Traveling to Douluo Dalu (OP)

After receiving the scrolls, Wu Zhu did not leave immediately. Instead, he took the opportunity to speak at length with Zhongli and Chen Xin, his tone shifting from respectful awe to one of quiet sincerity.

They discussed many matters—internal challenges within the Wind Sword Sect, stagnation among the Elders, and external pressure from other rising factions in the Star Luo Empire. But most of all, Wu Zhu's focus returned to Chen Xin.

The Wind Sword Sect had always valued swordsmanship tempered by discipline and clarity. And in Chen Xin, Wu Zhu saw a perfect future candidate—not just because of his talent, but because of the influence of the man guiding him.

At one point, Wu Zhu turned to the young man with firm conviction.

"Once you reach Spirit Douluo, or ideally Titled Douluo," he said, "I would like you to make you an Elder of our Sect. You can think about the it."

Chen Xin was momentarily stunned by the offer, but Wu Zhu's expression made it clear—this wasn't just respect for potential, but for heritage and lineage.

Then, he turned to Zhongli with a formal bow.

"And with you as his master, I daresay Chen Xin may even become a Limit Douluo in the future."

Zhongli didn't answer with arrogance—only a calm smile, as if to say: It's already been set in motion.

As Wu Zhu prepared to depart, there was a moment—a flicker in his expression—as he glanced once more at Chen Xin.

"If your father were still alive," he said quietly, "he'd be proud of the man you've become."

Chen Xin smiled softly but said nothing.

He wanted to tell him.

He almost did.

That his father was alive.

That both his mother and father had returned, reunited by the will of a being beyond gods.

But then he remembered what his father had told him just the night before."Your master gave us another chance. I no longer seek battles or glory, Xin'er. All I ever wanted was to hold her hand again, quietly, without fear."

So Chen Xin simply nodded.

"Thank you… Lord Wu Zhu."

He kept the truth to himself—not out of mistrust, but out of respect.

His father didn't want to return to the world of blades and battle.

Not anymore.

He had fought enough. Lost enough. Waited enough.

Now that she was back… he just wanted peace.

Not long after, Wu Zhu departed, disappearing into the night wind as silently as he had come.

Once he was gone, Chen Xin stood by the window, thoughtful. The invitation to become an Elder of one of the Seven Great Sects—a future he hadn't even imagined—was now laid before him.

But it was Zhongli who broke the silence.

He looked out at the stars, his tone soft but firm."After more battles, I'll take you somewhere."

Chen Xin turned his head.

"Where?"

But Zhongli didn't answer. He simply smiled, eyes still fixed on the night sky, his gaze far beyond the mortal realm.

Something ancient stirred in the air—something unseen, waiting on the horizon.

Chen Xin nodded slowly. Though he didn't know where they were going, he understood one thing clearly.

His journey had only just begun.

The next day, the Spirit Arena was more crowded than usual. Whispers filled the stone hallways, anticipation buzzing through the air.

After all, Chen Xin, the rising prodigy with mysterious new techniques, had returned.

He stepped into the arena with calm, purposeful steps—his sword still sheathed, his expression unreadable. The crowd erupted as his name echoed across the stands.

On the opposite end, the air crackled with static.

A hulking figure walked forward, he is a very tall and muscular young man, easily standing out even among veteran fighters despite still being in his teens. His physique had the raw build of a natural brawler—broad shoulders, a powerful chest, and arms so dense with muscle they looked carved from stone. Every movement exuded force, like someone born to tear through frontlines.

His blond hair was slicked back into numerous jagged, spiked strands, giving the impression of a wild storm frozen in motion. A single tuft of hair fell loosely on his forehead, softening his otherwise intense appearance.

His eyes were a piercing blue-gray, like storm clouds just before a lightning strike—calm, but always threatening to burst into fury.

The announcer's voice boomed:"Today's match: Chen Xin vs. Bao Lei, the Leaping Thunder of Stone Ridge!"

Zhongli, watching from the private viewing box above, leaned forward slightly, his eyes calm but observant.

Chen Xin's gaze met his opponent's.

Bao Lei's voice boomed, loud but not mocking."I saw your last fight. That sword technique is Amazing. But I don't go down easy."

He cracked his knuckles, and arcs of yellow electricity licked across his arms.

"I won't hold back."

Chen Xin nodded, unsheathing his sword.

"I expect nothing less."

🔥 The Battle Begins 🔥

As the gong echoed across the arena, the very air grew dense—charged with anticipation and something far more primal.

Bao Lei closed his eyes, his breathing deep and rhythmic. The next moment, his body radiated light—his soul rings flaring brightly beneath his feet: two yellow rings, each humming with potent energy.

Then came the roar.

A deep, guttural bellow—not from Bao Lei, but from something that emerged behind him.

Martial Soul: Thunderback Gorilla!

A massive spectral beast surged up behind Bao Lei, its form towering and wide, dwarfing the arena floor with sheer presence. It resembled a gorilla-like colossus, wrapped in coarse grayish-black fur, each limb corded with muscle like steel cables.

But its most distinct feature was its back—lined with jagged, thunder-infused bone plates, sparking and crackling with volatile lightning. Each time it moved, small arcs of electricity leapt between the spikes, creating a web of light and sound.

The beast's amber-red eyes glared forward with an instinctive hunger for combat, its fangs bared. Though spectral, it radiated such tangible pressure that even the audience drew back slightly in their seats.

As the aura of the Thunderback Gorilla settled into Bao Lei's body, his transformation began:

His arms bulged, becoming thick and muscular, his veins faintly glowing with electric currents.

His spine and shoulders erupted with armored bone ridges, crackling with light.

Faint electricity danced over his fists, traveling up and down like coiled serpents.

When his Martial Soul activated, those eyes sparked with flecks of yellow light, as if thunder crackled behind them.

He slammed one foot into the ground using his First Spirit Ring Skill and roared:"Thunder Smash!"

Electricity surged into his arms as he charged forward, his first spirit ring glowing yellow. His right fist expanded with voltage, slamming down toward Chen Xin with brutal force.

Chen Xin's figure blurred—an afterimage shattered, and he reappeared to the side.

"Star God's Broken Shadow: Third Step."

Three afterimages shimmered, creating confusion. The punch struck a phantom—BOOM!—a cone-shaped thunder shockwave blasted across the ground, stunning the empty space.

But before Bao Lei could adjust, Chen Xin was already in motion.

"Thunderhide Guard!"Bao Lei's second spirit ring lit up. His back surged with thick, glowing lightning armor. Any blow to his sides or rear would now reflect electricity and raise his defense dramatically.

Chen Xin didn't flinch.

He moved around Bao Lei's flank—but not recklessly. His sword shimmered slightly, tracing a fine arc through the air.

Clang! His blade struck Bao Lei's back—lightly.

The moment it did, sparks flew, and a bolt of thunder backlash leapt toward him. But Chen Xin was gone again—another afterimage faded in his place.

Zhongli observed quietly.

Good. He's testing his opponent's limits first. He knows this isn't just about strength—it's about flow.

Frustrated by missed blows, Bao Lei slammed his fists into the ground, channeling thunder through the arena floor in small pulses.

"Come at me head-on, if you dare!" he bellowed.

Chen Xin responded, voice cool:

"Very well."

Then, in a flash, his body flickered—"Instant Lightning."

His movement blurred into a line of blue light, and in that instant, he was right in front of Bao Lei, sword gleaming with focused Haki.

"Armament Haki: Stage 2."

His blade turned metallic blue, sharp and precise. The moment it met Bao Lei's thunder-charged fist—

CLANG!

The arena lit up with sparks and thunder. Power surged outward in all directions, shaking the walls.

Bao Lei grinned.

He was pushed back, skidding slightly, but remained on his feet.

"You're stronger than I thought. My kind of opponent!"

Chen Xin said nothing.

He simply stepped forward again—faster, sharper.

The real exchange was just beginning.

The clash echoed across the Spirit Arena—thunder, steel, and afterimages weaving a furious rhythm.

Bao Lei's chest heaved, muscles twitching as residual lightning still danced across his arms and back. He had taken several blows already—Chen Xin's unpredictable movement and relentless swordplay had started to chip away at his stamina and patience.

He felt it—his soul power was dwindling.

Gritting his teeth, Bao Lei narrowed his eyes.

He only had enough left for one last move.

Lightning surged through his core. He clenched his right fist tightly as it began to glow bright yellow, sparks crawling like wild serpents around his arm.

"Self-created Soul Skill—Lightning Punch!"

With a roar, Bao Lei exploded forward. The air cracked like a whip as his charged fist rocketed toward Chen Xin, aimed dead center.

The punch was raw, brutal, carrying the weight of his thunder-enhanced strength and the desperation of a soul master on the edge of depletion.

Sparks flew wildly as the lightning coiled tighter and tighter around his fist—this wasn't a technique built for elegance—it was built to break bones.

Chen Xin's eyes narrowed.

He didn't dodge.

Instead, he lowered his stance. His right foot slid back, sword angled down slightly. His aura shifted—calm, like still water before a flash flood.

"Armament Haki—Focused Guard."

His sword-arm coated again in that metallic blue hue, and as Bao Lei's fist came within a hair's breadth, Chen Xin twisted his wrist—deflecting the punch just off-center.

BOOM!!!

The impact blew up a circular shockwave, rippling through the stone beneath their feet.

But Chen Xin had used his Haki-infused blade not to block, but to redirect—guiding the powerful strike harmlessly past his torso.

The crowd gasped.

Bao Lei staggered, caught off balance. His eyes widened—his soul power was spent.

Chen Xin moved.

Three afterimages bloomed behind him as he advanced with sudden clarity.

"Star God's Broken Shadow—Third Step."

From Bao Lei's view, three sword-wielding figures came from different angles. He raised his arms instinctively to guard—but the real Chen Xin wasn't among them.

He was already behind him.

CRACK—!!!

A blunt pommel strike—not lethal, but clean—landed behind Bao Lei's neck. His thunder-armor had long faded, and the force dropped him to one knee.

Silence fell.

The announcer's voice trembled with excitement."The winner: Chen Xin!"

Bao Lei breathed heavily, electricity still dancing faintly around him.

He didn't rise immediately—but he laughed softly."That… was awesome."

He turned his head slightly toward Chen Xin.

"Guess my thunder couldn't catch your shadow."

Chen Xin extended a hand to him.

"You were strong."

Bao Lei grinned and took it, pulled up to his feet.

Above, in the private box, Zhongli watched with his usual composure—but there was a distinct glint of approval in his eyes.

He muttered under his breath, "Interesting… a rare fusion of thunder element and beast physique."