Douluo Dalu: Transforming Soul Rings into Soul Veins

Ghost Douluo couldn't stop his internal monologue.

As the saying goes, when someone is usually quiet, their inner thoughts tend to be abundant—commonly known as being "secretly expressive." Ghost Douluo fit this description perfectly.

After witnessing Tang San's bizarre behavior, his mind was flooded with one overwhelming emotion: the urge to vent to someone. Normally, there would have been a certain chatterbox beside him to help start conversations... Who was it again? Oh right, that damn chrysanthemum.

So this was how it felt to lack someone to speak for him.

As he continued observing Tang San, Ghost Douluo felt he was wasting his time. This hybrid of human and soul beast seemed mentally unstable. After watching for a while longer, Ghost Douluo decided to return to Spirit Hall.

Meanwhile, the oblivious Tang San hung a sign on his dilapidated blacksmith shop that read: "Closed!"

Not that this was unusual—the sign had made frequent appearances before. After all, Tang Hao had only worked when broke, treating villagers with disdain the rest of the time. As the mighty Clear Sky Douluo, he considered forging farming tools for peasants an act of supreme generosity. How dare they make demands? Spoiled brats!

Lying on the bed, Tang San contemplated his future.

Several days later...

Irregular hammering sounds echoed from the Holy Soul Village blacksmith shop, like a toddler's first clumsy steps. Tang San swung the hammer awkwardly. Despite having the Mysterious Heaven Skill and Jade Hands, his internal energy remained insufficient, and his body too weak. How had his father wielded such heavy hammers so effortlessly?

Did people in this world gain so much strength as they grew? Shaking his head in confusion, Tang San set down the hammer, panting heavily. He scooped water from a vat to wash himself before collapsing onto the bed he refused to clean—it still carried his father's scent.

Lunch today was spicy rabbit head. With unrestricted access to materials, Tang San had completed his first hidden weapon: a crude version of Soul-Piercing Nails. As a master of mechanical hidden weapons, he was now preparing to craft a Zhuge Crossbow.

"The Flying God Claw should also be prioritized," Tang San mused while eating rabbit caught with his hidden weapons.

In recent days, Tang San had begun learning blacksmithing properly. As a hidden weapons master with intelligence surpassing most adults, four years of watching Tang Hao's sloppy work would have been enough for even a dog to learn the basics.

After a week of practice, Tang San stared at the sickle he'd forged in contemplation. Why did it seem... better than his father's work? Was he imagining things?

"Ah, Little San! This sickle is much better than what your drunkard father made!" a farmer exclaimed. "The last one he made me broke so quickly. Here's some extra copper spirit coins for you!"

As the pleased customer left with his new sickle, Tang San gazed at the twenty copper coins on the table in silence. These people... constantly badmouthing his father... They all deserved death!

Swallowing his humiliation, Tang San pocketed the coins. The iron used wasn't free, after all. He needed capital to expand. The path ahead was long.

With a cold snort, he closed the shop and lowered the window shades. In the darkened room, Tang San sat cross-legged to cultivate his Mysterious Heaven Skill.

Recently, he'd realized Tang Hao's absence wasn't entirely bad. At least now he could practice Tang Sect techniques without restraint—the entire space was his to use as he pleased.

Moreover, with today's first successful sale, he now had income. Progress might be slow, but it beat collecting iron scraps for months.

Emboldened by his new freedom, Tang San became completely unleashed—doing whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. Practicing techniques, forging hidden weapons, making farming tools... A four-year-old single-handedly supporting a household (though the household consisted solely of himself).

Villagers couldn't help but sigh at the tragic sight. Such a heartbreaking story would bring tears to anyone's eyes—enough to devastate the emotionally fragile.

Yet Tang San thrived. This life was pure bliss!

---

"Tang Hao has been captured. Awaiting the Pope's judgment."

Chrysanthemum Douluo tossed Tang Hao unceremoniously to the ground. Bibi Dong wrinkled her nose at the filthy, lifeless figure.

"Judgment? Why the need for deliberation? As the prime culprit behind the previous Pope's death, he should be executed immediately. Since the High Priest personally captured him, confiscated two of the Clear Sky Clan's inherited soul bones, and crippled his cultivation, his fate is already sealed. Dispose of him and announce it publicly later."

"Wait!"

Qian Renxue interjected, hesitating before Bibi Dong. "Give him to me. He'll die, but not so easily. His arrogance stemmed from his power—as the so-called youngest Title Douluo on the continent, he became insufferably conceited. To act so presumptuously before Grandfather... I'll eradicate his cultivation completely, destroy his Martial Soul, reduce him to an ordinary human. Then the real torment begins."

Bibi Dong's eyes narrowed. Was this half-sister truly so similar to her? Even their revenge methods aligned. If she ever got her hands on Yu Xiaogang... Hmph. She'd make sure his pride and life's work crumbled before him, followed by unimaginable suffering until death—or perhaps condemn him to eternal shadow.

With a light laugh, Bibi Dong agreed: "Very well. Tang Hao is yours to handle." A wave of her hand sent Tang Hao's body floating toward Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue nodded. "Thanks." Noticing Lin Feng and Ling Yuan's concerned expressions, she added: "Don't worry. I haven't lost myself to hatred. I'm perfectly calm. Tang Hao's crimes are unforgivable—this punishment merely repays four years of anguish. What's a little hardship for the mighty Clear Sky Douluo? Even as a mortal, he can endure it."

Lin Feng silently mourned for Tang Hao—for approximately two and a half seconds.

"Chrysanthemum Grandpa, please fetch the Nine-Heart Begonia Clan's matriarch from Heaven Dou City. We'll have her replace Tang Hao's limbs and bones!"

The Nine-Heart Begonia was considered a miracle among Martial Souls—capable of reviving the dead and regenerating flesh. With the Soul Veins enhancement, the matriarch's comprehension of life laws had reached new heights. Everything except the head soul bone could be replaced, restoring Tang Hao to a "healthy" mortal state.

And since the head soul bone remained, his mind would stay painfully clear—making him hyperaware of every discomfort in his new body. Pure torture.

Bibi Dong nodded approvingly. Tang Hao would likely commit suicide from the humiliation soon enough. With Qian Daoliu keeping silent about the past, no one would ever know the truth.

As the group departed, Bibi Dong's almond-shaped eyes fixed on Lin Feng. "Stay a moment, Xiao Feng. We should discuss how to announce Tang Hao's capture—how to boost Spirit Hall's prestige without provoking excessive backlash from other powers."

Ling Yuan frowned while Qian Renxue hesitated.

Bibi Dong blinked innocently. "Is something wrong?"

Lin Feng pondered briefly before whispering to the other two: "Don't worry. I'll return shortly. As a Holy Son with Grandfather's protective measures, I'll be fine."

Reluctantly, Ling Yuan and Qian Renxue acquiesced. Bibi Dong's transformation over recent years hadn't gone unnoticed. Her normal interactions with Lin Feng had gradually eased their vigilance—precisely the subtle influence Bibi Dong had intended.