Douluo Dalu - Volume 04 - Shrek Seven Devils

by Tang Jia San Shao

  Most shocking Ye Zhi-Qiu, was the coordination between these four juveniles. Although their coordination in itself still was very raw and could not reach fully harmonised condition, between them they each possessed capabilities whose natures very strongly complemented each other. One storm infighter, one agility attack guerilla, one control system, furthermore one long range attacker, complementing one another, able to make their firepower reach the highest degree. What kind of existence was this Shrek Academy?

  How could he know, looking at these seven juvenile boys and girls, they were already Shrek Academy’s entire student body.

  Just at this moment, a lazy voice suddenly echoed, interrupting the fight,

  “Late at night, yet you haven’t gone to bed, running out and getting up to what?”

  Tang San looked blank a moment, already releasing both hands’ subconscious touch on Twenty Four Moonlit Bridges.

  Just about to use his third spirit ring ability Dai Mubai hiccuped when he heard this voice and halted, withdrawing like flying, pulling open the distance with Ye Zhi-Qiu.

  A large figure appeared in everyone’s field of view. The arrival, was Zhao Wuji.

  “All of you go back to sleep.”

  Zhao Wuji did not even look at the Blue Sunshine Academy’s side, with one wave of his hand ordering all the Shrek students back to the hotel.

  This riled up, Ye Zhi-Qiu did not give up,

  “Wait a moment.”

  Zhao Wuji somewhat impatiently turned around,

  “What?”

  Ye Zhi-Qiu coldly said:

  “You are that Shrek-something Academy’s teacher, just now these several students of your academy insulted our Blue Sunshine Academy, shouldn’t you give us an explanation?”

  “Explanation? What is there to explain? Isn’t Blue Sunshine Academy a trash institute? Their words can’t be regarded as an insult.”

  What person was Zhao Wuji? Originally in the Spirit Master realm he was also outstandingly famous as a fiend in human form, although not the most powerful kind, he was still equivalent to a terrifying existence. Confronting a fifty something ranked Spirit Master, he naturally would not look clearly at the other party.

  * * *

  [1] (三股叉) “Three Part Pitchfork”, which differs slightly from the regular word for trident (三叉戟) “Three Pronged Halberd”, so it may be he just has a pitchfork.

  [2] (羊) Alternatively “Goat”.

  [3] Wang (王)

  [4] 8寸 = 27 cm

  [5] (叶知秋) “Page Know Autumn”

  [6] Xuan gui (玄龟) Black Tortoise is one of the Four Heavenly Beasts, of which White Tiger is another.

  [7] Fatty says Wang ba (王八) which has the meaning of “tortoise”, but also “cuckold” and “bastard”. This originated from the ancient curse Wang ba duan (忘八端) where wang means “forgotten” and ba duan are the eight basics of how to conduct oneself with integrity: filial piety, fraternal duty, loyalty, trustworthiness, courtesy, righteousness, honesty, shame (“孝，悌，忠，信，礼，义，廉，耻”), meaning a person who had forgotten integrity. At some point this was mixed together with the near homonym for tortoise. I don’t know an English analogue, so you get a poop joke instead.

  [8] Wang ba (王八) again

  [9] In Wu Xing, Five Phases Theory, the Water phase is associated with Black Tortoise. Also, it’s a tortoise.

  [10] (玄龟护体)

  [11] (玄水冰封) “Black Water Ice Confer/Seal”

  [12] Idiom: Forces of nature are outside of human control.

  [13] (玄水激荡)

  Chapter 028: Thousand Year Phoenix Tail Crest Serpent

  Part 1

  Whether it was him or Shrek Academy’s dean Flender, both were proud and aloof contemporaries. In this respect, Dai Mubai’s temper was most similar to theirs.

  “You……”

  Ye Zhi-Qiu was indignant, and no longer arguing, with big strides walking in Zhao Wuji’s direction. Seeing his overbearing manner, he clearly was not prepared to leave the matter at that.

  Zhao Wuji turned around, facing the seven juveniles already gathered at his side, saying:

  “You really are rubbish, not even taking care of one old turtle head[ Wang ba again, see last chapter’s footnotes.], once we’re back at the Academy I’ll sort you out again.”

  Fatty good intentioned remarked:

  “Teacher Zhao, that old turtle head has come.”

  Zhao Wuji snorted coldly,

  “You all trundle back to go to sleep.”

  Leaving these words behind, at this he just turned around, facing Ye Zhi-Qiu just now coming close with the dense cold air.

  “Everyone uses strength to speak.”

  Zhao Wuji had an arrogant expression, and without using Spirit Body Enhancement, raised his right hand, striking towards Ye Zhi-Qiu.

  Ye Zhi-Qiu by now had already been thoroughly infuriated, releasing Black Water Freezing’s full power, intense cold swept towards Zhao Wuji, at the same time turning his back, using the tortoise shell to resist Zhao Wuji’s palm. Thinking in his heart, ‘you are too arrogant, even if your spirit power was above mine, not even using spirit, I will have you eat a big loss.’

  Unfortunately, it was not at all Zhao Wuji getting the worst of it.

  The Black Water Freezing that before gave Tang San’s group not a little trouble reached Zhao Wuji’s body, and basically did not have any effect at all, and in the next second, Ye Zhi-Qiu’s body already flew like mounting the clouds and riding the mist by Zhao Wuji’s slap. On the tortoise shell appeared a wide crack, flying more than ten metres before heavily landing on the ground.

  Zhao Wuji turned a disdainful look in Ye Zhi-Qiu’s direction. Then just turned to bring the Shrek students into the hotel. While walking he whispered,

  “The feeling of thrashing people without using spirit as expected isn’t bad, no wonder……”

  Earlier when Dai Mubai and the others provoked Blue Sunshine Academy, Zhao Wuji saw it from upstairs. He originally didn’t intend to take part, letting these children have some exercise in battle coordination. But later when he saw Tang San and Dai Mubai’s group attack Ye Zhi-Qiu from all directions, for some reason, he immediately recalled the scene not long ago of him being beaten, for a moment his hand itched, and he walked out without stopping. Only he didn’t expect to be so unable to refrain from hitting that old tortoise, sending him flying with a slap.

  Of course, Zhao Wuji was not unaware of the true cause, the defense ability the other party used was the first spirit ring, the last two thousand year spirit rings’ abilities both still had not been used. Only, sending Ye Zhi-Qiu flying with a slap. He did not have the mood to tangle with this kind of opponent whose strength was so much below his own. Right now, he felt like that person who stood before him that day.

  Ye Zhi-Qiu with the support of several Blue Sunshine Academy students managed to crawl from the ground, opening his mouth to spit out a mouthful of blood, just like his back was weighed down by a big mountain, somewhat unable to breathe, in his heart also couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by shock.

  Regarding his own defensive power he was only too clear, but the other side without even using his spirit, one off-handed slap could unexpectedly injure him. Even if the opponent was a strength type Spirit Master, this strength gap still could by no means be lower than fifteen ranks, or even higher.

  As soon as he thought of the opponents Spirit Master level, Ye Zhi-Qiu couldn’t help but shiver, looking perniciously in the direction of the departing Shrek Academy group, then just bringing a cadre of crestfallen students to leave. Among them that female student before leaving, still specially looked towards Dai Mubai.

  Oscar’s face was bearded and Tang San’s appearance could not be regarded as outstanding, so Dai Mubai’s evil eyes clearly possessed the most attractive force. As for Fatty, that was always a character directly overlooked by girls.

  Of course, Dai Mubai did not pay her any attention, it
could not be said that this White Tiger was particularly pure, indeed due to his arrogance, many beautiful women appeared, and his taste could by far not be compared to Fatty’s.

  While walking back, Zhao Wuji cheerfully said:

  “All of you. You truly make me lose face. Remember from this time, after we’ve returned I will give you special instruction.”

  Tang San’s group looked at each other. But nobody retorted, on their faces instead hung somewhat smiling expressions, this Motionless Bright King clearly was protective, afraid they would have an accident, but was not willing to say so clearly.

  Twenty or thirty ranked Spirit Masters fighting with a more than fiftieth ranked Spirit Master, and still not having to concede, already was quite good. How could that still count as losing face, to say nothing of the oldest among them being just fifteen years old.

  Zhao Wuji’s gaze suddenly shifted to Ning Rongrong,

  “Just now why did you not use your spirit to assist everyone?”

  Ning Rongrong’s big eyes blinked, saying:

  “That was not the right time. Without people knowing I was a Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School disciple, if I unleashed my spirit at a key moment, the effect could be even better. Even more of an unexpected nature.”

  The others all turned to Ning Rongrong with unconvinced gazes, but Tang San nodded, saying:

  “Acting when least expected, attacking when least prepared, will have even better results. If when Mubai used White Tiger Vajra Transformation his physical strength and speed increased by thirty percent, perhaps that Black Tortoise Spirit King would come to grief.”

  Hearing Tang San’s words, Zhao Wuji nodded relieved, in a low voice saying:

  “You must remember, ever since you seven entered Shrek Academy, you are one entity. You are all the Academy’s little monsters, when later going out, you can also be called Shrek Seven Devils[ (史莱克七怪) “Shrek Seven Devils/Monsters/Freaks”; I went with Devils because it reads better.]. You must mutually assist each other. With your gifts, if you also have good coordination, defeating Spirit Masters more powerful than you still won’t be any difficult matter.”

  “Yes, teacher Zhao.”

  Among the numerous ordinary peoples’ admiring expressions, the Shrek student party returned to the hotel.

  The night was uneventful. Early morning the second day, with the sky just showing a glimmer of dawn, Zhao Wuji used his that resonant voice to call them all up.

  Tang San was actually indifferent, he rose early every day, having long ago already acquired a good work and rest habit. But for the others, especially a sleep addict like Oscar, it was somewhat painful. To the extent that when eating breakfast, the majority were still in a hazy state.

  The sun slowly rose from the East, gradually bringing that marble white color of the dawn, the sky gradually brightening.

  Although Tang San would see this scene every day, regardless of how many times it was repeated, the feeling brought out by that kind of light still would make his heart shake. The sun’s light breaking up the darkness, heralding a new day approaching.

  Leaving the little town, everyone accelerated forwards, the distance from here to Star Dou Great Forest was already very close, and everyone hurried on at full strength. Most excited naturally was Oscar on the verge of obtaining his third spirit ring, he dearly wanted to know, what strengthening effect his third spirit ring could produce in the end.

  He knew, without need to remind him, Zhao Wuji certainly would bring everyone to at least hunt an ordinary thousand year spirit beast for him.

  Star Dou Great Forest was situated on the south edge of Heaven Dou Empire, the forest spanning the two great empires. Since the spirit beasts here were numerous, this was also the region where the border between the two nations was least clear. From looking at a map, the larger part of Star Dou Great Forest’s area was within Star Luo Empire, but of course, Heaven Dou Empire had never recognized this point.

  As one of the three big wild spirit beast habitats, this naturally was the place Spirit Masters most wished to be able to hunt, because every time coming here, meant they would advance.

  Nobody could say clearly for just how many years Star Dou Great Forest had existed on Douluo Continent, but after entering the forest, that hiding the sky and covering the earth lushness was sufficient to tell people it was an ancient existence.

  Distantly, Tang San vaguely sensed bursts of clear air caressing from ahead, that brought the scent of plants penetrating deeply in the heart, unspeakably comforting. With deep breaths of fresh and clean air, the whole body’s thirty six thousand pores seemed to completely stretch open, that kind of feeling was so relaxing it was hard to put into words.

  Using Purple Demon Eye to focus in the far distance, what Tang San Saw, was a green ocean, vibrant green as far as the eye could see ahead, that kind of comforting clear air came from there.

  Eventually, they came before Star Dou Great Forest, tall trees exceeding at least twenty metres, and this was still only the outermost parts. The dense forest was basically without paths, shadowed heavily by trees, unable to see the true scene within.

  Arriving before the forest, the air became even more relaxing, seemingly like the temperature dropped a bit. The fresh and cool feeling continuously bringing a moist earth fragrance to stimulate everyone’s sense of smell.

  “Everyone stop.”

  Zhao Wuji spoke up.

  Everyone halted their steps, the hundred li journey had already heated up their bodies, especially Oscar and Ning Rongrong, as Auxiliary Spirit Masters, while their bodies’ conditions still were pretty good, in the end they could not compare to Tang San and the others.

  Oscar recited that vulgar incantation of his in a low voice, handing over a sausage to each person. After the breaking in over these few days, everyone already no longer felt disgusted by his sausage, at most only pretending not to hear when he recited his incantation, that’s all.

  With the sausage in belly, releasing a warm flow, restoring everyone’s physical strength, everyone became in very high spirits.

  Zhao Wuji looked solemnly at the seven students before him,

  “You listen to me closely, Star Dou Great Forest can’t be the kind of place like national captive devil beast forests. The devil beasts here are all extremely dangerous, you may at any time be confronted by a thousand year, or even ten thousand year level devil beast attack. As a result, after entering the forest, none of you must leave more than twenty metres away from me. Ning Rongrong, Oscar, you two must follow me even closer. Without my order, none of you are allowed to rashly attack spirit beasts, do you understand?”

  “Understood.”

  Oscar quickly recited spirit incantations, in a moment’s work, in his hand he held several fresh and dried sausages.

  Part 2

  He gave everyone a fresh sausage and a dried sausage, saying:

  “My sausage is able to maintain its freshness for twelve double hours in the air, in other words, it will have effect if eaten within twelve double hours. The fresh sausage recovers and treats in addition to allaying hunger, the dried sausage’s main effect is detoxification.”

  Everyone accepted it one by one, carefully putting it away. They understood that Oscar was afraid that in a crisis there wouldn’t be time to give them sausage, and so just gave them some in advance.

  Continually releasing spirit power made Oscar’s expression somewhat pale, fortunately with the full beard to cover it up it could not be considered obvious. The effect of his transformed sausage was very good on other people, but to himself it could only have one third of the effect, basically balancing his spirit power consumption. Consequently, after consuming spirit power he could only recover by meditation. Of course, the fresh sausage was still useful to allay his hunger.

  Zhao Wuji looked at everyone, seeing the seven youngsters before him already were ready, then just waved his hand once,

  “Set off.”

  This time, Zhao Wuji let Dai Mubai
and Tang San walk in front, he personally took the rear, as they took the first step into Star Dou Great Forest.

  After entering Star Dou Great Forest, the most excited one was Xiao Wu, she did not seem to think this was any kind of dangerous place, bouncing and vivacious, unspeakably happy. Seeing it made Zhao Wuji scowl, but since Xiao Wu still did not overstep the restrictive range, he did not say anything.

  The terrain within Star Dou Great Forest was extremely complex, there basically were no roads within the forest, so the work of making a path naturally fell on Dai Mubai.

  Using Spirit Body Enhancement, the sharp blades on Dai Mubai’s tiger paws shot out, both paws swinging, cutting apart the brambles in front, without affecting everyone’s movement rate a bit.

  Tang San followed just behind Dai Mubai, his vision and hearing both heightened to their keenest state, cautiously and solemnly observing the surroundings.

  Grandmaster once talked to him about wild spirit beast lore. Wild spirit beasts were extremely aggressive, and because of people hunting to upgrade their strength they hated humans. Most dreadful was, among wild spirit beasts, there were some that flocked together. In other words, it was very possible to meet a group of tyrannically strong wild spirit beasts. Under these kinds of circumstances, unless the Spirit Masters themselves were astonishingly strong, it would be very difficult to resist them.

  Therefore, Grandmaster repeatedly urged that when entering wild spirit beasts’ territory, he must be extremely careful. He could not make any mistakes, otherwise, he very possibly would face disaster.

  The reason why Grandmaster had Tang San come to study at Shrek Academy actually wasn’t at all to let him study various things; what Shrek could teach, how would Grandmaster be unable to teach it. But Grandmaster’s own strength nevertheless was a complication, although teaching Tang San was without any issues, Tang San would later in the end reach thirtieth rank. He would not be able to again assist Tang San in obtaining a spirit ring.

  Thirtieth rank was capable of supporting a spirit ring of the thousand year level. Thousand year spirit beasts in national captive reserves were exceptionally rare, ones with good attributes were even rarer; only in wild spirit beast habitats was it possible to find something suitable. Consequently, the most important reason Grandmaster had Tang San go to Shrek Academy, was exactly to rely on the strength of Shrek Academy’s teachers to assist Tang San in finding a suitable spirit ring.