Douluo Dalu - Volume 01-48

by Tang Jia San Shao

  Although Ning Rongrong in her heart was unwilling, she had no choice but to admit Grandmaster was right. But in the end she still didn’t pick Ma Hongjun, and her gaze turned to Zhu Zhuqing.

  “Seventh sister[ “Seventh [younger] sister” Zhu Zhuqing is the seventh oldest, Rongrong is the sixth.], let us cooperate. How about it?”

  “Sure.”

  Zhu Zhuqing still replied very simply.

  Part 2

  To Ning Rongrong’s eye, although Zhu Zhuqing’s spirit power was one rank lower than Ma Hongjun’s, their cooperation was clearly much better than with someone whose Evil Fire pressure was constantly rising. When fighting in two versus two she didn’t want to be flirting[ Point of interest: Apparently “eating tofu” is a euphemism for flirting.] with the comrade in arms next to her.

  Ma Hongjun rumbled:

  “Rongrong, you’re still discriminating against me. I protest.”

  Ning Rongrong giggled, employing her gentle and soft strategy,

  “Fourth brother, you’re so strong, wouldn’t it be a pity to join with me in two versus two? Anyway you’re certain to win in one versus one, right?”

  Ma Hongjun’s immunity to beautiful women was originally very low. Seeing the tender smile on Ning Rongrong’s face, how could he object, and could only accept reality.

  “How you choose to participate is up to you. I’ll give you these, unless there are no people around, wear them when in spirit battles. At the same time, when speaking on stage, you must not let the opponent know your age.”

  While speaking, Grandmaster pulled out seven long ago prepared masks from within his spirit tool bracelet.

  The masks were very familiar to everyone, exactly the symbol of Shrek Academy, the image of the green monster Shrek. Dai Mubai took and put the mask over his face. Although the craftsmanship was ordinary, after it was fitted to the face it only revealed the eyes, mouth and nose, and was not hindrance at all.

  “When participating in team battles, you will do so as the Shrek Seven Devils team. When participating in your own bouts, you can name your two versus two combinations yourselves. For one versus one, I will give each of you a name, use this nickname to compete. As long as you explain it when signing up, your real names won’t appear in the spirit arena.”

  Everyone could understand Grandmaster’s intention. They were after all too young, especially twelve year olds like Tang San and Xiao Wu who had already reached the thirtieth ranked Spirit Elder state, casually revealing this to the whole Spirit Master world would be universally shocking. Especially when becoming well known at Great Spirit Arena, perhaps Spirit Hall would first come call on them.

  Oscar curiously asked:

  “Then what names will we use?”

  Grandmaster said:

  “Mubai uses his original Evil Eye White Tiger[ (邪眸白虎)], you are still that Sausage Monopoly[ (香肠专卖)]. As for little San, use Thousand Hands Silver Grass. What do you think?”

  “This is no good. Change it.

  Xiao Wu rushed to say:

  “It’s not stylish anywhere. Silver grass is too unpleasant to hear.”

  Grandmaster looked at Tang San, seeing he didn’t express any opinion, on his face couldn’t help but reveal a smile. Regarding this disciple of his, Grandmaster was always extremely pleased,

  “Then you say it, just what name would be good?”

  Dai Mubai said:

  “Although little San ordinarily seems sincere, he can really flip out, with a killing instinct heavier than all of us. I say, calling him Thousand Hands Asura is good. Asura has the meaning of a devil of massacre, it could also have a certain intimidating effect on the opponent.”

  Grandmaster said to Tang San:

  “What do you think?”

  Tang San said:

  “It doesn’t matter to me, you decide Teacher.”

  Grandmaster said:

  “Then we’ll call you Thousand Hands Asura[ (千手修罗)]. Ma Hongjun, I’ll also help you pick a good name. How about calling you Evil Fire Phoenix[ (邪火凤凰)]?”

  Fatty smiled mischievously,

  “Many thanks Grandmaster, this is good. How to say, I’m also a Phoenix.”

  To the side Oscar mumbled:

  “En, it’s a Phoenix, only, I think calling it Brothel Phoenix is even better.”

  Fatty said indignantly,

  “Little Ao, are you deliberately undermining me?”

  Xiao Wu had now already stepped before Grandmaster, assuming a pitiful appearance,

  “Grandmaster, then what am I called? You must give me something that sounds pleasant, eh.”

  Grandmaster said with a smile:

  “When you use the Soft Skill your whole body is soft as if boneless. Adding your Rabbit Spirit and Demon Confusion ability, it would be best to call you Soft Bones Demon Rabbit[ (柔骨魅兔) The character for Demon (魅) can also mean “magic” or “to charm”].”

  “It sounds pretty good.”

  Xiao Wu immediately smiled happily.

  “Rongrong’s spirit is Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda. There’s nothing that describes you better than Seven Treasures Glazed Tile[ (七宝琉璃)]. At the same time it can also mask you a bit. After all, this is the spirit of direct disciples of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School. As for Zhuqing, using her spirit as a name is most suitable. Hell Civet[ (幽冥灵猫)] is on its own a pretty good name.”

  At that moment, the Shrek Seven Devils had their own names.

  Evil Eye White Tiger Dai Mubai,

  Sausage Monopoly Oscar,

  Thousand Hands Asura Tang San,

  Evil Fire Phoenix Ma Hongjun,

  Soft Bones Demon Rabbit Xiao Wu,

  Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Ning Rongrong,

  Hell Civet Zhu Zhuqing.

  None of them would have thought that the names they chose in this common inn would not only follow them for a lifetime, but also resound across the Continent. The team Shrek Seven Devils could be considered truly formed starting on this day.

  In order to maintain peak condition, everyone remained in the inn to cultivate their spirit power, waiting for nightfall.

  Right now the seven were all on the iron spirit fight level. Among them Dai Mubai had three points, Oscar had nil, Tang San because of participating with Xiao Wu in one on one and two on two bouts, consequently had two points. Ma Hongjun also prevailed over his opponent last time, with the most points of everyone, already reaching ten. Moreover he had three consecutive victories. XIao Wu just like Tang San had two points. Ning Rongrong had nil. Last time Zhu Zhuqing’s opponent was little San, and since she lost the contest she had no points.

  Going from iron spirit fights to copper spirit fights required one hundred points, advancing to silver spirit fights were one thousand points. Their distance to the goal of this second stage special training was still a very long road.

  Because Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun and Zhu Zhuqing were all already classified as high level within their classes, adding to their own outstanding spirits, they decided to first participate in a one versus one spirit fight, afterwards again participating in two versus two. This kind of time was enough for Oscar’s effect to appear clearly, with a supply of his big sausages, everyone’s spirit power and physical strength could be effectively resupplied. Compared to ordinary Spirit Masters joining spirit battles it was an even greater advantage. Therefore, even participating in three spirit battles wasn’t impossible, provided they didn’t waste too much spirit power in the first fights.

  Tang San and Xiao Wu’s third spirit abilities could both be said to be top quality spirit abilities, therefore although they both had only just broken through the thirtieth rank, they still decided to participate in one versus one spirit battles. Tang San had previously already defeated Dai Mubai, so naturally he held a lot of confidence. And for Xiao Wu who as long as she got in close to the opponent was very difficult to resist, also had complete confidence.

  Xiao Wu’s weak points and advantages were
both extremely clear. Her advantage was being unrivalled when in close to a similarly ranked opponent, but her weak point was that she could only deal with one opponent. When the opponents were numerous, it was very difficult to use her strength, and when the opponent’s physical strength exceeded the power of her Waist Bow, her ability would become completely useless.

  As for Oscar and Ning Rongrong, they could only wait until after everyone had participated in one on one spirit battles to again join with them in two versus two bouts.

  At nightfall, Suotuo Great Spirit Arena bustled with noise and excitement like every day, a restless crowd began to gather from all directions. As in most of history, it was also the most oppressed masses who enjoyed the entertainment. Every day this place would gather numerous spectators.

  Part 3

  The wealthy could obtain the ultimate entertainment here. Even if it was penniless commoners, they were still equally capable of watching Spirit Masters compete. As a result of Great Spirit Arena having some tickets specially aimed at commoners, extremely affordable, as long as people could afford food and clothing, they also wanted to come here to watch Spirit Master competitions. After all, just seeing a spirit master was enough to satisfy the majority of common people. Of course, with the ticket price so cheap, what they could see was only some ordinary spirit fights, that’s all. The truly marvellous spirit fights were prohibitively expensive. But Suotuo City had never lacked wealthy people willing to throw money away. Adding the betting hosted by the Great Spirit Arena, these spirit fights were the scene of secret battles between the wealthy and lords.

  Right now it was already very close to the starting time for Great Spirit Arena’s bouts. Not long after, the one versus one and two versus two spirit fights would begin. Once these two spirit fights ended, the most marvellous team battles would take the stage.

  At just this time, a group of ten people attracted the gazes of the people preparing to enter the Great Spirit Arena. Because, among these ten, seven wore identical masks.

  The green masks looked somewhat funny. Their clothes had nothing in common, both gorgeous and plain.

  This group, was precisely Shrek Academy’s seven students as well as two deans and Grandmaster.

  This time they arrived at Spirit Arena Thirteen. According to their original plan, everyone would one after another use their iron spirit badges to sign up. Under Grandmaster’s directions, the five people simultaneously participating in one versus one and two versus two fights signed up in two areas and at the same time explained they must participate in two bouts. The staff arranged for them to fight at certain times, so as not to have two fights overlap. At the same time, everyone separately altered the names on the iron spirit badges, from their true names to nicknames, using the names they agreed on in the day. Just altering a name cost each of them ten gold spirit coins, however because this time they didn’t need to enroll again, the expense was only so much. As long as they managed one spirit fight victory, they could earn back the expense.

  Tang San and Xiao Wu chose to first participate in two versus two, after that again joining one versus one, naturally separating from the other five. Oscar and Ning Rongrong had to wait for Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing to finish their one versus one bouts, therefore they also first went to one area.

  Flender and Zhao Wuji followed the largest party to enter the one versus one spirit fighting area. Grandmaster followed Tang San and Xiao Wu to the two versus two spirit fighting area.

  Since they would still battle later, Three Five Combination’s two versus two spirit fight was planned as the second bout in the Spirit Arena Thirteen’s two versus two area. Very quickly, it became the pair’s turn.

  Grandmaster sat in the stands, together with numerous spectators. To ordinary people today was a weekend, therefore there were especially many spectators at the Great Spirit Arena. These Spirit Arenas had even more common people. Right now the first spirit battle had already evoked excitement, and shouts fell and rose in succession.

  Tang San and Xiao Wu naturally didn’t have any fame. When they walked on stage at the announcer’s declaration, they earned no applause at all.

  “Next, let us invite Three Five Combination’s opponents. Already having obtained four successive victories in two versus two spirit fights: Cat Rat Combination[ (猫鼠组合) Or “Cat Mouse Combination”]. Relying on the most formidable strength, competing among Spirit Elders, they have obtained unprecedented success. If they are able to prevail over the opposing Three Five Combination today, then, they will have accomplished five successive victories. Perhaps, when they next appear at Suotuo Great Spirit Arena, they will enter the central spirit fighting area, that is a tremendous honor for spirit fighters.”

  Cat Rat Combination? Hearing these words, Tang San and Xiao Wu looked face to face. Although they were unable to see each others’ expression under the masks, from the expression in the other’s eyes, they still saw hints of a smile. Judging by the other side’s combination name, today’s opponent would be an agility attack system Spirit Master. Whether it was cat or rat, speed was the forte of both. But Tang San as a control system Spirit Master was just the nemesis of agility attack system Spirit Masters.

  Under circumstances where the opponent’s rank didn’t exceed his by ten ranks, the two already had a certain confidence.

  Very quickly, in a burst of enthusiastic applause, Three Five Combination’s opponents climbed onto the spirit fighting ring.

  The arriving two Spirit Masters were one man and one woman. The woman was slender and tall, looking about twenty something years old, with a head of extremely attention grabbing fiery red short hair, a sharp expression, the ten fingers of both hands constantly moving rhythmically. Looking at her movements, Tang San immediately determined that this woman should be the cat of the Cat Rat Combination, since Dai Mubai once told him that the ten fingers moving rhythmically was a common trait of all of the cat family type spirits.

  That man was built short and small, but contrary to what Tang San and Xiao Wu anticipated, he was unexpectedly rather fat. Even compared to Ma Hongjun his stature was excessive, his body appearing like an enormous ball. Whether it was his head or body, both were perfectly round. Only a pair of small and narrow little eyes gave people the feeling of a rat.

  The thin cat and fat rat gave people a somewhat ridiculous feeling.

  The Cat Rat Combination mounting the stage naturally also observed Tang San and Xiao Wu across from them. As they saw the masks Tang San and Xiao Wu wore they couldn’t help but stare blankly. Although Spirit Masters participating in spirit fights would somewhat cover up their identities, wearing masks like this was still quite rare.

  The thin cat young lady snorted disdainfully,

  “Hiding the head and showing the tail[ Idiom meaning “half truth”, but is probably used more literally here.], feigning mystery.”

  As the spirit fight was about to begin, the mood of the surrounding spectators was already stirred. In such an enthusiastic atmosphere, the announcer didn’t dare delay, immediately declaring Spirit Arena Thirteen’s second two versus two spirit fight started.

  Along with the announcer declaring the start, the Cat Rat Combination simultaneously used their Spirit Power, their bodies rapidly changing. After reaching thirtieth rank, as Beast Spirit Masters conducted Spirit Body Enhancement, their bodies changed even more than before.

  Just like what Tang San anticipated, the young woman’s spirit was Cat. Sharp blades instantly ejecting between her fingers, on her head several locks of red hair brightened to silver, pupils becoming vertical. The upper part of the body crouching forward, ears slightly erect, on the arms appeared a layer of silvery fur. One white, one yellow and one purple spirit ring twinkled simultaneously, three spirit abilities capable of reaching the thousand year level. Clearly the spirit abilities of this young woman’s spirit rings weren’t common.

  As for that fat rat’s transformation it appeared somewhat ridiculous. Mouth protruding, becoming pointed, produci
ng several rat whiskers, under his upper lip two enormous buckteeth protruded. The small eyes went from small cracks to perfectly round. The round body equally crouching. Forearms becoming slender, black sharp claws ejecting from the fingertips. His three spirit rings were equally one white, one yellow and one purple.

  Seeing the other side suddenly reveal their spirits, Tang San and Xiao Wu also didn’t hesitate. Xiao Wu leapt into the air, standing firmly with one foot on Tang San’s shoulder. The pair simultaneously released their spirits.

  Growing long rabbit ears with white fur, even more slender legs in addition to two red eyes, those were all the characteristics of Xiao Wu. Compared to before, her arms also had some soft fur, but much finer than the other side’s thin cat.

  Equally two yellow and one purple, altogether six spirit rings abruptly appeared over the Three Five Combination, immediately causing a commotion in the audience.

  These spectators frequently watching spirit fights were naturally extremely familiar with the spirit ring levels of Spirit Masters. Two hundred year and one thousand year, in spirit rings, the Three Five Combination was clearly ahead of the opposing Cat Rat Combination. The previously extremely optimistic spectators on the Cat Rat Combination’s side immediately changed somewhat. But the atmosphere became even more enthusiastic; the more evenly matched the competitors the better the show.