Douluo: My Clone Is Groudon

Thank you to our new Patrons: Tai Super Nerd Guy and I_Don't_Believe_It!

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

After a month had passed, the Spirit Hall's stockpiling of large quantities of medicinal herbs caused pharmaceutical merchants across the continent to raise their prices, leading to numerous inconveniences.

Finally, the Spirit Hall decided to release Gu La's paper in the Spirit Hall Newspaper.

Within less than a day, shockwaves rippled through the soul master community.

"Hey, hey, hey, did you see today's Spirit Hall Newspaper?"

"That author, Oak, gave us a body-strengthening formula that really works! It's way more efficient than running exercises!"

"Especially when paired with his first paper—the poses he described can work out all the muscles in your body. One hour is equivalent to several days of regular training!"

"Hehe, let me tell you a special trick—use less ointment at night. The burning sensation is even more stimulating than regular aphrodisiacs…"

"Good grief! How dare you talk about such things so openly in public! At least tell me privately…"

"And then there's the Spirit Hall being utterly shameless—they've raised the price of herbs on the market by more than three times! Some herbs are still climbing in price. I bought ten doses and couldn't afford any more."

"Then go join the Spirit Hall! I heard they've hired people to cultivate herbs specifically. In the future, they'll exchange part of their wages for finished ointments—it's much cheaper than buying herbs outside."

…

In the city of Tiandou, a group of low-level soul masters gathered in a tavern, chatting excitedly.

This was just the tip of the iceberg. The Bone-Fortifying Ointment could even affect Title Douluo, making it relevant to every single soul master.

The uproar on the first day was merely the beginning of the storm sweeping through the soul master world.

---

Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect

Inside a massive palace adorned with blue glazed tiles, Yu Yuanzhen sat motionless on a chair forged from magnetic stone, gazing silently at the Spirit Hall Newspaper in his hands for a long while.

Yu Luomian, however, lacked his brother's composure. His impatience showed clearly on his face as he angrily exclaimed:

"Big Brother, our disciples have tested it—the formula is real. Compared to our medicinal baths, it adds the need for soul masters to exercise and metabolize the drug's effects. Like the baths, it doesn't cause the foundation of one's cultivation to become unstable."

"But the ointment uses fewer ingredients, which are also more common, making it far cheaper. Is Bibi Dong that stupid? Why would she publish something this good?"

Yu Luomian's anger stemmed from the fact that Bibi Dong's publication of the formula rendered their ancestral medicinal baths obsolete.

Were they supposed to use the same formula as the commoners? How could they maintain their status as one of the top three sects?

After all, the existence of the top three sects allowed for the survival of many other sects, including hidden ones. If a huge opportunity arose on the mainland, these reclusive sects would emerge to seize the benefits.

"Second Brother, calm down."

Yu Yuanzhen carefully finished reading the paper, his stern face betraying no emotion.

"Arrange for the disciples to use both the medicinal bath and the ointment together. Let's see if the effects of the two body-strengthening formulas can stack."

"If they can, it's a great boon for the sect. If not, does the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect fear competition?"

Yu Yuanzhen exuded an aura of dominance, lightning crackling around him as he paced inside the magnetic stone hall like a thunder god.

Yu Luomian felt somewhat reassured but still grumbled, "If I ever find out who this Oak is, I'll make sure he knows our might!"

Yu Yuanzhen didn't dissuade him. What harm was there in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family being a little overbearing? Would the Spirit Hall really turn against them over one person?

---

Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect

Atop a towering mountain peak, a pagoda-shaped hall stood at the center, steadfast against the howling winds.

Ning Fengzhi sat alone in the vast hall, holding the same newspaper.

"The Spirit Hall wouldn't have dared to publish it if the formula were problematic. But the act of publishing itself is the biggest issue."

"When has the Spirit Hall ever been so generous as to share methods for increasing strength with the entire continent?"

Ning Fengzhi seized upon the flaw, glimpsing the underlying confrontation and catching a faint thread of insight.

"Is it related to this author, Oak?"

Sword Douluo Chen Xin also had a copy of the newspaper beside him. Since the paper didn't mention its effects on Title Douluo, his sword-focused temperament naturally led him to dismiss the idea of trying it.

Bone Douluo Gu Rong, after finishing the paper, remarked:

"This is a good thing for us. The sect isn't short on gold. Letting the disciples strengthen their physical fitness will increase their survival rate in battle."

"Uncle Gu is right."

Ning Fengzhi had already sent people to purchase herbs immediately after receiving the paper, even at inflated prices.

With the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's immense wealth, spending money to enhance strength was the cheapest and most effective method.

"It's perfect timing since Rongrong just awakened her martial soul. From now on, Sword Uncle, don't spoil her too much. Let her train her body and push past her limits to fuse soul rings. Who knows—maybe it'll evolve the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda."

Evolving the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda was the lifelong obsession of every generation of sect leaders.

Ning Rongrong had awakened with innate ninth-level spirit power, surpassing Ning Fengzhi's eighth level by one rank—a difference between heaven and earth. She was regarded as the hope of the entire sect.

Chen Xin's usually cold expression softened slightly. "It's good for Rongrong. We two old men won't stand in the way, but don't be too harsh. Rongrong is still young."

Bone Douluo nodded in agreement.

Ning Fengzhi chuckled bitterly. Before any training had even begun, the two elders were already pleading for leniency.

If he wasn't strict enough, who knew how spoiled his daughter would become.

Shaking his head, Ning Fengzhi changed the subject:

"This Oak is a talented individual. To independently deduce a body-strengthening formula, he must either have a unique martial soul or an exceptionally sharp mind. I think it's best to bring him into the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."

In fact, shortly after receiving the newspaper, he had already dispatched agents within the Spirit Hall to locate Oak and persuade him to join the sect.

Bone Douluo agreed, "That makes sense. Our sect has accumulated countless treasures over a thousand years, but we don't know how to use many of them. If Oak can help us develop even a fraction of them, it would benefit us immensely."

The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda had the ability to appraise treasures and had collected countless artifacts over the centuries. However, they knew what the treasures were but not how to use them. Sitting atop a mountain of riches without access to them made theoretical talents like Oak highly sought after.

Sword Douluo's usually cold face flickered as if recalling something. He said indifferently:

"You're right. This matter is of great significance. Fengzhi, once you find him, I'll personally retrieve him. With your eloquence, I'm sure you can persuade him to join."

Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly and nodded. Oak's knowledge could sway the balance of power on the continent. No ambitious leader of a major faction would allow such a person to remain independent.

It would be best to recruit him. If that proved impossible, destruction was the only alternative.

Anyone capable of holding the position of sect leader, regardless of personality, was never soft-hearted or merciful.

Meanwhile, within various factions across the continent—Tian Dou Imperial Palace, Star Luo Imperial Palace, academies, families, sects, and hidden sects—the efficacy of the formula was gradually verified. Countless soul masters were dispatched to search for Oak's whereabouts. The entire Douluo Continent was swept up in turbulence, with hidden currents surging beneath the surface.

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

Double Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow

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