Chapter 114: Chapter 114: The Final Hurdle to Becoming an Emperor
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Ghost Douluo landed on the ground, gazing in the direction Dugu Bo had disappeared. Shrouded in black mist, his expression was unreadable, but his voice was heavy with astonishment:
"How has Dugu Bo become so powerful?!"
Behind him, Yue Guan pulled himself out of the ground. Thanks to the indestructible properties of the Chrysanthemum, his injuries were not particularly severe, but his spirit power was more than halfway depleted, leaving him in an utterly disheveled state.
Covered in dirt and debris, Yue Guan also stared in the direction where Dugu Bo had vanished. His tone grave, he muttered:
"I have my suspicions. Let's return to Spirit City and report to Her Majesty the Pope. I'll explain everything then."
Without delay, the two left the area.
---
In Spirit City, within the Pope's Palace, Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo stood respectfully before Bibi Dong. They bowed deeply as Yue Guan began his explanation:
"Your Majesty, if my battle with Dugu Bo had continued, I would have been undoubtedly defeated. If it were a fight to the death, I have no doubt I would be the one to perish."
"I sensed the aura of the Earth Dragon Golden Melon on Dugu Bo. It's a celestial herb imbued with the power of the Earth Dragon, capable of overturning the land. There's no doubt he consumed it."
"Not only has his spirit power increased significantly, but his Jade Phosphor Snake Emperor's combat abilities have become terrifyingly formidable."
Hearing this, Bibi Dong, adorned in a magnificent crown, golden ceremonial robes, and holding a scepter, furrowed her elegant brows. She was clearly troubled.
In the past, Dugu Bo's most fearsome trait had been his devastating ability to kill en masse. However, his individual strength and direct combat capabilities had ranked at the very bottom among Titled Douluo.
A single Titled Douluo—or at most two—could easily hold him off or even chase him down, forcing him to flee in disgrace.
But now, after consuming the Earth Dragon Golden Melon, his strength had undergone an earth-shattering transformation. He was capable of overpowering and potentially killing Yue Guan, a fellow Rank 95 Titled Douluo.
This meant that Dugu Bo had become even more of a threat. Ordinary Titled Douluo were no match for him, and even the stronger ones might struggle to take him down.
If he escaped after a confrontation, Dugu Bo could launch a devastating revenge campaign and potentially wipe out Spirit Hall across the continent in an incredibly short time.
Among the forces under Bibi Dong's command, aside from herself, only Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo working together with their Spirit Fusion ability might be able to contain Dugu Bo.
But her current situation didn't permit her to act directly. As for Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo, given Dugu Bo's familiarity with them, he would never foolishly wait in one place for them to execute their Spirit Fusion ability.
Bibi Dong's cold, clear voice broke the silence:
"It seems His Majesty Dugu still has some sense of restraint. Coming to Spirit City, he merely revealed his presence without causing any commotion. If that's the case..."
"Pass down the order. From now on, all Spirit Halls at every level are to give His Majesty Dugu due respect. Show him deference, avoid provoking him, and under no circumstances offend him."
Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei both felt a slight weight in their hearts but responded respectfully:
"As you command!"
They then silently withdrew.
After the two left, Bibi Dong's gaze returned to its usual calm. While Dugu Bo's sudden increase in strength was unexpected, it did not occupy a significant place in her concerns.
It was simply a matter of patience. After all, she had endured for so many years already. Once she fully inherited the divine legacy, no one on the continent would be able to oppose her.
At that time, whether it was the two great empires, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, any family or faction, or even rogue Spirit Masters—those who did not submit would be eliminated.
Dugu Bo would be no exception. He would not stand in her way.
Submit and live. Resist and perish.
---
Meanwhile, elsewhere...
Dugu Bo was in high spirits. He had defeated Yue Guan head-on—even an exalted celestial martial soul could not withstand him.
He shook his head and muttered:
"Such a joyous occasion, yet there's no one to share it with. Yan Yan, Xiao Li, who knows where they've run off to? When will they return?"
"Never mind. I'll head back to the Heaven Dou Empire. They're students at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, and they're bound to participate in the Spirit Master Tournament. They should return by then."
At this time, Wang Li and Dugu Yan were exploring the Xiling Mountains in the Fasnuo Province.
When they left the Sunset Forest, they first traveled east, then west, exploring the mountains, forests, and grasslands of the Heaven Dou Empire.
They didn't spare the Frozen Forest in the north or the many Soul Hunting Forests scattered across the land. Eventually, they arrived at the Xiling Mountains in the Fasnuo Province.
In a mountain valley surrounded by peaks, Wang Li stood gazing at his martial soul. At this moment, it was unmasked—robust and towering, crystal clear, with one red and one blue vein running through it. Surrounding it was a wave-like golden halo radiating outward.
This golden halo had appeared on his Blue Silver King after his Blue Silver affinity surpassed 50%.
Wang Li raised his head and looked into the distant sky, his eyes deep and thoughtful as he pondered:
"So, once my Blue Silver affinity exceeds 50% and I gain recognition from more than half of the Blue Silver Grass, I can accumulate energy to evolve the Blue Silver King into the Blue Silver Emperor."
"Unfortunately, I'm not the only one qualified to become the Blue Silver Emperor. The coffin of the previous generation's Blue Silver Emperor hasn't been fully sealed, and in the Blue Silver Forest, there's an 85,000-year-old Blue Silver King with immense strength and deep reserves."
"If I attempt to evolve into the Emperor now, the Blue Silver Emperor likely won't intervene. However, the Blue Silver King, should it choose to, can command its subjects and use the entire Blue Silver Forest's Blue Silver Grass to obstruct the rise of a new Emperor."
"Originally, when Tang San awakened as the Blue Silver Emperor, that Blue Silver King not only willingly submitted but even mobilized the entire Blue Silver Forest's Blue Silver Grass to help him succeed in his awakening."
"Absurd! It had the right to the throne but chose not to take it, instead helping Tang San awaken as the Blue Silver Emperor. That Blue Silver King's loyalty is staggering."
This was the predicament Wang Li now faced. The opportunity to evolve into the Emperor was right before him, yet he couldn't take the final step. There remained one last hurdle.
The fight for the throne was never going to be easy.
As Wang Li mulled over his options, two possible solutions came to mind:
"First, I've already traversed the Heaven Dou Empire. If I continue on to the Star Luo Empire and raise my Blue Silver affinity to 70% or even 90%, no force will be able to interfere with me."
"Second, I must eliminate all other contenders. The current Blue Silver Emperor is protected by Tang Hao, making it a difficult target. Besides, the Blue Silver Emperor hasn't regained consciousness, so its influence on me is minimal."
"But the Blue Silver King—it must be eradicated. Only by doing so can my path to evolution as the Emperor be clear of obstacles. Otherwise, that 85,000-year-old Blue Silver King, along with the entire Blue Silver Forest's Blue Silver Grass, will remain an insurmountable barrier."
"As for Tang San, he's already veered off course. Without the Blue Silver King's help and the support of the entire Blue Silver Forest, he would never have awakened."
"The most orthodox Blue Silver Emperor bloodline had to rely on the Blue Silver King's assistance to awaken. Tsk tsk..."
Over the past year, not much had happened to the protagonist. He focused on consolidating his essence and occasionally shared some intimate moments with Dugu Yan. Unfortunately, due to current regulations, those details can't be included here.
(End of Chapter)