Quest Maker: 112

Title: Bald

A/N: I’m rewriting QM from this point due to several missed opportunities, inconsistencies in fanon lore, and the fact that I lost head and tails about the story after Qian Xunji’s ascension and made it all about the smut. I don’t mind the big beast girl harem in any manner. However, I believe I could have done better, and I will try to do so. There are several issues in the later chapters I want to correct. For instance, I don’t want to suspend Ja Sun’s trait by making that extended mission where he has to become a God. Second, I somehow implied that Ja Sun is aware of the Divine Traits even when he died before his Teach evolved. Third, I should have expanded on the Sun and Moon Continent part that Dai Taiyin conquered for Xunji since that place develops Spirit Essence Tools more than the Douluo Continent. Fourth, I feel it was wrong to give Ja Sun abilities to control almost every element just at the Master Attainment, and I have a better (hopefully) way to do that.

Essentially, I noticed several issues while rereading before returning to this novel and would love to rectify them. I understand this decision will upset several readers who have always been kind and supportive. I wish I could promise a perfect rewrite from this volume onward.

But I can’t lie about these things. All I can say is I’ll try my best. I will also actively refer to the original chaps since I have the backlog as I continue the rewrite to avoid accidentally missing fun jokes or puns.

Below is the summary of the previous two Volumes.

Vol 1—Grandson Appears: Formerly known as Cowl, Jason leads a successful rebellion against the World Federation of his homeworld to rid the corrupted system not in the name of people, for he was groomed into this life by his savior and would-be killer—Teach. Unknown to Teach, Jason acquired a mysterious Reincarnation Technique that can only be used once by the user through his Quest/Mission Maker trait, allowing his soul to safely transcend Worldly limitations and arrive at Douluo Continent as a traumatized youth named Ja Sun, who was once attacked by Qian Xunji, the current Pope of the Spirit Hall, during the former’s Awakening Ceremony. It led to Ja Sun unintentionally summoning the Dark Devilgo Tiger that attacked Qian Xunji, believing the Pope to be the more significant threat than Ja Sun with the supposed Evil Attributed Martial Soul.

Ja Sun lives a simple life, employing his trait to acquire knowledge and luxurious articles of clothing while living in the Devil Pond Forest, utilizing his second martial soul—Three-Eyed Silver Lion. His presence is eventually known by a team led by Zhao Wuji, consisting of Feng Long, Oscar, and Xiao Jun. This team was once within the Spirit Hall but left after facing its corrupt system. Meanwhile, a mysterious woman named Ah Yin is also interested in the Three-Eye Silver Lion’s ability to increase others’ cultivation.

After a skirmish, Ja Sun takes out a Rank 40+ Spirit Ancestor, Zhao Wuji, and his team before getting caught by Ah Yin. She proceeds to impale his heart with her hand once he claims that he doesn’t fear death. Taken by surprise at his disregard for near-death experience, Ah Yin lowers her guard and is knocked out unconscious. Ja Sun, like always, loots his victims clean before leaving one of the Human-Tongued Owls for the team to discover and follow after him into the Star Dou Forest.

Unknown to Ja Sun, only Ah Yin follows him since she isn’t part of the team. On the way, the duo encounters the Tang Siblings on different instances before eventually meeting near the Star Dou Forest.

Admitting that he never absorbed any spirit ring, the group decides to travel to another area controlled by the Spirit Hall to test their luck for a Spirit Ring. At the same time, Ja Sun also creates a mission that leaves him temporarily blind. His insistence on trusting Ah Yin with his life in such a reckless fashion allows the latter to warm up to his presence. But for some reason, she also wished to use his martial soul to increase her cultivation to rank 60.

Eventually, they meet Violet, and Ja Sun later encounters Liu Erlong trying to kill the Human-Mutated Lamia—Violet due to the indecent exposure of her chest.

Ja Sun and Ah Yin leave the forest after a year, and the former forms his first Spirit Soul—Bright Goddess Butterfly. Knowing about the war for a Spirit Bone between the Balak and the Silvers Kingdom, Ja Sun joins the former for the rewards before eventually becoming the second highest merit-earning Spirit Master after Liu Erlong, who earns a Spirit Bone.

Showing an ultimate display of trust despite his overly greedy, hoarding nature, Ja Sun offers Ah Yin a valuable Blue Silver Emperor Core, allowing the latter to evolve her martial soul and tying her trust with his as they embark on the Spirit Hall despite the well-known bounty on his head.

Vol 2—Grandson Shakes The Continent: Not having seen Ja Sun since the awakening and unaware of his second Martial Soul, Ja Sun predicts the Spirit Hall’s helplessness in identifying him unless he reveals the mark of his Evil Title. So, Ja Sun concocts a shoddy plan to attract top-tier Spirit Masters of the Spirit Hall through Ah Yin’s talent as the youngest Spirit Emperor and having her hype him. The plan works exceedingly well since Ja Sun effortlessly counters the Golden Crocodile Douluo, who tries to suppress Ja Sun for Yu Xiaogang due to a grudge from the war. Ja Sun also counters Bibi Dong’s unruly killing intent, nurtured through Slaughter City. Amazed by these talents, the Pope’s Father, Qian Daoliu, accepts the duo under his mentorship, allowing them to train as they please, only offering rewards for their milestones and guidance on improving the skills they are currently working on.

Meanwhile, the Pope’s Disciple, Bibi Dong, is tasked with teaching the new recruits from the war. It is revealed that the two parties of the war were funded by the Spirit Hall, and the Heaven Dou Empire wanted to reduce the number of rogue spirit masters without losing too much ‘official’ strength.

Here, Ja Sun meets Liu Erlong again, alongside several other victims he chose not to kill during the war.

After a few tests, Bibi Dong formed her team—Ah Yin, Ja Sun, Xie Xan, Hu Lana, and Liu Erlong—before leaving the developing Spirit City to prepare for the first inter-continental competition hosted by the Pope.

Bibi Dong proved a competent teacher and taught her team the practical and theoretical faces of cultivation, environment, and spirit beasts. She led her team into extreme environments to train and quicken their growth. Going on with the fake name from his previous life, ‘Ka-ul’ (Cowl), Ja Sun never revealed his ability to quicken others’ cultivation out of his apprehension of the former Team Zhao Wuji recognizing him as Ja Sun.

After some training, the team rests in Gengxin City for a week, where Ja Sun uses his Realm of Self—Perfect Control—to learn about several arrays from the Divine Blacksmith Lou Gao. Here, Ja Sun learns about using one of his S-Ranked Rewards, The War God Crystal Essence. Ja Sun refines his Vajra Gauntlets into his body using one of the Top-Tier Living Metal Essence, unintentionally landing on one of War God’s trials where Ja Sun escapes with his life and turns the Vajra Gauntlets into Blood Artifact that acts as an External Spirit Bone and grow with the metals the user refines into oneself.

The team enters the Star Luo Imperial Capital City, where Bibi Dong is expected to meet with the current Emperor, Dai Laohu, and negotiate the terms of the Competition after the latter’s insistence on making the round-robin competitions fatal, allowing the participants' deaths. Here, Ja Sun enters into one of his most significant conflicts since he stood to earn a lot. He manipulated the only princess, Dai Mu, to cause a scene where he can humiliate the Imperial Clan for his Trait. Ja Sun also meets the Tang Siblings and encounters Tang Yuehua, who is instantly attracted to her martial soul due to a resonance with the Three-Eyed Silver Lion. Despite his provocations, the Imperial Family does nothing to Ja Sun due to Qian Daoliu’s promise as Ja Sun earns a few Spirit Bones, and the team eventually leaves the city for Disorienting Ghost Canyon within the Star Duo Forest.

After more training and forming another Spirit Soul, the group learns about the Beasttaken Tide within the Star Luo Empire and accepts taking care of it. This tide is created by a cult of Evil Spirits Masters—Hint of Evil. Due to the previous skirmish, the White Tiger Clan also had a bounty on Bibi Dong’s team. Several Spirit Masters try hunting for Bibi Dong’s team until Ja Sun and the team reverse the role.

Unfortunately, all this attracts a Title Douluo from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—Ground Devil Douluo. This man hunts Ja Sun but fails the first time, earning some injuries to his mental scape. It’s then revealed the true Ground Devil Douluo is dead. The individual acting as Ground Devil Douluo is a rare 100,000-year-old mutated Beartaken, one of the primary causes of the Beasttaken Tides. He’s mobilized by the Leader of the Hint of Evil—Red Star—an Evil Spirit Master said to have been killed by Bibi Dong.

Eventually, with Bibi Dong’s support, Ja Sun kills Ground Devil Douluo, ensuring that every power in the continent knows of his might.

(Refer to the character’s page and the Lore tab for more info. But it is recommended that you check them out in Discord since the Spirit Skills are jotted in a table, which isn’t currently supported on the WN text editor.)

Vol 3: Grandson Slaps the Continent.

<<<<<>>>>>

*Whoosh*

Dust and wind blew over the dusty landscape near the Dragon Rising City, which was kissed by several craters of different perimeters and depths. What felt like a cataclastic battle filled with city-ending explosions, an unnaturally terrifying source of Spirit Energy, and vast killing intent ended three hours before the first scouts appeared near the region.

Possessing the highest Spirit Rank among the Spirit Masters inspecting the region, Tang Xiao points to the giant crater, which is as wide as 8 kilometers in radius and as deep as dozens of meters. It’s not hard to assume the spot is the climax of the epic battle between a Titled Douluo and…

“Did he survive?” Tang Hao mutters. He hopes Ja Sun survived. How epic would be the tale of a Spirit King defeating a Titled Douluo…

It will change the very perception of their cultivation.

“He probably did.” Tang Xiao narrows his eyes. “Remember how Uncle Tiger didn’t do a thing to Ka-ul? The chances of Bibi Dong’s team being under a Titled Douluo’s protection are high. Only…”

“Nobody sensed another Titled Douluo,” Tang Hao concludes his Eldest’s observation.

They all felt Ground Devil’s exasperation as he performed such an intense explosion… but wouldn’t another Titled Douluo feel short-handed if they tried to suppress their power while tackling someone of their rank?

Why didn’t they feel another Titled Douluo?

How can Ground Devil Douluo ‘disappear’ without a trace?

The battlefield displays signs of struggle…

The struggles of a Titled Douluo.

Tang Hao blinks and walks forward to a peculiar spot. Others are on the battlefield, including the assassins of the Hell Civet Clan, who are after Bibi Dong’s team and the Dragon Rising City’s Mayor.

“What is it?” Tang Xiao whispers as Tang Hao stares at the empty spot before he replies, “I sense the remnants of a Domain. It’s… unlike mine acquired one.”

Tang Xiao frowns.

“It cannot be,” he shakes his head. “None of the four Titled Douluos of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile possesses a Domain. It’s known to the Seven Clans.”

“It’s a domain,” Tang Hao affirms. “And Ground Devil still lost…”

“You can’t be sure,” Tang Xiao shakes his head. “It’s only our speculation—”

“No,” Tang Hao looks at Tang Xiao, a rare look of sternness in his ordinarily reckless gaze. “I can feel it, Xiao. This battlefield ain’t the same as Grandpa’s records… we know what the battle with Titled Douluo feels like. Ground Devil wasn’t fighting any Titled Douluo…”

Tang Hao’s words are loud enough for those with extraordinary senses to hear. They scoff. How can a Titled Douluo be defeated by someone of a lower rank?

Yet Tang Xiao believes his younger brother.

Tang Hao is an extraordinary combatant with talents no less than their Grandfather.

Still, Xiao chuckles, uncaring of others’ perception of his brother. He compresses his voice. “Let’s be extraordinarily careful and courteous when we meet Bibi Dong tomorrow. Even Father is only a Titled Douluo.”

Tang Hao grunts before he looks at the distant forest.

“They haven’t found a thing. Let’s call off the search.”

<<<>>>

“Whoa! Again,” Xie Xan whistles, watching a group of Speed Clansmen in white shuffling through the forest and not once glancing in their direction. “Ah Yin’s domain has crazy concealing ability.” Admiration and awe lace his tone as Xie Xan observes the tent formed from threaded blades of Blue Silver Grass.

There are two tents.

Xie Xan, Lana, Erlong, and Bibi Dong occupy the larger tent as Yin heals Ja Sun in the smaller one.

His gaze falls upon the unconscious Bibi Dong with her head atop a concerned Lana’s lap. Meanwhile, Erlong sits in the corner with a blank look. Xie Xan sighs, recalling the almost burnt corpse and an unconscious Bibi Dong handed to them by Ja Sun’s clone before it dispersed.

‘It’s messed up,’ he muses, feeling slight pity for Erlong. Even Lana is the same… but he’s never seen Erlong…

Helpless.

Xie Xan then looks at the teary-eyed Lana. He feels his heart ache because Lana and Ja Sun were quick to get fond of each other as siblings from another mother—always finding ways to poke fun at each other. It’s the same for Xie Xan.

His shoulders slump—

“Ngh,” a soft groan attracts everyone’s attention as the trio glances at Bibi Dong.

Their teacher stirs awake with messy hair and soot covering her face and clothes. Primarily out of harm’s way, Bibi Dong only suffered due to overexerting her ‘unorthodox’ prowess. She lazily looks around, scrunching her brows at the charred smell emanating from her being, partially due to the fried ends of her smoked hair. However, recollection of the climactic battle resurfaces in her mind, causing her eyes to widen.

“Where’s Ka-ul?” She panics, swiveling her head from one side to another. Her chest tightens at the sight of the trio’s sad, helpless looks as Bibi Dong hisses anxiously, indifferent to her proximity to Lana due to her former position. “Where IS he?” she demands, having never felt such anxiety due to how she’s been raised to always remain level-headed.

“Ka-ul… he…” Hu Lana softly reveals everything from the last three hours, explaining how Ja Sun’s clone dropped them and how Ah Yin has been healing Ja Sun since then.

Though impatient to query Yin about Ja Sun’s status, Bibi Dong accepts the explanation and withdraws from her surroundings, like Erlong. Her hollow stare wanders nowhere as Hu Lana sits near Xie Xan.

“I’m worried,” Hu Lana whispers to her lover as he lowers his head. “I’m, too… but sometimes no news is good news. Maybe… Yin is making good progress in healing him. You know how he is,” Xie Xan notes, raising his voice by a tiny bit to let the two depressed and worried women hear him. “He’s a tough nut to crack.” He chuckles. “He’s also surpassed most of us. Instead of worrying for him… I fear for us. Nobody will get him off his horse when he steps out fully recovered. Just you see… he’s an obnoxious son of a bitch, after all.”

Hu Lana smiles softly, resting her head atop his shoulder.

‘Just make a quick recovery,’ they pray.

<<<>>>

“Be grateful I’m allowing this inch,” Yin deadpans. “Stop making me repeat myself. I’m only letting you rest on this spot because of your… condition.”

“You can call me a cripple,” Ja Sun smirks as he cozies his head atop Yin’s heavenly thighs, even lying on his side without an ounce of shame as her soft fingers gently stroke the outer shell of his ear. His words make Yin cringe as she glances at his naked body, covered by the sheet from the waist down. It’s difficult to ignore the silhouette of the limp organ between his crotch alongside the glaring stump of a left arm protruding from his shoulder.

“I would be a fool to debase someone who killed a Titled Douluo by calling him a cripple,” She snorts, making him chuckle. Her hand rests on his bald head, allowing sadness to seep through her gaze as she whispers, “Sorry, I cannot completely heal your arm, and the situation with your inner energy system… that last attack from Ground Devil left a lasting mark…”

“It’s enough,” Ja Sun grins at her. “Killing a Titled Douluo for the price of an arm and some injuries is fucking awesome! Besides, one arm is enough to do a lot of things.”

“And does this revelation include your newfound appreciation of rubbing your face into my abdomen?” She inquires with narrowed eyes.

“I’m disoriented,” Ja Sun blinks. “Can’t say what you’re talking about. You know… dizziness makes the head move—”

*Pah*

Her palm strikes his bald head as she continues, “And don’t make such faces. You look creepy without your eyebrows and eyelashes.”

Ja Sun pouts, “Never knew you were a stickler for appearances.”

“I’m not,” she replies without batting an eyelash. “You just happen to be uglier than what my limits tolerate.”

Ja Sun deadpans before scoffing. “Fine,” he snorts. Be that way. I just like your scent and how your thighs feel. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even allow you to cradle my head.”

Ah Yin recovers her smile. She gently rubs his temple as Ja Sun sighs.

“Say, Yin.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“I feel it’s time for you to touch another head—”

*Pah*

“... you will at least help me get clothed, right? It’ll be annoying with just one arm.”

The blue-haired woman momentarily considers before nodding, “As long as you don’t say a word about it to others… and no more dirty jokes or puns. I will slap and demolish the source of all evil if you continue your perverted ways.” She cruelly eyes Ja Sun’s sausage as he snorts.

“I’m a rock, baby. It only hardens in response to physical trauma. Slap away—”

She struck…

He (s)creamed…

But Ja Sun might have liked it slightly.

Still, Ja Sun doesn’t move. He feels tired and accepts Yin’s generosity to stay by his side as he closes his eyes, smiling, “Thank you… I can only be this reckless knowing you have my back.”

She replies with a gentle sigh. “Don’t I know it? I’m the unlucky one to have met such a hopeless man…” Her hand caresses his cheek. “Just rest. I’ll be here…” she averts her gaze.

“Hmm,” Ja Sun wishes he could accept the sentiment…

But he’s got his trait to worry about. So, he chuckles. “I hope you don’t mind my morning wood—”

“I’m going out,” she scoffs. “The last thing I want to witness is your erection.”

“Your loss,” he shrugs and rolls down the other side as the act exposes his butt to the woman, making her roll her eyes.

Ja Sun calls out before she leaves.

“Do me a favor and help me contain all the Spiritual Energy from leaking through the tent.”

Ah Yin momentarily pauses before nodding, “Be careful.”

“You know I won’t,” he snickers. He rests on the ground, observing the cover of listless blades of Blue Silver Grass forming the tent. Yin consumed intense energy from the surroundings to heal Ja Sun’s injuries, causing the nearby Blue Silver Grass to appear dull as compared to its usual vibrant blue hue. He continues lying on the soft ground. ‘Others won’t disturb me,’ he muses oddly. Eventually, his trait’s prompt appears in his vision.

He grunts and sits, feeling his face with his remaining arm.

“Yin says she healed me on the surface… but my balls still hurt. Well, they were burnt… I hope it doesn’t reduce my sperm count. Losing future generations for one kill would be a massive loss…”

Indeed…

Who will continue his glorious ways of reigning terror upon Titled Douluos as a Spirit King if he can’t breed others… preferably Yin.

His gaze shifts as the holographic models of his reward project themselves from the middle of his forehead.

[Objective: Kill pursuers after your group’s bounty and rob them.

Optional Objectives:

1) Accomplish the objective with the said members unscathed by any pursuer.

Mission Rank: S-S

Mission Reward: 50000 Gold Coins, Asura’s Sight Technique, 10th Grade Myriad Blood Mango—Rakshasa Soul Devouring Technique

Time Limit: 5 Days.]

Ignoring the five large pouches of coins, Ja Sun observes the fist-sized Blood Mango, a blood-red booklet, and a square-shaped purple jade possessing an ominous glint.

‘Man, I almost lost one of the S-ranked rewards due to Bibi Dong almost getting caught in the crossfire,’ Ja Sun sighs in relief. There’s also the added bonus of bitch-slapping his dearest teacher with a severed arm.

Ja Sun chuckles at the thought. Only if he could retain his severed arm, using it as a weapon to bitch slap his enemies.

‘Let’s see what these are.’ More than grateful to Daoliu since his blood-bonded storage ring doesn’t have a single scratch despite the explosion, Ja Sun stores the coin and picks the nearest item—the fist-sized blood-red mango.

Immortal Herbs…

Despite their name ‘Herbs,’ Immortal Herbs also consist of fruits and nuts. Of course, almost all spirit masters with years of experience and knowledge know the characterization of Immortal Herbs in grades 1-10. A 10th-grade Immortal Herb represents a Spirit Beast equivalent of cultivation with 100,000 Years!

Such things aren’t easy to locate!

Ja Sun is also aware of the use of this fruit, but this is more a literary fact than a proper understanding.

‘Myriad Blood Mango… is used to seamlessly fuse two bloodlines, irrespective of their differences. Bloodlines are also connected to one’s martial soul. Does it mean I can just drink someone’s blood and fuse their Martial Soul with mine?’ He frowns. ‘Nah. Martial Souls are dependent on bloodlines and soul origin. The journals about martial souls and spirit masters emphasized both aspects. The bloodline is said to determine the martial souls… but soul origins are more vague.’

Ja Sun sniffs the mango, finding it barely appealing. It has no extraordinary scent or feel.

Deciding to ponder it later, Ja Sun stores the mango in a jade case to ensure its medicinal effect before moving on to the blood-red booklet.

‘Asura’s Sight Technique,’ he awkwardly flips through the pages. Oh, how he already misses his left arm. But Ja Sun's brows knit together as he appears confused. ‘A sight skill… only usable by spirit masters possessing martial souls with a Yin attribute?’ He continues reading it. The author of the skill is unknown, but Ja Sun can appraise the validity of the technique as a practitioner of a sight technique—Fiery Golden Eyes.

‘Its effects are significant, but the method of practicing it is gnarly. It’s a pity the skill won’t work for me now that my eyes have been reconstructed with the Yang attribute. Not to mention, I don’t have a Yin-attributed martial soul.’

He sighs and stores the booklet.

Ja Sun curiously picks up the palm-sized square purple jade slab and turns it around in different directions. There is no writing on its surface.

‘Blood, spirit energy, or mental energy it is,’ Ja Sun shrugs, already aware of how things work.

Having lost a significant portion of his blood, Ja Sun leaves that option for the last and begins with a strand of spirit energy.

Nothing.

He blinks and manipulates a strand of his robust mental energy, instantly feeling it connecting to a source of mental energy anchored upon the jade. The more his mental energy communicates with this source, the more he learns about the technique and the quicker the external source of mental energy dissipates.

But it’s still relatively slow.

‘Nobody’s got time for this,’ he rolls his eyes, mobilizing his Death Astral Combatant.

The sudden ‘attack’ from the astral combatant swiftly devours the technique's content as the corner of Ja Sun’s ‘lashless’ eyes twitch.

‘Rakshasa Soul Devouring Technique… the fuck?! Another technique with the restriction of the martial soul? How can I find the martial soul—Rakshasa Scythe? Tch… even more incredulous is its content… the spirit masters of ancient times were on crack. First, the Extreme Phantom Douluo, who created several remarkable techniques usable by others, like the Astral Combatant… there’s also the creator of the Fiery Golden Eyes, Asura’s Sight Technique, and now the Rakshasa Soul Devouring Technique…’

He ponders.

‘Did Master create any technique? The effects of these self-created techniques are no worse than a spirit skill. Tang Hao also displayed his hammer technique back then during our bet. How peculiar… what are the conditions of creating such techniques?’

Ja Sun’s spirit energy stirs. ‘Is it just the use of spirit energy? Are they like arrays? How does one even walk the first steps of this path?’

Ja Sun admits he never really cared about the origins of such techniques until he saw the restrictions of the Asura’s Sight and Rakshasa Soul Devouring Technique.

In theory, can’t he create a skill centered around the Three-Eyed Silver Lion or Evil Title?

‘Well,’ he huffs. ‘I’ll have my sweet time to think about it when I become a Titled Douluo. Let’s get on with the exciting part~!’

Ja Sun brings out Ground Devil’s corpse from his storage ring. His clone ensured the proper covering of their tracks and looting rites before delivering him and Bibi Dong to others.

Sharing the loot with Bibi Dong is the last thought in his quest-addled head despite her mysterious assistance. Ja Sun swiftly dismantles the corpse.

A 100,000-year-old Beasttaken is undoubtedly valuable… not to mention the spirit bones!

After a thorough inspection, Ground Devil had absorbed a right leg spirit bone, which Ja Sun identified—as a 39000-year-old Exploding Mantis Right Leg Bone.

But what attracts him the most is the absolutely brilliant golden ribcage chest piece the size of a skull replacing Ground Devil’s actual ribcage—

‘A 100,000-year-old… Duskgold Dreadclaw Beartaken Torso Bone!’ Gold glitters in Ja Sun’s eyes as he barely controls the urge to fuse with this treasure.

He would not have controlled himself if he had been a lesser man pursuing quantitative growth instead of qualitative growth.

As things are…

Ja Sun’s martial souls aren’t compatible with the Duskgold Dreadclaw species.

‘But my questions still stand… does the spirit bone grow with the user if they are a Beasttaken? Ground Devil didn’t know… he was unique… or all 100,000-year-old Beasttakens must be considered different. Master said how a beast-turned-human loses the feral scent of their soul origins at Rank 60 and becomes true humans at Rank 90, unable to shed their spirit ring and bone if killed at that stage…’

‘But Ground Devil effortlessly transitioned from a man to a beast… he even had spirit rings. It’s not mimicry of being a human…’ he licks his lips. ‘Should I capture a beasttaken?’

He thinks before discarding the idea.

Even Ja Sun knows how tense the team will be should he capture and keep a sex-crazed beast near them.

‘What about her?’ Ja Sun blinks, recalling the purple-haired mutant of a Lamia.

‘She’s… a beast with human mutations, possibly another face of the same coin representing a Beasttaken.’ He smiles. ‘I also have some capital to attract her. The Rakshasa Soul Devouring Technique should be enticing enough.’

Of course, Ja Sun can’t act on these thoughts yet.

Instead, he carefully stores the Duskgold hide, flesh, blood, and spirit bone before pulling out a pitch-black right arm bone.

<<<>>>

“How does my city look?” inquired Qian Xunji, the current Pope of the Spirit Hall. A golden mask covers his blinded, right-mangled portion of the face, festering with a feral scar. He leans against a tree in the forest beside the Spirit City, admiring the tall, hexagonal walls.

“It’s pleasing, objectively,” replies the voice.

“But what do you think of it?” Xunji chuckles. “I can always rely on your comments. You’re possibly the only person who doesn’t lie to me.”

“I cannot,” affirms the blood-red figure. His lean, tall body is covered by flexible armor marked by Divine Blacksmith Lou Gao’s imprint. Blood-red hair drapes atop his shoulders. The man’s scrutinizing gaze barely betrays the depths of hatred brewing within as Xunji’s smile widens at the sight of the locket hanging around the man’s neck. “I haven’t been able to lie since you used that damned artifact on me.”

“One of my most brilliant investments after you-know-who,” Xunji shrugs. “Now, the city. What do you think?”

“A pile of shit deserving its current Pope. Fleas don’t deserve much, after all. Dine on your shit, Xunji.”

That’s why the Pope is alone. Xunji almost feels a headache at the thought of Yue Guan or Gui Mei's presence in such insults. But the Pope barely feels anything from the insult. His smile never fades.

“I see,” he replies. “Did you know my father saw through my plan in an instant? He says he dislikes politics… but Father has always been modest.”

“You’re amused?” Redstar, the Hint of Evil’s leader, frowns. “Your plan failed. Ground Devil is dead.”

“Astounding, no?” Xunji smirks. “A Spirit King killed a Titled Douluo. Bibi Dong played a vital role… but Father’s disciple is the monster our kind often envies. It’s a wonder how Ka-ul isn’t a beast-turned-human. But there’s nothing to feel sorry about.”

Crouching, Xunji plucks a nearby flower as a lick of yellow-gold fire burns it into ashes. “My motivation in killing Ka-ul stemmed from his conflict with the Imperial White Tiger Clan. It brought more losses to the Spirit Hall than it afforded beneficial opportunities. Now? Ka-ul killed a Titled Douluo. He’s a threat… and a respectable opponent for all Titled Douluos…”

“Except for the Elder’s Hall and Qian Daoliu,” Redstar grunts.

“And the Priestess on a faraway Island. Let’s not mention the several hidden experts in the core of the Star Dou Great Forest… their King is a beast like none other.”

“So,” Qian Xunji explains. “Killing Ka-ul no longer makes sense. He’s more beneficial to the Spirit Hall. He also must have made quite an impression on my student, prompting her to disregard my warnings and help him by using her second martial soul. Not only that, killing a Titled Douluo is a massive merit. My father will give Ka-ul and Ah Yin inheritances from the hall. Also, the most crucial point…” he sheepishly chuckles. “I would instead tackle both Empires than risk ruining Father’s mood.”

“Your father doesn’t deserve a scum like you,” Redstar snorts.

“That may be so,” Xunji shrugs. “As for you… maintain strict control over your personnel. Ka-ul’s spirit bone can pull your visage from your men. Bibi Dong stated in her report how you resemble… her first bounty.”

Redstar bristles.

“What were you expecting?” the man questions. “Either I control their blood to maintain loyalty, or you lose your operation. I prefer the latter—”

“And what good would that do?” Xunji sneers. “It’s not like your sins will vanish if I fail—”

“MY sins?” Redstar growls, clutching his locket.

“I’m a bad man,” Xunji shrugs. “At least I don’t pretend like you. Well, I don’t like wasting my breath on you. Has it ever done me any good? Yue Guan and Gui Mei will coordinate with you later.”

Xunji leaves, musing, ‘An arm for a Titled Douluo is a ludicrously low price… but it also reduces Ka-ul’s potential, hopefully making him more subservient to Dong’er. It’s best he soon gets under her alongside Ah Yin.’

Meanwhile, Redstar calms his breathing before loosening his hold around the locket. He hatefully stares at those tall walls before sneering.

‘Oh, you arrogant shit,’ the man spits. ‘What expression will you make once you learn I killed Ground Devil Douluo and replaced him… how much will you hate me when you realize you gifted a 100,000-year-old spirit bone to a junior? But it won’t come close to the hate I fester… it never will.’

Blood-red bat-like wings emerge from his back as he flies away.

<<<>>>

Ja Sun’s body appears calm despite the roiling spirit energy coursing in his veins. His Realm of Self—Perfect Control—allows him to curb any unnecessary fluctuations from his being.

A layer of pitch-black energy encases Ja Sun’s right arm. Its surface throbs similar to Ja Sun’s heart as his cultivation grows.

55…

56…

*Spurt*

A trickle of blood gushes from the sudden break of the skin near his right shoulder.

Ja Sun’s skin is tender again, white and smooth. He needs some tempering under the grueling sun to recover his once-envied physique.

But Ja Sun isn’t mindful of this crack.

Instead, he experiences the spirit bone melting and fusing with his right arm.

80000-year-old Hell Black Tiger Right Arm Bone!

Ja Sun smiles, but he also feels complex.

An 80000-year-old bone propelled his cultivation by merely two ranks…

His body and mind are of superb quality. The quality and efficiency of his Spirit Energy, due to the Final Buddha Array, is double that of his peers. All this leads to a ‘slow’ growth.

It’s a happy worry, is what it is.

Ja Sun opens his eyes, stretching his lone arm as the Vajra Gauntlet covering his forearm reveals darker tiger-like strips in the plated texture.

‘Jumping from Rank 54 to 56 will ordinarily make others curious. Heh, now I can just cry the victim and fake coughing blood to put a stop to their questioning.’

He smirks before standing up.

‘Maybe I can guilt trip others into having them hand their wealth over to me? Heh, I’m being too greedy. I’d be lucky—’

He stops before sitting back.

‘Actually,’ he grows calm. ‘I should take this time to reread the Rakshasa Soul Devouring Technique. The research on the soul origin will help me understand how to best use the Myriad Blood Mango. Still… I got this technique because of Bibi Dong. And that feeling when she used her second martial soul… heh, still… twin martial souls, eh?’

He lies down, mourning the loss of Yin’s thighs.

‘I’m just going to meet them tomorrow.’ He closes his eyes. Ja Sun cannot get mentally tired. His mental core wouldn’t let him.

But the weight of his experiences can make him want to rest.

‘I’m going to sleep, Yin…’ he compresses his voice. ‘For real. So… you know, I won’t mind you healing me further.’

He knows she can hear him. Despite the lack of reply, Ja Sun sleeps a hopeful man.

***

Alternate Title: Depressed Team; Erlong Acting Like She Lost Her Favorite Chew Toy; Oh, No… Ja Sun is Hurt… Again; Bibi Dong’s Messy Mind; The Team’s Worry; Xie Xan Gets Ja Sun; Siblings From Another Mother; Fresh Thighs Save Lives; Yin’s Support; Sad Yin; To Learn How To Touch The Head; Ja Sun’s Saitama Arc; The Remorseless Monster; The Dead Beast; Ja Sun’s a Rock; Ja Sun Wants It Hard… Wait, Sus; Ah Yin Didn’t See a Thing (She Observed and Memorized Everything); The Quirky Plant; The Goddess Likes Only One Meat; The Rewards; Jumping Ranks; The Divine Techniques; Xunji and Redstar; The Shit Dining Flea; Controlled; Daoliu’s Suppression; Neutral Evil; All For His Goal; The Assessment; Arrogance’s Price; The 100,000-year-old Torso Bone; Who’s The Lesser Man?; Ja Sun *Coughs Blood: Hurry, Girls. Strip. I’m Dying… At Least Let Me Hit Dies Quicker Under Their Attack Xie Xan Enjoys The Slaughter With Popcorn*; An Insight into Soul Origin