Douluo Dalu - Volume 01-48

by Tang Jia San Shao

  Dai Mubai’s mood didn’t show any change because of Ning Fengzhi’s appearance, his evil eyes looking straight at the school master as he spoke:

  “I don’t dare call myself the strongest. In a duel, I couldn’t beat little San.”

  Seventeen years old and forty fourth rank? Really a little monster. Ning Fengzhi didn’t conceal his admiration,

  “Just now I saw your whole battle. Young man, your spirit and spirit abilities are all outstanding. At seventeen you already have such achievements, it truly makes me gasp in admiration. I don’t know whether you are willing to come take a place at our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School after this tournament?”

  Hearing Ning Fengzhi toss out an invitation to Dai Mubai, the other Huang Yuan, Jing Ling and Jiang Zhu couldn’t help having somewhat envious expressions.

  But to their surprise, Dai Mubai shook his head with a calm expression, saying:

  “Junior appreciates school master Ning’s kind intentions. If there’s an opportunity in the future I will certainly visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.”

  Even though he didn’t outright refuse going to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, his first sentence was no doubt a rebuff of Ning Fengzhi’s invitation.

  Part 3 (TL by Bagelson)

  Ning Fengzhi seemed to recall something as he looked at Dai Mubai’s double pupils, and somewhat pondering said:

  “Evil Eye White Tiger, eh, so it’s like that.”

  Dai Mubai understood that Ning Fengzhi had already seen through his background. Fortunately, Ning Fengzhi was observed his words, and didn’t reveal it, only smiling at him somewhat mysteriously,

  “You’re all Rongrong’s companions. If there’s anything the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School can do for you, just come find me at the school.”

  Ning Rongrong next pointed at Oscar,

  “He’s called Oscar, second oldest of the Shrek Seven Devils, forty first ranked food system Tool Spirit Ancestor, his spirit is Sausage.”

  For some reason her voice was somewhat weak when she introduced Oscar, her flickering gaze didn’t dare meet Oscar’s eyes, and her heartbeat constantly sped up.

  Ning Fengzhi looked at Oscar, inwardly praising such a handsome youth,

  “Food system? May I know how old you are?”

  Oscar suppressed his nervousness with difficulty, and replied deferentially:

  “I’m sixteen this year, one year younger than boss Dai.”

  Ning Fengzhi was gobsmacked, even more than when he found out Dai Mubai was forty fourth rank. As a great scholar level figure in the auxiliary system, how could he be unaware of the difficulties in cultivating as a food system Spirit Master? If an outstanding auxiliary system Spirit Master could be said to bring out the best in a team, then an outstanding food system Spirit Master was enough to substantially increase an entire army’s battle sustainability. Let alone meeting, he had never even heard about a sixteen year old forty first ranked food system Spirit Master.

  Seeing Ning Fengzhi’s shocked gaze, Oscar was inwardly a little bit satisfied, calming somewhat. He rushed to speak before Ning Fengzhi could,

  “School master Ning, I’ve always admired you. As another auxiliary system, could I have the privilege of joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School after graduation?”

  Laughter escaped from Ma Hongjun to the side, thinking, ‘Do you admire school master Ning, or adore his daughter!’

  Ning Fengzhi secretly exulted. Knowing Dai Mubai’s identity, he naturally understood he wouldn’t join his school. But from his daughter’s introduction of these Shrek Seven Devils, they didn’t seem to have any less terrifying talent. If he could recruit any one of them would be ideal, let alone such an outstanding food system Spirit Master. At such a moment he wouldn’t put on any airs of the three upper sects, and hastily nodded:

  “Exactly what we’ve been looking for. What the school needs the most are talented little brothers like you. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School’s door will stand wide open for you at any time.”

  Ning Rongrong somewhat resentfully said:

  “Dad, why do you call him little brother? Call him little Ao, otherwise the hierarchy will be mixed up, and how would I address him then!”

  Ning Fengzhi laughed out loud, saying:

  “See, aren’t I confused from excitement? Little Ao’s future as food system Spirit Master is boundless.”

  Ning Rongrong said:

  “Dad, you’re already familiar with third brother, so I won’t introduce him to you. He just has a spirit ring more than before, that’s all.”

  Ning Fengzhi tapped his daughter’s head,

  “‘That’s all’? He already left me and his majesty unable to hide our shock. The fourth spirit ring being of the ten thousand year level doesn’t seem like something that’s been ever accomplished before. Even his father didn’t have this kind of achievement. Ah, it’s a pity, little San, it would’ve been much better if you’d been my son.”

  Ning Rongrong stuck out her tongue at her father,

  “What? Do I make you lose face?”

  Ning Fengzhi smiled:

  “How would you? You are my little treasure. My point was that it would have been perfect to have a son like Tang San.”

  Without a doubt, among these children, Tang San was the one Ning Fengzhi paid the most attention to and was most optimistic about. Even though he couldn’t recruit Tang San because of his background, he would still maintain a good relationship with Tang San no matter what.

  Tang San scratched his head, but didn’t speak up. In his heart appeared his father’s mien, ‘Dad, would you praise me like uncle Ning?’

  “This is my fourth brother, we all call him Fatty. Is real name is Ma Hongjun. Forty first ranked power attack system Spirit Ancestor, his spirit is Fire Phoenix. Ning Rongrong continued with the next introductions.

  “Fire Phoenix?”

  Ning Fengzhi’s eyes brightened as he saw Ma Hongjun nod repeatedly. Among spirits, dragon and phoenix were both considered first rate. This little Fatty appeared a bit young, but still had forty first ranked strength. Ning Fengzhi couldn’t help saying to his daughter:

  “Rongrong, you wouldn’t be telling me that all of your Shrek Seven Devils have already reached the fortieth rank?”

  Ning Rongrong giggled, saying:

  “We haven’t, Xiao Wu still hasn’t reached it. However, she didn’t eat the immortal treasure herb third brother gave her, otherwise her rank would no doubt be higher than mine.”

  Ma Hongjun said:

  “Hello uncle Ning, don’t you have another daughter as beautiful as Rongrong? If you do, I’ll join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School as long as you marry her to me.”

  His nature was always very straightforward, and what he said immediately had everyone roaring with laughter.

  Ning Fengzhi helplessly said:

  “Unfortunately, I only have my darling daughter Rongrong. If she wanted to marry you herself, I wouldn’t have any objections.”

  Even though he was joking around, Ning Fengzhi’s words weren’t unconsidered. A power attack system Spirit Master with the Phoenix Spirit who broke through the fortieth rank as a teenager, in strength he really was entitled to his daughter’s hand.

  Ma Hongjun grinned, saying:

  “Then I’ll just go find a beautiful wife first. Anyway, didn’t you already say the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School’s doors would always stand wide open for us.”

  Ning Fengzhi nodded earnestly, his gaze sweeping across these children,

  “Yes, each of you will be welcome at Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.”

  Huang Yuan couldn’t help asking:

  “I as well?”

  Ning Fengzhi smiled:

  “Of course. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School never refuses talent.”

  Huang Yuan, Jing Ling, and Jiang Zhu were ecstatic. They had found a good place to go before even graduating, what could be more exciting than this?

  Nin
g Rongrong said:

  “Xiao Wu is little San’s little sister. I think that wherever third brother goes, Xiao Wu will follow. Thirty seventh ranked close combat power attack system Battle Spirit Master. Big sister Xiao Wu’s close combat strength is very powerful. Without using spirits, perhaps we would all be unable to defeat her. Even third brother.”

  Xiao Wu slightly bowed to Ning Fengzhi, but didn’t say anything. Just like Ning Rongrong said, she was only interested in being together with Tang San.

  Ning Rongrong last introduced Zhu Zhuqing,

  “Zhuqing is a forty first ranked agility attack system Battle Spirit Master. She’s together with boss Dai. I’m afraid she wouldn’t join our school. Only, Zhuqing, you definitely have to come with boss Dai to play at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School later.”

  When meeting other people, Zhu Zhuqing wasn’t as cold as she was to Dai Mubai. Just like Xiao Wu, she slightly bowed to Ning Fengzhi.

  By now there were more and more spectators leaving the Great Spirit Arena. Ning Fengzhi said:

  “I’m very glad I could meet talented youths like you here today. Alright, you return to the Academy. Little San, can I speak to you alone?”

  “Alright.”

  Hearing Ning Fengzhi ask to talk to him alone, Tang San was at first distracted a moment, but immediately agreed. No matter what else, in his eyes Ning Fengzhi was a venerable elder, and also Ning Rongrong’s father.

  Ning Rongrong resentfully stuck out her tongue, saying:

  “Dad really is biased, more concerned with third brother than me.”

  Ning Fengzhi laughed, saying:

  “I need your third brother for serious matters. Be a bit calm at the Academy, go quickly.”

  The other Shrek Academy people all left, leaving only Tang San. Ning Fengzhi brought Tang San to the most bustling street of Heaven Dou City, Heavenly Emperor Street.

  While walking, Tang San asked:

  “Uncle Ning, what did you need me for?”

  Ning Fengzhi smiled slightly, saying:

  “I’m bringing you to see someone. After I learned of your background back at Shrek Academy, I made some inquiries into why your father originally vanished without a trace. This person knows some of it. Even though it’s not the complete story, at least it’s some news. Ai, even now I still feel sorry for your father. At that time he left the Spirit Master world just after reaching the Title Douluo stage.”

  On hearing it was related to his father, Tang San’s heart immediately tightened. Originally he hadn’t wanted to have too much contact with Ning Fengzhi; after all, Ning Fengzhi was the master of a school, and also good to him. If he was determined to recruit him it wouldn’t be too easy to refuse. But was he heard these words now, Tang San couldn’t help feeling gratitude. This uncle Ning had apparently asked around for his sake, this concern wasn’t only to win him over.

  Ning Fengzhi brought Tang San straight to an antique tea house. The size of the teahouse didn’t seem to be very large, only three stories with ancient decorations. At this hour there were only two or three customers inside, seeming very peaceful.

  The two reached an elegant room on the second floor, and pushing open a folding screen, Ning Fengzhi drew Tang San inside.

  There was only one person inside the room, and having heard the voices of the two arriving he had already stood up. This person appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen, and even though he wasn’t as handsome as Oscar, he still had a straight nose and square mouth. He wore clean blue robes, giving people a very fresh and cool impression. A head of long black hair was tied up with blue cloth, and hung neatly behind his head.

  Even though his clothes were extremely ordinary, he still had a kind of extraordinary charisma. Looking at this person, Tang San couldn’t help having a somewhat familiar feeling. But he was certain this was the first time he had met this person.

  “Uncle Ning, you’ve come.”

  The youth deferentially bowed to Ning Fengzhi.

  Ning Fengzhi smiled slightly, saying:

  “Qinghe, I’ve told you so many times, no need for that.”

  The youth smiled:

  “How could that do? You’re a senior, and also Qinghe’s teacher. If father learned I’d been disrespectful to you, he might break my legs.”

  Chapter 093: Reason For Tang Hao’s Seclusion

  Part 1 (TL by Bagelson)

  Ning Fengzhi brought Tang San to a teahouse to meet a youth.

  Qinghe’s gaze shifted to Tang San,

  “This should be uncle Ning’s esteemed brother Tang San.”

  “I don’t deserve the praise.”

  Tang San nodded lightly at the youth.

  Ning Fengzhi smiled:

  “I’ll introduce you. Little San, this is the Heaven Dou Empire’s present crown prince, his highness Xue Qinghe[1].”

  Tang San was inwardly alarmed, and immediately understood why this youth felt familiar. That was it, his appearance was somewhat similar to both emperor Xue Ye, as well as the ones that originally inconvenienced Shrek Academy, fourth prince Xue Beng and prince Xue Xing.

  “So it’s his highness the crown prince. Tang San offers his respect.”

  Bowing slightly, Tang San was neither servile nor overbearing.

  Xue Qinghe praised:

  “If uncle Ning hadn’t told me, I really would have found it difficult to believe you’re only fourteen. To think that when I was fourteen, I was just an ignorant boy. I’m happy to meet you, and if you don’t mind, call me big brother Xue. It’s better not to mention the words ‘crown prince’.”

  Tang San couldn’t help being astounded by the other party’s manner of speech and bearing; did he really have the same father as that prince Xue Beng? Why was there such a difference? As a person of two lifetimes, Tang San inferred from Ning Fengzhi bringing him to meet this crown prince that the prince had already obtained the support of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Recalling that emperor Xue Ye wasn’t exactly young, could it be that there was a struggle for position in the Heaven Dou imperial family?

  Ning Fengzhi said from the side:

  “Alright, let’s sit down and talk. The green tea here is pretty good. Little San, you try it as well.”

  The three host and guests sat down, and Xue Qinghe personally poured tea for Ning Fengzhi and Tang San. Without need to drink, just the scent had a feeling of penetrating deep into the heart. Further adding the antique decorations in the room, it was very easy to feel relaxed both mentally and physically.

  Tang San said:

  “Big brother Xue, I heard from uncle Ning that you knew something about my father going into seclusion.”

  Xue Qinghe nodded, saying:

  “Actually, I don’t know everything. Only what I heard from the court officials. Your esteemed father was always my idol, so I asked around at that time. According to what I learned, the reason your esteemed father disappeared from the Spirit Master world, was related to Spirit Hall.”

  “Eh? Big brother Xue, do you know something concrete?”

  Tang San somewhat anxiously asked. According to what Strength Clan chief Tai Tan and Ning Fengzhi said, his father was one of the twin Douluo of the first ranked of the seven great schools, Clear Sky School. With such a venerable position, how could he have degenerated into a drunkard blacksmith? The reasons for this had always been what Tang San wanted to know.

  Xue Qinghe didn’t keep him in suspense, nodding:

  “What I learned was this. Approximately fifteen years ago, counting back, it should have been before you were born. Spirit Hall was apparently looking for something. That thing was extremely important to Spirit Hall. Consequently, Spirit Hall dispatched a formidable line-up to search all over. Not only did four platinum bishops all participate, but even the Supreme Pontiff at that time as well as his two personal guards participated. The people I talked to didn’t know what specifically they were looking for, but from the way Spirit Hall’s senior members came out in force, that was certainly someth
ing extremely important.

  “And this thing seemed to have fallen into your father’s hands. At that time your father wasn’t at the Clear Sky School, but should have brought your mother to travel the Continent. Abruptly getting involved in this matter was presumably also made things extremely difficult. I also don’t know the details of the negotiations between him and Spirit Hall. I only heard that your father declared his separation from Clear Sky School not long after. At that time, your father was still a Spirit Douluo and hadn’t yet reached the Title Douluo realm.

  “Not long after this was another piece of news. It was said your father and Spirit Hall had a decisive duel somewhere, and was injured. But they apparently still didn’t successfully obtain that thing. It was precisely from that battlefield that it was known your father had already reached the Title Douluo stage. Spirit Hall admitted to this themselves, and said your esteemed father had become the nowadays youngest Title Douluo.”

  Hearing this, Tang San couldn’t help asking:

  “Then my mother?”

  Xue Qinghe shook his head, saying:

  “My information doesn’t have anything pertaining to your mother. Only that less than a month after that battle, Spirit Hall announced the death of the Supreme Pontiff, and the succession of the new Supreme Pontiff. Therefore, my sources judged it very possible that the Supreme Pontiff was severely wounded in the battle with your father, dying not long after, and that your father chose to go into seclusion for this reason. Even though he had separated from Clear Sky School, he was after all still their most important direct disciple. His hiding was presumably also to keep the School from getting involved. After all, Spirit Hall really is too powerful, even so much that they’re on an equal footing with the two great empires, not something a single school has the capability to resist. Even the present age’s number one great school wouldn’t be capable. It was also starting from this time that the Clear Sky School distanced itself from peoples’ eyes, and very rarely moved in the Spirit Master world.”

  Ning Fengzhi interjected:

  “If all this is true, then what’s most important is finding out just what that thing Spirit Hall fought over was, and the true circumstances of that fight. This is perhaps also something only those involved would know. Only, it’s certain that battle is closely related to your father’s reason for going into seclusion.”