suddenly became clear again. He was reborn as a true Title Douluo!

Chen Yong’s name would be recorded in the history of the Martial Soul Hall, and indeed, the entire Douluo Continent—immortalized forever, eternal in glory!

“I never thought that someone like me could one day become a Title Douluo. It truly feels like a dream.” Chen Yong murmured to himself. He slowly raised his hand, palm upward, as if to command the entire sky.

“Congratulations to Lord Chen Yong on ascending to Title Douluo! Please avenge Lord Chrysanthemum Douluo and Lord Ghost Douluo! Restore the honor of the Martial Soul Hall!” Hu Liena and her group knelt together, earnestly begging Chen Yong to bring Fang Yuan to justice.

Chen Yong looked down arrogantly at the crowd, then glanced at Xiao Wu not far away. A trace of greed flickered in his eyes. Calmly, he said, “Enough. This matter is a fight to the death. I must battle Fang Yuan. After I kill him and end this farce, that ten-thousand-year-old Soft-Boned Demon Rabbit will become mine, just as my ninth soul ring. Surely none of you object?”

Chen Yong spoke as though Fang Yuan were already dead in his eyes. Xiao Wu, standing nearby, was about to become his spoils of war.

“If Lord Chen Yong can kill Fang Yuan, even His Holiness the Archbishop would have no objections regarding the Soft-Boned Demon Rabbit.” Hu Liena pressed one hand to her chest, murmuring respectfully.

“Very well! Watch closely how I avenge Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo!” Chen Yong declared proudly. Having ascended to Title Douluo, he no longer regarded Fang Yuan, a lowly creature without soul energy, as worth his notice. His mind was fixed only on seizing Xiao Wu as his ninth soul ring.