Douluo Dalu 3 | Divine Destruction

Wu Zhangkong's growth could be considered unrivaled in his generation. He was less than thirty years old and already a level 92 title douluo, the Sky Ice Douluo, with four word battle armor. His ability to control every morsel of energy he used practically pushed him to the level of a hyper douluo so it was safe to say that he was the strongest of his age group.

But, in front of these kids, it was hard to say that was enough. Wulin and Yuena alone could rival him in a normal situation and the rest were tricky in their own ways. Combined, not even he could be certain fo victory. 

But that was in a normal situation. Right now, Wulin and Yuena were injured and couldn't use a large amount of their combat ability. Additionally, their teamwork would be hindered enough that he could likely avoid the worst case scenario. 

'However, their growth is unknown as well.' Wu Zhangkong held back on spying on their conversation, content with watching them from a distance. It wasn't just the two strongest that grew rapidly, they all did. It was impossible to guess how much they grew in the last few weeks.

He had seen bits and pieces of their growth in the recent tournament but it wouldn't be all too helpful at the moment. The two strongest were weakened to an unknown extent and the rest didn't reveal any of their cards. It would be difficult to base a strategy on such unknown factors.

"We're ready, teacher." Smiling playfully, Wulin glowed with pride for reasons Wu Zhangkong couldn't quite comprehend. Still, this was no time to be distracted. The battle had already begun as both he and his students scrutinized each other thoroughly.

"Then…" A sudden chill spread throughout the arena as he spoke, the sky freezing as his martial soul materialized in his hands. The pale blue blade shone with a light that challenged the heavens, a well controlled yet unmistakable sharpness threatening to cut them down even as he held it leisurely. "Let us begin." 

Unwilling to give them the chance to act first, a blade of pure sword intent split the air. Wu Zhangkong didn't even move, his mere intent to swing the blade bisecting the heavens. Raising his arms in front of his chest, golden scales shone on Wulin's limbs like numerous gems.

A grunt left Wulin's lips as he skidd back a few meters, his arms slightly reddened as the golden glow of his scales dimmed. Shooting out from behind him, Xie Xie faded away into nothingness before his teachers' very eyes while Mu Xi's presence only grew more noticable.

Flames lashed at Wu Zhangkong's frost as she cloaked herself in orange fire, the Sky Ice Douluo's ice element burning away in the face of somebody so young. Glancing at her for a moment, a hint of pride flashed in his golden irises as he brandished his blade.

In an instant, the arena was cut in two. The clouds above parted as a roaring silence filled the air, the earth and heavens alike torn in twain. A thin line marked the path of his blade, the instantaneous movement of their teacher impossible for them to see let alone react to. For all but one that is. 

Breathing heavily with sweat dripping down her pale skin, Yuena forcefully enlargened space to make way for the unstoppable blade. It was far less graceful than her usual tactics and Wulin was far less tyrannical.

'They're more injured than I thought.' A frown graced Wu Zhangkong's features as soul power covered his blade like a sheath. Yet another line formed behind him as his sword intent alone severed the boundary between this world and the next. Clicking his tongue at the lack of reaction, Wu Zhangkong was sure he had missed.

Xie Xie was the hardest opponent because he had the offensive power to defeat him in one strike if Wu Zhangkong wasn't careful and he was basically impossible to find when with his teachers lacking spiritual power.

'Heh. To think I would call spiritual power in the Spirit Abyss realm lacking against a child.' It was a silly thought to any other but Wu Zhangkong knew better. It wasn't his students trying to keep up with him, he was trying to match their growth.

However, the reverse world wasn't a realm so easily breached. Spiritual power was inherently incorporeal so it could affect the reverse world but it was difficult even for him. The most Wu Zhangkong could manage was sensing the slight killing intent Xie Xie released when he was about to attack.

His sword flashed once more as the sun created by Mu Xi's glowing third ring fell to the ground, shattering into numerous shards of ice. Elemental power was not Wu Zhangkong's forte, however, imbuing it into his sword intent made it rival that of an ultimate ice type soul master for a brief instant. That was the ability of somebody who reached the pinnacle of the sword.

Clicking her tongue, Mu Xi slammed her hammer into the earth spreading cracks through the earth like a spiderweb. Fire burst from the cracks, flying into the air like geysers creating a wall of flame that surrounded him on all sides. A familiar presence darted through the flames, the sound of cracking stone filling him with an indescribable sense of glee. No, pride was more accurate.

Leaping through the flames fearlessly, Wulin unhesitatingly thrust his fist at his teacher's unparalleled blade. The thump of his heartbeat filled the air for a brief moment, as space itself seemed to quiver slightly. 

Sliding back an inch, it was clear that Wu Zhangkong couldn't dream of rivaling his student in physical strength. But he was not a strength type soul master and Wulin knew that well. An odd pulling force locked Wulin's fist to the blade even as Wu Zhangkong moved swiftly, the tyrannical strength of the Golden Dragon Emperor as tame as a kitten before his control.

It was only because of his own mastery of control that Wulin was not sent flying but even he couldn't stop himself from being pulled in front of Mu Xi's flame coated hammer. Holding his student in place for just a moment, Wu Zhangkong made sure that it was impossible for the current Wulin to dodge.

And with a sickening crack, Wulin was sent flying through dozens of trees.

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Hey there, hope you liked the chapter.

Wu Zhangkong is handling this pretty well, huh? Well, that much is to be expected from him to be honest. I really like how he developed alongside the main cast and he's probably my favorite teacher of all the series just because of that. He hasn't gotten too much screen time but he's one of my favorite characters all in all.

If you want more chapters, head to patre*on.com/TrapOverlord for up to 25 extra chapters. It isn't required but it'd be much appreciated.