Douluo: Brains Over Bloodline

Welcome our new Patron: Iolani Martin

------------------------------------------------------

"Slash of Heaven and Earth!"

Mu Ye roared, and the forty-meter-long blade aura descended.

In an instant, the heavens and earth were split by this single strike.

The Dark Blood Demon also let out a roar as dark crimson flames erupted from his body. The Blood Demon True Form exuded formidable power.

Though he specialized in soul-based abilities, under the Blood Demon True Form, all his blood demon powers were transferred to his physical body, making him more than capable in direct combat.

However, his most potent ability—soul devouring—was ineffective against Mu Ye and couldn't even be used.

Previously, every attack from the Dark Blood Demon would carry a soul-devouring effect. Although it couldn't completely consume the opponent's soul, it would still destabilize and shock their soul.

This was equivalent to every strike carrying a simultaneous soul attack.

But now, facing Mu Ye, if he tried to use soul devouring, it could easily backfire on him instead.

The two forces collided.

Boom!

The ambient energy violently surged, spreading outward in waves.

Naturally, the battle drew the attention of nearby cities. Numerous mechs quickly flew in, surrounding the battlefield from a safe distance of three kilometers.

At first, there were mostly yellow- and purple-grade mechs.

Then black-grade mechs appeared.

After half an hour of fighting, there were thirty-six black-grade mechs, with one red-grade mech arriving.

All the mechs were neatly arranged, encircling both combatants.

The operator of the red-grade mech was none other than Yu Guanzhi, a general of the Federation and commander of the Central Legion!

At this moment, Yu Guanzhi observed the battle, feeling immense pressure.

The strength of both the Dark Blood Demon and Mu Ye was no weaker than his own.

Even Xu Shengqun, who was assisting from the side, had formidable combat abilities.

He had only returned to Tiandou City to visit family and hadn't expected to stumble upon a battle between these three Limit Douluos.

The blinding light faded.

A dark crimson figure was sent flying backward, rapidly retreating toward the horizon.

It was the Dark Blood Demon.

Even in a one-on-one fight, he was suppressed by Mu Ye. Add to that Xu Shengqun constantly poking at him with a spear that could pierce space, and the Dark Blood Demon was now riddled with injuries.

If it weren't for absolute suppression, could Yu Guanzhi have calmly watched the battle while controlling his mech?

The Dark Blood Demon seized the opportunity, retreating in the direction opposite Yu Guanzhi within the mech army's encirclement. In front of him, there were only three black-grade mechs blocking the way.

"Not good!"

Yu Guanzhi was alarmed. He controlled his mech, and a massive brush materialized in his hand, drawing in the air. Instantly, a war eagle took form, transforming into a streak of black light and charging toward the Dark Blood Demon.

The Dark Blood Demon was furious. With a wave of his hand, twelve soul-devouring entities erupted, curving through the air from different directions before converging to collide with the incoming war eagle.

The war eagle dispersed, and the twelve soul-devouring entities transformed into twelve streaks of light. They didn't attack the surrounding mech pilots but instead surrounded the Dark Blood Demon's body.

His main body continued to flee at high speed.

Mu Ye quickly gave chase.

He unleashed another earth-shattering blade aura.

The blade aura pierced through space, swiftly landing near the retreating Dark Blood Demon.

The twelve soul-devouring entities converged again, blocking the strike.

This time, the twelve entities suffered heavy damage.

Within the dark crimson soul-devouring entities, crimson-red spots appeared.

However, the Dark Blood Demon had already broken through the mech blockade.

Where would any black-grade mech pilot dare to block the path of a fleeing Limit Douluo?

Countless soul-guided missiles bombarded him, but they had little effect on a Limit Douluo.

The twelve soul-devouring entities moved with incredible agility, acting as a shield to intercept all incoming attacks, creating an escape route for the Dark Blood Demon.

Mu Ye's eyes widened, and his heart sank.

In his field of vision, Xu Yuan's figure disappeared.

Space rippled, and on the other side, ahead of the Dark Blood Demon, Xu Yuan's figure emerged.

Instantaneous movement.

Yu Guanzhi's gaze flickered.

He saw the Heavenly Origin Brush dissipating in Xu Yuan's hand.

This was a soul skill inscribed on the mountains and rivers, which the mountains and rivers could also invoke. However, it couldn't achieve such long-range instantaneous movement on its own. Thus, Xu Yuan switched his martial soul, personally activating it while having the mountains and rivers assist in driving it.

"Courting death!"

A flash of dark crimson light appeared in the Dark Blood Demon's eyes.

Without hesitation, the twelve soul-devouring entities charged toward Xu Yuan.

Xu Yuan fused with his battle armor, and the mech contracted into a set of battle armor covering his battle armor. Additionally, a dense surge of blood essence materialized into a colossal protective form around him.

At Level 59, under this layered stacking of forms, his pure physical strength reached the level of a Level 94 soul master.

Now, having broken through to Level 60, how much stronger was his base soul power?

With the condensation of his soul core, his soul power underwent a qualitative change.

And because of the soul core, his ability to mobilize power far surpassed what it once was.

Even so, he still couldn't confidently say he could directly cross the threshold of a Super Douluo.

But he had cheats.

On the chest of his battle armor, a token was embedded.

It was a seven-colored imprint of roaring dragons.

The Dragon Soul Mark.

Through this mark, Xu Yuan could draw upon the power of the Dragon Valley's small world.

Even across vast distances, the power of the Dragon Valley's small world quickly amplified his strength.

Dream Realm Space.

"This brat has finally used it."

The Mountain Dragon King sighed in relief.

The Dragon Soul Mark was a gift from the dragon race to Xu Yuan. Beyond its symbolic meaning, its most practical use was this borrowed power.

Xu Yuan had no dragon bloodline and wasn't closely related to the dragon race. Though they were cooperating, their connection wasn't strong.

If unfamiliar, frequent interactions could build familiarity.

But the dragon race had perished, and Xu Yuan still needed to focus on cultivation. Where was the opportunity for interaction?

Thus, strengthening their relationship could only come through mutual assistance. The nine dragon kings' previous guidance in Xu Yuan's cultivation was one aspect, and the help from the Dragon Soul Mark was another.

The more power borrowed, the more Xu Yuan owed the dragon race—a debt he would eventually repay.

Though there was no karmic binding, over time, the nine dragon kings believed they had a basic understanding of Xu Yuan. They knew he wasn't the type to forget favors.

He wasn't perfect, and he had double standards at times, but he wouldn't betray trust.

"Speaking of which, human soul masters truly are blessed. They've managed to develop things like battle armor and mechs."

Even though he was only a Soul Emperor, he could unleash such overwhelming power.

This was the fundamental reason Xu Yuan had never used the Dragon Soul Mark to borrow power before.

If not necessary, why borrow?

---

Shrek City.

Spirit Pagoda Headquarters.

In a luxurious room on the top floor, Gu Yue, meditating cross-legged on the bed, suddenly opened her eyes and looked toward Tiandou City.

"It's him?"

By now, Gu Yue had undergone a complete transformation.

Her waist-length silver hair shimmered, her violet pupils radiated coldness, her tall and slender figure exuded elegance, and her face was no longer plain but breathtakingly beautiful.

Cold and noble—these qualities were fully embodied in her.

Gazing toward Tiandou City, Gu Yue fell deep into thought.

She raised her hand, and a soul-guided communication device appeared. She opened the message notifications.

A message from Di Tian.

"My Lord, Qiangu Dongfeng secretly mobilized three Limit Douluos to the Spirit Pagoda headquarters. Their purpose is unknown."

------------------------------------------------------

40+ Chapters Ahead Guaranteed: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow

There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)