Douluo Dalu: 1st Cycle: Dancing Panda

Karni felt genuinely bad when he saw the goodbye between Lily and her family. He really wanted to just let her stay here.

These goodbyes in the Bamboo Oasis were actually not that uncommon. Tang Sect brought talented people with Bear type Martial Souls around here regularly. By regularly, it was actually once every 10 years or so. So, regular for the Brown Lotus Panda community.

They would usually have a little competition and some fun traditions that would test the Sect members if they were worthy of gaining trust of a Brown Lotus Panda, and the Brown Lotus Panda would even usually come on their own.

It was also the kind of deal where the Soul Master promised to let the pandas go back after the Soul Masters died. Brown Lotus Pandas rarely offered their Origin Essence to Soul Masters. Only that would make them unable to live when a Soul Master died. The last time that happened was a few hundred years ago.

And now Karni was the next, though Lily was a victim of circumstance. The only way for their fusion to work in the first place was for her to offer her Origin Energy.

But this careful tradition and a way to keep their pack alive was now over. It would take a few hundred years before the next Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Brown Lotus Panda would appear. There were only two now, which were Bei Bei and Old Ling—Lily's brother and aunt. Perhaps some of the Thousand-Year-Old ones will volunteer instead of Bei Bei and Old Ling.

Lily herself had been with a few other Soul Masters before this. Three apparently. And the few stories she told Karni, she seemed fond of her time with humans. But she also considered humans selfish in the outside world, and she wasn't wrong.

The few humans she chose were always kind and a bit weird. Like Karni. Except she said that Karni's Martial Soul had by far been the best one she had fused with. Powerful and enriching, even to her, who was Forty Thousand Years Old now.

After the goodbye, Lily nodded to Karni, and slowly vanished into his Spirit Sea. Karni couldn't help but chuckle when she entered and offered Hope and Hop to play Never Have I Ever. It was her way of getting to know them better.

Hope's progress had stopped a week ago during their training inside the Bamboo Oasis. Karni was glad to discover that it was just the residual energy that had been used up. She ended up advancing from 2000s to a 4400-year-old Spirit Soul.

Lily explained the Oasis to him after Karni discovered its effects. The Oasis purified, but most importantly, it brought out a creature's nascent talents. It was why Karni's Bloodline improved so much, it was why Hope now resembled the peak of her species, it was also why Hopper did not change much. He already grew up in an area which allowed him to develop all of his abilities. He only went through a tiny purification process.

This unique effect was the reason the Brown Lotus Pandas all had Soul Bones—the purification. But them being so connected with Lotuses apparently came exactly from this potential the Oasis increased as well. It brought out both their potential as Soul Beasts, granting them Soul Bones, and their bloodline potential was realised.

There was however a limit to the Oasis. It only brought out the maximum potential that a person had. It never increased it; simply guaranteed that the maximum potential would be achieved.

Which also seemed to happen to Hope. Two days ago, she had no changes anymore. It looked like she was purified. Karni would have to start visiting the Advanced Spirit Ascension Platform if he wanted to increase her cultivation now.

Karni really got the most out of this place, despite the tragedy that happened. They even let him bring a few bottles of the oasis water along as thanks for saving the pandas. He could give it to some of his friends in the future. But now it was time to return and cause some chaos.

Karni looked to Hu Jie who was leaving with Karni. The two entered the car and drove off. Tomorrow around noon would be Karni's match and a fight against the Royal Star Luo Academy.

"Oh yeah." Karni remembered. He had to fill in Tang Wulin on his plan as well. The guy should return next week. "Teacher, can you bring a message to Mu Ye?"

… … …

The two arrived inside Tang Sect back in Star Luo City. They decided to part ways here. Karni had to go contact his companions and make plans, while Hu Jie had a sect to run and to figure out what the nation will do with the Green Skeleton Rebellion.

But before the two parted, Hu Jie seemed to remember something. "Karni. You're rank 48 at the moment, correct?"

Karni stopped before the exit. "Yeah? What about it?"

Hu Jie sighed in relief. "I thought for a second you already reached rank 49. Slow down in your cultivation a bit. At least for a month or two. There might be an event soon that will serve you well, but you can only enter it before you reach rank 50."

Karni nodded. "I'll keep that in mind. Goodbye teacher."

"Bye."

During the last three weeks, he really did progress. He was rank 46 just three weeks ago. Now he progressed by whole two ranks. And based on his current cultivation speed—with his bloodline condensing his Soul Power as it grew stronger and the Bamboo Oasis bringing out his potential—if he was diligent, he could easily reach rank 50, maybe even break through in two months. No wonder Hu Jie told him to watch out.

As for why he told him, it was likely connected to that parallel dragon realm. Karni forgot exactly what it was called, but he remembered that it brought a lot of bonuses. It was good for him to take it slow until then. He could consolidate his newfound powers in the meantime.

After these three weeks, his Bloodline had become dense. His Soul Power experienced a leap in quality due to his Bloodline and Spiritual Power transforming. His cultivation speed had already increased now do to it, as opposed to slow down. Before rank 30, the denser the Soul Power, the slower the cultivation—it was part of the reason why Tang Wulin's cultivation was slow. But after rank 40, the quality was what drove the cultivation speed instead.

Karni left toward the Hotel his companions were staying at. It was time for a reunion.

He knocked on the door where he heard them having a meeting. The whole group went silent and one of them carefully approached and opened a door.

"Yo." Karni waved his head.

"Karni!"

"Karni?"

"It's Karni!" The rest of the group came to the door to greet him with excitement.

Yuanen Yehui looked him over. "I want to fight you." She immediately sensed his changes.

"All in due time. How's preparation for tomorrow going."

The group shrugged, kind of unworried. "Eh. They're not a threat. They have two Soul Kings with full Battle Armour but that's it. Yuanen and Xinglan are going to fight them."

"I completed my Battle Armour." Ye Xinglan added.

"How about we keep that hidden?" Karni offered.

"What do you have in mind." Gu Yue asked.

"It's a bit risky, but well… you know Hu Jie?"

"The Tang Sect Branch Master in Star Luo?" Ye Xinglan asked.

Karni nodded. "He gave me a sort of task you could say. He is my teacher. I have to beat one of them without using any Soul Skills, Spirit Souls, Bloodline, Sound, Spiritual Power…" Karni had to think if he missed something.

"So only using your body?" They looked at Karni bewildered.

"Yeah! … Yeah…" He sounded dejected the next moment. That damn teacher of his. He only told him this on their way back.

"And how do you expect to…" Gu Yue circled to all of Karni.

"Well, I'm guessing I have a decent reputation. Especially with my Sound one-shots. I think if I give a promise to fight them with only my body in exchange for them not using Battle Armour…"

"They'll take the chance." Yuanen Yehui completed his sentence. "I would take that in a heartbeat. I'm guessing you have some way to deal with them?"

"Of course." Karni smiled.

"And your teacher won't mind that?" Gu Yue asked.

Karni shook his head. "Teacher is smart enough that he knew I would think of this. He would tell me I can't do that if that were the case."

"Okay. You can do it then." Ye Xinglan immediately agreed.

"You trust me that much?" Karni couldn't help but ask.

The group just looked at him a bit confused. Xie Xie walked over to Karni and put his arm over Karni's shoulder. "Of course. I most of all."

"Mm." Karni nodded seriously and tapped Xie Xie on the head, slightly filled it with Sound.

Xie Xie heard whispers all around it. Small childish creepy whispers. "Ah!"

"Next time flirt that way with Yehui instead." Karni threw Xie Xie's arms off his shoulders.

"I'll take that spar, Karni. Now." Yuanen Yehui said, clearly not appreciating that comment.

"Eh? Ah, fine. Let's do it."

… … …

The group walked into the grand gymnasium, greeted by cheers. Something which genuinely surprised Karni. Shrek team seemed to have gotten themselves a reputation in the short time he was gone.

Karni made an educated decision not to compete in group fights. Today it was because the rest of the group had a plan already, next week it was because he needed Wulin to come out swinging in the group battle.

Besides, today also counted as a sort of scheme. He would be hiding his progression from Dai Yueyan.

The fights in the group section have now gotten split into multiple parts. Three 1v1s, two 2v2s and a 7v7. Each 1v1 counted for 1 points, the 2v2s were 2 points, while the 7v7 was worth 6. This ensured that the 7v7 was not the sole ending of the competition. If one won in all the battles before the 7v7, the win would automatically go to them.

That was also the plan today. Shrek had no intention of showing their teamwork as a team any more than they had to. They've shown some in the first team matches, but since then? They've had constant and straight wins.

The first to go up was Yue Zhengyu. At the moment, his Armour was most complete after Ye Xinglan's.

He faced a Soul Ancestor, which all but guaranteed his win. Yue Zhengyu was a guy who actually lasted a while against Long Yue after all.

Second person to come up was Yuanen Yehui. Who seemed to grumble as her hand seemed to hurt. She was looking to vent some steam.

Karni chuckled from the side. That was his fault. He may have sort of accidentally two shot her with his new Soul Bone yesterday and taken her attacks directly. She was not happy.

That poor, poor Battle Armour Master. Yuanen Yehui's hammers which she borrowed from Wulin did not have mercy. Thankfully she didn't use those against him yesterday. Even with his improvements he couldn't take that head on. He would need the Guardian. The fact the opponent had Battle Armour only seemed to prolong their suffering.

And then the third 1v1, it was finally Karni's turn.

He walked up to the arena, met with the opponent. The opponent was a cheeky looking girl.

"Heyo, pretty boy." She started. "How about you don't use that Sound on me. I heard it hurts a lot."

Karni shrugged. "Sure."

"Oh, come on, I'm sure you wou- wait. You're okay with it?"

Karni nodded with a smile. "Sure. But you cannot use your Battle Armour in return."

The girl blinked at Karni, then laughed. "Deal!"

Karni heaved a sigh of relief. Hu Jie would approve. With the limits he set for Karni, Karni had to be smart.

The referee stepped into the middle, asking if both parties are finished with the talk. They nodded, and he began the match.

The girl immediately activated three out of five Soul Rings and dashed. Blades of light appeared next to her. A pure speedster then?

Karni just put up his hand and as soon as she came close… a step to the left and… "Whoop." Karni sounded as his muscles relaxed taking the hit at an angle, then bouncing her away. She completely lost balance and fell on her face.

She stood back up, looking bewildered at Karni who was only smiling. She did not understand what happened. She hit him! She felt the hit connect!

She dashed again, and just before hitting, another Soul Ring shone, tripling her slashes.

Karni did not dodge. He intercepted the first slash, bounced it off into the second, then repositioned for the third which he took head on and sent back at the girl.

The girl kicked, her heel sprouting another blade with her second Soul Ring, but Karni just deflected that one too. Completely unbalancing her making her fall and stepping on her to keep her down. "Come on. Just forfeit?" Karni offered. He could have stepped on her throat there if he wanted after all.

She shined, her fifth ring Shining with her, and Karni just sighed. The one thing that could have given him trouble here was a Spiritual, Elemental, or an overwhelming Strength type. But an Agility type that didn't even reach close to Xie Xie's speeds?

Her whole body exploded into Karni and Karni just let her hit his chest, before sliding and bouncing her back. He stepped closer, and she slashed with a bright blade and body again.

Karni moved to the side, slapped the blade then pushed her again. Doing the same thing over and over again was not going to work, did she not realise that?

He heard a grunt. She was getting frustrated. She was easy to read for Karni. Simple moves, high speed that she was clearly too reliant on and due to which she expected to be able to overwhelm her opponent. But Karni was very hard to overwhelm as he was now.

Three slashes. Karni used them against her. Against a normal opponent, those slashes would confuse them due to speed. Everything she had was speed.

A bounce, attack, counterattack, another bounce, attack. A kick!

Oooh, variety! Karni entertained his thoughts.

Karni found himself surprisingly relaxed. The body did as he wanted it too. He was in perfect balance no matter how she kicked. Three weeks ago, a few of the times he would have needed to use Drunken Ghost Dance. He hadn't used it once now. Yet in other times, he would have definitely had to dodge in a few cases. But his body just didn't care now. Those were some ticklish hits that made his belly bounce.

Oh, another slash. Another bounce.

The girl had the opposite experience. She was cursing him out loud and out of breath.

"Just forfeit." Karni sounded, but did not use any specific Sound.

She attacked one final time. Karni grabbed and pushed, bouncing back her whole body. She needed a few steps to catch balance, but she couldn't.

"Ah!" She screamed as she fell off the edge of the arena.

Karni jogged to the side and looked down, before waving goodbye. "Good fight!"

It was good. For him. This would have been another one shot had he used his abilities.

"Val Karni wins." The referee sounded befuddled.

Karni walked off the arena with the girl staring daggers at him. He didn't mind. He kind of deserved it. But then again, he blamed Hu Jie. This was going to come across as mockery no matter what he did.

He surprised himself though. Her hits were not soft. But his body took them without trouble. And that was without any boosts. Was this how powerful his bloodline made his body? The flexibility? The movement? He should integrate this into the Guardian in the future as well.

The final 2v2s were Ye Xinglan with Xu Lizhi and Xie Xie with Xu Xiaoyan. Both fights were done quickly, and Shrek Team beat the Royal Star Luo Academy as if it were just any other academy.

… … …

"Hu Jie! Did you teach him the Body Sect Inner Body Technique? The way he moved! That body control and that durability…"

Hu Jie didn't answer, just letting Mu Ye mull over things.

"No, no. But the movements were different. They weren't as forceful. It was bouncier. Flexible. Less domineering than it should be. Just what did you do?"

"It's the kid. Not me. I just guided him. I took inspiration from our technique yes, but, well, I tried to change a few things."

Mu Ye grumbled. "Fine. Fine. I'll let that slide."

"There's nothing to let slide." Hu Jie bellowed a laugh. "Like I said. I just brought out his potential."

"Never mind that." Mu Ye changed the topic. "I left Wulin the message. Are you really planning on going through with that?"

Hu Jie nodded. "Yes. Now more than ever."

"You're worried about that rogue faction?"

"Mm. And there's also something that Karni said when he thought I wasn't listening… never mind. You're not part of this Empire anyway. Why do you care?"

"Bored. I'm just waiting for Wulin to wake up." Mu Ye shrugged.

Hu Jie sighed. He was genuinely worried. He heard Karni talk about the future in a bit of a scary manner when he was caught in his own world. Karni was guessing about how this whole thing wasn't mentioned in a novel? The Panda incident. That Green Tiger Rebellion was just forgotten. So, what was… ugh. That disciple of his had secrets that Hu Jie wanted to know but he knew to respect Karni as well. Everyone had their own secrets.

Little did he know, Karni just put in the first few drops into a big river of time. Drops that should not have been there originally. Ripples that would become tidal waves.

… … …

Dai Yueyan looked at Karni from atop the stands, and Karni noticed him and waved back.

The Crown Prince felt… disturbed. What Karni just did… he would not have been able to do that. He would have to use at least one strengthening ability. It was clearly a sort of technique, but Tang Sect techniques alone did not offer such power.

He would have to reexamine Karni. Truth be told, Dai Yueyan did not fully want to go through with Karni's plan. As soon as actual royalty would go and judge actions of a Limit Douluo, mess would be caused.

But then he saw the way Long Yue had been acting recently. He had come to him multiple times now, where they simply talked. En Ci always enforced the idea of emotional control. There was a Hyper Douluo years ago that caused a tragedy. The Qilin Douluo. It happened due to mental instability.

The man was still inside the Monster Academy under careful watch to this day. Only the royal family and En Ci knew that.

No one doubted En Ci exactly because of that. But now that En Ci actually let Long Yue rage for an apparent purpose… a purpose that En Ci actually admitted to Long Yue… he left it be so Tang Wulin could die. He actually told Long Yue that after being questioned by his disciple. Dai Yueyan was genuinely filled with worry.

En Ci was also his father's teacher. By all rights… En Ci was technically above the Empire itself. Without him, the Empire did not exist. En Ci himself was a strategic weapon.

But a strategic weapon that might turn against his own? And the danger of Long Yue going wild?

Dai Yueyan sighed. So many buts. So many questions.

He would just go along with it. The most that would happen was that En Ci would have to go out of the public eye for a little while. A little reminder that the public opinion and royal family still mattered. He was a Sacred Holy Dragon after all. One with such attributes could not actually be truly evil. A Martial Soul was a window to the soul.

… … …

Karni stood in front of the Spirit Pagoda. He bought an entry for himself into the Advanced Spirit Ascension Platform. It was fucking expensive. He could at most go into the place seven times in total with his savings, so he had to make the most of it.

He went in, entered the capsule, and found himself in a familiar environment.

He ducked, activating his first and second Soul Ring of the Bo Staff, looking toward Siduo-

Oh right.

He breathed in. When was the last time he went to the Spirit Ascension Platform alone?

It didn't matter. Probably about half a year ago. Karni knocked on his head. Useless thoughts. Focus.

He saw a Golden Shadow, his Martial Soul changed, the first Soul Ring shining. A pitch-Black Soul Ring.

His body enlarged. Fur grew. He softened up. And his strength. Oh, it was overflowing!

He straightened up. The creature hit his belly, and a "boing" sound was heard, as if it collided with a trampoline. The force was much more powerful than in the match he just participated in. His belly squeezed in farther, but then it exploded outwards, sending the Soul Beast flying into a tree, breaking it.

Karni saw the shape of the Soul Beast. Thousand-Year-Old. Monkey type.

Karni jumped toward it, swing his arms, but stopping just before he hit. He felt the energy enter him. Oh.

Oh! He got it!

Around 3000-Year-Old Soul Beast. An average monkey type. He felt his Spirit Souls energies increase. He focused the Spirit Energy towards Hope. He could easily control the energy with his Spirit Abyss Spiritual Power. He could target who the energy would serve.

The platform only gave 10th of the actual power. That made 300 years split between the three rings of Hope. It gave a hundred year increase to each ring.

Karn's brain paused for a moment, then his thoughts caught up. It gave a hundred-year increase! It worked! It really worked! He gave Hope a hug inside his mind.

Finally. She could grow stronger.